The Little Swiss Ski Chalet by Julie Caplin
ABOUT THE BOOK
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…
MY REVIEW
Ms. Caplin captivates me again with her loveable characters, beautiful venues, and decadent desserts.
When Mina is encouraged to take a couple of weeks off after her LOL Smurfgate revenge on her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend, she discovers a whole new sense of peace and renewal at her godmother Amelie’s lovely Swiss chalet.
Mina is an impulsive food technologist who is in a dead-end job in Manchester that does not allow her to show her true creativity. It’s not until she visits her godmother in the picturesque Swiss landscape that her life plans start to change. She finally has a new outlook on life that hopefully involves a wonderful man who accepts her as she is because “sometimes you just know”.
Luke is kind, funny, and optimistic. His enthusiasm for life is addicting and endearing. His passion for his modeling of small villages is intriguing, and his researcher position for the UN sometimes involves traveling. In fact, sometimes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes up that is hard to turn down. But where does that leave the young lovers?
It is serendipity for Luke and Mina from the moment he pulls her on the train to their meeting again at Amelie’s chalet. Watching them slowly fall in love is worth waiting for. Luke is definitely a catch who has a truly heartbreaking past that truly directs his course in life and mind. Mina is a whirlwind of ideas and it is fascinating to watch her blossom and grow into a remarkable woman who finally finds her happiness in life. However, it’s the supporting characters that help the story move along. Amelie is a loving soul who brings people together by ultimately choosing who stays at her chalet. After all, who wants a bunch of grumpy negative people around you when you are on vacation. Johannes is Amelie’s curmudgeonly chocolatier friend who is hoping for a second chance to win her over. Kristian is an adorable dork who is awkward around women and Bernhardt is a serious and pompous man who is unsuccessfully vying for Mina’s affections.
Ms. Caplin’s Romantic Escape series is just that and truly a delight to read. I learn so much from them. For example, conching is a process of smoothing out chocolate. I am also determined to add the cheese and chocolate train trip to Brig to my bucket list. I mean Swiss cheese and chocolate…Yum!!! In addition, the various cakes Amelie serves at 4 pm each day in her chalet sound delicious.
I recommend this lovely romantic comedy that will have you laughing, sighing, salivating, and just wishing you could travel to such a gorgeous place during this strange time.
Thank you to Ms. Caplin once again for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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.
Follow Julie on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Amelie’s cakes sounded absolutely delicious and we all need a bit of chocolate to brighten our days now and then. Lovely review, Sharon!
Absolutely! It was fun learning the history of the chocolate factories, too.