This was a slow build to a fantastic finish. I loved the atmosphere and being in an old hotel with lots of unique rooms and hiding places. The cast of characters was really interesting and I liked getting to know both the staff and the guests. I loved the main character. Sophie was spunky, strong, and the perfect person to follow around the hotel. I also loved the cute love-triangle romance, which normally I'm not fond of. I think this time it played out to hilarious results. This is definitely a book I'd recommend to teens, especially if they like a little more to their romance books besides teen angst and tension. In this case, you get a foreign holiday hotel, a mystery, and a cute romance to go with it. It's a very fun read. It might take a bit to get into, but once the ball gets rolling, it takes off. The finale is definitely worth the slow build!

This was such a cute book and the cover is awesome! I loved the setting and the characters. There was a little bit of romance, mystery and adventure. Definitely enjoyed it.

I liked the idea of this book, but had a hard time finishing it. Something was just off for me and I can't quite place what it is. Like all books though, it's worth giving it a try to see if it's a better fit for you.

I really wanted to love this. The concept is great, the follow through... not so much. Started out strong and then lost it for me.

DNF; the setup and writing isn't working for me unfortunately but YMMV. Check out the excerpt and other reviews to see if the book interests you.

Loved this book!
Such a fun read. A perfect setting and a perfect what's going to happen next!?
So many great characters.
I want to visit the Castle in the Clouds!

I really couldn't get into this book. The story was just not there for me. Didn't finish. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

This was a weird book. I did not finish and the writing felt flat and off.

I think this book has been translated into English and that could be why some parts of the story felt flat to me. I do like the unique little magical elements of the story and the slow mystery. This might be good for a younger teen starting to read YA.

I really wanted to like this book, and to me it fell a little bit flat. The writing was good I just couldn't connect to the characters as much as I wanted to!

I didn't realize this was a teen or young adult read, but it is fairly obvious upon starting the book. Wasn't for me, I found it too silly or flippant to finish.

Although the cover and synopsis of this novel had me itching to get my hands on it, A Castle in the Clouds was devoid of substance and action. Our characters fit easily into tropes and didn't have any agency or any personality outside of them. They were really boring and didn't hook me or make me want to care about them. Our MC was woefully ill-equipped for her job and was devoid of a personality. I wanted to like her, especially given she is a rare character in YA choosing to do something besides higher education, and yet she was flat and devoid of a distinct personality.

The events of this novel drag on and it takes forever to get to the big mystery and exciting events. I felt like I was being dragged kicking and screaming through the calendar of days spent at the hotel, as slow as humanly possible. The days we see don't really give us that much detail about the cast of characters or set up much of the exciting event. I felt like I was stuck in an aging, failing hotel and not in a good way. If you're looking for a novel with an exciting plot or strong characters, avoid this one.


*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

I had come across Ms. Gier's Ruby Red trilogy and really liked it -- A Castle in the Clouds is just as good (and quick) read. Sophie, a new intern at a grand (but fading) hotel in the Swiss mountains describes her hardworking days in a light and cheery manner all the while dealing with romance, bullies, demanding guests, and secrets. It was easy for me to imagine this glorious hotel world based on the description (that in reality I'd never see given I'm not royalty or wealthy by any means) and I have a new appreciation for interns/hotel workers for sure :D. Another interesting read by Ms. Gier - an author that has yet to disappoint.

A Castle in the Clouds is a fun mix of romance, mystery, and holiday ambiance for readers. Fans of The Prince in Disguise will love this title. I was a fan of Gier's Ruby Red series, and though this has a much different feel, fans of hers won't be disappointed with this more realistic, but still adventurous plot.

A Castle in the Clouds is the perfect read on a rainy day. Escape into the Swiss Alps with Sophie as she tries to unravel mysteries, save a hotel from developers, and find love. Teens will flock to this book of excitement in a delightful European setting.

"A Castle in the Clouds" transports the reader to a magical hotel set on a snowy mountain top at Christmas. What can go wrong? We follow Sophie Spark, seventeen-year-old high school dropout, as she maneuvers being an intern, having two beautiful boys interested in her, trying not to get fired, and oh yeah, solving the mystery of who is really staying at the hotel this holiday season. "A Castle in the Clouds" was an enjoyable read with a fast pace. The characters are lovable and the magic of the hotel makes you wish you could be there too.