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Flippity Gilbert's Cottage of Quirks
Not yet published
Expected 9 Oct 26These walls can talk. Are you listening?
When Flippity Gilbert inherits a Yorkshire cottage from a mysterious uncle, he is hesitant to leave his comfortable—albeit dull—life in America behind. Flip and his cat take one look at the dilapidated place and decide to sell. That is, until the teapot magically pours itself and the walls begin to speak. The Cottage is sentient, and it needs Flip’s help. The only way the cautious man can ever have peace again is to find the Cottage’s stolen bricks scattered through time and space.
Unfortunately, Flip’s middle name is Johan, not Adventure. But as he meets odd and dangerous creatures, befriends a neighbor woman who reminds him of sunshine, and learns his cat can talk (and lovingly despises him in the way only a cat can), Flippity realizes he has more capacity for bravery, compassion, and creativity than he ever thought possible.
In a place where every doorway, window, picture frame, and light switch holds a portal, Flip has no idea where he will end up next. What happens if the Cottage doesn’t get what it wants? And what happens when Flip begins to feel content in a house that has no intention of being a home?
Full of quirky characters, whimsical settings, and poignant lessons, FLIPPITY GILBERT’S COTTAGE OF QUIRKS is a wholesome and adventurous Middle Grade novella that can be enjoyed quietly or read aloud to the whole family.
When Flippity Gilbert inherits a Yorkshire cottage from a mysterious uncle, he is hesitant to leave his comfortable—albeit dull—life in America behind. Flip and his cat take one look at the dilapidated place and decide to sell. That is, until the teapot magically pours itself and the walls begin to speak. The Cottage is sentient, and it needs Flip’s help. The only way the cautious man can ever have peace again is to find the Cottage’s stolen bricks scattered through time and space.
Unfortunately, Flip’s middle name is Johan, not Adventure. But as he meets odd and dangerous creatures, befriends a neighbor woman who reminds him of sunshine, and learns his cat can talk (and lovingly despises him in the way only a cat can), Flippity realizes he has more capacity for bravery, compassion, and creativity than he ever thought possible.
In a place where every doorway, window, picture frame, and light switch holds a portal, Flip has no idea where he will end up next. What happens if the Cottage doesn’t get what it wants? And what happens when Flip begins to feel content in a house that has no intention of being a home?
Full of quirky characters, whimsical settings, and poignant lessons, FLIPPITY GILBERT’S COTTAGE OF QUIRKS is a wholesome and adventurous Middle Grade novella that can be enjoyed quietly or read aloud to the whole family.
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Expected publication October 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 17, 2026
Charming, cozy, and quirky fantasy novella. I enjoyed exploring the world the author has built, and was left wanting to spend more time with the characters on additional adventures. That to me is a mark of a good novella!
Thanks to the author for providing me an advanced reading copy.
Thanks to the author for providing me an advanced reading copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Genre: Cozy fantasy, magical realism, quirky. I’m not sure what genre it is, but it’s really unique, whimsical, humorous, and fun; has magic, adventure, and a talking cat and sentient house; and has deeper messages.
Audience: It has whimsy, wacky and wondrous settings, and a rapid pace that could appeal to my four year old, but the characters are in their thirties, and the theme of home will resonate with any age. Anyone could read this and love it.
My summary: Flippity Gilbert inherits a cottage in Avalon. His plan is to fix it up and sell it until the cottage begins talking to him. The secrets of the cottage send Flippity on many adventures to different worlds and times, and through them he discovers the true meaning of home.
Positives
I love all the adventures Flippity goes on. The worlds are so imaginative, unique, wacky, wondrous, silly, and have a childlike wonder about them. I loved when the cottage sent Flippity somewhere new.
It has a talking sentient cottage and a cat who speaks of herself in third person. What else do you need?
The cover is perfect.
The characters are so unique and fresh. They are not at all like typical antagonists, and I love how quirky Cathy (Flippity’s neighbor is.) Flippity is a regular guy who learns that we find courage when we need it, that hardship mixed with hope makes us softer and better, that listening is more powerful than maintaining control, and that true home is not a place but knowing where and to who you belong. I loved all the gems of deep truth uncovered along Flippity’s journey.
It’s just fun and happy and cozy. It’s a truly good book.
The secrets and Bad Guy Bob were very intriguing.
Negative: Some parts felt rushed or like they didn’t reach their fullest potential. For example, the first door Flippity went through was really cool and exciting, but pieces went by so fast that I didn’t get a concrete visual, and it was over before I could fill in the pieces. However, if the book is for middle grade readers, I totally understand why a few parts weren’t as full as I wanted.
Overall: Flippity gilbert's Cottage of Quirks is whimsical, quirky, thoughtful, and wonderful. Everyone should read it.
Audience: It has whimsy, wacky and wondrous settings, and a rapid pace that could appeal to my four year old, but the characters are in their thirties, and the theme of home will resonate with any age. Anyone could read this and love it.
My summary: Flippity Gilbert inherits a cottage in Avalon. His plan is to fix it up and sell it until the cottage begins talking to him. The secrets of the cottage send Flippity on many adventures to different worlds and times, and through them he discovers the true meaning of home.
Positives
I love all the adventures Flippity goes on. The worlds are so imaginative, unique, wacky, wondrous, silly, and have a childlike wonder about them. I loved when the cottage sent Flippity somewhere new.
It has a talking sentient cottage and a cat who speaks of herself in third person. What else do you need?
The cover is perfect.
The characters are so unique and fresh. They are not at all like typical antagonists, and I love how quirky Cathy (Flippity’s neighbor is.) Flippity is a regular guy who learns that we find courage when we need it, that hardship mixed with hope makes us softer and better, that listening is more powerful than maintaining control, and that true home is not a place but knowing where and to who you belong. I loved all the gems of deep truth uncovered along Flippity’s journey.
It’s just fun and happy and cozy. It’s a truly good book.
The secrets and Bad Guy Bob were very intriguing.
Negative: Some parts felt rushed or like they didn’t reach their fullest potential. For example, the first door Flippity went through was really cool and exciting, but pieces went by so fast that I didn’t get a concrete visual, and it was over before I could fill in the pieces. However, if the book is for middle grade readers, I totally understand why a few parts weren’t as full as I wanted.
Overall: Flippity gilbert's Cottage of Quirks is whimsical, quirky, thoughtful, and wonderful. Everyone should read it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Where do I begin?
Since the moment I heard the title and saw the cover art, I've been wanting to read this book. When I saw that Emily was looking for ARC reader's, I did not hesitate to apply.
It did NOT disappoint. I read this lovely, cozy book in a matter of hours. It kept me up at night, wondering what would happen next.
Flippity Gilbert's Cottage of Quirks is a beautifully imaginative story, told with so much humor, heart and whimsy. I did not want it to end.
I even became a fan of a cat. ME. A life-long, non-fan of cats. Mildred is perfection.
I am so grateful I received an ARC copy of this book, because I am a fan for life. I chuckled aloud, I gasped, I got emotional. It took me back to childhood days, and that giddy feeling of finding a book that captures your imagination. I am already missing reading it, and I want more!!
Well done, Emily! I loved everything about your book. I can't wait to read more of your writing.
Since the moment I heard the title and saw the cover art, I've been wanting to read this book. When I saw that Emily was looking for ARC reader's, I did not hesitate to apply.
It did NOT disappoint. I read this lovely, cozy book in a matter of hours. It kept me up at night, wondering what would happen next.
Flippity Gilbert's Cottage of Quirks is a beautifully imaginative story, told with so much humor, heart and whimsy. I did not want it to end.
I even became a fan of a cat. ME. A life-long, non-fan of cats. Mildred is perfection.
I am so grateful I received an ARC copy of this book, because I am a fan for life. I chuckled aloud, I gasped, I got emotional. It took me back to childhood days, and that giddy feeling of finding a book that captures your imagination. I am already missing reading it, and I want more!!
Well done, Emily! I loved everything about your book. I can't wait to read more of your writing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay this was ADORABLE. A cozy delight from start to finish. And who knew I'd get so emotionally attached to a fictional spicy cat?! I plan to read aloud with my elementary-aged kids, and I think they will snort laugh and giggle through it the same way I did.
I received a pre-publication copy from the author in exchange for my proofreading skills. But I found myself enjoying the story itself so much, I had to sometimes go back and make sure I had actually done my job and not just laughed myself into overlooking the occasional missing comma!
Imagine Anne of Green Gables meets All Creatures Great and Small meets Doctor Who meets Miss Marple... Cozy time travel drama mystery. I am all about it.
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⚠️Content Warnings: Squeaky clean! Mild peril; early onset Alzheimer's; complicated family relationships (all very G rated;) one brief, sweet kiss
I received a pre-publication copy from the author in exchange for my proofreading skills. But I found myself enjoying the story itself so much, I had to sometimes go back and make sure I had actually done my job and not just laughed myself into overlooking the occasional missing comma!
Imagine Anne of Green Gables meets All Creatures Great and Small meets Doctor Who meets Miss Marple... Cozy time travel drama mystery. I am all about it.
•
•
⚠️Content Warnings: Squeaky clean! Mild peril; early onset Alzheimer's; complicated family relationships (all very G rated;) one brief, sweet kiss
August 19, 2026
With themes of identity, the power of choice/free will, and what it means to “be home,” wrapped in a whimsical tale with adventure, a sentient house, and a ginger cat one does not want to cross, readers across age groups will positively adore Flippity Gilbert’s Cottage of Quirks.
The author has truly written a delightful novella that masterfully balances heart and humor in the vein of Ann Val’s “Nathaniel and the Worst Project in the History of Fourth Grade,” Vanessa Howard’s “Emmett and the Epic Word Searches,” and Nikki Mitchell’s “Season of Dragons.” Fans of Dr. Who and lovely wholesome reads, too, most definitely need to add to their TBR!
Thank you Emily, the author, for an ARC. Though I received an early copy, I am leaving a review of my own volition. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
P.S. I hope there are more Flippity stories to be released in the future!
The author has truly written a delightful novella that masterfully balances heart and humor in the vein of Ann Val’s “Nathaniel and the Worst Project in the History of Fourth Grade,” Vanessa Howard’s “Emmett and the Epic Word Searches,” and Nikki Mitchell’s “Season of Dragons.” Fans of Dr. Who and lovely wholesome reads, too, most definitely need to add to their TBR!
Thank you Emily, the author, for an ARC. Though I received an early copy, I am leaving a review of my own volition. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
P.S. I hope there are more Flippity stories to be released in the future!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Flippity Gilbert's Cottage of Quirks is a cozy and whimsical book that had me laughing out loud and wanting to keep reading to know what happens next. This book reminded me of Fortunately, The Milk in all the best ways!
In this novella we follow Flippity, who inherits a cottage in England from an unknown relative. Immediately after arriving he realizes the cottage is magical as it makes him a delicious meal and sends him on a journey to other worlds to help find some of it’s missing pieces. My favorite character has to be Mildred, Flippy’s cat who gains the ability to talk and speaks just like I image all cats would.
In this novella we follow Flippity, who inherits a cottage in England from an unknown relative. Immediately after arriving he realizes the cottage is magical as it makes him a delicious meal and sends him on a journey to other worlds to help find some of it’s missing pieces. My favorite character has to be Mildred, Flippy’s cat who gains the ability to talk and speaks just like I image all cats would.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A fun and truly quirky story (a novella, really, took about two hours to read) that includes a sentient house and a talking cat. I enjoyed every minute, and only took off one star because I wanted SO much more backstory in order to fully experience the character arc. Sometimes I felt like I'd been dropped into the middle of a story I only partly understood. Maybe I just wanted it to be longer and go on forever!
Review of advance copy received from Author
RTC
Review of advance copy received from Author
One of the best cozy fantasy stories I’ve ever read! Flippity’s adventure is a must-read for the whole family—sassy cats included.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews