We had to cancel our book club in September because our sweet grand baby ended up being born early. Then in October we were all very busy, so we pushed it to November. So, after a couple of months off we were really looking forward to book club again.
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Category: Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Content: Clean
Rhode Island, 1846. Estranged from his family,
writer Merritt Fernsby is surprised when he inherits a remote estate in
the Narragansett Bay. Though the property has been uninhabited for more
than a century, Merritt is ready to call it home—until he realizes he
has no choice. With its doors slamming shut and locking behind him,
Whimbrel House is not about to let Merritt leave. Ever.
Hulda
Larkin of the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms has
been trained in taming such structures in order to preserve their
historical and magical significance. She understands the dangers of
bespelled homes given to tantrums. She advises that it’s in Merritt’s
best interest to make Whimbrel House their ally. To do that, she’ll need
to move in, too.
Prepared as she is with augury, a set of magic
tools, and a new staff trained in the uncanny, Hulda’s work still proves
unexpectedly difficult. She and Merritt grow closer as the
investigation progresses, but the house’s secrets run deeper than they
anticipated. And the sentient walls aren’t their only concern—something
outside is coming for the enchantments of Whimbrel House, and it could
be more dangerous than what rattles within.
This was a charming, cozy feeling, romantic fantasy. I enjoyed the
characters and especially the house. The villain was a bit over the top,
and maybe even unnecessary. I would have loved if the book had just
been all about figuring out the house and it's quirks, and maybe solving
a larger mystery related to its past occupants instead of the villain
we got. The story is set in the 1800s but it actually felt a bit more modern than that. More like turn of the century or early 1910s is how it felt to me. There are three other books in this series and as of right now I'm on the fence about continuing. I feel like this book works well as a standalone.
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