The Highland Invitation

Love and fate collide when a woman finds herself face-to-face with the brother of the man she thought was her soulmate in this swoony romance from Kara McDowell.

A Highland wedding. Her ex’s older brother. One too many butterflies.

It’s been five years since Piper Rhodes lost the love of her life—or at least, the man she was told was The One. The family superstition is clear: All Rhodes women meet their soulmate at twenty-one. But Piper has long since given up on this scam, so when she suddenly receives an invitation to his wedding at a Scottish castle, she thinks why not? She could use a vacation to unplug, and Scotland just might hold the key to her passion project at work.

But Piper’s plan to stay emotionally unbothered derails the moment she arrives and she’s faced with her ex’s older brother, Malcolm Blair. He’s brooding, frustratingly perceptive, and just charming enough to be a problem—especially since he always seems to be exactly where she is. But as the week passes with fog-draped moors, starlit walks, and quiet moments that feel anything but accidental, Piper starts to wonder if fate is offering the kind of love her family’s stories never prepared her for.

Determined not to fall for the one person she definitely shouldn’t, Piper does her best to avoid the pull between her and Malcolm. But the more secrets that unravel during the wedding week, the more Piper starts to question everything she thought she knew about the past—and the future she was never supposed to have.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs