Welcome to my Sunday Book Review. Today I’m delighted to share Judith Barrow’s new holiday memoir where Judith imparts some interesting and often humorous tales about some of the interesting characters who’ve rented and stayed at her holiday rental.
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Blurb:
Author Judith Barrow gives a lively account of her experiences moving to Pembrokshire in the 1970s and managing a holiday let with some interesting visitors, sometimes amusing and sometimes rather challenging.
My 5 Star Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed these tales about some of the crazy shenanigans that have gone on at author, Judith Barrow’s holiday rental apartment in Pembrokeshire, England. One can’t imagine what goes on in a holiday rental, the bizarre, and sometimes hilarious. Let’s just say some of these characters who rented out Barrow’s guest house, took advantage of the author’s good nature – a Vicar no doubt! But was he really? There was an interesting assortment of character renters who abused the property (whether intentionally or not) – two old ladies! What could they have possibly done? The let had also been used covertly to conduct an affair (The Philanderer), while another couple were mistaken, not knowing the difference between a holiday rental and a nudist camp. These are just a few characters Barrow has encountered at her property rental.
The author begins the tales with a story of her earlier life in marriage and their decision to move south to Wales, and build a guest house on their property for added income, introducing us to what would become more like the hilarious house of tales. And based on some of these stories, it would make me question if it was all worth it? I think my favorite story was “Mr. Used-It”. A hilarious tale about a German renter without a word of English – except ‘Used it’, lol. No spoilers, suffice it to say, Ms. Barrow must have the patience of a saint! But the most annoying guest is one that required food, attention and driving services, (The Poet). Personally, I’d have long thrown him out, but again, patience.
After all the entertaining stories, the author shares a few snippets from (hilarious) reviews received from some of her guests, as well as another longer story about her aunt who eventually, years after rentals, moved into the guest house where Barrow shares the history of their relationship.
The book concludes with another story, Whose House Is This? – from an anthology she contributed the story to, a story of fiction and family, which the author is well known for – her wonderfully engaging fictional family sagas.
If you’re ever thinking about renting out your home or guest house, you may want to read this book first, lol.
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