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Member Reviews

This one has so many great elements and tropes. Can we also talk about how cute the cover is?! I would have probably picked this one up from the cover alone without even reading the description. All of the characters are great, by the FMC is definitely my favorite. Truly a fantastic, cozy, winter read you don’t want to miss out on.

If you enjoy:
🥰 Celebrity Romances
🎤 Boy Bands
📸 Pop Culture
❄️ Swoonworthy Winter Scenes
🎿 Ski Talk

This book is 100000% for you! Excited to check out more novels by this author!

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this was such a cozy and cute rom-com! it was a perfect seasonal read with it being set at a ski lodge in Vermont, and i really loved the writer x ski instructor dynamic.

the hints of mystery throughout added intrigue and i felt as though it all unfolded nicely! i really enjoyed the beautiful world building and complexity of the characters - their story was one that romanticized winter and brought magic to a usually mundane setting.

all in all this was a lighthearted and easy read that felt a bit like a 2000s romcom, it made for a great palette cleanser between some of the heavier fantasy reads that i am accustomed to.

thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC!

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. So the summary and title of this book really made me excited to read it. I expected from the summary that there would be a bit of mystery with it and there wasn’t at all.
The book was ok but there was just nothing in it that I had expected to find. I kept reading expecting something to happen but nothing did. This one just wasn’t really for me.

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3 stars because while I liked this book, I didn’t love it. I found it to be very predictable, I knew “the twist” was coming from like 10% into the book. I found the writing to be enjoyable and thus keeping me intrigued enough to read along. And I really liked the FMC, Alix, but girl needs to grow a backbone towards her sister. So it was just meh.

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This was a cute wintery romance that has elements of a cozy mystery. I liked the characters but i felt like we needed a little more build up for both of them. The mystery of the missing "it guy" was fun but wasn't surprising or twisty enough to make it such a large part of the story.

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The Lodge by Kayla Olson is a cozy winter read, blending romance, mystery, and even a bit of nostalgia. The setting of a Vermont ski lodge was so cozy and seasonal. Alix, a ghostwriter working on a memoir for a former boy band star, navigates unexpected romance and uncovers deeply-buried secrets. The blog posts and voice memos were fun, and the setting practically begs you to curl up with a blanket and hot cocoa. With charming characters, dreamy romance, and just the right amount of mystery, The Lodge was a warm escape for a chilly day.

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Thank you for the opportunity to read this novel. I just couldn't get into this one and did not finish.

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This was a fun mystery-ish/rom-com book Something just a little different than the normal. I cant say too much about the book without giving major details away, and no one wants spoilers!

I did really enjoy the book. It was a quick read (actually Iistened to the audiobook of it, which was really well done). It kept me wanting more. I did feel like it was predictable but that's OK with me with the type of book that it is. The ending did have some unexpected things happen that I enjoyed! I really liked the way some of the events went down and how the main characters handled those events. Overall I thought this was a fun, cute romance.

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I didn't finish this book. I found it super cheesy and wasn't enticed by the characters. I read ahead to the end and the whole thing was pretty silly.

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Kayla Olson’s latest, The Lodge, is all about vibes. Set in a ski resort in Vermont, The Lodge is a closed door romance that makes you wish for a blizzard so you can cozy up by a fire and read the whole book in one sitting. Its publish date of January 7, 2025 makes it the perfect post-holiday snow day binge.

Alix Morgan is an entertainment journalist turned ghostwriter whose latest assignment is to author a memoir for Sebastian Green, former member of super famous boy band True North. Following the disappearance of Jett Beckett, Sebastian’s former bandmate and rival, True North broke up and Sebastian pursued a solo career, keeping himself in his favorite place: the spotlight. To give Alix an opportunity to write without distraction and to meet up for in-person work on the book without paparazzi sightings, Sebastian sets Alix up for a month in a luxe penthouse at a ski lodge in northern Vermont. When Alix arrives, she meets her new neighbor, Tyler, a ski instructor at the lodge who invites her for lessons. As Alix attempts to balance her newfound love interest with the demands of her job, she finds herself diving deeper into both until one has to give.

As Olson did in her debut novel, The Reunion, she weaves in blog posts and transcripts of Sebastian’s voice memos to Alix and pop culture snippets from the past. On the romance side, this one is somewhat of an insta-love which is not my favorite, but the True North storyline adds a layer of interest that kept me intrigued and I’m so glad I stuck with it! Olson said in the acknowledgments that she set out to write a super cozy book and she absolutely nailed it on the vibes. I could easily see this becoming a movie based on setting alone! The Lodge is the perfect winter romance to get you over your post-holiday slump.

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The Lodge is a breathtaking romance that perfectly captures the magic of love, the beauty of the slopes, and the weight of secrets that threaten to tear two people apart. Set against the stunning, snow-covered backdrop of Stowe, Vermont, this novel whisks readers into a whirlwind love story filled with heart-pounding moments, both on and off the mountain.

When Alix and Tyler meet by chance in their shared hallway when Alix locks herself out of her room, their connection is instant—electric. But as they navigate their growing feelings, they soon realize that they’re each carrying secrets that could shatter what they’re building together. The twists and turns of their journey had me flipping pages late into the night, desperate to see if love could truly conquer all.

What makes this book truly shine is its blend of beautifully descriptive settings, emotionally complex characters, and a romance that feels both deeply real and wonderfully cinematic. The author masterfully builds tension, making every obstacle feel like a test of fate, and every triumph even sweeter. There were a few hints that the author gave that allowed me to guess the twist in the story before it was revealed.

Without giving too much away, I can say that the ending is everything a romance lover could hope for—satisfying, heartfelt, and utterly swoon-worthy. If you love love stories with stunning winter settings, well-drawn characters, and just the right amount of drama before a well-earned happy ending, The Losge is a must-read. Highly recommend!

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This is the coziest, sweetest read… it was like wrapping myself up in a warm blanket, by the fire, with a mug of hot chocolate, record softly playing, twinkling lights twinkling ✨… you know the vibe I mean!

I wanted to absolutely burrow into this book! The setting had me checking flights to mountain lodges in the snow… could it be any more perfect?! ❄️☃️🎿🗻⛷️🧣⛸️

Read for:
❄️ Snowy Vermont ski village
🎸 Fictional boy band
📝 Writer ghostwriting a celeb memoir
🥨 Soft pretzels & maple candies
⛸️ Ice skating & skiing
💗 Dreamy ski instructor
🧩 A lil mystery
☕️ Cozy cafe

Trust me, you WILL fall in love with Alix + Tyler!

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Alix Morgan, an entertainment journalist, lands her dream job as the ghostwriter for a memoir by Sebastian Green, a former member of the boy band True North. She’s given a penthouse at a luxurious Vermont resort to work on the book, which gives her a break from her cramped apartment. As she reviews Sebastian’s voice memos, the mystery of the band’s downfall, especially the disappearance of former lead singer Jett Beckett, lingers. While working on the memoir, Alix enjoys ski lessons with a charming instructor, Tyler, and the two fall in love. However, as Alix gets deeper into her work, she uncovers more about the band’s secrets, potentially leading her to solve the mystery of True North’s downfall.
***
I think you have to suspend disbelief quite a bit for this one. Also, the cover may make you think this is a holiday/winter read (which it can be), but I'm pretty sure I caught that it takes place in the month of March, so my finishing it now was good timing! One thing that absolutely got on my nerves was Lauren's character - I think I actually despised her? I just couldn't wait for any interaction with her to end, she was so incredibly immature/out of touch with reality - and I guess that was the point of her character, given the background with her upbringing, but man... I really did not care for her. At all.

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Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

I needed something that would get me into the winter mood, as I had a trip planned to visit Whistler, Canada, and I can confirm that it did not disappoint! The story is full of snowy atmospheric vibes with lots of ski lessons, hot cocoa, ice skating, snowstorms, and curling up by the fireplace.

The romance itself felt very cutesy and nostalgic of some of my favorite reads growing up!

If you're looking for a cozy winter romance to help you romanticize the long winter ahead, along with a side of mystery and pop culture intrigue, definitely check this one out!

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A big thank you to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read The Lodge by Kayla Olson! This book was such a fun, cozy read, and I’m excited to recommend it.

From the very start, the mystery grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. The twists in the plot were seriously addictive—I couldn’t stop turning the pages to figure out what would happen next! The characters are a blast, and I loved the romance between the ski instructor and the writer. Their relationship develops in such a sweet, natural way that you can’t help but root for them.

The setting is just perfect—set in the mountains, you can practically feel the cold air and see the snow-covered peaks. It really adds to the vibe of the story.

One of my favorite things about The Lodge is how Olson uses social media posts, articles, and voice memos throughout the book. It’s such a fun way to add depth to the story, and it made the whole experience feel fresh and engaging.

With its mix of mystery, plot twists, and a heartwarming romance, The Lodge is a book I’ll be recommending to anyone looking for a thrilling yet cozy read. You won’t want to put it down!

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*The Lodge* follows entertainment writer Alix, who has been hired as the ghostwriter for former boy band member Sebastian Green’s memoir. Struggling to focus while her sister stays with her, Alix accepts Sebastian’s offer to stay in a luxurious penthouse at a Vermont ski lodge.

While there, she meets a charming neighbor who encourages her to take a break from writing and try ski lessons with him. Before long, Alix discovers the perfect distraction—one that just might change everything.

A delightful mix of romance, self-discovery, and a dreamy winter setting, *The Lodge* is a must-read for fans of cozy, feel-good love stories.

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This author is new to me, but I will be keeping an eye out for anything else they publish. I loved the story and the characters. The pacing of the story was great and the characters were relatable.

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Think 90s boy band craze and Charlotte Steins “When Grumpy Met Sunshine” had a baby that was conceived on the board game Clue. I really like this book. It was a little predictable for me but the romance was good and the plot was fast and the ending tied up all the loose ends.

Honestly, I couldn’t ask for more in a romcom. I actually like when my suspicions play out and the author did it WELL. I love an HEA, and this was the perfect cozy read for a cool wintery day.

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the Advanced Copy in Exchange for a fair and honest review!

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Omg. Wow. Did’t expect to get invested THIS MUCH

Alix is ghostwriting a memoir for a popstar, Sebastian Green, an ex-member of a famous boyband years ago. But since she has to be discreet about it, she struggled to write in privacy, with her sister living at her apartment. So she was sent to a lodge in Vermont for a writing retreat. At the lodge she met a man living next-door, a ski instructor that goes with the name Tyler.

Try as she might to focus on the project, Sebastian is still hard to reach out, leaving her quite ample of time to spend with the guy next-door. Soon they get closer, but then Alix found out something that complicated her writing project.

The insta-attraction was too instant, but Tyler is such a massive green flag that i began to root for the relationship. But the romance was not the thing that kept me listening in one sitting… it’s the boyband mystery. Sure I guessed the “mystery” early but i was anticipating the reveal, how it all would untangle, and what it would follow. And it was worth it!

As a firstborn daughter, sometimes I really feel Alix, especially when it comes to Lauren. Lauren being the youngest sibling frustrated me A LOT but I’m glad at least she’s not above self-introspection.

This book also gave me a disturbing insight on famous people’s life, how people put a magnifying glass on them, violate their privacy, treat them as if they’re not human, all the pressure and control.

In conclusion, I enjoyed it.

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I want to start first by saying that I am not a hater of romance- if you know me, I just prefer it a little darker.

Now, I did like the book! I loved the wintery vibes and I honestly wish I could teleport myself into the book because I would love nothing more than to cuddle up next to a fire in a cabin with a good book- but I digress

This book was a little too Hallmark-y for me, which like I said earlier, is just a personal preference that does not apply to me. If you like that sappy and cheesy romance story, this is literally meant for you girl

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the arc!

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