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The Big Dreams Beach Hotel
Wriggle your toes in the sand and feel the warm breeze on your face when you check into the hotel that’s full of dreams…
Three years after ditching her career in New York City, Rosie never thought she’d still be managing the quaint faded Victorian hotel in her seaside hometown.
What’s worse, the hotel’s new owners are turning it into a copy of their Florida properties. Flamingos and all. Cultures are clashing and the hotel’s residents stand in the way of the developers’ plans. The hotel is both their home and their family.
That’s going to make Rory’s job difficult when he arrives to enforce the changes. And Rosie isn’t exactly on his side, even though it’s the chance to finally restart her career. Rory might be charming, but he’s still there to evict her friends.
How can she follow her dreams if it means ending everyone else’s?
Three years after ditching her career in New York City, Rosie never thought she’d still be managing the quaint faded Victorian hotel in her seaside hometown.
What’s worse, the hotel’s new owners are turning it into a copy of their Florida properties. Flamingos and all. Cultures are clashing and the hotel’s residents stand in the way of the developers’ plans. The hotel is both their home and their family.
That’s going to make Rory’s job difficult when he arrives to enforce the changes. And Rosie isn’t exactly on his side, even though it’s the chance to finally restart her career. Rory might be charming, but he’s still there to evict her friends.
How can she follow her dreams if it means ending everyone else’s?
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2017
461 people are currently reading
548 people want to read
About the author
Lilly Bartlett
10 books88 followersLilly Bartlett’s cosy comedies are full of warmth, quirky characters and guaranteed happily-ever-afters.
Lilly is the pen-name of Sunday Times and USA Today best-selling author, Michele Gorman, who writes best friend-girl power comedies under her own name.
BE SURE NOT TO MISS LILLY'S NEXT BOOK. Sign up for the newsletter (only around 3 per year) ang get the chance to get her books on sale or even for free, or read her books before they are published! Sign up here: http://eepurl.com/b96-Yz
Lilly is the pen-name of Sunday Times and USA Today best-selling author, Michele Gorman, who writes best friend-girl power comedies under her own name.
BE SURE NOT TO MISS LILLY'S NEXT BOOK. Sign up for the newsletter (only around 3 per year) ang get the chance to get her books on sale or even for free, or read her books before they are published! Sign up here: http://eepurl.com/b96-Yz
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
September 14, 2017
Arc received by the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A lovely read with quirky, yet sympathetic characters and a substantial story that will keep you entertained and touch your heart.
Rosie, a lovely, kind Yorkshire girl from Scarborough, can't get out of her hometown fast enough to see the world and learn the trade of hotel management. She feels very lucky to be able to do that in New York and when a handsome & loving American sweeps her off her feet, she is certain her Happy Ever After is around the corner. However, what waits around one of the corners of the Big Apple is a Big Disaster. A shocked and disappointed Rosie hightails it back to Scarborough where she finds herself in charge of a lovely, but dilapidating hotel where glamour, money and paying guests are scarce and so is career-advancement. The permanent residents of the hotel -housed there by the social well-fare schemes of the council- are odd & eccentric, but they become Rosie's friends, so when the profit-oriented new owners want to get rid of them, she is forced to be taking sides, but she just cannot bring herself to do that. And there is also Rory, the "transition manager", who seems considerate, supportive and also cute, but employed by the new owners nonetheless.
The story offers a more substantial plot than what I came to expect from the chicklit genre and this has been a nice surprise, but it never gets overheavy. The plot manages to keep a great balance between being entertaining and giving you some food for thought. The characters are memorable and likeable and the romance was just to my taste: engaging, realistic but not all-inclusive. The fact that the heroine and her love interest manage to voice & discuss their problems, like adults should do, instead of running away and creating misunderstanding is an added bonus.
Bravo, Lilly Bartlett!
A lovely read with quirky, yet sympathetic characters and a substantial story that will keep you entertained and touch your heart.
Rosie, a lovely, kind Yorkshire girl from Scarborough, can't get out of her hometown fast enough to see the world and learn the trade of hotel management. She feels very lucky to be able to do that in New York and when a handsome & loving American sweeps her off her feet, she is certain her Happy Ever After is around the corner. However, what waits around one of the corners of the Big Apple is a Big Disaster. A shocked and disappointed Rosie hightails it back to Scarborough where she finds herself in charge of a lovely, but dilapidating hotel where glamour, money and paying guests are scarce and so is career-advancement. The permanent residents of the hotel -housed there by the social well-fare schemes of the council- are odd & eccentric, but they become Rosie's friends, so when the profit-oriented new owners want to get rid of them, she is forced to be taking sides, but she just cannot bring herself to do that. And there is also Rory, the "transition manager", who seems considerate, supportive and also cute, but employed by the new owners nonetheless.
The story offers a more substantial plot than what I came to expect from the chicklit genre and this has been a nice surprise, but it never gets overheavy. The plot manages to keep a great balance between being entertaining and giving you some food for thought. The characters are memorable and likeable and the romance was just to my taste: engaging, realistic but not all-inclusive. The fact that the heroine and her love interest manage to voice & discuss their problems, like adults should do, instead of running away and creating misunderstanding is an added bonus.
Bravo, Lilly Bartlett!
August 25, 2017
The Big Dreams Beach Hotel, is the third book by Michele Gorman writing as Lilly Bartlett; set in New York and Scarborough (UK).
The story opens with Rosie, the main character, working in a hotel in New York and falling for one of her guests, Chuck. We then move forward a number of years and Rosie is back in her home town, living with her mum and dad, single and is now working at a Victorian seafront hotel, one that has seen better days.
The hotel has a mixture of guests and long term residents. The Colonel who owns the place is offered a large sum of money to sell it to an American hotel chain, an offer too good to turn down, much to the shock and disappointment of the staff and residents, especially Rosie.
With their lavish, outlandish ideas, Rosie is unimpressed with the changes the Americans are making, and will try anything she can to stop the place from being ruined and her friends and residents being turfed out of their homes. But there is one man standing in her way, Rory, the transition manager who has been sent to make sure everything runs smoothly.
How will the two work together? Are they really both at the opposite end of the scales when it comes to the hotel? What will the future hold for them both?
The plot is set in two timelines, which changes at various times throughout the book. New York and Rosie’s relationship with Chuck, and Scarborough and her trying to save a quintessentially British hotel from being turned into something more fitting stateside.
There are a great mixture of very different characters, that works perfectly together, some that you will love getting to know, others not quite so much. Rosie is a lovely young woman, head strong, and pragmatic (most of the time). She is very caring, and this is one of the reasons she needs to fight for her hotel.
There is a lot of humour, sarcasm, and witty moments, alongside some very heartwarming scenes too. The book doesn’t have any shocking twists and turns. It reads as a pure chick-lit, one that will absorb you and hold your attention until the very end. It would be the perfect book to lie in the sun with and drift into someone else’s life – Rosie’s.
Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
The story opens with Rosie, the main character, working in a hotel in New York and falling for one of her guests, Chuck. We then move forward a number of years and Rosie is back in her home town, living with her mum and dad, single and is now working at a Victorian seafront hotel, one that has seen better days.
The hotel has a mixture of guests and long term residents. The Colonel who owns the place is offered a large sum of money to sell it to an American hotel chain, an offer too good to turn down, much to the shock and disappointment of the staff and residents, especially Rosie.
With their lavish, outlandish ideas, Rosie is unimpressed with the changes the Americans are making, and will try anything she can to stop the place from being ruined and her friends and residents being turfed out of their homes. But there is one man standing in her way, Rory, the transition manager who has been sent to make sure everything runs smoothly.
How will the two work together? Are they really both at the opposite end of the scales when it comes to the hotel? What will the future hold for them both?
The plot is set in two timelines, which changes at various times throughout the book. New York and Rosie’s relationship with Chuck, and Scarborough and her trying to save a quintessentially British hotel from being turned into something more fitting stateside.
There are a great mixture of very different characters, that works perfectly together, some that you will love getting to know, others not quite so much. Rosie is a lovely young woman, head strong, and pragmatic (most of the time). She is very caring, and this is one of the reasons she needs to fight for her hotel.
There is a lot of humour, sarcasm, and witty moments, alongside some very heartwarming scenes too. The book doesn’t have any shocking twists and turns. It reads as a pure chick-lit, one that will absorb you and hold your attention until the very end. It would be the perfect book to lie in the sun with and drift into someone else’s life – Rosie’s.
Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
August 23, 2017
What a gorgeous read this was, it’s the type of book you should reach for if you want to escape from reality and get caught up in the lives of some highly entertaining, quirky characters. I flew through this one really quickly, mostly because I was so charmed by the storyline, the characters and Bartlett’s adorable, witty writing style.
Rosie is the kind of heroine that you can’t help but like right away. It’s written in a really casual conversational style so I felt like I was gossiping with a good friend as Rosie told her story. It’s mainly told in the present as the hotel in Scarborough where she works gets bought by some wacky Americans who have eccentric taste, but it also flips back to Rosie’s brief stint in NYC. Both storylines were equally compelling but there was something special about the Scarborough hotel, I think it was the colorful cast of characters, mainly the residents who lived there permanently, they were odd but oh so endearing!
This had plenty of laughs and loads of charm, the witty banter between Rosie and Rory was sweet and hilarious. This would be ideal to read on vacation, it’s light and fun but also has substance. I really enjoyed my first read by Bartlett and it definitely won’t be my last!
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
Rosie is the kind of heroine that you can’t help but like right away. It’s written in a really casual conversational style so I felt like I was gossiping with a good friend as Rosie told her story. It’s mainly told in the present as the hotel in Scarborough where she works gets bought by some wacky Americans who have eccentric taste, but it also flips back to Rosie’s brief stint in NYC. Both storylines were equally compelling but there was something special about the Scarborough hotel, I think it was the colorful cast of characters, mainly the residents who lived there permanently, they were odd but oh so endearing!
This had plenty of laughs and loads of charm, the witty banter between Rosie and Rory was sweet and hilarious. This would be ideal to read on vacation, it’s light and fun but also has substance. I really enjoyed my first read by Bartlett and it definitely won’t be my last!
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
July 8, 2017
Utterly fabulous, completely hilarious, with a cast full of eccentric characters, its bright colourful Florida ideals brought to a typically English seaside hotel. It's a complete clash of cultures and within the hilarity, there are some fantastic stories....one of why Rosie is even in Scarborough in the first place, one of how she is going to manage the hotel through its major changes and also the individual storylines of some of the residents of the hotels.
For at this seaside hotel, although it has been losing money for years, everyone involved is like a family. They run events for the good of the community, and there are assorted people living long term in the hotel for a variety of reasons. Yet everything is set to change when The Colonel announces he has sold the hotel to Americans!
And these are US developers who want to turn this Scarborough property, bought unseen, into a replica of their Florida hotels, right down to the flamingo print! Not to mention their tag line "5 Star experience at 3 Star prices" If you rolled your eyes at that you were completely correct to, it is laughable.
The new owners are complete eccentrics and mainly communicate via skype or fax, they send in a transition manager, Rory to help smooth over the take over and to to do their bidding.
We get to read all about Rosie's past heartbreak spread over chapters, that are spaced throughout the book, generally any time that Rosie starts getting confused between Rory and Chuck!
There is just so much to love about this book, but if I tried to list everything here I would be spoiling it for you, and not doing the book justice either. But lets face it its not often you read a book featuring of a narcoleptic children's entertainer with a dog, a 60s singer who is still trying to make it big, one surfer dude, a man with brightly coloured hair with unusual ideas, 6 course taster menus but an ex-army chef who generally cooks comfort food and a whole lot more besides.
The Big Dream Beach Hotel is by far my favourite of the three Lilly Bartlett books to date, but probably also my favourite book by Michele Gorman too. It just hits everything I like in a book, and was a great match for me. This is a pure escapist read, perfect pretty much anytime you want something incredibly entertaining to absorb yourself in.
Thank you so much to Lilly Bartlett for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
February 20, 2019
The Big Dreams Beach Hotel by Lilly Barlett follows Rosie, a hotel manager in her seaside hometown. Once a girl with big dreams, Rosie is still trying to recover from both a personal and professional setback from three years prior. While working at a hotel in New York City, Rosie fell for a client and ended up getting burned - badly - and fleeing back to the UK, living at her parent’s house. The hotel she is managing now has seen better days, but comes with a colorful cast of characters and Rosie is happy … enough. But everything gets a shake when the owner sells the hotel to American owners, and they bring in Rory, the transition manager, to help convert the British hotel to something more Americanized. When Rosie finds herself falling for the charming Rory, she fears it’s history repeating itself from her time in New York City.
I had a lot of fun reading The Big Dreams Beach Hotel. I enjoyed that we got peeks into Rosie’s time in New York City, and have to say my eyebrows went pretty high once I read how the situation between her and the hotel client ended up. The storyline with the American owners and their vision for the quaint hotel was pretty funny, and of course the romance angle was a big part of the story, and quite sweet. The secondary characters really added a lot of charm to this story, and overall I thought this chick lit novel was very well-written and well-paced. Would definitely recommend if you are in the mood for a fun and humorous read.
Reviewed for Reader's Favorite
I had a lot of fun reading The Big Dreams Beach Hotel. I enjoyed that we got peeks into Rosie’s time in New York City, and have to say my eyebrows went pretty high once I read how the situation between her and the hotel client ended up. The storyline with the American owners and their vision for the quaint hotel was pretty funny, and of course the romance angle was a big part of the story, and quite sweet. The secondary characters really added a lot of charm to this story, and overall I thought this chick lit novel was very well-written and well-paced. Would definitely recommend if you are in the mood for a fun and humorous read.
Reviewed for Reader's Favorite
August 21, 2017
This is my first ever Lilly Bartlett but thankfully not my last! I now know who to turn to when I want a slice of home grown love and laughter all wrapped up in a cute cover! Lilly Bartlett writes with charm, drawing her reader in from the first few pages and introducing them to some lovable rogues and quirky characters.
I loved Rosie from when I first met her, living the dream in New York and working at a fabulous hotel alongside her friend Digby. But things are about to change when Rosie meets Chuck who has come to the hotel to book an event for the company he works for. We then fast forward to Rosie, who is now working at a quaint little seaside hotel in Scarborough. Whilst she is obviously a much loved member of the team, I was a little bit shocked to see how much she had changed since New York! What happened to send her scurrying back to The UK? Well, you will have to wait unfortunately, as Rosie takes her time showing us flashbacks to her life in New York. But when she does prepare for some major shocks and feelings of exasperation!
The hotel in Scarborough is the scene of some very funny encounters with both the staff and the quirky residents who live there. Chef in particular kept a huge smile plastered to my face with his idiosyncrasies and his very understandable rants-especially about chocolate!! But it was heart warming to watch Rosie with Rory as they start to work together against the new owners of the hotel who seemed determined to put their own mark on the traditional seaside resort.
This would make a fabulous beach read. It’s a fun, fondant-sweet, dream of a plot but with a melancholic edge to tug at your heartstrings. A cast of memorable characters kept me captivated throughout until that gorgeous ending which was pretty near perfect. Recommended by me!
I loved Rosie from when I first met her, living the dream in New York and working at a fabulous hotel alongside her friend Digby. But things are about to change when Rosie meets Chuck who has come to the hotel to book an event for the company he works for. We then fast forward to Rosie, who is now working at a quaint little seaside hotel in Scarborough. Whilst she is obviously a much loved member of the team, I was a little bit shocked to see how much she had changed since New York! What happened to send her scurrying back to The UK? Well, you will have to wait unfortunately, as Rosie takes her time showing us flashbacks to her life in New York. But when she does prepare for some major shocks and feelings of exasperation!
The hotel in Scarborough is the scene of some very funny encounters with both the staff and the quirky residents who live there. Chef in particular kept a huge smile plastered to my face with his idiosyncrasies and his very understandable rants-especially about chocolate!! But it was heart warming to watch Rosie with Rory as they start to work together against the new owners of the hotel who seemed determined to put their own mark on the traditional seaside resort.
This would make a fabulous beach read. It’s a fun, fondant-sweet, dream of a plot but with a melancholic edge to tug at your heartstrings. A cast of memorable characters kept me captivated throughout until that gorgeous ending which was pretty near perfect. Recommended by me!
August 18, 2017
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
Even though I fell head over heels, madly in love with the cover of 'The Big Dreams Beach Hotel', it took me a little while to fall in love with the storyline itself.
Rosie had her heart set of staying in the city that never sleeps. She wanted to be queen of the hill; number one if you will. She was adamant that if she could make it in New York, that she could make it anywhere. Annoying when life doesn't go to plan, isn't it?
'The Big Dreams Beach Hotel' switches between Rosie's past in New York, and her current life as a hotel manager in sunny Scarborough. Being back where it all started, wasn't exactly part of Rosie's five-year plan. But, then again, meeting a bloke named 'Chuck' in New York wasn't part of the plan either, and look how that turned out! Well, you'll look how that turned out when you read the book. #sorrynotsorry.
The only real irk I had with this book in my opinion, was how the lifestyle, time switches weren't made clear enough. After a while I managed to work it out and caught the gist of it, but at first I was extremely confused and wondered where the hell the New York parts went!
Aside from that, I really did enjoy 'The Big Dreams Beach Hotel' as it had a completely different feel to the other hotel storylines already published. Take the hotel's new owners for example; extremely bonkers and OTT, I had to keep reading to find out what lengths the owners were going to go, in order to make their mark on the Scarborough hotel. Without giving away too much, all I'm going to say is those parts are absolutely hilarious and, whilst I was brought up not to laugh at other people's misfortunes - I just couldn't help myself.
I didn't know what to make of Rory at first, but I kept envisioning a 'Clark Kent' type of persona and I have no idea why. That's not a bad thing by the way! I did find him a little...patronising though, but Rosie was written brilliantly and with such a kick ass attitude, I'm surprised she didn't eat him alive!
Plenty of giggles, cringey moments, and real friendship; 'The Big Dreams Beach Hotel' is the perfect antidote for when antics in the real world are severely tragic - just like now.
Put the kettle on, grab a bar of chocolate (large size obviously), stick your phone on silent and curl up with the enchanting, huggable, gigglefest from the brilliant, Lilly Bartlett.
Huge thanks to the author and Harper Impulse.
Even though I fell head over heels, madly in love with the cover of 'The Big Dreams Beach Hotel', it took me a little while to fall in love with the storyline itself.
Rosie had her heart set of staying in the city that never sleeps. She wanted to be queen of the hill; number one if you will. She was adamant that if she could make it in New York, that she could make it anywhere. Annoying when life doesn't go to plan, isn't it?
'The Big Dreams Beach Hotel' switches between Rosie's past in New York, and her current life as a hotel manager in sunny Scarborough. Being back where it all started, wasn't exactly part of Rosie's five-year plan. But, then again, meeting a bloke named 'Chuck' in New York wasn't part of the plan either, and look how that turned out! Well, you'll look how that turned out when you read the book. #sorrynotsorry.
The only real irk I had with this book in my opinion, was how the lifestyle, time switches weren't made clear enough. After a while I managed to work it out and caught the gist of it, but at first I was extremely confused and wondered where the hell the New York parts went!
Aside from that, I really did enjoy 'The Big Dreams Beach Hotel' as it had a completely different feel to the other hotel storylines already published. Take the hotel's new owners for example; extremely bonkers and OTT, I had to keep reading to find out what lengths the owners were going to go, in order to make their mark on the Scarborough hotel. Without giving away too much, all I'm going to say is those parts are absolutely hilarious and, whilst I was brought up not to laugh at other people's misfortunes - I just couldn't help myself.
I didn't know what to make of Rory at first, but I kept envisioning a 'Clark Kent' type of persona and I have no idea why. That's not a bad thing by the way! I did find him a little...patronising though, but Rosie was written brilliantly and with such a kick ass attitude, I'm surprised she didn't eat him alive!
Plenty of giggles, cringey moments, and real friendship; 'The Big Dreams Beach Hotel' is the perfect antidote for when antics in the real world are severely tragic - just like now.
Put the kettle on, grab a bar of chocolate (large size obviously), stick your phone on silent and curl up with the enchanting, huggable, gigglefest from the brilliant, Lilly Bartlett.
Huge thanks to the author and Harper Impulse.
September 4, 2017
"The Big Dreams Beach Hotel" is Lilly Bartlett's completely new stand - alone novel. Really, she writes so quickly that I am loosing my bearings, however even with the quantity the books don't lose their quality, so no matter how many, dear Lilly, keep them coming. This novel introduces us to a group of eccentric, eclectic and totally hilarious characters, showing the real meaning of friendship and real priorities.
The eccentric characters include a narcoleptic children's entertainer with a basset hound, one 60s singer still trying to make it big, an ex - army chef who has to switch from his comfort food into creating froth out of thin air and 6 - gangs - menu, a surfer or a man with coloured hair trying to bring flamingos and pink from sunny America to rainy Scarborough. Brilliant, no?
At the beginning, it took me some time to get into this book - no particular reason, just because. Maybe because the switches between Rosie being in New York and then suddenly managing a hotel in the rural England took me a little by surprise and I wasn't sure on which part is the story going to concentrate. Here we get to know about Rosie's budding and promising affair and heart - break and I must admit, guys, that the more we got to know her, the more I liked her, especially her banter, absolutely humorous observations and big heart.
I loved the interaction between Rosie and Rory (Rory was great, and he so easily and quickly just slotted into the story, the pages and among the characters. He was supportive and considerate, and he knew what's important) - their banter was brilliant, full of honesty, real emotions and it just sounded so real and genuine. I so adored the fact that those two just spoke with each other, they discussed their issues not jumping to conclusion or getting offended, waiting for the other to guess what's bothering them - it was so mature, so genuine, so different and such a breath of fresh air after all this running away and misunderstandings in so many books.
"The Big Dreams Beach Hotel" was a novel full of clashing cultures, ideas, characters, and sometimes they all sounded too exaggerated but somehow it just did work. It is not only a story about managing a hotel but it also introduces are to stories of Rosie and the residents of the hotel. I loved the idea of this hotel - the old one, I mean, where everybody was like family to each other, they knew each other inside out, took part in the events run for the people and not for profit. However, this all is about to change, as The Colonel announces the hotel is sold, and the new owners are even more eccentric than the hotel's residents and communicate mostly via Skype, sitting cross - legged on their desks. Phew.
I really don't know how to put it into words, but this book was so lightly written, so easy to read, the banter and the ridiculous ideas made you laugh with disbelief but in a good way and this overdoing, this ridiculousness and exaggeration just worked perfectly in this story. It was a lovely, quirky and sharp novel with the right amount of sadness, important issues that will touch your heart, and humour. It was not too overdone, too over - heavy, I hope you know what I mean. Altogether, it was a lovely, warm story about friendship, setting your priorities right, not being afraid of dreaming big, about standing together in difficult times and not giving up, full of giggles and full of embarrassing moments - a perfect summer read. Recommended!
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
August 25, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. Rosie is a manager at a lovely old fashioned hotel in Scarborough. They welcome the locals with lots of small fun events. They also have some long term residents who are housed by the local council. When they hotel is taken over by an American team , huge changes are in store.
You can just imagine the old Victorian building moaning in protest as the loud and garish furnishings are coming in through the front door. Their whole ethos and the wonderful friendships are under threat.
The transitions manager bought in to oversee the whole process manages to earn the heart of Rosie despite her reservations due to past experiences.
You can just imagine booking a week in the hotel as it was and really loving relaxing in it's cosiness. But also having a £90 meal in their new style sounds tempting! I guess change is inevitable to ensure that things thrive in the modern world- but there must be a small corner for this hotel.
It is a lovely warm story, I enjoyed the skype meetings with the American bosses, and loved the exchanges amongst all the local characters.
You can just imagine the old Victorian building moaning in protest as the loud and garish furnishings are coming in through the front door. Their whole ethos and the wonderful friendships are under threat.
The transitions manager bought in to oversee the whole process manages to earn the heart of Rosie despite her reservations due to past experiences.
You can just imagine booking a week in the hotel as it was and really loving relaxing in it's cosiness. But also having a £90 meal in their new style sounds tempting! I guess change is inevitable to ensure that things thrive in the modern world- but there must be a small corner for this hotel.
It is a lovely warm story, I enjoyed the skype meetings with the American bosses, and loved the exchanges amongst all the local characters.
August 23, 2017
When a stint in New York doesn’t quite go according to plan, Rose finds herself back in Scarborough in a hotel just ripe for development.
Having loved Lilly Bartlett’s previous two novels I approached The Big Dreams Beach Hotel with trepidation because I knew I was going to meet a new set of characters and I didn’t know if I would like them as much as I have those in the Carlton Square. I needn’t have worried. I loved The Big Dreams Beach Hotel and its inhabitants even more.
The Big Dreams Beach Hotel is unashamedly light, romantic and chick-lit in style and Lilly Bartlett writes this genre with consummate skill to perfection. I find her books effortless to read. That doesn’t mean they are insubstantial, but that the writing flows so well that I am totally absorbed in the story. I love the direct appeal to reader at times as it makes me feel I am actually part of the narrative too.
The Big Dreams Beach Hotel has humour that never feels contrived and comes through the wonderful characterisation. I rarely laugh aloud when reading but I did during this book. It was a delight to meet Rosie, Rory et al and apart from a couple of characters whom I won’t name for fear of spoiling the story, I loved them all – especially Barry. Lilly Bartlett manages to convey what makes us human so emotionally that I admit to shedding the odd tear too.
I absolutely loved The Big Dreams Beach Hotel. It has everying I want in a book of this genre. There’s a great and believable plot. There’s an exploration of community, friendship and love. There’s a colourful range of characters who feel real and human. Above all, there’s a hugely satisfying and entertaining read. I cannot recommend it higly enough.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2017/08/23/...
Having loved Lilly Bartlett’s previous two novels I approached The Big Dreams Beach Hotel with trepidation because I knew I was going to meet a new set of characters and I didn’t know if I would like them as much as I have those in the Carlton Square. I needn’t have worried. I loved The Big Dreams Beach Hotel and its inhabitants even more.
The Big Dreams Beach Hotel is unashamedly light, romantic and chick-lit in style and Lilly Bartlett writes this genre with consummate skill to perfection. I find her books effortless to read. That doesn’t mean they are insubstantial, but that the writing flows so well that I am totally absorbed in the story. I love the direct appeal to reader at times as it makes me feel I am actually part of the narrative too.
The Big Dreams Beach Hotel has humour that never feels contrived and comes through the wonderful characterisation. I rarely laugh aloud when reading but I did during this book. It was a delight to meet Rosie, Rory et al and apart from a couple of characters whom I won’t name for fear of spoiling the story, I loved them all – especially Barry. Lilly Bartlett manages to convey what makes us human so emotionally that I admit to shedding the odd tear too.
I absolutely loved The Big Dreams Beach Hotel. It has everying I want in a book of this genre. There’s a great and believable plot. There’s an exploration of community, friendship and love. There’s a colourful range of characters who feel real and human. Above all, there’s a hugely satisfying and entertaining read. I cannot recommend it higly enough.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2017/08/23/...
January 19, 2018
Rosie's dream was to have a flourishing career in the hotel business and for a while she was doing incredibly well. She worked in a hotel in New York and her future seemed promising. Something went wrong though and therefore she's back in her hometown. She's managing a seaside hotel in Scarborough. The hotel is Victorian, has more regulars than guests and could use an update. Rosie is having a good time, even though it isn't the bright future she envisioned. However, this changes when the owner sells the hotel to an American company.
The new owners of the hotel don't want to keep the hotel's former atmosphere, they have something completely different in mind. To make sure the transition will go smoothly they hire Rory. Rory has to make sure every plan is being executed. However, Rosie is the one who keeps having to give the people she loves bad news. The hotel might be a step in the right direction when it comes to having a career again, if she does her job well, but what about the people she cares about? What will Rosie do and can she and Rory come to an agreement?
The Big Dreams Beach Hotel is a wonderful story with heartwarming main characters. I immediately loved Rosie. She's sweet and capable and she has a good head on her shoulders. She's a loving person and I liked that a lot about her personality. Rory is a kind man, but he has a difficult task ahead of him. The changes the new owners want to make to the hotel are often ridiculous and I was anxious to find out how Rosie and Rory would handle the demanding American bosses and if they'd find a way to save the things that are the most important to them. I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to find out where the story would lead.
Lilly Bartlett's descriptive writing made me fall in love with the hotel and its inhabitants straight away. I was intrigued by everyone's stories and secrets. I was curious to find out why Rosie left her job in New York and loved the way Lilly Bartlett tells her story by giving the information in small dosages, which made me eager to keep reading. Rosie might have dreams about being somewhere else, but the hotel is where she belongs. I loved the cosy atmosphere and Rosie fits right in. The Big Dreams Beach Hotel is an entertaining story filled with charm, friendship and sweetness. I highly recommend this spellbinding story.
The new owners of the hotel don't want to keep the hotel's former atmosphere, they have something completely different in mind. To make sure the transition will go smoothly they hire Rory. Rory has to make sure every plan is being executed. However, Rosie is the one who keeps having to give the people she loves bad news. The hotel might be a step in the right direction when it comes to having a career again, if she does her job well, but what about the people she cares about? What will Rosie do and can she and Rory come to an agreement?
The Big Dreams Beach Hotel is a wonderful story with heartwarming main characters. I immediately loved Rosie. She's sweet and capable and she has a good head on her shoulders. She's a loving person and I liked that a lot about her personality. Rory is a kind man, but he has a difficult task ahead of him. The changes the new owners want to make to the hotel are often ridiculous and I was anxious to find out how Rosie and Rory would handle the demanding American bosses and if they'd find a way to save the things that are the most important to them. I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to find out where the story would lead.
Lilly Bartlett's descriptive writing made me fall in love with the hotel and its inhabitants straight away. I was intrigued by everyone's stories and secrets. I was curious to find out why Rosie left her job in New York and loved the way Lilly Bartlett tells her story by giving the information in small dosages, which made me eager to keep reading. Rosie might have dreams about being somewhere else, but the hotel is where she belongs. I loved the cosy atmosphere and Rosie fits right in. The Big Dreams Beach Hotel is an entertaining story filled with charm, friendship and sweetness. I highly recommend this spellbinding story.
September 7, 2021
This is a cute, quick beach read. Had some fun quirky characters.
August 20, 2017
I loved the cover of this beautiful book it drew me to read straightaway. The main character Rosie works in hotels. She has returned to her roots in Scarborough and is working in an old dated seaside hotel. The owner decides to sell the hotel to a big American hotel group who make many changes. The transition manager Rory is sent to help with these changes.
Rosie's last job was in New York in a prestigious hotel where she met Chuck and fell head over heels in love.
The story switches between Rosie's present day life in Scarborough and her previous one in New York . I did find this a bit confusing at first but hey that's probably me!!!! As Rory and Rosie become close can she forget the pain from her previous relationship with Chuck? Will their relationship work with him about to leave soon? Can she trust again?
There are plenty of real life moments in this book friendship , fun, laughs and relationships. The perfect book to read on a sunny summer day.
Thanks to Netgallery, the author and publisher for my copy which I read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Rosie's last job was in New York in a prestigious hotel where she met Chuck and fell head over heels in love.
The story switches between Rosie's present day life in Scarborough and her previous one in New York . I did find this a bit confusing at first but hey that's probably me!!!! As Rory and Rosie become close can she forget the pain from her previous relationship with Chuck? Will their relationship work with him about to leave soon? Can she trust again?
There are plenty of real life moments in this book friendship , fun, laughs and relationships. The perfect book to read on a sunny summer day.
Thanks to Netgallery, the author and publisher for my copy which I read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
September 3, 2017
This is a warm book full of fun and a beautiful story. Rosie ends up back in her home town and is running a Victorian hotel and she wants to makes changes but this doesn't fit with the person who owns the hotel but can she change everything and kick start her career off again. Well worth reading I loved it.
August 20, 2017
The Big Dreams Beach Hotel has a brilliant cast of eccentric and very memorable characters. They are only topped by the American Floridean-like takeover of the Scarborough hotel, which is quintessentially English. Trying to bring two completely different cultures together becomes a bit of a liability for everyone involved. Flamingos don’t look good on the English coast, the North Sea is always freezing and a funny shade of beige-brown, and the majority of people would rather eat a good fry-up than a plate of pretty looking nouvelle cuisine.
Rosie is smack bang in the middle of the battle to save the hotel from the enthusiastic and often ruthless clutches of the new owners. She is torn between the loyalty she feels for her friends and the handsome mediator/fixer the owners have sent in to represent their interests.
Rosie has been dealt a harsh hand in life when it comes to trust. Her career, her friendships and her relationships have suffered, because of her poor judgement and naivety. The question is whether she can manage to put the past behind her, establish new relationships, and deal with her trust issues.
On a side-note, I’m with Chef by the way, when it comes to the chocolate sell-out issue. I haven’t bought or touched a Creme Egg since they changed the recipe either. Power to the people!
Bartlett manages to capture the oddities of the English, especially those living on the east coast in Scarborough. They don’t take kindly to change or to anyone trying to mess with their bingo. The charm of Scarborough is actually the nostalgic feeling of the past, so any attempt to disturb that feeling of a romantic seaside town would never go down well.
It is a story filled with many moments that should remind us of our humanity. The way we should care and look out for each other. Stand together in times of difficulty. This is especially the case in this story, because the characters are outsiders, lonely forgotten people and flamboyant eccentrics, which makes it even more important that we don’t let them fall through the cracks of society.
Lilly Bartlett writes captivating romcoms with a subtle underlying flair of sociocultural issues.
*I received an ARC courtesy of the author.*
Rosie is smack bang in the middle of the battle to save the hotel from the enthusiastic and often ruthless clutches of the new owners. She is torn between the loyalty she feels for her friends and the handsome mediator/fixer the owners have sent in to represent their interests.
Rosie has been dealt a harsh hand in life when it comes to trust. Her career, her friendships and her relationships have suffered, because of her poor judgement and naivety. The question is whether she can manage to put the past behind her, establish new relationships, and deal with her trust issues.
On a side-note, I’m with Chef by the way, when it comes to the chocolate sell-out issue. I haven’t bought or touched a Creme Egg since they changed the recipe either. Power to the people!
Bartlett manages to capture the oddities of the English, especially those living on the east coast in Scarborough. They don’t take kindly to change or to anyone trying to mess with their bingo. The charm of Scarborough is actually the nostalgic feeling of the past, so any attempt to disturb that feeling of a romantic seaside town would never go down well.
It is a story filled with many moments that should remind us of our humanity. The way we should care and look out for each other. Stand together in times of difficulty. This is especially the case in this story, because the characters are outsiders, lonely forgotten people and flamboyant eccentrics, which makes it even more important that we don’t let them fall through the cracks of society.
Lilly Bartlett writes captivating romcoms with a subtle underlying flair of sociocultural issues.
*I received an ARC courtesy of the author.*
August 15, 2017
I was over the moon to get an ARC of The Big Dreams Beach Hotel .. I have loved previous books by Lilly (aka Michele Gorman) so I knew I was in for a treat.
What a pretty cover, I’m rather fond of the colour scheme. This book has so much going on that it’s like you need to take a deep breath then delve in. Rosie is a delightful character, crazy, impulsive, caring but let’s just say maybe a little too trusting. I adored some of the capers she got up too. She basically works in the hotel business, sometimes in New York and also in the UK.
The story alternates between her life in NY with the great American guy Chuck or back in Scarborough, her home town where Rory makes an appearance.
The hotel in Scarborough is more like a hostel for the weird and wonderful, a whole mix of zany folk live there and call it home due to various tenancy arrangements with the council etc. But as expected in a wet, run down seaside town it’s not exactly thriving so when Rosie discovers it has been sold to a pair of American brothers who want to inject a bit of Florida zest into it her work is really cut out!
The way she deals with the refurbishments, new routines, juggling staff and residents is an absolute hoot. I immediately wanted to be her friend and give her a little guidance. The reasons behind her leaving NY are revealed eventually and are cleverly intertwined with life back home. Rosie has a inner strength, she is quirky but at times vulnerable yet she takes on the ‘fight’ to save her friends/family hotel admirably and I like the way her and Rory work and blend together despite differences of opinion.
I don’t want to give anything away but keep an eye open for a particular day out Rosie go on … just loved the romance of that idea.
For a book full of enjoyment, humour and utter brilliance look no further than The Big Dreams Beach Hotel. Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
What a pretty cover, I’m rather fond of the colour scheme. This book has so much going on that it’s like you need to take a deep breath then delve in. Rosie is a delightful character, crazy, impulsive, caring but let’s just say maybe a little too trusting. I adored some of the capers she got up too. She basically works in the hotel business, sometimes in New York and also in the UK.
The story alternates between her life in NY with the great American guy Chuck or back in Scarborough, her home town where Rory makes an appearance.
The hotel in Scarborough is more like a hostel for the weird and wonderful, a whole mix of zany folk live there and call it home due to various tenancy arrangements with the council etc. But as expected in a wet, run down seaside town it’s not exactly thriving so when Rosie discovers it has been sold to a pair of American brothers who want to inject a bit of Florida zest into it her work is really cut out!
The way she deals with the refurbishments, new routines, juggling staff and residents is an absolute hoot. I immediately wanted to be her friend and give her a little guidance. The reasons behind her leaving NY are revealed eventually and are cleverly intertwined with life back home. Rosie has a inner strength, she is quirky but at times vulnerable yet she takes on the ‘fight’ to save her friends/family hotel admirably and I like the way her and Rory work and blend together despite differences of opinion.
I don’t want to give anything away but keep an eye open for a particular day out Rosie go on … just loved the romance of that idea.
For a book full of enjoyment, humour and utter brilliance look no further than The Big Dreams Beach Hotel. Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
September 6, 2017
When Rosie finds that she has to leave her dream job in New York....obviously a man involved!.......she returns to her home town of Scarborough and finds herself managing an old run down hotel with a load of eccentric permanent guests, the busiest times are when locals hold events there that make no money.
When the owner the old colonel decides to sell the hotel to an American company they are all horrified, especially as the new owners obviously don't want the old clientele there, and their upgrades certainly do not fit in with the style of the genteel old hotel!
When Rory arrives to oversee all of the changes Rosie is determined to fight him but he is always so reasonable it makes it difficult.......and he is definitely cute! Can she look after all of her friends and keep their home intact for them?
A lovely book with some great characters.....including the two American owners........light hearted and lots of fun a great summer read
When the owner the old colonel decides to sell the hotel to an American company they are all horrified, especially as the new owners obviously don't want the old clientele there, and their upgrades certainly do not fit in with the style of the genteel old hotel!
When Rory arrives to oversee all of the changes Rosie is determined to fight him but he is always so reasonable it makes it difficult.......and he is definitely cute! Can she look after all of her friends and keep their home intact for them?
A lovely book with some great characters.....including the two American owners........light hearted and lots of fun a great summer read
Read
August 18, 2017Many of you know that I am in love with Bartlett/Gorman as a writer. I think that she really gets what the reader wants and delivers with books that are crafted beautifully. In her newest book, The Big Dreams Beach Motel, you are introduced to a new set of characters, brought to a new setting, but get all the great elements that Bartlett/Gorman is known for. She writes in a way that takes struggle love, reinvention and hope (among other things), blends it all together and causes readers to fall in love with both characters and setting. I was buzzing through the pages and when I finished the book I was left satisfied. Another book that is not to be missed and a story I HIGHLY recommend!
June 11, 2021
I liked this quirky rom com with lots of interesting and entertaining characters. I did find the development of the hotel revamping situation a bit unbelievable, but I liked most of the final result. 3.5 stars
December 23, 2019
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A delightful read! I loved the novel. The story, character building, pace and scenes all were very nicely portrayed and I did not find any dull moments. Definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a light-hearted love-story.
A delightful read! I loved the novel. The story, character building, pace and scenes all were very nicely portrayed and I did not find any dull moments. Definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a light-hearted love-story.
November 1, 2017
You can check my full review here mariesbookboutique.wordpress.com/2017...
start rambling on I would just like to thank Lilly Bartlett AKA Michele Gorman and HarperImpulse for not only approaching me but also for providing me with an ARC, my sincere apologies for the delay in getting my review posted.
As many of you will know I'm a sucker for a beautifully designed front cover, and what a delightful cover this is. I really want to like jump right in there!!!!! It's bright and truly eye-catching in ever aspect. From the tall buildings lining the sea front and the sandy beach, to the single seagull gliding near the title and the one's in the distance. I love the bunting at the top which adds to its charm.
The Big Dreams Beach Hotel is a story set in the seaside town of Scarborough, but this isn't just any hotel, it's a bit rundown and is owned by the Cornel; who was in the Royal Marines. He employed Rosie three years ago to manage the running of the hotel. In a bid to bring in some cash to the hotel the Cornel arranges with the local council to rent some of the rooms out, but it's not enough. So he drops a bomb on Rosie and the other residence that he has had to sell the hotel, to and American company; in order to save it, he assures all the residents and Rosie that there home's and job's are safe.
Rosie is shocked but supports his decision, she just never in her wildest dreams did she think her career would end up back in her hometown, and as the reader you feel her sadness but not only that but her own turmoil which adds some mystery to the story.
The two American brothers who have brought the hotel and by all accounts don't get along, want to bring Florida to sunny Scarborough; with bright colours and outrageous ideas(which is funny in it's self!!!). These two characters really made me chuckle with their petty squabbling, flamboyant schemes and ridiculous rules. They employ Rory a charming English man to help Rosie and the residents with the new transformation that is about to take place. But they have to face many drama's along the way in order to keep the residents; who are trying to be pushed out and the work force happy. It's not just the residents and staff the two brothers and Rory has to keep happy but the community as well as they are very much apart of the hotel and adds added income. But is Rory on their side? Will the resident's be able to keep the roof over there heads? and will Rosie have her dream career? Will Rosie find any happiness?
The Bog Dreams Beach Hotel by Lilly Bartlett is a romantic comedy that will have you chuckling to yourself for sure. I found it a joy to read from beginning to very end. I've said this before in my other reviews ( which you can check out here Review On The Big Little Wedding In Carlton Square by Lilly Bartlett and Blog Tour & Review On The Second Chance Café By Lilly Bartlett ) and I will say it again, Lilly your writing style is truly wonderful and I have adored every second of you books! I actually plan on putting these books back on my to read pile, I've enjoyed them so much!
start rambling on I would just like to thank Lilly Bartlett AKA Michele Gorman and HarperImpulse for not only approaching me but also for providing me with an ARC, my sincere apologies for the delay in getting my review posted.
As many of you will know I'm a sucker for a beautifully designed front cover, and what a delightful cover this is. I really want to like jump right in there!!!!! It's bright and truly eye-catching in ever aspect. From the tall buildings lining the sea front and the sandy beach, to the single seagull gliding near the title and the one's in the distance. I love the bunting at the top which adds to its charm.
The Big Dreams Beach Hotel is a story set in the seaside town of Scarborough, but this isn't just any hotel, it's a bit rundown and is owned by the Cornel; who was in the Royal Marines. He employed Rosie three years ago to manage the running of the hotel. In a bid to bring in some cash to the hotel the Cornel arranges with the local council to rent some of the rooms out, but it's not enough. So he drops a bomb on Rosie and the other residence that he has had to sell the hotel, to and American company; in order to save it, he assures all the residents and Rosie that there home's and job's are safe.
Rosie is shocked but supports his decision, she just never in her wildest dreams did she think her career would end up back in her hometown, and as the reader you feel her sadness but not only that but her own turmoil which adds some mystery to the story.
The two American brothers who have brought the hotel and by all accounts don't get along, want to bring Florida to sunny Scarborough; with bright colours and outrageous ideas(which is funny in it's self!!!). These two characters really made me chuckle with their petty squabbling, flamboyant schemes and ridiculous rules. They employ Rory a charming English man to help Rosie and the residents with the new transformation that is about to take place. But they have to face many drama's along the way in order to keep the residents; who are trying to be pushed out and the work force happy. It's not just the residents and staff the two brothers and Rory has to keep happy but the community as well as they are very much apart of the hotel and adds added income. But is Rory on their side? Will the resident's be able to keep the roof over there heads? and will Rosie have her dream career? Will Rosie find any happiness?
The Bog Dreams Beach Hotel by Lilly Bartlett is a romantic comedy that will have you chuckling to yourself for sure. I found it a joy to read from beginning to very end. I've said this before in my other reviews ( which you can check out here Review On The Big Little Wedding In Carlton Square by Lilly Bartlett and Blog Tour & Review On The Second Chance Café By Lilly Bartlett ) and I will say it again, Lilly your writing style is truly wonderful and I have adored every second of you books! I actually plan on putting these books back on my to read pile, I've enjoyed them so much!
September 2, 2018
REVIEW: https://comfychairbooks.blogspot.com
Leaving a flourishing career in New York, Rosie never imagined she’d come back home nor that she would be managing a faded Victorian hotel in Scarborough.
As the hotel comes under new ownership, their vision is not received well. Cultures are clashing and the hotel’s residents decide to stand in the way of the developers’ plans. Rory comes to the hotel to ensure the changes are made smoothly, although that is a task that may prove difficult if Rosie has anything to do with it.
Lilly Bartlett (pen name of Michelle Gorman) gives us a funny, upbeat story about following a dream and moving on.
Firstly I adore Scarborough – it’s a seaside town that has coloured my childhood and I have amazing memories of the place so to find the book set there is brilliant. (I adore it when books are set in places other than the norm). Most the book is set within the hotel itself, I would have perhaps liked some more ventures into the town or descriptions of the local area so many of us are fond of with anecdotes or titbits of information.
Totally eccentric and a real eclectic bunch of characters, Narcoleptic Peter with faithful Barry is a stand out for me, but you do adore all of them for the comedic elements they bring. Our lead, Rosie clearly gone through something in New York and this is interwoven within the book, for me it was obvious what had happened to her but I didn’t feel like it ruined the book but it did make me eager to see how she would now move forward and how she would change when the hotel had new ownership. It was also interesting to see how her past would affect the relationship she would have to build with Rory, both professionally and romantically.
I do really like Rosie, I think she could be a little bit feistier and stand up for herself some more. I admit I didn’t warm to Rory that much. He seemed nice enough and he obviously liked Rosie, he wasn’t a pushover and yet he seemed to be too dominant, too quick to dismiss Rosie’s concerns on occasion. He started to grow on me more towards the end of the book and I was pleased they both got to be happy together and in their careers.
‘The Big Dreams Beach Hotel’ had laughs and charm, it was an enjoyable and funny read but for me, I felt like I expected something more. Some big event, some massive twist or something to shock me. Maybe I’m too used to something like that happening it the books I read.
I did enjoy the book, I would recommend it if you wanted something quick and positive to read. It is the first book I have read by Lilly Bartlett and I would look to read more in the future.
Leaving a flourishing career in New York, Rosie never imagined she’d come back home nor that she would be managing a faded Victorian hotel in Scarborough.
As the hotel comes under new ownership, their vision is not received well. Cultures are clashing and the hotel’s residents decide to stand in the way of the developers’ plans. Rory comes to the hotel to ensure the changes are made smoothly, although that is a task that may prove difficult if Rosie has anything to do with it.
Lilly Bartlett (pen name of Michelle Gorman) gives us a funny, upbeat story about following a dream and moving on.
Firstly I adore Scarborough – it’s a seaside town that has coloured my childhood and I have amazing memories of the place so to find the book set there is brilliant. (I adore it when books are set in places other than the norm). Most the book is set within the hotel itself, I would have perhaps liked some more ventures into the town or descriptions of the local area so many of us are fond of with anecdotes or titbits of information.
Totally eccentric and a real eclectic bunch of characters, Narcoleptic Peter with faithful Barry is a stand out for me, but you do adore all of them for the comedic elements they bring. Our lead, Rosie clearly gone through something in New York and this is interwoven within the book, for me it was obvious what had happened to her but I didn’t feel like it ruined the book but it did make me eager to see how she would now move forward and how she would change when the hotel had new ownership. It was also interesting to see how her past would affect the relationship she would have to build with Rory, both professionally and romantically.
I do really like Rosie, I think she could be a little bit feistier and stand up for herself some more. I admit I didn’t warm to Rory that much. He seemed nice enough and he obviously liked Rosie, he wasn’t a pushover and yet he seemed to be too dominant, too quick to dismiss Rosie’s concerns on occasion. He started to grow on me more towards the end of the book and I was pleased they both got to be happy together and in their careers.
‘The Big Dreams Beach Hotel’ had laughs and charm, it was an enjoyable and funny read but for me, I felt like I expected something more. Some big event, some massive twist or something to shock me. Maybe I’m too used to something like that happening it the books I read.
I did enjoy the book, I would recommend it if you wanted something quick and positive to read. It is the first book I have read by Lilly Bartlett and I would look to read more in the future.
September 8, 2017
It’s been quite a year for Michele Gorman – she’s released three novels so far and it’s only August, which is some pretty decent output (it’s insanely good, actually). The creation of her new pseudonym Lilly Bartlett has breathed new life into my love for Michele as an author – I loved her books before, but I love her new Lilly books so, so much. The Carlton Square books and now this stand-alone. I didn’t love The Big Dreams Beach Hotel as much as I loved the Carlton Square duology, but it was a pretty great read.
The Big Dreams Beach Hotel is set in Scarborough, and is all about Rosie, who has moved home after a disastrous time in New York, and whose career as a hotelie (this is a real thing apparently) has stagnated. She’s manager of a run-down seaside hotel, that has more permanent residents than guests and she’s wondering if this is all her life has cracked up to be, until some American owners take over and all of a sudden the hotel is getting a very dramatic (and very OTT) make-over, as well as the addition of a hotel transition manager, Rory. The new owners want entirely different things compared to how the hotel was run in the past and Rosie just isn’t sure this Americanised version of the hotel is for her…
I love that this book was set up North – not quite as up North as I would prefer (north east FTW) but you can’t complain at a book set in North Yorkshire, because at least it’s not bloody London, eh! Scarborough is a brilliant seaside town and it was nice to see it as the setting for this book, although much of the book takes place inside the actual hotel so you don’t see much of actual Scarborough (boo!). I loved the eccentric characters – especially Peter and Barry the dog, and Lill, and Chef, and Rosie and Rory. Rosie’s clearly had a hard time and as her New York story unfolded I just felt so bad for her. Part of me wanted to be furious that she’d been had, but the other part of me didn’t see it coming either so #morefoolme.
The Big Dreams Beach Hotel is another quick, enjoyable read from Gorman. I do love her writing ability so much – she just writes the kinds of books I love to read and she really makes you care for her characters. I loved the setting, I cringed at the whole Americans being clueless as to how different England actually is, and I just raced through the book so quickly. I can’t wait for the next Lilly Bartlett or Michele Gorman novel, they just go by so quickly yet they’re so enjoyable. It’s the perfect escapist fiction and now, I would quite like to go on holiday to Scarborough, ta very much!
The Big Dreams Beach Hotel is set in Scarborough, and is all about Rosie, who has moved home after a disastrous time in New York, and whose career as a hotelie (this is a real thing apparently) has stagnated. She’s manager of a run-down seaside hotel, that has more permanent residents than guests and she’s wondering if this is all her life has cracked up to be, until some American owners take over and all of a sudden the hotel is getting a very dramatic (and very OTT) make-over, as well as the addition of a hotel transition manager, Rory. The new owners want entirely different things compared to how the hotel was run in the past and Rosie just isn’t sure this Americanised version of the hotel is for her…
I love that this book was set up North – not quite as up North as I would prefer (north east FTW) but you can’t complain at a book set in North Yorkshire, because at least it’s not bloody London, eh! Scarborough is a brilliant seaside town and it was nice to see it as the setting for this book, although much of the book takes place inside the actual hotel so you don’t see much of actual Scarborough (boo!). I loved the eccentric characters – especially Peter and Barry the dog, and Lill, and Chef, and Rosie and Rory. Rosie’s clearly had a hard time and as her New York story unfolded I just felt so bad for her. Part of me wanted to be furious that she’d been had, but the other part of me didn’t see it coming either so #morefoolme.
The Big Dreams Beach Hotel is another quick, enjoyable read from Gorman. I do love her writing ability so much – she just writes the kinds of books I love to read and she really makes you care for her characters. I loved the setting, I cringed at the whole Americans being clueless as to how different England actually is, and I just raced through the book so quickly. I can’t wait for the next Lilly Bartlett or Michele Gorman novel, they just go by so quickly yet they’re so enjoyable. It’s the perfect escapist fiction and now, I would quite like to go on holiday to Scarborough, ta very much!
August 21, 2017
**RATING 4.5**
The beautiful and eye-catching cover of THE BIG DREAMS BEACH HOTEL by Lilly Bartlett is an excellent choice, as the story inside matches it perfectly with colourful characters and excitement that will capture your imagination as well as your heart.
When Rosie's happily ever after in New York turns into one huge disaster, she flees back to her hometown of Scarborough to regroup and figure out what she wants. Working as manager to a hotel that is more dilapidated than luxurious, Rosie soon gets to know the quirky and eccentric permanent residents of this establishment as there isn't exactly an overflow of holiday guests. But when the new owners of the hotel are determined to revamp the building with a distinct Floridian style, the permanent residents are anything but happy and are resolved to take a stand.
Rory is sent by the new proprietors to make the transition as easy as possible but he has definitely bitten off more than he can chew. And as attraction flares to life, will Rosie be able to help everyone she has come to care for, even if they are on opposite sides of the fence?
THE BIG DREAMS BEACH HOTEL by Lilly Bartlett is everything I hoped it would be and more. Witty dialogue, engaging and relatable characters, and plenty of antics to keep you entertained from start to finish meant I flew through this story in record time. I don't want to go into too much detail as you just have to read it for yourself!
THE BIG DREAMS BEACH HOTEL is the perfect read when a little escapism is needed, and this story will leave you smiling from ear to ear.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the author
The beautiful and eye-catching cover of THE BIG DREAMS BEACH HOTEL by Lilly Bartlett is an excellent choice, as the story inside matches it perfectly with colourful characters and excitement that will capture your imagination as well as your heart.
When Rosie's happily ever after in New York turns into one huge disaster, she flees back to her hometown of Scarborough to regroup and figure out what she wants. Working as manager to a hotel that is more dilapidated than luxurious, Rosie soon gets to know the quirky and eccentric permanent residents of this establishment as there isn't exactly an overflow of holiday guests. But when the new owners of the hotel are determined to revamp the building with a distinct Floridian style, the permanent residents are anything but happy and are resolved to take a stand.
Rory is sent by the new proprietors to make the transition as easy as possible but he has definitely bitten off more than he can chew. And as attraction flares to life, will Rosie be able to help everyone she has come to care for, even if they are on opposite sides of the fence?
THE BIG DREAMS BEACH HOTEL by Lilly Bartlett is everything I hoped it would be and more. Witty dialogue, engaging and relatable characters, and plenty of antics to keep you entertained from start to finish meant I flew through this story in record time. I don't want to go into too much detail as you just have to read it for yourself!
THE BIG DREAMS BEACH HOTEL is the perfect read when a little escapism is needed, and this story will leave you smiling from ear to ear.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the author
August 29, 2017
The Big Dreams Beach Hotel was a pleasant enough read. It didn't blow me away but I enjoyed reading it over a couple of days.
It follows the story of Rosie who's back in her hometown of Scarborough as manager at a quaint Victorian hotel. It's a far cry from three years ago when she was working at a hotel in New York. However, the hotel has been sold to Americans who try to modernise is and send in a Transitions Manager, Rory, to oversee the work. Will Rory move from foe to friend or possibly more?
There are some great characters and some interesting ones too and I did fall in love with Barry!!
As I stated at the start, I found this book pleasant enough to read. It would be perfect to read whilst relaxing on a sun lounger somewhere and whiling away a few hours.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and the author for the chance to review.
It follows the story of Rosie who's back in her hometown of Scarborough as manager at a quaint Victorian hotel. It's a far cry from three years ago when she was working at a hotel in New York. However, the hotel has been sold to Americans who try to modernise is and send in a Transitions Manager, Rory, to oversee the work. Will Rory move from foe to friend or possibly more?
There are some great characters and some interesting ones too and I did fall in love with Barry!!
As I stated at the start, I found this book pleasant enough to read. It would be perfect to read whilst relaxing on a sun lounger somewhere and whiling away a few hours.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and the author for the chance to review.
August 23, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and Lilly Bartlett for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
Three years after ditching her New York dream Rosie is still running the gorgeous hotel by the sea.
The owners of the hotel want to turn it into the carbon copy of their New York hotel full of gawdy tackiness. But the residents of the hotel are not going to go down without a fight. But when dishy Rory turns up to renovate the hotel. Rosie is thrust into a moral dilemma of following her head or her heart.
This book is full to the brims with awesome characters, beautiful scenery, a great storyline and briming with life and romance. I absolutely loved it and if you are a chicklit or romcom fan. This book is for you.
Three years after ditching her New York dream Rosie is still running the gorgeous hotel by the sea.
The owners of the hotel want to turn it into the carbon copy of their New York hotel full of gawdy tackiness. But the residents of the hotel are not going to go down without a fight. But when dishy Rory turns up to renovate the hotel. Rosie is thrust into a moral dilemma of following her head or her heart.
This book is full to the brims with awesome characters, beautiful scenery, a great storyline and briming with life and romance. I absolutely loved it and if you are a chicklit or romcom fan. This book is for you.
August 7, 2017
First, let me just vocalize my pleasure with the cover of this book. This cover caught me hook, line, and sinker because of the colours and aesthetic in general. It looked like such a cute and fun read that I had to get my hands on!
Overall, this novel read like the average mass market romance comedy. It was an enjoyable and funny read but unfortunately, there wasn't anything necessarily unique about it.
Definitely a quick, cute, and fast read to pass the time but do not go into this book with overly high expectations other than a light and fluffy read.
**Thank you to NetGalley as well as the publisher for supplying me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
Overall, this novel read like the average mass market romance comedy. It was an enjoyable and funny read but unfortunately, there wasn't anything necessarily unique about it.
Definitely a quick, cute, and fast read to pass the time but do not go into this book with overly high expectations other than a light and fluffy read.
**Thank you to NetGalley as well as the publisher for supplying me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
August 6, 2017
This was a very cute cosy romance read. The characters were quirky and fun and the setting charming.
September 2, 2017
While I’ll admit that chick-lit and rom-com aren’t typically my go to genre for a read, I do like to dip my toe in their sparkly happy waters every now and again. Having read and loved Lilly Bartlett’s Carlton Square series when I was offered the chance for an early read of TBDBH I could hardly pass it up now could I? And you know what? I am so glad I didn’t because this book was a real cracker. Funny, romantic and at so very heart warming, you’ll be suckered in and racing through the book in a few pages, just like I was.
Having given up on her dream job in Paris to follow her heart, when her relationship turns out to be a complete bust Hotel Manager Rosie finds herself, heartbroken, single and back in her home town of Scarborough. Now managing the same hotel she worked in as a teenager, Rosie likes her life, if not exactly loves it. She has some great friends around her, from her staff to the people who take up a semi-permanent residence in the rooms. When the hotel’s owner finally sells up to take his retirement Rosie is worried about the changes the new American owners might make. Nothing can prepare her for how much things are about to change for all concerned and the ensuing modifications lead to a whole host of complications, including in Rosie’s romantic life.
I warmed to Rosie from the very first chapter as she began to describe the simple thing that was to become the start of all of her problems – meeting Chuck. He seemed to be the dream guy. Handsome, charming and in desperate need of Rosie’s help to plan a last minute Christmas party for his new firm. Everything was perfect… Yeah right. Told in Rosie’s voice, Lilly Bartlett has created such a charming and engaging character, naive in many ways, but also so delightfully funny, that she immediately brings the reader on side and has you rooting for Rosie. Just as well really as we’re going on one heck of a journey with her.
What I love about the author’s style is the way she effortlessly blends the humour, some outright comedy with just enough of a hint of irony edging on sarcasm, with some really touching and moving moments all the way through. Also the way in which she captures the spirit of Scarborough in her writing it just perfect. I was in town earlier this summer and single description rang absolutely true. I could even picture all of the arcades and faded hotels as she’d described them. Which made the ‘Americanisation’ of the hotel all the more hilarious. Imagine anyone trying to capture the spirit of Miami beach in Scarborough. Flamingos and palm trees on the seafront? Er… perhaps not eh?
There are some truly memorable characters in this book too. From the Colonel and his attempts to capture the attentions and the heart of Lill. Bless him. He just never gives up on her. Then there is Chef, an ex-Army cook who likes to make good old fashioned tucker and despairs at the thought of creating jus and air whipped nothing form the new owners menu. Miracle is a larger than life character, infecting the whole place, in a very good way, with her bright clothes and never ending positivity and laughter. And not forgetting Peter and Barry. They give us perhaps the most touching moment of the whole story. Peter has a debilitating condition and Barry, his faithful pooch who joins him in his stage act. All of them are threatened with either eviction or loss of their jobs and yet Peter has only one thing he wants to achieve above all else. To audition for ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. How he fares you’ll have to read for yourself but it truly was a scene which warmed the cockles.
We mustn’t forget the new owners, Curtis and PK. Curtis is laid back, typically American surfer dude, eternally positive. PK… Well he’s not positive or laid back at all, and lets just say that he bears an uncanny resemblance to a certain American of significant influence who is hitting the headlines on almost a daily basis these days. Both are outrageously exaggerated stereotypes of every clash in the English to American beach culture – both are overwhelmingly hilarious to read about.
Then finally we have Rosie, the heroine of our novel and Rory her almost nemesis – the man sent to ‘change manage’ the hotel as it moves from a run down seaside hotel to a beach resort worthy of the most discerning traveller. That will be no mean feat, that’s for sure. Theirs is a wonderful pairing and you can immediately see the chemistry between them. Rosie is no sucker though, at least not a second time, and Rory is clearly no Chuck. As we learn more about Rosie’s abrupt departure from New York though, maybe that’s not such a bad thing after all. Their relationship is so sweet it’s like sucking on a stick of Scarborough pink rock. Without the peppermint flavouring… While Rosie can be cynical and short tempered, Rory is overwhelmingly positive and accommodating. And determined, in his own quiet way. He’s like a younger version of the Colonel in that he never once gives up on Rosie and is willing to make quite a major sacrifice for her too.
I loved every minute of this and raced through from first page to last. It set me immediately in mind of all my childhood holidays (and more recent ventures to the east coast too). From the conflict and dramas, the unnatural insertion of pinks, blues and flamingos into the traditional setting, right through to the romantic interludes which were peppered throughout, this book ticked every box for me. I chuckled almost constantly and when I wasn’t chuckling I had a huge grin on my face. It kept me reading into the very small hours, if only to prove my feelings on Chuck the seemingly perfect were absolutely correct. (They were 😉 )
Funny, charming and irresistibly sweet, if you love a good rom-com then you most definitely need this book in your life.
Having given up on her dream job in Paris to follow her heart, when her relationship turns out to be a complete bust Hotel Manager Rosie finds herself, heartbroken, single and back in her home town of Scarborough. Now managing the same hotel she worked in as a teenager, Rosie likes her life, if not exactly loves it. She has some great friends around her, from her staff to the people who take up a semi-permanent residence in the rooms. When the hotel’s owner finally sells up to take his retirement Rosie is worried about the changes the new American owners might make. Nothing can prepare her for how much things are about to change for all concerned and the ensuing modifications lead to a whole host of complications, including in Rosie’s romantic life.
I warmed to Rosie from the very first chapter as she began to describe the simple thing that was to become the start of all of her problems – meeting Chuck. He seemed to be the dream guy. Handsome, charming and in desperate need of Rosie’s help to plan a last minute Christmas party for his new firm. Everything was perfect… Yeah right. Told in Rosie’s voice, Lilly Bartlett has created such a charming and engaging character, naive in many ways, but also so delightfully funny, that she immediately brings the reader on side and has you rooting for Rosie. Just as well really as we’re going on one heck of a journey with her.
What I love about the author’s style is the way she effortlessly blends the humour, some outright comedy with just enough of a hint of irony edging on sarcasm, with some really touching and moving moments all the way through. Also the way in which she captures the spirit of Scarborough in her writing it just perfect. I was in town earlier this summer and single description rang absolutely true. I could even picture all of the arcades and faded hotels as she’d described them. Which made the ‘Americanisation’ of the hotel all the more hilarious. Imagine anyone trying to capture the spirit of Miami beach in Scarborough. Flamingos and palm trees on the seafront? Er… perhaps not eh?
There are some truly memorable characters in this book too. From the Colonel and his attempts to capture the attentions and the heart of Lill. Bless him. He just never gives up on her. Then there is Chef, an ex-Army cook who likes to make good old fashioned tucker and despairs at the thought of creating jus and air whipped nothing form the new owners menu. Miracle is a larger than life character, infecting the whole place, in a very good way, with her bright clothes and never ending positivity and laughter. And not forgetting Peter and Barry. They give us perhaps the most touching moment of the whole story. Peter has a debilitating condition and Barry, his faithful pooch who joins him in his stage act. All of them are threatened with either eviction or loss of their jobs and yet Peter has only one thing he wants to achieve above all else. To audition for ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. How he fares you’ll have to read for yourself but it truly was a scene which warmed the cockles.
We mustn’t forget the new owners, Curtis and PK. Curtis is laid back, typically American surfer dude, eternally positive. PK… Well he’s not positive or laid back at all, and lets just say that he bears an uncanny resemblance to a certain American of significant influence who is hitting the headlines on almost a daily basis these days. Both are outrageously exaggerated stereotypes of every clash in the English to American beach culture – both are overwhelmingly hilarious to read about.
Then finally we have Rosie, the heroine of our novel and Rory her almost nemesis – the man sent to ‘change manage’ the hotel as it moves from a run down seaside hotel to a beach resort worthy of the most discerning traveller. That will be no mean feat, that’s for sure. Theirs is a wonderful pairing and you can immediately see the chemistry between them. Rosie is no sucker though, at least not a second time, and Rory is clearly no Chuck. As we learn more about Rosie’s abrupt departure from New York though, maybe that’s not such a bad thing after all. Their relationship is so sweet it’s like sucking on a stick of Scarborough pink rock. Without the peppermint flavouring… While Rosie can be cynical and short tempered, Rory is overwhelmingly positive and accommodating. And determined, in his own quiet way. He’s like a younger version of the Colonel in that he never once gives up on Rosie and is willing to make quite a major sacrifice for her too.
I loved every minute of this and raced through from first page to last. It set me immediately in mind of all my childhood holidays (and more recent ventures to the east coast too). From the conflict and dramas, the unnatural insertion of pinks, blues and flamingos into the traditional setting, right through to the romantic interludes which were peppered throughout, this book ticked every box for me. I chuckled almost constantly and when I wasn’t chuckling I had a huge grin on my face. It kept me reading into the very small hours, if only to prove my feelings on Chuck the seemingly perfect were absolutely correct. (They were 😉 )
Funny, charming and irresistibly sweet, if you love a good rom-com then you most definitely need this book in your life.
August 23, 2017
The Big Dreams Beach Hotel, written by Lilly Bartlett, is the perfect summer read! This is novel that will have you laughing out loud as you get to know and love the eccentric cast of characters.
Rosie never imagined she would return to her hometown after her time spent working at a hotel in New York. However, that's exactly where she has been for the last three years...working at a hotel in her quiet seaside hometown of Scarborough, while trying to heal from a broken heart. The hotel has been losing money for many years, and caters more to the community than actual hotel guests. All of that is about to change when the owner, The Colonel, decides to sell the hotel...sight unseen...to a pair of brothers from America. Beach Vacations Inc is the company that now owns the hotel, and they have hired Rory to oversee the transition and remodel. Rosie and Rory get off on the wrong track initially, but being forced to work together, their relationship improves in time.
Everyone at the hotel is worried about this new change, especially the permanent residents of the hotel. What will happen to them? Rosie is completely horrified when she realizes the new owners plan to remodel the quaint Victorian hotel to look like a hotel straight out of the eighties hit television show Miami Vice...pastel colors and gaudy decorations. Change is usually a good thing, but in this case, only time will tell.
First let me say that the author has perfectly balanced the pace and layout of the storyline! This story is literally filled with an abundance of humor and an eccentric and quirky...but completely lovable...cast of characters. As the story progresses, more is told about the heartbreak Rosie endured from the man she met while working in New York City, Chuck. It is actuly quite funny because Rosie often confuses Rory with her memories of Chuck, and this is how that relationship is revealed throughout the story.
The new owners do not have passports, and are afraid to fly, therefore, their meetings take place using Skype. I found myself laughing out loud when Rosie meets one of the brothers (PK) through Skype for the first time. The author uses very descriptive details to describe his looks, and you literally can visualize the entire scene. Each character is well written, and each has a story to tell, including the supporting characters. You will fall in love with these amazing characters, even with the grumpy ex-military man known as Chef. Overall, this is a heartwarming, and often hilarious story. The personal stories of each character are as different as they are interesting...and all will touch your heart! I honestly cannot begin to put into words just how wonderful this book truly is. I hope you give it a chance...you will not regret it!
I would like to thank HarperCollins UK/HarperImpulse and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book. My views are my own and are in no way influenced by anyone else.
Rosie never imagined she would return to her hometown after her time spent working at a hotel in New York. However, that's exactly where she has been for the last three years...working at a hotel in her quiet seaside hometown of Scarborough, while trying to heal from a broken heart. The hotel has been losing money for many years, and caters more to the community than actual hotel guests. All of that is about to change when the owner, The Colonel, decides to sell the hotel...sight unseen...to a pair of brothers from America. Beach Vacations Inc is the company that now owns the hotel, and they have hired Rory to oversee the transition and remodel. Rosie and Rory get off on the wrong track initially, but being forced to work together, their relationship improves in time.
Everyone at the hotel is worried about this new change, especially the permanent residents of the hotel. What will happen to them? Rosie is completely horrified when she realizes the new owners plan to remodel the quaint Victorian hotel to look like a hotel straight out of the eighties hit television show Miami Vice...pastel colors and gaudy decorations. Change is usually a good thing, but in this case, only time will tell.
First let me say that the author has perfectly balanced the pace and layout of the storyline! This story is literally filled with an abundance of humor and an eccentric and quirky...but completely lovable...cast of characters. As the story progresses, more is told about the heartbreak Rosie endured from the man she met while working in New York City, Chuck. It is actuly quite funny because Rosie often confuses Rory with her memories of Chuck, and this is how that relationship is revealed throughout the story.
The new owners do not have passports, and are afraid to fly, therefore, their meetings take place using Skype. I found myself laughing out loud when Rosie meets one of the brothers (PK) through Skype for the first time. The author uses very descriptive details to describe his looks, and you literally can visualize the entire scene. Each character is well written, and each has a story to tell, including the supporting characters. You will fall in love with these amazing characters, even with the grumpy ex-military man known as Chef. Overall, this is a heartwarming, and often hilarious story. The personal stories of each character are as different as they are interesting...and all will touch your heart! I honestly cannot begin to put into words just how wonderful this book truly is. I hope you give it a chance...you will not regret it!
I would like to thank HarperCollins UK/HarperImpulse and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book. My views are my own and are in no way influenced by anyone else.
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