The Little Swiss Ski Chalet
My Rating: 4.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: eARC*
Publication Date: January 22, 2021
Author: Julie Caplin
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The Little Swiss Ski Chalet Blurb
It’s time to pack your bags and head to the breathtaking, snow-covered peaks of the Swiss Alps for velvety hot chocolates, delicious cheeses and a gorgeous love story…
Food technician Mina has always believed that chocolate will solve everything – and it’s just what she needs when her latest relationship mishap goes viral!
So with her bags packed and a new determination to sort her life out, Minna decides to drown her sorrows with the best hot chocolate in the world at her godmother’s cosy Swiss chalet. Chocolate: yes. Romance: no. Until she has a run in on an Alpine train with a mysterious but oh-so-gorgeous stranger…
The Little Swiss Ski Chalet Review
As a quick reminder, here is my rating structure:
- 1 star: Did not finish
- 2 Stars: Finished but I do not recommend
- 3 Stars: Liked but could use some improvements
- 4 Stars: Loved this book!
- 5 Stars: Rare. The unput-down-able, binge read obsession.
My star ratings are also based also genre based. I compare all books with books of the same genre. While I would love to believe that my love of books in general transcends all bias, there are genres I prefer over others.
I’m human.
Example: If I read a mystery novel and think it deserves a 5-star rating, then I have compared it to other mystery books, and determined it to be one of my absolute favorites. The unputdownable mystery.
This will hopefully keep me from comparing Outlander, a personal obsession of mine, with the experience of reading The Hate You Give. Both 5 star books for me, but completely and totally different. I couldn’t even try to rate them against each other, so I don’t. Makes my life easier. 🙂
My Thoughts
The Little Swiss Ski Chalet made my little baker’s heart happy.
Not only is this an incredibly cute romance, but its pages are filled with some wonderful confections that I can’t wait to try out. Then our main character, Mina, starts experimenting with the recipes, and I was in heaven.
After having only skied once in my life (if we can call falling my way down the slope skiing), I can honestly say that I usually have no desire to continue in the sport. However, while reading The Little Swiss Ski Chalet, I was convinced that there is nothing more romantic, adventurous, or idyllic than taking a train to the Swiss Alps and heading downhill.
Have you ever seen the movie White Christmas? If so, do you remember the song on the train, “Snow. Snow. Snow. Snow.” Well Bing Crosby and I were harmonizing to that tune on nearly every page. Talk about a perfect winter read.
There is a literal snowstorm happening as I’m writing this and I couldn’t be more excited. Yeah, I don’t live anywhere near a mountain, I don’t own skis, and my toddler probably wouldn’t appreciate me going, but I am so in the mood for fresh powder and a chalet.
As for the actual story, we start off with a bunch of bangs. The first few chapters almost move at light speed, which was great because it got Mina to the Chalet as quickly as possible.
Then there was the train ride. Swoon.
Once we reach Switzerland, Mina and the book really slow down and settle in. After that fast start, I didn’t mind this pacing at all, but some people get annoyed by scenic descriptions with mostly character development but not a great deal of action, which is what occurs in most of the kitchen scenes.
I am not one of those people.
Some of my favorite moments in the entire book came when Mina was baking. Talking about the food, the different Swiss desserts, their origins, and techniques made my fingers itch to get into some dough. That hazelnut cake will be made in this house at some point.
Mina is a likable character, but a little flawed. What’s truly great about The Little Swiss Ski Chalet is how aware she is of her faults and that she’s actively working to overcome them. My only issue is how she uses them to avoid being with someone. That slight aspect seemed a little forced and I would have preferred a slightly different obstacle for the couple.
Conclusion
If you want to have the perfect winter evening: grab a warm drink, cozy up by the fire, put on some Bing Crosby, and prepare to fall in love with The Little Swiss Ski Chalet.
~About the Author~
Julie Caplin is addicted to travel and good food. She’s on a constant hunt for the perfect gin and is obsessively picky about glasses, tonic and garnishes. Between regular gin tastings, she’s been writing her debut novel which is set in just one of the many cities she’s explored over the years.
Formerly a PR director, for many years she swanned around Europe taking top food and drink writers on press trips (junkets) sampling the gastronomic delights of various cities in Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Copenhagen and Switzerland. It was a tough job but someone had to do it. These trips have provided the inspiration and settings for the trilogy, The Little Cafe in Copenhagen, The Little Brooklyn Bakery and the The Little Paris Patisserie.
Julie also writes contemporary romance as Jules Wake.
*Special thanks to Julie Caplin and Rachel’s Random Resources providing a copy of The Little Swiss Ski Chalet in exchange for an honest review.
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