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What I read: Hotel 21 by Senta Rich

Hotel 21
Senta RichHotel 21 by Senta Rich is a contemporary fiction novel that follows the life of Noelle, a hotel cleaner who has a habit of stealing small items from the guests’ rooms. She has one rule – she usually doesn’t stay too long in one place and move from hotel to hotel, moving on when she feels that the situation is getting too risky.

“She had always been good at hiding things. Her feelings, her fears, her secrets. And her souvenirs.”

However, when she starts working the 21st hotel of her career, a five-star establishment in London, she finds herself drawn to the other women who work there, who have their own secrets and stories. Noelle begins to question her rule and her life, as she discovers new aspects of herself and forms unexpected friendships.

The author creates a realistic and engaging portrait of hotel life from a cleaner’s perspective, with all its challenges and joys. The author shows the behind-the-scenes of the hotel industry, with its glamour and luxury, but also its dirt and secrets. The author also shows the daily routines and tasks of the hotel cleaners, with their professionalism and efficiency, but also their creativity and fun. The author also shows the camaraderie and solidarity among the hotel workers, especially the women, who support and help each other.

“These women were not just hands pushing carts down lonely hotel corridors. They were women with lives full of happiness and worry, pain and joy.”

Hotel 21
Senta RichThe characters are diverse and complex, each with their own voice and personality. They are people with their own dreams and problems, hopes and fears, loves and hates. They are people who have different backgrounds and cultures, but who also share some common experiences and values. They are not only colleagues, but also friends.

The plot is well-paced and balanced, with moments of humour, drama, romance, and suspense. The plot is not only about Noelle’s work at the hotel, but also about her personal growth and development. The plot is also about the relationships that she forms with the other characters, both positive and negative. The plot is also about the secrets that she uncovers and the truths that she faces, both about herself and others.

The novel is a sharp and warm-hearted read that will make you root for Noelle, an unforgettable protagonist who is flawed but relatable. She is a woman who has been through a lot of pain and trauma, but who still tries to make the best of her situation. She is also a woman who is curious and adventurous, but who also struggles with trust and intimacy. She is a woman who is looking for a place to belong, but who also fears losing her freedom and identity.

“She felt a surge of adrenaline as she opened the door and stepped into the room. It was like entering a new world, full of possibilities and surprises.”

The novel also tackles important themes such as self-discovery, sexuality, mental health, female friendship, and empowerment. The novel explores how Noelle learns to accept herself and her past, how she explores her sexuality and identity, how she deals with her mental health issues and trauma, how she values her female friendship and solidarity, how she empowers herself and others.

“She was a woman who had never known how to live, only how to survive.”

Hotel 21 will appeal to fans of contemporary fiction, especially those who enjoy stories about women finding their place in the world. It is a book that will make you laugh, cry, and think. It is a book that will make you want to check in to Hotel 21 and meet its fascinating staff.

Disclosure: With thanks to Jonathan Ball Publishers for the opportunity to read this book. 

Hotel 21
Senta Rich

About this book:

Category: Fiction Books
ISBN: 9781526662521
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
On sale: May 2023
Format: Paperback

Locally (South Africa) by Jonathan Ball Publishers 

About the author:

Senta Rich began her career as an advertising copywriter. During this time she also wrote radio plays and articles for magazines. As soon as she could she left advertising and moved into the world of film and TV. She currently writes for TV shows in Ireland and the UK, including drama and animation. Her work has featured on RTE, BBC, CBEEBIES, Amazon Prime and other international and European networks.

She also has a feature film in development. Hotel 21 is her first novel. Senta has a BA (Hons) in Philosophy from Liverpool University. She has a strong background and interest in psychology with particular emphasis on Jungian psychology. She is originally from London but now lives in Dublin with her husband and son.

(Information as from Jonathan Ball Publishers)