Cover Image: Hotel of Secrets

Hotel of Secrets

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Member Reviews

Maria bore the brunt of her family on her shoulders.
I thought her mother was a simpering fool.
I liked the setting of a hotel in Austria, it’s a different setting.
I mostly concentrated on the burgeoning romance between Eli and Maria. I thought it was very interesting that he was the one with no experience.
The cover is lush and is begging for readers to crack it open.

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This was a nice palette cleanser of a book. Cute, quick-witted and fast moving with a dash of Austrian history thrown in the mix. The characters were well-developed and left me wondering what will happen with Mac and Hannah! I've been to Austria once and thought it was magical and the most beautiful place I have ever been to, this book confirmed that. I hope to one day make a trip to Austria (during ball season) and dance in the streets while wine drunk. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

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I absolutely adored this book! From the interesting side characters to the beautiful setting I loved everything about this story. Eli, my dear Eli! There’s nothing I love more than when the MMC is totally gone for the FMC and boy did Diana Biller deliver. Maria and Eli’s love story is beautiful, interesting, and so so captivating. The support that Maria had from her family and friends throughout the story made me a little teary eyed. The witty banter and mystery kept me coming back for more. I can’t wait to dig into Biller’s backlist and read more of her amazing stories! Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC!

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All I can say is wow. This book was a jaw dropper and I was so here for it. Diana created such a wonderful and interesting read I will for sure try more from her in the future.

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It was really hard for me to get into this book. I really liked the cover and the premise seemed really interesting but the buildup was maybe a little too long for me. The love interest had absolutely no interest in the main character and it could not keep my attention. I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Hotel of Secrets is set in whimsical, 1800s Vienna where spies, balls, competing hotels, and the fabulous (and sometimes scandalous) Wallner women reside. Maria Wallner has recently inherited the family hotel and is determined to revive it to its former glory. Her task would certainly be easier if people weren’t constantly trying to assassinate her. Good thing US Special Agent Eli Whittaker is there to save her life time and time again.

I have now read this book twice in 2023, and I can decidedly say that it is one of my favorite books of the year. The romance has emotional depth and plenty of swoon-worthy moments. The setting is glamorous. I adored the characters, and I was drawn in by the mystery. Another 5-star read by Diana Biller, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!

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4⭐ on 🎧

My 2 favorite things about this book:
1. A historical novel not set in the UK or during WWII? Way more interesting and so much interesting political backstory about 1870's Vienna and it was this beautiful sparkling setting that I loved!
2. The lead male character was a intellectual virgin who literally read manual on cunnilingus and we just love a studious king of the bedroom arts.

The less ideal:
1. There were just so many characters and side plot in this book that made it hard to keep track of each person's hand in the different intrigue.
2. Some parts were very predictable.

This book was such a fun different historical romance and I loved how the main characters came together so check this out if you want a beautiful Viennese story.

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I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This is my honest review.

I was sucked into this story pretty early on. The varying levels of intrigue present in the Hotel Wallner were fantastical and yet the story made them feel quite mundane. The hotel has been temporary home to loads of spies through the years, and everyone just knows that they're spies and nobody cares. But it makes it the perfect landing place for Eli, who is also on a somewhat secret mission of his own.

The way he ends up being drug into protecting Maria over and over again really indicates what a genuinely good guy he is, even though he believes the exact opposite of himself. And the ways he justifies following her around even though that's NOT what the state department sent him to Austria to do were rather humorous. And it felt like everyone and their dog was out to get Maria at one point or another.

I did not see the twist at the end coming, at least not the mastermind behind the major attacks. While it came out of nowhere for me, it did still track with the other things I'd learned about the Wallner women throughout the book. And it made me feel really sad for Maria, more than if it had been someone else that I'd originally suspected.

Overall I give Hotel of Secrets 3.856 out of 5 stars.

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In HOTEL OF SECRETS, Maria Wallner is throwing a grand ball for her hotel’s comeback into society, but keeps getting distracted by an American agent investigating leaked codes (and her). The hotel sabotaging incidents and assassination attempts on Maria’s life are, however, more troubling than some leaked codes. Something is afoot, and it’s clear that the scandalous Wallner family is knee-deep in imperial intrigue. There are three generations of Wallner women, and each secret is more shocking than the last. Eli Whittaker. What a starchy, blushing, completely besotted man Maria finds when she crashes into him tipsy, in Vienna. The whirl of the waltz is ever present as Eli has to find his spot and not spin out with lust and love, and figure out that he deserves it no matter what his awful family put him through. I love that he's a numbers guy, a paperwork guy. he's going to solve the problem that is Maria, but Maria isn't actually a problem at all. She's the answer to all of his everything. Maria and Eli’s romance was fun, open, and honest, but also very passionate and sensual as well as spicy, This story is so unique. It is not the typical historical romance that you have read. This is more like women’s fiction with a historical twist.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity

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Thanks to Netgalley for another outstanding book. Aside from some editing issues, which I presume will be fixed by publication (I’m still recovering from the shock when Eli Whittaker changed to Eli Whittier), I have no criticisms of this book.

There were many parts that made me laugh. At first, Eli is so stiff and emotionally distant, he cannot allow himself to feel anything. As he starts to feel things that are unfamiliar to him, and that he believes will make him weak, “Eli frowned. Listened to that thought once more. Frowned deeper.” Maria is sunshine and cotton candy. No matter what obstacles are thrown in her path, she maintains a positive attitude, remaining hopeful throughout. They are an unlikely pair, but as Maria comes to find out, Eli is actually kind and thoughtful and feels deeply.

Vienna is very different from America and Eli has trouble understanding the constant need to dance, the constant parade of entertainers like musicians and mimes in the streets. He considers it madness, but when he expresses this to Maria, she tells him, “The madness one needs to maintain sanity.”

Humor, though abundant, is understated. There are no slapstick, laugh-out-loud scenes. The narrative conveys humor through the words that are used. When they are forced to seek the help of the police, they end up finding a young man who must have recently joined. They take him to the scene of the crime, and his discomfort is palpable.
“‘Police,’ the young officer cried. Well, cried was overdoing it. Said, possibly. Certainly he at least squeaked it.”

On multiple occasions, Eli refuses treatment from doctors, saying he can take care of himself. Meanwhile, Maria refuses to ask for help from her group of family and friends, saying she can do it all herself. Maria calls the doctor for Eli and he helps her without being asked. Both Eli and Maria put everyone else in their lives ahead of them, worrying about their needs first. They realize that they need to take care of themselves as the other points it out to them.

The love that builds between them is beautiful and miraculous. It’s poetic and emotional. It is memorable and unique. It affected me and will last in my memories. This is the way a love story should be told. I will happily read more from Diana Bold.

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Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller is a wonderful historical romance, adventure, and a knock off your feet swoon worthy American Secret Service agent, Eli Whittaker. The setting is 1878 Vienna where our protagonist Maria Wallner, a hotelier, is hosting the Hotelkeeper’s Ball, and in between refurbishing the hotel, the lack of funds, and other mishaps and mysteries, she needs to pull this off.

I loved this book and will definitely re read in audio which I had just purchased! So exciting.

Highly recommend!

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I thought I would love this — the synopsis and other reviews I’ve read gave me Bridgerton vibes! Which I loved. But, I’ll be DNFing this. I have no interest in the plot or characters. I’m so disappointed! Thanks anyway for the ARC.

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Maria Wallner wants to restore her family's hotel to its former glory. Eli Whittaker is in Vienna to find out who is selling American secret codes in Europe. Eli is staying at the Wallner Hotel and is drawn into the whirlwind of balls, waltzes and the mystery surrounding the hotel. Along with an attraction to the hotel manager.

This is a great story, with a great plot and wonderful characters.

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Hotel of Secrets revolves around the Hotel Wallner. Maria is 3rd generation owner and manager. Maria needs the bank to loan her money to renovate the hotel. Enter Eli - a foreign agent who adds romance and intrigue to Maria's life. I enjoyed this book tremendously. I look forward to reading more of Diana Biller's books.

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I actually ended up liking this book quite a lot, but the cover certainly didn't give me a good idea what it would be like. It's a little bit historical, but mostly mystery and romance, both are done well! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

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This was a really unique historical romance with great characters! Overall, I would definitely recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

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I'm not going to lie I knew this book was going to be a struggle for me. I'm not a fan of mysteries in my romance and while this one did move along at a decent pace, it just didn't keep me entertained. I did really like Eli as a virgin hero (we need more virgin heroes)

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I am impressed with the book; the way that Diana could incorporate history into this love story was fabulously done.

I enjoyed Maria's antics and drove to make her hotel work. The history embedded within this hotel and the drama within this adjacent royal family. And we have Eli, who doesn't smile but has a huge heart and is always willing and able to help whenever he can

All the supported characters added to this storyline's fun and mystery.

This budding romance was Chef's Kiss so good, and I enjoyed reading and listening to this one.

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The only secret here is the one that all the readers who enjoyed the book are in on.

The premise was intriguing but it quickly became clear this top secret espionage plot was cobbled together haphazardly. Is it still a top secret espionage mission if more than half the characters know who the spies are within the first 30 pages? I also never asked for a remedial sex ed lesson either but here we are apparently.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

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I did not mean to go so long without reviewing this one – I LOVED it. The hero was one of my faves ever, I already want to re-read this and swoon all over again. Maria was also fabulous. Everyone and everything = fabulous. Loved. Need more. Absolutely love this author!

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