A delightful cast of characters take up residence in this fabulously funny read perfect for fans of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Jo Docherty and Hattie Contaldo have a vision: a holiday retreat in the heart of England’s Lake District exclusively for guests of a “certain age” wishing to stimulate both mind and body with new creative experiences. With a pitch like that, the newly renovated … like that, the newly renovated Best Boomerville Hotel attracts plenty of eccentric clientele. There’s fun-loving Sir Henry Mulberry and his brother, Hugo; Lucinda Brown, an impoverished artist with more ego than talent; Andy Mack, a charming Porsche-driving James Bond lookalike, and Kate Simmons, a woman who made her fortune from an internet dating agency but still hasn’t found “the one” herself.
With such an array of colorful individuals there’s bound to be laughs aplenty. But there’ll be plenty of fireworks too, as the residents of Boomerville learn that friendships and romance can tumble out of control when you’re this far over the hill.
more
As you get older it becomes more difficult to make new friends. By the time you are in your forties, often you are in sort of a routine, or rut, and forget to try new activities or put yourself in situations where you might meet new people. As for beginning a new romance…. especially for a woman, may I say PAST her perceived prime?
Kate had been the dutiful daughter. Losing her mother at a young age, she never wanted to cause her father grief. When he began to suffer ailments related to age, she sold her built from scratch business and dedicated her life to keeping him comfortable. Now on her own, an unusual ad catches her eye.
The Boomerville Hotel is designed just “for people of a certain age.” That is not to say that describes all who venture there. It is a place to rejuvenate, learn new skills, meet new people, open your mind and heart to new possibilities.
As one becomes more hopeful, does one also become more gullible?
Jo and Hattie are marvelous hostesses. Jo concerned with everyone’s well being, Hattie assuring that everyone enjoy their stay. The hotel “regulars” brought to mind humorous classics such as A Fish Called Wanda or Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Kate can’t believe her fortune when she meets the man of her dreams so soon and he seems to have eyes only for her.
This is a romance for those who never read romance. You will be enjoying it so much you won’t mind the warm and cuddly bits. There is deceit, danger, adventure and dreams.
Even a chase scene of sorts.
I enjoyed this romp in the countryside and look forward to reading more by this author.
Favorite Quotes:
Somewhere in the universe, there is someone who will love us, understand us and kiss and make it all better.
In Kate’s experience, it was nigh on impossible to form a relationship with anyone of her own age and the men attracted to Kate were doddering around on a walking frame or looking for a ride to their next doctor’s appointment.
The fabulous fifties that everyone raved about seemed lonely and unwelcome and she yearned for some stimulating company to stop her from disappearing into the oblivion of middle age… She prayed that some day soon The One would come knocking on her door. But, in truth, Kate knew that the only knock would be the postman with a catalogue for comfy shoes and hearing aids.
Sir Henry had caused chaos in creative writing last week and the other students had to be calmed at the end of the session. Sir Henry’s half-completed memoirs, Fifty Shades of Sheepdogs, had upset some of the ladies in the group, although one or two, including Hattie, enjoyed the scintillating excerpts.
‘Guests who go to his sessions say they feel like they’ve gained a new lease of life. Hattie did one before we opened Boomerville and I asked her to research the Shaman’s course.’ ‘Did she enjoy it?’ ‘Hard to say. She went missing for three days and came back with an eagle tattooed on her bottom. She couldn’t sit down for a week.’
My Review:
Being a boomer myself, I found this amusing and smirk-worthy tale a delight to read. I want to book a stay there for myself. This was my first experience reading Ms. James’ clever and entertaining words and she didn’t miss a trick. Her well-crafted and engaging storylines were laced with levity, insightful observations, and an oddly compelling and quirky cast of characters. I adored them all but found dear Hattie to be what my Gran would call “a caution.” Slyly nestled among the antics, this talented scribe has provided a easy to follow and enjoyable mixture of humor and intrigue with a mysterious and powerful (yet creepy) shaman, an accurate fortune-telling gypsy, blackmail, embezzlement, a slick and conniving gigolo, feisty seniors, a precious pup, several new romances, and a raging stormy night without power for the culmination of the plot. I could never get enough of this unconventional yet uncommonly endearing group and currently yearn for a bit more. And score, I unearthed a new addition for my Brit Word List with punters – which the Urban Dictionary has informed me is British slang for a gambler or someone making a risky investment, as well as a customer or client. I am getting smarter by the day!
Quite the enjoyable read with delightful characters and a beautiful setting.
The Best Boomerville Hotel has been recently renovated by owner, Jo, and made into a retreat for people of retirement age. It offers many services to people who want to pursue new interests but in a very luxurious setting. Instead of being about just one character, there are several. The chapters are about different ones. There is Kate who comes to the hotel hoping to write a best seller and maybe find love. Jo, is the owner, and her friend, Hattie, is the manager. There is also James, Lucinda, Sir Henry, Pete, Andy Mack, and Hugo. Each one has their own story to tell.
Reading it reminded me of one of my favored authors, Maeve Binchy. She had a talent for delighting her readers with multiple characters and their stories. Caroline James has the same talent. The characters nor the storyline gets lost. In fact, she draws you into the story itself.
Thank you so much Caroline James for showing your readers that age is just a state of mind. It was a nice change to read a book about people who are older. The ones in the story prove that no matter what age you are, the world is still yours. There are still chances to take, experiences to be had, and dreams to come true!