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Housekeeper #2
A Pool for Company
Secret agendas. Lives on the line. A new magic user. What could go wrong?
Finn Foster just found out that magic is real, she can wield it, and now she’s the housekeeper of a magical house. Sure, to wind up here, she’s had to survive homicidal hail spells, enchanted discoing cacti, and assorted hocus pocus. But now that she’s housekeeper, Finn is ready to settle in and embrace her new magical path.
But Finn hardly has a chance to get her feet wet before she gets thrown into the deep end without any floaties. Between the house’s mysterious errands, unexpected guests popping in, and the council trying to rain on her parade, Finn is barely treading water.
With time running out, and magical enemies everywhere, it's time for Finn to sink or swim.
A Pool for Keeping, an urban fantasy that appeals to young adult and new adult fans alike, is the second book in the Housekeeper series. This addictive adventure transports readers to an enchanted world filled with unusual magical characters and the kind of strong female protagonist you want as a best friend. Fans of hard-to-put-down mystery suspense and humorous magical action adventures will love Matteson Wynn’s Housekeeper series.
Dive into the magic and grab your copy today!
Follow Finn’s adventures from the beginning!
Book 1: A House for Keeping
*Fans of the transportive magical realism in the Harry Potter series and the relatable heroines in the Mercy Thompson and Edge series will be drawn to Matteson Wynn’s smart, humorous urban fantasy.*
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2019
42 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 30, 2019
Finn survived the reunion, what next?
Enjoyed so much. Great when you find a "new" author and discover that the next book is available! Again read in KU then bought.
Love continuing in this world. Very brief reveal in book one, starting to see some of the bigger picture. Finn may not understand her role and the house's but a lot of people don't want to see her there if they aren't the ones controlling her and the house.
The core group of Nor, Ro, Fuzzy and the house are back. New characters are introduced that will hopefully return for other books. Some older characters get close to crossing the friend not friend line as they pursue their own agendas or deal with the consequences of difficult decisions.
Hard to say if this book can be read without reading the first since I read them back to back. Reading them so closely let me remember details from book one that are very pertinent in book two. Book two does have some spoilers for book one.
Really enjoyed this book and recommend it and the first. The author's writing style has propelled her onto my auto buy list. I've joined the author's mailing list so that I don't miss book three. Joining also gives acces to a link to a Finn prequel story - bits of the trip across the US from the desert to the atlantic.
Thoughts that are possible spoilers.
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...
...
Fuzzy isn't just a fantastic cat but what else. Who sent Finn an invitation. What is behind the door and why is it so important and frightening. Finn's necklace and what it is. The role of characters that weren't one time random meetings. Why Finn's parents worked so hard to discredit magic. Did Finn's parents really die natural deaths.... so looking forward to book three!
cross posted goodreads, bookbub, amazon
Enjoyed so much. Great when you find a "new" author and discover that the next book is available! Again read in KU then bought.
Love continuing in this world. Very brief reveal in book one, starting to see some of the bigger picture. Finn may not understand her role and the house's but a lot of people don't want to see her there if they aren't the ones controlling her and the house.
The core group of Nor, Ro, Fuzzy and the house are back. New characters are introduced that will hopefully return for other books. Some older characters get close to crossing the friend not friend line as they pursue their own agendas or deal with the consequences of difficult decisions.
Hard to say if this book can be read without reading the first since I read them back to back. Reading them so closely let me remember details from book one that are very pertinent in book two. Book two does have some spoilers for book one.
Really enjoyed this book and recommend it and the first. The author's writing style has propelled her onto my auto buy list. I've joined the author's mailing list so that I don't miss book three. Joining also gives acces to a link to a Finn prequel story - bits of the trip across the US from the desert to the atlantic.
Thoughts that are possible spoilers.
...
...
...
Fuzzy isn't just a fantastic cat but what else. Who sent Finn an invitation. What is behind the door and why is it so important and frightening. Finn's necklace and what it is. The role of characters that weren't one time random meetings. Why Finn's parents worked so hard to discredit magic. Did Finn's parents really die natural deaths.... so looking forward to book three!
cross posted goodreads, bookbub, amazon
December 5, 2019
This series is great!
Book 1 captured my imagination and book 2 took it in an adventure. The world building is fascinating--tiny peeks into the world Finn is discovering that anyone who reads urban fantasy can guess more from.
I want more!
Read in KU, biblical profanity
Book 1 captured my imagination and book 2 took it in an adventure. The world building is fascinating--tiny peeks into the world Finn is discovering that anyone who reads urban fantasy can guess more from.
I want more!
Read in KU, biblical profanity
April 3, 2026
like the story.. but….
OK. I like the story, the world, the writing. And I do really want to know more. But I do NOT like the main character. She’s beyond annoying. Also they updated this one to say it’s for YA or NA. Not sure I agree with YA considering the sex and the amount of drinking I’ve seen in the series so far but the character definitely fits that target. Which would have been nice to know from book 1. I’m going to read the next because I’m hooked and want to known what happens. But please let Finn grow up some.
1. Finn is definitely TSTL. Also how is anyone this naive?
2. Finn is willfully and intentionally oblivious to EVERYTHING (only explanation because some of this is beyond TSTL).
3. Finn is annoyingly and childishly dramatic. (FYI when she asks “So now I’m not only a mutt, but I’m a kindergartner?” My only thought was “well you DO act like one”.) Also she whines. A LOT.
4. If the door is that big of a deal for Finn and the council, then we need to know more about the door. Because with the dramatics on display all I’m feeling is just open the damn thing. If the difficulty before was not having a bond to the house and the lack of power (at least this is what was heavily implied to be the issue) what’s the problem now?
5. It’s not racism it’s family favoritism. Or many nepotism? This is really bothering me though. Neither is good but at least get it right.
6. Why has she seriously been more worried about Netflix than finding out more about her world?!?!?! Why has she been waiting on a teacher to be provided and not asking someone (say Zo? Or Dr Paige? Or ANYONE? Hello she met several people in the first book that may be able to help and I know Nor would know someone) at least about the world? If not the house and magic? Because there’s no way I’d just sit and complacently wait on a teacher while I played Pollyanna thinking everything was golden.
7. Food fights? REALLY?!
8. Finn is NOT the person you want to rely on in an urgent situation or emergency. She procrastinates and waffles around way too much when she needs to take action. Time sensitive emergency? Only have an hour till something bad happens? Does she (a) try to get more info? (b) take action and do something she knows she should be able to do? Or (c) make and drink a cup of coffee and waste time she doesn’t have? Yup you guessed it (c) it is.
9. Finn has the attention span of a goldfish. It’s not cute or funny anymore either.
10. If I read “it’s not fair” one more time. Life’s not fair, grow a pair and move on.
OK. I like the story, the world, the writing. And I do really want to know more. But I do NOT like the main character. She’s beyond annoying. Also they updated this one to say it’s for YA or NA. Not sure I agree with YA considering the sex and the amount of drinking I’ve seen in the series so far but the character definitely fits that target. Which would have been nice to know from book 1. I’m going to read the next because I’m hooked and want to known what happens. But please let Finn grow up some.
1. Finn is definitely TSTL. Also how is anyone this naive?
2. Finn is willfully and intentionally oblivious to EVERYTHING (only explanation because some of this is beyond TSTL).
3. Finn is annoyingly and childishly dramatic. (FYI when she asks “So now I’m not only a mutt, but I’m a kindergartner?” My only thought was “well you DO act like one”.) Also she whines. A LOT.
4. If the door is that big of a deal for Finn and the council, then we need to know more about the door. Because with the dramatics on display all I’m feeling is just open the damn thing. If the difficulty before was not having a bond to the house and the lack of power (at least this is what was heavily implied to be the issue) what’s the problem now?
5. It’s not racism it’s family favoritism. Or many nepotism? This is really bothering me though. Neither is good but at least get it right.
6. Why has she seriously been more worried about Netflix than finding out more about her world?!?!?! Why has she been waiting on a teacher to be provided and not asking someone (say Zo? Or Dr Paige? Or ANYONE? Hello she met several people in the first book that may be able to help and I know Nor would know someone) at least about the world? If not the house and magic? Because there’s no way I’d just sit and complacently wait on a teacher while I played Pollyanna thinking everything was golden.
7. Food fights? REALLY?!
8. Finn is NOT the person you want to rely on in an urgent situation or emergency. She procrastinates and waffles around way too much when she needs to take action. Time sensitive emergency? Only have an hour till something bad happens? Does she (a) try to get more info? (b) take action and do something she knows she should be able to do? Or (c) make and drink a cup of coffee and waste time she doesn’t have? Yup you guessed it (c) it is.
9. Finn has the attention span of a goldfish. It’s not cute or funny anymore either.
10. If I read “it’s not fair” one more time. Life’s not fair, grow a pair and move on.
August 9, 2021
This is the second book in this series and presents one of the worst Councils there has ever been. (There's always a Council in this type of book.) Finn and Bayley (the house) are getting along even better. One thing to keep in mind, though: if she ever leaves the property she will die.
There's a guy named Carmine who was a candidate at one time for the housekeeper position. We begin to find how far the Council goes in their push for full control.
There's something the forest watching Finn and that part of the book proves very, very interesting as it's developed.
The Council is obviously prejudice against Finn (the reason is absurd) and it's like the seven tasks of Hercules and if she fails; well, she will be dealt with.
We also find out the house has amazing abilities all on its own. We also find out that kidnapping, attempted murder and gun play are all okay with the thugs that are after her.
So, some questions left: will she survive to complete the tasks, will her friends survive, can she trust a certain person (I wouldn't) and when is the next pool party?
I really like this series. I consider it one of the best I've ever read.
There's a guy named Carmine who was a candidate at one time for the housekeeper position. We begin to find how far the Council goes in their push for full control.
There's something the forest watching Finn and that part of the book proves very, very interesting as it's developed.
The Council is obviously prejudice against Finn (the reason is absurd) and it's like the seven tasks of Hercules and if she fails; well, she will be dealt with.
We also find out the house has amazing abilities all on its own. We also find out that kidnapping, attempted murder and gun play are all okay with the thugs that are after her.
So, some questions left: will she survive to complete the tasks, will her friends survive, can she trust a certain person (I wouldn't) and when is the next pool party?
I really like this series. I consider it one of the best I've ever read.
October 11, 2020
Excellent read
Wynn continues building her world in this sequel to her outstanding debut novel. And while the world does expand slightly, this time that world building is set on the characters themselves. Characters from the first novel are fleshed out further (with one especially surprising delight), people we read about are brought onto the page and into the story, and we slowly learn more about Finn and Bayley.
One thing I admired most about Wynn’s character-building in the first novel was the reluctance to create one dimensional villains. That continues in this book, with the reminder that often the reasons people do awful things are for, if not good reasons, very relatable ones.
Like many middle children of trilogies, this doesn’t quite live up to the first book in terms of overall strengths—a few genre tropes have snuck in—and it clearly serves as a bridge to move the story along. But they are overall minor criticisms of an altogether excellent novel and series.
Wynn continues building her world in this sequel to her outstanding debut novel. And while the world does expand slightly, this time that world building is set on the characters themselves. Characters from the first novel are fleshed out further (with one especially surprising delight), people we read about are brought onto the page and into the story, and we slowly learn more about Finn and Bayley.
One thing I admired most about Wynn’s character-building in the first novel was the reluctance to create one dimensional villains. That continues in this book, with the reminder that often the reasons people do awful things are for, if not good reasons, very relatable ones.
Like many middle children of trilogies, this doesn’t quite live up to the first book in terms of overall strengths—a few genre tropes have snuck in—and it clearly serves as a bridge to move the story along. But they are overall minor criticisms of an altogether excellent novel and series.
September 14, 2021
It didn't really feel to me like the 2nd book was an improvement over the 1st.
We got some more temporary side characters, which were fine.
Got more build up to the 'big mystery' and a couple more mysteries.
Got some bad worse bad guys.
Overall, the main character just 'plays dumb' too much.
You know, when it is made very much obvious to the reader what is going on, but, despite the book being in the 1st person pov, the protagonist just refuses to see/believe/think about it. It's getting more annoying than it was in the 1st book.
It's especially unpleasant with all the 'mysteries' that keep piling up, because the main character will always keep lagging behind the reader in understanding things. Oh! And she also apparently needs people to explain every little thing to her, including the ones that are really painfully obvious.
The casual sex added into the mix is fine, but not my cup of tea.
Also, with the book returning to pretty much the same place in the end and beginning, I can't say I'm feeling particularly eager to pick up the next one.
We got some more temporary side characters, which were fine.
Got more build up to the 'big mystery' and a couple more mysteries.
Got some bad worse bad guys.
Overall, the main character just 'plays dumb' too much.
You know, when it is made very much obvious to the reader what is going on, but, despite the book being in the 1st person pov, the protagonist just refuses to see/believe/think about it. It's getting more annoying than it was in the 1st book.
It's especially unpleasant with all the 'mysteries' that keep piling up, because the main character will always keep lagging behind the reader in understanding things. Oh! And she also apparently needs people to explain every little thing to her, including the ones that are really painfully obvious.
The casual sex added into the mix is fine, but not my cup of tea.
Also, with the book returning to pretty much the same place in the end and beginning, I can't say I'm feeling particularly eager to pick up the next one.
October 7, 2020
Magical house
Winning Bailey, the sentient powerful house, from its longtime controllers was bound to have consequences. Especially when doing so made Finn some very strong, magically powerful, and rich enemies. But Finn has a fantastic team of her own, and she's going to go down fighting.
Lots more magic, bonding time with a super helpful magical house, a team of smart and strong friends, and several new characters and mystical beings. This book continues in the same fashion as the first, with lots of fresh material to keep it engaging.
Winning Bailey, the sentient powerful house, from its longtime controllers was bound to have consequences. Especially when doing so made Finn some very strong, magically powerful, and rich enemies. But Finn has a fantastic team of her own, and she's going to go down fighting.
Lots more magic, bonding time with a super helpful magical house, a team of smart and strong friends, and several new characters and mystical beings. This book continues in the same fashion as the first, with lots of fresh material to keep it engaging.
February 11, 2021
5 delighted stars
This review is for the entire series, which I devoured in one weekend. The stories follow a new Innkeeper as she learns the ropes of partnering with a sentient house, and navigating the political machinations of magical families.
I really like how the author wrote the MC (main character). She is intelligent, empathetic, loyal, confident, ethical, moral, and snarky. She doesn't spend time running around in her head overthinking things. Each book in the series furthers the overarching story and develops the MC and her relationship with the other side characters.
I eagerly await the next installment :-)
This review is for the entire series, which I devoured in one weekend. The stories follow a new Innkeeper as she learns the ropes of partnering with a sentient house, and navigating the political machinations of magical families.
I really like how the author wrote the MC (main character). She is intelligent, empathetic, loyal, confident, ethical, moral, and snarky. She doesn't spend time running around in her head overthinking things. Each book in the series furthers the overarching story and develops the MC and her relationship with the other side characters.
I eagerly await the next installment :-)
April 3, 2026
I'm going for 4.5 here. I totally enjoy the characters and the settings - especially Bayley. A few small reveals, a few bouts of yikes!, and new friends to join the team. I just think there could be a bit more about the "door" and I wish Finn was being a bit more proactive about her magic. Then again, she's only been there a month and hasn't even seen all of the spaces yet. Bits of action and some violence. Closed door sex and some alcohol and profanity so I'd say maybe not a cozy or NA? I still really enjoyed it. Looking forward to book 3.
November 24, 2020
A wonderful follow up to Finn's story and I loved every second of it. It was lovely seeing Finn setting in as housekeeper, learning who her friends were, finding new solutions and discovering her magic. All in a days work, still believable and I loved the pace of her journey. Sometimes you just want all the answers and obviously we have to wait along with Finn too. Just as delightful as the first and I am straight on to the next.
February 11, 2021
I am Soo Loving this Series!!
I have been reading quite a lot of books this passed year and there were many I really liked, but this Series is the best of them all!!
I love the various characters and their quirky ways. The main character Finn is new to all this magic stuff and she is trying so hard to deal with so much. Just purchased book 3 so I can continue reading the Story!.
Highly recommend this Series.
I have been reading quite a lot of books this passed year and there were many I really liked, but this Series is the best of them all!!
I love the various characters and their quirky ways. The main character Finn is new to all this magic stuff and she is trying so hard to deal with so much. Just purchased book 3 so I can continue reading the Story!.
Highly recommend this Series.
August 21, 2021
Brilliant! Amazing! Love this series!
The second book in the series did not disappoint! Action that moved at a great pace and a satisfying ending. Once again I read the book in one sitting! Time for the third book now - I do hope that the author continues with the series though. I need at least another 10 books about Finn, Bayley and Fuzzy. :)
The second book in the series did not disappoint! Action that moved at a great pace and a satisfying ending. Once again I read the book in one sitting! Time for the third book now - I do hope that the author continues with the series though. I need at least another 10 books about Finn, Bayley and Fuzzy. :)
October 7, 2020
A wonderful escape
An excellent read! Finn's adventures entertained me late into the night. I enjoyed every bit of the journey as she navigates the growing bond between House and Housekeeper and the new magics around her. I highly recommend this author.
An excellent read! Finn's adventures entertained me late into the night. I enjoyed every bit of the journey as she navigates the growing bond between House and Housekeeper and the new magics around her. I highly recommend this author.
August 7, 2021
Your now my favorite Author
I have just finished reading the whole series all 3 Books I loved Them all Real page turners and the characters were incredible please write more this story this could go on for a long long time and I would buy all you write THANK YOU🤗
I have just finished reading the whole series all 3 Books I loved Them all Real page turners and the characters were incredible please write more this story this could go on for a long long time and I would buy all you write THANK YOU🤗
June 20, 2022
Wish It Would Go On Forever
Such a great storyline, with enough strangeness, magic and action to keep it constantly entertaining. I can totally relate to Finn; having to pause now and then to muddle through so much stuff.
Such a great storyline, with enough strangeness, magic and action to keep it constantly entertaining. I can totally relate to Finn; having to pause now and then to muddle through so much stuff.
July 16, 2022
An excellent second book!
I'm really enjoying this series. Matteson Wynn writes hilarious dialogue. I love the quirky characters, and twisty world they have created. On to the third book. Thank you!
I'm really enjoying this series. Matteson Wynn writes hilarious dialogue. I love the quirky characters, and twisty world they have created. On to the third book. Thank you!
September 28, 2023
A Spreading Pool of Peace-With Friendly Help
The Heroine continues meeting interesting people and making friends with them. Perhaps she is stubbornly naive, as some reviewers say, but Five Stars for the pace and adventure!
The Heroine continues meeting interesting people and making friends with them. Perhaps she is stubbornly naive, as some reviewers say, but Five Stars for the pace and adventure!
May 8, 2024
Excellent Book. Excellent Series
Matteson Wynn has created a believable world of fascinating characters and exciting scenarios. Is a sentient house a new fictional genre? I'm hooked
Matteson Wynn has created a believable world of fascinating characters and exciting scenarios. Is a sentient house a new fictional genre? I'm hooked
July 16, 2024
Nice light-hearted fun. With just enough teasers for me to get the third installment if it's on Unlimited. Bayley is fun.. although I'm still a bit freaked out by the "live-here-for-life" clause in the whole Housekeeper business.
Read
June 3, 2020New to magic girl gets to keep house
Housekeeper vs council head with her new al!ies to the rescue including ( nereids?).
Good plot and action. Short but good.
Housekeeper vs council head with her new al!ies to the rescue including ( nereids?).
Good plot and action. Short but good.
July 29, 2020
Loved it!
The first book was good the second even better! Hard to put down! Loved the unusual storyline and not a stupid vampire in sight!,
The first book was good the second even better! Hard to put down! Loved the unusual storyline and not a stupid vampire in sight!,
September 27, 2020
A Winner!
These first two book have been a great start to an excellent new series. I'm looking forward to seeing what Finn, Fuzzy, and Bailey get up to next.
These first two book have been a great start to an excellent new series. I'm looking forward to seeing what Finn, Fuzzy, and Bailey get up to next.
January 20, 2021
I love this series! I'm starting book three right now. I'm so hoping that there will be many more. Great characters including the house.
May 17, 2021
Chef’s Kiss !
Love the world building, fleshed out characters, and humor! Really looking forward to reading book 3, and am looking forward to more novels.
Love the world building, fleshed out characters, and humor! Really looking forward to reading book 3, and am looking forward to more novels.
June 2, 2021
cute read
really enjoyed these books, refreshingly different take on magic and fun to read while at the beach over the weekend
really enjoyed these books, refreshingly different take on magic and fun to read while at the beach over the weekend
January 23, 2022
Couldn't put it down!
You'll fall in love with Finn, her house, and her amazing group of friends. Fun magic premise. Not to mention great story!
You'll fall in love with Finn, her house, and her amazing group of friends. Fun magic premise. Not to mention great story!
March 14, 2022
Positive progress. Good story plot.
March 15, 2022
This book continues where the previous book ended. Finn Foster is now an innkeeper, and doing her new job well. The plotted part of this book was super enjoyable and, in overall, awesome. LOVED IT!
June 19, 2022
More fast-paced heart-stopping adventures of Finn and her magical, sentient house. I galloped through it and immediately bought the next book. Wynn writes some of the best, most believable descriptions of magic I've ever seen, along with a host of interesting, complex characters.
July 29, 2022
The Adventure Continues
I am so happy I found this series. I am enjoying it immensely. I enjoy learning more about the Housekeeper and the House daily.
I am so happy I found this series. I am enjoying it immensely. I enjoy learning more about the Housekeeper and the House daily.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews