This is the first book I've read by this author, and I can't recommend it highly enough. I ached for the event that turned a frightened boy into a villain, laughed at the acronym BIKER, and enjoyed reading about the enchanted house that could turn a staircase into a slide without warning. There is a nice slow burn romance.

Many of the book's chapters are dated and switch between the past and the present, and between characters. This is a world where some people have varying amounts of magic and different types of magic. The amount and type of magic determines occupation and has bearing on marriage choices as well, as magical families desire to keep and increase the potency of their magical types and add new strains as well. There is a description of magic types at the front of the book.

The book's prologue is dated 1818, and describes something terrible that happened to Silas, a key character, something that gave him an overpowering desire to be safe. Then the book skips forward to 1846, when a non-magical writer inherits a house from a distant relative he didn't know existed. This was very convenient for him, since he needed a place to live and was in the middle of writing his current book. When he visits the house, however, he isn't sure he will survive the experience. Fortunately for him, an agent from BIKER shows up who helps to tame the house's magic, and helps to put his house in order. A woman he finds attractive ....

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher 47 North via NetGalley. It was a pleasure to voluntarily read and review this book.

A heartwarming magical tale! Keeper of Enchanted Rooms gave me some House in the Cerulean Sea vibes. Lots of elements of magic, but a strong focus on the characters and their development as well. It was like a cozy romance? I'm not sure if that's a real genre, but it was a quick, easy read with a slow-burn romantic thread. Like a Hallmark movie, no steamy scenes, but a nice 19th century romantic buildup.

I liked the storyline of this book where a young writer, Merritt Fernsby inherits a magically inhabited house. With he help of Mrs. Hulda Larkin (but not really a Mrs. which kind of confused me and I kept imagining her as an old lady vs. a 30-something young lady). they learn the magical traits of the house and try to figure out who is inhabiting the house. It was cute, and various threads of the storyline kept me interested and intrigued. I found the middle to be a bit slow, but the ending was so exciting and fast paced. Cute cozy romance read!

This was such a beautiful, warm and cozy story, perfect for long autumn and winter evenings. An ultimate comfort read that follows a lonely author who has recently inherited a magical house. But the house is acting up, so he needs help from a trained professional Hulda Larkin to tame the estate and put some order to it.

I've been enjoying this story so much. It was well written and whimsical, just the kind of book to curl up with when you need some comfort. But I also loved that the book had its darker and more exciting moments that made everything more interesting and made me turn those pages faster.

This book ended up on my list of favorite books I’ve read in 2022, and it's near the very top of that list. The moment I read what it was about I knew I was going to love it, but I didn't think I’d enjoy it quite this much.

If you want to see my much more in depth review, you can check it out on my book blog NovelOnMyMind.

Thank you to 47North and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't like it, but also didn't not like it. I also had to dnf it because I got into a bad slump. But yeah, not too good but not too bad either

At the beginning of the story, we meet Merritt Fernsby, a writer in his thirties, just as he learns his maternal grandmother has left him a house on a remote location in Rhode Island. Whimbrel House is no ordinary house; books get hurled from one bookcase on the library to the other, freshly dead rats make an appearance, walls move, the stairs change configuration, and the house would not let him leave. Luckily for Merritt, the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms (BIKERS) knows of the existence of the house and has sent help in the form of temporary housekeeper Hulda Larkin, an expert in diagnosing and “taming” enchanted houses and discovering the sources of their magic. Together, along with Merritt, cook Baptiste, and maid Beth, they become close as they embark on a journey to understand the house. However, a malignant presence lurks on the island; someone who covets the power that the house’s magic can provide. This presence will stop at nothing to harness every bit of magic from every available source to satisfy his ambitions. As Merritt and Hulda face their past struggles and their nascent feelings for each other, they must fight for their lives and the lives of those who have become family.

This is a cozy, enjoyable fantasy romance. The magical world created by the author is interesting without being complicated. There is a list of magical abilities at the beginning of the book that is extremely useful in explaining essential elements of the plot. The plot is, in turn, well-paced and the ending neatly wraps up the story. The main characters are relatable, and have had their share of disappointment and loneliness, which they deal with in a different fashion: Merritt succumbs to self-pity, while Hulda strives to move on, and in that sense, they complement each other. I especially enjoyed Hulda’s character. She is strong, independent, capable, and hopeful. Then, there is Owein, who is impossible to dislike and provides the anchor that Merritt needs to finally have this place be the home he longs for. There is also a theme of conflicting father-son relationships.

Overall, a delightful story that is sure to attract fans of happy endings, cozy mysteries, subtle romance, found-family tropes, historical fiction, and magical themes, with strong female characters.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free digital copy to review this book.

PERFEFTLY WHIMSICAL AND MAGICAL 💚

I devoured this book in one sitting - and while I wish I could have taken the time to enjoy it even more, nothing can take away the enjoyment I had with this story.

💚 What I Loved 💚

Magic: I read a lot of fantasy, and one of my favourite things about the genre is the versatility. Holmberg clearly demonstrated that in this book. Her magical world is unlike anything I've read before. And on top of that, it's also very well described and fleshed out. It's an entire magical system but you never feel like you're drowning in too much information or left floundering by too little. It's just right.

Romance: While the romance was not the center of the story, it was still something that stuck out to me and made this even more special. Perhaps exactly because it wasn't at the center of the plot. It was a delicious subplot. Well-executed and slow burning, just as I like it.

Characters: Hulda and Merrit, our two MCs, are easy to fall in love with. Hulda is exceptional - she's professional, curt and not easily flustered. Perhaps you could say that Merrit was the opposite. He is thrown head first into an entirely new situation and doesn't necessarily cope all too well. But his attempts are endearing and entertaining. Together they make quite the pair.

Writing: One of the very first things that caught my attention was the writing. It just had just a nice flow. I even had to stop once or twice to reread a section in order to fully appreciate the flow. This is definitely not my last Holmberg novel.

This book was amazing! It had everything mystery, romance, magic and all set in a Victorian time setting. I could not put this book down and when I did I went to find book 2 immediately.
I just reviewed Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg. #KeeperofEnchantedRooms #NetGalley
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After several years of being excommunicated from his family, Merritt was surprised to inherit a house upon his grandmother's passing. Not one to say no to a free house and island, Merritt moves in and quickly realizes that the house in haunted. The furniture melts, he's unable to escape, and the house tries to eat him and his belongings. Luckily, the local magic society sends a professional to assist. Hulda has plenty of experience working with dangerous enchanted houses. With her bag full of useful magical tools, Hulda is ready to confront and maybe even befriend the magic haunting Merritt's new home.

This was an enjoyable comfort read. Set in an alternate 19th century US with the social mannerisms of the time, and with a nice amount of magic.

While Merritt considered selling off the house or exorcizing it of its magic, Hulda did her job of finding the source of the magic and trying to tame it with her crowbar and magical items. They also slowly worked their way into a relationship.

While the plot and characters and all that was really good, it was spoiled somewhat by the slow pacing, especially in the middle of the story, after they solved the house's mysteries, but before the evil magic-stealing necromancer took the spotlight. I like slow burn relationships, but only when there is a burn. Merritt and Hulda just wasted all their time on telling themselves they were ugly, old, and unwanted. It was hard to enjoy a relationship that kept stalling and lacked steam.

Other than the pacing issues, this was a great book. Between the mystery of the enchanted house, the horrific villain, and the characters, there's a nice mix of different plots and subplots to keep many readers engaged.

Do you have a favourite underrated series of books? For me, it’s The Paper Magician trilogy from Charlie N Holmberg.

I devoured the series after first reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, and despite their obvious differences in popularity, I found many parallels between the books.

Each story is delicately crafted to highlight the beauty and danger of their respective magical worlds, through vivid descriptions and achingly relatable tales of forbidden love.

And in my humble opinion, “Keeper of Enchanted Rooms” is Holmberg’s first release since MasterMagician to recapture that magic.

Vividly described magic system?
Check. This time in the form of a mischievous #enchanted home, inherited by struggling novelist Merritt Ferndby.

Forbidden Love?
Check. After all, it would be highly inappropriate for Hulda Larkin to fall for her brooding ward.

Danger?
Absolutely. Something sinister has arrived in Narraganset Bay.

This book was an absolute delight from cover to cover, and hopefully marks a renaissance for the talented and woefully overlooked Charlie N Holmberg.

I just can’t wait for April for “Heir of Uncertain Magic.”

Although I do not like magical realism this book was excellent. I loved the premise, the world building and the characters. I'll start the next book soon.

Set in Rhode Island, 1846, this book tells the story of Merritt Fernsby, a writer who suddenly inherits Whimbrel House from estranged family. However, when he got there, he found out that the house was 'haunted' and even trapped him inside. Then came Hulda Larkin from the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms (BIKER) who claimed that she was an enchanted house’s professional tamer, and it was her duty to preserve the house because magic and also enchanted houses in this world were rarely to find.

Generally speaking, this book has an interesting premise, lovable characters, and fascinating magic systems. Yet, it actually goes very slow until at least 50%. The events go very slow that it feels like I’m reading a daily journal. In some points, it feels dragging, but it was enjoyable enough. Maybe it just the way to take depths for the story and characters because I ended up engrossed and rooting for each character.

Done with the weak points, let’s talk about what I like the most.
— The floor plan right up at the beginning of the book. It helps me visualize the house’s interior well.
— The magic systems. It has many doctrines of magic, and each doctrine described in detail: spells included, repercussion, and even the associated minerals.
— Lovable characters (even though it takes time to grow fond with them). Merritt and Hulda with their playful interactions and their traumatic background stories. Beth Taylor, the maid, for being such an empathetic friend for Hulda in Whimbrel House. The stoic and expressionless cook, Baptiste Babineaux, the one who always the fastest to react—in a protective manner—if anything happens in the house, and also seems very much in guard role. And last, Owein, the wizard spirit in the house. He’s adorable, playful, and I always enjoy how he interacts with the house members in his mirthful way.

Additional thoughts: I actually changed my mind about the romance dynamics. I can’t understand Hulda at first, she seems so good at keeping her thoughts and her feelings well. Like she already got a strong grounding about not being in love at first. However, it appears that she’s actually the one who fell first. Though with the slow burn process, I can finally understand both Hulda and Merritt well, and I’m so happy with how things turn out in the end. I also love Merritt’s way to tell his confession.

Definitely will continue to read the sequel after this, as I see the book two has already available on netgalley!

Magic, slow burn romance, mystery, murder, and just general wonderful coziness? Yes, yes and yes! This book took me by surprise, I would compare it to TJ Klune's adult fantasy work, but with a murder mystery tied in. Can't wait to read the next! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute magical realism book. I really enjoyed reading in and loved the main characters.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

Very funny magical story of an ill-tempered house, a down on his luck writer who initially thinks inheriting it is a good thing, and an experienced Keeper of Enchanted Rooms who is finding this particular house a little tougher than planned. A fun offering from Holmberg.

A lovely little book with an interesting magic system, an enchanted house, likeable leads, a terrible villain and a story that bobs along that could very we start with "once upon a time in a land far away (but not too far bc an enchanted boat could get you to Boston but it's still a far away land).

An enjoyable read, perfect for a cosy Saturday afternoon with some tea and blanket.

I really loved the settings, the plot, the house, the magic system. It was part mystery, part magical realism, part romance. I could see the settings in my head. I wanna move to a magical house who will change the houses layout if you want or even don't want.

My only real critique would be I wish it didn't have this kind of murderous wizard plotline, I would have been much happier with just the characters solving the mystery of the haunted house because the plot elements got all jumbled up a bit.

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms if I could give it six stars I would. It starts out reminding me of Ghosts UK and Ghosts US the TV show. Merritt aka Mr. Fernsby gets a letter inheriting a house that is out in the middle of nowhere and the claim is it's haunted. He is a bit confused but happy because it's free property and it's a house. He is a writer. Hulda who works for BIKER they are a perserver of enchanted houses go to care for the house. It's like a Housekeeper for enchanted houses but they need to know the problem first. Since it's old, unusual and no one has lived in it in years.

Mr. Fernsby isn't quite aware of the degree of the unusual situation at first in this sphere of a realm witch/wizard bloodlines are rare. Genologically and its a little unusual to have someone just walk right into your life especially if your mortal and have no clue what it is. The true claim is it's a haunted house no doubt but there's more to this house. It has feelings and there are some mysterious circumstances behind it.

I highly reccommend this book after a little while I just couldn't put it down. This ARC was given to me by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Charming and fantastical. This is a good fall/comfort read with some dark elements although it was slow in some parts. I really like that this is set in the 1800s… I’m not sure if it’s super believable, but I still like it. Interestingly, I’ve never had this happen before, but my favorite character was an enchanted house 😂.

A special thanks to Netgalley, 47North and Charlie N. Holmberg for this ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review. I got to this one late and Keeper of Enchanted Rooms was already released November 1, 2022.

All in all, this was a cute read! The premise was intriguing and fun, the characters were enjoyable, and I loved the ambiance of it all. There were moments where it dragged—hence the star detraction—but as a whole, this was enjoyable!

This was a wild ride of a book. In some ways I felt it could have been shorter as there was definitely some rambling in parts. But it all worked out in the end and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Lots of new thoughts on magic and a bit of twisted history as well.