Erica, Anna and Claudia are friends and each year take a trip together to discuss a book. This year, instead of their usual summer trip, they plan a Christmastime trip to a rural inn, complete with snow and hot chocolate and all of the decorations that anyone could want to have. The town near the inn is picture perfect and is a magnificent backdrop to the inn itself and the drama that unfolds in the lives of these young women.

The Christmas Book Club is a story about 3 friends, each very different to the others in personality, attitude and how they live their lives. Brought together by a love of books, their friendship remains strong even though they aren’t in close proximity except for when they meet up once a year for Book Club week.

It’s easy to recognise something of myself in bits of each of the 3 characters and it became very personal. I loved the stories of each of them and the additional woman who enters their lives and how the characters develop through struggle, pain, loss, love and hope. Its safe to say that this will be my favorite holiday book this year. A story of women helping women will always resignate with me.

The Book Club Hotel was about a lot more than a book club. It centered around a group of three friends that now live apart, but still make it back together once a year for a book club meeting which they typically do in the summer. Life stuff happened as it does so they decide to postpone until Christmas time and one of their friends finds the perfect little hotel tucked away in Vermont called the Maple Sugar Inn.

The Maple Sugar Inn is run by Hattie who is a widow with a young daughter trying to keep it all together and the hotel afloat when the 3 friends arrive. She wants it to be nice and cozy for them as she loves the concept so she purposely reserves the library of the hotel for them and plans to have a fire going, etc.

Unbeknownst to her, one of the 3 friends has a family connection to her that she has come to figure out for herself. Things unravel fairly quickly and Erica, Claudia and Anna decide they should check out after all the next day. Of course, there is a lot more plus a little romance and I really enjoyed all of the side stories that intertwined through out the book.

The Book Club Hotel is a charming story of friendship, love, and books. The book gave me lots of holiday warmth and love, while remaining honest about relationships. Morgan's characters are always realistic and fresh. Would love to see this developed as a series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for the advanced copy.

The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan is the perfect holiday book. Grab your hot drink of choice, the coziest blanket, and settle in for a warm embrace of a book. Morgan has provided everything needed for that ‘hallmark Christmas movie’ vibe. Hattie Coleman, widowed young, is struggling to make a go of the Maple Sugar Inn, her deceased husband’s dream. Trying to juggle the demands of her rude and insufferable head of house and head chef, Hattie is also trying to provide some stability for her young daughter while figuring out her own dreams. Is running the Inn really something she wants for herself? What about her own ideas about the Inn? Is she being unfaithful to her husband’s dream if she deviates from his plans?

Enter Erica, Claudia, and Anna, three lifetime friends who have arrived for a girls’ weekend; all with their own secret struggles and questions about the future. The women meet up for an annual book club weekend and time away from their own busy lives, but this year is a bit different- they are meeting up at Christmas time instead of their usual summer weekend. The arrival of the women, and a fateful picture, throws Hattie’s life into an emotional whirlwind. Will the women be there for each other or will their own emotional hiccups come in the way of this life altering weekend?

Morgan sets up such a lovely, homey vibe at the Maple Inn and includes everything a bookish reader wants- roaring fires, cozy reading nooks, icy snow, sassy characters, not-too-scandalous secrets, an incorrigible child, and the requisite hot neighbor/farmer. Is this a groundbreaking novel? No, of course not. It is a fun, warm, bright, and joyful story that is just perfect for a soul nourishing read. Perfect for the autumn/ winter time. Random rating- 4/5. Thanks to @NetGalley and Edelweiss for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Loved this book!!!
definitely will be re-reading it during the holidays as it quickly became a cozy holiday comfort read.

I wish i could live in the story.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC copy

I've enjoyed every book by Sarah Morgan that I've read. I especially loved The Book Club Hotel because sometimes I don't want to read a romance between 18 year olds and it's refreshing to read about 40 year olds finding love again. I loved the relationship between friends Erica, Claudia and Anna and how they all helped Hattie when they saw she was in need. I mostly related to Anna who was dreading the empty nest and I found myself nodding in agreement at the things she was feeling.

The setting was just perfect for a cozy-Christmas read. I wish Maple Sugar Inn was real because I'd love to go there for a week!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 19 September 2023

Morgan is one of my go-to Christmas authors and a new book from her always brings joy. I love her female friendships and adult characters who eventually step up to have hard conversations. I wish the Book Club Hotel were real because I would be making reservations.

When I open the cover of Sarah Morgan's annual holiday novel each year, I know I'm about to be immersed into a story filled with friendship, love, complex relationships, emotional depth, and a heartfelt, deeply satisfying conclusion. Morgan's newest offering, The Book Club Hotel, brings all that and more.

Morgan creates a setting for this newest book that is so vibrant and realistic that I'm sure it has to be nestled in a quaint New England town waiting for readers to arrive. I want to explore the town, spend too much money on new sweaters, take way too many photos of the lovely decorations, then enjoy a leisurely walk back to the Maple Sugar Inn before cuddling up in the Inn's library with hot chocolate, a cozy blanket, and a good book. I want to do it all and I want to do it with the four women - and one little girl - who make this book shine.

Sarah Morgan is a master of characterization. The women in this novel, both primary and secondary, are beautifully developed, continuing to grow and evolve as their intertwined stories unfold. I love the ebb and flow of the friendships, both old and new, that are explored, especially the inter-generational relationships that form among characters ranging from forty to five. The five-year-old is a special delight!

While there are (enjoyable) romance threads with happy outcomes, the primary focus of this book is on the journeys of these women, on the themes of friendship and found family, of forgiveness, of discovering your path, your joy, and moving forward to claim it. I laughed with them, cried with them, and couldn't bring myself to set their story aside until I reached the final page. Then, all I wanted to do was go back to the beginning and experience it all over again.

I highly recommend adding The Book Club Hotel to your holiday reading list. It's a charming, heart-tugging, gift to yourself that readers should not miss.

Advance copy received from publisher via NetGalley. Fair and unbiased review.

This is the perfect book to sit down with on a fall night (or day). It is nicely written and plotted and the characters are people whom readers will wish to know. (Too bad, they can’t come for a real visit).

The Vermont based Maple Sugar Inn, an important part of the book, just seems like the perfect place to visit. It has a beautiful location, inviting rooms, a library, many nice guests, and an inn keeper who cares about them..even as she has her own struggles.

Inn owner, Hattie is carrying on the dream of her husband which was to run this inn. Readers learn early in the book that Hattie’s spouse died in a freak accident, leaving her a widow and a very young one at that. She is raising her young daughter and doing her best (while sometimes frustrated with officious staff) at keeping the inn a going proposition. Will she want to make some changes?

Three friends are going to visit for a book club holiday. They are Erica, Claudia and Anna. The lives of these women are quite different from one another’s but their relationships go back years and are deep. One is single, very successful, a world traveler and a woman who has kept serious relationships at a distance. Another is a harried mom who loves her family, while the third is a chef in the process of a divorce. Clearly, they will have lots to talk about when they meet up! Their lives will also intersect with Hattie’s. What will happen as a result? It was a pleasure to find out.

I truly enjoyed this one. It will be a welcome title for those who enjoy women’s fiction. Readers should pull it out when they feel a real need to exhale.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

A fun, uplifting read! I loved Maple Sugar Inn and wish I could book myself a stay there for the holidays!

“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

All at pivotal points in their lives, The Book Club Hotel centers on four women, whose lives intersect at the Maple Sugar Inn in Vermont just when they need it the most. We meet twenty-eight-year-old Hattie, who is running the Inn by herself and trying to raise her five-year-old daughter after the loss of her husband. And there’s college best friends Erica, Claudia and Anna, who vacation together yearly for their book club. While they typically venture to 5-star hotels, Erica has picked this cozy boutique hotel for some mysterious reason.

Sprinkle in a little holiday magic in a dreamy winter wonderland setting and you have yourself one feel-good read to cozy up with for the holiday season.

Thank you to Sarah Morgan, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this book for an honest review.

The Book Club Hotel centers on four women, all at a pivotal time, each of their lives intersecting at the Maple Sugar Inn in Vermont.

Twenty-eight-year-old Hattie is running the Maple Sugar Inn by herself and barely getting by. It was her late husband’s dream to renovate and run the beautiful Vermont inn, but with his tragic death, Hattie feels like she’s drowning while trying to raise their five-year-old daughter on her own.

Erica, Claudia, and Anna, best friends since college, have their yearly vacation book club meeting and Erica has chosen the Maple Sugar Inn as their meet up. This is very unlike Erica, who usually wants a 5-star hotel, not a quaint, picturesque inn, but there’s more to that story.

Anna’s eighteen-year-old twins are gearing up to go to college and she’s so very sad, already missing them. She’s been a stay-at-home mom so she’s not sure what’s next.

Claudia not only parted from her boyfriend of ten years, but she’s also just been laid off. Since then, she hasn’t wanted to look at a recipe, much less find another job as a chef.

The Book Club Hotel was so lovely and heartwarming! When Hattie, Erica, Anna, and Claudia meet up, each are struggling a bit, and I felt for each character! I was moved to see them help and support each other. There’s a bit of romance for three of the four characters as well, which was just icing on the cake for me. The Maple Sugar Inn sounded like a dreamy winter wonderland, a magical place to sort out troubles!

I also thought it was fun they were reading a Catherine Swift novel for their book club, since she was one of the main characters in Morgan’s previous book, The Island Villa.

I look forward to every new Sarah Morgan book and The Book Club Hotel didn’t disappoint! It was an uplifting story that filled my heart with joy! A definite recommend!

The Book Club Hotel is a story of friendship, women supporting women, and a bookish getaway.

Three college friends have a long tradition of meeting once a year for “book club” at a lovely resort hotel. This year is a bit different because the organizer chooses the cozy Maple Sugar Inn in Vermont. The owner and manager of the inn becomes acquainted with the three friends and shares their love of books. Soon their lives become intertwined in unexpected ways.

Who dreams of a wintry week with your best friends at a cozy, historic Vermont inn that features gourmet meals and a well-stocked library?

During my reading experience, I pictured the cozy and charming Dragonfly Inn of Gilmore Girls fame! If you love snow, hot chocolate, warm blankets, and rural country inns, you will appreciate the setting. Of course, the cozy inn has a library!

In alternating chapters, we hear from the three friends and the hotel manager. Each is around the same age (40) and has unique life circumstances. Claudia is a chef who is experiencing a recent breakup and unemployment; Anna is a happily married, stay-at-home mom of young adult twins; Erica is a high-powered businesswoman with a mystery to solve; and Hattie is a widow, a mother of a five-year-old daughter, and the owner and manager of the Maple Sugar Inn. It’s a bit of a mystery to her friends why Erica has chosen this particular rural Inn in snowy Vermont. When Hattie has difficulty with her staff, the three friends offer their unique expertise. In a story told from four perspectives, readers will find much to love about these relatable characters.

I love strong themes of women supporting women and friendship. If you do as well, you will enjoy the multilayered storylines in The Book Club Hotel. Other thoughtful themes include new beginnings, the empty nest, sister relationships, family secrets, grief, career women, and a sweet side of romance.

Overall, The Book Club Hotel is an engaging read that fans of Sarah Morgan will definitely enjoy. Readers who appreciate warmhearted stories featuring strong women will find much to love here. Bookclubs will also find this discussable.

Thanks #NetGalley @HarperCollins @HTP_Books #CanaryStreetPress for a complimentary e ARC of #TheBookClubHotel upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC.

Hattie Colman, the sole owner of Maple Tree Inn, is struggling with the loss of her husband and how to move forward in life and love. Three friends from childhood, Erica, Claudia, and Anna, choose the Maple Tree Inn as their book club getaway trip - right before Christmas. With the three of them, comes a lot of baggage (figuratively) as they are all at turning points in their lives - kids going to college, settling down, broken relationships, job changes, etc. What ensues is a sweet story of lives intertwining and women supporting women.

I'm not going to lie... with a Sarah Morgan novel, I expected more (much more) romance. This is a much more tame novel of women taking control of their lives and supporting each other. It was a quick read, although I wasn't crazy about the four different points of view. The Christmas setting was nice. I'd love to visit an inn like Maple Tree Inn. I recommend, as long as you know what you're getting into.

Erica, Claudia and Anna have been friends since college. They get together every year for a book club meeting. This year they missed their summer retreat so they decided to get together at Christmas. They book a quaint hotel called The Maple Sugar Inn. But, Erica has a big secret she is not sharing.

Hattie is a single mom and owner of The Maple Sugar Inn. She knew immediately who Erica was when she showed up at her Inn. But, things do not go as well as she expected.

I have read Sarah Morgan’s Christmas books for years and this is her best one yet! And I am trying really hard not to give away a spoiler. But y’all need to read this! Trust me…it will put you in a fabulous mood for Christmas. The quaint inn, the wonderful library, the great characters all create a festive tale!

Need an adorable Christmas novel for the book lover…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

The Book Club Hotel by Sara Morgan is a cozy read with a charming inn, good food, friends, a book club, a precocious child, and holiday cheer. I found The Book Club Hotel to be easy to read. We get to meet a group of people who are realistic and relatable. The story is told from alternating points of view. It is easy to differentiate between each voice. I loved the Maple Sugar Inn which is brimming with coziness and charm. It is the type of place you do not want to leave. There is a small town nearby that provides a large circle of friends (a family) for Hattie and her daughter. There is a bookshop where I could spend hours browsing and reading. I liked how close Erica, Clauda, and Anna were. They had been friends since college. They were there for each other through the good and the bad. Of course, they can only help if you share what is bothering you. One of them has a secret and she will need her friends when the truth comes to light. There is some romance as well. I like that the story had little angst (you do not want too much drama in a holiday story). I did feel that the story was a tad long (368 pages). The Book Club Hotel is a good book to read on a rainy or snowy afternoon while nestled in a comfy chair with a cup of hot chocolate and a soft blanket. The Book Club Hotel is a heartfelt tale with loving friends, a surprising secret, a precocious child, an appealing inn, fantastic food, and a happy holiday.

Set in Vermont, perfect for a sweet Christmas story to fill your heart with friendship, family and lots of love.  The hotel that Hattie runs - the Maple Sugar Inn, is there perfect setting, its the kind of place that guests are welcomed and cared for.

Three women come to stay a week at the Maple Sugar Inn, and as the first chapter was told from Hattie's point of view and I felt I was just getting to know her, I resented then having to stop and meet each of the women and get some of their back story.

But the resentment didn't hang around for that long as they reached the Inn and soon became part of the life there. Each has a story and present day challenge and it's just wonderful to see each of them grapple with those challenges and reach resolution. Of course a small five year old has quite a hand in what goes down.

So if you are wanting a delightful story, set in Vermont, characters that worm your way into your heart and eventually all reaching their "happy ever afters" pick up this one.

The perfect feel-good cozy read for the Christmas season.
I'll be recommending this one to anyone overwhelmed due to the holiday season.
Plus, the cover is so pretty.

My first Christmas book of 2023!! And it was a total winner.

Have you ever dreamed of taking a vacation with your best girlfriends and relaxing, drinking wine and talking about books? What could be better?

Erica, Claudia and Anna are college friends who take a trip like this every year. This year they check out the Maple Sugar Inn in Vermont. Each of them have their own problems they try to check out from while away. But nothing is better than talking things out with your besties so they soon help each other.

They also meet the innkeeper and her young daughter who are struggling to make the business successful after the tragic death of her husband. The ladies can’t help but get to work and help Hattie too. This was such a sweet book and the perfect start to holiday reading.

Thank you so much @canarystreetpress @htpbooks and @sarahmorganwrites for my gifted copy. If you enjoy hallmark Christmas movies, this book is perfect for you.

Vermont - Present Day

For Hattie Coleman, a young widow with a five-year-old daughter, the Maple Sugar Inn is not only her home, but it's her responsibility since her husband's tragic death. She is struggling to keep it afloat, and with a full booking for the holidays, things are stressful. With an overbearing housekeeper who bullies Hattie more than working for her, and a testy, but very popular chef, Hattie is finding her life spiraling out of control. And now her chef has walked out!

Despite the difficulties, Hattie still greets her customers warmly, wondering how she will find a chef. When her housekeeper starts attacking her again over how Hattie's husband wouldn't approve of decisions she's made, Hattie fires the woman. This happens just as three women arrive for a week, hoping to enjoy the classic inn, and have their annual book club get together.

Erica is a top executive who has always put her work first. Raised by a single mother when her father deserted them at Erica's birth, she has learned not to rely on anyone, not to let her emotions show, and to be wary of commitment. But she is also at the inn for a separate reason that she hasn't revealed to her friends.

Claudia has just been dumped by her boyfriend of ten years, and has lost her chef's job in California. Unsure of what her future brings, she is hoping for a week with her friends, and to recover, if possible, from all of the hurt she's going through. Claudia used to love cooking, but is considering finding another way to make a living.

For Anna, being away from home during the Christmas season is difficult. Especially since her twins will soon be flying the nest as they move on to college. Anna has always relished being a mother, and caring for her family. She and her husband, Pete, are the envy of Erica and Claudia who think of them as the perfect couple. But are they as happy as they seem?

THE BOOK CLUB HOTEL is a sweet, emotionally packed story of four women coming together at stressful parts of their lives. Will they be able to help each other through their various issues? The Maple Sugar Inn is a magical place, especially during the holiday season - will that magic cure their woes?