I really thought I would be the target audience for this book. I was OBSESSED with nsync back in the day, and the FMC Alix here is an entertainment journalist who gets the opportunity to ghost write the memoir for her favorite boy band member. Even better, she’s flown to a pent house in a ski village, all expenses paid with a gorgeous view to focus on her writing. Bonus: she lives next door to a hot ski instructor. It sounds like a dream, right? Well, there are plenty of cutesy dates and the winter vibes are perfect for a January read, but I was really bored with the romance. Their banter was just kinda bland. I was WAY more invested in the boy band drama, and more eager to read the mixed media pieces that included social media postings, text messages, and news updates. If you enjoyed Kayla’s other book The Reunion, and this plot entices you, you should definitely give it a try! This was my first book by this author and unfortunately, it was a miss for me.

This one felt all over the place of me...while I enjoyed the boy band vibes, the chemistry was really off. The winter/Vermont setting was so scenic for this time of year, but this won't be a memorable read for me.

My first by Kayla Olson but surely not my last! The Lodge was a sweet and charming romance featuring celebrity memoir ghostwriter, Alix Morgan, and ski instructor, Tyler Fox.

Alix is overwhelmed with family, her apartment, and her job. To stick to deadline, the celebrity who’s memoir she’s currently writing (pop star, former boy-bander) offers to put her up in a swanky ski resort penthouse for a month - and she can bring her cat! Who would say no?! After some light encouragement from her bestie, she’s determined to also enjoy her time at the resort - enter Tyler, tall, handsome, and oh-so-kind. But hmm, he looks awfully familiar…

Both have secrets that are bound to keep them apart - but they can’t stay away. You have to read it to find out more! I adored their sweet flirting and banter throughout the story. This was a great read to cozy up and enjoy by the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate- or a maple latte. I received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This was a sweet and adorable holiday rom com. A journalist is ghost writing when she falls for a ski instructor. I adored this book.

The cozy, wintery vibes were definitely on point! I loved the Vermont ski resort setting with mountain views, blazing fireplaces and a quaint coffee shop serving delish lattes. The storyline was very enjoyable- Alix is ghostwriting a memoir for an ex-boy band member who loves attention and drama. While trying to take breaks and enjoy all the ski resort has to offer, she decides to try ski lessons. Tyler, the sexy ski instructor was an added bonus! There were some adorable, dreamy moments in this closed-door romance that made me smile and I loved the elements of mystery within the book. While I couldn’t stand Alix’s sister, it showed how patient, caring and supportive Alix was. Highly recommend adding this to your TBR this winter!

4.25 STARS

This book was such an unexpected surprise! Beyond absolutely loving the cover, I didn’t have too many expectations for this book, but I loved it!

Alix and Tyler were such sweet main characters to follow through the story — you really can’t help but root for them! I did figure out the twist pretty quick, but it didn’t wreck my reading experience in any way!

I thought that the setting of the lodge was absolutely beautiful and now all I want to do is curl up with a warm blanket and stare at the snow outside. The perfect winter read if you’re looking for one!

I also was so pleased by how much I liked the side characters (except for one, she IRKED me so bad). They were definitely a fantastic addition to the story!

Overall, if you want a sweet romance story with no spice and boy and drama, then this is the book for you!

Thank you so much to Atria Books for this advanced copy on NetGalley! 🤍

A super fun, charming, and unique plot set against the picturesque backdrop of a Vermont ski resort. Alix is a ghostwriter for an upcoming boy band member's memoir and she nestles into a Vermont ski resort to work. Tyler is the charming and kind ski instructor, that also happens to look oddly familiar. But how does Alix know him? Hmm ... There is undeniable chemistry between the MCs and the cozy, winter storm setting adds to the fire. I enjoyed the air of mystery surrounding the characters and felt the pacing allowed for it to unravel smoothly.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley & Atria Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Alix is ghostwriting a memoir for a celebrity, who installs her in a penthouse at a ski lodge for a month to give her space and time to write. She is determined to focus on her writing, until she meets her hot and kind neighbor, Tyler...
This was a cute winter romance! The ambiance was perfect, to story was really good, but the FMCs sister, Lauren, was really annoying. And what did she really bring to the story aside from complete chaos? I hated her. That's my only complaint though! Looking for the perfect book to read by the fire during a snow storm, look no further!
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Entertainment reporter Alix has finally gotten her big break writing the memoir of famed former boy band member, Sebastian Green. Infamous party boy, known for his rivalry with bandmate Jett Beckett until Jett's disappearance eight years ago. Struggling to write in her Manhattan apartment with her sister crashing with her, Sebastian puts Alix up at a fancy ski resort in Vermont to finally get some peace and focus on her work. And Alix does finally make progress on her writing... and in getting closer to handsome ski instructor, Tyler. But they each have secrets that may destroy their budding romance.

I loved this book! It was adorable, yet intriguing. Essentially, it had romantic, wintery moments, fabulous first dates, and a whirlwind romance, while also having an undercurrent of mystery. As a reader, I assume we're supposed to know the answer to the big mystery from the beginning, while our protagonist Alix is in the dark, but I didn't mind it that way. But just in case it's a secret to some, I'm not going to spoil the big reveal! I love celebrity romances and celebrity fiction (like TJR or Ava Wilder), so this book fit right in and was a great follow-up to The Reunion! I can't wait to see more from this author, preferably in this universe. A love interest for River, perhaps??

Thanks to the publisher for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

I liked Alix and Tyler!

Alix is a ghostwriter struggling to focus at home when her client offers to send her to a secluded ski resort to work on the book. Though uncertain what to expect, she accepts the offer. Her best friend Chloe encourages her to have some fun while there, leading Alix to sign up for ski lessons. Her instructor turns out to be Tyler, a quiet soul who has made the resort his home and found peace in teaching skiing.

Their first encounter happens in the elevator on their floor, where Alix discovers they're neighbors for her stay. There's an immediate connection between them. When Tyler invites her to take a lesson, Alix finds herself truly relaxing and enjoying herself for the first time in years. This leads to more lessons and meetups.

Soon they fall into a comfortable rhythm—Alix rediscovers her writing flow, Tyler teaches his lessons, and they spend their free time together. I found myself cheering them on as a couple. Tyler's charm is infectious, and it's delightful to watch Alix balance both fun and professional success.

While the mystery's resolution was predictable, the journey remained engaging. Both characters showed emotional maturity and depth, and I particularly enjoyed watching their relationship develop through their sweet dates.

Puffin the cat and Chloe brought wonderful energy as side characters! We also meet Alix's sister Lauren—whom I struggled to warm up to throughout most of the book—and several people from Tyler's past who left me with mixed feelings.

In the end, this proved to be a cozy and quick read. The characters and the ski resort setting created the perfect winter escape!

Loved this one! Alix is a ghostwriter for a guy that was a member of a boy band. She has been sent to Vermont to stay in a ski lodge so she can get the book written. There she meets Tyler and begins to spend time with him. The boy bands two lead guys were always at odds with each other thanks to their sleazy manager who pit them against each other. That is until one of the members just disappears. This one was fun and I really enjoyed it!

Themes: ghost writer, former boy band members, ski resort, hot neighbor/ski instructor, hidden identity, close proximity, closed door & hot chocolate

Audiobook: I started reading this book & then finished it on audio. I loved the narration! Great voices & easy to listen to.

My Thoughts: This was the perfect book to read last weekend as it snowed 10” here. I just loved this book and had a smile while reading it. I mean skiing, boy bands, a spunky cat & a ski instructor who cooks….what more do you want?!

"The Lodge" by Kayla Olson is an enjoyable blend of romance and mystery set in a picturesque Vermont resort. Alix Morgan, an entertainment journalist, takes on the job of ghostwriting a memoir for Sebastian Green, a former boy band member, while staying in a cozy penthouse. Along the way, she meets Tyler, a ski instructor, and their relationship adds a warm, lighthearted touch to the story.

The setting was beautifully described, making it easy to picture the snowy lodge and its inviting atmosphere. The mystery surrounding the boy band’s breakup added intrigue, though the resolution felt predictable. While the characters and their relationships are cute, some moments could have been developed more deeply.

Overall, "The Lodge" is a cozy and enjoyable read, perfect for a quiet weekend. It might not be groundbreaking, but it’s a charming story with just the right mix of heart and suspense.

I’m so excited about this new release! Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC for this amazing book by Kayla Olson. It was such a fun, unique, and cozy book set in Stowe, VT. Absolutely perfect for this winter season after the holidays!

3.5 stars

While the book was a bit predictable, I did enjoy the story. I liked the found family aspects, and was definitely rooting for Alex and Tyler. It was the perfect cozy winter romance and I would recommend it if that is what you are looking for.

While I did guess the mystery aspect early on, I still enjoy watching it play out in the story and am glad there was resolution between old friends as well as a sweet love story.

I would be interested to read more books from this author. Overall, this story fell a little flat, as I felt myself wanting a bit more in some aspects of the story, but did find it to be an entertaining read with good pacing.

Great read. Alix is in Vermont working as a ghostwriter when she meets Tyler. A great setting and you want everything to work out for them.

Interesting and thought provoking inside look at the toxicity of celebrity culture enhances this sweet rom-com. Entertainment writer, turning ghostwriter, Alix Morgan contracted to tell the story of one the members of a famous boy, a band where one of the members mysteriously disappeared, is offered a luxury apartment at a Vermont ski resort for seclusion as she writes. Cozy and entertaining story.

I enjoyed Kayla Olson’s first book The Reunion, so was delighted when I saw she was releasing a second book. The Lodge was such a cute and sweet one!

Set at a cozy Vermont ski lodge, this book follows
Alix as she struggles to ghost write the memoir of one of fictional broken up boy band True North’s (One Direction reference, anyone? 😆) volatile lead singers. While at the lodge, she decides to be adventurous and learn to ski... enter sweet, funny and hot ski instructor, Tyler.

You’ll enjoy The Lodge if you like:
❄️ cozy winter vibes
❄️ boy bands
❄️ cute kitties
❄️ ski lodge romances
❄️ a dash of mystery
❄️ friends to lovers

Thank you @atriabooks and @netgalley for the gifted copy of this book.

4.25⭐️ | 1🌶️


My thoughts:

Kayla Olson’s The Lodge is a heartwarming, snow-kissed romance that perfectly blends humor, intrigue, and cozy winter vibes. Alix Morgan, a ghostwriter escaping to a Vermont lodge to focus on a secret project, gets more than she bargained for when her charming ski instructor neighbor, Tyler, proves to be an irresistible distraction. Their flirtatious banter and his thoughtful, swoon-worthy dates (seriously, where can I find a Tyler?) will make you smile, sigh, and believe in love on the slopes.

The story also dives into deeper themes as Alix works on a memoir for a former boyband star caught up in a mystery involving his missing bandmate. The mixed media elements—emails, interviews, and articles—add a fun twist, keeping you hooked.

With cozy fireside moments, sweet romance, and a nostalgic nod to ’90s boyband mania, The Lodge is a delightful winter read that will warm your heart and leave you craving cocoa and adventure.

Thank you @atriabooks for the ARC ♥️