The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House: A Journey of Courage and Innovation

A whimsical and wonder-filled adventure with a brilliant, endearing heroine! The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House swept me into a gear-spun odyssey of inventions, mystery, and heart.

Title: The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House

Author: Joanna Davidson Politano

Series: N/A

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐

Disclaimer

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I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

My Thoughts:

A whimsical and wonder-filled adventure with a brilliant, endearing heroine! The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House swept me into a gear-spun odyssey of inventions, mystery, and heart.

Sydney Forrester is a young woman whose mind works in marvelous ways—she sees the world in gears and gadgets, yet struggles to find her place in polite society. While she excels in repairing watches and tinkering with machinery alongside her beloved Aunt Lottie, she often feels out of step with the expectations placed upon her. When she unexpectedly inherits Blakely House—an island estate brimming with secrets and mechanical wonders—her orderly world tilts into something extraordinary.

Though anxiety and self-doubt nearly stop her from going, Sydney bravely takes a leap of faith. What awaits is a grand, peculiar home that seems to breathe and think on its own—filled with ingenious contraptions, hidden passages, and an unfinished automaton begging for her touch. But her inheritance is far from secure. Other would-be heirs arrive to contest the will, and Sydney must use her intellect, courage, and intuition to prove herself worthy of her uncle’s legacy.

Sydney’s inner journey was deeply moving. Her constant feeling of being “broken” or “out of place” resonated profoundly. She longs to belong, yet her uniqueness is precisely what makes her extraordinary. Her aunt, the wise and warmhearted Aunt Lottie, offers encouragement at every turn—reminding her (and us) of the timeless truth that women are capable of forging their own paths:

“Remember, a woman can pave her own path. She can do anything – especially what men tell her she cannot.”

Aunt Lottie was my favorite supporting character, appearing just when Sydney needs her most—equal parts comforting presence and gentle nudge toward self-discovery.

And then there’s André Montagne, whose entrance is as unforgettable as it is mysterious. A rugged, roguish man with an adventurous past—perhaps even a pirate at heart—André challenges Sydney in every way. Yet beneath his gruff exterior lies a tender, protective soul. Together, they form two halves of a remarkable whole—like intricate gears that finally click into place.

Politano crafts a world that feels both magical and mechanical, filled with heart-stirring emotion, clever twists, and an undercurrent of faith that reminds us that purpose and belonging often emerge from the most unexpected places. The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House is an enchanting blend of mystery, invention, and hope—a story that celebrates courage, creativity, and the beauty of being exactly who you were made to be.

Publisher’s Blurb:

A clever young woman, a contested will, and an estate that does not easily give up its secrets.

It is 1901 when clockmaker and tinker Sydney Forrester receives a most unusual inheritance. Blakely House, the island estate of an estranged uncle she’s never met, seems almost alive, revealing and hiding its secrets at will. It is filled with remarkable inventions, including an intriguing unfinished automaton Sydney is itching to get her skilled hands on.

The estate is also home to a number of peculiar people–including two men intent on removing this interloper from the island. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle’s death, the late master’s nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn.

Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate’s butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master’s brilliance as well as his property–or someone else will.