This book was a joy to read at a very unhappy time in my life, I needed cheering up after losing my much loved little dog.
The cover made me smile as it reminded me of my favourite TV programme as a child ' On The Buses' and the characters where just as much fun.
I laughed out loud, enjoyed love and mystery too. Infact this book has it all and I felt I knew each character personally and didn't want the book to end.
My book arrived a few days after Bertie died aged 16 and Caroline James helped me smile again. ( )

Back in December 2016, I read Caroline James’ novella, Jungle Rock. I said then that I was looking forward to Boomerville (as it was then called) as I was eager to meet some of the characters again.

Fast forward to March 2018 and The Best Boomerville Hotel. It features Jo and Hattie, long time friends, who run Boomerville, a hotel in the Lake District which caters for people of a certain age, Baby Boomers, who are those people born just after the Second World War. Jo has recently changed the hotel from a perfectly ordinary one to one which has all sorts of courses going on, from everyday things like creative writing and pottery, to the slightly more unusual such as clairvoyance and Shamanism.

It’s all great fun really and add to the mix characters such as the Mulberry brothers, Sir Henry and Hugo, all jolly hockey sticks types and quite lecherous in a fairly nice way (if you know what I mean), and it’s all very enjoyable to read about.

There’s a more serious side too, as some of the characters come to Boomerville to try and find happiness after a difficult past, such as Kate Simmons. She meets the rather suave Andy, but is he all he’s cracked up to be? You’ll just have to read it to find out.

If I’m honest, I was expecting more laugh out loud moments. There are plenty of capers and lots of fun though. It’s a light and easy read, and quite a heart-warming one too.

The Best Boomerville Hotel is a great book and I enjoyed it a lot. I think the hotel would be a fantastic place to go and stay at and you couldn’t wish for a better welcome from Jo and Hattie. Hattie, in particular, is a fabulous creation, with her lipsticks and rolling pin stuck in her bosom ready for action (Hugo’s hands do tend to wander a little, hence the rolling pin). I do think the eclectic characters are what make this novel.

Caroline James has a lovely warm writing style. I hope it won’t be the last we see of the Boomerville Hotel. ( )

The Best Boomerville Hotel by Caroline James is a 2018 Ruby Fiction publication.

BFF’s Jo and Hattie decide to try something a little different, using their experience in the hospitality industry. Why not open a holiday retreat for guest of ‘a certain age’ offering them the chance to expand and exercise their minds and bodies?

Their first guests include Kate, a woman who ran a dating service, but never found her own ‘Mr. Right’, Andy Mack, a handsome James Bond lookalike, Lucinda, a poor, eccentric artist, and brothers, Henry and Hugo.

The staff and guests experience more adventures and drama than they signed up for, but their stay at the Boomerville Hotel just might give them a new lease on life.

“Somewhere in the Universe, there is someone, who will love us, understand us and kiss us and make it better.”

The cover of this book is adorable, and so is this story! As a woman of ‘a certain age’, I love seeing more stories centered around ‘mature’ characters. The guests and staff get involved in a few crazy antics, which are laugh out loud funny. But, there is also a dollop of suspense, and a whole lot of romantic intrigue.

Sometimes I get lucky and choose a book at just the right moment in time. With so much going on right now, the news is scary and so heartbreaking, turning to books is always a comfort. But, I’m wondering the Shaman in this story was working a little magic for me, as this story struck just the right chord, at just the right time. It was exactly the soothing balm my broken heart needed.

This is just a wonderfully warm and funny feel good story, laced with everything you want in a story. The characters are eclectic, a bit eccentric and quirky, each with a special backstory that brings them to life in a big way.

The pacing is brisk without compromising the development of the characters or the plot, but more importantly, it will leave you feeling like no matter what your age, it’s never too late to start over, to find love, or live life to its fullest. By the time I turned that last page, my spirits were lifted, and my mood was much lighter. What more could you ask for? ( )

As you get older it becomes more difficult to make new friends. By the time you are in your forties, often you are in sort of a routine, or rut, and forget to try new activities or put yourself in situations where you might meet new people. As for beginning a new romance.... especially for a woman, may I say PAST her perceived prime?
Kate had been the dutiful daughter. Losing her mother at a young age, she never wanted to cause her father grief. When he began to suffer ailments related to age, she sold her built from scratch business and dedicated her life to keeping him comfortable. Now on her own, an unusual ad catches her eye.
The Boomerville Hotel is designed just "for people of a certain age." That is not to say that describes all who venture there. It is a place to rejuvenate, learn new skills, meet new people, open your mind and heart to new possibilities.
As one becomes more hopeful, does one also become more gullible?

Jo and Hattie are marvelous hostesses. Jo concerned with everyone's well being, Hattie assuring that everyone enjoy their stay. The hotel "regulars" brought to mind humorous classics such as A Fish Called Wanda or Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Kate can't believe her fortune when she meets the man of her dreams so soon and he seems to have eyes only for her.

This is a romance for those who never read romance. You will be enjoying it so much you won't mind the warm and cuddly bits. There is deceit, danger, adventure and dreams.
Even a chase scene of sorts.

I enjoyed this romp in the countryside and look forward to reading more by this author. ( )

The Best Boomerville Hotel is situated in the Lake District. The resident holidaymakers are of a 'certain age', the 'baby boomer' generation, and they have booked into the hotel to put the spring back in their step.

This is a light-hearted and quirky read with quite a few zany and colourful characters. Some of the humour is a little slapstick for my tastes and sometimes it reminded me of 'Fawlty Towers'. The plot has its bizarre and whacky moments. Nevertheless, it's well written and it does keep you entertained! If there ever was such a place, I wouldn't mind booking in myself if only as a fly on the wall!

A fun and lively read just right for a bit of escapism. ( )