No. 23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer - #bookreview #blogtour

 

Number 23 Burlington Square, Kensington. It had taken Mercy a while to find as she wasn't familiar with this part of London, and one grand Georgian terrace looked much like another. The green panelled door stood at the top of five wide stone steps, and she rapped loudly on the brass knocker, gripping her crocodile skin handbag tight.

The style of bag was dated, purchased many years ago by her mother, but it had great sentimental value to Mercy. She didn't have many nice things and no one had brought her gifts for so many years - but then all the people who had truly loved her were dead now...

***

London, 1927: One house. Three lives. A decision that will change everything. A powerful, unique timeslip story, perfect for fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, The Miniaturist, and Lucinda Riley.

On the morning of Friday 5th August, 1927, Miss Agnes Humphries – the landlady of the attractive, if-slightly-shabby, white-fronted townhouse at Number 23 Burlington Square – has a decision to make.

The rooms of the second floor lie empty, since poor Mr Blandford’s unfortunate demise, God rest his soul. And Agnes must make up her mind as to who will be her new lodger… Will it be her spirited, young niece Clara, who drifts through the glamorous world of London’s Bright Young Things? Or Stephen, the sensible, church-going, respectable banker who seems just be too good to be true? Or the timid war widow named Mercy, who is clearly running from something – or someone…?

Agnes must choose between them. But what will her decision lead to? One of the choices could result in scandal, one in devastation, and one could even lead to happiness. If only she gets it right…

As all three lodgers enter Number 23, in alternate timelines, relationships are formed and destroyed, feathers are ruffled, and secrets are exposed. Three different choices. Three very different paths. And Agnes is to discover that nobody – including herself – is quite who they seem…

***

I frequently read more than one book at the same time, and I tend to find one of them calls to me more often than the other. I consider this as the call of a good book, at least in comparison to the others that I am partway through.

In the case of this book, I could not stop myself going back to it and the others which I was reading were put on hold. I adored this book from its very first page to its last and I could not leave it until it was finished.

The central aspect to the story is Agnes Humphries, the owner of the titular property and who takes in lodgers. When the rooms on the second floor become vacant, Agnes interviews three potential occupants, her wayward niece, Clara, the respectable Mr. Stephen Thompson who works in a bank and Mrs. Mercy Mayweather, a meek and quiet widow but whom Agnes suspects is hiding something.

The author then skillfully portrays these three alternate scenarios in which she offers the accommodation to each of them. It was this that elevated this book from a good foundation for a story to a superb book to read.

Agnes and her other lodgers remain consistent throughout the three story lines, and they each have a part to play in the stories of Clara, Stephen and Mercy. However, Agnes is the main character and her backstory is filtered through as the individual stories progress. She is a delightful personality upon which the whole novel revolves. She cares deeply about those around her, is outspoken but always thoughtful.

I appreciated how skillfully the author brought all of her characters together in the epilogue. This is not a spoiler but it is testament to how well rounded and completely the author concluded her book. It has a lovely feel good factor to it and it was a delight to read.

The things that I took away from this book are that family are not necessarily those we are bound to by blood. Rather, it is the emotional connection through friendship which we forge with others that bind us closely together.

If this book is anything to judge by then I cannot wait to read more from Jenni Keer.

ISBN: 978 1785139611

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Formats:  e-book, audio and paperback - currently available on KindleUnlimited

No. of Pages:  424 (paperback)

About the Author:

Jenni Keer is the well-reviewed author of historical romances, often with a mystery at their heart. Most recently published by Headline and shortlisted for the 2023 RNA Historical Romantic Novel of the Year, her first book with Boldwood The House on Burlington Square will be released in October 2023.

(ARC courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)