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Cairncross Castle #2
How to Lose a Laird
Not yet published
Expected 26 May 26Three unusually gifted sisters in Georgian Scotland must protect their family fortress from those who would steal it's rumored treasures—and their hearts—in this sweeping, adventure-filled, historical romance series for readers of India Holton, Lex Crocher, Manda Collins, and Evie Dunmore.
Despite their village's wild, insistent rumors, middle sister Freya MacLeod is no more a witch than her extraordinary siblings. Quiet and observant, she can't control the weather—although her magnificently skilled drawings often predict it. But now a very different sort of storm has besieged their home of Castle Cairncross. When Freya’s fearless younger sister disappears and is accused of murder, Freya is determined to prove her innocence—and bring her back. That means matching wits with a warrior—no matter how dangerous he may be . . .
A reluctant laird, Callum is glad to escape his clan’s intrigues. But helping to protect Castle Cairncross as a favor to a friend is far more difficult than he thought. Especially when the seemingly timid Freya eludes him, his battle-honed instincts—and enrages the village into putting a bounty on both their heads . . .
As they flee, Freya is stunned to see how caring—and vulnerable—Callum can be. . . . But he must keep his growing feelings for her hidden in order to honor a secret promise to his clan. Yet as their peril increases, they may find that battling side-by-side will uncover something more precious than gold . . .
Despite their village's wild, insistent rumors, middle sister Freya MacLeod is no more a witch than her extraordinary siblings. Quiet and observant, she can't control the weather—although her magnificently skilled drawings often predict it. But now a very different sort of storm has besieged their home of Castle Cairncross. When Freya’s fearless younger sister disappears and is accused of murder, Freya is determined to prove her innocence—and bring her back. That means matching wits with a warrior—no matter how dangerous he may be . . .
A reluctant laird, Callum is glad to escape his clan’s intrigues. But helping to protect Castle Cairncross as a favor to a friend is far more difficult than he thought. Especially when the seemingly timid Freya eludes him, his battle-honed instincts—and enrages the village into putting a bounty on both their heads . . .
As they flee, Freya is stunned to see how caring—and vulnerable—Callum can be. . . . But he must keep his growing feelings for her hidden in order to honor a secret promise to his clan. Yet as their peril increases, they may find that battling side-by-side will uncover something more precious than gold . . .
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 26, 2026
About the author
Anna Bradley
51 books868 followersAnna Bradley writes Regency and Georgian historical romance with heat, heart, and happily-ever-afters. Her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, and Library Journal, and her debut novel won the Romantic Times’ award for Best First Historical.
Anna is originally from New England, but now makes her home in Oregon, where she lives with her family, an overgrown English garden and a menagerie of wayward pets. If she isn’t writing, she’s probably hiding in a corner reading, chasing the dog, or herding the cats. Find Anna on the web at www.annabradley.net
Find Anna on the web at www.annabradley.net
Anna is originally from New England, but now makes her home in Oregon, where she lives with her family, an overgrown English garden and a menagerie of wayward pets. If she isn’t writing, she’s probably hiding in a corner reading, chasing the dog, or herding the cats. Find Anna on the web at www.annabradley.net
Find Anna on the web at www.annabradley.net
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In How to Lose a Laird, the second installment of Anna Bradley’s Cairncross Castle series, readers are whisked away to Georgian Scotland. While this novel follows the events of the first book, What Happens in the Highlands, Bradley crafts a narrative that stands firmly on its own. You don’t need to have read Cat’s story to fall in love with Freya and Callum, though the glimpses of the previous couple and the overarching family mystery are so compelling that you will undoubtedly find yourself reaching for book one as soon as you finish this one if you decide to start with this book.
The story centers on the MacLeod sisters, a trio of women living in the shadow of Castle Cairncross. The local villagers whisper that the sisters are witches, and while Freya MacLeod—the quiet, observant middle sister—knows she can’t actually control the weather, the townspeople believe she can. And when Freya’s fearless younger sister, Sorcha, is at the center of a fire and possible death, Freya is forced to step out of her turret to prove her sister’s innocence. Unfortunately things don't go as planned.
Callum, a reluctant Laird who has come to Cairncross Castle as a favor to a friend. is weary of clan politics and the weight of leadership and looking for nothing more than a quiet escape. However, he finds anything but peace when he encounters Freya and Sorcha. Though Freya appears timid at first, she is a master of evasion, constantly outmaneuvering Callum’s battle-honed instincts. Dutybound to protect Freya, when he finds her in the middle of a witch hunt by the villagers, the pair are forced to flee together into the Scottish wilds.
The highlight of the novel is the evolving dynamic between Freya and Callum. Freya is a wonderful protagonist; her journey from a reserved artist to a woman of action is deeply satisfying. She isn't the typical "feisty" romance heroine who shouts her way through problems; instead, she uses her intellect to navigate danger. Callum serves as the perfect foil. While he initially presents as a hardened warrior, his time on the run with Freya reveals a surprising vulnerability and a deeply caring nature. He is a hero burdened by a secret promise to his clan, and watching him struggle to keep his growing feelings for Freya hidden adds a delicious layer of romantic tension to their flight.
Bradley’s writing is quick-paced and lovely, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of the Highlands without letting the historical detail bog down the plot. The "forced proximity" trope is handled with grace as the two characters are forced to rely on one another for survival. As they battle side-by-side against the threats closing in on them, the bond they form feels earned and heartfelt.
One of the most engaging aspects of *How to Lose a Laird* is the groundwork it lays for the rest of the series. The presence of the characters from book one adds a sense of continuity and warmth, making the MacLeod family feel like a living, breathing unit. Furthermore, the chaotic events that force everyone to run leave several threads dangling—most notably the fate of Sorcha and the mysterious Kier. This setup makes the anticipation for book three almost palpable, as readers will be desperate to know what happened to the youngest sister during the scramble for safety.
In conclusion, How to Lose a Laird is a solid, page-turning historical romance that balances mystery, adventure, and emotional depth. Whether you are a longtime fan of Anna Bradley or a newcomer to the *Cairncross Castle* series, Freya and Callum’s journey is a delightful escape. It is a story that proves sometimes the most precious treasures aren't the gold hidden in a castle, but the connections found when you have nowhere else to turn. I am already looking forward to going back to the beginning with Cat’s story and eagerly awaiting the next chapter for the MacLeods.
Thank you to the publisher for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story centers on the MacLeod sisters, a trio of women living in the shadow of Castle Cairncross. The local villagers whisper that the sisters are witches, and while Freya MacLeod—the quiet, observant middle sister—knows she can’t actually control the weather, the townspeople believe she can. And when Freya’s fearless younger sister, Sorcha, is at the center of a fire and possible death, Freya is forced to step out of her turret to prove her sister’s innocence. Unfortunately things don't go as planned.
Callum, a reluctant Laird who has come to Cairncross Castle as a favor to a friend. is weary of clan politics and the weight of leadership and looking for nothing more than a quiet escape. However, he finds anything but peace when he encounters Freya and Sorcha. Though Freya appears timid at first, she is a master of evasion, constantly outmaneuvering Callum’s battle-honed instincts. Dutybound to protect Freya, when he finds her in the middle of a witch hunt by the villagers, the pair are forced to flee together into the Scottish wilds.
The highlight of the novel is the evolving dynamic between Freya and Callum. Freya is a wonderful protagonist; her journey from a reserved artist to a woman of action is deeply satisfying. She isn't the typical "feisty" romance heroine who shouts her way through problems; instead, she uses her intellect to navigate danger. Callum serves as the perfect foil. While he initially presents as a hardened warrior, his time on the run with Freya reveals a surprising vulnerability and a deeply caring nature. He is a hero burdened by a secret promise to his clan, and watching him struggle to keep his growing feelings for Freya hidden adds a delicious layer of romantic tension to their flight.
Bradley’s writing is quick-paced and lovely, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of the Highlands without letting the historical detail bog down the plot. The "forced proximity" trope is handled with grace as the two characters are forced to rely on one another for survival. As they battle side-by-side against the threats closing in on them, the bond they form feels earned and heartfelt.
One of the most engaging aspects of *How to Lose a Laird* is the groundwork it lays for the rest of the series. The presence of the characters from book one adds a sense of continuity and warmth, making the MacLeod family feel like a living, breathing unit. Furthermore, the chaotic events that force everyone to run leave several threads dangling—most notably the fate of Sorcha and the mysterious Kier. This setup makes the anticipation for book three almost palpable, as readers will be desperate to know what happened to the youngest sister during the scramble for safety.
In conclusion, How to Lose a Laird is a solid, page-turning historical romance that balances mystery, adventure, and emotional depth. Whether you are a longtime fan of Anna Bradley or a newcomer to the *Cairncross Castle* series, Freya and Callum’s journey is a delightful escape. It is a story that proves sometimes the most precious treasures aren't the gold hidden in a castle, but the connections found when you have nowhere else to turn. I am already looking forward to going back to the beginning with Cat’s story and eagerly awaiting the next chapter for the MacLeods.
Thank you to the publisher for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Anna Bradley clearly understands the appeal of a stormy Scottish romance with a gruff hero, a chaotic heroine, and enough emotional tension to keep the sparks flying across the Isle of Skye.
How to Lose a Laird is the second book in the Cairnross Castle series and follows Freya MacLeod, the second of the MacLeod sisters, whose uncanny ability to predict the weather makes her both intriguing and deeply anxious. Freya is… a lot, especially in the first half of the novel. She is impulsive, prone to misunderstanding situations, and has a frustrating tendency to blame Callum for circumstances very much of her own making. At one point she accuses the poor man of kidnapping her when he is, in fact, rescuing her from an angry mob intent on a spot of vigilante justice. Honestly, Callum deserves compensation.
I was fortunate that I’d already read the first book in the series because I came into this one already liking Freya. Had I not, I may have struggled more early on. She swings wildly between timid and recklessly fearless, and while the narrative frames some of this as bravery, it occasionally felt more like chaos with excellent timing.
Thankfully, the chemistry between Freya and Callum arrives immediately and absolutely carries the story through those bumpier early sections. Callum may be described as gruff and grumpy, but considering he abandons his own work to help a friend and then proceeds to endure endless trouble from Freya and her sister, I’d argue the man has earned the occasional bad mood. He is steadfast, loyal, protective, brave, and yes, extremely swoonworthy.
The setting also does a tremendous amount of heavy lifting here. Bradley leans fully into the atmosphere of Scotland and the stormy Isle of Skye, with the weather almost functioning as its own character throughout the novel. The historical detail is fairly light, but there is enough in the language and descriptions to ground the story firmly in its period without overwhelming the romance.
What ultimately made this work for me was Freya’s growth. By the latter half of the book, her intelligence, compassion, and vulnerability finally begin to shine through properly, and I ended up genuinely rooting for her. The emotional payoff between her and Callum absolutely lands.
In the end, this is a romance, and the real question is: did I swoon? The answer is yes. Repeatedly.
Despite a few frustrations with Freya early on, I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
4 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.
How to Lose a Laird is the second book in the Cairnross Castle series and follows Freya MacLeod, the second of the MacLeod sisters, whose uncanny ability to predict the weather makes her both intriguing and deeply anxious. Freya is… a lot, especially in the first half of the novel. She is impulsive, prone to misunderstanding situations, and has a frustrating tendency to blame Callum for circumstances very much of her own making. At one point she accuses the poor man of kidnapping her when he is, in fact, rescuing her from an angry mob intent on a spot of vigilante justice. Honestly, Callum deserves compensation.
I was fortunate that I’d already read the first book in the series because I came into this one already liking Freya. Had I not, I may have struggled more early on. She swings wildly between timid and recklessly fearless, and while the narrative frames some of this as bravery, it occasionally felt more like chaos with excellent timing.
Thankfully, the chemistry between Freya and Callum arrives immediately and absolutely carries the story through those bumpier early sections. Callum may be described as gruff and grumpy, but considering he abandons his own work to help a friend and then proceeds to endure endless trouble from Freya and her sister, I’d argue the man has earned the occasional bad mood. He is steadfast, loyal, protective, brave, and yes, extremely swoonworthy.
The setting also does a tremendous amount of heavy lifting here. Bradley leans fully into the atmosphere of Scotland and the stormy Isle of Skye, with the weather almost functioning as its own character throughout the novel. The historical detail is fairly light, but there is enough in the language and descriptions to ground the story firmly in its period without overwhelming the romance.
What ultimately made this work for me was Freya’s growth. By the latter half of the book, her intelligence, compassion, and vulnerability finally begin to shine through properly, and I ended up genuinely rooting for her. The emotional payoff between her and Callum absolutely lands.
In the end, this is a romance, and the real question is: did I swoon? The answer is yes. Repeatedly.
Despite a few frustrations with Freya early on, I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
4 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love a book that knows exactly what it is: this one has a brooding laird with a secret, a sheltered middle sister who turns out to be made of sterner stuff than anyone gave her credit for, and a one-bed cottage in the Scottish Highlands that is doing exactly what it should. How to Lose a Laird leans into all of it.
Callum Ross is duty-bound and aloof. He’s promised to watch and protect Freya, but does so with a great deal of reluctance to start. He thaws when the danger turns real and his instincts kick in. Freya is the sheltered middle sister who tries to blend into the background. She dresses and behaves so as to not be noticed. But in her arc, she finds that she is not weak or invisible at all.
What is supposed to be “sister-sitting” (just hanging out at the MacLeod’s castle to make sure Freya and Sorcha, the youngest sister, are safe) quickly goes sideways and it leads to real threats. Sorcha disappears with Keir – we’ll get that story in book 3! – and Callum has to get Freya out of town immediately. The action-packed first third of the book was a whirlwind. The danger felt real. Bradley keeps both characters' motivations understandable and real.
In fleeing Dunvegan, they spend a few days in a one-room cottage. Nearby is a loch with a willow tree limbed in moonlight that’s perfect for bathing… and, well, this does not help anyone stay professional. **wink, wink**
Aila, Callum’s mom, is a standout side character. I love when moms help their ding-dong sons along. As a boy mom, I get this role. The drama runs on miscommunication, which is sometimes frustrating, but we understand the characters well enough to buy into their (poor) decisions.
This book’s timeline overlaps with book one. It will read better if you start there, but technically it can standalone. There’s enough context from book one to bring you along. But really, book one was terrific and includes a road trip! For treasure!
I love a stern man unraveled and Callum deserved every bit of his unraveling (complimentary). Congrats to Freya for her work in that regard.
Callum Ross is duty-bound and aloof. He’s promised to watch and protect Freya, but does so with a great deal of reluctance to start. He thaws when the danger turns real and his instincts kick in. Freya is the sheltered middle sister who tries to blend into the background. She dresses and behaves so as to not be noticed. But in her arc, she finds that she is not weak or invisible at all.
What is supposed to be “sister-sitting” (just hanging out at the MacLeod’s castle to make sure Freya and Sorcha, the youngest sister, are safe) quickly goes sideways and it leads to real threats. Sorcha disappears with Keir – we’ll get that story in book 3! – and Callum has to get Freya out of town immediately. The action-packed first third of the book was a whirlwind. The danger felt real. Bradley keeps both characters' motivations understandable and real.
In fleeing Dunvegan, they spend a few days in a one-room cottage. Nearby is a loch with a willow tree limbed in moonlight that’s perfect for bathing… and, well, this does not help anyone stay professional. **wink, wink**
Aila, Callum’s mom, is a standout side character. I love when moms help their ding-dong sons along. As a boy mom, I get this role. The drama runs on miscommunication, which is sometimes frustrating, but we understand the characters well enough to buy into their (poor) decisions.
This book’s timeline overlaps with book one. It will read better if you start there, but technically it can standalone. There’s enough context from book one to bring you along. But really, book one was terrific and includes a road trip! For treasure!
I love a stern man unraveled and Callum deserved every bit of his unraveling (complimentary). Congrats to Freya for her work in that regard.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Forced proximity does its job for the youngest MacLeod sister Freya in this open-door Scottish historical romance. I am quite intrigued about plotlines that were left OUT of this book. It is pretty much a side quest romance to the main treasure hunting adventure of the MacLeod sisters.
With eldest sister Catriona and her fiancé Hamish off searching for a rumored treasure, Freya and middle sister Sorcha are left to defend the castle. Hamish sends his friends Callum and Kier to help guard the girls. For some reason (which I expect to be explained in the next book), Sorcha sneaks out of the house to a local farm and it somehow is set on fire. Freya, after following the smoke to find her sister, ends up seeing Sorcha and then they have to flee in different directions to avoid a witch-crazed mob. Kier follows after Sorcha and Callum grabs Freya and flees to his family's castle miles away.
Callum & Freya have a tension-filled road trip sharing a horse, a cottage and a moonlight bath but Callum is keeping a secret that threatens their burgeoning romance. Can they overcome family expectations and false allegations to rewrite their stars?
This was a pretty quick read for me. I was moderately invested but not swept up by the depth of their connection. It could have done with more banter. It was pretty shallow and lust-based and Freya is the youngest and most naive of the sisters. If the third book doesn't pay off with sufficiently wrapped plotlines and a larger-than-life romance for Sorcha and Kier, this series may be a dud.
With eldest sister Catriona and her fiancé Hamish off searching for a rumored treasure, Freya and middle sister Sorcha are left to defend the castle. Hamish sends his friends Callum and Kier to help guard the girls. For some reason (which I expect to be explained in the next book), Sorcha sneaks out of the house to a local farm and it somehow is set on fire. Freya, after following the smoke to find her sister, ends up seeing Sorcha and then they have to flee in different directions to avoid a witch-crazed mob. Kier follows after Sorcha and Callum grabs Freya and flees to his family's castle miles away.
Callum & Freya have a tension-filled road trip sharing a horse, a cottage and a moonlight bath but Callum is keeping a secret that threatens their burgeoning romance. Can they overcome family expectations and false allegations to rewrite their stars?
This was a pretty quick read for me. I was moderately invested but not swept up by the depth of their connection. It could have done with more banter. It was pretty shallow and lust-based and Freya is the youngest and most naive of the sisters. If the third book doesn't pay off with sufficiently wrapped plotlines and a larger-than-life romance for Sorcha and Kier, this series may be a dud.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75
I really enjoy a good historical romance, especially if it is set in Scotland.
This book did not disappoint and I read it in one sitting. I especially enjoyed how the FMC had so much depth to her character and was not what she seemed.
I recommend this book if you enjoy
🏴 grumpy x sunshine
🏴 enemies to lovers
🏴 slow burn
🏴 found family
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
I really enjoy a good historical romance, especially if it is set in Scotland.
This book did not disappoint and I read it in one sitting. I especially enjoyed how the FMC had so much depth to her character and was not what she seemed.
I recommend this book if you enjoy
🏴 grumpy x sunshine
🏴 enemies to lovers
🏴 slow burn
🏴 found family
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The three MacLeod sisters were always considered eccentric, some of the villagers even thought them to be witches. As a favor to a friend, Callum and another friend go to help protect the two sisters while the third one is away. When the villagers attack the castle accusing them of murder, Callum flees with Freya. This is the story of their escape and exile. Can they resist their growing mutual attraction? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It’s a perfect lovely treat for anyone who likes their mysteries with a side of historical secrets and a dash of sarcasm. Loved loved loved the laugh out loud moments with the banter.
Just a heads-up: don’t read this on an empty stomach—the food descriptions are decadent enough to induce drooling.
Just a heads-up: don’t read this on an empty stomach—the food descriptions are decadent enough to induce drooling.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The second novel in the series, this historical Scottish romance is a quick and easy read that can be read as a stand-alone as easily as it can be read in order of release. Unlike most romance novels that are part of a series, this one takes place at roughly the same time as the events in the first book, just in a different location. The MCs are both a bit quiet and misunderstood, dutiful but also a little adventurous, The supporting characters are likeable with kind and humorous dialogue (including one of the nicest MILs ever written). If you enjoyed book one, then you'll like book two. I will definitely look for book three to find out just how that fire started and how the three sisters' stories will end.
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm liking this series more with each book! I love the grumpy Scottish Laird and the fiery lass. The two of them were such opposites.
This is a fun refreshing story that will keep you turning the page. If you enjoy a great Highland novel with a few surprises you will love this book.
This is a fun refreshing story that will keep you turning the page. If you enjoy a great Highland novel with a few surprises you will love this book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews