The Lodge by Kayla Olson is a cozy winter read set against the backdrop of a picturesque ski lodge in Vermont. The story follows Alix, an entertainment journalist tasked with ghostwriting a memoir, who finds herself staying in a luxurious lodge penthouse. There, she meets Tyler, a ski instructor whose easy charm and easygoing spirit draw her in. Their connection grows naturally, beginning as friendship and gradually blossoming into a sweet and swoony romance.
The setting is one of the book's strongest aspects—Olson's descriptions of the snowy lodge and surrounding landscape create a vivid, inviting atmosphere. I could easily picture myself there, and it made for a perfect seasonal read. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, even without explicit scenes, and I appreciated how their relationship developed organically.
I also found the plot very unique, with engaging themes of hidden identity, personal growth and insights into an aspect of the entertainment industry that isn’t talked about much. The side characters, including family and friends, added depth and warmth to the story. However, the identity twist was a bit predictable, which slightly lessened the impact of the reveal. I still really enjoyed the journey and wondering when Alix was going to figure it out kept me on my toes.
The ending felt a little rushed, leaving me wishing for more closure, especially after the shock of the final plot twist. I would have loved a bit more development before moving into the epilogue.
Overall, The Lodge is a charming, wholesome read with relatable and lovable characters and a cozy setting. It’s perfect for readers looking for a feel-good winter story with a heartfelt romance and a touch of intrigue.

I loved this book. It is exactly what I look for in a lot of the best romances. This was a lovely book. It was the best fictional escape for me. I honestly loved how cozy this book was I couldn’t get enough. Thank you for the opportunity to read this story.

This book took me right back to my boy band obsession and funny friendships when I was younger. Tyler was such a swoon-worthy character and incredibly charming and sweet character throughout this book. Then we have Alix, who is such a cutie pie and is so genuine and dedicated to her job and the work that she does. I also really liked that her best friend was able to give her a little push and talk her into getting out of her comfort zone and try new things in her life. Meanwhile her sister.... that girl is a whole mess LOL. This book honestly brought me back to my one direction days and how obsessed and how much I loved them. This was such a good book and I loved all the characters and the plot throughout this book so much. I will definitely be looking at this author as one of my auto buys.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

Ali’s is a writer, writing a memoir as a ghost writer for a famous artist that was previously in a boy band. Having trouble concentration, she is put up in a ski lodge in Vermont. While working on her writing, Alice meets Tyler, a ski instructor with a secret. This book had lots of drama, and sweet romance. I really enjoyed it!

Read this if you love…
❄️ cozy winter rom-coms
🎤 boy bands
👩‍💻 writer main characters

It’s time for Alix Morgan’s big break—she’s been contracted to ghost write the memoir of Sebastian Green, a former member of the boy band True North. Alix struggles to write in her cramped apartment, so she happily accepts Sebastian’s invitation to a write at a luxurious Vermont ski lodge. This memoir should be easy; after all, Alix used to cover True North’s tour as an entertainment journalist and even interviewed infamous band member Jett Beckett right before he disappeared 8 years ago. Fans are desperate to know the truth about Jett’s disappearance and why the band broke up. Alix finds herself in the midst of the mystery while listening to Sebastian’s shocking voice memos and falling for a cute but mysterious ski instructor.

I enjoyed Kayla’s freshman adult rom-com The Reunion, so I jumped at the chance to review another juicy celebrity story. I enjoy these types of rom-coms for the same reason I like fantasy—it’s a world totally unlike my own. I also love books about bookish characters.

I’d call this a cozy rom-com; there are stakes, but it’s not super intense. I loved the setting! I too would love to go write at a bougie ski resort. Alix is living my dream. Alix and [redacted] were VERY cute. I worried that this would fall into insta-love, but they didn’t technically say “I love you” until far later. There were some heated kisses, but it remained firmly closed door. It’s nice to add another mainstream closed door author to my repertoire.

Puffin the cat gets his own star.

However, there were some plot holes that could have been resolved and I wish we had more scenes with characters like River and Julie. An additional 20 pages to bulk up some relationships and tie up loose ends would’ve made this 5 stars. I still enjoyed myself though! This was an easy breezy read that’ll be perfect for winter (even though it takes place in March for some reason).

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this ghostwriter-celebrity ski lodge rom com!

The plot in a nutshell: Alix believes she finally has her big break when she's offered a deal to ghostwrite a memoir for Sebastian Green, former member of the notorious boy band True North, a group that fell apart when one member disappeared a decade ago. Sebastian offers Alix to spend the perfect writing retreat at a luxury ski resort in Vermont, where she meets a handsome ski instructor. But the celeb rumor mill has one unanswered question: what happened to the missing member of True North, and will Alix's manuscript get to the bottom of the mystery?

Cozy and sweet, this book is the perfect palate cleanser if you're dealing with heavy life stuff and need an escape. I have never done any snow sports, but the ski report descriptions were so charming.

My thanks to the author for the ARC.

. Set against the backdrop of a secluded, snow-covered lodge "The Lodge" was the coziest winter romance! Being a fan of boybands made this book every better to read! Definitely recommended for all the cozy warm sitting by the fire vibes!

The Lodge by Kayla Olson is a romantic wintertime escape. Set in a Vermont ski resort, it hits the spot for your cozy romance itch in the dark days of winter.

Alix Morgan is an entertainment writer who just landed the gig of a lifetime: ghostwriting the memoir of Sebastian Green, one of the front men of the boy band called True North. The band was once the most popular in the world, but ultimately broke up after one of the members disappeared. Needing some space from her roommate to focus on her tight deadline, the publisher (via Sebastian himself) puts Alix up at a posh Vermont resort. She's having trouble communicating with Sebastian, and her next-door neighbor offers her ski lessons, so in between days of intense work, Alix strikes up an unlikely friendship with him. It doesn't take long for it to turn into more, but both of them have secrets, and it's only a matter of time before they come to light and change everything.

The best part of this book was the falling. Ooo, the sparks between Alix and Tyler (the ski instructor) were red hot and plentiful. I felt like their connection was authentic and romantic and all the things you want from a romance novel.

I struggled a little bit with the cheesiness of the plot. I think it's inherent a lot of times in a celebrity romance. It was well crafted as far as character backstories and everything fitting together well in a puzzle sense for an impactful climax, but for me it's hard to escape the fan fiction vibe in this genre. I think I've only read one celebrity romance that didn't give me that aftertaste (When in Rome by Sarah Adams), but if celebrity romance is your thing, I think you'll love this one.

The Lodge by Kayla Olson is a charming blend of romance, personal growth, and a touch of intrigue set against the idyllic backdrop of a Vermont ski resort. The story follows Alix Morgan, a determined entertainment journalist who lands the opportunity of a lifetime—ghostwriting the memoir of Sebastian Green, a former member of the iconic boy band True North. Seeking focus and inspiration, Alix heads to a luxurious lodge where she not only dives into her work but also crosses paths with Tyler, a magnetic ski instructor who offers more than just a distraction.

As sparks fly between Alix and Tyler, the story gains depth with the lingering mystery of Jett Beckett, the band’s missing lead singer. This subplot weaves intrigue into the cozy romance, keeping readers engaged as Alix balances her growing feelings for Tyler with the professional and personal stakes of uncovering truths from the past.

Olson captures the magic of winter with vivid descriptions of the lodge’s snow-covered setting, creating a cozy atmosphere that perfectly complements the story’s romantic and reflective tones. The characters are relatable and layered, with Alix’s journey of self-discovery and career ambition resonating throughout the narrative. The Lodge is a delightful read for fans of heartfelt romances with a sprinkle of mystery and a wintry, picturesque setting.

“You don’t know how it feels to have the entire world salivating, just waiting for you to make a mistake so they can feast on it.”

This perfect cozy rock star romance is exactly what you need to add to your tbr. The atmosphere of The Lodge is so charming from the likable characters, to the romantic dates of ice skating and lattes. It was hard putting this book down when needing to get back to reality. I admit it was easy to figure out the plot of the book, but it didn't bother me much with how well it was written. The chemistry between Alix and Tyler was the absolute best part of the entire book. It never felt forced or awkward. They flowed together so naturally it felt real. This is definitely one of those times where I will need a physical copy for my bookshelf. 

You can pre-order today where books are sold. Release date is 1.7.2025

🎶💗❄️🎶💗❄️🎶
Alix, an entertainment journalist, is chosen to ghostwrite for famous boy band member Sebastian Green of True North for his up and coming tell-all memoir. Living in New York is loud enough, but having your sister stay with you trying to focus on writing makes it hard to concentrate. When Sebastian offers Alix an all expense paid stay at a cozy Lodge up in Vermont she doesn't hesitate and leaves the big city for fresh mountain air. 

Frustration starts to set in for Alix when she has trouble getting Sebastian on the phone as well as getting a straight answer about the strange disappearance of boy band member Jet Blackwell who hasn't been seen in 8 years. Alix needs to take her mind off things so when she meets her very attractive neighbor Tyler who is also the ski instructor it's the perfect distraction. Later she will find out that not everything is as it seems and the truth will always come out eventually. 

* My copy of The Lodge was provided by NetGalley and Atria Books for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Entertainment writer, Alix Morgan, caught the break of her career in ghostwriting a memoir of former boy band sensation, Sebastian Green. Alix is desperate to give this book her complete time and attention as she covered the band while it was still active - before the disappearance of one of its members, Jett Beckett. She, like many of the band’s fans, is hoping to learn the truth behind what happened to Jett and what role Sebastian may have played in his disappearance. She escapes her tiny distracting life in the city upon an offer to stay at a beautiful Vermont resort from Sebastian. Excited to get to writing, she finds the words flow easier at the lodge so she starts taking ski lessons from the charming and gorgeous ski instructor, Tyler, who just happens to be staying in the neighboring penthouse. Alix and Tyler grow closer during their lessons when the ultimate twist comes and Alix’s personal and professional lives come crashing together. This is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter’s day. The story is warm and cozy with just the right amount of mystery and plenty of romance that makes your swoon. The characters are well developed, sometimes pleasantly frustrating, but still fun. You can’t help but find yourself wanting the perfect HEA for Alix and Tyler.

A light and fluffy escape, The Lodge immerses you in a snowy, picturesque Vermont Ski Lodge that captures the magic of winter. If you're looking for an easy comfort read with wintry vibes, this book is a good pick.

While the story is cute, the male lead, Tyler, felt somewhat one-dimensional—charming but lacking a distinctive personality. At times, he came across as a man written by a woman, which kept his character from fully resonating. I also found the subplot with Alix's little sister to be a bit distracting, I'm still not quite sure what purpose that served.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was such a fun cozy winter read! The first half dragged on a bit more than I was expecting but I sped through the second half and loved the ending and epilogue

Did I love The Reunion? Yes! Did I love The Lodge? Also, yes!

I love a romance with a side of celebrity. This one was so interesting because we have a boy band mystery, an entertainment journalist, a naive little sister, and a giant snowstorm. Put all together and you have a fast paced, unputdownable story. Highly recommend!

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for this eARC!

This was "oh wow I didn't realize how much I'd really like this" kind of book.
The boy band drama was a fun throw back for me. I loved the added mystery and surprise to the storyline. The FMC was a fun perspective making for a fun cozy winter romance.

Great escape book! Pick it up when it comes out!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for this

Kayla Olson is back with this boy-band crazed, pop-culture centric, rom-com follow up to The Reunion!

Alix Morgan is an entertainment writer who just landed the biggest contract of her life. Sebastion Green is the attention-seeking, former boy band star with an upcoming memoir…. that Alix is writing. A month long writer’s retreat is just what Alix needs to finish the book but secrets, a snowstorm, and a hot ski instructor named Tyler will be sure to distract.

This quick and cozy, winter book gives reading by a fire, with a warm beverage, wrapped in a blanket vibes. 4 stars since I didn’t feel enough emotional connection between the main characters and there was no spice (I expected closed door but there was none in this book).

❄️ stuck in a snowstorm
⛷️ hot ski instructor
🚠 ski lift as a supporting character
🎤 boy band
✨ like at first sight
🐈 cat named Puffin

Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the ARC!

I really enjoy the nostalgic feelings Kayla Olson’s books bring me while reading. The whole time I was reading The Lodge, I kept imagining if one of the members of *NSYNC abruptly disappeared and I was the last reporter to interview him. And then went on to be hired to ghostwrite another member’s memoir years down the line. And THEN found myself wrapped up in way more than I ever anticipated when taking the job. And THEN - yeah, not done yet - add some romance at a wintry luxury ski resort into the mix. Oh what fun…

Seriously though, this is a tender-hearted romance that will make one think about the lives celebrities lead that the average person could never understand. Even those celebrities living the most public-facing lives will still always have things going on that no one outside the trusted inner circle will ever know about but *everyone* will speculate and have an opinion about. It’s amazing more celebrities don’t choose to abandon the life they know for peace and quiet. I’ve gone off on a bit of a tangent here, but the book carries a lot of depth below its surface.

The romance between Alix and Tyler amidst her writing retreat getaway is very sweet. With Hallmark-level-adorable and idyllic dates, meaningful conversations, and both learning to open up to someone else after guarding their hearts for a long while, I’m hard-pressed to describe the pair as anything but lovely. Even when chaos is thrown their way they face it and communicate, maybe not always getting it right the first time, but the effort and understanding is there.

There are a lot of side characters in the mix throughout the book. Their level of importance and necessity to the story varies. Some are definitely key and I appreciate what they added to the book. Others I could take or leave, but did see what the intended purpose was for including them.

I have been thoroughly entertained by both of Kayla Olson’s adult romance novels and look forward to reading more from her in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is THE perfect book to read in the winter! It makes you want to curl up in front of a fireplace with a hot chocolate in hand. So so perfect!

Alix Morgan is an entertainment writer and she recently got a huge opportunity at work to ghostwrite Sebastian Green’s memoir. Sebastian was part of one of the biggest boy bands in history called True North. The band broke up after band member Jett Beckett went missing, never to be seen again. So Sebastian went solo and still made it big.

Alix lives with her needy sister so she has a hard time focusing on writing the book so Sebastian sends Alix to Black Maple Lodge in Stowe, Vermont for a month to write.

During that time she befriends her next-door neighbor Tyler. Tyler is a ski instructor at the luxurious resort. They get close very quickly. Tyler is adorable and planned such cute dates for them. From ice skating to eating soft pretzels to looking at shooting stars.

The story has a great twist that will make you not want to put this book down.

I loved it so much from the boy band references to the romance between Alix and Tyler. I enjoyed this book so much that I didn’t want it to end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC of The Lodge in exchange for an honest and independent review.

Guys..guys..GUYS!! Hand on bible, I enjoyed this book so very much! Having also enjoyed The Reunion by Kayla Olson, I was hoping I would be in for a treat, and this one did not disappoint. The storyline had me hooked from the beginning, even if I did see the plot twist coming from a mile away with blinding lights and a blaring horn. I really enjoyed that this was an adorable romance wrapped up in a bit of a mystery with an actual compelling storyline.

Alix and Tyler had such chemistry, it just jumped off the page and held on for dear life. I didn’t want to put this book down. In short summation, Alix is a ghost writer for a member of the boy band, True North, who reached peak popularity just before disintegrating into nothing after one of the two leading front men disappeared into oblivion. Alix has been tasked with writing the memoir of Sebastian Green, the second and only remaining front man of True North. In hopes of fueling her creative fires and getting some space to write, Sebastian offers Alix his penthouse at an ultra luxurious resort in Vermont for a month while she writes his memoir. Alix is off and running with zero interruptions until she meets Tyler, one of the lodge’s ski instructors and super conveniently (or inconveniently) her neighbor. Now all bets are off as Alix tries to keep her eyes on her novel and off her neighbor, but she’s fighting a battle she knows she’s going to lose.

All in all, I enjoyed this book so freaking much. Alix and Tyler are just adorable and Kayla does a great job of writing as if you’re watching a movie. I loved how easily it read, which is part of why I flew through this one. I highly recommend picking this one up this winter as it’s the perfect cozy weekend read. Coming to shelves near you Jan 7th!

This is a perfect winter read if you’re looking to cozy up on the couch during a snow storm. One part celeb gossip one part swoony romance with a side helping of some good old fashioned sister drama. I’m not a skier, but The Lodge had me wishing to get to Vermont and hit the slopes! If you prefer a low-spice romance, this one’s for you. Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for my gifted ARC!