What do you think?
Rate this book
No. 23 Burlington Square
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 February, 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…
On the morning of Friday 5th February, 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…
424 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2023
3879 people are currently reading
15865 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 717 reviews
November 8, 2023
In a Nutshell: An unusual ‘sliding doors’ historical fiction, focussing on characters either residing or wanting to reside at the titular location. Imaginative in concept, somewhat slow in progress, interesting in plot development, okay in character development. Will work when you want a feel-good story with limited romance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Story Synopsis:
Bookish Yays:
😍 I love the idea of the plot. Of the three candidates, it is very easy to pick a deserving one for the house. (I think most of us readers would root for Mercy to be ‘the chosen one’.) So the author cleverly gives us the three timelines, beginning with the most problematic character – Clara, then going to Stephen, and finally Mercy. It was fun to see how the characters develop once they become tenants a No.23. Each timeline had its own appeal, and it is hence very tough to say which one worked the best for me.
😍 There are already three tenants in residence at the house, and these too are quite distinct in age and behaviour. The family in the basement has a philanderer husband, an overworked wife, and many kids. The old man on the first floor is an ex-pianist once famous but now arthritic and forgotten. The young man on the topmost floor, about whom no one knows anything except that he loves to click photographs and that he is quite pale. Each of the new tenant’s storyline intersects with that of one of the existing tenants. This adds an intriguing layer to the book as each alternate path feels different from the rest not just in plot but also in focal characters.
😍 Agnes has the right kind of personality to carry the entire novel. She is a complicated old lady with no filters in her mouth and no secrets in her stomach, but also with no limits to her heart. She made me cringe with her blunt comments, but she also won me over with her mostly benevolent attitude towards the other characters.
😍 Every single prominent character in the story has an unrevealed backstory. Some of these were quite easy to guess, while others caught me by surprise. Most of the secrets are distinct from each other, and through these secrets, the novel explores several themes relevant to the time and age such as the war and its aftermath, the women’s suffrage movement, gender discrimination, societal conformance, and homophobia. The themes add depth to the story.
😍 The romance is kept to a minimum, with the characters’ personal development getting a greater focus.
😍 I loved how the eponymous house was described. It was huge, fitting for a story with so many characters. However, it wasn’t written as a pristine residence in its heyday, but rather, as an old house that might have lost its splendour but still has its charm. The clutter inside (both of characters and of objects) added to its appeal.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 Not all the characters are likeable. Clara is especially tough to feel connected with. I mostly enjoyed this greyish portrayal of the key people as it made the story more realistic. However, some of the characters go from good to bad (or vice versa) abruptly, making their behavioural changes feel unconvincing.
😐 The story contains plenty of historical references in terms of newsworthy events and pastimes. However, for some reason I cannot put my finger on, the story hardly ever *feels* historical. Even when something obviously “past” is occurring, the characters seem contemporary, especially in their manner of speaking.
😐 Clara’s story, which is the first of the alternate timelines, is too lengthy. It takes up nearly half of the book. Some parts of her timeline could easily have been trimmed as there were many repetitive scenes. The other two timelines fare much better. All three timelines though held enough surprises to keep my interest.
Bookish Nays:
😒 Because of the format of the plot and the number of characters, there is a lot of character hopping in each timeline. The third-person voice helps to a certain extent, but the jumps in narration are still too many. Moreover, this shifting perspective nullifies how we can have so many secrets in the plot when even the secret holder is holding the metaphorical mic of narration.
😒 There are too many convenient coincidences in the plot.
All in all, this is a feel-good kind of story that is better read without overanalysing. The innovative concept of seeing three alternative scenarios through the three tenants is the USP of this novel.
Definitely recommended to historical drama lovers who would enjoy an unusual sliding doors story focussed more on characters and historical themes than on light-hearted fun or romance.
3.75 stars.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the date specified at the top of some chapters while reading. Else, you might be confused for a while.
My thanks to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of “No. 23 Burlington Square”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The book is currently available for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Story Synopsis:
1927. With the death of one tenant, there’s a vacant room to let in No. 23 Burlington Square. The owner, an old lady named Agnes Humphries, has three potential candidates, each of whom has at least one reason in favour of being allotted the room.
Clara Goodwin: Agnes’ nonconformist niece who is a rebel but is also family.
Stephen Thompson: A respectable banker with all the right credentials.
Mercy: A widow who seems to carry a heavy burden on her young shoulders.
Whom will Agnes select as the new tenant?
This is where the book takes the road not taken.
In three standalone timelines, we see Agnes offering the room to each of the three candidates, thereby giving us the chance of observing if and how the fate of the character alters due to their presence at No.23.
The story comes to us in the third person perspective of various characters.
Bookish Yays:
😍 I love the idea of the plot. Of the three candidates, it is very easy to pick a deserving one for the house. (I think most of us readers would root for Mercy to be ‘the chosen one’.) So the author cleverly gives us the three timelines, beginning with the most problematic character – Clara, then going to Stephen, and finally Mercy. It was fun to see how the characters develop once they become tenants a No.23. Each timeline had its own appeal, and it is hence very tough to say which one worked the best for me.
😍 There are already three tenants in residence at the house, and these too are quite distinct in age and behaviour. The family in the basement has a philanderer husband, an overworked wife, and many kids. The old man on the first floor is an ex-pianist once famous but now arthritic and forgotten. The young man on the topmost floor, about whom no one knows anything except that he loves to click photographs and that he is quite pale. Each of the new tenant’s storyline intersects with that of one of the existing tenants. This adds an intriguing layer to the book as each alternate path feels different from the rest not just in plot but also in focal characters.
😍 Agnes has the right kind of personality to carry the entire novel. She is a complicated old lady with no filters in her mouth and no secrets in her stomach, but also with no limits to her heart. She made me cringe with her blunt comments, but she also won me over with her mostly benevolent attitude towards the other characters.
😍 Every single prominent character in the story has an unrevealed backstory. Some of these were quite easy to guess, while others caught me by surprise. Most of the secrets are distinct from each other, and through these secrets, the novel explores several themes relevant to the time and age such as the war and its aftermath, the women’s suffrage movement, gender discrimination, societal conformance, and homophobia. The themes add depth to the story.
😍 The romance is kept to a minimum, with the characters’ personal development getting a greater focus.
😍 I loved how the eponymous house was described. It was huge, fitting for a story with so many characters. However, it wasn’t written as a pristine residence in its heyday, but rather, as an old house that might have lost its splendour but still has its charm. The clutter inside (both of characters and of objects) added to its appeal.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 Not all the characters are likeable. Clara is especially tough to feel connected with. I mostly enjoyed this greyish portrayal of the key people as it made the story more realistic. However, some of the characters go from good to bad (or vice versa) abruptly, making their behavioural changes feel unconvincing.
😐 The story contains plenty of historical references in terms of newsworthy events and pastimes. However, for some reason I cannot put my finger on, the story hardly ever *feels* historical. Even when something obviously “past” is occurring, the characters seem contemporary, especially in their manner of speaking.
😐 Clara’s story, which is the first of the alternate timelines, is too lengthy. It takes up nearly half of the book. Some parts of her timeline could easily have been trimmed as there were many repetitive scenes. The other two timelines fare much better. All three timelines though held enough surprises to keep my interest.
Bookish Nays:
😒 Because of the format of the plot and the number of characters, there is a lot of character hopping in each timeline. The third-person voice helps to a certain extent, but the jumps in narration are still too many. Moreover, this shifting perspective nullifies how we can have so many secrets in the plot when even the secret holder is holding the metaphorical mic of narration.
😒 There are too many convenient coincidences in the plot.
All in all, this is a feel-good kind of story that is better read without overanalysing. The innovative concept of seeing three alternative scenarios through the three tenants is the USP of this novel.
Definitely recommended to historical drama lovers who would enjoy an unusual sliding doors story focussed more on characters and historical themes than on light-hearted fun or romance.
3.75 stars.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the date specified at the top of some chapters while reading. Else, you might be confused for a while.
My thanks to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of “No. 23 Burlington Square”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The book is currently available for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
October 26, 2023
The premise of this is ‘What If?’ Who hasn’t looked at their life and pondered this question, wondering what a different decision may have led to?
It’s 1927 and No 23 Burlington Square is the cluttered establishment of Miss Agnes Humphries. She loves the house bequeathed to her by her beloved father and it’s chock full of items that are wonderful reminders. The house is large and expensive to run in these tricky between war times and so she has become a landlady. She has permanent residents in elderly musician Alexander Gorski, photographer Gilbert Adams and in the basement are the family of Nicholas and Jemima Smith. Following the untimely demise of Mr Blandford, Agnes advertises the vacancy. There are three potential candidates, the first being her flighty, entitled good time girl niece - Clara Goodwin. Her impulsive behaviour has vexed her parents to the degree that they have thrown her out of their home and she is currently “sofa surfing”. Then there's Mercy Mayweather, a war widow who is alone in the world and working to make ends meet at Pembertons, think Selfridges. Finally, there’s Stephen Thompson whose job in a bank would lend respectability to the household. Should Agnes go with family even though she knows Clara will be hard work and will probably break every house rule, or with quiet Mercy who she likes and whose offers of help are a boon to aging Agnes or with Mr Thompson whose secure job will mean few issues with rent? The novel cleverly examines what if with all three, Sliding Doors style, presenting a number of different scenarios.
Although this is perhaps a little slow at the start, once I’ve twigged what’s going on I grow to love this book and relish the scenarios, hoping for the best for some characters and the worst for others. The characterisation is excellent, it’s impossible not to like kindhearted, funny and colourful Agnes and her backstory is a good one of love and loyalty. Clara is definitely headstrong and privileged but when you see behind the facade, sympathy grows for her issues. Through her, the author really does capture the roaring twenties, including the lingo and giving historical context too. Mercy is harder to ‘see’ but again understanding dawns and Stephen Thompson is secretive and brings an element of mystery to the storytelling. All these characters are woven together in an engaging story with intriguing what ifs which somehow becomes a cohesive whole.
Along the journey to a good ending it glimpses the turns that life might take, the chance to redeem oneself, kindness, trust, love, selfless duty over desire but most of all, friendship. There are plenty of sliding doors twists, some which make you cheer, some to make you gasp and some that make you feel sad. It’s a lovely blend of the heartwarming with the heartbreaking but is never sentimental or mushy. This is an immersive read - I haven’t read this author before but she’s intrigued me.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Boldwood Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
It’s 1927 and No 23 Burlington Square is the cluttered establishment of Miss Agnes Humphries. She loves the house bequeathed to her by her beloved father and it’s chock full of items that are wonderful reminders. The house is large and expensive to run in these tricky between war times and so she has become a landlady. She has permanent residents in elderly musician Alexander Gorski, photographer Gilbert Adams and in the basement are the family of Nicholas and Jemima Smith. Following the untimely demise of Mr Blandford, Agnes advertises the vacancy. There are three potential candidates, the first being her flighty, entitled good time girl niece - Clara Goodwin. Her impulsive behaviour has vexed her parents to the degree that they have thrown her out of their home and she is currently “sofa surfing”. Then there's Mercy Mayweather, a war widow who is alone in the world and working to make ends meet at Pembertons, think Selfridges. Finally, there’s Stephen Thompson whose job in a bank would lend respectability to the household. Should Agnes go with family even though she knows Clara will be hard work and will probably break every house rule, or with quiet Mercy who she likes and whose offers of help are a boon to aging Agnes or with Mr Thompson whose secure job will mean few issues with rent? The novel cleverly examines what if with all three, Sliding Doors style, presenting a number of different scenarios.
Although this is perhaps a little slow at the start, once I’ve twigged what’s going on I grow to love this book and relish the scenarios, hoping for the best for some characters and the worst for others. The characterisation is excellent, it’s impossible not to like kindhearted, funny and colourful Agnes and her backstory is a good one of love and loyalty. Clara is definitely headstrong and privileged but when you see behind the facade, sympathy grows for her issues. Through her, the author really does capture the roaring twenties, including the lingo and giving historical context too. Mercy is harder to ‘see’ but again understanding dawns and Stephen Thompson is secretive and brings an element of mystery to the storytelling. All these characters are woven together in an engaging story with intriguing what ifs which somehow becomes a cohesive whole.
Along the journey to a good ending it glimpses the turns that life might take, the chance to redeem oneself, kindness, trust, love, selfless duty over desire but most of all, friendship. There are plenty of sliding doors twists, some which make you cheer, some to make you gasp and some that make you feel sad. It’s a lovely blend of the heartwarming with the heartbreaking but is never sentimental or mushy. This is an immersive read - I haven’t read this author before but she’s intrigued me.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Boldwood Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
October 10, 2023
Magnifico!
What to say about this book…
Ok soooooo No.23 is the home of Agnes Humphries who takes boarders in to pay for the upkeep of this magnificent Kensington home….she has ( through unfortunate circumstances ) a room to let and has 3 folk to interview, she likes all 3, ( I too was intrigued by all 3 ) and so decides on who to rent the room to…and the book in 3 parts then tells the ‘sliding doors’ story of what happens when she chooses each one, more than cleverly introducing the other remaining 2 into each third….am I explaining it well enough?
Honestly it’s a riot of everything needed to make you laugh, cry, gasp ( I did twice ) and just enjoy every single word of this historical alluring tale
Every so often a book comes along and you know its magicalness ( anno not a word but suits what trying to say ) and this is that
I cant say anymore how good this is
Except its great 😎.
What to say about this book…
Ok soooooo No.23 is the home of Agnes Humphries who takes boarders in to pay for the upkeep of this magnificent Kensington home….she has ( through unfortunate circumstances ) a room to let and has 3 folk to interview, she likes all 3, ( I too was intrigued by all 3 ) and so decides on who to rent the room to…and the book in 3 parts then tells the ‘sliding doors’ story of what happens when she chooses each one, more than cleverly introducing the other remaining 2 into each third….am I explaining it well enough?
Honestly it’s a riot of everything needed to make you laugh, cry, gasp ( I did twice ) and just enjoy every single word of this historical alluring tale
Every so often a book comes along and you know its magicalness ( anno not a word but suits what trying to say ) and this is that
I cant say anymore how good this is
Except its great 😎.
February 23, 2024
I loved this book!!! It's a bit different to what I normally read and I'm so glad I read it.
Agnes Humphries is a spinster who's life was taken over caring for her sister, when her mother died and then her father as his health deteriorates. She meets James who wishes to marry her but she can't bring herself to abandon her family. When she ends up alone in Burlington Square, which she loves, she decides to take in lodgers. When one of her lodgers dies, she advertises for someone new and gets three applicants.
The story then follows these people as in each timeline Agnes picks a different person for the room. It's how the decisions Agnes makes affects the lives of those already living there and the new person who comes to stay because they all carry a secret with them.
First up is Clara, Agnes's niece. She's flighty and thoughtless and selfish, one of the bright young things of the twenties. This was my favorite part of the story. I was floored by the revelation of her secret. The only thing about this part was that Clara's problems were solved too easily. It's also the longest part of the book and it's like the author realised that and rushed the finish but it wasn't worth dropping a star for.
Then it's Stephen Thompson, a person I did not take to and again I didn't see what was coming. Mercy is the third person with probably the thinnest story but enjoyable anyway.
The lodgers who have lived there for a long time get their chance in the spotlight too. The story is about how each person who comes to stay, changes. How the influence of Agnes helps them to become better people, in some cases anyway.
There's an epilogue, which I love. I was enthralled by the whole household but I have a soft spot for Agnes. Was delighted how things worked out for her.
This is the first novel of this author's that I've read and I'll definitely be looking up more by her.
Would highly recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an early copy to read.
Agnes Humphries is a spinster who's life was taken over caring for her sister, when her mother died and then her father as his health deteriorates. She meets James who wishes to marry her but she can't bring herself to abandon her family. When she ends up alone in Burlington Square, which she loves, she decides to take in lodgers. When one of her lodgers dies, she advertises for someone new and gets three applicants.
The story then follows these people as in each timeline Agnes picks a different person for the room. It's how the decisions Agnes makes affects the lives of those already living there and the new person who comes to stay because they all carry a secret with them.
First up is Clara, Agnes's niece. She's flighty and thoughtless and selfish, one of the bright young things of the twenties. This was my favorite part of the story. I was floored by the revelation of her secret. The only thing about this part was that Clara's problems were solved too easily. It's also the longest part of the book and it's like the author realised that and rushed the finish but it wasn't worth dropping a star for.
Then it's Stephen Thompson, a person I did not take to and again I didn't see what was coming. Mercy is the third person with probably the thinnest story but enjoyable anyway.
The lodgers who have lived there for a long time get their chance in the spotlight too. The story is about how each person who comes to stay, changes. How the influence of Agnes helps them to become better people, in some cases anyway.
There's an epilogue, which I love. I was enthralled by the whole household but I have a soft spot for Agnes. Was delighted how things worked out for her.
This is the first novel of this author's that I've read and I'll definitely be looking up more by her.
Would highly recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an early copy to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2024
Didn’t finish. Yet another book with gay themes. No thanks. Had a promising start. Just not something I want to read.
November 28, 2024
This was a book where for about 60% of it I liked the idea more than the execution. The last 1/3 was compelling and moved along at a brisk pace. The theme of the book is basically “people/things aren’t always as they seem” and each what-if section cleverly reveals more and more about each of the characters.
But the beginning of the book sets up 3 possible tenants for Ms Agnes’s Humphries and instantly pushes one of them as unlikeable. You then jump into her story for the first 40% of the book and it is many many pages before her point of view becomes compelling. This honestly bogs the whole book down. If you can make it past the first 1/3 or so, it’s worth it, but it’s a long time to spend with a character that hasn’t yet given you a reason to want to be there with her.
3.5 stars
But the beginning of the book sets up 3 possible tenants for Ms Agnes’s Humphries and instantly pushes one of them as unlikeable. You then jump into her story for the first 40% of the book and it is many many pages before her point of view becomes compelling. This honestly bogs the whole book down. If you can make it past the first 1/3 or so, it’s worth it, but it’s a long time to spend with a character that hasn’t yet given you a reason to want to be there with her.
3.5 stars
July 24, 2024
Jenni Keer presents for your reading entertainment a cosy read with a charming spinster in charge: Agnes.
Agnes is a collector of all sorts of people, things, and even moments - tangibles and intangibles. She has a home and makes a living by renting out rooms. . .and one of her roomers has passed on, and after properly mourning Agnes needs to get that room rented out again. So begins the search, a thoughtful one.
A gentle read, with plenty of opportunities to ponder on the three candidates and join in the judgy ideas about others and the choices they make in life, as well as choices they'd like to make but for which don't seem to have the courage. There are also those dreamy types that just live day by day happily and helpfully - even they get their share of judgy scrutiny. If your nose is turning up, bring it back down. . . No. 23 Burlington Square is a ducky tea and biscuits read to the very very end.
Three+ stars which round out to four. . .
*A sincere thank you to Jenni Keer, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*
Agnes is a collector of all sorts of people, things, and even moments - tangibles and intangibles. She has a home and makes a living by renting out rooms. . .and one of her roomers has passed on, and after properly mourning Agnes needs to get that room rented out again. So begins the search, a thoughtful one.
A gentle read, with plenty of opportunities to ponder on the three candidates and join in the judgy ideas about others and the choices they make in life, as well as choices they'd like to make but for which don't seem to have the courage. There are also those dreamy types that just live day by day happily and helpfully - even they get their share of judgy scrutiny. If your nose is turning up, bring it back down. . . No. 23 Burlington Square is a ducky tea and biscuits read to the very very end.
Three+ stars which round out to four. . .
*A sincere thank you to Jenni Keer, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*
November 30, 2023
I couldn’t possibly tell you what made me take a second look at this book. The cover, pretty as it may be, isn’t normally something that catches my eye since it’s distinctly not crime fiction-ish. However, for some reason, I decided to read the book description and immediately felt so incredibly intrigued that I just knew I couldn’t let this one go.
The idea that three different choices could lead to three different paths fascinated me from the get-go. Alternate timelines seem rather science-fiction, don’t they? But ‘No. 23 Burlington Square‘ is anything but. It’s a delightful, engaging historical fiction story of “what ifs”. And its pages are filled to the brim with the most fabulous cast of characters.
Agnes, the landlady, is one of those characters who just steals your heart from the second she arrives on the page. Then there is her niece, Clara. Spirited and glamorous she may be, but to me she was a spoilt brat who annoyed me no end. Stephen isn’t who he claims to be and I didn’t trust him at all. Mercy is quite clearly running away from something, although I didn’t feel it was that hard to discover what that was. And then there are Agnes’ current lodgers : the Smith family in the basement, a Polish gentleman who feels rather lonely, and Gilbert who’s … well, bit weird, really. Every single choice Agnes makes with regard to a new lodger will have an impact on all these characters.
Of course there are secrets to be revealed, but I really didn’t feel like that was the most important part of this story. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the various relationships develop, spotting the differences in the three threads of the story. There is loss and grief, love and heartache, a longing for the past but also hope for the future. And all of it is wrapped up in tenderness and warmth, and it ultimately leads to a conclusion I thought was just perfect.
These characters are all so superbly drawn. They feel real, like they might jump out of the pages of the book and wrap their arms around you to welcome you into their little circle. Through them the reader also learns about the politics in those days, the post-war society of the time, its casualties and the growing divide between the classes.
Exquisitely written from start to finish, ‘No. 23 Burlington Square‘ quite simply had me enthralled. It is a very original and refreshing story, with that little something special that you can’t quite describe. I laughed, I nearly shed a tear (seriously, what the heck is wrong with me?!) and felt rather bereft when my time with these characters ran out. As someone who normally only reads crime fiction and thrillers, the biggest compliment I can give it is saying that I enjoyed it immensely and would quite happily recommend it.
The idea that three different choices could lead to three different paths fascinated me from the get-go. Alternate timelines seem rather science-fiction, don’t they? But ‘No. 23 Burlington Square‘ is anything but. It’s a delightful, engaging historical fiction story of “what ifs”. And its pages are filled to the brim with the most fabulous cast of characters.
Agnes, the landlady, is one of those characters who just steals your heart from the second she arrives on the page. Then there is her niece, Clara. Spirited and glamorous she may be, but to me she was a spoilt brat who annoyed me no end. Stephen isn’t who he claims to be and I didn’t trust him at all. Mercy is quite clearly running away from something, although I didn’t feel it was that hard to discover what that was. And then there are Agnes’ current lodgers : the Smith family in the basement, a Polish gentleman who feels rather lonely, and Gilbert who’s … well, bit weird, really. Every single choice Agnes makes with regard to a new lodger will have an impact on all these characters.
Of course there are secrets to be revealed, but I really didn’t feel like that was the most important part of this story. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the various relationships develop, spotting the differences in the three threads of the story. There is loss and grief, love and heartache, a longing for the past but also hope for the future. And all of it is wrapped up in tenderness and warmth, and it ultimately leads to a conclusion I thought was just perfect.
These characters are all so superbly drawn. They feel real, like they might jump out of the pages of the book and wrap their arms around you to welcome you into their little circle. Through them the reader also learns about the politics in those days, the post-war society of the time, its casualties and the growing divide between the classes.
Exquisitely written from start to finish, ‘No. 23 Burlington Square‘ quite simply had me enthralled. It is a very original and refreshing story, with that little something special that you can’t quite describe. I laughed, I nearly shed a tear (seriously, what the heck is wrong with me?!) and felt rather bereft when my time with these characters ran out. As someone who normally only reads crime fiction and thrillers, the biggest compliment I can give it is saying that I enjoyed it immensely and would quite happily recommend it.
October 28, 2023
A fun and engrossing read.
A novel that employs the 'Sliding Doors' premise, involving a vacant room in a lodging. Does the owner, Agnes Humphries, allow her Niece Clara, the sensible and agreeable Stephen, or a Widow named Mercy to take up the room?
After the opening chapters, the book then splits into 3, allowing the reader to see how each scenario plays out.
The reader is treated to many twists and turns as the story progresses, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
A novel that employs the 'Sliding Doors' premise, involving a vacant room in a lodging. Does the owner, Agnes Humphries, allow her Niece Clara, the sensible and agreeable Stephen, or a Widow named Mercy to take up the room?
After the opening chapters, the book then splits into 3, allowing the reader to see how each scenario plays out.
The reader is treated to many twists and turns as the story progresses, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
December 18, 2023
This was a wonderful historical fiction audiobook! I’d seen it in the blogosphere quite a bit, but it was Eva’s review that tempted me. I’m so glad I didn’t resist as it’s one of my favourite books this year and it gave me a book hangover!
I loved being in the company of Agnes and the lodgers of No 23 Burlington Square. I loved getting to know each character as they came to live at the house, slowly revealing their shocking secrets!
I loved Agnes and her funny ways, and really enjoyed learning about her story throughout the book. She’d had quite a sad life and I hoped she’d get her happy ever after at the end of the book. The historical details were fantastic making me feel like I’d been transported back to the 1920s.
I loved Lucy Scott’s narration, she was superb at all the different characters, bringing them to life perfectly and confirming that she’s definitely one of my favourite narrators.
Highly recommended if you enjoy historical fiction set in London during the 1920s.
I loved being in the company of Agnes and the lodgers of No 23 Burlington Square. I loved getting to know each character as they came to live at the house, slowly revealing their shocking secrets!
I loved Agnes and her funny ways, and really enjoyed learning about her story throughout the book. She’d had quite a sad life and I hoped she’d get her happy ever after at the end of the book. The historical details were fantastic making me feel like I’d been transported back to the 1920s.
I loved Lucy Scott’s narration, she was superb at all the different characters, bringing them to life perfectly and confirming that she’s definitely one of my favourite narrators.
Highly recommended if you enjoy historical fiction set in London during the 1920s.
April 16, 2024
I really liked the premise of the book and the ending was very good but the first part was too long. Actually a lot of it just seemed a tad bit too long. If you want to tell about 4 people’s lives one book is difficult to fit it all in. All that being said I am glad I finished it. It was a fun book with some surprises.
October 20, 2023
4.75/5 Stars. Well, I was looking for a cozy mystery, but I didn't realize I was going to get a "Sliding Doors" type story. Come take a look at my #bookreview of this charming and inventive novel here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2023/10/2...
March 29, 2024
NGL this book took a lot for me to get through and trust me I had plenty of time with all these flights. It’s not bad and a fun concept. The nod that it’s perfect for fans of Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was not true for me
November 2, 2023
I haven’t read anything by Jenni Keer before and my goodness I think I have been missing out. This one deserves all the stars for the clever writing, the ‘Sliding Doors’ scenarios and the superbly drawn characters.
Agnes Humphries, the spinster landlady of the said property has a huge decision to make. A recently deceased lodger means a set of rooms is available but with three applicants who would all be deserving, who should she let to? Through the individual stories of Clara, Stephen and Mercy, we find out how their lives might have panned out had they been the chosen one. These storylines are basically novellas in their own right and I loved this construction because the story isn’t constantly flipping backwards and forwards. In between, Agnes’ backstory is explored and I enjoyed reading about her. She was a sympathetic and caring soul, albeit someone without a filter whose plain speaking could ruffle feathers and she frequently divulged personal confidences. Her cluttered house is testament to her inability to dispose of anything that has a memory attached.
I can’t begin to imagine how the author kept track of all the characters in the different timelines as they all blended together so well. However she ensures that whilst each person has the focus on them, the others are not forgotten and we learn what is happening to them also. Not everyone is as they seem, there are secrets and deceit leading to revelations which will elicit both sympathy and loathing.
This is a captivating story and one which is not only character driven but also touches on the politics and post-war society of the time. The writing is superb, there were so many quotes I bookmarked that sung to me and all three timelines came together to a definitive conclusion. Jenni Keer has written a charming story that is refreshing just by being different. I loved it and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.
Agnes Humphries, the spinster landlady of the said property has a huge decision to make. A recently deceased lodger means a set of rooms is available but with three applicants who would all be deserving, who should she let to? Through the individual stories of Clara, Stephen and Mercy, we find out how their lives might have panned out had they been the chosen one. These storylines are basically novellas in their own right and I loved this construction because the story isn’t constantly flipping backwards and forwards. In between, Agnes’ backstory is explored and I enjoyed reading about her. She was a sympathetic and caring soul, albeit someone without a filter whose plain speaking could ruffle feathers and she frequently divulged personal confidences. Her cluttered house is testament to her inability to dispose of anything that has a memory attached.
I can’t begin to imagine how the author kept track of all the characters in the different timelines as they all blended together so well. However she ensures that whilst each person has the focus on them, the others are not forgotten and we learn what is happening to them also. Not everyone is as they seem, there are secrets and deceit leading to revelations which will elicit both sympathy and loathing.
This is a captivating story and one which is not only character driven but also touches on the politics and post-war society of the time. The writing is superb, there were so many quotes I bookmarked that sung to me and all three timelines came together to a definitive conclusion. Jenni Keer has written a charming story that is refreshing just by being different. I loved it and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.
November 20, 2023
One house...three lives...a decision that will change everything...
What a delightful tale this was! I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and quite honestly didn't want it to end. And when it did, I suffered a sorry case of book hangover (which I do for only a handful of books) as I so wanted to climb back into the pages and relive it all over again.
The premise was intriguing and as you follow the story of the three lives therein, the story takes on a "sliding doors" narrative in which there are three different scenarios and three possible endings. And of course the era was a delightful one between the two wars of the roaring twenties when women were starting to be recognised in their own right with the handful of those shining their own respective lights in this endearing tale.
London 1927: Sixty something spinster Agnes Humphries has lived at No 23 Burlington Square all her life. She grew up as a child there, lost her mother there, raised her younger sister there and nursed her father until his demise there. The house is jam-packed full of memories of the life she knew and the one she longed for. Every crevice, every surface holds a memory for her and sentimental fool that she is, holds onto everything that highlights a memory of something she holds dear - whether the item is related to the memory or not. Such as, the newspaper headlining the Whitechapel murders bears the date that her sister Daphne took her first steps. Neither are related but it holds a memory just the same.
Then after the death of her father, Agnes was rather at a loose end and living alone in the sprawling home in Burlington Square when she decided to rent out not just the rooms but entire floors of rooms to others in the hope that she will find a family in her tenants. The attic rooms were rented out to young Gilbert Adams who does something with cameras; the first floor is home to Polish musician Alexander Gorski while the basement rooms housed the Smith family, mother Jemima, her husband Nicholas and their daughters Matilda, Ellen and Frances. Poor Jemima has virtually been pregnant since their honeymoon with baby number four on the way. The ground floor is Agnes' own residence while the second floor was Mr Blandford's until his sudden demise and thus paving the way for a new tenant.
Now Agnes has a conundrum. She has interviewed two deserving prospective tenants. Firstly, Stephen Thompson whose position a bank clerk lends a respectability to No 23. Then there is Mrs Mercy Mayweather, a young war widow who is all alone in the world and doing her best make ends meet at the glove counter at Pembertons. But her sister is expecting her to let her rooms her wayward niece Clara Goodwin whose impulsive behaviour has confounded her parents to the point she has been banished from the family home under a cloud of mystery. So who is the more deserving? Who needs the rooms the most? And who will fit in at No 23 Burlington Square the best?
So on 5th August 1927 Agnes takes up her pen, dips it in ink and writes out a letter offering the room to one of the three after which she gets young Gilbert to take it to the postbox for her. The tale is then divided into three parts in which each prospective tenant is given their own narrative becoming the protagonist and thus taking up residence in the second floor rooms of No 23 Burlington Square. Within each part, a story unfolds of possible scenarios that all meet one another at the end to make a more than satisfactory and very clever conclusion. The entire tale ends with one more scenario of that particular day when Agnes' own story becomes the highlight offering yet another happy ever after.
I really didn't know what to expect when I began this engrossing and entertaining tale but I'm so glad I ventured to pick it up. The entire tale is a riot from start to finish, particularly where young Clara is concerned, making you laugh, cry and basically just enjoy sharing the Kensington residence with these handful of colourful characters and their secrets. Peppered throughout each of the respective narratives are the odd chapter revealing just a little bit more about Miss Agnes Humphries and her own secrets. The story is so cleverly plotted that while we start with one of the three, we are left wondering throughout the mystery of the last prospective tenant. Because although each part is unique in how each one is the successful applicant, all three are carefully and cleverly interwoven throughout the other parts in some way or other. It really is incredibly genuis.
So much is at stake with the promise of which of the applicants to offer the room to that the story takes us on a journey of love, kindness, trust, duty and a chance to redeem oneself. But above all, is friendship. The tale is so endearing, so heartwarming that is so immersive I simply could not - DID NOT! - want to put it down. The characters are a mixed bunch and some you aren't quite sure what to make of them however by the end you do get the measure of them, some of whom you come to love. I didn't like the flightly Clara at the beginning and loathe to have the rooms given to her but hers was the most enthralling part of the tale and by the end I really grew to love the enchanting yet self entitled young woman.
While this book is historical in nature, being set in 1927 and thus some flashback scenes to some further key points in history (such as the Whitechapel murders, Queen Victoria's passing and the Great War) it doesn't really feel like an historical tale and has more of a contemporary feel. That is no bad thing because the entire tale is so engaging and compelling from beginning to end that I enjoyed every flipping minute of it! Unlike some other reviewers, I didn't feel Clara's was too long at all (although it was the longest). In fact, I enjoyed her tale the most with Mercy's a close second. Stephen was not a character I warmed to at all but his was a story that was an imperitive part of the tale.
Every so often, a book comes along that just makes you feel as its sheer blend of magic and brilliance. I completely loved this addictive and immersive read that really made you feel as if you too were one of the tenants of No 23 Burlington Square.
A well deserved 5 stars!
I would like to thank #JenniKeer, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #No23BurlingtonSquare in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
What a delightful tale this was! I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and quite honestly didn't want it to end. And when it did, I suffered a sorry case of book hangover (which I do for only a handful of books) as I so wanted to climb back into the pages and relive it all over again.
The premise was intriguing and as you follow the story of the three lives therein, the story takes on a "sliding doors" narrative in which there are three different scenarios and three possible endings. And of course the era was a delightful one between the two wars of the roaring twenties when women were starting to be recognised in their own right with the handful of those shining their own respective lights in this endearing tale.
London 1927: Sixty something spinster Agnes Humphries has lived at No 23 Burlington Square all her life. She grew up as a child there, lost her mother there, raised her younger sister there and nursed her father until his demise there. The house is jam-packed full of memories of the life she knew and the one she longed for. Every crevice, every surface holds a memory for her and sentimental fool that she is, holds onto everything that highlights a memory of something she holds dear - whether the item is related to the memory or not. Such as, the newspaper headlining the Whitechapel murders bears the date that her sister Daphne took her first steps. Neither are related but it holds a memory just the same.
Then after the death of her father, Agnes was rather at a loose end and living alone in the sprawling home in Burlington Square when she decided to rent out not just the rooms but entire floors of rooms to others in the hope that she will find a family in her tenants. The attic rooms were rented out to young Gilbert Adams who does something with cameras; the first floor is home to Polish musician Alexander Gorski while the basement rooms housed the Smith family, mother Jemima, her husband Nicholas and their daughters Matilda, Ellen and Frances. Poor Jemima has virtually been pregnant since their honeymoon with baby number four on the way. The ground floor is Agnes' own residence while the second floor was Mr Blandford's until his sudden demise and thus paving the way for a new tenant.
Now Agnes has a conundrum. She has interviewed two deserving prospective tenants. Firstly, Stephen Thompson whose position a bank clerk lends a respectability to No 23. Then there is Mrs Mercy Mayweather, a young war widow who is all alone in the world and doing her best make ends meet at the glove counter at Pembertons. But her sister is expecting her to let her rooms her wayward niece Clara Goodwin whose impulsive behaviour has confounded her parents to the point she has been banished from the family home under a cloud of mystery. So who is the more deserving? Who needs the rooms the most? And who will fit in at No 23 Burlington Square the best?
So on 5th August 1927 Agnes takes up her pen, dips it in ink and writes out a letter offering the room to one of the three after which she gets young Gilbert to take it to the postbox for her. The tale is then divided into three parts in which each prospective tenant is given their own narrative becoming the protagonist and thus taking up residence in the second floor rooms of No 23 Burlington Square. Within each part, a story unfolds of possible scenarios that all meet one another at the end to make a more than satisfactory and very clever conclusion. The entire tale ends with one more scenario of that particular day when Agnes' own story becomes the highlight offering yet another happy ever after.
I really didn't know what to expect when I began this engrossing and entertaining tale but I'm so glad I ventured to pick it up. The entire tale is a riot from start to finish, particularly where young Clara is concerned, making you laugh, cry and basically just enjoy sharing the Kensington residence with these handful of colourful characters and their secrets. Peppered throughout each of the respective narratives are the odd chapter revealing just a little bit more about Miss Agnes Humphries and her own secrets. The story is so cleverly plotted that while we start with one of the three, we are left wondering throughout the mystery of the last prospective tenant. Because although each part is unique in how each one is the successful applicant, all three are carefully and cleverly interwoven throughout the other parts in some way or other. It really is incredibly genuis.
So much is at stake with the promise of which of the applicants to offer the room to that the story takes us on a journey of love, kindness, trust, duty and a chance to redeem oneself. But above all, is friendship. The tale is so endearing, so heartwarming that is so immersive I simply could not - DID NOT! - want to put it down. The characters are a mixed bunch and some you aren't quite sure what to make of them however by the end you do get the measure of them, some of whom you come to love. I didn't like the flightly Clara at the beginning and loathe to have the rooms given to her but hers was the most enthralling part of the tale and by the end I really grew to love the enchanting yet self entitled young woman.
While this book is historical in nature, being set in 1927 and thus some flashback scenes to some further key points in history (such as the Whitechapel murders, Queen Victoria's passing and the Great War) it doesn't really feel like an historical tale and has more of a contemporary feel. That is no bad thing because the entire tale is so engaging and compelling from beginning to end that I enjoyed every flipping minute of it! Unlike some other reviewers, I didn't feel Clara's was too long at all (although it was the longest). In fact, I enjoyed her tale the most with Mercy's a close second. Stephen was not a character I warmed to at all but his was a story that was an imperitive part of the tale.
Every so often, a book comes along that just makes you feel as its sheer blend of magic and brilliance. I completely loved this addictive and immersive read that really made you feel as if you too were one of the tenants of No 23 Burlington Square.
A well deserved 5 stars!
I would like to thank #JenniKeer, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #No23BurlingtonSquare in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
October 12, 2023
An interesting premise of a woman with a room to rent and three very different candidates to choose from. The fun part is we get to see what would happen with each of those choices, as a story is created for each of the three candidates. The first story was, in my opinion, a little too long, but the other two made up for it. Different and original.
I received an ARC for free, but I gave my honest opinion voluntarily.
I received an ARC for free, but I gave my honest opinion voluntarily.
November 6, 2023
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.
If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:
https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...
If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:
https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...
March 1, 2024
A book built upon three different outcomes, No. 23 Burlington Square imagines what the renting of a room to three different renters will mean to their lives. The setting for this book just after the Great War has much to do with what happens to Clara, Stephen, and Mercy. Which one gets the room becomes a quandary for the landlady as she imagines each of the three in turn renting the room. Follow the three plots along with Miss Humphries and find out the results.
December 15, 2024
2.5 stars. I was so disappointed. This book got high ratings and sounded so intriguing with how one’s life is altered based upon decisions. However, I found this to be”just a story”. I kept waiting for something to happen, a plot twist, a scandal, a shocking secret, anything! And it all fell short, big time, for me. Dull, boring, and not even a hint of climactic energy.
October 4, 2024
Really interesting premise and well-executed. Great characters, really good story. Light and easy to read, but with something to say about the impact we have on the lives of others, the importance of connection.
October 31, 2023
I’ve always been impressed by the author’s originality and ingenuity – as well as her writing, of course – but I thought this book was something very special indeed. When Mr Blandford dies suddenly, landlady Agnes has to decide who should become her new tenant at No 23 Burlington Square – three individuals to choose from, and the story explores the results of her decision through a really clever “what if” story, following all three possible outcomes through alternative timelines.
But it’s so much more than that – as each separate story unfolds, we also get to know more about the current and potential tenants and the relationships between them, as well as discovering more about Agnes’ own life, past and present, her attachment to her home, and the significance of the different objects with which she shares it. It’s incredibly difficult to explain, but an absolute joy to read – intricately plotted, an enthralling read, emotionally quite perfect, and laced with elements of smoke and mirrors but with clues and some real surprises along the way.
The historical setting – the book is set in the 1920s – is superbly captured and recreated, that period of post-war uncertainty and change, particularly in relation to society’s expectations and the realities of life for those who have means and those who don’t. The three stories are kept separate, told in their entirety, a brave decision that really worked so well – but there are such clever links between them. Agnes and her existing tenants are the constant, and their own stories also gradually unfold, with opportunities for them to sometimes take centre stage and become catalysts for the next twist in the story. The pacing is simply perfect – everyday life, unfolding secrets and moments of drama, shocks and surprises, with vignettes from Agnes’ own life interspersed on the way to an ending that proved to be everything I wanted it to be.
For some of the characters, there is romance – but this is a story that has love and caring for others woven into its fabric, and I thought its emotional content couldn’t have been more perfectly judged. There are characters – no, not characters, very real individuals, drawn with real vibrancy – that I grew to care for deeply, and others who inspired a particular level of hatred. And the writing really is just superb. At times, there’s a real lightness – opportunities to laugh and smile, to feel the moments of joy – but the moments of darkness are written every bit as wonderfully.
This read like the book the author always wanted to write – and one of which she should be justifiably proud. Such an original concept, delivered with real style and panache, intriguing at every turn, emotionally engaging, with a particularly satisfying conclusion – and I really couldn’t have loved it more.
But it’s so much more than that – as each separate story unfolds, we also get to know more about the current and potential tenants and the relationships between them, as well as discovering more about Agnes’ own life, past and present, her attachment to her home, and the significance of the different objects with which she shares it. It’s incredibly difficult to explain, but an absolute joy to read – intricately plotted, an enthralling read, emotionally quite perfect, and laced with elements of smoke and mirrors but with clues and some real surprises along the way.
The historical setting – the book is set in the 1920s – is superbly captured and recreated, that period of post-war uncertainty and change, particularly in relation to society’s expectations and the realities of life for those who have means and those who don’t. The three stories are kept separate, told in their entirety, a brave decision that really worked so well – but there are such clever links between them. Agnes and her existing tenants are the constant, and their own stories also gradually unfold, with opportunities for them to sometimes take centre stage and become catalysts for the next twist in the story. The pacing is simply perfect – everyday life, unfolding secrets and moments of drama, shocks and surprises, with vignettes from Agnes’ own life interspersed on the way to an ending that proved to be everything I wanted it to be.
For some of the characters, there is romance – but this is a story that has love and caring for others woven into its fabric, and I thought its emotional content couldn’t have been more perfectly judged. There are characters – no, not characters, very real individuals, drawn with real vibrancy – that I grew to care for deeply, and others who inspired a particular level of hatred. And the writing really is just superb. At times, there’s a real lightness – opportunities to laugh and smile, to feel the moments of joy – but the moments of darkness are written every bit as wonderfully.
This read like the book the author always wanted to write – and one of which she should be justifiably proud. Such an original concept, delivered with real style and panache, intriguing at every turn, emotionally engaging, with a particularly satisfying conclusion – and I really couldn’t have loved it more.
October 31, 2023
Wow! Such a clever idea for a historical novel!
I loved having three separate stories that actually blend together to give a “what if” storyline.
We meet Agnes who owns the house, inherited from her father and we find her in a dilemma, she has to choose a new lodger for the house. All three appeal to her and we are given the opportunity to see what happens when she chooses each person, a sort of Sliding Doors type affair.
Firstly we see what happens when she offers the room to her wild niece Clara. It was an intriguing story with some unexpected twists, and I ended up liking this character more than I expected.
Second up was the steady bank worker Stephen, who on paper seems the best choice. Again we are given his story and again I was surprised by his backstory.
The third lodger definitely pulled at Agnes heartstrings, and again another fascinating story is woven about her.
Somehow the author interweaves all the stories together and adds in Agnes’s own personal story, and ties it all together so well! I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I won’t go into too much detail, suffice to say that this was filled with some emotional drama, some hidden truths and blossoming friendships that made the ending so special.
It’s like no other book that I have read, it’s unique and clever and I enjoyed every single page!
I loved having three separate stories that actually blend together to give a “what if” storyline.
We meet Agnes who owns the house, inherited from her father and we find her in a dilemma, she has to choose a new lodger for the house. All three appeal to her and we are given the opportunity to see what happens when she chooses each person, a sort of Sliding Doors type affair.
Firstly we see what happens when she offers the room to her wild niece Clara. It was an intriguing story with some unexpected twists, and I ended up liking this character more than I expected.
Second up was the steady bank worker Stephen, who on paper seems the best choice. Again we are given his story and again I was surprised by his backstory.
The third lodger definitely pulled at Agnes heartstrings, and again another fascinating story is woven about her.
Somehow the author interweaves all the stories together and adds in Agnes’s own personal story, and ties it all together so well! I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I won’t go into too much detail, suffice to say that this was filled with some emotional drama, some hidden truths and blossoming friendships that made the ending so special.
It’s like no other book that I have read, it’s unique and clever and I enjoyed every single page!
October 31, 2023
Agnes Humphries has a room to let in her stylish residence: 23 Burlington Square. A property that has been her family home since childhood and is filled to bursting with memories and treasured objects. She interviews three prospective tenants Mercy, Stephen and Clara, her wayward niece - before decisions are needed. A simple task for a landlord, though the implications will affect all the residents at 23 Burlington Square.
I loved this tale from page one! And my opinion didn’t change throughout the book. Told in a ‘sliding doors’ format which enables various outcomes to be witnessed. The characters are colourful and flawed, yet so relatable. The original circumstance is an everyday occurrence which becomes meaningful, poignant and pivotal to each of the three potential tenants.
Additional characters add life, interest and a suitable background for the tale: Gilbert - the ghostly introvert living on the top floor, Mr Gorski - the elderly chap on floor two, and the young family trying to make ends meet, who live in the basement flat.
There’s a beautiful romance weaved throughout the story – for which I held my breath hoping beyond hope that love would find a way!
A five star read – highly recommended.
I loved this tale from page one! And my opinion didn’t change throughout the book. Told in a ‘sliding doors’ format which enables various outcomes to be witnessed. The characters are colourful and flawed, yet so relatable. The original circumstance is an everyday occurrence which becomes meaningful, poignant and pivotal to each of the three potential tenants.
Additional characters add life, interest and a suitable background for the tale: Gilbert - the ghostly introvert living on the top floor, Mr Gorski - the elderly chap on floor two, and the young family trying to make ends meet, who live in the basement flat.
There’s a beautiful romance weaved throughout the story – for which I held my breath hoping beyond hope that love would find a way!
A five star read – highly recommended.
August 12, 2024
Such an interesting novel. The way it is written is very unique. An elderly woman owns a Victorian house in London. She must rent out 2 floors, the basement and the attic to make a living. When one of her tenants dies, she advertises the vacant floor for rent. She interviews 3 prospective tenants. One is her spoiled, wild niece. Another is a man who works in a bank. And the third is a young widow whose husband died in the war. The book is written in 4 parts. Each part is a story about each of the prospective tenants moving into the house. As it turns out, there are many lies and deceits taking place in each character’s story. Delightful read!
October 31, 2023
This was such a heartwarming read! There are four parts or four stories depicting the results of a decision made by Agnes on one fateful day.
I loved the descriptions of various places in London, and I couldn't help but weigh the pros and cons of each choice as I read along. I don't want to give anything away, 🙊 but there are secrets and surprises revealed with each part!
If you're looking for a cozy, character-driven story, don't sleep on No. 23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer!
Read this if you like:
• Alternate timelines
• Books set in London
• Found family
• Cozy reads
I loved the descriptions of various places in London, and I couldn't help but weigh the pros and cons of each choice as I read along. I don't want to give anything away, 🙊 but there are secrets and surprises revealed with each part!
If you're looking for a cozy, character-driven story, don't sleep on No. 23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer!
Read this if you like:
• Alternate timelines
• Books set in London
• Found family
• Cozy reads
August 30, 2024
If Julian Fellowes had written Sliding Doors, it might look something like No. 23 Burlington Square, set at a 1920s London boarding house with a recent vacancy. The landlady, Miss Agnes Humphries, has three prospective applicants from which to choose: a flighty niece, a successful banker, and a war widow. Does she select her own blood... or a businessman who will bring an air of respectability (to say nothing of financial stability) to the house... or a stranger in need of a helping hand?
It is no spoiler to say she picks each of them. Author Jenni Keer takes us through three alternate scenarios, one at a time, to dramatize how the lives and fates of these characters -- along with the other tenants at No. 23 Burlington Square -- intersect in touching and surprising (often very surprising) ways.
This is an exceptionally genteel story -- another welcome entry in the recent trend of radical kindness in popular fiction -- that promotes openheartedness over bitterness, honest communication over petty gossip, optimism over cynicism. It suggests that while not every social encounter will be a pleasant one, nor every stranger will ultimately earn the benefit of the doubt we extend to them, sociability and grace are virtues worth practicing nonetheless. Open minds -- and open hearts -- tend to invite happy and/or meaningful experiences. No. 23 Burlington Square is a prosocial fable of impressive moral imagination.
It's also very well-written. In addition to its inspired premise and expert plotting -- no detail is arbitrary; no setup is left without a payoff -- Keer's characterization is masterful (everyone has their own distinct voice and perspective) and her prose conjures such a specific, credible, and tactile atmosphere: She whisks you into the 1920s, and you can practically smell the house on No. 23 Burlington Square wafting off the pages -- that comfortably musty odor of an old, well-loved home with lots of stories to tell, if only its walls could talk.
Like Matt Haig's alternate-reality fantasy The Midnight Library, this is a book I'll be eager to read again -- to better appreciate its elegant plotting and sleight-of-hand pleasures. But mostly to just drop in on Agnes and her boarders at No. 23 Burlington Square. Lovely novel.
It is no spoiler to say she picks each of them. Author Jenni Keer takes us through three alternate scenarios, one at a time, to dramatize how the lives and fates of these characters -- along with the other tenants at No. 23 Burlington Square -- intersect in touching and surprising (often very surprising) ways.
This is an exceptionally genteel story -- another welcome entry in the recent trend of radical kindness in popular fiction -- that promotes openheartedness over bitterness, honest communication over petty gossip, optimism over cynicism. It suggests that while not every social encounter will be a pleasant one, nor every stranger will ultimately earn the benefit of the doubt we extend to them, sociability and grace are virtues worth practicing nonetheless. Open minds -- and open hearts -- tend to invite happy and/or meaningful experiences. No. 23 Burlington Square is a prosocial fable of impressive moral imagination.
It's also very well-written. In addition to its inspired premise and expert plotting -- no detail is arbitrary; no setup is left without a payoff -- Keer's characterization is masterful (everyone has their own distinct voice and perspective) and her prose conjures such a specific, credible, and tactile atmosphere: She whisks you into the 1920s, and you can practically smell the house on No. 23 Burlington Square wafting off the pages -- that comfortably musty odor of an old, well-loved home with lots of stories to tell, if only its walls could talk.
Like Matt Haig's alternate-reality fantasy The Midnight Library, this is a book I'll be eager to read again -- to better appreciate its elegant plotting and sleight-of-hand pleasures. But mostly to just drop in on Agnes and her boarders at No. 23 Burlington Square. Lovely novel.
September 26, 2024
Okay this book got better and better with each story!
I love the premise of how all of the characters’ paths are altered by one decision. Even as small as a decision as to walk to the mailbox to send a letter. Good and bad things happen as a domino from which person lives in the house.
I’m so glad that it all came together in the epilogue! I was worried about which ending was real, and I was torn between which one I wanted it to end with! But the epilogue tied it all together wonderfully.
That’s part of the fun of the book, figuring out the connections and how they change from the various story points of view!
Bless Agnes. She is a saint.
I would recommend this one! It’s a feel good story with fun what ifs that keep you guessing and cheering for the good characters (not you, Mr. Thompson).
And who doesn’t love a happy ending?
I love the premise of how all of the characters’ paths are altered by one decision. Even as small as a decision as to walk to the mailbox to send a letter. Good and bad things happen as a domino from which person lives in the house.
I’m so glad that it all came together in the epilogue! I was worried about which ending was real, and I was torn between which one I wanted it to end with! But the epilogue tied it all together wonderfully.
That’s part of the fun of the book, figuring out the connections and how they change from the various story points of view!
Bless Agnes. She is a saint.
I would recommend this one! It’s a feel good story with fun what ifs that keep you guessing and cheering for the good characters (not you, Mr. Thompson).
And who doesn’t love a happy ending?
January 10, 2024
This was not what I was expecting. Three characters, three stories, intertwined with that of others whose lives they entered.
Excellent storytelling of what might be if…
Excellent storytelling of what might be if…
May 18, 2024
Lovely summer read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 717 reviews