I struggled with this. Everything I loved about book 1 was missing. I still wanted cozy and cute, and this wasn't. I wanted the banter and the romance from book one, and this doesn't have it. They seem so awkward around each other. I think the enjoyment will depend on what you liked from book 1.

I always get nervous reading sequels but I really enjoyed this!

Merritt had some great character development throughout this book and I think there was a real redemption arc there. A little slow at the beginning, but great pacing overall after like 15%. The world building continues in this book and the whimsy is entertaining. There is some humor sprinkled in, which balances the serious nature of the overall story well.

I didn’t love that the beginning of the book spent more time than I felt necessary re-establishing ideas laid out in the first book. The antagonist also didn’t feel the strongest to me, but those really were my only complaints! Overall solid.

These books are so cozy and romantic. I hope Charlie Holmberg will continue writing in this world! If they do, I will definitely be picking them up.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for granting me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I simply love this magical little series--full of wizardry, secrets and mysteries, and a whole lotta heart--it's a cozy escape to a fantasy world I adore.

I need to stop picking up books in the middle of the series and only realize midway through the book lol

But even without previous context from the first book in the series, this was such a delight to read! The character development is exceptional (I loved seeing Merritt’s character getting more fleshed out as he grows as a person). The beginning was a little slow, but I liked it because it gave me a chance to get into the story without throwing so much at me (especially since I hadn't read the first book). Will definitely check out the rest of the series!

I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, was not able to get into it.. was so disappointed.. would still recommend to others that may have read the first book.

I really enjoyed Keeper of Enchanted Rooms and excitedly picked up its sequel, Heir of Uncertain Magic, soon after finishing it.

Charlie Holmberg's writing style never fails to delight me. I love her books so much.

This series is a cozy historical fantasy with some romance and some mystery. It's the perfect combination of genres, and Charlie writes them all so well together. I particularly love that her romances are always slow-burn and always clean; I really appreciate that.

Heir of Uncertain Magic was a good follow-up to the first book in the Whimbrel House series. This book introduced multiple POVs, including one perspective from a dog, which was really fun to read. I also loved seeing the progression of Hulda and Merritt, both as individuals and as a couple. They are both really delightful.

I am having the best time reading this series and I can't wait to continue on with Boy of Chaotic Making soon!

The second installment in the Whimbrel House series serves as a charming follow-up to its predecessor, albeit with a plot that might require some initial patience. The characters, who were so vividly introduced in 'Keeper of Enchanted Rooms', are the highlight here, drawing readers back into their world with their irresistible charm. The setting exudes a cozy ambiance that envelops the reader. It should not be read as a standalone.

This novel is an ideal companion for a quiet retreat - a book to be savored with a warm cup of tea, offering a temporary escape from reality. Its distinctiveness from my usual reading choices adds to its appeal, making it feel like a refreshing interlude.

The Whimbrel House series stands out for its uniqueness and spectacular concept. It's a captivating and heartwarming journey filled with charming characters. I thoroughly adored this book and could not recommend it highly enough.

Thank you NetGalley, Publishers, and Charlie N. Holmberg for gifting me a copy of Heir of Uncertain Magic in return for my honest review.

3/5 stars

One man is on a journey to unravel his magical lineage in the next novel of the Whimbrel House series.

Thanks to house tamer Hulda Larkin, the mischief infesting Whimbrel House has calmed. But if Hulda’s job is done, what does that mean for Merritt Fernsby, inheritor of the remote Narragansett Bay estate, who’s only now coming to terms with his enchanted place in the world?

I did not enjoy this one as much as the first Whimrel House Book. This one felt rushed and I felt like there were some major plot holes that were missed. I'm assuming there is going to be another book, but still, I'm left with way too many questions.

I also couldn't get over how immature and gullible/oblivious Hulda and Merritt were. There were parts of the book where they were talking about or knew that something shady/not right is going on but they just carried on like nothing was happening. I wanted to reach into the book and shake them.

While it wasn't as good as the first it also wasn't bad. There were just parts that needed a little more TLC. I would recommend but with some warning.

Heir of Uncertain Magic has the perfect combination of magic, romance and mystery. Merritt is testing out his newly discovered powers while quickly falling in love with his house's tamer, Hulda. But they're both concerned with what happened to Hulda's friend and former employer. Did she run away or did someone make her disappear? This was a great follow up to The Keeper of Enchanted Rooms and I can't wait to get my hands on book #3!

Thank you Net Galley for the e-ARC!

I loved the first book in the series, "Keeper of Enchanted Rooms" and was excited to read this one. I recommend reading the books in order.

Whimbrel House is tamed, thanks to Hulda Larkin from BIKER (Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms), and the young boy who was trapped in the house is now free and mostly prefers to be a dog.

Merritt, however, has a whole new problem. He now has something worse than the worst case of tinnitus ever: instead of hearing a ringing or a buzzing, he is hearing sounds from every living thing around him. Sounds not only from people and animals, but also insects and plants. Worse, it rarely stops, and he is unable to sleep.

Hulda has a big problem too. Her friend, who was also the head of BIKER, has gone away unexpectedly. No one at the agency has any idea of where or why she went. Hilda discovers a new employee, whom she doesn't trust, has joined the agency while she was away. When she discovers that he has applied for the head position, she also applies.

This book didn't keep me as engaged as the first book did, but in my opinion, it is because it is a bridge book, setting up events that will be resolved in book 3.

I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher 47 North via NetGalley and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

It's so nice coming back to these characters - they're so present and real. I really love this world that the author created

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Suffered a bit as a sequel I’m afraid. The story was just okay, and the pacing was too slow.

I was very excited for the follow up to The Keeper of Enchanted Rooms but unfortunately this sequel left me a little disappointed. The mystery in this book was not as compelling to me as in the first book and so the characters just spent most of the time thinking about things instead of taking action which was boring at times. Also, the whimsy that I loved in the first book of the magical house is also missing from this one. I don't know that you need to read this one as The Keeper of Enchanted Rooms had a satisfying conclusion and this doesn't do much to add to the story.

For my full thoughts check out my video on youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dol8sevMKkw&t=1070s

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for my honest review.*

I have such a love/hate thing for Holmberg. Each book in this series (two so far), wraps up fairly well, but always leaves you thinking there's an opening for another book, which you could easily see being filled with a million minor plot points that could have been expanded on. Absolute torture when you fall in love with the characters, as I sort of have.

The Whimbrel House - a once haunted estate in Rhode Island and inherited by Merritt Fernsby. In the previous book (Keeper of Enchanted Rooms), Fernsby acquired the help of an agent from BIKER (Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms), Hulda Larson.

Now, the home is no longer haunted the way it had been. In fact, the entity that had been the house is now inside the body of a dog. But there are new challenges ahead.

On the romance scene, Hulda and Merritt are clearly attracted to one another but neither knows how to address this attraction. Instead they dance around the issue, not sure if the other feels the same way and not sure how to move forward.

Hulda has other problems to deal with. BIKER is being investigated by LIKER (the London equivalent and home office). It seems that Hulda's boss, Myra, may not be operating entirely within the law, so change may be in store for BIKER. But the LIKER boss doesn't seem to like anyone, especially Hulda. And what's Merritt going to do, anyway?!

I'm generally a fan of Charlie N. Holmberg's work and I really thought she was on to something with the first book in this Whimbrel House series so I jumped into this second book quite eager to continue the enjoyment. But this book definitely doesn't have the 'zing' that I found in the first book.

In the first book, we had a fantastic character in the haunted house. Once that was resolved we really lost a major player. Yes, that character is now a dog and there are more than a few amusing moments with him, it really doesn't have the same bite.

The romance between Hulda and Merritt was a slow building fire kept somewhat at bay by the constant need to battle the demon haunting the house. The romance wasn't the center point but something nice to round out the characters as being 'real.' Here the romance, or lack of romance, is the purpose for the story. And yet ... there is no romance!

Merritt was never a particularly strong character to begin with, but Hulda was a really great character. Strong, confident, and with a mysterious assortment of magic up her sleeve. Here though she's tentative and dumbstruck.

The story surround LIKER investigating BIKER also feels a bit hollow. We just never got enough of BIKER to begin with, other than Hulda, and so we weren't really set up to have a buy-in on the looking trouble.

Too much of this book doesn't work. Holmberg is still one of my favorite fantasy authors, but this book is a let-down.

Looking for a good book? There is nothing 'uncertain' about the magic in Charlie N. Homberg's book, Heir of Uncertain Magic ... it's missing.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

A fun magical sequel though pacing is much slower than the first novel. Would highly recommend⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

In Heir of Uncertain Magic, Charlie Holmberg once again creates a world of magic, love, enchantment and awe inspiring imagination that grabs your attention from the first page. The lovable characters is this book are so fun to follow along as they go deeper with their journeys together. This book follows another book in this series and I would suggest anyone read them in order to keep from having extra confusion when started Heir of Uncertain Magic.

I loved this book! It was a really fun read! overall recommended

thank u for NetGalley for the eARC.

Great sequel!!

The narration for this was well done and I love that it picked up right where Book 1 left off. This one did feel a little slower but it was still a great story! I'm excited to read more in the future!