Complications by Danielle Steel – a Review

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Description:
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.

Review:

Complications by Danielle Steel is a standalone novel.  Complications revolves around a luxury hotel in Paris, Hotel Louis XVI, that has been around for decades, which has recently undergone renovations over a four-year period.  The story begins with opening night, as the new manager and assistant welcome the guests. The new manager, Oliver, is a nervous wreck, but his assistant Yvonne, who is much younger, seems to have things under control, always able to fix anything that should happen.

Of course, opening night starts off with a bang, with a number of incidents.  Gabrielle Gates, a famous New York art consultant, decides to return to the Hotel Louis XVI, to try to get over her bitter divorce (her husband of 20 years cheated on her with a young girl).  A happy couple in love, both coming off divorces, looking forward to enjoying Paris, takes a tragic turn, when her boyfriend has a heart attack.   A British doctor, Alaistair Whyte-Jones, who is staying on the same floor, performs CPR on the stricken man, and plays a big part in saving his life, which will require major surgery. 

Alaistair and Gabrielle, start spending time together, as they try to help the girl, and visit at the hospital; a friendship begins.  We learn more about Alaistair, as he has come to this hotel knowing he is dying, with a short few months to live; he is prepared to end his life when things get bad.  The relationship between Gabrielle and Alaistair heats up, as they begin to have feelings for each other, and she learns about his cancer.  It is Gabrielle who will convince Alaistair to take the treatments, instead of not doing anything at all.  The story revolving around Gabrielle and Alaistair is the main storyline, as we see them fall in love, and her support for him during his severe treatments.  I really liked the two of them together, as they made a great couple.

Another story line revolves around a powerful French politician, who is also planning to stay at the hotel.  Patrick Martin, is plans to run for President, but he has a secret.  He leads a double life, having an affair with another man, who is blackmailing him. When things get out of hand, the other man falls, hitting his head, and dies.  Patrick decides to leave the hotel, and go home, preparing to tell the police a false story.  His life will implode, with everything falling apart, including his family.  

What follows is a number of interesting stories, revolving around three different groups, as well as management of the Hotel. It was nice to see the various cities that played major parts of the background; Paris, London, New York. I thought the new manager really was not fit for his job, though the assistant, Yvonne was great.  Alaistair and Gabrielle was a wonderful story all the way through.  Complications was very well written by Danielle Steel, which was a quick read and entertaining.

Reviewed by Barb

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