I am a huge fan of the Julie Caplin ‘Romantic Escapes’ series, and The Little Swiss Ski Chalet is the seventh book in the series. Each romantic escape is a standalone story. As a fan of these books, I expected to feel thrilled by the beautiful location and the delicious food, and I was!

I loved Mina as a protagonist. Heart broken by a very messy break-up in the midst of a proposal in Manchester, Mina runs away from her real life for a quick visit to her godmother Amelie’s chalet in Switzerland. On her way to her aunt, she has a serendipitous meet-cute with Luke who is a perfect match for her.

The storyline takes us through Mina’s adventures in Switzerland and I must admit the food had me craving chocolate like nothing else. I found the side characters were a delightful addition to the story, and I found Amelie’s own romance incredibly sweet.

This book will leave you craving chocolate or cheese, or chocolate AND cheese, and I must confess to wanting to visit Switzerland and book a trip on the chocolate and cheese train (yes, there really is one!).

Armchair travel is the only kind of travel available in these times of pandemic, so it really is wonderful to find yourself whisked away to an exciting new location, and this is where Julie Caplin excels, because she will immerse you so perfectly into the story that you will practically feel the cold on your face, and smell the delicious food available to eat at the Little Swiss Ski Chalet.

Favorite Quotes:

No one would have described the woman as softly-spoken; her words boomed out like a foghorn with the volume turned to max.

There was a coach tour of Japanese people ahead of them, who were buying chocolate like it was going out of style, with huge smiles on their faces, and they weren’t alone: everyone seemed to have shopping baskets piled high. It was like a horde of locusts whipping through, as if this was the last chocolate on the planet, but the thing that struck Mina was that everyone was smiling… It was the simplest equation. Chocolate = happiness. The whole shop was filled with joy.

‘… if you don’t want me to kiss you…’ His eyes flashing with sincerity moved over her face with a desperate urgency. ‘Speak now or forever hold your peace.’ ‘Who needs peace?’


My Review:

All aboard the cheese and chocolate train!

This book should come with a warning label as it has done irreparable harm to my diet with constant mention of the most delectable coronary causing meals heavily laden with heart-stopping and calorie-rich ingredients such as cheese, and deathly delicious chocolate. The characters had a shared passion and ungodly talent for food and cooking. I lost track of how many trips I made to the snack cabinet hoping to find a few lost Hershey’s kisses or some other wayward remnant of forbidden holiday treats. The slowly evolving storylines were relatable and entertaining with amusing observations, a Swiss travelogue, and unique character personalities written with an international flair. My personal favorite was Amelie, I simply adored her.

5☆  A Feel-good, Endearing, Witty & Scrumptious Romance!


The Little Swiss Ski Chalet is such a warm, endearing and loveable read, with a good dash of humour and a smoldering romance.
I just want to also point out how gorgeous the book cover is. Perfect for the snowy weather we're having right now!

Mina is at a crossroads. After after a humiliating proposal to her ex, then almost getting the sack from work. She decides it's time to get away and figure out what she wants.

So she packs a bag, says goodbye to her sister and jumps on a plane to Switzerland to visit her Godmother Amelie's Ski Cottages.

On the way to Amelie's she jumps on a train only to narrowly miss it and falls into the arms of the Charismatic, Cheeky and oh so Charming Luke.
The pair share a seat.
But as he departs before her, they share a steamy kiss.
After not exchanging details, the pair never imagine they will see each other again.
But fate has a way of bringing them together, when they end up at the same chalets, run by Mina's godmother.

After an afternoon on the slopes together Mina tells Luke she's not interested in him romantically as she's there to figure her life & future out and she doesn't have time for romance.
But Luke has other ideas, he is convinced it's a case of Serendipity that they have met again.

Is Luke right? Will the slopes lead them down an icy path or will their simmering connection melt away Mina's guard?
What will Mina's future hold? Will she ever get to sample the chocolate delights?
I guess you will have to read it to find out!

What I will say though is definitely do not read this book on an empty tummy.
All the talk of chocolate, bakes and homely meals has got my tummy well an truly rumbling!

I adored The Little Swiss Ski Chalet it was the perfect read for the snowy weather outside.
It's a Heart warming, Witty, Feel-good, Entertaining, Romance. The characters are loveable, endearing and I loved Amelie, I would love nothing more than to visit her Chalet, just for the cake and atmosphere.
So what are you waiting for, grab a steaming hot cup of coffee or chocolate, snuggle up in a comfy blanket and prepare to be whisked away.

Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Julie Caplin for gifting me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This feel-good, sweet read is the perfect palate cleanser after a heavier book! Every once in awhile I request these style books knowing they will be predictable, but sometimes that’s exactly what I’m looking for! Sometimes I just want to pick up a book and know it’ll make me all warm and tingly and then end in a HAE. A mean, really, could you ask for too much more out of a romance?

This book unfortunately fell a bit flat for me. I thought it was going to be adventurous and I just wanted more. I felt that the main character was a bit annoying and I couldn't seem to get into the style of writing.

I would just like to say a very big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for very kindly forwarding me a copy of this book for my Kindle, in return for an honest review.
This is book number seven in the Romantic Escapes series of books but can definitely be read as a standalone with no problems or loss of understanding.
I loved the author’s style of writing, it transported me to the gorgeous Swiss Alps with all their beautiful snowiness!!
The main characters Mina and Luke were really likeable and I loved their instant attraction.
Overall it was a very heartwarming story and everything that I love in a book, including lots of snow!

This was such a lovely lighthearted romance in a beautiful setting. We follow Mina, who takes a trip to visit her godmother in Switzerland to escape her life for a while. Her godmother owns a ski chalet, and Mina soon starts to fall in love with the place and the people, one in particular, and she begins to question her life choices and what she wants to do in the future.

I loved the characters in this story. Mina is such a likeable character, and I also loved all the side characters including her godmother and all the people who visited the chalet. The setting for this was lovely, and the writing was very descriptive, I could imagine the cozy chalet and the snowy slopes. There was also a lot of mouthwatering descriptions of Swiss food that sounded amazing! The story is lighthearted and cute, and even though it was quite predictable I really enjoyed it. I was rooting for Mina and wanted her to make the choices that would be best for her to help her move past some of the challenges she had in her life. This is a standalone book by this author but there are a lot of other ones in the series and I can’t wait to get round to them!

I don’t know about you but normally at this time of year I would be planning my travels for the upcoming months. Since lockdown has put the kibosh on booking any jaunts to foreign climes for the foreseeable future, the only travel I can currently do is from the comfort of my armchair via the pages of a book, and there is no better series than Julie Caplin’s Romantic Escapes to take you away for a short while.

So far I have travelled with Julie to Denmark, New York, Paris, Iceland, Croatia and Tokyo, and I have enjoyed every trip, so I was really looking forward to visiting Switzerland through Julie’s eyes. What would she make of the land of chocolate and cuckoo clocks? I can assure you I was not disappointed.

The book got off to a great start as the heroine, Mina’s life explodes in spectacular style as a romantic mishap goes viral and forces her to re-evaluate where she is and where she is heading. Mina is a spontaneous kind of girl who doesn’t really plan, but takes every day as it comes and often acts on a whim. Given the reaction to her latest spur-of-the-moment feat, she starts to wonder if this is the best approach to her future. She decides to head off to her godmother’s ski chalet in Switzerland for a holiday and a chance to take stock and decide what she wants to do with her life. No pressure there! I really loved Mina as a character from the start. She is so totally different to me in every respect that I adored living vicariously through her. If only I had had her gumption at that age!

A chance meeting with a handsome stranger threatens to derail Mina’s new level-headed approach before it really gets off the ground. But she is determined to get serious about her future, however tempting the alternative might be. The author does a great job of setting up sexual chemistry between Mina and the mystery man right from the start that it fizzes off the page and reminded me of how it feels when you first meet someone and there is instant electricity between you. It is perfectly captured here, and you will be wondering how Mina can resist! What willpower.

So, we follow Mina as she discovers her aunt’s cosy ski chalet and explores all the delights that surround it. Amelie has created a homely, welcoming guesthouse where her visitors are like family and return time after time. The lure of sampling delicious Swiss recipes and learning how to cook them, exploring the glorious alps on skis and snowshoes and taking a unique food-tasting trip soon draw Mina in to life in Switzerland, until she doesn’t want to leave, and who can blame her. I was totally in love with the setting and the characters by the time I had finished the book.

Julie Caplin is a genius at bringing the locations of her book to life using every sense available until you are absolutely there, experiencing it all, and this book is no exception. If you walk away from this book without a craving for fondue and hot chocolate, I’ll eat my hat. I could smell the pine and the minty fresh mountain air, feel the heat from the log fires and the crunch of snow under skis and hear the chatter of happy guests as they munched Amelie’s cakes. A 3D reading experience. To top it all off is the promise of a quirky love story at its heart to bring an extra glow to your cheeks.

This is a gorgeous hug of a book that will transport you to the Swiss Alps and then cheer you with food, friends and a happy ending. I can’t think of a more perfect way to while away a lockdown weekend, can you?

Well what a dreamy book. I love Mina and admired her revenge when she discovered her boyfriend had been cheating on her. Mina takes time out to recover with her godmother in Switzerland. Cue hunky Luke and a bunch of lovely people there to support Mina. Filled with cheese, chocolate and friendship. Love blossoms for more than one couple. Could this be the start of a new beginning for Mina? I wanted this place to exist so i could add her on Instagram and follow her cake and chocolate journey.

Food technician Mina has always believed that chocolate will solve everything – and it’s just what she needs when her latest relationship mishap goes viral!
So with her bags packed and a new determination to sort her life out, Minna decides to drown her sorrows with the best hot chocolate in the world at her godmother’s cosy Swiss chalet. Chocolate: yes. Romance: no. Until she has a run in on an Alpine train with a mysterious but oh-so-gorgeous stranger.

A heart warming feel good read. Well written with relatable characters. In the current climate this is the perfect escapism. The descriptions of the swiss chalet and the surrounding areas make you feel as if you are there (I can only wish) Although the author is new to me I would not hesitate to read another by Julie Caplin. She has an amazing ability to transport you right into the heart of the story. I loved it

Grab a small escape and read (or listen to – I did both) this title. Exactly what it promises: Mina leaves a heartbreaking situation in England to spend time with her godmother in Switzerland. A food technician by trade, Mina likes nothing more than feeding people and seeing their joy as they discover new tastes and new combinations. Well, perhaps that comes in a close second to her love of all things chocolate (not the white stuff, mind- the real chocolate). After her impulsive proposal to her boyfriend and discovering both his infidelity and his inability to deal with her rather impulsive approach to life – she needed to move on and away. A fortnight’s break was suggested, and she flew off to visit her godmother and deceased mother’s best friend at her new ‘inn’ in the Alps.

A stopover and short sightseeing trip derailed by a chocolate shop and many treats –she boards the train for the last leg of her journey only to be bowled over by the lovely Luke – as sparks flash between them and they talk about themselves, their upcoming break and the country. Serendipity is what Luke called their meeting – and their draw led to a kiss. When she later discovers Luke at her godmother’s inn – their connection is undeniable – even as she is determined to make a new life for herself and discover what she wants. WIth plenty of heart, lots of heat and several funny moments in among the life-altering choices and discoveries, the story is sure to please your inner escape moments and warm your heart.

Narration for this story is provided by Victoria Fox, and I loved how she managed to combine Mina’s “go for it” attitude with her new ‘once burned forever shy’ enthusiasm for life as she rethinks who she is, what she wants, and if her natural exuberance and impulsivity are truly something that she must always work to change and adjust for. I read the book, then listened to the audio version: either is a wonderful option – or switch between the two for moments when sitting quietly and escaping into a book just isn’t in the cards.

I received an eArc and AudioBook copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aQY /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I really liked my first read from Caplin. Although this is part of a series called ‘Romantic Escapes’, it would appear that all of these novels are stand-alones and separate stories – a great bonus! This book, read around Christmas time, was perfect for me, taking me to the snow-covered Swiss Alps and escaping into a warm, cosy chalet.

Caplin takes her readers to Switzerland with our protagonist, Mina, who has been humiliated by her now ex-boyfriend and recommended to take some time off work by her boss. So, travelling to visit her godmother’s chalet, Mina sees it as an opportunity to regroup and decide what she really wants to do with herself. However, literally stumbling into a gorgeous stranger on a train changes Mina’s priorities a little bit, particularly as he then appears to be one of the guests at the chalet.

Undoubtedly, the atmosphere at Amelie’s chalet is completely enchanting. It did not feel like a ski lodge and it certainly did not feel like a hotel. It felt like home. Amelie’s chalet is incredibly popular and I could see why: the love and warmth that exists between host and guests is endearing and I felt jealous that I could not go and visit myself! I loved how Amelie has created this business of hers and the success she has generated. Amelie, rightfully or wrongly, has become rather picky at choosing her guests however, she makes it clear that it is to create the best atmosphere for her chalet.

One thing is for sure when reading this book, it will certainly tantalise your taste buds! There is a lot of emphasis on food and, when I was reading this over Christmas (it’s not a Christmas book), it was verrrrry easy to reach over to the festive treats whilst consuming the book. So, a word of warning: don’t be surprised if you need to diet after completing the story! Amelie and Mina are both foodies and Caplin vividly describes the cooking that both women are passionate about. Mina, escaping her mundane job of creating “safe” meals for a supermarket, is impressed by her godmother’s recipes and desires to put her own twist on the dishes. Coupled with the daily “cake o’clock” at the chalet, readers are indulged with baked goods, savoury treats and plenty of discussions about chocolate… heaven! Despite this, it did not stall the narrative or make it mundane to read as Caplin successfully weaves it into the narrative as Mina explores Switzerland and gets to know the stranger she met on the train.

I really enjoyed reading this book and relished in the escapism it provided. It was pleasant to escape to chillier climes and really suited a more wintery read. It felt in keeping with the weather outside and I think this added to my enjoyment of the story. The characters are all really likeable and, although you can guess that there will be an eventual happy ending, I adored watching the scenes play out in magical Switzerland.

With thanks to One More Chapter, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The latest in the Romantic Escapes series, this can certainly be read as a standalone. The setting is never far from your thoughts as you read the story, with the sparkling snow, fresh air and cosy interiors. There are some beautiful descriptions of the environment and you can certainly visualise the little Swiss Chalet, with its delicious food and friendly ambience.

Minna is one of those characters who you always feel comfortable with. She can set anyone at ease and this extends to the reader. She is carefree and likeable and always up for fun. Circumstances lead her to believe that she needs a stabilizing influence in her life. She needs to come to realise that that does not mean that a quest for fun is out of the question. As Minna deals with her godmother's illness, you get to see that she has a responsible side to her and a caring nature.

You get to see that Luke has hidden depths and to understand his feeling that he has to grasp every experience. I enjoyed meeting all the characters who came to stay in the chalet. They are all drawn together through the ethos of care and generosity which they find there. This is a real treat for the senses- there are marvellous cakes, delicacies and lashings of hot chocolate to savour!

In short: A confection of warmth and care is found in this heart-warming read.

The Little Swiss Ski Chalet - Julie Caplin

I was so excited to get my hands on an early e-copy of this book via NetGalley as I have just adored this author's previous Romantic Escape books in the series (this is book number 7 but all books are standalone stories). What was not to like? Chocolate, Cheese and Cake..... Yes please!

I loved joining Minna on her adventures to Switzerland (perfect book to read at the moment with all this pretty snow outside) however now I just need to eat ALL the cake! The scenery in this book was beautifully described and really felt like a holiday escape. I cannot wait for the next installment, thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the chance to read and review this lovely book

Cute story! Enjoyed the characters, story and writing style. Loved the description of Switzerland. It sounded like such a wonderful place to visit. I wanted to be a guest at Amelie's chalet and taste all the delicious food that she served. Mina definitely dodged a bullet with Simon. He was not the person for her and Smurfgate was quite creative. Visiting her godmother was the best thing for Mina. Honestly, I'm not sure how Amelie was able to do everything at her chalet all by herself. I loved Johannes. He came across as a gruff old man, but was really sweet and would do anything for Amelie. Even though I'm not a skier and don't like chocolate (I know- how can someone not like chocolate), I really enjoyed the book and reading about all the skiing and the cheese and chocolate train. I loved getting to know the characters.

Definitely recommend the book. It's full of romance, adventure, family relationships and tons of food. I LOVE the Romantic Escape Series and look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

Julie Caplin's Romantic Escapes series is the perfect cure for Covid wanderlust.

Her Romantic Escapes series is an auto-buy for me; I'll always follow my NetGalley request with a paperback copy when it's released. I always look forward to every instalment and I can't wait for Ireland next!

This one had me a bit worried for a little while; Mina was exceptionally judgy of Luke, so sure that free spiritedness was caused by the same thing for every single person. Her free spiritedness was born out of chaos whereas Luke's was born out of necessity. I knew she'd come around but was surprised it took as much convincing as it did. Compared to the others in this series, this was quite tame in the relationship. Asbolutely rip-roaring in chemistry, nonetheless. It certainly still felt convincingly electric. And I really enjoyed seeing Switzerland make Mina come alive which fundamentally was the most important part of this escape.

But, true to every Romantic Escapes instalment, Julie really shines in describing the scenery and culture sooooo well you might accidentally book a trip to experience it yourself (I can attest to this being how I ended up in Croatia 2 years ago). Whilst many authors can get so dull in their description, Caplin's descriptions make the surroundings come alive. Her books always make me feel like I've been on an adventure and experienced that country.

Another book with great side characters, too. Amelia was such a fabulous character and I would love for her to be real and earn myself the privilege to stay at her chalet. I loved how she brought everyone under her wing and allowed them to make the changes themselves and never making them uncomfortable. It really reinforced the idea that everyone has something to offer and they just need a safe place to explore that.

Not a fan of chocolate myself, but this definitely made me hungry for cheese!

I've read all of the romantic escape series and apart from travelling to lovely places you meet engaging characters and experience their emotional journeys. Mina goes to Switzerland, to stay with her godmother at her Swiss ski chalet. Mina is recovering from a messy breakup and social media notoriety. She's not looking for love, but fate intervenes, and the results are romantic and unexpected.

The reader is given a flavour of Switzerland from the vivid descriptions of the chocolate, cake and cheese. The ski chalet setting is picture-postcard, and the characters are varied and larger than life. The romance has a touch of magic about it and is gentle but passionate.

This is a perfect escape read and full of romance, but it's also a story of self-knowledge and following your dreams.

I received a copy of this book from One More Chapter in return for an honest review.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for providing me this arc via Netgalley!
Let me just start by saying that my favorite (and only) thing I liked about this book was its cover. This is probably a classic case of "it's not me, it's you", because I absolutely hate the love at first sight/insta connection trope, but I really did not enjoy reading this. I did not connect with the story or the characters at all, and couldn't care less what happened to them. Although, if you do enjoy a insta love romance, with beautiful scenery and delicious descriptions of food, I say give it go!

This was an absolutely brilliant book by the is fabulous author. I can’t believe that I have only just made the connection that jules wake and Julie Caplin are the same author no wonder I love all of their books. This was a beautiful story of friendship romance and self discovery and how things might not always go according to plan but sometimes a chance meet cute and deciding to go off piste in a different life direction can lead to happiness where you least expected it. I would absolutely love for there to be a sequel to this book as would love to know what happens to the characters of Luke and Mina in the future.

Highly recommend this for the perfect escapism during a dark and cold weekend afternoon. Grab your favourite beverage and curl up with this book and you will be transported to a cosy happy place I can guarantee

The Little Swiss Ski Chalet follows Mina, a food technician whose job it is to design ready made meals. Her enthusiasm and passion is often ignored however, with many of her ideas being pushed to one side by her employer. When her relationship breaks down in a rather spectacular (and eventually, very public manner) she realises that she needs to get away - working alongside her ex is far too painful. With a little encouragement she finds herself packing her bags and heading off to Switzerland to visit her Godmother at her cozy Swiss ski chalet. The lure of Swiss chocolate is strong, and she finds her passion for food reignited...along with her passion for a mysterious stranger she meets on the train!

Does serendipity exist? Does love at first sight (or first kiss) exist? You will have to grab yourself a copy of The Little Swiss Ski Chalet to find out what happens to Mina, Luke, Amelie and Johannes!

The Little Swiss Ski Chalet is such a sweet, romantic read. Mina is a great character; she's flawed of course, but she's not afraid of hard work to get what she wants. She's just spent too long not knowing what she really wanted. Escaping to Switzerland finally gives her some perspective and it enables her to explore her passions whilst reconnecting with her beloved Godmother Amelie. The Swiss setting is an added bonus - Julie Caplin really captures the landscape within her words, making it so easy as a reader to imagine Mina's surroundings. It's definitely made me want to visit Switzerland, and maybe even give skiing a go!

I am more than happy to recommend this novel to you all. Its a light, easy read full of romance, chocolate and good food. What more can you want?! So grab yourself a hot chocolate and settle under a blanket to read this book on this chilly, lockdown Sunday!