Thursday 24 March 2016

Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel by Jane Costello

The Moonlight Hotel sits on the shore of England’s best-loved lake, Windermere, exuding vintage glamour.
Lauren loves the hotel, for hidden inside its faded walls is the key to her most precious memories. So, along with her best friends, Cate and Emily, she signs up to a new dance class in its gorgeous ballroom. They aren’t going for the men, they’re going for a laugh – although a little romance wouldn’t hurt . . .
But then a chain of events off the dance floor puts their friendship to the ultimate test, and makes Lauren question everything she holds dear.
Put on your dancing shoes and escape to The Moonlight Hotel, for Jane’s funniest and most poignant novel yet…

Title:      Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel
Author:  Jane Costello
Published By: Simon & Schuster
Date:      24th March 2016
Link:      UK: Amazon  US: Amazon

My Review


When you pick up a Jane Costello book you know you are in for a treat as her great sense of humour shines through in her writing.  

Who would have thought a salsa dancing class would have changed the lives of three single friends?

Lauren is the main character who I loved and could really relate to, there is no pretence with her as what you see is what you get, although she is easily swayed. When she starts salsa classes with friends Cate and Emily they meet the gorgeous Will and Joe. She however has eyes for no one else as she is head over heels in love with fellow teacher Edwin, which is pretty hopeless as he is with long term girlfriend Fiona.

Lauren loves the Moonlight Hotel as she has very fond memories of spending time there with her late dad as he was the general manager when she was younger. So her heckles are up when she meets the new manager Joe whom she thinks will destroy the essence of the place when he refurbishes it. He tries to convince her that it will all be good but she takes a dislike to him and refuses to listen to his plans.

Lauren's friend Emily takes a real shine to Joe but it transpires that her life has become more complicated than it seems.

Their other friend Cate falls in love with Joe's friend Will but her ex refuses to let her go and devastates her with his sickening actions.

Throughout it all the friendships remain solid as the girls help each other through their various problems.

Lauren is supposed to be going to Australia to spend time with her cousin until Edwin convinces her to apply for a job in Singapore which throws her lifelong dreams up in the air.

It was a lovely touch being shown glimpses of Lauren's job as a primary school teacher and listening to the funny things that the children come out with. Her little favourite, Tom was just adorable and his story was cleverly woven into the mix.

This book is a series of hilarious happenings including the Mr Miyagi scene which made me choke on my tea, you will laugh out loud a lot and be touched by the tender scenes but most of all you will just enjoy the ride with a host of colourful characters and steamy dance scenes.

Well done to Jane Costello for yet another quality hit.  

Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sincerely
Book Angels x

About the Author

Jane Costello is the author of nine novels, including Bridesmaids, The Wish List, The Time of Our Lives and her latest, Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel, which is published by Simon & Schuster in March 2016. Jane was a newspaper journalist before she became an author, working on the Liverpool Echo, the Daily Mail and the Liverpool Daily Post, where she was Editor. She continues to write for newspapers and magazines and has contributed articles to the Guardian, Marie Claire, Prima and The Times, among others. Jane has won several awards for her books, including the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Comedy Award, which she took home in 2010 for The Nearly Weds. She lives in Liverpool with her husband Mark and three young sons. Find out more at www.janecostello.com and follow her on Twitter @janecostello

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