A very tender and heartfelt read! I was super interested in the premise of this book and thoroughly enjoyed the execution. The cast of characters is a huge selling point of this book and I found all of the guests very endearing. The romance pacing was a little inconsistent for me, and while the third act conflict was a bit painful, I think it fit with their characters. Would definitely recommend to someone looking for a book about finding yourself and love again after heartbreak.

I’m not going to lie, the absolutely STUNNING cover was what drew me to this book initially. It was my absolute delight to discover that the inside of the book is just as stunning!

Ellen O’Clover has managed to craft a romcom with The Heartbreak Hotel that is somehow equally swoony and poignant. It starts as a slow burn with a bit of forced proximity (the love interest is her landlord, after all) and ends as a reflection on grief, family (born and found) and moving forward when the plans you had for yourself dissolve out from under you. Fans of Abby Jimenez will undoubtedly love The Heartbreak Hotel!

I also really appreciated the beauty of Ellen’s writing on a line level. Her descriptions are lush, her character development is nuanced, and many of her turns of phrase are viscerally emotional. I highlighted so many lines in this book!

The Heartbreak Hotel is poised to be a breakout in 2025, I’m calling it now! You won’t want to miss this one.

FINALLYYY a beautifully romantic story that I have been craving for YEARS. This truly hit every note for me. I will be rereading this time and again!

Holy smokes. This is one of the books I wish I could re-read for the first time again. As Jessica Joyce so accurately said, "The Heartbreak Hotel is a perfect book." It really, truly is.

I adored Ellen's YA debut, and she continues to be a writer that captivates and stuns me. To echo Jessica again, "Ellen O'Clover is brilliant, writing tenderness, longing, and tension so viscerally that I felt like I was holding my breath the entire time I was reading." I FELT THIS EXACT FEELING. It's romantic and emotional in the most masterful and nuanced way. I loved getting to experience the journey these characters took as they navigated loss and healing -- individually and together. I will be thinking about this story and these characters for a long, long time. Can't wait to adamantly demand that everyone I know read this book. It's transformative.

A massive thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. I am desperate to get my greedy hands on a physical copy to mark up and love even more. I adore this book.

THE HEARTBREAK HOTEL is out 9/23/25.

I loved this book! Another heart warming story! I loved the idea of a heartbreak retreat, somewhere people who are going through a break up, to escape and talk with others!

I loved Henry so much! I loved how he came out of his grumpy shell when he was around Louise! They complimented each other so well!

I will definitely add the physical book to my shelf!!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the arc!

Read this if you love...
🧡 tender romance
💛 complex family dynamics
💚 animals with silly names

Louisa Walsh's complicated childhood left emotional scars, but she's settled now with a rockstar boyfriend, a counseling degree, and a house she loves. However, when Lou is dumped, she must find a way to pay rent. Enter Henry Rhodes, Lou's landlord and local veterinarian. When Lou proposes that she turn his property into a bed-and-breakfast for the brokenhearted, he surprisingly says yes.

I've been a fan of Ellen O'Clover since I read an ARC of her YA debut in 2022. If you haven't already, you should check out her YA titles Seven Percent of Ro Devereux and The Someday Daughter. Trust me when I say that Ellen knows how to write a compelling and tender love story that'll definitely make you cry. I jumped at the opportunity to review her adult debut (from Berkley no less!) and finished the book 4 days after being approved. I couldn't put it down.

The Heartbreak Hotel has everything I've come to expect from O'Clover—a main character to root for, a swoony love interest, and sensitively-handled family drama. Louisa's character arc was beautiful as she navigated her own heartbreak while still pouring into other people and learning the importance of boundaries. Her friendships with the guests made me smile.

Regarding the romance, Henry was so sweet. He had a complex backstory that was skillfully revealed throughout the novel. They made a great couple and their relationship had depth. Also, all of Henry's animal patients had silly names, which I found amusing (Custard! Alfalfa! Mr. Stink the Skink!!!) While this book covers serious topics, there was enough whimsy and swoon to keep it from feeling overwhelming.

For the closed door girlies, The Heartbreak Hotel contains intimate scenes in Chapters 24 and 27. I'd consider this open door. Other content considerations include language and unhealthy parent-child relationships

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is my first book that I’ve read by author Ellen O’Clover and it won’t be my last! This book has all the warm and fuzzy feelings to it. It is a fictional romance novel that not only has a beautiful cover, but also has a beautiful story! The setting is in gorgeous Colorado. It comes spice, which I was both shocked and happy with! The author did an amazing job with the vivid descriptions in this book and it was extremely well written!

It begins with the female main character named Louisa getting broken up with her long time, wealthy boyfriend. She has nowhere to go, so she comes up with a plan and fast! She asks her landlord named Henry if she can stay there for free, as she promises him to rent out the rooms and takes care of guests there. As they meet, Henry is reclusive and seems to be a grump. However, the more the story goes on, we begin to learn more about him and respect him. Henry happens to be a wonderful veterinarian! They start talking and learning more about one another, then feelings start to arise between the two of them! This book is about healing, trauma, emotional depth, chemistry and human connection. Some of the themes and tropes include a slow burn, grumpy and sunshine, age gap, a second chance at love and complex family dynamics. Be sure to read the content warnings before delving into this book. Overall, I rate this book a 5 out of 5 beautiful stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Ellen O’Clover and Berkley Publishing Group for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is expected to be published on September 23, 2025!

What a debut. I'm so happy I chose to pick this up because I loved The Heartbreak Hotel. This book is soft, warm and is like a hug on love, grief, and heartbreak. I loved the premise, the execution and the characters. I fell in love with Lou and Henry and their love. This story is about healing from all the kinds of heartbreaks we go through life. I really, really enjoyed this debut and I think it's going to be so loved by readers!

absolutely beautiful. i don't think i've read anything this raw, heartbreaking and beautiful before. this was just a perfect spring read that made me laugh, cry and not put down. such a clever approach to heartbreak and the landlord x rental trope. the plot twists??? damn, they stung. i love lou and henry so much <3

wowowoowow. i ate this UP! please read during fall season, it will set the scene and put you right in the mood. the beginning pulled me right in and right out the slump that was forming. it's so close to being a 5 star. going into this blind was also so fun - i highly recommend. thank you netgalley for the arc!

well this book hurt my feelings, but in a good way. this was just the tear jerker book i was looking for. wow, this is definitely going to SPREAD when it comes out i can feel it

This is such a good debut! I loved this one! The concept was so fresh and the conflict was (no pun intended) heartbreaking. A great emotionally filled romance. I can't wait to read whatever O'Clover publishes next!

This was really sweet.
I was hooked as soon as I started.
I really enjoyed those moments between Henry & Lou.
I also loved the guests.
I did feel like there were moments that were all over the place.
I would've loved more moments between Henry and Lou when they finally got together. Overall it was such a sweet read.

I really enjoyed the relationships explored in this book, and the concept was incredibly unique. While I appreciated the protagonists' tragic backstories, I did feel like their emotional processing was a bit rushed. That said, I absolutely loved the characters Lou encountered through the inn, and the tension between her and Henry was executed really well. Despite my few reservations, I would still highly recommend this book, especially to fans of Lucy Score!

This story had a lot to love especially the slow-burn romance between Lou and Henry. Their connection unfolds with patience and depth, making it easy to root for them. The supporting characters, Mei and Joss, add a nice balance and personality to the narrative, and I appreciated the way they contributed to the overall warmth of the story.

The author’s writing style is engaging and emotionally grounded, striking the right tone for a character-driven romance. It’s clear and expressive without feeling overwrought, which really worked for me.

My only real critique lies with the therapy sessions woven throughout. While likely meant to offer emotional insight, they disrupted the pacing and felt more like an interruption than an enhancement. The story’s heart shines much brighter when it leans into character interactions and organic growth.

Still, this was a tender, introspective read with strong characters and a compelling emotional arc. I’ll definitely be watching for what this author writes next.

Oh man this one broke my heart and patched it up again! I loved this story of grief, heartbreak, friendship, and love. Louisa and Henry were adorable together; seeing how they both dealt with loss and how it informed their relationship was really emotional. There are truly great friendships throughout this: especially loved Louisa, Mei, and Nan! I also really appreciate Louisa and Goldie’s relationship and how it evolved, loved where they ended up!

So many great messages and I thought it dealt with the more serious topics with care. I overall liked how the third act breakup was handled and the end was so sweet and emotional. “I want to hold your hand at every crosswalk” is INSANE. I had to put the kindle down and bury my face into my hands at that one.

Really enjoyed this one!

Ellen O'Clover's adult debut hit me right in the heart. Her signature light hand with detail, nuanced character development, and well-developed romance arcs shine here with even more emotional resonance and heat than ever. Watching the healing process for these two characters, both separately and together, had me on the edge of my seat. A total stunner—cannot wait for whatever comes next.

What happens when a beloved home is turned into the Heartbreak Hotel? Well it’s more than a bed and breakfast for those with broken hearts in need of mending. Once someone checks in, it becomes a home of shedding the past and embracing growth. At its helm are Louisa and Henry two individuals that bond while they work through this endeavour.

Ellen O’Clover delivers a stunning autumnal read with The Heartbreak Hotel. It's a landing ground filled with warmth, this book literally feels like a comforting hug. It’s stunning how a book can also be a space for healing and reassurance. It’s soft, glowing, and cozy. Golden and brimming with just positive energy I can see myself grabbing this book in autumn for a lazy Sunday read. Sumptuous and just perfection.

“Pain is pain…Loss is loss. You don’t get to give permission to let something hurt you - it just does”. That quote right there? Yes.

Thank you so much Berkley Publishing Group and Berkley Romance for the digital arc. 5 stars and I can’t wait to read it again in autumn.

Thank you, NetGalley & Berkley Publishing Group, for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

3.5 stars!

The Heartbreak Hotel is a charming and hopeful read with a unique premise—turning a mountainside home into a retreat for the heartbroken? Yes, please! Lou is a determined and lovable protagonist, and her dynamic with Henry, the broody yet endearing veterinarian, is full of tension and warmth. The Comeback Inn brings together a cast of quirky, heartwarming guests, adding to the novel’s cozy, found-family feel.

While I enjoyed the slow-burn romance and themes of healing and second chances, the pacing felt uneven at times, and some of the emotional moments didn’t hit as hard as I hoped. Still, this was a sweet and comforting read, perfect for anyone who loves grumpy/sunshine pairings and small-town charm.

One of the most surprising reads for me this year! My first book from Ellen O’Clover and it certainly won’t be my last because this absolutely blew me away! From page one I was absolutely taken hostage by Ellen’s storytelling and captivated in every way! I should have known going into this with heartbreak in the title that it would be emotional however I didn’t realize this would have me sobbing my eyes out?! Wow!! This was so emotionally packed as we see some characters really go through it and it just gets you in the feels! The romance in here absolutely had me drooling, tension was through the roof and the build up?! INCREDIBLE!! And could not recommend this more!! Needs to be on everyone’s TBR for September!!