Belinda Jones

Belinda was distraught, her boyfriend at the time, Nathan, had chosen his career in the US Navy over their relationship. Bodie was in a worse predicament though. Abandoned by his owner if he was not rehomed very soon then the animal shelter would have to euthanise him. Belinda didn’t think she could get any lower. They say that you should not rush into another relationship after a breakup and the same rules apply when getting a dog, but she needed some company. When applying online she had four options to say why she wanted a dog:

Playmate for family dog

Guard dog

Exercise motivator

Companionship

She thought long and hard before making her selection. However, she felt that she needed to try and turn this around and this was why she was standing in front of Bodie’s cage. All that was needed was a home visit and it was arranged for a few days later, and suddenly he was her responsibility.

It took a little while to get used to having a dog around the house as well as getting into the routine needed. She became really good friends with Molly and her dog, Winnie. The only problem was just as it happened she found out that Molly was moving to Portland, Oregon and she invited her to her home after she had settled in. A road trip seemed in order and it seemed the perfect opportunity to drop in at some doggy themed stops on the way.

It is a beautiful coastline to travel along and take in the views of the Pacific. Bodie is a gentle, friendly dog. And as well as a trip to see their friend, it is primarily a journey of discovery for them both, where their limits are and how they can fit in with each other. Letting him off the lead for the first time was a nerve-wracking experience. She manages to find hotels that accept dogs and begins to take the steps that she needs to get over her previous relationship, which she mostly does. Except on the way back home, the phone rung, and as she was busy doing something else, didn’t look at the caller. It was Nathan and he wanted to meet up again…

This is more of a personal memoir with an element of travel. You are not going to discover anything profound about this part of the world, rather it is a feel-good type of book. It is written in a chatty and upbeat style with some amusing anecdotes. Jones is honest with her feelings throughout the book, telling it just how it is. If you have read Me, My Bike and a Street Dog Called Lucy then this would be one you’d like.… (plus d'informations)

I'm a big fan of Belinda Jones's books, mainly because they always have a travel theme and I love to be whisked away with my fiction. It's been a while since her last book but I was thrilled to see that she had a new one out, The Hotel Where We Met, and not only that, it has a time travel theme. Oh be still my beating heart. A travel fiction/time travel mix?! Perfect!

In this book we meet Chloe Sinclair. She's travelling to the iconic Hotel del Coronado in California to meet up with Ross, her late best friend James's former boyfriend. They're going to say goodbye to James at places that were important to him and Ross. Chloe is unlucky in love but something very interesting happens to her on the flight and she finds herself travelling back in time to try and match-make certain couples because the right man for her has never existed because the right people didn't get together in the first place. What a wonderful and inspired concept and to do it in such gorgeous surroundings made for a brilliant and engaging story.

Chloe travels to the 1880s, the 1920s, the 1950s and the 1980s. I think the 50s was my favourite of the eras, not least because the hotel is where Some Like It Hot was filmed and there's some lovely Marilyn Monroe scenes. The 1980s was lovely too though because of the way it affected the characters. I loved all of them though and Chloe's adventures in each era had me smiling.

Belinda Jones always has me wanting to visit the places she writes about. She portrays them in such an enticing manner that I want to jump on a plane straightaway (and I'm not a jumping on a plane type of person). The Hotel del Coronado and the surrounding area sound absolutely perfect. I loved the characters too. Chloe is such a kind and lovely person and her friendship with James, and later Ross, were so warm, the kind of friendships we all aspire to have.

The Hotel Where We Met is the perfect escape novel. I found it a joy from start to finish. I really enjoyed the detail of each of the different eras and how Chloe dealt with them. It's light-hearted yet not fluffy and is the perfect way to satisfy that wanderlust without even leaving the comfort of your own settee. I absolutely loved it.… (plus d'informations)