Member Reviews
If you loved grumpy sunshine tropes then this story is for you! This book is all about a fresh start as Rachel and Maisie pack up their old life, leave Maisie’s inattentive father behind, and start fresh in a new home. Little do they know, they’re about to meet the uptight, grumpy hotel owner Mason who’s caught up in a dilemma of his own. In order to make this new arrangement work out for both of them, Mason and Rachel are going to have to work together to find a solution.
This story tugs on the heart strings and delivers a fabulous story from start to finish! Many thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this story on audiobook.
When Rachel loses her job, she has nothing to lose and decided to apply for a management position at a brewery hotel on an island in Lake Erie - very far away from her current life in Miami Beach. When she gets the job, she arrives to a not yet fully built hotel and meets Mason, the owner, who knows nothing about running a hotel. As they work to build the hotel together, they become close while also going through their own individual healing processes.
After reading the Float Plan, I was so amazed with Trish Doller’s ability to take characters in really difficult places in their lives, and write them beautiful love stories in the midst of their healing. So when I saw that Rachel was getting her own story, I was so excited and this book did not disappoint. I loved Rachel and how as a single mom she was willing to do anything to give her daughter the best life. Watching Rachel develop a crush on Mason that slowly evolved into more was so relatable and heartwarming to read. I loved that he was there to support her and believe in her no matter what. It was such an endearing and beautiful romance - I thought it was so special to see them each get a second chance at love and family and slowly learn to love and trust again.
I adored the audio. The narrator told the story with so much heart and the emotion this book needed.
Thank you to SMP Romance, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advanced copies.
Book 2 in the Beck Sisters "series"- totally works as a stand alone.
After single mom, Rachel, is fired, she moves to Ohio with her daughter to take her dream job. Her boss, Mason, is grumpy and uncomfortable around Maisie. Tensions are high until Rachel learns about Mason's tragic past. As Mason heals, he begins to soften. And Rachel starts to fall.
I didn't completely love [book:The Float Plan|57424346]. I didn't hate it, I just didn't like it as much as I expected. Rachel was a very minor character and I didn't exactly like her. I still gave it a shot and I am so glad I did. I really enjoyed it. As a Michigander, I have been to Cedar Point dozens of times. While I have never been to Kelleys Island, I know about it. It was fun to read about an area that I know fairly well. I also really enjoyed both Rachel and Mason's growth.
I also want to note that I love, love, love the cover!!!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a heartwarming and cozy read! I really enjoyed reading The Float Plan last year and was excited when it was announced that this would be a fun follow and continuation of the Beck Sisters!
This one follows Rachel and her daughter embarking on a new journey but there’s satisfying mentions and updates of Anna and Keane and their new adventures together!
It’s certainly deeper than your typical light and surface level rom com and I applaud Doller for utilizing a plus size woman as her protagonist!
Recommended for anyone looking for a delightful comfort read!
The Narrator does a great job keeping this book light and fun. While the story itself wasn't as banter-filled and funny as Trish's last novel, I was still entertained and found myself flying through listening to this book. I loved the story line having a single mom, and a heartbroken, soft-spoken man. The plot of building a resort together made me wanna binge watch some TLC home shows. lol. Super fun listen but fell a little flat for me in the "rom-com" department that I was hoping for.
I enjoyed The Suite Spot even more than The Float Plan, it's such a relatable and heartwarming story! Rachel Beck is Anna's sister, a single parent who works at a high end hotel, until she is fired over something that's not her fault. She finds a new job at a resort on a deserted island and it ends up being a second chance for many things that are really appealing... brewing beer, designing a fishing resort, peace and quiet, finding new love after loss or being alone for a long time, rebuilding relationships with your children, there's even a grumpy cat in the mix! Everything about this story was enjoyable and although it's a short audiobook, by the end I wished it would never end.
Sarah Naughton is the same narrator as The Float Plan had, and she does a great job of voicing the emotion, heartache and joy in the story. I hope that both Trish and Sarah will have many more books for us to enjoy in the future!
This was such a pleasant surprise! I adored Rachel and her cute kid Maisy. I adored Mason, who was so closed off and gruff at the beginning but grew into the most loving and kindhearted man (swoon). I loved all the forms of tender love in here—familial, platonic, and of course romantic.
The one thing i was sooo hoping for was more outrage from Rachel. In so many scenes, I wanted her to snap and go off especially at her ex but SHE NEVER DOES which frustrated me. Like I wanted more drama and angst. Things were just...resolved too calmly. Which I guess is mature or whatever but it would’ve been sooo much more interesting with DRAMA and PANACHE. I also was sad that this wasn’t very steamy—everything was either closed door or a vague three sentences.
Overall I still loved this! Can’t wait for more from this author
I enjoyed this one a lot more than the first one. Thank you netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. The story was sweet and faced real issues in a real matter.
Overall, I really enjoyed this! I enjoyed Rachel's journey and the slow build-up of her and Mason's relationship - I mean Mason is just 😍 Also, loved Rachel's daughter, Mazey, and her cute relationship with Mason's cat! This story tugged on my heart strings as it tackled a lot of topics such as grief (TW for loss of a child).
I will say that I knocked it down a star because of the conflict at the ~90% mark... I just felt this was unnecessary and a big step-back in Rachel's character development. Everything worked out in the end but just wish this wasn't in there? Feel like there were other ways to handle this... regardless, def enjoyed this and would recommend as it was very sweet and heartwarming,
I'll note that I did not read The Float Plan (book 1 in this series) and felt completely fine and not lost at all. Also, this audiobook was fab!
Rating: 4 stars
#TheSuiteSpot:
“I don’t want to fall apart. I want the universe to bend my way for once.”
Hold the phone! Did I know this was part of a series? I loved Float Plan last year, so when I heard Anna’s name pop up, I shot up from my lounge chair and went to goodreads to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.
I loved Float Plan, and just like it, The Suite Spot is a wonderful romance, but is still deeper and more authentic than the happy go lucky cover reveals. There’s many triggers that are listed in the very beginning, so please check those.
I really loved Rachel and Mason’s relationship. They were so authentic and patient with each other. I loved that they had great communication about triggers and issues instead of it just bottling up and exploding later. They had realistic reservations and real life issues that aren’t fluffy or easy to fix. I also loved that Mason crafted beer! So many hops and wheats, I wanted to go to a brewery ASAP and finish the book with a pint!
I did an audio and reading combo and LOVED the audio. I took a quick road trip and was so happy @macmillansudio provided it so I could actually finish the book. You know when you just want to know what happens but you’ve got responsibilities? (Insert Tommy Pickles meme) Sarah Naughton was so good and I really thought we had two different readers at one point (reading for Mason and another for Rachel) Highly recommend the audio!
I enjoyed The Suite Spot until about the 92% mark, then I just got annoyed. I know we needed a bit of conflict or a “great misunderstanding” but it just felt kind of random and excessive. I also felt like it completely ruined Rachel’s character development. I wasn’t a fan and felt it didn’t add much to the plot or happy ending. I really could have done without the last 8% of the book and this would have been a 5 star.
Overall, another great and realistic love story, but don’t let the cover fool you of a happy romcom. The audio is where it’s at! Thank you @macmillanau and @smoromance for the gifted copy. The Suite Spot is out Tuesday, 3/8!
“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
When I started listening to The Suite Spot, I had no idea that it was the second in a series, following last year's Float Plan, but there was no way I was going to stop listening to go back and catch up. I was already far too invested in learning all about Mason and Rachel.
Keeping it short and spoiler free, The Suite Spot is perfect. Not only is the dialogue fun and interesting (essential in an audio book), but it's cute without being sappy, there's a little bit of heat without it being eye-rolling, and the plot is entirely realistic. Now that I've finished The Suite Spot, I'm definitely going back to read The Float Plan, because Trish Doller is definitely one of my new must-buy authors!
I just really loved this audiobook all around. I loved the narrators voice as she was so easy to listen to and I really loved the story from Tish Doller as well.
I loved getting the love story of a single parent Rachel while she also got to live out her career dreams. I loved the idea of moving to a small community for your dream job and finally finding a man that treats you the way she should have been treated prior to this relationship.
Tish did a good job with the grumpy-sunshine trope as I loved why there was grump there for Mason with his backstory and that it wasn’t just because he was a jackass as I’ve read in other grumpy-sunshine tropes.
If you are looking for a light and fun romance with a female main character that’s got some meat on her bones I highly recommend this one.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Griffin Books for the ARC of this book! I am so thankful to obtain a copy to read in advance of its release!
I voluntarily listened to and reviewed an advanced copy of this audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio!
After losing her job, Rachel Beck takes a chance by taking a management position at a boutique hotel on Kelley’s Island. She quickly discovers that not everything is as it seems with her job offer.
I loved the author’s other book Float Plan and was excited to see that she was writing a sequel. The Suite Spot did not disappoint! Trish Doller does not shy away from writing about grief and its resulting feelings/actions. She portrays her characters with such genuine emotions and it makes them so much more relatable. I enjoyed the progression of Rachel and Mason's relationship along with her friendship with his family and the locals.
Although The Suite Spot is part of the Beck Sisters series, I think it could easily be read as a stand alone.
I look forward to rereading Float Plan and whatever else Trish Doller writes in the future.
Man oh mannnnn! This was good. Trish Doller writes such great stories. It’s realistic and fun with just the right struggles to keep you invested. I. Loved. This! So if you haven’t read anything of hers then you have to read Float Plan, book 1. You can read this as a stand-alone and you’ll be fine. But trust me, you’ll want to read book 1 also.
This one’s about the oldest sister and her false start to her sad life. I loved all the characters and I loved the romance. It’s not steamy but there is just something about the way TD writes their connection that makes me so happy. Rachel was a vulnerable, strong and talented female. Masson was mysterious and charmingly determined.
I’m so glad I read this and highly recommend it. It’s good. You have to read it.
Thanks St. Martin’s Griffin and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley.
I chose to listen to this book on audio and loved Sarah Naughton as the narrator. She was awesome.
Trish Doller does it again!!
If you loved Float Plan- The Suite Spot is for you! Although they can be read on their own- I love that each sister has a story.
Rachel is a hard working single mom. She does everything with her daughter, Mazie, in mind. But this often comes at the cost of her own happiness. She stays at a job where they don’t respect her purely to keep food on the table. She waits in the wings for Mazies father to come around. And she lives with her mother. When she’s abruptly fired she takes a total chance at a job that arises. It’s in Ohio at a brewery hotel, far from her life in Miami.
She packs everything up and moves Mazie across the states. Trick is- the hotel hasn’t even been finished. She is hired by a (hurting) brewer named Mason. The two work well together and take their time getting to know one another. Mason & Rachel have both been through a lot in their young lives. But turns out they can be just what the other needs.
I loved the brewery aspect of this story along with the thrift shopping, HGTV feels, and renovation fun. These two characters fixing up this hotel was so charming! I loved the adventure they were on (and it made me want to go on one of my own!) This story had a slow burn that made it so sweet. Doller is a must read for me!
I really enjoyed the narrator & the accents she added. I binged this in two days because it was such a pleasant read! So sweet and charming!
Such a page turning, not sure what one says when it’s a audiobook but I couldn’t stop listening. The characters and storyline are very realistic. Love the narrator! This is the second in the series, I haven’t read the first, but really didn’t matter. Rachel is a hard working single mom, who with the help of her mother is trying her best to raise her adorable daughter, 3 year old Maisey. Working at a luxury hotel in Miami for almost 10 years she is fired, basically so the hotel will not lose a rich guest. Her on and mostly off again boyfriend, Maisey dad has never supported his daughter. Faced with dead end jobs in Florida or taking a chance at Kelley Island, OH. Rachel packs up and moves.
Mason had many dreams, but losing his daughter and his wife divorcing him has left him drifting. He hires Rachel hoping to open his Craft Beer Hotel, with her experience it should be doable. The only thing is he hasn’t gone into details with how much is needed to be done.
It’s a story of learning how to pick up the pieces, life goes on, family, friends, and learning to trust and love again.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #TheSuiteStop #MacmillanAudio
This book was like one big hug! I absolutely LOVED Trish Doller's Float plan and was beyond excited to get approved for an early review copy of The suite spot, featuring Anna's sister Rachel.
Rachel is a single mom with a young daughter Maisie. Living with her mother in Florida she gets fired from her hotel job after being sexually harassed by one of the guests. Feeling a little lost she takes a chance when an opportunity arises to run a boutique hotel brewery on a small Ohio island.
Uprooting her whole life, Rachel and her daughter drive to Kelleys Island where they meet Mason, the owner and set down roots in this close knit island community. Full of small town charm and an island setting that reminded my so much of Manitoulin island, this book was a huge breath of fresh air. I LOVED these highly relatable characters and fell in love with them alongside Rachel. The island book club reminded me of my own amazing bookish friends who support and celebrate one another's life events.
My only critique (and it's a minor one) was that the story is only told from Rachel's perspective. However, Mason is such a wonderful man, grieving the end of his marriage and the loss of his young daughter, with Rachel's help he learns to start living again, finding love along the way.
This was an absolute delight I didn't want to end and I enjoyed it the second time around on audio! I will read anything Trish Doller writes. HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended, especially for fans of Float plan or The dating dare (another book featuring a craft brewery and Asian American characters). Much thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance review copy!
This was a very enjoyable story. The characters were fully developed. I was frustrated with some of Rachels decisions near the end of the book but it all worked out well!
After years of working hard to succeed at her job at a luxury Miami Beach hotel–while raising a toddler as a single mom, Rachel Beck is unexpectedly fired. She absolutely loved her job, but all it took was one sleazy, well-connected guest to burst her happy life bubble.
Desperate for change, she finally leaves the home she’s shared with her mom and takes a job at a new brewery hotel in northern Ohio, on a Lake Eerie Island. The owner, grumpy but sexy Mason, knows a lot about brewing beer, but is lost when it comes to the hotel side of his business. The place needs a lot of work, but Rachel is up for the job. What choice does she have?
Rachel quickly finds out Mason is in a lot of pain from something in his past, and as the two become closer on the job, they start opening up to each other about their personal lives. I love the plot device of building or repairing something together while the characters are kind of going through the same types of transitions themselves. I also felt like she was thoughtfully inclusive for side characters- none of them seemed to have been added for the sake of checking a box.
The small town on Kelleys Island easily welcomes Rachel and her daughter into their tight-knit fold. I would love to find a book club like theirs! It sounded so fun.
Sarah Naughton really is a great narrator! This felt like a pretty cozy story–the smaller-town setting, the low-drama characters– and Sarah did an excellent job of infusing the warmth this story naturally emits into the narration. They were a great fit for each other.
(Trish lays out several possible content warnings before you start the story, btw!) Thanks to SMP Romance and MacMillan Audio for an ALC of The Suite Spot via NetGalley Shelf.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced audiobook copy.
This was a good read and I really enjoyed it. This is not my typical genre and I’ve been trying to read more romance. The narrator did a great job.