Reviews

Escape to the Swiss Chalet by Carrie Walker

piperkitty's review against another edition

5.0

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resource and Head of Zeus for my arc copy. Here's my honest review from the heart

This is an ultimate comfort book which I can see myself rereading. We are following Holly after a significant life change in her whilst she goes to a Swiss chalet in France to work as a chef. Whilst she is there, she makes some fantastic friends who I find to make this book comfortable and realistic, with both Liv and Xandier having their shining personalities. I loved the dynamic of this duo as soon as they met Holly. Then we have Luca, the rich man who seems more like a boy, and we have a few funny and light-hearted moments there.

travelsalongmybookshelf's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

‘Sometimes, life unexpectedly shakes you to the core and other times, it sends you a gift.’

I just loved loved loved this debut. It hits the right notes for a perfect read just in time for Christmas. I loved Holly straight away, and what a nightmare heartbreak she suffers but she is actually quite ballsy and gets herself on an epic adventure in Verbier, working and playing hard. I really chuckled at her snowboarding attempts, I remember what it felt like constantly falling over when I learnt many years ago. 

My mouth watered at all the amazing food, my tastebuds longed for the fabulous wine and my heart burst with the romantic vibes, the strong friendships and the SNOW!

This is one that will keep you hooked, I mean, Xavier……❤️

romancewithem's review

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was a great read, excellent wintery vibes

I really enjoyed the main character and the journey we went on with her and how her life completely changed overnight and did a full reset ending up in a completely different place than were she thought she would be

I love a book where the main character is a chef etc and the food in this book all sounded so good - the descriptions of the taste and look were all making me hungry

Romance is more a subplot of this book, literally got to 50% and didn't even know if there was a new love interest, which I really enjoyed and could more concentrate on the FMC and her journey more than 'when will these people finally kiss etc'

I was shocked when I saw that this was a debut novel, it was so good!

- winter
- love triangle (kinda)
- unexpected break up leading to moving to a different country
- 1st person, single pov

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria for an ARC - all opinions are my own

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol

Moderate: Infidelity

cm4rt1n3z's review against another edition

2.5

Thank you NetGelley and Carrie Wlaker for the ARC and the opportunity to review it. 

This is a holiday romance that follow Holly in the weeks before she get merry to her university boyfriend, however her boyfriend beaks up the relationship on the wedding day and Holly is given the opportunity to work as a chalet girl in Switzerland. 

I really wanted to like this book but I honestly couldn’t. In the description of the book we got told about a love interest that doesn’t have more than 5 appearances in the whole book, not to mention there was no chemistry between them. The pace of the book got slower as the book progressed then everything gets resolved in the last chapter, and overall the book felt longer than it should have been. 

I would say that vibes were good and it reminded me of that movie Chalet girl with Felicity Jones and the guy that plays Chuck in gossip girl. 

So I’m between a 2,5 and 3 stars but even when the book wasn’t my favorite, I would still recommend it cause I could see other people enjoying it more than me.

thisboricuareader's review against another edition

I was just not vibing with the book. I think the pacing is slow and the fact that still at 20% she is trying to make her ex-fiancee jealous. I want the romance and from other reviews there is barely any romance. 

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc version of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

zasou_reads's review against another edition

3.0

Holly absolutely despises the cold. And everybody knows that. So everyone is super surprised when she packs up everything and moves to the Swiss Alps. But her heart has just been broken and she wants to prove to the guy who broke it that she's moved on. She's going to be a chef for a billionaire French twins, one of whom is handsome Luca...
If you're looking for a cute wintery romcom, this book is for you. I did not completely vibe with the writing, and sometimes I felt like there was a bit too much drama, but you should definitely give it a try if you're looking for a sweet and quick read.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

thebigbagtheorybooks's review against another edition

3.0

Escape to the Swiss Chalet is a romantic comedy that takes readers on a trip to the brutally cold Swiss Alps. 

The story follows Holly, a woman who was left at the alter by her fiance. Holly was heartbroken and her answer to a fresh start despite her aversion to cold weather, finds herself going to the Swiss Alps. Holly becomes a sous-chef for a very wealthy family business. As the book goes on, Holly is transforming her new found life. 

The author did a great job with her descriptions, I felt like I could imagine this as a movie. Holly finds new friends, such as Liv and the chef Xavier, who help guide her in this new lifestyle. 

Of course, there's romance, Luca is rich, handsome, and kind. Luca's intentions at times are iffy, the author creates a sort of mystery and anticipation about him. As Holly and Luca's relationship unfolds, I found muself rooting for them! 

"Escape to the Swiss Chalet" is a typical romcom that surrounds itself with self-discovery, healing, and the transformation. 

I enjoyed the authors writing style. It left me with a warm, cozy feeling which is great in a romcom. 

Overall, there was nothing spectacular that stood out, this is your typical palette cleansing romcom. 

winoandthebooks's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

Thank you to NetGalley, Aria & Aries and author Carrie Walker for providing me with this eARC 

 

After being left on her wedding day Holly gets the opportunity to go to a Swiss Chalet for the season and learn from a Michelin star chef to improve her cooking skills. There she meets new friends, new romance and rediscovered who she really is. 

 

Overall I really enjoyed Escape to the Swiss Chalet. 

It was a fast, light read with drama, romance, friendship and self-discovery. 

 

There are some little things that REALLY annoyed me. And I know they are small details and I’m nitpicking but things like these immediately take me out of the story: 

• our MC paying in Euros - we do not and have never used Euros in Switzerland!
• a french chef using pint as a measurement 
• a french dude having the thermostat for his wine cellar in Switzerland set in Fahrenheit
• the MCs room apparently being 3 sq meters but fitting a wardrobe, a dressing table and two twin beds, when the twin beds alone take up more than 3 sq meters of space… magic??
• the shorthand WTF, FFS - super jarring!

lkahre's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This author is so descriptive. As you read you can feel the mountain air, smell the wines, and taste all the food. This is a sweet closed door romance, little bit campy, but a very fun read. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.