Description (from cover): “Nola Trenholm is hopeful for a fresh start in the Big Easy but must deal with ghosts from her past–as well as new ones–in this first book in a spin-off series of Karen White’s New York Times bestselling Tradd Street novels.

After a difficult detour on her road to adulthood, Nola Trenholm is looking to begin anew in New Orleans, and what better way to start her future than with her first house? But the historic fixer-upper she buys comes with even more work than she anticipated when the house’s previous occupants don’t seem to be ready to depart.

Although she can’t communicate with ghosts like her stepmother can, luckily Nola knows someone in New Orleans who is able to–even if he’s the last person on earth she wants anything to do with ever again. Beau Ryan comes with his own dark past–a past that involves the disappearance of his sister and parents during Hurricane Katrina–and he’s connected to the unsolved murder of a woman who once lived in the old Creole cottage Nola is determined to make her own…whether the resident restless spirits agree or not.”

My Thoughts:

A couple of years ago I came across the first book of Karen White’s Tradd Street series and was introduced to this author and her fantastic books. There are seven books currently in that series and the author decided to branch off with this new series featuring Nola Trenholm, who is the daughter of the main characters Melanie and Jack in the Tradd Street series. That series is set in Charleston, South Carolina and this book takes place several years since the last installment in that series. Nola is now twenty-eight years old and has moved to New Orleans. She purchases an old house in the city with the intentions of restoring the property and making it her home. Little does she know that this house has its own past and secrets. When she learns that a murder occurred in the house 40 years ago, she is concerned that there are lingering spirits who don’t want her to be there.

I was so excited to see that the author wanted to continue the Tradd Street series but using Nola and her own story to branch the series out. I loved Nola’s character in White’s other books and I am glad that she decided to give Nola a starring role in her own series. Nola has her own demons that she has had to face. She has a loving family and although paranormal things have been a huge part of her life, she has has her own beliefs and her own agenda. I don’t normally read books that are paranormal based, not that I don’t enjoy them, I just usually don’t seek them out. White’s books are phenomenal and mix the paranormal with real life and mystery that make it near impossible to stop reading. Her characters are well developed and have so much depth that it is impossible to not connect with them as a reader.

I am sincerely hoping that this series continues as long as the Tradd Street series has with seven books. I loved being introduced to city of New Orleans through White’s descriptive details. She really makes you feel like you are in the city and a part of it with using real places and details to make it come alive. If you are interested in this book, I highly recommend that you start with the Tradd Street series and continue through to this one. This book was another fantastic read from Karen White. It is my understanding that there is another book planned in this series and it can’t come soon enough for this reader. I highly recommend this book and all of Karen White’s books in the Tradd Street series.

Overall Rating: 5+ Stars
Author: Karen White

Series: Nola Trenholm #1

Publisher: Berkley

Publication Date: March 29, 2022

Pages: 384

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Get It: Amazon

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for my honest review. I reviewed this book without compensation of any kind. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.

A fun new spinoff from Karen White's Tradd Street series. Nola Trenholm is back in her namesake city, a little older and a little wiser. When she decides to put her degree in historic preservation to use restoring a rundown house in the Marigny, she gets a little more than she bargained for! With some familiar characters making an appearance, as well as some brand new ones- "The Shop on Royal Street" will be an easy recommendation for any Tradd Street fans. As always with Karen White, the novel transports you to her chosen location in the best possible way, lending atmosphere and detail that make the city really come to life.

Nola Trenholm is looking for a fresh start in New Orleans. Things are falling in place as she successfully purchases her first home. However, this historical home needs quite some work. Is Nola up to the task? Also the house has some previous residents still “inhabiting” the home. Nola is not capable to communicate with them and needs some help fast. Will she be able to manage all of this?

THE SHOP ON ROYAL STREET is the first book in the new “Royal Street” series by Karen White. Although it is a new series, some of the “Tradd Street” characters are carried over. If you enjoyed Karen White’s previous books, you likely won’t be disappointed here. I loved the setting in New Orleans and the creepy old house, this stuff is right up my alley. As always, Karen White spins an excellent mystery and keeps you guessing throughout the story. I am already looking forward to the next “Royal Street” book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

The Shop on Royal Street by Karen White is an enticing novel of mystery, suspense and a bit of the supernatural thrown in to make it quite interesting. Trying to bring back to life an old dilapidated antiquated New Orleans home that has seen years of inhabitants as well as a murder, Nola, Jolene, and Beau along with the spirits clash and rehash the restoration uncovering hidden secrets as they proceed. The story was very satisfying with delightful comical characters

New series, old feel. That's how I would describe The Shop on Royal Street to Karen White's Tradd Street readers. It's got historic homes, ghosts, mystery, devious characters, and a struggling main character. The last Tradd Street series book did a great job setting up this new series by introducing us to Nola Trenholm and Beau Ryan and their volatile relationship. 

In this book, Nola has purchased herself a haunted historic house in New Orleans. In order to get it into shape, she has to hire Beau to help out. It's the last thing she wants to do, but necessary if she ever wants to be able to live in it. The ghosts make the rehab interesting, and Nola feels the need to help them by solving the mystery around them -- a mystery that involves Beau's family. 

I had so much fun reading this book. I was really into the mystery and finding out what had happened alongside Nola. I loved getting to know Nola better after seeing her grow up in Tradd Street. Nola's problems were very different from Melanie's, but she had taken on some of Melanie's more interesting quirks to deal with life. That could have been weird, but it felt natural, and I loved how she recognized it herself. It was also great to get Nola's POV when it came to her family, especially Melanie. It just added some extra fun seeing everything through her adult eyes.

Nola wasn't alone in this story. She had several friends to help her along the way. There was Beau, of course. His part in this story was perfect. I loved Nola's reactions to him. I kind of wished I had his POV at times because he was such an interesting guy. There was also Jolene. She was Nola's friend and roommate. I loved her spunk and Southern hospitality. I am looking forward to seeing how things work out for Jolene throughout this series and her friend Jaxson as well. Oh, and I can't forget Thibeau and Jorge. Those two made me smile. I hope they bigger parts in the future. 

I only had one issue with this book. I almost didn't give it a full 5 stars because of how quickly one of Nola's problems was resolved. I thought it would take more to get through it. Maybe it will and that's part of the second book since it will be something she deals with her entire life? I guess I'll find out in the next book. There were several of unresolved threads that I'm excited to read about in that next book. I'm hoping it comes sooner than later because the cliffhanger left me needing more information! 

I have to give Karen White a round of applause for making the Royal Street series start off in the best way. It could have felt redundant and a copy of the Tradd Street series, but it came off feelings fresh and new.

I am new to Karen White's books, but do plan to read more now that I have read this first one in the Royal Street series. Nola Trenholm has grown up from her South Carolina Tradd Street home, out on her own, feeling like she has a handle on her life, finally. A recovering alcoholic, she arranges to buy a historic house in New Orleans. The house is one step from falling down, demolition, and Nola is determined to bring it back to its glory. The house and its ghostly inhabitants may have other ideas. She teams up with Beau and they set about to restore the house. Nola is sharing an apartment with her old college roommate, Jolene, and they share adventures.

The groundwork has been laid for an ongoing series and Karen White fans will be excited to read this book.

When the Tradd St series ended, I feared I would be disappointed in the new series with Nola in NOLA. I loved this new series with Nola and Beau ! Nola, after a rocky few years, moves to NOLA and buys an old, of course haunted, house from none other than her nemesis Beau. Sparks fly between the two as they try and figure out how to send the spirits to rest as well as shed light on an old family mystery. Melanie also makes a brief appearance as does the princess phone with a line to the other side. Perfect antidote to busy holidays!

I was very excited to read this first book that is a spin-off of the Tradd Street series. It is all I hoped for and more! Nola is grownup, working as a historic preservationist, living in New Orleans where she reconnects with college roommate Jolene, and of course Beau. She’s just bought an old home in bad shape from Beau and his grandma Mimi, although they didn’t want to sell it to her, partly because of course it’s haunted.
LOVED everything about this book, the grownup Nola, the new characters introduced, especially Jolene, and the pull Nola and Beau always seem to have with each other. Great storyline in this book that also sets us up for future storylines which I can not wait to read. I’m hoping this is the start of a long series with many books in it.
So great plot, wonderful getting to know this adult Nola whom we already know but really don’t, great and exciting new characters, great romance.. More than 5 stars for me. Karen White, I hope you’re a,ready writing the second book. Can’t wait.

White (finally) leaves her Tradd Street series behind to move on to New Orleans, with Melanie Trenholm’s stepdaughter, Lola stepping up as the protagonist in a new series. Nola buys an old home that not only has plenty of restoration needs, but also a resident spirit or two. Unable to communicate with the dead like her stepmother, Lola relies on Beau Ryan to help her sort out her haunting. But Beau comes with baggage of his own; a mother, father and sister who disappeared during Katrina and a link to the murder of the woman who used to own Lola’s house. Lola is very immature and can be annoying at times, but she has none of Melanie’s simpering sweetness (thank goodness). Hopefully, Lola will continue to grow in future installments of this series

I love all Karen White's books. The Charleston settings are my favorite, but this one set in New Orleans was great. Nola is of course the same as she has always been and still needs to grow up some.