Belinda Jones (1967–2024)

I'm a big fan of Belinda Jones's books, mainly because they always have a travel theme and I love to be whisked away with my fiction. It's been a while since her last book but I was thrilled to see that she had a new one out, The Hotel Where We Met, and not only that, it has a time travel theme. Oh be still my beating heart. A travel fiction/time travel mix?! Perfect!

In this book we meet Chloe Sinclair. She's travelling to the iconic Hotel del Coronado in California to meet up with Ross, her show more late best friend James's former boyfriend. They're going to say goodbye to James at places that were important to him and Ross. Chloe is unlucky in love but something very interesting happens to her on the flight and she finds herself travelling back in time to try and match-make certain couples because the right man for her has never existed because the right people didn't get together in the first place. What a wonderful and inspired concept and to do it in such gorgeous surroundings made for a brilliant and engaging story.

Chloe travels to the 1880s, the 1920s, the 1950s and the 1980s. I think the 50s was my favourite of the eras, not least because the hotel is where Some Like It Hot was filmed and there's some lovely Marilyn Monroe scenes. The 1980s was lovely too though because of the way it affected the characters. I loved all of them though and Chloe's adventures in each era had me smiling.

Belinda Jones always has me wanting to visit the places she writes about. She portrays them in such an enticing manner that I want to jump on a plane straightaway (and I'm not a jumping on a plane type of person). The Hotel del Coronado and the surrounding area sound absolutely perfect. I loved the characters too. Chloe is such a kind and lovely person and her friendship with James, and later Ross, were so warm, the kind of friendships we all aspire to have.

The Hotel Where We Met is the perfect escape novel. I found it a joy from start to finish. I really enjoyed the detail of each of the different eras and how Chloe dealt with them. It's light-hearted yet not fluffy and is the perfect way to satisfy that wanderlust without even leaving the comfort of your own settee. I absolutely loved it. show less

I don't read much chick lit these days and it's a while since I read any Belinda Jones, but the title of this book lured me in. Laurie is called upon to organise the itinerary of TV baker Pamela Lambert-Leigh's trip around the east coast of America trading English recipes for American ones for her new book. Throw in Pamela's feisty mother, Gracie and Ravenna, her nightmare of a daughter and a red London bus to travel on and Laurie has her hands full.

This is such a fun and lively story that show more it made me remember why I used to like this author's books. I loved the combination of the descriptions of each new place together with the mouth-watering cakes and sweet goods. It hasn't helped my sweet tooth!

A fun, frothy and heart-warming read that I enjoyed very much.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for allowing me to review this book. show less

This was so fabulous!! I loved every second of it!

It's got a Travelogue feel to it and that's one of the pluses for me. Krista runs a travel itinerary website and visits the destinations so she can deliver a first class low-down for the prospective vacationers. She's been unlucky in love and is mending a broken heart so she wouldn't say no to the chance of a holiday romance to cheer her spirits, if it presents itself. On this trip she is visiting Quebec and throughout the book we get to go show more with her and see first hand all the 'must see/do' things that Quebec has to offer. We also get to tag along on her romantic endevours and misadventures and it's all just so wonderful.

I wasn't sure of the location accuracies while I was reading, but since finishing and Googling everything that was in the book I've found out that it's a all exactly as she tells it - The places, the food, the customs, the activities - it's all there! Bonhomme and the annual carnival sound like so much fun and the restaurants Krista visited sound so yummy. The people sound wonderful, the weather seems inviting and just everything about the book/place drew me in.

The story/romance side of the book was done to perfection too and had all the usual setbacks, misunderstandings and obstacles that comes with good chick-lit. It was funny, it was touching, it had a bit of mystery and it had just the right mix of will they/won't they to keep it interesting.

I just loved it all! It's a keeper and a favourite and I really wish there was a website called Va-Va-Vacation! to see all the wonderful photo's and reportage from Krista's trip! I spent a good couple of hours after finishing the book going over all the travel websites I could find, trying to find the best deal on a package trip to Quebec for next year. Seriously, as soon as I find the best deal I'm booking up!!! :D show less

Fun, light-hearted and made me wish I could go to Capri. Great easy read when you just want to relax and enjoy. I loved the descriptions of Capri and neighboring islands and loved the idea of this book, especially the ending. We all need to get out of our normal life and into something different now and then to get a fresh perspective and I think this book illustrates that very well.