
Member Reviews

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, however I have purchased an ebook and audio version since publication. As always all opinions are my own.
This was a really fun cozy fantasy. It is set in the late 1800's in New England, were some have magic while other's do not. Merritt is a successful author working on his next book when he is surprised to find he has inherited an estate in Rhode Island. It is a surprise because he has been estranged from his family for several years. The home he has inherited has been empty for quite sometime but upon arrival it is in pristine condition. Merritt would be happy to call it home until the house decides to take his things and not let him leave. Enter Hulda Larkin, a professional housekeeper from the Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms. She is well trained to deal with homes like Whimbrel House, and has been sent to aid Merritt in determining how to tame his new abode and make them learn to live in harmony. Together they discover the source of the home's magic and learn it's quirks.
While learning what Whimbrel House is all about, there is a more sinister force lurking outside of the house that wants to take the spells and powers of the magic users. Hulda has had a run in with this man before but he is supposed to be either dead or in prison. As she and Merritt research the house and it's past inhabitants to sort out all of it's intricacies it becomes apparent that there is more going on than they first suspected. Not only must they protect the house, but themselves from the madman that wants to siphon all the magic that lives on the island.
I really loved this! This crosses several genres while remaining cozy at the same time. It has a bit of a fantasy mystery vibe with a sweet romance in a historical setting. It was really fun and I enjoyed the antics the house played while getting ot know all of the characters. The side characters were a nice addition to the storyline as well as the main characters. I mainly listened to the audiobook and it was nice to have multiple narrators for Hulda, Merritt, and Silas so you know which person and which part of the story you were in. This is a series I'll be continuing on with in the near future for sure.

I tried three different times with this one before finally deciding I couldn't do it. I have friends who love it but cozy fantasy really just isn't for me. I needed more stakes and tension and this one was far too cozy and warm.

This was a cosy fantasy read with an intriguing premise. I enjoyed it for the most part, even though I'm not a fan of romance, which plays a significant role in the story. The author skillfully uses magic to explore its divisions, subtypes, weaknesses arising from its use, and much more. Really impressed by her creativity.
However, I was disappointed that the villain's character wasn't utilized to its full potential. Hogwood started as a compelling dark wizard with a lot of internal conflict, but his storyline lost momentum towards the end and lacked a fitting resolution.
Overall, it was an enjoyable experience and I will be continuing with the series.
Thanks to 47North and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
4/5🌟.

In this captivating fantasy romance, the author weaves a beautifully intricate world filled with magic, adventure, and an undeniable chemistry between the protagonists. From the very first page, readers are drawn into a richly imagined landscape where the stakes are high, and love transcends boundaries.
The characters are delightfully complex, each facing their own trials and transformations. Their journey is not just about romance; it’s about self-discovery and the courage to embrace one’s true self. The chemistry between them crackles with tension, making every shared moment feel electric and deeply meaningful.
The plot is expertly crafted, balancing moments of heart-pounding action with tender, intimate scenes that linger long after the book is closed. The author’s lyrical prose brings the settings to life, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and danger of this enchanting world.
Overall, this book is a delightful escape that deftly combines elements of fantasy and romance. It’s a testament to the power of love and the strength found in vulnerability. Perfect for fans of the genre, it’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a magical journey of the heart!

How cool to inherit a magic house! Timing is perfect for him to leave his apartment and move to the house. But the house has a mind of it's own. It won't let him even step outside. Hulda shows up to help him navigate living in a special house. Such a fun book to read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free digital copy of this book. This book has been published for a while now, so I will not be posting a review on Netgalley.

This was definitely a sweet fun fast paced fantasy read. I liked the rooms and the magic, the characters were easy to play along with. I highly recommend this series!

A sweet, cozy fantasy romance. I appreciated the world building, mystery development, and characterizations of our cast. I look forward to future books in this series.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book! I will be posting my review on social media, to include Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram!

“Aren’t you lonely?”
Unexpected treasure. As someone who grew up near the Narragansett Bay, the setting of Whimbrel House was lovely. Highly recommend.
Thanks, NetGalley.

I’ve always been a big fan of Holmberg’s. Not only is she a local author, but she is so adept at weaving together historical settings with elements of fantasy.
And this by far is my favorite of her stories. A mysterious inheritance of a haunted house. A killer able to steal spells out of any magician. Merritt & Hilda find themselves trapped between these two stories.
It’s a bit slow in the very beginning, and it took me a little while before I got used to the uneven split timelines, but the way the timelines eventually connected was amazing and kept me engrossed.
And I always love Holmberg’s historical settings! They feel so real & grounded. The characters feel in tune with the setting as well, instead of some historical books where the characters feel like modern people dropped into history. And her magic systems are so creative! The idea that everyone capable of magic is born with specific spells within them was so interesting. I immediately wanted to know more.
This is also her first romance that I really rooted for! The relationship grew slowly and naturally, and I adored watching it.
Thank you to both NetGalley and 47North for this advance reader’s copy.

I wanna thank Netgalley for providing me an arc of Keeper of Enchanted Rooms. However, throughout 30% it felt flat to me, the magic system was good.

I really wanted to love this one and was so excited for it.. it’s endearing and it’s a pretty enjoyable experience if the cozy fantasy genre peaks your interest. The magic system is quite compelling and fairly easy to follow after the initial shock with the list of spells at the beginning of the book. I was really intrigued by the magic house’s antics which quite fun and all the characters’ reactions to it. However, will have to give it 3 stars. Would still recommend.

"Keeper of Enchanted Rooms" is a cozy and sweet read that’ll keep you on your toes. You will fall in love with the characters and the magic swirling on the page. I did find the middle to be a little slow at points, but I am happy I stuck it out and made it to the surprising ending.

I am so late ready this book, but I appreciate NetGalley and the Author Charlie N Holmberg non the less.
It took me quite awhile to get into it, and I’ll admit that’s because the time setting and my attention span just didn’t line up.
By the end it was cute and cozy, so I would read this author again for sure.

I really enjoyed this book. Charlie's books never fail to impress me.
Keeper of Enchanted Rooms is a historical cozy fantasy with some mystery and some romance. I love the combination of all of those genres together, and it works really well in this book.
I love that there are twelve different kinds of magic in this world. There is a handy guide at the beginning describing them all, but I thought it was super neat because most fantasy stories only have one or two kinds of magic.
Hulda and Merritt were both wonderfully stubborn characters whose interactions I really enjoyed. I loved their slow-burn clean romance. Charlie does slow-burn clean romance so well.
I am super excited to finish this series and see where the story takes me. I know I am going to fall more in love with these characters and this world.

I absolutely loved this novel.
Such a great story with defined characters and a great plot.
What drew me in the most was how fleshed out the characters were
The writing style was fluid and relateable.
The cover was fascinating as well.
A reviting read overall
Definitely recommend adding this to your TBR!

I’m rating this 3,5. This is not a breathtaking full-twists-and-turns story, but it’s endearing and an enjoyable experience if the cozy fantasy subgenre spikes your interest. The magic system is compelling and easy to follow after the initial shock with the list of spells at the beginning of the book. Hulda and Merritt are easy to like and the author develops their relationship at a comfortable pace (no such thing as dramatic star-crossed lovers or anything of the sort, which seems to be the usual with her books). I was really amused by the magic house’s antics and all the characters’ reactions to it.
Initially I was invested in the villain plot, but it felt like the author sidelined it too much to a point that when things finally came to a head I’d already lost interest in it, so the final act was a lot less thrilling. But all things considered, I liked the story and had a pleasant time reading it (not sure if I’ll continue the series, as I don’t think there’s enough material to warrant a full trilogy).
Many thanks to NetGalley and 47North for this edition in exchange for an honest review.

Oh man. I really wanted to love this one. The reviews were great, I typically love the author, and the synopsis was right up my alley. But it really fell short for me. The idea was there, but I just couldn’t get into it the way I wanted to. There were too many lulls and I wanted a lot more from the characters. I wanted more evil from Silas, I wanted more mischief from Owein, and more romance buildup between the main characters. All in all it was entertaining but I think it had the potential to be so much better. Thank you netgalley for my free review copy.

Charlie N. Holmberg has fully captured my imagination all over again. Such a beautifully written story, character development was amazing, and it was all round just a thoroughly enjoyable read.