Like I Didn't See THAT Coming

 

TITLE: The Lodge

AUTHOR: Kayla Olson

PUBLISHER: Atria Books

PUBLISHING DATE: January 7, 2025

PAGES: 352   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: Alix Morgan just got her big break as the ghostwriter of a memoir by Sebastian Green, a former member of the boy band True North. And when he offers her a penthouse at a luxurious resort in Vermont, she jumps at the chance to work far away from her noisy, cramped apartment. 

Her career as an entertainment journalist has been building toward this dream job—after all, she used to cover True North and was one of the last people to interview former front man Jett Beckett before he disappeared. As she combs through her client’s voice memos, the specter of the missing lead singer remains, and fans are desperate to know the full story. 

But Alix also has time for some fun at this glamorous resort, where she begins ski lessons with a handsome instructor named Tyler. As Alix and Tyler fall in love on the slopes, Alix’s work takes a complicated turn—and the mystery of True North’s downfall may be hers to solve.

MY THOUGHTS: I picked this book up on a whim as I've had it checked out from my local library for quite some time and realized I should read it or return it.  I ended up flying though it which means I must have needed a break from my normal horrific and heavier reads.  It was fun, it was fast and even if it was predictable, it was enjoyable and I'm glad I read it.

Alix finally has the big break she needs.  After spending several years of an entertainment reporter, she has been hired to be the ghostwriter on a memoir about a member of the band True North, who disbanded years ago.  Sebastian Green was one the main members, along with Jett Beckett.  The two never really got along and one day, Jett just disappeared and was never heard from again.  Sebastian now has a solo career but lives in the shadows of the band and what happened to Jett.  

Sebastian has arranged for Alix to spend a month at a resort in Vermont.  Still reeling from a breakup that happened quite a bit ago, Alix has been all work and no play for too long.  She finally focuses on herself for a bit and starts spending time with Tyler, the local ski instructor.  But will their relationship fall apart before it even gets started once Tyler learns about Alix's project?  And is it possible that Tyler has more secrets than Alix ever imagined?

This book has predictability written all over it, yet I really did enjoy it.  Alix is a likeable character and has a sister and family who drive her crazy which makes for some additional drama and a bit more of an in-depth plot. Sebastian was flighty and annoying but I am sure that it was intentionally and played up to the "bad boy" boy band persona.  I enjoyed many of the side characters and the mountain setting was a plus as well.  Especially now that winter is over and I'm not sick to death of snow and cold temps.

The Lodge is a fun rom-com read.  If you like that genre and some of the typical romance trope, then I don't think you'd be upset by picking this one up.  I also really like the writing style and will be checking more out from Kayla Olson in the future.

MY RATING: 4 PAWS