Quite the enjoyable read with delightful characters and a beautiful setting.

The Best Boomerville Hotel has been recently renovated by owner, Jo, and made into a retreat for people of retirement age. It offers many services to people who want to pursue new interests but in a very luxurious setting. Instead of being about just one character, there are several. The chapters are about different ones. There is Kate who comes to the hotel hoping to write a best seller and maybe find love. Jo, is the owner, and her friend, Hattie, is the manager. There is also James, Lucinda, Sir Henry, Pete, Andy Mack, and Hugo. Each one has their own story to tell.

Reading it reminded me of one of my favored authors, Maeve Binchy. She had a talent for delighting her readers with multiple characters and their stories. Caroline James has the same talent. The characters nor the storyline gets lost. In fact, she draws you into the story itself.

Thank you so much Caroline James for showing your readers that age is just a state of mind. It was a nice change to read a book about people who are older. The ones in the story prove that no matter what age you are, the world is still yours. There are still chances to take, experiences to be had, and dreams to come true!

The Best Boomerville Hotel by Caroline James is a 2018 Ruby Fiction publication.

BFF’s Jo and Hattie decide to try something a little different, using their experience in the hospitality industry. Why not open a holiday retreat for guest of ‘a certain age’ offering them the chance to expand and exercise their minds and bodies?

Their first guests include Kate, a woman who ran a dating service, but never found her own ‘Mr. Right’, Andy Mack, a handsome James Bond lookalike, Lucinda, a poor, eccentric artist, and brothers, Henry and Hugo.

The staff and guests experience more adventures and drama than they signed up for, but their stay at the Boomerville Hotel just might give them a new lease on life.

“Somewhere in the Universe, there is someone, who will love us, understand us and kiss us and make it better.”

The cover of this book is adorable, and so is this story! As a woman of ‘a certain age’, I love seeing more stories centered around ‘mature’ characters. The guests and staff get involved in a few crazy antics, which are laugh out loud funny. But, there is also a dollop of suspense, and a whole lot of romantic intrigue.

Sometimes I get lucky and choose a book at just the right moment in time. With so much going on right now, the news is scary and so heartbreaking, turning to books is always a comfort. But, I’m wondering the Shaman in this story was working a little magic for me, as this story struck just the right chord, at just the right time. It was exactly the soothing balm my broken heart needed.

This is just a wonderfully warm and funny feel good story, laced with everything you want in a story. The characters are eclectic, a bit eccentric and quirky, each with a special backstory that brings them to life in a big way.

The pacing is brisk without compromising the development of the characters or the plot, but more importantly, it will leave you feeling like no matter what your age, it’s never too late to start over, to find love, or live life to its fullest. By the time I turned that last page, my spirits were lifted, and my mood was much lighter. What more could you ask for?

When I read the blurb for this I was fascinated, it sounded brilliant and right up my alley. Let me say it didn’t disappoint. I must admit, I did screw up my to be read piles and I honestly didn’t know if I’d get to finish it, but once started, I couldn’t put it down and I was really invested in the characters and what they would find at Boomerville Hotel.
Kate I loved from the start. She realised after her father had passed away that it was time to live for her. She needed to reinvent herself, she saw the ad for the hotel and in the paper and grabbed life by the balls as such.
Hattie was another character I loved! So vibrant, full of life and omg some completely outrageous plans! But they worked! She’s also a bit naughty but fabulous!
Andy, I didn’t like from the beginning, he was smarmy and thought his s**t don’t stink! He really rubbed me up the wrong way and I didn’t like him.
Hugo and Henry I wasn’t too sure about when we got to Boomerville, but they grew on me.
I felt like I was there with all these people on a journey with them. I laughed and cried with them and I thought it ended perfectly. I knew all I needed to know. What a truly beautiful and well written story of a group of people coming together. This is definitely one of my favourite books of 2018. A magical 5/5 rating for this wonderful book.

I love the idea of this hotel - it's somewhere I'd like to visit myself!

I loved the plot twist too ( nope, I'm not even giving you a hint about it) and it was this that made the story come alive for me. All I can say is that the character at the heart of it is thoroughly despicable.

A sweet read with a fair amount of heartache before a lovely ending.

A heartwarming story filled with laughter and hope...

Good friends Jo and Hattie decided to open up a retreat for “people of a certain age.“ The purpose of the retreat is too offer classes to expand both the mind and the body of the boomers... I thought this was a fun refreshing book focusing on people over 50... a Book all about embracing every day no matter what your age....

This book had a cast of extremely engaging, eccentric and quirky, characters.... Kate a successful Business owner of a online dating service who has never found love herself... Andy a handsome James bond look alike with a hidden agenda... lucinda a washed up artist with a dirty side.... and last but not least eccentric yet lovable brothers Harry and Hugo... each character brought a little something different to the table and added some charm and wit to the story....

It is always nice to read a delightful uplifting story that will make you smile and giggle... a book that reinforces the fact that it is never too late for second chances, new beginnings, and true love....

Absolutely recommend when you are in the mood for a lovely story a bit of a pick me up...

*** many thanks to Ruby Fiction for my copy of this book

This is my introduction to Caroline James' books and writing style. From the title to the blurb, from the plot to the characters, "The Best Boomerville Hotel" was a unique contemporary romantic comedy that was amusing and delightful to read.

I'm always excited about a 'new-to-me' author because I get to learn about his/hers writing style. In this book, Caroline gave us an engaging book with funny characters, each with their own stories and personality traits that made it novel diverse and interesting. Plus, it actually made me wish I could book a vacation at that hotel so I could me them.

Of course there were some entertaining moments that made me laugh and others that were cute and happy. Despite all that, and despite being a romantic comedy, it still had some deeper subjects, that made me think about made me emotional for and with the characters.

Overall, this novel made me happy and I'm glad I got to read it and find a new author with an amazing writing style and the ability in creating characters that make me wonder and curious about their lives and stories.

As you get older it becomes more difficult to make new friends. By the time you are in your forties, often you are in sort of a routine, or rut, and forget to try new activities or put yourself in situations where you might meet new people. As for beginning a new romance.... especially for a woman, may I say PAST her perceived prime?
Kate had been the dutiful daughter. Losing her mother at a young age, she never wanted to cause her father grief. When he began to suffer ailments related to age, she sold her built from scratch business and dedicated her life to keeping him comfortable. Now on her own, an unusual ad catches her eye.
The Boomerville Hotel is designed just "for people of a certain age." That is not to say that describes all who venture there. It is a place to rejuvenate, learn new skills, meet new people, open your mind and heart to new possibilities.
As one becomes more hopeful, does one also become more gullible?

Jo and Hattie are marvelous hostesses. Jo concerned with everyone's well being, Hattie assuring that everyone enjoy their stay. The hotel "regulars" brought to mind humorous classics such as A Fish Called Wanda or Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Kate can't believe her fortune when she meets the man of her dreams so soon and he seems to have eyes only for her.

This is a romance for those who never read romance. You will be enjoying it so much you won't mind the warm and cuddly bits. There is deceit, danger, adventure and dreams.
Even a chase scene of sorts.

I enjoyed this romp in the countryside and look forward to reading more by this author.

With loveable, quirky characters and plenty of action along the way, THE BEST BOOMERVILLE HOTEL by Caroline James is a book that will warm your heart and make you smile.

Boomerville is a stunning hotel that specialises in providing everything a person of a certain age could require - from writing classes to life coaching and everything in between, this hotel does it. From a handsome widower to an eccentric writer, to a woman searching to find herself and possibly romance along the way, Boomerville Hotel welcomes them all with open arms, and as this large and luminous group come together it is no surprise when sparks begin to fly!

From the beginning, I was pulled into this story and I connected with the characters almost instantly and really wanted to see how life would turn out for each and every one of them.
There are moments of pure laughter and some more sombre moments too, and the author has such a wonderful way with descriptions that the hotel and its guests really come alive in your mind as we get to know each and every story.

THE BEST BOOMERVILLE HOTEL by Caroline James has something for everyone and is the perfect read to warm your heart as the cold evenings draw in. Definitely a must for contemporary fiction fans everywhere.

Favorite Quotes:

Somewhere in the universe, there is someone who will love us, understand us and kiss and make it all better.

In Kate’s experience, it was nigh on impossible to form a relationship with anyone of her own age and the men attracted to Kate were doddering around on a walking frame or looking for a ride to their next doctor’s appointment.

The fabulous fifties that everyone raved about seemed lonely and unwelcome and she yearned for some stimulating company to stop her from disappearing into the oblivion of middle age… She prayed that some day soon The One would come knocking on her door. But, in truth, Kate knew that the only knock would be the postman with a catalogue for comfy shoes and hearing aids.

Sir Henry had caused chaos in creative writing last week and the other students had to be calmed at the end of the session. Sir Henry’s half-completed memoirs, Fifty Shades of Sheepdogs, had upset some of the ladies in the group, although one or two, including Hattie, enjoyed the scintillating excerpts.

‘Guests who go to his sessions say they feel like they’ve gained a new lease of life. Hattie did one before we opened Boomerville and I asked her to research the Shaman’s course.’ ‘Did she enjoy it?’ ‘Hard to say. She went missing for three days and came back with an eagle tattooed on her bottom. She couldn’t sit down for a week.’


My Review:


Being a boomer myself, I found this amusing and smirk-worthy tale a delight to read. I want to book a stay there for myself. This was my first experience reading Ms. James’ clever and entertaining words and she didn’t miss a trick. Her well-crafted and engaging storylines were laced with levity, insightful observations, and an oddly compelling and quirky cast of characters. I adored them all but found dear Hattie to be what my Gran would call “a caution.” Slyly nestled among the antics, this talented scribe has provided a easy to follow and enjoyable mixture of humor and intrigue with a mysterious and powerful (yet creepy) shaman, an accurate fortune-telling gypsy, blackmail, embezzlement, a slick and conniving gigolo, feisty seniors, a precious pup, several new romances, and a raging stormy night without power for the culmination of the plot. I could never get enough of this unconventional yet uncommonly endearing group and currently yearn for a bit more. And score, I unearthed a new addition for my Brit Word List with punters - which the Urban Dictionary has informed me is British slang for a gambler or someone making a risky investment, as well as a customer or client. I am getting smarter by the day!

This book has been on my radar for a while and I knew from the moment I saw it that I wanted to read it. It was exciting to read a book that didn’t feature twenty-somethings and was all about those over fifty. The plot was just perfect and the setting, The Lake District, was ideal for the hotel.

The book progresses at a steady pace and has plenty of secondary stories intermingling with the main one. There were times when this book felt so heart-warming and I genuinely cared about both the staff and guests. At other times I was laughing out loud at some of the antics that mainly the guests got up to. Plus there is also the resident dog to coo over.

The book is wonderfully uplifting and I didn’t realise how quickly I was getting through the story until I reached the end in just two sittings.

After seeing an advertisement where they claim, "Boomers! Give us your body and we'll bring back your brain." Kate Simmonds was intrigued to know more. At fifty years old, she remained unmarried without children but hadn't given up the dream of finding someone special. Remembering the words her mother often said, "Somewhere in the universe, there is someone who will love us, understand us and kiss and make it all better," Kate decided a luxury retreat is just what she needs and who knows, maybe 'Mr Right' will be there too?

With the beautiful Lake District backdrop, the former Kirton House becomes the Boomerville Hotel and a fascinating luxurious retreat for those looking to enhance their lives. With a motley crowd of characters to help the shenanigans along, you can't fail to laugh out loud at their antics, the double entendres and commiserate when life throws them a lemon! Yes, we encounter a few moments when 'trouble in paradise' threatens to spoil the frivolity and entertainment, however, there's a delightful 'happy ever after' to keep everyone satisfied.

The concept of this narrative had a retro-feel to it resembling a comical script from a Carry-On film or an episode of Fawlty Towers. I enjoyed the contrast between nostalgia and slap-stick humour, all tied together with a steady pace, befitting everyone and not just those over fifty-years-old.

Hats off to the author for writing a fun and entertaining narrative featuring protagonists of a more mature age. I've never picked up one of Ms James' novels before so I don't know if she normally features characters belonging in this age range but even so, it's a refreshing change for me to read about the antics of a female protagonist like Kate who is a year younger than myself, even if I identify as generation x, rather than a baby boomer.

***review copy received courtesy of Ruby Fiction via NetGalley***

The Boomerville hotel, formerly Kirkton House, provides a getaway for guests of a certain age as well as company as they are all singletons for one reason or another. There are courses and activities from pottery to mediation and exercise of varying types. Some, however have exercise of a different variety in mind and pursue this to achieve their ulterior motive- which isn’t love. A groups of 50+’s who can afford a little luxury can attract the wrong sort of attention. Kate falls for the charms of Andy having both recently suffered losses. James takes the writing course and is having family issues. Two of the much older men have been coming to the hotel for decades and are enjoying its new lease of life. The shamen appears when least expected and makes his predictions. Some find him wonderfully relaxing , others a little scary. A group of larger than life characters coming together makes for a highly entertaining read. My favourite quote has to be “ Do you enjoy exercise?” “ My favourite is a cross between a lunge and a crunch- I call it lunch” !! A book to pick you up, a book to smile at. A real fun read.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
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I thought this was a lovely book. Ideal for a easy read or a book to give your grandmother. I loved the story line and outcome. Will recommend