Review: Andrew's Key by Amanda Hamm

Stories from Hartford, #1

Book Cover and Synopsis:

Talk around Hartford is that the old Hilson house is haunted. Its new owner, Rebecca Hilson, doesn’t believe that. She’s more concerned with the decades of junk that has accumulated and for which she is now responsible. She doesn’t know what to do with any of it or even how to approach sorting through it all.

Her new neighbor, Andrew Lately, is happy to offer some words of wisdom and the help of his grandson, Charlie, to get her started. Charlie makes it clear right away that he is interested in more than helping Rebecca move boxes. She doesn’t know if she can return those feelings. In fact, recent events have made her question her ability to feel much of anything.

Will Charlie's patience pay off or will it take a real ghost to help Rebecca understand the nature of love?

My source for book: Review Copy

My Thoughts:
This is a cute story with a romantic angle that feels both sweet and shy. Sorting through boxes in an old (possibly haunted) house isn't the most typical get-to-know-you scenario, but it's actually kind of fun and gives the uncertain relationship between Rebecca and Charlie a laid back feeling. There is also an element of mystery throughout... not enough to be creepy, scary, or overly intense, but just enough to make you think and wonder.

I like how Rebecca is in her twenties--clearly an adult--but is still trying to figure out her life and future plans. It highly amused me (and scarily enough, sort of reminded me of myself) when she came across various situations that a "grownup" would know how to handle, then quickly realized that SHE is a grownup and should be able to handle things on her own. The first person writing style puts you right inside Rebecca's head, and her occasionally matter-of-fact way of thinking is both amusing and engaging.

Charlie is definitely a sweet guy, and I really enjoyed watching him as he spent time around Rebecca. Though he respects Rebecca's wishes of staying in the "friend zone"--for the time being, at least--you can still tell he has feelings for her by the little double-meaning (but not dirty!) comments he makes. I really enjoyed watching their relationship slowly grow. Rebecca's reasoning for taking things slow was very unique, and interesting to watch play out.

The story kept my attention the whole time, never wavering even once, and I was sad when it ended. That's not to say the ending isn't good though, because it is! Rebecca's realization of her inner traits and how they effect her feelings for Charlie is particularly poignant, and made for a great conclusion to the story's build-up. Andrew's Key is definitely some of the author's best work, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing what's in store when the rest of the "Hartford" series releases later this year.

My Rating: 5 stars

Thank you to the author for providing a copy of the book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own.