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The Gentlemen’s Guild for Cursed Adventurers
New York, 1915
A man turning to stone.
A bloodthirsty letter opener.
And … a chicken?
Welcome to the Gentlemen’s Guild for Cursed Adventurers, a place where all manner of oddly afflicted men are members and call the grand house of Birchwald their home. Here, cursed gentlemen can retire from polite society, safe from judgement, and under the care of the Guild’s enigmatic president, Malcolm Drury.
Norah Abernathy is no stranger to curses—her family has been plagued by them for generations, and her brother is the latest victim. Norah believes the Guild to be the perfect haven for him while she seeks a cure, but not everything is as it seems within the guild. Chaos reigns, and secrets abound. And then there’s Malcolm, whom Norah finds herself reluctantly drawn to.
Determined to find cures for the members' troubles, Norah makes a study of each, seeking out their mysteries and the causes of their cursed consequences. While skepticism follows her, so does the men's hope, despite the relentlessness of their burdens.
Burdens which can carry a terrible price...
A man turning to stone.
A bloodthirsty letter opener.
And … a chicken?
Welcome to the Gentlemen’s Guild for Cursed Adventurers, a place where all manner of oddly afflicted men are members and call the grand house of Birchwald their home. Here, cursed gentlemen can retire from polite society, safe from judgement, and under the care of the Guild’s enigmatic president, Malcolm Drury.
Norah Abernathy is no stranger to curses—her family has been plagued by them for generations, and her brother is the latest victim. Norah believes the Guild to be the perfect haven for him while she seeks a cure, but not everything is as it seems within the guild. Chaos reigns, and secrets abound. And then there’s Malcolm, whom Norah finds herself reluctantly drawn to.
Determined to find cures for the members' troubles, Norah makes a study of each, seeking out their mysteries and the causes of their cursed consequences. While skepticism follows her, so does the men's hope, despite the relentlessness of their burdens.
Burdens which can carry a terrible price...
- GenresHistorical
461 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2025
2 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
R. Lindsay Carter
6 books14 followersR. Lindsay Carter wanted to be a zookeeper when she was a girl. Now, she is content to stick with her small menagerie at home, which includes her supportive husband and her two daughters. When she isn’t in the throes of writing, you can find R. Lindsay creating art, reading, gardening, ignoring household chores, and otherwise lounging about, usually with her lap taken up by her dog and/or one of her three cats. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, R. Lindsay happily lives in Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 15, 2025
I received an ARC of this book, which does not affect my review. Thank you to the author and Booksirens for the chance to read this book.
Though I knew where this story would go, that didn’t make it less delightful. Norah and Malcom were destined to be and I knew it, but following their journey and watching their relationship bloom was still a wonderful time. From the beginning, Norah is inquisitive, bold, and compassionate, diving into the mystery of curses which leads her into the Gentlemen’s Guild for Cursed Adventurers. There, she meets Malcom and a memorable cast of characters, all suffering from their own curses and each with their own stories. Norah is one of the few people who actually stands up to Malcom, and of course the classic enemies to lovers ensues. But I love it every time!
The beginning of my book had an easier time keeping my interest than the end. Because of this it took me a bit longer to finish the end despite breezing through the beginning. Maybe I was mostly there for the tension and the blooming romance. However, the rest of the plot, especially the peculiar characters Norah meets and becomes friends with while she searches for the reason behind the curses were all lovable and memorable. One thing I loved about Norah’s character is how she took a genuine interest in each of the gentlemen, which was what made her so easy to root for, especially as she and Malcom warm up to each other. In addition, the setting and time period felt well done, and it was the perfect backdrop for this story.
Humor, romance, and a bit of mystery are the pillars of this book. It is a very cozy read, full of silly antics and lovable characters. My real rating would be a 3.5 but rounded up simply because my interest slipped a little in the end, but I don’t think I will be forgetting these characters any time soon.
Though I knew where this story would go, that didn’t make it less delightful. Norah and Malcom were destined to be and I knew it, but following their journey and watching their relationship bloom was still a wonderful time. From the beginning, Norah is inquisitive, bold, and compassionate, diving into the mystery of curses which leads her into the Gentlemen’s Guild for Cursed Adventurers. There, she meets Malcom and a memorable cast of characters, all suffering from their own curses and each with their own stories. Norah is one of the few people who actually stands up to Malcom, and of course the classic enemies to lovers ensues. But I love it every time!
The beginning of my book had an easier time keeping my interest than the end. Because of this it took me a bit longer to finish the end despite breezing through the beginning. Maybe I was mostly there for the tension and the blooming romance. However, the rest of the plot, especially the peculiar characters Norah meets and becomes friends with while she searches for the reason behind the curses were all lovable and memorable. One thing I loved about Norah’s character is how she took a genuine interest in each of the gentlemen, which was what made her so easy to root for, especially as she and Malcom warm up to each other. In addition, the setting and time period felt well done, and it was the perfect backdrop for this story.
Humor, romance, and a bit of mystery are the pillars of this book. It is a very cozy read, full of silly antics and lovable characters. My real rating would be a 3.5 but rounded up simply because my interest slipped a little in the end, but I don’t think I will be forgetting these characters any time soon.
August 25, 2025
Thanks to BookSirens for the eARC.
This was a fun story with is quirky characters, many of whom are afflicted with (relatively harmless) curses, and set at near the beginning of the 20th Century. The pacing was even, with the 3rd person (limited) narrative split between Malcom Drury, president the titular Gentleman's Guild of Cursed Adventurers, and Norah Abernathy, a woman with an interest in Maledictology (the study of curses). The banter between the two is typical and the obvious (slow burn) romance inevitable, with revelations of the secrets each of them keeps from one another unfolding naturally.
Overall a lovely light read, with charming characters and quirky characters.
This was a fun story with is quirky characters, many of whom are afflicted with (relatively harmless) curses, and set at near the beginning of the 20th Century. The pacing was even, with the 3rd person (limited) narrative split between Malcom Drury, president the titular Gentleman's Guild of Cursed Adventurers, and Norah Abernathy, a woman with an interest in Maledictology (the study of curses). The banter between the two is typical and the obvious (slow burn) romance inevitable, with revelations of the secrets each of them keeps from one another unfolding naturally.
Overall a lovely light read, with charming characters and quirky characters.
October 5, 2025
This was a very strange book to read. It's a nice mystery book, but with chunks of horrible attempts at romance jammed into it.
The first interaction between the two main characters of the book includes Malcolm going off on Norah for the fact of being a woman, and that she dared to hide this fact from him by signing her letter off without including her full name.
Norah, after snapping back against him, goes to her room and thinks that she was uncharacteristically quick to argue. Then she thinks the dreaded sentence:
Malcolm spends the first quarter of the book looking down on Norah for being a woman, and accusing her of assorted crimes like of trying to undermine his power, or trying to hunt for a wealthy husband among the cursed adventurers in the guild. And then, when she slaps him, he 'feels the sting of the slap in his heart'. Then he magically gets rid of his bad opinions of women.
Norah, being on the receiving end of such treatment, finds Malcolm handsome and 'enigmatic'- because he refuses to tell her about his curse. She also talks like she was born in the 21st century- “Research shows that animals can be incredibly therapeutic”, for example. Also several statements about the patriarchy that are so modern in tone and verbiage that it breaks the suspension of disbelief.
Indeed, the first quarter of this book is a sort of uncanny valley- it reads like the characters are 21st century people playing at being from the 1910s. This problem stops being as prominent from then, but still crops up intermittently.
The prose is not bad, and plot is well made, but the flow is hamstrung by romance scenes which occur with little justification or believability. Near the end, there are shifts in tone which could have been done better- immediately after the deaths of Norah's family members comes a funny chapter about a mistaken identity subplot, with little closure beyond some sex.
Speaking the deaths of Norah's family members are described as if by an emotionless newscaster- who thinks of their brother being killed in a war merely as his 'tragic death'?
The prose in general tends to state that characters are feeling a certain way that their actions fail to reflect.
There are several times where the romance was done so badly it made me cringe, and treated perfectly seriously as if the author was unaware that this is not how normal people talk.
However, the climax was a page-turner, the plot twists were impressive, although the ending while being nice felt slightly unsatisfying.
On the whole, a book that could have been much better if it avoided the romance.
There was a single major editing mistake that I spotted- Norah's aunt uses the word 'alludes' instead of 'eludes'. Additionally, the epub version I got as an ARC- thanks to BookSirens- had some messed up indexing of the startpages of chapters: clicking on chapter 10 would take you to the last page of chapter 9, for example.
The first interaction between the two main characters of the book includes Malcolm going off on Norah for the fact of being a woman, and that she dared to hide this fact from him by signing her letter off without including her full name.
Norah, after snapping back against him, goes to her room and thinks that she was uncharacteristically quick to argue. Then she thinks the dreaded sentence:
She seemingly had no control over herself when it came to Malcolm Drury.
Malcolm spends the first quarter of the book looking down on Norah for being a woman, and accusing her of assorted crimes like of trying to undermine his power, or trying to hunt for a wealthy husband among the cursed adventurers in the guild. And then, when she slaps him, he 'feels the sting of the slap in his heart'. Then he magically gets rid of his bad opinions of women.
Norah, being on the receiving end of such treatment, finds Malcolm handsome and 'enigmatic'- because he refuses to tell her about his curse. She also talks like she was born in the 21st century- “Research shows that animals can be incredibly therapeutic”, for example. Also several statements about the patriarchy that are so modern in tone and verbiage that it breaks the suspension of disbelief.
Indeed, the first quarter of this book is a sort of uncanny valley- it reads like the characters are 21st century people playing at being from the 1910s. This problem stops being as prominent from then, but still crops up intermittently.
The prose is not bad, and plot is well made, but the flow is hamstrung by romance scenes which occur with little justification or believability. Near the end, there are shifts in tone which could have been done better- immediately after the deaths of Norah's family members comes a funny chapter about a mistaken identity subplot, with little closure beyond some sex.
Speaking the deaths of Norah's family members are described as if by an emotionless newscaster- who thinks of their brother being killed in a war merely as his 'tragic death'?
The prose in general tends to state that characters are feeling a certain way that their actions fail to reflect.
There are several times where the romance was done so badly it made me cringe, and treated perfectly seriously as if the author was unaware that this is not how normal people talk.
However, the climax was a page-turner, the plot twists were impressive, although the ending while being nice felt slightly unsatisfying.
On the whole, a book that could have been much better if it avoided the romance.
There was a single major editing mistake that I spotted- Norah's aunt uses the word 'alludes' instead of 'eludes'. Additionally, the epub version I got as an ARC- thanks to BookSirens- had some messed up indexing of the startpages of chapters: clicking on chapter 10 would take you to the last page of chapter 9, for example.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2025
*ARC Review*
I was drawn to this book as soon as I read the title and I'm so happy that it delivered!
The Gentlemen's Guild for Cursed Adventurers is a cozy, fun historical fiction with magic, romance and mystery. Set in the early 1900's, Norah is a forward thinking woman in her late twenties who dreams of being able to do all the things that women of the time were not allowed to do. Norah also happens to belong to a family with a long history of curses that have plagued both the males and females of the family. These curses bring her back to New York to join the Gentlemen's Guild for Cursed Adventurers, where she finds a slew of mysteries to solve and fantastic characters and relationships along the way.
The author's brilliant way of writing brings each character to life with witty banter, laugh out loud moments, and impossible problems coming out of the woodwork at every turn. Historical facts from WW1 are weaved into the story and the characters lives, and the authors imagination shines throughout the plot.
Norah is a fantastic FMC - stubborn, intelligent and compassionate to those around her. Her faithful dog Eddie and his sweet bedside manner with the cursed adventurers swells my heart every time. I have to also mention my favourite part and character - Mr. Norris. Diaper wearing, oblivious, egg-laying Mr. Norris might be my favourite character "cluck-cluck-cluck ba-gawk!". IYKYK! The character development throughout the story is top notch as we learn more about each cursed adventurer, and as they begin to trust in Norah and believe in her hopes to cure them. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the sweet relationship between Norah and Malcolm that steadily grows throughout the story.
With that, thank you to BookSirens and the author for a chance to read an ARC copy of The Gentlemen's Guild for Cursed Adventurers. R. Lindsay Carter has jumped to the top of my list of favourite authors!
I was drawn to this book as soon as I read the title and I'm so happy that it delivered!
The Gentlemen's Guild for Cursed Adventurers is a cozy, fun historical fiction with magic, romance and mystery. Set in the early 1900's, Norah is a forward thinking woman in her late twenties who dreams of being able to do all the things that women of the time were not allowed to do. Norah also happens to belong to a family with a long history of curses that have plagued both the males and females of the family. These curses bring her back to New York to join the Gentlemen's Guild for Cursed Adventurers, where she finds a slew of mysteries to solve and fantastic characters and relationships along the way.
The author's brilliant way of writing brings each character to life with witty banter, laugh out loud moments, and impossible problems coming out of the woodwork at every turn. Historical facts from WW1 are weaved into the story and the characters lives, and the authors imagination shines throughout the plot.
Norah is a fantastic FMC - stubborn, intelligent and compassionate to those around her. Her faithful dog Eddie and his sweet bedside manner with the cursed adventurers swells my heart every time. I have to also mention my favourite part and character - Mr. Norris. Diaper wearing, oblivious, egg-laying Mr. Norris might be my favourite character "cluck-cluck-cluck ba-gawk!". IYKYK! The character development throughout the story is top notch as we learn more about each cursed adventurer, and as they begin to trust in Norah and believe in her hopes to cure them. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the sweet relationship between Norah and Malcolm that steadily grows throughout the story.
With that, thank you to BookSirens and the author for a chance to read an ARC copy of The Gentlemen's Guild for Cursed Adventurers. R. Lindsay Carter has jumped to the top of my list of favourite authors!
September 17, 2025
Norah Abernathy is taking a step to unknown territory.
When she discovers that her brother suffers from an unknown affliction gained during his travels, she decides to write to the owner of the Gentlemen's Guild for Cursed Adventurers and seek help.
…What? Don't you believe that this place exists?
But it does! And its owner, a cursed man himself, makes sure to provide housing for men that are afflicted by curses. The problem is that Norah wants to stay with her brother, and it's solely a man’s territory.
The solution Norah comes up with, is both stubborn and endearing: she will stay with her brother, and help all the members of the guild overcome their perspective curses. An ambitious plan, that will form alliances, uncover secrets, create bonds within the place where everyone goes to live the rest of their lives in peace.
And all that, in 1915, with whatever this signifies for their little corner of the world.
If you want a cozy read with the perfect balance of pining, drama, twists, and giggle-inducing banter, this book is for you! It's absolutely endearing and had me loving it from start to finish. Norah is a lovely character, stubborn and decisive, coming to perfect contrast with grumpy, closed-off Malcolm. The romance isn't too in-your-face, leaving space for the rest of the relationships to grow within the guild, as Norah sets out to befriend and cure everyone. Her familial bonds are rather intriguing as well, the peak being her relationship with Aunt Nell.
All in all, it was a pure delight to read.
(I received a copy of this book through Booksirens, and this is my honest opinion after reading it. My thanks to Booksirens and the author.)
When she discovers that her brother suffers from an unknown affliction gained during his travels, she decides to write to the owner of the Gentlemen's Guild for Cursed Adventurers and seek help.
…What? Don't you believe that this place exists?
But it does! And its owner, a cursed man himself, makes sure to provide housing for men that are afflicted by curses. The problem is that Norah wants to stay with her brother, and it's solely a man’s territory.
The solution Norah comes up with, is both stubborn and endearing: she will stay with her brother, and help all the members of the guild overcome their perspective curses. An ambitious plan, that will form alliances, uncover secrets, create bonds within the place where everyone goes to live the rest of their lives in peace.
And all that, in 1915, with whatever this signifies for their little corner of the world.
If you want a cozy read with the perfect balance of pining, drama, twists, and giggle-inducing banter, this book is for you! It's absolutely endearing and had me loving it from start to finish. Norah is a lovely character, stubborn and decisive, coming to perfect contrast with grumpy, closed-off Malcolm. The romance isn't too in-your-face, leaving space for the rest of the relationships to grow within the guild, as Norah sets out to befriend and cure everyone. Her familial bonds are rather intriguing as well, the peak being her relationship with Aunt Nell.
All in all, it was a pure delight to read.
(I received a copy of this book through Booksirens, and this is my honest opinion after reading it. My thanks to Booksirens and the author.)
September 14, 2025
4.5 stars rounded down.
I picked up this book because the title caught my attention and promised a fun, strange adventure. To my great delight, the plot delivered. From the beginning, the author's imagination caught my attention. The story is set in the early stages of WWI, which is an era I'm not used to seeing in magical realism/alternative history literature. As the story progressed, I enjoyed learning more about each of the cursed gentlemen, and I was impressed by the variety and creativity of the curses in the story. I also appreciated the direction the author chose to take the romance subplots in the story as she avoided the trap of removing the characters' very human flaws the more romantically entangled they became. Instead, she told the story of imperfect people dealing with the consequences of their imperfections and learning to heal and grow together. (For those of you who are non-spice readers like myself, the book has steam but is closed-door)
My one complaint is that at times the tone shifted into telling rather than showing, and it happened just often enough that I would get distracted by it before it shifted back to showing again. Everything else, however, was very well done, and I'd recommend this book to people who want a quirky magical realism/alternative-history about people learning to recover and heal together.
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for an ARC! All opinions expressed are my own.
I picked up this book because the title caught my attention and promised a fun, strange adventure. To my great delight, the plot delivered. From the beginning, the author's imagination caught my attention. The story is set in the early stages of WWI, which is an era I'm not used to seeing in magical realism/alternative history literature. As the story progressed, I enjoyed learning more about each of the cursed gentlemen, and I was impressed by the variety and creativity of the curses in the story. I also appreciated the direction the author chose to take the romance subplots in the story as she avoided the trap of removing the characters' very human flaws the more romantically entangled they became. Instead, she told the story of imperfect people dealing with the consequences of their imperfections and learning to heal and grow together. (For those of you who are non-spice readers like myself, the book has steam but is closed-door)
My one complaint is that at times the tone shifted into telling rather than showing, and it happened just often enough that I would get distracted by it before it shifted back to showing again. Everything else, however, was very well done, and I'd recommend this book to people who want a quirky magical realism/alternative-history about people learning to recover and heal together.
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for an ARC! All opinions expressed are my own.
August 18, 2025
This novel weaves a captivating tale set in early 20th-century New York, focusing on Malcolm Drury, the president of a unique guild for adventurers cursed by their exploits. The story explores themes of friendship, hardship, and the quest for redemption through the lives of its diverse characters. Each member of the Guild has a distinct backstory and curse, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative. Norah Abernathy’s determination to help her brother and Rodney Paulson’s struggles with his affliction are particularly compelling.
The historical backdrop of New York City during a tumultuous time enhances the story, providing a vivid atmosphere that complements the characters’ journeys. The interactions among characters reveal their vulnerabilities and strengths, making the reader invest emotionally in their fates.
“A Gentleman’s Guild for Cursed Adventures” is a thought-provoking and entertaining read that blends fantasy with historical fiction. It successfully captures the essence of human resilience in the face of adversity, making it a worthwhile addition to the genre. If you enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of the supernatural, this book is definitely worth picking up!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The historical backdrop of New York City during a tumultuous time enhances the story, providing a vivid atmosphere that complements the characters’ journeys. The interactions among characters reveal their vulnerabilities and strengths, making the reader invest emotionally in their fates.
“A Gentleman’s Guild for Cursed Adventures” is a thought-provoking and entertaining read that blends fantasy with historical fiction. It successfully captures the essence of human resilience in the face of adversity, making it a worthwhile addition to the genre. If you enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of the supernatural, this book is definitely worth picking up!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
The Gentlemen’s Guild for Cursed Adventurers is a quirky romp about a band of misfits who turn their magical misfortunes into strength. Instead of letting their curses ruin them, they form a guild and dive headfirst into chaos, comedy, and surprisingly heartfelt moments. The whole thing reads like a fantasy parody but doubles as a love letter to found family.
The humor is sharp, sometimes gloriously absurd, and it feels a lot like watching a group of friends play an unhinged Dungeons and Dragons campaign. The banter crackles, the curses are more than just cheap gimmicks, and the group dynamic really shines.
The pacing does stumble here and there when jokes stretch longer than needed or the story takes the scenic route, but honestly, that just adds to the chaotic charm. This is not a flawless book, and it doesn’t need to be. It is self-aware, ridiculous in the best way, and genuinely entertaining.
If you like witty dialogue, chaotic adventures, and ensemble casts that feel like family, you will have a blast with this one. And if grimdark fantasy has been wearing you down, this book is a great reminder that magic and mayhem can also be hilarious.
FTC Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book through BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Gentlemen’s Guild for Cursed Adventurers is a quirky romp about a band of misfits who turn their magical misfortunes into strength. Instead of letting their curses ruin them, they form a guild and dive headfirst into chaos, comedy, and surprisingly heartfelt moments. The whole thing reads like a fantasy parody but doubles as a love letter to found family.
The humor is sharp, sometimes gloriously absurd, and it feels a lot like watching a group of friends play an unhinged Dungeons and Dragons campaign. The banter crackles, the curses are more than just cheap gimmicks, and the group dynamic really shines.
The pacing does stumble here and there when jokes stretch longer than needed or the story takes the scenic route, but honestly, that just adds to the chaotic charm. This is not a flawless book, and it doesn’t need to be. It is self-aware, ridiculous in the best way, and genuinely entertaining.
If you like witty dialogue, chaotic adventures, and ensemble casts that feel like family, you will have a blast with this one. And if grimdark fantasy has been wearing you down, this book is a great reminder that magic and mayhem can also be hilarious.
FTC Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book through BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 26, 2025
I absolutely enjoyed this book. The world-building was excellent. It allowed you a realistic glimpse into the world on the eve of the Great War. Norah Abernathy found herself struggling with the constraints on women. While she sought help for her brother and attempted to use her knowledge in Maledictology, she faced several challenges. Her greatest challenge was Malcolm Drury, the taciturn president of the Gentleman's Guild of Cursed Adventurers.
The writer gave us a glimpse of the banter and mindset of the gentlemen of that time. We were introduced to various curses and Norah's attempts to find cures for them. The story took us through Norah's transition from unwanted intruder to doted-upon assistant.
I loved the slow-burning romance and the air of mystery. Each curse victim had an interesting story, which the author brought to life with humor, wit, and visuals that made me feel like I, too, was observing and wanting to help each find a cure. The air of mystery and romance remained throughout the story, making it a story I could not put down until the last page was read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The writer gave us a glimpse of the banter and mindset of the gentlemen of that time. We were introduced to various curses and Norah's attempts to find cures for them. The story took us through Norah's transition from unwanted intruder to doted-upon assistant.
I loved the slow-burning romance and the air of mystery. Each curse victim had an interesting story, which the author brought to life with humor, wit, and visuals that made me feel like I, too, was observing and wanting to help each find a cure. The air of mystery and romance remained throughout the story, making it a story I could not put down until the last page was read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 3, 2025
I love a good period piece, and this did not disappoint. Going into this, I was immediately intrigued by the concept: an association that dedicates itself to aiding voyagers who’ve been hexed in one strange way or another during their ventures. The third-person narration is divided between Maclom Drury, president of the guild, and Norah Abernathy, the descendant of an ill-starred family whose brother has been the latest victim of a hex. The characters are given depth between their interactions with each other and the intriguing backstories associated with their curses. It’s a fascinating plot that is driven by compelling and thoughtful characters. I appreciate that Lindsay cleverly wove in the practical hiccups at that time as well, such as the hoops women had to go through to be taken seriously. I also love when a romance has plenty of time to brew and blossom (and I especially don’t mind when it is written with such humour and fun). From mystery to romance to a brief history lesson, riddled with humour and adventure, this story has it all!
I received this ARC from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received this ARC from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 22, 2025
In 1915 America, while the rest of the world are at war, Norah accompanies her brother LJ who is suffering from a rather strange curse to a house that looks after other men also suffering from strange curses in order to help him. At first her job is made near on impossible mainly by the owner of the house, Malcolm Drury, who as most men of the time are under the illusion that women are inferior. However, Norah soon proves him wrong and eventually some small bond even grows between them. As well as helping LJ, Norah sets about helping the other residents rid their curses including one who suffers from permanent sores and another who has been turned into a chicken. However over time it becomes clear that some curses should be left alone and if lifted it could spell disaster for Norah and the residents of Birchwald House. This is a sweet little fantasy tale with a rather obvious message of acceptance and the power of love. I thoroughly enjoyed the character interactions between Norah and the cursed especially the character of Ambrose who I found very quirky. I look forward to reading more from this author.
September 13, 2025
The Gentlemen's Guild for Cursed Adventurers is a place for men who are cursed to call home.
Their president Malcolm Drury gives them a place where they can live out their lives without judgement.
Some have been cursed for taking sacred items, going where they are not welcome, or accidentally buying a cursed artefact from a store.
Norah Abernathy is not eligible to join as a member, but she is determined to stay and get her brother help.
Although the adventurers are resigned to their fates, she makes it her mission to see if she can unravel the cause of their curses and find cures.
This book was everything - the banter, the slow burn, the undead aunt, even the chicken!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Their president Malcolm Drury gives them a place where they can live out their lives without judgement.
Some have been cursed for taking sacred items, going where they are not welcome, or accidentally buying a cursed artefact from a store.
Norah Abernathy is not eligible to join as a member, but she is determined to stay and get her brother help.
Although the adventurers are resigned to their fates, she makes it her mission to see if she can unravel the cause of their curses and find cures.
This book was everything - the banter, the slow burn, the undead aunt, even the chicken!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 25, 2025
I loved how this was using New York, 1915 as a concept and thought worked in this type of book. It uses the historical element that I was wanting and enjoyed getting to learn about this world and the characters that I was hoping for. It uses the magical realism that I was hoping for and thought worked in what was happening during this. I thought the characters were so well written and enjoyed getting into the world and how it worked overall. R. Lindsay Carter has a strong writing style and look forward to reading more from the author and glad I read this.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 11, 2025
Fabulous!
I loved this fantastic character-driven tale and the premise behind it. The historical setting is beautifully evocative, and the dramatis personae are all wonderfully portrayed and interact most entertainingly. I found it engaging from the first page and quickly became engrossed in the story, enjoying all the plot twists, character quirks, and gentle humour. Fans of magical realism will find this cosy fantasy a real treat, although I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys an intriguing and charmingly written story that pulls you right in. This is easily one of my top books of the year.
I loved this fantastic character-driven tale and the premise behind it. The historical setting is beautifully evocative, and the dramatis personae are all wonderfully portrayed and interact most entertainingly. I found it engaging from the first page and quickly became engrossed in the story, enjoying all the plot twists, character quirks, and gentle humour. Fans of magical realism will find this cosy fantasy a real treat, although I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys an intriguing and charmingly written story that pulls you right in. This is easily one of my top books of the year.
August 14, 2025
Absolutely wonderful book, legitimately one of the best reads I've had in a while.
One of my favorite books growing up was Which Witch? By Eva Ibbotson, and this book reminds me of a more "grown up" version of that. The writing's great, the premise is so fun, and the characters are all just really enjoyable. (Their curses aren't, but you know what I mean.)
I found some of the language somewhat flowery in the earlier chapters, but it definitely fits the time period and writing style. That'd be my only "eh" part of my review. I overall really loved it.
One of my favorite books growing up was Which Witch? By Eva Ibbotson, and this book reminds me of a more "grown up" version of that. The writing's great, the premise is so fun, and the characters are all just really enjoyable. (Their curses aren't, but you know what I mean.)
I found some of the language somewhat flowery in the earlier chapters, but it definitely fits the time period and writing style. That'd be my only "eh" part of my review. I overall really loved it.
August 17, 2025
This is only the second ARC that I have had the pleasure of reading, and I am so glad I was approved to be one of the first readers. I enjoyed the overall acceptance of curses and the magic of the world across cultures. Norah was a woman ahead of her time in a world that was (and is) so male dominated. The themes of love, family, equality and society threaded through the stories of some very curious and likable characters. Overall a sweet, and at times funny story with my favorite sort of ending. Looking forward to reading more of R. Lindsay Carters work.
October 12, 2025
This book reminds me of Jane Eyre with a fun, supernatural twist. I love how normal it is for everyone to be cursed, but also not normal at the same time. I loved reading Norah's (the female protagonist) growth throughout the story and watching her come into her own power while using her intelligence and empathy for the members of the Guild. While there are no secret marriages to be found, there are still some secrets left to discover--but you'll have to read the book to find them!
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 21, 2025
I was drawn to this book by the concept. A bunch of people suffering from magical curses living together in what feels a retirement home? Sounds fun! I stayed for the characters. Both the leads and the cursed gentlemen are fully rounded and fun to be around. They balance each other out in a perfect ensemble cast to create laugh out loud moments and heartfelt emotion. I really enjoyed this little romp into fantasy, adventure, and hard fought love.
September 12, 2025
I was excited to receive this book as an ARC. The cast of characters are so interesting and I was immediately invested in their stories. I was immersed in this well developed world from page one. I enjoyed the commentary on the historical role of women and how Norah challenges this. The humour was entertaining throughout. An excellent read!
September 29, 2025
If you like fantasy, adventure and little romance added to the mix you will love R Lindsay Carter's new standalone novel The Gentlemen's Guild For Cursed Adventurers. It will keep you up nights not wanting to put it down with all it's twists and turns. A 5 star if there ever was one. You've done it again Rachel!
October 13, 2025
This took me WAY longer than it should have to read! I got the pleasure of being able to do an ARC read for this. It was a mostly historical fiction with some fantastical elements being that there were curses in it. I really enjoyed the friendships formed in the book and the slow love interest that formed. It was well written and would love to read another like this!
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