I really enjoyed the writing style and characters in this book, but I really struggled with the execution. The concept is super adorable, but there were so many parts that fell flat and unrealistic for me (unrealistic even for a romance novel, I know.) I was annoyed at the FMC for not recognizing him sooner—i felt like screaming at her how obvious it was.

Entertainment journalist Alix Morgan scores a big break ghostwriting the memoir of Sebastian Green, who was a member of True North until his bandmate Jett Beckett disappeared eight years ago. Best of all, Alix has been put up in Sebastian's luxurious Vermont resort penthouse to write the book away. Except Alix encounters distraction in the form of her neighbour, ski instructor Tyler.

I devoured this book in one sitting. I loved the chemistry and banter between Alix and Tyler. Tyler was just a sweetheart. While I guessed the twist it was still a lot of fun watching the characters work it out as well. This book is well-paced and well plotted. I loved the articles in between chapters and the way fans interact online and have a bit of a parasocial relationship with their idols.

If I had any quibble it would've been the family drama with Lauren, Alix's spoiled younger sister. I was getting stressed with a growing tension that Alix's inability to be firm with her sister would come to haunt her and sadly it did. Alix let her off way too lightly. To be honest I could've done without the family side plot. I find myself stressed out by meddling relatives or best friends who cause drama through their selfishness.

Overall this book is the perfect read. If you love boy bands, celebrity romance, two fantastic love interests, this is the perfect winter book. Best read with a cosy blanket and a huge mug of hot chocolate. Encore Kayla Olson, encore!

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advanced readers copy of this book!

If you like Hallmark movies, picturesque Vermont lodges, and boy bands I have the perfect book for you - The Lodge!

I enjoyed the lighthearted nature of this book with enough drama to keep the story moving at a fast pace. I did guess the plot twist pretty early on in the book but I was surprised with how the drama went down at the end of the book! I thought the main character Alix was very level headed and rational, I enjoyed her pov.

My first read from Kayla and I enjoyed her writing style as well as the mixed media (emails, texts, social posts, articles) used to tell the story.

Overall a 4 star read for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Lodge was a sweet romance that had some dashes of mystery to keep everything from being too picture perfect, which is the exact combination I love.

Entertainment journalist Alix gets her dream opportunity - ghost writing a book of Sebastian Green, former boy bander with True North, a band she covered in their hey day. When Sebastian offers her his penthouse at a ski lodge in Vermont things get even more amazing for Alix (especially as she can bring her adorable cat Puffin with her - Puffin is the best supporting character a book could have). Of course Alix meets a super hot ski instructor and starts to have feelings she thought previously dead. And of course said ski instructor is linked to Jett, also part of True North but rumored to be dead and certainly MIA for the past 8 years. What’s not so obvious? That Alix is going to see Sebastian and Tyler come face to face and her own sister is going to ramp up the drama!

You’ll have to read to find out more but you’ll enjoy every word. Clever articles and fan forum snippets are interspersed in the book to provide the reader context and some hot gossip, which I thought was an excellent strategy that paid off well for me. And while this is ultimately very much a romance which was easy love in every way, and some dashes of family drama weren’t as well developed as they could have been, the mystery with True North and Tyler was the edge that makes this so satisfying!

The Lodge is the latest romcom that I have read. This was a cozy romcom set in a ski lodge. Throw in the ski instructor and you’ve got a great story.