I love forced proximity tropes. I also love that it was closed door with minimal spice. It was refreshing. You still got the romance and tension without the graphic spicy scenes.

If you are looking for a feel good, cozy book to curl up with on a cold winters night- this is it! I desperately want to decamp to a cozy skiing lodge after reading this. I enjoyed the characters and their antics. This was witty and warm, a perfect book to curl up with under a blanket with a hot mug of tea.

This was a perfect cozy romance to curl up with on a winter day. I loved Alix and Tyler's slow burn romance (and I appreciated the closed door aspect of their relationship) and their ability to trust each other and communicate. I liked the boy band background (as I was a big fan of a few) and how it allowed us to remember things weren't always as they appeared for the band members. I will say the "mystery" seems very obvious from the beginning, but I liked how she let it unfold. What I did not need was the family drama. The sister must be a thoughtless, backboneless drama queen for a pivotal moment in this novel, but she (and the rest of the family) just seem to move on without any true repentance. Those hurts don't vanish that easily, and I was irritated by how that aspect was part of "happily ever after"- I just didn't buy it. The mixed media was a fun part of the story and perfectly contained where it didn't feel like too much. The best friend, Chloe, was an amazing supportive character- we all need our person! All things considered, this was pretty much what I hoped for- a cozy winter romance with clean (except for one poorly disguised f- bomb) language and a happy ending. I will continue to look forward to Kayla Olson's work.

My experience reading this book is the worst kind of reading experience one can have, at least in my opinion. This book started of SO GOOD. I was just immediately encaptured by this book. I had a really fun time reading it. Somehow it just hit a lot of my favourite things. The back and forth between Alix and Tyler was just immediately so good. They had incredible chemistry, and their flirting had me giggling and kicking my feet. That plus the fun mixed media element to this book, I thought this for sure was going to be such a hit for me.
However, around the halfway mark something gets revealed (it's not meant to be a HUGE reveal, but it is something Alix finds out), and it changed the book for me. I feel like every character just became so incredibly unlikeable. They were all just so incredibly self centered. I don't know. I don't think it's weird to think of selling someone's huge secret for the money you desperately need for like a second before you dismiss it. However, I do think it is weird to think about that over and over and over again while at the same time claiming to love that person, and recognizing how much they needed to trust you to let you in like that. FUCK OFF. I truly can't believe that after that Alix tried to play the high horse after that. Ugh, I wish I could rant more with spoilers because it frustrated me so much.
Like I mentioned before though every single character has this issue, not just Alix. It's just that I can discuss that at least a little without any spoilers, but every single character thinks of themselves first and doesn't really care about others. However, the narrative keeps telling us they are the kindest people to have ever existed. It just makes them out to be massive hypocrites as well. It just frustrated me so much. It did so to the point that I even started questioning why I liked this to begin with.
So yeah, this book started of with me absolutely loving it, and ended with blind hatred. It's not a one star though, because I do need to give some flowers to the first half of this book because that was *chef's kiss*. I just wish it stayed that way.

LOVED THIS! I couldn't put it down until I finished it. I loved the mature-third act break up vs. the miscommunication trope that is so often thrown into romance. I loved the boyband angle, and the Reddit-like threads between each chapter really added something to the narrative.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a really wonderful book. I enjoyed it from the first page!

Loved this cozy wintry book!! It was maybe a bit easy to guess who Tyler was but I wasn’t upset about that- it was a pleasure to watch it unfold

Alix Morgan will be ghost-writing a memoir for none other than Sebastian Green, a former boy band member of the band True North. This is a huge break for her. To allow her to get her work completed, he offers her a penthouse at a luxury ski resort in Vermont.

There she meets a handsome ski instructor named Tyler. Alix notices there is something familiar about Tyler, but she can't quite place her finger on it. As they slowly fall in love on the slopes, one secret may ruin everything.

Tyler was such an intriguing character - handsome, charming, and mysterious. *SPOILER* While he had secrets of his own, he just wanted to be able to live a relatively normal life without the spotlight.

I was excepting just a cute little rom com and not such a beautiful story with a good twist of mystery wrapped in it. I was so impressed by the book and truly loved the writing and plot. it's the perfect book for this season as winter is coming to an end and heading into valentines day!

*The Lodge* by Kayla Olson follows Alix Morgan, a ghostwriter tasked with helping the elusive Sebastian Green pen his memoir. The catch? Sebastian barely lifts a finger beyond sending her voice notes about his intense dislike for his former boy bandmate, Jett, who mysteriously vanished. To help Alix focus, Sebastian sends her to a luxurious penthouse in Vermont, where she meets Tyler—a charming ski instructor and her dreamy neighbor. As Alix works on the book, she and Tyler begin to develop a sweet connection, but the tension between their growing relationship and her work adds a layer of complexity. And that’s all I’ll say!

This book was *so* good, but I figured out the twist almost immediately. The chemistry between Alix and Tyler was my favorite part. Their romance was genuine and heartwarming. On the flip side, I wasn’t a fan of the subplot involving Alix’s sister, Lauren—it just didn’t work for me. Overall, *The Lodge* is a cozy, closed-door romance that’s perfect for a relaxing read. I'd recommend it, but try not to overthink the twist like I did!

Firstly, you make me endure a man with a bun - no hate on Tyler, he's a good man, but it wasn't the best look to start.
Secondly, you gaslight me into believing that that ending is the most romantic (yet still modern) thing a woman can look for.

Listen, it was great.
Tyler’s hair aside - maybe you're into that, idk -, the whole concept of the story is captivating and well-played. I'm not entirely objective on the matter because I was one of those crazy boy band fans - I was? I guess I calmed down a little -, and those group dynamics gave me war flashbacks - also, Truth Direction?!
But, talking about the before and after of the band, until Alix and Tyler meet, and how she handles the situation once she finds out the truth… it was both real - as in, the possibility of ratting him out for a great amount of money - and thoughtful.

The last 20% of the book, tho. Let's just say she lost me at the HAE she pushed on the whole thing, trying to fix a couple of narratives that didn't truly find their place in the long run.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Bit of a letdown // Thank you @netgalley for this advanced copy - The Lodge was published on Jan 7

Summary
A cozy rom-com about a writer who decamps to a Vermont lodge for work but finds herself distracted by the charming ski instructor next door.

This sounded super cute and I love a book with a Vermont setting but overall it was just pretty meh. The plot was predictable so no fun surprises along the way. The main characters did have some good chemistry but the boy band plotline overshadowed it.

Any recommendations on a good, winter inspired romcom? I feel like after Christmas it is hard to find a winter romcom.
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I’d say that this snowstorm made me want to go skiing, but I was already dreaming of a ski trip after reading The Lodge by Kayla Olson. I would definitely enjoy the Vermont ski resort where all the action takes place.
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This was such a fun book with great characters and a predictable, yet believable, love story. If you like boy bands, the music industry, entertainment journalists, skiing, ski resorts, maple candies, maple coffee, lots of maple, this book could be for you!
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Morgan has been hired to ghostwrite the memoir of a former boy band idol and has too many distractions at home impeding her progress. With the deadline looming, the subject of the book, Sebastian, offers to put her up at a resort in Vermont where she could get some quiet and inspiration. She didn’t count on the gorgeous ski instructor next door to be just the distraction she didn’t realize she needed.
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This book came out last week and you should grab it for some romcom fun.

3.75 stars
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TW: Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Cursing
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Alix has landed the job of her dreams, she's been hired to ghostwrite a memoir of Sebastien Green - a former boyband member. Everyone knows True North, not only for their music but due to the mysterious disappearance of Jett, who walked out one evening and was never to be seen again. When Sebastien offers to set Alix up in a penthouse to focus on writing, there's no way she can refuse.

This gave me Hallmark movie vibes, it's cozy, romantic, and there's a dash of mystery. While she's not writing, Alix can't help but fall for Tyler - a handsome ski instructor. Tyler is sweet, he's patient and understanding with Alix, but goes all out to swoon Alix off her feet. Their connection is cute, I'm a fan of witty banter between love interests and I found myself wanting a bit more of that in the dialogue.

This book has an air of mystery, as Alix writes there's a large focus on Jett and his disappearance. I will admit that I guessed the twist pretty early on! This was a fun read, and was perfect for around the holidays.
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I would like to thank Atria Books, Kayla Olson, and NetGalley for a copy of The Lodge in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions formulated are my own. The Lodge was published on January 7th, 2025, you can order your copy now!

Entertainment journalist Alix has just landed the biggest job of her career. She will be ghostwriting the celebrity memoir of famous boy band member Sebastian Green. Best of all Alix gets to escape New York for a cozy Vermont ski resort. What she doesn’t expect is for handsome ski instructor Tyler to distract her from her writing. Little does Alix know Tyler is hiding a big secret of his own, one connected to Sebastian and his memoir. What happens when Alix uncovers Tyler’s secret? Will their romance be ruined by secrets before it’s even started?

I will say I’m not a huge fan of celebrity romances, but was pleasantly surprised by this one. The setting came to life and you just had to keep reading to see what would happen between these characters! A cozy winter romance!

writer + ski instructor = the cutest love story ever. I loved the layers in this one with a little hint of mystery. it all unfolded flawlessly and I ate it up! would definitely recommend this for a cutsie snow day read!

This was such a cute rom-com set at a ski lodge in Vermont! Highly recommend if you need a light and cozy read!

The story follow Alix as she heads to Vermont to work on ghost writing a memoir for Sebastian Green, a former boy band member and golden boy in the music industry. She’ll be staying in his penthouse at a luxury ski resort and enjoy some peace and quiet away from the city. She was lucky to score this chance and attributes it to her past as an entertainment journalist, where she previously interviewed Green’s former bandmate and bad boy of the group, Jett Beckett, before he disappeared. As time goes on and she continues to dig more into Sebastian’s past, she realizes there is so much more to the band’s breakup and history.

While at the resort, she runs into the hot ski instructor, Tyler, who happens to be her penthouse neighbor. He begins to give her ski lessons on the side and cute dates in the evening, and Alix finds herself falling for this charming man. But as the days pass and her work mystery continues to unravel, she finds the relaxing writing retreat she thought she’d have is a bit more complicated than she planned.

This book was super cute and I really enjoyed the boy band aspects of it! It felt very much like a kind of 2000s rom-com, in a way. The characters were really easy to engage with and the setting was lovely. There were a few different side characters at the resort who I thought balanced the main storyline well. Her younger sister did drive me a little bit, even though they had resolution in the end. She definitely added some drama to the story!

Overall just a super cute, light-hearted book that had an easy to follow, entertaining plot. This wasn't like a high stakes book or anything like that so it's really good if you're just looking for something that is kind of light and fluffy and a nice little pallet cleanser rom-com.

“The Lodge” by Kayla Olson is such a cozy winter romance! Alix Morgan, an entertainment journalist, gets to ghostwrite the memoir for Sebastian Green, a former boy band star. To help her focus, he hooks her up with a penthouse at a ski resort in Vermont. And there, she meets her neighbor, Tyler Fox, a ski instructor with all the charm and good vibes.

This book is packed with everything we love about a good rom-com. Alix and Tyler’s connection is just so sweet and natural, I loved to see their story unfold. Some twists were a little predictable, but honestly, who cares when the characters and setting are this lovable? If you’re into cozy, feel-good romances with snowy vibes, this is for you.

Tropes found here: Forced Proximity, Celebrity drama, Slow Burn.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was cozy, cute, and light. I think you definitely have to be in the mood for it much like you would have to be in the mood for a Hallmark movie. The love interests were just okay, I wish I would’ve connected with them more. I think it’s a good read if you’re looking for something to get you out of a slump.

Alix Morgan is ghost writing a memoir for an ex band mate of a popular boyband — True North. She heads to a ski village in Vermont to focus on her writing and hopefully meet the celebrity she’s writing about in person to finalize the book. What she finds instead is a hot ski instructor with whom she quickly falls for —Tyler Fox. The thing is Tyler has a secret that Alix will uncover, being the investigative journalist she is. I loved reading about the fun dates Tyler planned and the budding relationship between the two of them. If you’re looking for a cute winter romance, definitely check out this one!

Thank you Atria books and NetGalley for the ARC!