I had put off reading this for a while, but seeing promo for the TV show made me desperate to know what happened. I like to read the book before watching the adaptations of anything, and this was no different. As it is, thank God for the TV show, because I LOVED this beyond all reason. 
 The reasons I had put it off were partly the intimidating length, not only of the book, but of the series and partly because of events that I knew happened later in the book which I knew would be difficult to read, and it was but thankfully, it wasn't gratuitous and the author dealt with it with an amazing amount of sensitivity. As for the length - it is hard work in places as it feels like you make no progress while reading, but it is worth it. 
 The story revolves around Claire Randall, a 27 year old nurse who is on a second honeymoon with her husband Frank in the highlands of Scotland as he researches his family tree. Whilst on the trip, Claire discovers a stone circle and, through unknown magic, somehow disappears from it onto to emerge 200 odd years into the past. Therein, she is attacked by an ancestor of her husband and rescued by a band of Highlanders. That is when she meets Jamie. 
 If you want a reason to read this book, Jamie would be the number one reason. His and Claire's relationship has one of the best and most realistic buildups you are likely to read in this or any other genre...and it is a wonderful thing to behold. Neither of them are perfect (Jamie is pretty close) and they fight and joke, and laugh and fell in love and we get to see it all, so that when things happen (such as Claire having the opportunity to go home, or Jamie making a deal to save Claire, or Claire's desperation to save Jamie) it all matters more. 
 I could talk on and on, mentioning favourite parts and there are a lot, but I won't. I will say that this book ticks all the boxes for the things that I love - the heroine is always likable and relatable despite the numerous mistakes she makes, the hero is wonderful - strong, sensitive, honest, loyal, courageous and not solely in words or on the battlefield and it's set in Scotland. What's not to love?