Title: Hotel Ruby by Suzanne Young

Pages: 288

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Romance, Horror

Published by: Simon Pulse (Nov. 3rd, 2015)

Summary

Stay tonight. Stay forever.

When Audrey Casella arrives for an unplanned stay at the grand Hotel Ruby, she’s grateful for the detour. Just months after their mother’s death, Audrey and her brother, Daniel, are on their way to live with their grandmother, dumped on the doorstep of a DNA-matched stranger because their father is drowning in his grief.

Audrey and her family only plan to stay the night, but life in the Ruby can be intoxicating, extending their stay as it provides endless distractions—including handsome guest Elias Lange, who sends Audrey’s pulse racing. However, the hotel proves to be as strange as it is beautiful. Nightly fancy affairs in the ballroom are invitation only, and Audrey seems to be the one guest who doesn’t have an invite. Instead, she joins the hotel staff on the rooftop, catching whispers about the hotel’s dark past.

The more Audrey learns about the new people she’s met, the more her curiosity grows. She’s torn in different directions—the pull of her past with its overwhelming loss, the promise of a future that holds little joy, and an in-between life in a place that is so much more than it seems…

Welcome to the Ruby.

– Goodreads

What I Thought

Earlier this year, I read The Program by Suzanne Young, and I absolutely loved it!  So, when I was looking for spooky books to read this October, I saw Hotel Ruby, fell in love with the synopsis, and when I saw it was written by Suzanne Young, I knew I was going to enjoy this one.  While this book does have mixed reviews on Goodreads, I, personally, ended up loving it!

First off, I just want to say how much I loved the vibe of this book.  Throughout the entire novel up until the very end, it just had this super mysterious, classy vibe.  The hotel was so creepy and mysterious; I really loved the descriptions!  I was able to picture exactly how The Ruby looked; as I was reading, I really felt like I was there.  While I had my theories, I really had no idea how things were going to pan out and what was going to happen.

I really enjoyed the wide range of characters in this novel as well.  Everyone had very real, unique personalities, and even the minor characters felt quite well-rounded.  I particularly liked the family relationships, especially the brother-sister bond Audrey shared with her brother, Daniel.  It felt very realistic and natural.  I loved that despite the tension and struggles, Audrey and her family all really cared about each other.

While this book is considered part of the horror genre, it’s not actually super scary.  It is much more mysterious as opposed to really horrifying.  Hotel Ruby is one of those books that draws you in at the beginning of the novel, and you just want to keep reading one more chapter.  It’s a very readable book, and the story is paced really nicely.  I could see this one becoming a movie someday.

Also, just so you know, they have changed the name of Hotel Ruby to Hotel for the Lost.  I’m not sure why they decided to change the name (or that gorgeous cover), but just a head’s up in case you see the new version at the store!

Overall, I really enjoyed Hotel Ruby.  It was creepy, mysterious, fast-paced, and fun.  I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a spooky mystery.  Like I said, I read this book in October, and I think it that was such a perfect time to read this novel.