The House of Fortune by Jessie Burton

Alive with the magic of eighteenth-century Amsterdam, The House of Fortune is a bestselling, bewitching historical novel by New York Times bestselling author Jessie Burton. Set in 1705, the story follows Thea Brandt, a young Dutch African woman grappling with her family's secrets and her own identity.

As Thea comes of age, she is drawn to the theater and an artistic life, yet faces immense pressure to marry well due to her family's financial decline. While her father and Aunt Nella struggle to save their home from disaster, Thea finds solace in a secret romance with Walter, the chief set painter at her favorite theater. However, their relationship is overshadowed by Thea’s own hidden pain: her birthday is the anniversary of her mother Marin’s death in labor, a topic her family avoids discussing.

Adding to the intrigue, Thea's family is haunted by the shadowy artist from their past, whose miniature figurines eerily capture the family’s hidden secrets. Aunt Nella believes finding Thea a suitable husband is the solution to their problems, and an invitation to Amsterdam’s most exclusive ball seems like a golden opportunity. But when a miniature figure of Walter appears on Thea’s doorstep, it becomes evident that someone has a different fate in mind for the Brandt family.

A feat of sweeping, magical storytelling, The House of Fortune explores themes of love and obsession, family and loyalty, and the transformative power of secrets. It is a captivating journey into the heart of a young woman’s quest for independence and self-discovery. ❤️📚❤️