I really loved the settings, the plot, the house, the magic system. It was part mystery, part magical realism, part romance. I could see the settings in my head. I wanna move to a magical house who will change the houses layout if you want or even don't want.

My only real critique would be I wish it didn't have this kind of murderous wizard plotline, I would have been much happier with just the characters solving the mystery of the haunted house because the plot elements got all jumbled up a bit.

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms if I could give it six stars I would. It starts out reminding me of Ghosts UK and Ghosts US the TV show. Merritt aka Mr. Fernsby gets a letter inheriting a house that is out in the middle of nowhere and the claim is it's haunted. He is a bit confused but happy because it's free property and it's a house. He is a writer. Hulda who works for BIKER they are a perserver of enchanted houses go to care for the house. It's like a Housekeeper for enchanted houses but they need to know the problem first. Since it's old, unusual and no one has lived in it in years.

Mr. Fernsby isn't quite aware of the degree of the unusual situation at first in this sphere of a realm witch/wizard bloodlines are rare. Genologically and its a little unusual to have someone just walk right into your life especially if your mortal and have no clue what it is. The true claim is it's a haunted house no doubt but there's more to this house. It has feelings and there are some mysterious circumstances behind it.

I highly reccommend this book after a little while I just couldn't put it down. This ARC was given to me by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Charming and fantastical. This is a good fall/comfort read with some dark elements although it was slow in some parts. I really like that this is set in the 1800s… I’m not sure if it’s super believable, but I still like it. Interestingly, I’ve never had this happen before, but my favorite character was an enchanted house 😂.

A special thanks to Netgalley, 47North and Charlie N. Holmberg for this ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review. I got to this one late and Keeper of Enchanted Rooms was already released November 1, 2022.

All in all, this was a cute read! The premise was intriguing and fun, the characters were enjoyable, and I loved the ambiance of it all. There were moments where it dragged—hence the star detraction—but as a whole, this was enjoyable!

This was a wild ride of a book. In some ways I felt it could have been shorter as there was definitely some rambling in parts. But it all worked out in the end and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Lots of new thoughts on magic and a bit of twisted history as well.

Challenging, that's how I'd define this book. Although it has a very cozy and magical vibe, the story itself is boring and predictable. It got to a point where all I wanted was to be over with it, not caring about where the story or the characters were going.
I really thought I'd enjoy it a bit more, but maybe now was not the moment to read this book.

5/5.
What a beautiful, soft, kind, loving book. Such a cozy magical read, I loved everything, and all of the characters. I wouldn’t change a thing.


Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me an arc in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are
My own!

I really enjoyed this book! The concept is original, captivating, and entertaining. I found the characters’ insecurities relatable and the plot engaging. Holmberg builds a world that you can see yourself in.

When writer Merritt Fernsby inherits Whimbrel House from his grandmother, he sets off to a remote island off the coast of Rhode Island to explore the gift. As Merritt has been estranged from his family for several years, he ventures to the parcel alone. With only a rudimentary understanding of magic from his early education, Merritt is not prepared for the difficulties he faces with his enchanted house.

Enter Hulda Larkin, a veritable Mary Poppins of sentient houses. The business-like magical dwelling expert endeavors to help Merritt identify the source of the home’s magic and to help him control its idiosyncrasies by hiring a staff that specializes in the running of magical and historical homes.

While Hulda and Merritt work together to understand and control Whimbrel House, a foe from Hulda’s past resurfaces. This menace’s interference puts both the home’s magical abilities and our protagonists’ budding relationship at risk. Hulda and Merritt will have to trust each other if they’re going to save Whimbrel House and themselves.

This copy was approved and provided by NetGalley, all opinions and feedback are my own

I want to state that every review is mood based. Not every day is the same, and opinions of some things, can always change based on the mood we're in.

There may also be spoilers, so read at your own risk.

This was my first NetGalley book i chose to read, and i must say i was surprised. I go blindly into almost all of my books, and i do that because if i read a review before hand, as you do right now, maybe, i can be a bit biased. Or if i read the back of the book, because of my autism, i can set a certain picture of it in my mind, then read the book and just feel like it wasn't described this particular way. I look at the genre, and i judge a book by it's cover sadly enough, but that is my way to pick a book.

I was surprised, as said before, because Whimbrel House took my with storm. It was such a beautifully well written book, and Charlie really does it magically. I liked Mr. Fernsby, Ms. Larkin and all the other characters we met on the way. For the most part, i can't comprehend when a book changes between timelines, such as future, present and past. But in this one, Charlie made sure to put the time stamp every time, and it made it so much easier. It is such a fun mystery romantic filled historical fantasy book and i'm here for it.
With this being said, we got to know our villain, but i would have liked a bit more, he was there for the first part of the book, and then just appeared here and there quickly, and then he died... Pretty easy might i add, but i don't mind that part because the murder weapon was from a fun quote where mr. Fernsby asks the house tamer if her crowbar also does something magical, and she states that "it's just a crowbar". So yeah, but i would have liked a bit more from the villain.

My favorite part of this book was this part;

"Have you every wondered," he followed up without missing a beat, "if we're all characters in another's book?"

It got me thinking deeply and it got me falling in love with Charlie N. Holmberg as a writer, she has such a way with words. (less)

3.8 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining but drags in the middle

Rhode Island, 1846
Writer Merritt Fernsby is surprised when he inherits the Whimbrel House from his estranged family. His delight doesn’t last long when the house decides to take control and trap him inside.
Enter Hulda Larkin from the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms (BIKER). She is a tamer of possessed and enchanted houses and sees it as her duty to preserve the disappearing magic in such ancient houses.
As the duo tries to find the source of magic, they also battle a sense of attraction between them. However, unseen larger forces are at work, threatening to get revenge and settle scores. Can Hulda and Merritt survive the fight?
The story comes in the third person POV of three main characters.

What I Like:
The MCs are 30+ and not your traditional beautiful, handsome, delicate, or whatever! While they act childish a couple of times, they are also dealing with their pasts and vulnerabilities.
Magic is an inherent part of the plot and a common phenomenon. Those who don’t have it also know about it (and, in fact, study it at school).
The book starts with a blueprint of the interiors of the Whimbrel House. It also gives a brief definition of different types of magical powers. This was very useful to refer to.
The setting is descriptive without being boring. I love the house and its antics. It gets endearing once we realize the source.
There are enough quirky and humorous moments to keep the story lighthearted. It’s a fairly easy read (ignoring words from the period that pop up).

What Didn’t Work for Me:
The characters take time to reveal their depth. It gets a little tiring to read about them in the beginning when they are cardboard cutouts. They seem immature and are not likable until we get to 35-40% of the story.
While some elements of magic have been handled with care, a few seem to be left without much attention. Also, the villain needs a better arc. There is potential to make him dangerous (not just physically), but that’s what we get.
The climax started well but didn’t wow me. The ending was rather sweet (and a little lovey-dovey). But you’ll enjoy it if you like happy endings with a touch of romance.
The pacing is a bit uneven. The story drags in the middle, where things seem to go around in circles. Hulda needs to rely on her instincts and pay attention to her visions (it’s her gift, after all).
I see there is book two (which I’m grabbing after posting this review), so I hope the character arcs have more attention.

To summarize, Keeper of Enchanted Rooms is a dark, cozy read without being twisted or scary. Owein is adorable, so that’s a plus.
Thank you, NetGalley and 47North, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

paw marks from me and my reading buddy Perry the pug: 4

Keywords: magic, historical, romance, magical crimes, Victorian type ideals

In short: A magical mystery that gets hold of you and wont let go, you’ll be reading long into the night to learn everything about this beautiful alive building, full of mischief and mayhem. All alongside characters you’ll be rooting for until the last page.

Full review:

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

I fell in love with Charlie N Holmburg after reading her paper magician series, so I was very excited when I was given chance to read her new series ‘Whimbrel house’, the keeper of enchanted rooms.

Like a few of Charlie's books this story is set in a historical setting, 1846 to be precise and because of this the ideals of the characters are a little Victorian in nature such as the old maid status and the general rule of men compared to women, although not as heavily used in this world, its more of a vibe and this idea is especially noticeable when looking at the romance elements within the story.

In Keeper of enchanted rooms we follow Merritt who surprisingly inherits a house from an distant family member, happy that he finally will have a place to call home he dashes to move in but unknown to Merritt this house isn’t like normal houses this house is technically alive and its not happy that Merritt moved in.
Luckily for Merritt a lady named Ms Hulda Larkin from the Boston branch of keeping enchanted rooms is the best in taming magical buildings and she arrives to aid him in calming the house down. What should have be a simple case for Hulda becomes increasingly complex especially when problems from the past and problems of the heart become involved.

Charlie builds an intoxicating magical world with 3D lifelike characters that you wont want to say goodbye to with a story that never lets you go. This book is mysterious,complex, sweet and exciting and something that should be a must read for everyone. I cant wait to read the next one, Heir of uncertain magic.

3.5/5

Let me start off by saying that the characters were the best part of this book, and yes the house I do consider a character!

I read somewhere that someone didn't like the book because it wasn't realistic but seriously if a house could trap you on its own that would be my biggest nightmare so thank god for that. I'm not sure what they were expecting.

When Merritt arrives at the house that he inherited he finds himself unable to leave due to an enchantment. Hulda arrives to try and help diagnose/break the enchantment. I loved their interactions between each other and reading how their relationship grows. I was rooting for them through out the whole book.

I also enjoyed the magical aspect of the book, while some books that deal with magic it can tend to land on the cheesier side but Keeper of Enchanted Rooms was not on of them. I loved reading about the mischievous activities that the spirit of the house got up too. I know its a good book when I fund myself giggling to myself.

The reason for the 3.5 stars is the pacing of the book. During the magical parts of the book I thought the pacing was fine and moved smoothly, but every other of the book I had to force myself to keep going due to the slow pacing.

Thank you Netgalley and Charlie N. Holmberg giving me a gifted copy of Kepper of Enchanted Rooms in return for a honest review.

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms is a charming story about magical houses and the curious people who live within them. Merritt Fernsby inherits an abandoned house from a deceased relative and soon discovers that the house is infused with magic gone wrong. Hulda Larkin of the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms is assigned Merritt's house to investigate its peculiar magic. Merritt and Hulda team up to tame the strange old house, which has attracted an enemy from Hulda's past, whose dark magic seeks to steal the home's enchantments.

I really enjoyed this story, and I am becoming a fan of Charlie N. Holmberg's imaginative stories that feature the right amount of magic and fantasy. There is a charming quality to her writing and characters that makes her books entertaining and highly original. I liked the complexity of Merritt and Hulda, and thought their personalities complimented each other really well. I thought the alternative magical nineteenth century world was interesting and detailed enough without losing the plot. The magical system was very creative and the idea of historical houses containing magic was ingenious. Everything about this story was charming!

If you enjoy smart historical fantasies with a little bit of magic, suspense, and heart, you should definitely read Keeper of Enchanted Rooms.

Not going to lie, I felt a bit let down when the book suddenly started so exciting then the level of excitement, at least on my end, decreased during the first chapter. BUT! The book as a whole made up for it! I really liked Merritt and Hulda, how they worked together well, were open to each other, and how their love, both romantic and platonic, grew in a steady pace, nothing overly romantic which is good considering it’s a fantasy. The plot and world-building was super exciting though and the best parts of the book! I was really astonished with how the magic worked and how magic in the real world would be controlled/hidden, etc. It was so fascinating for the house to be alive (literally) and the different powers were eye-catching! The plot would go one way then the other and made me stay on my toes the whole time! By the end of the book, I was panting and my heart was racing yet a wide smile was on my face.

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N Holmberg is a haunted house story with a difference. Set in a version of 1846 Rhode Island where magic is real and recognised, the book tells the story of Merritt Fernsby , an author who is struggling with his second book and who is surprised to find he has inherited a remote estate including Whimbrel House which has been uninhabited for more than a century. Thinking the peace and solitude will help with his writing and keen to see his inheritance he heads to the house but it turns out that it is more than he bargained for, and once inside it seems the house comes alive and refuses to let him leave. Luckily help is on the way in the form of Hulda Larkin from BIKER, an organisation dedicated to looking after houses with magical significance- even taming them if necessary, and it looks like Whimbrel House will be quite the challenge for her. As she investigates the source of the house's magic she and Merritt become close, but a danger from Hulda's past threatens to not only force them apart but destroy the magic of Whimbrel house in the process. I am reluctant to say any more about plot as it would spoil the book, but I can say I found it surprisingly emotional,
I really enjoyed this book and Whimbrel House itself was one of my favourite characters, mysterious and mischievous. I also enjoyed reading about slightly older protagonists than in some of the author's other books I have read, both Hulda and Merritt are in their thirties and seeing the relationship develop between them was charming.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

4.5/5

I liked this story way more than I liked the book but all in all give it a 4.5/5.

I’m a sucker for magical realism and found families and that’s at the core of this story about an enchanted house that’s terrorizing it’s new owner. In this version of the world, there a society of magical people that take care of enchanted houses and help keep them in line, enter the love interest and savior of the helpless new homeowner. As they sort through the mysterious of the house and their own backgrounds together they build a bond, but will it be strong enough reason to stay once the house is sorted?

I really loved the magic system in the book and the characters, just wish there was more depth in lots of pockets of the book and found the ending a bit rushed. Could easily have been 30 to 40 more pages and would have added so much.


Thanks to the author, publisher and net galley for the free advance copy in exchange for the honest review.

I actually finished this novel back in October but was in the processing of moving, or taking a leap of faith if your looking from my family’s perspective. During that stressful situation, I was incredibly happy to have a new series from my favorite author. With an average publishing rate of two books a year, it seems we can always get our fill of Charlie Holmberg. Some might worry that the quality of these stories might decline or become formulaic. They should stifle those worries. While none of her novels will be deemed to shatter genres or conventions, the writing is always excellent. Her formula is standard light romance. People will meet, they will fall in love, happily ever after. What Holmberg manages to achieve is not exhausting the trope. I don’t get to the end of one of her novels feeling as if I have read the book before.

When you are stressed out from moving, a Holmberg novel will cheer you up. It is a guarantee, and something I hold in high value when choosing books. Keeper of Enchanted Rooms did not disappoint. This novel is exactly what you want to read when looking for light entertainment. It will be emotional, but you can walk away from the book and continue with life.

Per Charlie specialty, the magic system is fun and creative. People aren’t the only ones who have magic in this new series, homes can be magical too. I greatly appreciate Holmberg’s inclusion of the inanimate in her magic system. The story has a whole world feel because of this forethought. Our protagonist, Hulda, uses her augury magic to help new owners settle into their enchanted home. She is matronly and dedicated to her work. With this being Victorian fantasy standards, she is a spinster roving the US and UK doing what she loves best. That is why she was completely blindsided by her assignment to didn’t an ornery house and an even more cantankerous homeowner. Escapades ensue as grudges surface and new employees are added to the dynamic.

Pure charm oozes from this novel, and I look forward to the next, Heir of Uncertain Magic, which is sitting on my shelf right now just begging to be picked up.

I really enjoyed this book! The build up was amazing! I loved where it took place and the over all plot!

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg
Earc:NetGalley
Publisher:47 North
Publication Date: 15 November 2022
Genre:Historical Fiction, Fantasy

The first book in the Whimbrel House collection. Merritt has inherited this house
I've found so much to love about Hundla and Merritt. They make me see through their eyes.

An enchanted House is a concept I just loved straight away. It's a unique magical read. I think it gave a slight nod to the room of requirement.

I enjoyed the time setting of this book and how it existed portrayed in two different ways.

I loved the build-up relationship as well as its progression made sense.

All of the characters were endearing, and the villain felt interesting rather than being like a bizarre caricature, as is sometimes the case in literature. Hulda is a sweetheart, and Merritt is such a cinnamon roll. I think they make a great team. Although I'd have preferred him and Mrs Taylor to have more of a role in the story, I enjoyed Baptiste. I learned a sequel would be released the following year, so hopefully, I'll see more of them then!


#bookreview #goodreads#romance #SciFiandFantasy #historicalfiction @47north
#KeeperofEnchantedRooms

A charming tale that earns a well deserved spot on the shelf with Holmberg's Spellbreaker. I found the characters to be charming while the plot managed to be fully realized in most every way promised.