Complications by Danielle Steel

 Complications

Book Summary

Scandal and tragedy erupt against the backdrop of an exclusive Paris hotel in Danielle Steel’s riveting novel.

Known for its luxurious accommodations and bespoke service, the Hotel Louis XVI has been the most lauded boutique hotel in all of Paris for decades, attracting an international clientele of the rich and famous. Now, after four years of renovations and the death of its legendary and beloved manager, it is set to reopen its doors at last. An esteemed group of loyal returning guests is set to descend upon the hotel, joined by a number of new faces who have managed to secure coveted bookings in the wake of last-minute cancellations.

Awaiting them all is the Louis XVI’s new manager, Olivier Bateau, an anxious man whose lack of experience leaves him unprepared. He and his level-headed assistant manager, Yvonne Philippe, both strive to continue the hotel’s tradition of excellence. But they quickly realize that anything can happen at any moment, and on one cool September evening, everything does.

A successful art consultant arrives at the hotel for the first time since her brutal divorce, and is surprised to find new love—if she is willing to risk her heart again. A new guest contemplates ending his life, and saves a life instead. A couple finds their once-in-a-lifetime trip interrupted by a tragic medical emergency, leaving the idyllic future they’ve long waited for hanging in the balance. And one of the hotel’s most high-profile guests, a French politician and assumed presidential candidate, holds a mysterious meeting in his suite that will threaten his life and legacy. Rocked by the events of this one fateful night, guests and staff alike brace themselves for the aftershock, as it quickly becomes apparent that more dramas and misfortunes are still in store.

Danielle Steel tells an unforgettable story about a famed hotel, where a few complications quickly escalate into a matter of life and death, changing the lives of everyone who passes through its doors.

My Thoughts

Complications by Danielle Steel was not quite what I expected from the blurb.  I thought the story would be focused on the Hotel Louis XVI and its new caretakers.  The story begins at the hotel where we are introduced to its new manager and assistant manager as the Hotel Louis XVI reopens are being closed four years for renovations.  We are then introduced to a variety of guests that include a physician, a prime minster, an art consultant, and a couple celebrating their respective divorces.  The nervous new manager is hoping for a smooth opening, unfortunately, two incidents happen that will change many lives.  We are introduced to a number of people in the beginning (info dump).  It did feel that we were introduced to a few too many people in the beginning (can be hard to keep them all straight).  After a while the story focuses on the main characters and their storylines.  I did find one storyline to be particularly disturbing and wish it had not been included in the book.  Complications is a short book so no one storyline was looked at in depth.  Gabrielle and Alaistair ultimately become the focus, but it is late in the tale.  There is repetition of information especially regarding Gabrielle’s ex-husband and his new Russian bride.  Complications was a quick, easy read with a satisfactory conclusion.  The lesson in Complications is to live life to the fullest.  You never know what will happen in your life, so we should not waste a day.  My favorite line from Complications is, “Life is precious, and every day is a gift.”  Complications is a contemporary romance with a high-end hotel, an attractive art consultant, an ill internist, a surreptitious prime minister, a jumpy manager, an unflappable assistant, and scandalous actions. 

Complications is available from Amazon*.  You can find Danielle Steel's other novels here.  The author has The Butler publishing October 5.  Her other upcoming releases are:  Flying Angels on November 23, Invisible on January 4, 2022, High Stakes on March 8, 2022, and Beautiful on April 19, 2022.  Thank you for joining me today.  I am planning on sharing my thoughts on I'll Be Seeing You by Rosie Archer tomorrow.  It is the 2nd book in The Picture House Girls series.  I hope that you have an cheerful day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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