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The Art of Burning Heather

A Novel

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The Art of Burning Heather

By: Devrie Brynn Donalson
Narrated by: Mia Hutchinson-Shaw, Angus King
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About this listen

“A compassionate and hilarious must-read. Donalson’s trademark wit shines.”—Jeneva Rose, #1 New York Times bestselling author

A daughter’s escape to the Scottish Highlands becomes a mother’s reckoning, a sister’s choice, and a grandmother’s last chance in this witty, bittersweet novel about first loves, old ghosts, and the courage it takes to change.

When floral designer Deli MacDonald’s heart is broken by unrequited love and her best friend’s abandonment, she flees to the Scottish Highlands and her estranged aunt Mo’s cliffside cottage by the sea. There, embraced by a village of eccentric locals and her aunt’s unconditional, unfamiliar love, she finds herself drawn to brooding pub owner Lachlan Scott—whose path once crossed hers twenty years ago on these same heather-strewn hills.

As Deli fights to find her footing in the Highland soil among the wreckage of her life, she wakes family ghosts and accidentally reopens a decades-old rift. And when her mother and grandmother arrive unexpectedly, three generations of women must finally confront the painful patterns of love, lies, and grief that once drove them apart.

Through a tapestry of wildflowers, family secrets, and fierce hearts, Deli must reckon with the truth of how she learned to be loved. But choosing between the familiar ache of her old life and the uncertain promise of a new one means finding the courage to let her family’s legacy, and the world she built, burn away completely.

©2025 by Devrie Brynn Donaldson. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
Coming of Age Genre Fiction Small Town & Rural Women's Fiction Highlander Funny Heartfelt Witty

Critic reviews

“A compassionate and hilarious must-read for anyone who has ever broken a cycle and broken free. Donalson’s trademark wit shines.”—Jeneva Rose, #1 New York Times bestselling author

The Art of Burning Heather is a story full of sweeping scenery, hilarious women, and hunky Scots. A beautiful and fragile exploration of love and identity that will sweep you away to the cliffs of Scotland. Donalson takes us by the hand and tenderly guides us through those universal experiences, and some unexpected ones too. Donalson left her heart on the page. It takes talent, courage, and good wit to unpack a broken heart, and Donalson delivers.”—Stacey McEwan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of A Forbidden Alchemy

“It felt like I was there, on a seaside cliff in a Scottish Highland town, holding my heart in my hands, determined and clever and full of grit. A stunning debut with complex characters, wrapped in sizzling banter and kilted spice.”—Anna Przy, bestselling author of Keep It Up, Cutie

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I loved this. I like debut novels because they are often very distinctive and closest to the authors best and most unedited voice but I would have loved this one anyway. It is so very skillfully and well written. The storytelling is excellent and satisfying, the characters are well rounded and loveable, as individuals, family members, beloveds and communities. I love the inner and outer landscapes of Scotland and California that are captured. It’s hard to categorise, the writing has a literary and poetic quality which elevates it far beyond the realm of chic lit even though there is a strong element of romance. The writers ability to weave in so much depth to back stories through inclusion of layered generational trauma was incredibly well done. The many issues raised were never heavy handed and always an intrinsic part of the narrative itself. I think a new, hard to quantify genre has been created by this novel. It was also very funny and extremely moving. I really wanted to find something to take me through the festive Winter period and this was it. Highly, highly recommended. The narration did it full justice.

Superb debut novel with wonderful Narration

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This book is beautifully written and the characters so vividly captured the reality of complex family dynamics. I absolutely loved it, and the narration is excellent.

Exceptional story

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