A bed-and-breakfast for the brokenhearted might just hold the key to another chance at love in this achingly hopeful debut romance. When a breakup leaves Lousia unable to afford rent on her Colorado mountain home, she’s desperate to stay in the one stable place she’s ever called home. Lou strikes a deal with her reclusive landlord, Henry Rhodes: she’ll run the house as a bed-and-breakfast in exchange for free lodging. She doesn’t expect Henry to be a handsome, quietly grieving veterinarian or to take issue when she markets the inn as a retreat for the recently heartbroken. But as the “Comeback Inn” opens its doors to a motley crew of guests, Lou and Henry find themselves navigating a fragile new beginning, closely guarded secrets, and a love that could heal them both.
This was such a cute read. I couldn’t decide what to pick up next, but after seeing someone rave about this one, I decided to give it a go. I loved most of the story, and I’m always a sucker for a cast of quirky, mismatched characters which this book delivers in spades. By the end, though, it reminded me a bit of Katherine Center’s The Love Haters because of the initial setup, and certain late-in-the-book moments gave me Abby Jimenez vibes (I won’t say which books to avoid spoilers).
I still really loved the fun, heartfelt way Louisa works through her grief. Her sister was… the worst, and honestly never redeemed herself in my eyes. Henry, on the other hand, was the sweetest, and my heart ached for him and the weight he carried. What stood out most was how the story balanced romance with deeper themes. Louisa and Henry’s slow-burn chemistry was good, but the book truly shines in its exploration of grief, self-doubt, and the unexpected ways life can surprise you. The supporting cast: B&B guests and especially Mei, add warmth and humor, making the cozy Colorado mountain setting feel wonderfully alive.
While this is a romance, it fell more into the women’s fiction arena for me. And while I did really enjoy the story (I binged almost the whole thing in an evening) and it’s a quick read, it just felt similar to other stories I’ve recently read. Still recommend especially as we head into ‘cozy mountain getaway book’ season! Definitely a great debut!
AMAZON | GOODREADS | BOOKSHOP | ★★★★
The Heartbreak Hotel comes out September 23, 2025. Huge thank you to Berkley for my copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books or on Tiktok @speakingof.books
