Book Review: Love me or Leave me by Claudia Carroll

Reviewer: Annie

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:

Two years ago Chloe Townsend was dumped at the altar and she’s still struggling to move on. That is until she lands an incredible job, running a brand new boutique hotel.

But what goes on in the Hope Street Hotel is a far cry from anything she’s ever dealt with before. This is a pioneering ‘divorce hotel’ designed to make every aspect of breaking up efficient and pain-free – all in a single weekend.

No one is better qualified than Chloe to understand what couples need when their relationship is at breaking point, but, with three unhappy couples needing her help, she’s forced to tackle the heartbreak she’s tried so hard to bury.

The hotel’s opening weekend is full of revelation, trouble and surprises. And it soon becomes clear that some endings are, in fact, very exciting new beginnings …

Lose yourself in this enchanting, unconventional romantic comedy by bestselling author Claudia Carroll.

Review:

Three years before the real shenanigans begin; we are given the back story to Chloe Townsend’s story.  She is in her wedding dress, prepared to marry her coworker, Frank at the Merrion Hotel in Dublin, Ireland; AT the very hotel they both work at.  The mess ensues when Frank knocks on the door to the hotel room while she is getting her hair primped for the wedding.  As you can guess, that knock was doomed with the despair of being told that she will not be marrying Frank.  He changes his mind.

I loved that she ran away to London, England to find herself again.  She gains a new perspective for a few years, holding a job with less stress and responsibility.  Once she feels ready to head home to Dublin and dive-in to a new General Manager of one of Rob McFayden’s hotels, she goes on the interview.  She gets the job!  She is going home!!  She will have the perfect job for her, as she has some perspective on losing a spouse (almost), she has compassion and empathy.  She is a lovely character.

Rob McFayden runs a very successful line of hotels, and the “Hope Street Hotel”, will be a new venture for him.  He did his diligent research to discover that a new line of boutique hotels to help those in marriage peril to divorce with a sense of dignity and ease them in to the end of their marriage in a gentler manner than the typical hardships and strife that come during a divorce.   The Ferndale Hotels, “Hope Street Hotel” will have Barristers (lawyers), Mediators, Estate Agents on hand…you get the picture.

These hotels are proven money makers in other countries, and Rob wants in! Chloe will help this hotel succeed, and he knows it.  Dublin, Ireland seems like a perfect choice to open his first “Divorce Hotel”, as the location is well-priced and easily traveled to and from outside of Ireland, thanks to Ryanair (Irelands premiere inexpensive European travel airline, like our Southwest) I know this to be true, as I have traveled on Ryanair myself.

When you are at the beginning of reading the book, you find yourself reading three wedding invitations…all different….hugely different!!! I actually got up to read MY VERY OWN wedding invitation, realizing that your Wedding Invitation truly speaks volumes’ about who you are as a couple.  I was happy to make note, that I am still “Lucky in Love”, as was written on the invitation.  Phew!

Move forward to the guests at the hotel, who are none other than the couples whose wedding invitations are at the beginning of the book.  Not going to lie, I was wondering where Claudia Carroll was going with that!  But, reading about these three couples coming to “Hope Street Hotel”; and the way Chloe manages the hotel and the couples through this tough time, is not only entertaining, but a “page turner”. There is excitement, suspense, laughter…Such a wonderful story!!!!

I would like to add that British authors are my favorite; Irish writers being on the top of the list!  I love that they can say “FECK” meaning the F-Bomb, yet; it seems less abrasive!  British writers have a fresh feel to me, as they feel more authentic coming off of the page.  Say what they mean, and mean what they say!  No fancy-pants beating around the bush.  If you have not opened a book by an author from “across the pond”, Claudia Carroll is a great start!

5+ Stars. (I would give this a ten, if our rating scale was higher; as it deserves it)