Book Review: The Secret of Drulea Cottage by Claire Kohler
Briony Fairborn, an eighteenth-century Scottish midwife from a scandal-ridden family, leads a secluded life until a storm brings Santiago Mendes to her town. As she helps him recover, her heart begins to open, despite her suspicion that he harbors secrets. Another mysterious stranger arrives, awakening the magic in Briony’s blood and revealing her past’s secrets. Briony must then decide if she will be Everton’s salvation or its downfall.
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.
Review of The Secret of Drulea Cottage by Claire Kohler
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. The book is just under 400 pages long, which I really enjoyed.
Plus, the ending was absolutely epic!
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. Her love for her village really stood out, even though she faced so much mistreatment.
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 and only knocked down because I felt like some of the side characters could have been a little more fleshed out.
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.
Plus, supporting new authors is always a great feeling!
So go check out Claire’s book and let me know what you think! Happy reading!
About the author
Claire Kohler, a North Carolina native, loves historical settings, slow-burn romance, and fantastical creatures. Proudly neurodivergent (autistic and ADHD), she helps other neurodivergent authors leverage their strengths and manage weaknesses while educating others about autism and ADHD. Claire lives in Statesville, NC, with her family and leads Bible study and small groups at Christ Community Church Mooresville.
