title: The Heartbreak Hotel
author: Ellen O'Clover
publisher: Berkley
publication date: September 23, 2025
pages: 384
peppers: 3 (on this scale)
warnings: mental illness, alcohol use, family trauma and child neglect, childhood illness and death
summary: When Lou's famous boyfriend leaves her for another woman, her most important ask is that she get to keep their rental house. Unfortunately, she can't afford to pay the rent. She comes up with the idea to start a bed and breakfast retreat for the brokenhearted, but she needs permission from her standoffish landlord, Henry.
tropes:
- fix yourself first
- famous ex-boyfriend
- it's over before it's over
- home isn't a building
- family trauma
what I liked:
- great scenes in the house
- dialogue
- best friend
- found family
- cute nephew
- several mentions of Bernese Mountain dogs
what I didn’t like:
- nothing
overall rating: 5 (of 5 stars)
As always, you can click on the photo above if you want to buy the book.