It was the beauty of the country before them that had done it. Scotland was a place of attenuated light, of fragility, of a beauty that broke the heart.” Bruce, a strikingly handsome surveyor, is a narcissist who thinks all women should want to date him.

Love in the Time of Bertie is the fifteenth book in the popular 44 Scotland Street series by Scottish author, Alexander McCall Smith, and in it, the lives of the residents of 44 Scotland Street and those of their friends are, once again, updated for the continuing enjoyment of series fans. The audio version is narrated by David Rintoul. This lovely, captivating book is the 15th in the 44 Scotland Street series, set in Edinburgh. It reunites the readers with its quirky, charming and annoying characters. I have read the entire delightful series, and this might be my favourite one so far. Written with wit and wisdom and containing a gentle, thought-provoking philosophy about life, the ability to change, love, friendship, community, art, admitting one's defects, and taking control. The author's "44 Scotland Street" novels began life as a serial published in The Scotsman newspaper The story ends with the annual neighborhood party thrown by Angus and Domenica, where Angus reads his original poem about love.I suppose we should all remind ourselves of our view. things may get bad and then we say to ourselves remember your view and then everything looks better.” Angus Lordie is a traditional portrait artist with an animus against The Turner Prize, which awards conceptual art - such as a video of a chair seen from different angles - rather than art objects. In fact Angus has taught his dog Cyril to lift his leg whenever he hears the words Turner Prize. In these affable, humorous books Alexander McCall Smith follows the lives of a group of people who reside in Edinburgh's "New Town" neighborhood. Many of the characters live in apartments at 44 Scotland Street - and others are their neighbors, friends and acquaintances. Affable Big Lou has taken a shine to a strongman called Fat Bob, who stopped into Big Lou's Coffee Shop one morning. When Fat Bob includes Big Lou's adopted son Finlay in a dinner date, it clinches the attraction. In an attempt to revive the male camaraderie of his youth, Bruce gets involved with an old friend's shady real estate venture, which is aimed at bilking a buyer out of tens of thousands of pounds. Bruce seems unconcerned about the immorality of the scheme until an electrifying experience changes his outlook on life.

The author's army of fans won't need us to recommend this book to them: but for anyone just returning On the bright side, Sister Maria-Flore dei Fiori de Montagna - the aphorism spouting, social climbing nun - has been appointed to the panel of judges of the Turner Prize. Sister Maria-Fiore, who's a conventional thinker, will never give the prize to an outré modern artist. On the upside, Bertie has been happily free from psychoanalysis, saxophone lessons, yoga classes, Italian lessons, etc. since his mother Irene moved to Aberdeen to get a Ph.D. Bruce, Antonia, and Sister Maria...finding their hopes, dreams intersecting in a profound and life changing way. Now Irene insists her son must visit her for three months, to the dismay of Bertie, his father Stuart and his grandmother Nicola.Still annoying Patsy, Olive make Bertie's life seem unbearable. Greg and Ed offer Bruce a deal that is too good to be true. But underneath it all is a conscience that brings Bruce to his senses. A big surprise to all readers. Matthew, Elsbeth, the triplets, and Au-Pair James still sorting through their roles in life and maybe learning a bit about gratitude. Angus turned to Domenica. "This view always makes me feel sad. I don't know why, but it does." He drew in his breath, savouring the freshness of the air. Freshly mown grass was upon it, and the smell of lavender, too, from Elspeth's kitchen garden. "Well, perhaps not sad--more wistful, perhaps, which is one notch below actual sadness.” Meanwhile Angus discovers thar Sister Maria de Fiori de Fiori de Montagna is going to be a judge for The Turner Prize while Domenica develops a flirtatious friendship with one of the students living downstairs. Love blooms at last for Big Lou when she meets big-hearted Fat Bob, a highland games strongman and Bruce has a life-threatening experience that changes his life.

This is the 15th book in the "44 Scotland Street" series. It can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the series is a plus.Olive insists Bertie agreed to marry her when they're twenty (he didn't), and Olive now claims to be looking at venues, searching for a band, tasting wedding cakes, etc., much to Bertie's horror. Is romance blossoming in Big Lou’s café? The aptly named but surprisingly couth Fat Bob is a professional strongman who raises the tax-deductibility of bacon rolls for his occupation. His history prompts discussion about acts of kindness and concern for others. But Domenica thought: I really would like things to be forever. I would like to be able to sit at this table once a week, perhaps, with these friends. I would like to talk about the things we talk about, the small things, whatever happened in the world. I would like to wake up in the morning and not think that things were getting worse. I would like not to have to listen to the exchange of insults between politicians. I would like to hear of people co-operating with one another and helping others and bringing succour and comfort to the needy and... and I would like not to think that we were still in the seventeenth century, as divided amongst ourselves as they were at that time, pitted against each other, with one vision of the good battling another, and people despising others for their opinions.” This seven year old has our heart. So easily pleased, so easily hurt. Wanting only peace and a little understanding in his world. Wanting mostly to be seen, and to just be a NORMAL little boy. Big Lou (I crave bacon rolls!) and Fat Bob's new relationship is delightfully open and honest. Young Bertie's friends are up to their usual antics (and tell poor Bertie how dreadfully cold Aberdeen is, way up "north with its polar bears). Stuart, his father, adores his son and is worried about allowing Bertie to live with his out-of-town (and out-of-life) mother for three months. Bertie's grandparents have their own views. There are vignettes of other characters, too.