Review: Heartbreak Hotel by Deborah Moggach
by The Borrowers Book Group Kesgrave Library
Heartbreak Hotel by Debroah Moggach
The Borrowers Book group at Kesgrave Library share their thoughts on Heartbreak Hotel, written by the bestselling author of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Deborah Moggach.
About Heartbreak Hotel:
When retired actor Buffy decides to up sticks from London and move to rural Wales, he has no idea what he is letting himself in for. In possession of a run-down B&B that leans more towards the shabby than the chic and is miles from nowhere, he realises he needs to fill the beds - and fast.
Enter a motley collection of guests: Harold, whose wife has run off with a younger woman; Amy, who's been unexpectedly dumped by her (not-so) weedy boyfriend and Andy, the hypochondriac postman whose girlfriend is much too much for him to handle. But under Buffy's watchful eye, this disparate group of strangers find they have more in common than perhaps they first thought.
Borrow the audiobook version →
Listen to the eAudiobook on BorrowBox →
Book Group Review:
This is an entertaining, easy, light-hearted read. It has some very funny bits, some of which make you laugh-out-loud and some more human touches.
The main character, Buffy, is believable and really likeable. He is even still liked by his three ex-wives. A retired actor, he is left a rather decrepit guest house in rural Wales by his long term friend and landlady while treading the boards. To make money he has the idea of ‘Courses for Divorces’ with the aim of matchmaking while filling rooms. This does not go quite as planned.
The setting of a small town in Wales is attractive and the townspeople welcoming. Buffy likes and is interested in people so soon is accepted into his new community. Slow to start, the story really gets going when it switches to Builth Wells. The characters are all different and as the book develops they are knitted into the story, though the success of his matchmaking makes for a nice ending.
Recommendation: Really enjoyable and entertaining - a good holiday read.
Love books? Want to discuss them in a reading group? Find out how to get started →