The Suite Spot

December 13, 2021
This thoughtful contemporary romance from Doller (Float Plan) brings together two wounded people within a tiny community. Single mother Rachel has ambitions of rising in the ranks at the upscale Miami Beach hotel where she works—so she’s devastated when she’s fired for defending herself against the sexual harassment of a wealthy guest. She hesitantly accepts a new job at a brewery hotel on a remote Ohio island—but discovers upon arrival that the boutique hotel does not yet exist, and is still a pipe dream of owner Mason Brown, who’s recovering from the death of his child and a difficult divorce. Though initially appalled at Mason’s deception, Rachel soon recognizes this as a wonderful opportunity, as Mason offers her creative control over the hotel while he develops his craft beer. The (perhaps overextended) descriptions of her furnishing the hotel will be great fun for HGTV fans, and Doller keeps the romantic tension sizzling as Mason and Rachel work and live together. A subplot about Mason’s growing bond with Rachel’s three-year-old, Massie, as he works through his grief adds to the emotional tapestry. Doller uses a vivid setting, strong secondary characters, and convincing depiction of loss and love to create a thoroughly satisfying story. Fans will be delighted. Agent: Kate Schafer Testerman, KT Literary.

Starred review from February 15, 2022
Rachel's lofty hospitality ambitions are shot down when a wealthy, lecherous celebrity staying at the luxury Miami Beach hotel where she serves as the night concierge molests her and, when rebuffed, gets her fired. Rachel, the single mother of three-year-old Maisie, has to find a new job immediately. Desperate, she accepts a position managing a small brewery hotel in Ohio on a Lake Erie island, sight unseen, only to arrive and discover that the hotel doesn't yet exist. Mason, the owner, has suffered a tragedy and has been left by his wife, who had the vision for the resort. He has been focused on brewing the perfect beers to offer to guests. Mason's Japanese mother adds interesting details, and Mason is good at dealing with Maisie while Rachel strives to furnish the guest cabins. Rachel also makes friends, becoming part of the community, but it may all come crashing down. Doller's The Float Plan (2021) featured Rachel's sister, Anna. This gentle, warm love story, told in a month-by-month format, entices readers to speed through it all at once, even as it also insists that the reader slow down in contemplation.

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