What Happens in the Highlands by Anna Bradley

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

What Happens in the Highlands (Cairncross Castle, #1)What Happens in the Highlands by Anna Bradley

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Cairncross Castle, #1

Release Date: June 24, 2025

After the death of their father, Catriona “Cat”, Freya and Sorcha MacLeod are left to deal with the onslaught of treasure hunters trying to find the stash they believe Rory hid in Castle Cairncross. The way they dealt with the first invaders cost them severely, with the villagers turning on them, whispering of witchcraft and making their lives miserable. But it isn’t until a stranger follows Cat home from the village and is accidently poisoned that they agree they can no longer protect themselves from the rumors and may have to abandon their home. But when the stranger wakes and tells Catriona his story, she agrees to consider the possibility that the treasure is real.

Hamish Muir, the Marquess of Ballantyne, traveled to Castle Cairncross to reclaim the treasure his father told him of before his death. Originally, he sent his cousins to get the treasure, but they were thwarted by the sisters. So he has come himself and does a bit of reconnaissance before and learns from the villagers that the sisters are rumored to be witches and are recluses, barely ever leaving the castle since Rory’s death. Hamish sees Cat in the village and follows her home – admittedly a bad idea, but he is out of options. When they tussle and he is touched by a poisonous plant, he is lucky that Cat is knowledgeable about herbs and healing. When he recovers, he realizes that he might be wrong about the sisters. Cat agrees to help him find the treasure and they go through Rory’s papers, leading them to believe that Rory, Archie Muir (Hamish’s father), Malcolm Ross & Angus Dunn most likely found Bonnie Prince Charlie’s lost fortune and made a pact and that Rory as the last living member of the pact was most likely retrieving the treasure when he was shot. Hamish sends for his best friends Callum Ross & Keir Dunn – Malcolm and Angus’ sons to protect Freya and Sorcha, so he and Cat can find the treasure. But he never expected to fall for her and knows that if she ever learns that he started the treasure frenzy, there will be no chance for a HEA.

I was so excited for this book – I love a good treasure hunt / road trip romance, and this story seemed to check all the boxes, but unfortunately, it didn’t really work for me. It wasn’t bad, Cat and Hamish are both likable and relatable, but it was slow moving and lacked that true treasure hunt thrill. It does pick up a little at the end and the story ends in a bit of a cliffhanger, but it didn’t leave me excited for the next book. Overall, it was an OK read with great characters, and I am not sorry I read it, but it is not a book I would read again.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Look Before You Leap by Virginia Heath

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)2 Comments

Look Before You Leap (Miss Prentice's Protegees, #2)Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Miss Prentice’s Protegees #2
Publication Date: 6/24/25
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 320

Look Before You Leap is a delightfully witty and entertaining book that kept me smiling the entire time I was reading. The characters are charming, flawed, and engaging, and I don’t mean that just for the main characters. The supporting characters are the perfect support and backdrop for the main characters – and I would absolutely love to see Guy’s aunt Almeria hire another of Miss Prentice’s students in another book. Perhaps Portia would make a great fit for Lady Almeria.

Charlotte (Lottie) Travers is a “leap before you look” kind of young lady, and that is why she is currently unemployed and back at Miss Prentice’s School. Luckily, the kind-hearted Miss Prentice always allows her students to come back should they need to. One of Lottie’s many faults is impulse control – especially controlling her impulse to appropriate one of her employer’s horses for a mad gallop in the morning before dawn. Lottie’s catch phrase is Worry About Tomorrow, Tomorrow. Losing this last job couldn’t have come at a worse time because she needs money to help with a family emergency. What is she to do? Well, she will just have to take a post as companion to a curmudgeonly, ill-tempered octogenarian who is leaving for Scotland.

Guy Harrowby, the thirteenth Viscount Wennington, is grumpy, hates London with a passion, and is absolutely terrified of being the center of attention – especially if that attention is ridicule. Guy made an absolute cake of himself on his 21st birthday and is terrified of it ever happening again. Not only was he ridiculed, but his heart was broken. Now, it seems he can’t get past that, and his mother is constantly on him to marry and produce grandchildren for her. When he finally agrees to a very small gathering at their home in Kent to celebrate his 30th birthday, chaos ensues.

Poor Guy, with all of those marriage-minded debutantes chasing him all over his home, he begins to feel like the fox in a fox hunt. No escape! No one to save him, no matter how sternly he glares or how grumpy he is. Well, Lottie, his Aunt’s companion, does try to help – sometimes – maybe.

I absolutely adored the grumpy, dark-cloud, Guy and the ray-of-sunshine, worry-about-it-tomorrow Lottie because they were perfect for each other. Lady Almeria was so much fun, and I dearly wish I had an aunt like that in my life. Of course, I’d want her butler too!

This book is for you if you’re looking for a lovely romance with a meet-cute, an interesting story, fun characters, and a satisfying HEA. And – you will love the ending.

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

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