The House at Royal Oak: Starting Over & Rebuilding a Life One Room at a Time [Hardcover]

Carol Eron Rizzoli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 24, 2010

An unforgettable story about a couple who follow their dream of converting a run-down country house into a working bed and breakfast, and what they learn along the way from an old home, a close-knit community, and a parade of extraordinary guests

In the spring of 2001, Carol Eron Rizzoli and her husband Hugo bought a dilapidated farmhouse in the tiny village of Royal Oak, Maryland, on the edge of the Chesapeake Bay. They spent two years transforming it into a bed and breakfast, which took them twice as long and cost three times as much as they had originally estimated (on the back of a napkin). As they struggled to restore the house and open the B&B, Carol and Hugo were also slowly acquainting themselves with the rural community of Royal Oak, rich in custom and culinary traditions, and populated by neighbors with particular views on politics, hunting, wildlife, and of course, newcomers from the big city.

Written with honesty and humor, The House at Royal Oak is a journey to the heart of what it means to start over and chase a dream. Part inspirational account of reinventing yourself at mid-life, part love story about learning what matters most in a relationship, it is above all a book about home—what it means, and the unexpected places we find it.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Organized in an order that follows its own meandering logic (in much the same way one would restore an old house), Rizzoli's tale is full of insights and quiet humor. Along the way she finds time to talk recipes, local resources, habitats, wildlife, small town life, learning a new business, family, friends, and of course, her guests. "A bed-and-breakfast done right is an idealized kind of home, more homey somehow than a real one." As she and her husband learn the ropes of running a cozy B&B, the author finds herself collating wedding programs for a complete stranger, searching for local produce, and learning "safe" and "unsafe" topics of conversation in her new home town. Rizzoli frankly examines her life and her new role in the service industry, questioning how she'll be able to care for her guests when her own life is falling apart. As with any major project (construction or otherwise) things fall apart; after two years and plenty of experience under her belt, they're hit with hurricane, reminding author and reader alike of the unpredictable mysteries to be found in the pursuit of dreams.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"You may think you've read this story before...but you haven't...This lovely, intelligent memoir is told with clarity and deliberation." -- Minneapolis Star-Tribune


This is the kind of domestic travelogue that demonstrates the wisdom of (lines) from Emily Dickinson..." -- New York Times Book Review


"Written with poignant honesty, The House at Royal Oak tells (an) endearing story of starting over." -- ChesapeakeHome magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers (April 24, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579128408
• ISBN-13: 978-1579128401
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #324,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Memories, July 7, 2010

By 

Sandy Caselnova - See all my reviews

This review is from: The House at Royal Oak: Starting Over & Rebuilding a Life One Room at a Time (Hardcover)

What a thoroughly enjoyable read. Having stayed at Royal Oak I could only try to visualize the way things may have been before the reconstruction. The home was truly inviting and you could sense the hard work and dedication the owners put into this undertaking.
Of interest was hearing about the areas' early beginnings,tales of the locals and their eccentricities, hearing of the hardships faced by the watermen and a local landmark,the sailing ship the Rebbacca Ruark which is a designated historical landmark.

On a personal note it was quite a thrill to find a reference about me and my husband who gave the owners an impromptu dance lesson one morning after breakfast. This was particularly poignant as my husband has since passed away and he would have enjoyed this small recognition.

.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful read!!, May 15, 2010

By 

A. W. Cureton "i love mt!" (Maryland USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The House at Royal Oak: Starting Over & Rebuilding a Life One Room at a Time (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read it in a day - could not put it down! I loved the story and how it was told.

The couple in this book truly lets you into their lives. As the reader, you experience the joys and sorrows they experience as they undergo a huge life change and renovate an old house into a charming victorian bed and breakfast. I could not believe what they went through to get open and the people they meet as the proprietors - truly incredible.

I am in no way interested in owning a bed and breakfast, but do own my own business. I loved learning about all of the ins and outs of their seemingly "simple" business. I mean, how hard can it be, right? Get some guests, give them a nice place to sleep and a fancy breakfast in the morning and they go on their merry way... Ha! I imagine many people get in over their heads (in any small business) because from an outsider's point of view, it looks so easy.

I especially appreciate the author's take on the Chesapeake Bay. From the wild hurricane they survived, to the interesting wildlife, you learn to appreciate this part of the mid-Atlantic in a new way. She is thoughtful but not wordy; insightful but not overly-dramatic. It is truly a work of art.

I am strongly encouraging people to read this book. I know I'm glad I did!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So great!, June 26, 2010

By 

ktenn - See all my reviews

This review is from: The House at Royal Oak: Starting Over & Rebuilding a Life One Room at a Time (Hardcover)

This was such a surprising and fun book to read. There were some really great and emotional moments and the story was fun to dive into. It is beautifully written and after a while you forget that you are not reading about your own life. I kept finding myself wanting to pick it up throughout the day and before going to sleep to just sink into the story, and I was sad when it ended. It is a nice mix of culture, romance, hard work, emotion and fun. I really enjoyed reading it. Highly recommended.