Wallner women follow few rules, but the ones they have they adhere to strictly. Wallner women fall for one man--'the man'--and have one daughter. Wallner women run the Hotel Wallner, once a glamorous landmark of 19th century Vienna. And Wallner women write everything down.

The once-glorious Wallner hotel went to ruin under the neglect of Elizabeth Wallner, and her daughter, Maria, the new manager, is working hard to bring it back. Her first effort is a New Year's Ball closing out 1877, at which it is predicted that 'the man' for Maria will be tall, dark-haired, and handsome. Tipsy on champagne to celebrate the success of the hotel being almost back, Maria scoffs when she's rescued from the path of a speeding carriage by tall, dark-haired, sternly handsome Eli Whittaker. Maria has a hotel to bring back to life. She's working far too hard for romance.

Eli Whittaker isn't a spy, though these seem to abound in gloriously lavish and highly secretive Vienna, heart of the Austrian-Hapsburg Empire. He's an upright American sent by the U.S. Treasury Department to investigate codes that were stolen from the American Legation--in a letter posted from the Hotel Wallner. Eli's investigation makes Maria a suspect, and he's not entirely unwilling to keep a close eye on the lovely, dark-haired, strong-minded and decisive Maria. But as secrets abound and mysteries proliferate--and it looks like, hotel codes aside, Maria is the target of a determined assassin--Eli finds himself putting both his body and his heart on the line to protect her.

I confess I put the book aside after the "meet cute," at which Maria is decidedly uncharmed. There was nothing wrong with the writing, or the extensive cast of quirky characters, or the hints about the tangled pasts of the various Wallner women, including Maria's formidable grandmother, Josephine. I'm glad I went back to the book, though, because with the introduction of Eli, I was hooked. There was enough fascination and vulnerability to him to interest me. His strict sense of justice, his complete lack of humor, the hints of a troubled past, and his annoyance with the lavish excesses of Vienna were all amusing. And now I'm glad I stayed with the book, because it sucked me in completely and turned out to be one of the most delightful books I've read all year--and one of the few that made the kids keep yelling, "What are you *laughing* about?"

It's absolutely a romance, with Maria the savvy and experienced partner who educates the at-first very buttoned-up Eli. But it's also a mystery, with appearances from members of the Imperial Household and compounding questions that in the end turn out to be delightfully, even brilliantly connected. And at the same time it's a story of a found family, including not just Maria's half-brother (who, unlike Maria, is legitimate) but her friend and hotel cook Hannah, the Brodmaiers, and even the likeable French spy, Claude, who keeps insinuating himself anywhere.

As passion mounted alongside the secrets, I found myself rapt in the clever characterizations, zaps of humor, and lively action. By the end I was reading headlong because I simply *had* to know what happened. And the minute I was done, I went back to the first two chapters and found them absolutely perfect for the rest of the book. An utterly charming love story and a lively mystery. I already can't wait for Biller's next book.

I always enjoy Diana Biller books and this one was no different. The book is set in 1870s Vienna and follows Maria as she tries to bring her family's once prominent hotel back to life, and Eli, an American Government agent tasked to find who is selling American secret codes.

The Vienna backdrop and the chemistry between Eli and Maria makes this book a fun read. One thing I love about Diana Biller's books is that I always learn something new. She puts so much history into her books and it always makes me want to learn more. I would highly recommend this book!

Great story if you don't mind skimming over the unnecessary and explicit sex scenes. I received a copy from #NetGalley for review. It was a REALLY GOOD book. The plot moved right along, the characters were interesting, the world building of 1870's Vienna was awesome. The sex scenes came out of nowhere and were G R A P H I C. I don't think they were necessary and added nothing to the plot other than to shock. The book was excellent until I had to skip over page after page. 3 stars.

4.5 stars for Hotel of Secrets. Diana Biller has a real knack for unconventional historical romance. Hotel of Secrets is set in late 19th Century Vienna, and features the unlikely pairing of a hotel manager (Maria) and a U.S. Department of the Treasury investigator (Eli). Maria has just taken over management of her family's hotel, where Eli is staying as he works undercover to ferret out who's stolen some American codes. At first glance, they are an unlikely couple: Maria is gregarious and outgoing, embracing her role in the hospitality industry by taking part in all sorts of social events. Eli is straight-laced and reticent, uncomfortable in crowds and devoted to Justice (note the capital letter). Soon, though, they begin to discover that at heart, they're a perfect match.

Watching these two come together and slowly discover their compatibility is a real joy to read. There is an overarching mystery plot (someone has been targeting Maria, and Eli thinks it has something to do with the missing codes), but the relationship conflict feels organic to both the characters and their personal situations. Honestly the only thing keeping this from an unqualified 5 star rating is the convoluted setup. It took us several minutes to parse out all of the character relationships, which are presented in multiple paragraphs during a ball. Once we got through that, it was all gravy.

Finally, mild spoilers: this is by far Biller's steamiest novel yet. What's more, she combines two of our favorite steamy tropes: Eli is a virgin hero (he refers to himself as "celibate"), and Maria is just so turned on by him that she has a solo session in the owner's quarters of the hotel. Loooooved it.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Oh my goodness this book was such a fun read!! Set in 1870s Vienna, Maria is the manager of her family hotel and is trying to return it to it’s former glory during Ball Season and Eli is an American sent to investigate the leak of codes, the only lead being a letter sent from Maria’s hotel. Watching the mysteries unfold and all the secrets that led to the chaos, while watching the couple come together felt absolutely fantastical without taking you out of the story. The banter was absolutely top notch and the family, both blood relations and found family, kept me smiling throughout. I really would love to see stories for several side characters!! Claude, Mac, Hannah, and Mac’s sisters are all up there on my list of wanting more information. My only real disconnect was in regards to Eli’s motivation behind his decision to be celibate. The way that he goes about learning how to be intimate with Maria was incredibly sweet and their focus on consent was just excellent. Overall 4.5 stars and I will definitely be checking out Diana Biller’s backlist!!

Maria runs a fancy hotel in Vienna in 1877. She's trying to bring it back to glory after her mother ran it into the ground. The hotel has been in her family for many years and the women are well connected to Austrian aristocrats. Eli, an American, is sent Vienna to figure out who is selling secret American codes. He meets Maria on his first day there by saving his life. This story is filled with secrets, murder attempts, and passion. A great read!

Diana Biller's The Brightest Star in Paris was one of my favorite books of 2021. And in Hotel of Secrets,​ Biller continues to demonstrate her talent for creating rich historical settings. Vienna comes to life as Maria and Eli race across the city to gather everything needed for the Hotel Wallner's return to glory. The ending is triumphant, capping off a truly feel-good romance. And, of course, Biller's subtle humor shines in moments of fast dialogue and sweet platonic chemistry.

However, I found this novel less engaging than Biller's previous novels. The story feels bloated at times, especially as the reader contends with too many zany characters and plot lines resolved as quickly as they are introduced; the third act, in particular, is rushed. Conversely, moments of interiority—largely repeating the character's previous thoughts—also drag the pacing. Maria and Eli, while engaging, remain two-dimensional for much of the novel, and their romance struggles to progress beyond love at first sight.

Ultimately, ​Hotel of Secrets is a romance that many not always deliver on depth, but is sure to be a feel-good story for any reader. I continue to admire Biller's writing and look forward to her future novels.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Special thanks to NetGalley and St.Marin's press for the digital ARC of this book.

Vienna in the time of the Hapsburgs is not a time in history that I have ever read much about so I was curious to read this book. At first I wasn't sure because it takes a bit for the story to get going and there are too many plot threads to follow, however, things start to come together a little over halfway through and then it's hard to put down. The male main character, Eli, doesn't come off well at the beginning but he won me over and he and Maria are a good match for each other. Some of my favorite characters are the supporting characters though. They are funny and lovable and there are enough backstories to easily fill another book about the history of the Hotel Wallner.

This was the first book of Diana Biller's that I have read and I look forward to reading others.

My love for Diana Biller and this book make this review difficult to write because I LOVED IT SO MUCH that I'm incoherent about it.

Maria Wallner wants nothing more than to restore her family's hotel to it's former glory. However, strange things keep happening at the hotel and no one can quite figure out what's going on, though Maria's life seems to be constantly in jeopardy. Witness to many of these oddities is Eli Whittaker, a government official from the US who is in Vienna investigating stolen secret codes. Though he staunchly does not want to get involved with this alluring hotelkeeper, he cannot seem to keep his mind off her.

The Viennese setting was absolutely fabulous and had me wishing I was in Vienna, attending balls and experiencing the opulence of Fasching! Biller's storytelling and writing is fabulous and incredibly immersive.

The real highlight of this book, however, is Maria and Eli's relationship and how it grows. Eli is pretty gruff in the beginning but soon shows his true colors and is seriously SO SWEET. Omg and the spice - THE SPICE. You get a virgin male hero and an experienced heroine and let me just tell you, it is some of the best spice I have ever read.

You absolutely do not want to miss this one - it comes out March 28th and I will absolutely be pre ordering!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

Sweeping romance with espionage, humor, and some very interesting characters.
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This story is so unique. It is not the typical historical romance that you have read. This is more like women’s fiction with a historical twist.

This story offers something for every reader. A wonderful cast of characters with a fabulous and unique storyline that engages you with every turn of the page.

A family full of secrets, a government office with some interesting issues, spies who everyone seems to know are spies, attempted murders at every turn, and building romance with a surprising twist.

Biller has a wonderful way of telling a story that envelops you completely. I love the humor and fun she built into the book. Chaotic wildness, strange family issues, and a strong, steamy romance that sucks you in.

Overall, Hotel of Secrets is a whirlwind of a story I think you will love! And that cover? Perfect!!

When I grow up to be a proper author, I want to be Diana Biller. Deceptively simple blurbs that make me feel like a shrug emoji inevitably end up being incredibly absorb-able books that I can't put down once I start reading them.

I loved the dynamic between Maria and Eli and the way that Biller negotiates their romance and character arcs. All of them are written compassionately and deftly, but she's also not afraid of the comedic aspect of the situations that the characters find themselves in. It reminded me very much of a 1940s romantic comedy, in the ability of the book to find romance in the absurd (or the absurdity in the romance...I'm not sure :) ). Of course, the on-screen (on page) sex is much hotter than the 1940s movies ever found themselves.

My only quibble is that the ending of the "mystery" felt a little too "whip the curtain back" with information we never knew, as opposed to clues on the page. BUT I concede that this isn't primarily a whodunnit; it's a romance and gorgeous portrayal of a city that I love, with an intriguing-enough mystery to keep me engaged.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin for my copy of the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

This book is going on my list of best books I read in 2022 - I absolutely loved this! The characters- Eli, Maria, Josephine, Mac, Hannah… the list goes on and each one was such a wonderful part of the story! I have already pre-ordered this and urged all my followers to do so as well.

I'll be grabbing her backlist immediately!

This book is such a fun read! It has mystery, culture, history, humor, drama, and of course an romance (which is my favorite). And if you love a buttoned up hero, this is absolutely the book for you! I loved it and will be reading it again! I would highly recommend!

Always consider myself team Historical Romance, and this was no different. I enjoyed getting to dig into 1870s Vienna, and the Hotel was a character unto itself.

I'll definitely be reading this again and more books by Diana Biller. Definitely worth a read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book for my objective review!

This is a delightful novel that time shifts between early and late 19th century Vienna. It also shifts between four beautiful and strong-willed generations of women. The main focus is on Maria Wallner, who, in Victorian-era Vienna, struggles to restore the faded glory of her family’s once grand hôtel. The Wallner women, starting with her great-grandmother Theresa, have always been proprietor-managers of Hotel Wallner. Theresa and Josephine, Maria’s pistol-packing lesbian grandmother, established the hotel’s luxe reputation for service and discretion among the decadent European nobility. Her own mother, Elisabeth, ran it into the ground as she became increasingly distant from any inclination to work while obsessing over her great love, Maria’s noble father, all this time married and with legitimate heirs. Her half-brother Macario, born only a few months after her, is actually one of her closest friends. Each of the four Wallners had liaisons with wealthy and powerful married men, each remained unmarried, each bore a daughter, each was ‘kept’ handsomely by their daughters’ sires. And all this was done in full view of high society. The fun begins when Maria’s besotted mother makes too much of a public display with her father in front of his wife, the vengeful Adelaide, who then places a curse of early and violent death on Maria. Into this setting comes Eli Whittaker, a handsome, brilliant and humourless American charged with uncovering a counter American espionage ring that placed him in Vienna at just the right moment. A high-spirited, improbable and hilarious romance between the steely Whittaker and the equally steely and sometimes unscrupulous Maria—with much involvement by her mother and grandmother, especially the latter—unfolds. The action is fast-paced and very twisty, and even the assassination and sabotage attempts against Maria do not deter her working toward what she truly wants. Very well-written and lots of fun!

Diana Billers Hotel of Secrets is a mystery, romcom, and historical fiction all tied into one adventurous book. The Hotel Wallner is known for many things, but most of all the stunning balls thrown at the hotel. When the hotel is passed down to Maria Wallner, she’s determined to keep its reputation alive and well.

Eli Whittaker finds himself at the Hotel on a mission from the American treasury and is determined to keep a low profile… until he saves Maria from not one but two attempts on her life. Eli gets a feeling that Maria and her hotel may somehow be at the very center of his case, and decides to keep an eye on Maria-just for his investigation, he tells himself.

As Maria and Eli navigate kidnappings and secret treasury codes, they’ll have to learn to work together, and they just might become something more.

Although this is a mystery, Hotel of Secrets was a lighthearted novel due to the cheeky banter between our two main characters. I was skeptical of reading this at first, I usually don’t like historical fiction. But Biller interweaves historical elements so well that they don’t overwhelm the overarching plot. The relationship that blooms between Maria and Eli is beautiful, and these two polar opposites make the best partners- as crime solvers and romantically.

This book is perfect for anyone who likes mystery, romance, historical fiction, or all three. Find Hotel of Secrets on your shelves March 28th, 2023.

Publication Date: March 28, 2023
Historical Romance

Maria Wallner descends from a line of women who have run the Hotel Wallner, that is until her mother got her hands on it. Now the hotel is in need of repairs and a reputation overhaul. As she prepares to host the hotelkeepers ball at the height of Ball Season in Vienna, Maria encounters Eli Whittaker, an American tasked with locating the individual selling American codes from a certain Viennese hotel. As Maria is thrown into the chaos of the spy game playing out in her own hotel, she begins to spend more time with Eli and it isn’t long before sparks fly.

What a breath of fresh air it is to read a historical romance that is not set somewhere in the United Kingdom. Frankly with the exception of A Caribbean Heiress in Paris I don’t think I’ve ever stumbled upon a non-WWII historical romance outside of that setting. If they are going to be anything like this delightful novel then I want more.

Biller did a great job of establishing a historical context for the events of the novel, including what the ball season in Vienna entailed and the financial crisis faced by the Viennese during the events of the novel. Although the societal rules of this time period kind of went out the window.

Our male lead was atypical for a traditional romance novel. He was inexperienced and an introvert especially when compared to Maria who was well versed in physical pursuits, independent and social interactions were necessary by virtue of her occupation. From their very first encounter he was left uncomfortable but yet still intrigued by her boldness. Their chemistry was immediate and quite fiery without being spicy.

I often find historical romances do the romance very well but the subplots are often lacking. This was definitely not the case here. I thought the mystery unraveled and was beautifully integrated into the pacing of the romance itself, and was helpful in showcasing the characters personality traits and providing a catalyst for the events that occur. I enjoyed both aspects of this novel equally.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

Where do I begin? Ball season in Vienna, 1878. That alone conjures a beautiful picture. But Maria Wallner’s hotel and her indomitable, fiercely independent but gentle spirit pales the setting by comparison. Simply put, I ADORED the characters, the story, the mystery, from cover to cover. A perfectly spun tale of resiliency, feminism, acceptance, drama, and love. This will be a re-read when the physical book comes out. I have to have it in my hands. 😍
I have absolutely nothing negative to say. Well done, Diana!

A beautiful romance and mystery woven together! Diana Biller is a new to me author and I am excited to read more from her in the future. Definitely recommend this book.

A woman determined to save her family hotel, a man on what is supposed to be a secret mission, several nearly fatal mishaps, a family full of drama, and one intrigue after another doesn’t t exactly sound sound like the recipe for romance. However amidst the ball season in Vienna one plucky, independent hotelier and one closed off, capable American will take those ingredients and make something delicious.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.