This is a delightful cozy historical romantic fantasy with a share of suspense. Yes, it’s all of those things. If you’re looking for an adventure or suspense from the start, you won’t find it here. This story begins a little slow, but I didn’t find it boring in the least. The characters and the world they live in is intriguing– 1830s and 1840s Eastern “America” and Great Britain, where magic still exists.

It begins by telling of a journalist turned novelist (Merritt) in the 1840s who’s inherited an enchanted house (and the marshy island it’s located on) from a family he’s been disowned from and hasn’t been in contact with in more than ten years. He goes to his island to take a look and decide what he’ll do with the place, and once he’s inside, the house won’t let him leave. A “housekeeper” from an institute whose purpose is to ensure enchanted houses are properly cared for (and their owners trained to care for the houses) joins Merritt at the house, rescuing him from his loneliness and helping to tame the house, and she brings in a maid, he finds a cook. She’s prim and proper, he’s easy-going and whimsical. Of course, opposites attract but they don’t communicate well. Regardless, with a great deal of drama, the household begins to take shape.

On the other side of the pond ten years in the past, the son of an aristocrat who’s gained the magical talents from both of his parents discovers dark secrets of magic and begins a rein of terror as he becomes obsessed with ever becoming more powerful.

The two stories merge together quite seamlessly, adding the suspense to the story. The characters are real, full of flaws and strengths, making good decisions and poor decisions based on their emotions. When they make the right decisions, it feels so good!

I loved this book and am so glad I picked it up despite my doubts about the story based on the description. The female lead has issues from her past that have helped her to become strong and independent, which both benefit her and get in the way now and then, as it would in 1844. But she’s lovely, and it’s fabulous that the other characters in the book, including her romantic interest, recognize her strength and her beauty. I don’t know how this can be the first book in a new series, but I look forward to reading more about Hulda, Merritt, and the others in their household.

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Created Feb 14, 2024 at 6:41pm • Submit your own review...