The Ski Resort captivated me from the first page. As a life long skier there were so many parts in this book that were so related for me. I absolutely loved the descriptive scenes and feelings that Greta talked about while she was on the slopes. Greta’s fierce personality made her the perfect main character for this thrilling story. The way that this book flowed from one disaster to the next and how it all came together in the end was so fitting. My only disappointment was that I felt like the ending fell short. I wish there was a little more story given to what happened after Greta returned back from her international trip. I know there are more books in the series so I’m hoping as I continue them maybe I’ll get more answers!

A slow burn but worth hanging around for !

We started with an avalanche, and from there things were literally all down hill for Greta. It was a slow burn but it was worth the patience - creepy, unsettling and hard to trust anyone. Loved the mountain setting , the side mystery of a missing person. The constant danger, this had it all. Greta was the perfect lead character, spunky and brave. Loved it!

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. This is definitely the best ARC I’ve read so far,
I grew up skiing and was part of a skiing family, but I haven’t done it in a few years because of a bad knee injury. This just made me long for the slopes again, and the way Greta talked about skiing show her passion for the sport.
To top it all off, I actually quite liked the story, and I think a lot of you would as well!
Thank you to Joffe Books for giving me the opportunity to review this before it published! Y’all can find this title out next month on JoffeBooks.com.

Catherine O’Connell delivers a tense, emotionally-charged thriller with The Ski Resort. Greta’s struggle with amnesia, guilt, and the tragic loss of her best friend, Warren, pulls you into a world of danger, mystery, and self-doubt.

The setting—a high-stakes ski resort amidst the looming threat of avalanches—adds a chilling atmosphere to this already heart-pounding narrative. Greta’s journey to uncover the truth behind the accident and her role in it is both gripping and heartbreaking.

If you love suspenseful thrillers with a strong emotional core, this one is a must-read. You won’t be able to put it down! 🎿❄️💔

This was just okay. Not amazing but not bad

I liked that I didn’t guess the ending at all or how it would all come together. I also like to cozy, snowing setting.

I didn’t like the romance parts since I didn’t go in expecting it.

There was not a lot of twists more of a long stream of thoughts constantly. Overall if you are just looking for something quick and cozy maybe I would recommend it.

Oh this book needs to be a Netflix show or movie!! Headed to Utah for skiing and I was just amazed at the twists and turns this book took. Loved it!

Although I loved the Winter/Holidays setting, it was an extremely low paced book that didn’t captivate my attention until the 50% mark. The backdrop is gorgeous but it doesn’t make up for the lack of suspense,

Thanks to Netgalley and Catherine O’Connell for this ARC!

This is actually my second book by the author, and while I did struggle a little with The Bachelorette Party, I did actually fly through this one! Maybe it was the winter setting and all, I am not sure. But I wanted to know what did happen to Greta's best friend during the avalanche and why he had to die. And also why so many strange things keep happening to her after. Almost like someone does want her to be dead, as well...

This book is a bit slow-paced, with lots of skiing in between, but really, I did not mind. It did fit to the season, and was good entertainment while being snuggled up in a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate!

There was not a lot of mystery in this book! Almost zero. Just filled with skiing. How is this classified in this genre?

The book really dragged on. It was filled with a lot of useless information that did not contribute to the plot at all. Made things quite boring.

The main character was insufferable. Pretentious, rude, and racist.

Overall I enjoyed this thriller. Some parts were slow and some twists predictable, but I loved the setting and how isolating it felt! A great winter thriller which is perfect for the season.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately I had to DNF it. At first I thought since it was an ARC that was the problem. Maybe words were missing? So I kept reading. My brain hurts. I could not get past the writing style. Just not for me.

I throughly enjoyed this very well written and interesting book. Although it was more of a contemporary fiction rather than thriller I still found the book to be very good and hard to put down! I Will be highly recommending this book!

This was a very slow burner for me. I felt like it didn’t get started till around the halfway mark.
There was quite a lot going on so I had forgotten what the main story was meant to be.
The last 50% felt more intriguing but then the ending did feel rushed.
Not a bad read overall after I stuck with it.

I was excited to read “The Ski Resort.” It started off and my interest was kept until it became confusing. I had high hopes for this with Winter & Holidays approaching. I would still encourage others to give it a chance. My review and opinion is mine alone.

My best friend is dead. I can’t remember what happened. But what if it’s all my fault . . . ? I wake up in a hospital room with all kinds of tubes and cords protruding from my bruised and battered body. I have no idea how I got here! Good book! This book took me a bit to get through but I’m glad I stuck with it! In the end it was a very interesting read! It had suspense, murder, mystery, intriguing, and a few wild twists and turns! I definitely recommend reading this one! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

DNF and WTF!

Usually, when I DNF a book, I don't give a star rating. It's usually that the book just isn't for me. Every so often, it's because the book is terrible.

Guess which one this is?

The book has a multiple of sins.

* It's boring. At 50%, I'm still not sure what the plot is. I can tell you that it's about skiing - So. Much. Skiing. I can tell you that she lives in an A-Frame house because she tells you this approximately a gazillion times. I can tell you that the MC is pretentious about skiing and totally looks down on people who don't ski well.

* Aside from being pretentious, our MC is simply objectionable. She's rude, she's dull, she takes advantage of people.

* It's racist. I mean, I only read 50% of the book, but I'll give you the two most egregious examples.

1) One of her besties is named Singh. He's Indian and handsome. He has a first name. She's not sure what it is but it starts with an A. See...it was just too complicated so she just decided to NOT LEARN HIS NAME. She also wonders if customers are in shock because he's Indian and skiing and if they wonder why a doctor is working there as a ski instructor. BTW, she adds, he's gay.

2) (This one...oh...this one!) Her brother tells her he's getting married. The girl was in the military and lost a leg. Okay, cool. Also she's Black. No, wait...she's BLACK and MC is shocked, shocked I tell you. See they grew up middle class and while she (our MC) is totally good with race mixing, she's shocked her brother is. But wait, there's more... She sees a picture of the girl. She's pretty. She has braids. She has green eyes. But...HOW CAN A BLACK GIRL HAVE GREEN EYES, she asks.

Are you ready for the answer? (Note that I'm not kidding, this is literally his answer in the book.)

Her mother was raped by a bunch of crackers.

BTW - the description 'crackers' isn't mine. It's in the book.

And, yes, I was out.

Did not finish. Do not read. I want my time back.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Catherine O’Connell’s The Ski Resort is a thrilling psychological mystery set against the breathtaking yet perilous backdrop of Aspen’s snowy slopes. This novel, previously published as First Tracks, offers a gripping narrative filled with suspense, memory loss, and a quest for truth.

The story follows Greta, a seasoned ski patrol member, who wakes up in a hospital with no memory of the avalanche that nearly killed her and took the life of her best friend, Warren. As she grapples with her amnesia, Greta is haunted by the possibility that she might be responsible for Warren’s death.

O’Connell crafts a strong and relatable protagonist in Greta. Her journey from confusion and guilt to determination and resilience is compelling. The supporting characters, including the enigmatic doctor and the unsympathetic boss, add depth and complexity to the narrative, each playing a crucial role in Greta’s quest for answers.

The author’s writing is vivid and immersive, capturing the beauty and treachery of the snowy landscape. The suspense builds steadily, with O’Connell skillfully weaving in flashbacks and clues that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, enhancing the tension and emotional stakes.

The Ski Resort explores themes of memory, guilt, and redemption. It delves into the psychological impact of trauma and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth. The novel also highlights the stark contrast between the glamorous façade of Aspen and its hidden dangers.

The Ski Resort is a captivating psychological thriller that keeps readers guessing. O’Connell’s ability to blend suspense with emotional depth makes this a standout read. Fans of thrillers and mysteries will find much to enjoy in this chilling tale.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with strong female leads, intricate plots, and unexpected twists.

Catherine O’Connell’s The Ski Resort is a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling and emotionally engaging mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher and author for the ARC copy of The Ski Resort. I believe this has been released previously under a different name also.

I am still pondering on how to effectively review this book. I definitely enjoyed it. Greta, the main character, was written as likeable, but also vulnerable and seemed slightly confused at times about what decisions to make.

There is a lot of snow and skiing references, some which are explained, some not. It seemed a little strange how she suddenly decided to go off on a bit of a tangent on another continent and all based on seeing a photo in a bar miles from home.

The ending felt very rushed and was over in just a few pages, compared to the rest of the story, which at times felt a bit padded out.

However, on the whole, a decent read for me and a 4 star rating.

The book starts with the lead character in a horrific accident, which draws you in immediately. But my oh my did the book get so much slower from that point on.

I'll say this. The story was interesting, and at no point did I not want to finish. But I was CONFUSED. It felt like I was reading 5 different stories throughout the book and so much of what happened just seemed so unnecessary and unrealistic.

The book was decent. But thriller? It was not.

Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for the advance ecopy of this book.

My best friend is dead. I can’t remember what happened. But what if it’s all my fault . . . ?

I wake up in a hospital room with all kinds of tubes and cords protruding from my bruised and battered body. I have no idea how I got here.

‘You were in an avalanche,’ the good-looking doctor explains. ‘A pretty major one.’

My boss is less sympathetic. ‘What in hell were you thinking? Skiing Ophir’s is a stunt for some idiot 23-year-old boarder, not a seasoned ski patrol.’

He’s right. But my memory has gone completely. I can come up with zero reasons why I was skiing on that side of the mountain at three in the afternoon, a time when avalanche warnings are Code Red.

It’s then he drops the bombshell. ‘Well, you’re damn lucky. Wish I could say the same about Warren.’ Warren. My longtime friend and greatest ski buddy. ‘He’s dead, Greta.’

My job is to help save lives. Now it looks like I’m to blame for the death of the person I trust the most.

I drove into Aspen fifteen years ago with nothing but big dreams and even bigger ambitions. Even though I can never aspire to the jetset lifestyles of the super-rich holidaymakers who flock here, I love this place.

But there’s a darker side to this glamorous skiers’ paradise.

As flashes of memory return and a young woman suddenly disappears, I realize that someone on this mountain knows exactly what happened that day. Someone who won’t be satisfied until they bury me for good.

I found this book to be a very slow read. Storyline was good but it took too long to progress in my opinion.

2.5 out of 5 ⭐️