Hattie runs the Maple Sugar Inn by herself with the help of her staff since the passing of her husband. She didn’t plan to be widowed in her twenties or to be raising her daughter alone with no family to turn to.

Erica, Claudia, and Anna have been best friends since college and usually meet for their book club holiday during the summer months, but this year their vacation is happening just before Christmas. All three have other things on their mind aside from the book they’ve chosen—Anna can’t stop thinking about the empty nest she will have soon, due to downsizing Claudia no longer has a job to return to and Erica thinks she might like to take the next step with a casual friend. They have been there for each other through it all and Hattie can’t help but be a bit envious of the friendship her guests have with each other.

Before the week is done, will Hattie be welcomed into their inner circle? Is it possible that the library at the Maple Sugan Inn might be a place that Erica, Claudia, and Anna return to for future holiday book club meetups?

I really enjoyed this novel and the idea that sometimes people come into your life when you least expect it and leave a lasting impression. The cozy library at the Maple Sugar Inn sounds like the perfect place to meet up for book club. I love the idea of old friends reuniting and discussing books while vacationing at the same time!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #TheBookClubHotel

"The Book Club Hotel" by Sarah Morgan is an enchanting escape into the world of books and friendship. As a bibliophile, I was instantly drawn to the quaint setting of The Book Club Hotel, where books are the heart and soul of the community. Morgan crafts a story brimming with warmth, humor, and relatable characters who find solace, healing, and connection within the pages of beloved novels. With its cozy atmosphere and endearing cast, this novel celebrates the transformative power of literature and the bonds formed through shared stories. A delightful read that left me longing for my own literary getaway.

Earlier this month I needed a cozy, comfort read despite our warm weather, and snowy, frosty cover and climate, Sarah Morgan's The Book Club Hotel fit the bill. I could relate in some way to each of the characters, and the setting was charming. It totally makes me want to find friends like sisters who innately understand the appeal of a picturesque getaway with a good book for some distance from real life, support through our worries, and good conversation and snacks. A cozy heartwarming story!

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. Made me want to just curl up with a blanket and keep reading.

The Book Club Hotel was a charming and cozy story that is full of Christmas joy! Many questions and so much character development as three best friends – who are total opposites – visit a Christmasy Inn for their yearly book club. This is a multiple POV between four women as they embark on turning points in all of their lives.

There are some obvious twists that I could see coming, but was so full of warmth that it was still a very enjoyable read. You can always count on a good story by Sarah Morgan – I've been reading her stories for quite a few years now!

Synopsis

Young widow, Hattie Coleman, is exhausted with the daily drudgery of running the picturesque Maple Sugar Inn, but she can’t bring herself to abandon her late husband’s dream. Can three strangers show her how to start living for herself and build a new future?

My Overall Thoughts

The story is heartwarming and the characters are well developed, if a bit trite. It’s a soothing, winter read to while away a snow day with in front of a warm fire with a hot cup of tea. You probably won’t remember it by spring, but that isn’t really the point.

What I Didn't Love

It’s a Hallmark movie in book form. I can’t fault if for being formulaic. That is the point, after all. However, I would have loved a bit more substance and maybe a small surprise or two.

What I Loved

This is a reader’s book. The characters are book lovers and the inn features a library I could spend a week in. The imagery is spectacular.

I Would Recommend This Book To

I would recommend this book to female readers wanting a light, cozy, winter read.

I absolutely loved this book! Sarah Morgan always writes amazing female friendships in her books and the store in this book was wonderfully executed. I loved every word of this book!!!
I just reviewed The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan. #TheBookClubHotel #NetGalley
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You're in for a treat with Sarah Morgan's "The Book Club Hotel"! Picture this: three lifelong friends – Erica, Claudia, and Anna – embarking on their annual book club getaway to a New England winterwonderland.

These ladies are all successful in their own ways, but there's a sense of unease lingering among them this time around, and even Hattie, the propieteress at the Sugar Maple Inn, can sense it.

As the week progresses, the author peels back the layers of each woman's struggles, revealing secrets that even their closest friends aren't aware of. But it's the unraveling of these secrets that holds the promise of changing their lives in profound ways.

With seamless storytelling, "The Book Club Hotel" effortlessly weaves together four captivating storylines against the backdrop of stunning scenery, interesting characters, and plenty of intrigue. It's a journey you won't want to miss!

Book Review: The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan

Thank you to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for the opportunity to read this entertaining and heartwarming book in exchange for an honest review and opinion.

From the publisher: With its historic charm and picture-perfect library, the Maple Sugar Inn is considered the winter destination. As the holidays approach, the inn is fully booked with guests looking for their dream vacation. But widowed far too young, and exhausted from juggling the hotel with being a dedicated single mom, Hattie Coleman dreams only of making it through the festive season.

When Hattie’s husband dies unexpectedly, she is left with not only a young daughter but with the responsibility of running the Inn by herself – a herculean task while processing her own grief. She wants to make a success of it but is caught up in thinking that she shouldn’t make any changes from Brett’s prior plan and his original wishes – even though she doesn’t always agree with them. She is a really strong woman but lacks confidence as she always deferred to her husband in running the Inn. She is also exhausted from trying to do everything herself.

When three women arrive at the Inn for their annual book club retreat, she gains strength through their friendship and ideas. Anna, Claudia and Erica have been friends since college and enjoy a warm, supportive relationship with each other that rubs off on Hattie. Each of the women is dealing with her own issues and take comfort from each other as they slowly reveal to the others what they are dealing with.

All in all, it is a heartwarming, charming novel that is a perfect read for a winter afternoon.

When Erica, Claudia and Anna get together at the Maple Sugar Inn in Vermont for their annual book club meeting, they have no idea how their vacation will change their lives forever, along with those of the inn’s owner, widow Hattie Coleman, and her young daughter.

A story of strong friendships, loss, heartache, forgiveness, family found, second chances and new beginnings. I loved this story!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A heartwarming and wonderful Christmas story! This is my first book from Sarah Morgan. But I understand she writes great Christmas stories and I look forward to reading more.
Thank you for the publisher and Netgalley for the early readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Book Club Hotel is heartwarming! This is the perfect cozy novel for a winter Book Club to read. Between the settings, the characters, and the amazing friendships this is the perfect book to read with friends. It is the perfect balance of romance, sisterly friendship, and entertaining plot lines. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a cozy winter read!

I really liked this book! The idea of three friends visiting the Sugar Maple Inn at Christmastime for their book club get-together? How could that not be a great scenario? And then, throw in a surprise family relationship, some romance, a marital conflict, and some job tension, and we definitely have a winner here!

The book had an excellent pace, and the author was so skilled at moving back and forth between all the characters that she left me wanting more at the end of each chapter.

I’’m going to look for more of the author’s work!

Unfortunately although I started reading the book, I wasn’t able to finish it before it expired. I usually like her books, and I assume I would have enjoyed reading it.

In my top 5 books of 2023!

I adored this book. It is the perfect mix of Hallmark movie meets Sweet Magnolias. You have found family (figuratively and literally), strong female friendships, and women just being women without the drudgery society attaches it to. So happy i picked this up and can't wait to read more from Sarah Morgan!

I absolutely love this story! It’s first and foremost a story of friendship but you also have family connections involved and a mystery.

3 friends spend a week long stay at the Maple Sugar Inn in Vermont for their annual book club. But this year, instead of a summer escape, it will be just around the holiday season! They are all coping with life changes and this will provide the perfect getaway to explore new beginnings.

But why exactly did Erica chose this hotel? Hattie, the widowed mother of the inn is faced with a crisis of her own. How will she cope with a fully booked season?

I read this in January so was happy it was not too Chrismassy! Loved the little girl ´sa passion for dinosaurs, the charms of the winter destination, the heartwarming feel of female friendship and the insecurities of a widower facing both taking care of her business and facing new love.

If you enjoyed The Five-star weekend, this one is similar but has a much more authentic feeling.

I can’t go wrong with Sarah Morgan!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

The Book Club Hotel was a charming but heartfelt little book that was a perfect read for the holiday season.

Normally I read YA or adult books that are more on the fantasy and/or spicy realm of things so this was a bit of a change of pace for me but a good one. The characters were well written and each of the women really stuck out in their personalities so I never forgot which section belonged to which woman.

I liked how each woman had a different set of problems and yet also a different set of very good things in their lives. It also didn't seem to be promoting one lifestyle over another (motherhood vs. more of the jetsetter life) which is always a good thing.

It did get a little cheesy and there were almost too many coincidences but it was a nice, winter read.

I loved this book! Sarah Morgan is one of those feel good writers that you know you can rely on when you just need to escape into a wonderful world and forget about the real world for awhile. Any book lover will really enjoy this book. The story takes place as a quaint little hotel that goes above and beyond to make their patrons feel the magical relaxed place where you want to go to read. Only a real reader will get that description. It is run by a widowed mom and her daughter along with a side cast of characters that will just make you feel like you want to hang out with all of these people. The story will make you feel like you are home and you never want to leave this cozy place.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book was a perfect festive book. I could not put it down. IF you like Christmas reads read this book

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. The Book Club Hotel was a heartwarming story about three best friends and an inn keeper coming together and sorting through their lives. It was slow to start with trying to figure out all the different characters but once they arrived at the inn, the story started to pick up. Overall, I thought it was a sweet novel.