I thought this book was okay. It should probably be marketed as a YA romance, since the plot isn't super emotional or serious. Overall, I wasn’t really buying the premise of the book. Why would she go to a ski lodge for privacy? Since when does an employer care that your living situation makes it kind of hard to focus? I also found it hard to believe that she didn’t recognize Jett when he was THAT famous before. By 60% of the way through, I found myself skipping past a lot of the side interviews/news stories. because they just didn't add a ton to the plot and felt a little corny.

I LOVED this story! What a fun unique winter romance! The characters are so fun, and I found myself addicted and enjoying every bit of it!

The only reason I gave it a 4 not 5 was because it was rather predictable. From the moment Tyler was introduced I knew who he was, no mystery there, and how the story was going to play out! But that’s also kinda why I loved it tbh

I’m not sure how Alix forgave Lauren though, that all seems like it should have been more than just water under the bridge, not just the photo but her apartment and everything

The book gave all the cozy vibes! Perfect to read on a freezing winter day. The story is about Alix Morgan, an entertainment journalist who is ghost writing a memoir for a famous former boy band member, Sebastian Green. To focus on writing with no distractions, Sebastian sets her up in a luxury ski resort in Vermont. The boy band, True North, is notoriously famous not only for their music but for one of the lead members (Jett Beckett) who disappeared while on tour years ago. But who would go to a fancy resort to work with no play? Alix freshens up on her ski skills with the help of a cute instructor, Tyler Fox, when she’s not writing. Tyler also happens to live in the penthouse next door. As the memoir slowly comes together, so does the love story between Alix and Tyler. I really enjoyed this book! Moreso than I was expecting. I did not enjoy The Reunion by this same author. It may have been due to the audio. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The plot twists were definitely not that twisty and it was very low spice, but still just an easy and enjoyable read. I will absolutely be on the lookout for more books by Kayla Olson in the future.
• Famous & non-famous person / secret identity
• Forced proximity – penthouse neighbors
• Closed door – little to no spice
Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Sweet romance book. Thank you Netgalley for the early read. No spice which means I will allow my young teen daughter to read. Was a little predictable. As it takes place at a winter lodge, perfect cozy winter read. Enjoyed all of the characters except the main character Alix's sister. I felt Olson didn't write anything redeemable about her. Every scene she was in I was annoyed. Ending wrapped everything up in a nice bow.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the advance copy of this book!

Definitely an intriguing premise...ghostwriter trying to figure out a mysterious disappearance while falling for a ski instructor is an interesting mix of variables! I never really connected with either of the main characters for who they were - there wasn't much about them that stood out from other books I've read, so it was hard to get hooked into the story.

I would still definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a cozy romance with no spice (but still some romance) and a little mystery.

3.5 stars, rounding up

I really enjoyed this. It was a cute, sweet read for a snowy day. It had just enough drama and intrigue to keep me interested, but I definitely wanted a little more character development at times.

I loved this book! I was drawn to the cover as an avid skier. I work for a ski resort so ski-themed books always make me nervous, since I'm wont to pick apart resorts and skiing and whatnot. But I have to say, this author did great! Definitely a fellow skier. I also adore Stowe and was picturing the upscale Stowe village with their iconic red gondolas during this story. The writing and tone were very good and the story itself was interesting! There was enough plot to make it feel more engaging than your standard romance. The only thing I didn't love were the abnormal tidbits like the social media postings and resort pamphlet info. The story would've moved on nicely without those. Otherwise it was a great story. I'm currently stuck in bed with a broken leg (ski injury, wouldn't ya know) so this was the perfect escape and made me feel a bit better about missing my own Vermont ski trip this winter. Also also it was pubbed on my bday so it's like the story was made for me ❤️

A ghostwriter is put up in a fancy ski lodge and falls for one of the ski instructors…who may not be entirely who he seems.

I was bored and waiting for something really good to happen. The sister was so annoying and I hated the plotline where she screwed things up

Read if you like:
- celebrities
- wintery vibes / skiing
- closed door romance

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria and Kayla Olson for allowing me to be an early reader. All thoughts are my own.

I don’t want to say too much about the plot cause I don’t want to spoil the plot.

While writing a celeb’s memoir our FMC meets a too cute ski instructor. Sparks fly in this fast paced romance featuring past boy band members and an entertainment writer.

This book was cute. Not spicy. But still fun.

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

3.75 rounded up. Totally cute and adorable romance. Light, with ordinary life drama + celebrity angle thrown in. Easy read with a moderate-quick pace. Definitely a good read when you need a cozy, easy read.

Advanced reader copy provided by Atria and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

Are you looking for a perfectly cozy winter read? Stop right here, your search is over!

The Lodge grabbed my attention right away with the ski lodge setting in the mountains of Vermont. I wanted to pack my bags IMMEDIATELY! Throw in the writing girl boss that is Alix Morgan and a hot burly ski instructor neighbor—you had me at hot cocoa dipped pretzels.

This one was just the palate cleanser that I needed before diving back into my fantasy world. Warning book may cause laugh out loud moments, heart eyes, and tiny feet kicks!

Thank you @atriabooks for the free #gifted copy #atriapartner

2.5 stars

Unfortunately, I found this book did not meet the expectations I had for it. It felt boring and bland, and while the plot twist was exciting, there wasn't enough tension for long enough to make the pay-off worth it.

Neither character was overly enjoyable, and I never really felt the chemistry between the two of them,.

I felt the character development Tyler went through to be super unbelievable, and even though he had changed so much, his past actions didn't seem justified for me. Even when we had the moments of intense emotion, Tyler forgave Alix so quickly and didn't seem as upset as he probably should have been.

Lauren as a character was soo incredibly annoying for me, and the lack of importance of Chloe was disappointing.

The addition of the different types of media in-between chapters was almost always skipped, It seemed unnecessary, and didn't add any information we didn't already have. They felt like they were just taking up space.

Overall, I wish this book could've been more emotional, and been easier to gotten more invested in.

Kayla Olson is now one of my must-read authors. The Lodge is such a sweet and well written romantic comedy. Once I started reading The Lodge, I didn't want to put the book down. I know it's only January, but I think The Lodge will be one of my favorite romantic comedies of 2025.

I think the “mystery” is easy to guess from the beginning, but I also think the book is good enough to make up for that. It’s fun, I like the main couple, and I think it’s a more realistic look at what fame can do. I don’t always love celebrity romance, but Olson is really good at keeping her celeb characters grounded and kind and interesting beyond their fame. Overall, really liked it

I picked this one up because I really enjoyed The Reunion by Kayla Olson and because I was looking for the winter-y vibes.

My favourite part was definitely the setting - a luxury ski resort in Vermont. The plot was very predictable (which is generally fine in a romcom) but the characters fell a little flat.

The Lodge was giving One Direction and not being a 1D girlie this definitely didn’t add to the enjoyment for me.

TLDR: it was cute

3⭐️

I enjoyed this wintery romance. I loved that there was a hint of mystery to it too (even if I did guess it from early on). The setting was perfect for this time of year! I'm not big on insta-love, but the characters were interesting individuals and cute as a couple.
I thought the miscommunication in this book was handled well. The miscommunication trope can instantly ruin a book for me when I'm yelling at the characters to just talk to each other like adults, but the situations felt realistic in this story. Fans of boy band drama will love it!

thank you netgalley, atria books, and kayla olson for this arc!

the lodge by Kayla Olson is a delightful blend of romance, mystery, and just the right touch of cozy charm. Set against the scenic backdrop of a luxurious Vermont ski resort, the novel offers a captivating escape into a world of snowy slopes, a touch of celebrity intrigue, and the kind of slow-burn romance that makes you smile.

this was a super cute romance, charming read that I enjoyed every second of! i found the characters to be extremely lovable, and the setting to be extremely beautiful! it was the perfect winter read and I would highly recommend this to anyone who love a fun romance with a dash of mystery!

4.5 ⭐️ - I devoured this like I was deprived water in a scorching, hot desert. LOVED it.

Thank you Atria Books Publicity via Netgalley for the ARC - all reviews are honest and my own.

I loved the premise of this book filled with boy bands and romance set at a snowy ski lodge. The setting was perfect for a January read! I enjoyed reading the first 65% of this novel and then unfortunately things went downhill from there. The ending was incredibly cheesy and unnecessary and I literally rolled my eyes while reading it, which is unfortunate because the characters were wonderful and I was rooting for them.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

༺𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠༻
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
sᴘɪᴄᴇ: Closed Door
ʀᴇʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ: January 7
ᴀᴠᴀɪʟᴀʙʟᴇ ɪɴ KU: No
ᴘᴀɢᴇs: 352

The Lodge is the perfect cozy winter read with just the right amount of romance, mystery, and nostalgia. Alix Morgan is living the dream, ghostwriting the memoir of Sebastian Green from the once-famous boy band, True North. When he offers her a penthouse in a luxurious Vermont ski resort to work on the book, she jumps at the chance for a peaceful getaway. But as she digs into Sebastian’s story, she can’t help but be drawn into the mystery of the band’s downfall—and the disappearance of its lead singer, Jett Beckett.
While Alix’s career is taking off, her personal life takes an unexpected turn when she starts ski lessons with Tyler, a hot ski instructor. Their chemistry is undeniable, and it’s easy to get swept up in their developing romance. But there’s something fishy about the way Sebastian talks about Jett’s disappearance, and Alix soon finds herself balancing love and career while trying to solve a mystery that could change everything.
What I loved most about this book was the combination of a fun celebrity romance with a little mystery. Plus, the Vermont resort setting is perfect for a winter read. The addition of voice memos, interviews, and social media posts made the story feel fresh and engaging, and I loved how they added to the story.
If you're a fan of boy bands, wintery settings, and mysteries that keep you guessing, The Lodge is for you. I had a blast reading it, and even though it starts slow, the pace picks up and leaves you wanting more. Cozy, fun, and packed with intrigue—this one’s a winner!

᪥ Fictional Boy Band
᪥ Small Town Romance
᪥ Musician x Journalist/Ghostwriter
᪥ Mystery
᪥ Secret Identity
᪥ Single POV