Resorting to Love: a spicy friends to lovers romance

by Olivia Isley

Rule #1: Never fall for your best friend

Mia Davis has her life figured out. Then she inherits her birth family’s beloved ski resorts. They’re her last link to the family she never knew, and she's the only one who can save them from being turned into a soulless, money-making machine.

Thankfully, her best friend Will is a business consultant; exactly what she needs. And it would have been fine if it weren't for those sneaky little kisses that have Mia wondering if there's something more to their relationship than just friendship...

Save the resorts. Don't fall in love with Will. Simple, right?

Rule #2: Never mix love with business

Will Sinclair has been Mia's best friend since university over a decade ago. And after a kiss under the stars, Will can’t deny it he's in love with her.

Helping with the resorts is the right thing to do for his best friend, but being around her means it's getting harder and harder for him to push his feelings down. He wants to be there for her but if things keep going the way they are, he's not going to be able to hold back any longer.

Do the job. Don't tell Mia she's all he's ever wanted. What could go wrong?

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers

321 pages, Paperback

Published January 12, 2025

Reviews

[Miss Zeets · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this book. Not the characters, not the plot, and just the general vibes of this book.

It's very waffly, and I thought it could've been edited better because i felt like some things were talked about over and over again.
Mia has been adopted out as a baby. She loves her parents and never really had an issue with it. Now, her bio parentals left her loads of money, and she's now reflecting on why they didn't they want to raise her since they already had an older son. At 21%, I'd say about half of that was her ruminating over just that. I'm sure the word adoption appeared at least ten times already.

It's called Resorting to Love because one of the things that she inherited is a ski resort but we're not even there yet (at 30%) and I'm struggling to see what we're setting up for? Like, the lover is her best friend, so it's not like she's gonna meet anyone there either

Mia had a previous relationship where, in her words, it ended because of communication issues. Yet, she has not learned her lessons at all, and when an issue between her and Will presents itself, she shuts down and doesn't let him explain. I didn't like that. What was the point of the previous ship mentioned when she won't learn.

There were some continuity issues too (like at one bit her friends says Oh look at the ceiling, think they'll let us roast marshmallows over them)

And what was with the lying to her friends when she was meeting the interim manager? Like, eh? Why?

And lastly, "limpet" is not a cute nickname no matter how you spin it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ash]

Resorting to Love was such a fun friends-to-lovers romance with a fantastic ski resort setting! I really enjoyed seeing Mia and Will’s dynamic as they navigated their personal and professional relationship. Their relationship had plenty of tension with all the will-they-won’t-they moments, and I loved watching their bond evolve as they tried to figure out their feelings.

One of my favorite aspects was the side characters. There was a nice contrast between Mia’s close friends and the people working at the resort, and both groups had their own dilemmas that added depth to the story. Will was such a supportive love interest—his willingness to drop everything to help Mia (literally flying across the world!) made him so endearing.

The beginning felt a little slow at times, but once the story picked up, I was really invested. Overall, this was an enjoyable romance with great characters, a cozy setting, and a sweet love story.

[ChellesOfBooks]

Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.

Whilst I enjoyed the concept of Mia finding out about her birth family and subsequent inheritance, I found myself really disliking Will from the start. Mia is going through a lot of emotional changes and instead of coming across supportive, he's waxing on about how hot she is. I found him to be a walking red flag, and thus when the heat started to pick up before things were developed enough, I've had to stop reading.

For some reason, I thought this kiwi author was writing something set here in New Zealand, but it is set in England and Europe, so this threw me a little. Not that this is a reason to DNF, but I do feel it was a missed opportunity to set this story here in NZ.

Thank you to the author for a digital copy.

[Jamie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book. There were some points, especially at the beginning, where I felt a little bogged down with the story. But overall, it was an interesting friends to lovers romance, with a lot of intriguing characters. Looking forward to more from this author.

[The Bourbon-Sipping Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Olivia Isley's debut novel, "Resorting to Love," offers a charming friends-to-lovers romance set against the picturesque backdrop of ski resorts, exploring themes of family, responsibility, and the slow-burn unveiling of long-held feelings. While the premise is appealing and the setting inviting, the execution presents a mixed bag, with moments of genuine warmth and emotional depth occasionally overshadowed by pacing inconsistencies and character frustrations. The story of Mia and Will promises a delightful exploration of their evolving relationship as they navigate professional challenges and their burgeoning romantic connection, yet the journey proves to be somewhat uneven.

Mia Davis's well-planned life is disrupted when she inherits a chain of ski resorts from a birth family she never knew. Determined to honor this newfound legacy and prevent the resorts' commercial exploitation, she enlists the help of her best friend, Will Sinclair, a business consultant. Their decade-long friendship, already tested by subtle undercurrents of attraction, is further complicated by close proximity and shared goals. As they work together to save the resorts, undeniable sparks ignite, blurring the lines of their platonic bond. Both Mia and Will grapple with their growing feelings, clinging to "rules" of friendship and professional boundaries, even as stolen kisses and simmering desires threaten to rewrite their relationship entirely.

"Resorting to Love" presents a promising premise and a charming setting, offering moments of enjoyable slow-burn romance and heartwarming exploration of friendships evolving into something more. However, pacing issues, underdeveloped character reactions, and an over-reliance on frustrating miscommunication prevent it from fully realizing its potential. While the novel offers a pleasant escape and some genuinely touching moments, readers should be prepared for some unevenness in pacing and characterization.

Recommended for readers who enjoy slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romances with cozy settings and are willing to overlook some pacing and character development shortcomings. Fans of sweet romances with a focus on character relationships and a touch of emotional depth may find elements to appreciate, particularly the ski resort setting and the exploration of Mia's family dynamics. However, readers who prioritize polished pacing, deeply nuanced characters, and communication-driven narratives may find themselves somewhat frustrated.

A charming but uneven friends-to-lovers romance that earns a 3 out of 5 stars. It offers enjoyable moments of slow-burn tension and a cozy setting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristin Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Resorting to Love was a refreshing, friends-to-lovers story that follows the lives of Mia and Will after Mia learns that she's inherited a vast fortune--including several ski resorts--from her birth family. In an uncertain time when she's not sure how wealth will change her or her friends' perceptions of her, Will is there for Mia as he always has been. Unconditionally. What starts as a friend supporting another friend slowly turns into so much more.

Desire. Connection. SPICE.

Don't get me wrong. This was an emotionally deep, fascinating look at someone determined to keep their life the same as it seems destined to spin out of her control. A glance into social anxieties and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. Will is SO RIGHT for Mia, even through the miscommunications and the will-they-won't-they. The only question is whether Mia is right for Will.

I enjoyed the slow burn of this book. And while I'm used to spice being peppered throughout whatever book I'm reading, this one does an amazing job of having the perfect sex scene right when I as the reader needed it. Trust me when I say it does not disappoint.

Overall, a deep, lovely book that left me with a big ol' smile on my face. 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.

[Renee Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mia Davis inherits her family's ski resorts and enlists her best friend, Will, to help save them, but as their close bond turns into undeniable romantic tension, they each struggle to keep their feelings in check while balancing business and love.

I’m so proud to have read the debut novel by local New Zealand author, Olivia Isley!

This book is a slow-burn, feel-good romance about two best friends who have secretly been pining for each other for years.

As someone who also fears change, I really connected with the FMC. I understood her need for planning and lists, and her thought process felt so familiar.

Will is the perfect man – supportive, tall, dark, handsome, funny, and that guy who just gets you. Each chapter made me fall in love with him more and more.

The close-knit group of friends surrounding them gave me major FOMO, reminding me just how important it is to cherish our friendships.

The inclusion of te reo Māori and Kiwi slang was definitely a highlight for me as a proud Māori mama.

Olivia, you did an amazing job with Resorting to Love!

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more.

[Cams Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

I’d seen Olivia Isley asking for arc readers and I applied. It’s a New Zealand indie author so I have to support my fellow kiwi. I’m so happy I applied because I was thoroughly entertained. We have Mia whose birth parents left her a lot of money, like a huge amount. On top of that she also gained ownership of ski resorts, that she eventually decides to manage herself after meeting with the interim manager Bryce. A skeevy, creepy man with bad intentions.

Mia’s person is Will, he’s been her bestie for a long time and she relies on his calm manner. Will is in love with Mia, he wants her for himself. Now he just needs to get through Mia’s walls to win her heart.

I really liked the romance between Mia and Will. The push and pull was there and I could feel the tension. For two best friends though, their communication was lackimg. Time and again they’d misconstrue what one of them said and immediately go to the worst case scenario. Hence the .05 star off.

Thank you to the author including a kiwi tone near the end of the book and adding te reo. Georgia felt like someone I’d meet at the mall.

[M.W. Nel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first novel of Olivia I’ve read and it wasn’t bad. It had a good plot, some character growth, and I liked learning about the resort vibes.
I liked the scene where Mia and Will shared a door instead of it just being a one bed trope (which did come in later).
I liked the adoption topic and how Mia struggled with getting to know her new family while still feeling like she’s not betraying the ones who wanted her. I just needed more closure on why she was adopted but the way Olivia wrote and explained it made sense.
Sometimes I did feel that the same thing was said just in a different way which made it a bit redundant.
The sex scene was fine, but I just needed that little extra push from Mia when they slept together the first time and what her thought process was.
I love a good miscommunication trope but Mia did annoy me after a while because she didn’t listen to Will when he tried to explain himself. She only jumped to conclusions which I felt actually made her a bad friend.

[Poorvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mia Davis has her life figured out. Then she inherits her birth family’s beloved ski resorts. They’re her last link to the family she never knew, and she's the only one who can save them from being turned into a soulless, money-making machine. Thankfully, her best friend Will is a business consultant; exactly what she needs. They been just friend since university. And it would have been fine until those sneaky little kisses that have make them rethinking about their relationship.
I love the connection between them. I like how will is ready to help her in any way, flying across the country or helping her with running a ski resort. It has such a will they or won’t they tension. The miscommunication trope and everything had me screaming just talk guy. I love the side character in this book to, Mia’s close friend and the people who help her running the resort.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review 📚

'Resorting to Love' combined many of my favourite romance novel tropes - friends to lovers, reverse billionaire, he falls first and one bed - all of which were cleverly woven into the plot.

It has been written in a dual POV, which was very easy to follow. Each character was given their own voice and style, so it was clear whose POV you were reading.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read. It left me considering what I would do if I was in the same position as the FMC, and I found there was a good balance between the plot, the love story, and the spice.

I also loved the way the author honoured her New Zealand roots! 🇳🇿

A huge thank you to Olivia Isley for the opportunity to ARC read 'Resorting to Love' in exchange for an honest review.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with Resorting to Love. This is definitely a book I thought I'd thoroughly enjoy.

I did enjoy the underlying story - the concept of finding out when you're a happily functioning adult that your entire world has shifted overnight...I'm here for it (and living it tbh although not inheriting a resort chain!) I enjoyed getting to know the friend group, and I'm assuming the intention is to build out each into their own book for the series.

I thought the writing itself was good, there were some deep conversations and topics explored; but it felt like it just fell short of really pulling me in. There were times it felt I was reading and then rereading the same conversations and inner monologues numerous times throughout the book. I have the ARC for the next book that I'm currently reading and I'm enjoying it much more, so many it's just this particular one. But it felt like there were just SO MANY characters at play that I was struggling to keep everyone straight (I'm still not 100% positive who the girl is who became her assistant?). It felt like there was too much ground to cover to really delve into the details, but the details were still there and it cut into the storytelling itself.

I thought the romance was a slow burn in a good way, but again, just a little too much going on to really pull me in and keep me focused on what was going on. I think Olivia's ideas are excellent, I'm hoping the 2nd book pulls me in more.

[Lara-Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

NZ author Olivia Isley gives us a friends to slow burning lovers with Mia and Will.
Mia unexpectedly inherits her birth parents fortune, including a series of Resorts. Join Mia and Will on their journey of discovery and self growth as her world is turned upside down and she seeks comfort in his steadfast arms and support.
*Friends to lovers
*He falls first
*Only one bed
*Hallmark Vibes
*Romantic getaways

[QueenMum1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will is a business consultant and has been best friends with Mia for over a decade.
Mia is an attorney who has known al.ost her whole life she is adopted.
Tropes:
Friends to lovers, billionaire, lawyer, found family, Europe, adoption, angsty, slow burn, HEA romance.

A huge thank you to Olivia Isley and Booksprout for providing me with an eARC book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Amber Grube · Rating 2 out of 5]

****ARC Review**** This story had all the tropes in a book I like which is why I wanted to read it. Unfortunately there was simply too much going on, the main characters were incredibly immature, they knew they needed to speak clearly and be open about stuff yet continued to not do that in any instance. There were also an incredible amount of spelling errors that I hope are fixed for the final round.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn’t love a slow burn? I absolutely love duel POV and this book I couldn’t put it down! This is a cute little romance and I enjoyed watching the characters develop. It’s written so well I thought I was reading a couple who told a story it’s soo close to real life it’s unbelievable! It’s a must read and needs to be added to your TBR!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[OneShelfIsNeverEnough · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love friends to lovers and he falls first tropes, so I really enjoyed this book.

Despite knowing her whole life that she was adopted , Mia didn't expect to be left her biological families ski resorts in inheritance. With absolutely no experience, Mia enlists her best friend Will to go with her to try and save the resorts.

Will is Mia's rock, always there to support her whenever she needs , but as things progress so does their relationship.

A really good read!

[bluuedot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some moments fall flat but I feel that is simply because Isley is still finding her feet as a writer. The world she creates and the relationship between Will and Mia is evident, though infuriating from the beginning. I feel like Steph, Chloe and Matt should've locked them in a room long before we meet them, but I am also glad Mia's therapist got to her first. Also, loved the lil Aotearoa shout out.

An easy 3.8/5, ka pai and kia kaha Isley, I'm excited to read the next one in the series 🥰

[Kirsty Gudmundsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review 📚

I'm so happy to have discovered another Kiwi author. I really enjoyed this book! It had some of my favorite tropes - one bed, holiday romance, he falls first. Loved the incorporation of kiwi slang. I am looking forward to reading more by this author. I loved the friendship Mia and Alex had and reading how that developed into a relationship!

[Julie Juhl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resorting to Love by Olivia Isley is book 1 of London, With Love. I enjoyed reading this friends to lovers book. I thought the storyline was unique and the book is well written. This is the first book I have read from the author and look forward to reading more of her work and new books in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Olivia L. Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great lighthearted romance, perfect for reading during the summer and honestly has winter vibes too!
Mia and Will are best friends harboring deep feelings for each other that takes them a bit to accept.
Navigating unexpected inheritance and the dynamic of people walking life together, this story gives you all the happy vibes and sweet ending you could possibly want.

[Ana]

DNF @ 11%

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I was excited for it because the cover was so cute. However, I absolutely hated Will. He has been best friends with Mia for years, but the way he describes her really feels focused on her body. Like one chapter opened with him saying "my hot best friend" which gave me weird vibes. idk it was not for me, and I didn't really like Mia either.

[Manda Doorley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friends to Lovers
Found Family
Adoption
Instant Wealth
These are just a few of the tropes in this story. Mia is one that does not like change and over thinks everything. Will has been one of her best friends since University, and pinning away for her since then as well.
4.5 ⭐- if we could give .5 on here! :)
1.5 🌶️

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a book that has
•friends to lovers
•holiday vibes
•he falls first
•reverse billionaire
•duel PoV
•only one bed
Then this book is for you.
We follow Mia and Will’s story, with Mia inheriting her birth families ski resorts, and Will helping her along the way.
I loved how New Zealand was part of the book, with some lovely kiwi slang (if you can’t tell, I’m from New Zealand 😂)

[Molly Farrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia and Will have been friends for many years. Mia inherits her birth families ski resort, and Will helps her along the way. We hear from both sides of the story. A trip to New Zealand was just what they both needed.

[Stacie Peck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read! While the beginning felt a bit slow at times, the story quickly picked up and delivered an engaging friends-to-lovers romance with plenty of intriguing characters. I’m excited to see more from this author in the future!

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a slow burn, dual pov and friends to lovers. I love how the connection between the two characters becomes stronger and it leads them to become more than just friends. I would recommend this book.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly a bit meh, I probably would have DNF'd it if it was any longer. There was too much miscommunication and unnecessary drama between the 2 main characters. Also, if the guy I was into nicknamed me after a sea snail I'd get the ick so hard...

[Tania Percy · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
I loved the characters in this book. This book was easy to read, and I look forward to reading more from Olivia Isley.

[Daniela Hernandez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting...