Cover Image: Complications

Complications

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

It has been many years since I read a Danielle Steel book but this one is just as enjoyable as ones in the past. The famous Hotel Louis has been closed for renovations and the manager passed away during that time. Now that it has reopened with a new manager and past guests begin arriving new problems and drama occur. American art consultant Gabrielle Gates has since divorced so arrives alone. An internist with cancer also arrives alone. Of course these two begin talking while in the hallway where a dead body has been found in one of the rooms. Also at the hotel are a couple and the man suffers a heart attack on the same floor. The internist saves his life.

This book has several stories going on within it.

I did like this book and recommend it if you are a fan of Danielle Steel and her stories of life.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

This novel is a hot mess. Just a mess. This book is what happens when an author tries to put too many unfinished stories into one because there just isn't enough material for one of the characters. Honestly, this is the worst book I've read over the last year or so. It's really THAT bad.

The main storyline is typical Steel fare, a divorced middle-aged woman wronged by her husband, who cheated on her with a much younger woman She goes to Paris for work, meets a new man. There are two other storylines as well, but they only show up here and there and do nothing to add value to the narrative at all. This book is simply frustratingly bad.

Was this review helpful?

Complications by Danielle Steel begins in Paris. Hotel Louis XVI has been renovated and is under new management. The hotel is a hotspot for the rich and famous and was managed with an iron hand. New manager Olivier Bateau hopes he is up to the task as complications begin during the reopening.

A recent divorcee, a dying internist, a couple who divorced their significant others and a politician running for President who is being blackmailed by his lover are all guests during the reopening. The beginnings of a new love, an emergency and a supsicious death all take place and throw Oliver and the hotel's reputation into jeopardy.

Thank you to Random House Publishing-Ballantine and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Danielle Steel brings us to Hotel Louis XVI in Paris after the renovations and updates have been made. New hotel manager Olivier Bateau and assistant manager Yvonne Philippe welcome both the regulars and newcomers back to the hotel. We meet a group of people who have reservations for the opening of the hotel: Gabrielle Gates, an American art consultant who went through a publicized scandal when her husband divorced her for a woman only three years older than their oldest daughter. Patrick Martin, France's minister of the interior rumored to run for president gets irritated when given an upgrade by the hotel manager when he had insisted on a regular room. Alaistair Whyte-Jones, a serious looking Englishman who reminded the staff of a country gentleman. There is a young American couple Richard and Judythe who met when she was getting married, realized they were with the wrong partners, and got divorced. Each person we meet has a reason for being there. What could possibly go wrong in the most lauded boutique hotel during their first opening week? We find a murdered man and a call for medical help when the glitches in the hotel system making it impossible to make phone calls from their rooms. As guests get to know each other and help each other out, they start opening up to each other and pretty soon their lives get tangled together.

Danielle Steel brings us a story of a group of people who would have never met had they not all stayed at the hotel. As a result, their lives are intermingled with each other. We see how they affect each other's lives and how the decisions they make impact their lives because they have all met. We see when we are at our lowest, life can sometimes give you what you need to keep going.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Delacorte Press for this privilege.

Was this review helpful?

Complications by Danielle Steel has all the perfect elements to keep the reader absolutely enthralled
as a long awaited renovation of the infamous Louis XVI hotel is finally completed. During the grand re-opening we have a heart attack, murder, bomb scare, destruction by rockstars, a suicide planned, and recovery from a divorce. Despite all the drama or as the title proclaims to perfection, complications, you can not help but be drawn into the world of this Parisian hotel. Seriously, this is a book that you will start and finish all in the same day. Carve out some time so you are ready!

A very public affair with a much younger woman by her husband causes a well regarded art consultant, Gabrielle, to retreat into a very private life. She is slowly returning to herself when she spends a memorable two weeks at her favorite the Louis XVI hotel in Paris.. The multitude of events leads Gabrielle to begin an unexpected friendship with another guest, Alastair. He has his own secrets and they dictate his life path to what he believes to be almost over due to a debilitating illness.

The book also focuses on a few more hotel guests whose lives are forever changed from their visit to the wondrous Louis XVI hotel. You soon find out that secrets and drama are woven throughout their experiences also, But, underneath this seemingly simple plot, so much more comes to light. Steel also cleverly weaves dynamic international destinations into this book in ways that we can travel without needing a passport.

As per usual, Steel provides an excellent storytelling with a few twists and a satisfying conclusion to much of the turmoil. She tells this story with grace and true empathy. There is a richness and a joy that leaps off of the pages despite the heavy tragedies experienced at the hotel, the loss of trust from those closest to you, finding forgiveness from past hurts, and being brave enough to look for love again.

I was provided a free advance reader copy from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books in exchange for my honest review on Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for allowing me to review this book and give my honest opinion. I could not put this book down. This book starts at the great Louis XVI hotel which is just reopening. Gabrielle, a beautiful art dealer, is there, trying to get past a divorce. A shocking event happens (with a minister who works in France) and another medical emergency down the hall. Another person staying at the hotel, Allistar, an internist who has his own secrets, helps with the medical emergency and befriends Gabrielle.

After this initial few chapters of this book, the Louis XVI only appears sporadically and disappears fast. I did enjoy the ending for the hotel. I enjoyed this book immensely.

Was this review helpful?

Complications by Danielle Steel
This book hooked me in from the first page to the very last. The Hotel Louis XVI was described in such detail I felt as though I was there. Paris, London and New York I felt the experinece of each location brought to life. The guests checking in and out had so much excitement and drama. Each guest had something to overcome and get on with their lives. Their was love, loss of life, drama I really ejnoyed this book and finished it within days. A must read, another great book by Danielle Steel.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC. I've been a fan of Danielle Steel since the beginning. Complications did not disappoint. Though it was different then her other books but also shows how diverse she is as a writer.
No spoilers.. The stetting is in Paris where we start off at the Louis XVI hotel. The story resolves around different couples and how life can be complicated and not always what we expect.
Quick and easy read.
Book will be published August 17, 2021

Was this review helpful?

The story starts out during an eventful reopening of the fictitious luxury hotel, Louis XVI. Two shocking events happened during the reopening, and thus started the stories of 3 sets of couples/families. In all three, each of the main characters faces decisions and complications that forever changed the course of their lives in significant and meaningful ways. The narrator was matter-of-fact in describing the events as well as the characters' thoughts or feelings. The story moved forward at a steady pace and the resolutions were satisfying. If you've been to Paris and have shopped on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, you'll get a sense and feel of the place as well. Very enjoyable weekend read!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I have always been a fan of Danielle Steel. Even after all these years, I enjoy her stories!
They are quick moving and I always feel like I’m in the story. She is always so descriptive.
They always resolve themselves in happy ways!

Was this review helpful?

Another great love story from Danielle Steele great characters and a believable storyline. The great details of Paris and London make you want to buy a plane ticket!

Was this review helpful?

Hotel Louis XVI is a world famous hotel that has been closed and undergoing renovations for the past 4 years. The reopening is finally happening and opening week is unpredictable to say the least.

The guests experience a murder, a heart attack, communication system failure, political secrets, and more.

I have read several Danielle Steel books and this one is a bit different and I liked it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine/Delacorte Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Many thanks to netgalley #daniellesteel and #delacortepress for the opportunity to read and review the advance readers copy of “Complications”.
Danielle Steel’s novels will ALWAYS be a treat for me. Over the course of the past 30+ years, those novels have been fit in between college studies, raising kids and my full time job as a nurse.
There is always something to take away from a Danielle Steel novel, whether it be a piece of history, a lesson of the arts, a great love story, a life story, or a meaningful success story. I enjoyed every page.
I encourage you to go on a journey with Gabrielle Gates.... see Paris through an artist’s eyes, experience new love and friendships through her heart, and face life’s difficult moments with her tenacity and strength. You will not be disappointed.

Was this review helpful?

Main themes: Romance, overcoming the odds, unexpected friendships, death and overcoming trauma


Where to start?!? This was a really quick read for me, but not in a bad way! I've read a lot of Danielle Steel books over the years, she has always been one of my mothers favorite authors so I grew up with her books all over my house. One of my favorite books of all time is a Danielle Steel book called Bungalow 2 and I highly recommend it if you haven't yet read it. I've always found comfort in reading a Danielle Steel book because I feel like you know what you're going to get in the sense that you know the opening will immediately pull you in, the story line never gets boring and you always get a satisfying ending. It's like when you reread a book because you want the comfort of knowing what's going to happen but with Danielle's books you know you're going to be satisfied no matter which of her books you pick up.


This book did not disappoint, it had a little bit of everything! You have a woman trying to figure out how to navigate her life after a divorce, a man coming to terms with his terminal illness. There's also new love and last but not least there's a death,\


The story follows a few different people who are all going to be staying at the same hotel Louis XVI in Paris that has just reopened after a 4 year renovation. The books starts out with a bang when on the night of the grand reopening one person suffers a heart attack and another person dies. The books starts out following a few different characters and eventually they all meld into one storyline together.


I highly recommend this book if you're looking for your next romance read.

For the review with spoilers check out my blog which is linked!!

Was this review helpful?

Excellent book! I enjoyed the characters and how they all were rooted to one experience at one location. The way the lives of the characters were intertwined was so fun to read.

Was this review helpful?

Danielle Steel’s Complications centers around a core group of guests who are staying at the Paris luxury boutique hotel, Louis XVI. Reopening after 4 years of renovations, the new hotel manager deals with a suspicious death in the hotel, a guest has a heart attack, a bomb scare, technology problems and inexperience staff. The book explores the complications and second chances of the core group of guests in interconnected subplots.

I enjoyed the book. Thank you Net Galley.

Was this review helpful?

Predictable Danielle Steel. Her fans will love it, but the overly descriptive passages will keep it in that group of readers.

Was this review helpful?

Complications is the first Danielle Steele book I have ever read and I have to say, I totally get the hype! Great story, great characters, and amazing Paris!!!

Was this review helpful?

Danielle Steel tells an unforgettable story about a famed hotel, where a few complications quickly escalate into a matter of life and death, changing the lives of everyone who passes through its doors.The Hotel Louis XVI in Paris France attracts clients from the rich and famous. After renovations and the new manager, Olivier Bateau, an anxious man whose lack of experience leaves him unprepared. He and his level-headed assistant manager, Yvonne Philippe, both strive to continue the hotel’s tradition of excellence. But they quickly realize that anything can happen at any moment, and on one cool evening, everything does. A successful art consultant arrives at the hotel and is surprised to find new love, if she is willing to risk her heart again. A new guest contemplates ending his life, and saves a life instead. A couple finds their once-in-a-lifetime trip interrupted by a tragic medical emergency, leaving the idyllic future they’ve long waited for hanging in the balance. And one of the hotel’s most high-profile guests, a French politician and assumed presidential candidate, holds a mysterious meeting in his suite that will threaten his life and legacy. Rocked by the events of this one fateful night, guests and staff alike brace themselves for the aftershock, as it quickly becomes apparent that more dramas and misfortunes are still in store

Was this review helpful?

Really enjoyed this one. One of her better books of late. Got into the characters and their storylines very easily. Was easy to follow them on their journey and liked how they all tied in to the same hotel. I hope to read more books like this one from Danielle Steel. Reminded me of her earlier writings. Thank you #netgalley and Danielle Steel for letting me read!

Was this review helpful?