Read if you like: Descriptions of hotels and how they operate (I didn't think I would but I did) or you like books that ask a lot of questions but not necessarily all of the answers.

As June Hudson would probably say, this book was all about luxury. Who has access to it? How does it manifest? When does it end?
When the General Manager of the Avallon, June, is told that her beloved hotel will become host to detained Nazis and other Axis diplomats awaiting repatriation to their countries she resolves to continue running the hotel as if they were normal guests. However as the war continues she, and the rest of the hotel, are faced with hard questions. How much does it cost to maintain the facade of luxury? How long can something be ignored for the sake of comfort? Who has the luxury of choice? How long can you go with the luxury of not having to question yourself or face something ugly before it changes you?

The description of this book threw me off a bit, I'm not sure it resolved everything I would have liked it to and I feel the magical realism and romance aspect was maybe a bit underdeveloped (still enjoyable), but in the end it was a thought provoking read about complicated people making hard choices. I don't usually read historical fiction or non-fiction history but this book may convince me to pick up the author's further suggested reading to learn more about the context for this book.

If you liked Maggie Stiefvater's young adult books for the writing style, I would give this a go but just be aware that the themes, plot, and pacing are definitely more in line with an adult historical fiction book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Australia and New Zealand for the ARC.

Full review posted on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7367320453

As per usual, Maggie's writing is beautiful and her main characters are rich and interesting. I loved the setting of the hotel and loved to read about June and her relationship with her staff and the hotel.

I've never had an issue with slow burn romance but I don't think I was 100% sold on the two main characters. They definitely had chemistry but without spoiling too much, there was much more build up between the fmc and another character that I think it detracted from what could have been between the two main characters. I think also, the author's writing style is best suited to fantasy and the book could have expanded a bit more on the fantasy aspect.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the advanced copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

Maggie Stiefvater's latest offering is a surging, wondrous thing that will delight, wound and heal you in one fell swoop. And that is how I read this book - in one sweeping swathe of time. The year is 1942 and June Hudson is the general manager of luxury hotel The Avallon, in West Virginia which is built over magical springs. Ordered to host captured Axis diplomats as the war looms ever larger, June and her team of staff must set aside their own misgivings to provide their guests with the luxury experience The Avallon is known for. A rare blend of whimsy, history and moral conflict, The Listeners is exquisitely clever and the best book I've read in years.

Thankyou to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of The Listeners in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
This book provides such a great read. The storyline was well thought out and written with compelling characters that provide intrigue.
Would definitely recommend this book.