Ya se sabe...la vida nos tiene reservados momentos extravagantes. Si de muestra sirve un botón, ahí está Buffy, un actor retirado que vive en un barrio de Londres plagado de restaurantes tailandeses allí donde antes servían espléndida comida inglesa. Tras enamorarse, casarse y divorciarse unas cuantas veces, el hombre se sorprende una buena mañana al descubrir que su vieja amiga Bridie le ha dejado en herencia su hotel, un caserón destartalado y perdido en un pueblo de Gales.
Contra todo pronóstico, Buffy decide irse y empezar una nueva vida apartado del mundanal ruido. Cargado de ilusión y poco más, llega al pueblo decidido a triunfar, pero, a pesar del encanto de la casa y del lugar, es difícil cuadrar las cuentas, y el hombre tiene una idea genial: en su hotel se van a impartir cursos para personas que acaban de salir de una relación y se sienten desorientados en los temas prácticos: mantenimiento del coche, cocina, jardinería...e incluso un taller especializado en encontrar las palabras adecuadas para el amor. Del dicho al hecho a veces la distancia es corta, y pronto veremos asomar por las ventanas del caserón unas sonrisas pícaras, que saludan a la vida mientras piden un desayuno para dos.

Very much enjoyed the account of Buffy and his foray into the B&B business. The characters are so well developed and the story features so many moments that made me chuckle as I recognised the truth in the situation as it played out. ( )

Read my review of this novel on Joh Blogs - Heartbreak Hotel by Deborah Moggach ( )

One of my favourite authors takes another sympathetic look at individuals making their way through life. An aging, working actor inherits an old b&b in a small town in Wales and sets out to start again (as he has so often throughout his romantic life). He dubs it the Heartbreak Hotel and schedules educational holidays, with classes for the recently-separated in all the skills for which they relied on their partners. Heartwarming ensues. ( )

Deborah Moggach...didn't she write The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel? Yes, she did indeed - I loved that book - and the movie!

Moggach's new release, Heartbreak Hotel is just as heartwarming!

Retired actor Russell 'Buffy' Buffery has lived a rich full life, but now he finds himself somewhat lonely living in London. He doesn't know his neighbours, its noisy and crowded and his children (and there are many from assorted wives and liaisons!) are busy with their own lives. When an old flame leaves him her bed and breakfast in rural Wales, he decides to move in and run the place himself.

"...a new career beckoned. Luxuriantly bearded, his cheeks ruddy with claret, Buffy could take centre stage again, welcoming guests into his charming B and B in the picturesque town of Knockton, wherever that was. Log fires, bonhomie, brass beds made for lusty couplings - adulterers welcome! His Full English Breakfast, all organic of course, would become legendary. Perhaps he could even raise his own pigs."

Uh huh. The B and B isn't quite what he pictured - it needs a little work and the whole running of a B and B might be a bit more work than Buffy had thought.....

I loved this character. He's a rascal, but a lovable one. He's got the gift of gab and folks naturally gravitate towards him, spilling their thoughts over a glass of something. Moggach introduces a number of other characters, all unhappy with their relationships - or lack thereof. And Buffy has a revelation - he could run Courses for Divorces! All the skills that newly singles might need - car maintenance, gardening and more. Brilliant! The place will be booked solid! (You can take some of these courses on Deborah's website)

Moggach fills her novel and the B and B will a wonderfully quirky cast of characters and situations. Through the ruminations and lives of Buffy and company, Moggach dissects, explores and celebrates love - of all kinds and of all ages. There are many supporting players, but it was Buffy I enjoyed the most.

Me? I'd love to have a little cottage in Knockton and stroll down the pub for a natter. Heartbreak Hotel was a humourous, touching, fun to read novel sure to appeal to those who loved 'Marigold'. Read an excerpt of Heartbreak Hotel.

I mentioned I love the movie of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - and have just discovered The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has just been released. I would love to see Heartbreak Hotel made into a movie as well. I can totally picture Timothy Spall as Buffy. ( )