The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’Clover
on September 23, 2025
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, Fiction / Romance / General, Fiction / Women
Pages: 352
Format: ARC
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Ellen O’Clover’s debut introduces us to Louisa Walsh, a young counselor whose life is unraveling after a breakup leaves her without a home. Determined to hold on to the only place that has ever felt stable, she strikes a deal with her brooding landlord, Henry Rhodes: she’ll turn his Colorado mountain house into a bed-and-breakfast. What she envisions as a retreat for the brokenhearted slowly evolves into more than just a business arrangement, forcing both Lou and Henry to confront their pasts and decide if healing—and perhaps even love—might be closer than they realized.
I think I may be in the minority here, but I struggled with Louisa as a heroine. For someone trained as a therapist, her life felt constantly in chaos, and she didn’t seem capable of applying the very tools she offered her guests. She often came across as preachy with her “clients” while remaining ineffective in her own personal relationships. I would have loved to see her more empowered, particularly in setting healthier boundaries with her family. Honestly, I found myself wishing her friend Mei had been the one in the therapist role—she felt steadier and more grounded.
That said, the book had redeeming qualities. Henry, the reclusive veterinarian and reluctant inn partner, was a highlight for me. His grief and guardedness gave the story weight, and I appreciated how his dynamic with Lou balanced her sunniness with something more measured.
This isn’t a lighthearted rom-com—it leans into heavy themes of loss, death, and moving on. What I especially appreciated was that O’Clover doesn’t suggest love is a cure-all. Instead, healing comes from connection, resilience, and allowing yourself to be vulnerable again. That perspective gave the story more depth than I expected.
While the premise is fresh and Henry’s character shone, Louisa’s lack of growth held me back from fully embracing the story. For me, this landed at about 3.5 stars—an interesting debut with heart, but one that left me wishing for a stronger, more self-aware heroine.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to review this eARC.
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