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Jennifer Hallock
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Hotel Oriente Paperback – February 26, 2016

by Jennifer Hallock (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars 29 ratings
The Oriente is the finest hotel in Manila… but that’s not saying much.

Hotel manager Moss North already has his hands full trying to make the Oriente a respectable establishment amidst food shortages, plumbing disasters, and indiscreet guests. So when two VIPs arrive—an American congressman and his granddaughter Della—Moss knows that he needs to pull out all the stops to make their stay a success.

That won’t be easy: the Oriente is a meeting place for all manner of carpetbaggers hoping to profit off the fledgling American colony—and not all of these opportunists’ schemes are strictly on the up-and-up. Moss can manage the demanding congressman, but he will have to keep a close eye on Della—she is a little too nosy about the goings-on of the hotel and its guests. And there is also something very different about her…

This novella is a prequel to Under the Sugar Sun.

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  1. Book 2 of 4
    Sugar Sun Series
  2. Print length
    116 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    February 26, 2016
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.27 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1530176093
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1530176090
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The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you're looking for a meaty historical romance that will transport you somewhere you've never been, Jennifer Hallock's books...are must-reads." (Courtney Milan on Under the Sugar Sun, book two of the Sugar Sun series)

"The strength of this book, aside from the lyricism with which it describes Manila in what was arguably its heyday, is the intimacy between Della and Moss." (Five-star review from Kat at Book Thingo)

"...a stellar novella...[with] political intrigue, a sexy hard-working hero, and fascinating details about early 20th century Philippines. Her stories are beautifully-written and painstakingly-researched." (Penny Watson, author of A Taste of Heaven)

From the Author

Books in the Sugar Sun series: 

1. Under the Sugar Sun
2. Tempting Hymn (novella)
3. Sugar Moon
4. Sugar Communion (coming 2020)

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 26, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 116 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1530176093
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1530176090
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.27 x 9 inches
  • Book 2 of 4 ‏ : ‎ Sugar Sun Series
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 29 ratings

About the author

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Jennifer Hallock

Jennifer Hallock

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Jennifer Hallock spends her days teaching history and her nights writing historical happily-ever-afters. She has lived and worked in the Philippines, but she currently writes at her little brick house on a New England homestead—kept company by her husband, a growing flock of chickens, and a mutt named Wile E.

More information about the world of the Sugar Sun series and content advisories on each book can be found at the author's website.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
29 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the novella highly entertaining and praise its great character development, particularly the compelling portrayal of Manila. They appreciate its quick pace, with one customer noting how the setting of Manila feels fresh for a historical romance.

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PaceCharacter developmentReadability
6 customers mention "Pace"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the pace of this historical novella, with one customer noting how it sweeps readers along, while another appreciates the fresh setting in Manila.

"...But soon their plot lines intersect, their lives become entangled, and romance ensues. I enjoyed every page of this refreshing escape." Read more

"I didn't expect to enjoy this so much but the setting of Manila felt fresh for a historical romance...." Read more

"...She is not helpless, and she is smart in her own ways. I also enjoyed the setting. Manila in the early 1900s always fascinates me...." Read more

"...filled with love, romance and relationships then you will love this quick read. I loved the characters and the story line...." Read more

5 customers mention "Character development"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly the compelling portrayal of Manila, with one customer noting how the deaf heroine is portrayed.

"...is a quick and fun read, pleasantly naughty, with a compelling portrayal of Manilla in the early 1900s...." Read more

"I love how the deaf heroine is portrayed in this novella. She is not helpless, and she is smart in her own ways. I also enjoyed the setting...." Read more

"...I loved the characters and the story line. Jennifer Hallock did it again. She left me wanting more...." Read more

"...The characters are well definitely defined and believable...." Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly entertaining to read.

"Hotel Oriente is a quick and fun read, pleasantly naughty, with a compelling portrayal of Manilla in the early 1900s...." Read more

"Highly entertaining and fast paced historical novella. The characters are well definitely defined and believable...." Read more

"Great read...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Chris
    5.0 out of 5 stars A quick and fun read, pleasantly naughty, with a compelling portrayal of Manilla.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Hotel Oriente is a quick and fun read, pleasantly naughty, with a compelling portrayal of Manilla in the early 1900s. At first, Della's struggle to prove herself as a journalist seems unrelated to Moss's struggle to keep his hotel out of bankruptcy. But soon their plot lines intersect, their lives become entangled, and romance ensues. I enjoyed every page of this refreshing escape.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Unique setting
    Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I didn't expect to enjoy this so much but the setting of Manila felt fresh for a historical romance. The heroine, Della is a deaf and visiting with her politician of a grandfather. They stay at the Oriente and meet its manager, American Moss North. Della is eager to write and be a journalist and Moss is intrigued by her. I liked how he adjusts to her so they can communicate freely.
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  • Kristel V.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Nice
    Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I love how the deaf heroine is portrayed in this novella. She is not helpless, and she is smart in her own ways. I also enjoyed the setting. Manila in the early 1900s always fascinates me. I just love the rich culture presented in this novella, something that we don't see that often in contemporary romance.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Priscilla M. Lockney
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I highly recommend this Novella. If you like historical fiction filled with love, romance and relationships then you will love this quick read. I loved the characters and the story line. Jennifer Hallock did it again. She left me wanting more. Can't wait for her to take me to my next adventure to the Philippines.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Dencio
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly entertaining read.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Highly entertaining and fast paced historical novella. The characters are well definitely defined and believable. Recommended for those interested at the turn of the century Philippines and lovers of history. Guaranteed not to disappoint.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Art Bolz
    5.0 out of 5 stars great character development
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The story just sweeps you along. For a novella, great character development. A gifted writer.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • MM-E
    4.0 out of 5 stars ROMANCE IN MANILA
    Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2021
    Format: Kindle
    Never have I ever read a romance set at the turn of the century in Manilla. A background of American military installation and politics. Worse is the illegal selling of stolen food from military supplies. This is a close call for the arrest of the manager, Moss North, of the Hotel Oriente. Very clever and funny how the supplies were hidden. Oh, yes, the love story. Della is the granddaughter of an American congressman. Very observant, she is deaf, can read lips and writes for newspapers. Most people don't notice her, except for Moss. They spend time together learning about each other and their attraction turns into love. Different and steamy. This novella is included in ROMANCING THE PAST anthology.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jean-Francois Pluquet
    3.0 out of 5 stars Short pleasant love story in the extraordinary context of Manila at the ...
    Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Short pleasant love story in the extraordinary context of Manila at the turn of the XXth century, at the end of the Philippine-American war.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful slow burn
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 3, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The setting and the wonderful portrayal of a deaf heroine make this sweet, domestic style story stand out from the crowd.

    Details about how Della copes with being deaf are neatly woven into the story, without me feeling I was being lectured. Ditto some details about Manilla.

    This is quite a slow paced read, mainly focused on everyday life and problems at the hotel. But I found myself very willing to return to the story and see how they were getting on.

    There's one nicely done love scene, but it's otherwise a very sweet story and low angst.
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