The Chalet Girl: 'Flirtatious, scandal-filled and very moreish: think Jilly Cooper on the slopes' Daily Mail

by Victoria Prince

A DELICIOUSLY SCANDALOUS STORY OF LOVE, LUST AND LUXURY IN THE WORLD’S MOST EXCLUSIVE SKI RESORT


Lose yourself in a world of glittering secrets, dangerous desire and Alpine decadence.

‘Our generation’s answer to Jilly Cooper! *****

This Christmas, lose yourself in a world of glittering secrets, dangerous desire and Alpine decadence

'A sizzling read for cold nights' HEAT

'Sharp, sexy and so much fun!' Paige Toon, Sunday Times bestselling author

'A fun, escapist read set in a ridiculously glamorous Alpine ski resort, all about luxury, secrets and steamy romance. Flirtatious, scandal-filled and very think Jilly Cooper energy on the slopes' Daily Mail
--

Welcome to Kristalldorf…where the world’s richest residents hold the sexiest secrets.

Emmeline Everly is Kristalldorf's latest resident. She might be living in the world's most exclusive ski resort. But she's firmly downstairs. Where Emme sees all the dirty laundry behind the glossy exterior.

Emme vows not to get involved, that is until Tristan du Kok. When Kristalldorf's notorious bachelor turns his eye on her she's heading down a slippery slope.

Should Emme say yes to steaming up a gondola and bare herself to the man everyone says not to touch with a ski poll? Or will the ride be just too wild...

Perfect for fans of RIVALS, BRIDGET JONES and Danielle Steel, Victoria Prince is an exciting new voice in romance!

Readers are OBSESSED with The Chalet Girl!

‘The literal definition of a bonkbuster!’ *****

‘I was hooked from the first page’ *****

‘Flirty, fun and filled with banter’ *****

‘What a breath of fresh air this book was, such an uplifting and spicy book’ *****

Genres: Romance, Christmas

441 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2025

Reviews

[Brogan Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially downloaded this on my Kindle for something to immerse myself in during my own ski trip. I had no idea it was Victoria’s debut (extremely impressive!), but I DEVOURED IT and am absolutely desperate for book two!

It’s spicy, scandalous, and a little like Made in Chelsea in the mountains, only the millionaires and seasonaires mix. The fictional ski town of Kristalldorf in Switzerland was so fun to visit virtually.

I was screaming at our main character, Emme, because, despite being 28, she lacks some morals around infidelity, so I initially struggled to like her because of it (but we humans do have our flaws!). However, the book dives into many different characters, very much leaning towards becoming a much larger series…and I can’t wait!

We’re left on a cliffhanger, so I’ll patiently wait until I’m back in Kristalldorf, but until then, a biggggg five stars from me. Loved it.

[Lorna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started like a Temu version of Crazy Rich Asians, then everyone was apparently on heat.

Some of the phrasing was so cringey, and the last page was just a joke.

None of the main characters were likeable or had much substance, except Vivian, maybe Cat.

A lot of thought went into the setting through and you could really picture Kristalldorf.

Can't recommend.

[Charlie C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I absolutely loved this book and it got me out of my reading slump! The amount of scandal and drama shocked me and towards the end I couldn’t put it down! 100% recommend - I wish there was more to read! Hopefully there will be to tie up some loose ends!

[Raye]

review and rating to come

[Nadia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The setting was nice. The story was rubbish. Why did I bother finishing this 🫠

Do not recommend

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only way is up this year - absolute garbage.

[Libby Galloway · Rating 1 out of 5]

So badly written - the plot was so unbelievable and nothing made sense. The characters had absolutely no personality and therefore I did not feel invested in them or their stories at all. The worst book I’ve read all year - and I only finished it because I was on holiday with nothing else to read!!

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

After all of the thrillers, crime and murderous adventures I have read this year I was ready for a little change of pace - something to warm my heart and set my heart racing in a different kind of way… well, I certainly got that In spade loads with ‘The Chalet Girl’ by Victoria Prince AKA Zoë Folbigg. Thanks so much to the guys at Michael Joseph who are always so good to me for a stunning proof copy.

‘The Chalet Girl’ provided me with so much escapism in every sense of the word. It was rich in bearskins, sex, snow, scandal and I adored every single delicious second. I love a story about a regular person getting swept up into the world of the rich and shameless. All I really want to know is what on earth they put in the water in Kristalldorf and can I have some? Minus the drama and scandal of course… oh who am I kidding? I’ll take a side of sex, secrets and scandal with a vat of mulled wine please as long as Tristan Du Kok is serving it… preferably topless.

‘The Chalet Girl’ is a brilliant debut from Victoria Prince and I’m holding out hope for a follow-up. This is a perfect seasonal read for anybody looking for an escape or a little something different to their usual genre. As a fan of crime and murder - I absolutely ate this up! It’s released December 4th and I urge you to add it to your baskets immediately.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sex, secrets and scandals.
Welcome to Kristalldorf.

Emme takes a sabbatical to clear her head and her heart. She starts nannying for a wealthy family in Kristalldorf.
Whilst out with some new friends she meets renowned playboy and bachelor, Tristan Du Kok.

In all honesty I was this close 🤏🏽 to DNF’ing this book. This needed something more, something was missing. The first 80 odd pages (mostly) had me confused af. You were introduced to so many different characters in quick succession, and the narrator switching between the characters and their POV’s confused the hell out of me- I have never read a book that has done it before. I felt like at one point I was reading two different books. Around 1/2-3/4 of the way in it started to make sense, but some parts I felt we didn’t need to know and other parts we needed to know more.

HOWEVER.

I love a sexy, rich and scandalous story. (I just wish the sex was more interesting, it was not very descriptive and mostly *boring*). But omgggg the shop scene AND the gondola scene? TDK yes baby.
It was a great escapism read, I felt like I was getting the TEA and I was really involved as a reader.

I was actually sad when I finished reading this because I wanted more.
But.
The ending?
…. TBC

🌶️ 1.5
⭐️ 2.5 (but I would recommend)

[Laced In Lit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC 🫶
FMC is fleeing after admitting she is in love with her best friend who is getting married. On a whim she agrees to a nanny job in an elite ski resort for 6 months to mend her broken heart.
Inevitably she meets unavailable playboy MMC who always gets what he wants, and what he wants is Emme.
We have heartfelt moments, healing, partying and drama to deal with in Kristalldorf making this a fun read overall.
I will admit that i found Chalet Girl quite confusing to read to begin with mostly down to the 945 characters it introduced and the how they all linked together. This may of just been me but I did struggle to connect how everyone fit into the story.
HOWEVER...
I am so glad that I stuck with the book as once I got into it I really enjoyed it! It could have been a little shorter but none the less I would recommend.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Chalet Girl is the first book I’ve read from this author and I enjoyed it. Having realised she’s in love with her best friend Tom, Emme flees to the Swiss mountains for six months to escape. He’s just got married to someone that Emme set him up with and she can’t deal with it so decides to become a nanny whilst reassessing what she wants to do. Whilst in the elite ski town, she meets Tristan. Tall, tanned and rich but with a reputation that certainly precedes him. It’s a great plot that in places I felt could have been shorter but over all engaged me and the ending certainly hints at another book. Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and the author for the chance to review.

[Kathleen Whyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a Jackie Collins fan, you will LOVE this book.

I was hooked from the first page, as we see the heroine Emme embarking on a new life in the glamorous ski town of Kristalldorf to recover from a broken heart.

Every character who lives in Kristalldorf oozes glamour and intrigue. Author Victoria Prince entices us with pieces of their lives before moving onto another character, leaving us constantly wanting more. Which she more than delivers, as rifts, love affairs and secrets grow, and their lives intertwine all the more.

Emme surprises both us and herself by overcoming her heartache in a way we could never have predicted.

A BRILLIANT debut from Victoria Prince. I'm already looking forward to the next one.

[Helen Eve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well what was all that about. It was like two half finished mediocre books merged and jumbled together. Not entirely sure the author knew where this was going to end up and how on earth did this get past an editor!
Too many characters and by the end of the book it was clear that at least 6 or more were not even required in any way shape or form and the time wasted on them could have been used to build a rapport between the main characters but also the reader and the characters. Shockingly poor. And the supposed spicy sex scenes were cringey and awkward or skimmed over and none existent. I can’t work out if the author tried too hard and failed or was just throwing a bit of everything at it in an attempt to hit something.

[Tyla Craven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed!!!! I picked this book up at an airport recently for a short 3 hour flight and devoured it over the next few days. Safe to say it’s wreaked my sleep schedule but I got so immersed in this winter world and needed to keep reading. I live in a ski resort so this is the perfect cozy seasonal read I needed to get me into the winter ski vibes. Loved it from start to end. Can’t wait to see what else this author has to come. I could easily read an entire series of books set in Kristalldorf where each winter season we return to meet new characters and storylines, but still catch up with our favourites. Ooh it would be so much fun!

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - so much more than what I expected.

Bit of a slow start, after 100 pages I finally started to get the hang of the plethora of relationships and endless love triangles. (Hence the 4 stars)

Then it gets exciting as it all unfolds, so much drama. I loved the setting in the Swiss alps, the cute Christmassy vibes. Do I think Emme should trust Tristan? In a world with happy endings - yes. Am I feeling Christmassy? Yes

Honestly one of my fav books in a while. Cannot wait for the second part, as the last lines very much require an explanation. Dad?

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the first few chapters hard going as we were introduced to so many characters ( a lot of which had long god awful names) and so many histories of them it was a bit much tbh. Once the story got going I enjoyed it but I have to say the cover gives the impression that there would be some hot sex scenes. There weren't that many and they were not very well done. The end of the story was a bit too old fashioned to be satisfied with, I'm afraid. ~ I had a paperback which didn't seem to be an option on Goodreads. Not a keeper.

[Thebooktrail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great location and great escapism in every sense of the word. Fun and frisky should be the byline. Haven't had this much fun with a book for a while. Shame it was overly long and a bit complicated with the sheer number of characters and links between them. However I do believe this book may increase the number of women especially heading to ski resorts and getting cosy in log cabins with someone they've met off the slope that day!

3.5 closer to 4 than 3.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book and could not put it down. I liked that there were a few mini storylines all linked together and that it was set in a ski town full of millionaires (it kind of gave me Magnolia Parks vibes). I didn't love the main romance in this- I think Tristan is the biggest red flag I have ever come across and I would have avoided him at all costs haha. Overall I LOVED it and the ending had me shook so I cannot wait for the next book.

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has made me want to whisk off to the snowy mountains, sip hot chocolate by the fire whilst eating cheese fondue and admiring the beautiful ski view.
Thank you so much to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House via NetGalley for the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
3/3.5 STARS
This is a fab read to get yourself into the festive mood - what better than a winter romance while you're tucked up cosy inside next to the sparkling Christmas tree?! I have to say I found this a little hard to get into at the beginning, but by 30% of the way in I was hooked. I really enjoyed every characters story and POV (and let me tell you, there is a lot of them) but I just found myself wanting to know more and more. Definitely one to add to your TBR.
THE ENDING?! I am hoping there is a sequel already in the works...

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so campy and fun. It was kind of gratuitous but for such a long book I got through it really quickly.

My main wish was more of a conclusion on most of the characters, especially the evil ones.

Otherwise, this was very fun and a trashy and salacious read, and it got me through quite a long train ride.

[Angela Botterill-Quan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed a quick win to kick start my 2026 reading challenge and reignite my love for reading.and this was perfect for that it was spicy and scandalous and one of those books I didn’t want to put down! After reading Chalet Girl, I miss the slopes and would like to get back there !

We were left on a cliffhanger :O and I’m looking forward to reading book 2!

[Rebecca Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent debut! Omg I loved this - a bit of a slow start for me as I tried to get my head round so many characters and each of their relationships to one another but once it started… omg the drama.. and I loved it so much - I found myself both routing for Emme and also cringing at some decisions but I was hooked. Also.. that ending… bring on book 2!

[Emma Hanlon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book. Nothing thrilling but enjoyed the different families and their ways of life. A spin of about the Steinherr family would be interesting. Disliked Lexy’s character from the beginning - but I think this was the aim of the author. Emme ( the main character) was not very interesting and her story didn’t excite me.

[Silvia LD · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 50%
Audio ALC - thank you Libro.fm for this advance listened copy!
Oh gosh, where to start, this book was so messy, hard to follow with tons of points of view, unlikeable characters, insipid human interactions… yeah it’s a no for me

[Cheryl Carpenter · Rating 1 out of 5]

confusing

I found this book super confusing as it switched between a lot of characters, I actually couldn’t finish it, there were so many chops and changes I couldn’t get a grasp on the storyline.

[Samantha Tonge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this debut! It was just like watching an episode of Dynasty - glamorous, sexy, and very hot considering the setting! A wide cast of characters I enjoyed getting to know and I couldn't put the book down towards the end.
What and ending!
What a ride - literally!

[Mai White · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC for now.. this was so much fun!

[Tilly Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5.

[Emma Wool · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book until the last 20 pages when it just became rather ridiculous.

[Eleanor Bevan · Rating 2 out of 5]

very slow characters unlikeable actually did not finish this as read half of the book and nothing happened!