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The Foxglove Door: A cosy fae fantasy.
She inherited a cottage. She didn't expect fairies.
When burnt-out illustrator Lily Poole inherits a cottage in the English countryside, she expects a week of paperwork and a quiet sale.
What she finds instead are fairy doors in the foxgloves, feuding pixies, an enchanted bookshop, a cat named Bracken and a bookseller who is keen to help.
When Lily reads her great-aunt Pearl's journals, she discovers that the foxgloves are doors to other worlds, and Pearl was the keeper of the doors. But it is not only the flower fae and the pixies that are coming through the Foxglove doors. A fairy lord has stepped through into the cottage garden, and he does not intend to leave.
Briarhollow is unravelling. And Lily needs to put it right.
The Foxglove Door is a cosy fantasy about magic, belonging, and what happens when the truest thing inside you finally finds the right place to grow.
A warm, gentle novel for those who still believe in fairies.
The Foxglove Door is the first book in The Briarhollow Village Series.
Perfect for readers of Travis Baldree, TJ Klune, Sangu Mandanna, and Heather Fawcett.
Step through the door. Briarhollow is waiting.
When burnt-out illustrator Lily Poole inherits a cottage in the English countryside, she expects a week of paperwork and a quiet sale.
What she finds instead are fairy doors in the foxgloves, feuding pixies, an enchanted bookshop, a cat named Bracken and a bookseller who is keen to help.
When Lily reads her great-aunt Pearl's journals, she discovers that the foxgloves are doors to other worlds, and Pearl was the keeper of the doors. But it is not only the flower fae and the pixies that are coming through the Foxglove doors. A fairy lord has stepped through into the cottage garden, and he does not intend to leave.
Briarhollow is unravelling. And Lily needs to put it right.
The Foxglove Door is a cosy fantasy about magic, belonging, and what happens when the truest thing inside you finally finds the right place to grow.
A warm, gentle novel for those who still believe in fairies.
The Foxglove Door is the first book in The Briarhollow Village Series.
Perfect for readers of Travis Baldree, TJ Klune, Sangu Mandanna, and Heather Fawcett.
Step through the door. Briarhollow is waiting.
- GenresFantasy
195 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 27, 2026
The Foxglove Door is a cozy fantasy story full of magical creatures and unforgettable characters. Lily Poole is an out-of-work illustrator who has just inherited a cottage in the English countryside. When she arrives, she discovers her aunt was the Keeper of Doors, a guardian of foxgloves that open paths to other worlds. Now, Lily has the chance to take on both the cottage and this unique responsibility. As she settles into the village, she finds magic everywhere, from an enchanted bookshop to a vetraenaran who cares for magical animals. While Lily learns to navigate feuding pixies and territorial brownies, she also uncovers a darker side to the Fae. When a fairy lord appears in her garden and refuses to leave, his magic threatens the boundary between the two worlds. Lily must figure out how to send him back before it is too late.
The Foxglove Door was the perfect story for a rainy afternoon. The descriptions of the village and its people made me want to visit this magical place. I liked following Lily as she learns to be the Keeper of Doors and uses her skills as an illustrator to connect with the fairy creatures in the garden. I also enjoyed the found family trope as she works with the other villagers to protect the boundary. There is a hint of romance, and I am looking forward to seeing what happens with that in the next book.
If you are a fan of fairies and other magical creatures and enjoy cozy fantasies, I would add this book to your TBR.
The Foxglove Door was the perfect story for a rainy afternoon. The descriptions of the village and its people made me want to visit this magical place. I liked following Lily as she learns to be the Keeper of Doors and uses her skills as an illustrator to connect with the fairy creatures in the garden. I also enjoyed the found family trope as she works with the other villagers to protect the boundary. There is a hint of romance, and I am looking forward to seeing what happens with that in the next book.
If you are a fan of fairies and other magical creatures and enjoy cozy fantasies, I would add this book to your TBR.
May 19, 2026
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy!
This charming and cozy daydream of a book seems to beg the reader to gaze into a mirror and take time to truly see your reflection. The whimsy of the fairy garden is opulent and the cast of characters in this surprising little town are like a warm mug of tea paired with a delightfully crumbly scone.
This charming and cozy daydream of a book seems to beg the reader to gaze into a mirror and take time to truly see your reflection. The whimsy of the fairy garden is opulent and the cast of characters in this surprising little town are like a warm mug of tea paired with a delightfully crumbly scone.
August 1, 2026
This book creates a cozy, whimsical atmosphere and will likely appeal to readers who enjoy slow pace fantasy with an emphasis on the world of the fae and the characters. I did like the characters, but I personally tend to lean towards fast paced stories, so this wasn’t the right fit for my reading preferences, but I can appreciate the care that went into creating this magical world.
June 9, 2026
3.75 ★ (rounded up for goodreads)
thank you so much to the author for kindly gifting me a review copy 🫶
🐀🪻🧚🏼♀️🍯🍃
𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓸𝓷 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓴𝓼
If you love heather fawcett's writing, and in particular her emily wilde collection, then this book will be a great fit for you!
Additionally, the author has compared their work to enid blyton's, which I do feel is quite accurate. While I've only read her famous five books and not her more magical ones, I actually found this book to have the same mysterious and isolated quality, while still being full of cosiness and heart and finding joy in the mundane.
𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽
The plot of this book was quite loose and didn't exactly feel the most linear; there weren't really many major events, and important information was given to the main character - Lily - at random from different characters when they deemed it "time" for Lily to know. I would say the plot had a meandering melodic pace, which gave it an almost dream-like feeling.
Although this book was a shorter read, coming in at just under 200 pages, I found the pacing to be very slow. I wouldn't say this is either a positive or a negative - it entirely depends on what you prefer from a story - but I do think the relaxed pace fit the tone of the book well.
There were so many wonderful little moments in this book: my favourite being when Lily drew the rose petal fairy as it posed for her. It was such a special and heartwarming scene.
This book was truly full of so much wonder, and I feel like there were so many tiny details to take in and appreciate about it. The fascinating tidbits of lore about the faeries were so clever and immersive.
I personally would have liked some more intense or exciting moments and a clearer progression of the plot, but what the author has created was still a really beautiful reading experience.
𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓭𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓵𝓸𝓹𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽
One thing I took note of was how disconnected I felt from our fmc Lily. We first meet her as she's leaving her flat in the city and travelling to her aunt's cottage. We never really find out anything about her life before.
Her character arc adjusting to the new magical world she'd stepped into was a faster one, as she accepted things quite easily and just got on with it.
There was also quite a bit of focus on Lily's mental health and finding purpose. I believe this was written well and had a good progression and arc from her character's initial state at the start of the book; but without a deeper understanding of WHO she had been before, it didn't feel the most impactful to me.
𝔀𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓼𝓽𝔂𝓵𝓮
This is my first time reading this author's writing and I found it to be so beautiful. It had an old-timey feel to it ( i'm unsure how to word that properly 😅 ) that fit perfectly with the quaint little village setting.
It was lyrical and whimsical and wonderfully descriptive.
The way the light was described filtering through and getting caught in the faeries' wings was a particular favourite of mine.
I will say that due to my difficulties connecting to the main character, I do think the third person pov this book was written in made this even harder.
𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓬𝓻𝓲𝓹𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼
I'm not sure if it was an artistic choice to not include a character description for Lily ( perhaps so it could be a self insert? ) but I feel like this doesn't really work when the story is in third person.
I never found out her hair or eye colour, any of her facial features, her build, or even what she wore on a daily basis.
She was a canvas left empty and it negatively impacted my visualising of the otherwise stunning scenes the author described.
Along the same line, although we got some description of the side characters, I found myself craving description of how their faces emoted while they were speaking. They felt a bit robotic to me.
There are only four or five human side characters in this story, but the village they all lived in felt like a ghost town. There's never a glimpse or description of another soul out and about besides a scene in the pub at the end where one other character is added.
𝓰𝓻𝓪𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻
There were some punctuation choices that didn't feel quite right to me - particularly comma placements - and sentences that went on for a bit too long, but otherwise this book was very well written.
I do want to add two errors I found:
- when a threatening fae character enters the scene, the narrative refers to him by his name ( Clement ) after a few sentences, but we are never introduced to him or given his name, so it felt out of nowhere. I think this may have been in error.
- Lily is also randomly referred to in the narrative as Lilith one time, but I found no other reference of this name any other time while reading.
♡ 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 𝓘 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓭 ♡
🐀 the cosy & peaceful village setting
🪻 the whimsical scenery
🧚🏼♀️ the magical bookshop
🍯 ash and his gentle softness
🍃 helpful quill the mouse
🪺 the brownies' antics
🐞 clement's observations
♡ 𝓯𝓪𝓿𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓺𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ♡
"When you read a sentence that describes how you have felt your entire life, suddenly you feel less alone."
"The artist who can't draw, and the adventurer who's never left the bookshop."
~
* this is my honest and voluntary review of a free e-copy of the book gifted by the author *
thank you so much to the author for kindly gifting me a review copy 🫶
🐀🪻🧚🏼♀️🍯🍃
𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓸𝓷 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓴𝓼
If you love heather fawcett's writing, and in particular her emily wilde collection, then this book will be a great fit for you!
Additionally, the author has compared their work to enid blyton's, which I do feel is quite accurate. While I've only read her famous five books and not her more magical ones, I actually found this book to have the same mysterious and isolated quality, while still being full of cosiness and heart and finding joy in the mundane.
𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽
The plot of this book was quite loose and didn't exactly feel the most linear; there weren't really many major events, and important information was given to the main character - Lily - at random from different characters when they deemed it "time" for Lily to know. I would say the plot had a meandering melodic pace, which gave it an almost dream-like feeling.
Although this book was a shorter read, coming in at just under 200 pages, I found the pacing to be very slow. I wouldn't say this is either a positive or a negative - it entirely depends on what you prefer from a story - but I do think the relaxed pace fit the tone of the book well.
There were so many wonderful little moments in this book: my favourite being when Lily drew the rose petal fairy as it posed for her. It was such a special and heartwarming scene.
This book was truly full of so much wonder, and I feel like there were so many tiny details to take in and appreciate about it. The fascinating tidbits of lore about the faeries were so clever and immersive.
I personally would have liked some more intense or exciting moments and a clearer progression of the plot, but what the author has created was still a really beautiful reading experience.
𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓭𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓵𝓸𝓹𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽
One thing I took note of was how disconnected I felt from our fmc Lily. We first meet her as she's leaving her flat in the city and travelling to her aunt's cottage. We never really find out anything about her life before.
Her character arc adjusting to the new magical world she'd stepped into was a faster one, as she accepted things quite easily and just got on with it.
There was also quite a bit of focus on Lily's mental health and finding purpose. I believe this was written well and had a good progression and arc from her character's initial state at the start of the book; but without a deeper understanding of WHO she had been before, it didn't feel the most impactful to me.
𝔀𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓼𝓽𝔂𝓵𝓮
This is my first time reading this author's writing and I found it to be so beautiful. It had an old-timey feel to it ( i'm unsure how to word that properly 😅 ) that fit perfectly with the quaint little village setting.
It was lyrical and whimsical and wonderfully descriptive.
The way the light was described filtering through and getting caught in the faeries' wings was a particular favourite of mine.
I will say that due to my difficulties connecting to the main character, I do think the third person pov this book was written in made this even harder.
𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓬𝓻𝓲𝓹𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼
I'm not sure if it was an artistic choice to not include a character description for Lily ( perhaps so it could be a self insert? ) but I feel like this doesn't really work when the story is in third person.
I never found out her hair or eye colour, any of her facial features, her build, or even what she wore on a daily basis.
She was a canvas left empty and it negatively impacted my visualising of the otherwise stunning scenes the author described.
Along the same line, although we got some description of the side characters, I found myself craving description of how their faces emoted while they were speaking. They felt a bit robotic to me.
There are only four or five human side characters in this story, but the village they all lived in felt like a ghost town. There's never a glimpse or description of another soul out and about besides a scene in the pub at the end where one other character is added.
𝓰𝓻𝓪𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻
There were some punctuation choices that didn't feel quite right to me - particularly comma placements - and sentences that went on for a bit too long, but otherwise this book was very well written.
I do want to add two errors I found:
- when a threatening fae character enters the scene, the narrative refers to him by his name ( Clement ) after a few sentences, but we are never introduced to him or given his name, so it felt out of nowhere. I think this may have been in error.
- Lily is also randomly referred to in the narrative as Lilith one time, but I found no other reference of this name any other time while reading.
♡ 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 𝓘 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓭 ♡
🐀 the cosy & peaceful village setting
🪻 the whimsical scenery
🧚🏼♀️ the magical bookshop
🍯 ash and his gentle softness
🍃 helpful quill the mouse
🪺 the brownies' antics
🐞 clement's observations
♡ 𝓯𝓪𝓿𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓺𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ♡
"When you read a sentence that describes how you have felt your entire life, suddenly you feel less alone."
"The artist who can't draw, and the adventurer who's never left the bookshop."
~
* this is my honest and voluntary review of a free e-copy of the book gifted by the author *
May 15, 2026
I loved this!! It gave me a warm, cosy, calm feeling inside the whole way through. When Lily realised that she now owns a cottage in a village called Briarhollow, she was intrigued. The cottage sounds beautiful! Foxgloves and other flowers adorned the house and surrounding garden. Briarhollow is one of those places where everyone knows everyone else so a newcomer is a reason to be curious.
The journals left by her late aunt hold so many secrets, instructions and so much mystery, the thirteenth one more than the others. I loved the pixie and brownie element to this, the magical feel of the village, from the cottage to the bookshop, butchers to the borders.
I really liked Ash, the bookshop is a placeholder for magic and you never know what you're walking into. Bracken likes to find their way into the nooks and crannies of the bookshop and cottage but also always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
I also really enjoyed the fact that Lily is an illustrator and I can imagine the beautiful sweeps of a brush, the drawings coming to life, not just from being drawn but from the care taken to draw each small aspect. A beautiful read and I'm sad to have Briarhollow leave me for a bit until I get to re-read it and get engrossed again!
The journals left by her late aunt hold so many secrets, instructions and so much mystery, the thirteenth one more than the others. I loved the pixie and brownie element to this, the magical feel of the village, from the cottage to the bookshop, butchers to the borders.
I really liked Ash, the bookshop is a placeholder for magic and you never know what you're walking into. Bracken likes to find their way into the nooks and crannies of the bookshop and cottage but also always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
I also really enjoyed the fact that Lily is an illustrator and I can imagine the beautiful sweeps of a brush, the drawings coming to life, not just from being drawn but from the care taken to draw each small aspect. A beautiful read and I'm sad to have Briarhollow leave me for a bit until I get to re-read it and get engrossed again!
September 13, 2026
A beautiful book by an author I don't know but she writes wonderfully
It's a cosy escape into a world of fairy doors pixies who live among the flowers in the garden a cottage full of magic and love and ancient tree it covers feelings love life finding yourself I loved the brownies who lived in the house the descriptions of the magical little Fae folk it was a wonderful book I devoured it
It's a cosy escape into a world of fairy doors pixies who live among the flowers in the garden a cottage full of magic and love and ancient tree it covers feelings love life finding yourself I loved the brownies who lived in the house the descriptions of the magical little Fae folk it was a wonderful book I devoured it
August 3, 2026
Really enjoyed this book, it is the first in the Briarhollow series, This is a cosy fae story. Lily a struggling illustrator who receives a call telling her she has inherited a cottage from an aunt she met only twice many years earlier. So she decides to go visit with the notion of selling it. The cottage she discovers is in a village not on any map and on arrival she senses something peculiar about the little shops and the happy residents. In the cottage she discovers a letter and some journals and the secrets that hold this village together and what she is expected to learn and continue but can she?Honestly the writing is so beautiful and whimsical the way Isla rowe describes the village,the flowers it makes you want to visit. Can not wait for the next book in this series.
August 1, 2026
When I tell you that I wasn’t expecting this book, I found myself peeling my jaw off the floor! The descriptions were beautiful, the creatures were fascinating, and the conflict was interesting—and while I’d say it was a little more traditional than cozy, for the most part, it was exactly as it is described.
The author sure knows how to scare us about bad things happening and then figure it all out in the end with such sweet but very touching solutions. I honestly am excited for a second book like this! So much whimsy, beauty, important themes. Loved it!
The author sure knows how to scare us about bad things happening and then figure it all out in the end with such sweet but very touching solutions. I honestly am excited for a second book like this! So much whimsy, beauty, important themes. Loved it!
July 25, 2026
I really loved this book. It completely delivers on the cost fantasy fae vibes. It is deeply atmospheric and feels well lived in, like a grandma’s soft leather recliner. The descriptions are so vivid and inviting, it is absolutely beautiful.
I don’t want to give spoilers, but the plot is wonderfully unique. Like nothing else I have read.
And don’t get me started on the characters! So well developed you’ll think you have a new group of best friends.
If you are interested in cosy fantasy with a fae angle, definitely give it a try.
I don’t want to give spoilers, but the plot is wonderfully unique. Like nothing else I have read.
And don’t get me started on the characters! So well developed you’ll think you have a new group of best friends.
If you are interested in cosy fantasy with a fae angle, definitely give it a try.
July 8, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ 4.5/5
I picked up The Foxglove Door hoping for a cozy fantasy, and it delivered exactly that while offering a refreshing take on fae folklore. Instead of following the familiar good-versus-evil fairy tale, the story gradually reveals a world where every side has its own history, making the mystery all the more engaging.
I loved discovering Briarhollow alongside Lily. From the hidden magic surrounding the cottage to the old journals that slowly uncover the past, every chapter added another piece to the puzzle. The magical creatures, charming village, and enchanting atmosphere made this a world I genuinely enjoyed spending time in.
One of my favourite aspects was how the characters felt more layered than I initially expected. The story reminds us that fairy tales often make things seem simple, while reality rarely is. That theme added depth to the magical world without taking away from its cozy charm.
And I can’t write this review without mentioning Bracken, who completely stole my heart. 🐈
If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy filled with fae folklore, hidden magic, charming characters, and a mystery that unfolds at just the right pace, I’d definitely recommend giving The Foxglove Door a try. I’m excited to continue exploring the Briarhollow series.
I picked up The Foxglove Door hoping for a cozy fantasy, and it delivered exactly that while offering a refreshing take on fae folklore. Instead of following the familiar good-versus-evil fairy tale, the story gradually reveals a world where every side has its own history, making the mystery all the more engaging.
I loved discovering Briarhollow alongside Lily. From the hidden magic surrounding the cottage to the old journals that slowly uncover the past, every chapter added another piece to the puzzle. The magical creatures, charming village, and enchanting atmosphere made this a world I genuinely enjoyed spending time in.
One of my favourite aspects was how the characters felt more layered than I initially expected. The story reminds us that fairy tales often make things seem simple, while reality rarely is. That theme added depth to the magical world without taking away from its cozy charm.
And I can’t write this review without mentioning Bracken, who completely stole my heart. 🐈
If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy filled with fae folklore, hidden magic, charming characters, and a mystery that unfolds at just the right pace, I’d definitely recommend giving The Foxglove Door a try. I’m excited to continue exploring the Briarhollow series.
June 1, 2026
A truly enchanting tale, Briarhollow Village feels like a place you could step into and never want to leave.
Lily, a gifted illustrator who has lost her creative spark, arrives only to clear out her late aunt’s cottage and return to her ordinary life. But the village has other plans for her.
What she discovers is a world brimming with quiet magic — a community where Fae and fairies slip between realms, and every villager plays a part in keeping the balance. When Lily unexpectedly becomes the new Keeper of the Doors, she’s drawn into a role that is equal parts wonder, responsibility, and healing.
This cosy, whimsical fantasy is perfect for anyone who still believes there might be little folk at the bottom of the garden, waiting to be found. It’s a comforting, heart‑warming must‑read for lovers of gentle magic and stories that feel like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day.
Lily, a gifted illustrator who has lost her creative spark, arrives only to clear out her late aunt’s cottage and return to her ordinary life. But the village has other plans for her.
What she discovers is a world brimming with quiet magic — a community where Fae and fairies slip between realms, and every villager plays a part in keeping the balance. When Lily unexpectedly becomes the new Keeper of the Doors, she’s drawn into a role that is equal parts wonder, responsibility, and healing.
This cosy, whimsical fantasy is perfect for anyone who still believes there might be little folk at the bottom of the garden, waiting to be found. It’s a comforting, heart‑warming must‑read for lovers of gentle magic and stories that feel like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day.
June 17, 2026
🧚🏻♀️🍄PLOT✨️🍓
The Foxglove Door follows Lily Poole, a struggling illustrator who inherits a cottage in the hidden village of Briarhollow after the death of her great-aunt Pearl. What I enjoyed most was the novel's gradual sense of discovery rather than relying on dramatic twists or high-stakes action. The story invites readers to explore Briarhollow alongside Lily, uncovering its magic through curiosity, observation, and wonder.
The novel prioritizes atmosphere over momentum by immersing readers in the rhythms of village life through reading journals, gardening, drinking tea, and learning local customs. While these details contribute greatly to its cozy charm, readers looking for a more plot-driven fantasy may find the pacing slower than expected. Personally, I found the slower pace suited the story's comforting tone, though there were moments when I wished the larger conflict received more attention.
One of the most intriguing elements is the mystery surrounding the thinning boundary between the human and fae worlds. Although it remains largely in the background throughout this installment, it feels less like an underdeveloped plot point and more like the foundation of a larger story that will likely unfold throughout the rest of the trilogy.
🧚🏻♀️🍄CHARACTERS✨️🍓
Lily was a character I connected with almost immediately. Her grief, uncertainty, and creative burnout felt believable and relatable. I especially enjoyed watching her gradually regain her confidence and rediscover her passion for art. Her emotional journey forms the heart of the story, making her easy to root for from beginning to end.
The supporting cast is equally memorable. Ash Blackwood quickly became one of my favorite characters. His enthusiasm for books, tendency to get sidetracked by fascinating bits of information, and genuine kindness make every scene he's in a delight to read. He feels like the sort of person readers would happily spend an afternoon talking to in a cozy bookshop.
Branwen Ampleforth is another standout. At first, she appears stern and intimidating, but beneath her rough exterior is a woman carrying her own burdens and responsibilities. Her connection to Pearl and her concern for Briarhollow's future add depth to her character and make her far more complex than she initially appears.
Even the supporting characters, such as Betty, Moth, Whin, and Jack, help make Briarhollow feel like a living, breathing community rather than simply a setting. Their presence adds warmth, charm, and a sense of belonging that strengthens the novel's cozy atmosphere.
One aspect I found myself wishing for was a little more complexity among some of the supporting characters.While this perfectly suits the comforting tone of the story, a few more moments of disagreement or differing perspectives could have added another layer of depth to the relationships.
🧚🏻♀️🍄WORLD BUILDING✨️🍓
Without question, the world-building was my favorite part of the book and is undoubtedly the novel's strongest feature.
Briarhollow is the kind of place that feels impossible not to fall in love with. It feels less like a backdrop for the story and more like a character in its own right. From the enchanting bookshop and cozy bakery to the centuries-old pub, riverside bridge, and foxglove-filled gardens, every corner of the village feels lovingly crafted and full of life.
I loved how the book handled its fae lore. Rather than following the popular trend of portraying fae as glamorous and powerful beings, it leans into something more whimsical and rooted in traditional folklore. The creatures feel ancient, otherworldly, and deeply connected to the natural world. It makes every encounter with them feel genuinely magical.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was its approach to magic. Instead of relying on dramatic displays, it reveals itself through old customs, the foxglove flowers that serve as doorways between realms, and the simple act of paying attention. It creates a sense of wonder that feels both enchanting and beautifully grounded in everyday life.
That said, there were times when I found myself wanting to know more. However, Some mysteries are intentionally left unexplained, which certainly enhances the atmosphere, but I occasionally wished for a few more answers about the world and its lore.
🧚🏻♀️🍄FINAL THOUGHTS ✨️🍓
Overall, I enjoyed The Foxglove Door very much. Its greatest accomplishment is the feeling it creates. Reading this novel feels like sitting beside a cottage window on a rainy afternoon with a cup of tea and a stack of old journals waiting to be explored.
What i love about it, it's not trying to be an epic fantasy. It is not trying to reinvent faerie lore. Instead, it offers readers a warm, magical refuge filled with flowers, books, tea, friendship, and quiet wonder. The novel's greatest achievement is how effortlessly it creates the feeling that magic might be hiding just beyond the edge of ordinary life.
I would absolutely recommend this book to readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy, cottagecore aesthetics, gentle magical realism, and stories about healing after loss.
While the slow pacing and relatively low stakes may not appeal to every reader, the novel's warmth, sincerity, and sense of wonder more than make up for its shortcomings. By the end, I found myself appreciating the novel not just for its magic, but for its gentle reminder that there is beauty and wonder hidden in everyday life just waiting to be discovered.
Most importantly, it made me want to return to Briarhollow. I'm excited to see where the story goes next and look forward to picking up the second book to spend more time with these characters and uncover more of the mysteries surrounding the fae world.
The Foxglove Door follows Lily Poole, a struggling illustrator who inherits a cottage in the hidden village of Briarhollow after the death of her great-aunt Pearl. What I enjoyed most was the novel's gradual sense of discovery rather than relying on dramatic twists or high-stakes action. The story invites readers to explore Briarhollow alongside Lily, uncovering its magic through curiosity, observation, and wonder.
The novel prioritizes atmosphere over momentum by immersing readers in the rhythms of village life through reading journals, gardening, drinking tea, and learning local customs. While these details contribute greatly to its cozy charm, readers looking for a more plot-driven fantasy may find the pacing slower than expected. Personally, I found the slower pace suited the story's comforting tone, though there were moments when I wished the larger conflict received more attention.
One of the most intriguing elements is the mystery surrounding the thinning boundary between the human and fae worlds. Although it remains largely in the background throughout this installment, it feels less like an underdeveloped plot point and more like the foundation of a larger story that will likely unfold throughout the rest of the trilogy.
🧚🏻♀️🍄CHARACTERS✨️🍓
Lily was a character I connected with almost immediately. Her grief, uncertainty, and creative burnout felt believable and relatable. I especially enjoyed watching her gradually regain her confidence and rediscover her passion for art. Her emotional journey forms the heart of the story, making her easy to root for from beginning to end.
The supporting cast is equally memorable. Ash Blackwood quickly became one of my favorite characters. His enthusiasm for books, tendency to get sidetracked by fascinating bits of information, and genuine kindness make every scene he's in a delight to read. He feels like the sort of person readers would happily spend an afternoon talking to in a cozy bookshop.
Branwen Ampleforth is another standout. At first, she appears stern and intimidating, but beneath her rough exterior is a woman carrying her own burdens and responsibilities. Her connection to Pearl and her concern for Briarhollow's future add depth to her character and make her far more complex than she initially appears.
Even the supporting characters, such as Betty, Moth, Whin, and Jack, help make Briarhollow feel like a living, breathing community rather than simply a setting. Their presence adds warmth, charm, and a sense of belonging that strengthens the novel's cozy atmosphere.
One aspect I found myself wishing for was a little more complexity among some of the supporting characters.While this perfectly suits the comforting tone of the story, a few more moments of disagreement or differing perspectives could have added another layer of depth to the relationships.
🧚🏻♀️🍄WORLD BUILDING✨️🍓
Without question, the world-building was my favorite part of the book and is undoubtedly the novel's strongest feature.
Briarhollow is the kind of place that feels impossible not to fall in love with. It feels less like a backdrop for the story and more like a character in its own right. From the enchanting bookshop and cozy bakery to the centuries-old pub, riverside bridge, and foxglove-filled gardens, every corner of the village feels lovingly crafted and full of life.
I loved how the book handled its fae lore. Rather than following the popular trend of portraying fae as glamorous and powerful beings, it leans into something more whimsical and rooted in traditional folklore. The creatures feel ancient, otherworldly, and deeply connected to the natural world. It makes every encounter with them feel genuinely magical.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was its approach to magic. Instead of relying on dramatic displays, it reveals itself through old customs, the foxglove flowers that serve as doorways between realms, and the simple act of paying attention. It creates a sense of wonder that feels both enchanting and beautifully grounded in everyday life.
That said, there were times when I found myself wanting to know more. However, Some mysteries are intentionally left unexplained, which certainly enhances the atmosphere, but I occasionally wished for a few more answers about the world and its lore.
🧚🏻♀️🍄FINAL THOUGHTS ✨️🍓
Overall, I enjoyed The Foxglove Door very much. Its greatest accomplishment is the feeling it creates. Reading this novel feels like sitting beside a cottage window on a rainy afternoon with a cup of tea and a stack of old journals waiting to be explored.
What i love about it, it's not trying to be an epic fantasy. It is not trying to reinvent faerie lore. Instead, it offers readers a warm, magical refuge filled with flowers, books, tea, friendship, and quiet wonder. The novel's greatest achievement is how effortlessly it creates the feeling that magic might be hiding just beyond the edge of ordinary life.
I would absolutely recommend this book to readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy, cottagecore aesthetics, gentle magical realism, and stories about healing after loss.
While the slow pacing and relatively low stakes may not appeal to every reader, the novel's warmth, sincerity, and sense of wonder more than make up for its shortcomings. By the end, I found myself appreciating the novel not just for its magic, but for its gentle reminder that there is beauty and wonder hidden in everyday life just waiting to be discovered.
Most importantly, it made me want to return to Briarhollow. I'm excited to see where the story goes next and look forward to picking up the second book to spend more time with these characters and uncover more of the mysteries surrounding the fae world.
July 21, 2026
The Foxglove Door is a cosy fantasy and the debut of Isla Rowe. Fairies, a small town and an enchanted bookshop, the synopsis already has it all. This made me very curious toward the full story, but what will this book bring to it’s readers?
Isla Rowe has written a cute and cosy fantasy. I loved the magical aspects of the fairies, the enchanted bookshop and the mention of a cat. I loved the banter between the fairies in this book, but also loved the warmht of the brownies.
Check out my full review on my blog Boekensteeg
Isla Rowe has written a cute and cosy fantasy. I loved the magical aspects of the fairies, the enchanted bookshop and the mention of a cat. I loved the banter between the fairies in this book, but also loved the warmht of the brownies.
Check out my full review on my blog Boekensteeg
May 31, 2026
The Foxglove Door is the perfect spring / summer read!
The story is about a young, out-of-work illustrator called Lily who finds out she's inherited a cottage from her Aunt that's in a small village nobody's heard of. Lily lives in London and quite simply - she's stuck. She's no work, she's not enjoying illustrating for like promos and stuff anyway and she's basically got a creative block. She's not even able to draw for herself.
So she's like, maybe a week in the country side checking out this cottage she's inherited is the break she needs.
What she soon learns is that this little village sits in an area where the border between our world and the Fae world is thin. Her Aunt was the Keeper of Doors - foxgloves which are doorways for faeries to come through to our world. Brownies, pixies, flower fairies - and if the Keeper of Doors is not diligent - bigger, darker things.
It's up to Lily now to decide if she wants to take up this role her Aunt had, and in that time she gets to know the people of the village - both human and fae.
The Foxglove Door is a very low-stakes fantasy with a very slow-burn romance.
It's the kind of book you want to take with you to read in the park on a sunny day.
It's a story about being seen, and seeing someone else as they truly are. It's about found family, found purpose, finding yourself and seeing yourself after a period of feeling lost.
The world-building was great and I loved the author's descriptions of the faeries and the doorways. She made the faeries feel so alive and I loved their quirks and personalities and how they shone through the page. The villagers were each their own unique personalities and it really showed how much they care and look after each other. What a wonderful community they have!
The Foxglove Door is the perfect comfort read and one I'll be coming back to again.
The book has a flexible ending. It works as a standalone, but I can also see that we could have a second book. I reaaaaaaally hope we get a second book!
If you're a fan of faeries and cosy, low stakes fantasy then I can't recommend this book enough!
The story is about a young, out-of-work illustrator called Lily who finds out she's inherited a cottage from her Aunt that's in a small village nobody's heard of. Lily lives in London and quite simply - she's stuck. She's no work, she's not enjoying illustrating for like promos and stuff anyway and she's basically got a creative block. She's not even able to draw for herself.
So she's like, maybe a week in the country side checking out this cottage she's inherited is the break she needs.
What she soon learns is that this little village sits in an area where the border between our world and the Fae world is thin. Her Aunt was the Keeper of Doors - foxgloves which are doorways for faeries to come through to our world. Brownies, pixies, flower fairies - and if the Keeper of Doors is not diligent - bigger, darker things.
It's up to Lily now to decide if she wants to take up this role her Aunt had, and in that time she gets to know the people of the village - both human and fae.
The Foxglove Door is a very low-stakes fantasy with a very slow-burn romance.
It's the kind of book you want to take with you to read in the park on a sunny day.
It's a story about being seen, and seeing someone else as they truly are. It's about found family, found purpose, finding yourself and seeing yourself after a period of feeling lost.
The world-building was great and I loved the author's descriptions of the faeries and the doorways. She made the faeries feel so alive and I loved their quirks and personalities and how they shone through the page. The villagers were each their own unique personalities and it really showed how much they care and look after each other. What a wonderful community they have!
The Foxglove Door is the perfect comfort read and one I'll be coming back to again.
The book has a flexible ending. It works as a standalone, but I can also see that we could have a second book. I reaaaaaaally hope we get a second book!
If you're a fan of faeries and cosy, low stakes fantasy then I can't recommend this book enough!
Do you understand how rare that is? Imperfection made with love?
June 21, 2026
✨ Sometimes all you need is a little cottage... and a few fairy doors. 🍄🧚
When indie author Isla Rowe kindly shared The Foxglove Door with me, I knew I was in the mood for something cozy, and this book delivered exactly that feeling.
From enchanted bookshops and mischievous pixies to a charming cat named Bracken, Briarhollow is the kind of place you want to wander through with a warm drink in hand or Betty's delicious scone. I especially loved how the story focuses on belonging, healing, and rediscovering yourself through a little bit of everyday magic.
I loved chapter 11. It was cozy, funny, and warm at the same time. It was such a fun surprise and ended up being one of my favourite parts of the book.
If you're looking for a gentle, cozy fantasy with fairy magic, whimsical villages, and characters that make you smile, this is a lovely place to start. I'm excited to see where the Briarhollow series goes next.
Thank you, Isla Rowe, for sharing your magical little world with me.
When indie author Isla Rowe kindly shared The Foxglove Door with me, I knew I was in the mood for something cozy, and this book delivered exactly that feeling.
From enchanted bookshops and mischievous pixies to a charming cat named Bracken, Briarhollow is the kind of place you want to wander through with a warm drink in hand or Betty's delicious scone. I especially loved how the story focuses on belonging, healing, and rediscovering yourself through a little bit of everyday magic.
I loved chapter 11. It was cozy, funny, and warm at the same time. It was such a fun surprise and ended up being one of my favourite parts of the book.
If you're looking for a gentle, cozy fantasy with fairy magic, whimsical villages, and characters that make you smile, this is a lovely place to start. I'm excited to see where the Briarhollow series goes next.
Thank you, Isla Rowe, for sharing your magical little world with me.
August 26, 2026
Lily's great aunt has left her a small cottage in a sleepy village no one seems to have heard of. The door between world's is thin there, and Lily must learn how to tend the garden and it's doors to the fae worlds before the boundary becomes too thin and breaks.
𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤:
🧚🏻♀️ Cosy, sweet fantasy
👩🏻🌾 Small village setting with big characters
🧚🏻♀️ Well written, easy read
👩🏻🌾 Beautifully imagined settings and Fae
𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
I was actually gifted this by the author a while back and I am so sorry I slept on it! I really enjoyed the quick, cosy fantasy. It was low stakes, wholesome and just so sweet. I loved Lily's progression as she recovered from her burn out and rediscovered what she loved - it felt like such a relatable journey. This wasn't a long book, but it had a lot of heart.
Thanks to the author for sending this out in exchange for an impartial review
𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤:
🧚🏻♀️ Cosy, sweet fantasy
👩🏻🌾 Small village setting with big characters
🧚🏻♀️ Well written, easy read
👩🏻🌾 Beautifully imagined settings and Fae
𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
I was actually gifted this by the author a while back and I am so sorry I slept on it! I really enjoyed the quick, cosy fantasy. It was low stakes, wholesome and just so sweet. I loved Lily's progression as she recovered from her burn out and rediscovered what she loved - it felt like such a relatable journey. This wasn't a long book, but it had a lot of heart.
Thanks to the author for sending this out in exchange for an impartial review
May 29, 2026
Reading this book felt like stepping back into childhood, bringing back memories of watching fairytales and believing in fairies. The story was beautifully written, and the descriptions and world-building were so vivid that I felt completely immersed in Briarhollow alongside the characters.
I loved the magical atmosphere and the overall concept of the story, and I became so attached to the world that I found myself wishing Briarhollow were a real place I could visit. Lily’s journey was captivating, and I cannot wait to see where her new role and future adventures take her next.
A wonderfully enchanting read that rekindles that childhood sense of magic and wonder.
I loved the magical atmosphere and the overall concept of the story, and I became so attached to the world that I found myself wishing Briarhollow were a real place I could visit. Lily’s journey was captivating, and I cannot wait to see where her new role and future adventures take her next.
A wonderfully enchanting read that rekindles that childhood sense of magic and wonder.
June 28, 2026
Unique, charming and very cozy
Excellent sense of place and setting which was so filled with whimsy and charm that I fell in love in the first chapter. What I wouldn't give to have such a cottage… and that garden! Though, I'm not sure I'm ready for the responsibility that would bring!
Moth, Whin, Nettle, Petal, and Quill are absolutely adorable. Clement is fantastic. And I love Betty! She's wonderful and I'd love to visit her for a scone.
Lily is a charming and relatable character, and watching her grow as the story unfolded was so rewarding and satisfying.
I’m looking forward to the next one!
Excellent sense of place and setting which was so filled with whimsy and charm that I fell in love in the first chapter. What I wouldn't give to have such a cottage… and that garden! Though, I'm not sure I'm ready for the responsibility that would bring!
Moth, Whin, Nettle, Petal, and Quill are absolutely adorable. Clement is fantastic. And I love Betty! She's wonderful and I'd love to visit her for a scone.
Lily is a charming and relatable character, and watching her grow as the story unfolded was so rewarding and satisfying.
I’m looking forward to the next one!
August 16, 2026
The Foxglove Door was such a cozy, magical read. I loved discovering Briarhollow along with Lily, especially the enchanted bookshop, the magical creatures, and all the little secrets surrounding the foxglove doors.
One line really captured the whole feel of the story for me: “Recommended if you need reminding that the world is full of magical moments, no matter how small.”
The story is definitely on the slower, gentler side, but that worked well for the cozy atmosphere. I also enjoyed watching Lily find her place in the village and reconnect with her creativity. A sweet fantasy full of books, magic, friendship, and a little mystery. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.
One line really captured the whole feel of the story for me: “Recommended if you need reminding that the world is full of magical moments, no matter how small.”
The story is definitely on the slower, gentler side, but that worked well for the cozy atmosphere. I also enjoyed watching Lily find her place in the village and reconnect with her creativity. A sweet fantasy full of books, magic, friendship, and a little mystery. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.
May 22, 2026
This book is strange and cozy. The kind like Wonderland & Elfhame, a place proudly distinct. This is exactly what I expect when I hear fae fantasy and this book did not disappoint! From plot, character development to worldbuilding this book has been wonderful.
It is that calming read you would need after a long day of work or something enchanting for a rainy day. A smooth and fun read! I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys that beauty of eerieness in fae worlds!
It is that calming read you would need after a long day of work or something enchanting for a rainy day. A smooth and fun read! I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys that beauty of eerieness in fae worlds!
June 21, 2026
The Foxglove Door transported me to a magical Cosy village I never wanted to leave its beautifully written and left me feeling warm and fuzzy adored the enchanted bookstore the feuding pixies & the most wonderful bakery its honestly such a whimsical enchanted read and I adored every second of it.
if you want something to lift your spirit and have a damn good time then add this to your basket immediately or you can find it on kindle thank me later.
if you want something to lift your spirit and have a damn good time then add this to your basket immediately or you can find it on kindle thank me later.
June 8, 2026
A lovely cosy story, full of whimsy and delight but with a lovely emotional core built around the main character's journey from alienation and loss of creativity to belonging and finding her place in the world. With relatable, likeable characters and a nicely drawn sense of the strangeness and beauty (and occasional threat) of the world of the fae, it was a very enjoyable read.
October 2, 2026
What a beautiful book! If you love the world of fae, this book is a must! Isla Rowe paints this world with her words with as much magic as her protagonist paints it with pictures. I loved being there. Oh, what lights, what engrossing detail and what a charming story. An amazing contribution to the fae literature!
May 28, 2026
The writing of this book felt as magical as the story and I was transported to Briarhollow.
I could really imagine the little cottage, all the flowers and how pretty it all is. It is a beautiful enchanting book with a cosy fantasy story. It was like comfort food and I did not want it to end.
I could really imagine the little cottage, all the flowers and how pretty it all is. It is a beautiful enchanting book with a cosy fantasy story. It was like comfort food and I did not want it to end.
June 4, 2026
I absolutely loved The Foxglove Door by Isla Rowe. This was such a sweet, cozy, magical read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves whimsical fantasy with a gentle, comforting feel.
The story follows Lily Poole, a burnt-out illustrator who inherits a cottage in the English countryside and finds herself pulled into a world full of hidden magic, fairy doors, fae charm, and secrets connected to her great-aunt Pearl. I adored the cozy village atmosphere, the enchanted bookshop, the foxgloves that open into other worlds, and all the little magical details that made the story feel so easy to sink into.
This book has such soft, cottage core energy. It’s not dark or overwhelming — it feels like the kind of fantasy you curl up with when you want to escape somewhere beautiful and a little mysterious. I especially loved the themes of belonging, starting over, and finding the place where you’re meant to be.
If you enjoy cozy fantasy, magical villages, hidden doors, flower fairies, feuding pixies, enchanted bookshops, and stories that feel warm and whimsical, I definitely recommend picking this one up. It was charming, heartfelt, and exactly the kind of magical escape I love.
The story follows Lily Poole, a burnt-out illustrator who inherits a cottage in the English countryside and finds herself pulled into a world full of hidden magic, fairy doors, fae charm, and secrets connected to her great-aunt Pearl. I adored the cozy village atmosphere, the enchanted bookshop, the foxgloves that open into other worlds, and all the little magical details that made the story feel so easy to sink into.
This book has such soft, cottage core energy. It’s not dark or overwhelming — it feels like the kind of fantasy you curl up with when you want to escape somewhere beautiful and a little mysterious. I especially loved the themes of belonging, starting over, and finding the place where you’re meant to be.
If you enjoy cozy fantasy, magical villages, hidden doors, flower fairies, feuding pixies, enchanted bookshops, and stories that feel warm and whimsical, I definitely recommend picking this one up. It was charming, heartfelt, and exactly the kind of magical escape I love.
July 18, 2026
I read The Foxglove Door in two sittings and found it enchanting. Isla Rowe creates a beautiful, magical world, and the descriptions of the gardens, flowers, pixies, fairies and other woodland creatures are wonderfully written. The bakery scenes were especially delightful—I could almost smell the fresh bread and cakes.
The story has a unique charm and feels like a comforting fairy tale. It's the kind of book you could happily read to children at bedtime or curl up with on a rainy afternoon.
I would have loved a little more depth from some of the characters and magical creatures, along with a little more momentum to the plot. It's a very gentle, slow-paced story where the atmosphere takes centre stage.
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, felt it was well worth the £3.99 I paid, and I'll happily return to Briarhollow for the next instalment.
The story has a unique charm and feels like a comforting fairy tale. It's the kind of book you could happily read to children at bedtime or curl up with on a rainy afternoon.
I would have loved a little more depth from some of the characters and magical creatures, along with a little more momentum to the plot. It's a very gentle, slow-paced story where the atmosphere takes centre stage.
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, felt it was well worth the £3.99 I paid, and I'll happily return to Briarhollow for the next instalment.
August 30, 2026
This book was one to savour, a deeply peaceful read filled with enchantment.
It begins with Lily, an illustrator living in London who is suffering from burnout and some level of depression. She inherits a cottage from her great aunt, decides to visit it for a week and finds herself in a village bordering the fae realm.
Reading this book felt akin to one of my childhood favourites, The Magic Faraway Tree. It feels like a fairytale, something comfortable you read slowly and carefully when your heart is in need of some peace.
I loved the depth of descriptions for the fae folk, as well as the strong community spirit amongst the human characters in the book. If you're after something comforting, whimsical and slow-paced then this might be the book for you.
It begins with Lily, an illustrator living in London who is suffering from burnout and some level of depression. She inherits a cottage from her great aunt, decides to visit it for a week and finds herself in a village bordering the fae realm.
Reading this book felt akin to one of my childhood favourites, The Magic Faraway Tree. It feels like a fairytale, something comfortable you read slowly and carefully when your heart is in need of some peace.
I loved the depth of descriptions for the fae folk, as well as the strong community spirit amongst the human characters in the book. If you're after something comforting, whimsical and slow-paced then this might be the book for you.
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