The House at the End of Hope Street: A Novel

The premise of the story was different but the characters lives were too contrived. Seems to follow the old belief that you had 3 months to get your act together, get help from the head psychiatrist, or be sent to the back wards of psychiatric wards. Lucky every one got better before their time was up.

What an absolutely delightful read! If you enjoy heartfelt and uplifting literature with a generous sprinkling of magic on the side, then The House at the End of Hope Street is for you.

The story revolves around an enchanted house that appears to women who have lost all hope. Using magic and subtle hints, the house nudges these women back on the right path, usually towards greatness. Some of its previous inhabitants include Mother Theresa, Vivien Leigh and Agatha Christie just to name a few.

The main protagonist is Alba; a young, brilliant Cambridge student who stumbles on the house after her life is turned upside down. There are already two other women residing there at the time. Carmen is a voluptuous waitress who recently ran away from Portugal; and Greer, an aging actress with a passion for fashion.

I really don't want to give too much of the plot away, because it is completely wonderful to discover all the twists and turns for yourself. There are delicious mysteries to be solved and eccentric characters to fall in love with. The entire novel is peppered with literary references, and for a bookworm this is very exciting.

Even if you are not usually a fan of fantasy fiction (like me), suspend your disbelief for a moment and believe in magic. It is worth it. The book really does leave you feeling hopeful.

Menna van Praag has a wonderful imagination and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

Imagine when life seems its bleakest, when one feels all is lost and senses no worthwhile future. There is a house awaiting such a moment for many women over many years of the last century and this is the story of four women in particular with mention of many others who can communicate the essence of what they found in this house during their brief stay here. Peggy Abbott is the head of this house, holding a commission she accepted long ago and for which she has sacrificed the love of her life. Now enters Alba Ashley whose career as a history scholar has been demolished through the treachery of another. She is walking with nowhere to go when she is drawn to this mysterious "home" in the truest sense of the word!

So begins the story of Alba's slow but special journey to healing along with other women, Carmen and Greer. Carmen holds a secret buried outside the house that is ripping her apart and Greer is devastated from the betrayal of a former fiancé. The home where they may only stay for 99 days is magical; it gives each what is needed for the healing process, initially materials things each woman loves and then brief messages and conversations with the ghosts of former residents. These include Daphne du Maurier, Dorothy Parker, Stella (who is connected with one of the residents in a shocking way) and many more - all speaking from their picture frames throughout every section of wall in the house. Yes, even the walls, floors, pipes and more speak and move according to the emotions being felt deeply as time passes. While there is much pain in the healing process, this is a house of hope, of joy and it is delightful to share this progress with all.

Alba will discover the secret about her family and through that connect to her true calling; and in that search she will finally know love. Carmen and Greer will assist as well as be helped by Alba, and their beautiful gifts will emerge in a wondrous way. A reunion will occur, a confession will be made, and most precious of all, these women will learn to stop denying their true identity, stop making excuses, stop rejecting the hope that lies so close and takes one momentous leap to access.

Yes, this is a contrived fantasy but a beautiful one that is such a joy to read. The writing is exquisite, full of sensual detail and gripping changes of plot in just the right places. The reader is privy to the deepest thoughts of these women which stir the readers' hearts in personal ways; in a sense this may be the reader's home as well.
Delightful Ms. Van Praag - exquisite, beautiful, sensitive and thrilling fiction!

Alba Ashby, a nineteen year old Cambridge student, is devastated and her world shattered, after she experiences the worst possible event of her life, both professionally and personally. As she wanders aimlessly through the streets of Cambridge she finds herself at the door of number 11 Hope Street and feels inexplicably drawn to the house. She is invited in by Peggy Abbot, the ‘oldest and most beautiful woman’ Alba has ever seen.

Alba knows immediately this house is different and special. She is able to see things most people do not – auras, ghosts and she can see scents and sounds manifest as vivid and intense colours. The walls of the house are covered in photographs of famous historical and literary figures who have stayed at the house at one time or another during the last two hundred years. As she and Peggy sit in the kitchen with mugs of hot chocolate, Alba is encouraged to stay for the allotted ninety-nine nights, after which she must leave.

After Peggy explains how the house will help her and promises it will give her what she needs, although not necessarily what she wants, Alba stays. And with her two housemates, Greer and Carmen, who have also experienced terrible events which changed their lives, feel the house and it’s ghostly occupants working their magic and offering advice. Even Peggy who has been at the house for most of her life, has changes to make in order to move forward.

The escapism of the book and the idea of a magical house like this that offers hope, care and encouragement is lovely. The storyline builds slowly but steadily, fleshing out the diverse and quirky collection of inhabitants of the house as it goes. Each of them have their problems and damaged emotions and as their stories unfold the characters come to life and begin to heal, find out who they really are and what will make their lives happy and complete.

I did find the narrative a little confusing at times, changing point of view often and slipping into the past now and again, but maybe that was because I was listening rather than having the book in front of me. Nevertheless, Elizabeth Sastre did a very good job with the narration.

Alba’s life is falling apart. It appears that her Ph.D candidacy may be at an end, due to a traumatic betrayal by her advisor. She needs to find a place to stay, and while wandering around Cambridge, England, she finds herself in front of a house on Hope Street, one she had never recognized previously. Peggy, the caretaker of the house, invites her to stay and tells her the unusual conditions: she can stay no more than 99 nights, but the house will be a refuge for her and can inspire her to move forward with her life. Alba is surprised to find that many famous women have stayed at and been inspired by the house. T At this point, the magical realism elements begin to emerge. We find out that Alba has never fit in with her family, particularly after her mother’s death. She has unusual insight and begins to get advice from the photographs of the women throughout the house, encouraging her to pursue her literary career and mysteries from her past. The two other women in the house also have stories to tell and the dark secret that one of them holds is affecting not only her life, but the house itself. Peggy has her own worries. She has been guardian of the house for a long time, a tradition passed down through her family. But now she has a dear companion who is pressuring her to marry and the house has sent her a note indicating that her time is short. The house itself has its own plans for the women, nudging them, guiding them and sometimes nagging them to meet their destinies. For anyone who likes Sarah Addison Allen, you will likely enjoy this book.

Note: I requested this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

There were a few reasons why I chose to request this book. One was that it had a great cover, which isn't usually enough for me to click on a book description, but the title was catchy so I gave it a shot (that was reason number 2). The third is that the description sounded pretty interesting and literary fiction'ish, so I was excited when I was approved for the request. I became hesitant, however, when I started reading the book and realized that it is classified as a fantasy/magical novel, which is waaay outside of my comfort zone. But, the first couple chapters were intriguing so I decided to stick with it.

I am so glad I did! Despite being completely different from anything that I normally read, this book was enchanting. The lyrical writing style is very literary fictionesque and the story line is Harry Potter meets Smart House, the 1999 Disney movie starring Katey Sagal - there is a video below in case you missed this little gem.
In the book, women facing a crossroads in their life are drawn to the house at the end of Hope Street. The house is not visible to everyone - only those who need it - and the young women have 99 nights to turn their lives around and are guided by the ghosts of patrons past that live in the paintings (like house Number 12 in Harry Potter).

The primary focus is on Alba Ashby, who at 19 drops out of her PhD program and finds herself at Hope Street. An avid historical fiction fan who can see smells and colors, Alba is an outcast that is guided along by the ghosts of famed literary figures such as Sylvia Plath and Agatha Christie, as well as important women throughout history. With their help, Alba strives to face her fears, understand her past, and work through a blow that strikes down her entire sense of being.

This touching tale is sure to weave its way into the hearts of fantasy/magical and literary fiction fans alike. I was shocked by how much I enjoyed this book and am so glad that I stepped outside of my comfort zone to read it. I also like that the male figures in this book don't conform to the stereotypical knight in shining armor role, but that's for another post altogether! My only gripe is the reference to April 31.... Anyway, I hope you take a chance on this book because it's surprisingly fantastic.

After Alba Ashby is emotionally and professionally devastated, she finds herself standing outside 11 Hope Street. Invited inside by its proprietrix, Peggy Abbot, Alba is welcomed to stay…but there is a catch. A woman may only stay 99 nights during her quest to turn her life around. The house itself has its own special inhabitants, talking portraits on the walls of some of the famous and infamous women who have stayed in the house. Taking the advice of the portraits and strangely appearing notes, Alba tries to piece her life back together. Along with Alba, two other women are currently staying at the house: Greer and Carmen, who have their own paths to take. THE HOUSE AT THE END OF HOPE STREET is creative, magical, and full of feminine wisdom and power. Reminiscent of Sarah Addison Allen and Alice Hoffman’s magical realism, THE HOUSE AT THE END OF HOPE STREET will tug at your heartstrings and invigorate your sense of wonder and optimism. Alba really resonated for me on many levels and I felt emotionally connected to her throughout her journey. Beautifully haunting and well-written with wickedly imaginative characters, THE HOUSE AT THE END OF HOPE STREET will touch your soul.

An upfront confession: I requested this book from NetGalley.com because of the enchanting cover art. Sometimes the cover will draw me in before anything else clicks about a book.

The House at the End of Hope Street, described as "Literature/Fiction (Adult)," seemed more fantasy as I started to read. Another confession I must share is that fantasy is completely outside my reading box. But I persevered, and soon I fell in love with this writer's style and the characters who are so vivid and alive. Well, some of them are alive.

Alba Ashby, an odd little character for a variety of reasons, is at the bleakest point in a life filled with disappointments and a rather unlovable family. Alba has abandoned her degree at Cambridge and comes upon the house while walking down Hope Street. Suddenly, she notices a house she's never seen before. That's because this house is only visible to those who need it.

As the door opens to Alba, she is greeted by Peggy, the current landlady, who inherited the house and the role of the house's keeper as the next in line in the Abbott family. Soon, Alba meets other residents, Carmen and Greer, whose lives seems as bleak as hers. Each woman has a special need, but can't seem to see how to help herself. And they have only 99 nights at the house.

The house is as alive as its current inhabitants. Its walls expand and contract as the house breathes, and lampshades bow to the women as they pass by. Amazingly, the house senses the women's needs and leaves notes of encouragement for them.

Alba is cast in the role of primary character and the story focuses on this young women who is brilliant and has the ability to see smells and colors. Additionally, Alba is an avid reader and fascinated to learn that some very famous women writers have also been at the house: Edna Ferber, Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath, and Agatha Christie, just to mention a few. Their portraits hang in the hallway and as time passes by, these women engage in conversation with Alba trying to help her see she can improve her situation.

The more I read this book the more I didn't want it to end. Van Praag uses a strong literary fiction style, and the writer's description of the house and its characteristics made me want to live there, especially if it would be possible to talk with all those wonderful women who have gone before me as writers.

Additionally, the characters are so realistic I came to feel as if they were friends or acquaintances. The realities of their lives despite being painful led to a universal theme of working toward solutions to problems which seem insurmountable, while receiving hope and encouragement from people who care what happens to you.

I highly recommend this book. I will read it again and again. It will stay in my Kindle library forever!

Note: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Story Description:

Pamela Dorman Books|April 9, 2013|Hardcover|ISBN: 978-0-670-78463-9

A magical debut novel about an enchanted house that offers refuge to women in their time of need.

Distraught that her academic career has stalled, Alba is walking through her hometown of Cambridge, England, when she finds herself in front of a house she's never seen before, 11 Hope Street. A beautiful older woman named Peggy greets her and invites her to stay, on the house's usual conditions: she has ninety-nine nights to turn her life around. With nothing left to lose, Alba takes a chance and moves in.

She soon discovers that this is no ordinary house. Past residents have included Virginia Woolf and Dorothy Parker, who, after receiving the assistance they needed, hung around to help newcomers literally, in talking portraits on the wall. As she escapes into this new world, Alba begins a journey that will heal her wounds and maybe even save her life.

Filled with colourful and unforgettable cast of literary figures, The House at the End of Hope Street is a charming, whimsical novel of hope and feminine wisdom that is sure to appeal to fans of Jasper Fforde and especially Sarah Addison Allen.

My Review:

A magical book, an enchanted house, a cast of characters who previously lived there but remain on the walls in photographs to be talked to whenever the desire strikes you. Florence Nightingale, Agatha Christie and Sylvia Plath to name a few. This whimsical house lives and breathes, the walls moving in and out like a heartbeat, the lampshades bowing to get a closer look at you. The mysterious and magical 82-year-old Peggy who runs 11 Hope Street is a kind and wise woman.

Fans of Sarah Addison Allen will love this novel. I put it in the same category as Allen's novel and the book Night Circus. A beautifully written, happy, magical story that is a very rare treat! A book you won't want to see end. Alba, Carmen, Greer, Stella and Peggy are characters I won't soon forget. They are all there for different reasons and the house knows exactly what each woman needs.

I lived at 11 Hope Street from the time I read the first chapter. I couldn't have forced myself to leave even if I had wanted to. I loved the happiness, the love, the caring and the warmth the house enveloped me in. The house knows what you need. You may think you need one thing but the house won't give it to you unless you really do need it. It's the house that decides and does and provides you with what you truly and sincerely need in your life.

I will be keeping this as part of my permanent collection and am going to read it again before I put it away on my shelf for a while, that's how much I enjoyed this book and I know you will too. I highly, highly recommend this book for everyone. If I could rate it at a one thousand, I would! For a debut novel, this is an unbelievable story, a story you'll absolutely fall in love with.

I love the genre of magical realism, particularly the work of Sarah Addison Allen, so when I saw the description for this book I knew I just had to read it. This is an enchanting and delightful tale of three women who have lost their way and the magical house that helps to set each of them back on their proper path in life.

Almost everyone can relate to the desire, at one time or another, to simply run away, escape from one's life for a time, gain some perspective and rediscover the true wishes of one's heart. The House at the End of Hope Street and its caretaker, Peggy, provide the haven that allows our main characters to do exactly that. The House has served this same purpose for countless women over nearly 200 years, and in fact, can only be found by women in need or those whom the House has beckoned or invited. Once the women arrive, each reeling from her own traumatic experience, they are allowed to stay for a period of just ninety-nine days in which to turn their lives around.

"No rent, no bills. Your room will be your own to do with as you like. But take care of the house, and it'll take care of you."

And, indeed, during their stay on Hope Street, the House, Peggy, the many famous former inhabitants (in the form of framed photographs that can talk and interact), as well as a ghost or two, all help to guide and enlighten these women as they struggle to heal their souls and regain their direction.

The House is a character unto itself, and the star of the book, with walls that breathe, notes that float from the ceilings, bedrooms that magically fill with the things its inhabitants cherish most, subtle (and not so subtle!) clunks and creaks and flickers of lights, all of which make the occupants well aware of its wishes and opinions, while also providing each of them with exactly what they need to move forward with their lives.

"This house may not give you what you want, but it will give you what you need."

Peggy has the gift of extraordinary insight, and she serves as a compassionate mother figure that imparts important life lessons as she gently helps her guests to find their way. And to her surprise, she even discovers that the House has a thing or two left to teach her as well.

"We all have to make choices, since we can't have two lives, only one. But, most of those choices we make fresh every day, not just once. So, if you regret something, if you want to change your mind, you usually can."

Although the characters are not particularly multi-dimensional and the tale is a bit predictable, the writing here is absolutely beautiful! The author creates amazingly vivid mental images with her lyrical prose, and it is such a joy to read that it helps the reader to overlook any minor flaws in the story. The plot drags somewhat, especially toward the middle of the book, and the multiple and overly frequent changes in point of view can be quite hard to follow at times.

All in all, however, this is an engaging and enjoyable read that will wash over you and warm your heart with its gorgeous writing, whimsical magic, and insightful pearls of wisdom. Pick it up the next time you are looking for a light and lovely read!

3.5 Stars

***This review and more can be found on Great Reads and Tea Leaves blogspot***

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Another unusual pick for me - they seem to come in cycles. In this novel a young woman, Alba finds herself running from the worst event in her life - no spoilers here - and she finds herself in front of a house that seems to call to her. This is the House at the End of Hope Street and it's a house that has stood for centuries; visible only to the women who need it. Inside is Peggy, the current resident who explains to Alba that the house will welcome her and give her not necessarily what she wants but most definitely what she needs. She can stay for 99 nights and only 99 nights to get her life turned around. While inside Alba sees photos of past residents that include many famous women.

This is the type of book where you just have to let your imagination take the lead; if you let reality try to rule you will lose the magic of the tale. I noted in some reviews of it the phrase "magical realism" - what exactly that means I have no clue but there is something comforting in a house that meets your immediate wants while directing you to exactly what you need the most whether you know what that is at the time or not.

I found myself lost in the story despite Alba's mystifying personality. She was such a little dormouse. I appreciate she had a very bad family but it was almost as if she were as much a disappearing set piece as the house - until she is not. Ms. van Praag's writing kept me quite enthralled despite some cardboard characters and Alba's meekness. This is another book that is worthy of a second read despite my 4 star rating. I did enjoy it.

Feminists Unite! That’s what comes to mind with this book. It is definitely a woman’s book, but I am sure some men would enjoy it too.

Alba is nineteen and her life is in a tailspin. For reasons that she cannot explain, she is drawn the the house at the end of Hope Street. It is as though the house is calling to her, and naturally she knocks on the door and is greeted by Peggy (the person in charge of the house).

It turns out that the house has some kind of magical abilities and heals the women who show up on the door step. They are offered to stay no more or less than 100 days. Many successful women such as Florence Nightingale, Agatha Christie, and Virginia Wolfe have been guests there and they even talk from the pictures of themselves on the walls.

I thought this was a good read, although I had trouble really connecting with any of the characters and I don’t know why. Sometimes it seemed to me that the book went into too many directions with all of the characters which may be the reason why I didn’t connect with Alba so well. But other than that, it was an easy and fun read and written very well.

I would recommend this book, but mostly to women, as it is targeted in that direction. It's possible that I had an "off day" of reading that caused the lack of connection since I am unable to pinpoint my reasoning.

Magical realism, do I need to say more? The words themselves are magical and so is this book.

Alba is a young woman, smart, but troubled. We do not know what exactly happened with her supervisor, but something did and now she feels that her beginning academic career is over. So she finds the house, the magical house that invites her in. There Peggy tells her she can stay for 3 months but that's it. There she will learn to know herself, find out things about her past and hopefully find a future. There are more secrets but those are Alba's and the readers to find out.

Other characters are the house, the house with talking paintings and notes that it leaves around. Peggy who owns the house are having a love affair with a neighbor and he wants more. Gree who also is staying in the house has a failed acting career behind her and she wants more. Then there is Carmen who has secrets, and has lost that which she loves the most.

The book was magical, I said it before and I can say it again. I loved seeing the women finding new paths in life. For them finding strength, happiness and love. And the magic was great and real, because that is how the book was made to be. That is why magical realism works so well.

Highly recommended

This is a multi-dimensional book from so many points of view: several very different characters with many things in common like striving for love and happiness. It might appear as a romantic novel at a first glance, but it is incredible how much more it contains: life advice, inner drama of choice, a touch of mystery, advice for beginning writers, following dreams, unconditional love etc. etc. etc. etc. I hoped it would never end while I read it, but I am really glad to know the whole story now. The wonderful experience and warmth that I got from reading this book lingers with me after I have read it several months ago and I am sure these feelings will stay with me for a very long time.

If you like drama, mystery, romance, humor, like feeling comfortable and happy after each section while still eager to read further, then I would highly recommend this book!

Don't miss it and discover your very own house of hope and love!

Magical realism is one of my favorite genres, but this book pushed me out of my comfort zone just a bit. As I read the first chapter or so, I thought it might be too new age/psychic/fantasy/ghost story for me. There were also indications that made me think it was going to be completely predictable. I was thrilled, and pleasantly surprised, to be proven wrong.

The book's voice is simple in all the good ways, even gentle at times. It was easy to get lost in the enchanted world van Praag has created. I love the stunning way Alba's synesthesia is described; it definitely added to the magic.

Some aspects I didn't like as much:

- I felt that an important detail about the character Albert Mackay was revealed far too early. I wanted a little more time to wonder about him.

- One relationship in the book seemed to progress so quickly, almost out of the blue. This made it hard for me to take the characters' feelings seriously.

- A few times I couldn't tell what time I was reading: present, past, reliving a memory, or what. I found these shifts to be too subtle.

However, these were all minor issues for me in comparison to how lovely and sweet I found the story overall. This is an easy, relaxing read. Not in a frivolous way - there are certainly some difficult situations the characters have to deal with - but the tone stayed light and enjoyable throughout.

At the end of the book is "A Guide to the Women of Hope Street" with a very brief biography of the literary and historical figures in the book, as well as a chart notating the meaning associated with each color Alba sees.

I've always enjoyed Sarah Addison Allen's novels; that recommendation in the synopsis is spot on. Menna van Praag's The House at the End of Hope Street is a delightful story.

A very interesting premise for a magical book! I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Alba has been sent into the streets without a place to go. She wanders the streets then comes upon a beautiful, huge house at the end of a street named Hope Street. She has never seen the house before, even though she has wandered through these same streets. She rings the bell and as soon as it is opened, she enters a magical world.

It seems that the house at the end of Hope Street exists only for those women who need it and at the time that they need it. The house provides refuge and inspiration to those that stay there. Each woman that stays can stay for only 99 nights during which The House will inspire, shelter, and guide each woman so that they can find themselves and be on their road to success by the end of the 99 nights.

That's the basics. What is between the pages of the book is wonderful. We are treated to appearances by Florence Nightingale, Daphne Du Maurier, Beatrix Potter, Vivien Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor, George Eliot, and a cast of many other well loved women who, presumably, have all stayed at the house at the end of Hope Street at one time or another.

Try this one. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

This is a wonderful book whose prose are written in a lovely fluid manner that will keep you reading but barely breathing in a spot or two. The book details the lives and challenjes of a small group of women who, because of their troubled lives, are allowed entrance to a purely magical house--their stay not to exceed 99 days. There's something compelling and magic about the descriptions of the house and its ability to comfort and inspire its female residents. The floors soften at the women's touch; the ceilings dip as if to shelter them better. And always, the house mysteriously seems to know what each needs to press forward with her life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and would highly recommend it.

Menna Van Praag has written a magical tale in Hope Street, a story full of whimsy, literary ghosts, and secrets. The main characters are multi-dimensional and intriguing, full of quirks and foibles, but also full of strength. The house is a character in its own right, so well-sketched that it lingers in the mind after the book is done. I loved the literary ghosts, true to history and to something deeper -- an abiding and uplifting faith in the power of women to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and losses. This is a rich tale, an entrancing story. Five stars simply aren't enough. A new favorite on my shelves.

This is a wonderful book whose prose are written in a lovely fluid manner that will keep you reading but barely breathing in a spot or two. The book details the lives and challenjes of a small group of women who, because of their troubled lives, are allowed entrance to a purely magical house--their stay not to exceed 99 days. There's something compelling and magic about the descriptions of the house and its ability to comfort and inspire its female residents. The floors soften at the women's touch; the ceilings dip as if to shelter them better. And always, the house mysteriously seems to know what each needs to press forward with her life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and would highly recommend it.

Menna Van Praag has written a magical tale in Hope Street, a story full of whimsy, literary ghosts, and secrets. The main characters are multi-dimensional and intriguing, full of quirks and foibles, but also full of strength. The house is a character in its own right, so well-sketched that it lingers in the mind after the book is done. I loved the literary ghosts, true to history and to something deeper -- an abiding and uplifting faith in the power of women to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and losses. This is a rich tale, an entrancing story. Five stars simply aren't enough. A new favorite on my shelves.

I don't normally review books, but I felt compelled to review this one. I read this book because one of my favourite authors, Sarah Addison Allen recommended it on her Facebook page to readers who like her books. I am so glad she did! I loved this book and was sad to see the story come to an end. This book has a very similar kind of theme to many of Sarah Addison Allen's books with a little Harry Potter kind of magic mixed in, well minus the wizards. The House at the end of Hope Street is a secret house that only becomes seen to women who need it, that are at the end of hope. This book tells the story of three women who go to live in the house and the landlady who lives there. The house is magical and helps the women to get their lives back on track. This is a hard to put down read that draws you in on the first few pages. It is a beautiful story of learning to live, love, regrets, lies, forgiveness, and hope. You won't regret reading this!

First impressions - LOVE the artwork on the cover. Final impressions - definitely a captivating read from the first paragraph. Fresh, vibrant writing about an old, magical house at the end of Hope Street that's only visible to women during their time of need. Like walking through Hogwarts School of Wizardry, long-dead women authors and celebrated women in history come to life to give advice, make observations, even scold the women seeking refuge in the house.

Main character, Alba, stumbles upon the house after a heart-breaking experience that ends her career and wounds her spirit. The mysteries of Alba's family and upbringing unravel nicely during the narrative, as do the storylines of two other women (Greer and Carmen) inhabiting the home during Alba's stay.

Peggy, a captivating character and care-taker of the house, explains to Alba the rules: She can stay for ninety-nine nights but after that, she must leave. Peggy explains: The house may not give you want you want, but it will give you what you need. A nice development in the storytelling is the plight of Peggy as she confronts her advancing age and the fate of the house. Peggy is a delightful, spunky octogenarian that I wish had more time in the novel because as caretaker of this mysterious house, I was very drawn to her and wanted to know more about her and the years she's spent in the home.

Two secondary characters, Greer and Carmen, confront demons (sort of kind of literally, sort of kind of figuratively) in their lives, but I found it challenging at times to separate the two and wondered if they should have been drawn as one character so that Peggy would have the space to shine more in the narrative?

There are lovely storylines between Alba and other characters in the book including a librarian and a ghost that appears in the kitchen sink and sits with Alba as she wrestles with problems and unresolved issues in her life. Alba's family takes center stage with tragic characters and circumstances. The completion of Alba's time in the home wraps up nicely and with pleasant surprises.

A refreshing read filled with sensory writing and synesthesia, lovers of both literature and interesting women in history will enjoy this book for the sprinkling of surprising appearances of famous women that have inhabited the house during its 200 years. Because the book employs intriguing magical elements, it is a captivating read that will hold your attention from the first page - to the last.

The use of synesthesia reminded me of A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

To read the complete book review, visit by book blog at Chick Lit Chit Chat (url: www.julievalerie.com)

In a world where warmth, unselfishness and a touch of everyday magic are in such woefully short supply it was a genuine and (yes...for a "guy", unexpected) pleasure to follow the diverse and constantly surprising, romantic adventures of a motley band of women (of all ages), all resident in a very odd Cambridge house, each with her own over-stuffed bag of quirks, foible and failings and each seeking the missing piece to her own hitherto private, emotional jigsaw. This is essentially a book about friendship, the resilience of the human spirit and the redemptive power of love in all its guises. All that plus deep secrets and dark chocolate.
What makes it so appealing is the author's grip on both characterisation and narrative structure. Characters come intriguingly to life with each new personal revelation and the plot skilfully hooks the reader from one beautifully-paced, cliff-hanging chapter to the next. The central character of Alba is so pig-headedly sensitive, vulnerably tough-as-old-boots and optimistically-cynical it's impossible not to fall in love with her.

I considered docking a star for the lack of guns, explosions and sport but realised that would only be bloke-ish...sorry, churlish.

Stephen Bennett - UK TV Scriptwriter (Coronation Street, Emmerdale, The Royal etc.)

A sweet and “bookish” story about a house that helps lost but talented women find themselves. It’s magical realism for female bibliophiles.

Description: There is a special house near London located on a street called Hope. It calls to exceptional women to live in its walls when they are in crisis. What’s unusual about the house is that you cannot see it unless you have been chosen by it. In fact many famous women have arrived and received its help over its 200-year life and their pictures cover the walls.

As the story alternates between a handful of characters that are in need of assistance, we slowly get a picture of why the current set of women are there. They are then magically given what they require so that they can move on in their lives.

Shellie’s thoughts: On the plus side it’s an easy-to-hold and physically small book with some cute ideas. It has an eclectic group of gifted main characters including one that is over 60 and another that is LGBT. There is also an impressive list of the long-deceased prior inhabitants, whose ghosts visit its current residents with their advice and insight. With the dead’s accomplished mini bios at the end for reference, the book has a slight feminist perspective highlighting the women that have paved the way both for the current residents and for women in general.

However, even though it has chocolate, ghosts, fashion, romance and advice, it was a bit trite for my tastes. And sadly, though the story line gave me the desire to want to know what was going to happen to the characters, the writing did not pull me into the text and consequently I felt the desire to skip parts of it.

Do not let my slightly negative thoughts deter you; I am seeing positive reviews from a variety of readers. I did think the book was okay, but would not put in on my favorite list for magical realism. I would recommended it for literary-minded romance readers who want everything tied up neat and sweet in the end and who like a bit of magic in their reads. 2.5 stars for this debut novel.

What a fun book!! Magical, educational, thought-provoking. This book is populated with so many great (and a few not-so-great) characters. Carmen, Greer, and Alba each come to the house with their own life-shattering problems. Peggy and the house are there to help them pick up the pieces. I don't want to give anything away because this is such a fun read. The interactions between Peggy, the house, the photographs on the walls, and the three residents are wonderful to read.

I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley from Penguin Group / Viking. When I read on Sarah Addison Allen's Facebook page that Menna van Praag's novel has been compared to her own books, I knew I had to check it out!

Peggy Abbot is the landlady of the magical house on Hope Street, and she inherited the responsibility for living in it and helping its tenants from her Abbot ancestors. Although there have been as many as eleven tenants living in the house at various points in time, right now there are three: Alba, Greer, and Carmen. These three women have been "called" to the house because, at this point in each of their lives, they have run out of hope. Alba feels like a failure for abandoning her degree at Cambridge, and she thinks she is completely alone in the world. Greer is facing a broken engagement and a stagnant career, and Carmen is hiding a dark secret that is causing the midnight glory on the house's front porch to bloom out of control. Peggy tells each of the women that they, like all the tenants before them, can stay in the house for 99 nights and attempt to sort out their lives.

I wish I could live in the house that van Praag describes! The house senses what its occupants need, and sometimes it writes them little notes with advice or words of encouragement. It gives Peggy a card and an incredible birthday cake, Alba has a room full of books, and Greer has a wardrobe full of fabulous theatrical costumes. One of the most excellent features of the house is the pictures on all of the walls that document the house's former residents. Some famous women have stayed in the house over the years, and the pictures can talk, so it is not uncommon for Alba to chat with Daphne du Maurier or hear a snippy remark from Vivien Leigh.

This book is about four women learning to get out of their own way so that they can find happiness. The great thing about the house is that, while it provides a temporary refuge, the women cannot hide there forever. The house may be magical, and it's capable of producing hot chocolate and ginger cookies for comfort, but it does not fix the tenants' problems for them - it gives them the tools they need to discover their own paths.

Magical realism is one of my favorite genres, but it can be tricky to write well. I thought van Praag did a great job, and her writing style is charming. I enjoyed watching the characters (particularly Peggy) develop. I would definitely read another book by Menna van Praag.

I love books where the characters grow...and surprises!!! Loved the twists, just the right amount of foreshadowing, a fun heartwarming magical adventure into the lives of the women who make it to the house at the end of hope. I know I will be re-reading this one many times, for the pure joy of it.

Alba Ashby, after suffering a humiliating defeat, arrives unexpectedly at the house at the end of Hope Street and finds a way to heal.

(I don't think I'm giving too much away. You knew this, didn't you? It is why you sought out this book, I think. You certainly wouldn't read this book if you discovered in the first sentence of this review that Alba found only more misery and more defeat at this home. So, if that is what you are seeking, then I will reassure you that it will be found here. Hope. Optimism. Healing.)

This book was such a delight to read! Very unique plot. Loved all the amazing women mentioned throughout the entire book and there is even a little glossary of names and bios of women who have made a difference today in women's rights or were authors, poets, etc... that were mentioned whom you may not have recognized.

Highly recommend! Definitely intrigued by this author and will look into other stuff written by Menna van Praag.

I will definitely be reading this book again. I loved every moment of it and I ended up finishing it in one sitting. I was in love with the characters and I would highly recommend this! This is the type of book that you'd like to see as a movie but then again you wouldn't want it to be ruined with cinematic errors. Just read the book! It is so magical and there is definitely something to be learned.