Checking Inn

by Emily Harper

Kate Foster runs the Summerside Inn (and her life) by well-organized checklists.
Make sure the caterers don't serve devil's food cake to the Christian Women's Alliance- check.
Tell my mother that having a séance to get rid of any unwanted spirits in the kitchen during dinnertime is not okay- check.
Send a friendly reminder to all staff that the pens are colour coded for everyone's enjoyment, and therefore it is not a good idea to put them all in one jar in order to spice things up as was anonymously suggested- check.
But, when an acclaimed hotel critic dies at the Inn, just before she's about to publish a scathing review that would ruin the business, Kate's life and checklists are thrown into disarray. And it doesn't help matters that the detective assigned to the case is messy, unorganized, and too charming for his own good. Now Kate has to prove her innocence and save her Inn, or else the only thing that she'll be organizing is the prison's next bake sale.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit

246 pages, Paperback

First published December 18, 2013

About the author

Emily Harper has a passion for writing humorous romance stories where the heroine is not your typical damsel in distress. Throughout her novels you will find love, laughter, and the unexpected!

Originally from England, she currently lives in Canada with her husband, children and a very naughty dog.

Reviews

[Agi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read a summary of this book I had a feeling it could be a good one. And I wasn't wrong. I have enjoyed it thoroughly, from the beginning to the end. It is fun and fast read, not too ambitious perhaps and your enjoyment can depend on your tolerance to the chick - lit in its best. Because in my opinion it was this: chick - lit at its best.

I love characters like Kate, doing everything with the to - do lists and checks, maybe because they are so different to me. I wouldn't know a to - do list if it slapped me hard on my head, so yes, I am more detective Ben type. Grrrr...
Kate has OCD and sorts the pens according to their colour. Her business - cards must also be put in the same place and not a millimeter above. Everything has its place and everything is according to the lists done by Kate. She has put her heart into renovating an old inn and now only needs a brilliant review from her so - called friend Samantha. Samantha has bullied Kate at school but she is the only one who can help her now. But then Samantha is found murdered in her room in the inn...

The idea of the plot was so easy but it did work out. I didn't expect it to be very complicated one, with many investigations or detective puzzles, and I didn't actually want it to be like this. And I have got this what I so wanted: funny, easy, surprising book that made me smile.

Kate was brilliantly written. Her OCD was really great portrayed, and I really could feel her pain when she got into Ben's car. My, she was so tight and so perfect but also so warm, friendly and adorable, and I just couldn't help but like her so, so much.
Ben is a total opposite of Kate, he is messy and unorganized but he is also damn handsome and a great guy. Kate's boyfriend, on the other hand, was a typical Wrong Guy but Kate didn't see this of course. He has always let her down and promised to make it up for her, which he of course never did. He was as cold as Ben was warm, as unfriendly as Ben was nice, so adding two and two together Ben should be the Right Guy. Is Kate going to see this?

The other characters were also great fun. Kate's mom was hilarious, a total opposite of her daughter, wanting to help but more often causing more problems, Becky and Louisa were a dream - team, Kate's dog Maggie was a real sunshine. The situations in the book were great fun, some of them really unexpected, the writing was flowing, very easy to follow, with a great dose of sharp, witty humour - just what the doctor ordered!

Overall yes, the book was predictable but it absolutely didn't spoil the reading. I have really enjoyed this story. It is a great read when one feels in need of entertaining or feels low, or is between some serious read. And it is a compliment! And I have just downloaded Emily's first book, "White Lies", to my kindle.

I have received a copy of this book from author in exchange for a review.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also posted on This Chick Reads

Stop by our blog to enter the giveaway of a paperback copy of 'Checking Inn'. Open INTERNATIONALLY!

*Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*

And Emily Harper does it again! Once again she creates a fantastic page-turner with funny, brilliant characters.

I recently read Emily's debut 'White Lies' and totally loved it. I'm so glad Emily didn't disappoint me, and what's even better she created a totally different story from her debut, adding mystery elements. So, 'Checking Inn' is great mixture of chick lit and cozy mystery, with lots of lovable characters you'll root for.

The story is centered around Kate Foster, who runs the Summerside Inn with her hilarious mom. Now Kate and her mother can't be more different. While Kate lives her life according to to-do lists and is a proud owner of an OCD, her mum seems to never do the right thing (even the tiniest things Kate tells her to do). I absolutely loved their dialogues and their relationship. They had me laughing out loud on so many occasions.

Kate practically lives for her Inn, she's a workaholic and her dream is to make the Inn a fantastic plastic everyone will wan't to visit. And she's so close to fulfilling her dreams, till one day an acclaimed hotel critic arrives at the Inn and ends up dead. To make things worse, this acclaimed critic is no other than Samantha Manning, an evil bitch Kate has history with. Kate is terrified she'll be No.1 suspect once everyone finds out that she and Samantha didn't really get along (said mildly).

Things get even more serious when police steps in and Kate soon finds out she's never been in a more difficult situation. Jail, losing her Inn..everything seems possible. She needs to prove she's innocent as well as save her Inn, but boy, there will be lots of drama.

As I said, 'Checking Inn' is somewhat different to 'White Lies', there's more drama and action, and I loved the fast pacing. I loved Kate from the minute I was introduced to her. I'm not actually like her, but she's such a fun and funny person, you really can't help but love her. I admit, there were times when I thought she cares too much about her Inn instead of the fact that someone she knew died, but once you understand her relationship with Samantha you might even approve of her behavior. And OMG, I hated Samantha, she's way too arrogant and evil.

There's a bit of romance too, but it's not in the center of the story, and is rather gradually built. But that's what I like most about Emily's writing, she's so subtle, adding just about enough romance to make the story better.

Overall, this was yet another brilliant chick lit novel by Emily Harper. She's fast become one of my favorite chick lit authors and I can't wait to read something new by her. She really knows how to create uberfun, easy to read stories with characters that will make you lough out loud. I absolutely and wholeheartedly recommend both books by Emily Harper. Trust me, you're gonna love them.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The review is posted on Chick Library Cat Book Blog:

http://chicklibrarycat.blogspot.com/2...

Meet Kate Foster. She runs a small hotel and has to-do-list for everything. So, Kate has just started her small hotel, it's her life, she put her heart and soul in it. She needs a good review for it. And the only person who can help her is her childhood enemy, Samantha, who writes reviews for a very famous magazine. She arrives, gets the best room in the Inn and next morning is found-dead. Yes, dead. Strangled. So, who did it? Kate hates her, but not that much to kill her. And by the way, it's a bad publicity for the hotel. But, it seems that everyone in the town hated that woman. She wasn't just Kate's enemy. She was everyone's enemy. Kate doesn't want negative publicity and she joins the detective who works on the case. This duo made of totally opposite persons has to solve a murder.

After enjoying White Lies, I had to try the second book from the author. I must say that I loved this book little bit more . There was a mystery in it, which I enjoyed, and I loved Kate. She is so like me. Must be a Virgo in horoscope :). I also have to-do-list for everything. This MC is so unique, her "very bright" ideas made me laugh so many times . And her mother is the best supportive character ever. They are totally opposite characters, but their relationship is so strong. I enjoyed and giggled while reading their silly conversations in the bus on my way to work. They were both so easy to connect with. I loved them both.

Emily Harper not just didn't disappoint me, but pleasantly surprised me this time. I enjoyed this not-classical chick-lit novel aka cozy mystery and I so connected with the MC. Loved this book which was a real page-turner and can't wait to read the next one from this brilliant author.

My opinion: 4,5 / 5

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Checking Inn follows the story of Kate and her Summerside Inn. Kate is meticulous in the way she conducts her life and her habits stretch to her working environment too; everything has to be perfect. When a hotel critic, who Kate has history with, visits to write a review about the newly renovated inn, Kate becomes even more focussed on perfecting her inn. However, very soon, Kate is left panicking about the future of her business when the hotel critic is found dead in her bedroom.
An investigation ensues and as Kate and the leading detective on the case, Ben, try and work out who could have murdered the critic, it soon becomes clear that Kate’s life is about to irrevocably change.
Emily’s writing style is fresh and fun, turning this book into a bit of a tragicomedy. Whilst there is a dark side to this novel there were also many laughs to be had. I guess I could even go as far as to say, this is a little like a modern-day Christie novel. There was plenty of scheming and deceiving in this plot and I couldn’t have predicted where the novel ended up which is always a bonus; I often manage to predict where ‘murder’ plots will end up.
The characters were an interesting bunch. I found it hard to warm to Kate in the beginning: it seemed she cared less about someone being dead and more about making sure her inn wouldn’t be tainted by the incident. I slowly started to warm to her but I wouldn’t say I completely sympathised with her. Ben, the hunky detective, was a lovely addition to the plot: he was clever, gorgeous and had a very calming presence. Kate’s mother was a challenging character! She really grated on me but I think that was her purpose in the novel!
This book wasn’t particularly long which made for a nice quick read. The pace was superb throughout and I found it hard to put down. There were some lovely twists and turns and shocking revelations that were made throughout that kept me hooked.
I guess I would have liked it to have a been a little longer so we could have seen a little bit more about what happened after the murder was solved, I felt like we were cheated at bit at the end…I wanted more!
After reading Checking Inn I am certainly going to keep my eye out for any future books from Emily!
A tragicomic novel about lies, deception and colour-coded pens.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Checking Inn by Emily Harper, neurotic Kate runs the Summerside Inn. Obsessively using checklists on her much-loved clipboards, she organizes just about everything in her life. Being the perfectionist that she is, you can only imagine how she reacts when a renowned hotel critic, the person who made her high school experience a living hell, ends up being killed at the inn. Kate must deal with her unpredictable mother, trying to save the inn she has always cherished, and the unorganized and messy detective handling the case who she can’t seem to take her eyes off of in this fun, entertaining chick-lit book.

Checking Inn was undoubtedly laugh-out-loud funny and completely enjoyable. I was absolutely hooked from the very first page. Emily Harper does a fantastic job of creating this quirky character who you can’t help but laugh at and root for all at the same time. Plus, not many authors can successfully create such an amusing story centered around a murder, which was very impressive. The supporting characters were so likable and hilarious that they perfectly complemented the eccentric Kate. Throw in the handsome, disorderly detective, and you have the ideal cast. Incredibly well-written with a great writing style and filled with humorous moments, this book is a must-read for any chick-lit fan and for anyone who wants a fun, light read that is sure to make you laugh. I was just sad to see it end. I will most definitely be checking out the rest of Emily Harper’s books. I’m a fan!

Reviewed by ME for Readers' Favorite

[BestChickLit.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Emily Harper’s writing style after reading her first novel, White Lies, last year. I felt pretty confident I was going to feel the same about Checking Inn so I actually used the book to get myself out of a slump after I felt I lost my reading mojo.

It definitely worked and I finished the book within a couple of hours. Kate is just adorable with her obsessive thoughts and behaviour, and, as someone who loves lists and routines myself, I related to her need for organisation. Ben, the detective, is the yin to her yang, smouldering in the background and indulging Kate in her plan to protect the Inn. It’s an odd coupling but it really works and I found myself crossing my fingers for the outcome.

Although the main event of the book is serious, the humour shines through and successfully gives the read a light-hearted chick lit feel. I snorted with laughter a few times, got through the book far too quickly and totally enjoyed my most recent stay with Emily Harper!

Reviewed by Charlotte Foreman on behalf of BestChickLit.com

[Emily Ferko · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had to describe Checking Inn in one word, I could do so easily. Delightful. This book is absolutely delightful. Get ready to laugh with main character Kate Foster as she stumbles across a murder...in her own Inn! With a hilarious cast of characters in tow, Kate must juggle all the people in her life while trying to keep the murder a secret from many of them. Her mother is stuck in the hippie dippie sixties; the head of housekeeping at her Inn pretends she can't speak English; her best friend convinces her to try a bikini wax with disastrous results. And then there's Ben, the detective working to solve the murder. He's adorably....disheveled...and drives her crazy. Read the novel and find out if Kate can help solve the murder and keep her Inn alive - and if she can find true love and laughter along the way!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It’s quirkiness, well thought-out endearing characters and the backdrop of an Inn drew me in straight away. I really enjoyed Emily’s humorous and easy-flowing writing style. There is something about her writing that gives the storyline such a fresh and exciting expression.

Every character has something so special and unique about them. Kate (the Inn owner) is just lovely! With a lot of books, I usually know where the storyline would take me, but not with this one. It all seems to incredibly innocent until Samantha dies/is murdered.

I don’t often think about films when reading a book, but with Checking Inn, different films just sprung to my mind. For me, it’s a modern spin on Fawlty Towers with a hint of Gilmore Girls and plenty of Miss Marple = an atmospheric, intriguing tale with some amusing elements.

[Maggie Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story. I really love lighthearted, engaging reads. I would have given the book five stars, but in my copy, there were some strange layout issues and some interesting editorial choices.

GREAT read. 9/10, will read again.

[Lynda May · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to live in this town and stay at the inn and meet the detective and what! It's not real? No it can't be! Waaaaaah! Great book! Fun, fresh and delightfully delicious!

[Simone Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out my review:

http://makemydaybooks.blogspot.co.uk/...

[Sarah W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. The mom made me laugh so much! I look for books that entertain me (like when I watch movies). I don't want anything heavy just something fun. This was a lot of fun.

[Sarah W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, really funny. Light hearted, kept me entertained. Will read the authors other books for sure. Really liked the main characters obsession with clipboards :).

[Nicci]

Rating and Review to be revealed as part of our blog tour stop!

25th Feb 2014!

[Melyssa Canonico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good and really funny. Wish the relationship was more pronounced.

[Gillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is far too short. The story was over before it started. Hard to believe that Ben and Kate just suddenly fell in love having spent what seemed like five minutes together in each other's company. The mystery element is ridiculous. Not really worth the money sadly.

[Kim Adkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining. Light bedtime reading.

[IslandRiverScribe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kate Foster, along with her mother, owns the Summerside Inn, a restored historic mansion in a small coastal town near New York City. Kate is also an obsessive personality, checklists attached to a clipboard serving as the bastion between her and mental chaos. She is also a severe asthmatic whose attacks are triggered psychologically.

The story opens the day after the disastrous arrival at the Inn by Samantha Manning, a noted accommodations and services critic from NYC. Samantha had grown up in Summerside, had gone to school with Kate, and had bullied Kate verbally and maliciously all those years. That maliciousness was put on display for all to see at dinner the previous evening. Now, on the morning that our book opens, a maid finds Samantha dead in her room, strangled.

And at this point, the author flips a switch and turns a perfectly good premise for a cozy romantic suspense into a ludicrous mess. She wrote the 911 call and the actions of the operator in a manner that would be totally unbelievable and unacceptable for even a backwoods boonie location, let alone a resort suburb of New York. And she mauled the police procedures badly throughout the book, including the most basic issues of when a warrant is necessary for search of a victim’s premises.

But the murder mystery part is not the only plot thread Harper mauls. The author’s initial portrayal of Kate Foster is light-hearted and humorous. It did not take too many pages to realize, through Kate’s internal monologues, that she is not light-hearted or humorous at all. For a person with enough education and intelligence to own, restore and run a large full-service inn, she is remarkably fearful and naïve. As I continued to read her thoughts and actions, my assessment of her character, OCD or not, changed from thinking her naïve, shallow and vapid to thinking her annoying, then to thinking of her as just being pathetic. She does have a few redeemable moments, mostly towards the end when she confronts the murderer and then the detective. However, those moments are too few to save the overall impression.

Adding to the poor research of police procedures and to the poor characterization of the main protagonist is poor editing. There are significant punctuation errors, including the frequent and incredibly annoying use of a period and double space after the salutation “Miss.” There are word transpositions and undeleted corrections. But the most glaring error in word usage was the substitution of the word “odometer” for “speedometer” when the detective is clearly checking to see how fast Kate is driving. Either the author does not drive a car or, considering the other editing errors, she has need of a different beta reading team.

When I started this novel, I was looking for a light romantic suspense to buffer the mental turmoil of having just finished, one after another, three rather intense mainstream murder thrillers. Unfortunately, I did not find what I was looking for here.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Checking Inn’ is an easy read and I finished reading this novel in no time. The story isn’t very deep, but it was nice to read. If you’re in the mood for a light read, one where you don’t have to think too much, this book is perfect.

I love it when characters have their little quirks, like Kate and her endless checklists. That is something I can relate to, as I can be quite a control freak myself sometimes. I can imagine her shock when she hears that the hotel critic is dead and the police comes marching in to mess with her planning and check listst for that day. From that point things seem to go downhill for the inn and for Kate. Or maybe not, because the detective seems to be on Kate’s side. And he is cute! Not that Kate is searching for a man. She’s with Greg the Great after all.

What I liked most was the fact that this is not just the average chick lit, but there are some murder mystery parts that make the story more exciting. The mother-daughter relationship between Kate and her mother feels realistic as well. Even though they run the inn together, they are so different. Yet both women try to take care of each other in a way only mothers and daughters can. The relationship between two women can be so complicated. Still mothers are often right, which can be quite annoying.

Over all this was a really enjoyable story.

This review was also posted on my blog: http://onemorerox.com/checking-inn-em...

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really cute, fun read. Kate is a wonderful heroine - a tad obsessive, a little naive, but warmhearted and surprisingly gutsy. An interesting mix of supporting characters provide a nice balance of mystery, romance, and humour. I will admit that I never suspected the character "who done it", so that was a nice surprise.

This book was a fairly quick read but it held my interest throughout and I enjoyed it immensely. Looking forward to reading more books by this author.

[Jill B]

Checking Inn

Although this book was a different style than Emily's, White Lies, laugh out loud, funny book, I enjoyed it just as much. I recognized a clue along the way, but couldn't piece it together. Very surprising and enjoyable mystery. Looking forward to reading her next book.

[Arin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a mother light and adorable read by Emily Harper. It was cute and quick and the protagonists made such a cute couple, playing off each other's strengths and weaknesses. I only wish there was more time spent between the two of them for build up!