Member Reviews
This was such a cute story! And now my chocolate cravings are through the roof!
Mina and Luke were absolutely delightful characters with backstories that were unique and believable. The setting of the chalet in the Swiss Alps was the perfect place for a cozy romance to ensue. And the cast of characters were entertaining, fun and believable. Caplin did a wonderful job of creating a place where I would want to go on vacation (or live forever).
With just a touch of spice, this was a delightful closed door romance that I would highly recommend. Perfect for those who enjoy Hallmark-style reads.
Tip: Make sure you have some yummy chocolate on hand before you start reading!
This book definitely made me want to go to Switzerland ASAP. Switzerland is on the top of my boyfriend and my list to go to in Europe and this just makes me want to go there like right now. The author wrote the book so beautifully that I felt like I was there. I enjoyed the romance between the characters. Aaah— I’m actually dreaming of the sceneries right now.
Well this book made me want to eat and go to a swiss chalet.... and fall in love. This was a really cute getaway story and I really enjoyed it.
After reading this book I want to go straight to the travel agents and book a trip to Switzerland now. The Pullman train, the cake, the chocolate, the cheese, the friendly people, the snow, oh my goodness it sounds delightful. The author describes the chalet, the surroundings and the scenery so well that I almost feel as though I was there. A wonderful read I could not put down but, was also sad to finish.
I've read all of Julie Caplin books and cannot express how excited I am to be on yet another book tour! My next challenge is to buy all the books in a set for my shelf as they are the perfect read to pick up from time to time, never getting old.
This cute and cosy novel makes me want to head to the Alps and get back on my skiis. It's been some time. The smell of the fires roaring, cheese and chocolate fondues, sitting in the hot tub surrounded by snow, heading to the local boutiques and markets and watching the sun glisten on the horizon whilst the cold burns your lungs. This is the season that I thrive in! It's a cosy and charming love story. Luke was a geeky, sarcastic, happy go-lucky bit of eye candy. Mina was carefree, positive and sociable yet likeable main character. The plot was inevitably predictable but that's always the charm with a Julie Caplin novel. She always adds subtle themes to her novels that get your imagination sizzling like cultures, careers and world issues that just add to the drama!
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Little Swiss Ski Chalet was another cute book that I desperately needed. In it, you will meet Mina. Now she's a pretty fun character due to being a free spirit. I honestly can't even remember the last time I had a free-spirited main character. I'm sure it will randomly pop into my head in a week or so but for now - I can't think of one!
Now Mina is doing something that I'm super jealous about. She's off to Switzerland! Ugh, if only I could randomly go over there.. and maybe (never) come back. While on this adventure, she is staying in a pretty cute chalet that, again, made me jealous. I guess, in a way, her going to Switzerland was for the best due to what happened before she left. Mostly because she got to meet Luke and I really really liked Luke.
Even though I got some insta-feels, the romance itself was actually pretty cute to read about. I think I just have to thank Luke for that because he was very charming and made this book a page turner for me. Plus, I secretly need to go to Switzerland now. I don't know how to ski or snowboard.. but I think it would be fun to go there no matter what.
In the end, this was definitely adorable and now I need to read the rest of the books in this series.
This is 100% a Hallmark movie in book form. It is sweet and predictable with quirky characters and a unique setting.
Thanks to @NetGalley and HarperCollins UK + One More Chapter for my ARC!
This is the first book I've read by Julie Caplin but it won't be my last.
This was the perfect winter romance that I just loved on so many levels. Mina is lost in her life with an unfulfilling job and just finding out her boyfriend is cheating on her with one of her best friends. After some incidents at work she is forced to take time off and decides to visit her godmother who owns a little Swiss ski chalet in the Alps. On the way she literally collides with Luke when hopping on to her train, instant chemistry leads to a kiss and a promise to let serendipity lead the way.
This book instantly had me wanting to travel back to Switzerland and having lived in a few ski chalets in France this book really had me missing those mountains. The cast of characters in this book are all so loveable in all their quirky ways. This book is also super tame for those people put off by sex scenes with just some kissing and not much else.
This book really summed up mountain life and what working in a chalet is really like (and yes it is super tiring with very little time off). I can't wait to travel to a new destination in another of Julie Caplin's books.
Thanks to Netgalley.com and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for my complimentary eARC copy.
This is such a fun book to read it put me in a happy and festive mood reading it.
A little snow,a Swiss ski chalet,chocolate,cheese a new romance. I mean what more could you ask for?
Heartwarming,vacation filled book.
Pub Date 30 Jan 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
This is such a light hearted and uplifting read. If you want feel good fiction that transports you to a beautiful place, then Julie Caplin descriptive writing encapsulates all you could want in a winter wonderland . I love this series of books, the author is one of my go to favourites now.
Food technician Mina travels to the Swiss Alps to stay with her godmother at her chalet . On the train she meets a handsome stranger that she feels an instant attraction to.
The two meet up again at the most unlikely place and form a friendship. Neither is looking for a romantic entanglement but the chemistry positively sizzles from the pages.
. This was such a lovely escapist read. I loved it and was sad to reach the end. The characters were both likeable and relatable and I thoroughly recommend it.
Julie Caplin never fails to deliver a warming hug of a book, wonderful characters and good storylines. This series has been one of my favourite escapism reads, I thoroughly recommend.
This author's writing is 10/10, I really like how she depicted the characters and the story was one that I couldn't put down! I really enjoyed this book a lot and would certainly recommend!
The Little Swiss Chalet by Julie Caplin is book 7 in the Romantic Escapes series, and my first book by this author. This book is a sweet romance that takes place in the Swiss Alps. Mina is a food technician who decides to visit her godmother, after her romance ends, and her job is in jeopardy. Mina meets a gorgeous stranger on the Alpine train. The chocolate descriptions are worth the read alone. Haha. I love how Mina grows during the book, and I recommend this book and am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This book came at exactly the right time for me. I’m still super bummed about having to cancel our trip to Europe last year for very obvious reasons and so this delightful little book was just the escapism I needed.
The story follows food technician Mina, burnt out from an unfulfilling job and smarting from a unexpected breakup, as she embarks on a holiday to her godmothers Swiss Ski Chalet. For me, it was a little slow to start with. I guess I didn’t relate very well to Mina. As I read more though, I was able to put that aside and just enjoy the story.
There are gorgeous descriptions of the Swiss scenery, including skiing (downhill and cross country) adventures, visiting nearby towns and villages and of course, the center of the book, food. If you are a foodie, drop what you are doing and read this book immediately. Julie Caplin is obviously a bit of a gourmand and it really shows in her writing.
Of course, no holiday romance would be complete without the romantic interest. We are introduced to Luke via a rather violet meet cute:
“Mmph, I don’t don’t suppose you could get your elbow out of my solar plexus.”
Luke – The Little Swiss Ski Chalet – Julie Caplin.
Mina, rushing for the train as it leaves, jumps on board, toppling over the very handsome Luke. After lots of banter and chocolate sharing on the train, they have a spontaneous snog before parting ways forever. OR SO THEY THOUGHT. Oh yes, our handsome mystery(ish) man turns up as a guest at the same chalet that Mina has just made her way to.
The romance in this book is sweet and at times feels more like a secondary storyline, not that I’m complaining. Mina is on a journey of self discovery, trying to answer the question of what she really wants out of life. Without giving away too much, this book delivers on that and provides a very sweet, happy ending.
I will definitely be checking out the rest of the books in Caplin’s series, Romantic Escapes, for that bit of adventure and escapism we are all so desperately seeking right now.
I absolutely adored this book! The characters were great, the atmosphere was quaint, and the story itself was wonderful.
One of the most important things to me when I read a book is being able to connect to the characters. I absolutely connected with Mina. Not only for her love of all things chocolate, but I felt her excitement for life and passion for food. I loved that the people who stayed at the chalet weren't just customers, they were a family.
The atmosphere was wonderful. I could picture the quaint chalet, with the warm fire, the smell of wonderful food, and the falling snow outside. The author painted the picture perfectly.
I loved this heartwarming and wholesome book. It was beautifully written. I can not wait to read other stories from this author.
Such a fun book with beautiful scenery, wonderful characters and a whole lot of love! Throughout the book, I was transported to Switzerland, buying chocolate and cheese alongside Mina, skiing and snowboarding with Luke and the other guests, baking alongside Amelie, drinking champagne with Jacques and having a blast!
My heart broke at the end of part two but I still cheered Mina on with her plans and absolutely loved the ending for everyone! Such a cute, romantic, adventurous book for snow bunnies and chocolate lovers alike.
I love this series and this instalment is not a disappointment. Light hearted, cosy and full of yummy cakes! A lovely read with romance and snow. I enjoyed letting all the new characters and can’t wait to see if they pop up future books. Recommended read as a stand-alone but also the series as a whole.
Thank you Netgalley
I loved this clever and charming romance set in Switzerland! The author adds so many wonderful descriptions of the food, people, history, and the landscape that I wanted to hop on a plane to experience it all for myself! The characters are so full of personality you can't help but fall in love with them. I enjoyed the interaction between Mina and her aunt as they worked in the Chalet's kitchen together. I also loved the charming love interest, Luke, He had so many good qualities and mysteries about him that complimented Mina's personality. I liked that he kept Mina's interests in mind and was willing to help her enjoy her vacation in Switzerland. I would highly recommend this book to readers that enjoy a great love story and just need an escape from life!
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, and One More Chapter for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
'The Little Swiss Ski Chalet' is another amazing book by Julie Caplin. It literally has everything you could possibly want in a book: escapism, chocolate, hurt, romance and mishaps!
Overall I did enjoy this book. Usually I read this genre for a bit of light reading, an escapism from real life, they are often fast paced and quick to read. This one I felt dragged a little and it was slow going for me so it did detract from my enjoyment slightly.