I had a lovely time with this book so I was pleased to discover this author has written many more novels for me to explore! I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This book is hard to pin down genre wise. It explores time travel but there are fantastical and magical elements. It also really strongly evokes the sense of a historical novel.

I was mesmerised by this wondrous hotel. It was so gorgeously realised. I loved this setting, everything about it was just beautiful, even the parts that were unnerving or dangerous. This really made the book for me as I could so clearly picture this hotel.

The fantastical backdrop provides some levity for a book that does explore some darker and more emotional concepts. There is loss and suffering experienced by the characters that shapes them as people.

I had a fantastic time reading this! Highly recommend!

In this story, we follow Eve Shaw, an art appraiser who receives a visit from a mysterious stranger named Max Everly, who shares the name of her favourite composer. This strange encounter leads her to the White Octopus Hotel, tucked away in the Swiss Alps. Though abandoned for centuries, the hotel comes to life when Eve uses a key to unlock room 27. She is transported back to the 1930s, where she meets a younger Max Everly and realises the old man she met was the very same Max from the past.

Together, the pair search for answers within the magical, time-bending hotel. But when a tragedy from Eve’s own past begins to resurface, she must confront whether revisiting the past offers true healing or if it risks trapping her there forever.

This was a really fun and imaginative fantasy story that kept me questioning what might happen next at every turn. The pacing was slightly stop-start in places, but once the story pulled me in, I didn't mind at all. The way discoveries unfolded throughout the book meant I was constantly reassessing everything and I was genuinely surprised by some of the twists and reveals, which made it an even more enjoyable read.

I’d thoroughly recommend this if you’re a fan of time-slip fantasies with a hint of romance and a touch of magical whimsy.

I was instantly drawn to The White Octopus Hotel by the premise alone, an eerie, mysterious hotel with Grand Budapest Hotel vibes? Say no more. The setting is atmospheric, and the imagery of the hotel and the strange objects within it is so vivid it really leaps off the page.

There’s a strong sense of mystery from the very beginning, and the story does a great job of keeping you guessing with twists, secrets, and unexpected reveals woven throughout. It’s easy to get into, fast-paced, and entertaining! There’s some emotional moments too, full of love, grief, and everything in between.

That said, I did feel that the plot moved in a bit of a stop-start way. The narrative occasionally felt a little choppy and the writing itself was a bit inconsistent, some parts shone, while others didn’t quite hit the same mark.

But overall though, I enjoyed it. If you’re a fan of the magical historic hotel trope like Hotel Magnifique then this one’s for you!

Many thanks to Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The White Octopus Hotel by Alexandra Bell is such a good story. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.

Review of ‘The White Octopus Hotel’ by Alexandra Bell, due to be published on 9 September 2025 by Random House UK, Cornerstone.

A story of two people - Art Appraiser Eve and Composer Max Everly both living in completely different time eras.

Full of magic, mystery and time travel, a whimsical heartwarming tale on the power of love and healing.

A recommended read.