brilliantly crafted characters with a gorgeous setting and chemistry is so potent between the two leads, I also loved seeing the almost whimsical prologue as it was so atmospheric. The love story was brill.

I truly enjoyed this book. Set in a historical-esque setting with pirates, magic, mysteries , quests and a FMC who just wants to set things right. This is an enemies to lovers story that is a slow burn full of angst. The FMC is strong and resilient who just wants to protect her sisters. The MMC just wants to right a perceived wrong that was done to his family. There are moments that had me saying awe, laughing and a few that had me on the edge of my seat. Overall I would definitely suggest this book to any who like a good historical romance with a bit of magic and enemies to lovers vibes.

What Happens in the Highlands is a captivating blend of romance, mystery, and a touch of magic. Anna Bradley crafts a richly atmospheric tale filled with daring heroines, a charming hero, and the allure of hidden treasure. I was especially drawn to Cat’s intelligence and strength as she partnered with Hamish in a quest full of secrets and growing passion. The chemistry between them sparkles, and the suspense kept me turning pages. I thoroughly enjoyed this enchanting story and rated it five stars.

For a book that's supposedly about treasure hunters and three unusual Scottish ladies defending their castle, this is the slowest dang book. I got to the middle and nothing had happened except wringing of hands and vague threats and no clear understanding of why these people were in this situation. It all felt like prologue.

As usual, I am criminally late with my review, but I’m here now and I’m telling you please read this book 😉

Anna Bradley’s new series has everything I love: wild and picturesque Highlands setting, Scottish heroes and heroines, swoon and cuteness and angst, and a dash of mystery and dare I say…magic? ❤️❤️❤️

I loved getting to know the MacLeod sisters, and already can’t wait to read the other two stories.

Hamish and Cat’s relationship doesn’t start on a good note. I mean, he follows her through the woods, and she poisons him (accidentally). Besides, Hamish is hiding a secret that will change Cat’s opinion of him. I appreciated that he actually did tell her, without any external forces revealing it. He was honest, and it cost him. But of course they found their way back to each other. I honestly loved their relationship dynamic.

The story is adventurous, funny, a little spooky and romantic.

I’m somewhat conflicted about this book because the writing is as beautiful as ever (Bradley is a great writer!) and the characters are great and interesting, but overall I found some parts of the book repetitive and nothing about the main mystery is resolved at the end, so there’s a cliffhanger of sorts even if the main characters find their HEA. Unfortunately the steam is very low as well, while I would have liked something more. But I have great expectations for the next books of the series and of course I’ll go on reading.
I listened to the audiobook in preview and it was magnificent! The narrator is astounding, great with the narration and the voices alike. It certainly improved the book a lot.

What Happens in the Highlands bounces a healer off of a marquess and sees what sticks. The adventure is entertaining, the Georgian take on herbal healing fun, but a cliffhanger ending leaves the reader yearning for more.

Smugglers are trying to make use of the isolated island home of Freya, Catriona “Cat” and Sorcha MacLeod. The contrabandist believe that the sister’s notorious smuggler father, Rory, has secreted ill-gotten treasures within the walls of the family keep, specifically a fortune in Louis d’Or coins. But the girls don’t believe it exists and are in fact running out of money fast. They repel each attack using a variety of skills, which begins to lead to rumors in town that the girls practice witchcraft. The rumors are not helped by Cat, the family medicine woman, who locks herself up and away in a lab making maidenhair syrup and other healing concoctions to keep them financially afloat. Cat continues to sell syrup in town in spite of the unfriendly way they’re treated due to the witchcraft rumors. They mainly stick to Castle Cairncross, their home keep, and try to stay quiet while contemplating abandoning the keep for their own safety.

Lord Hamish Muir, the Marquess of Ballantyne, has been looking for the sisters for some time. His father, Archie, was Rory’s business partner, and Rory promised him his share of the treasure from his last trip abroad. Because he’s the hero of this book, Hamish’s reason for wanting his da’s part of the treasure aren’t selfish – he wants to give his tithe to the Scottish cause, which was his own father’s last wish. His cousins had been previously defeated by Cat and her sisters, but he won’t be similarly dissuaded. Hamish follows Cat home from her syrup delivery and manages to accidentally poison himself with monkshood. Cat takes him back to Castle Cairncross, where she nurses him back to health.

Cat continues to insist the treasure doesn’t exist, and Hamish refuses to believe her. They strike up a deal; she’ll try to translate the mysterious code left behind by Rory which might lead them to the treasure while he gives the sisters protection from other privateers and allows Cat to participate in the investigation. Naturally, romance ensues. But will the treasure be theirs?

What Happens in the Highlands is a fine historical romance. It has plenty of rivals-to-lovers energy and the mystery is pretty well absorbing. Hamish is one of those heroes who starts out as an arrogant ahole who gets humbled, while Cat is shaken free from her duty-bound ways to have an adventure of her own. The romance has heat, and it’s all entertaining enough to make a passable afternoon’s entertainment. But everything the book does has been done before by authors who gave the material a more creative twist. It’s a comforting if routine book – the hate will turn to love, Cat will find her worth, Hamish will find his honor.

What also drags the grade down is that the book ends on a big cliffhanger:

[Spoiler: While Cat and Hamish get their HEA, Cat’s two sisters disappear with the friends Hamish invited down to guard them while they went out in search of the coins, leaving the plot wide open.]

As if you couldn’t tell from the three sisters + three friends conceit, the main plot probably won’t be solved for two more books, so those who don’t like waiting for things to be properly solved probably won’t want to read this book and then wait for book #2 in the series. For those who don’t mind jumping in early – and don’t mind a bit of the same-old-same-old – then there are worse ways to spend your time than with What Happens in the Highlands.

I loved the setting of this. It was nice to feel like i was at a highland, it was like a true highland. The love was sweet for me, i love love the romance in the story. It was like a journey.

I listened to the audiobook - fantastic narration/voice work. The main problem for me was that it was hard to like Hamish, the male love interest, and for a historical romance that's a death sentence. He was grabby, a liar, and until halfway through the book he was just mean.

Three strong-willed sisters live alone in a castle on the Isle of Skye after their smuggler father dies and they have to defend the castle from other smugglers who think he left behind a treasure. When Lord Hamish Ballentyne arrives to claim his father's share of the treasure, he finds out the witches of Cairncross Castle are just three very smart, very scared ladies, especially Katrina, the eldest who knows how to use local plants to make medicines.

He and Katrina go on a mission to solve the mystery of her father's treasure in order to stop the assaults on the castle. Forced proximity does its work and they can't deny their lust for each other, but I didn't feel much emotional connection there.

DNF at 36%

Absolutely loathing the MMC Hamish. The plot is super slow and I just don’t care for any of the characters.
I do enjoy the atmosphere and writing style but I think this isn’t quite my style of historical romance unfortunately.
I have loved Anna Bradley in the past so I will look forward to future releases of hers anyways!

Ok, I really liked it. A bit different, writing and story wise then the regular HRs.
At the start it felt like a paranormal but then it turned out to be a mystery, a treasure hunting one. The setting felt very atmospheric and gothicy , proper scottish highlands.

The romance was sweet , I was giggling at how Hamish seemed enamored of Cat simply talking about something she is passionate about. It had plenty swoony sweet moments and that treacle tart analogy had me smiling. Basically the romance had me in my feels and I could just hug the crap out of these 2 lovebirds.. The smex is closed door (near t0) but the kissing is sensuous and sweaty so I'll take it.

There is a cliff hanger so that's something to keep an eye on if it bothers you .

All in all would def read on and would def recommend.

It's not a romance it's more an adventure story with romance thrown in. I've been a fan of Anna Bradley since I found her first book in Barnes & Noble in 2015. Through all the stories I've not been disappointed until now. If you like historical mystery or adventure books then you'll be pleased with What Happens. There are sisters rumored to be witches, a lost fortune, fortune hunters storming the castle all set on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Adventure comes in with the road trip looking for clues left by Cat's father to this unknown treasure if it even exists. To me it was slow and I wanted more intrigue and danger.

The romance comes in when an man shows up to reclaim what he considers belonging to his family. He and the oldest of three sisters are the couple who set off on the journey. They could have use more heat and attraction happening instead of inner monologue. I wasn't completely satisfied with either aspect and the slow pace was frustrating. Sisters Freya and Sorcha have their stories in the next two books but I'm not sure I'll read them.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions express in this review are completely my own.

#NetGalley #WhatHappensinthe Highlands #Cairncross Castle #AnnaBradley #KensingtonBooks #bookreview #historicalromance #treasure #mystery #adventure

After their father, Rory, dies, the MacLeod sisters find themselves contending with smugglers, believing that he left a treasure buried within the walls of their home at Castle Cairncross. Only the most mystifying occurrences have foiled the thieves, leading to the villagers believing that the sisters are witches. However, they each possess a unique ability. The eldest, Catriona, is a brilliant healer and alchemist, which she uses when Hamish Muir follows her back to the castle. Hamish, the Marquess of Ballantyne, is also the son of Rory’s business partner, and he has come to claim his share of the treasure. Yet when Cat tries to convince him that there is no treasure, he agrees only when Cat agrees to help him decipher her father’s notes. Hamish summons two lairds to the castle to oversee her sisters whilst he and Cat search for the treasure, and along the way, they discover their feelings for each other.
This is a great story with plenty of intrigue, set against a wonderful Scottish backdrop. I enjoyed the character of Cat, who is fearsome despite her situation, brave and resilient, especially in her fierce protectiveness of her sisters. The chemistry between her and Hamish was enjoyable to watch develop, especially as he knows exactly what buttons to press to gain a response. I also found that the historical additions add greater depth to the story, making the setting feel authentic and the stakes more intense. I look forward to the stories of Freya and Saoirse, Cat’s sisters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

New series by Anna Bradley takes you on an adventure in the wilds of Scotland. Hamish and Catriona are brought together to hunt a treasure. They learn to work together to find it. During their time together, they become friends and learn to appreciate each other. They also share secrets that could pull them apart but they are able to work through it

Anna Bradley's "What Happens in the Highlands" begins a historical romance series set in Georgian Scotland. It features the MacLeod sisters, who possess unique abilities and must protect their home, Castle Cairncross, from treasure-seeking smugglers.

Catriona, a healer and alchemist, encounters Hamish Muir, Marquess of Ballantyne. Hamish believes a treasure lies within the castle. Cat offers to help decipher her father's notes if Hamish includes her in the hunt and ensures her sisters' safety. Their journey to navigate maps and danger aims to build respect and attraction.

While the premise of gifted sisters and a treasure hunt has appeal, the writing and storyline felt somewhat uneven. The characters, though distinct, did not always fully engage. The blend of adventure and romance was present, but the pace sometimes hindered a deeper connection to the narrative.

I am a fan of Anna Bradley's previous Drop Dead Duke series, but this one isn't for me.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC.

Rory MacLeod was a wily, infamous smuggler who held his secrets close. His death has left his daughters with no support and rampant rumors of hidden treasure at his home, Castle Cairncross. Catriona (Cat), Sorcha, and Freya have had to defend their home from smugglers in any way they can imagine, and one of those methods has caused the local villagers to brand them as witches. Between the smugglers and the villagers, the women have learned not to trust anyone – ever. Especially not the man who followed Cat home from the village and then accidentally poisoned himself.

Hamish Muir, Marquess of Ballantyne, is on a mission to fulfill a promise he made to his dying father. After receiving a gold coin from Castle Cairncross, he is sure the treasure his hidden there. All he needs to do is retrieve the treasure and return it to the clans of Scotland. He just needs to get inside the castle. That might be easier said than done until he sees Cat in the village and follows her home – on a long trek through the woods. As he rushes to keep her from falling, he comes into contact with a highly poisonous plant – and ends up exactly where he wants to be. Inside the castle. However, he is totally convinced that she poisoned him and is lying about the treasure.

With yet another smuggler attack, the ladies realize they have to find the treasure – wherever their father hid it – even if that means working with Hamish.

This first book in the series sets up the overarching mystery that will run through the series before (hopefully) being solved with the last book. So, yes, that means the first two books will be cliffhangers. Now, I don’t mind cliffhangers in a series if each book solves part of the mystery and then passes the remainder on to the next book. The cliffhanger in this book didn’t excite me for the next book, nor did I really feel the couple accomplished much of anything. First books in a series are often a bit slower because they are setting the scene for the series, but, for me, this one was really slow.

I was really looking forward to this book because I love a compelling romance that includes a great mystery – and it had a road trip. Frankly, it seemed to tick all of the boxes for me. Except, it was slow, the road trip really held little suspense or excitement, and the romance was more lust than romance. I didn’t see them getting to know each other and care for each other – just lust. So, it was an okay story, and I’m not sorry I read it. I wouldn’t read it a second time, and it didn’t inspire to me any excitement for the next book.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was an entertaining, well-written historical romance. It was fun, steamy, engaging, action-packed and kept me reading. I enjoyed this historical romance and look forward to reading more books by this author.

What Happens in the Highlands brings us an unusual situation as Cat and Hamish work their way through a lot before they find their happy ending. This story begins the Cairncross Castle series, and the main couple here are Hamish and Cat, while her sisters make appearances, they will have their stories told further in the series.

Hamish has come to reclaim a treasure he believes Cat’s family had stolen from his family. He’s a hard character to get a feel for at first, then his real personality will reveal itself. Cat is a natural healer, and there are those in the small community who would call her and her sisters witches. She’s witty, not afraid to banter or put a certain man firmly in his place, all the while fighting a growing attraction for the annoying man. There is a lot of world-building, there has to be in the first story of a series. But I enjoyed learning more of their histories, and that underlying mystery kept me on my toes throughout.

If you love a good historical romance with touches of whimsy, steam, and mystery, then you’d enjoy What Happens in the Highlands by Anna Bradley. I will definitely be following the series to see what comes next.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This was a pretty good read by one of my favorite authors. Ms Bradley writes a fabulous story of lost treasure, smuggler's daughters and a falling down castle in the highlands.
Cat MacLeod is the oldest of three sisters living in Dunvegan. Cat is a healer but the villagers think she is a "witch". But she hold her family together for her livelihood and no where else to go.
One day Hamish Muir arrives at her home wanting to find the legendary treasure. He knows that it was stolen from his father by Rory MacLeod. He thinks she knows where it is located, but she doesn't trust him.
I felt that Hamish was a bit hard to get to know. He was all man and falls for Cat (but it takes awhile).
She wondered if he was really interested in her or just finding the treasure. Lot of hot smoldering kisses leading to a happy ever after. I can't wait til the next one comes out. Bravo for a great fantastic book.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

Following their father’s death, Catriona and her two sisters must protect their ancestral home from treasure hunters. The arrival of charming marquess Hamish adds a new layer to the mystery, threatening Catriona’s safety—and her heart.

I’m a huge fan of Anna Bradley’s Regency rom-coms with suspense subplots. Since this is a Highlander novel, the tone is a bit darker and more atmospheric. The story is vivid and immersive with well-developed characters and a strong mystery plot. It’s the first book in a series best read in order. While the romance is resolved in this book, the mystery plot is ongoing.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.