Thistle and Thet

They say you can’t outrun your past. Good thing I wasn’t running from mine—I was chasing something I wasn’t even sure existed.

One plane ticket, a backpack full of camera gear, and a heart held together with duct tape. That’s all I had when I left the States for Scotland, hoping to trace the roots of ancestors I barely knew—and maybe find a place where I finally belonged after being shunned by the only family I’d ever known.

What I didn’t expect?

Three remarkable women who saw more in me than I ever could.

A grumpy old lady with more wisdom than tact.

And a tangled web of love, grief, guilt, and second chances.

This isn’t a fairy tale. There’s no magic wand, no easy answers.

But there is love. Real love. Complicated, messy, worth it love.

And maybe—just maybe—a place to call home.

If you like sharp-tongued Scots, slow-burn romances, emotional gut-punches, and a man trying very hard not to cry in front of women who are far tougher than he is…

Welcome to my story.

Hope you brought tissues.

—Ethan

🚨 WARNING! 🚨

This is a romance story.

Not fantasy. Not sci-fi. No dragons, no orcs, no brooding elves in leather pants. Just love—messy, complicated, beautiful love. Think Hallmark Christmas movie… if Hallmark wasn’t afraid of a little swearing and a lot of sex.

It’s a harem/poly romance, rooted in deep emotional connections and very real vulnerability. The characters don’t just kiss under the mistletoe—they explore every layer of intimacy, including the sweaty, breathless, tangled-up-in-the-sheets kind.

There are graphic sex scenes. There’s explicit language. There’s laughter, heartbreak, awkward silences, stolen glances, and more emotionally charged pillow talk than most people can handle before their morning coffee.

It’s not fade-to-black. It’s not closed-door. If they fall in love, you’re going to see how that love is expressed—raw, real, and very much on the page.

If that sounds like your kind of story, pour yourself a cup of tea (or a dram of whisky) and settle in.

If not? Maybe save this one for when you’re feeling a little braver.

You’ve been warned. 💜

Word Count: 242,770

Image Count: 10