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Know Not Why #1.5
Toil & Trouble: A Know Not Why Halloween (Mis)adventure
It's that Halloweeny time of year, and Howie, Arthur, Kristy, and Cora are on a mission to create the perfect haunted house event at the store in order to win over new customers.
Turns out, it's not as easy as it sounds -- especially when you're trying to charm the town's most popular (and terrifying) arts 'n crafts blogger into writing your store a favorable review. And it just gets worse when that blogger insists that her wild child ten year old son be given creative control over the entire situation.
There's no way around it: October just got stressful. Fortunately, Howie & Co. are super chill and not at all prone toward panicking.
... Yeah, that might be a lie.
The characters from Know Not Why return in this romp full of workplace turmoil, eerie coincidences, sexy mummy costumes, and even more bantery friendship antics than ever before.
Words: 20,940
Turns out, it's not as easy as it sounds -- especially when you're trying to charm the town's most popular (and terrifying) arts 'n crafts blogger into writing your store a favorable review. And it just gets worse when that blogger insists that her wild child ten year old son be given creative control over the entire situation.
There's no way around it: October just got stressful. Fortunately, Howie & Co. are super chill and not at all prone toward panicking.
... Yeah, that might be a lie.
The characters from Know Not Why return in this romp full of workplace turmoil, eerie coincidences, sexy mummy costumes, and even more bantery friendship antics than ever before.
Words: 20,940
74 pages, ebook
First published November 9, 2014
5 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Johnson
5 books246 followersHannah Johnson lives in Alaska. Know Not Why is her first novel. There are many more in the works!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
November 11, 2014
2.5 stars
Hmmm ... this felt like reading one of those free online fictions or fan fictions where there were a lot of dialogs but not so much as 'direction' or 'shape' about what the story was trying to say.
At times, it felt refreshing, with the 'let-loose' storytelling and quirky dialogs.... but at other times, I wondered, "what's the point of this? where is this going exactly". The humor sometimes works, sometimes it doesn't. I am not one easily amused with humorous stories, I guess.
So with my mood and the way I felt rather indifferent/meh with this story when I finished it, I have to settled down with 2.5 stars. Bummer.
Hmmm ... this felt like reading one of those free online fictions or fan fictions where there were a lot of dialogs but not so much as 'direction' or 'shape' about what the story was trying to say.
At times, it felt refreshing, with the 'let-loose' storytelling and quirky dialogs.... but at other times, I wondered, "what's the point of this? where is this going exactly". The humor sometimes works, sometimes it doesn't. I am not one easily amused with humorous stories, I guess.
So with my mood and the way I felt rather indifferent/meh with this story when I finished it, I have to settled down with 2.5 stars. Bummer.
February 6, 2015
I think the 'tumblr language' used in the Know not why universe is something that you either love or hate. I'm firmly on the 'love' side as I use tumblr and I write like this all the time too. That's why the humor works so well for me. I would have prefered if this sequel (?) had been from Howie's perspective and had more Howie/Arthur but overall I enjoyed this a lot :)
Want to read
June 9, 2015Price drop to $0.99 at Amazon US, 6/9/15!
December 17, 2016
After reading Know Not Why I really wanted more of these characters, and this short story provided that. It was a cute story that showed what the characters were up too ten months later and fit perfectly with the first book. It was cute and fun to read. Again, I loved how it didn't just focus on Howie and Arthur but on everyone around them.
I still want more, though. :(
I still want more, though. :(
April 11, 2016
That was cheesy as hell. I loved every second of it.
January 1, 2016
This was also fun, though !
February 11, 2018
This was a cute follow-up to Know Not Why, but altogether pretty forgettable. It was nice to have more focus on the other characters, but I'm weak and really just wanted more of Arthur and Howie.
May 30, 2020
i miss them *cries*
April 4, 2016
SPOILERS SINCE IT'S KIND OF A SEQUEL!
This is a lovely short story with the characters of the Know not Why book. I missed them so much but I have to admit that I've already kind of reread the whole book twice (skipping some parts, obviously).
Ten months have passed since we left Howie and Arthur kissing on the roof of the shop on New Year's Eve. They are a couple, that's certain, we knew that a lot before the book ended so it's not quite news there. It seems that they are almost living together, Howie spends a lot of time in Arthur's apartment and he stays there to sleep so yeah, things are great and that makes me so happy.
This short story is about Halloween. Holly's, their competitor, have a wonderful Hansel & Gretel cookies and candies house and, even if they are still open, their customers aren't a lot. They have to up their game so they decided to host a Hunted House even on Halloween. Looks simple, fun, right? Wrong! A not so nice lady, Howie called her Voldemort, is a arts and crafts blogger and has decided, after an unfortunate incident at Holly's, to host her 10 year old son's birthday party the day of their event at their shop. She said that if her son is satisfied she might write a really nice review on her blog that will bring more customers to the shop. Sounds perfect, right? WRONG again.
Tyler, Voldemort's son, has a weird and macabre idea of how he wants her birthday party to be. He wants blood, vomit, guts, chainsaws, sexy mummy, Taylor Swift songs sang in a scary way...so, not very age appropriate!
Arthur is very conflicted but still decided to comply. The result will be hilariously disastrous!!
It's quite a simple story with known elements. You get to see that Arthur and Howie are still very in love with each other and that's perfect. Kristy is still with her boyfriend Cliff. We didn't get to see her roommate Nicki but I guess Kristy and Cliff are living together now, maybe? It's a possibility. Mitch and Amber aren't together but they are getting there very slowly, slug slowly. Heather, Howie's sworn enemy now is also Cora's sworn enemy since she "stole" the role of the Creature in an all-female version of Frankenstein. But often hate in another word for love, right? Howie docet.
I'm still very in love with Arthur, my favorite little peacoat cutie pie! Some things never change!
This is a lovely short story with the characters of the Know not Why book. I missed them so much but I have to admit that I've already kind of reread the whole book twice (skipping some parts, obviously).
Ten months have passed since we left Howie and Arthur kissing on the roof of the shop on New Year's Eve. They are a couple, that's certain, we knew that a lot before the book ended so it's not quite news there. It seems that they are almost living together, Howie spends a lot of time in Arthur's apartment and he stays there to sleep so yeah, things are great and that makes me so happy.
This short story is about Halloween. Holly's, their competitor, have a wonderful Hansel & Gretel cookies and candies house and, even if they are still open, their customers aren't a lot. They have to up their game so they decided to host a Hunted House even on Halloween. Looks simple, fun, right? Wrong! A not so nice lady, Howie called her Voldemort, is a arts and crafts blogger and has decided, after an unfortunate incident at Holly's, to host her 10 year old son's birthday party the day of their event at their shop. She said that if her son is satisfied she might write a really nice review on her blog that will bring more customers to the shop. Sounds perfect, right? WRONG again.
Tyler, Voldemort's son, has a weird and macabre idea of how he wants her birthday party to be. He wants blood, vomit, guts, chainsaws, sexy mummy, Taylor Swift songs sang in a scary way...so, not very age appropriate!
Arthur is very conflicted but still decided to comply. The result will be hilariously disastrous!!
It's quite a simple story with known elements. You get to see that Arthur and Howie are still very in love with each other and that's perfect. Kristy is still with her boyfriend Cliff. We didn't get to see her roommate Nicki but I guess Kristy and Cliff are living together now, maybe? It's a possibility. Mitch and Amber aren't together but they are getting there very slowly, slug slowly. Heather, Howie's sworn enemy now is also Cora's sworn enemy since she "stole" the role of the Creature in an all-female version of Frankenstein. But often hate in another word for love, right? Howie docet.
I'm still very in love with Arthur, my favorite little peacoat cutie pie! Some things never change!
May 11, 2019
Ever read something and think "I know this is cheesy, and corny, but hell, I'm enjoying this so much I'm squealing and giggling, so who cares?"
Pretty much my relationship with this story. I absolutely loved every moment of it. Every. Single. One.
“You okay, Artie?”
“I can feel the sugar,” Arthur says, his voice faint and sleepy. “I can feel it dissolving my insides.”
“You had like three Starbursts and a chocolate bar.”
“It was still too much.”
Howie kisses his shoulder. “Aw, you rookie.”
I mean, how can you not love Howie and Arthur during Halloween? Or Cora? Or Kristy? It renewed my mildly dormant fangirling for these precious babies. I love these characters so much.
“Hey look,” Howie says. “Tim Burton broke in and puked his soul all over.”
“A very reasonable explanation,” Arthur says.
This was perfect. Just what I wanted, and better than I expected.
Pretty much my relationship with this story. I absolutely loved every moment of it. Every. Single. One.
“You okay, Artie?”
“I can feel the sugar,” Arthur says, his voice faint and sleepy. “I can feel it dissolving my insides.”
“You had like three Starbursts and a chocolate bar.”
“It was still too much.”
Howie kisses his shoulder. “Aw, you rookie.”
I mean, how can you not love Howie and Arthur during Halloween? Or Cora? Or Kristy? It renewed my mildly dormant fangirling for these precious babies. I love these characters so much.
“Hey look,” Howie says. “Tim Burton broke in and puked his soul all over.”
“A very reasonable explanation,” Arthur says.
This was perfect. Just what I wanted, and better than I expected.
August 18, 2019
I re-read Know Not Why every couple of months, and for someone who hardly ever re-reads entire books, that's a huge deal. That said, you can probably imagine how excited I was to find out that there was a little sequel novella. Hint: VERY excited.
And it did not disappoint! I just love, love, love getting to spend more time with these characters because I love them all. Howie/Arthur are wonderful and seeing them as a functional established couple made me all heart eye emoji-looking.
I also love Kristy, Disney princess savior of everything, and Cora!!! Cora was so great in this.
Also, when do I ever get to read anything that references Parks and Recreation and Anne of Green Gables within like twenty pages of each other? Good job, Toil & Trouble.
And it did not disappoint! I just love, love, love getting to spend more time with these characters because I love them all. Howie/Arthur are wonderful and seeing them as a functional established couple made me all heart eye emoji-looking.
I also love Kristy, Disney princess savior of everything, and Cora!!! Cora was so great in this.
Also, when do I ever get to read anything that references Parks and Recreation and Anne of Green Gables within like twenty pages of each other? Good job, Toil & Trouble.
May 23, 2016
3.5 stars - only recommended if you lurved the first book. If you did, then this serves as a sort of treat, you get to spend more time with the characters. It's cute and funny in that way, but doesn't really work as a story of its own, mostly because there's just too many characters, with too many different things going on in their lives and there's just not enough time in 70-or-so pages to really address each of them, like the original book did. But as a fun piece of fluff it works very well.
Read
April 25, 2022Know not why read like a fan fiction, I’m not against it, I like being taken back to 2014 and I found fan fiction very entertaining, but this read like a very bad fan fiction, I was confused with who’s POV it was, it was not that entertaining, a bit of a let down, but it was a short story so what can I say.
November 16, 2015
So cute. I love this little craft store family. I laughed out loud several times and my heart grew three sizes. I want more!
November 30, 2018
I wanted to read it for a long time but I hadn’t had the time and the chance, etc. Until this year.
I don’t know what I expected. I knew that it’s just a short story but still I was waiting for the same feelings that I felt when I read 'Know Not Why'. And they didn’t come. I have to say that I didn’t like this story much. It is so rough, so-so-so rough.
Howie stayed the same; I liked him and his ramblings but I was sad that he isn’t the narrator this time. (It was written in third person. :()
Arthur seemed off to me, as if he became a little bit Howieish. But more than that he wasn’t the same collected person who I got to know and love. He just wasn’t himself.
I was utterly shocked that
And that Cora
Kristy is… she wasn’t herself either. I know why she wasn’t the same cheery old self but still, she was weird.
The story is lame. First of all it’s very surprising that the shop is still open (it was a big possibility at the end of 'KNW' that it won't survive another year but now it’s Halloween. So…). But okay, it survived (surprisingly!) and now
I would have been much happier with some lovey-dovey time between Arthur and Howie and some good Halloweeny thing. I’m actually sad that I read it. It's 3 stars but I honestly don't know why I give this much to it.
I don’t know what I expected. I knew that it’s just a short story but still I was waiting for the same feelings that I felt when I read 'Know Not Why'. And they didn’t come. I have to say that I didn’t like this story much. It is so rough, so-so-so rough.
Howie stayed the same; I liked him and his ramblings but I was sad that he isn’t the narrator this time. (It was written in third person. :()
Arthur seemed off to me, as if he became a little bit Howieish. But more than that he wasn’t the same collected person who I got to know and love. He just wasn’t himself.
I was utterly shocked that
And that Cora
Kristy is… she wasn’t herself either. I know why she wasn’t the same cheery old self but still, she was weird.
The story is lame. First of all it’s very surprising that the shop is still open (it was a big possibility at the end of 'KNW' that it won't survive another year but now it’s Halloween. So…). But okay, it survived (surprisingly!) and now
I would have been much happier with some lovey-dovey time between Arthur and Howie and some good Halloweeny thing. I’m actually sad that I read it. It's 3 stars but I honestly don't know why I give this much to it.
November 18, 2018
I want to like Hannah Johnson's writing. I really do. The timing of her humor is in line with my own. Her characters' snark, in "young people slang" (I think someone referred to it as "Tumblr-speak"?) is fun. But some of the scenes that are meant to be funny are just downright painful. LIke bad-sitcom level painful. In the case of Toil and Trouble, those two scenes—the spoiled, obnoxious brat telling Arthur what he wants for his Halloween birthday party, and Artie Kraft's lecture about the business—come at Arthur's expense. It breaks my heart because Arthur is such a sweet soul. He's a talented musician, and yet his parents only seem to care about keeping their failing arts & crafts store open. They don't seem to care about what Arthur wants and what he could do with his life. And that makes me sad.
This story is told from multiple points of view, rather than just Howie's first-person ramblings, which I appreciated because a little Howie goes a long way. I don't like the present tense, but that's just a pet peeve of my somewhat dyslexic brain. And in a nice nod to the unpredictable, sweet, supposedly air-headed Kristy
This story is told from multiple points of view, rather than just Howie's first-person ramblings, which I appreciated because a little Howie goes a long way. I don't like the present tense, but that's just a pet peeve of my somewhat dyslexic brain. And in a nice nod to the unpredictable, sweet, supposedly air-headed Kristy
July 20, 2017
I just love the way Johnson writes and her Know Not Why world is awesome and the characters are perfect! Toil & Trouble is as stated, a Halloween misadventure of the arts 'n crafts store where our wonderful staff work along with Arthur. Arthur is happily together with Howie and their relationship is not only cute, but realistic and funny in so many ways. All the other characters have their time in the light too and it was hilarious how the whole Halloween party goes awry. All the characters have a persona and they interact like real people. Johnson is awesome at writing humor that is light and meaningful at the same time. The story is an easy read as is the original book, but in the most perfect way.
The text flow is something to raise a hat to. The story isn't all that long, but it's steady and well built. It takes some time to get it all started, but then it's fireworks basically. I only wish it had been longer, since I love spending time with these awesome people. I wish Johnson would publish these both as physical books, since they need to belong to my bookcase.
The text flow is something to raise a hat to. The story isn't all that long, but it's steady and well built. It takes some time to get it all started, but then it's fireworks basically. I only wish it had been longer, since I love spending time with these awesome people. I wish Johnson would publish these both as physical books, since they need to belong to my bookcase.
October 16, 2019
This is the next part of 'Know Knot Why'; a story about an early twenties guy who got a job at an arts and crafts store while he was floundering and found the place and people in which he truly fit. This story is all about Halloween in the crafts store and how the owner, our MCs now-boyfriend, is desperately trying to keep his business afloat by pandering to the ridiculous desires of a ten-year-old. It's cute and funny but doesn't make my teeth hurt with sweetness. The supporting cast of characters are just as great and layered as the MCs, and I really hope we get more stories about this wonderful group in the near future.
September 20, 2018
I love Know Not Why, so this bit of fanservice was cute, but not the best written. It was basically all dialogue, which was hard to follow and it definitely felt like every character was more or less a caricature of their fleshed out selves from the original book.
Still, I could see how someone who's just coming off the high of KNW could eat this up as a delicious little snack.
Still, I could see how someone who's just coming off the high of KNW could eat this up as a delicious little snack.
August 11, 2019
So deliciously beautiful and heart warming! This is a kind of sequel to “Know not why”, so be sure to read that beforehand. I do think this story is perfect for those who loved the characters from the novel like myself because this so character driven and not much plot. But if did love them you have to read this one, it’s funny, heartwarming and cute.
June 24, 2020
SO HAPPY to have found this book!! I absolutely loved Know Not Why and it's turned into a comfort book, so finding out their adventures continue? SO HAPPY. this book was super cute and I love that we got an insight on the POVs of the other characters. also cora and heather??? gonna need a whole book on those two, love it. AND HOWIE AND ARTHUR? domestic honeys, absolutely beautiful. Fun read!
January 6, 2018
it was good
i liked it and ho it was an extension on the original book. the only thing is i wish that it had a plot to do more with the characters than the store. i overall enjoyed.
i liked it and ho it was an extension on the original book. the only thing is i wish that it had a plot to do more with the characters than the store. i overall enjoyed.
July 15, 2018
Always a blast hanging out with the Craft Crew
Hannah's writing always makes me smile! I love the genuine friendship between everyone and would follow these characters for another five books! Also, I want a Heather/Cora story obviously!!!
Hannah's writing always makes me smile! I love the genuine friendship between everyone and would follow these characters for another five books! Also, I want a Heather/Cora story obviously!!!
October 29, 2020
Pathetic
Pointless, lame, shallow characters fond of the F Word and valley girl language. No plot, just idiocy. Could not bear to read more than two chapters. I have no idea the purpose of this book. Do not waste your time .
Pointless, lame, shallow characters fond of the F Word and valley girl language. No plot, just idiocy. Could not bear to read more than two chapters. I have no idea the purpose of this book. Do not waste your time .
May 13, 2020
3.5 rounded up
June 29, 2020
This novella made me laugh out loud, and it made me feel better, so I’m giving it all the stars. All of them.
October 18, 2021
A lovely follow-up to the original. Perfect for Halloween as well, so many bad puns. Weird that it's in the third person instead of the first time. But still. *Awesome*
March 11, 2017
After a magical day reading 'Know Not Why', I had to read the follow-up story and it was great. The only sad part is that i9t finished! I wish the writer would tackle the story between Heather/Cora (I confess I ship it o/) and Mitch/Amber! I really love them. Hell, I wouldn't even complain if she did a prequel book telling us the love story from Dennis/Emily from Emily's POV cause I found her so interesting (and I think she was the one I missed in the short story).
tl;dr I need more stories from this universe because I'm in love ♥
tl;dr I need more stories from this universe because I'm in love ♥
July 29, 2016
If you liked Know Not Why, then you'll definitely enjoy Toil & Trouble.
In Toil & Trouble, the gang just want to put on a family fun haunted house for Halloween. But Annie Fabray, a local blog queen who can make or break an arts and craft store with her reviews, has other plans. She insists they throw the haunted house for her son's birthday, and that they comply with his every demand. His demands are terrible and will scar every local child who attends forever. Of course, because this is Howie&co, crazy (and sometimes heartwarming) antics ensue.
I actually found that T&T had more laugh out loud moments than Know Not Why did. I guess I prefer witch and supervillain antics to Christmas antics!
Basically this novella was everything I wanted and more. Actually, that's not true. If it was everything I wanted and more it would have been 5x longer. But I'll take what I can get when it comes to Howie&co! This includes but is not limited to the following holiday hijinks: the Fourth of July, National S'mores Day, Love A Tree Day, Public Sleeping Day, and Don't Cry over Spilled Milk Day. Just saying.
In Toil & Trouble, the gang just want to put on a family fun haunted house for Halloween. But Annie Fabray, a local blog queen who can make or break an arts and craft store with her reviews, has other plans. She insists they throw the haunted house for her son's birthday, and that they comply with his every demand. His demands are terrible and will scar every local child who attends forever. Of course, because this is Howie&co, crazy (and sometimes heartwarming) antics ensue.
I actually found that T&T had more laugh out loud moments than Know Not Why did. I guess I prefer witch and supervillain antics to Christmas antics!
Basically this novella was everything I wanted and more. Actually, that's not true. If it was everything I wanted and more it would have been 5x longer. But I'll take what I can get when it comes to Howie&co! This includes but is not limited to the following holiday hijinks: the Fourth of July, National S'mores Day, Love A Tree Day, Public Sleeping Day, and Don't Cry over Spilled Milk Day. Just saying.
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