31 Dream Street

A warm-hearted story that glows with sincere wisdom.
This book is much more than just about the comings and goings of tenants in a big, London house, which is in need of some tender loving care. It delves quite deeply into the characters' reasons for living in this particularly unique house and how along the line, each has lost a little bit of themselves or are unhappy in some way.
Stuck in a rut, they have dreams and they have unspoken wisdom - it just needs an outlet and willpower and new events to set them on a brighter path. It's here that the author shines so eloquently and true, as each gives a voice to their heart and starts to communicate.

Toby is given an enormous house (with one sitting tenant) by his father as a wedding present. When his wife leaves him after only three weeks of marriage, he starts taking in lodgers. These lodgers are waifs and strays and don't pay much rent. Toby tries to write poetry and becomes a bit of a recluse. Fifteen years later the sitting tenant finally dies and Toby is thereby introduced to Leah, who lives over the road. Toby's father is also coming to visit for the first time and Toby realizes that he needs to get the lodgers out, get the house in order and start living.

I enjoyed this novel, although it was quite a lot longer than it needed to be. I suppose it is not a romance novel as such, but Leah's dithering with Amitabh bothered me a show more little. There were moments of humour - Toby was very self-deprecating - but also some very poignant bits, including Joanne's backstory. I hated Ruby, but I suppose she was consistent.

The to do list that Toby writes in chapter 9 is completely different when he crosses item 12 off at the end... show less

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to make of it at first, and decided to read this strictly based on the author's past novels. But once I got into the story, I couldn't put it down. The characters in this book are so REAL, so down-to-earth and relatable.

The main character, Toby, undergoes a slow transformation throughout the novel on his journey to start living, a transformation that is at times a bit sad -- I felt like I wanted to give him a big hug! :) The other characters in this book, Toby's lodgers, are well-written too - I found myself caring about all of them, and even got a bit misty-eyed when Joanne's backstory was finally revealed.

This is not your standard Brit chick-lit novel. It is so much more! With a show more satisfying, but not tidy, ending. I highly recommend this book! show less

There's not much positive I can find to say about this book - except that it came as an mp3 audiobook from my local library, allowing me to copy it onto my phone and then listen at night while I tramped through my 2-hour commute to work. It's romance. It's predictable. People change by simply deciding that they will (or with the help of a romantic partner) and live happily ever after. There's very little in this story that amounts to reality. Would suit a TV drama or soap, which could be marketed as 'heartwarming'.

Jewell, Lisa. Roommates Wanted. 10 CDs. unabridged. 12 hrs 8 mins. 2019. Dreamscape Media. ISBN 9781974980482.

Having been gifted a grand old Victorian house as a wedding gift but unable to fill it after his bride left him; Toby opened his home to wayward souls needing a new chance at life. Nearly fifteen years later, some of the home's residents are having trouble moving on; and that includes Toby. He has finally decided to put the house on the market and move on with his life after his oldest tenant dies and leaves him some money. However, Toby feels responsible for everyone living under his roof and has no idea how to get them to move on with their lives and move out. Thankfully Toby gets help from across the street from his gorgeous show more neighbor, Leah, and together they discover what it means to truly let go of the past and look towards the future. Brilliantly narrated by Helen Duff who does a superb job nailing the myriad of accents of the housemates. Readers will find themselves captivated by all the hi-jinks Toby and his housemates find themselves in as they try to navigate what the future holds. Charming, unique, and funny; Lisa Jewell is a master of contemporary fiction. - Erin Cataldi, Johnson Co. Public Library, Franklin, IN show less

Toby Dobbs is a nice guy. Maybe too nice of a guy. His father gave him a Victorian house for his wedding which was far too big for him after his divorce. So he rented rooms out to artists and wayward souls who needed an inexpensive place to live. Fifteen years later, he still has people living with him and taking advantage of his good nature and generosity. His across the street neighbor, Leah Pilgrim, befriends him and helps him take control of his life by getting rid of his roommates.

I always enjoy Lisa Jewell’s books but Glen McCready’s narration of this one made it even more enjoyable. Great voice and really clever at helping you to imagine the characters.