The Juniper Hotel

Juniper Falls #1

by A.T. Butler

New beginnings aren’t easy—but in Juniper Falls, they just might be worth the risk.

Wyoming Territory, 1882: The rugged ranching town of Juniper Falls holds both promises and surprises for those willing to brave its untamed landscape. Charlotte McBride, alongside her husband and daughter Matilda, arrives with dreams of running the town’s inn, only to find it reduced to ashes. With their future in jeopardy, the McBrides are taken in by Edith Bennett, the strong-willed owner of the local boarding house—despite the fact they’re set to be her competition.

As the inn is rebuilt, Matilda yearns for adventure before returning to her city life back East. But with every new friendship she forges, the wild frontier begins to feel more like home. Meanwhile, schoolteacher Lillian Frye faces a choice between her love for teaching and the pressures from her husband to leave it all behind.

In this heartwarming tale of resilience, friendship, and self-discovery, four women learn that sometimes the hardest journeys lead to the places—and people—you were always meant to find.

Will these women find the courage to embrace the fresh starts life has handed them—and the love they deserve?

In this new historical women’s fiction series from author A.T. Butler, families start anew and communities come together. Perfect for fans of wholesome, feel-good stories with a frontier twist, The Juniper Hotel is the first novel in a series that will leave you eager to return to this close-knit community. Start this heart-warming journey today!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Friendship

294 pages, Paperback

Published August 28, 2025

Reviews

[Dale Harcombe]

The book starts in 1882. The place is Juniper Falls, Wyoming Territory. Charlotte McBride, her husband Henry and their daughter Mattie arrive with great plans. But when arrive they find the hotel has been ravaged by a fire, which means they have no home and no business. Worse still, over time it appears the fire may have been arson. The sherrif is investigating,
Edith Bennet owner of the boarding house takes pity on the McBride family even though they are her competition , or will be once they get the hotel up and running.
As the hotel is being rebuilt, Mattie misses her fiancé back in Philadelphia, but she yearns also for an adventure while in Juniper Falls. Unlike her mother, Mattie is a very social person, she loves people and they usually gravitate towards her.
There is also the story of Lillian. Lillian loves teaching and can’t wait for school to resume after the holiday break, but her husband Ned wants her to quit teaching and just care for him and the home. This presents as a real issue.
This is a charming book about family, friendship, a small community banding together and helping each other. Please do not equate the amount of timid it took me to read this book as a problem with the book. The problem was me, with too much change going on in my life and a mind that not refused to settle to read. It is a very readable book.with well drawn characters and great setting.
My one quibble was that it wrapped up a bit abruptly. Despite that it is a recommended, feel good read, and a good start to what could be a great series. Looking forward to getting book 2.

[Carol Stefanik]

This is a feel good story. Everything is nice. Everyone is nice. Yes, there is a bad guy but he isn't much of a bad guy and the sheriff isn't really that much of a sheriff but that isn't what the story is about anyway. If this is your kind of story, there are other connected stories to go with it and sequels to come.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Donna]

another GREAT one from AT Butler. Am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. Thank you for many hours of enjoyable reading.

[Jane Everett]

Fast read..light and lively plot..characters are easy to know and love..looking forward to book #2

[Amy]

Short and cute read!

[Cyndi Aldrich]

Great beginning!!!

Great beginning to a new series! Can't wait for the next book, to get the rest of the stories of the characters introduced in this book!

[Dean McIntyre]

THE JUNIPER HOTEL by A.T. Butler -- The Goodreads promo for this work looked promising and it was classified as Historical Fiction (set in 1882), so I selected it to read. At the risk of being accused of male chauvinism, I'd say it is more accurately classified as Women's Fiction. All the main characters are women and most of the plot and action involve women coping with challenges as they also seek to help others in need. And everyone is so nice....so sweet.....so helpful. All that being true, I certainly enjoyed reading it. The McBride family decides to move from Philadelphia to the rural but growing town of Juniper Falls in the Wyoming Territory. They have purchased a hotel and expect to take it over upon arrival and become part of the community. Unfortunately, upon arrival, they find the hotel has been destroyed by fire (one subplot is the indication it may have been arson with a new young sheriff investigating). Edith Bennet runs a boarding house in town and befriends the McBrides by offering them room and board while they rebuild the hotel. Mattie McBride, the daughter who arrives with her family, pines for her fiancé still in Philadelphia, planning to marry her and take her back home. Mattie is eager to get on with the rebuilding and make new friends. Another subplot involves Lillian Frye and her husband. She is the rare married woman who teaches school, but whose husband wants her to quit, stay home, and take care of him and raise a family. The Bennets struggle to rebuild the hotel, the sheriff follows the arson lead, and the women gather in a sewing circle, plan a Christmas fundraiser to help the school, and deal with a formidable and domineering woman in the town who happens to be the local pastor's wife. All in all, lots of good characters, well-developed; interesting plot; and a charming story of family, friendship, and community. This is the first volume of a series and I'll watch for the second volume to follow it up.

[Kymm]

I loved this story, and the characters are so great I can't wait to follow them along throughout this new series. Charlotte McBride along with her husband and teenage daughter Matilda (Mattie) arrive in Juniper Falls in the Wyoming territory in the 1880's to start fresh at the inn they recently bought but what they find when they arrive devastates them. The inn has been burned to the ground and the rumor is it was arson. Now the McBride's find themselves without any place to stay in a town that is brand new to them. When I saw they had their teenage daughter with them I assumed she'd be angry and unhelpful about their move and fresh start, but Mattie was all in on their new move and was so helpful to her mom especially in their transition from city people to small town family. Some of the best stories about their transition involve outspoken Mattie and it was such a different storyline than I usually see when there's a family move and a teenager involved. It was refreshing. The best thing about this book is it's the first in a new series and I'll get to follow it along. I love starting new series' especially when they're as good as this one was. I can't wait to see how the McBride's get along with their new hotel and friendships in this seemingly close-knit community.

[Debra]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A family moves from civilized Philadelphia to a frontier town. They had high hopes of starting over with a new livelihood and venture, but there was a devastating surprise waiting for them upon arrival.

The characters were interesting and drew me into the story to find out if they would survive and make connections in the frontier town (adjust or go back home). The ending wrapped up some things but left others open for future novels. I would definitely read more by this author and in this series.

[Janis Daly]

Juniper Hotel is a heartwarming read that feels like wrapping yourself in a cozy quilt on a quiet afternoon. Set against a charming historical backdrop that evokes the simple comforts of Little House on the Prairie, the novel offers an engaging escape from the bustle of everyday life. With its likeable characters, gentle storytelling, and uplifting tone, it's the kind of book that can easily be devoured in a single day – I did. A pleasant diversion filled with warmth, hope, and small-town charm, Juniper Hotel is perfect for readers seeking a comforting historical fiction read. 

[Nancy H]

I loved this first book in the Juniper Falls series. If you're a fan of Anne of Green Gables, you'll enjoy this book too. You'll fall in love with young Mattie and her adventurous spirit and look forward to seeing how she and her parents, and the other families of Juniper Falls handle the ups and downs of frontier life. It's a refreshingly clean, wholesome book for all ages to explore. I'm excited to continue through the series to see where life takes the folks in this frontier town.

[Deb]

I won this book on a goodreads giveaway. It was a great look back on america's history and the struggles they endured developing the west.

[Patricia Smith]

WONDERFUL read

The characters were true to life and the storyline was consistent and believable. A very heartwarming story to relax your mind.

[Alison Young]

All about nothing

Poor use of English, vocab and spelling. Predictable story , just like quality all round. Not even a holiday read.

[Kathy]

A real sleeper. Totally slow and boring.

Slow and uninteresting. Sorry I gave my time to read it. Do not waist your time. I thought it would get better but it never did.

[WeeBee]

Slow and predictable. I was hoping for some surprise or it to pick up.

[Bookworm]

An admiringly thoughtful story of compassionate companionship, supportive camaraderie, and accepting friendship in all kinds of situations of day-to-day life!

[Lynnette]

I've enjoyed getting to know this author and this town of Juniper Falls and look forward to more from this author. From what I can find this is a pen name for an undisclosed author.

[Jana]

An interesting read and perspective on frontier life. One doesn’t realizes the arduous job of starting a business that has burned back in the early settling of America.

[Melba]

A beautiful read! I am looking forward to the rest to this series. Wel written, with likeable & believable characters - with some bad guys thrown in the mix.

[Manikya Kodithuwakku]

Great plotline albeit a bit utopian. This is a feel-good novel told from several PoVs, but these multiple perspectives also makes for a few clunky transitions. A better edit might have smoothened out some awkward/verbose areas.

This novel is more plot-driven than character-driven, and for that reason alone I would likely read a sequel, despite the 3* rating!

Thank you to the author and Book Sirens for the ARC!

[Becky Durstenfeld]

I really enjoyed this story. I liked getting to know the characters. There was a little bit of drama. It was a heartwarming story of new beginnings and a welcoming small town. We are just left with wondering why the hotel was burned. I would like to read more stories by this author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jeaneen Kidwell]

This was my first read by A.T.Butler, but it won’t be my last! Butler really has a way of using words to paint a story that makes the reader feel like they are a part of it. This is the first book in a new series and I can’t wait to read the rest.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Book Sirens. I am voluntarily leaving my review.