I’m so behind in giving y’all these reviews, it’s honestly absurd. I read The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’Clover prior to its release, which was quite the accomplishment, considering how behind I am with my ARCs this year. And yet, I’m writing this review a full two months later. Oops. I also ordered a copy from BOTM and it will be remaining on my shelves forever because I really enjoyed it. The Brave and the Reckless by Dilan Dyer is a book I read back at the end of July/beginning of August. Why has it taken me so long to write a review? I really can’t tell you. And then finally, I’m reviewing Totally and Completely Fine by Elissa Sussman, which is a companion to Funny You Should Ask. As usual, I received these e-ARCs from the publishers via Netgalley and I really am so grateful for the opportunity to read them!
The Heartbreak Hotel
by Ellen O’Clover
First of all, what do you mean this is a debut romance? This book was truly fantastic and I’m so excited to read more from O’Clover after having absolutely loved this one. Essentially, Louisa and her boyfriend were living in this house that she’s super in love with, but the boyfriend has been gone more than he’s really lived there. So when they break up, Louisa is adamant that she gets to keep the house. The only problem? She actually can’t afford the rent by herself. So she convinces her landlord, Henry, to let her open a bed and breakfast in the house so that she can keep it. And… Well, the B&B winds up being a place for people to come and get some respite from heartbreak and life.
There is so much about this book that I loved. To start with, I tend to love a grief novel, which is something Henry is dealing with for real, but also there is an element of grieving a relationship as well that appeals to me. But more than even the grief elements of this novel, I was obsessed, in love, with these side characters. This book writes a full cast of characters in a way that had me so enthralled. I loved them. I love a found family. I also loved the way O’Clover made the town come alive.
If you liked A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping but you haven’t read The Heartbreak Hotel, let me recommend you rectify that post-haste. Also, you know, in some ways, I think if you like the coziness of the town in Nora Roberts’ Inn of Boonsboro trilogy, maybe pick this one up. That feels like more of a stretch, but it also feels right to me.
The Brave and the Reckless
by Dilan Dyer
I remember requesting this book on a whim and not thinking too much of it, beyond the fact that I liked the cover and I’m obsessed with Lyla Sage and Elsie Silver so picking up another cowboy romance just seemed like the best idea. And to my past self full of whimsical impulses…. YOU GO GIRL. I really enjoyed this one. This book is full of both fun and depth, with characters that get off on quite the wrong foot and then fall in love anyway. If you don’t like when characters fall into a bit of an “I’m going to kiss you so I don’t kill you” situation, then I would not recommend you read it. But if you, like me, love a bit of a hate to love situation with sexual tension that is electric, then maybe consider giving this book a shot.
Esra has dropped out of medical school and is really trying to reclaim her life, which is something that I really enjoyed. I was also SO stressed out on her behalf because not having a real plan stresses me out so much. She shows up to her brother’s workplace, planning to work as just like a regular person in this Wild West themed amusement park only to find herself unexpectedly thrust into the leading lady role. Opposite her is Noah Young, who seems to be quite lacking in personality. So you know that means the man needs to be unbuttoned and who better to do that than Esra? Genuinely, obsessed with the two of them.
I’m already looking forward to book two, The Brave and the Fearless, which comes out June 9, 2026, because the side characters in this book feel so real and I want all of their stories too.
Totally and Completely Fine
by Elissa Sussman
Lauren is a widowed single mom and her life has really become entirely wrapped up in raising her teenage daughter who is all sharp edges. She and her daughter go to visit Gabe on set of a new movie that he’s filming, where she meets Ben, and the two of them have an adult exchange, which she doesn’t expect to go anywhere considering he’s got big things on the horizon as far as his acting career goes and she needs to return home to Montana. Of course, things don’t always go the way that she expects.
But, more than that, this book is actually a dual timeline type situation where one timeline is the present, which is moving forward like normal. The secondary timeline is walking us basically through Lauren’s entire life with a focus on her relationship with her now-deceased husband. I… did not always like that. There’s so much about Lauren’s past, which in theory is fine, but in reality made it feel like it’s much more of a commercial fiction novel than a romance. And I was reading this because of the romance.
It’s still a good book, don’t get me wrong, it just didn’t deliver exactly what I want, so I wanted to make sure your expectations could be set before you pick this one up if you choose to do so!
Closing Thoughts
I had mostly fantastic experiences with these reads! Have you read any of them? Let me know if you’re interested in any of them or your thoughts if you have read one or more.
xx
firewhiskeyreader 