Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - Hotel of Secrets

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Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller

8 reviews

mairead_parade's review against another edition

emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Adored this. Imperial Vienna is a fun, vibrant setting for a very deeply felt romance (and a solid mystery) with strong character development and growth. Eli and Maria are so likable and well-matched, and I loved the Wallner matriarchy. I’m not sure a series is planned, but there were so many other rich stories among the secondary characters that I’d absolutely read more in this universe.

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fairyopalsbookshelf's review

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emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

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naomi_k's review

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adventurous hopeful mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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caramiaculpa's review against another edition

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adventurous funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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wilybooklover's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

5.0

Diana Biller writes some of my favourite heroes. They're just so utterly besotted with their heroines; I love them!

Maria and Eli were so lovely together. Maria is take-charge and independent, running a hotel practically by herself. Eli is buttoned-up and reserved and unflinchingly honest (despite orginally being in Vienna undercover). He's protective of Maria without being domineering about it. I just LOVE to see a starchy hero become undone over the heroine and this book gave me that in spades. Their sexual tension was off the charts and

Spoiler

that scene where Maria masturbates in front of him?? HOT!!

There was very little internal conflict in this romance which is something I always appreciate. Just two incredibly competent people getting to know each other, falling in love and learning to accept it.

All in all, a stunning blend of swoony romance, suspense, and political intrigue. Very rich in historical detail and the complex politics of the time without becoming dry or overshadowing the romance. Plus a great cast of vividly-drawn secondary characters, from Maria's complicated family to her friends and hotel guests. I particularly loved Josephine and Claude! In fact, I want a story featuring Claude.

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srivalli's review

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funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

3.75

3.8 Stars

One Liner: Read it as a light mystery and romance novel

1878, Vienna, Austria

Maria Wallner has only one goal- to revive the lost glory of Hotel Wallner and make it the most successful establishment in Vienna once again. She is determined to not let anything come in the way of her plans, be it her dysfunctional family dynamics, the sudden attacks on her, and a handsome American agent with secrets of his own.

Eli Whittaker doesn’t have time for anything except his job. He is in Vienna to find out who is selling the American codes. He just wants to uncover the truth and go back to Washington, DC. Of course, life has other plans for him. Eli may be annoyed by the night-long waltzes and dazzling attractions. But when he sees that Maria Wallner is somehow in the middle of chaos, he is determined to keep her safe and also find the culprit selling American codes, no matter what it takes.

The story comes from the third-person POV of Maria and Eli.

What I Like:

The book is set in Vienna, and though it doesn’t exactly explore the region, it gives enough details about the local culture, the people, etc. I could picturize the hotel, the waltzes, those lovely gowns, and yummy cakes.

Maria is an interesting character, even if she needs Eli’s help a little too much. She is competent enough to handle her hotel (after all, she isn’t trained to deal with assassins) and knows when to put her foot down.

Hannah is one of my favorite side characters. Her love for baking and creativity comes across very well throughout the book. I sure wouldn’t mind tasting her cakes and cookies. The almond cake seems to be a general favorite.

The writing is easy to read once you get into the grove. It is lighthearted, a bit funny, quirky, and a touch sarcastic. Not something I expect in a historical mystery. But this one is a blend of genres (more in the next section), so the writing style keeps the plot light instead of weighing it down. It works for me as I don’t look for heavy plots.

A few scenes are quite delightful and entertaining. Some of it is a little cringe, but it somehow fits the narration and makes it funny. I’m not sure if it was intended or if I’m the only one who found some steamy scenes a bit humorous. A little weird but fun too.

I really like the reversal in how the FMC and MMC are portrayed. Let’s just say Maria has a lot more experience than Eli. ;)

The other side characters have varying roles. Some, like Mac, have an extra space to grow while a few waltz in and out whenever required.

What Could Have Been Better for Me:

I’m not sure how to categorize this book. It starts out as a spy-ish thriller with international mystery. The romance appears slow burn until around 50%. Then, the plot shifts genres, and we have romance at the forefront with steamy scenes. The mystery part weakens in the second half.

Eli is supposed to be a grumpy and standoffish brooding hero with a tragic past. He is okay and has good qualities, but his career isn’t fully explored. This is disappointing, given the strong start. An epilogue set a year later would have sorted this and given a more rounded ending to the plot.

Josephine, Maria’s grandmother, was a formidable character. I would have loved it with her in a greater role. Also, maybe more about her past would have been icing on the cake. The same goes for Adelaide. She has a limited role but aces it. I could visualize her with ease.

The reveal and climax are dramatic but more in the family drama genre rather than that of a spy thriller. The tension and suspense aren’t enough. The ending also feels a little abrupt after reading 400-odd pages.

To summarize, Hotel of Secrets is an entertaining historical novel that reads best as a drama with open-door romance and a bit of mystery. It’s lighthearted despite the heavy themes.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley

***

P.S.: I love the cover!

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searchingforhappilyeverafter's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Willkommen im Hotel Wallner

Diana Biller’s Hotel of Secrets was my first read of the new year, and it was just wonderful. It’s an exciting tale of romance, spies, and mystery, and it has a delightful cast of characters.

Viennese hotelkeeper Maria Wallner wants to restore her family’s hotel to its former glory. However, assassination attempts and other mysterious incidents keep getting in her way. And most distracting is the American agent, whose stern and sexy mouth makes her want to him drag into the nearest linen closet.

Eli Whittaker is a guest at the hotel, and he is there on a case to find out who has been selling American codes. But upon arrival, he is swept up in Vienna’s dazzling ball season and a swoonworthy romance, all while trying to unravel the secrets.

Hotel of Secrets sparkles with Biller’s brilliantly crafted plot and well-developed characters, interspersed with detailed Austrian history and political intrigue.

It's no secret that Biller's Moore family is my favorite fictional family. The Wallners and their friends, while different from the Moores, are equally endearing. The way Maria and Eli get to know each other and fall in love is such a heartwarming journey. I loved the character development. Eli goes from stern and starchy secret agent to soft and gooey orchid knight. It was so fun to watch him open up to Maria and her family and learn how to laugh. The hotel’s forced proximity causes some delicious banter-filled moments and lots of swoony tension between the two main characters. It was a joy to see them both realize that love is a miracle. I also really enjoyed the relationship arcs between Maria and her family, especially her mother.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the unique and simply magical setting of a hotel in 19th-century Vienna. The Hotel Wallner is as pivotal to the story as the main characters. And the exquisite Viennese backdrop adds an extra layer of beauty to this romance.

Last, but not least, the way this book addresses sexuality and consent is perfect. In this book, the FMC is more experienced than the MMC (celibate), and some of the secondary characters are queer. Everything is really well done and respectful of all the characters’ experiences and choices.

What you can expect in this swoonworthy story:
- M/F romance
- Delicious banter
- Eli's sexy mouth
- Hilarious meet cute
- Forced proximity
- Eli's sexy mouth
- Competency kink
- He reads books on how to please her
- Eli's sexy mouth
- Viennese hotel setting
- Thrilling mystery
Oh and did I mention Eli's sexy mouth?

Thank you to NetGalley and SMP for the ARC.

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skudiklier's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I really enjoyed this book! At first I wasn't sure if I'd love the writing, but by about a quarter of the way in I found myself too caught up in the story and characters to mind anymore. I found it really engaging and was very invested in what would happen, and in the romance. Slightly more spoilery/specific notes below:

(Also I normally wouldn't comment on the sex scenes specifically, good or bad, because that's embarrassing to me lmao. I would prefer to not acknowledge that when idk who will read this. So it's a mark of just how good they were that I feel the need to at least mention it in my review!)

Sometimes I start a (straight) romance and the male lead is described as so rude and humorless that I have no idea how they're going to bring me around to liking him by the end, or thinking he's a good fit for the female lead. This was one of those, but Biller did indeed end up putting me firmly on the side of the relationship! I love them together and really enjoyed this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read and review this ARC.

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