This review is for the first book Keeper of Enchanted Rooms as well as Heir of Uncertain Magic, which I read one after the other. Both worked well as stand-alone stories, though there are certainly places for the series to continue. I thought this would be a nice, light-hearted, optimistic series to read over the holidays, and it was. I appreciated that the characters were not teenagers, though they were quite new at romantic relationships. It was interesting to ponder how a woman with a history of nothing but rejection, disinterest, and derision from men could overcome the wisdom of her experience and allow herself to fall vulnerably in love, which from all her reasoning was extremely foolish. That could have all been very grim and depressing, but being familiar with this author, I had faith she wouldn't go there, and it was nice to see a happy ending, or at least a happy middle.

This is the second book in the Whimbrel House series. If you haven't already read the first, I highly recommend giving it a shot. Heir of Uncertain Magic dives deeper in Merritt's family and magical struggles. The events and revelations of book 1 have left him much to contend with. Hulda is also struggling to come out of her shell, especially when it comes to romance with Merritt. On top of it all, there are stills secrets to uncover at BIKER.

While book 1 at times felt rather cozy, this installment is more angsty since it revolves more around Merritt facing his tragic past with his family and Hulda facing the next step in her career. The book is slower paced than book 1, but focuses a lot on the emotions and inner workings of the characters, including developing the romance more and exploring both Merritt and Owein's feelings about family. The book also gives us a greater look into the workings of BIKER. Those who wanted a deeper dive into Merritt's past and more romance will enjoy this installment.

Disclaimer: thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Paw rating from my reading buddy, Perry the pug: 3

keywords: magic realism, romance, adventure, magic crime

in short: An installment that packs a punch with magic and villains. This story really dives into the MMC family history and his trials and tribulations.

Full review:

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

Heir of uncertain magic is Charlie's second book in her Whimbrel house series. Although I usually do love her writing, I did struggle with this installment sadly, though this isn’t to say that it wasn’t a good or enjoyable read just that I struggled to get fully lost within the pages and the pace went from being slow in places to completely dragging creating me unfortunately to put the book down and walk away quite a few times.

In this adventure we follow Merritt as he tries to control and learn his sudden new magic, while also trying to form a strong bond with Hulda. While Hulda and Merritt try to become closer there are new troubles and unforeseen villains on the horizon that not only threaten Hulda’s career which she loves but her life and the life of her new founded family.

I understand the way the plot was developing that this book needed to be slower but despite the displays of stress and turmoil the characters were going through, it just didn’t feel very real but I can not pin point why, I do believe the pace played a bit role in me being able to immerse myself, I just couldn’t believe in their world and themselves as much as I could in book one, keeper of enchanted rooms.

Despite my struggles to finish this book I did still enjoyed the idea of the story and learning more about Merritt and his history, learning about Biker and the other organisation Liker and of course my favorite character Owen.

I look forward to Merritt's, Hulda’s and the rest of the gang’s next adventure and I hope I can get fully lost within their pages.

Wonderful continuation of a lovely first novel. Great writing, adult heroes, and a little mystery to boost. What's not to like?

While I still enjoyed Heir of Uncertain Magic I enjoyed the first book more. This one seemed to take much longer before the story picked up. The ending ends on a happy note but I had hoped for a little more.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and Charlie N. Holmberg for the ARC.

Charlie N. Holmberg builds a fantastical world of magic in this series. Shortly after finishing the first book, 'Keeper Of Enchanted Rooms', I was sad to see that I would have to wait until April 2023 for the 2nd book. But thankfully, I was able to pick up the e-ARC and continue the story of Merritt, Hulda, and OWEIN (my favorite). I really loved that we get to see how everyone progresses in this book and what lies beyond BIKER and Whimbrel House. 'Heir of Uncertain Magic' is a slow burn and is definitely a comfort read, but once the story picks up the pace, I did not want to put it down. I was definitely rooting for the underdogs the whole way through.

It was refreshing to read an adult fantasy that didn't rely heavily on the spice. There was just enough romantic tension without taking away from the mystery and storyline.

I can't wait for the rest of what's to come for our Whimbrel House family.

I didn't pay enough attention while requesting because I love another book by the same author, so I was jumping head on to the second book. Surprisingly, I could follow the story rather well, although I think I would need to read book 1 later.
Love Hulda and Merritt! And Owein too. As usual, Charlie's world building and the cute wholesome small moments are amazing. There are a couple chapters that felt a little slow, but I enjoyed this book a lot!

The first couple of chapters felt slow since there was a lot of set up. Yet, I felt the characters that I loved from the first book seemed a little off and perhaps stiff but after the first couple of chapters, the action picked up and I fell in love with the characters again. Hulda and Merritt are great main characters together and at first I worried that they would spend the whole book separated but thankfully they weren’t. I love all the secondary characters as well! I am looking forward to the next story!

Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg
(Whimbrel House #2)

My favorite Whimbrel House characters are back but not all is right with their world. Merritt Fernsby and his former housekeeper, Hulda, know they have feelings for each other but Hulda, so new to romance, is unsure and hesitant about how to proceed with their relationship. She also isn't sure what future Biker has since her former boss, Myra, has done more manipulation of the company than is probably legal. In fact, Biker is being investigated by the home office, Liker, and a new director must be picked. The investigators don't seem very friendly towards Hulda so she's afraid she won't get the job even though she is the best person for it.

At Whimbrel House, chef Baptiste is still there but Beth as been removed by Liker and sent who knows where. Adorable Owein, eight or so times Merritt's uncle, a 12 year old boy, once enchanting a house but now inside the body of a dog, is learning to spell and Merritt is getting classes to help him better understand his new found magic abilities. Merritt, Hulda, Baptiste, Beth, and Owein love Whimbrel House and its island but evil forces are afoot to tear up this family-like group. Plus, Merritt feels the need to go back to his hometown and face his father, er, fathers.

I worried about Merritt and Hulda and their naivety. Even once they had discerned that shadiness was afoot at Biker, they, especially Hulda, just goes about her business there, with less care for her safety than I would like. Yes, she wants the director's job at Biker but magic is a real thing in this world and it seems you can never trust what you think is going on when there could be someone around you manipulating emotions, senses, everything. In the end, almost everyone needs saving. What have you done, Myra? Hulda wants to trust her friend/former boss but she and her friends may be paying for Myra's misdeeds. When I say this story is confusing, it makes sense because confusion is one of the spells that get used in this story.

Thank you to 47North and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy before the release date.
It started out quite well and I enjoyed it in the beginning but at some point it felt like nothing was actually happening and I got bored pretty quickly.

What a wonderful sequel! The characters continue to evolve, albeit along separated paths at times. I look forward to the next book in the series!

While books by Charlie Holmberg are usually an instant request/borrow for me, some how I missed the first in this series. So, I picked this one up and realized about 20% in that I was clearly missing the context that the first book in the series must have given. I stuck it out because the writing is pretty good, but it was difficult to really follow all of story given how much seemed to depend on the knowing what happened in the first one. I would have preferred it to at least stand on its own even if missing background details, but it doesn't ever really. I'm sure those who read the first book first will enjoy this much more.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Such an amazing sequel to the first book. This book dives deeper into the magic created by the author and shows the reader a wider view of the world and how magic interacts with it. The relationship between the main characters is so sweet and genuinely made me smile throughout the tale. Highly recommended.

I adore Charlie Holmberg. I was over the moon to receive this eARC from Net Galley. Holmberg is a fantastic writer and I love her world building around magic.

Heir of Uncertain Magic does not disappoint. This is the second installment of the Whimbrel House series. I think you could easily read this as a stand alone, but reading Keeper of Enchanted Rooms gives you more depth to the world the main characters live in. I love the idea of BIKER and LIKER and would love a spin off for more backs story.

Merritt finds himself in the middle several mysteries. His family, the outcome from the first book, and his affections towards Hulda. Oh my gosh and Owein. His character tugs at my heart strings.

I’m a little partial to the setting (since I’m from New England) but, I love the setting and description of Whimbrel house. The plot is faced paced (it slows down a bit in the middle - but there are important facts that are needed for the conclusion).

I love the magic, mystery and romance in Heir of Uncertain Magic. Read this series - you don’t be disappointed..

Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N Holmberg is the second book in the Whimbrel House series, a sequel to Keeper of Enchanted Rooms and I would highly recommend reading the books in order as much of the plot of this book is reliant on the events of the the first one so readers who are not familiar with the world, characters and magic system may be a little confused.
This is a charming series with a lot of warmth, and I think this is due in a large part to the characters the author has created. Hulda, a woman tasked with the care and management of magical buildings is a strong independent woman with a reserved streak that I loved seeing her start to overcome in this book. This change is largely due to Merritt, her former employer who is trying to come to terms with his own magical powers while also dealing with family trauma. I loved the first book and its setting of Whimbrel house, and of course the mystery of who or what was haunting it. Unfortunately I found that the plot of this book was lacking, I really struggled to care about what was happening at Hulda's company B.I.K.E.R. or what had happened to her friend who has disappeared, which meant that I found myself distracted and putting the book aside far more often than is normal for me. It is a shame, I really wanted to like this book but unfortunately it fell a bit flat for me.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

After finishing The Keeper of Enchanted Rooms and realising I would have aggggesss to wait for the next in the series, I was delighted to come across it on NetGalley.
I Love with a capital L Charlie N. Holmbergs books, and this was no exception. I love the richness of the worlds that she builds, the fullness of the characters, and the plots that keep my nails very well worn down.
I know it says it's book 2 of 2, but I'm going to cross my fingers there is a secret 3rd in the works!

Thank you to Netgalley and author Charlie N. Holmberg for an e-copy of this ARC.

I absolutely devoured the first book in this series so was unbelievably grateful to then be able to continue my wonderful magic journey with Merrit and Hulda in this sequel. Filled with a glorious magic system the events of this sequel carried on seamlessly from the first book and the main character somehow managed to find themselves in even deeper trouble and in the middle of a murder mystery.

I love the characters and love their relationships with each other and how these continue to blossom throughout the story. And the romantic sub-plot is so tender and utterly heartwarming.

This has been such an enchanting and cosy fantasy series, I can only hope there are more books to come!

4.5/5 stars. This book was pure magic. Fans of Chrestomanci will adore this new series. This is book 2 of the Whimbrel House series and it is essential that you read the first book before diving into this one. Merritt Fernsby finally possesses a lovely magical home, but his journey into embracing his own magical powers is far from over. Meanwhile, Hulda has her own mystery to solve. The only problem I have with this series is that the chemistry between Merritt and Hulda is not as strong as I would prefer. But I recognize this is a mild fantasy novel so that's more of a personal preference. I'm very excited to read the conclusion of this series when it comes out.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love, love this series! So good!

It was great to get back with Merritt and Hulda, but the problems are even bigger this time. Merritt struggles with his newfound magic and looks for someone who can teach him to use it.
Hulda is worried for her friend and mentor who has disappeared, which brings another set of problems.
I love Owein too! He's no longer a house and can have so much more freedom as a dog, even though it still comes with restrictions. I'd love to see him get a boy body again in book 3!

There are evil forces at play and I'm not convinced a certain enemy is gone.

The writing is phenomenal and the mix of historical and magical realism makes this story a treat to read.

Can't wait for book 3!!!

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest review.

I absolutely devoured this book. Continuing the events from the first book, the characters find themselves on a new mysterious adventure. There’s not much I can say without spoiling the first book, but I loved seeing the characters come together more fully and learn to work though their problems together. This chosen family story has magic, self discovery, mystery, trauma healing, sweet romantic subplots, quirky characters, and wild conspiracies that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Plus I’m obsessed with the two main characters. Merritt and Hulda banter is my favorite! Their game of 20 questions brought me so much joy. I’m not sure how, but this second book was even better than the first. I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy!