Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 16, 2022

About the Book

Vancouver, Canada, 1927. The Roaring Twenties are anything but extravagant for seventeen-year-old Clara Wilson. With her family struggling to make ends meet and under the threat of eviction, she applies for a job at the soon-to-be-opened Hotel Hamilton. But with her impulsive, adventure-seeking sister quick on her heels, she may find herself battling more than she anticipated.

Feeling the intense burden of responsibility and doing her best to navigate the opulent hotel’s rigorous training program, her hopes for survival crumble when she encounters rivalry from an out-of-place socialite. And as both women strive to win the coveted position, Clara fears she could be losing the only way to keep her family afloat.

My Thoughts

I do love my period fiction, and found that Welcome to the Hamilton delivers a warm, character-driven story and an exquisite setting. The descriptions of the hotel propelled me right into the setting, the cage elevator, fine furnishings, flocked wallpaper—even the unwieldy vacuum!

Clara Wilson is a sweet girl of seventeen, who takes on burdens she’d do better to share, yet she only does this out of loyalty and to protect those she loves. My heart ached for her as she tried to “make do” as long as she could and then things only kept getting worse. The light at the end of the tunnel seemed to appear in the form of a possible job and the new grand hotel opening nearby.

Who knew how coveted a position of maid was? In 1927, working at such a prestigious hotel was an avenue toward independence for women, and competition was fierce. 

The process that Clara and the other applicants went through was quite fraught with tension as she did her best to earn a chance to prove her worth and save her family from destitution. Not all of the other young ladies were friends. From the minute Jane Morgan appeared, I sensed trouble was afoot, and I was correct. Spoiler: Jane’s underhanded and entitled behavior pushes the normally agreeable and unassuming Clara to the edge, testing her fortitude and patience. Things get (a lot) tense. 

Clara’s deep sense of responsibility and her complicated but loving bond with Louisa, plus her desire to protect the people she loves give the story heart and had me wanting happiness for her so much. She’s a strong, relatable heroine, easy to root for. The kindnesses she shows to all, including a hungry boy at her own expense when she was in need, showcased her generous spirit. She could have easily become too gentle and passive, but is saved from it by her relatable flaws. I really liked this character. Clara is the girl you want in your corner and the one you’d scold for not letting you know when she was struggling. Her older sister, Lousia, is the perfect foil. While they have a strong bond, they had room to grow, and watching the two of them become closer (and more mature) satisfied this reader. 

The story uses everyday challenges to explore unfair treatment, social class differences, workplace politics, and moral choices, yet remains a gentle and uplifting read. The values of endurance, growth, and finding dignity in honest work are threaded through. 

A lot to love in this historical fiction centered on strong women, family bonds, and personal growth. This novel is the first in the Hotel Hamilton series.

I listened to the audiobook and found it fairly well done. The volume was a hair inconsistent, but not enough for me to stop listening.