What a exciting, cozy and well paced read this was.



Set in 1851 York, the most haunted city in England, this novel introduces us to Lizzie Grimm, the daughter of a woman who can communicate with spirits and a deceased father who once owned and operated the now struggling curiosities shop. When Lizzie’s mother falls into a trance after a ghostly encounter, Lizzie must manage the household and the family’s flailing business to make ends meet.

Such a great story! Loved reading this just in time for halloween! Overall a cute and quick read for halloween

This was a fun cozy winter read! Set in a historic York with ghosts and myths and Christmas, a little romance ties it all together.

Grimm Curiosities is a spooky Yuletide tale that takes place in Victorian London. After the death of her father and incapacitation of her mother, Lizzy has taken over responsibility of a curiosity shop started by her parents. In the midst of these struggles a greater mystery arises that connects her mother's ailment to another young girl in town. Together with the young lady's older brother, Mr. Carlisle, the two follow clues to figure out what happened to their loved ones and how to cure them. Full of both mysterious and festive atmosphere lends the story an almost fairytale feeling. I truly appreciated Fisher's portrayal of the characters and time period. Lizzy and Mr. Carlisle both shared a trait of being forthright and honest in a way I found refreshing. Highly recommended read, especially in fall/winter.

Thank you to 47North and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of Grimm Curiosities in exchange for review.

4.5 stars!!!!

Holy mackerel!!! The VIBES of this book are everything I could ever ask for. Victorian era England, spooky objects, ghosts, mysteries, family secrets, strong FMC, semi forbidden romance, folklore and Narnia-esque magic.

Like I literally could not ask for more, I ate this up. Lizzy is so wholesome working nonstop for her family doing everything she can to set things right. I also adored how caring the MMC was, he did everything in his power to help Lizzy even though he was fairing the same situation.

It was such a spooky atmosphere but without being horror by any means. The perfect book to read to get into the autumn spirit. There was even queer representation.

The only semi con I will state that the ending gave me some whiplash. Like dear Sharon, why couldn’t this book just be longer? The pacing was so steady (in my opinion) for the first 85% of the book and then it spirals so fast it was almost hard to follow. I do wish this book was longer I want more and I’m not ready to set this world aside. I could totally picture everything in my mind which just signifies the great writing.

Thank you again! I am zooming over to add the authors other books to my library.

I loved the Victorian Christmas setting of this book it gave everything such a cozy and fun feel to it. The characters relatable, charming, and interesting. The story never slowed or dulled, you were always kept on your toes and wondering what was going to happen next. Immediately after starting this book I fell in love with it, it felt unique and creative, it was fun to guess what the next mystery was going to be.

The ability to bring different themes and elements to life is what made this story for me, getting to read about different folktales and learning about its history. Overall very enjoyable book, I recommend this book highly and can't wait to read more from this author.

This book would probably be your cup of tea if you like ghosts, folklore, bookshops and heartwarming Victorian era romances.

A big thank you to NetGalley and 47 North for allowing me to have an ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review.

It’s 1851, Lizzy is caring for her mother who is in a catatonic state and struggling to keep her deceased fathers curiosity shop running. She never expected that a run in with the Aristocrat Antony Carlisle would send her into a mystery that a rare set of her fathers books seems to hold the answers to.

Grimm Curiosities is a charming story that is set with a Christmas backdrop complete with a collection of different folklore twisted into it that kept the read interesting. It was a light and pleasant read, with a unique storyline. I enjoyed the historical feel to it and the character relationships.

A great read! Very descriptive setting of a "Dickensian" winter in the city of York. I love the blend of a Victorian Christmas time with the older world folktales and myths. Well balanced characters, believable settings, fairly decent paced read. It wasn't the sort of mystery you had to keep guessing at to solve, more a along for the ride, it will all become clear mystery... if that makes sense?

All in all, very enjoyable, definitely recommend to others, makes me keen to see what else Ms Fisher has written.

This was a pleasant surprise!
I sometimes have problems with cozy books because the characters tend to be silly and the plot too sugary, but this is not the case here. Lizzy Grimm is a clever, capable young woman struggling to run her late father's curiosity shop in York. When she meets a young nobleman, Antony Carlisle, whose sister suffers from the same sudden illness that had struck Lizzie's mother, they join in an investigation which will reveal past secrets and dangerous curses.
The setting - the Victorian, snow-covered York just before Christmas - is masterfully portrayed and the characters are interesting and three-dimensional. The romance seems to be the main plot, and I enjoyed it very much. The fantastical elements were not as present as I wished them to be and the ending was a bit rushed in the attempt to wrap up every loose thread - I never felt truly threatened by the monster they awoke.
However, I think this will be a very enjoyable read for dark December evenings.

Grimm Curiosities is a delightful romp through a world where fairy tales meet steampunk. This novel cleverly reimagines classic Grimm stories with a Victorian-era twist.

Fisher's world-building shines, blending familiar fairy tale elements with steam-powered gadgets and clockwork contraptions. The characters are engaging, though some feel a bit two-dimensional at times.

The plot moves at a brisk pace, weaving multiple fairy tale threads into a cohesive narrative. While occasionally predictable, there are enough surprises to keep readers hooked.

Fisher's writing style is accessible and fun, striking a nice balance between whimsy and darkness. The steampunk elements are well-integrated, enhancing rather than overshadowing the fairy tale core.

Grimm Curiosities is a solid read for fans of fairy tale retellings and steampunk alike. It's not groundbreaking, but it's definitely an entertaining escape into a imaginative world.

Lizzy Grimm has been running her family's curiosities shop alone since her father's passing and her mother falling into a mysterious illness. Mrs. Grimm hasn't spoken for a year, and while she does seem to understand what's going on around her, the longer her mother's illness goes on the more Lizzy feels the burden of her newfound responsibilities. Just a few weeks before Christmas she discovers that her landlord has decided that The Grimm women must pay up or get out by the New Year, with the shop barely making ends meet Lizzy doesn't know how she will make it. But one day, two men walk through the front door of her store, one Mr. Carlisle, the son of a Baron and one whose very sister, seems to have the same illness Lizzy's mother does offers to help her in any way he can to cure both of them. The other Mr. Stoke, he offers what Mr. Carlisle can't, a way out of the financial predicament Lizzy has found herself in, if she will simply sell him a set of books. A set of books that both her and Antony Carlisle hold the keys to curing their loved ones. Lizzy's meeting of these two men leads her on a dangerous adventure into a world she had only dreamed of, but she is determined to save her mother whatever the cost.

What an absolutely lovely Christmas story! I was entranced from the very first page! Fisher brought so many wonderful pieces of folklore to life in beautiful detail throughout the book while keeping up an edge of your seat mystery with numerous twists and turns and a simply beautiful love story. This is not only a book that I will be buying for myself but one I'll be buying multiple copies of to pass out as gifts this holiday season. The best part is that this is absolutely perfect for readers of all ages, I can see this book becoming a beloved Christmas bedtime story tradition for parents and children for years to come.


Overall, I 100% recommend this. This is a book that I will be rereading for many years to come!


And as always, thanks to 47North and NetGalley for the eArc!

Grimm Curiosities is a lovely, cosy, mystery packed, victorian set, Christmas book. The romance is sweet, the character are witty and the fantasy aspect just enough to set the mood a little gothic, without going into horror land.

We meet Lizzy. She is the daugher of a folklore stories and antiques collector father and ghost speaking mother. When her father dies and, soon after, her mother falls ill(after speaking to a ghost), she finds herself running her fathers curiosities shop alone. This is when she meets a young lord’s son, Anthony, whose sister seems to have the same affliction as her mother, and an older gentleman, Mr Stoke, with an insisting interest in some old books from the Grimm store.

The action follows Lizzy and Anthony in their pursuit to finding a cure for their loved ones and uncovering some of her father’s past.

I enjoyed this book very much! The light flirting, the scary but not really that scary ghosts, Lizzy’s grace in handleing all her relationships, even the young budding friendship with another woman entrepreneur, and offcourse her and Anthony’s every interaction.

Even though light and the world not that elaborate, it let me wanting to know more.

Great Christmas read for a fantasy fan!

So thank you to @NetGalley for the opportunity read this book.

A gentle soft romance set in Victorian England with a sprinkling of fantasy magic. An easy read. Was not my cup of tree as prefer more challenging complex narratives. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

*Grimm Curiosities*, by the author of *Salt & Broom*, invites readers into a Victorian-era tale rich with mystery and the supernatural, set against the wintry backdrop of 1851 York. In this bewitching novel, the reader follows Lizzy Grimm as she inherits her late father’s antique shop, a quaint yet enigmatic establishment brimming with ghostly secrets.

Lizzy Grimm is a compelling protagonist, struggling to keep her father’s once-thriving curiosity shop afloat in a city renowned for its spectral inhabitants. The shop, filled with oddities and antiques, mirrors Lizzy’s own struggle to understand the world around her. The narrative takes a chilling turn during a particularly snowy December when Lizzy encounters Antony Carlisle, a man whose sister has fallen victim to a mysterious affliction strikingly similar to the one that has left Lizzy’s own mother silent and unresponsive after encounters with ghosts.

The partnership between Lizzy and Antony, united by their quest to uncover the truth behind their loved ones’ conditions, drives the story forward. Their investigation leads them to a valuable set of rare books, previously owned by Lizzy’s father, filled with ancient folktales, enchantments, and yuletide myths. These books are more than just relics; they hold the keys to a dark and enchanting mystery that threatens to unravel the fragile line between the living and the dead.

The novel’s atmospheric setting is vividly realized, with C. A. Dunning crafting a world where the charm of Victorian England meets the eerie and mystical. The snowy streets of York and the gothic ambiance of Grimm Curiosities create a perfect stage for the unfolding drama. Each bewitching passage and detailed illustration in the ancient books opens doors to dangerous and ancient myths, drawing Lizzy and Antony deeper into a web of intrigue.

*Grimm Curiosities* is a delightful blend of historical fiction and supernatural mystery. It captures the essence of Victorian gothic literature while adding a fresh twist through its rich characterizations and the haunting allure of ancient enchantments. This novel is a compelling read for fans of ghostly tales and atmospheric mysteries, promising a captivating journey into the unknown.

Grimm Curiosities, by Sharon Lynn Fisher, is a thoroughly enjoyable, magical read that would be perfect for someone looking for a fun book to read over the holidays. It does require some "willing suspension of disbelief" - especially toward the end - but I liked the characters, the fantasy elements, and the romance.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC; all opinions are my own.

The first thing that drew me to the book was the stunning cover art. The dark tones with the ghostly whites are gorgeous. This immediately led me to think that this was going to be a dark story.
What I got instead was a cosy mystery with some darker elements to it.
We follow Lizzy and Antony as they team up to discover what has caused an affliction on their families. Set in 19th century England, there is more to worry about than the sudden illness that befalls her mother and his sister. Sharon does an excellent job at setting the world, and I really appreciated the author's note at the beginning to describe some of the terminology being used. It is a dark and lived-in place (York) and, at times, it feels like you are outside on a cold winter’s evening, walking through the snow. The expectations of Lizzy running a shop, and taking care of her mother are stressful. And when suitors are being introduced, the awkward feeling of being pushed into higher society is felt when reading it.
Antony is the epitome of a Gentleman. He is always respectful, ensures that Lizzie's mother is walking with them on the streets to serve as ‘chaperone’. He took rejection very well and was humbled.
Ambrose, on the other hand, is very much like a polite snake in the grass. It was obvious from the get go as to who he was going to be in the end (essentially the bad guy).
I found the story lulled a bit with the brief friendship between Ambrose and Lizzie, right up until the end of the ball. I wonder if there was another way to convey the message behind that scene in a different way. And from the time of the relationship, to the time he betrays her, I just didn’t care about the relationship.
The only side character that I would like to have seen more of was Charlie. For some reason I just got a sense of reality from her and I really liked her character.
Overall I gave this 4 stars.

4.5 stars rounded up. This book caught my eye and had my attention right from the first chapter! Set in 19th century York, England, Grimm Curiosities follows Lizzy and Antony as they solve the mystery behind the supernatural affliction that has plagued their loved ones. I thought I signed myself up for a paranormal thriller, but this book surprised me with a magical, cozy ride!

Through the authors words, I felt like I could step right into this hauntingly beautiful town woven in threads of Yuletide folklore. I also found main characters loveable. Despite what life has thrown at them, Lizzy remains strong-willed and pleasant, while Antony carries himself as a kind and compassionate gentleman. I enjoyed seeing the two of them bond over their adventures and shared experiences, while navigating their relationship against the divide in social class. I would definitely be interested in reading other works by this author. Thank you to NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The world — from the shop to the narrow alleys, to the ball — feels grounded and lived in. People act like people, and more than that, react. When rumor gets out that Miss Grimm and Mr Carlisle (a shop girl and a member of the peerage) are spending time together, rumors circulate, some kind, some unkind, rather than it being ignored by the people around them. When walking into a bar, the barkeep doesn’t want to serve Lizzy at first, as she’s from a more respectable circle of society. It’s little moments like this that please me, because it feels as if what the characters do matter, that opinions can be made or lost, and as though there are people living in the world beyond Lizzy and Antony.

Speaking of, the relationship between the two of them is sweet, built on mutual respect and both of them devoted to curing Lizzy’s mother and Antony’s sister from a mysterious curse. They share a sense of humor, a sense of purpose, and work well together. Everything they did felt earned, from foolish mistakes to the grand conclusion, with both of them acting on kindness, hope, and a strong faith that doing the right thing for the right reasons would always save the day.

This book was just a lot of fun. It’s light, easy to read, and would be a perfect Christmas read if you want something feeling somewhat Victorian, with myths and legends and the necessary ghosts of Christmas past. I want to thank Net Galley and the publisher for granting me access to an advanced reader copy

In 1851, in the haunted city of York, Lizzy Grimm struggles to keep her father's curiosities shop afloat while taking care of her mother, a woman capable of talking with spirits, who mysteriously fell into a catatonic state. When she meets Antony Carlisle, the son of an aristocrat, whose sisters is in the same state as Lizzy's mother, they decide to cooperate to help their loved ones.
After Lizzy finds the mysterious books on yuletide myths, folklore stories and magic she read as a child, she uncovers secrets that may help her mother and Antony's sister.

Sharon Lynn Fisher has written a mystery filled with magic, spirits and a bit of romance.

This book was perfection, I didn't want to stop reading it. The author did an awesome job.

I loved the characters, especially Lizzy, who is a young, strong and intelligent woman that never gave up on her mother and her late father's shop.
Antony, is a perfect gentlemen, he never doubted Lizzy and her abilities and he trusted her completely, he never once tried to make her feel inferior, despite their different social status.

Can't wait to read other books written by this author.

I received this ARC via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and when I started reading, I couldn't put it down.

The descriptions of York were beautifully excavated, and the environment was almost felt. The characters were all outstanding, and I felt I actually knew the people.

The only critique I have with this book, is that some of the words have been Americanised. The book is set in England, and even though the author is American, she should have used proper English instead of the Americanised.