I feel so lucky to have received an ARC of this book! Estes Park is the perfect backdrop for this story that explores grief, heartbreak, complicated family dynamics, and of course love and healing. Although there were heavier topics, Ellen beautifully weaves in lighthearted banter and comedic side characters. Everyone needs to get their hands on this book.

Tooth-achingly sweet & such an emotional ride UGH!! Dear Lord, the Heartbreak Hotel was an unexpected newcomer on my radar, but it certainly had me teary-eyed & hooting & hollering!!

When an up & coming therapist, our Louisa (Lou), gets cheated on by her trash boyfriend, she decides to go ahead & make some lemonade with it. Lou embarks on a journey to reclaim their old shared house they were renting, turning it into a B&B for those recovering from heartache. This is only possible, of course, via her cutie pie, veterinarian landlord—Henry—giving her the go ahead. Which he does, OF. COURSE. In her own grieving process, she begins to help all those who enter her Inn & bring them back into community & wellness. & of course, help a handsome vet along the way, too.

This story felt so very Hallmark coded in every way, but it still managed to keep me engaged. Which is saying a lot from me with romances!! It takes a lot!! The writing flowed very easily, making for a quick & fun read. I do think the content in the story lacked just a bit. I think there could’ve been extra emphasis on Lou & Henry’s relationship, for sure. It felt like it started pretty quick, but hey, maybe others won’t mind. I also think her including semi-group therapy/just therapy vibes into the inn was a little odd when she wasn’t licensed?? Only because my sister is a therapist, I could hear her telling me this was all kinda unethical LOL but WHATEVER! I’ll suspend my disbelief cause it’s fun! Yay! There were a lot of really standout moments in this book that made me genuinely weep?? & beautiful pieces of writing, too! This absolutely has put this author in my sights, & I’m excited to see more!

Overall, this is a solid 3.5 stars for me, but rounding up cause it deserves it. Though it isn’t my favorite romance ever, I’ll give it chops!! A fun time & a good fluffy read for the upcoming -ber months!

Thank you so much to NetGalley & to Berkley for the eARC!!

Wow, I loved this book. The writing is poignant, the setting is beautiful, and the characters are going to stay with me for a long time. I inhaled this book within a couple days because I didn’t want to put it down.

The Heartbreak Hotel is a tender, moving story about grief and healing after loss. I think it could use some content warnings for readers who are sensitive to topics around death and grief. These issues are explored with sensitivity, but one element (I’m trying not to spoil anything) took me by surprise. Just keep in mind that this may not be the book for you if you find stories involving death difficult to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, which was provided in exchange for an honest review.

wow just wow!!! i absolutely loved this book so much! it was just the absolute perfect culmination of amazing writing, lovable characters and the perfect backdrop of a house dedicated to being a safe space for those with broken hearts! i truly loved louisa and henry so much but there were also so many side characters that added so much to the story! i truly just want to wrap lou up in a big hug because she has the absolute biggest heart!
henry!!!! he is truly gold!!!! him being a vet and learning his story truly broke my heart and then put it back together 😭😭😭 the dynamic between louisa and henry was one that had me smiling because of how much love you could feel they had for one another!!!
louisa is not a character that i personally relate to but one in which i see so many of the people i love most in!!! her people pleasing tendencies and striving to be a nurturer at the expense of her own well being! i think there was so much that was worked through in regards to her family life within this story and i think it was so well done!
and lou and mei’s friendship was another one of my absolute favorite aspects of this story! truly a friendship where you feel seen, heard, valued while also giving and taking in equal parts. they both showed up for each other in the good and bad moments which was so refreshing to see after how lou was treated by her ex!
thank you so much to netgalley and berkley romance for the arc! all opinions are my own!

I knew from the summary that I was going to love this one but I underestimated just how much. The writing was so beautiful and I 100% cried a few times. The topics on hand are tough but they were written with such care and I truly and deeply felt for the characters. I don’t want to spoil anything so I don’t have a bunch to say. I will say I hated Nate with a passion and was so happy to not see him too much within the story. Henry and Lou are both such complex characters and I loved seeing both of their journeys especially when it led them to each other. This is a slow burn but it is not a slow book. I flew through it, it was just so easy to read and I devoured the story.I stayed up late binging it. The side characters add an element of fun and whimsy that I enjoyed, especially Nan. I think those that are fans of romance novels that dig a bit deeper will really enjoy this one, especially fans of Abby Jimenez. I honestly think I would recommend this one to anyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“Maybe all healing requires is a taking of turns. Leaning on whoever has the strength in each fleeting moment.”

oh my god!!!!!!!!!! this is not only one of my favorite books of the year, but probably my new favorite romance book… of all time.

this was so, so beautifully written. i felt the same aches and pains and joys that each of the characters, especially lou and henry, felt. i cried no less than 7? 8? times while reading this - my chest physically hurt for most of the book and i felt every sentence deep in my soul.

for me, the best parts of this story are absolutely the healing that we see each character go through and the found family-ness of it all! each moment between the characters was so deliberate, no matter how small or grand. the way they all dealt with their different grief and leaned on each other - beautiful. i am a big sucker for found family and this was executed amazingly.

i also loved mei so much! her friendship with louisa felt so real and the way they love & support each other truly meant a lot to me.

the journey that lou, our main character, goes through was so poignant and raw - it felt incredibly real. this book deals with very real issues (family member loss, family member with BPD, alcoholism, strained family dynamics, and more) and handles them all so well.

in lieu of spoilers, i won’t specify what henry went through. but i will say - my heart was cracked open and bleeding for him. i was crying at every mention of his past and the way that it is honored throughout is beautiful.

“I can hardly think about anything, anymore, that isn’t you.”

now for the romance!!!! PERFECTLY done - filled with yearning, tension, soft moments, heartfelt connections, and moments that had me giggling and kicking my feet. the way that lou and henry slowly fit together, jagged edges and all, had me CRYINGGGGG!! henry had me hooked from their first meeting and i was so obsessed with the quiet moments and gestures from him. an acts of service KING!!!!!

overall, i am BEGGING you all to read this book ASAP. the perfect fall/winter romance book to soothe a broken heart - make sure you have tissues handy!!

“I’ve been inside out, with wanting you.”

I really enjoyed this read, it was a quick read and hit that salty/sweet combo that sometimes you just need!

Lou is an expert at heartache, the daughter of an unreliable mother, the disappointing little judgmental sister and now the jilted ex to a rockstar boyfriend who's been her whole life for way too long. When the one thing she realizes she can't live without isn't her ex, but the beautifully made home (a first for her!) that she'd built in Colorado, but could never afford on her own, the idea comes to her to turn the house into a rental for the bruised of heart. Now she just had to get her mysterious landlord on board with the idea...

The Heartbreak Hotel was a lot less heartbreaking then I might have liked. But I'm a masochist. I think some might find the forward momentum of the plot a nice change and I can agree. It never felt like things were stalling or lingering too long on anyone side plot. But, again I wouldn't have minded for Lou's own heartbreak to have been a little more central. By the time she an the ex are done so are most of her feelings for him which make room of course for a clean entrance to for out MMC but leaves little lacking in Lou's emotional story. I appreciate how that space is taken up by a family heartbreak but I still would have preferred to have dug deeper into those dynamics too. That being said, the choices made keep this a really quick, light read which totally has its place on my bookself these days!

As someone who has gone through some of the heartbreak that's illustrated in this book, I hugely related to it. The accuracy in the feelings and learning how to cope/move on from things was incredibly spot on.

I loved the characters, all of the guests that stayed at the inn were so lovable in their own ways, they were so well done. The immediate tension between the two main characters was so good too. They are both emotionally hurt in different ways, and the way they come together and get past and help each other with the hurt is beautiful.

This story is definitely holding a special place for me right now. I thought it was executed so well, the characters being so amazing, the Colorado imagery, just everything about it was beautiful. If you need a book of healing and moving on, this would definitely do the trick.

This book is everything I never knew I needed and a confirmation that my favorite genre is soft love forged through grief.
The Heartbreak Hotel had my attention from the very beginning of the book and I was invested in finding out more to what made Louisa who she was and how she moved forward after a terrible breakup. Right off the bat, you can sense just how anxious and turned around Lou was. Her life as she knew it was ripped away and now she was floundering like a fish out of water. Even so, she pulled herself up by her boot straps and made the decisions she needed to continue to live in the house she loved so much. She was timid and confused but the author was able to portray her journey of growing into herself so beautifully. You could feel the ebbs and flows of her heartbreak and grief without it being this all consuming, hopeless thing. A big part of Louisa’s healing journey involves her relationships between her best friend Mei, sister Goldie, and the stoic but charming landlord, Henry.

First off, the friendship between Mei and Lou was everything to me. Mei was there for Lou, no questions asked and did everything in her power to help in whatever way that was needed. They both had the most selfless type of love for each other and Mei’s the friend everyone should have in their life. Lou knew that if nothing else, she had someone who would lover her despite her short comings, which I think gave her the motivation she needed. Girl friendships are the most powerful thing in the world.
Now Goldie, I understand she was the typical older sister and was dealt a bad hand when they were younger, but I felt like she was never going to be satisfied with Lou. They had such a complex dynamic and you could feel the pain and trauma of their life, which made you feel a little more sympathetic. Goldie just wanted to continue to protect Lou when she had done that her entire life, but it always came out the wrong way, but all she was trying to do was show her love.
Someone unexpected who does end up showing Lou that she can be loved in any way she is Henry. From their first meeting, you can feel the tension and longing radiating from him. As closed off as he seemed, he immediately had a soft spot for Lou and wanted nothing more than to help her find the happiness she deserved. He was so SO patient and soft with her that and it brought me to my knees. Their banter and teasing was so silly and sweet, but when they share in each other’s grief, he’s a solid and safe place for her to land, which in turn makes him feel the same. He’s experienced the most unspeakable loss but still offered all of his softest parts to her, so she knew she was worthy of so much more than she was shown from others. “Hold still” will be marked in my brain forever.

The story as a whole flowed so easily, but I did think the end was a little rushed. Thankfully, it really didn’t sway my opinion on this book because it was such a great depiction of how sometimes, it does take a whole damn village. The story was very community, friendship, and love driven which I adored so much. It makes you realize that you are never alone in what you are feeling and there’s always gonna be a person, or a few, out there who wanted absolutely nothing from you, but your happiness. I cannot recommend this book enough!

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

I was really intrigued by the concept of the book: Louisa is working through a breakup and she wants to remain in her home, but she can't afford it. She decides to open it up as a bed and breakfast for people going through similar heartbreaks. She needs to help and permission of her landlord, Henry. Henry is a veterinarian, and although he is reluctant at first, he agrees to help Louisa with her idea.

The mountain setting added to the story because it provided a tranquil place for those going through heartbreak to recharge. I loved the cast of characters who stayed at the inn, and I enjoyed their stories. Henry keeps going over the inn to help Louisa, and feelings start to develop.

I didn't feel much of a romance between Henry and Louisa. I think that her breakup was too recent, and I don't think she was fully over it to want to start something new. The timing of their first kiss and hookup was very problematic for me. I couldn't get past it, and it made me not want to root for them as a couple.

The book doesn't have any content warnings, but I feel like it needs to have them because there are very heavy topics that could be triggering for some readers.

Overall, I think if this story wasn't a romance, I would have enjoyed it more. The romance felt forced, and I would have liked spending more time with the inn guests. Henry and Louisa seem like they need to work on themselves more as individuals before trying to be together.

Loved.

I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this in one night, and I don’t regret it at all!

I started this one thinking it would be a fun little romance to boost my spirits and instead it spoke to my soul and made me cry far more times than i dare admit.

Lou and Henry are both so perfectly imperfect and I love them both so much. I’m gonna cry just thinking about it.

The relationship between Lou and her mom is so deeply personal to me and it hit me so hard and resonated so deeply and I found myself going back to passages and just going YEAH I KNOW.

The way grief and trauma were handled throughout was also incredible and I truly would recommend this book to ANYONE.

I’m actually at a loss for words now, I loved this book so much and I don’t know how to properly express that.

The Heartbreak Hotel was an absolutely beautiful read from start to finish. I was instantly intrigued by the premise of Louisa starting a bed and breakfast as an inn for the brokenhearted, but I was honestly unprepared for just how immersed in the story I would become. Once I started, I simply could not put this tender and emotional book down!

I immediately fell in love with O’ Clover's cast of characters—Lou, Mei, Henry, Nan—and each new supporting character she introduced, all with their own unique stories and personal grief. This novel is a gorgeous portrayal of human emotion. Clover's writing is thoughtful and kind; she gives her characters room to make mistakes, to learn, to be vulnerable, and to grow. Each one holds space for the others in painful moments with grace and love.

This is a book that will stay with me for a long time. Though this is Clover's adult debut, I’m eager to read her backlist.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the gifted copy!! Why are the best books the hardest to review?? I loved it so much I read it twice. Here’s why you should read it:

1. The romance is sweet, tender, and emotional. It’s a “he falls first / he’s so down bad / he PINES for her” situation, and it’s EVERYTHING.
2. Both Louisa and Henry are trying to put themselves back together after heartbreak. Watching their healing journeys is powerful and so rewarding.
3. Despite the emotional weight, there’s plenty of light and levity too! Louisa runs a B&B, so there are plenty of chaotic moments and quirky side characters to keep things balanced.
4. There’s one open-door scene that might be the most touching I’ve ever read. It’s not gratuitous at all — just raw, emotional, and meaningful.

There’s so much to take away from these pages — not just about heartbreak, but about self-worth, forgiveness, and healing. It’s a stunning, soul-deep kind of book, and I’d recommend it to EVERY romance reader out there.

Audio: I read it with my eyes, then re-read the audiobook because no one does heartbreak (and healing) like Brittany Presley. Absolutely phenomenal. 13/10 would listen again.

I was so excited to read this book because I'd heard so many good things about it. I got the e-copy, and I've been reading it for a few days, but I'm only halfway through. I'm not enjoying it and don't want to continue. The book doesn't feel cozy to me. I couldn't get past the fact that a woman who needs therapy opens a B&B to give others therapy. The romance didn't work for me either

This was a beautiful book. Once I picked it up, I didn’t want to put it down. There was a lot of thoughtful discussion on different forms of grief and the different ways people will cope and manage it. There was also exploration of how complicated family dynamics can impact each individual member in ways that influence the way they communicate and choose how much of themselves to share with others. Oh, and there was an emotional (and steamy) romance among all of this as well.

Louisa had a challenging, unstable childhood that resulted in her forming a deep attachment to the first house that felt like a home to her. When her relationship ended and that home became something she could no longer afford on her own, the idea of opening an inn for the heartbroken to come and heal was born. Lou was such a layered character and someone who was incredibly easy to empathize with. She loved deeply and fiercely, to her own detriment at times. To witness her grow, find her voice, and learn how to lean on others instead of always being the one others lean on was a beautiful thing.

Henry was complex in his own right, but the way he showed up for Louisa was so important to her story. He was not without flaws in his own communication, but it was obvious he was someone who understood loss and was still learning how to let people back in as well. He may not have been perfect, but he was genuine and genuinely cared for Louisa. His actions showed who he was when words let him down.

There was a whole cast of supporting characters, between family, neighbors, and guests of the inn they added to the depth of this story. They all helped in showing how heartbreak doesn’t always mean one thing and no one person will ever react the same to a form of loss. Louisa’s sister, Goldie, was particularly integral to Lou’s growth, and a scene when it came time for them to have a tough, honest conversation was one of the moments I felt most proud of Lou.

I could go on and on about the many things I took away from this book. It was truly beautiful. Thank you to Berkley via NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story cracked me open and stitched me back together in the best way. From the moment Louisa gets dumped by her longtime musician boyfriend and faces losing the only home she’s ever felt safe in, I was hooked. She’s raw, resilient, and so full of heart. And Henry? Our silver-templed, emotionally guarded, reclusive vet? Let’s just say he’s the quiet storm type. With a tool belt, a tragic past, and a soft spot that completely wrecked me. 🥹

Together, they turn heartbreak into something healing, a bed-and-breakfast for the broken, nestled in the Colorado mountains. The found family vibes are strong, the emotional depth is immaculate, and the slow burn? Delicious.

This is a love story, yes. But it’s also about rediscovery, choosing yourself, and finding comfort in unexpected places. Ellen O’Clover’s writing is stunning—equal parts tender, heartbreaking, and quietly powerful. I sobbed. I swooned. I highlighted like crazy.

Tropes & Themes:
📚 Slow burn
🏡 Found family
😤☀️ Grumpy/sunshine
🩹💔 Trauma & healing
🔁 Second chance at love
🧍‍♂️ Stoic MMC
😩 The yearning
🌄 Colorado mountain setting

Honestly, this one felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket after a storm. If you love emotionally layered stories with just the right touch of romance and tension. don’t walk, RUN to pick this up. It’s everything.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for letting me get an early peek at The Heartbreak Hotel, this one’s going to stay with me for a long time.

Wow. I mean wow. This book was so good I dont even know where to begin.

This is a debut adult romance and it hits ALL.THE.DANG. FEELS. Ellen’s writing is beautiful, poetic almost, and she sure knows how to pull at your heartstrings.

Im not one for contemporary romance, usually. In order for a Contemporary Romance to be one I rave about it has to check some serious feels boxes, be believable, have characters you can relate to and who do things that make sense. And boy did book deliver on it all 😍

This book deals with some deep, emotional, issues across several characters. I freaking loved every minute of this story and am sad to have finished it. Its definitely one for my favorites shelf. All the glowing stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Romance for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

What a tremendously emotional but devastating book! After being cheated on by her long term boyfriend, Louisa decides to open up a bed and breakfast that also provides therapy. This begins her on a wonderful albeit difficult journey where she meets Henry, her distant landlord, as well as the many patients.

Some topics are very heavy but I feel like they were all treated very carefully. There is a slow burn romance but the heart of the story is really how every character starts to live for themselves and make themselves the priority.

Overall this is a very emotionally impactful book, please bring the tissues. it’s also beautifully written. If you love found family, slow burns with a mountain setting, this book is for you.

As a Colorado girl myself, I immediately connected with the main character’s desire to keep the house in Estes Park. Who wouldn’t want to hold on to a place like that? The setting alone made this story feel grounded and special, but it was the emotional depth that truly made the book shine.

I really enjoyed this one. The writing was thoughtful and compelling, and the story was told with care and heart. One of my favorite details came from the acknowledgments, where the author wrote: “At the Comeback Inn, Lou discovers that it can take a village to heal us—and the truth is, most things are made better with a village behind them.” I felt that the book stayed true to this idea from beginning to end, and watching that theme unfold was genuinely moving.

The writing throughout the novel was outstanding. Every detail felt intentional, and I found myself fully engaged the entire time. The pacing, tone, and emotional beats all worked in harmony to create something that felt both heartfelt and memorable.

There were so many aspects that felt deeply relatable. Lou’s relationship with her sister stood out as one of the most emotionally honest parts of the book. Watching them slowly come to understand and support each other was beautiful. Her relationship with her mother also felt incredibly familiar, and while I would have loved to see that explored a little more, it still left an impact.

And of course, Lou and Henry. Their relationship was full of quiet tension, vulnerability, and hope. Their big romantic moment at the end was everything I wanted it to be—tender, satisfying, and just the right amount of emotional payoff.

This was a truly lovely read that balanced grief, growth, and romance in a way that felt both sincere and uplifting. I’ll be thinking about the Comeback Inn for a long time.

Thanks so much to the publisher Berkley and the author for the eARC through Netgalley. All opinions are my own!

THE HEARTBREAK HOTEL by Ellen O’Clover

This charming book is an achingly tender, cozy and warm retreat.

Louisa and Henry — their love is as inevitable as the grief they both carry. I can still feel the pull in my chest, a desperate need to know they’ll be okay.

Ellen O’Clover’s writing heals you in ways you cannot anticipate. And much like the promise of Louisa’s Inn, it provides you with a soft place to land.

To say that I loved this book would be a gross understatement. Something in me shifted while reading it. I will be thinking about Louisa and Henry for a long, long time.

And more than that — I have never finished a book and felt so unbelievably cared for. I’d like to thank Louisa and Henry for that, but that’s all Ellen.

A huge thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC.

The Heartbreak Hotel comes out 9/23.