Hotel of Secrets Review

Hello, all!

Does it take a lot for you to give a book 5 stars? I feel like I'm very stingy when it comes to throwing out 5 stars, but Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller was a no brainer.

Pub Date: 3-28-23
Adult - Historical Fiction

Maria Wallner has one goal for this year's ball season: to restore her family's hotel to its former glory. The Hotel Wallner used to be one of the top spots in Vienna, catering to high society but faded due to Maria's mother's neglect and the country's financial troubles. The hotel is her family's legacy, and Maria is determined to do whatever it takes to revamp it. When she gets a chance to host the prestigious Hotelkeeper's Ball, Maria believes this is just the opportunity she needs. It doesn't take long for things to start going wrong, and soon Maria learns someone will do whatever it takes to ensure she fails.

Eli Whittaker loves his life in Washington, working for the government. He doesn't love being sent halfway across the world to find who's selling secret American codes across Europe. Eli hopes to find and arrest the rightful parties quickly so he can home. His one lead comes from a letter sent from the Hotel Wallner, but when he arrives at the hotel he's swept up by its crazy residents and enchanting manager. Both Eli and Maria have jobs to do and no time for romance, but they can't help feeling pulled toward one another. When Maria's life is in danger, Eli can't help but protect her and wonders if he's in over his head.

I've only read one other book by Biller, but I can safely say she's become a new favorite author. I was enamored with this. Everything about it felt so lush and decadent. Biller nailed the setting and made it feel so immersive. It was glamorous yet dark, and I couldn't get enough. My favorite thing about this was Maria and Eli. They were such opposites, but the chemistry between them was explosive. It was so fun watching them go from bickering to undoing one another. (Bonus points for Eli doing his research and being so competent.) Aside from the romance, I thought the mystery was engaging and kept me on my toes. It was slower-paced but satisfying. If you're in the mood for a sensual historical romance/mystery read with quirky characters and tons of family drama, then I highly recommend it.

Rating: 5/5