In the months since their father, Rory, died, the 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. Yet, they have no treasure, nor are they witches. However, each inexplicably possesses a unique ability. The eldest, Catriona, is a brilliant healer and alchemist—a skill she is about to put to unforeseen use . . .
Hamish Muir, the charismatic Marquess 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. But the tables turn, and Hamish finds himself at Castle Cairncross—emerging from a daze . . .
Persuaded the castle harbors 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. But as he and Cat set off to navigate a maze of maps and danger, a mutual respect—and attraction—ignites between them. Perhaps the real treasure isn’t gold after all . . .
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My Review
The story centers on Cat MacLeod, the eldest of three red-haired sisters and the daughter of a notorious smuggler and a suspected witch. Cat is a skilled healer living in isolation—feared and resented by the villagers after her parents’ deaths. Her quiet life is upended when Hamish Muir, a half-English, half-Scottish outsider, arrives claiming her late father stole a priceless family treasure. Naturally, he believes the MacLeod sisters are hiding it.
Cat and Hamish are reluctant allies—mistrustful, prickly, and full of unresolved tension. Their romance unfolds slowly, with a steady burn rather than immediate sparks, which works well given the novel’s emphasis on world-building. With a dark undertone—hostile villagers, family curses, buried histories—the book creates a vivid setting and carefully lays the groundwork for the series.
Supporting characters, especially Cat’s sisters, are intriguing and clearly set up for their own stories—Freya and Sorcha (renamed Saoirse in some versions) offer hints of drama and secrets yet to come. The ending gives Cat and Hamish their happily-ever-after, but leaves the broader mystery and family legacy dangling just enough to pull you into the next book.
With moody landscapes, family secrets, and a simmering enemies-to-lovers romance, it delivers both intrigue and heart. If you like historical romance with strong heroines, slow-burn tension, and a dash of gothic mystery, this book is a strong opener to what promises to be a compelling series.
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