When I first started reading this ARC, I didn't realize that it was the second in a series. Once I realized it, I went back, read the first, and loved it. I enjoyed the sequel just as much - and it made much more sense once I'd read the first!! Ally Carter has always been great at writing action and adventure for young people - and this middle grade series is no exception. I believe this title is most appropriate for slightly older middle grade students - due to mild violence and peril. I feel that the cover of the first book is a bit too juvenile and might appeal to readers who are too young for it. The cover for the second title is a bit better in that respect. All in all, a good, fun, heart-stopping romp with the children of Winterbourne house!

Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery is the second book in a middle grade series by Ally Carter. I do recommend reading this series in order. Even as a returning reader it took me a few minutes to remember who everyone was, and the circumstances that lead them there. I think new readers would be at a loss. Since I really enjoyed the first book, this will not be a chore.

Five orphans. Two sword-wielding vigilantes. One mansion. No rules. April thought she had her happy ending. After all, she has her new house and new friends and new guardian. But she also has a very big new secret. The kids of Winterborne House are the only ones who know that Gabriel Winterborne—famous billionaire and terrible cook—is really a sword-wielding vigilante. What they don’t know is that he’s not the only one. When a masked figure breaks in, looking for something—or someone—it’s clear that Gabriel has met his match, and now no one is safe. April and her friends will have to solve a decades-old mystery in order to hang on to the most important thing in the world: each other.

Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery is a solid middle grade mystery. There are great elements of character development for April, as well as the other members of her chosen family. I liked how the children supported each other and backed each other up even when they did not fully understand the reasoning or history behind the choices- only that there was one. There are a variety of new characters, and while I missed some of the characters from the first book, this installment made up for their missing state with a great deal of interesting discoveries about the Winterborne family. I like that there was some resolution to several mysteries, and a few new questions raised that left me wanting to know more but not feeling unsatisfied with the answers I had. That is a hard balance to strike, and the author did it beautifully. I think a wide range of readers will really enjoy this series, and I am looking forward to where it goes next.

Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery is a good continuation of the story, with plenty of character development and plot twists to keep a variety of readers happy and engaged.

Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor & Mayhem and Mystery

Stars: ✦✦✦✦✦
So as usual, I'll tell 5 things I liked about the book and 0 things I didn't care for.

I don't think it's any secret that I really enjoy books by Ally Carter, with these literally being the 14th and 15th book I've read from her (excluding short stories, which I have also read).
The Gallagher Girls was the first series I remember being frustrated at since I had to wait a year for the next book, again and again - and yes this is a sign of a good series! And my 5th post - ever - was a review of that (though I don't recommend going back to read those first ones!).
My point here is, that when I heard of this new middle grade series by her I added it to my tbr without really know long what it's about, and it did not disappoint!
And it probably doesn't need to be said that when the next one comes, I'll be here for it!

+1 | The writing simply grips you along for a ride

+1 |It's whimsical like middle grade often is, but without being too whimsical

+1 | Adventure and actions galore

+1 |The combination of characters all fleshed out with stories, dreams and fears

+1 | The interaction between friends and all the other types of relationships

Read on lovelies,
S

Usually I don't care for mysteries. I haven't even read the first installment of this series, but this book changed everything for me. I met the Winterbournes, the mysterious family who passes on the secret vigilante persona, The Sentinel. I met April and the rest of the orphans that live at Winterbourne home. When their guardian, Gabriel Winterbourne the newest Sentinel disappears, the children go on an adventure that is action packed, especially when they meet another Sentinel who is not Gabriel. This is an amazing book that begins with a slow burn that kids will love. I did have a difficult time with the exposition, but I believe if I had read the first book, that would have come more easily. Once the action begins, you are hooked! This twisty mystery will captivate readers and will prove to be a read aloud that have students clamoring for this title.

This was a good sequels to the first one. Sometimes sequels have the same formula as the first book and doesn’t really change up the story. This book totally changed up the storyline from the first book, but still had the characters grow. This story still shows the importance of friends.

5 stars = Outstanding!

Another great adventure for April and her friends. Tons of suspense and plenty of twists in this one. I adore April and the other kids living at Winterborne Home - I hope there will be more stories for them in the future.

I recommend reading the books in this series in order because of the nature of the mysteries and the reveals as the stories unfold. I would stick with older middle grade readers (10-14) due to the violence (sword fights, stabbing, gun shots, etc.), which is not graphic, but could be a factor for some younger readers.

This is an action-packed, emotional book geared toward readers aged 8-12, but I absolutely loved this book. It’s perfect for children and their parents. There’s hidden passages, secret islands, sword-fights, mystery, teamwork, hope, and utter chaos. It's the second book of a series, and while I definitely recommend reading the first book, it's not a requirement.

April is one of five orphans taken under the guardianship of the Winterborne Foundation and moved into the legendary mansion grounds by the sea. With a butler running the house and a caregiver managing the children’s educations and the finances, everything is perfect. Until the long lost heir returns and takes over.

The children love him, but Gabriel Winterborne has no idea how to run a household, educate children, or do any of the other things required by the department of child services. He also disappears, leaving five children unattended when their case manager shows up. April’s new family may be torn apart right when she’s finally find a real home. Can they evade child services, locate Gabriel, and contain the mayhem before they lose everything they love?

Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery is a delightful book, just like the first book of the series, and I’d love to see it turned into a movie or tv series. I hope there are more books to come.

The follow up to the first Winterborne Home is just as good, if not better, with more mystery, action, adventure, and so much more! Young readers are in for a real treat!

After all the craziness of finding Gabriel Winterborne alive and helping get his uncle arrested for attempted murder, April and the others living at the Winterborne estate thought they had found a home and happy ending. The kids are the only ones who know that Gabriel Winterborne is not only a famous billionaire but also a vigilante. He’s not the only one, another masked figure breaks into their house and the kids fear for their safety and home they have created with one another. April and her friends must work together to solve a mystery that is decades old and find a way to stay together.

The second edition in the Winterborne Home series is just as good as its predecessor, an action-packed adventure that had me more drawn in and connected to the characters than the first one. One of the best aspects about this installment was the character connection. I was connected in the first but not on the level I was with this one. April had a way of pulling at my heart strings at every turn. She has been through so much and just when she thinks she has a home and family, everything gets turned upside down once again. After April, Tim would be the strongest character and I hope we get to see him develop further. It would be nice to see more from all the other kids as well. I feel as if there is still so much story to tell in this series and hope there is more to come.

This is the perfect book for Middle Grade readers, a fast paced, engaging story but at a level that won’t be over their heads and will keep them into the story and wanting more. I read this one ahead of my ten-year-old reading it to be able to talk with him about it and see if it would interest him and be appropriate for his level. I am happy to check off a big yes to all of those. Not only will those his age enjoy it, but parents can read it and enjoy as well. It is refreshing to read/be able to recommend a good, clean, engaging book for young readers. This will be a great series for boys or girls and those that love a good mystery.

Solid follow-up to a good first book. I think it hits all the hot middle grade trends of the moment (orphans AND pirates? Oh my!)

The orphans at Winterborne Home know that Gabriel’s secret identity is the Sentry, a shadowy figure righting wrongs. But now it seems there is another Sentry. And April connects with her past in unexpected ways. A great adventure full of secrecy, deception, and clever solutions to catch the bad guy.

I haven’t read the first in this series, and I wish that I had before reading book 2. While there is some recap, there really isn’t enough to catch a reader up to speed on why the 5 kids are at Winterborne Home, why Colin calls everyone “love”, and other questions I assume are answered in book 1. Since I like Ally Carter’s books, I chalk it up to reader error, not writer.

A solid story, but read Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor first.

A lot of revelations and action.

I liked reading more about the adventures of the "orphans" and the developing relationship between April and Gabriel. There was a lot going on, and at times, I wanted to lecture some sense into the characters. I will continue reading this series.

So much fun!
I so enjoyed reading this, it had plenty of action, humor, and emotion. The kids are sweet and smart and have formed a great familial bond with each other and their guardian Gabriel. As much as the kids can sometimes act older than their ages, there are also times where they become children again and just need someone to love them.

The pacing of this is well done and there's always a mystery to solve. I liked finding out more of April's parents and her connection to the Winterbornes. April has changed over these books and instead of wanting a parent she doesn't remember to come for her, she's realized that she has family in the other kids. The found family aspect made me so happy and I liked seeing everyone work together.

I hope there will be another book since not everything is resolved in the end. I'll be (somewhat) patiently waiting for news!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. Thank you to NetGalley and HMH Books for Young Readers for the copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Group for an e-Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this book, Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery by Ally Carter @theallycarter solely based on the stunning cover art and synopsis alone, unaware this was the second book in the series.

Not having read the first book did not deter me from being captivated as I could delve right into the storyline.

We’re introduced to April living in a mansion along with several other children and their mysterious guardian. We quickly learn amongst being a billionaire, April’s guardian is also a sword-wielding vigilante.

From the get-go, we are pushed into a fast-paced story filled with secrets, mystery, wit, sarcasm, and found families.

I enjoyed the writing style and how the author tackled hard conversations and challenging problems with a sense of realism and compassion.

I am thoroughly invested in these characters and plan to devour the first book in the series while I await the next installment!

What a wonderful sequel! This series is perfect for fans of the Mysterious Benedict Society and Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place.

I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to call Ally Carter’s Winterborne Home series probably my favourite series of hers ever. I mean, I’ve enjoyed every one of her books that I’ve read, sure, but none of them have quite hit from the very first book like this series has.

And Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery is no different.

The first book introduced us to the characters as they came to live at the Winterborne Home. And then followed it up with the mystery of the whereabouts of Gabriel Winterborne. The second book twists the mysteries deeper. The kids and Gabriel are on their own — Mr Smithers is on holiday and Izzy has… gone somewhere none of them know. But then all sorts of happenings start, from a break-in, to the arrival of child protection services, and the disappearance of Gabriel (again).

Obviously, central to the plot is the found family relationship, and that’s probably why I love this whole series so much. It is, at heart, about finding a family that may not be blood family, and finding love. And, yeah, the plots are great too, but they’re almost secondary to that theme of love (in the best way possible, of course).

But this book does also move things along, plotwise. As much as I say the best part is the love, I would struggle if there wasn’t a plot to carry that. And the plot here does, as Ally Carter so often manages, drive the story along and open up new questions as you go.

All of which to say, I cannot wait for the third book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a fun middle-grade mystery that I loved from beginning to end! It was a bit predictable and easy to see who had done it, but I loved this fun sequel to the dynamic first book! This book was fast-paced but not overly fast, which was fun to read, and the main thing that I disliked was how not all of the main characters from the first book were in this one, which felt weird to me. Other than that, this was a fun, faced-paced mystery, and it's always amazing to read more from Ally Carter.

I read the first book as a read aloud to a 12 year old, 10 year old, and 6 year old and we eagerly awaited this release and it did not disappoint. The mystery is still moving forward, while providing answers we had from the last book. The fast pace kept us engaged along and the characters and their relationships. Ally Carter has a gift for world creating and relationship building and it continues through this series as well.

Perfect for those who love books and kept the attention of the ones who sometimes get bored easily when reading.

ARC provided by netgalley

This sequel to the Winterbourne house continues the story of most of the main characters from the first book- but not all of them- which seemed like a weird choice to me. I guess it would be easier to jump into book 2 without reading book 1 this way? I did like the story and will recommend it to kids who liked the first book.

This is such a fun adventure that piggybacks off of the first novel. The Winterborne orphans have another mystery to solve: who is the second Sentinel? I love that this book answers questions from the first novel, but also follows it’s own storyline. It was packed full of adrenaline and of course, Sadie’s inventions! Such a fun read!

While I loved the first book in this series, I wasn't a fan of the second book. Several important characters from the first book were missing, and we're introduced to a bunch of new characters. While these new characters provided some fun twists and turns, I really wished the second book had developed the original characters and their relationships. Winterborne Home just didn't feel like "home" without half the household.