Starred review from April 1, 2023
Noelle has been working in hotels for years, but she always leaves them quickly, driven by her urge to steal from the rooms she cleans. She usually takes things that the guests won't miss: a hairbrush, a shampoo bottle, even a shirt button. But as soon as someone notices, she's out the door. If Noelle gets a bad feeling about a particular hotel, she'll take something more expensive and flee sooner. She is also deeply affected by the trauma her mother imposed on her in childhood, and escaping is the only way she knows how to cope. When Noelle arrives at Hotel 21, she's immediately itchy to start filching. But the staff of Hotel 21 is different, particularly the beautiful and enigmatic Phil, who draws Noelle in right away. As she gets to know them, she realizes how her stealing--and her past--has prevented her from developing true human connection. Some readers may be triggered by strong depictions of abuse; those who are not will find a lovable, diverse group of service workers who are more than they appear. Those who enjoyed Nita Prose's The Maid (2022) will enjoy the setting and draw comparisons between Noelle and that novel's protagonist.
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