This wonderful story is told in alternating voices, Tilly as a child, and Tilda, adult Tilly. Tilly's childhood is shattered when her father leaves her and her mother. Tilly's mother, suffering from mental illness and a problem with alcohol, eventually tells Tilly that her father died in an accident. Moving to Brighton and living in Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel becomes a paradise for Tilly and her mother. They both find acceptance, friendship and support from the staff at the hotel.

Years later, after her mother's death, Tilda returns to her Brighton apartment and tries to make sense of the difficult relationship they had. She finds the diaries her mother kept for years, and learns that things were not what they had seemed to a young and vulnerable Tilly. As she stays on in Brighton, Tilda makes some new friends in the area, including a love interest, and eventually solves some painful riddles from her childhood.

Beautifully written, heartbreaking and funny, this is a book that will grab you the instant you begin reading it and it will stay with you long after.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author Ruth Hogan, and the publisher John Murray Press for the privilege of reading an ARC of this exceptional book. This is my honest opinion.

Ruth Hogan's third novel is a bittersweet delight. A young woman mourning the death of her mother returns to her childhood home in a sleepy seaside town seeking answers to the mysteries that haunted her upbringing. Filled with vibrant and interesting characters this is a perfect summer read.

A sadly-funny, quirky book about love, loss and memory. I enjoyed it, but for me, this is the least successful of Ruth Hogan’s books to date. For those of us no longer in the first flush of youth, there was a deal of pleasurable nostalgia, beautifully, at times lyrically, described, but for a book of this type, there was far too much of it. Descriptive passages should be the seasoning; they frequently threatened to become the meat and potatoes. The illustration got in the way of the flow of the flow of the tale, and I found, as the book wore on, that I started to skip more and more. I’m not averse to a deeply descriptive, slow moving tale, but this book isn’t literary enough for the weight of the writing in it. It didn’t seem to know quite what it wanted to be, a quirky, lightly supernatural story like Keeper of Lost Things, or something bigger. I would have been happy with either, but Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel is neither. It seemed to me, that a more ambitious, literary manuscript had been energetically edited to suit the author’s established audience; that Ruth Hogan would like to spread her wings and move into a different, more expansive style, but her wings have been clipped by her publishers. I would say, let her fly, but wonder if she’ll be allowed to.

I was excited to pick this book up after reading The Keeper of Lost Things, which I got totally drawn into. However, Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel, didn’t quite do it for me. It was a nicely told story, however this time the slow pace made it tiresome, where as with The Keeper of Lost Things, it allowed you to enjoy the story that much more. I kept waiting for a revolutionary moment as I felt that what the story was leading up to, but that never actually came. I thought there would be more, but there wasn’t it was what it was and no more, and the left me feeling quite disappointed.

The book is the story of Tilly in her childhood growing up and then once again Tilda in her elder years returning to Brighton after her mothers death. Tilly has a troubled start to life with her Dad leaving the family home when she was very young and was told by her Mum that he had died. Her Mum is also a troubled lady and ups roots and takes Tilly to stay at Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel where Tilly’s Mum ends up getting a job and they live in. This is perfect for Tilly and she loves this more than anything until she is sent away to boarding school, which when returning years later she searches for the answer as to why she was sent away from the place she called home and the place she loved so dearly. Tilda finds a set of her Mum’s diaries which give her the answers to her childhood and much more.

The then and now timelines work ok, but I just kept expecting a story to unfold and it never did. Tilly / Tilda wasn’t really a hugely likeable character I didn’t’t think. She was very cold and oh yes, she see’s dead people. I kept expecting the something about the ghosts to be the twist. The book does become an easier read in the middle section and drifts off a bit again towards the end.

I would like to thank Net Galley for my pre published copy in exchange for this free and honest review. Not anywhere near as good as her first book for me which is the reason I give this 3/5.

I am now definitely a Ruth Hogan fan. I have enjoyed all her books so far and I loved this one!

In this novel, Ruth Hogan beautifully writes of family, mother and daughter relationships and the importance of friendships. She covers the difficulties and challenges of marriage, being judged by family members and touches on mental health issues with great insight and compassion. With additional humour and charm, "Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel" was an absolute joy to read.

I really liked the author's writing style and the use of the dual narratives made the story all the more interesting. The characters were great fun and very likeable and there wasn't anyone that I particularly disliked. If you are in the mood for reading something lovely and heartfelt then I highly recommend "Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel".

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, John Murray Press via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Two Roads, John Murray Press for an arc of this book.
"Sometimes good people do terrible things because they truly believe it's the only thing they can do". This book explores the life of Tilda/Tilly. The same person but two different timelines, one, the present day (Tilda) and one when she was a young girl (Tilly). It tells the story of a fraught relationship with her mother and also the best time of her life, staying at the Paradise Hotel.

For me this was a slow burner. We don't even get to the aforementioned Paradise Hotel until about two thirds of the way through the novel. Queenie, who owns the hotel is a larger than life character and there is a revelation about her at the end of the book that made me smile.

In the present day, Tilda's mum has died and it is her job to clear out her flat and find answers to why they had such a difficult relationship. It is a bittersweet book and deals with mental health issues. If you like quirky characters like Eleanor Oliphant, then I think you'd like this book. Give it a try. 3.5 stars.

Did not finish at 30%

The premise of the synopsis sounds great. Unfortunately, I just didn't enjoy the writing style or the fact the chapters jump from present time to the past. It just wasnt for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers nonetheless.

Another great book by Ruth Hogan, it is the second I have read and will definitely read this author again. Her stories are bitter sweet, her characters are often damaged but they can still love when given the chance. They sound very real although they often are people that are living their lives hidden away from the rest of society.
In this case we have Tilda who does not trust people anymore, the reason we come to understand was that she lost her beloved father at a young age and her mother (who had mental health issues) sent her away to boarding school from where she was happy. She only has a dog that follows her everywhere but no one else can see.
The book is seen from two points of views, that of Tilda as an adult trying to empty her mother's flat following her death and that of Tilly, Tilda as a 6-7 year old child mostly living in the hotel run by Queenie Malone. There with Queenie and other eccentric characters Tilly feels at home and misses her father a bit less.
When Tilda cleans her mother's house finds a box containing a diary obviously left for her to read. Here she finds some of the answers that explain things that happened to hear in the earlier part of her life and have also affected her adult years. But it is not just shock and regret, there is also hope. There are no big surprises in this book, but the beauty of the book lies in how the characters develop and how interesting and full of life they are. Definitely a writer to follow.

I loved The Keeper of Lost Things but not so The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes so came to this with an open mind. I enjoyed the characterisation of Tilly/Tilda and Queenie and that it was set in Brighton. Even though it took me a while to get into, I did enjoy it but just felt that extra special something was missing. Thank you Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

I am in charge of our Senior School library and am looking for a diverse array of new books to furnish their shelves with and inspire our young people to read a wider and more diverse range of books as they move through the senior school. It is hard sometimes to find books that will grab the attention of young people as their time is short and we are competing against technology and online entertainments.
This was a thought-provoking and well-written read that will appeal to young readers across the board. It had a really strong voice and a compelling narrative that I think would capture their attention and draw them in. It kept me engrossed and I think that it's so important that the books that we purchase for both our young people and our staff are appealing to as broad a range of readers as possible - as well as providing them with something a little 'different' that they might not have come across in school libraries before.
This was a really enjoyable read and I will definitely be purchasing a copy for school so that our young people can enjoy it for themselves. A satisfying and well-crafted read that I keep thinking about long after closing its final page - and that definitely makes it a must-buy for me!

In general I really enjoy Ruth Hogan's books, and this was not an exception! It was also one of those books that you feel like you need to read again straight away to see if you missed anything! Fascinating, and it kept me absorbed throughout!

I really really REALLY wanted to love this book but sadly I just didn't.

Although beautifully written, I ultimately just didn't connect with Tilda / Tilly and found it difficult to engage with the story. In this case, it feels like a "it's not you, it's me" situation as I have no doubt that others will love this book. Sadly though, it just isn't for me.

Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel is another triumph by the lovely Ruth Hogan. It is a story about the huge love that a parent has for a child and is really a beautiful book. Reading a Ruth Hogan book is like spending time in the company of old friends as you soon get involved with the characters and can’t wait to return to see what comes next. Loved this!

Hogan is a writer of enchantment and magic and spins tales so heartbreaking and beautiful that it takes me months to get over them.
However, this book was not for me. I didn’t relate to Tilda/Tilly, I felt her rather drab and annoying. The book felt long and frustrating with no real plot. Other readers have loved it so I’m sure it’s no reflection of the author but just not the book for me.

Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel is a book that not all kinds of readers will relate to. You either love it or hate it. And me, well, I really wish I loved it.

The book flows in two parallel timelines: Tilda in the present and little Tilly in her childhood. Tilda has a broken relationship with her mother, who killed her dad. After her mum dies, Tilda goes to a place called Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel, to find the truth of what happened in the past.

The writing style of when Tilda is little was hard for me to connect to. If felt as if the grown up version was talking in both timelines. The book is very slow, with no major plot twist, which made it boring. We had the whole ending dumped in the last chapters, with no anticipation. She is a girl that clearly has a troubled past, and she has with her a sense of mystery, as she is able to see what other people can’t. She is very attached to her father, even though he was absent most of her life, and she spent her childhood and teenage years holding a grudge against her mother.

And yet, I didn’t care about her.

In fact, I didn’t care about anyone in this book, and by the end, I just wished for the story to finish. I am sad that I couldn’t relate to this book, and I wish I liked it. But I didn’t. Moving on. A shame though, it has such a beautiful cover.If the synopsis seems interesting to you,

I would still encourage you to give it a go and let me know what you thought. You opinion is also valid.

Thank you to Netgalley and John Murray Press, for sending me an ebook, in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book hard to get into but I am glad I persevered. Not my usual type of book but I found it intriguing and the story kept opening up new elements right through to the end. I was a bit disappointed by the end and felt the story remains unfinished.

I have read previous books by Ruth Hogan and have been absolutely enchanted by them. However Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel never really captured my attention and honestly was a struggle to finish. I didn't really enjoy the story line and the didn't really relate to the central character of Tilda.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

This is simply one of the most beautiful books that I have ever read. There is nothing about this book that I didn't love.
It is written from the point of view of Tilda the adult who has just lost her mother, and Tilly her juvenile self growing up without her Dad , and with a strained relationship with her mother.

The way Ruth Hogan writes as Tilly captures all the innocence of youth, it took me back to my own childhood, and seeing things through Tilly's eyes is certainly good for the soul.

It is extremely well constructed, and the story twists together perfectly at the end.

It is a story of family, love, innocence, betrayal resolution and forgiveness.

It is simply a wonderful uplifting story that shows us that despite our differences we can all come together if we have love and respect for each other, and that love never dies.

My husband insists that the first line in a novel is the most important. It has to set the scene, introduce a character, provide context, generate intrigue AND, most importantly, it has to capture the reader’s attention. So, when I read the first line of Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel - “My mother killed my father when I was seven years old” – I knew I was on to a winner. That line ticks all of the criteria above and more. How could anyone not feel compelled to continue reading?!

Returning to Brighton following her mother’s death, Tilda finds herself at a metaphorical crossroad and decides to stay for an extended period whilst deciding in which direction her life should head next. Initially somewhat ambivalent about her mother’s death, the discovery of some old diaries gives Tilda the opportunity to get to know her mother better and to understand her childhood from an adult perspective.

The book is written in two parts and told in a split timeline with one narrative from the older Tilda’s perspective as she re-visits her childhood haunts and one from the younger Tilly who explains how Tilda’s childhood has shaped her present life. The two narratives come together at certain points, revealing important events from Tilda’s past.

As with Hogan’s earlier works, the characters are vibrant and appealing. Tilda (formerly Tilly) is 46 years old single and wary of people. She is cautious, reserved and slow to trust people. This is a striking contrast to the bright, bubbly and adventurous little girl that she used to be. In part 2 of the book we meet Queenie Malone and her eccentric mother. They are simply marvellous supporting characters, adding a great sense of fun to the book from the moment they first appear within the pages. With the eclectic mix of staff and residents at the Paradise Hotel, it’s not difficult to see why Tilly so adored her time there. I should also mention the other supporting characters of Daniel, Joseph Geronimo and Miss Dane, all of whom help Tilda to understand her past and move forward with her life.

Despite the colourful array of human characters, my favourite and the most endearing character has to be Eli the dog. Hogan always adds a hint of the supernatural into her books and, in this case, Eli is one of those hints (I don’t think it’s too much of a spoiler to reveal that). I was reading a book earlier today in which the author said that when a person dies they don’t leave us but instead leave an imprint or a negative of themselves that stays with us, in a similar way that an amputee still experiences an itch in a missing limb. I suppose this is what we mean when we say that someone’s spirit stays with us. I don’t believe in ghosts, but I do like the thought that a person or animal’s imprint can remain with you after they’re gone. It’s a comforting thought.

The story is ultimately a beautifully written, tender exploration of the mother-daughter relationship, the complexities of families and the power of friendship. The book also explores some darker issues of mental health, depression and loss. If that all sounds a bit deep for you, don’t worry! Those issues are dealt with gently and sensitively, focusing more on acceptance, forgiveness and hope. It is a warm, poignant and thought-provoking tale. Ultimately, Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel proves to be a charming and uplifting read, like a burst of sunshine on a drizzly day.

I enjoyed the concept of Ruth Hogan's first novel The Keeper of Lost Things but thought it was missing something. I still wanted to read Queenie Malone but did have quite average expectations. It makes me so happy when my expectations are exceeded. And this book did exactly that.

Tilly can see ghosts. Like her daddy. But he's dead now, although he doesn't visit her like the others. Tilly's mum is spiraling out of control, in the clutches of a terrible illness that only pills and alcohol can blur the edges of. Out of the blue, she uproots Tilly from her life and the pair run away to Brighton, taking refuge in Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel. This is the place Tilly will end up always calling home. She fits in here and her mother seems happy too - for the first time in a long time. But perfect as it is, Tilly's mum makes a sudden but firm decision to send Tilly away to boarding school. Tilly will never forgive her. As an adult, Tilda as she is now known, has a strained relationship with her mother. When she passes away, she finds a chest of her mother's diaries that hold more secrets than she can bear to believe. What do you do when you find out your whole childhood was a lie? And the only people that have the answers are dead?

This book is from two perspectives -Tilly in her childhood years and Tilda as a middle-aged adult. Tilly's chapters are fun, sweet, and sad with some great one liners that tickled me. I loved the childhood perspective and references to things that ignited a wave of nostalgia. Tilda's chapters are raw, emotional, and real. You can feel her suffering through the words and can see how her events in her childhood have lead to her being isolated, shy, and closed-off.

The overall storyline for this book was brilliant. It was an easy read with a great flow, despite the flashbacks which can sometimes cause jarring as you try to recall what happened in the last flashback/present moment. I loved all the characters and developed strong connections with them, especially Tilly as a child. There was a great mixture of funny and sad, enough to set my emotions all over the place! The revelations caught me off guard every time and I found myself gasping, not making the connections until it was revealed. I loved the ending and thought it ended the book perfectly. My only wish was that it wouldn't end :)