Girl from the Red Rose Motel

by Susan Beckham Zurenda

"Impoverished high school junior Hazel Smalls and privileged senior Sterling Lovell would never ordinarily meet. But when both are punished with in-school suspension, Sterling finds himself drawn to the gorgeous, studious girl seated nearby, and an unlikely relationship begins. Set in 2012 South Carolina, the novel interlaces the stories of Hazel, living with her homeless family in the rundown Red Rose Motel; Sterling, yearning to break free from his wealthy parents' expectations; and recently widowed Angela Wilmore, their stern but compassionate English teacher. Hazel hides her homelessness from Sterling until he discovers her cleaning the motel's office when he goes with his slumlord father to unfreeze the motel's pipes one morning. With her secret revealed, their relationship deepens. Angela-who has her own struggles in a budding romance with the divorced principal-offers Hazel the support her family can't provide. Navigating between privilege and poverty, vulnerability and strength, all three must confront what they need from themselves and each other as Hazel gains the courage to oppose boundaries and make a bold, life-changing decision at novel's end. Gripping and richly drawn, The Girl from the Red Rose Motel explores the complex bonds between adults and teenagers and the power of the families we both inherit and create. Inspired by the author's experiences teaching in a South Carolina high school, the novel is also an unflinching, authentic look at the challenges faced by America's public school teachers and the struggles of the thousands of homeless children in motels who live, precariously and almost invisibly, amid the nation's most affluent communities"--

Genres: Book Club, Fiction

291 pages, Hardcover

Published September 5, 2023

About the author

After teaching literature, composition, and creative writing to thousands of high school and college students for 33 years, Susan Beckham Zurenda turned her attention to putting a novel in her heart on paper, the genesis of which was a short story that won the South Carolina Fiction Prize a number of years ago. Her debut novel, Bells for Eli (Mercer University Press, March 2020; paperback edition March 2021), was the first place winner for Best First Book—Fiction in the 2021 IPPY (Independent Publisher Book Awards), a Foreword Indie Book Award finalist, a Winter 2020 Okra Pick by the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance, a 2020 Notable Indie on Shelf Unbound, a 2020 finalist for American Book Fest Best Book Awards, and was nominated for a 2021 Pushcart Prize. Zurenda has won numerous regional awards for short fiction as the South Carolina Fiction Prize (twice), the Porter Fleming Competition, The Southern Writers Symposium Emerging Writers Fiction Contest, The Hub City Hardegree Contest in Fiction, Alabama Conclave First Novel Chapter Contest, The Jubilee Writing Competition, and has been published in numerous literary journals. Her second novel, The Girl From the Red Rose Motel (Mercer University Press, September 2023), was the recipient of the 2024 Patricia Winn Award in Southern Fiction, Gold Medal winner in the 2024 IPPY Awards for Southeast Fiction, a 2024 Pushcart Prize nominee, a Shelf Unbound 2023 Notable 100 books, and a finalist in the American Book Fest Awards. The author lives in Spartanburg, SC. Learn more at susanzurenda.com.

Reviews

[Annissa Joy Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE GIRL FROM THE RED ROSE HOTEL
SUSAN BECKHAM ZURENDA
Pub Date: Sept 5, 2023

I was delighted to get my hands on this book as I really enjoyed the debut by Susan…BELLS FOR ELI.

THE GIRL FROM THE RED ROSE HOTEL is told by 3 main characters…Hazel(Zell), Sterling, and Ms. Wilmore. Zell and Sterling are both HS students and Ms. Wilmore is their English teacher.

Zell and Sterling meet in after school detention…Zell is in detention from her ROTC instructor and Sterling is there because of acting out in English class. Sterling talks to Zell and a friendship is formed.

Zell lives in a run down hotel with her parents and sister. Sterling comes from a very wealthy family and his father actually owns the hotel where Zell is forced to live because her father lost his job. Zell tries hard to keep her living arrangements from Sterling.

Their relationship heats up and Zell suffers several family problems and Ms Wilmore become more involved in her life.

I highly recommend this book. It is beautifully written and I was very invested in the characters from the beginning. A story of friendship, love, determination and so much more!!!

[Deemcgdiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girl From the Red Rose Motel tells a compelling
story of struggle, disparity and resilience mostly through the life of 17 year old Hazel. The bond she forms with Sterling, the “golden boy” from the right side of the tracks has many layers and explores the dynamic from both character’s perspective. This book leaves you thinking and with mixed emotions for many reasons.

[Reca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a must read for everyone who thinks the way out of poverty is as simple as pulling oneself up by their bootstraps. Hazel's story of poverty shows how easy it is for problems to compound and make getting out of poverty damn near impossible. Sterling had way more maturity than he shows in the early chapters as a rich boy. The other perspective of this book is from an English teacher who has a big heart for all her students and I love how she fought for what was right all along. Is this an easy book to read? No. Can you learn a lot from this book? Yes.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It ended before the story did!

[Barry Martin Vass · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Author Susan Beckham Zurenda is writing about the corrosive effect poverty has on education and opportunity, so by extension this isn't a walk in the park. Hazel Smalls is seventeen, shy, biracial, and currently living with her entire family in room 103 of the Red Rose Motel in Ramsey, South Carolina. Her father, a truck driver, lost his job a year ago over a DUI and now spends his days drinking beer in front of the room television set. Her mother works at a local nursing home. Hazel spends her days in school and watching out for her younger sister, Chloe, and cleaning rooms at the motel to make ends meet. To say it's a bleak existence is putting it mildly. There are three viewpoints in this novel: Hazel is one, but Author Zurenda bolsters that POV with Sterling Lovell, a rich, privileged senior who eventually begins dating Hazel, and Angela Wilmore, a recently widowed AP English teacher who interacts with both students and takes an interest in them as their relationship develops. The Girl from the Red Rose Motel is an emotionally complex novel that will keep you involved to the very end, mainly wondering how these people navigate the many problems in their life with such minimal resources.

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is told in 3 points of view: a privileged high school senior boy (Sterling), a high school junior girl whose family lives below the poverty line (Hazel), and their high school English teacher (Angela). It is a drama about relationships. It also clearly shares the differences in how the poverty level is impactful in the daily life of kids.

The read is set in the upstate of South Carolina. As a former teacher in a small town in the midlands of South Carolina, I feel the book is an accurate portrait of the educational system. I taught 8th grade English and there are plenty of real stories I could tell that validate this fictional one.

The book not only tells about the relationship between Sterling and Hazel it also has Angela making difficult relationship decisions.

I absolutely loved this read. I thought the details as well as each plot line and character were written perfectly.

This book would be excellent in a book club discussion.

[Lisa Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart went out to Sterling and especially Hazel in this story as they had good hearts, but they had so many challenges due to economic differences and the perception of others and their expectations. There was a lot of growth in those two characters as their teacher Angela took them under her wing and struggled to help them. I enjoyed reading the story from the viewpoints of all three of them and I thought it was well-written.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Christy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tugged hard at my heartstrings. Hazel (Zell) was a wonderful character. If ever someone deserved a break it was Zell. My heart broke for her time and time again. Sterling was a fantastic character as well. He had everything going for him but he had learned early on how terrible it was to be teased and bullied. Sterling and Hazel were worlds apart in many ways but both had such kind hearts and I really enjoyed their story. This book shed light on how tough things can be for families living in poverty and barely getting by. Thank goodness for amazing and compassionate teachers like Ms. Whitmore.

[Linda Burrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucky enough to read an ARC!

Throughly engaging story of teens navigating life and the teacher who understands them. When rich and privileged Sterling falls for Hazel, living in poverty in The Red Rose Motel, their lives intertwine in unexpected ways. It was fun to follow the growth of their characters. Susan, an experienced teacher, includes many details about school life and teen angst that add to the story.

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

TITLE: THE GIRL FROM THE RED ROSE MOTEL
AUTHOR: Susan Beckham Zurenda
PUB DATE: 09.05.2023 Now Available

The Girl from the Red Rose Motel is a deftly written story set in 2012 South Carolina about a recently widowed English teacher, Angela Wilmore, and high schoolers from different worlds, Hazel Small who is homeless and lives in a run down motel and Sterling Lovell, whose life is one of privilege and wealth.

I thought the writing was gripping that really captured how love triumphs over social differences, how a teacher who goes above and beyond, and how highlighting important social issues such as homelessness, opens our eyes to the very real challenges. I found this emotional read insightful, eye opening, and completely heartfelt. I really enjoyed my time with these characters.

[Ellen Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming annual writers conference in Clarksville soon, so I wanted to read her latest novel. As a former English teacher, she captured the high school environment and drama very well. Her characters dealt with the highs and lows of teenage life and its challenges; especially the cultural chasm between the haves and have nots that persists all through life, even after high school. Having a friend who became pregnant in HS made this even more relatable and I appreciated the author’s careful consideration of Zell’s options. Looking forward to meeting Susan Zurenda and hearing more about her writing life.

[Colleen Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It’s a touching story and a quick read because you’ll get invested in the story. Highly recommend! My only hope is for a second book!

[Cozette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new to me (NTM) author, but will be reading more from her...hopefully a sequel to this one!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Beckham Zurenda’s sophomore effort is The Girl from the Red Rose Motel, and it does not disappoint! I stayed up until 2 a.m. to finish the book as I was so compelled to see how it ended, which was definitely a twist in what readers like me might anticipate would happen.

The story revolves around three characters: teacher Angela Wilmore, and students Hazel Smalls and Sterling Lovell. Ms. Wilmore is a highly experienced teacher who came to Ramsey High School because it offered her a chance to develop her classroom materials and lessons in a way she saw fit—unlike many schools now that expect teachers to be drilling and killing, having students bubbling instead of thinking. She has a great background in teaching, and her AP English class is a rewarding class to teach, with the exception of smart-aleck boys like Sterling. She stands her ground when a hypocritical parent opposes a Margaret Atwood reading that was assigned. Her principal is a little slow on supporting her but comes to an agreement that she will never have to meet that parent again.

Hazel, dubbed Zell by Sterling after they meet in in-school suspension, comes from poverty as evidenced by her family “living” in a motel room after her father’s driving under the influence charge caused his loss of a job. Zell’s mother works as an LPN in a nursing home but her salary barely meets their needs. Readers meet Hazel who would rather be assigned in-school suspension than to admit she’s out of her ROTC uniform because she does not have the money to have her jacket dry cleaned.

Sterling falls for Hazel because she’s attractive but he shows the most growth in this novel as he comes to realize how the other half lives. He wound up in ISS because Ms. Wilmore tired of his class disruptions. He goes from being attracted to Zell’s beauty to appreciating the teen for the person she is. He admires her strength as she battles one challenge after another in her family: a death, another job loss, and an arrest.

Teachers will especially appreciate a book like this as the students are characters that are well drawn based on the author’s experience with teaching teens, and the author shines light on the many hurdles teachers must jump over instead of just focusing on teaching. Zurenda also brings attention to the trials students face as they try to fit into a class structure that allows little room for them. As a retired teacher, I feel so validated by the experiences shared in this novel—it wasn’t just me trying to teach with my hands tied and disciplining students who would not be disciplined. I can also relate to the warm connections made between teachers and certain students who just need a little help and understanding.

Just like Bells for Eli, Zurenda’s debut novel, this book started as a short story, this one titled “In-School Suspension.” I was delighted with Bells for Eli, and I highly recommend it as a “good read” as well. Zurenda sets both books in the South where she lives. I look forward to her next books, and I hope she shares more stories using her background of 33 years of teaching literature, composition, and creative writing to high school and college students.

[Mari Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love books that I can devour in one sitting...there is just something about reading one start to finish, and the fact that I'm writing this review at almost 3 AM means I truly could not put it down!

First and foremost, I had the pleasure of meeting the author at a local Literary Fair about 5 weeks ago. It was my first foray into that kind of environment, and I loved meeting so many wonderful authors, hearing about their stories, getting fun pics and buying copies that were personally autographed.

The title of this book alone was so intriguing, and the basic premise, though one often explored, had a lot of depth to it. It's your wealthy boy meets poor girl (think Pretty in Pink or along those lines). But we see so much positive changes in Sterling, mainly because of his realization in meeting Hazel (Zell) that we all live in different circumstances. And just because of our upbringing, we are still all responsible for our own choices.

It covers teen romance, taboo romance, entitled teenaged girls (think Mean Girls), poor decisions and their consequences, difficult decisions, and so much more. It also gets into the nitty gritty of the bureaucracy in both the public school system and the foster care system. The subject matter of censorship in books is so important…especially because still, even in today's day and age, so many books are being banned...and most are given so much more appeal because of that! Doesn't everyone wish they had an English teacher like Angela?!? And with Susan (the author) being an educator of appx 7000 high school students in her lifetime, I have a feeling that she was an excellent teacher, with much compassion.

Some of my favorite parts/passages:

The reference to books throughout the story - the controversy over Happy Endings by Margaret Atwood (now I want to read it), the comparison of Zell to Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz; "Zell's ruby red slippers were her natural beauty and brains - but with so much against her, she didn't know how to click her heels"; the parallels of Rachel in The Girl Who Fell From the Sky to Hazel's life "most importantly, identity"; and then the exploration of how attributes of Frankie from Member of the Wedding are similar to Hazel’s; how they "both struggled to feel at ease in their own skin." And the line from the Frost poem - "So dawn goes down to day / Nothing gold can stay" - brought me right back to reading The Outsiders...Stay Gold Pony Boy!

I also loved the childhood memories it invoked - ziploc baggies with rubber bands to keep feet warm in the snow. It reminded me of “teaching" my dolls and stuffed animals at an early age with dreams of being a teacher, though I never did pursue that career, even with a degree in Early Childhood Education.

Last, but not least, was the "introduction" page that shares the quote "...come what sorrow can, It cannot countervail the exchange of joy..." from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. My 35-year-old nephew was killed in a car accident about 6 weeks ago and I had the honors of reading the poem "On Joy and Sorrow" by Khalil Gibran at his Celebration of Life Service...so that quote was an immediate gut punch, and I knew I had chosen the "right" book for my next read.

I can promise you that I will be reading Bells for Eli, Susan's debut novel.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

High school students Hazel Smalls and Sterling Lovell are punished with in-school suspension and develop an unexpected relationship during their time together. It’s hard to believe because they are opposites: he comes from a long line of rich property owners and she is homeless, living in the abandoned Red Rose Motel.

Hazel hides her homelessness from Sterling until he discovers her cleaning the motel’s office one morning when he goes with his slumlord father to unfreeze the motel’s pipes. With her secret revealed, their relationship deepens. In the midst of all this, their teacher Angela Wilmore offers support to both of them and becomes an integral part of their story.

Navigating between privilege and poverty, vulnerability and strength, they must confront what they need from themselves and each other as Hazel gains the courage to oppose boundaries and make a bold, life-changing decision at novel’s end.

I thought this was a really touching book that took a hard look at a problem so often ignored - poverty. The way the author crafted the characters and brought nuance to their situations made for a beautifully realistic depiction. I loved it…heartbreaking ending and all!

[Jane Dennish · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked about this book is that it shows how much pressure society and parents put on teachers in this current world. There are parents out there who freak out over literature that can corrupt their child and forget about the real world their child is living in. It also explores how children manipulate their parents without them even being aware of it. I also like that it explores the healthy and successful relationships that teachers can have with their students so that their students become successful adults.

Thank you to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy of this book!

[Sarah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the multiple POV and how it explored a lot of different social relationships like teacher/student, privileged/poverty, and parent/child to name a few. They were all connected in one way or another. I thought Sterling’s behavior change rather quickly after meeting Hazel, but I enjoyed seeing the change. While Sterling and Hazel had different troubles, they were able to find some common ground that helped them connect. I loved Angela’s POV. She reminded me of my teachers who were always there to talk when I needed. I can’t say I agree with the way Hazel handled certain news, but I think that was the point. This book really showed how different people act when their prospects are different than their peers. There were some twists that I did not see coming and I thought it was all written well.

Thank you @susanbeckhamzurenda and @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! It was a book I could not wait to come back to each night to read. I became vested in the characters and could imagine all the settings in my own community. The characters made me think about my own opinions, thoughts and actions. I found myself rooting for the impoverished young teen, and I remembered special teachers in my life that made such a difference. I was so sorry for the book to end as I grew to love several of the characters.

[Stacy Hawks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read Bells for Eli I could not wait to read Susan's latest, The Girl from the Red Rose Motel. It was a true page-turner and a book I simply could not put down. The storyline and characters are very vivid, and real, and the topics are timely. As a former educator, we never know what socio-economic status some of the students sitting in classrooms face. Susan captured all of this and more through each of the eyes of her characters. The love story between them was also beautifully interwoven and unforgettable. I highly recommend Susan's books & look forward to ones by her in the future.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I borrowed did not have Chapter 37. I had mto find out what happened. Emailed Susan Zurenda and within 10 minutes I had the chapter. Highly recommend this book.

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story, loved the characters, loved the writing.

[Anne Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is one of those books that you do not want to end because you feel invested in the characters! Even after finishing the book, I find myself thinking about Sterling and Hazel, and hoping each has a happy life.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poverty versus wealth. This story covers both of these sides of life very well. It is a touching story of impoverished lives while also introducing us to people that are living privileged lives. Will love prevail?

[Regla M. Monkan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. I would love to see a sequel to find out what happens to Zell and Sterling after they're done with college and hopefully back in their hometown. Please consider writing it!

[Pam Zysk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book but I must bring up something that bothered me. A Certified Nursing Assistant would not have access to narcotic medication. That is not in their scope of practice.

[Melinda Deakins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Sterling, Hazel and Ms. W will stay with me for a long time. I feel like I know them all personally after reading this beautifully written novel.

[audrey oaks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just read a fabulous book with a school setting that gave me all the drama that comes with high school. In 2012 South Carolina, Angela Whitmore is a recently widowed English teacher who leaves her position as a college professor to teach at Ramsey HS. It's a fresh start for her. As she gets to know her students, she notices a relationship developing between an unlikely pair.
Hazel Smalls lives in a motel and cleans rooms to help her family pay expenses. Sterling Lovell's family owns that hotel-The Red Rose Motel.
When rambunctious Sterling and quiet, compliant
Hazel meet in ISS one day- it's an instant attraction. You don't have to be an English teacher to see these lovers are star-crossed!
enjoyed this book from the first chapter. The dialogue is believable and the characters are multi-dimensional. I identified with Angela as the teacher but also with Hazel in some ways. I really hope there is a second book that tells us what happens next!
This book publishes 9/5/23.

[Carol Webster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Went back and forth on giving this 5 stars. Really enjoyed the story ands the characters.

[Angela (Kentuckybooklover) Brocato-Skaggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t think I would have ever came across this book if not for Susan M. Boyer’s Facebook group, The Lowcountry Book Club. This was January’s read.

I enjoyed the coming of age story of Hazel (Zelle) in 2012 South Carolina. A young girl living in a motel with her family due to hardship. She falls in love with the motel owner’s son. Both have an English teacher at the high school that befriends them and becomes a very important part of their lives.

My biggest issue was I did not like the ending. It made me feel very letdown. I wanted more of a resolution.

I was only able to get my hands on the audiobook through my library using the Hoopla app. I may have missed something in the ending and will go back and listen to the last chapter again. The narration was interesting. All three points of view had their own narrator which made the book come alive.