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morgan_leopold's review against another edition
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Drug abuse
natashaleighton_'s review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
4.5
A heart warming and utterly unputdownable read filled to the brim with loveable, larger than life characters I couldn’t get enough of—especially protagonist Noelle, who’s such an endearing character that I wanted to root for in-spite of her kleptomaniac tendencies.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Sexual content, Child abuse, and Mental illness
Minor: Drug abuse and Bullying
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