This was everything that I was looking for from in entry in the series world, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from the previous books from Anna Bradley. It was written well and had that character development that I was looking for. It left me wanting to read more in this series and from Anna Bradley. It had that historical romance element that I was expecting and was glad I read this and am excited for the series.

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.

Catriona is the oldest of three sisters and in a precarious financial and social situation, with smugglers trying to attack her home and the local village accusing the sisters of witchcraft. And then Hamish makes everything worse by seeking some treasure that her father supposedly has stashed somewhere. Except there is no treasure, and Cat certainly doesn’t trust Hamish. It’s a wild goose chase mixed with a tentative truce, which will surely get worse when Cat finds out Hamish is responsible for that first boat of smugglers. While the romance is resolved at the end of the book, the plot is still at a cliffhanger. I’m hoping that there’s two more books in the series, since there’s two more sisters, and isn’t it convenient that Hamish has two best friends, too?

Hamish, Marquess of Ballantyne wants his share of the treasure that his father's business partner Rory kept at Cairncross Castle. Unfortunately, Rory's daughters Kat, Freya, and Sorcha have a different point of view. This is an odd mash of romance and magic (are they witches?) but the setting is good. It's also the first of a series, each presumably featuring a different sister, and so it ends on a sort of cliff hanger. How much you enjoy it will depend on how you feel about the Hamish-Cat relationship. I liked it. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

What Happens in the Highlands
by Anna Bradley

This book marks the beginning of the new series, "Cairncross Castle", and unfortunately, it didn’t resonate with me as much as I had hoped. The pacing felt slow and somewhat drawn-out, especially in the early chapters, which made it challenging for me to stay fully engaged. Additionally, I found the lack of dialogue a bit boring, leading me to skim through parts of the pages. However, it's worth noting that the story does gradually gain momentum towards the end. Be prepared, though—the conclusion comes with a cliffhanger that leaves several questions unanswered, setting the stage for the next book.

This book starts out a bit slower with world building, but once it gets going, it really delivers. Cat and her two sisters live in a castle and some of the townfolk believe they are witches. Their father recently died and everyone thinks he had buried treasure somewhere. Hamish is one of the guys looking for the treasure.

Cat and Hamish end up on a roadtrip wherein there's only one bed (!!!) They slow burn their way through several inns until they end up in the town of Tongue, Scotland, where things start to really heat up. The owner of the inn, Mrs. Geddes, wins the award for best side character, for being a master story teller.

I can't wait to hear her sisters' stories!
Thank you to Kensington for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

In the months since their father, Rory, died, the three MacLeod sisters have had to contend with bands of smugglers convinced he left a treasure buried within the walls of their home at Castle Cairncross. Only the most mystifying occurrences have foiled the thieves—stirring whispers that the sisters are sorceresses.
Hamish Muir, the charismatic Marquis of Ballantyne and son of Rory’s business partner, has come to claim his share of the treasure. When he spies fiery-haired Cat in the village, he follows her. Persuaded the castle harbours no treasure, Hamish remains certain Rory hid it somewhere. Cat offers a proposal: She will help Hamish decipher her father’s notes if he takes her on the treasure hunt with him and her sisters are not left alone. Reluctantly, Hamish summons two Lairds to the castle.
The start of a new series, which I thoroughly enjoyed, it was well written with strong characters, witty banter & the chemistry between Hamish & Cat grew hotter throughout the book. I did find it began as a stroll & the pace didn’t pick up until well into the book but pick up it did & the last two thirds of the book flew by. Hidden treasure, smugglers, one bed at the inn all made for an engrossing book. The ending was a surprise & now I’m impatiently waiting for the next book
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

Set in the Scottish Highlands, What Happens in the Highlands follows Cat as she navigates danger, mystery, and unexpected love. The rich historical backdrop and atmospheric setting weave seamlessly into her journey.

Cat is strong-willed and resourceful, her fiery dynamic with Hamish shifting from tension to reluctant partnership as they search for the missing treasure. Her interest in apothecary adds depth, threading another layer into the story.

The pacing dips midway, but as the mystery unfolds, the intrigue picks up again. The looming threat from smugglers in the luggers and the watchful townsfolk keeps the stakes high. Bradley’s writing remains engaging, with well-woven historical references adding further depth. The ending comes abruptly, leaving some threads unresolved - I’ll be watching for the next book.

A compelling historical romance with layered characters and immersive storytelling.

Thank you Kensington Publishing for the eARC. Opinions expressed are my own.

This book starts out with the three sisters, Catriona, Freya and Sorcha protecting their castle from treasure hunters. Rumor has it that their father Rory, who was a smuggler, has hidden treasure.
All of the sisters are smart, one good with birds, one with predicting the weather and Catriona an herbalist.
The village, believing they are witches has turned away from them. Hamish Muir, the Marquess of Ballantyne, whose father knew Rory has traveled to the village in search of the treasure.
He meets Catriona and they form an uneasy alliance.
There is a slow burn romance, lots of interesting secondary characters, some secrets, and mysterious twist.
All in all, it is an enjoyable read.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a review, and these are my opinions.

3 Stars! This is the first in a new series, ‘Cairncross Castle’, and I did like the book but I didn’t love it. It was a bit slow and drawn out, I started skimming through. The ending has a bit of a cliffhanger which always annoys me. Cliffhangers should be illegal! The main characters are Cat & Hamish and I liked them, even though Hamish was a bit of a ‘Richard’ in the beginning. This book has smugglers, hidden treasure, poisoning, enemies to lovers, HEA ending, attack birds, possible witch craft, light ‘sexy times’, a surprising ending and so much more.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*