Member Reviews

I have become a fan of Julie Caplin. I love going to new locations. In this book I find myself in Iceland. I have read and heard about the country before but being described through the eyes of a visitor as our main character Lucy, makes the location a bit more real. This is a continuation of previous book series, yet, a very stand alone book. A tiny mystery, a romance, friendship, fun and great read.

Was this review helpful?

Julie Caplin is one of those authors that I’ve grown to love over the last while. In her Romantic Escapes, especially, she’s managed to charm me in Brooklyn and Paris – and now in Iceland.
In other words, if there’s one thing she can, apparently do right? It’s writing about people falling in love abroad. And maybe the best thing? She brings back Alex, the guy that *almost but not quite* could have been the love interest in The Little Paris Patisserie – and this time he is *absolutely* the love interest! And what a love interest…
There’s something that’s a recurring theme in most of my favourite chicklit books: a female character building herself back up. I’m not quite sure why that trope speaks to me so much, right now, but there you have it. And this book definitely delivers on that accord.
Another level which Julie Caplin delivers on – the beautiful descriptions. I’ve never been to Iceland, and up to my reading this book? I’d never wanted to. But the beautiful scenery, and especially the amount of cosiness, hygge – or huggulegt as they call it in Iceland, apparently – in the hotel? Book me a ticket stat please!

Was this review helpful?

This was brilliant. I really enjoy this authors writing and have enjoyed reading all her books. I like how there are things which link them all but if you haven't read the others it still stands alone as a good book. The characters are enjoyable and relatable, the setting brilliant and cosy and the plot clever and engaging. Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

Quite a good read, kept me engaged, really enjoyed the plot and the characters and i would read more from this author.

Was this review helpful?

Wow another ótrúlegt book by Julie Caplin, This book did not disappoint, the setting was absolutely stunningly written and it has always been on my bucket list to visit so this just made me want to go even more. I loved all of the characters especially Alex, Lucy and Hekla and found myself wishing I was working there with them. This book is a must read and one I will be recommending to everyone. Absolutely loved it!

Was this review helpful?

Nicely written. Easy to read and a good interesting plot. Lovely destination to play it all out what more could you possibly ask for

Was this review helpful?

What an adorable story! I loved the unique setting. A fun and charming read.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

When Lucy leaves Bath and moves to Iceland to run the Northern Lights Lodge she meets Alex a Scot from Paris who's secretly there not as a bartender but to see for his friend if the hotel is worth buying.



Whilst the pair grow close and have many moments they are also faced with a whole TV crew films by an off the wall hotel documentary only one of the guys soon remembers Lucy...



As Lucy tries to hide a viral video from her old hotel job with slimy boring ex Chris unlike the electric chemistry she has with Alex.



Dealing with a hotel sabotage from inside, new management and Lucy getting kicked out her job shockingly thanks to Alex she winds up back home to best friend Daisy only for the new hotel manager wanting to meet her in Edinburgh and just what happened to Alex as he disappeared...



Wow. Making life changing decisions and finding not just a gorgeous sight as the country she winds up in but in her new man too Lucy gets it all but not without a harsh time over her secret which amped up the underlying tension throughout the book. With video drama and job unease there's still plenty of heart stopping moments in a good way not just had and everyone will enjoy this read as I've read nothing like it.



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Was this review helpful?

I’m a big fan of these books and this one didn’t disappoint. Great to catch up with previous characters and meet a whole host of new ones. The scenery was beautifully described and the story was very easy to read. These are perfect escapism books...can’t wait for the next one

Was this review helpful?

This cozy romance is set in a lodge in Iceland. I won't lie, I struggled with the book quite a lot. I hope all my issues are based on the fact that I read a review copy and not the finished book.

Lucy, the female MC, lost her job in a five-star hotel in Manchester. Due to her unwanted internet fame she has had a hard time finding a job and when she is offered a part time contract as a manager of a lodge hotel in Iceland she sees it as punishment --- honestly, I would cut off my left arm for a two month working contract in Iceland, even in winter.

Alex, hotel manager from Scotland, currently working in Paris, is on an undercover mission at the lodge. He has to snoop around because his boss would like to buy the hotel for his chain of boutique hotels. Well, Alex rubbed me the wrong way from the start, until about chapter 10. He behaved so bohemian at the start, very un-Scottish like, and suddenly, a few weeks into his stint at the lodge, he realises just how much Iceland reminds him of how much he missed the connection to nature and Scotland.

The lodge and the Icelandic staff are great. The nature is described in such a lot of detail that I really would give my left arm for a cleaning job at the Northern Lights Lodge.

All in all, 3.3 points -- not a "meh" but also not a "yeah"

Was this review helpful?

The Northern Lights Lodge by Julie Caplin is the perfect accompaniment to the Icelandic tradition of 'hygge'. A lighthearted, cozy, and uplifting read, this is one to pair with a mug of hot chocolate while sitting in front of a roaring fire.

Lucy Smart has accepted a hotel management position in Iceland following both personal and professional disgrace in the UK. The Northern Lights Lodge has heaps of potential, and Lucy is determined to turn things around. Also on assignment at the lodge is handsome Scottish barman Alex, whose professional credentials are unknown to Lucy. Will Lucy find it in herself to trust again, and will transforming the lodge provide a rebirth for the confident and capable woman with whom she seems to have lost touch? Anything is possible under the magic of the Northern Lights.

This was a most enjoyable read enhanced by the romantic Icelandic setting. What could be more conducive to romance than a cozy lodge in one of the world's harshest climates, in the middle of nowhere? I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and will look for more from Julie Caplin.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I feel like I had been waiting forever for this book to finally be available, but wow it was worth the wait.

It is another excellent story from the always talented Julie Caplin, and its a story that is set in Iceland.

Makes a change to read something light hearted set in Iceland, instead of a noir book, and this is set outside Reyjavik, in a small hotel that offers Northern Light chasing trips.

This lodge also offers a lifeline to Lucy, who is struggling to get a new job after a rather unfortunate incident led to her getting sacked in her previous one.

I loved not only seeing how Lucy was able to adapt to life in Iceland, but the few excursions she did and learning the culture and customs of this proud Scandinavian country.

This is fabulous poolside reading, especially if you need cooling down, it didn't really make me much colder but the humidity in Thailand is hard to counter act, even when reading about winter temperatures in Iceland.

I loved every moment of this wonderful book, and I'm already looking forward to Julie Caplins' next book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Netgalley for my copy of The Northern Lights Lodge by Julie Caplin. I absolutely ADORED this story. I've previously read The Little Paris Patisserie and The Little Cafe in Copenhagen so I knew I was in for a treat with this one. It is such a magical feel good story. Lucy Smart is such a brilliant protagonist and the author does such a great job of giving her character depth and in the beginning you really feel her defences up. It's wonderful to read about her in particular and see her slowly but surely let her guard down and let Alex in. The sheep in the hot tub scene has me smiling to myself at the most random of times, it was such a laugh out loud moment it has stayed with me. The book has also opened my eyes to the spectacle of the Northern Lights so much so I am often caught googling holidays there. I think when Lucy first opens her curtain the sight at greets her is so spectacular and breath taking you feel like you are standing right there with her. This is the perfect feel good read, utterly charming and I have recommending it to everyone I pass. A full five stars from me.

Was this review helpful?

A lovely feel good story. I really enjoyed reading this book and loved the way it developed. Definitely recommended.

Was this review helpful?

I chose this novel by its cover, shame on me I know. Luckily for me this book is even better than the adorable cover!

This book follows Lucy after she takes a job, the only job left for her really, at a remote hotel in Iceland. Determined to turn this temporary position into a permanent one she tries to regain her confidence and trust in others after being burned badly with her last job. While most of her new employees are willing to help her turn the Northern Lights Lodge around there's at least one person that's doing anything they can to mess things up and leave Lucy jobless yet again.

I found this book utterly charming. It's gritty enough to not be boring and fluffy but sweet enough to be a perfect light read afters some heavy ones prior to it. The romance is believable and the cast of characters are a delight. There isn't a single one I wouldn't want to meet IRL (ok, maybe not Bob, he's a jerk).

This is my first time reading a book by Julie Caplin and it won't be the last! As you can tell, I haven't read the previous novels in this series and I don't find that it suffered at all for it. I think that there may be a brief cameo from the characters in the book prior but that's all so if this is your first by her as well don't fear, you won't be remotely lost without having read the others!

I highly recommend this book for anyone that enjoys modern romance novels with a smart and funny heroine and a genuine nice guy hero.

Was this review helpful?

Lucy takes a job as manager of a lodge in Iceland. Things go wrong right from the moment she arrives at the lodge but she sticks with it and eventually becomes close to the other employees. A camera crew comes to stay at the lodge to film the staff and guests, which brings more issues.

I loved this book for it's descriptions of the northern lights, the waterfalls and glaciers near the lodge. It was a delightful book of life managing a lodge and solving the problems that arise daily. I highly recommend this novel.

Was this review helpful?

The Northern Lights Lodge is a very well written book. I enjoyed the plot, setting and the author’s writing. I highly recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

When Lucy's life is turned upside down by being sacked from her prestigious hotel management job, after being set up by her ex boyfriend, she wants to run away as fast and as far as she can and so ends up at the Northern Lights Lodge in Iceland. She is determined to turn the hotel around and make it successful again without any distractions........ but will Alex the gorgeous Scottish barman allow her to do that!

A lovely warm cosy book that draws you in from the first pages, the characters are all great and the setting is stunning.... it will certainly make you want to visit Iceland....... and there is plenty of fun and humour... perfect for curling up in front of a fire.

Was this review helpful?

I love Julie Caplin's novels and this next title in the Romantic Escapes series did not disappoint. Aside from the fabulous story I always feel I learn so much from these books and I always end up adding the destination to my ever growing must visit list. The descriptions of the locations are just so evocative, it's hard to believe they're not real. Again, I read this book far too quickly with little regard for the need for sleep and was bereft when I'd finished. I can't wait for the next one!

Was this review helpful?

A fun, quirky read.....nice romantic book. This is my first Julie Caplin book and won’t be my last. Lots of interesting information about Iceland and the Northern Lights.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the description of the characters, described in a way I could actually visualize what they looked like and how they acted.
There are lots of humorous aspects to this story which made it a fun, enjoyable, laugh out loud read.
Many thanks to NetGallery, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this arc of “The Northern Lights Lodge.”

Was this review helpful?