Member Reviews

I really like the premises for this novel. Landlady Agnes, has to choose between three possible tennants for her available rooms.

What happens next is determined by the decision she makes.

Each of the lodgers has their own secrets and their own relationships with the other tenants of the house.

Most of the book seemed to focus in Clara’s story as an overindulged ‘Bright Young Thing’ running around society and lacking corpsPurpose. Staying at Agnes’ gives her independence, but also the space to think about what she really wants in life. She’s quite selfish and I didn’t always like her. Stephen clearly isn’t who he is claiming to be and Mercy is running from something.

All of the characters change and grow because of their time at Agnes’ house. She also learns from them too.

This is an interesting and well written story. There’s lots of atmospheric details and some surprises along the way.

Thank you to NetGalley for my gifted copy of No. 23 Burlington Square.

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this book drew me in and I really enjoyed reading it. It was a quick read too

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this book to review.

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Jenni Keer presents for your reading entertainment a cosy read with a charming spinster in charge: Agnes.

Agnes is a collector of all sorts of people, things, and even moments - tangibles and intangibles. She has a home and makes a living by renting out rooms. . .and one of her roomers has passed on, and after properly mourning Agnes needs to get that room rented out again. So begins the search, a thoughtful one.

A gentle read, with plenty of opportunities to ponder on the three candidates and join in the judgy ideas about others and the choices they make in life, as well as choices they'd like to make but for which don't seem to have the courage. There are also those dreamy types that just live day by day happily and helpfully - even they get their share of judgy scrutiny. If your nose is turning up, bring it back down. . . No. 23 Burlington Square is a ducky tea and biscuits read to the very very end.

Three+ stars which round out to four. . .

*A sincere thank you to Jenni Keer, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*

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A fun and engrossing read.
A novel that employs the 'Sliding Doors' premise, involving a vacant room in a lodging. Does the owner, Agnes Humphries, allow her Niece Clara, the sensible and agreeable Stephen, or a Widow named Mercy to take up the room?
After the opening chapters, the book then splits into 3, allowing the reader to see how each scenario plays out.
The reader is treated to many twists and turns as the story progresses, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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One of the most intriguing books I have read in a while! I was swept up in the stories of the characters from page one, and loved the way the author explored the choices Agnes might have made and the outcomes of each one. A beautifully crafted book!

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Within the pages of this captivating narrative lies a world waiting to be explored. With its compelling characters, vivid settings, and thought-provoking themes, No. 23 Burlington Square offers a journey that transcends the ordinary. From the highs of triumph to the lows of despair, the story weaves a tapestry of emotions that resonate deeply with readers. As the plot unfolds, it unveils layers of mystery, intrigue, and revelation, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. Whether seeking adventure, solace, or simply a momentary escape, this book promises to captivate and inspire, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of its readers.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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No. 23 Burlington Square is one of those special books that grabs you from the first sentence and pulls you in. The three sliding door character storylines are closely interwoven and so cleverly written. The “what if” of possibilities and possible outcomes, twists and turns keep the pages turning, creating an unputdownable read. Beautifully crafted, researched and written - I loved it!

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

The only way to describe this novel is by calling it what it is - delightfully charming! Have you ever wondered 'what if'? Of course you have. Everyone has. This book looks at 'what if' a room rental was offered to someone else. We get to see how one choice would have played out if it had been made in three different ways. So well done.

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This was a very quirky story.

Agnes owns a large house and rents out rooms. When one of her tenants dies, she advertises the room and has interest from three people, a widow, a bank clerk and her niece who is thrown out of her own family home by her father after a scandal.

This book goes on various realities, where the story is slightly different depending on who Agnes decides to give the room to. Everyone is different and seems to have a secret to hide or mysterious past.

Some characters are well written and you will definitely have your favourites.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book.

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This book takes readers on a captivating journey through the lives of three distinct characters in 1927 London, each with their own secrets and desires. Miss Agnes Humphries faces a pivotal decision as she selects a new lodger for her townhouse, leading to unforeseen consequences. Fans of historical fiction and intricate character-driven narratives will find much to enjoy in this compelling story.

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This was an absolute gem of a book. Jenni Keer expertly wove three possible conclusions to a simple interview for an apartment to rent in such a way that I was shattered when the book came to an end. I actually requested her other book based on this one.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this amazing book!

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enjoy reading sliding doors tight novels, and this was a particularly satisfying version of the genre There’s an empty room at 23 Burlington Square and the landlady Agnes initially chooses her wayward lesbian niece to take up the place
In the second section, she chooses Mr Stephen Thompson, instead and because of this different choice, a different future occurs
The book tales of the potential alternative features of all the characters living in this large house, separated into multiple rooms that to individuals and the differing outcomes, which depend on the simple choice of the landlady.
The characters are all extremely well described. This is very important in a book like this is You need to see how events affect the way the characters you are reading about, continue to live their lives.
The time period at the story is set is between the two world wars. I’ve not seen a lot of books at this time and it make quite a refreshing change.
The book is set mostly in London a lot of it is set within the house although there are some trips out and there’s also a small section set in pre-World War II Germany.
The setting is highly visual and I can’t help thinking that this might make a lovely TV series with different episodes looking at the different choices the landlady makes. I’m pretty sure that the Tv rights will be taken up quickly
I’d recommend this novel for anyone who likes a primarily character and relationship driven novel, particularly if you love the idea of the sliding doors, alternate reality element of the story. The nearest Nike could think of would be life after life by Kate Atkinson.
I read in copy of the novel on NetGalley UK. It was published on the 31st of October 2023 by Bold Wood books.
This review will appear on NetGalley, UK Goodreads and my book book blog, bionicSarahS. wordpress.com
it will also appear on Amazon, UK

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Such an interesting and different story ! I really enjoyed this one - loved getting to know all of the characters and all of their secrets! I loved all the interesting scenarios that played out - clever and thoughtful book !

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This book was amazing! It was so well thought out and such a different storyline. This was so good! Seriously one of the best books I've read this year. I was completely absorbed in this story! So good!
I just reviewed No. 23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer. #No23BurlingtonSquare #NetGalley

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No. 23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer is suprisingly captivating. It's premise is that one small decision can radically change the lives of many people, not just the person who makes the decision. Agnes - a landlady in London - has to decide which of three applicants she will accept as her latest tenant. The reader is given the opportunity to explore the ramifications of four possible choices that Agnes could make. Although I found some of the plot lines a bit farfetched, I appreciated the ways in which the alternative versions wove together to give a complete picture of each of the characters.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC; all opinions are my own.

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Loved this book! So cleverly written and it was different. Different in a very good way. This was my first book by Jenni Keer and I'll definitely be looking out for others.

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In this sliding doors novel, we meet Agnes Humphries - in 1927, she has one room to rent, and three applicants for it… how will the decision she makes impact the lives of everyone who lives at No. 23 Burlington Square?

I really enjoyed this novel - things in life have been incredibly busy lately, and this gentle historical novel provided some lovely relief from that. Each of the sections focuses on the ‘what if’ of a different new resident to the eponymous house, and through these stories we meet and learn about several different characters.

These are the three applicants, Mercy, Stephen, and Clara, as well as the current residents of Burlington Square - as Agnes debates giving her available rooms to each one of them, we understand their backgrounds and how they intersect with the current residents. There are a lot of characters, so the stories here don’t necessarily get a huge amount of depth but they are interesting and I enjoyed with each chapter starting to piece together what would be coming up next.

I enjoyed Mercy and Clara’s story the most (even if Clara’s felt a little too optimistic for the time period) for the topics they dealt with; as much as I did find this a relaxing read, it also doesn’t shy away from some complex issues.

If you’re looking for a relaxing and escapist read over the Christmas break, I’d recommend this one!

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Jenni Keer's "No. 23 Burlington Square" takes readers on a captivating journey through time, exploring the lives of three distinct characters who cross paths in a London townhouse. This powerful and unique timeslip story, reminiscent of works like "The Miniaturist" and "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo," skillfully weaves together the threads of fate and choice against the backdrop of 1927.

The story centers around Miss Agnes Humphries, the landlady of Number 23 Burlington Square, as she faces a pivotal decision in choosing a new lodger for the vacant rooms on the second floor. Keer introduces readers to three compelling candidates: Clara, the spirited niece immersed in London's glamorous Bright Young Things scene; Stephen, the sensible and respectable banker; and Mercy, the timid war widow with a mysterious past.

The narrative unfolds through alternate timelines, exploring the consequences of Agnes's decision as each lodger enters Number 23. Keer masterfully crafts relationships, unveils secrets, and exposes the true nature of the characters in three distinct paths. The author's ability to create a sense of suspense and anticipation keeps the reader engaged, eager to discover how each choice will impact the characters' lives.

The strength of the novel lies in Keer's rich characterization and her adept portrayal of the historical setting. The nuanced exploration of relationships, scandal, devastation, and happiness adds depth to the narrative, making it a compelling read. The plot is carefully constructed, and the author successfully maintains a sense of mystery and intrigue throughout.

While the novel excels in creating a vivid historical atmosphere and exploring the complexity of human relationships, some readers may find the alternating timelines and multiple perspectives challenging to follow at times. Additionally, the resolution of certain plot points could be more developed to provide a more satisfying conclusion.

In summary, "No. 23 Burlington Square" is a four-star read that transports readers to the vibrant world of 1927 London, where choices have far-reaching consequences. Jenni Keer's storytelling prowess and well-drawn characters make this timeslip tale an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of fate, love, and the impact of decisions on our lives. Fans of historical fiction with a touch of mystery will find this novel to be a captivating addition to their reading list.

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A house in 1927 London.

Agnes, a spinster landlady with a choice to make. A recently deceased lodger sees a set of rooms come available. With three people to choose from, who will be the best fit for No 23. Burlington Square?

What if we could find out how all of them fitted?

And so we do with this wonderful novel by Jennie Keer. In that sliding doors moment, we see how all three candidates; Clara, Stephen and Mercy work out. Whilst they are almost like short stories contained within the novel all three of them feature in the others story in some way. Threads of information weaved amongst all the stories which means, that this book is held together so well.

Who will be the best fit? Clara, the spinster’s niece and a flibbertigibbet, one of the Bright Young Things wanting to shock the world before she potentially settles down.

Or Stephen, sensible, banker, church going and unassuming man. The perfect lodger, but is there more to his story and his actions.

Mercy, a young war widow, with a burden she is hiding. Whilst running away from something.

Not only do we learn about these three lodgers, we also learn more about Agnes back story and how she came to be where she was. But which was the right lodger for this house? And did they all teach Agnes something about herself along the way.

A first time read from this author for me and I was drawn into this book, especially with the move between the three main protagonists. A lovely read, to imagine all the stories that are going behind closed doors in multi occupancy houses whatever the period of history.

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This was an unexpected story. To be more precise, I should call it stories. There is a room for rent in a house with three different people vying for the home. Each one gets the room, and we watch what that means in the long run for them and the people around them. The alternate realities are all presented to us we get to know more than the people in the individual stories do, and ultimately, we can decide which tenant is the best for everyone involved. There is a right answer to this hypothesis, as most readers will figure by the time we find out everyone's truths.
The base facts remain the same in all the cases. I planned to go into some details about the three different people, but on second thought, I consider that to be a focal point of the book. Each set of chapters builds the story from the ground up, and if you were unaware of what to expect going in when the first alternative is shown, it will take you (as it did me) by surprise. That is the focal point of the narrative and drives the story. That taken out, not much will be left in a possibly straightforward plot.
I would recommend this to fans of choosing their own adventure books. Such books are not available for people of my age (or so I presume), and it was a fun outing. I have read two other book by the author and would try another, given a chance.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

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