Grimm Curiosities
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In Victorian England, a young woman inherits her father's curiosity shop and all its ghostly secrets in a bewitching novel by the author of Salt & Broom. It's 1851 in old York. Lizzy Grimm struggles to save her late father's charmingly creepy yet floundering antique shop, Grimm Curiosities. Then, during a particularly snowy December in this most haunted city in England, things turn...curiouser. Lizzy meets Antony Carlisle, whose sister suffers from the same perplexing affliction as Lizzy's mother--both stricken silent and unresponsive after speaking with ghosts. Working closely together to fathom what power has transformed their loved ones and why, Lizzy and Antony discover an important clue: her father's treasured set of rare books on ancient folktales, enchantments, and yuletide myths. Books that a persistent collector is awfully keen to purchase. Books Lizzy can't bear to sell. Every bewitching passage and illustration opens a doorway to something ancient and dangerously inviting. Keys to a mystery Lizzy and Antony are compelled to solve--even if doing so means unleashing one of this bright holiday's darkest myths.
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Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
Based on the blurb of the book I thought the story would lean a bit more onto the spooky and mysterious side, what with the antique shop with ghosts description. Instead this book would be more accurately described as a cozy mystery-romance.
While It was definitely not the kind of book nor story I expected I have to say I didn't dislike It. I did felt like there was little plot going on but it was precisely that fact and the not quite urgent nature of the situation that gave the story the cozy mystery vibe. Depending on what you're seeking this might be good or bad.
I think the romance was especially well done. In fact, I would say it's the focal point of the book. It's a proper slow burn, where the characters start as actúal friends and you can feel their chemistry and see why they like each other. Both characters aré also very nice people. Antony can end up feeling like too nice of a man, though, especially considering the time period the book is set in, but as far as love interests he's great, and I would gladly suspend muy disbelief for the rare nice respectful love interest. Regarding Lizzy, I think her characters is very well written. She does what she needs to do when the situation ask for it, even if it's hard, which paints her as a very intelligent young woman who takes very rational decisions for the good of her family, even if that means parting with important objects or people. It's a nice change of pace to have a protagonista who you root foor instead of someone that angers you with every single stupid decisión.
Ultimately, while the characters aré very well written and the romance Is very nice, I came to the book because of the spooky story, so I ended up a bit disappointed and let down, but if you came to it aware of it being cozy mystery I think you will find it a very enjoyable read
