Claire Gillies is a Scottish author of heartfelt, uplifting fiction filled with warmth, wit, and a touch of mischief. A Highlander born and raised, she now lives by the sea with her family, between forest and shore, where she drinks too much coffee and dreams up new stories of love, friendship, and hope.
When she’s not writing, Claire’s likely swimming in the sea, wandering the woods, or making flower wreaths for her front door. She loves history, costume dramas, and bold colour — and she’s quietly opinionated about cake (moist or nothing!).
💌 Find her online at www.clairegillies.com and follow for updates, book news, and glimpses of her Highland life.
Oh Claire i do love a Cove story, this one i thoroughly enjoyed. Eliza on a downward spirel in her life goes to visit her sister and neice. After meeting the local fireman who has a need to save everyone offered her a place to stay on her own. Him being the landlord. A lovely light read just what i needed while lying in the scottish sun
We are back in the Highland village of Rock Cove with this beautiful story focusing on Erica who arrives in the cove to stay with her sister after complete burnout. We quickly meet Gabriel, the local fireman who is quite swoonworthy with his heroic tendencies! We also meet Erica's sister Leah, her partner Dylan and their daughter Maisie. Maisie is super cute with her halloween obsession. Feeding into that obsession we also see Margery, her partner Rosa and Margerys grandchildren at times throughout and spend some time in Margerys shop with its spooky vibes. It sounds exactly the kind of place I would love to go and have a nosy round! This book felt quite different to the first Rock Cove book, I think it was the focus on the mystery surrounding Isobel and that witchy vibes that we saw frequently. It was still very engaging and I could barely stand to put the book down. The pacing is also very quick, so you've read many chapters before you notice it. I really felt for Erica, she was so clearly troubled and needed to so some serious healing. Gabriel clearly also had some past hurts, but these were never fully developed. I didn't mind this too much as I felt like this story was more focused on the history of Rock Cove's witchy past being brought to light. The setting is stunningly described, as I have come to expect from this author. This is a lovely tale and fans of small town stories will absolutely adore it. I can't wait to return to Rock Cove.
Thank you, @clairegillies_, for an ARC of your latest Rock Cove books!
The slump is well and truly gone. This cosy read was just the ticket! So much so that it was binged in a day!
I really enjoyed this read, the heartbroken and lost Erica trying to find peace and escape from the life she worked hard for, then you meet Gabriel the need to fix everything local fireman who is very superstitious and believes in traditions, pop them together and you get the perfect combo of personalities!
I think this book also highlights a lot of things most people go through day to day with struggles, then throw in some witchy and superstitious vibes, and you got yourself a great read!
Book releasing 14th August 2026, and it is the perfect autumn read for everyone's TBRs!
This is the second book in the Rock Cove series but can be read as stand alone.
Erica has moved to Rock Cove to be with her sister Leah and her family after suffering burnout in London. She soon meets local Fireman and hero Gabriel. You can tell there is chemistry from the start although it is very slow burn as both appear to have unresolved hurt from their past. I was expecting the storyline to follow their relationship but this was only a small part.
Erica uncovers something about an alleged witch, Isobel and this sets her on a trail of discovery of the local history. I was fascinated with this part of the storyline.
Other family issues are covered in the storyline and there are a few brilliant side characters, one in particular Marjery. I also had a soft spot for Maisie and her Halloween obsession. I can relate to that one!
This is a quick, easy to read which I would recommend especially if you like witchy vibes, family and slow burn romance.
The Rock Cove community is one to get under your skin - it knows when someone needs to escape and reset and that’s certainly the case for Erica. She’s run to Rock Cove and her sister Leah’s home, but finds that initially she can’t escape her thoughts and previous life. But the secrets of Rock Cove and the lives of its previous inhabitants are still making themselves known and maybe that’s what they all need to settle and move on. The support of the community is so important in this story - open doors and a listening ear are on offer to Erica as she battles to find peace and the strength to move on.
Another cozy Rock Cove story. I enjoyed expanding on the small Scottish town. It can be enjoyed as a little Halloween style read. There are witches and powerful women coming into their own.