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The Chalet Girl
A sparkling story of love on the slopes by a great new voice in romantic fiction.The ski season. A glamorous world of snowy pistes, gorgeous ski instructors and glittering apr�s-ski nightlife. What's not to love?Quite a lot, thinks Millie Braythorpe. Four months of endless bed-making and cooking for guests have taken their toll, and the only thing she really looks forward to is her nightly gig singing in a little French bar. Then handsome troublemaker Luke comes to stay at her chalet, and before she knows it Millie's head over heels in love. But is Luke to be trusted, or is her Alpine romance destined to end in heartbreak?
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 6, 2007
5 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Kate Lace
22 books18 followersCatherine Lace studied in different all girls schools from there until she left at eighteen. She joined the army, where she served eight years rose to the rank of Staff Captain. In the army, she met and married her husband. When she fell pregnant, the rules of the time meant that she had to leave. With three kids under four and a half, she was invited to help out with a magazine for army wives and she decide to want write.
Co-authored with a fellow army wife, she wrote a non-fiction book "Gumboots and Pearls" as Annie Jones. After it, she decided wrote romance novels. She wrote six Army romance novels as Catherine Jones, she said: "I loved being in the army. I love writing about it. I was in the army for eight years and I had a great time. I hope this is reflected in my books and I hope all my readers enjoy reading them." Her novel "Praise for Sisters in Arms", shortlisted for the 1999 Romantic Novelists' Association's Award. Now she decided change the type of romance novels and started to used the pseudonym of Kate Lace. Her novel "The Chalet Girl" was nominee to Romantic Novel of the Year Award Best.
She was elected the twenty-fourteenth Chairman (2007-2009) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and she was also the captain of the RNA "University Challenge - The Professionals" team which made it to the final of the 2005 series.
Her husband has left the army and their kids have grown up.
Co-authored with a fellow army wife, she wrote a non-fiction book "Gumboots and Pearls" as Annie Jones. After it, she decided wrote romance novels. She wrote six Army romance novels as Catherine Jones, she said: "I loved being in the army. I love writing about it. I was in the army for eight years and I had a great time. I hope this is reflected in my books and I hope all my readers enjoy reading them." Her novel "Praise for Sisters in Arms", shortlisted for the 1999 Romantic Novelists' Association's Award. Now she decided change the type of romance novels and started to used the pseudonym of Kate Lace. Her novel "The Chalet Girl" was nominee to Romantic Novel of the Year Award Best.
She was elected the twenty-fourteenth Chairman (2007-2009) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and she was also the captain of the RNA "University Challenge - The Professionals" team which made it to the final of the 2005 series.
Her husband has left the army and their kids have grown up.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 23, 2021
This is pretty much a pile of dogshit. I expect predictability from chicklit like this, but this is more annoying than amusing.
Millie is apparently mature enough to run a ski chalet in a different country, but isn't mature enough to fucking talk to anyone she has a potential problem with. Instead she has tantrums with the attitude of a banshee and fucks off. Luke is a borderline stalker about a girl he barely knows, and gets the blame for something he didn't do, making him a victim of Millie's wrath. For most people, that would be job done, but no. He can't get her out of his head, and so the stalking begins. How is this endearing in any way?
I gave it two starts instead of just one, because the start was alright, but it just went downhill after that.
Millie is apparently mature enough to run a ski chalet in a different country, but isn't mature enough to fucking talk to anyone she has a potential problem with. Instead she has tantrums with the attitude of a banshee and fucks off. Luke is a borderline stalker about a girl he barely knows, and gets the blame for something he didn't do, making him a victim of Millie's wrath. For most people, that would be job done, but no. He can't get her out of his head, and so the stalking begins. How is this endearing in any way?
I gave it two starts instead of just one, because the start was alright, but it just went downhill after that.
February 24, 2020
The first 50ish pages were okay. They were setting up the setting and the history of our main characters pretty well. I hoped the book would get better once that was out the way. It did not.
The fun ski resort setting gets abandoned for England. The romance is devoid of chemistry and consists mostly of a 28 year old man stalking and obsessing over an 18 year old. I’m not gonna get into the age gap debate, but also yikes. They have about six conversations and know each other all of a fornight and suddenly it’s love.
Millie isn’t a particularly mature 18 year old, she’s incredibly naive. She’s also a really boring main character who doesn’t drive the story through her own agency so much as just exist while good things spontaneously happen to her, while everyone who meets her instantly loves and wants to protect her.
The book just had to engage in everyone’s favourite romance trope: “not being like other girls”. I really don’t understand why authors can’t build up female characters without tearing down everyone else who shares their gender. It’s not a war crime if women like make up, shopping or parties. It definitely doesn’t make you better than them.
This last bit is really just a petty gripe, but why do people keep thinking of Millie as a ‘kid’? It’s weird when her BFF who’s the same age does it, it’s super weird when the love interest does it.
The fun ski resort setting gets abandoned for England. The romance is devoid of chemistry and consists mostly of a 28 year old man stalking and obsessing over an 18 year old. I’m not gonna get into the age gap debate, but also yikes. They have about six conversations and know each other all of a fornight and suddenly it’s love.
Millie isn’t a particularly mature 18 year old, she’s incredibly naive. She’s also a really boring main character who doesn’t drive the story through her own agency so much as just exist while good things spontaneously happen to her, while everyone who meets her instantly loves and wants to protect her.
The book just had to engage in everyone’s favourite romance trope: “not being like other girls”. I really don’t understand why authors can’t build up female characters without tearing down everyone else who shares their gender. It’s not a war crime if women like make up, shopping or parties. It definitely doesn’t make you better than them.
This last bit is really just a petty gripe, but why do people keep thinking of Millie as a ‘kid’? It’s weird when her BFF who’s the same age does it, it’s super weird when the love interest does it.
August 9, 2012
2.5 stars.
I have wanted to read this book for a while, it comes with a lot of good reviews. And while I found it enjoyable, it wasn't what I was expecting.
The book starts off great; we learn a lot about the heroine, especially how she got to where she was at that point and what she has been through. The author weaves the backstory in well, makes it gripping and not too info-dumpy.
This is one of the first books I have read (in the general romance area) that deals with abortion. This was interesting to me, as it's something that brings a lot of issues/opinions with it. However I don't really think this was made the most out of, it was virtually forgotten about in the second half of the book.
The story was built up beautifully in the first half but after that everything seemed to become too 'easy'. Too twee and convenient. Some great conflict was developed then I felt like the book kind of lost its way.
I also feel that the heroine at 18-19 years old was too young. Everything would have been deeper and easier to relate to if more time had passed since the hurtful events in her life.
Nevertheless, this is a sweet read and certainly holds your attention.
Originally posted at http://www.everyday-is-the-same.blogs...
I have wanted to read this book for a while, it comes with a lot of good reviews. And while I found it enjoyable, it wasn't what I was expecting.
The book starts off great; we learn a lot about the heroine, especially how she got to where she was at that point and what she has been through. The author weaves the backstory in well, makes it gripping and not too info-dumpy.
This is one of the first books I have read (in the general romance area) that deals with abortion. This was interesting to me, as it's something that brings a lot of issues/opinions with it. However I don't really think this was made the most out of, it was virtually forgotten about in the second half of the book.
The story was built up beautifully in the first half but after that everything seemed to become too 'easy'. Too twee and convenient. Some great conflict was developed then I felt like the book kind of lost its way.
I also feel that the heroine at 18-19 years old was too young. Everything would have been deeper and easier to relate to if more time had passed since the hurtful events in her life.
Nevertheless, this is a sweet read and certainly holds your attention.
Originally posted at http://www.everyday-is-the-same.blogs...
September 2, 2012
The most shit chick lit I've ever read and I've read a lot of other shitty chick lit to compare it to.
July 24, 2021
The Chalet Girl is a romance novel by Kate Lace about Millie Braythorpe, a reserved girl who, helped out with a job by her best friend, Freya, escapes to work in a ski resort in France after being kicked out of the house by her father. There, she meets the incredibly handsome Luke who Millie falls head over heels in love with. But can Luke be completely trusted? After everything that has happened to Millie in her tragic life, Luke certainly seems to good to be true.
I adored this book so much; the relationship between Millie and Luke was so sweet, you could instantly tell that Luke and Millie were soulmates. The whole plot of the book was what made me fall in love with this book even more, and every single character was so well developed.
Whilst there isn't much that I would change about this book as I thought it was brilliant, I would say that Luke's character did come across as a little bit creepy at times which made me unsure if I liked him or not. I also thought that the age gap between Luke and Millie was a little odd; Millie, it is suggested, has only just turned eighteen, whilst Luke has gone through several years of university and is now a successful journalist. However, this was the only thing that I disliked about Millie and Luke's relationship, overall they seemed like the most perfect couple and made the book so entertaining together, and I did find myself rooting for Luke throughout the majority of the book despite his flaws.
There were also a few parts of the book that were quite predictable, but this didn't discourage me from focussing on the better parts of the book. I felt that if I found something predictable in this book, I didn't mind as the whole of the book was so perfect anyway, and it almost felt as if you were watching a film.
At first I was reluctant to read this book, but I'm very glad that I did decide to read it. This book is so easy to read and incredibly light hearted, I would definitely recommend it to anyone. I can say that The Chalet Girl is one of my favourite romance novels, and I look forward to reading it again one day!
I adored this book so much; the relationship between Millie and Luke was so sweet, you could instantly tell that Luke and Millie were soulmates. The whole plot of the book was what made me fall in love with this book even more, and every single character was so well developed.
Whilst there isn't much that I would change about this book as I thought it was brilliant, I would say that Luke's character did come across as a little bit creepy at times which made me unsure if I liked him or not. I also thought that the age gap between Luke and Millie was a little odd; Millie, it is suggested, has only just turned eighteen, whilst Luke has gone through several years of university and is now a successful journalist. However, this was the only thing that I disliked about Millie and Luke's relationship, overall they seemed like the most perfect couple and made the book so entertaining together, and I did find myself rooting for Luke throughout the majority of the book despite his flaws.
There were also a few parts of the book that were quite predictable, but this didn't discourage me from focussing on the better parts of the book. I felt that if I found something predictable in this book, I didn't mind as the whole of the book was so perfect anyway, and it almost felt as if you were watching a film.
At first I was reluctant to read this book, but I'm very glad that I did decide to read it. This book is so easy to read and incredibly light hearted, I would definitely recommend it to anyone. I can say that The Chalet Girl is one of my favourite romance novels, and I look forward to reading it again one day!
May 8, 2019
#BookReview
Name of the book: The Chalet Girl
Author: Kate Lace
My Rating: 2.5/5
My excitement to read this was brimming to the top of my heart while I ordered this book because it seemed to be one of those heartwarming holiday romances that I have always loved. The main protagonist is ‘Millie’ who works as a chalet host and has satan for a father. Her father is bishop that does not allow her to enjoy any freedom or luxuries and is never seen being proud of his daughter’s achievements. But when Millie get knocked up, he disowns her which forces her to take shelter with her friend Freya, daughter of a wealthy millionaire.
The story starts with her life as a chalet host where she comes across the extremely gorgeous Luke Hastings and they fall for each other before I can even say “Chalet”. They connect over at drinks in a bar called “Husky” where she usually performs song covers. Millie always mistakes Luke for having done something wrong to her and eventually fleds the Alps looking for a refuge somewhere.When she does so, Luke Hastings throws away his life to find her and explain to her that he wasn’t the cause she lost a job. While doing so he also reconciles the differences between Millie and her mother. By the end of the book, Millie gets to work with a record label and everything is suddenly alright.
Things that worked out:
The book was well-written and characterization was great
Loved the setting amongst the alps
Things that didn’t work out:
The main protagonist, Millie, seems to be weepy and is always escaping situations making her unlikable
Millie doesn’t seem to work hard to achieve her goals and is always scared to take risks which isn’t how one lands a record deal
She is often seen mistaking people in her life and does not trust even her best friend
Name of the book: The Chalet Girl
Author: Kate Lace
My Rating: 2.5/5
My excitement to read this was brimming to the top of my heart while I ordered this book because it seemed to be one of those heartwarming holiday romances that I have always loved. The main protagonist is ‘Millie’ who works as a chalet host and has satan for a father. Her father is bishop that does not allow her to enjoy any freedom or luxuries and is never seen being proud of his daughter’s achievements. But when Millie get knocked up, he disowns her which forces her to take shelter with her friend Freya, daughter of a wealthy millionaire.
The story starts with her life as a chalet host where she comes across the extremely gorgeous Luke Hastings and they fall for each other before I can even say “Chalet”. They connect over at drinks in a bar called “Husky” where she usually performs song covers. Millie always mistakes Luke for having done something wrong to her and eventually fleds the Alps looking for a refuge somewhere.When she does so, Luke Hastings throws away his life to find her and explain to her that he wasn’t the cause she lost a job. While doing so he also reconciles the differences between Millie and her mother. By the end of the book, Millie gets to work with a record label and everything is suddenly alright.
Things that worked out:
The book was well-written and characterization was great
Loved the setting amongst the alps
Things that didn’t work out:
The main protagonist, Millie, seems to be weepy and is always escaping situations making her unlikable
Millie doesn’t seem to work hard to achieve her goals and is always scared to take risks which isn’t how one lands a record deal
She is often seen mistaking people in her life and does not trust even her best friend
January 15, 2021
Once again, I have come to the end of a book with yet another rant at hand....and it's one of my more usual rants as well.
Because what oh what would a romance novel be without my favourite trope of them all: misunderstandings.
My fav...eye roll.
Yet again, and maybe this is JUST me, but do people not do the obvious thing of talking anymore? Say if the guy you liked went and told every one a secret you entrusted him not to tell that ultimately lands you fired and homeless, would you not want to march up to him and say 'excuse me sir, but what the living fuck?'
See, communication, it is not that difficult! Or deck the twat, I don't know, but it's better than sitting around moping and not finding out the actual truth (because you guessed it, there was truth to the matter after all!)
Again, maybe this is me just not understanding how to write the more suspenseful 'will they won't they resolve this matter' romance novel...but I'm honestly getting tired and bored of the same trope being used in near every romance I have read as of late.
Stop jumping to conclusions, grow a pair, and just say what the problem is and then resolve it.
God...it's honestly like reading about children I swear.
Because what oh what would a romance novel be without my favourite trope of them all: misunderstandings.
My fav...eye roll.
Yet again, and maybe this is JUST me, but do people not do the obvious thing of talking anymore? Say if the guy you liked went and told every one a secret you entrusted him not to tell that ultimately lands you fired and homeless, would you not want to march up to him and say 'excuse me sir, but what the living fuck?'
See, communication, it is not that difficult! Or deck the twat, I don't know, but it's better than sitting around moping and not finding out the actual truth (because you guessed it, there was truth to the matter after all!)
Again, maybe this is me just not understanding how to write the more suspenseful 'will they won't they resolve this matter' romance novel...but I'm honestly getting tired and bored of the same trope being used in near every romance I have read as of late.
Stop jumping to conclusions, grow a pair, and just say what the problem is and then resolve it.
God...it's honestly like reading about children I swear.
November 22, 2018
I was half expecting to DNF this book due to the bad reviews it had received but I actually enjoyed it a lot! Millie Braythorpe's life hasn't been easy. Forced out of her home by her father she, with the help of best friend Freya, finds a job in France at a ski resort. There she meets Luke and finds herself hopelessly attracted to him. The only thing holding her back, besides her job, is the reason her father kicked her out: she fell pregnant. Having not kept the baby she deeply regretted it, yet this is glossed over and is never mentioned again leading me to wonder whether she regretted it as much as she claimed. Only the pregnancy is mentioned a handful of times, but other than that its never really mentioned at all.
Halfway through the book Millie looses her job due to a scam she and the other reps had and blames Luke as she had told him of the scam. She moves back to England and, again with the help of Freya, begins to build her life back up. She gets a place to live, a job, but her dream is to sing. The story is Millie's journey to chase her dream and along the way she makes some lifelong friends and learns to love again.
Halfway through the book Millie looses her job due to a scam she and the other reps had and blames Luke as she had told him of the scam. She moves back to England and, again with the help of Freya, begins to build her life back up. She gets a place to live, a job, but her dream is to sing. The story is Millie's journey to chase her dream and along the way she makes some lifelong friends and learns to love again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2018
I’m giving this book 2 stars.
‘The Chalet Girl’ started off great. With snowy scenes and Millie getting everyone settled into the chalet that will be home for few couples for a while. I found myself invested in Millie’s story as to how she came to working at the Ski Resort in France.
After a while, I found the story getting rather boring and too far-fetched. I also thought that Millie was way too young. In my opinion, it was coming across that she was in her mid-twenties, maybe 26? But she was only 18. Her immaturity and age showed clearly towards the end of the book however.
I didn’t feel a romantic connection between Luke and Millie and thought Luke was simply just a stalker!
I felt myself scan reading parts just to get through some chapters.
This book wasn’t really for me, sorry!
‘The Chalet Girl’ started off great. With snowy scenes and Millie getting everyone settled into the chalet that will be home for few couples for a while. I found myself invested in Millie’s story as to how she came to working at the Ski Resort in France.
After a while, I found the story getting rather boring and too far-fetched. I also thought that Millie was way too young. In my opinion, it was coming across that she was in her mid-twenties, maybe 26? But she was only 18. Her immaturity and age showed clearly towards the end of the book however.
I didn’t feel a romantic connection between Luke and Millie and thought Luke was simply just a stalker!
I felt myself scan reading parts just to get through some chapters.
This book wasn’t really for me, sorry!
January 2, 2020
I found this book really disappointing. From the typing errors, I recall at one point the last name of one of the characters 'Fairbrother' had been written as 'Fairweather'. As far as the story goes I've heard of suspending your disbelief, but this goes beyond Disney territory for the fantastical. The story seems cobbled together and rushed to get a fairytale ending. The characters don't act like people, but all seem to just be there to bring about and aid the rise of the main character. In terms of light readings in this genre I'd much prefer to pick up one of Sophie Kinsella's stories.
January 4, 2019
A good story but not what I expected. I would have liked more of the snow and skiing.
March 18, 2019
Well, the movie star angle didn't work out so well but other than that, it was fine.
August 10, 2020
Absolutely addictive. This book has definitely inspired me to read more Late Lace!
March 25, 2023
I didn't mind this book at all. Quick little read to get into while on vacation and laying by the pool
May 12, 2023
It was bit shite cl
March 7, 2010
This was a really nice read. Millie is working as a chalet maid after being throun out of home by a tyrannical father. She falls in love with one of her final guests and thinks he is behind a scandal that sees all the reps lose their job at the end of the season.
She also sings and is booked for a charity ball. Luke (the guest) had found her and explained the whole story.
This one has sat on the shelf for sooo long- I am really glad that I picked it up for the spring challenge.
She also sings and is booked for a charity ball. Luke (the guest) had found her and explained the whole story.
This one has sat on the shelf for sooo long- I am really glad that I picked it up for the spring challenge.
February 1, 2014
I bought this book today looking for a great read to pass time.
It started well, the first half was good and then it started to go downhill for me. The story of Millie, who gets pregnant at 18, has an abortion, is forced to leave her home, and is weary of love, meets Luke.
There was a strong story to build up on, but somewhere between Millie and Luke meeting, a lot was left out, it felt unfinished even as I read it.
I will give it credit for good dialogues, and a strong heroine.
It started well, the first half was good and then it started to go downhill for me. The story of Millie, who gets pregnant at 18, has an abortion, is forced to leave her home, and is weary of love, meets Luke.
There was a strong story to build up on, but somewhere between Millie and Luke meeting, a lot was left out, it felt unfinished even as I read it.
I will give it credit for good dialogues, and a strong heroine.
June 10, 2016
The beginning was great but...
The beginning of the story was great! I loved the fresh idea it presented. However, as the story progressed, it really did seem too far fetched. Trust me, I know that's the whole point of reading, for escape into the outrageous, but this was just too much in the end for me.
The beginning of the story was great! I loved the fresh idea it presented. However, as the story progressed, it really did seem too far fetched. Trust me, I know that's the whole point of reading, for escape into the outrageous, but this was just too much in the end for me.
July 25, 2011
Started good but then went to being a little boring. The end just seemed to drag out a little too much. I felt like I was reading every little thing the main character did and thought. But still a cute little story.
June 10, 2008
A feel good book. Was a really nice, romantic story. The characters were lovable and the story, even though was a little predictable, was well set out.
This is a perfect holiday read.
This is a perfect holiday read.
December 8, 2008
Nice relaxing read.
Read
July 14, 2010Great stuff for people who give up easily.
July 18, 2018
An average read, a good read if your on holiday and your not looking for anything too taxing.
January 25, 2012
Nice novel, but nothing mind-blowing. As for relaxing reading good choice.
June 11, 2012
I did really enjoy this book. Brilliant holiday read. I would recommend as a nice easy book to make you smile.
October 22, 2012
The book start off ok but half way through it just becomes this silly love story. Very naive and dull, really. Not bad, but not good either.
October 16, 2014
Promising start but ended quite flat
November 6, 2014
The book started on a good note with a lovely introduction and setting, but it failed to grow, progress and began to feel very stagnant.
Definitely expected something better.
Definitely expected something better.
February 1, 2016
Didn't really do it for me.
Read
August 5, 2011hope that we all could have friends like Millie's
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews