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Betwixt the Sea and Shore #1
The Secret of Drulea Cottage
Briony Fairborn, a midwife in eighteenth-century Scotland, comes from a family shrouded in scandal. Left with only one friend after her mother’s death, she has little hope of gaining any others, let alone finding a husband. Instead, Briony tries to live a quiet life and avoid her neighbors’ ridicule as much as possible.
But things in her hometown take a drastic turn when a storm brings foreigners to Everton’s shore.
On the night Santiago Mendes arrives, he comes with a broken ship, a broken leg, and a broken spirit that Briony finds herself profoundly drawn to. Her scarred heart slowly starts to open, and although Briony suspects he may be hiding something, she can’t help but dream of the possibility of love.
That is, until another stranger appears in town, intent on repaying a childhood debt. A dangerously handsome stranger who calls to the magic in Briony’s blood. And who holds the secrets of her past.
But once the truth unravels, Briony will have to decide where her loyalties lie. Will she be Everton’s salvation? Or its destruction?
But things in her hometown take a drastic turn when a storm brings foreigners to Everton’s shore.
On the night Santiago Mendes arrives, he comes with a broken ship, a broken leg, and a broken spirit that Briony finds herself profoundly drawn to. Her scarred heart slowly starts to open, and although Briony suspects he may be hiding something, she can’t help but dream of the possibility of love.
That is, until another stranger appears in town, intent on repaying a childhood debt. A dangerously handsome stranger who calls to the magic in Briony’s blood. And who holds the secrets of her past.
But once the truth unravels, Briony will have to decide where her loyalties lie. Will she be Everton’s salvation? Or its destruction?
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 13, 2021
48 people are currently reading
1105 people want to read
About the author
Claire Kohler
7 books172 followersClaire Kohler is a North Carolina native with a penchant for rich historical settings, slow-burn romance, and dazzling creatures. She loves ice cream, Korean dramas, and board games. One day, she hopes to visit places like Israel, South Korea, Ireland, and Vancouver (to search for Sasquatch, of course!).
Claire is also proudly neurodivergent (specifically autistic and ADHD), and she loves helping other neurodivergent authors meet their full potential by utilizing their strengths while also managing their weaknesses. She views her neurological differences as part of God's design for her and hopes to help educate others about the complexities of autism and ADHD. For writing tips related to these conditions, visit her website.
Claire lives in Statesville, NC, with her husband, children, and three cats. She is also an active member of Christ Community Church Mooresville, where she often serves as a Bible study and small group leader.
Claire is currently working on a romantasy novel for her next series.
Claire is also proudly neurodivergent (specifically autistic and ADHD), and she loves helping other neurodivergent authors meet their full potential by utilizing their strengths while also managing their weaknesses. She views her neurological differences as part of God's design for her and hopes to help educate others about the complexities of autism and ADHD. For writing tips related to these conditions, visit her website.
Claire lives in Statesville, NC, with her husband, children, and three cats. She is also an active member of Christ Community Church Mooresville, where she often serves as a Bible study and small group leader.
Claire is currently working on a romantasy novel for her next series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 18, 2021
The Secret of Drulea Cottage entertained me from start to finish.
I love a good historical fiction tale, and this started out well in that genre. However, the story ramped up with the addition of the magical elements.
Selkies rarely make appearances as the leads in a book, making Claire Kohler’s tale even more fantastic. By mixing two worlds, the author gave us twice the story and quadrupled the entertainment factor.
Secrets play a big part in the story. It seems every character is harboring a deep secret or two. As they are slowly revealed, the story comes to life in truly wondrous ways.
Santiago and Briony tug at your heartstrings as they struggle to overcome the past and resolve the obstacles standing in the way of their love. The many other characters add a richness of depth, making the tale mesmerizing. There are heroes and villains scattered throughout, and it’s up to you to figure out which is which. I confess I was often mistaken.
I highly recommend this tale whether you are looking for historical fiction or historical fantasy. I don’t believe you will be disappointed by this book. It’s hard to believe this is the author’s debut novel. I know I am certainly looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I love a good historical fiction tale, and this started out well in that genre. However, the story ramped up with the addition of the magical elements.
Selkies rarely make appearances as the leads in a book, making Claire Kohler’s tale even more fantastic. By mixing two worlds, the author gave us twice the story and quadrupled the entertainment factor.
Secrets play a big part in the story. It seems every character is harboring a deep secret or two. As they are slowly revealed, the story comes to life in truly wondrous ways.
Santiago and Briony tug at your heartstrings as they struggle to overcome the past and resolve the obstacles standing in the way of their love. The many other characters add a richness of depth, making the tale mesmerizing. There are heroes and villains scattered throughout, and it’s up to you to figure out which is which. I confess I was often mistaken.
I highly recommend this tale whether you are looking for historical fiction or historical fantasy. I don’t believe you will be disappointed by this book. It’s hard to believe this is the author’s debut novel. I know I am certainly looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
October 17, 2022
What a thrilling first book to this series!
The characters are excellent, the storyline was gripping, and it has me excited for book number two. It was well-researched and made you feel you were in the story. If you are a historical fantasy fan - check it out!
The characters are excellent, the storyline was gripping, and it has me excited for book number two. It was well-researched and made you feel you were in the story. If you are a historical fantasy fan - check it out!
September 18, 2022
Not my preferred genre, but those who like shape-shifting fantasy books will love it.
October 31, 2022
I loved this book by Claire Kohler! Briony Fairborn is an outcast and the only midwife in the small island town of Everton, shunned by everyone due to the circumstances of her birth, and when newcomers from Portugal crash onto the shore, her quiet, mundane existence is changed forever. Her many clashes with numerous characters in the town are amusing and intriguing, from Laird Oliver to Dr. Sherwin to McLaren. I enjoyed her budding romance with Santiago and I also enjoyed her internal conflict and questions about her past and parentage. Briony was a likable character with some major flaws, the biggest being her temper, but it was still very enjoyable to read about a less-than-perfect character. Also, the many twists, turns, secrets, and lies throughout the plot kept me hooked.
March 28, 2023
This is truly an amazing book! It's masterfully written and evokes in the reader a reflection of the emotions felt by the characters. This Scottish historical fantasy book will send you into a whirlwind of emotions as Briony attempts to figure out her past and determine her future. In the setting of a small Scottish town, tradition collides with the unexpected in a surprising way, and as the story unfolds, the book becomes harder and harder to put down. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys fantasy, historical fiction, redemption arcs, or a good clean romance. It was a treat to read the book, and it is a wonderful addition to every avid (or casual) reader's bookshelf.
August 17, 2021
What a surprise!
I read a lot, so usually I can predict what’s going to happen in the story. That was not the case with this book! I was enjoying the story right from the start because I enjoy historical fiction but I could sense there was going to be a magical element too so I was on the lookout for clues of what that could be. When all was revealed I was completely stunned, I did not see that coming! If you like a romance, historical, fantasy, or adventure you will enjoy this story. I can’t wait to see what else is in store in this series.
I read a lot, so usually I can predict what’s going to happen in the story. That was not the case with this book! I was enjoying the story right from the start because I enjoy historical fiction but I could sense there was going to be a magical element too so I was on the lookout for clues of what that could be. When all was revealed I was completely stunned, I did not see that coming! If you like a romance, historical, fantasy, or adventure you will enjoy this story. I can’t wait to see what else is in store in this series.
February 12, 2023
This was a wonderful read and offered plenty to love: a Scottish setting with Scottish dialects, a love triangle, a relatable heroine with scandalous origins, mystery, intrigue, secrets and betrayals, and selkie folklore. The author had me fully immersed in this small Scottish fishing town; her prose was lovely and descriptive and easily hooked me when the arrival of a Portuguese ship came to town. The stage was set for a whole bucket full of mystery. The characters were engaging, and I especially loved the main characters Briony and Santiago! I’m excited to read the next book in the series!
August 19, 2021
I received an ARC and loved it! Kohler did her research! I read a lot of historical fiction and I am really impressed with Kohler and her work! Highly recommend!
January 26, 2022
A historical fiction with a bit of fantasy make for an excellent debut novel by Claire Kohler. The story centers around Briony Fairborn a young midwife in the Scottish town of Everton on Orkney Island. Briony is shunned by the villagers because she was born out of wedlock as was her mother. Briony is a contrast as on one hand she has a fiery temper and on the other is compassionate and caring. Two strangers come to Everton, both harboring secrets and both will change Briony’s life forever. This is a fast paced story that kept my attention the entire time. I always like a historic fiction that makes me stop to check out the actual history behind the story. This one had me stopping several times. I was very appreciative of the fact that it was also a clean read, no foul language or inappropriate behavior by any characters. Well done Ms. Kohler!
June 10, 2023
So. Very. Painful.
Look, I know this is a debut novel. I know all authors must start somewhere, that they can't ALL knock it out the park in their first run. I totally get that the numerous problems I had with this thing may very well iron themselves out in the follow-up entries as often tends to happen with fledgling series. Sometimes I can hack through, and sometimes I can't. This book is very much a CAN'T scenario. More than that, it's a WON'T. I simply refuse to subject myself to any more torture. This was absolutely a book I was desperate to give up on, but instead I forced myself to endure to the end. Granted, I had to do so by skimming from the halfway point onward but hey, I had to do what I had to do to survive. Looks like there's plenty of folks giving love, but not me.
I'll try to be gentle here by keeping this review short and sweet, but I dunno if I can pull it off. Frankly, I'm so ready to permanently expunge this book from my memory that I will GLADLY not spend too much of my time heavily reviewing it. But I will say this much, at least: this story is definitely safe for YA readers, (and perhaps that's even the intended audience). There's no graphic violence, language, sexuality, etc. It's a perfectly harmless fantasy with some cool Scottish dialects and mild spurts of action that will probably be exciting for a certain type of audience. There's a fluffy (albeit soullessly dull) "romance" that may come across as charming to some. It wasn't enough to warrant an extra star like I TRY to do, but...it was still something.
My complaints were rooted in practically every area a book can fail in my eyes. Writing style? Clunky, mechanical, and inorganic, with a heavy usage of exclamation points to force my reaction to a thing. Character development? Abysmal and generic. I could connect to NO ONE and never got to the point of caring. Briony in particular was unbearably annoying. The story itself? Boring, uninteresting, and uncompelling, told in such a nonchalant blah way. I had difficulty absorbing ANYTHING, even when I WASN'T skimming. The author chose to write in 3rd person with italicized 1st person thoughts mixed in everywhere. I don't see this style of writing much, but the last time I came across it I hated it just the same. It's overly disruptive and even suggests indecisiveness on an author's part. Just pick one writing style and stay with it!
All in all, this book was a whole bunch of NOPE. It was mildly cool to learn about a mythological creature I've never heard of, but I'm still glad it's over with. Now I must delete the thing off my Kindle and carry on with more enjoyable readings.
Look, I know this is a debut novel. I know all authors must start somewhere, that they can't ALL knock it out the park in their first run. I totally get that the numerous problems I had with this thing may very well iron themselves out in the follow-up entries as often tends to happen with fledgling series. Sometimes I can hack through, and sometimes I can't. This book is very much a CAN'T scenario. More than that, it's a WON'T. I simply refuse to subject myself to any more torture. This was absolutely a book I was desperate to give up on, but instead I forced myself to endure to the end. Granted, I had to do so by skimming from the halfway point onward but hey, I had to do what I had to do to survive. Looks like there's plenty of folks giving love, but not me.
I'll try to be gentle here by keeping this review short and sweet, but I dunno if I can pull it off. Frankly, I'm so ready to permanently expunge this book from my memory that I will GLADLY not spend too much of my time heavily reviewing it. But I will say this much, at least: this story is definitely safe for YA readers, (and perhaps that's even the intended audience). There's no graphic violence, language, sexuality, etc. It's a perfectly harmless fantasy with some cool Scottish dialects and mild spurts of action that will probably be exciting for a certain type of audience. There's a fluffy (albeit soullessly dull) "romance" that may come across as charming to some. It wasn't enough to warrant an extra star like I TRY to do, but...it was still something.
My complaints were rooted in practically every area a book can fail in my eyes. Writing style? Clunky, mechanical, and inorganic, with a heavy usage of exclamation points to force my reaction to a thing. Character development? Abysmal and generic. I could connect to NO ONE and never got to the point of caring. Briony in particular was unbearably annoying. The story itself? Boring, uninteresting, and uncompelling, told in such a nonchalant blah way. I had difficulty absorbing ANYTHING, even when I WASN'T skimming. The author chose to write in 3rd person with italicized 1st person thoughts mixed in everywhere. I don't see this style of writing much, but the last time I came across it I hated it just the same. It's overly disruptive and even suggests indecisiveness on an author's part. Just pick one writing style and stay with it!
All in all, this book was a whole bunch of NOPE. It was mildly cool to learn about a mythological creature I've never heard of, but I'm still glad it's over with. Now I must delete the thing off my Kindle and carry on with more enjoyable readings.
July 17, 2023
THE SECRET OF DRULEA COTTAGE is the first book in the Betwixt the Sea and the Shore series and we arrive in Everton, a small town in Orkney, also known as the Orkney Islands, which is an archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland.
Briony is the village midwife but that is the only time she is wanted. She is the illegitimate daughter of Bethany, who was also illegitimate. The villagers shun her and expect her to follow in her mother's footsteps. Briony is used to it and tries to keep out of their way, although she enjoys spending time with Adaira, her only friend. Her life changes when two men enter it.
The beginning of this story was a slow burn, gently leading you in with old terms and descriptions of Briony's life. It really gets going once Santiago and Niall turn up. Both men have a powerful effect on Briony, but with secrets galore, she has no idea just who or what they are.
This was a fascinating story of the Selkies, with some Portuguese political intrigue thrown in for good measure. The characters are well-described and fit neatly in their boxes. You immediately know who the good guys are, and who are the big bad, even if you don't know why.
A great start to the series that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 20, 2021
Briony is the village midwife but that is the only time she is wanted. She is the illegitimate daughter of Bethany, who was also illegitimate. The villagers shun her and expect her to follow in her mother's footsteps. Briony is used to it and tries to keep out of their way, although she enjoys spending time with Adaira, her only friend. Her life changes when two men enter it.
The beginning of this story was a slow burn, gently leading you in with old terms and descriptions of Briony's life. It really gets going once Santiago and Niall turn up. Both men have a powerful effect on Briony, but with secrets galore, she has no idea just who or what they are.
This was a fascinating story of the Selkies, with some Portuguese political intrigue thrown in for good measure. The characters are well-described and fit neatly in their boxes. You immediately know who the good guys are, and who are the big bad, even if you don't know why.
A great start to the series that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 20, 2021
August 28, 2021
Good debut
Enjoyed reading a fantasy as a change. Best wishes with the next one , Claire. I loved not having to watch out for bad language.
Enjoyed reading a fantasy as a change. Best wishes with the next one , Claire. I loved not having to watch out for bad language.
June 11, 2024
I picked up The Secret of Drulea Cottage because Claire generously sent me an ebook for review! I hadn't read anything by this author before, so I was super excited to dive into this light fantasy book.
Plot
The plot of this book was super engaging! It had a steady pace with some exciting bursts of action. I loved how everything was laid out and found it really well written. Plus, the ending was absolutely epic and a joy to read!
Setting
The setting in this book was the Orkney Islands in Scotland, and it was absolutely spot on! I adored Briony's cottage perched on the cliffs, the brooding weather, and the stunning coastline. It was totally immersive, with just the right amount of detail to let you lose yourself in the story.
Characters
I thought the characters were really well done, and I loved seeing how much they grew throughout the story. Briony was such a strong character with an amazing personality.
There's a slight love triangle for a bit, but I was glad it didn’t last too long! No spoilers, but if you read the book, you’ll definitely find yourself rooting for one of the main love interests over the other.
Writing Style
I can't believe this is Claire's debut novel! It's so well-written, and she has such a strong voice as an author. Every detail felt well-researched, and you could tell everything was meticulously plotted out. I loved her descriptions and the way she built tension throughout the story.
My Take on The Secret of Drulea Cottage
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It was an easy 4.5 star for me!
It had everything I love in a historical fantasy novel – shape shifting, adventure, romance, and an immersive setting.
I totally recommend it to anyone craving a clean fantasy with a touch of romance and light magic.
Plot
The plot of this book was super engaging! It had a steady pace with some exciting bursts of action. I loved how everything was laid out and found it really well written. Plus, the ending was absolutely epic and a joy to read!
Setting
The setting in this book was the Orkney Islands in Scotland, and it was absolutely spot on! I adored Briony's cottage perched on the cliffs, the brooding weather, and the stunning coastline. It was totally immersive, with just the right amount of detail to let you lose yourself in the story.
Characters
I thought the characters were really well done, and I loved seeing how much they grew throughout the story. Briony was such a strong character with an amazing personality.
There's a slight love triangle for a bit, but I was glad it didn’t last too long! No spoilers, but if you read the book, you’ll definitely find yourself rooting for one of the main love interests over the other.
Writing Style
I can't believe this is Claire's debut novel! It's so well-written, and she has such a strong voice as an author. Every detail felt well-researched, and you could tell everything was meticulously plotted out. I loved her descriptions and the way she built tension throughout the story.
My Take on The Secret of Drulea Cottage
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It was an easy 4.5 star for me!
It had everything I love in a historical fantasy novel – shape shifting, adventure, romance, and an immersive setting.
I totally recommend it to anyone craving a clean fantasy with a touch of romance and light magic.
July 30, 2025
I fell in love with Claire Kohler’s writing and the world she created when I read The Treasure of Rigmore House, the third and last novel in the Betwixt the Sea and Shore series.
Though there are some spoilers for the previous 2 books and I would recommend starting with book 1, I still enjoyed the Secret of Drulea Cottage immensely, even if I read the books in the wrong order.
The worldbuilding for this Historical Fantasy series is amazing. The books are set in 18th century Scotland, but with mythical creatures and other magical elements and I definitely got to know new folkloric figures, not only but of course most prominently the Selkie.
I loved the romance between Briony and Santiago, but what I loved even more was how Briony finally found her place in Everton, even though she would never be accepted by everyone. But I guess this is something we all have to live with to a certain extent and Briony definitely found “her people”.
I recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction mixed with fantasy, sweet and clean romance, flawed but relatable characters who are easy to empathize with and who grow throughout the story!
I am already extremely excited for Claire’s next series, set in Korea and I already know I will learn a lot about the history and mythology of this land.
Though there are some spoilers for the previous 2 books and I would recommend starting with book 1, I still enjoyed the Secret of Drulea Cottage immensely, even if I read the books in the wrong order.
The worldbuilding for this Historical Fantasy series is amazing. The books are set in 18th century Scotland, but with mythical creatures and other magical elements and I definitely got to know new folkloric figures, not only but of course most prominently the Selkie.
I loved the romance between Briony and Santiago, but what I loved even more was how Briony finally found her place in Everton, even though she would never be accepted by everyone. But I guess this is something we all have to live with to a certain extent and Briony definitely found “her people”.
I recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction mixed with fantasy, sweet and clean romance, flawed but relatable characters who are easy to empathize with and who grow throughout the story!
I am already extremely excited for Claire’s next series, set in Korea and I already know I will learn a lot about the history and mythology of this land.
August 21, 2021
I was hooked almost instantly. It had a good mixed of drama, romance and magic. At first I wasn’t quite sure what the secret(s) were. The writing and little bits of info made the reveals all that more fun and intriguing.
I must say that was a delight, I as normally I have such things figured out pretty fast. Being an avid reader will do that to you. But this book had me feeling that reading magic of a novice and I can’t wait for more. There are twists, turns, intertwined pasts, antagonists, and of course a love story that will have you 100% invested. The added magic and other worldly additions is the icing on the cake for this truly amazing book.
Overall this book is probably one of the best historical light fantasies I’ve read in a good while. I couldn’t stop reading even if I tried. This book had my full attention, but the characters had my heart, as they leapt off the pages.
Needless to say, but this book gets my super high recommend and my stamp of approval.
Happy Reading
-E.A. Walsh
I must say that was a delight, I as normally I have such things figured out pretty fast. Being an avid reader will do that to you. But this book had me feeling that reading magic of a novice and I can’t wait for more. There are twists, turns, intertwined pasts, antagonists, and of course a love story that will have you 100% invested. The added magic and other worldly additions is the icing on the cake for this truly amazing book.
Overall this book is probably one of the best historical light fantasies I’ve read in a good while. I couldn’t stop reading even if I tried. This book had my full attention, but the characters had my heart, as they leapt off the pages.
Needless to say, but this book gets my super high recommend and my stamp of approval.
Happy Reading
-E.A. Walsh
Read
August 27, 2024I absolutely loved the 3rd in this series! The writing was flawless, romance was gradual and beautiful, plot was excellent.
This one I struggled with. The writing at times was great, but other times it’d be a bit awkward.
The romance seemed a bit rushed, I wouldn’t say insta love, but insta attraction/crushing.
At times I loved Briony, I thought her temper was kinda fun to read, but her curiosity just had me smh-ing. Her digging into Santiago’s business instead of waiting for him to tell her, seemed so out of character for someone who didn’t want people digging into her past, and seemed liked it was just added to get the plot moving. It was enough to get me out of the mood for finishing the story..for now.
As I know the author’s writing gets smoother, and I loved the 3rd book in this series, I still plan on giving the second a try, and I may come back to this one day.
Content: clean
This one I struggled with. The writing at times was great, but other times it’d be a bit awkward.
The romance seemed a bit rushed, I wouldn’t say insta love, but insta attraction/crushing.
At times I loved Briony, I thought her temper was kinda fun to read, but her curiosity just had me smh-ing. Her digging into Santiago’s business instead of waiting for him to tell her, seemed so out of character for someone who didn’t want people digging into her past, and seemed liked it was just added to get the plot moving. It was enough to get me out of the mood for finishing the story..for now.
As I know the author’s writing gets smoother, and I loved the 3rd book in this series, I still plan on giving the second a try, and I may come back to this one day.
Content: clean
March 3, 2022
I highly recommend this book! It had a solid story steeped in mystery that kept me wanting to read more.
The level of research that went into this book is definitely evident. Not only do we as readers get a good feel for the culture and customs of the time and place, but Claire Kohler provides brief, handy little footnotes for those things that most of us, especially American readers would simply not understand. I’m glad she did this, because trying to explain these things within the narrative would bog it down.
The mystery of the sea and how it affects Briony is woven so well throughout the narrative, it gives it a wholeness that makes you want to keep reading. On the whole, very well done, and if you’re like me and love Scottish lore and culture, I definitely recommend you read this one!
The level of research that went into this book is definitely evident. Not only do we as readers get a good feel for the culture and customs of the time and place, but Claire Kohler provides brief, handy little footnotes for those things that most of us, especially American readers would simply not understand. I’m glad she did this, because trying to explain these things within the narrative would bog it down.
The mystery of the sea and how it affects Briony is woven so well throughout the narrative, it gives it a wholeness that makes you want to keep reading. On the whole, very well done, and if you’re like me and love Scottish lore and culture, I definitely recommend you read this one!
November 13, 2024
I didn't finish this book. I thought most of the characters were pretty one dimensional. The author tried to make the language sound Scottish, but using "na" for no and words like 'tis. o' and "fer" just don't cut it.
The author also used a huge amount of anachronistic language in the book, which is a shame. It kind of ruins the setting of the story when the characters use terms that wouldn't have been used in that time period.
None of the characters were very likable. Briony was the only character that I was sure that I was supposed to like. It was also frustrating to have so many mini cliffhangers in the book. There were just too many secrets that Briony kept from people that she later had to disclose, only other things happened to delay the telling of the secret. This book was a disappointing read. I can't understand why it got so many good reviews.
The author also used a huge amount of anachronistic language in the book, which is a shame. It kind of ruins the setting of the story when the characters use terms that wouldn't have been used in that time period.
None of the characters were very likable. Briony was the only character that I was sure that I was supposed to like. It was also frustrating to have so many mini cliffhangers in the book. There were just too many secrets that Briony kept from people that she later had to disclose, only other things happened to delay the telling of the secret. This book was a disappointing read. I can't understand why it got so many good reviews.
June 18, 2025
Tedious.
The biggest problem with this book (aside from an American author once again trying to write a Scotts accent instead of just writing words and letting the reader fill in the accent themself knowing the location) is that it just doesn't end.
The book could easily be 100 pages shorter if the author cut the exceeding tedious and bland Portuguese treason subplot.
The characters are mostly flat, one dimensional and boring. Several of them are literally indistinguishable from one another which is generally fine for background characters but less fine for still important side characters.
I wanted to enjoy this one, but it was just tedious. If it had been 100 pages shorter without the tedious Portuguese treason subplot it might have been 3 or even 4 stars, but as is it's just barely a 2 star book.
The biggest problem with this book (aside from an American author once again trying to write a Scotts accent instead of just writing words and letting the reader fill in the accent themself knowing the location) is that it just doesn't end.
The book could easily be 100 pages shorter if the author cut the exceeding tedious and bland Portuguese treason subplot.
The characters are mostly flat, one dimensional and boring. Several of them are literally indistinguishable from one another which is generally fine for background characters but less fine for still important side characters.
I wanted to enjoy this one, but it was just tedious. If it had been 100 pages shorter without the tedious Portuguese treason subplot it might have been 3 or even 4 stars, but as is it's just barely a 2 star book.
February 21, 2024
🏠The Secret of Drulea Cottage🏠 is the first in the series where we are thrown into the dark vibe of a small Scottish village. The village is full of mystery, madness, and seemingly full of secrets. Briony having to navigate this all while trying to find her true self. While reading this novel, it was really quite dramatic, when I thought the novel was reaching its climax there was another secret to be revealed or another adventure to be held. Absolutely crazy and a novel that I didn't know where it was going at all but a thoroughly enjoyable read. I learned a lot about Scottish folklore and it was thoroughly enjoyable to travel into the scenic Scotland.
Repost of Review from Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3ntuVEhfYI/
Repost of Review from Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3ntuVEhfYI/
October 24, 2023
What a Story!
I absolutely fell in love with Ms. Kohler's setting and story world! It is not like me to go back to the setting of a story in my mind, yet the cliffs of Everton and Drulea Cottage kept drawing me back. I enjoyed the characters too; even some of the antagonists created an affectionate curiosity!
The story moved along with twists, turns and surprises, keeping me interested and speculating. You really have to love the author's use of Scots dialect, too, it's not overdone but enough to make you aware of exactly where you are!
A beautiful story all the way around.
I absolutely fell in love with Ms. Kohler's setting and story world! It is not like me to go back to the setting of a story in my mind, yet the cliffs of Everton and Drulea Cottage kept drawing me back. I enjoyed the characters too; even some of the antagonists created an affectionate curiosity!
The story moved along with twists, turns and surprises, keeping me interested and speculating. You really have to love the author's use of Scots dialect, too, it's not overdone but enough to make you aware of exactly where you are!
A beautiful story all the way around.
April 15, 2025
This book was really enjoyable to read. I found it a little dark with really high stakes and, although I really don't like books like this, this book somehow managed to be enjoyable to read. I loved how the characters had secrets and how they learned to overcome their fears and insecurities. I am really upset that so many people died, though. However, the storyline was completely unique and enthralling, making me read the entire book in one day. This story was really gripping with so much pure emotion and such a captivating plot! There were so many twists and turns that I didn't see coming and the ending was so satisfying. This book truly was great!
May 27, 2023
A great story and a well-written one too.
Secrets galore and they were revealed at a nice steady pace, quite a few of the "woah, I didn't see that coming" variety. I knew Briony's big secret from the start but not all the whys and wherefores of it. Several other characters had secrets and/or backgrounds that really mattered to the story too.
Best of all it didn't have grammar and spelling errors or short, unrealistic sentences.
Secrets galore and they were revealed at a nice steady pace, quite a few of the "woah, I didn't see that coming" variety. I knew Briony's big secret from the start but not all the whys and wherefores of it. Several other characters had secrets and/or backgrounds that really mattered to the story too.
Best of all it didn't have grammar and spelling errors or short, unrealistic sentences.
October 15, 2022
I was curious about this book and because I’m also going to read book 2 for a book tour, I thought I’d read this first though they are standalone books. It was a surprising treat and I was immediately caught up with the pages. I loved how the author wrote the flow of the story and I was looking forward to the second one all the more!
October 17, 2022
I actually really liked this story even though it wasn’t what I was expecting. So fun to read and really started to keep me on my toes around the 50% mark. If you like fantasy with some romance and shape shifting this is a beautifully written book. It was so fun to see how Briony’s story unfolded! I’m looking forward to book 2!
February 28, 2024
This sweet and heart wrenching tale left me crying tears of happiness for Briony, as she overcomes tragedy and finds her own happily ever after.
Briony Fairborn lives in the cottage overlooking the sea in the town of Everton, and spends her time working as a midwife. When an eerie storm brings a handsome merchant, his sister, and a sinister captain to Everton, things aren’t as they seem. She finds herself falling in love with the handsome merchant but things begin to escalate when a stranger from Briony’s past arrives and does all he can to woo her. Briony, in turn, has to face the truth of her past, and sets out to bring peace and healing to those around her, while also healing herself.
This Scottish, folklore, and fairytale inspired fantasy was a wonderful treat to read. I enjoyed Briony’s journey of self discovery and healing, along with her growing relationship with Santiago. There were moments of fun banter, laughter, sadness, yearning, hope, and healing. I cried happy tears for Briony and Santiago’s reunion at the end.
Romantic Content: Clean, References to Children Being Born Out of Wedlock But Absolutely Nothing Descriptive.
Briony Fairborn lives in the cottage overlooking the sea in the town of Everton, and spends her time working as a midwife. When an eerie storm brings a handsome merchant, his sister, and a sinister captain to Everton, things aren’t as they seem. She finds herself falling in love with the handsome merchant but things begin to escalate when a stranger from Briony’s past arrives and does all he can to woo her. Briony, in turn, has to face the truth of her past, and sets out to bring peace and healing to those around her, while also healing herself.
This Scottish, folklore, and fairytale inspired fantasy was a wonderful treat to read. I enjoyed Briony’s journey of self discovery and healing, along with her growing relationship with Santiago. There were moments of fun banter, laughter, sadness, yearning, hope, and healing. I cried happy tears for Briony and Santiago’s reunion at the end.
Romantic Content: Clean, References to Children Being Born Out of Wedlock But Absolutely Nothing Descriptive.
October 22, 2022
I am a big lover of any book set in Scotland and this one was a fun twist. I loved the fantasy aspect mixed with the mythological elements. Add in the Scottish elements and it was a delightful read.
January 22, 2023
Great Read
Couldn't put it down. A tale that will engross you in the Scottish lifestyle making you want to turn the page and read with your best attempt at a broad. Can't wait to dive into book 2
Couldn't put it down. A tale that will engross you in the Scottish lifestyle making you want to turn the page and read with your best attempt at a broad. Can't wait to dive into book 2
March 13, 2025
Great Read
I loved that this was not your typical mythical creature that you find in most fantasy books. This was a lovely read with great characters and I can’t wait to read book 2.
I loved that this was not your typical mythical creature that you find in most fantasy books. This was a lovely read with great characters and I can’t wait to read book 2.
September 27, 2022
Brilliant
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Unlike a lot of other books this one gives you more and helped keep my mind away from my own worries.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Unlike a lot of other books this one gives you more and helped keep my mind away from my own worries.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews