My feelings about The Heartbreak Hotel are complicated at best and border on absolute boredom at worst. Despite the ease of reading this novel (truly, I paid little attention to the percentage read or page count because I was sucked into the story as a whole), the execution of the development of the characters and themes presented in O’Clover’s first foray into romance/women’s fiction (YA notwithstanding) fell incredibly flat. In my estimation, O’Clover began writing the novel with the hope that it would feel transformative for the readers, especially for those who are experiencing grief, or contending with their own familial trauma. Such a lofty goal made, however, was not well planned, for The Heartbreak Hotel is plagued with a myriad of issues, of which a few are explained below.

1. Though O’Clover established a set of characters with an incredible amount of emotional depth (apart from perhaps Goldie; I suspect she needed more time to tap into it), there was a distinct lack of chemistry between them. The descriptions of Lou’s and Henry’s encounters lend themselves to the idea of their chemistry. However, O’Clover leaned too far into their preoccupations and baggage— so much so that any glimmers of their personalities felt as though they were afterthoughts, instead of the very basis of their personas. Indeed, Lou was given nothing with respect to her personality that didn’t directly correlate with her childhood trauma or her personal heartbreak. Henry’s introduction and interactions with the guests during the hike were decent, but the traits presented during those scenes were quickly forgone for the sake of his anguish and pain. Honestly, I experienced more joy and connection during the few scenes with Rashad, as he possessed the levity necessary to explore the gravity of each character’s heartbreak.

2. While Lou shares some wonderful insights with her guests during their ‘therapy’ sessions, overall, she experiences little growth. Perhaps it’s because I have my own history dealing with a parent who expects their children to help them whenever warranted (and thus, because I’ve already come to the realization that this is rather toxic behavior), but I found Goldie’s choice to be honest with and cut off their mother to be healthier (though she is completely in the wrong for continuously using Lou as the scapegoat/fallback person). Lou is emotionally intelligent in every situation, except with respect to the relationship she has with her mother. I can’t pinpoint if this is just due to her reluctance to tackle her trauma, or simply a byproduct of the wisdom she has yet to gain. Consequently, O’Clover wraps up the novel too quickly, absolving Lou of all her faults/shortcomings and tries to dupe the readers into believing she made progress/learned a lesson.

3. Though this may be a minor issue for most, there were certain expressions used multiple times and awkward phrases/uses of grammar that took me completely out of the novel a few times. I am assuming they were due to the author’s writing style, rather than a conscientious decision with respect to Lou’s voice and perspective.

That said, The Heartbreak Hotel definitely has its moments. The interactions between Quinn, Lou, and later, Henry, were adorable and I admired the way Henry approached his relationship with Lou (the brief periods of miscommunication notwithstanding). The LGBTQIA+ representation was decent too.

O’Clover’s work would be best suited for someone who has experienced similar situations— loss, heartbreak, and mental health struggles.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC!

I had seen this book all over social media and people recommending it so when I got a copy I was so excited!

I loved this book so much! Henry is truly the sweetest and I saw a lot of myself in Louisa. I also loved all the side characters especially Mei! “We’re going to see about a guy!”

I can’t wait to buy a copy for myself when it publishes. Thanks for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley for an Arc copy! This story follows a woman through her heart break and healing of others. It also follows others characters grief and loss; showing that loss is different for everyone. As a therapist I understood the need to take care of others and put ourselves on the back burner. Lou and Henry go through learning about each other and falling in love, sharing the darkest parts of themselves. I enjoyed reading and the storyline.

Louisa Walsh’s life is a bit of a mess - her long term partner cheated, she does not have a steady job and she cannot afford to stay in her home - so she comes up with a plan to transform her home into an inn designed as a soft place for those dealing with heartbreak.
I loved the first 50% of the book as it explored different relationships and our individual response to grief. It was warm and funny and so unbelievably sweet. However, at approximately the 60% mark, we discover that Henry, the MMC, has lost a daughter due to a heart condition. The main characters go from sharing this tender moment of grief and loss and human connection to immediately aggressively making out (first time!) and it just ruined the book for me. The complete tone shift took me out of the story.

The Heartbreak Hotel
ARC 3⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

I was eager to read this but my new job left me no time. It took me way longer than expected to finish which I think also impacted my view of the book. I did a lot of rereading to refresh my memory on the characters and the plot. I enjoyed the side characters visiting the Inn but I wasn’t ready for all the emotions.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

The Heartbreak Hotel is an emotional, beautifully written tearjerker. It will rip you open and stitch you back up, right until the very last page. The author handles heavy topics of heartbreak, grief, and loss with such sensitivity and care. Ultimately, this is a story about healing. And equally as important as the romance is the story of found family and friendship that permeates its pages.

The cast of side characters and inn guests were delightful and really rounded out the book. Rashad and Nan in particular were my favorites.

I did suspect the “twist” near the end and while I’m not surprised it led to the classic third-act breakup, it felt a little forced. I was ultimately a little surprised by how the author chose to leave things in the brief glimpse at their future in the last chapter. It is of course a HEA, but it wasn’t exactly what I expected!

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkeley Publishing Group, and Ellen O’Clover for the ARC! This story follows FMC Louisa after a sudden breakup from her musician boyfriend. Lou finds herself stuck without a job and at risk of losing her safe space, her rental home in the mountains. She makes a bold proposal to the landlord of the house to turn it into an inn and he surprisingly agrees. The story follows multiple character’s grief journeys and showcases the importance of connection through loss with ample humour to keep the story fast paced and enjoyable.

Things we love:
- The side characters who all have unique backstories and not only get the love they deserve but give our FMC the support she doesn’t realize she needs (shoutout to Nan, she’s an icon)
- A storyline that highlights grief in terms of lost relationships and death and the different “recipes” to live life while grieving (like getting outside and talking openly, being angry vs. sad)
- The vivid imagery throughout the book is perfect, so easy to imagine the inn and the mountains and feel like you’re one of the guests

Things we hate:
- That there weren’t more pages to devour

Things we wish we got more of:
- The Louisa, Henry and Mei dynamic together (especially another drunken chapter)
- Rashad’s character! He was the perfect side character and truly set the tone for the book at the start and we need more of his story!

Where to even begin… Ellen O’Clover has penned one of the most gorgeous, poetic, deeply human, and vulnerable stories on grief and carrying that love with us and moving forward after experiencing significant loss. To say my heart is tender is an understatement. I think it would be most accurate to say I’m dehydrated and I really should have worn waterproof mascara because now I have dark smudges under my eyes.

There were so many times where I felt like I was robbed of the breath from my lungs because of the intensity of the characters’ loss and grief, but was a gift it is to feel so deeply and walk alongside others in their time of need. I had to pause on several occasions at the incredible reminders O’Connor included throughout and how at the core of the story, we’re reminded of the importance of showing up for each other because we don’t know what others are going through and how offering support can make a tremendous impact in someone else’s life.

I was struck by how O’Connor offers hope and healing, but there’s never a place where the characters reach that “finish line” in their journey. There’s never an end point in our journeys of healing and everyone’s experience with grief looks different. I’m grateful for the soft place O’Connor has given our hearts to land and a safe place where we can belong within the pages of this book.

The Heartbreak Hotel is a warm, comforting hug of a romance novel, the kind that invites you inside and says "Stay awhile, I have what you need."

Heartbreak Hotel follows Lou, a recently single (unlicensed) therapist who is desperate to hold onto the gorgeous mountain home where she lived with her ex. After appealing to Henry, the hot veterinarian who also happens to be her landlord, she works out a deal: She can turn her home into a bed & breakfast and use the profits to pay Henry instead of paying rent. Soon, her plan evolves into a business that caters to the recently brokenhearted, and Lou uses her counseling experience to help build a soft place to land for her guests—all the while spending more and more time with Henry, and learning that a broken heart doesn't mean love can't find her again in the future.

This book is a love story, yes, and Lou and Henry's journey together was beautifully put together, but what I really loved about Heartbreak Hotel was the way the author wove the romance in with a story of found family, friendship, and sisterhood. The side characters in this book were fantastic, and Lou's personal journey of growth (especially with her sister, Goldie) was so well done.

And can we have a moment for the setting?? From tiny mentions of elk and aspens and even the notorious jingle of the Denver airport train—Colorado is a setting that lives and breathes and comes alive on the page, with little details that grounded the story and made it feel that much more real.

5 stars, would definitely recommend!

This story is for the ones who hold everyone else together. For the rocks of the family and the glue of the friend groups. For the people who pick up on the first ring, and have a cup of tea made just the way you like it by the time you pull into the drive.

I highly recommend getting your tissues out and sitting down to read The Heartbreak Hotel. It is definitely one of my favourite romances of the year. Lou is a beautifully written character and I immediately connected with her voice. She is both soft and strong, and she is learning how to prioritize herself. Her willingness to grow and her insight were some of my favourite parts of the book.

Louisa is a soon-to-be counsellor going through a breakup with her long term rockstar boyfriend. The worst part? With him out of the picture she can no longer afford to live in the gorgeous house that she calls home. Shockingly her landlord Henry agrees to allow her to trial her solution— running a B&B out of the house. With her professional background and life experience, it’s only natural that she gravitates to running a retreat for the brokenhearted. The messy work of healing ensues with a healthy dose of love, laughter, and community.

The entertaining cast of side characters, and the heart wrenching history of the house come together to complete a beautiful, heartfelt story that will stay with you long after the last page.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Romance for this ARC. This review is an honest reflection of my thoughts.

This book had such an interesting premise! A heartbreak hotel to help ease the troubles of the guests? It's so wholesome. I guess I should have expected some real emotion and sadness when the book centers around helping people in pain, but I was so surprised at how deep this was. It was truly an exploration into grief and moving on. I related hard to Lou's feelings on never being enough. This book felt like a therapy session, which was really good but not what I was expecting! Either way, I really enjoyed it and who doesn't love a hot veterinarian?

Thank you so much to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC!

The Heartbreak Hotel is a book that’s gentle in all the ways grief isn’t. It explores heartbreak in all its forms - not just the romantic kind, but the heavy, complicated kind that comes with family, loss, and growing up too fast.
Louisa is a fixer, a caretaker. Someone who puts others first and who’s always had to clean up the emotional messes left behind. Her story hit me hard, especially her relationship with her mother. One line I’ll probably never forget: Lou says she knows heartbreak best and Henry assumes it’s about her ex. But she thinks, because of my mother. That moment honestly broke me and I could feel it so deep in my heart.
Her idea of creating a safe space for the brokenhearted - the Comeback Inn - was really unique and beautiful. It becomes a metaphor, a place of healing not just for Louisa, but for Henry and every guest who walks through its doors. I loved the supporting cast, the found family feels, and the little moments of community that brought so much warmth to the story.
The romance between Louisa and Henry is so tender and full of comfort. I loved the way they slowly open up to each other, not trying to fix one another but offering quiet understanding, support, and simply being there.
Despite the heavy topics this book touches on, it's full of hope and feels like a warm hug. It will stay with me for a long time. I can’t wait to read more from Ellen O’Clover!
—Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💔
A tender, hopeful story about love, loss, and finding your way back to yourself.

The Heartbreak Hotel swept me away with its emotional depth and beautifully drawn characters. Ellen does such a stunning job capturing the nuances of heartbreak and grief - those quiet, aching moments that feel so real, they settle into your chest. I found myself tearing up more than once.

Louisa and Henry made an absolutely adorable pair. Their dynamic was charming and genuine, and I loved watching their connection evolve. I especially adored the found-family feel of the hotel guests - each of their stories added warmth and texture, and their friendships felt so rich and real.

If I had one hesitation, it was the third-act breakup - it felt a little predictable and took away from some of the emotional momentum. And while I liked Henry, his immediate pull toward Louisa didn’t quite make sense to me at first, it could have used just a bit more buildup to feel truly earned.

That said, this book is packed with heart, and I flew through it. If you love second chances, emotional healing, and stories that feel like a warm hug (with a few tears along the way), this one’s a must-read.

I had never heard of this author before so I was a bit apprehensive going into the read but OMG! I adored this book. The author handled the "miscommunication" trope in such a great way. I loved all the characters and the growth that occurs. Had a couple heavy hitter topics that were addressed but I personally love that in a book. Will definitely be keeping an eye out for her next book!

Oh, this one sucker punches you.

What a beautiful story on grief, heartbreak, finding your people, and moving on. Hearts can break in so many different ways. No heartbreak should be compared to another.

We hurt how we hurt. And we are all valid in our pain and how we deal with and how we heal from it.

That first time Henry walked into the house my heart broke because you Knew that house haunts him. What I wasn’t prepared for was the truth of it. I want to wrap that man in. a hug and never let him go. I know Lou’s got him but wow he broke my heart at every single turn.

I love that Lou took control of her life. She faltered and she was scared but she did what she set out to do and she did it beautifully.

You rooted for these two separately and you rooted for them together. What a beautiful journey we went on with them and I cherished every second of it. Ellen gave them such a soft place to land with each other and, with that, she gave us one, too.

This was my first Ellen O’Clover book but it absolutely will not be my last.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in enhance for my honest thoughts.

Thank you for the free book, Berkley Romance!

In this beautifully written romance, Louisa has just been broken up with by her long term boyfriend. It’s important to her that she is able to stay in the house they live in together, however, she can’t afford it on her own. She comes up with the idea to transform it into a bed and breakfast, and approaches the landlord with the idea. Henry, the local vet who owns the house, is unsure about the idea but ultimately agrees. To Henry’s displeasure, Louisa markets the inn as a place for the brokenhearted to heal. She can’t figure out why it bothers him, until she realizes he might be healing from his own heartbreak. The two begin to connect, and find that healing isn’t linear but they might have room in their hearts for love after all.

After finishing this book, I was truly at a loss for words. It’s rare to find a book that you can connect with personally on a deep level, and for me, this is that book. Of course, I was drawn in immediately to the Colorado setting. I have spent so much time in Estes Park and reading about all the places mentioned was special. Not only did I love the picturesque setting, but the characters and their romance was so well-developed and genuine. I fell for Henry just like Louisa, and my heart broke along with hers and his when his heartbreak was revealed, having personally been through something very similar. I loved how the author approached loss, grief, and healing with such sensitivity and care. It’s such a challenging topic and I find it so healing for myself when it’s done well, as it is here. Honestly, this book is a new favorite that I absolutely adored because I felt everything the characters did, the writing was beautifully descriptive, and the story was fresh, charming, and heartfelt. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book!

Ellen O'Clover’s The Heartbreak Hotel is an absolute gem that stole my heart from the very first page! This book perfectly blends heartfelt emotion, witty banter, and a slow-burning romance that kept me hooked until the very end. O'Clover’s writing is beautifully raw and honest, capturing the complexities of love, loss, and healing with such authenticity.

The characters are incredibly well-drawn and relatable, each carrying their own scars and hopes in a way that felt deeply real. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, filled with tension, tenderness, and moments that made my heart ache and soar simultaneously. I loved how their journey was not just about romance but about finding oneself amidst the chaos.

The setting of The Heartbreak Hotel adds a unique charm and atmosphere that perfectly complements the story’s emotional depth. Every chapter pulled me deeper into this unforgettable world, making it impossible to put the book down.

If you’re craving a story that’s equal parts heartwarming and heart-wrenching, with characters you’ll fall in love with, The Heartbreak Hotel is a must-read. Ellen O'Clover has crafted a stunning, unforgettable novel that will linger with you long after the last page. Highly recommended!

I was expecting a romance story but got a story that explored many different types of relationships that weren’t romantic too. I actually identified so closely with the daughter’s relationship with their mother. I am definitely the Goldie! You don’t have to look very hard to identify with at least one character since there is a myriad of them. And as a parent myself.. chills. 💔
By the end, the romance almost seeemed secondary to the growth of all the characters. And it felt quite Hallmark Movie by the end. I also appreciate the spice that was mixed in. However, as a romance reader, the spice was on the more mild side, a bit fade to black. I wouldn’t recommend for the spice enthusiast because it does not drive the story. It’s just included. Overall, I enjoyed the journey and the wrap up was fulfilling.

This is the most perfect story in everyday. In a way, it's about finding yourself and learning how to heal. It was absolutely so beautifully written and Ellen's words are going to stay with me for a long long time.

You ever have trouble adequately articulating why you loved a book so much? That's where I'm at right now. It was perfectly paced, emotional, and it just filled me with so much joy. I think that a lot of the time, people that are deeply empathic and just natural-born givers have their feelings glossed over. There aren't enough words to describe how seen I felt while reading this book. At the end of the day, I think we're all just looking for someone to care about us in a way that makes us feel special. Louisa was able to find that special connection with someone in this book.

I feel like the phrase "unputdownable" is so overused, but this one truly was. I'm amazed that Ellen packed a beautiful story full of hope, longing, and heartbreak into such a short book.

Brb, I'll just be here trying to figure out how I can erase my memories so I can read this again for the first time.

The Heartbreak Hotel instantly drew me in. What started as a rom-com novel slowly turned into a meaningful discourse on grief and moving on after pain. The characters were lovable and believable. It didn’t hurt that the house was as charming as a main character. This book was perfect for fans of Abby Jimenez and Sarah Adams! Would recommend to any rom com reader!