I’m back with another blog tour today with Rachel’s Random Resources for The Little Swiss Ski Chalet by Julie Caplin. Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Goodreads: The Little Swiss Ski Chalet
Release Date: 30 January 2021
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance

Panda Rating:

(3.5 pandas)

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 Minna 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…

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Julie Caplin, formerly a PR director, swanned around Europe for many years 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 her Romantic Escapes series which have been translated into fifteen different languages. The first book in the seven strong series, The Little Café in Copenhagen, was shortlisted for a Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

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TL;DR: The Little Swiss Ski Chalet was fun, easy-to-read and (mostly) light-hearted and it’s the perfect romance to read when you’re on holiday or you’re looking to cosy in at home with a nice cuppa (+ some munchies) and a heartwarming story.

What Caplin excelled at in particular was bringing the Swiss Alps, the cosy village life and the Swiss food culture to life. How was Switzerland NOT on my bucket list before this book? I mean, wow. I could picture all the scenarios perfectly in my head and I’m quite sure that I fell deeply in love with this little swiss ski chalet and the lush snow-covered mountains that surrounded this little village. If only this chalet and Serendipity was real… I would book a holiday there in a heartbeat! I should also mention that you won’t want to read this book without having a snack close at hand because I guarantee it will make you hungry and crave chocolate, cheese, and cakes! So much delicious food 🤤

Mina was an interesting MC who I have to admit didn’t gel with me right off the bat. Her character was a combination of impulsive and neurotic that was slightly overbearing, to begin with, but I did enjoy seeing her find comfort in her own skin again after being badly scorned at the start of the story. Of course, it didn’t hurt that she was surrounded by the beautiful Swiss country, not to mention being the recipient of Luke’s attention and affection. Luke was sweet, considerate and quite the charmer. Despite the instant connection when they first meet, theirs is a quiet and slow-burning romance. I feel the romance took a backseat in Mina’s story but I didn’t mind because she had a lot to work through and I’m glad that the romance didn’t magically fix her life and make her realise her self-worth and make all her dreams come true!

What stopped me from giving this a higher rating was that I found the character development to be a little too surface level for my liking. As it’s Mina’s story she does get the most development, but I felt the other characters, in particular Luke, suffered for it and it made it difficult to feel more invested in the story. And while there were certainly sweet moments with the romance, it fell a bit flat for me because I didn’t get that connection with the characters. I also felt the ending was rushed and very easily wrapped up in a way that was just “okay” for me. Rest assured though, if you’re looking for a HEA you will definitely find it here 😉

Have you read The Little Swiss Ski Chalet or is it on your TBR?