Little Museum of Hope

by Sally Jenkins

Meet Vanessa. She's newly divorced and starting again at fifty-five. Her ex's affair was a nasty surprise that ended their thirty-year marriage. But with a son who's flown the nest and her husband gone, it's time for Vanessa to find a new challenge. Either that or choose to grow old and bitter alone . . . Vanessa decides to make her dream of opening a teashop come true. It's now or never. But running a successful teashop is harder than it looks. With customers proving hard to come by, Vanessa's on the verge of being left with nothing - again. Then she comes across an article about the Museum of Broken Relationships, where the rejected and lovelorn flock to shed the symbols of their shattered dreams. This gives Vanessa a brilliant idea. She opens up her shop to the broken-hearted and her little teashop soon becomes a haven for jilted lovers. Vanessa is always on hand to offer a cup of tea and a listening ear. But can the museum help Vanessa to heal her own heart . . . and perhaps find a second chance at love?

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Amazon, Romance, Womens Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2023

About the author

Sally Jenkins is based in the West Midlands and writes part-time around her job as a computer programmer. She targets her short stories at a range of competitions and magazines. Sally also produces the odd article on writing-related topics.
When she is not tapping away at a keyboard, Sally enjoys Body Combat classes and church bell-ringing.
She would advise all would-be writers to join a local class or group. Writing is a frustrating, solitary pursuit and meeting other like-minded people is necessary to stop yourself going mad!

Reviews

[Eileen Murray Roybal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and light. Good audiobook.

[Hilary Ford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was having nightmares from reading a somewhat violent book, and this was the perfect antidote! Easy to read, nice characters (on the whole) and a happy ending. Not too demanding, but sometimes it’s nice not to have to,think too much when you’re reading!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the surface, this seems like quite a simple and straightforward story of a middle-aged woman, Vanessa, picking up the pieces after her husband’s infidelity and resulting divorce but actually, there’s a lot more to it than that.
Vanessa sets up a café and, later, the Little Museum of Hope, a precarious venture (especially as she buys in the cakes!) and I wondered how she was keeping the business going.
The people who bring their donations – and their stories of loss and loneliness – to the museum, are a varied bunch. My favourites were the elderly couple Polly and Malcolm (that story line was written with particular sensitivity I thought and was very believable) but I also liked Pete and warm-hearted Maxine.
One complaint: all those delicious cake made me want to eat (and drink tea!). It would have been lovely to have had some recipes dotted through the book, as Vanessa learned to bake (my scones are always a disaster so I did pick up one tip about having icy cold butter when you make them!)
I found myself wondering, as I read the story, what I would give to the museum and what story I would like to share. It also made me think about possessions and how, through them, we often cling to the past and to unhappy memories.
This book was a very enjoyable read, which, despite some sad stories, left me feeling ‘uplifted’ and which kept me guessing to the very end. I listened on Audio and the narrator was very good.

[Fleurtje Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

My second book by Sally Jenkins which I again love for the real life feel of what it means to be a human being – with faults, regret, fear and insecurities, at the same time encouraging us to make the most of life in whatever way feels comfortable for us. An uplifting and feel-good book, and yet... two things:

The silver lining – ooooh, the cliché of it;

The lack of diversity – I can't wrap my head around this with a book with universal themes as mentioned above that there are no people of color, no chronics (I know this is not a proper word, but for me it is), no same-sex relationships, no people with a different cultural or religious background, you name it. It doesn't have to be a theme, but surely there are more flavors of the human kind. And yes, I keep mentioning this in reviews a lot, unfortunately.

The stories and characters are relatable and yet it being this flat makes me feel very frustrated.

[Isabelle D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel has, much like the museum opened by its main character, something special that's bound to intrigue. Vanessa's story is the one that brings all the others together (through the museum and the objects donated to be displayed in it) and makes the whole a real novel. Maxine's, Stephen's and everyone else's are short stories within the longer one, and they all fit in perfectly, all threads combining to make a stronger one. I really enjoyed reading about those people, and seeing some who had skills that Vanessa lacked (be it with social media, accounting or baking) contribute much more than they expected when they arrived with their donation.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara Deeprose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Read

Having been made redundant from her teaching job and finding out her husband had been having an affair and was now leaving her, Vanessa needed to find something to keep her occupied and bring a new focus to her life, so she decides to open a tea shop with a little museum, where people can bring something to display, and tells a story of their lives, but disguising their identity. Business is slow, but Vanessa meets new people, and hears some heart breaking stories but will she be able to make a go of it, but then her ex husband decides he wants to come home. I found this a good read although I was surprised someone with no experience and very little knowledge would embark on such an enterprise.

[Mrs J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of stories within

Vanessa finds herself diminished when her husband suddenly leaves her for another woman and she loses her teaching job. What starts as a café business soon spreads to a museum of items, discarded so people can move forwards, that offers hope. Vanessa is soon part of a team together with Maxine and Stephen, who have both benefited from making ‘donations’ to the museum, and they make an impact on others.
Sad, heart-warming and sometimes frustrating, there are several individual stories that customers share. The idea of such a museum is different and a useful way of getting their back stories in there. Ignore the improbable and just go with the enjoyable flow .

[Angela Britnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this unique story. The idea of a museum where people can leave objects that relate to a painful time in their lives they want to leave behind is so wonderful. The newly divorced Vanessa who opens the teashop/museum in part to heal her own wounded heart couldn’t predict that it would become a place of hope for others. We hear the often incredibly touching stories behind the donations from the givers point of view, and gradually many of these are woven into the overall story. When Vanessa’s husband begs for a second chance at their marriage she must decide whether to go back with him or move forward to new opportunities and a fresh chance at love.

[Margaret Holbrook · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book from the moment I picked it up. A good, quick and easy read. You begin by meeting Vanessa who at the beginning of the story is devastated when her husband tells her he is leaving her. She moves on with life as people do but then hits upon the idea of opening a cafe. The space she eventually takes on is too big for her needs, but she likes it and goes for it, and in a way is enjoying doing something for herself. After trying to let the extra space without success, she decides to use it herself and open a museum, of sorts. And that's when the real story begins.

[Ninon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars is generous - good grief. I'm still not sure what this book is about or the purpose of the museum. What a silly, random concept. If that wasn't bad enough, the writing was abysmal. Towards the end of the book, I nearly choked when I read, "...miscontrued or taken the wrong way." Ummm...that's what misconstrued means. That doesn't even take into account the number of times I had to read, "....made my toes curl..." The main character is NOT a 15 year old girl. Either very poor editing or seriously unsophisticated writing. Either way, I was so glad to be finished.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not my usual genre of reading but when I unexpectedly found it on my Kindle, with no idea how it got there, I decided to give it a go. It’s a gentle, insightful look at the damage we can unwittingly, or sometimes just thoughtlessly deliberately, do to others and how it affects so many other lives, but it also gives hope for a restoration of equilibrium.

I enjoyed reading it and not just as a break from my usual type of book

[bookbabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story

This is a heartwarming story that demonstrates how important hope can be. Everyone has a story of emotional baggage that needs to be addressed in order for growth to happen. A safe place to do that is The Little Museum of Hope. Vanessa has turned her own misfortune into an inspiring business venture to help others unload past regret or misfortune so they can move on.

[Mary Matroni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feel good story

Okay I have become a sucker for romance. I used to mock the idea of romcom as something I wanted to read. But, now I am addicted to stories like this one where love is hard and not all the women are beautiful, thin, young, and successful. Fun read with lots of the economics of reality and love.
Now I am ready for some action with guns and spies or cops and criminals.

[Honor Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently divorced Vanessa buys a huge building in Birminghams jewellery quarter. The ground floor becomes a café and the upper floors a museum of ordinary people's items , each holding their own stories. I loved some, the jar of mud made me smile, others made me think, some brought tears to my eyes.
It's a book like no other, and I highly recommend you read it.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very unusual story. The characters are varied but all in need of Vanessa's help. Their stories and the items they donate are so interesting and very believable and added to Vanessa's own story make for a great read. Vanessa's life being in turmoil ends sorting but until the final pages you are still hoping for one outcome but expecting another! A read that holds you.

[Graham Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope and joy

Didn't think that I would like this book. I was pleasantly surprised. The storyline was good and the characters believable. The only reason for 4 and not 5 stars was because, to me, it didn't grab me to finish it in double quick time. Having said this it was a good thing because I could come back to it when I needed. Overall a very pleasant read.

[Carola Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and unexpected.

When I began this book I thought it would be boring. And unoriginal. But it was a surprise. As I started reading al the stories with the things donated to the Museum I wanted to know more. When Dave reappeared I wanted to drown him or something. I understood Vanessa’s uncertainty, but come on Dave? I would like to read more books about the museum.

[Christine Winter Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best "feel good book" I have read in many, many years!

I loved reading this novel which I devoured in two days. Like the tea and cakes served at the Cafe, the novel nourished my soul with humor, strength and delicious goodness...something we all need from time to time. Thank you, Sally Jenkins!

[Vesta Tobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweetest book ever

Well written. Creative plot..delightful characters. Touching story line
So much.more than a novel about romance
Too many words required. Read it...you will love it

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

A sweet, uplifting and interesting story. The book has some great characters and some intriguing twists and turns. The book shows that we all sometimes need to reach out and discuss/move on to get a better inner peace.

[Diana Money · Rating 5 out of 5]

As advertised.

Was advertised as a feel good book and yes it is. Basically it is one back story filled with several short stories . The concept of The Little Museum of Hope is somewhat unrealistic but this is fiction . An enjoyable women's fiction read.

[Moira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet story

A museum of hope, if only this were real! This is a thoughtful, beautiful story of love and hope and also includes cake, what's not to love?

[Brian J Nutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eve Goodreads.

Really good read. Had to keep putting it down to do meals but would pick it up again straight away. Marvellous!!!

[Misha Herwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. A great heart warming read.

[Stacie Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope

I absolutely love this story. It is a fresh book. So different for me to read, I wish the museum existed! The characters would be friends of mine for sure!! Thank you!

[Margaret McCormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I read in bed and the light was going off later and later. I was shouting at the book for the main character to dump Dave. Don't do that very often. Every persons story was different. If you want a nice cosy book to read this is it.

[elaine davey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not think that this was,a book I would really enjoy, but I loved it. Such heart warming stories that were collected for the museum. Light reading and very enjoyable. Well worth a read

[Karen May]

Recommended by Anne Marie

[Dianne Haggerty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The concept is brilliant and the stories intertwine making it such a great book. Kept me reading till the end.
Think we all need a Little Museum of Hope in our own lives.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. There were lots of characters who I instantly liked and wanted to know their stories. An uplifting book which proves it’s never to late to get a second chance