Slight spoiler ahead in the relationship area** The story ended without Hulda ever speaking her feelings where Merritt is concerned. The blend of magic, mystery and romance was better than I could've hoped for, and I can't wait for the next book in the Whimbrel House series. The ending left me happy, but also a little bereft thinking I would have to say goodbye to everyone at Whimbrel House. This is Charlie at her best—intriguing mystery, creative magic systems, with plenty of romance to keep me turning the pages.

Nearly took a star off for the lack-of-communication/misunderstanding between main characters which is a romance format that always irritates me. I like how the author explains the MCs' origins gradually throughout the plot rather than all at once at the start of the book. The plot moves along well and the characters grow and develop (growing on the reader as well) as the plot progresses. I didn't know what I was getting into when I started this book - a historical romance with magic and ghosts?

her ideas are still stellar - she really is brilliant - but the execution just isn't nearly as substantial.

I’m bummed bc when I started learning about the magic, I figured I could forgive the non-historical aspects, even tho they were grating. As each character is introduced and began to acclimate into this found family of sorts, I began to deeply care for each of them. Imagine 19 century in a Magical world, the people who have magic in their blood from their parents or rarely accidentally have it, born with a spell and protecting the MAGIC, caring and operating ENCHANTED buildings. If I had read this at some other time of the year, I am sure I would have binge-read it from start to end. Amanda Leigh Cobb brings in Hulda, an employee from the Boston Institute of Keepers of Enchanted Rooms, who seems to be a stern young woman, at first.

A trio of narrators makes this lighthearted historical fantasy with touches of mystery and romance a delight. This story is listed as Historical Fantasy and as much as I like Historical novels, Fantasy doesn't always work for me. This was the perfect story to wrap up the spooky season, and I especially loved the audiobook narration as well. The story of a haunted home, the guy who unintentionally inherits it, and the lady who helps tame it is told in this gorgeous, entertaining tale.