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laviederhi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
kaixv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Pedophilia, Self harm, and Death of parent
jenn_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol
chetakwa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Pedophilia
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Following Noelle, a friendly (if light fingered) hotel cleaner who is preparing for her new job at her 21st Hotel where she plans to enact her well rehearsed routine: impress and endear the staff, steal as many inconsequential items as she can from guests and move on before anyone starts to suspect her.
But things are different at The Magnolia (her 21st Hotel), as Noelle (for the first time) has started to form genuine connections with the other cleaners, a tight knit group of welcoming women who support one another and makes Noelle feel like she finally has a place to belong.
I absolutely LOVED this! Having spent the past month reading quite few emotionally intense reads I wanted to start off April with a slightly lighter read and Noelle’s life affirming (and found family-esque) journey was just what I needed.
It’s told entirely from Noelle’s POV and shifts between the present day (at Hotel 22) and her past recollections of both her (not so perfect) childhood and her time at all 20 of the previous hotels.
I feel I should also mention there is scenes of child abuse and neglect in some of the flashbacks which definitely made me understand Noelle (and all her eccentricities) a little better.
I was soo absorbed by Senta Rich’s beautiful writing style and really enjoyed how vivid and realistic the conversations and dialogue felt. The tender exploration into the lives of not only Noelle but the women around her, also helped give a voice to the overlooked, overworked and under appreciated cleaners—who are always seen but never heard.
And their stories are just as vibrant, compelling and unforgettable as Noelle’s (like Gaby,struggling to come to terms with her son’s drug addiction or Mali, who won’t let her OCD get in the way of her plans to become a manager someday.)
Overall, an absolute stunner of a book that’s perfect for fans of the found family trope and themes of friendship as well as strong, emotionally complex (female) characters you’ll love almost instantly.
Also, a huge thank you to Random Things Tours and Bloomsbury for the incredible proof copy.
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Minor: Bullying and Drug abuse