I know by now, when Sara writes it, I’m going to love it! This book was a delight to read and I only put it down when I had to, otherwise it would have been a reading in one sitting situation. I loved the mystery element in this book and especially the first roughly 50% were particularly intriguing and suspenseful, as we have the three narrators, 3 plot strings that are only connected by the Moana Hotel and the reader is just waiting impatiently for the connection of the plot strings to finally happen.
The characters were very well crafted again, as per usual in Sara’s books. Very enjoyable indeed. Jane is a very powerful and strong woman in 1905 and founded the Stanford university together with her husband. I find it impressive how matter of factly she is dealing with the situation of her getting poisoned. Zoe is a great modern day lead character and I liked to follow her writing process. I think it is interesting how she branches out her writing and discovers new interests besides romance while in Hawaii. ‘Iliahi is the hidden gem of this cast of characters. She is so young but had to endure so much in her life. I love how she is such an integral part of the mystery as well.
In addition, aside from a mystery and historical fiction plot, Sara even wove in a little pinch of romance and in my view just the right amount. I think this is an amazing book and I can thoroughly and wholeheartedly recommend it to any mystery and historical fiction lover out there!

The Guest in Room 120 by Sara Ackerman is a mystery story. Two women from the 1900’s share time together. One is a successful woman staying at the Moana Hotel in Room 120. The other is an employee of the hotel. Regardless of the difference in their status, the women spend time together and enjoy each other’s company. Eventually they are involved in a murder. Or is it a murder? Fast forward to the present and Zoe Finch is staying in Room 120. There are some strange occurrences in the room, including notes slipped under her door during the night. Zoe sets out to find out the mysteries surrounding Room 120. Along the way she finds her talent, her passion and true love.

Title: The Guest in Room 120
Author: Sara Ackerman          
Genre: Historical fiction    
Rating: 4 out of 5 

1905. As the mother of a university and a woman with an iron will, Jane Stanford has made her share of enemies. After a scare at her mansion in San Francisco and on the advice of her doctor, she flees to Honolulu and the fashionable new Moana hotel. But as fate would have it, the island is not as safe as it seems.

2005. Zoe Finch is a bestselling author who desperately needs a jump start on her next novel when she makes a split decision to attend a writers conference at the Moana under an assumed name. As a storm brews offshore, she begins having nightmares that feel hauntingly real. Terrified, Zoe enlists the help of mystery writer Dylan Winters, and over the course of the week, races to uncover the shocking truth of what happened in the hotel one hundred years ago almost to the day.

1905. Iliahi Baldwin’s life changes the moment she lands a job at the Moana. Newly hired and reeling from a tragic loss, she strikes up an unlikely friendship with the formidable Jane Stanford upon her arrival, leaving young Ili devastated when the unthinkable happens. Ili knows things, but there are powerful people who need the truth to remain hidden, and to cross them could prove disastrous.

An unforgettable tale of betrayal, secrets, and death that still echoes through the years.

I enjoy reading Ackerman’s Hawaii-set historical fiction. I know very little about the history of Hawaii, and everything I’ve read of hers has been both a well-written, entertaining read and a chance to learn more about something I know almost nothing about. This was no exception.

Jane Stanford…was not a likable person. At all. But, she didn’t deserve what happened to her—nor did she deserve to have her death trivialized and ignored. I liked Ili’s storyline, but I loved Zoe’s the most—and that cat. This was an engrossing read that I read very quickly to find out what happened.

Sara Ackerman is from Hawaii. The Guest in Room 120 is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 9/17).

The Guest in Room 120 by Sara Ackerman

This novel has many moving parts. Some of the characters seemed unnecessary to me and even distracted from the base story. The main players are Jane Stanford of Stanford University in California, Zoe Finch, aspiring author from Oregon and ‘Iliahi Baldwin of Hawai’i.

The ladies’ stories intersect 100 years apart in Hawai’i. It’s 1905, and someone is trying to poison the very wealthy Mrs. Stanford, so she goes to Waikiki to rest and recuperate. But did she bring her killer with her? Present day Zoe Finch (2005, anyway) is attending a writers’ conference in the same hotel and was given room 120, same as Jane Stanford. Strange things begin to happen in that room. Zoe must investigate which is where she comes to find out about a journal kept by ‘Iliahi from when she knew Mrs.Stanford.

All in all, I found Zoe’s story the most interesting, though some details were too long. Of course, it all fits together nicely by the ending, but too nicely, so I’m giving this book three stars.

The Guest in Room 120 has dual timelines - 1910 and the present day. In 1910, Jane Stanford (founder of Stanford University) escapes to the Moana Hotel in Honolulu after an attempt on her life in San Francisco. She begins an unlikely friendship with a local Hawaiian hotel worker named ‘Iliahi while at the Moana, until the unthinkable happens. ‘Iliahi knows she can’t report details she knows about the murder, so writes details in her diary. The Stanford University officials effectively cover up the murder to avoid a scandal.
In the present timeline, Zoe Finch attends a writers conference at the Moana hotel and stays in the same room Jane Stanford stayed in when she was murdered. She starts having nightmares and notes that keep appearing from the past. She goes on a quest to solve the 100 year old murder with another writer and must actively search for ‘Iliana’s missing diary. The novel was very well written and the characters were all well developed. It was a great mystery about a real murder that was covered up for years. I would recommend the novel to book clubs and those that enjoy historical novels about true events.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read and comment on this ARC

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
I really liked this book! It was told through two timelines-one takes place in 1905, and the other one takes place in 2005. The first one involves the real-life death of Jane Sanford at Honolulu's Moana Hotel. Even though she was poisoned, no one would listen or take the time to find out what really happened. In 2005 Zoe Finch is attending a Writer's Conference at the same Hotel. Then the mystery begins-Zoe receives mysterious notes under her door, and she hears strange noises in the night. The author does an excellent job connecting these two stories. It is a quick read with lots of twists and turns. I highly recommend this book!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Guest in Room 120. Usually don’t like multiple POV stories but this one is structured in a compelling way to move the interesting story forward. I was fascinated with the historical perspectives and liked reading about the lives in Hawaii and California during this era.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

The Guest in Room 120 is a captivating read that is gripping from start to finish.

The story is told in dual time lines 1905 and 2005 both just as mesmerizing.

Flashbacks give us Jane's story and a diary written by Ili a hotel employee which is just fascinating.

The book is based on the real life mystery of the death of Jane Stanford back in 1905 one of the founding members of Stanford University .

Jane is elderly now but dont let that fool you. She is strict, demanding of others but still active in the university community.

When one attempt is made on her life she is advised to go away on a trip . Jane chooses to start in Hawaii.

One cant always run from ones troubles and as fate would have it neither could Jane.

2005 we meet Zoe an author who is attending a writer's conference and the room she is given is 120.

Strange things happen and when Zoe learns what happened to Jane in Room 120 she is hell bent on trying to find out the entire story.

Once you start reading The Guest in Room 120 there's no turning back . The book is totally bingeable and so intriguing.

The Guest in Room 120 is a perfect book club pick.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Mira Books for the absolute privilege of reading and reviewing The Guest in Room 120.

This is the second book I've read from Sara Ackerman and I've quickly determined Sara will be a must read author for me! This mysterious historical story is inspired by the very real murder of Jane Stanford, founder of Stanford University. I was not familiar with the story of Jane's death but have now done many Google searches after reading this story. While we may never know the truth, Sara Ackerman gives us an immersive tale of what possibly led to Jane's death, while interweavingboth a parallel timeline POV and a future timeline detective view with a sweet touch of romance.

The Guest in Room 120 by Sara Ackerman is a heartwarming novel set during the 1910s and present day. In 1905, Jane Stanford has made her share of enemies. After a scare at her mansion in San Francisco and on the advice of her doctor, she flees to Honolulu and the fashionable new Moana hotel. But as fate would have it, the island is not as safe as it seems.

In 2005, Zoe Finch is a bestselling author who desperately needs a jump start on her next novel, and she makes a quick decision to attend a writers' conference at the Moana under an assumed name. As a storm brews offshore, she begins having nightmares that feel hauntingly real. Terrified, Zoe enlists the help of mystery writer Dylan Winters and, over the course of the week, races to uncover the shocking truth of what happened in the hotel one hundred years ago.

1905 ‘Iliahi Baldwin’s life changes the moment she lands a job at the Moana. Newly hired and reeling from a tragic loss, she strikes up an unlikely friendship with the formidable Jane Stanford upon her arrival, which leaves young ‘Ili devastated when the unthinkable happens. ‘Ili knows things, but there are powerful people who need the truth to remain hidden, and to cross them could prove disastrous.

Ackerman does a wonderful job creating a thrilling historical murder mystery. The Guest in Room 120 had me turning the pages to the very end. This book is an easy 5 stars. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction and mysteries.

I received a free advanced copy and all opinions are my own. I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I've read Sara Ackerman and I've enjoyed getting a look at life in the Hawaiian Islands especially during World War II, in her previous books.

This time we arrived in Hawaii via San Francisco and delve into the life of Jane Stanford, widow and cofounder of Stanford University.. This story focuses on 3 main characters, Jane and a young woman who works at the hotel where Jane stays along with a present day storyline focusing on a writer who is attending a writer's conference at the same hotel.

The writer is experiencing a serious case of writer's block and she hopes attending this event will get her writing again but a LOT of stuff happens while she's in Hawaii. This novel is difficult to explain but it definitely kept me turning the pages of my Kindle!

The Guest in Room 120
by Sara Ackerman
Pub Date: Sept. 23, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The Guest in Room 120 is an immersive and transporting novel that raises the question: What really happened to Jane Stanford?
I found this book to be very interesting. I had trouble putting it down. What a mysterious death for one of the founders of Stanford University.
I recommend this book.

The Guest in Room 120 by Sara Ackerman was an exciting read. This novel jumps from different time periods to describe the later years of Jan Stanford a founder of Stanford University. The novel takes us into the lives of 3 people:Jane Stanford in 1905,Zoe in 2005, an author who has hit a wall in her writing, and "Lliahi Baldwin in 1905 who has landed a plum job at the new Moana hotel
This story relates the mystery of Jane's death by poisoning. I could not pu this book down until I found out how the author put this mystery all together in the dual timelines. It is not to be missed

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

I honestly struggle with alternate time line books a lot of the time. I really wish I liked them more than I do because they can cover some really interesting themes. I feel like with this book ot was more me than the book itself. I at times struggled with keeping interested in the story and characters. IThis one wasn't really for me.

This is the second book I've read by Hawai'i-born author Sara Ackerman, after reading last years, The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West, and I enjoyed this dual timeline novel even more. The story is told from the POV of three very different women. Jane Stanford (the co-founder of Stanford University) and Iliahi Baldwin in 1905, and Zoe Finch in 2005, who is dealing with a bit of writer's block when she attends a writers conference at the Moana. Unknown to her, she is staying in the very same room (120) where Jane stayed 100 years previously.

When notes start appearing under her door, Zoe turns to mystery writer Dylan Winters, one of the speakers at the writers conference. Together, they work to uncover what happened in Room 120 and who was responsible for Jane Stanford meeting her untimely end.

If you enjoy dual timeline novels, set in exotic locales with true events woven into the storyline, this is definitely a book you will want to check out.

Well crafted but too long by a bit. Was much more interested in the historical timeline than the current day timeline, and it felt like too many genres squeezed into one title - romance, historical, mystery, thriller, with some magical realism/otherworldiness too boot.

“The Guest in Room 120” is a mystery/romance/historical fiction book by Sara Ackerman. This book has three narrators - in 2005 there is Zoe, aka Bridget, a fictional writer who feels lost as she has a deadline approaching for her next book idea. Rather spur-of-the-moment, she decides to attend a writer’s convention in Hawaii. In 1905, there are two timelines - one is the diary of a native Hawaiian, Ili, who works at a hotel and Jane, aka “Mrs. Stanford” (yes, of the university) who escapes to Hawaii after being poisoned in her SF home. This book had a lot of things that should have worked but, for me, the modern storyline felt off a lot of times. Is it a romance line (well, kinda but not really). Zoe just didn’t feel as fleshed out as Ili (who I felt added background to Hawaii and the experience of struggling to support a family as an eldest child) and Mrs. Stanford. I didn’t know a lot about Mrs. Stanford, but Ms. Ackerman’s author’s note matched up with my limited and newly researched information (though I have to note, I did quip to my partner “Of course Leland Stanford (Sr) was the governor of Callifornia, wasn’t everyone back then?”). This book also needs another review by an editor - hopefully some (such as Storm’s gender change and a number of typos/odd sentence constructs) will be caught before final publication. If I rated this book just on the 1905 timelines, this would be a solid four stars, but the 2005 timeline never worked for me (though it should as I find the writing process interesting), thus a final overall three star rating because it could’ve been better. I will read another book by Ms. Ackerman as I’ve liked two of her previous books.

A romance author and protagonist in the book, Zoe, experiences writer's block with a looming book proposal due. She enrolls in a writer's conference in Hawaii to help inspire her creative mind and unintentionally unearths a historical mystery involving a matriarch from a highly renowned West Coast university. I enjoyed this book, which incorporated history, romance, and lessons in creative writing.

The Guest in Room 120 is utterly captivating—its characters lingered in my mind long after I set the book down. The seamless blend of fiction with a real-life mystery is masterfully done. I couldn’t recommend it more highly!

I sat down and read this book in a day. The story draws you in and you want to find out what happens to the characters. Dual time line story and although this story is fiction it is based on the life Jane Stanford, founder of Stanford University. Very interesting subject matter and it was written in a way that you are still thinking about the characters long after the last page has been read.