The Flapper Affair

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Manufacturer: Tam Francis
Brand: Paranormal Romance
Brew: Paperback
Steeping Time: 291 pages
Tea Service: Personal Choice
Strength:

Synopsis: Eduard Hall is an odd young man. Unlike his eighteen-year-old peers, he likes black and white movies, 1920s hot jazz, and museum docents who dress in reproduction flapper dresses. So it would figure that the one girl he’d fall in love with, Mia Waverly, would be a beautiful ghost from the famous Waverly family, brutally murdered seventy years ago. Though her body was never found.

The only home she’s ever known is the museum where Eduard works, but not for long. The city’s sold the land, and the building is scheduled for demolition.

Why can’t she remember her death? Why is she the only ghost from her family? Why is she bound to the property? What will happen to her when her home is destroyed?

With time running out and through extraordinary forces, they travel back in time to the night of the murders, setting off a chain of events that will change everything. If they can solve the mystery, they may save her and her family, but lose each other forever.

*DISCLAIMER*: I received a free copy of this book from Tam Francis as a gift. I did not promise a review. This review is my unbiased opinion of The Flapper Affair.

A murder mystery, a ghost story, and a love story that spans the ages with all the vintage vibes? SIGN. ME. UP.

The Flapper Affair has so many elements that I adore. I’m a sucker for anything with a vintage vibe, and God knows I will cave for a good ghost story. The Flapper Affair has both. Throw in a murder mystery and it’s the icing on the cake. The story mainly takes place in the old Waverly Mansion, the perfect setting, in my opinion. I had trouble conjuring up the outside of what the mansion looked like, but Tam Francis vibrantly brought the interior and the gardens to life. Days after finishing The Flapper Affair, I still find myself roaming the halls and grounds, a solid sign of a great story and a phenomenal setting.

The pace is relatively quick, and the stakes are generally high for the majority of the book.

The story’s pace and the age of the main characters would usually put this book solidly in the YA category. However, there are some spicy scenes and the occasional F-bomb, so perhaps not YA? I did find myself wanting a deeper version of the story, though. I’m a huge fan of the slow burn, including love stories. I’d have been happy to have had another hundred pages or so.

I do think the mystery could have been solved much quicker if Eduard didn’t have sex on the brain all the time. But, then again, he is an 18-year-old guy, and that tracks. I’d have preferred more focus on the mystery and the development of the love story, but the storyline (and urges) feel appropriate for the character’s ages. And again, if the audience is more YA, I think all of the elements fit well together.

As far as the writing goes, I think The Flapper Affair could have used another round of edits to really tighten things up.

I give it grace, though. It is an independently published book that didn’t have a professional editor. Usually, this kind of thing irks me about a book, but not this time. The story stood front and center and is the only thing that I’ll remember after reading it. Another round of edits would have elevated The Flapper Affair to a 5 Cuppa read, but even as it stands right now, it deserves nothing less than 4 Cuppas. (Note: If you find typos in any of Tam Francis’ books, she is open to feedback and is able to correct those mistakes for future readers. Don’t be afraid to reach out to her!)

The storyline captivated me, and I fell in love with Mia immediately. She is such a bubbly character with optimism for days. I couldn’t get enough of her! It took me a while longer to warm to Eduard, but I did come around and really came to love him as well. He put me off in the beginning with how he describes most women in a negative light. However, I don’t mind imperfect characters with flaws. It gives them room to grow. He’s also barely an adult and has a long way to go. If every character in every book were the perfect person 100% of the time, it wouldn’t make for good storytelling.

There are a lot of elements in the plot, but I think Tam Francis juggles them all with ease and weaves together a well-blended story.

I can’t think of any plot line that felt unfinished, and The Flapper Affair delivered everything I wanted. No complaints there at all! I found a few areas predictable, but again, it was delivering every piece of the puzzle that I was craving. I found it satisfying to watch it all slot perfectly into place. I fully prepared for The Flapper Affair to absolutely wreck me. It pleasantly surprised me instead.

If you’re looking for a spooky romance to add to your spooky season TBR, I think The Flapper Affair is the perfect addition. For lovers of ghost stories, murder mysteries, the prohibition era, and love stories, this is a fun, fast-paced read. If The Dead Romantics met the 1920s and time travel, you’d have something like The Flapper Affair!

Have you read The Flapper Affair? Leave a comment and let me know what you thought about it! Want to read it for yourself? Click here to get a copy of your own.
Cheers,
Lydia