
Member Reviews

Alix Morgan lands her dream job ghostwriting a memoir for Sebastian Green, a former member of the iconic boy band True North. Invited to a luxurious resort in Stowe, Vermont to focus on her work, Alix trades her cramped apartment for mountain views and ski lessons with the charming instructor, Tyler. As romance blossoms on the slopes, Alix dives into Sebastian’s voice memos, uncovering lingering questions about True North’s mysterious downfall and the disappearance of lead singer Jett Beckett. Balancing love, career ambitions, and an unraveling mystery, Alix realizes the truth behind the band’s story might change everything.
5 stars!
Romance Readers: This is the ideal winter read! Kayla Olson has created this incredibly cozy setting that will have you loving every minute of the bitter winter cold. Set at a luxury resort in Vermont, ghostwriter Alix finds special little writing nooks to dive into her work and we would all want to read in these spots - from her penthouse windows overlooking the glorious snow-covered mountain; or from the local cafe, where she is served honey nut lattes and treats at all hours of the day. Every dip from outside cold to inside warmth, from ice skating to cuddling up in a blanket by the fire, from pretzels dunked in hot chocolate to... to nothing really, I just wanted to mention that because it sounds delicious. The descriptions of the rooms, the food, the weather, all puts you as the reader directly into the story, and such a clever story it is. This book is light, fun, heartwarming and creative. Perfect for this time of year!

Overall I thought this was such a cute book!
I loved the snowy wintery cozy vibes!
It was such a cute,sweet and fluffy Rom-Com plus add a bit of mystery!
And I think this book is going to surprise readers.
We start off with our FMC Alix Morgan whose and entertainment journalist,
She gets a job as a ghostwriter for a “ superstar musician” Sebastian who was apart of True North a band. (His ex bandmate Jett went missing several years ago)
Sebastian puts her up in a Ski Lodge in Vermont to help her focus on writing his memoir.
And Alix jumps at the chance to getaway from city life, her irritating sister and the focus she needs for this book. Everything is going as planned till Alix accidentally locks herself out of her room and needs her cute neighbor Tyler Fox’s help.
As Romance blooms between Tyler and Alix, and a mystery to be solved of Jett’s disappearance we are in for an intriguing read, this book had me on the edge of my seat literally.
I'd definitely recommend this one, it gives cozy vibes,romance & mystery. Has little to no spice. But is such a good and easy read!
Thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for this ARC!

3.5⭐️
This was a cute and fun romantic read about Alix, an entertainment journalist who was tasked to ghostwrite a memoir about a boyband member. She was sent off to a Vermont lodge to get some peace and isolation so she could write. In this lodge/resort, he meets Tyler who she instantly had a connection and eventually falls in love.
There is a twist in this book but I saw coming early on. Having that inkling made me want to read faster to get confirmation of my hunch. And I was right! The book's pacing is a bit slow but once the twist is out, I think it started to pick up.
I enjoyed the main characters and truly root for their happily ever after. I like the side characters although there isn't a lot of them that stand out.
I think the conflict was resolved so quickly. I would have loved for that to be a bit more drawn out.
Other than that, this is such an entertaining read. I recommend it to anyone looking for a celebrity romance set in beautiful landscapes. Thank you, NetGalley and the publishers for the advance copy!

wow this shocked me ! even halfway through i don’t think i would like this one as much as i did - & i guessed the plot twist before that but STILL it picked up so much towards the ending. so good!
i feel like i’ve never read anything like this before. the story was so fun and unique. also the characters were so constantly evolving?? (my hate for lauren was so strong until the small developments in her character then i was like. awww nvm!
i think this is such a fun book that shockingly wasn’t as predictable as most romances. i loved the friendships built & formed. i loved the relationship between tyler and alix. i loved the ski lodge setting of it all.
yay so good! i’m glad i started the year off with a bang.
thank you so much for atria & netgallery for this arc!!!!

In Kayla Olson’s The Lodge, aspiring ghostwriter Alix Morgan gets the opportunity of a lifetime: penning the memoir of Sebastian Green, a former member of the wildly popular boy band True North. This dream gig comes with an even sweeter perk—a luxurious penthouse at a Vermont resort, a welcome escape from her cramped city life. For Alix, a former entertainment journalist who once covered True North and even interviewed its enigmatic frontman Jett Beckett before his mysterious disappearance, this project feels like fate. As she delves into Sebastian’s story, the lingering mystery of Jett’s vanishing act resurfaces, captivating fans and threatening to overshadow the entire project. But amidst the voice memos and unanswered questions, Alix finds herself drawn to the charm of the resort and a handsome ski instructor named Tyler. As their romance blossoms against the snowy backdrop, Alix’s work takes an unexpected turn, hinting that she may hold the key to unlocking the truth behind True North’s dramatic downfall.
Kayla Olson seems to have a knack for creating stories that just pull you in from the very first page. Her writing is fast-paced, which makes it so easy to get lost in the story, and she wove in elements of romance, mystery, and suspense that keep things exciting. What I loved most is how relatable her characters are. They felt like real people dealing with real-life problems, which makes it so easy to connect with them. While The Lodge has moments that are light and fun, she also wasn’t afraid to explore deeper emotions, which added a layer of depth.
Alix and Tyler share undeniable on-page chemistry. Alix is a smart, funny, and relatable character as she balances her career and family. Tyler is a nearly perfect book boyfriend: handsome, thoughtful, creative with dates, and intriguingly mysterious. Their instant connection deepens throughout the story, and while the book focuses on a sweet romance rather than explicit scenes, their relationship is still compelling.
Overall, The Lodge was a delightful and engaging read. From the very first page, it effortlessly captured my attention, making it a relatively quick and enjoyable experience. The story's setting—a picturesque ski resort nestled in the mountains—further enhanced the reading experience, creating the perfect cozy atmosphere for a winter read. The snowy backdrop not only added to the romantic ambiance but also played a key role in several plot points, heightening the sense of mystery and isolation that Alix experiences as she delves deeper into Sebastian's story and the secrets surrounding Jett's disappearance. The combination of romance, mystery, and the evocative winter setting made for a compelling and immersive escape.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️
The Lodge is a perfect read for fans of sweet, contemporary romances, and it's a must-read for anyone who, like me, was a boy band fanatic in their youth. Kayla Olson has crafted a charming and engaging story that will transport you to a cozy winter wonderland. Pick up your copy today—you won't regret it!

Alix Morgan, an aspiring writer, has just landed her dream job—ghostwriting a memoir for Sebastian Green, a former member of the boy band True North. With the chance to work away from the distractions of her cramped city apartment, Alix heads to a luxurious resort in Vermont, where she can focus on her task while also exploring some downtime. The resort, a stunning setting for both relaxation and adventure, offers a perfect backdrop for Alix to immerse herself in her work.
While juggling the demands of her ghostwriting job, Alix also finds herself drawn to Tyler, a handsome ski instructor at the resort. As their relationship blossoms on the slopes, . Soon, the mystery of True North's downfall and the connection between Alix's new love and her investigation become entangled in a way that might change her life forever.
The Lodge is a captivating read that blends romance, mystery, and the glamorous world of boy bands with a setting that’s perfect for readers who love winter landscapes and a bit of intrigue. The chemistry between Alix and Tyler adds warmth and heart to the story. The mystery surrounding True North’s downfall is both gripping and emotionally charged, making this book an enjoyable read for fans of contemporary romance and suspense.
Rating 4.5/5

Thanks to Atria for the gifted ARC!
You want to read this for... a super cute romance featuring a Vermont ski lodge, a boy band, and a winter storm.
About the book: Alix has her big break as the ghostwriter of Sebastian Green's memoir. He was part of a popular boy band called True North, which fell apart after one of the members went missing. She's put up at a luxurious ski resort in Vermont to get her writing done, but might be a little distracted by the handsome ski instructor next door.
My review: I loved THE REUNION, Kayla's debut, and also really enjoyed this book! Alix and Tyler are soooo cute together, and the romance in this book was top-notch. I also adored the ski lodge setting because it made for so many good moments, a snow-in, and just an overall adorable setting for a romance read. The boy band storyline was also fun and really elevated with articles and media mixed in with the story chapters. Alix's sister, Lauren. deserved to be thrown off the mountain for being so obnoxious. But otherwise, a very cute read.

This book was sooo perfect. Kayla Olson's writing is enchanting and delightful. A total must read, I cannot recommend it enough!

I liked this book initially, but ended up bailing on it about half way through….
What I liked: initial premise-1) boy band with a mystery 2) the setting (gorgeous ski lodge in Vermont) 3) gorgeous cover
What I didn’t like: 1) saw the twist coming almost from the start- the author spoon feeds you clues 2) not much chemistry between the two MCs- just not feeling it.
Overall decent, but not great. Just couldn’t keep me reading.
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for providing me with an arc of this book to read and review.

3.5⭐️ This was a cute and fun romantic read about Alix, an entertainment journalist who was task to ghostwrite a memoir about a boyband member. She was sent off to a Vermont lodge to get some peace and isolation so she can write said memoire. In this lodge/resort, he meets Tyler who she instantly had a connection and eventually fell in love with. There is a twist in this book but I saw coming early on. Having that inkling made me want to read faster to get confirmation of my hunch. And I was right! The pacing of the book is a bit slow but once the twist is out, I think it started to pick up.
I enjoyed the main characters and truly root for their happily ever after. I like the incorporation of news articles, social media, memo transcripts and more. It helps sell the story and the premise of this book. I like the side characters although there isnt a lot of them that stood out.
I think the conflict got resolved so quickly. I would have loved for that to be a bit more drawn out. How the main character came to the decision to do what he need to do? What was his thought process? I think I would have enjoyed it better if it focuses more on the thought process of this one important character.
Other than that, this is such an entertaining read. I recommend it to anyone looking for a celebrity romance set in beautiful landscapes. Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the advance copy!

The Lodge:
Thank you @atriabooks #AtriaPartner @simon.audio #simonaudio for my gifted copies!
“And that’s when I realize: once you start falling, it’s nearly impossible to stop—you pick up speed, and you might flail a little to course-correct, but at the end of the day you find yourself in over your head.”
This was just perfect. Our gal Alix is ghostwriting boyband Sebastian’s memoir, and she needs a place to escape and focus. What better place than Stowe, VT? There, she meets swoony ski instructor Tyler and has fun while she’s working. But can it last since she’s just there until the memoir is done?
So swoony. Tyler was so patient and kind. My goodness. Alix was the best, I adored her. Laura, girl, get a backbone. Eye rolled so hard. I liked Tyler and Alix’s chemistry and how their relationship played out. The twist is very obvious, but it was laid out perfectly and had the best reveal.
Also, I love a good grand gesture. My goodness, was there a sweet one. I just had all the heart eyes, kicking and giggling legs. I also need to run to a ski town for 2.5 seconds please. This had mixed media from message boards and interview transcripts, so you know I was down.
The audio was perfect. Andi Arndt, Graham Halstead, and Gilli Messer did the darn thing. It was short and sweet but the narration is highly recommended.
Lastly, this is my open petition to have Hanson’s 3 Car Garage on streaming platforms. I am tired of streaming 2 Tears on YouTube Hanson.
Out now!
QOTD: If we went to a ski resort, what would we do? Drinks and books by the fire? Meet you on the slopes? Hot tub?

This book gave me ALL the cozy winter vibes I was craving! ❄️ Set in a charming ski village, it has:
✨ A secret identity twist
✨ Snowed-in close proximity
✨ Slow-burn chemistry with just the right amount of tension
✨ A heartwarming, happy ending
The setting felt like wrapping up in a warm blanket while snow falls outside, and the characters’ connection had me hooked from start to finish. Highly recommend this one if you love winter romances with low spice but plenty of feels!

This is a fun, enjoyable romance with interesting characters and an unusual premise. The cover is a little misleading, there’s much more to it than just skiing!
Alix is a ghostwriter working on an autobiography of a famous member, Sebastian, of a hugely popular boy band. They broke up when one of the members disappeared. Seb has let Alix use his apartment at a ski resort to work on the book in private.
When Alix meets her gorgeous neighbor, a ski instructor, the attraction between them is immediate. Their relationship starts to get serious, but they’re both hiding something from each other. Can their new relationship survive the truth?
I enjoyed this romance, 4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is the perfect cozy winter read. An entertainment writer who has been tasked to help ghost write the memoir of an infamous boy band member (of the band where one of the leading members mysteriously disappeared years ago & has never been heard of since) + a bougee ski lodge & a handsome ski instructor - what more could you want?! This one was so fun, the winter vibes had me, the nostalgic boy band details + each chapter is interspersed with fun articles, voice memos and the like & the sweetest romance. I really enjoyed this one & highly recommend it to friends who like fun, closed door romances with plenty of butterflies still.
Huge thanks to Netgalley & Atria Books for the arc

At first glance, this seemed like a simple story about an entertainment journalist falling for a ski instructor during a work trip. But halfway through, I was completely blindsided. I never saw that twist coming, and if you do, then congratulations—you’re way ahead of me!
The book follows Alix, who is tasked with writing about a famous singer, Sebastian, from the boy band True North. The band’s history is filled with drama, and the author doesn’t hold back in painting both Sebastian and one of his bandmates as downright insufferable. Their manipulative and unprofessional behavior made them hard to stomach, and I found myself disliking them almost instantly.
Honestly, most of the characters in this book weren’t likable. Sebastian, in particular, was a tough pill to swallow with his arrogant and selfish behavior. Tyler, on the other hand, was the bright spot—sweet and talented, even if his role felt somewhat underdeveloped. Jett and another character, whose actions led to Sebastian joining the band, added layers of confusion and left me questioning my stance on certain events.
Despite my frustration with some of the characters, the story itself was entertaining. The winter setting was cozy and atmospheric, making me want to hit the slopes myself. Tyler’s dates with Alix were adorable and brimming with charm. However, the writing occasionally faltered, especially in text message exchanges where it was hard to differentiate between thoughts and messages.
Overall, it was a fun and engaging read with a surprising twist, even if some of the characters grated on my nerves. And now I’m left daydreaming about skiing and snowy mountain getaways.

This is the perfect rom-com thatThank you NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC of this one & happy belated publishing day! Iam a fan of Kayla Olsen, I read her debut novel, The Reunion in 2023.
This book was a perfect way to kick off 2025 - it has all the aspects of a romance that I love featuring boybands, a writer, familial misunderstandings and a beautiful setting in Vermont. I found it quite predictable but it was a great read nonetheless. If you need a happy, snowy, closed door romance, I highly recommend The Lodge.

Cute rom com and I love the setting at a lodge. Perfect read for early January!
Alix is such a fun FMC because she's self assured and good at her job. I like that she doesn't have to have a personal crisis to meet a nice guy who has future potential.

I genuinely enjoyed this book so much! It was cozy, funny and realistic - I loved that there wasn't any miscommunication and the chemistry and connection between Alix and Tyler felt really relatable. I thought that the setting was perfectly done. Not too much description where I felt like it took away from the story, but the perfect amount of knowing exactly what the lodge looked like, the honey latte tasted like and the soreness from skiing felt like.
I also really enjoyed the drama that Kayla Olson built between all of the characters. I could feel the palpable tension between Alix and Tyler, but also Tyler and Sebastian and River. I loved the use of the magazine articles, chat rooms and interviews. I thought it added so much to the storyline and made everything so easy to follow and understand. It was also just fun!
Overall, this book had everything to make it a 5 star read for me. I loved that it gave vibes back to One Direction (boy bands forever!), as well as gave the perfect backdrop for January and this time of year. A really well-written and cute read!

This was a super cute, sweet, cozy, quick closed-door romance. I love all celebrity romances and I loved the mystery-ish element to this one where you are unraveling all of the pieces of a story and you kind of know where it's going but the reveal is still very satisfying.

Oh my! This book was like a warm cup of cocoa (with a side of soft pretzels) after a day on the slopes! Sweet & comforting, it was the perfect mix of romance, intrigue, and cozy winter vibes.
Alix’s ghostwriting gig and the mystery surrounding True North’s missing frontman gave the story a unique twist. While the romance took center stage, the unfolding backstory of the boy band added depth and kept me hooked.
I adored the witty banter, heartwarming moments, and the dreamy, slow-burn romance. If you’re looking for a cozy rom-com with a dash of mystery, this one’s a perfect choice!
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review
Reviews posted at the links below on Dec 7.
A publication day post (with a reposted review) was posted on Instagram on January 7 as well as an Amazon Canada review.