Rom Com lovers: this one’s for you!

There is so much about this book that I adored. The FMC Louisa ‘Lou’ is still piecing herself back together after an embarrassing breakup. She wants to continue living in the only place that’s really felt like home to her, but without her ex it’s hard to afford. Then there’s Henry, her grumpy(ish) landlord, who’s also a veterinarian. He reluctantly agrees to let Louisa turn it into a ‘heartbreak retreat,’ bed-and-breakfast, she will run it and live there for free. He gives her a six month timeframe to see if it will work. Cue the slow-burn romance! But can they open up to eachother and let their guards down? Or will their past grief tear them apart?

What I really loved was how it wasn’t just about the romance (though Henry and Louisa’s chemistry is perfection). It also digs into grief, self-doubt, and how life has a way of surprising you when you least expect it.

"I can hardly think about anything, anymore, that isn't you."

This one gave me total 2000’s rom-com vibes, and honestly I’d watch the heck out of this if it were a movie. 🎬

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley! Keep an eye out for this one when hits shelves September 23rd!

thank you netgalley and the publishers for the e-arc 🥲 this was the SWEETEST most tender love story i’ve read. everybody in this book is hurt and healing and doing it beautifully. the sisterly “spat” between goldie and louisa felt so so REAL and believable and made me love their resolution even more. communication is key and you really find that in this book. henry was so sweet, and NAN! custard!!! the side characters were everything. absolutely adored this and am vegging you to read it when it releases this fall - such a perfect, heartwarming book 🥹🤍

well this book tore me open and slowly, lovingly, tenderly put me back together. this book has quickly become one of my favorites, matching a Kate Clayborn, Katie Naymon, Cara Bastone level of emotion and romance and storytelling.

I absolutely adored Lou and Henry’s slow and authentic love story. the way Lou is able to find what’s hers, what matters and means the most to her, in a way she can tangibly and emotionally hold onto is so beautiful to read. and as we learn more of Henry’s story through her perspective, we see them both find the kind of connection, affection, and intimacy they both deserve. and the side characters brought so much detail and dimension to the story, I loved what they each share. I was left with so many tears and laughs shed by the end of this story. I am left completely tattered and satisfied from this beautiful story.

thank you so much for this ARC! I am now completely enamored with this author.

The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’Clover isn’t just a romance...it’s the kind of story that seeps into your bones and stays there. I didn’t race through this one. I couldn’t. I savored it like the last cup of coffee on a slow Sunday morning, dreading the moment it would be over.

This isn’t Ellen’s debut, but it’s her first adult romance, and she writes with the ease and ache of someone who’s been telling these kinds of stories forever. From the first chapter, I was tethered to Louisa Walsh...her quiet strength, her bone-deep weariness, the way she keeps giving even when her own heart is running on empty.

On paper, this is about a woman trying to heal after a breakup. In reality, it’s about so much more...grief that leaves you hollow, the invisible weight of family wounds, and the terrifying, beautiful act of letting someone truly see you. Ellen threads these themes so delicately that even in the heaviest moments, the story feels warm...like being wrapped in a blanket you didn’t know you needed.

Louisa’s ex was a comfortable absence...someone who took without giving, who barely noticed when the light between them dimmed. Henry Rhodes is the opposite. A gruff, emotionally guarded veterinarian with his own scars, he meets Louisa where she is, again and again, even when it costs him. He’s steady where she’s been let down, present where she’s been overlooked. And when their walls begin to crack, what pours out is tender, hesitant, and breathtaking. The way he loves her is like sunlight breaking through after years of darkness.

This is slow burn at its most exquisite...every glance, every accidental touch, every almost-confession steeped in longing so intense it’s almost painful. By the time they finally let themselves have each other, it feels less like a kiss and more like a homecoming.

The Colorado mountain setting is alive with found family, meddling neighbors, and the quiet domestic moments that make you believe in love again. And the prose...sharp, lyrical, and aching...turns every page into something you want to underline and carry with you.

Some books you finish and move on from. This one? I’m going to keep tucked against my heart for a long, long time.

Tropes you’ll find:
✓ Slow burn
✓ He falls first
✓ Age gap (26/34)
✓ Trauma & healing
✓ Found family

If you’ve ever loved a romance that felt like healing, if you’ve ever wanted to watch two people rebuild themselves and still choose each other, The Heartbreak Hotel will undo you in the best way. Preorder it. Read it. Then hold it close, because you won’t want to let it go.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book had so much heart, so much yearning, an incredible building of found family. It had everything I could have wanted. the story was so deep and full of love and growth. I highly recommend this to anyone and cannot wait to read more from this author. I've preordered a physical copy of this so I can see it on my bookshelf every day.

I would give this 3.5 stars! It was cute and a sweet premise. I wish there had been more banter between the main characters.

I really appreciated the premise of the story and while this book dealt with some heavy topics, I really liked how the characters worked through their issues and found love.
I love all books that put on realistic MH rep because it’s so prevalent but often times it’s glossed over in rom coms.

This was really cute. I loved how the main character picked up the pieces of her life and worked for what she wanted. I thought the MMC was a great character.

this book absolutely wrecked me in the best way possible. lou’s journey through heartbreak, grief, and self-discovery felt so real and raw, and henry—the stoic landlord with a heart of gold—made every moment swoony and comforting. the way their relationship grows alongside their personal struggles gave the story so much emotional weight without ever feeling heavy. the tension and yearning were off the charts, and the cozy colorado mountain setting added the perfect vibe. honestly, it’s one of those rare romances that stays with you long after the last page. if you like deep, heartfelt stories with gorgeous prose and complex characters, this one’s a must-read.

When Louisa is dumped by her wealthy musician boyfriend, she is desperate not to lose the house they rented together, because after a tumultuous childhood it's the only stable home she's ever known. The only problem is she secretly isn't yet licensed to use her counseling degree and can't afford the rent on the large house with its many bedrooms. So armed with a plan, she approaches her reclusive landlord Henry and proposes to run the house as a bed and breakfast. As she markets the home as a retreat for the recently heartbroken, she realizes that Henry has secrets from his own past that pull him back towards the house.

This was really cute. I loved the unusual premise of running the house as a retreat for the heartbroken, which perfectly suited Louisa with her degree in counseling, but also helped to pull in Henry, with his tragic backstory. Louisa has a complicated family. Her mother struggles with her mental health, and a result, Louisa was largely raised by her older sister. As a result, her relationship with her sister is also complicated and sometimes prickly. I always love with romance stories are bigger than just the love story and this book really delivered on that front. Louisa has issues and worries much bigger than just her budding interest in Henry, and I liked the arc of how she came to terms with some of these sticking points as the story progressed.

I did love that this book very much does not romanticize dating a musician. I love that Louisa finds so much peace after leaving behind a relationship with a famous singer. She had really outgrown that college relationship and it was gratifying seeing her leave behind the complacency it gave her and coming into herself in many ways over the course of this story.

I don't want to give any spoilers, but it was very clear from early on in the book that Henry had a tragedy in his past. But I did not at all predict what it was! I felt deeply sorry for him. His relationship with Louisa feels sometimes stilted as Henry is still very much navigating through his grief, which felt realistic. However, I did feel like their relationship felt rushed in the end. The pacing just felt a bit off and went from nothing to all in very suddenly, without enough resolution of some of their conflicts.

This did remind me some of If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia, as both are about a woman learning to run a bed and breakfast while falling for a guy connected to those, although this one is not set in the 90s. This one was set in an absolutely beautiful location in the mountains of Colorado, and I wish the setting had featured more in the story!

The Comeback Inn is a heartfelt and charming novel that blends emotional depth with the cozy appeal of small-town romance. Louisa Walsh is the kind of protagonist you root for from page one—resilient, hopeful, and determined to make the best of a life that hasn’t always been kind. After a painful breakup leaves her both heartbroken and nearly homeless, Lou comes up with a bold plan to stay in the one place that’s ever felt like home: transform her Colorado mountain house into a bed-and-breakfast for the recently heartbroken.

Enter Henry Rhodes, the reclusive landlord and veterinarian with a quiet demeanor and a past he's not quite ready to share. Their initial dynamic—equal parts tension and curiosity—slowly unfolds into something deeper as they work together to open the Comeback Inn. The guests bring a richness to the story too, each carrying their own burdens and adding warmth and nuance to the central theme: healing in unexpected places.

What sets this novel apart is how skillfully it balances romantic tension with emotional growth. The chemistry between Lou and Henry simmers beneath the surface, but it’s their gradual unveiling of trust and vulnerability that gives the story its soul. There’s humor, heartbreak, and a deeply satisfying journey as both characters reckon with their pasts and inch toward a future that might just include each other.

With lyrical prose, relatable characters, and a setting so vivid you can almost smell the pine trees, The Comeback Inn is a tender exploration of second chances—not just in love, but in life. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Katherine Center, this book is a warm hug for anyone who’s ever needed to start over.

thank you so so much to berkeley and netgalley for the arc!!

let me just start off by saying, WOWWW.

“because that’s the thing, about hearts— broken or aching or otherwise. they don’t belong to any one time or place. we carry them with us: bruised and scabbed over, healing and changing, always and inherently our own.”

this book was so heartbreakingly beautiful. i felt so many emotions on my journey through this and i loved quite literally every single second of it. i laughed, i smiled, and oh boy did i CRYYY.

both of the characters stories in this book were truly something special. the things that they each go through made me feel so many emotions and i could feel their each and every one that they experienced.

“every broken heart keeps beating, in the end. so will mine; so will his. so will yours.”

louisa and henry found love and solice in each others presence. i cherish each of their characters so much and this book with forever be a new favorite.

ALSO SHOUTOUT MEI AND NAN MY GIRLSSSSS

please please please read this when it comes out in september!!

Louisa has a counseling degree and a rock boyfriend, until she finds out he's been cheating with another woman, which leaves her unable to pay the rent on her cool apartment. There she comes up with an idea for running a hotel for people recovering from heartbreak. She presents the idea to the reclusive and handsome landlord, who agrees to try out her idea.

I enjoyed this story and loved the characters, especially Louisa, Henry, and her best friend, and the supporting characters. There's

- heartbreak
- age gap
- Colorado setting
- Veterinarian/animal lover
- found family
- eclectic group of hotel guests
- slow burn romance
- complicated family dynamics

I'll definitely want to be reading more from this author.

Thanks to @berkley, @netgalley, and the author for this arc.

I absolutely adored the love story between Henry and Louisa! I first heard about this book last winter after attending an author event at a local library. Ellen was there and talked about her book and I couldn't wait to read it! Thank you @Netgalley for accepting my request to read an early copy. It truly made my day when I saw I was accepted!
Louisa's world comes crashing down when she finds out her long time boyfriend, who is a famous rockstar, has been cheating on her. She knew they had been drifting apart, but found herself completely dependent on him. She loved the house they rented in Estes Park and it had become her sanctuary. She was trying to figure out how she could keep renting it when she came up with a plan for The Heartbreak Hotel. She just had to get her landlord Henry on board.
Henry was the local vet and was quiet and reserved. He agreed to let Lou rent out rooms if she took care of it all. She could stay there for free in exchange. As Henry started popping by more often to fix things, Lou noticed he was broken hearted and had secrets. They were both attracted to each other but they were both also holding secrets and heartbreak.
I think the author did an incedible job at navigating each character's heartbreak and emotions. It was such a beautiful story and had me hooked the entire time. I'm hoping Lou's sister, Goldie gets a story next!

Are you ready to feel So Many Feelings?
Because if so, have I got the book for you!

I’d been warned this one was an emotional read, but until a little over halfway I’ll admit I had some doubts

The writing was beautiful, the characters interesting and complex, I was definitely interested in the storyline too - it was enjoyable but I wasn’t feeling super emotional about it

Sure, people coming to an out of the way retreat to get the time and space to heal after breakups/losses does lead to some sad stories. And you do feel for the characters, and appreciate how much better a place they’re in when they leave than they were when they arrived

But there wasn’t anything that really, really hit me hard until that mid point
From then on though?
Several buckets of tears were cried

There’s a rather big loss that’s happened years before the start of the book, and it’s a difficult one. Hearing how hard it was before, and seeing the difficulties that character is still having … and then learning other characters also affected by it. It’s a lot!

In addition to her recent breakup, the main character also deals with some family drama that is even harder on her
Her mother has dealt with serious mental health issues, and Lou and her sister have very differing points of view on how to handle that. It’s a complex situation that really made me feel for them
I’ll admit, in the beginning, I didn’t care much for her older sister. But by the end, it’s clear they’re all just doing their best with the hand they’ve been dealt. I appreciated that, after they’d had some tough conversation, the sisters could end up with a better relationship with each other

I don’t want to make it seem like this is all sadness though - even if it did get nicknamed The Crying Book - there’s a lot of hope for the future, and some humor along the way. And the chemistry between the two main characters was great!
It’s just a bit of an emotional rollercoaster!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the arc!

The Heartbreak Hotel
4.25 ⭐️

This book beautifully incorporated grief, loss, and love all wrapped together!

Lou, while recovering from her own breakup, decides to create a safe haven for the broken hearted where they can safely recover.

I really liked the characters in this book! And I now want to visit Colorado 😍

Thanks to @netgalley for this ARC

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

The cover is what made me want to read this one.... but I gotta say; the inner book is actually what kept the pages turning. It was just SO GOOD.

From the opening scene and heartbreak, to the fierce determination to not lose her home after a breakup with a loser... it's just so good. There are deep themes; especially when it touches on why she is so desperate to keep her home - it's the only stable place she's ever had for herself. What follows is a wild idea to turn it into a bed and breakfast so that she can continue to afford to live there and shockingly enough - the landlord agrees!

The prose in this book was absolutely incredible - I could picture the setting so clearly and it was just beautiful. Very descriptive writing really allows you to be immersed in the read. You feel the desire and yearning personally as you read. It's so incredibly good.

Cannot wait to own a copy of this gorgeous book upon it's release in September! It's for sure one that I would love to read again.

Heartbreak Hotel

What a cute romance! Heartbroken Louisa has to decide how she’ll stay in the rental house after her cheating ex-boyfriend leaves. Her grumpy landlord is not the biggest fan of her turning it into a hotel for those experiencing grief, but agrees to give Louisa a 6 month trial.

My favourite character has to be Mei, the fun and always supportive best friend. She reminded me of many of my best girlies and felt so real.

The hotels guests are quirky and fun and add a great balance of grief and humour to the story.

Thank you for the ARC!

“You didn’t remember me, but I couldn’t forget you. Not in all this time.” 💗

This book is easily one of the best romance books I’ve read in a long time! I don’t usually read stories that I know will make me cry, but I couldn’t resist reading this one! And yes it did have me sobbing at the end. It was so raw, emotional and all around beautiful. The writing style was amazing and the story flowed so easily. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know.

The Heartbreak Hotel is all about heartbreak (obviously), healing, love and loss. The characters come together because of their shared heartbreak and learn to grow with the support of each other. I loved the overall premise of the story so much and it’s what drew me to the book in the first place!

Henry and Louisa totally have my heart. Henry’s not so subtle flirting with Louisa was everything. He’s such a good guy and I loved that he did everything he could to help just to spend more time with Louisa. Their romance was just so beautiful to read.

If you are looking for a slow burn contemporary romance that features forced proximity; he falls first; and a slight age gap (she’s 26 and he’s 34); then be sure to check this book out! But please check the trigger warnings first, as there are some difficult topics discussed!

Thank you so much Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for an advanced copy! The Heartbreak Hotel releases on September 23!

“𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱. 𝗦𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲; 𝘀𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗶𝘀. 𝗦𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀.”

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗:
Lou is heartbroken after her boyfriend of six years cheats on her and breaks up with her. She asks her landlord, Henry, if she can turn the house into a B&B for those recovering from broken hearts of any kind.

𝙼𝚢 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎:
What a beautifully written book.

This a sweet, cozy, slow burn romance that tackles grief, loss and mental health. There’s heartbreak of all kinds in this one, from break-ups to death, but the overall tone of the book is filled with hope.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗱:

The found family is truly the best part of this book - with different people coming together to share their heartbreak. I loved all of the side characters, especially Nan!

The sister relationship was ROUGH but I thought it progressed realistically & I really liked the resolution of it.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:

Though it IS a slow burn, I personally thought that Lou’s breakup was too recent for the timing of the first kiss. It made their relationship feel like more of a hook up than anything else, even though Henry had liked her from afar the entire time.

I didn’t see much growth from Lou, specifically in regards to her mother. I felt like the growth was forced upon her instead of it being something she chose for herself.

𝙵𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚀𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜:

“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢.”

“𝙉𝙤 𝙤𝙣𝙚’𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚’𝙨.”

“𝙋𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣. 𝙇𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙨. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 - 𝙞𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨.”

“𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 - 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙣 𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚. 𝙒𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙪𝙨: 𝙗𝙧𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙗𝙗𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣.”

Be warned: there is death of a child (off page, in the past) that made my mama heart HURT. I wasn’t prepared for it (no trigger warning) & I pretty much lost my marbles reading it.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗲𝘁:
🐶Age gap (8 years)
🐶Slow burn
🐶Found family
🐶Death of loved one
🐶Mental health rep
🐶He falls first