No. 23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer

London, 1927: One house. Three lives. A decision that will change everything.

On the morning of Friday 5th August 1927, Miss Agnes Humphries – the landlady of the attractive, if-slightly-shabby, white-fronted townhouse at Number 23 Burlington Square – has a decision to make.

The rooms of the second floor lie empty, since poor Mr Blandford’s unfortunate demise, God rest his soul. And Agnes must make up her mind as to who will be her new lodger… Will it be her spirited, young niece Clara, who drifts through the glamorous world of London’s Bright Young Things? Or Stephen, the sensible, churchgoing, respectable banker who seems just be too good to be true? Or the timid war widow named Mercy, who is clearly running from something – or someone…?

Agnes must choose between them. But what will her decision lead to? One of the choices could result in scandal, one in devastation, and one could even lead to happiness. If only she gets it right…

As all three lodgers enter Number 23, in alternate timelines, relationships are formed and destroyed, feathers are ruffled, and secrets are exposed. Three different choices. Three very different paths. And Agnes is to discover that nobody – including herself – is quite who they seem…

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No. 23 Burlington Square isn’t the sort of novel that I usually go for, but I was intrigued by the positive reviews from my fellow bloggers – it seems to be one that everyone loves.  To all those who said how wonderful it is – I wholeheartedly agree.

Agnes Humphries has lived at the titular residence all her life.  Originally a family home, she now takes on lodgers, and it’s the untimely passing of one of her residents that sets things off as she finds herself with a room to let and three potential candidates – Clara, Stephen, and Mercy.  Torn between the three of them, the reader than gets to see how each option would work out in a kind of Sliding Doors narrative as each eventuality plays out in alternate timelines.  Along the way, we learn more about the three candidates, Agnes, and the other residents at No. 23.  It’s so well done and very cleverly put together, with each narrative giving a slightly different perspective on common events. 

At the heart of the novel is Anges, who is the most wonderful character, and I loved gradually learning more about her own life, even as the focus seems to be on those around her.  Outspoken and forthright – there’s little filter between her thoughts and what she says out loud –she quickly proves to be an open and endearing character who cares deeply for those around her.  She has her own story which is gradually revealed over the course of the novel and while she doesn’t have any regrets per se – given the time, I think she’d make the same choices – there’s still an element of “what if” about her past and I loved learning more about her background and that mysterious top hat that she’s kept for quite some time…

The three potential lodgers are all very different, giving great variation in what might otherwise be quite a repetitive tale.  Agnes’ niece, Clara is one of the bright young things – a wealthy socialite who doesn’t need to work, at least until a scandal sees daddy cut her off, at least until she settles down.  She comes across as glamourous, carefree, and selfish, although it quickly becomes apparent that there is more to her.  Stephen would be a very different choice, and perhaps the most logical one for Agnes.  As a banker, he’s responsible and leads a quieter lifestyle than the partygoing Clara, and his profession indicates reliability and trustworthiness.  And then there’s Mercy.  A timid young woman who lost her husband in the war, she appears to be trying to avoid someone, and Agnes’ heart goes out to her. 

I don’t want to go into the plot in any detail, as I’d hate to spoil this wonderful novel for other readers.  I found it to be utterly engaging throughout – it’s an easy read that tackles some big themes including women’s rights, freedom of choice and going against the expectations of others.  There’s also a sense of found family, as the residents of No. 23 find a bond with each other over the course of each narrative, even though some seem initially aloof.  No. 23 Burlington Square is a fantastic novel that I highly recommend.   

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Book 6 of 20 Books of Summer.