Meet Me at the Clock: A Hotel Hamilton Novel

by Tanya E. Williams

Step into the opulent world of The Hotel Hamilton, where the chandelier sparkles while a maid’s aspirations fade into the woodwork.Vancouver, Canada, 1927 . A hotel maid’s duty is to never be seen. That’s no problem for Clara, who finds safety in her station. But for her sister, Louisa, it’s cold outside the limelight.Clara is content being an obliging working girl, but she doesn’t feel worthy of the leadership responsibilities the hotel matron seems intent to thrust upon her. Torn between the unspoken limitations of her social standing and the demands of a fast-changing world, Clara is paralyzed by her fear of stepping out of line.Louisa, an aspiring actress, is grateful for her employment at the prestigious hotel, but the feeling that she is meant for more haunts her as she sleepwalks through her days. Though Louisa’s ambitious nature yearns for a life in the theatre, she hasn’t auditioned in months. When she finally steps back into the spotlight, she brings her demons along with her, unable to forget what happened the last time she was on stage.Already challenged with holding their family together, the sisters face the limits of their bond when prejudice and cruelty rear their dark heads. With Clara trapped in her comfortable cocoon and Louisa terrified of repeating the past, the sisters must learn from each other in order to stand against injustice and chart their own path through life.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

300 pages, Paperback

Published October 24, 2023

About the author

A writer from a young age, Tanya E Williams loves to help a reader get lost in another time, another place through the magic of books. History continues to inspire her stories and her insightful view into the human condition deepens her character's experiences and propels them on their journey. Ms. Williams' favorite tales, speak to the reader's heart, making them smile, laugh, cry, and think.

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Reviews

[Kelsey Gietl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story of sisterhood and lost dreams in the 1920s. Meet Me at the Clock continues the story of sisters, Clara and Louisa, who have taken maids' positions at the luxurious Hotel Hamilton in the 1920s. While the first book was focused more on exposition to the series, in Book 2, we get to dive deeper into their characters and learn details about life of the working girl in that era. Clara's character continues to mature from the first book, discovering that her close knit world is more complicated than she ever imagined. As a theatre lover, I enjoyed diving into Louisa's dreams to become a famous actress and seeing her struggle with whether to place her dreams ahead of her family. She also gets a touch of romance in this one and I can't wait to see where it goes in Book 3.

[Poppy Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synopsis:
*******
Step into the opulent world of The Hotel Hamilton, where the chandelier sparkles while a maid’s aspirations fade into the woodwork.

Vancouver, Canada, 1927. A hotel maid’s duty is to never be seen. That’s no problem for Clara, who finds safety in her station. But for her sister, Louisa, it’s cold outside the limelight.

Clara is content being an obliging working girl, but she doesn’t feel worthy of the leadership responsibilities the hotel matron seems intent on thrusting upon her. Torn between the unspoken limitations of her social standing and the demands of a fast-changing world, Clara is paralyzed by her fear of stepping out of line.

Louisa, an aspiring actress, is grateful for her employment at the prestigious hotel, but the feeling that she is meant for more haunts her as she sleepwalks through her days. Though Louisa’s ambitious nature yearns for a life in the theatre, she hasn’t auditioned in months. When she finally steps back into the spotlight, she brings her demons along with her, unable to forget what happened the last time she was on stage.

Already challenged with holding their family together, the sisters face the limits of their bond when prejudice and cruelty rear their dark heads. With Clara trapped in her comfortable cocoon and Louisa terrified of repeating the past, the sisters must learn from each other in order to stand against injustice and chart their own path through life.

Thank you to the wonderful author of this book, Tanya E. Williams, for a wonderful evening spent with an air conditioner (90 degrees in October???), a book, antibiotics, and tea (because wine and pills don't mix!)

We return to find Louisa and Clara, two very different sisters, as they navigate in their new lives. The story is wonderfully crafted and utterly readable ... you will get sucked in and not want to put it down. The story was lovingly crafted and utterly READABLE as it is the perfect mix of history and fiction with a decidedly Canadian bent.

A great way to spend your free time do pick up the first in the series Welcome To The Hamilton as well as the Mr. Smith / Stealing Mr. Smith series where you will meet the worst villain I have had the displeasure of meeting in years.

A great book - pick it up, pick them all up!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this time of turmoil in our world, thank heaven for writers like Tanya E. Williams, who deliver a sweet escape into the lives of two sisters. This is the second book in THE HOTEL HAMILTON series. If you haven’t read the first, I wholeheartedly recommend it!!

This story follows the Wilson sisters who work as maids at The Hotel Hamilton in Vancouver, Canada during the late 1920’s. As with most siblings, they are very different. Clara is comfortable in her station in life and at the hotel. She is also satisfied at home, taking care of the household for her sister and father. Louisa, on the other hand, wants something more. She longs for a career in the theater and muddles through her days at the hotel. When an opportunity arises to star as the lead in a production, her demons from the past might hold her back.

Will Clara seek something higher in life? Will Louisa find the determination to follow her dream?

The lessons that each sister gains from the other is inspiring. Together, they face the cruelty of prejudice and bullying of others. Each finding their strength to overcome those injustices to stand up for what’s right.

After finishing this second story, I truly hope that this author continues with the sisters story! There is so much more to follow with Clara and Louisa and how they continue their growth and successes.

THIS BOOK IS OUT TODAY ~ October 24, 2023 ~ Enjoy!

[Patty Baumeister · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Book Review
Meet Me At The Clock
A Novel Written By Tanya E. Williams
Historical Fiction
Published October 2023
281 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was happy to find out there was a sequel to Welcome To The Hamilton. I couldn’t wait to read this book to get an update on the Wilson Sisters, Clara and Louisa. Clara and Louisa are maids at the Hamilton Hotel in Vancouver Canada. Their story takes places in 1927. There is much for readers to learn about Vancouver Canada in 1927. Discrimination and inequality were prevalent there in 1927. People faced discrimination based on class, race, and gender.

The two sisters personally faced discrimination. They also saw others who were treated unfairly, especially Japanese citizens. Both girls handled the discrimination they witnessed differently. This caused some turmoil in their relationship. The sisters’ work ethic and dreams for the future differed, which also affected their relationship. One has dreams to be an actress. The other is content with her job working at the hotel. Is it okay to have different ambitions?

One important message in this story is the consequence of our actions. We never know how far reaching our actions can be when we just help one person.

“Diversity is the purpose and the loveliness of this world.”

“When you allow your own light to shine, you aren’t dimming another’s.”

[Kerry Chaput · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Hotel Hamilton series transports readers back to the luxurious hotel in 1920s Vancouver. Sisters Clara and Louise may have opposite personalities and desires but they love and support each other through work and friendships. I loved the setting and the heartfelt relationship between the two.

[Shirley Kingery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Me at the Clock is a very enjoyable historical fiction book. I was drawn in the by the time I had read the first few pages and only became more absorbed as pages flew by. Sisters Clara and Louisa are compelling characters--sisters with a deep bond but very different outlooks on life and the paths they intend to choose. One thing they share is their work as maids at the luxurious Vancouver, Canada hotel, The Hotel Hamilton. In addition to bringing the main characters to life, the author gives us a fascinating look at details of this historic hotel and the daily operations required to run it smoothly.

With their steady job the sisters, and their father, are finally able to enjoy a degree of financial stability that they have not experienced since their mother died several years back. They went through a rough period after the loss of their mother. Their father became an alcoholic and did not have a steady job for a while. Fortunately, he was able to stop drinking and land a steady job. That, combined with the sisters' employment at the hotel is enough to secure them a decent apartment and enough food for the family.

While Clara believes they should accept their rather low station in life and work hard to maintain stability, Louisa aspires to bigger and better things. In particular, Louisa has always wanted to be an actress, and has the talent for it, too. She had a bad experience in a theater company in the past with an abusive director, and is scared to try again; but never gives up her dream. Finally, a chance she feels she must take presents itself and she courageously accepts the challenge at a new theater company. Her sister Clara does not understand Louisa's decisions and she herself is full of fears of trying for a promotion or in any way seeking advancement in life. She takes these fears out on Louisa in a display of unpleasantness. Likewise, Louisa takes out their differences of opinion in the same way, lashing out at her sister. Each of them in turn realizes what is happening and addresses the situation before it gets too far out of control and they agree to both try their best to muster up courage to meet what opportunities life holds for them.

The historical details of the Vancouver area and the hotel are fascinating. The author describes some of the historical details that certain events in the novel are based on at the end of the book in the Author's Note. I found that information very interesting!

[Doreen Prentiss Gabriellini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Me at the Clock by Tanya Williams is the second book in the Hotel Hamilton series. Don’t let the series thing worry you. This book works as a stand alone. If you really want to discover more about the main characters – Clara and Louisa – feel free to delve into the first book. Tanya Williams books are wonderful and leave you with wanting more. This is my sixth book by Ms. Williams.

The story takes place during the 1920’s in Vancouver, Canada. The main characters who are sisters work at the very well appointed Hotel Hamilton. This is where all the elite people stay. As most sisters Clara and Louisa are very different. Clara is somewhat timid and doesn’t understand that she can aspire to be more than just a maid at the Hotel Hamilton. On the other side of the coin is Louisa whose dream it has always been to be an actress. She is working at the Hotel Hamilton to help her family, who had fallen on hard times, survive and thrive.

I really love how Ms. Williams develops her characters. They are wonderfully human, likable, kind, helpful, admirable and constantly growing. Both sisters are achievers. Clara wants to be the best maid the Hotel Hamilton has in its employ but she lacks the confidence. Louisa wants to return to acting but she has also lost some of her self confidence because she has been away from the stage for a bit. The secondary characters are delightful and memorable as well.

The settings are vivid and you can easily picture 1920’s Vancouver. You can also see the delightful Hamilton Hotel, the theater and Clara and Louisa’s home. You can see the Hotel’s kitchen, back entrance, the streets of Vancouver and of course the clock.

This is a well written and delightful book. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Williams has in store for us next! Well done.

I have received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sandra Mistretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is continuing the story of Clara and her sister Louisa at Hotel Hamilton in Vancouver. I enjoyed this series and feel disappointed that the library doesn't have any more of her books.

The hotel has introduced the concept of room service for the new hotel. Clara wonders why anyone would want to eat their breakfast in bed. I have wondered about that also.

There are eight stories in the hotel. The top floors are the most luxurious. There is a new luggage room downstairs. Each suitcase needs to be labeled and stored on a shelf for the designated room. It is an exhausting task for the maids.

Louisa, the aspiring actress, is not afraid to let people, especially men, help her with her tasks. She persuades George, the bellboy, to help her carry the luggage on his cart. She is praised by Miss Thompson and Mr. Olsen for her idea. Clara questions Louisa as to whether she would help George if he needed help.

Louisa is offered the lead in a play! She asks for a smaller part instead because she wants to make sure that she gets parts on merit and not her good looks. She and Clara have a big fight over this because Clara will have to take over all of the duties at home. Why can't she be happy for Louisa?

Clara is conflicted about applying for the eighth-floor position that has become available. She could use the higher pay, but she doesn't think that she would be qualified.

This book addresses racism in a section about an Asian who is befriended by Louisa when a drunken white man repeatedly knocks a man's groceries to the ground and makes him pick them up. A young Japanese is refused a good seat at Louisa's performance and Clara and her friends all go up to the balcony with the boy to show solidarity.

Louisa and Clara end up encouraging each other to strive for goals to improve their lives and find that they are each other's best support.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore how Williams' always does an impeccable job of creating strong female characters that don't let expectations or society beat them down.

I have always been fascinated with the 1920's around the world. It was a time of self-reflection, struggle and determination for people. Meet Me at the Clock takes place in Vancouver, Canada during the year 1927 and focuses on two sisters that have started a career working at the new illustrious Hotel Hamilton.

Their mother has passed away and their father is working all the time, but even then they struggle to make ends meet. Having both girls working helps to keep food on the table, but the older sister Louisa is now facing the challenge of losing herself - or at least who she thinks she is. She wants to pursue her dreams of being an actress, but when catty girls that she works with start slinging her name in the mud and implying that she's a bit "loose" and "too friendly" with all the boys, she worries about her reputation.

A period piece that really reflects the time, hones in on challenges that women face in society, and ultimately about following our dreams. The story of these two sisters really lifts my spirits and reminds me of what's important in life.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Me at the Clock is more than what's on the page If you pay attention to what is underneath this story you'll find an encouraging message that no matter what your station in life you can change it. Your action can set into effect a small ripple that may someday change a life. It isn't necessary for you to be a very important person to the world, you just have to show up for your own heroic journey and stop saying no to yourself.

I loved Louisa's story and of course, how could I not enjoy catching up on her sister, Clara from The Hotel Hamilton? So good to read about her and how she is handling things at the Hotel Hamilton. Though the story is sometimes bleak William's has a positivity that radiates through her work keeping the reader entertained and not saddened by circumstances in the story.


Meet Me at the Clock is well written--be aware this in not USA spelling and you'll not be saying "oh the author spelled that wrong." Get past that and you won't notice the extra 'u' in some words. :) Williams is a storyteller to watch for your future reading list. That's FRL kind of like the TBR.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I listened to the first book in this series, Welcome to the Hamilton, my attitude was that it was okay, probably wouldn't buy it for my own library. But I was interested enough to want to read the second book, Meet Me at the Clock. When I finished the second book, the one this review is about, and discovered the third book was not in audio format and not available in my library I became frustrated. I was frustrated because I had become attached to the characters and wanted to know what happened next. Plus the audio version is read by 2 people who do an excellent job! When I realized how disappointed I was feeling, that's when I decided this series was more than okay. It draws you in and makes you care what happens to the characters in the story. I really enjoyed it!
The story moves slowly. It's kind of like Downton Abbey from the servants' point of view, and it's a luxury hotel, instead of the home of an aristocratic family. Read the first book to know the characters in the story and then read the second book to get more emotionally involved with what is happening to them.

[Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 in The Hotel Hamilton series. This book definitely works as a standalone but if you want to know more about the sisters, you can find out background information in the first book. I really enjoyed this book. I liked how we got to learn more about Louisa in this one. I liked how we still get some of Clara's point of view as well. I loved how much the sisters have grown and continue to grow in this book. Both girls are go getters but in different ways. Lousia is more of a dreamer. She wants to be more than a maid and be an actress, and Clara more of a worker, she wants to provide for her family but also get a better position both are great. This book takes place in Canada. I liked how Lousia and Clara stood up against the racism of a Japanese boy. The portrayal of racism is shown really well in the book. I just liked the courage that is shown not only from the sisters but the Japanese boy as well. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I definitely recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Gloria Mattioni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's an author who knows historical fiction needs accurate research for accountability. At the same time, her style is flavorful and captivating while transporting the reader not only back in time, in this case to 1920 Vancouver, but also inside the minds of her characters, sisters Clara and Louisa, who have very opposite personalities and took maids' positions at the prestigious Hotel Hamilton in the previous book of the series. I particularly enjoyed the double POV, alternating chapters in each sister's first person, and the way language and dialogues masterly reflect the era. The settings too double up, with the hotel asserting itself as the main stage of the story and the theatre running up to add twists and turns to the plot. A third book is already in the works and I'm sure it will be as welcome. Highly recommend!

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I didn't like the first book (audio version) of this series and felt the readers to be overdone, I was curious to see what happened next, so I listened to this second installment in the series. First, the readers have done a more realistic, and less exaggerated reading than the first, which I liked much better than the caricature reading of Welcome to the Hotel Hamilton. Reading about Vancouver in the 1920's is quite interesting, and this story was exciting. I still think this series qualifies as more of a Young Adult read than a general read, but that makes it suitable for younger readers, and I also enjoy many Young Adult books. It's not a deep book, though it addresses class and racial discrimination in a simple way. IMO, far better quality thatn the first book.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The time I spent reading this book was like a journey along with 2 young women figuring about how they want to live their life, and how to do that while staying true to their own values. The city life was revealing how challenging it would be to sit by and watch the unjust of treatment of others left alone and each sister had their own perspective on how to handle it. They were not left alone to figure it out!

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in The Hotel Hamilton series. Another winner from Ms. Williams!! The story takes place in the 1920's. Clara and her sister Louisa both work as maids at the hotel. Clara is always telling Louisa not to step beyond your station and staying in your lane is safer. Do they stay in their lane? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I hope we here more about The Hotel Hamilton!!

[Nicky McCulloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get cozy, grab a cup of tea and prepare to immerse yourself in the lives of Louisa and Clara Wilson as they navigate the ups and downs of life in Vancouver in the Fall of 1927. The words of Tanya E Williams help the reader to see, hear and feel their journey. Meet Me At The Clock is a must have for any lover of historical fiction.

[Paula · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is sooooooo gentle that it’s full and soooooo slow that it’s almost at a stop.

DNF but, a word to the wise, DON’T read this after reading an intense psychological thriller as the difference is blatantly obvious and intense that you would fall asleep trying to get through this.

Think of a psychological thriller as Lewis Hamilton and then this book would be Driving Miss Daisy!

[Eileen Vernor · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story

Love the story of the 2 sisters working as hotel maids, struggling with rising above their station and staying small. The story is full of life lessons and intriguing characters.

[SusanwithaGoodBook · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one. I find it all a little too modern. The people don't seem realistic for the era, nor is the story complex enough to be compelling.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much angst. I want to but I’m not good enough, did I say the wrong thing but what if they don’t like me. OMG. Just get on with it. Has so much potential…::get over yourselves and go for it.

[Sarah Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫