I just finished reading Grimm Curiosities by Sharon Lynn Fisher and so here I am with the review. I received this book early from Net Galley and the publisher.

Grimm Curiosities stars Miss Grimm and Mr. Carlisle on a cozy romantic fairy tale adventure. Miss Grimm’s mother, a medium, saw something in the afterlife and then talked no more. The same thing happened to Mr. Carlisle’s sister. When the two of them realize they have something in common, they work to figure out if they can solve the mystery of their loved ones common illness. What follows is a story full of spirits, mystery, and romance. Its a fairy tale with some danger but most of all, its a cozy wonderful tale.

The book feels like a fairy tale, a light adventure with some stakes but overall, its the kind of story that you would read to get away from darker adventures. It also touches upon a common theme in books I’ve read here and there: doorways to other worlds. I never get tired of reading about that. I love those stories.

Sharon Lynn Fisher is a really good writer. She gives some description, but never too much. The dialogue is well done and the time period feels authentic while also dream like. After reading Children of the Dark, a rather bleak story, Grimm Curiosities was a breath of fresh air. It was a well told fairy tale full of twists and turns. There were some unexpected surprises and some exciting moments, but there was also romance like you’d find in a Hallmark movie. I don’t say that as an insult. I’ve seen some really wonderful Hallmark movies and this romance would fit well with them.

Grimm Curiosities was a really good book. I enjoyed it a lot.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing an early digital copy of Grimm Curiosities by Sharon Lynn Fisher. The book releases to the world on November 5th, 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sharon Lynn Fisher, and 47North for allowing me access to the e-Arc.

I really enjoyed this Gothic tale that has mystery, historical, and fantasy elements. Lizzy is a strong FMC who wants to help her mom with her affliction. That has caused her to not be able to communicate to anyone anymore. I thought this was well done Victorian tale. It talks about class and social customs. I can’t wait to read more from Sharon Lynn Fisher.

I highly recommend it!

Enjoyable cozy romantic mystery set in the Victorian era with magic. Fisher clearly did her research and the setting of York comes alive; our heroine Lizzy is plucky and intrepid in the best way as she struggles to understand her mother's sudden affliction and keep her small family afloat. That said, the book had a YA feel to me - at times Lizzy and Anthony (both of whose viewpoints we see) are sensible Victorians, and other times they are modern romance leads whose behavior and thinking makes no sense in a Victorian context. In general, though, that lends to the cozy feel; the looming threats of the Victorian era (disinheritance, asylums, etc.) feel less frightening that way, and the peril less perilous, which makes this an ideal book to read when it's cold and you have a mug of cocoa.

Engaging and inventive, this is a fun folklore mashup with a great mystery element! Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book gave me the warm fuzzies! This book had so many of my favorite components: romance, mystery, and fantasy. It gave a different twist on Grimm fairy tales, which I greatly appreciate, especially when it came to Krampus. This is story is perfect to curl up on the couch with a toasty beverage.

So this book is a tricky one to describe because it’s not quite like any of the historical fantasies I’ve read before. It’s a little like The Parasol Protectorate series yet so elegant and refined. The fantasy elements slotted so neatly within the historical setting, you can barely see the seams. Excellent world building, executed with casual skill.

On top of that, the attention paid to social classes and their limitations was such a compelling and realistic touch. It really heightened the tension of the romance and made the angst all the sweeter when the two main characters, Lizzy and Antony, longed keenly for each other in defiance of convention.

And the romance. Oh, the romance. 🥰 I adore a slow burn and the sweet, respectful way Anthony carefully pursued Lizzy, even when he didn’t mean to be or probably shouldn’t have...😘👌 Chef's kiss. 10/10

Can’t wait to read this again during the holidays!

So good. No other words needed. I love a good Grimm brothers based retelling. It was twisty and turny and just had a great time reading this

I just love Grimm stories! I just love everything that has Grimm's in it so...... obviously I devoured this book in just a day. I recommend you do the same readers.

With a nod to the brothers whose name is almost synonymous with fairy tales and a set in the Victorian England of one of the most famous Christmastime stories, Grimm Curiosities certainly set lofty goals, but came to meet and even exceed them. I choose this book ,in part, because I was mesmerized by a cover that had me longingly looking in, like a bewitched child at the window of a curiosities shop, and partly due to the title that left me, well, curious... But mere curiosity was not what enchanted me to read this book beginning to end in one sitting. This was a delight, with elements of fairytales, a touch of romance, magic, and the cozy feel of a warm cup of cocoa fireside, wrapped snugly in a favorite blanket. Fans of fairy tales, books about books, and cozy stories should definitely reach for this book and snuggle up in their favorite reading spot in anticipation of enchantment. (4.5/5 raised to 5 for bewitching cover art).
I received advanced access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, 47North) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.