Gripping, yet casual, The Shop on Royal Street entertains with relatable and enjoyable characters, a dash of romance, and a dab of the supernatural. A fun read with just enough mystery to keep me turning the pages well past my bedtime.

A spin off series from the books set on Tradd Street and while you don't have to read those books to read this one, it could be more fun to have that backstory before diving into this one!

This series focuses on Nola, the step daughter of Melanie and her husband and while Melanie has the gift to speak to ghosts her step daughter hasn't inherited, but she sure knows when one is around! And there are many living in New Orleans from years upon years of major tragedies and a city that I believe has quite a welcoming habitat for ghosts and spirits to hang around long after they have died.

I loved how this book flowed so well from the previous series. With two characters moving to New Orleans, it felt like such a seamless transition and it was easy for me to get in and get invested in this book and hopefully this new series! I also appreciated that Nola was following in her step mother's footsteps by wanting to renovate a historic home and wanting to keep it as close to accurate as possible while also making it live-able! I like that the mystery is self contained, but there is still a drive to anticipate the next book to come.

I hope that Karen White has quite the plans for Nola and this series.

Nola Trenholm has bought a falling apart home in historic New Orleans with the hopes of completely renovationg it into her drean home. The house comes with a few unwanted guests though - including the ghost of the previous owner who was murdered...

I really loved this one! Royal Street is a new series which is a spin off of Karen White's previous series Tradd Street. I have not read any of the previous books, but I had no problem keeping up with this new series! I am definitely a fan now and want to go back and read more books from Karen White.

Nola was a relatable, real and flawed character who you just can't help but love and root for! I have always wanted to visit new Orleans, but I have not had the pleasure of doing set, so I loved hearing about all of the old stories, characters and the history (especially through the special antique shop that holds more than a few secrets)!

Jolene! Oh how I loved this side character. Jolene and Nola were roommates briefly in college, and they rekindle their friendship when they both meet again in New Orleans! A perfect peach of a friend. Jolene had me laughing at all of her perfect southern idioms and her car Bubba! I grew up in South Carolina, and spent many summers in Charleston and I just LOVED hearing all about Charleston through her. She was a great friend to Nola! Her kind heart, charmimg soul and southern hospitality made her extremely likable, and I hope there is a main story for her in the future!

Beau Ryan, alo has a past with Nola. She really needs his help though she will do anything in her power not to admit it. I loved how he was always there for her no matter what, and that their friendship once again blossomed.

The Shop on Royal Street is full of mystery, witty banter, charming friends, second chances, New Orleans history.... and a few ghosts. You definitely don't want to miss it!

Thank you UpLit Reads and Berkley Publishing for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is due for publication 3/29/22 and I definitely recommend it. This review will be posted to my blogs & Amazon on publication day!

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I’m a big Karen White fan, slowly making my way through her backlist. I read The Attic on Queen Street (the last in her Tradd Street series) a few months ago. It was sad to see that series come to an end, but it left room for White to begin a new series with side characters from the previous one.

The Shop on Royal Street gives Nola her own story while including Easter eggs from the prior series. When Nola buys her first house and tries to begin adulting for the first time, she ends up with a house that’s still occupied by ghosts from the past. Nola doesn’t have the same gifts her stepmom has to communicate with these spirits, but she’s seen enough to not be deterred in her renovation plans. Turns out renovating an old house requires some knowledge and expertise that she doesn’t possess. And the one who does is the last person on earth Nola wants help from.

Karen White has written a book that fits perfectly in her cannon. From the setting to the paranormal aspects, I was back in the Tradd Street world, just with a new spin.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book.

I must admit that I adore all of Karen White's books. They are my go to when I enter a dreaded reading slump. They have it all- ghosts, mystery, romance and southern charm.

Being that this book dabbles in the supernatural? I was iffy, because it can either be really cheesy or it can be really creepy. This book was a good medium, and I LOVED IT!!! We meet a group of amazing and fun characters, they all have their own issues, but they work so well in this book. Nola is moving to NOLA sees a house that’s a hot mess and that’s her dream home. Then of course the house is very special, meaning its haunted, but there is a HUGE mystery behind why it is and Nola wants to get to the bottom of it. Picture it (Sophia Petrillo voice), Your home is haunted, you living in NOLA, where there is a ghost in every corner, there is the mystery of the ghosts haunting the house, the ghost haunting Beau, the secrets he’s keeping back, his own family secret, and Jolene their friend who is just literally the ray of fun and shine, and then the happiest of endings in the end. I am making no sense I know, but there is the paranormal, romance, crime, secrets revealed, broken hearts, it was just awesome! I can’t get enough of this book.

Thanks Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4592584501

The Shop on Royal Street by Karen White is the first book in her new Royal Street series. Nola Trenholm, who was in the Tradd Street series, is the heroine in this book; as she has moved from Charleston, South Carolina to New Orleans. Nola has purchased a historic fixer upper, which requires a lot of work, not to mention the house is haunted, with ghosts who do not want to leave. Nola learned a lot of historic preservation, especially being the step daughter of Melanie, who had the ability to talk to ghosts (Tradd series).

Beau Ryan, who Nola broke up with awhile back, is the hero in this book, and though they no longer are together, she knows she needs Beau’s help to renovate the house. Beau lives with his grandmother, Mimi, and they are the ones who sold the house to Nola. Beau is like Nola’s stepmother, able to see ghosts, but he hides this from others, and Nola already can tell he has that ability; even though he refuses to listen to her.
Nola has gained a lot of new friends, who will help her with the house renovation. Jolene is Nola’s friend, and also works with Beau; who will assign Jolene to be the project manager of the renovation; she will also become a roommate of Nola. Jolene was such an awesome character, so much fun and always cooking/baking for everyone; and I liked Jaxson, who used to be Jolene’s boyfriend, and they remain good friends. Thibeau and Jorge are the men who work in the house to renovate, as they are willing to work there, despite the ghosts.

There is a mystery surrounding Beau’s family, that Nola is determined to discover more; which relates to a powerful New Orleans family. A woman was killed years ago, and she is one of the ghosts that are in the house, as well as Beau’s grandfather; with the powerful family threatening Mimi’s family, which also resulted in Sunny, Beau’s sister disappearing. Nola will push Beau to help her get the ghosts to finally move on.

The Shop on Royal Street was so very well written by Karen White, which was an excellent story, with a fabulous heroine in Nola, in a town that has so much history, with ghosts and historical homes. Besides rooting for Nola and Beau to find a way to get together, I loved Jolene and many other secondary characters. Karen White once again gives us a fabulous new series, and I look forward to the next book in this series

Loved the Tradd Street series by Karen White and the new spin-off does not disappoint! The Shop on Royal Street features Nola after she’s finished college and is living in New Orleans restoring her first house. And of course includes ghosts, mystery and some future romance! Looking forward to the next in the series - loved it!

I was SO excited to see that Nola was getting a spin off to my beloved Tradd Street series by Karen White and The Shop of Royal Street totally exceeded my expectations for book one in this series!

It's a few years later and Nola has just moved back to New Orleans after getting her Masters in Historic Preservation in Charleston. Of course she falls in love with a fixer upper that may need a LOT more work than it seems, plus it might have a few spirits who aren't ready to leave. Of course the last person Nola wants to see Beau Ryan comes back into her life and her freshman year college roommate Jolene. Will she be able to renovate the house as she faces some of her past?

I was so excited to see Beau come back so early in the book and how he did! I absolutely love Jolene and all of her Southern sayings! I liked seeing Nola grown up and getting a glimpse into her last few years (and I can't wait to read more about that in future books). And of course the cliff hanger of an ending! When does the next book come out?

Even if you haven't read Tradd Street series, you can pick this up. I think it gives enough of the backstory where you understand what happens in this spin off. If you're a fan of Tradd Street you'll love this!

"Nola Trenholm is hopeful for a fresh start in the Big Easy but must deal with ghosts from her past - as well as new ones - in this first book in a spin-off series of Karen White's New York Times bestselling Tradd Street novels.

After a difficult detour on her road to adulthood, Nola Trenholm is looking to begin anew in New Orleans, and what better way to start her future than with her first house? But the historic fixer-upper she buys comes with even more work than she anticipated when the house’s previous occupants don’t seem to be ready to depart.

Although she can’t communicate with ghosts like her stepmother can, luckily Nola knows someone in New Orleans who is able to - even if he’s the last person on earth she wants anything to do with ever again. Beau Ryan comes with his own dark past - a past that involves the disappearance of his sister and parents during Hurricane Katrina - and he’s connected to the unsolved murder of a woman who once lived in the old Creole cottage Nola is determined to make her own...whether the resident restless spirits agree or not."

And I gotta support all Team W members!

Can you live with a ghost? Would you buy a house with a resident ghost? What a romp this book is with mystery, romance and ghosts. A great read.

The Shop on Royal Street
by Karen White
Pub Date: March 29, 2022
Berkely Books
The first in a new spinoff series of Karen White's New York Times bestselling Tradd Street novels.
Our library patrons really enjoyed the Tradd Street Novels. I was excited to see this offered on NetGalley!
Thanks to Berkely books for the ARC.
* Mystery * paranormal
This was a fun read and I think it sets up great for Book no2 in this series in 2023.
I am glad to recommend this book!
5 stars

This is a spinoff from Karen White's House on Tradd Street Series. I would recommend readers being familiar with that series before enjoying this new series. The mystery did keep me guessing and I enjoyed getting to know a new cast of characters. I liked Nola from the Tradd Street series but the story explaining the connection between her and Beau for the past 8 years (so it seemed) needed a little more development. The ending was will definitely make me pick up the next book in the series.

An engaging mix of cozy mystery, ghost story and chic lit, Nola's story dragged me in and kept me glued to the page. I understand that is a spin off, but I have not read the first series and had no problems keeping up. While it wrapped up satisfactorily, this book ends with a killer to be continued so I can't wait for the next in the series.

Karen White’s The Shop on Royal Street is a cozy(ish)/paranormal mystery that will please White’s established fan base but likely not garner many new readers.
I’m not familiar with White’s Tradd Street novels, so I can’t say how well this book stacks up against them. I can say, however, that this was not the book for me. It’s slow. Very slow. And I couldn’t figure out why Nola was supposed to be likable.
One big red flag? Our character is Nola, and she lives in NOLA. Sigh.
Recommended for White’s established readership.

A worthy spin-off of Karen White's original Tradd Street series, The Shop on Royal Street follows Nola Trenholm, stepdaughter of Tradd Street series protagonist Melanie Trenholm. Several fictional years have elapsed since the conclusion of the Tradd Street series, and Nola is beginning a career in historic preservation in New Orleans. With the help of her stepmother and father, and frenemy Beau, she has fought off some behavioral issues which can be traced back to her parentage. But these they crop up again, putting her in peril as she works to restore her own historic home and uncover the secrets behind the murder which occurred there a half-century before, and the male and female spirits who refuse to leave the house.
As in the earlier books, Nola continues to be an engaging character, while the continued presence of Beau, who has some otherworldly abilities of his own, brings added consistency and mystery. Nola's colorful southern friend Jolene is a fun addition; the fact that Jolene's family owns a funeral home should portend some absorbing future adventures with the undead. Beau's grandmother is another colorful addition with occult-related intuition.
Overall, I found the book to be very readable and enjoyable, although it would benefit from a bit more action early on. While there are plenty of mentions of Melanie and Jack Trenholm "coming to visit", I felt their absence a bit and hope that their cameo appearances will be beefed up in succeeding installments. Nola is a well-developed character who can hold her own, but the addition of Melanie and Jack, with all the inherent parent-child baggage (good and bad) could only benefit this series. Overall, I give it four stars; I'd give it 4.5 if half stars were available, for being a strong beginning. I'll be eager to read the next installment.
Enough background is included that book can be read as a stand-alone, but for the optimal reading experience, I'd suggest completing the seven-book Tradd Street series first.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Nola Trenholm is looking to begin anew in New Orleans, and what better way to start her future than with her first house? But the historic fixer-upper she buys comes with even more work than she anticipated when the house’s previous occupants don’t seem to be ready to depart. Although she can’t communicate with ghosts like her stepmother can, luckily Nola finds someone in New Orleans who is able to—even if he’s the last person on earth she wants anything to do with ever again. Beau Ryan comes with his own dark past—a past that involves the disappearance of his sister and parents during Hurricane Katrina—and he’s connected to the unsolved murder of a woman who once lived in the old Creole cottage Nola is determined to make her own...whether the resident restless spirits agree or not.

This is a spinoff series from the author's Tradd Street series. Even though I have not read this series, I enjoyed this book even though I don't ordinarily read books about ghosts. I requested it because I have loved everything that I have read by Karen White so far. She writes so well and develops her characters so well that you feel as if you know them. The descriptions of New Orleans are so vivid that I can picture it in my mind. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book. I highly recommend it.

A new series from Karen White, but drawing on characters from her Trade Street series, filled with historic home renovations, antiques and spirits. Nola has found her house, a derelict house some want to tear down, and buys against all advice. Still fighting demons from her past, she and her friends need to solve cold case murders, admit hard truths and learn to lean on each other. Totally enjoyable.

A spin off of the popular series, The House on Tradd Street, reintroduces Nola in her new city New Orleans. When she buys a distressed house in New Orleans, little does she know about the mysteries and the ghosts that come along with it. With all the familiar characters in the previous books making appearances, I loved this new series and look forward to reading more of them. The descriptions in New Orleans are spot on, having visited the city many times, I felt like I was right there. Bravo to Karen White.

Nola Trenholm moves to New Orleans and decides to purchase and restore and old home there much to the chagrin of her parents. Although she cannot talk to spirits like her mother, Nola is sensitive to them and soon learns her house has many secrets.

The start of a new series that continues from the Tradd Street books.

Had a little trouble figuring out (remembering?) the character relationships, but once I did, this was hard to put down!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.