"Keeper of Lost Loves" by Iris Applewood is a captivating blend of mystery and romance that keeps you guessing from start to finish. Clara Winters' quest to save her Fireside Manor Bed and Breakfast unfolds against a backdrop of holiday magic, particularly with the arrival of the enigmatic guest, Ethan. Their dynamic adds an intriguing layer to the story, as secrets unravel and tensions rise. Applewood's skillful storytelling weaves a rich tapestry of emotions, making Clara's journey both relatable and compelling. This novel is a delightful read that beautifully balances mystery with heartfelt moments—perfect for fans of romance and mystery alike!

This was a short and sweet story with an almost moral – like ending. It feels like it’s part of a larger series but by the end l realised that it was a complete story in itself.

The other part of this book is also the presence of magic in the form of the unexplained ability that our lead protagonist develops just in time to facilitate a lot of changes. I do not mean this in a sarcastic way, but it is the central plot point, which means it may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Clara is not having much luck getting people to board at her place. She needs an influx if the bank is to be kept happy. The sudden ability gives her the power to see into people’s inner most love and this seems her into a form of adventure. From trying to figure out one lonely man’s past heartache, Clara manages to figure out her own life too.

The writing was simple and worked well with the storyline. I would recommend this book to those open to these kinds of stories.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Keeper of Lost Loves: A Serenity Falls Cozy Romance by Iris Applewood
Publisher: Enchanted Owl
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers, Romance, Women's Fiction
Published: July 1, 2024

Keeper of Lost Loves: A Serenity Falls Cozy Romance by Iris Applewood was the first book I chose to read for Christmas in July 2024. I really wanted to love it but struggled to get into it. I’m not sure what it was but it didn’t work for me.

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

The story of Clara and Ethan. Clara runs a failing Inn and doesn't know why the locals don't want to visit. Will the appearance of guest Ethan change all this? A great read, emotional at times.

Arc Review:
Overall Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 1 🔥
Tropes:
- Small Town Romance
- Christmas Romance
- Cozy Mystery
- Witchy Vibes
- Holiday Rom-Com
- Clean and Wholesome
- Magical Realism
- Low Spice

A cozy little holiday romance full of mystery and mistletoe, I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this book but I loved it none the less. This book is not your typical Christmas romance, it’s got something special about it and I highly suggest you choose this book if your looking for your next holiday read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout, Booksirens and NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A good and cozy mystery that has excitement and twists but not like a psychological thriller. These twists while surprising they are great for the characters, like a Hallmark mystery. I love a cozy book like this one among the darker ones I usually read.

A delightful, romantic novel with a beautiful magical twist. It was easy to read and made me smile even though it did cover a more tragic part of history. Lovely.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was heartwarming and so much fun!

Quick read, cosy style book. Slightly magical twist shall we say. Thank you netgalley for the advance copy

How Adorable! The magical mistletoe and love abounds in Keeper of Lost Loves. Clara steps out of her comfort zone to welcome Ethan to Serenity Falls. This is well written, charming characters and a touch of mystery -- enjoy!

Loved this one! Great and fun read. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for my ARC.

I really enjoyed reading Keeper of Lost Loves by Iris Applewood. It was cozy and magical, full of heart, and had all the winter vibes. I highly recommend picking this one up.

Thank you Enchanted Owl and NetGalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions expressed above are my own.

Unfortunately this one wasn't for me. It was a bit too weird that she was able to see others lost loves and I wanted a bit more romance!

All the makings of your Hallmark Christmas movie and the ending sticks, with the opening for more to add to the series. Clara is your girl who got lost in the day to day in the big city, takes a leap of faith and falls in love with the old manor that was left behind in a small city. She works tirelessly with her new friends to make the manor a b&b. She is struggling to stay a float when she finally gets a guest and he is staying for a week. Even though she has sworn off love, will the mistletoe mystery and other mysteries make them lovers or enemies? I really enjoyed this super cute, quick read and it’s coming out just in time for Christmas in July.

Thank you NetGalley, Enchanted Owl and Iris Applewood for picking me to be an arc reader of this book.

I stopped reading when lesbianism was mentioned 3 times. This isn't a book for me. The writingvup to thrn was descriptive and intriguing

Keeper of lost love by Iris Applewood has magic, mystery, and love. I gave it 3.5 stars because I liked the story line of Clara being an owner of fireside manor and Ethan being her only guest at the B&B. I liked the fantasy of magic along with a good mystery/detective work. I did not expect the ending of the book and I it was magical. I also liked that every chapter was named after the location where the story line was taking place. It helped me picture the location faster.

The reason I did not give it 5 stars is because I became lost in some parts of the book and then understood why that plot was part of the story. I would have loved to read more of a conversation with Ethan. I felt that he was lost in the book; even though he played a big part in the storyline.

Overall, I would recommend this book if you were looking for a quick read, or a book that takes place in winter and has magic and love.

I enjoyed the premise of this book, but the author’s excessive use of flowery adjectives and metaphors was a big drawback for me. The storyline itself is rooted in magical realism – one of my favorite genres. The meet-cute and subsequent romance, coupled with a bit of mystery, kept me engaged when I would have abandoned the novel due to the above-mentioned writing style. The wholesome story, appealing characters, and charmingly picturesque, small-town atmosphere make a good match for a Hallmark or Lifetime Christmas film.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

Keeper of Lost Loves by Iris Applewood

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Enchanted Owl and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Clara Winters is a self-proclaimed cynic of soulmates. But when mistletoe magic compels her to play matchmaker for the town curmudgeon, her life takes an unexpected turn…Clara’s only Christmas wish is to save her beloved Fireside Manor Bed and Breakfast, teetering on the edge of financial ruin in the outskirts of the quaint town of Serenity Falls. Her plan is drop off her cookies at the Winter Festival and return to welcome her lone holiday guest.

The arrival of Ethan, a guest with enigmatic intentions, sets off sparks of both romance and suspicion. As their paths intertwine, Clara and Ethan embark on a journey of amateur sleuthing, unearthing long-buried stories that are as entwined with Fireside Manor as they are with their own destinies.

In this cozy Christmas romance, each kiss under the mistletoe is a key to unlocking hidden truths, mending past heartaches, and discovering the enduring power of connection.

Join Clara in her enchanting adventure as she navigates the complexities of heart and heritage, learning that love is more resilient, more enduring, than she’d ever given it credit for.

My Opinion

This novella is easy to read in one sitting. A cosy, festive read perfect for when you are in need of a quick festive fix. This had all of the workings of a festive movie as it was just a delightful read. Serenity Falls seems like a dream place for those who love the festive season.

Rating 4/5

This was an easy read! The main character Clara was very realistic and had a past that was very relatable. The secondary charecters added more enjoyment to the read and blended so nicely into the story being told. The intertwining smaller stories and the connections between characters were very well thought through. Such a very cute holiday read!

A small town setting, a little mystery, and a bit of romance make Iris Applewood's upcoming Christmas novel, Keeper of Lost Loves, one to look forward to.  This one is not fast-paced, but a nice cozy read. Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.