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gi_reads30's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
Although I didn't like it as much as the first book of this series, it still managed to keep me entertained and looking forward to the next one. I loved the found family aspect of this book, and whole series this far to be honest. I also loved the little bit of romance that continued in this story. I just found that around the 50-60% things got a little "messy". A lot of things were going on that I was a bit confused. Still, like I said, I want to continue with the series.!
Cozy, lighthearted read!
Cozy, lighthearted read!
amieib's review against another edition
5.0
I really have been taken aback by how much I've enjoyed these books. I enjoyed this far more than the first because it obviously skipped the necessary world-building that the first needed to establish Whimbrel House and the history behind how it came to be.
Best Parts:
1. Owein - I really enjoyed reading from Owein's perspective. Owein even as a house had a presence that felt entirely human so it was a joy to follow his journey as a dog. He felt like a proper character and it added to the overall magic and whimsy of the story.
2. Merritt - Reading Merritt tackle his trauma whilst attempting to uphold his happy mask felt very real. He is such a good man who has been dealt such unfair circumstances and yet he held onto his innate goodness and never once uses it as an excuse to do horrible things. A hero after my own heart.
3. Hulda and Merritt's relationship - Even though Hulda has at times irritated me with how deeply insecure she is romantically, I have really enjoyed the trajectory of their relationship. It's innocent, warm and it actually feels mutually beneficial for both of them. I also love that despite the time period, Merritt respects how much pride Hulda takes in being a career woman. At no point has he ever suggested she leave her job and it's something I deeply admire. She in equal measure has never really considered leaving a job she clearly loves and it's refreshing to see her hold on to the Hulda before Merritt. The thing I most admire about Hulda is her competence and pride in that trait. That director position was wholly deserved. They both have established personalities outside their relationship and genuinely feel like two whole people coming together. Their relationship feels very realistic in a way that is not easy for even romance books based in the real world to achieve.
4. Representation - For those who don't know, Fletcher (Merritt's best friend) is black and so is Beth. I love that the time period did not stop Charlie from including these characters and they actually add so much to the stories. They didn't feel like background characters added just because. They were integral to the lives they touched. She could have easily gotten away with not including them and instead chose to. There was a little sentence from Beth that was so on point that subtly touched on casual racism that indicates that the author certainly is not blind to the plights of black people that I loved. Overall, nothing felt forced or careless and I loved it.
5. Found Family - The family that Merritt, Hulda, Beth, Baptiste and Owen have become just melts my heart. They are not the most traditional family but they are a family nevertheless. Loyal and loving in several unique ways I also loved the little appearances from Hulda's sister.
Overall, the conflict was super fun. It was engaging and felt like a mystery. I enjoyed the twists and I enjoyed the quieter moments interspersed between. It was pure joy to be invited back into this cozy and mysterious world Charlie has created and I am looking forward to continuing because there is so much joy I have derived from them.
Best Parts:
1. Owein - I really enjoyed reading from Owein's perspective. Owein even as a house had a presence that felt entirely human so it was a joy to follow his journey as a dog. He felt like a proper character and it added to the overall magic and whimsy of the story.
2. Merritt - Reading Merritt tackle his trauma whilst attempting to uphold his happy mask felt very real. He is such a good man who has been dealt such unfair circumstances and yet he held onto his innate goodness and never once uses it as an excuse to do horrible things. A hero after my own heart.
3. Hulda and Merritt's relationship - Even though Hulda has at times irritated me with how deeply insecure she is romantically, I have really enjoyed the trajectory of their relationship. It's innocent, warm and it actually feels mutually beneficial for both of them. I also love that despite the time period, Merritt respects how much pride Hulda takes in being a career woman. At no point has he ever suggested she leave her job and it's something I deeply admire. She in equal measure has never really considered leaving a job she clearly loves and it's refreshing to see her hold on to the Hulda before Merritt. The thing I most admire about Hulda is her competence and pride in that trait. That director position was wholly deserved. They both have established personalities outside their relationship and genuinely feel like two whole people coming together. Their relationship feels very realistic in a way that is not easy for even romance books based in the real world to achieve.
4. Representation - For those who don't know, Fletcher (Merritt's best friend) is black and so is Beth. I love that the time period did not stop Charlie from including these characters and they actually add so much to the stories. They didn't feel like background characters added just because. They were integral to the lives they touched. She could have easily gotten away with not including them and instead chose to. There was a little sentence from Beth that was so on point that subtly touched on casual racism that indicates that the author certainly is not blind to the plights of black people that I loved. Overall, nothing felt forced or careless and I loved it.
5. Found Family - The family that Merritt, Hulda, Beth, Baptiste and Owen have become just melts my heart. They are not the most traditional family but they are a family nevertheless. Loyal and loving in several unique ways I also loved the little appearances from Hulda's sister.
Overall, the conflict was super fun. It was engaging and felt like a mystery. I enjoyed the twists and I enjoyed the quieter moments interspersed between. It was pure joy to be invited back into this cozy and mysterious world Charlie has created and I am looking forward to continuing because there is so much joy I have derived from them.
chanelchapters's review against another edition
2.0
This was incredibly boring
There’s slow burn and then there’s GLACIAL - brrr the romance is cold in here
The only thing I liked about this book was Merrit, the house keeper and cook
There’s slow burn and then there’s GLACIAL - brrr the romance is cold in here
The only thing I liked about this book was Merrit, the house keeper and cook
avalete's review against another edition
4.0
Not quite as good as the first one, but it did pick up around the halfway point. Merritt and Hulda are so cute together I had to finish for them. The last line of the book also had me in stitches when I read it, so I have to see the series through to the end.
atobin7's review against another edition
Soooooooo boring. I simply don’t care about any of the characters
shipjess's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ataylo44's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
charlotter191's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
tangleroot_eli's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Sexism, Abandonment, and Confinement
Minor: Gun violence, Police brutality, and Death of parent
Graphic: Mind control