Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsGreat premise, falls short on delivery
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 6, 2021
SPOILERS!
I was drawn in by the concept of this book. I always loved the idea of opening my own inn and love the idea of two divorced women going into business together making a fresh start. I expected a story of two finding healing, reinventing themselves, and of course finding new love along the way. You sort of get that but in a rushed and poorly executed way. The journey of the two female leads is a frustrating one. Several times I wanted to reach into the book and shake these women. They weren't acting like grown women with some years under their belt, but teenagers.
The lead Ann is supposed to be smart business woman that made her ex-husbands business so successful, but somehow her ex can't follow a divorce settlement? The whole divorce process seemed unrealistic. I also realize starting a new business is financially stressful and their are lots of concerns. However, I felt like we had to hear about her financial concerns way too often. Its realistic to mention it, but not every chapter.
Even the scene were a guest died. I think it was to be humorous as it was an older man clearly at the hotel with a young mistress. It was neither funny nor sad, and not sure why pages were wasted on it. I would have rather had more time spent on the love stories.
The romance between Vaugh and Ann felt unrealistic and rushed. They had some lunches together, shared a moment, and then were in love. It felt to cheesy (and this from someone who enjoy's Hallmark movies). Almost like a teenager wrote it. I was hoping for a more meaningful connection between the two who both had pasts they were trying to get over. Writing they shared a deep and meaningful bond doesn't make it real, the characters needed more time to develop. That is the major issue with this book, not enough character development to get to the end result. Its a series why not take your time?
Then it seemed like things just happened for the sake of happening. I think the author was trying to make a point that things can happen running a hotel, and that is true but not in this way. Guest rushed to the hospital, someone from the past dying of cancer, and big storms. It was too much and felt like it was added just to try and ad some interest to the story but fell short.
So much I think was added to create emotion but didn't work because again the characters were not properly developed. The one chapter some of the staff were injured in a car accident. I think it was to be all sad that they were injured, but the impact fell short because I felt like I hardly knew them. Since this is a series, maybe something like that would have suited better in a later book.
Note sure I will read the other books. I read their synopsis and seems good enough for me to know what will happen. Again not a bad book with some good moments, but overall disappointing execution. Its hard to connect with the main characters.
