Andi Glover loves nothing more than a good book.
Any book in fact because when you’re raised by unconventional parents who think school’s for squares, alongside a deeply conventional sister who escapes home as soon as she can, fiction is eminently preferable to reality.
The only problem is that fiction isn’t the best way to learn about the real world. When Andi starts her new live-in job at Templewood Hall for the eccentric Lady Dawe and her enigmatic son Hugo, it’s tempting to think she’s fallen into the pages of one of her favourite gothic novels.
But the plot twists at Templewood Hall are stranger than fiction and it’s not long before Andi questions if she’s living in a romance novel or a whodunnit. Bumps in the night, a missing heir, ghostly apparitions and secrets that have been kept for generations – the mysteries mount up. Then there’s the inscrutable gardener who seems to appear when needed – is Andi right to hope for a happily-ever-after end to her story?
About The Author
My Review
This quirky novel blends gothic mystery and self-discovery rather than traditional romance. Andi, a book lover with no formal experience, takes a job cataloging a collection for the wealthy and aloof Lady Dawe. Growing up with parents who traveled constantly for their TV show, Andi found solace in books but struggled to build a life of her own. Upon arriving at the eerie estate, she meets Lady Dawe’s handsome son Hugo, a rude housekeeper, a deaf gardener, and a cat named The Master.
Andi soon realizes she was really hired to locate secret diaries revealing a long-ago affair between Lady Dawe and her late father-in-law. Gothic elements—mysterious noises, flickering lights, and literary chapter titles like Rebecca—add intrigue. Though Andi is interested in Hugo, the novel focuses more on her personal journey. A subplot about Hugo’s struggles feels somewhat distracting but is handled well. While Andi doesn’t fully find love or her life’s passion, the story is humorous and engaging, with a fitting conclusion that leaves room for new possibilities.
My Rating
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