Review: The Secret of Drulea Cottage, Claire Kohler

Book Category: Clean Historical Romantacy 
Likability rating: 5 ⭐  
Age recommendation: 14+

A slow, immersive romantasy with roots that run deep.

Claire Kohler’s The Secret of Drulea Cottage is a cozy, romantic historical fantasy filled with wistful prose, salt-swept secrets, and the kind of character-driven storytelling that’s made for candlelit reading on stormy days. 

This is a story about choosing mercy over revenge, even when power says otherwise—and learning that true strength is found in restraint, love, and forgiveness. When darkness calls, the heroine must decide whether to be ruled by it… or rise above it.

Story Synopsis 

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?

NOTE FOR PARENTS:

This story is rated 14+ and includes brief references to the main character being born out of wedlock (part of a generational backstory linked to her selkie heritage). The topic is lightly addressed as part of local gossip and character development, with occasional remarks of social bias. There are no explicit scenes or detailed content, and the theme is resolved positively by the end.

Why We Love Drulea Cottage

🌌Scottish dialect

🌊Selkie folklore

🌌Clean friends-to-lovers romance

🌊Hidden pasts and secrets

🌌Untamed Scottish cliffsides

🌊Lovable less-than-perfect characters 

🌌Sweet sister-like friendship

🌊Humor and banter

🌌He’s a Porteguese merchant, she’s a selkie

🌊Allies and betrayals 

🌌An intriguing love triangle

Likes:

Close friendships and sibling relationships: Briony and Adaira’s relationship is one of the novel’s most endearing threads—brimming with banter, loyalty, and vulnerability. Briony and Adaira are the dearest friends. They're constantly teasing each other, but they're also there to cheer and push each other on. The relationship between a character and his sister is very sweet and endearing—the kind where you see their obvious care for each other and concern for their safety. 

Examples: 

“‘Aye, just remember that I’m here fer you.’ Adaira’s face was full of compassion, so much so that the midwife’s eyes began to well up with tears.”

“I’m sorry people are spreading rumors about you. I'll do what I can to stop them.” 

“Aye…that was so thoughtful o’ John” She drew out the man’s name, all while smirking at her friend. 

"The vulnerable look on Lucia’s tearstained face was more than Santiago could bear. He drew her into a tight hug and held her as if his life depended on it. When he pulled back, there were also tears in his eyes. “I don’t know what's going to happen. I just know I have to keep you safe. I'm sorry for not being a better brother, but I’m afraid this is all I can do.” Lucia gave him a small smile and gripped his hands in hers. “You’ve been a better brother than I’ve given you credit for. Try to forget what I said last time. I love you.”

Memorable side characters: A young lad of one of the townswomen, Fergus, a small but mighty scene-stealer, adds a dose of charm and levity to each scene he’s in. 

Examples:

“Fergus? Where are you?” “Here I am, Mum. Mistress Brioy fell and needed someone s-strong like me to help her up,” he boasted. He still stumbled over his words sometimes, which only made him all the more endearing to Briony.”

"William grinned at her and nodded. He clasped Adiara’s hand with all the love of a boy looking after his mother, and Briony saw Adiara’s face brighten a little."

Humorous moments: There are multiple moments that will have you chuckling out loud.

Example:

“Briony said nothing as she watched the flustered man retrieve his glasses. It was all she could do not to giggle in amusement. “I—” He broke off with a snarl. “Fine. You win, Briony. I’ll say it just this once. Aye, we’re friends.” 

Theme & messaging: When the heroine finally confronts the full weight of her inherited power, she’s torn between vengeance and mercy—between two halves of herself. Will she choose vengeance, or take the harder path and do what’s right?

This story explores what may unfold when one surrenders to the pull of revenge… and the healing that begins when that pull is resisted.

Examples:

“But do I truly wish to release it? When have I ever been this strong before? Why should I let it go? I could finally repay the damage everyone has done to me. How lovely to see the commodore’s pride go up in smoke.”

“Aye, the ocean is full o’ life and beauty, but ‘tis also deadly when it wishes to be. If you let it, that hunger fer violence will spill over. And if you hold on to it fer too long, that power could consume you.”

Content Warning Section

⭐Violence/gore: Minor intensity. ⅖ stars
Overall: Includes stabbing, drowning, bullying, seal attacks, and moments of physical and emotional threat. None are gratuitously graphic or drawn out.

Loss & Death

FMC’s mother dies (off-page); described with peaceful but ragged breathing.

Bloodcurdling howls follow her mother’s death, melding with the FMC’s anguished cries.

One mention of a woman who died in childbirth—FMC’s mother couldn’t save her.

Brief mention of others’ past or implied deaths.

Animal-Related Violence

Boy attacked by seals, dragged toward sea; villagers stab seals to save him.

A character describes drowning a bully as a child by pulling him under in selkie form.

Characters are bitten by seals multiple times, described with cries of pain.

Physical Assaults & Injury

Boy bullied with rocks; FMC shoves a child bully to the ground.

Character grips FMC painfully, presses against her, implying control.

FMC shoved down a hill, landing face-first.

One man shown with bright red burns on his face (no detail).

Character struck by lightning; red pattern described on skin.

Ship beam crashes on ankle, character loses consciousness briefly.

Several stabbings (shoulder, stomach, chest); one includes blood seeping and slumping.

Characters bitten during underwater struggle; described with bone, blood, or air loss.

FMC bitten on the leg during a conflict.

FMC is hit on the head with a gun; falls unconcious and doesn’t move.

A punch leads to a dagger being pulled, held over someone’s heart.

Choking and neck-grabbing in various scenes (not detailed or drawn out).

Character punched, potentially broken ribs and bruises mentioned.

Man gets shot and falls overboard; body seen floating by a female character.

Weapons & Threats

Villager lifts knife in fear; FMC gently removes it.

Character presses knife to FMC’s throat demanding info.

Gun pressed to man’s temple during hostage situation.

A character is nearly drowned by another before one is stabbed.

Selkie-form FMC tries to drown antagonist in a protective act.

Conflict Themes

One ship battle includes cannonball blasts and physical damage.

A royal family executed in the past (discussed).

Past hangings mentioned—some speculate they were symbolic.

⭐ Romance: Minor intensity. ⅖
Some minor teasing between close friends, noticing, and minor contact. 1-2 mentions of minor flirting.  A few minor innuendos (unspecified flirting between men and women, and one instance where the FMC is cornered by some crewmen). 3-4 kisses total, not detailed.

The story contains subtle, clean romantic development with friends-to-lovers and a hint of love triangle.

Includes 3–4 total kisses (not graphic), hand-holding, blushing, longing glances, and romantic tension.

Teasing between close friends and humorous matchmaking moments.

Minor innuendo from background characters; one scene includes crewmen cornering the FMC, but it doesn’t escalate.

Romantic attraction builds through small gestures: shoulder touches, eye contact, hand grazes, close proximity.

Inner thoughts reveal the FMC’s budding feelings and fears due to her background.

Several scenes highlight physical reactions: stomach flips, blushes, “tingling lips,” or heart-racing closeness.

The love interest shows verbal affirmation and gentleness; he says “I love you” and comforts her when she’s emotional.

The FMC kisses another man out of desperation (not romantic), and later reflects on how it doesn’t compare to her true feelings.

Some moments involve flirtation or emotional vulnerability, like stroking her cheek, brushing hair back, or whispered confessions.

Overall tone is slow-burn, romantic, and heartfelt with a few emotionally charged, swoon-worthy moments—without venturing into anything explicit.

⭐ Language: Minor intensity. 1.5/5 stars
A few mentions of unspecified cursing under the breath, some insults about a character’s mother and her illegitimacy. Some name calling such as “witch” and “wench” are used a few times.

A few mentions of unspecified swearing (e.g., “cursing under the breath”).

Occasional name-calling and insults, typically contextual or character-driven rather than gratuitous.

Notable terms and phrases:

“Wench” – used several times.

“Witch” – used semi-frequently, mainly as an insult directed toward one character.

“You demon” – used once.

Insults include:

• • “Heaven knows she’s no good for anything but trouble, just like her mother.”
    
    

  • “Yer presence here is a curse on all o’ us.”
    
    

⭐ Other: Moderate intensity — 2.5/5 stars
1-2 mentions of someone’s late relative(s) and how they died. A few mentions throughout the story of the FMC’s parentage, and how she is illegitimate. Some minor physical contact to reflect comfort (a hand on a shoulder, holding a hand, etc). Her friend teases her about her love interest, sometimes in a “suggestive” teasing tone. When the FMC meets her love interest, she’s constantly worrying about how their relationship won’t go anywhere once he finds out her history and how she’ll never have a chance of finding a husband. A few mentions of pregnancies, pregnant women, labor, and multiple brief, undetailed references to illegitimacy.

💔 Family Themes & Illegitimacy

Emotional struggle around her worth and fear of rejection based on her family history.

Repeated references to the FMC’s illegitimate birth and generational shame (she, her mother, and grandmother were all born out of wedlock).

Flashbacks and present-day scenes explore community judgment, generational trauma, and inherited stigma.

Town gossip and rumors occasionally imply promiscuity or scandal. Nothing detailed.

Mild bullying flashback with name-calling, rock-throwing, and physical attacks from children. Not graphic.

🕊 Death, Loss, and Grief

Mentions of deceased relatives, including the FMC’s mother (from influenza) and another character’s mother and sister (illness).

Several poignant moments tied to the FMC grieving her mother — dreams, emotional flashbacks, anniversaries of death.

Dream sequences of the FMC witnessing her mother drowning. Brief and not overly detailed.

1-2 brief references to miscarriages or maternal death from childbirth (mentioned but not detailed).

🚨 Innuendos & Suggestive Moments

Selkie folklore includes themes of seduction, abandonment, and magical conception.

Descriptions of FMC’s ancestors falling for selkies and being left pregnant and alone (brief and not detailed).

Multiple references to seductive selkie behavior and its near-irresistible allure to unmarried human women.

Some suggestive lighthearted teasing (e.g., burying coals to predict future husbands).

A few characters flirt suggestively or gaze inappropriately at the FMC (never explicit, but occasionally uncomfortable).

A scene where the FMC transforms into her selkie form to save someone from drowning, leaving her exposed (not graphically described; handled with emotional sensitivity and awkwardness).

Light teasing from FMC’s friend about romantic interests or kisses.

A few moments of flirtation or implications by side characters (e.g., “What were you two doing for so long?”).

One scene involves unwanted attention from men: they crowd and touch the FMC; she is rescued, and the perpetrators are disciplined accordingly.

🍷 Drunkenness & Modesty

Several mentions of drunken townspeople, sailors, or family members (usually humorous or minor).

Brief references to modesty norms in FMC’s culture (e.g., first-name use being intimate).

Some teasing over innocent interactions being perceived as romantic or scandalous.

One backstory includes the FMC drinking in secret as a rebellious teen.

🤍 Faith & Moral Specific 

A few references to prayer, gratitude, and moral perspective (e.g., characters praying or citing the Lord’s creation).

A character whispers a prayer of thanks to the Lord for her friend.

Summary:

All in all, this was an immersive, charming, and compelling historical romantacy, steeped in Scottish selkie folklore and clean friends-to-lovers romance. This story has it all: hidden pasts and secrets, a lovable heroine with a temper, humor and banter, an intriguing love triangle, and a revenge plot twist—all set against the enchanting, mist-laced backdrop of the Scottish coast.

At its heart, it’s a tale about legacy and the choice we have when facing it, and the quiet strength it takes to shape both. It was meaningful to observe how the heroine would choose to go about using her inherited power, reminding us all of how our choices impact those around us.

This is the kind of book best read on a rainy afternoon, wrapped in a warm blanket, favorite mug in hand, a soft playlist humming in the background—ready to be swept away by salt, soul, and second chances.

Happy Reading!

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