sydapel's review
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? No
4.0
Sometimes I think I'll never get bored of historical romance, especially when it so often pairs a grumpy reticent man with a dark past he thinks will never be forgiven with a fiery, independent woman who has emotional walls built so high she thinks no one will ever care to scale. And boy howdy are they both wrong!!!
On a serious note, I really appreciated how this was set somewhere that wasn't England and found the cast of characters, plot and setting really well done. The last 20 pages to me felt a bit clunky and rushed, but overall a really solid HistRom.
On a serious note, I really appreciated how this was set somewhere that wasn't England and found the cast of characters, plot and setting really well done. The last 20 pages to me felt a bit clunky and rushed, but overall a really solid HistRom.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Gun violence
Minor: Torture
naomi_k's review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Violence, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Murder, Classism, and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, Torture, Sexual harassment, and Religious bigotry
caramiaculpa's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
mcbryson's review
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.5
I really enjoyed the setting in late Imperial Vienna, which was a nice change from most historical romances. There's definitely a lot more mystery/action than those as well. I do think the main characters could have been a little more developed, particularly the MMC.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Abandonment, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity
wilybooklover's review against another edition
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 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.
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!!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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Confinement, Violence, Death, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Child abuse
booksalacarte's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Hotel of Secrets- 2.25⭐️3.25🌶️
It’s ball season in Vienna, and Maria Wallner only wants one thing: to restore her family’s hotel, the Hotel Wallner, to its former glory. She’s not going to let anything get in her way - not her parents’ three-decade-long affair; not seemingly-random attacks by masked assassins; and especially not the broad-shouldered American foreign agent who’s saved her life two times already. No matter how luscious his mouth is.
Eli Whittaker also only wants one thing: to find out who is selling American secret codes across Europe, arrest them, and go home to his sensible life in Washington, DC. He has one lead - a letter the culprit sent from a Viennese hotel. But when he arrives in Vienna, he is immediately swept up into a chaotic whirlwind of balls, spies, waltzes, and beautiful hotelkeepers who seem to constantly find themselves in danger. He disapproves of all of it! But his disapproval is tested as he slowly falls deeper into the chaos - and as his attraction to said hotelkeeper grows.
——————
✨My Opinion✨
I’ve honestly never read a German based romance novel. It was interesting to see a glimpse of the times, but I didn’t get a very good picture of actual setting of Vienna or anything else other than the hotel itself. But the little historical political snippets were nice.
This book was all over the place. The first half of the book was specifically a suspense book, a super slow one where things didn’t even seem to be tied together. I started skimming fairly early on. Then all of a sudden it was very much a romance novel. Thankfully, the second half was interesting, but the espionage entangled ending was a big dud. It seems that exactly no agent/spy/traitor is good at their job… which makes for a bad book about espionage.
As far as characters go, The two main characters were fairly blah. Eli had no personality, with the excuse that his childhood trauma sucked it out of him. Tall, dark and never smiling/laughing before just isn’t enough to make a character interesting for me.
Maria was fine, but for such an independent and modern woman, had to be saved too many times for my liking.
*Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Murder and Toxic relationship
Minor: Kidnapping, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit
searchingforhappilyeverafter's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, and Gun violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Child abuse
megloveswords12's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse
unsuccessfulbookclub's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Violence, Child abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Blood
skudiklier's review against another edition
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.
(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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Gun violence, Child abuse, Murder, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Alcohol, Vomit, War, and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse
Content warnings from author's website:Spoiler
Gunplay Attempted murder Murder Killing in self-defense Assault Bad parents Animal attacks General violence Government corruption and injustice Discussion of past spousal and child abuse
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