Another fun and entertaining sports romance from Katherine Reilly. I stayed up ‘til 1.30am on a school night because I couldn’t put it down. I loved the slow-burn chemistry between Seb and Quinn. Their mutual dislike was both genuine but with a tinge of heat. Watching them go from that to learning more about the other, their mutual grief as well as care for each other was sweet. I also loved Quinn slowly realising she is worth so much more in both her career and personal relationships, while Seb regains his mojo after family tragedies. The fake engagement plot did have me worried at how bonkers of an idea it was for the characters and short time frame, but it all slotted in perfectly and wasn't overdone. While I think there could've been more of their backstories explored a bit more in-depth, it hit the right tone and vibe that I was needing. The ending? Sweet.

A fun sassy winter romance for a reading escape. Best read with a hot chocolate.

Thank you to Head of Zeus, NetGalley & Katherine Reilly for giving me the opportunity to read Off-Piste.

This book has got me perfectly in the mood for snowy season & now I want to plan a trip to the French alps🥲

I love Reilly’s book because they’re fast paced and I couldn’t stop kicking my feet getting giddy with Quinn and Sebastian!🫶🏻 it was amazing to read the growth of Quinn, starting out I think quite naive about what was happening in her life, and maybe avoiding the truth of it all. But meeting Sebastian and the staff at the hotel, you could see how the found family of the place influenced her arc.

I was really invested in Sebastian and his parents even though it didn’t take up much of the book, I had to have a little cry with the speech outside the hospital because all anybody wants is for someone to fight in their corner and that’s exactly what Quinn did for Seb.

I feel like this book is a trust the process book, there’s so many moving tropes, for me I was so unsure when the fake engagement came to play I was nervous it wouldn’t flow with the rest of the story, but once I was in that sneaky little lie I can’t deny, I loved it.

Definitely read this book if you love seasonal romance, fast paced love with a hate to love trope. AND especially if you love reading about people getting the karma they deserve (yes Drew, I’m talking about you)!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fake dating, enemies to lovers and a ski resort in the French Alps... this was always going to be my kind of book 😂 I loved Quinn and Sebastien together, especially the banter, tension and little digs between them. I also really liked that they both had something to gain from the fake dating, which made the setup even more fun. And watching all those fake moments slowly become very real will get me every time 🔥👀

I really liked Quinn’s storyline outside of the romance too. She had a lot to prove with her career, and the skiing competition for Seb added another fun element. The found family aspect was adorable as well. Seb’s family welcomed Quinn with open arms and I especially loved her relationship with Camille.

The French Alps setting just made everything even better. Such a fun, easy read with plenty of chemistry and tension... and now I want to book a ski holiday, although realistically I’d probably spend most of it at the après ski or in front of a fire reading a book 😂

Also, did she actually hide his skis?! 🤣

Tropes ✨
🎿 Ski resort romance
💋 Fake dating
😏 Enemies to lovers
🫶 Found family
🏔️ Forced proximity
🔥 Slow burn

i couldn't wait to get stuck into another Katherine Reilly book. all the other of hers ive read have never failed t uplift and make me smile. and im more than happy to say this one once again achieved that.
to have a wintry ski type read to snuggle down with was an added bonus. and Katherine manages to take me right inside the world she has created. it was like i could look around me and see the destination she described and set this book in.
Katherine knows how to write banter so we both smile and feel kind of bashful around the main characters. i mean these two could've melted ice with the way they had their back and forth. sizzle indeed. and lets face it, the enemies thing only ever really works because there isn't actually animosity more to much connection that the other just isn't ready for, or ready for admitting.
Quinn had my heart from the beginning. would life like to give this woman a break please. and her works sort yourself out rubbish was far to unsupportive for my liking.and lets not even go into her ex.
buuut of curse taking time off for Quinn simply means showing them what she can do and proving her worth. this womans self esteems isn't ready to be told she cant do this. that spiral isn't in her remit right now.
and so she heads to France and the ski resort in order to get the hotel there on her books, and in doing so back in her works books. then they'll see what they are missing, what she can do.
except enter stage left Mr Sebastian. the owner of the resorts hotel. the man that cant help but crawl into her defences, and of course she is NOT ready to dive deeper into the whys of that either. so she doubles down and is just infuriated by him. isn't she?
the two "dont" hit it off in the best way possible from the start. que dry humour and quips. are pair are stubborn thats for sure.
along the way, in between the moments of push pull there was something else happening though. for both of them . and when they come up with a plan that will benefit both of them and needs them to work together? well the cracks are not in them, but in the armour both have built. and in some ways that can feel too confronting for both of them.
i love how Katherine writes those quieter moment that form something more. those little shifts that show more care than careful around each other. and she does that so well with these two.
this was just the kind of book i needed to read today. i adore Katherine's stories and they just keep getting better.

5 Stars / 2 Spice

TWO MONTHS. That's how long I had been stuck in a reading slump… and then 'Off-Piste' by Katherine Reilly came along and reminded me why I love reading in the first place. ❄️⛷️

Sometimes you just need a snowy French village, an infuriating man, ridiculous amounts of banter, and a fake engagement to get you back on track. Apparently, this was exactly what I needed.

❄️ Slow Burn
❄️ Mutual Dislike
❄️ Sports Romance — Freestyle Skiing
❄️ Forced Proximity
❄️ Fake Engagement

Quinn has lost more than her fair share. Her only remaining relative is gone, her four-year relationship has ended, and she's been placed on paid leave from work after being told she needs to take some time to "sort herself out."

Except Quinn isn't ready to admit she's struggling.

Determined to prove both her ex and her company wrong, she impulsively heads to France with one goal: win back a hotel her marketing company previously lost.

Enter Sebastien.

The owner's son.

The man who immediately gets under her skin.

These two clash from the moment they meet. Their conversations are filled with sharp remarks, stubbornness and enough verbal sparring to make me want to grab popcorn. Neither is willing to back down, and I was absolutely living for it.

But somewhere between the arguing, forced proximity and working together, those icy walls begin to crack.

And suddenly...

Why is there chemistry?!

What started as mutual irritation slowly transformed into something far more complicated. Their arrangement becomes mutually beneficial, but the more time Quinn and Sebastien spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore the attraction simmering underneath all that bickering.

And the BANter.

The banter was everything.

These two had me smiling, laughing and constantly waiting for their next interaction. The slow burn was delicious because you could genuinely feel the shift between them. Every little moment mattered, and watching their relationship evolve from *I cannot stand you* to *oh... this might be a problem* was so satisfying.

But it wasn't just Quinn and Sebastien that pulled me into this story.

The entire snowy community was filled with characters who felt distinct, charming and genuinely enjoyable to spend time with. I found myself wanting more of their interactions and becoming invested in the world around Quinn and Sebastien. Katherine Reilly created a setting that felt warm and inviting despite the freezing temperatures, and I could easily picture myself wandering around this little French community with a hot chocolate in hand.

There was also something incredibly refreshing about Quinn.

She's messy. She's stubborn. She's determined. She's trying to prove something to everyone around her while simultaneously figuring out what she actually wants for herself. I loved watching her slowly realise that moving forward doesn't necessarily mean proving everyone else wrong.

And Sebastien?

Infuriating.

Charming.

Stubborn.

Exactly the kind of man who makes you want to roll your eyes one minute and swoon the next. Watching his relationship with Quinn shift was one of my favourite parts of the book, particularly because neither of them gave in easily.

The romance is a true slow burn, with plenty of tension building before everything finally starts to thaw. And when it does?

Worth the wait. ❄️🔥

I also have to mention the freestyle skiing element because it added such a fun layer to the story. The snowy setting wasn't simply a backdrop; it became part of the atmosphere of the entire novel and made this feel like the perfect winter escape.

Overall, 'Off-Piste' was exactly the book I needed at exactly the right time. It pulled me out of a two-month reading slump when nothing else could, and for that alone, I am incredibly grateful.

But beyond that, it was genuinely an enjoyable romance with a delicious slow burn, fantastic banter, charming characters and a setting I didn't want to leave.

Katherine Reilly, you have officially thawed my reading slump. And this is exactly why I keep adding her books to my shelf AFTER reading the ARCs.

I need her trophies. 😂❄️

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5

Title: Off-Piste
Author: Katherine Reilly
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Romantic Comedy
Publication Date: 3rd Dec 26
Format Read: eARC (NetGalley)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.


My Review

Fresh off the back of a breakup and forced onto paid leave from her job where her supervisor also happens to be her new ex, Quinn decides it’s time for a fresh start.

She books a ski trip to France with one goal in mind to win the marketing account for the luxury resort she’s staying at, an account her firm has been chasing for years and hopefully redeem herself at work in the process.

Unfortunately when she arrives she discovers the resort’s owners are away. She is told their son Sebastian is around and that she could try speaking to him instead.

What she doesn’t expect when she finally tracks Sebastian down is for him to be the infuriatingly smug French guy she had a run in with at this very resort four years earlier

He’s the last person Quinn wants to deal with, but with time running out and his parents away she has no choice but to tolerate him and try to win him over.

As the frostiness between them begins to thaw Sebastian agrees to help Quinn pitch to his parents when they return for a party at the resort. But before she gets the chance a run in with her ex and boss at the party leaves Quinn trying to save face and blurting out that she’s there with Sebastian.

And so begins a mutually beneficial fake engagement.

Sebastian hopes the announcement will finally get his parents off his back, while Quinn hopes it will make her ex jealous enough to realise he wants her back.

Of course we all know where fake relationships tend to lead

I absolutely loved this book! I read it in one sitting because I genuinely couldn’t put it down. It was the perfect mix of enemies to lovers, fake dating and slow burn chemistry with a gorgeous French ski resort setting thrown in.

The pacing was spot on, I loved the characters and thought the plot was brilliant. And can we talk about the third act breakup?! Usually this is the point where I’m rolling my eyes and groaning, but it was actually done so well here.

And the epilogue was just so damn cute! 🥹 I always love a book that gives us a little glimpse into the characters lives a few years after the main story ends.

This is the second book by Katherine Reilly that I’ve read and it certainly won’t be my last!

Tropes

* Enemies to lovers
* Fake dating / fake engagement
* Slow burn
* Forced proximity
* Second chance at love
* Jealousy
* HEA

Perfect for readers who love

* Ski resort romances
* Fake dating with undeniable chemistry
* Enemies who slowly fall for each other
* Slow burn romance
* Forced proximity
* A fun, easy to binge rom com
* A cute epilogue that gives you a glimpse into their future

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A 4 star rating from me. Loved the plot and the storytelling and relatable, likable characters. Loved every single second reading it.

A romance novel based in the alps - say no more! Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this ARC! I really loved it!
A winter romance, some fake dating, some enemies to lovers and a boujee ski resort! Honestly what a recipe for a divine read!

This was such a fun, glamorous winter romance! The French Alps setting was absolutely perfect, giving the story a gorgeous festive feel while providing the ideal backdrop for Quinn and Sebastien's fake relationship.

I loved the enemies-to-lovers tension between them, especially as their initial irritation slowly gave way to undeniable chemistry. The fake-dating setup was entertaining, and watching their carefully constructed arrangement turn into genuine feelings was exactly the kind of romantic escapism I was looking for.

Quinn was ambitious, determined, and easy to root for, while Sebastien had just the right amount of smug charm to make their banter addictive. Add in forced proximity, slow-burn chemistry, beautiful scenery, and plenty of romantic tension, and this was a five-star winter read for me. A perfect cosy escape for anyone who loves glamorous holiday romances and fake dating!

ARC review thanks to Netgalley
-small town
-slow burn
-holiday escape

This was fun and engaging read that kept me entertained from start to finish. I really enjoyed the setting and the way the characters were developed throughout the story. There was a great balance of humour, drama, and heartfelt moments, which made it easy to become invested in what happened next.

The pacing flowed well, and while there were a few moments where I wanted a little more depth, overall, I found it an enjoyable and satisfying read. The author's writing style was easy to sink into.

4 stars

I honestly love a good sports romance but I’m not the biggest enemies to lovers fan. However this one was very enjoyable and a very quick read with language that wasn’t too complicated nor too childish. Perfect one to get back into my reading habit.

I really enjoyed Off-Piste! Katherine Reilly has definitely become an author I know I can turn to for an easy, fun romance with plenty of chemistry, and this one had so many elements I love.

I really liked the French Alps setting. The glamorous ski resort backdrop gave the story such a cosy, escapist feel, and I loved the contrast between the luxury of the resort and the tension between Quinn and Sebastien. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic worked really well, especially with their history and all the forced proximity.

The fake dating was also a lot of fun. I’m always a sucker for a fake relationship that inevitably starts feeling a little too real, and I enjoyed watching Quinn and Sebastien’s feelings develop despite both of them trying to stick to the original plan. There was plenty of banter and chemistry between them, and Sebastien was exactly the sort of infuriating-but-charming love interest you expect from this trope.

Quinn was a great FMC too. I liked that she had her own career ambitions and motivations outside of the romance, and her determination to prove herself at work gave the story another layer.

I did feel that the pacing dipped slightly in places, and I would have liked a little more development in some parts of the relationship, but overall this was a really enjoyable winter romance. It was fun, flirty and escapist, with a gorgeous setting and plenty of romance.

Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Writing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Setting ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Pace ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Personal enjoyment ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.75 ⭐️s (rounded up to 4)

This is a perfect and cute ski romance! Katherine Reilly did a wonderful job of making in me fall in love with the whole cast of characters and the hotel itself and I’m now desperate for a holiday there <3

This was cute, and honestly I had a good time reading this book. The story was nice, pretty lighthearted, some funny moments, good banter and chemistry between the characters, mostly what I expected from the book and it delivered.

Now, and I don’t often say this… both characters are honestly pretty bad. At least they make a good match of two pretty bad people so there’s that.

Quinn was definitely irrational and impulsive and needed a real break instead of her half-assed plan. Some of it I can understand and have some sympathy, given her situation, but she is lucky Sébastien found it endearing instead of worrying. Now I’m sorry but Seb… he is charming when he is on page, and the chemistry is great, but he is a spoiled kid that who won’t grow up and accept that he’s an adult and life isn’t always going to be just fun and games. Skiing is his only priority and he takes way too long to become better, which in more than occasion is irresponsible and disrespectful to the people around him.

This was still a good and fun book, in the end they did make it work and had their happy ending, but I am not impressed and Sébastien is not making it into the top book boyfriend list.