Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
Oh… this is going to be a long one.
I’m not usually a fan of love triangles, especially ones that involve two siblings, but when they’re written with clear emotional intent and care, I’m all in. Adjacent But Only Just by Nichole Van is one of the rare few that completely nails it.
Viola, a shy and deeply compassionate writer (who also suffers from anxiety and severe asthma), has quickly become one of my favourite heroines in this genre. She is so tenderly written and portrayed with such vulnerability and quiet strength that I found myself rooting for her instantly.
What I love most is that Malcolm isn’t written as her opposite, which refreshingly subverts the usual “opposites attract” trope. Instead, he shares a similar reserved nature. He is a quiet widower who falls for Viola in the most sincere and steady way. Despite their soft personalities, their relationship is anything but dull. Their story starts off as gentle and careful, but gradually grows into something full of passion and quiet fire. The chemistry between them is unmistakable and they bring out the best in each other.
Some of the chapters that was personally memorable to me were Chapters 7 and 9. The conversations they had—open, trusting, and vulnerable—form the heart of their connection. It’s in those pages that you understand not only how, but why, they fall so deeply and genuinely for each other.
Grief is rightfully present for the most part of this book, and I appreciated how respectfully and realistically it was handled. The author doesn’t water down Malcolm’s grief or the love he had for his late wife. If you’ve read the first book, you know how deeply Malcolm and Aileen loved one another, so much so that even Leah admired and longed for a love like theirs. Aileen’s passing reshaped Malcolm completely, and that emotional weight is honoured throughout. The scene where he speaks to Viola about his grief genuinely moved me to tears. And, the character development throughout the book is fantastic. Watching Viola and Malcolm help each other slowly step out of their shells was such a joy.
And I have to talk about Ethan—he’s such a wonderful brother, and although we’ve mostly seen him through his literary talents so far, I don’t doubt there’s much more to him waiting to be uncovered. He’s inspired, thoughtful, and clearly full of hidden depths. I can already tell that his love story will be something truly special. A poet falling in love? That kind of story is going to hit like no other.
P.S I read the book and listened to the audiobook interchangeably because I simply couldn’t put it down, even while I was at work. Mhairi Morrison deserves all the praise, she absolutely nailed Viola’s voice and brought the tone of the story to life just as I imagined it.
P.P.S. Although it’s not my favourite, I definitely recommend reading Book 1, which is about Malcolm’s sister Leah, to get the full effect of Malcolm’s journey. He appears quite often in her book, and it really helps frame where he’s coming from emotionally.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ahh this series is just melt worth. Absolutely loved it!
Content warnings: kisses only
Content warnings: kisses only
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I was utterly charmed! A literary author heroine and a reclusive, gold hearted gentleman farmer AND SCOTLAND—what’s not to love?!
Viola and Malcolm were entirely lovable, and I deeply enjoyed the way Van fleshed out their characters & the journey they took to get there.
I have to mention the angst because THERE WAS SO MUCH ANGST. This was my before-bed-wind-down-and-relax audiobook. Not my smartest move because as I’m trying to fall asleep I’m screaming at the characters. Just tell Ethan already, why don’t you?! (Poor Ethan. My heart hurts for him but I’m glad he’ll get an HEA next.)
Also, stone throwing needs to make a reappearance as a socially appropriate way to settle disputes and have hard conversations. I’d be rubbish at it but would watch appreciatively. 😂
Content: mild language; a couple passionate make out kisses; character death in childbirth (past); grief
Viola and Malcolm were entirely lovable, and I deeply enjoyed the way Van fleshed out their characters & the journey they took to get there.
I have to mention the angst because THERE WAS SO MUCH ANGST. This was my before-bed-wind-down-and-relax audiobook. Not my smartest move because as I’m trying to fall asleep I’m screaming at the characters. Just tell Ethan already, why don’t you?! (Poor Ethan. My heart hurts for him but I’m glad he’ll get an HEA next.)
Also, stone throwing needs to make a reappearance as a socially appropriate way to settle disputes and have hard conversations. I’d be rubbish at it but would watch appreciatively. 😂
Content: mild language; a couple passionate make out kisses; character death in childbirth (past); grief
I absolutely loved this book and I loved Malcolm Penn-Leith with my entire heart. He and Viola’s relationship was so natural and real and I enjoyed every moment they shared together… even the hard ones.
I smiled the entire book and could not put it down. I read any time I had a free moment.
I definitely recommend reading Love Practically before this one because it gave a deeper understanding of Malcolm and it will make you empathize with him and his journey of overcoming his grief and loss. I loved watching him open up again and fall for someone again and Viola was perfect for him.
I can’t recommend this book enough. It was better than the first, in my opinion!
I smiled the entire book and could not put it down. I read any time I had a free moment.
I definitely recommend reading Love Practically before this one because it gave a deeper understanding of Malcolm and it will make you empathize with him and his journey of overcoming his grief and loss. I loved watching him open up again and fall for someone again and Viola was perfect for him.
I can’t recommend this book enough. It was better than the first, in my opinion!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam Level: 🔥 (kissing only)
Quick Notes:
*Second in a Series
*Love Triangle
*Insta-love
*Widower & Spinster
*Beowoof
My Thoughts:
It's been over a year since I started this series, but I had to take a break to go back and read The Brotherhood of the Black Tartan first. I highly recommend reading that series before jumping into this one, because, not only is it enjoyable, but characters from Black Tartan come into play in the Penn-Leith series. This book gave me 5 star vibes from the get-go. I absolutely LOVED the first meeting between Malcolm and Viola. Yes, it's a bit insta-love on his side, but it worked for me. And I really enjoyed how Viola was just obsessed with his manliness. Can we just appreciate a big brute of a man? And the fact that he's intelligent and sensitive- SWOON! Now, obviously I do have a few criticisms that brought my mind rating down, even though I still really enjoyed it overall. I felt Malcolm's inner dialogue got very repetitive and could have been edited down a bit. He didn't need to have 3 separate conflicts holding him back from going all in with Viola. I'm also scratching my head a bit at Ethan's personality. I'm obviously supposed to like him, considering book 3 is his love story. He just was a bit self-centered in my opinion. But, I like how he was understanding in the end, and I'm trusting that he'll win me over as I continue the series. Now onto book 3!
Steam Level: 🔥 (kissing only)
Quick Notes:
*Second in a Series
*Love Triangle
*Insta-love
*Widower & Spinster
*Beowoof
My Thoughts:
It's been over a year since I started this series, but I had to take a break to go back and read The Brotherhood of the Black Tartan first. I highly recommend reading that series before jumping into this one, because, not only is it enjoyable, but characters from Black Tartan come into play in the Penn-Leith series. This book gave me 5 star vibes from the get-go. I absolutely LOVED the first meeting between Malcolm and Viola. Yes, it's a bit insta-love on his side, but it worked for me. And I really enjoyed how Viola was just obsessed with his manliness. Can we just appreciate a big brute of a man? And the fact that he's intelligent and sensitive- SWOON! Now, obviously I do have a few criticisms that brought my mind rating down, even though I still really enjoyed it overall. I felt Malcolm's inner dialogue got very repetitive and could have been edited down a bit. He didn't need to have 3 separate conflicts holding him back from going all in with Viola. I'm also scratching my head a bit at Ethan's personality. I'm obviously supposed to like him, considering book 3 is his love story. He just was a bit self-centered in my opinion. But, I like how he was understanding in the end, and I'm trusting that he'll win me over as I continue the series. Now onto book 3!
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm divided on this. On the one hand I loved this book their romance, on the other hand I wished they'd told Ethan sooner or that he wasn't that into her. I really dislike when a relationship gets in-between siblings
As always, Nichole Van wrote another splendid, Scottish romance! I loved the complexities she added to Viola and Malcolm's characters. I also loved the idea of a famous female author during that time. I loved how the chemistry between them was unexpected but also oh so sweet. All in all, another wonderful novel by Nichole Van!
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced