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The Happy Home for Broken Hearts
A wise and warm-hearted novel about fresh starts, from the author of The Memory Book.
Ellie Woods spends her days immersed in the escapist pages of the romantic novels she lovingly edits. But her reality is somewhat less rose-tinted. Once upon a time, Ellie had her 'happily ever after' moment when she married her beloved Nick, but fifteen years later her husband's tragic death leaves her alone with their soon-to-become-a-teenager son, faced with a mountain of debt, and on the verge of losing the family home.
On the brink of bankruptcy, Ellie finally succumbs to her sister's well-meant bullying and decides to rent out some rooms. And all too soon the indomitable Allegra with her love for all things lavender, Sabine on secondment from Berlin and estranged from her two-timing husband, and unreconstructed lads' mag aficionado Matt enter her ordered but fragile existence - each with their own messy life in tow. And Ellie finds herself forced to step out of the pages of the romantic novels she hides behind, and learn to live - and love - again.
Maybe a new chapter is about to begin for them all...
Ellie Woods spends her days immersed in the escapist pages of the romantic novels she lovingly edits. But her reality is somewhat less rose-tinted. Once upon a time, Ellie had her 'happily ever after' moment when she married her beloved Nick, but fifteen years later her husband's tragic death leaves her alone with their soon-to-become-a-teenager son, faced with a mountain of debt, and on the verge of losing the family home.
On the brink of bankruptcy, Ellie finally succumbs to her sister's well-meant bullying and decides to rent out some rooms. And all too soon the indomitable Allegra with her love for all things lavender, Sabine on secondment from Berlin and estranged from her two-timing husband, and unreconstructed lads' mag aficionado Matt enter her ordered but fragile existence - each with their own messy life in tow. And Ellie finds herself forced to step out of the pages of the romantic novels she hides behind, and learn to live - and love - again.
Maybe a new chapter is about to begin for them all...
381 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 2010
30 people are currently reading
906 people want to read
About the author
Rowan Coleman
49 books851 followersRowan Coleman lives with her husband, and five children in a very full house in Hertfordshire. She juggles writing novels with raising her family which includes a very lively set of toddler twins whose main hobby is going in the opposite directions. When she gets the chance, Rowan enjoys sleeping, sitting and loves watching films; she is also attempting to learn how to bake.
Rowan would like to live every day as if she were starring in a musical, although her daughter no longer allows her to sing in public. Despite being dyslexic, Rowan loves writing, and The Memory Book is her eleventh novel. Others include The Accidental Mother, Lessons in Laughing Out Loud and the award-winning Dearest Rose, a novel which lead Rowan to become an active supporter of domestic abuse charity Refuge, donating 100% of royalties from the ebook publication of her novella, Woman Walks Into a Bar, to the charity. Rowan does not have time for ironing.
Rowan would like to live every day as if she were starring in a musical, although her daughter no longer allows her to sing in public. Despite being dyslexic, Rowan loves writing, and The Memory Book is her eleventh novel. Others include The Accidental Mother, Lessons in Laughing Out Loud and the award-winning Dearest Rose, a novel which lead Rowan to become an active supporter of domestic abuse charity Refuge, donating 100% of royalties from the ebook publication of her novella, Woman Walks Into a Bar, to the charity. Rowan does not have time for ironing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
August 12, 2016
4.5 Stars
Rowan Coleman manages to get the right mix between heavy emotions, some big issues, romance, comedy and all round fabulous writing in A Home For Broken Hearts.
Ellen had the "perfect" marriage, when her husband Nick suddenly dies. A year later, Ellen is still coming to terms with everything. She then discovers the financial mess he left her in, and its suggested that she should take in some lodgers, so that the house can pay for itself.
With the lodgers in place the house feels more alive yet Ellen is still struggling to cope. However everyone is trying their hardest to help.
From time to time the focus shifts to Matt, who is working for a lads mag, and moves into Ellen's as its near the job. He initially provides fantastic comic relief with his cheesy pick up lines, and typical man about town ways, but slowly his true depths emerge and I found myself liking him more and more.
Charlie, Ellen's nearly 12 year old son, is written brilliantly, he is the best mix between scared young boy, boy trying to become a teenager, and also concerned about his mum young man. Some of the statements he comes out with regarding sex are a mix of perceptive and innocence, and I just wanted to hug him. He is though a rather smart child and when the hormones aren't raging was very perceptive and great to read about.
And then there is Hannah, Ellen's sister who since Nick's death has been in their lives a lot more, but Ellen isn't really too keen, as they don't usually see eye to eye.
As I have mentioned there are some big themes being explored in the book, that although they include key characteristics for a few characters and really do shape them, they don't overwhelm the story. They are though tackled head on, and sensitively handled.
I really enjoyed reading A Home For Broken Hearts and at times found it almost impossible to put down. The story is immersive and I really wanted the best for all the characters. I am still wondering what happened to them after the book ends, which can only be the sign of a well written cast.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Ebury for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
Rowan Coleman manages to get the right mix between heavy emotions, some big issues, romance, comedy and all round fabulous writing in A Home For Broken Hearts.
Ellen had the "perfect" marriage, when her husband Nick suddenly dies. A year later, Ellen is still coming to terms with everything. She then discovers the financial mess he left her in, and its suggested that she should take in some lodgers, so that the house can pay for itself.
With the lodgers in place the house feels more alive yet Ellen is still struggling to cope. However everyone is trying their hardest to help.
From time to time the focus shifts to Matt, who is working for a lads mag, and moves into Ellen's as its near the job. He initially provides fantastic comic relief with his cheesy pick up lines, and typical man about town ways, but slowly his true depths emerge and I found myself liking him more and more.
Charlie, Ellen's nearly 12 year old son, is written brilliantly, he is the best mix between scared young boy, boy trying to become a teenager, and also concerned about his mum young man. Some of the statements he comes out with regarding sex are a mix of perceptive and innocence, and I just wanted to hug him. He is though a rather smart child and when the hormones aren't raging was very perceptive and great to read about.
And then there is Hannah, Ellen's sister who since Nick's death has been in their lives a lot more, but Ellen isn't really too keen, as they don't usually see eye to eye.
As I have mentioned there are some big themes being explored in the book, that although they include key characteristics for a few characters and really do shape them, they don't overwhelm the story. They are though tackled head on, and sensitively handled.
I really enjoyed reading A Home For Broken Hearts and at times found it almost impossible to put down. The story is immersive and I really wanted the best for all the characters. I am still wondering what happened to them after the book ends, which can only be the sign of a well written cast.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Ebury for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
November 12, 2010
In my view this novel had some ambitious goals which I don't think were reached. The writing wasn't quite smooth enough; the characters didn't quite seem real; the plot wasn't completely convincing.
Ellen is a widow of a year; her husband was killed in a car accident due to his own reckless driving. Ellen has become housebound with grief, to the dismay of her eleven-year-old son Charlie. Ellen's sister Hannah is coming to visit more frequently, but there is tension between the two women.
Due to a lack of finances, Ellen must take in boarders to meet the payments on her large home. Three unrelated people rent rooms: a German women who is separated from her husband, an elderly lady who writes romance novels, and a young and good-looking man who writes a column for a sex magazine that berates women.
All of this makes for something of a "trashy" romance novel itself. I was getting a little bored by the end as the book came to a relatively predictable conclusion.
Ellen is a widow of a year; her husband was killed in a car accident due to his own reckless driving. Ellen has become housebound with grief, to the dismay of her eleven-year-old son Charlie. Ellen's sister Hannah is coming to visit more frequently, but there is tension between the two women.
Due to a lack of finances, Ellen must take in boarders to meet the payments on her large home. Three unrelated people rent rooms: a German women who is separated from her husband, an elderly lady who writes romance novels, and a young and good-looking man who writes a column for a sex magazine that berates women.
All of this makes for something of a "trashy" romance novel itself. I was getting a little bored by the end as the book came to a relatively predictable conclusion.
January 7, 2018
Time taken to read - dipped in and out over 3 days
Pages - 381
Publisher - Ebury Press
Source - Book shop
Blurb
Once upon a time, Ellen Woods had her 'happily ever after' moment when she married her beloved Nick. But fifteen years later her husband's tragic death leaves her alone with their soon-to-become-a-teenager son and a mountain of debt.
On the verge of losing the family home Ellen decides to rent out some rooms, and all too soon a whole host of characters enter her ordered but fragile existence – each with their own messy life in tow. But will this be enough to pull her out of her grief so she can learn to live – and love – again?
My Review
Ellen's whole world is turned upside down when her husband Nick dies, leaving her and her young son Charlie to pick up the pieces. The bills are rolling in when Ellen's sister Hannah comes up with a plan, rent out the rooms of the house. Soon Ellen has there lodgers, Sabine who has left her husband, Matt is beautiful, young and a Lothario and writes about his exploits for a male audience. Lastly one of Ellen's all time favourite authors, Allegra is in need of somewhere to stay and Ellen's services with her newest book. But Ellen soon finds that bringing strangers into her home is bringing them into her life and to move to the future we need to address our past.
There is so much going on in this wee book and so many issues and emotions covered. Matt is a playboy, it works with his job and he is a bit of an empty vase, pretty to look at it, hollow inside. However, coming into the domesticity of Ellen's home he sees there is more to life than "kiss and tell". Charlie is trying to look after his mum whilst dealing with growing up and the loss of his father. Ellen is now a and lady, still a grieving widow, lost in a sea of emotions and problems she wasn't even aware of. Allegra is a bit of a spoiled madam, set in her ways, popular author and very good at what she does, however even she comes into her own in the brief glimpses she is in the book. We also get to read some of her new book, in italics so you know it isn't the main story, of a heroine in peril at cruel men with one track minds.
Despite it being a busy book it is very easy to follow, life lessons aplenty without being preachy or in your face. The characters are easily to get into and despite having this author on my tbrm for a long time this is my first dance with her. 3.5 stars for me this time, she has a lovely writing style that invites the reader in and you can easily loose yourself in it for a few hours.
Pages - 381
Publisher - Ebury Press
Source - Book shop
Blurb
Once upon a time, Ellen Woods had her 'happily ever after' moment when she married her beloved Nick. But fifteen years later her husband's tragic death leaves her alone with their soon-to-become-a-teenager son and a mountain of debt.
On the verge of losing the family home Ellen decides to rent out some rooms, and all too soon a whole host of characters enter her ordered but fragile existence – each with their own messy life in tow. But will this be enough to pull her out of her grief so she can learn to live – and love – again?
My Review
Ellen's whole world is turned upside down when her husband Nick dies, leaving her and her young son Charlie to pick up the pieces. The bills are rolling in when Ellen's sister Hannah comes up with a plan, rent out the rooms of the house. Soon Ellen has there lodgers, Sabine who has left her husband, Matt is beautiful, young and a Lothario and writes about his exploits for a male audience. Lastly one of Ellen's all time favourite authors, Allegra is in need of somewhere to stay and Ellen's services with her newest book. But Ellen soon finds that bringing strangers into her home is bringing them into her life and to move to the future we need to address our past.
There is so much going on in this wee book and so many issues and emotions covered. Matt is a playboy, it works with his job and he is a bit of an empty vase, pretty to look at it, hollow inside. However, coming into the domesticity of Ellen's home he sees there is more to life than "kiss and tell". Charlie is trying to look after his mum whilst dealing with growing up and the loss of his father. Ellen is now a and lady, still a grieving widow, lost in a sea of emotions and problems she wasn't even aware of. Allegra is a bit of a spoiled madam, set in her ways, popular author and very good at what she does, however even she comes into her own in the brief glimpses she is in the book. We also get to read some of her new book, in italics so you know it isn't the main story, of a heroine in peril at cruel men with one track minds.
Despite it being a busy book it is very easy to follow, life lessons aplenty without being preachy or in your face. The characters are easily to get into and despite having this author on my tbrm for a long time this is my first dance with her. 3.5 stars for me this time, she has a lovely writing style that invites the reader in and you can easily loose yourself in it for a few hours.
March 29, 2015
What. Did. I just read.
1. For a book about an editor, this could have used some well-placed punctuation.
2. Any part with those harlequin romance bodice-ripper sex scenes was awful. Not sexy.
3. These characters were ridiculous. How does a person NOT NOTICE they haven't left the house in a year?
Also why do the two romantic leads feel aroused around each other seconds after dealing with her drunken sister rape and assault? I'm pretty sure that's messed up. And what kind of guy in his twenties decides he wants to get serious with an agoraphobic woman 12 years his senior, with an angsty teenage son?
4. No one in this novel was very interesting..?
5. and WHAT THE FUCK, shutting your wife in the house and having an affair with her sister? ugh. ugh ugh ugh.
ONE star. Not a good read.
1. For a book about an editor, this could have used some well-placed punctuation.
2. Any part with those harlequin romance bodice-ripper sex scenes was awful. Not sexy.
3. These characters were ridiculous. How does a person NOT NOTICE they haven't left the house in a year?
Also why do the two romantic leads feel aroused around each other seconds after dealing with her drunken sister rape and assault? I'm pretty sure that's messed up. And what kind of guy in his twenties decides he wants to get serious with an agoraphobic woman 12 years his senior, with an angsty teenage son?
4. No one in this novel was very interesting..?
5. and WHAT THE FUCK, shutting your wife in the house and having an affair with her sister? ugh. ugh ugh ugh.
ONE star. Not a good read.
July 8, 2014
Ellen Woods, freelance editor, grieving widow and the mother of a nearly twelve year old son has realized her late husband left them broke and she has to find a way to keep her house and home. After her sister, Hannah, insists she take three lodgers in her spare rooms, she reluctantly agrees, and between Hannah and her editor she soon has three very different people living under her roof. There is Sabine, a beautiful German woman escaping an unfaithful husband, Allegra Howard, one of the erotic romance authors whose books Ellen Woods not only copy edits but finds herself caught up in for her fantasy escape from her life, and Matt, a new columnist for a men’s weekly called Bang It!. It doesn’t take long to see that Ellen’s happy marriage wasn’t all she remembers it to be, that she and Hannah don’t seem to get along well and that her lodgers each have their own baggage to carry.
This is a beach read ChickLit, semi-pure and simple, and may be my one “chick lit” book for the year (but there’s no point in being too serious about a prediction like that since at any time I feel like I might either read another because I’m in the right mood or I want to finish a challenge). I liked some of the characters quite a bit and was able to get it read in a few longish chunks of time, so I’m giving it a three. However, there is nothing brilliant about this, some of it was rather silly, and no doubt I’ll forget the story down the road, but it was a good break from some of the heavier reads I’ve been doing and I read it for two current reading challenges.
This is a beach read ChickLit, semi-pure and simple, and may be my one “chick lit” book for the year (but there’s no point in being too serious about a prediction like that since at any time I feel like I might either read another because I’m in the right mood or I want to finish a challenge). I liked some of the characters quite a bit and was able to get it read in a few longish chunks of time, so I’m giving it a three. However, there is nothing brilliant about this, some of it was rather silly, and no doubt I’ll forget the story down the road, but it was a good break from some of the heavier reads I’ve been doing and I read it for two current reading challenges.
July 21, 2012
Compared to the three other books of a similar ilk I've read over the last week, this at least was enjoyable. The story of Ellen, who's a widow with a son trying to get her life back together was well drawn. I liked Charlie, the son, and the cast of characters who come to live in her house were different and interesting.I didn't like the long extracts of bodice ripper - I thought they were far too long and I stopped reading them. I did like the relationship between Ellen and her sister - I had guessed the big secret but it was still well done. I felt as though there were some unexplained elements though- maybe plot points that had been backed away from. Her 'bit-of-a-lad' lodger Matt's assignment to write about his landlady - what happened to that? I'd expected there to be a bit of bustup or for him to resign or something. But I like the links bewteen them and even though he did have a rather radical change of character, it worked for me.
The gripe I have is with the blurb. The lead character is Ellen - she is only referred to as Ellie in the last 15 pages. This, I take it, is symbolic of her new life. So why does the blurb call her Ellie and not Ellen? I thought whoever had written it had made a mistake. I suspect not but I think it would have been better left as Ellen. Minor quibble I know, but it did annoy me.
The gripe I have is with the blurb. The lead character is Ellen - she is only referred to as Ellie in the last 15 pages. This, I take it, is symbolic of her new life. So why does the blurb call her Ellie and not Ellen? I thought whoever had written it had made a mistake. I suspect not but I think it would have been better left as Ellen. Minor quibble I know, but it did annoy me.
May 26, 2017
In 'The Happy Home for Broken Hearts' we meet recently widowed Ellie and her 12 year old son Charlie. Both still grieving the loss of beloved husband & father a year previously. Ellie discovers that cash is tight and so, with her sister Hannah's help, rents our her remaining rooms to three lodgers. One of them Sabine - a German business woman, Matt - A handsome jack the lad and Allegra - Famous romance novelist.
As Ellie worked with Allegra, the romance novelist on her latest 17th century erotica plot - there was a lot of transcripts from that particular book which I found HIGHLY irritating. Especially the fact that all these samples featured a 'young damsel getting raped by big strong man on horseback'. ARGH. I found myself skipping the pages that featured these story transcripts written by Allegra. Irritating, boring and unnecessary. I understand it was 'for the sake of Allegra's book' but it was annoying.
I also found the majority of the plot a bit predictable and cringe-worthy. Especially the way Jack-the-lad tenant Matt would speak to Ellie's 12 year old son - constantly dropping swear words in so that we believe that they are 'mates'. Annoying, again.
This got slightly more gripping toward the end and the story a little more diverse - but nothing spectacular.
As Ellie worked with Allegra, the romance novelist on her latest 17th century erotica plot - there was a lot of transcripts from that particular book which I found HIGHLY irritating. Especially the fact that all these samples featured a 'young damsel getting raped by big strong man on horseback'. ARGH. I found myself skipping the pages that featured these story transcripts written by Allegra. Irritating, boring and unnecessary. I understand it was 'for the sake of Allegra's book' but it was annoying.
I also found the majority of the plot a bit predictable and cringe-worthy. Especially the way Jack-the-lad tenant Matt would speak to Ellie's 12 year old son - constantly dropping swear words in so that we believe that they are 'mates'. Annoying, again.
This got slightly more gripping toward the end and the story a little more diverse - but nothing spectacular.
August 24, 2014
L'amore è effimero,fragile come una ragnatela in un giorno di vento.
Ma perchè devono sempre cambiare il titolo?Non potevano lasciarlo come l'originale The happy home for broken hearts ?mah!!
Una storia intensa,fatta di cuori spezzati,tristezza,sogni,paure,pentimenti,amore,passione,desideri...una storia matura,come la protagonista, che deve rifarsi una vita,lei che ha sempre vissuto chiusa in un bozzolo,immersa nei suoi amati libri,confortata dal suo unico vero amore deve ricominciare,l'arrivo dei suoi nuovi affittuari stravolgerà tutto e riuscirà ad aprirle gli occhi...un romanzo coinvolgente davvero scritto bene che affronta molti temi come l'amicizia tra donne,il difficile rapporto tra sorelle,il rapporto genitori/figli,il tutto descrito in modo scorrevole,avvincente,spigliato.Consigliato!
Ma perchè devono sempre cambiare il titolo?Non potevano lasciarlo come l'originale The happy home for broken hearts ?mah!!
Una storia intensa,fatta di cuori spezzati,tristezza,sogni,paure,pentimenti,amore,passione,desideri...una storia matura,come la protagonista, che deve rifarsi una vita,lei che ha sempre vissuto chiusa in un bozzolo,immersa nei suoi amati libri,confortata dal suo unico vero amore deve ricominciare,l'arrivo dei suoi nuovi affittuari stravolgerà tutto e riuscirà ad aprirle gli occhi...un romanzo coinvolgente davvero scritto bene che affronta molti temi come l'amicizia tra donne,il difficile rapporto tra sorelle,il rapporto genitori/figli,il tutto descrito in modo scorrevole,avvincente,spigliato.Consigliato!
January 18, 2020
Ok, 2.5 stars.
It wasn’t great, it wasn’t bad, it was readable, it was predictable.
But I made it to the end.
Best part was interlacing the journey of an ageing romance novelist struggling to write her umpteenth book with the story of a romance novelist reviewer who is barely recovering from her husbands death.
And they all lived happily ever after.
The End
It wasn’t great, it wasn’t bad, it was readable, it was predictable.
But I made it to the end.
Best part was interlacing the journey of an ageing romance novelist struggling to write her umpteenth book with the story of a romance novelist reviewer who is barely recovering from her husbands death.
And they all lived happily ever after.
The End
March 31, 2011
Ellen Woods spends her days immersed in the escapist pages of the romantic novels she lovingly edits. But her reality is somewhat less rose-tinted. Once upon a time, Ellen had her ‘happily ever after’ moment when she married her beloved Nick, but fifteen years later her husband’s tragic death leaves her alone with their soon-to-become-a-teenager son, faced with a mountain of debt, and on the verge of losing the family home. On the brink of bankruptcy, Ellen finally succumbs to her sister’s well-meant bullying and decides to rent out some rooms. And all too soon the indomitable Allegra with her love for all things lavender, Sabine on secondment from Berlin and estranged from her two-timing husband, and unreconstructed lads’ mag aficionado Matt enter her ordered but fragile existence – each with their own messy life in tow. And Ellen finds herself forced to step out of the pages of the romantic novels she hides behind, and learn to live – and love – again. Maybe a new chapter is about to begin for them all…
A couple of years ago I read a fantastic novel called The Accidental Mother, by Rowan Coleman. I thought the book was hilarious, and rushed out to get the sequel enjoying that just as much. It cemented Rowan into an author I would definitely be keeping an eye on for all future releases and as soon as I heard about her new one The Happy Home For Broken Hearts, I couldn’t wait to read it. It sounded right up my street and although it’s taken me a couple of months since it’s release to actually get a copy, as soon as I did it shot to the top of my to be read pile and I absolutely loved it.
The Happy Home For Broken Hearts seems to be a bit different to her The Accidental Mother/The Accidental Family double, but I could probably still tell it was the same writer, as the book is filled with the same warmth, realness and laughter of Rowan’s previous novels. The book begins at a sad point in Ellen’s life as she’s burying her husband after he died in a car crash, we then skip forward to almost a year later and Ellen finds out that herself and her son Charlie, have got no money left. Her sister, Hannah, suggests she rents out the three spare rooms she has in her luxurious Hammersmith house. Cue romance novelist Allegra, German Sabine fleeing from her cheating husband, and lads mags aficionado Matt entering her house as her new lodgers. And as the weeks and months pass, she finds herself enjoying having the new lodgers in her house, and it seems she could be finally turning a new corner in her life.
I really enjoyed the plot of the novel, the lodgers moving in happens really quickly and I found that they really added to the book. They force Ellen to realise that, actually, ever since her husband died – maybe even before that – she was living the life of a hermit, not going out, not doing anything remotely sociable, and just essentially wasting away her life. Her only reason for living is her son Charlie, yet all Charlie is concerned about is the fact his mum isn’t really the mum he knew before his dad died. I thought Coleman handled Ellen’s situation really well, her grief, her lack of moving on, and the lodgers bring some added colour to the greyness of Ellen and Charlie’s life. There are some twists and turns to the book, and Ellen’s sister Hannah is a bit of a mystery, acting out and drinking a bit too much, and I guessed her secret fairly early on, which was mildly unfortunate but didn’t make too much difference to the story to me.
I really liked Ellen, she’s a very shy, very timid character but she has a lot of heart and it was clear that what happened to her husband hit her very hard, as once she and Nick got married he became her whole focus, until Charlie came along. I liked what the lodgers brought out in Ellen, and I couldn’t help wishing she would overcome everything that was thrown her way. As for her son, Charlie, he’s the most astute 11-year-old (nearly 12) I’ve ever come across in a novel. Honestly, you won’t find a more clued-in child character anywhere. He was wise beyond his age, and I felt so sad that after his father died he had to grow up so quick. I found all three of the lodgers very enchanting, Allegra was just wonderful, an aging romance novelist who tells it like it is, and I loved her immediately. Sabine was more studious, but she had her great moments and I just fell in love with Matt. I didn’t like what he did to girls at first, but eventually, he won me around, and was one of my favourite characters. The only character that I didn’t know what to make of was Hannah. She’s nice enough, but she has her darker moments where she just isn’t likeable at all and her secret is horrible.
I thought The Happy Home For Broken Hearts was incredibly well written, Rowan Coleman has done a stunning job in the writing of this novel. I was truly very impressed with the issues covered through the novel, and I raced through the book finishing it as quickly as I humanly could. It’s warm, uplifting, and it shows that strangers really can impact on your life, and make it change for the better. I can’t wait to see what Rowan brings out next, I absolutely adore her novels and this is definitely Rowan Coleman at her tip-top best!
A couple of years ago I read a fantastic novel called The Accidental Mother, by Rowan Coleman. I thought the book was hilarious, and rushed out to get the sequel enjoying that just as much. It cemented Rowan into an author I would definitely be keeping an eye on for all future releases and as soon as I heard about her new one The Happy Home For Broken Hearts, I couldn’t wait to read it. It sounded right up my street and although it’s taken me a couple of months since it’s release to actually get a copy, as soon as I did it shot to the top of my to be read pile and I absolutely loved it.
The Happy Home For Broken Hearts seems to be a bit different to her The Accidental Mother/The Accidental Family double, but I could probably still tell it was the same writer, as the book is filled with the same warmth, realness and laughter of Rowan’s previous novels. The book begins at a sad point in Ellen’s life as she’s burying her husband after he died in a car crash, we then skip forward to almost a year later and Ellen finds out that herself and her son Charlie, have got no money left. Her sister, Hannah, suggests she rents out the three spare rooms she has in her luxurious Hammersmith house. Cue romance novelist Allegra, German Sabine fleeing from her cheating husband, and lads mags aficionado Matt entering her house as her new lodgers. And as the weeks and months pass, she finds herself enjoying having the new lodgers in her house, and it seems she could be finally turning a new corner in her life.
I really enjoyed the plot of the novel, the lodgers moving in happens really quickly and I found that they really added to the book. They force Ellen to realise that, actually, ever since her husband died – maybe even before that – she was living the life of a hermit, not going out, not doing anything remotely sociable, and just essentially wasting away her life. Her only reason for living is her son Charlie, yet all Charlie is concerned about is the fact his mum isn’t really the mum he knew before his dad died. I thought Coleman handled Ellen’s situation really well, her grief, her lack of moving on, and the lodgers bring some added colour to the greyness of Ellen and Charlie’s life. There are some twists and turns to the book, and Ellen’s sister Hannah is a bit of a mystery, acting out and drinking a bit too much, and I guessed her secret fairly early on, which was mildly unfortunate but didn’t make too much difference to the story to me.
I really liked Ellen, she’s a very shy, very timid character but she has a lot of heart and it was clear that what happened to her husband hit her very hard, as once she and Nick got married he became her whole focus, until Charlie came along. I liked what the lodgers brought out in Ellen, and I couldn’t help wishing she would overcome everything that was thrown her way. As for her son, Charlie, he’s the most astute 11-year-old (nearly 12) I’ve ever come across in a novel. Honestly, you won’t find a more clued-in child character anywhere. He was wise beyond his age, and I felt so sad that after his father died he had to grow up so quick. I found all three of the lodgers very enchanting, Allegra was just wonderful, an aging romance novelist who tells it like it is, and I loved her immediately. Sabine was more studious, but she had her great moments and I just fell in love with Matt. I didn’t like what he did to girls at first, but eventually, he won me around, and was one of my favourite characters. The only character that I didn’t know what to make of was Hannah. She’s nice enough, but she has her darker moments where she just isn’t likeable at all and her secret is horrible.
I thought The Happy Home For Broken Hearts was incredibly well written, Rowan Coleman has done a stunning job in the writing of this novel. I was truly very impressed with the issues covered through the novel, and I raced through the book finishing it as quickly as I humanly could. It’s warm, uplifting, and it shows that strangers really can impact on your life, and make it change for the better. I can’t wait to see what Rowan brings out next, I absolutely adore her novels and this is definitely Rowan Coleman at her tip-top best!
June 3, 2011
Rowan Coleman is an Author who I had not come across before. I was surprised when I googled the author to find that she has had many books published which I have not seen or heard of before. The front cover is your typical chick-lit style book which is what grabs us chick-lit lovers straight to it on the shelf.
Plot
Ellie has hit rock bottom. After losing her husband in a car crash she finds herself unable to leave the house, and in a serious amount of debt. Ellen needs to find a way to bring in the money to keep a roof over her and her son Charlie's head. Ellen's sister comes up with the idea of renting out the spare rooms of the house. A real mix of people came to rent the house an old lady Allegra who is an author, sexy Sabine who works with Ellen's sister and Matt a writer for a lad's magazine. Each of the new tenants bring with them the problems with their lives. With many secrets and twists and turns in the book will they all be able to help each other with the terrible mess they have made of their lives?
Characters
Ellen- Ellen is our main character in the book and from the first chapter I warmed to her. She is heavily grieving but at the same time she is trying to sort financial things out for her and her son. Through out the book we see Ellen's character grow and we as the reader hopes that she will be able to take steps to making her way back to happiness and more importantly to be able to leave the house giving her her life back.
Charlie- how can you not feel for this little boy. The poor lad has lost his father and now it feels like all to soon he is loosing his mother too. Charlie seems to be very wise and clued up for his age and he really cares about his mum and tries to help her to realise she has a problem. He has hit that point in a childs life where he has more questions but with his father not around he must be finding it very hard.
Hannah- This is the one character which I couldn't take to from the minute she appeared in the book. Hannah is Ellen's sister and I found that each time she cropped up I was wary of her
Matt- This guy is like an onion when you start to peel back the layers you find different parts to him. I have to say I loved his character. It was great to read the changes in his character.
My opinion
I have to say this now I really enjoyed this book. After reading this book I can not wait to get to the shops and hunt out another one of Rowan Coleman's books! This book had you gripped from the first chapter it was so hard to put down. I read the book in two days and when I finished I felt a little lost!!
The storyline stays on an even keel all the way through the book so at no time was there a part of the book which was low enough to make you feel like skipping a few paragraphs.
With a lot of the story being about grieving and broken hearts the story could have been quite depressing and challenging to read but Rowan Coleman cleverly put a light bit of banter here and there which helped to keep the book light hearted and enjoyable.
This book had everything you could want in a book, a touch of humour with a lot of emotion and a spoonful of romance!
I think I also found the book an enjoyable read as for a chick-lit book it was not farfetched which meant that you actually believed a lot of what you was reading was really going on which made you feel closer to the characters and hoping for the best for them.
I love the fact that the ending of this book was perfect. It did not feel rushed and it did not give too much away but gave us enough to answer all of the reader's questions there for not leaving us on a cliff hanger!
I would defiantly recommend this book and I would also say judging from this book Rowan Coleman is an author to look out for. I can only hope that her other books are just as good as The Happy Home for Broken Hearts. If you are looking for a well written chick-lit book this is defiantly one to give a go. Keep a look out in your shops over the next few months as I have heard there is also to be a new release from Rowan Coleman ;-)
Also on my blog http://reaookreview.blogspot.com
Plot
Ellie has hit rock bottom. After losing her husband in a car crash she finds herself unable to leave the house, and in a serious amount of debt. Ellen needs to find a way to bring in the money to keep a roof over her and her son Charlie's head. Ellen's sister comes up with the idea of renting out the spare rooms of the house. A real mix of people came to rent the house an old lady Allegra who is an author, sexy Sabine who works with Ellen's sister and Matt a writer for a lad's magazine. Each of the new tenants bring with them the problems with their lives. With many secrets and twists and turns in the book will they all be able to help each other with the terrible mess they have made of their lives?
Characters
Ellen- Ellen is our main character in the book and from the first chapter I warmed to her. She is heavily grieving but at the same time she is trying to sort financial things out for her and her son. Through out the book we see Ellen's character grow and we as the reader hopes that she will be able to take steps to making her way back to happiness and more importantly to be able to leave the house giving her her life back.
Charlie- how can you not feel for this little boy. The poor lad has lost his father and now it feels like all to soon he is loosing his mother too. Charlie seems to be very wise and clued up for his age and he really cares about his mum and tries to help her to realise she has a problem. He has hit that point in a childs life where he has more questions but with his father not around he must be finding it very hard.
Hannah- This is the one character which I couldn't take to from the minute she appeared in the book. Hannah is Ellen's sister and I found that each time she cropped up I was wary of her
Matt- This guy is like an onion when you start to peel back the layers you find different parts to him. I have to say I loved his character. It was great to read the changes in his character.
My opinion
I have to say this now I really enjoyed this book. After reading this book I can not wait to get to the shops and hunt out another one of Rowan Coleman's books! This book had you gripped from the first chapter it was so hard to put down. I read the book in two days and when I finished I felt a little lost!!
The storyline stays on an even keel all the way through the book so at no time was there a part of the book which was low enough to make you feel like skipping a few paragraphs.
With a lot of the story being about grieving and broken hearts the story could have been quite depressing and challenging to read but Rowan Coleman cleverly put a light bit of banter here and there which helped to keep the book light hearted and enjoyable.
This book had everything you could want in a book, a touch of humour with a lot of emotion and a spoonful of romance!
I think I also found the book an enjoyable read as for a chick-lit book it was not farfetched which meant that you actually believed a lot of what you was reading was really going on which made you feel closer to the characters and hoping for the best for them.
I love the fact that the ending of this book was perfect. It did not feel rushed and it did not give too much away but gave us enough to answer all of the reader's questions there for not leaving us on a cliff hanger!
I would defiantly recommend this book and I would also say judging from this book Rowan Coleman is an author to look out for. I can only hope that her other books are just as good as The Happy Home for Broken Hearts. If you are looking for a well written chick-lit book this is defiantly one to give a go. Keep a look out in your shops over the next few months as I have heard there is also to be a new release from Rowan Coleman ;-)
Also on my blog http://reaookreview.blogspot.com
November 23, 2012
I really enjoyed reading The Happy Home for Broken Hearts, and wanted it to go on for much longer than it actually did, but at the same time felt that it ended quite well and gave us the closure we needed as readers. Rowan Coleman was able to merge devastation, loss, grief, romance, love, humour and wit all into one book.
I kind of knew what was going to happen from the very beginning, and had it all figured out, so yes, it was predictable in that sense. However, Coleman managed to write it all in a way that shocked, and exhilarated us and it made me laugh out loud a few times.
The only loose end that I felt wasn't covered was the fact that Matt had to write an article about his landlady, and yet there was never a confrontation with Ellen about it (even though there kind of was one with Charlie). Then again, my interpretation was that he was going to leave the business he's currently in anyway and do something more worthwhile with his writing skill.
My favorite scenes were those of the Sword Erect, where I felt like Coleman created a parody of historical romance novels. It was hilarious, especially that I am actually a fan of those novels and have read so many of them and own so many of them that I understood exactly what she was referring to every time.
I also found it very interesting to see how the writing process goes for a well-established author. In fact, all the secondary characters were interesting and enjoyable to read about. Even Hannah, although I kind of hated her the same way Ellie did - which is to say, you hate her but love her at the same time. One of the most shocking scenes in the book involved Hannah, and I'm not talking about the obvious, predictable one - but I don't want to add any spoilers, so will leave it to you to find out which one I'm referring to.
All in all, a very solid book. Not sure if this was the author's first (as I've not heard of Rowan Coleman before), but it felt like it could have been. There were many mistakes throughout that it almost felt like it wasn't edited properly before it was published. That did get annoying at one point, as it gets a little distracting. However, it wasn't so bad that I wouldn't recommend this book.
This may look like a typical British chick-lit, but it isn't in the least. It is a book about loss and self-discovery, and the strength it takes to move on afterwards. It is a book worth reading.
I kind of knew what was going to happen from the very beginning, and had it all figured out, so yes, it was predictable in that sense. However, Coleman managed to write it all in a way that shocked, and exhilarated us and it made me laugh out loud a few times.
The only loose end that I felt wasn't covered was the fact that Matt had to write an article about his landlady, and yet there was never a confrontation with Ellen about it (even though there kind of was one with Charlie). Then again, my interpretation was that he was going to leave the business he's currently in anyway and do something more worthwhile with his writing skill.
My favorite scenes were those of the Sword Erect, where I felt like Coleman created a parody of historical romance novels. It was hilarious, especially that I am actually a fan of those novels and have read so many of them and own so many of them that I understood exactly what she was referring to every time.
I also found it very interesting to see how the writing process goes for a well-established author. In fact, all the secondary characters were interesting and enjoyable to read about. Even Hannah, although I kind of hated her the same way Ellie did - which is to say, you hate her but love her at the same time. One of the most shocking scenes in the book involved Hannah, and I'm not talking about the obvious, predictable one - but I don't want to add any spoilers, so will leave it to you to find out which one I'm referring to.
All in all, a very solid book. Not sure if this was the author's first (as I've not heard of Rowan Coleman before), but it felt like it could have been. There were many mistakes throughout that it almost felt like it wasn't edited properly before it was published. That did get annoying at one point, as it gets a little distracting. However, it wasn't so bad that I wouldn't recommend this book.
This may look like a typical British chick-lit, but it isn't in the least. It is a book about loss and self-discovery, and the strength it takes to move on afterwards. It is a book worth reading.
January 29, 2016
It's been almost a year since Ellen Woods' husband was killed in a car accident, leaving her with their son, Charlie and debts that need to be paid off. When it becomes clear that there is a real possibility of Ellen and Charlie losing their home, Ellen is forced to rent out the spare rooms and welcome new lodgers into their lives.
Each lodger has their own lives and problems but can they pull together and help each other through these difficult periods? And can Ellen learn to live without her beloved Nick and the security her brought her?
I loved the idea of A Home For Broken Hearts, with a set of complete strangers being brought together and possibly forging friendships that would help them through their problems and I wasn't disappointed. The writing immediately drew me towards Ellen and I found myself fully immersed in her life. Ellen is completely smothered by her grief and I felt for her as she struggled to live without her husband, Nick.When Ellen opens her house up to Sabine, Allegra and Matt, she doesn't expect to make friends at all. Her only goal is to meet the mortgage payments so she can keep the family home - and some sort of stability - for her son. But slowly, Ellen begins to let these new people into her life and I liked seeing Ellen come back to life. I didn't expect to like all of the lodgers as they don't all give a great first impression but I'd warmed to them all by the end, especially Matt.
Ellen is a freelance copy-editor, working on romance novels and I loved this aspect of the book as we get to see one of the books she is working on evolving. I found myself almost as equally enthralled by Eliza, the heroine of the romance, as I was by Ellen and her lodgers. It was a nice touch to add to the main story without causing a distraction and I found the snippets entertaining.
The characters in A Home For Broken Hearts are all strong and entertaining in their own ways and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all the lodgers in Ellen's home. While Ellen's story is quite a difficult one, Rowan has created a light and fun read that I found both entertaining and uplifting. There were quite a few times when I had a giggle to myself and I didn't want to put the book down as I was eager to find out what would happen to Ellen and her newly extended household.
Each lodger has their own lives and problems but can they pull together and help each other through these difficult periods? And can Ellen learn to live without her beloved Nick and the security her brought her?
I loved the idea of A Home For Broken Hearts, with a set of complete strangers being brought together and possibly forging friendships that would help them through their problems and I wasn't disappointed. The writing immediately drew me towards Ellen and I found myself fully immersed in her life. Ellen is completely smothered by her grief and I felt for her as she struggled to live without her husband, Nick.When Ellen opens her house up to Sabine, Allegra and Matt, she doesn't expect to make friends at all. Her only goal is to meet the mortgage payments so she can keep the family home - and some sort of stability - for her son. But slowly, Ellen begins to let these new people into her life and I liked seeing Ellen come back to life. I didn't expect to like all of the lodgers as they don't all give a great first impression but I'd warmed to them all by the end, especially Matt.
Ellen is a freelance copy-editor, working on romance novels and I loved this aspect of the book as we get to see one of the books she is working on evolving. I found myself almost as equally enthralled by Eliza, the heroine of the romance, as I was by Ellen and her lodgers. It was a nice touch to add to the main story without causing a distraction and I found the snippets entertaining.
The characters in A Home For Broken Hearts are all strong and entertaining in their own ways and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all the lodgers in Ellen's home. While Ellen's story is quite a difficult one, Rowan has created a light and fun read that I found both entertaining and uplifting. There were quite a few times when I had a giggle to myself and I didn't want to put the book down as I was eager to find out what would happen to Ellen and her newly extended household.
March 29, 2014
SPOILER
E' un romanzo che lascia l'amaro in bocca perché, dalla trama, crea un'aspettativa di una storia divertente, di situazioni simpatiche e qualche volta dolorose.
Invece ci troviamo a navigare in pagine e pagine in cui Ellen, la protagonista, non fa altro che piangersi addosso, riconoscendo anche si sta piangendo addosso. E' legatissima al passato in cui ha amato tantissimo un marito che la teneva all'oscuro di tutto, annullando la sua vita all'esterno della casa, tanto da farla diventare agorafobica. E' un personaggio pesante, ossessivo e, personalmente, fin troppo scontato.
Ma passiamo all'elemento maschile del libro.
Matt è un tripudio di luoghi comuni sugli uomini! Scopa tutto quello che respira e, indovinate un po', ha una rubrica in un giornale proprio su questo tema e va anche alla grande! Peccato che sia un uomo incompreso che fa tutto ciò in nome della carriera e dei soldi! Ma quante banalità in un personaggio solo?
Piatto, senza una spina dorsale degna di quel nome, completamente assoggettato al suo stile di vita, anche se vuole cambiarlo, e fa di tutto per tenersi un posto di lavoro che non è nemmeno sicuro di apprezzare e che, alla fine, detesta. Da prendere a sberle appena apre bocca.
E adesso è il momento della sorella di Ellen, la protagonista.
Hannah è la classica sorella figa, perfettina e sembra super abbronzata anche quando d'inverno non si può fare a meno di nascondersi sotto strati e strati di vestiti. L'ho trovata odiosa, antipatica e di cattivo gusto, soprattutto perché ho capito fin da subito che aveva una tresca con il marito della "povera" Ellen.
Questo romanzo è un susseguirsi continuo di banalità, luoghi comuni e stereotipi sull'uomo e la donna che molti scrittori non usano più da decenni!
Non si salva nemmeno la scrittrice settantenne di romanzi erotici. Anche lei ha "battute" studiate a tavolino, come se le stesse leggendo ed è una cosa che si nota molto spesso in tutto il libro.
Decisamente scarso come romanzo.
E' un romanzo che lascia l'amaro in bocca perché, dalla trama, crea un'aspettativa di una storia divertente, di situazioni simpatiche e qualche volta dolorose.
Invece ci troviamo a navigare in pagine e pagine in cui Ellen, la protagonista, non fa altro che piangersi addosso, riconoscendo anche si sta piangendo addosso. E' legatissima al passato in cui ha amato tantissimo un marito che la teneva all'oscuro di tutto, annullando la sua vita all'esterno della casa, tanto da farla diventare agorafobica. E' un personaggio pesante, ossessivo e, personalmente, fin troppo scontato.
Ma passiamo all'elemento maschile del libro.
Matt è un tripudio di luoghi comuni sugli uomini! Scopa tutto quello che respira e, indovinate un po', ha una rubrica in un giornale proprio su questo tema e va anche alla grande! Peccato che sia un uomo incompreso che fa tutto ciò in nome della carriera e dei soldi! Ma quante banalità in un personaggio solo?
Piatto, senza una spina dorsale degna di quel nome, completamente assoggettato al suo stile di vita, anche se vuole cambiarlo, e fa di tutto per tenersi un posto di lavoro che non è nemmeno sicuro di apprezzare e che, alla fine, detesta. Da prendere a sberle appena apre bocca.
E adesso è il momento della sorella di Ellen, la protagonista.
Hannah è la classica sorella figa, perfettina e sembra super abbronzata anche quando d'inverno non si può fare a meno di nascondersi sotto strati e strati di vestiti. L'ho trovata odiosa, antipatica e di cattivo gusto, soprattutto perché ho capito fin da subito che aveva una tresca con il marito della "povera" Ellen.
Questo romanzo è un susseguirsi continuo di banalità, luoghi comuni e stereotipi sull'uomo e la donna che molti scrittori non usano più da decenni!
Non si salva nemmeno la scrittrice settantenne di romanzi erotici. Anche lei ha "battute" studiate a tavolino, come se le stesse leggendo ed è una cosa che si nota molto spesso in tutto il libro.
Decisamente scarso come romanzo.
February 5, 2017
Ellen Woods is recovering from the sudden death of her husband Nick. Her soon to be teenage son Charlie is also struggling to find what is normal. However Ellen has bigger problems to deal with and it involves money, she just doesn't have any. It seems the only way she can possible even consider keeping her home is to find herself some lodgers. With the help of her sister Hannah, before long Ellen has taken in 3 lodgers. The three lodgers consist of Lads Magazine writer Matt, the German lady Sabine who is recovering from her own marriage issues and the seventy something romance writer Allegra Howard.
I instantly liked Charlie, Ellen's son, however I struggled to get to know Ellen initially as it is quite clear she is still somewhat adjusting to the life of a widow. As soon as Allegra, Matt and Sabine show up I just knew I was going to love this book as all three of them bring something brilliant to the story. Allegra and Ellen strike up an unlikely friendship which to be frank is wonderful. The lady who says it as it is and Ellen walking round slowly adjusting to having a friend. Matt brings the humour to the book in spades and I loved how he was such a cheeky chappie, but one with a heart. And finally the no-nonsense Sabine who would demand that Ellen sort herself out.
I don't want to mention anything about the plot as part of the beauty of this story is how each thread unravels, and although it was maybe there all along it was discreet and not noticed. As the layers are revealed another one appears and it almost feels as though the characters are stripped bare and we have to watch to see if they can build themselves back up. I read much more Crime and Thrillers and like to break it up with something light. I wouldn't say this was necessarily a 'light' read as it deals with some serious heart wrenching issues, but is done in a way that is pure magic. An absolute joy to read, and one I would recommend to somebody looking for something that little bit different!
I instantly liked Charlie, Ellen's son, however I struggled to get to know Ellen initially as it is quite clear she is still somewhat adjusting to the life of a widow. As soon as Allegra, Matt and Sabine show up I just knew I was going to love this book as all three of them bring something brilliant to the story. Allegra and Ellen strike up an unlikely friendship which to be frank is wonderful. The lady who says it as it is and Ellen walking round slowly adjusting to having a friend. Matt brings the humour to the book in spades and I loved how he was such a cheeky chappie, but one with a heart. And finally the no-nonsense Sabine who would demand that Ellen sort herself out.
I don't want to mention anything about the plot as part of the beauty of this story is how each thread unravels, and although it was maybe there all along it was discreet and not noticed. As the layers are revealed another one appears and it almost feels as though the characters are stripped bare and we have to watch to see if they can build themselves back up. I read much more Crime and Thrillers and like to break it up with something light. I wouldn't say this was necessarily a 'light' read as it deals with some serious heart wrenching issues, but is done in a way that is pure magic. An absolute joy to read, and one I would recommend to somebody looking for something that little bit different!
September 8, 2010
From my book review blog Rundpinne.
"Beautiful, heart-warming, and redemptive, The Home For Broken Hearts by Rowan Coleman is a beautiful portrayal of some of the most life-changing situations one can envision and the healing that comes with time. Eleven months ago, Ellen’s life drastically changed when her husband was killed in a motor vehicle crash. Since Nick’s death, Ellen has only felt comfort inside their home working as a copyeditor for romance fiction novels and caring for her son Charlie. Ellen thought life was going as good as could possibly be expected when she learns that Nick’s life insurance policy will not pay out and she is in dire need of cash. Seeking out her sister’s counsel, Hannah convinces her to let out rooms in the house. Little does Ellen know how important this one step will be for her and her tenants Sabine, Matt, Allegra as well as Hannah and Charlie. Coleman’s novel is filled with intricate detail, wonderful and eclectic characters and some extremely sensitive issues worked beautifully and seamlessly into the story. It is truly brilliant to watch how Ellen transforms throughout the novel, while there were some points I was not crazy about (I cannot reveal them here), I did like to see the growth and transformation in all of the characters, especially in Matt and Charlie. All told, The Home For Broken Hearts makes for an excellent evening or weekend of reading and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good book to curl up with."
"Beautiful, heart-warming, and redemptive, The Home For Broken Hearts by Rowan Coleman is a beautiful portrayal of some of the most life-changing situations one can envision and the healing that comes with time. Eleven months ago, Ellen’s life drastically changed when her husband was killed in a motor vehicle crash. Since Nick’s death, Ellen has only felt comfort inside their home working as a copyeditor for romance fiction novels and caring for her son Charlie. Ellen thought life was going as good as could possibly be expected when she learns that Nick’s life insurance policy will not pay out and she is in dire need of cash. Seeking out her sister’s counsel, Hannah convinces her to let out rooms in the house. Little does Ellen know how important this one step will be for her and her tenants Sabine, Matt, Allegra as well as Hannah and Charlie. Coleman’s novel is filled with intricate detail, wonderful and eclectic characters and some extremely sensitive issues worked beautifully and seamlessly into the story. It is truly brilliant to watch how Ellen transforms throughout the novel, while there were some points I was not crazy about (I cannot reveal them here), I did like to see the growth and transformation in all of the characters, especially in Matt and Charlie. All told, The Home For Broken Hearts makes for an excellent evening or weekend of reading and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good book to curl up with."
February 21, 2011
This book is quite different that the ones I usually read; I think I saw it in the NEW BOOK section of the Library list, and was hooked by the the summary. A wife and mother in London, Ellen's life is torn apart when her beloved husband Nick is killed in a car accident. After almost a year, she finds out that there will be no insurance money, and that she is broke. To make enough money to keep the house she and her son live in, it is suggested she take in Boarders.
If I had my way, and I lived in a big old Victorian, that's exactly what I'd do, and the description of the renters interested me. I ended up being very glad I read this, and enjoyed the reading, as I can identify closely with several of the characters. Like her son Charlie, I know what it's like to have to look after a parent, and grow up too soon. There are more similarities, but I'll leave it at that.
If I had my way, and I lived in a big old Victorian, that's exactly what I'd do, and the description of the renters interested me. I ended up being very glad I read this, and enjoyed the reading, as I can identify closely with several of the characters. Like her son Charlie, I know what it's like to have to look after a parent, and grow up too soon. There are more similarities, but I'll leave it at that.
June 14, 2011
I borrowed this book from a friend so I would have something to read on a long flight. I tend to like almost any book I read, and my ratings on goodreads are useless because I basically give a 4 or 5 to every book. I probably read Bridget Jones' Diary five times, so I don't require every book to be A Serious Piece of Literature. But this book helped me appreciate how lucky I have been with my reading material. None of the characters are believable. The plot is nonsensical. The writing is cliched. The author treats very sensitive topics in the most offensive way possible.
I should have spent the flight memorizing the in-flight magazine and the safety information card.
I should have spent the flight memorizing the in-flight magazine and the safety information card.
March 14, 2014
This has turned into my pet reading peeve. I liked the book and most of the characters, but again am confounded by the recent tendency for every female character over 35 to find and be attracted to and snare a man at least ten years, more often more than that, younger than herself. Perhaps it is a total failure of imagination on my part, but why isn't finding a similarly attractive guy your same age an acceptable plot device anymore? When did the authors decide at once that all women of a certain age have to be cougars?
August 20, 2013
I guess it could loosely be called a romance. It was all about an agoraphobic widow, her worried pre-teen son, and the three lodgers they take in to stave off the creditors (who miraculously disappear), oh & her sleazy sister who had a (sexual) relationship with her dead husband (just because I wanted to be just like you!). I usually like Rowan Coleman's writing, but this one was a clear miss for me.
April 1, 2011
HATED THIS BOOK! Weak, unsympathetic main character, cad of a love interest & a "twist" I saw 1/3 of the way through. After I saw it coming (to my dismay), I checked the end to see if I was right. Unfortunately, I was. It led to even more un-likability of the story & The Happy Home for Broken Hearts became one of the very few books I quit.
October 3, 2021
I did enjoy the storyline for this book. But it felt far too drawn out. Ellen’s husband has died and she rents out her extra bedrooms to make ends meet. The people she rents the rooms too have their own troubles, and romance is forming between her and Matt. 2 stars because I rolled my eyes too many times, but I still wanted to finish it
August 25, 2022
Don’t bother! This book had such promise. What an utter waste of time. It says something when the side characters are more interesting than the main character! This is 100% my sort of book, which I normally race through in a couple of days. By day 4 I was still only half way through…. And kept checking the page numbers. Rubbish.
July 3, 2013
The only English book on the boat that looked a little interesting. Turned out to be a silly romance woman-takes-in-boarders-to-learn-how-to-live-again story. Weird mix of characters, and I didn't root for or buy into the final match-ups. I skimmed the second half.
March 6, 2016
Shallow book, got slightly better by the end. Widow takes in several boarders. One is an author of sexy romance novels, another a man who writes for a male sex magazine. Lots of surface sex. I didn't like this book, although I have enjoyed others by this author.
December 3, 2017
I was a little disappointed by this book as it wasn't as good as others I have read by Rowan Coleman. This one had a plot that felt unbelievable and characters that didn't feel real. Having said that, I still enjoyed reading it and think the basis of the story was actually very good.
January 7, 2018
I'm sorry to say I couldn't finish this book. I thought the writing was good, that was why I picked it up, and the story line sounded interesting. But I couldn't relate to the characters' emotional and sexual feelings. They didn't ring true for me unfortunately, so I lost interest.
July 30, 2011
A prefect read for a summer afternoon in the garden -great stuff, forgot where I was so immersed.
Hope there is a follow up - I think so!
Hope there is a follow up - I think so!
June 29, 2013
To be honest I did not really enjoy it. I only got as far as page 60 and then I read the last few pages. The characters were too self absorb, despite the premise being good.
August 20, 2015
Kind of slow but I powered through. Definitely not as good as "The Day We Met."
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