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Off Course
For fans of Tessa Bailey comes a steamy debut sports romance following an Olympic downhill skier and the sexy risk-taking ski mountaineer she hires to train her for a new event. But when their chemistry threatens to disrupt her carefully planned life, will she stick with her schedule or let her life veer off course in the name of love?
Kit Schuster has been bombing downhill on skis since she was two-and-a-half, and becoming the most decorated woman on the slopes has made the decade of competing across multiple continents and grueling race schedules worth it. She doesn’t look anywhere but straight ahead of her—on the racecourse and in life. But a younger rival now has her looking over her shoulder. To solidify her place in history, Kit decides to enter in the newest Olympic event of ski mountaineering, giving her eighteen months to prepare for the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina, Italy.
Asher McClendon grew up dangling from rock faces in Yosemite, and he stuns his followers with daring climbs up the world's most remote peaks before skiing down their steep ridges. He lives for the high-stakes thrills that come with ski mountaineering. When he agrees to coach a legendary alpine skier at his home outside Lake Tahoe, he's more intrigued by the paycheck than the woman. That is, until she arrives to stay in his guest cabin.
Far away from the perfectly groomed ski slopes of European resorts, Kit’s routine and laser focus get a major detour—by Asher's training regimen and their growing attraction to each other. Before she realizes it, everything in Kit’s life is veering off course. Faced with an insurmountable hurdle and no ski lift in sight, they must both determine what they’re willing to risk for love—even if it’s their careers.
Kit Schuster has been bombing downhill on skis since she was two-and-a-half, and becoming the most decorated woman on the slopes has made the decade of competing across multiple continents and grueling race schedules worth it. She doesn’t look anywhere but straight ahead of her—on the racecourse and in life. But a younger rival now has her looking over her shoulder. To solidify her place in history, Kit decides to enter in the newest Olympic event of ski mountaineering, giving her eighteen months to prepare for the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina, Italy.
Asher McClendon grew up dangling from rock faces in Yosemite, and he stuns his followers with daring climbs up the world's most remote peaks before skiing down their steep ridges. He lives for the high-stakes thrills that come with ski mountaineering. When he agrees to coach a legendary alpine skier at his home outside Lake Tahoe, he's more intrigued by the paycheck than the woman. That is, until she arrives to stay in his guest cabin.
Far away from the perfectly groomed ski slopes of European resorts, Kit’s routine and laser focus get a major detour—by Asher's training regimen and their growing attraction to each other. Before she realizes it, everything in Kit’s life is veering off course. Faced with an insurmountable hurdle and no ski lift in sight, they must both determine what they’re willing to risk for love—even if it’s their careers.
284 pages, Hardcover
Published August 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
February 8, 2026
Forced proximity
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Golden retriever MMC
HEA
This does not hit as a debut. This hits like a seasoned author writing her 10th novel. The story flowed well and was so engaging. While the time line of the romance is very quick, it still felt very authentic (it takes place over 1 month excluding epilogues) but it didn’t strike as insta-lust which I appreciate. There is obvious attraction but I still felt it was tactfully done.
I liked the dynamic between the hippie minded outdoorsy MMC and the regimented Olympian FMC. The growth of their mindsets is a great element too while they deal with external struggles, independently and together, between family, friends, grief, and failure. Nothing felt misplaced, un-needed or over extended.
With the Winter Olympics coming up (in the real world!) the timing couldn’t have been better for this read. I found I actually learned a bit of technical terms via this story and feel properly hyped to watch the Winter Olympics now!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Golden retriever MMC
HEA
This does not hit as a debut. This hits like a seasoned author writing her 10th novel. The story flowed well and was so engaging. While the time line of the romance is very quick, it still felt very authentic (it takes place over 1 month excluding epilogues) but it didn’t strike as insta-lust which I appreciate. There is obvious attraction but I still felt it was tactfully done.
I liked the dynamic between the hippie minded outdoorsy MMC and the regimented Olympian FMC. The growth of their mindsets is a great element too while they deal with external struggles, independently and together, between family, friends, grief, and failure. Nothing felt misplaced, un-needed or over extended.
With the Winter Olympics coming up (in the real world!) the timing couldn’t have been better for this read. I found I actually learned a bit of technical terms via this story and feel properly hyped to watch the Winter Olympics now!
February 26, 2026
“I might, uh, not, um, get to the summit.” “That is totally okay, if you don’t…get to the summit. But I want it really bad. I want to spend time at all the base camps, to be well and truly ready to push to the top. I’m not taking you to eight thousand meters without getting you to the peak of Everest, Kit.”
What started off as a captivating, light-hearted, opposites attract romance between two professional athletes turned into the most beautiful story about what you are willing to risk for love 🥹 This was such a wonderful debut and I really didn’t want it to end!
Kit Schuster is a driven, regimented and decorated Olympic Alpine Skier who is feeling the pressure of rookies coming for her standing. So she changes course and decides to compete in the brand new event of Ski Mountaineering (Skimo) in the upcoming Olympics in Italy. Determined to train with the best, she spends the next several weeks living alone with Asher McClendon - a laid back, Ski Mountaineering legend who wants nothing more than to shake some life back into her icy demeanour.
Kit and Asher couldn’t be more opposite and when they are forced together in close proximity, alone in the mountains to train for a month, it creates the perfect setting for witty banter and a slow burn romance that hit the mark at every turn. I loved seeing Kit soften her regimented, intense lifestyle as the book went on; revealing more and more of her true self in the company of Asher’s friends and family. Asher’s laid-back personality was infectious, as was the merry band of friends we are introduced to. I LOVED how forthcoming he was about his feelings towards Kit and how their attraction ramped up the more time they spent together.
This book is definitely a sports romance through and through. PERFECT for ski or adventure lovers or new-to-Skimo fans like me who learned so much from Kit & Asher’s training ⛷️ It’s clear that Julie knows the intricacies of this endurance sport like no other and it absolutely read like a love story to the tenacity of these athletes. The latter half of this book really tests the MCs and I was so gripped by the story! Julie’s writing is so engrossing, a true rollercoaster of emotions, and you’ll find yourself turning the pages so fast to see what happens next.
Off Course is a fantastic debut novel that’s perfect for readers who love skiing & the Olympics, who look for sport in “sports romance” and who melt for spicy slow burns that are so worth the wait!
A big thank you to NetGalley and Turner Publishing Company for the ARC 🫶🏻
May 22, 2026
trigger warnings and other info at the end of the review
First of all, A HUGE THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!!!
This book was so, so much fun to read! I loved the romance aspects and I really think that the characters fit well together. That being said, the ending felt a little unsatisfactory. I feel like it didn't have as much payoff as it should and it didn't hit as much as I wanted it to.
So much love and respect for the author!! This is SUCH a good romance and almost a 5 star read for me.
_________________book info____________________
Genre(s): Sports, Romance, Fiction
Recommended Age Rating: 16+
Reasons Why: Romance, sex, alcohol
Overall Rating: A--
First of all, A HUGE THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!!!
This book was so, so much fun to read! I loved the romance aspects and I really think that the characters fit well together. That being said, the ending felt a little unsatisfactory. I feel like it didn't have as much payoff as it should and it didn't hit as much as I wanted it to.
So much love and respect for the author!! This is SUCH a good romance and almost a 5 star read for me.
_________________book info____________________
Genre(s): Sports, Romance, Fiction
Recommended Age Rating: 16+
Reasons Why: Romance, sex, alcohol
Overall Rating: A--
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the eARC.
This was a fun romance, perfect for someone looking for a theme read for the wintry months or the winter Olympics! The FMC is a renowned downhill skier who teams up with a professional outdoorsman/adventurer to train for the newly added Olympic sport of ski mountaineering. The dialogue between the two MCs felt natural, it was interesting to delve into this new sport, and the author wrote a perfect portrait of the (somewhat obnoxious) dirtbag friend.
It was refreshing to read a story where most of the challenges and rising tension were due to the challenges of training and adventuring in the back country, rather than a frustrating miscommunication trope between the couple. I did feel like the ending felt a bit rushed, with several personal conflicts being introduced and then quickly resolved (and, indeed, the miscommunication trope does rear its ugly head among family members).
Light trigger warnings that I think should be included: Disordered eating–The FMC is a professional athlete with a regimented diet, but goes overboard with her approach to and discussion of food.
I received this through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This was a fun romance, perfect for someone looking for a theme read for the wintry months or the winter Olympics! The FMC is a renowned downhill skier who teams up with a professional outdoorsman/adventurer to train for the newly added Olympic sport of ski mountaineering. The dialogue between the two MCs felt natural, it was interesting to delve into this new sport, and the author wrote a perfect portrait of the (somewhat obnoxious) dirtbag friend.
It was refreshing to read a story where most of the challenges and rising tension were due to the challenges of training and adventuring in the back country, rather than a frustrating miscommunication trope between the couple. I did feel like the ending felt a bit rushed, with several personal conflicts being introduced and then quickly resolved (and, indeed, the miscommunication trope does rear its ugly head among family members).
Light trigger warnings that I think should be included: Disordered eating–The FMC is a professional athlete with a regimented diet, but goes overboard with her approach to and discussion of food.
I received this through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 25, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Julie Cook, and Keylight Books for an arc read of Off Course
Summary:
Kit is determined to try the newest Olympic sport, ski mountaineering. Having planned every second of her life, she is eager to secure her place in the world of competitive skiing as a rising star threatens to take her spot in alpine skiing. To stay ahead, she knows she’ll need intense training. Asher, who lives for the thrill and adventure that come with mountaineering, agrees to help her prepare for the upcoming Winter Games in Italy. Through grueling training sessions and a practice run in the Italian Alps, Kit and Asher discover there is more to life than meticulous planning—and more to their sport than simply winning.
Thoughts:
•THIS IS A DEBUT NOVEL!!!
• What a great sports romance from author Julie Cook! I found this book incredibly unique because I haven’t come across many sports romances centered around skiing.
• The amount of gear and equipment required for this sport is insane! I was so surprised by everything Kit needed when she first began training.
• The tension in this book is palpable from the moment Kit and Asher meet. Their chemistry is immediate and absolutely explodes throughout the story.
• Nutella somehow sounds even better after reading this book—and I already loved it!
• The pacing is perfect. The story moves at just the right speed, keeping me engaged from beginning to end.
• I felt so much anxiety while reading about the skiing and mountaineering scenes. I can say with 100% certainty that this is an amazing sport—and one I will never be trying myself. 😅
Julie, I’m here for anything else you write and put out into the world. This book is a beautiful romance that not only delivers on the love story but also highlights the importance of personal growth and self-discovery.
Summary:
Kit is determined to try the newest Olympic sport, ski mountaineering. Having planned every second of her life, she is eager to secure her place in the world of competitive skiing as a rising star threatens to take her spot in alpine skiing. To stay ahead, she knows she’ll need intense training. Asher, who lives for the thrill and adventure that come with mountaineering, agrees to help her prepare for the upcoming Winter Games in Italy. Through grueling training sessions and a practice run in the Italian Alps, Kit and Asher discover there is more to life than meticulous planning—and more to their sport than simply winning.
Thoughts:
•THIS IS A DEBUT NOVEL!!!
• What a great sports romance from author Julie Cook! I found this book incredibly unique because I haven’t come across many sports romances centered around skiing.
• The amount of gear and equipment required for this sport is insane! I was so surprised by everything Kit needed when she first began training.
• The tension in this book is palpable from the moment Kit and Asher meet. Their chemistry is immediate and absolutely explodes throughout the story.
• Nutella somehow sounds even better after reading this book—and I already loved it!
• The pacing is perfect. The story moves at just the right speed, keeping me engaged from beginning to end.
• I felt so much anxiety while reading about the skiing and mountaineering scenes. I can say with 100% certainty that this is an amazing sport—and one I will never be trying myself. 😅
Julie, I’m here for anything else you write and put out into the world. This book is a beautiful romance that not only delivers on the love story but also highlights the importance of personal growth and self-discovery.
February 25, 2026
As someone who was mourning the end of the Winter Olympics, this book arrived at the perfect time. I cannot fully explain how much I enjoyed it. I devoured it in a single day and did not want it to end.
The storyline was brilliant. I know some readers felt a little overwhelmed by the technical details, but I actually loved that aspect. It really highlighted the depth of knowledge behind the sports involved and made everything feel authentic and well researched. The attention to detail added to the intensity rather than taking away from it.
If I had one small critique, it would be that the final few chapters felt slightly rushed. I would have happily read another one or two chapters to let those moments breathe a little more. That said, it did not take away from my overall experience.
I absolutely loved the FMC, the MMC, and all of the side characters. Everyone had such distinct, engaging personalities, and I felt genuinely invested in them. The spice was also fantastic, beautifully written and perfectly balanced with the emotional development.
I honestly cannot believe this was a debut novel. It reads like something written by a fully established author. It was also refreshing to read about a winter sport other than ice hockey for a change, although ice hockey will always have my heart.
An easy five stars from me. I simply could not put it down.
The storyline was brilliant. I know some readers felt a little overwhelmed by the technical details, but I actually loved that aspect. It really highlighted the depth of knowledge behind the sports involved and made everything feel authentic and well researched. The attention to detail added to the intensity rather than taking away from it.
If I had one small critique, it would be that the final few chapters felt slightly rushed. I would have happily read another one or two chapters to let those moments breathe a little more. That said, it did not take away from my overall experience.
I absolutely loved the FMC, the MMC, and all of the side characters. Everyone had such distinct, engaging personalities, and I felt genuinely invested in them. The spice was also fantastic, beautifully written and perfectly balanced with the emotional development.
I honestly cannot believe this was a debut novel. It reads like something written by a fully established author. It was also refreshing to read about a winter sport other than ice hockey for a change, although ice hockey will always have my heart.
An easy five stars from me. I simply could not put it down.
August 9, 2026
Just what the doctor ordered!
August 14, 2026
This was adorable. And I learned so much about skiing!
February 23, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley, Turner Publishing Company and author Julie Cook for the e-ARC in exchange for honest review.
Being ski and alps-obsessed, I jumped at the opportunity to read this book as soon as I saw it!
I just loved the portrayal of Kit’s intense ski training/eating/sleeping regime (planned down to minutes within her day) - it really captured the insane commitment and intensity of life as an elite athlete! The balance of Asher’s bought yin to Kit’s yan, being an elite athlete himself who trains hard but has maintained peripheral vision on the other important parts of life that he values.
When Kit stays with Asher to train for a month in her off season for the new Olympic sport of ski mountaineering, I fell in love with Asher and how amenable he was to her strict routine and laser focus. I have NEVER read a MMC with such incredible communication and I’m so here for more!!!
I just loved their slow burn to steamy romance and all the changes, hurdles and challenges along the way.
This is Julie Cook’s debut novel - and I cannot speak highly enough about all the technical knowledge and vocabulary relating to ski racing and mountaineering. I love that the setting takes place in the States near Tahoe, in the Dolomites/Cortina, with places close to my heart like Courchevel and even home (Australia) being linked in!
Off Course is available from August 4, 2026.
Being ski and alps-obsessed, I jumped at the opportunity to read this book as soon as I saw it!
I just loved the portrayal of Kit’s intense ski training/eating/sleeping regime (planned down to minutes within her day) - it really captured the insane commitment and intensity of life as an elite athlete! The balance of Asher’s bought yin to Kit’s yan, being an elite athlete himself who trains hard but has maintained peripheral vision on the other important parts of life that he values.
When Kit stays with Asher to train for a month in her off season for the new Olympic sport of ski mountaineering, I fell in love with Asher and how amenable he was to her strict routine and laser focus. I have NEVER read a MMC with such incredible communication and I’m so here for more!!!
I just loved their slow burn to steamy romance and all the changes, hurdles and challenges along the way.
This is Julie Cook’s debut novel - and I cannot speak highly enough about all the technical knowledge and vocabulary relating to ski racing and mountaineering. I love that the setting takes place in the States near Tahoe, in the Dolomites/Cortina, with places close to my heart like Courchevel and even home (Australia) being linked in!
Off Course is available from August 4, 2026.
June 3, 2026
Her brother makes a comment about her nipples??
It felt like this book was delayed for publishing because she’s preparing for Cortina?
There really just seemed like so many problems.
Their relationship moved so fast and is just proximity and that they’re both hot?
She’s so judgemental and regimented with her eating it’s giving orthorexia.
This book could do with some major editing.
The FMC is insufferable with how she’s been babied her whole life and incompetent.
Don’t even get me started on how unnecessarily technical the book is.
If I had to read golden milk one more time I swear to god.
Sex scenes are so AWKWARD so robotic and their first kiss made no sense.
I’m sorry. I feel like a hater but it’s bad.
The publishing company should seriously be investigated. I normally don’t leave such bad reviews before publishing but it’s a sus book. It seems more like a vanity press than legitimate indie publisher.
It felt like this book was delayed for publishing because she’s preparing for Cortina?
There really just seemed like so many problems.
Their relationship moved so fast and is just proximity and that they’re both hot?
She’s so judgemental and regimented with her eating it’s giving orthorexia.
This book could do with some major editing.
The FMC is insufferable with how she’s been babied her whole life and incompetent.
Don’t even get me started on how unnecessarily technical the book is.
If I had to read golden milk one more time I swear to god.
Sex scenes are so AWKWARD so robotic and their first kiss made no sense.
I’m sorry. I feel like a hater but it’s bad.
The publishing company should seriously be investigated. I normally don’t leave such bad reviews before publishing but it’s a sus book. It seems more like a vanity press than legitimate indie publisher.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The premise and beginning of this seemed so promising. I don't usually love rigid FMC's, however, I enjoyed the first couple of chapters. Until the brother said to his sister, "You know that makes your nipples hard." Nope. I have the ick. There is no coming back from this. Brothers who are characterized as great people do not comment on our nipples.
This might be more personal to me, but I wonder if beta readers would have agreed if there were any.
The premise and beginning of this seemed so promising. I don't usually love rigid FMC's, however, I enjoyed the first couple of chapters. Until the brother said to his sister, "You know that makes your nipples hard." Nope. I have the ick. There is no coming back from this. Brothers who are characterized as great people do not comment on our nipples.
This might be more personal to me, but I wonder if beta readers would have agreed if there were any.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I decided I wanted to read Off Course during the Milan Cortina Olympics in 2026. It was perfect, as Kit’s desire to dominate these specific games was what set the events of the story in motion. Normally I’m more of a summer Olympics fan, and during the winter I mostly stick to figure skating. These Olympics, and this book, introduced me to several sports I previously knew nothing about, including back country skiing and ski mountaineering.
Let me be clear. Both of these sports sound, frankly, terrible to me. I am not an outdoorsy or athletic person, and when I do partake in outdoor sports, I definitely don’t choose the ones that can literally kill me. I would never willingly spend days climbing a mountain just to ski down in fifteen minutes (this was mentioned once in the book, but it really stuck with me). However, it does make me really happy to READ about the brave, adventurous lunatics who do really enjoy these things. I think Asher and his mountaineering friends were absolutely crazy, but I also think it’s so impressive and inspirational to know that there are people out there who are really able to live the way that they do and thrive through those sort of challenges. Asher’s friends and family, along with Kit’s closest friends, were the highlight of the story for me.
This book is very informative, and it was clearly well researched. It was incredibly technical, and I learned a lot about the sport. Not all of it was necessarily WELCOME information - I will certainly be seeing avalanches, portaledges and poop tubes in my nightmares - but I always appreciate the opportunity to learn! However, because it was so technical, it did tend to become pretty slow in some sections, especially when Kit was training with Asher at Lake Tahoe (a fantastic setting that I loved reading about, by the way). I was glad to have read this on a e-reader, because the amount of new vocabulary and specific sport related jargon and slang I had to look up was excessive. It also felt a little repetitive, both in training scenes and in the romance.
The romance fell a little flat for me. It seemed like it all moved very quickly, and I’m not even the sort of reader who minds instalove all that much. There are a lot of spicy scenes, but I never felt all that much chemistry between the two leads. I think it somewhat prioritized spice over building connection, which isn’t my preference. I started out liking them both a lot, but when they got together, Kit got too mean, Asher got too clingy, and they both gave me the ick. Normally forced proximity is one of my favorite tropes, but in this book it made me feel claustrophobic. For one of the first times ever, I actually supported and agreed with the third act breakup. Not because I didn’t want the characters to eventually wind up together and happy, but because the concerns were valid and needed to be addressed. It all just felt very real, and a lot of readers are going to love that. I guess I, personally, just don’t like to be reminded in too much detail of real problems or real men when I read romance with cartoons on the cover.
One question I still have nagging in the back of my mind is about the Dolomites trip. They spend the majority of the book discussing and preparing for it. The action really picked up in this section, and it was tense, scary, and sad. Like I said, I’m not an athlete, and I didn’t know this sport existed until I started this book. However, having watched ski mountaineering footage from the Olympics, I don’t understand why the Dolomites trip was necessary. It seems like way more than Kit needed to prepare for. I’m not saying it WAS unnecessary, but I don’t feel like the book really explained why they were putting their lives at risk for it. However, it’s likely that that’s my own ignorance of the sport shining through rather than a lack of information from the author. I would like to know the answer though!
Ultimately I wouldn’t say this book was a perfect fit for me, although I did enjoy reading about the beautiful settings and learning about new sports. However, there are definitely readers I would recommend this to. First, athletes. Specifically hikers, climbers, skiers - or just actual outdoorsy, adventurous people who will appreciate all the technical details from an author who clearly knows her stuff! Second, romance readers who enjoy more flawed, human characters in their romance books. Especially those with a penchant for a few more spicy scenes than we typically see in this sort of romance book!
Thank you so much to Julie Cook, Turner Publishing Company, Keylight Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this e-arc in exchange for my review. All thoughts are my own.
Let me be clear. Both of these sports sound, frankly, terrible to me. I am not an outdoorsy or athletic person, and when I do partake in outdoor sports, I definitely don’t choose the ones that can literally kill me. I would never willingly spend days climbing a mountain just to ski down in fifteen minutes (this was mentioned once in the book, but it really stuck with me). However, it does make me really happy to READ about the brave, adventurous lunatics who do really enjoy these things. I think Asher and his mountaineering friends were absolutely crazy, but I also think it’s so impressive and inspirational to know that there are people out there who are really able to live the way that they do and thrive through those sort of challenges. Asher’s friends and family, along with Kit’s closest friends, were the highlight of the story for me.
This book is very informative, and it was clearly well researched. It was incredibly technical, and I learned a lot about the sport. Not all of it was necessarily WELCOME information - I will certainly be seeing avalanches, portaledges and poop tubes in my nightmares - but I always appreciate the opportunity to learn! However, because it was so technical, it did tend to become pretty slow in some sections, especially when Kit was training with Asher at Lake Tahoe (a fantastic setting that I loved reading about, by the way). I was glad to have read this on a e-reader, because the amount of new vocabulary and specific sport related jargon and slang I had to look up was excessive. It also felt a little repetitive, both in training scenes and in the romance.
The romance fell a little flat for me. It seemed like it all moved very quickly, and I’m not even the sort of reader who minds instalove all that much. There are a lot of spicy scenes, but I never felt all that much chemistry between the two leads. I think it somewhat prioritized spice over building connection, which isn’t my preference. I started out liking them both a lot, but when they got together, Kit got too mean, Asher got too clingy, and they both gave me the ick. Normally forced proximity is one of my favorite tropes, but in this book it made me feel claustrophobic. For one of the first times ever, I actually supported and agreed with the third act breakup. Not because I didn’t want the characters to eventually wind up together and happy, but because the concerns were valid and needed to be addressed. It all just felt very real, and a lot of readers are going to love that. I guess I, personally, just don’t like to be reminded in too much detail of real problems or real men when I read romance with cartoons on the cover.
One question I still have nagging in the back of my mind is about the Dolomites trip. They spend the majority of the book discussing and preparing for it. The action really picked up in this section, and it was tense, scary, and sad. Like I said, I’m not an athlete, and I didn’t know this sport existed until I started this book. However, having watched ski mountaineering footage from the Olympics, I don’t understand why the Dolomites trip was necessary. It seems like way more than Kit needed to prepare for. I’m not saying it WAS unnecessary, but I don’t feel like the book really explained why they were putting their lives at risk for it. However, it’s likely that that’s my own ignorance of the sport shining through rather than a lack of information from the author. I would like to know the answer though!
Ultimately I wouldn’t say this book was a perfect fit for me, although I did enjoy reading about the beautiful settings and learning about new sports. However, there are definitely readers I would recommend this to. First, athletes. Specifically hikers, climbers, skiers - or just actual outdoorsy, adventurous people who will appreciate all the technical details from an author who clearly knows her stuff! Second, romance readers who enjoy more flawed, human characters in their romance books. Especially those with a penchant for a few more spicy scenes than we typically see in this sort of romance book!
Thank you so much to Julie Cook, Turner Publishing Company, Keylight Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this e-arc in exchange for my review. All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Turner Publishing Company and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I love a good sports romance. And I've not read one about skiing. I will admit, I don't know a ton about the sport, though I did some light skiing when I was younger. So I was excited to read a different kind of sports romance. Plus it is compared to Tessa Bailey, who I love. And I really wanted to enjoy this, I did. But there just wasn't much substance to it for me to really get into it and like it much.
I think my biggest problem with this book wasn't necessarily the plot, but the characters. They were just so flat and immature. I in no way was convinced they were the ages stated in the book. I didn't feel they grew during the book at all. I really didn't like them at all. Their personalities didn't make me want to read about them or their relationship. I liked Kit less than I liked Asher. He definitely had more personality. And I know part of Kit's personality is that she is cold and aloof. But you spend time in her brain as this is dual POV and even that time didn't hook me on her.
The romance was meh for me. It was a bit of insta-love, which is not necessarily bad for me if it's done right. But none of the interactions made me feel that attraction before they finally got together. The build up was lacking. The chemistry was lacking. I didn't understand why they were even attracted to each other. They didn't seem to have much in common besides being athletes.
The side characters were mostly Ashe's friends and they just struck me as frat boys who never fratted. These men did not seem like they were in their thirties or even older. And there was so much sexualization of Kit by a few of them. And Asher just ignored it and Kit brushed it off. I felt like this was a missed opportunity for Asher to step up and show how good of a guy he was.
As for the plot, it didn't seem like it really was going anywhere. I wasn't sure what the conflict was for this book or what the story was trying to solve. And then the Olympics seemed like such an afterthought, even though that was one of the reasons Asher and kit were training together.
Finally, there was so much technical talk without explaining any of it. It seemed like the author just assumed the reader knew all about the sports of skiing and mountaineering. News flash, I know zero about mountaineering and the technical talk totally lost me and pulled me out of the story. I kept skimming parts because I just didn't know what they were talking about.
This book definitely came off as a debut novel for me. It could have been longer, so the conflict could have actually unfold and the relationships had time to grow and change. The writing itself wasn't bad, I can see Cook's promise as an author. But overall I feel like this book needed more editing and a bit more thought put into exactly what the story was about. Honestly, I was just bored throughout reading this story.
Don't get me started on the repetitiveness of Kit's routines with her eating and alarms. How many times can the author refer to this before you just don't care about it anymore. It becomes Kit's entire personality, which is not saying much. That's just some of the telling this story did rather than showing.
Lastly, her brother makes a comment about her nipples and...no...just no. Plus I won't even bore you with how poorly the sex scenes were written and how it seemed like the author was using that to try and create romance. That just does not work, there has to be connection and chemistry for the characters to mesh and fall in love.
I see quite a few great reviews for this so perhaps others will enjoy it more than I did or I just missed something major and it went right over my head. This one felt like a young adult story with the ages adjusted and some spice thrown in to make it an adult romance.
1.5 stars rounded to 2
I love a good sports romance. And I've not read one about skiing. I will admit, I don't know a ton about the sport, though I did some light skiing when I was younger. So I was excited to read a different kind of sports romance. Plus it is compared to Tessa Bailey, who I love. And I really wanted to enjoy this, I did. But there just wasn't much substance to it for me to really get into it and like it much.
I think my biggest problem with this book wasn't necessarily the plot, but the characters. They were just so flat and immature. I in no way was convinced they were the ages stated in the book. I didn't feel they grew during the book at all. I really didn't like them at all. Their personalities didn't make me want to read about them or their relationship. I liked Kit less than I liked Asher. He definitely had more personality. And I know part of Kit's personality is that she is cold and aloof. But you spend time in her brain as this is dual POV and even that time didn't hook me on her.
The romance was meh for me. It was a bit of insta-love, which is not necessarily bad for me if it's done right. But none of the interactions made me feel that attraction before they finally got together. The build up was lacking. The chemistry was lacking. I didn't understand why they were even attracted to each other. They didn't seem to have much in common besides being athletes.
The side characters were mostly Ashe's friends and they just struck me as frat boys who never fratted. These men did not seem like they were in their thirties or even older. And there was so much sexualization of Kit by a few of them. And Asher just ignored it and Kit brushed it off. I felt like this was a missed opportunity for Asher to step up and show how good of a guy he was.
As for the plot, it didn't seem like it really was going anywhere. I wasn't sure what the conflict was for this book or what the story was trying to solve. And then the Olympics seemed like such an afterthought, even though that was one of the reasons Asher and kit were training together.
Finally, there was so much technical talk without explaining any of it. It seemed like the author just assumed the reader knew all about the sports of skiing and mountaineering. News flash, I know zero about mountaineering and the technical talk totally lost me and pulled me out of the story. I kept skimming parts because I just didn't know what they were talking about.
This book definitely came off as a debut novel for me. It could have been longer, so the conflict could have actually unfold and the relationships had time to grow and change. The writing itself wasn't bad, I can see Cook's promise as an author. But overall I feel like this book needed more editing and a bit more thought put into exactly what the story was about. Honestly, I was just bored throughout reading this story.
Don't get me started on the repetitiveness of Kit's routines with her eating and alarms. How many times can the author refer to this before you just don't care about it anymore. It becomes Kit's entire personality, which is not saying much. That's just some of the telling this story did rather than showing.
Lastly, her brother makes a comment about her nipples and...no...just no. Plus I won't even bore you with how poorly the sex scenes were written and how it seemed like the author was using that to try and create romance. That just does not work, there has to be connection and chemistry for the characters to mesh and fall in love.
I see quite a few great reviews for this so perhaps others will enjoy it more than I did or I just missed something major and it went right over my head. This one felt like a young adult story with the ages adjusted and some spice thrown in to make it an adult romance.
1.5 stars rounded to 2
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I picked up Off Course for one reason: romance with the promise of competitive ski mountaineering, newly minted as an Olympic discipline. Now, that sounded like a refreshing premise—high stakes, extreme environments, the psychological grit of elite athletes. Unfortunately, that promise is never fulfilled.
The opening didn’t inspire much confidence. It leaned heavily on insta-attraction, sprinkled in tired clichés (yes, the veiny arms make an appearance almost on page one), and lingered far too long on lengthy explanations about gear that drain all momentum from the opening chapters. Still, I went on.
Before long, the snow-covered world and the thrill of mountaineering fade into the background as the story channels most of its energy into a romance bordering on erotica. The pacing doesn’t benefit from the frequent detours into meticulously detailed food restrictions and routines either, the repetition becoming hard to ignore (yes, the diet is strict, message received). After a while, these passages read more like filler than meaningful character or plot development. Not to mention that the imbalance in detail is increasingly frustrating. Pages are devoted to meal menus and discipline while Asher’s supposedly extraordinary mountaineering experiences are brushed past in a couple of lines like an afterthought. Adventures in Chamonix, Denali, even Antarctica, that should immerse the reader are reduced to mere mentions, creating a persistent sense of distance and missed opportunity.
And the love story? Let’s just say the phrase “I love you” works overtime (twenty-one times, but who’s counting), a reliance on telling rather than showing. Declarations of love arrive long before the characters know anything meaningful about each other. It’s not the speed of the romance that strains credibility—readers can accept whirlwind love—but the lack of emotional groundwork. We’re told the characters share a profound connection, yet rarely shown the specific moments that would make it believable. I mean, come one, Kit herself admits, “He can’t love me — he doesn’t know me,” which is always an interesting moment: when the protagonist starts voicing the reader’s concerns, something has probably gone structurally astray. Because no, you can’t reduce a relationship to attraction and lust. Readers don’t want the autopsy. We want the heartbeat. And when Kit says that it’s “one step away from Stockholm syndrome.” Ha, OMG! This is intellectually clever, granted, but isn’t it, like, emotionally distancing?
Even the big dramatic beats feel preloaded. Avalanche? Of course there’s an avalanche. Rescue taking “hours”? Convenient, if not entirely convincing for such a well-serviced Alpine area. By then, surprise is no longer part of the experience.
I kept reading — truly, I did — because I was waiting for the skiing and Olympic storyline to finally take center stage. After all, how cool is it to read about a brand-new Olympic event before it even happens? But that long-awaited thread is relegated to a brief, oddly muted epilogue, as if the novel suddenly remembered its own premise at the finish line.
In the end, this is a story we’ve all read a thousand times — only many versions have done it with more depth, more tension, and far greater emotional credibility. What could have been an adrenaline-charged, immersive novel settles instead for a very conventional romance with a scenic backdrop. Not terrible — just profoundly forgettable.
The opening didn’t inspire much confidence. It leaned heavily on insta-attraction, sprinkled in tired clichés (yes, the veiny arms make an appearance almost on page one), and lingered far too long on lengthy explanations about gear that drain all momentum from the opening chapters. Still, I went on.
Before long, the snow-covered world and the thrill of mountaineering fade into the background as the story channels most of its energy into a romance bordering on erotica. The pacing doesn’t benefit from the frequent detours into meticulously detailed food restrictions and routines either, the repetition becoming hard to ignore (yes, the diet is strict, message received). After a while, these passages read more like filler than meaningful character or plot development. Not to mention that the imbalance in detail is increasingly frustrating. Pages are devoted to meal menus and discipline while Asher’s supposedly extraordinary mountaineering experiences are brushed past in a couple of lines like an afterthought. Adventures in Chamonix, Denali, even Antarctica, that should immerse the reader are reduced to mere mentions, creating a persistent sense of distance and missed opportunity.
And the love story? Let’s just say the phrase “I love you” works overtime (twenty-one times, but who’s counting), a reliance on telling rather than showing. Declarations of love arrive long before the characters know anything meaningful about each other. It’s not the speed of the romance that strains credibility—readers can accept whirlwind love—but the lack of emotional groundwork. We’re told the characters share a profound connection, yet rarely shown the specific moments that would make it believable. I mean, come one, Kit herself admits, “He can’t love me — he doesn’t know me,” which is always an interesting moment: when the protagonist starts voicing the reader’s concerns, something has probably gone structurally astray. Because no, you can’t reduce a relationship to attraction and lust. Readers don’t want the autopsy. We want the heartbeat. And when Kit says that it’s “one step away from Stockholm syndrome.” Ha, OMG! This is intellectually clever, granted, but isn’t it, like, emotionally distancing?
Even the big dramatic beats feel preloaded. Avalanche? Of course there’s an avalanche. Rescue taking “hours”? Convenient, if not entirely convincing for such a well-serviced Alpine area. By then, surprise is no longer part of the experience.
I kept reading — truly, I did — because I was waiting for the skiing and Olympic storyline to finally take center stage. After all, how cool is it to read about a brand-new Olympic event before it even happens? But that long-awaited thread is relegated to a brief, oddly muted epilogue, as if the novel suddenly remembered its own premise at the finish line.
In the end, this is a story we’ve all read a thousand times — only many versions have done it with more depth, more tension, and far greater emotional credibility. What could have been an adrenaline-charged, immersive novel settles instead for a very conventional romance with a scenic backdrop. Not terrible — just profoundly forgettable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into this debut novel with high hopes, and while it wasn’t quite for me, I can see why others might enjoy it.
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★.75 out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader
Thank you to NetGalley and Turner Publishing Group for the advanced reader e-copy in exchange for my honest review. This book comes out August 4, 2026.
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– FMC: Katerina “Kit” Schuster (aka “snaily” or “killer”). A 28-year-old Olympic medalist training for a new mountaineering event. A bit brash, sometimes selfish, but a hard worker.
– MMC: Asher McClendon (aka “schatz”). A 34-year-old mountain man who loves travelling and spending time off the grid.
– Location: California (and briefly other locations)
– POV: Dual first-person
– Spice: 4-6 open-door explicitly spicy scenes
– Tropes: sports romance (FMC is a skier), forced proximity, strangers to lovers, insta-lust, insta-love, black cat FMC, golden retriever MMC, opposites attract, found family
– Content warning: estranged parents, avalanche (MCs not in direct peril), death of side character
– Representation: Olympic medalist FMC, LGBTQIA+ side characters
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ Writing style that leans more toward an unfiltered, sometimes crass tone
➼ Black cat FMCs in sports, like in All to Play For by Josie Juniper
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven——✧—————————Plot Driven
Fast Burn————✧———————Slow Burn
Sweet————————✧———Spicy
Light/Fluffy——————✧—————Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
I liked the author’s choice to tell the story from both Kit and Asher’s perspectives—it made it easier to understand where each of them was coming from and how their relationship developed. The ski mountaineering angle was also interesting and felt well researched, especially in how it highlighted the intensity and pressure of competing at that level.
That said, I had a hard time fully getting into the story. The writing style didn’t quite work for me, and some of the dialogue and descriptions felt a bit awkward or took me out of it. I also didn’t really feel the chemistry between the characters, and the romance seemed to move a little too quickly without enough buildup. On top of that, the amount of technical terminology made it harder for me to stay engaged at times.
I did like the overall idea and the contrast between the characters’ lives and perspectives, but the execution didn’t completely land for me. Still, I can see this working better for readers who enjoy more detail-heavy sports romances and immediate attraction and lust.
•♥Consider following me on Instagram @kelseyreviewsbooks for more visual content and bookish discussions.♥•
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★.75 out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader
Thank you to NetGalley and Turner Publishing Group for the advanced reader e-copy in exchange for my honest review. This book comes out August 4, 2026.
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– FMC: Katerina “Kit” Schuster (aka “snaily” or “killer”). A 28-year-old Olympic medalist training for a new mountaineering event. A bit brash, sometimes selfish, but a hard worker.
– MMC: Asher McClendon (aka “schatz”). A 34-year-old mountain man who loves travelling and spending time off the grid.
– Location: California (and briefly other locations)
– POV: Dual first-person
– Spice: 4-6 open-door explicitly spicy scenes
– Tropes: sports romance (FMC is a skier), forced proximity, strangers to lovers, insta-lust, insta-love, black cat FMC, golden retriever MMC, opposites attract, found family
– Content warning: estranged parents, avalanche (MCs not in direct peril), death of side character
– Representation: Olympic medalist FMC, LGBTQIA+ side characters
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
╰┈➤ ❝Ain't no mountain high enough; Ain't no valley low enough; Ain't no river wide enough; To keep me from gettin' to you, babe❞
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ Writing style that leans more toward an unfiltered, sometimes crass tone
➼ Black cat FMCs in sports, like in All to Play For by Josie Juniper
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven——✧—————————Plot Driven
Fast Burn————✧———————Slow Burn
Sweet————————✧———Spicy
Light/Fluffy——————✧—————Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
I liked the author’s choice to tell the story from both Kit and Asher’s perspectives—it made it easier to understand where each of them was coming from and how their relationship developed. The ski mountaineering angle was also interesting and felt well researched, especially in how it highlighted the intensity and pressure of competing at that level.
That said, I had a hard time fully getting into the story. The writing style didn’t quite work for me, and some of the dialogue and descriptions felt a bit awkward or took me out of it. I also didn’t really feel the chemistry between the characters, and the romance seemed to move a little too quickly without enough buildup. On top of that, the amount of technical terminology made it harder for me to stay engaged at times.
I did like the overall idea and the contrast between the characters’ lives and perspectives, but the execution didn’t completely land for me. Still, I can see this working better for readers who enjoy more detail-heavy sports romances and immediate attraction and lust.
•♥Consider following me on Instagram @kelseyreviewsbooks for more visual content and bookish discussions.♥•
August 5, 2026
From the very first chapter, Off Course delivers an exhilarating blend of high-stakes competition, breathtaking mountain landscapes, and slow-burning chemistry that feels as adrenaline-fueled as the sport itself. Julie Cook's debut combines the intensity of elite athletics with a heartfelt romance that proves sometimes the biggest leap isn't down a mountain—it's trusting someone with your heart.
Kit Schuster has built her entire life around discipline, schedules, and perfection. As one of the world's most accomplished downhill skiers, she's spent years proving herself, but with younger competitors gaining ground, she's determined to cement her legacy by tackling Olympic ski mountaineering. Enter Asher McClendon—a fearless ski mountaineer whose adventurous approach to life couldn't be more different from Kit's carefully controlled world.
Their relationship develops naturally through long training sessions, challenging climbs, and quiet moments away from the spotlight. Rather than relying solely on instant attraction, Cook allows trust, admiration, and vulnerability to build alongside the romance, making every emotional breakthrough feel earned. The chemistry between Kit and Asher is undeniably steamy, but it's their emotional connection that truly carries the story.
One of my favorite aspects was the detailed look into ski mountaineering. The training, physical demands, and sheer danger of the sport are woven seamlessly into the story, giving readers an authentic behind-the-scenes look at an Olympic event many may not know much about. The snowy Lake Tahoe setting provides a gorgeous backdrop that almost becomes a character itself.
Beyond the romance, Off Course explores identity, ambition, burnout, and what happens when your entire sense of self has always been tied to achievement. Kit's internal journey feels incredibly relatable, even if most of us will never race down an Olympic mountain.
For a debut novel, Julie Cook balances sports romance, emotional depth, and sizzling tension remarkably well. Fans of sports romances featuring mature characters, forced proximity, opposites attract dynamics, and career-driven athletes will find plenty to love here.
If you're looking for a romance filled with snowy scenery, undeniable chemistry, emotional growth, and plenty of heart-pounding moments both on and off the slopes, Off Course is well worth the ride.
I received an advance copy and am sharing my honest thoughts.
Kit Schuster has built her entire life around discipline, schedules, and perfection. As one of the world's most accomplished downhill skiers, she's spent years proving herself, but with younger competitors gaining ground, she's determined to cement her legacy by tackling Olympic ski mountaineering. Enter Asher McClendon—a fearless ski mountaineer whose adventurous approach to life couldn't be more different from Kit's carefully controlled world.
Their relationship develops naturally through long training sessions, challenging climbs, and quiet moments away from the spotlight. Rather than relying solely on instant attraction, Cook allows trust, admiration, and vulnerability to build alongside the romance, making every emotional breakthrough feel earned. The chemistry between Kit and Asher is undeniably steamy, but it's their emotional connection that truly carries the story.
One of my favorite aspects was the detailed look into ski mountaineering. The training, physical demands, and sheer danger of the sport are woven seamlessly into the story, giving readers an authentic behind-the-scenes look at an Olympic event many may not know much about. The snowy Lake Tahoe setting provides a gorgeous backdrop that almost becomes a character itself.
Beyond the romance, Off Course explores identity, ambition, burnout, and what happens when your entire sense of self has always been tied to achievement. Kit's internal journey feels incredibly relatable, even if most of us will never race down an Olympic mountain.
For a debut novel, Julie Cook balances sports romance, emotional depth, and sizzling tension remarkably well. Fans of sports romances featuring mature characters, forced proximity, opposites attract dynamics, and career-driven athletes will find plenty to love here.
If you're looking for a romance filled with snowy scenery, undeniable chemistry, emotional growth, and plenty of heart-pounding moments both on and off the slopes, Off Course is well worth the ride.
I received an advance copy and am sharing my honest thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5⭐️
Off Course by Julie Cook wasn't the one for me!
Probably a combination of the instalove and one dimensional qualities of the characters, it just didn't keep my interest.
Kit was very annoying and repetitive, especially with her diet. We get it, dairy is bad...
Asher was okay, I liked that he was very open in his communication with Kit and that he let her be in control a lot of the time, but that was basically it for him.
We learn very little about them throughout the book - like Kit hasn't spoken to her parents in years and we don't really find out why until almost the last chapter. By which point, I didn't care anymore.
I love a sex scene as much as the next guy, but the sex in this book was weird and seemed almost out of place at times?
Tell me why they're on a mountaintop in Italy in a little tent where there could be an avalanche at any moment, licking Nutella off each other's bodies?
Why is Kit appologizing for not being able to have sex with Asher on a mountaintop (shes dehydrated) when they should be worried about not falling to their deaths. Even the training parts... it seemed so out of character for Kit to be turning down whole workouts and training things to have sex...(sex doesn't burn that may calories) the emphasis on physical attraction was too much for my average self...
I wanted to read this book because of the mountaineering aspect and the winter Olympics... they barely even do either of those things. I just wanted more from that side of things.
One thing I did like was the found family situation for Kit. Shes been alone in her sport for so long (it seems her doing) but in this book she kind of figures out there is more to life than skiing. She is welcomed so graciously by Asher's mom and friends.
The writing is also very juvenile and while I liked that the MCs were older, 28 and 34, they came off incredibly immature... especially Kit. Something about the 1000s of "I love you"s, it starts to lose its meaning.
I'm sure there will be many who will love this, it just didn't work for me.
Thank you netgalley and Turner Publishing for the E-ARC for an honest review!
Off Course by Julie Cook wasn't the one for me!
Probably a combination of the instalove and one dimensional qualities of the characters, it just didn't keep my interest.
Kit was very annoying and repetitive, especially with her diet. We get it, dairy is bad...
Asher was okay, I liked that he was very open in his communication with Kit and that he let her be in control a lot of the time, but that was basically it for him.
We learn very little about them throughout the book - like Kit hasn't spoken to her parents in years and we don't really find out why until almost the last chapter. By which point, I didn't care anymore.
I love a sex scene as much as the next guy, but the sex in this book was weird and seemed almost out of place at times?
Tell me why they're on a mountaintop in Italy in a little tent where there could be an avalanche at any moment, licking Nutella off each other's bodies?
Why is Kit appologizing for not being able to have sex with Asher on a mountaintop (shes dehydrated) when they should be worried about not falling to their deaths. Even the training parts... it seemed so out of character for Kit to be turning down whole workouts and training things to have sex...(sex doesn't burn that may calories) the emphasis on physical attraction was too much for my average self...
I wanted to read this book because of the mountaineering aspect and the winter Olympics... they barely even do either of those things. I just wanted more from that side of things.
One thing I did like was the found family situation for Kit. Shes been alone in her sport for so long (it seems her doing) but in this book she kind of figures out there is more to life than skiing. She is welcomed so graciously by Asher's mom and friends.
The writing is also very juvenile and while I liked that the MCs were older, 28 and 34, they came off incredibly immature... especially Kit. Something about the 1000s of "I love you"s, it starts to lose its meaning.
I'm sure there will be many who will love this, it just didn't work for me.
Thank you netgalley and Turner Publishing for the E-ARC for an honest review!
August 9, 2026
While not perfect, Off Course was an impressive debut from Julie Cook. I’m not an athlete, but my brother was on the Canadian National Rowing Team years ago, so the regimented Kit Shuster, world champion downhill skier and gold medal Olympian, resonated and rang true. Kit is at the top of her game but is 28 and starting to worry about the younger rising star chasing her records. She decides to try a new sport being added to the Olympics, ski mountaineering, and spends a month training with a top tier expert who agrees to coach her, first in Tahoe, then in Cortina, Italy. The relationship turns romantic early on, but because they’re spending long hours together, it felt like more than simple insta lust.
Kit’s slavish devotion to her plans and schedules is a bit distancing at the start. I was skeptical about whether this book would be for me, but it improves quickly, and in retrospect, that rigidity is necessary to establish her character. I eventually found it fascinating to see what Kit had to do to get where she was, and I enjoyed the epiphanies she has by the end. By contrast, Asher is used to adapting to whatever the environment demands and depends on clear communication to keep things safe in a sport even more dangerous than Kit’s high speed runs. The opposites attract dynamic works well on both the athletic and emotional levels.
I enjoyed the multi dimensional characters Cook brings to life, the realistic depiction of their joys and conflicts, and the imperfections of both the mains and the side characters. The emphasis on clear communication is refreshing, and the book acknowledges that it isn’t always achievable, which felt true to reality. Cook’s dialogue is well done, and I loved the banter and the conversations between the mains and with several of the side characters.
The rushed ending detracted a bit from the overall experience, but the two epilogues, one from Kit’s point of view and one from Asher’s, were wonderful. Overall, I really enjoyed the book, finished it within three days, and recommend it to readers looking for a romance with an original set up and setting.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Kit’s slavish devotion to her plans and schedules is a bit distancing at the start. I was skeptical about whether this book would be for me, but it improves quickly, and in retrospect, that rigidity is necessary to establish her character. I eventually found it fascinating to see what Kit had to do to get where she was, and I enjoyed the epiphanies she has by the end. By contrast, Asher is used to adapting to whatever the environment demands and depends on clear communication to keep things safe in a sport even more dangerous than Kit’s high speed runs. The opposites attract dynamic works well on both the athletic and emotional levels.
I enjoyed the multi dimensional characters Cook brings to life, the realistic depiction of their joys and conflicts, and the imperfections of both the mains and the side characters. The emphasis on clear communication is refreshing, and the book acknowledges that it isn’t always achievable, which felt true to reality. Cook’s dialogue is well done, and I loved the banter and the conversations between the mains and with several of the side characters.
The rushed ending detracted a bit from the overall experience, but the two epilogues, one from Kit’s point of view and one from Asher’s, were wonderful. Overall, I really enjoyed the book, finished it within three days, and recommend it to readers looking for a romance with an original set up and setting.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC!
Kit Schuster, an Olympic downhill skier who’s the best in her league, lives by the bip of her watch. Trying to stay ahead of her competition, she’ll seek Asher, an excellent climber, to train her in ski mountaineering. They will live and train together for as long as their arrangement lasts. They are opposites in everything except discipline, and as they get closer, Kit will question if a life dictated by a watch is really what she wants for herself.
Let me start this review by saying that I am the biggest ignorant when it comes to ski and all it’s variants, but the author wrote everything in such an informative and entertaining way that I understood everything and closed the book admiring those who dedicate their lives to such sports as climbing, skiing and also, all of those people that make it possible.
The romance between Kit and Asher was adorable. To read about these very serious characters develop a crush that turned them into two highschoolers was so fun! I liked that what made them look so different (their different approaches to life, one more relaxed and prone to enjoy each moment, another more structured and always with a plan with every second accounted for), made them actually perfect for each other. Asher showed Kit that life was more than just duty and work. Kit showed Asher that sometimes life needs more seriousness and planning to function. However, besides the romance, I adored how the mere fact of knowing Asher catapulted Kit into a journey to discover herself and embrace her life as a person and not only as an athlete. The quiets ways in which Asher help her seek stuff she might like (like music, food, etc) instead of what she was told to like, was my favorite detail.
Last but not least, the writing in this was really good, especially considering the amount of information about sports that it contained. Everything (from the romance, to Kit’s journey and the sport events) felt really well developed and entertaining.
Kit Schuster, an Olympic downhill skier who’s the best in her league, lives by the bip of her watch. Trying to stay ahead of her competition, she’ll seek Asher, an excellent climber, to train her in ski mountaineering. They will live and train together for as long as their arrangement lasts. They are opposites in everything except discipline, and as they get closer, Kit will question if a life dictated by a watch is really what she wants for herself.
Let me start this review by saying that I am the biggest ignorant when it comes to ski and all it’s variants, but the author wrote everything in such an informative and entertaining way that I understood everything and closed the book admiring those who dedicate their lives to such sports as climbing, skiing and also, all of those people that make it possible.
The romance between Kit and Asher was adorable. To read about these very serious characters develop a crush that turned them into two highschoolers was so fun! I liked that what made them look so different (their different approaches to life, one more relaxed and prone to enjoy each moment, another more structured and always with a plan with every second accounted for), made them actually perfect for each other. Asher showed Kit that life was more than just duty and work. Kit showed Asher that sometimes life needs more seriousness and planning to function. However, besides the romance, I adored how the mere fact of knowing Asher catapulted Kit into a journey to discover herself and embrace her life as a person and not only as an athlete. The quiets ways in which Asher help her seek stuff she might like (like music, food, etc) instead of what she was told to like, was my favorite detail.
Last but not least, the writing in this was really good, especially considering the amount of information about sports that it contained. Everything (from the romance, to Kit’s journey and the sport events) felt really well developed and entertaining.
August 9, 2026
I'm a sucker for anything sports based and requested this not long after the Winter Olympics, so given this whole book is set in the lead up to the Milano Cortina Olympics, it felt nostalgic to read it now.
The story revolves around 28 year old Kit Schuster, an Olympic champion downhill skier who is determined to ensure her young up-and-coming rival, Quinn Cochran doesn't overtake her before she retires. Ski mountaineering is a brand new sport at these Olympics, so before giving Quinn a chance to dominate, Kit enlists mountaineering specialist Asher McClendon to train her for this in the off season. But schedule obsessed Kit wasn't expecting to be charmed by Asher's relaxed nature and staying in his guest cabin to train and with a one week hike across the mountains in Italy planned, Kit finds herself with a crush... that is definitely reciprocated.
This was so much better than I expected. The writing was really good, the spice was spicing (in a good way!) and I loved Kit and Asher's banter. I did feel a bit weird at times with Kit's relationship with her brother/manager, Jonas. There were a couple of comments that felt a little icky, but it wasn't enough to put me off the story.
I did find it a little baffling that Kit would pursue another discipline while at the top of her sport, particularly something as random as ski mountaineering. And while I'm no expert, I'm not entirely convinced that a week camping and learning to pickaxe her way through the Dolomites in Italy was really necessary preparation for an Olympic event involving skiing up a small hill, running up some stairs and then skiing back down 😅
But overall this was a really cute 🌶 sports romance, and if you are looking for something Winter Olympics or ski related this is a fun choice!
Thank you Turner Publishing Company for providing me with this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. This is available NOW!
The story revolves around 28 year old Kit Schuster, an Olympic champion downhill skier who is determined to ensure her young up-and-coming rival, Quinn Cochran doesn't overtake her before she retires. Ski mountaineering is a brand new sport at these Olympics, so before giving Quinn a chance to dominate, Kit enlists mountaineering specialist Asher McClendon to train her for this in the off season. But schedule obsessed Kit wasn't expecting to be charmed by Asher's relaxed nature and staying in his guest cabin to train and with a one week hike across the mountains in Italy planned, Kit finds herself with a crush... that is definitely reciprocated.
This was so much better than I expected. The writing was really good, the spice was spicing (in a good way!) and I loved Kit and Asher's banter. I did feel a bit weird at times with Kit's relationship with her brother/manager, Jonas. There were a couple of comments that felt a little icky, but it wasn't enough to put me off the story.
I did find it a little baffling that Kit would pursue another discipline while at the top of her sport, particularly something as random as ski mountaineering. And while I'm no expert, I'm not entirely convinced that a week camping and learning to pickaxe her way through the Dolomites in Italy was really necessary preparation for an Olympic event involving skiing up a small hill, running up some stairs and then skiing back down 😅
But overall this was a really cute 🌶 sports romance, and if you are looking for something Winter Olympics or ski related this is a fun choice!
Thank you Turner Publishing Company for providing me with this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. This is available NOW!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*service presse numérique (ARC)*
4/5⭐️
Off Course by Julie Cook
This was such a refreshing sports romance.
First, I loved that the FMC is the elite athlete. Kit is an Olympic downhill skier who decides to train for a brand-new Olympic event: ski mountaineering. She is disciplined, intense, and very focused. Her whole life is planned around training, food, sleep, and performance. You can really feel the pressure she lives under.
Asher is the opposite. He is a risk-taking ski mountaineer who grew up climbing and skiing extreme mountains. He is more relaxed, open, and emotionally available. I loved the contrast between them.
The forced proximity works so well. Kit stays in Asher’s guest cabin to train, and they spend almost all their time together : workouts, recovery, cooking, mountain trips. Their relationship grows naturally through these small daily moments.
I really appreciated that most of the tension comes from sport and ambition, not stupid miscommunication. The challenges feel real: competition, fear of failure, career pressure, and the risks of extreme sports.
The skiing details are very present. Sometimes it feels technical, but it also makes the story authentic. You can tell the author knows what she’s writing about.
Their chemistry is strong, and the romance is steamy but still emotional. Asher communicates his feelings clearly, which I loved. No toxic behavior, no games : just two ambitious people trying to figure out love and career at the same time.
My only small issue is that the ending felt a little rushed. Some conflicts are introduced and solved quite quickly.
Overall, this is a great debut. If you love winter sports, the Olympics, forced proximity, and strong female athletes, this is for you.
With all my love,
Ur Lina ❄️
4/5⭐️
Off Course by Julie Cook
This was such a refreshing sports romance.
First, I loved that the FMC is the elite athlete. Kit is an Olympic downhill skier who decides to train for a brand-new Olympic event: ski mountaineering. She is disciplined, intense, and very focused. Her whole life is planned around training, food, sleep, and performance. You can really feel the pressure she lives under.
Asher is the opposite. He is a risk-taking ski mountaineer who grew up climbing and skiing extreme mountains. He is more relaxed, open, and emotionally available. I loved the contrast between them.
The forced proximity works so well. Kit stays in Asher’s guest cabin to train, and they spend almost all their time together : workouts, recovery, cooking, mountain trips. Their relationship grows naturally through these small daily moments.
I really appreciated that most of the tension comes from sport and ambition, not stupid miscommunication. The challenges feel real: competition, fear of failure, career pressure, and the risks of extreme sports.
The skiing details are very present. Sometimes it feels technical, but it also makes the story authentic. You can tell the author knows what she’s writing about.
Their chemistry is strong, and the romance is steamy but still emotional. Asher communicates his feelings clearly, which I loved. No toxic behavior, no games : just two ambitious people trying to figure out love and career at the same time.
My only small issue is that the ending felt a little rushed. Some conflicts are introduced and solved quite quickly.
Overall, this is a great debut. If you love winter sports, the Olympics, forced proximity, and strong female athletes, this is for you.
With all my love,
Ur Lina ❄️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I tell you this book took me like 3/4 months to read, cause I kept getting bored and dropping it (I basically only got ~2-5% each time I picked it up)… ultimately dnf-ed.
And I really can’t tell you exactly where this book went wrong. It just didn’t work for me. I didn’t particularly care for the characters, especially the FMC, who I found extremely immature. Also, the brother made a comment about her nipples and just… no.
The romance. Well. I didn’t really see the romance honestly. It felt more like their entire relationship was just sex, sex, and more sex. There wasn’t any, or at least barely any, chemistry. I couldn’t see the falling in love process, and felt as if they were suddenly just kissing and then jumping into bed (and truthfully… I wasn’t very impressed by the sex scenes. However, I can’t really blame the author for that, as I rarely am these days). Repeat after me romance authors: insta lust and banging every 2 pages IS NOT CHEMISTRY. I can literally go out and fuck a complete stranger, but that doesn’t mean I’m in love with them and should be in a relationship with them.
The writing wasn’t bad, but could be clunky at times. However, it wasn’t terrible to the point where it was distracting me from the narrative. Meh.
Ultimately, I dropped it because I was bored. I’m never gone skiing personally, but I’ve always loved watching it on the Olympics. This one just… I guess reading about it and watching it are two different things completely, especially since there’s also the whole background of it here. Just didn’t really capture my attention. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’d pick it up again even if I didn’t have anything else to read, nor would I go back and finish it like I would some of my dnfs.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
And I really can’t tell you exactly where this book went wrong. It just didn’t work for me. I didn’t particularly care for the characters, especially the FMC, who I found extremely immature. Also, the brother made a comment about her nipples and just… no.
The romance. Well. I didn’t really see the romance honestly. It felt more like their entire relationship was just sex, sex, and more sex. There wasn’t any, or at least barely any, chemistry. I couldn’t see the falling in love process, and felt as if they were suddenly just kissing and then jumping into bed (and truthfully… I wasn’t very impressed by the sex scenes. However, I can’t really blame the author for that, as I rarely am these days). Repeat after me romance authors: insta lust and banging every 2 pages IS NOT CHEMISTRY. I can literally go out and fuck a complete stranger, but that doesn’t mean I’m in love with them and should be in a relationship with them.
The writing wasn’t bad, but could be clunky at times. However, it wasn’t terrible to the point where it was distracting me from the narrative. Meh.
Ultimately, I dropped it because I was bored. I’m never gone skiing personally, but I’ve always loved watching it on the Olympics. This one just… I guess reading about it and watching it are two different things completely, especially since there’s also the whole background of it here. Just didn’t really capture my attention. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’d pick it up again even if I didn’t have anything else to read, nor would I go back and finish it like I would some of my dnfs.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What started as a fun, opposites-attract sports romance quickly became so much more⛷️💗❄️🗻
Off Course isn't just a cute love story - it's a story about courage, resilience, bravery, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. It explores what it truly means to chase your dreams, the sacrifices that come with ambition, and how love can push you to become the best version of yourself.
Kit is a fiercely disciplined Olympic alpine skier determined to prove she still belongs at the top. When she switches to ski mountaineering and is forced to train with laid-back mountain guide and legend Asher, their completely opposite personalities make for the perfect slow-burn romance!
Watching Kit slowly rediscover herself alongside Asher was one of my favourite parts of the book. Their connection unfolded at the perfect pace, with heartfelt moments, effortless banter, and a slow-burn romance that felt genuine from beginning to end.
One quote completely captured this book for me: "Greatness is earned, not awarded." —>That line perfectly reflects the heart of this story🥹
I also learnt soooo much about ski mountaineering throughout this book! Julie Cook's knowledge of the sport shines through on every page without ever feeling overwhelming. It genuinely made me appreciate the dedication these athletes have, and I'll 100% be watching the Winter Olympics much more closely now.
If you love sports romances with real depth, forced proximity, opposites attract, slow-burn tension, and characters who challenge each other to grow, I highly recommend picking this one up. It delivers the romance, but it's the heart, determination, and emotional journey that will stay with me long after the final page. 🤭🤭
Out 4th August!
Thank you to NetGalley, Turner Publishing and Julie Cook for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Off Course isn't just a cute love story - it's a story about courage, resilience, bravery, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. It explores what it truly means to chase your dreams, the sacrifices that come with ambition, and how love can push you to become the best version of yourself.
Kit is a fiercely disciplined Olympic alpine skier determined to prove she still belongs at the top. When she switches to ski mountaineering and is forced to train with laid-back mountain guide and legend Asher, their completely opposite personalities make for the perfect slow-burn romance!
Watching Kit slowly rediscover herself alongside Asher was one of my favourite parts of the book. Their connection unfolded at the perfect pace, with heartfelt moments, effortless banter, and a slow-burn romance that felt genuine from beginning to end.
One quote completely captured this book for me: "Greatness is earned, not awarded." —>That line perfectly reflects the heart of this story🥹
I also learnt soooo much about ski mountaineering throughout this book! Julie Cook's knowledge of the sport shines through on every page without ever feeling overwhelming. It genuinely made me appreciate the dedication these athletes have, and I'll 100% be watching the Winter Olympics much more closely now.
If you love sports romances with real depth, forced proximity, opposites attract, slow-burn tension, and characters who challenge each other to grow, I highly recommend picking this one up. It delivers the romance, but it's the heart, determination, and emotional journey that will stay with me long after the final page. 🤭🤭
Out 4th August!
Thank you to NetGalley, Turner Publishing and Julie Cook for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Off Course blew me away - I devoured this book in 24 hours (and stayed up late on vacation, knowing my kids would be up at 6 am - if that's not convincing, I don't know what is!).
Olympic downhill skier Kat Schuster is 28, and chasing another Olympic gold. She decides to add new sport ski mountaineering to her skill-set (semi-influenced by a younger skier chasing her records). She hires Asher McClendon, 34, ski mountaineer and extreme sports athlete, to help her train. Thus begins an intense month of forced proximity - she's staying in his guest cabin, and they're in the gym or up on the mountain all day long. Both addicted to their sports and adrenaline, they approach skiing from different places - for Asher it's community and being immersed in nature, and for Kat- it's control and speed. Asher helps Kat envision a life outside of professional skiing, and Kat helps Asher see a future beyond the next trip. They complement each other so well - and the intensity of extreme sports works so well with the insta-love/attraction at play here - they just GET how each other goes all in on everything in life, despite fears. Their banter is fantastic, and the relationships with their friends and family members are so believable and endearing. The intimacy is also great - it goes from hand brushes and longing glances to a knock-your-hat-off first kiss (and more).
If you love extreme sports (who else watched those documentaries and dreamed about summiting Everest?...or at least Base Camp), forced proximity (only one tent), family + found family, two athletes figuring out life outside and beyond sporting and training, add this one to your TBR asap!
*Opinions are my own. Thanks to Turner Publishing via NetGalley for an eARC of this book.
Olympic downhill skier Kat Schuster is 28, and chasing another Olympic gold. She decides to add new sport ski mountaineering to her skill-set (semi-influenced by a younger skier chasing her records). She hires Asher McClendon, 34, ski mountaineer and extreme sports athlete, to help her train. Thus begins an intense month of forced proximity - she's staying in his guest cabin, and they're in the gym or up on the mountain all day long. Both addicted to their sports and adrenaline, they approach skiing from different places - for Asher it's community and being immersed in nature, and for Kat- it's control and speed. Asher helps Kat envision a life outside of professional skiing, and Kat helps Asher see a future beyond the next trip. They complement each other so well - and the intensity of extreme sports works so well with the insta-love/attraction at play here - they just GET how each other goes all in on everything in life, despite fears. Their banter is fantastic, and the relationships with their friends and family members are so believable and endearing. The intimacy is also great - it goes from hand brushes and longing glances to a knock-your-hat-off first kiss (and more).
If you love extreme sports (who else watched those documentaries and dreamed about summiting Everest?...or at least Base Camp), forced proximity (only one tent), family + found family, two athletes figuring out life outside and beyond sporting and training, add this one to your TBR asap!
*Opinions are my own. Thanks to Turner Publishing via NetGalley for an eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Story about Olympic Ice Queen, Kit, knows that she's about to age out of the games, as younger skiers chasing after her titles, breaking her records, all the while younger than she is. She decided that she needs to train on one more event, and her brother arranged for an experienced trainer to help. What her brother did not tell her is that, instead of staying at the Ritz, she's staying at the trainer's guest cabin. All the while, trainer Asher just knows that he's being sized up by the Ice Queen.
Through the time they spent together, from getting to know her, to knowing her schedule and know how to work around her. Asher totally see how to fit around Kit. And slowly, he's seeping in and breaking that mold, breaking her schedule and calling her out when she shut down to process. All to lead up to the big test run of the training. And they realize all sorts of feelings both positively and negatively. Which is how the 3rd act got there. The coming back together was expected, but the epilogue made up for it.
First off, I'm never a fan of 3rd acts. That said, the way the 3rd act happened you do break a little bit. What I'm not satisfy with, is that we know what happened to Stoney, but we don't see how he recovered. I think the pacing of the book was interesting, certain parts moves along nicely, but some parts really got stuck in the technicals. I understand the sport and the training has alot of techniques here, but I'm not entirely sure how it contributes to the story line. We do get our HEA, and don't miss the epilogue, that's cute.
Thanks NetGalley & Turner Publishing Company for the ARC.
Through the time they spent together, from getting to know her, to knowing her schedule and know how to work around her. Asher totally see how to fit around Kit. And slowly, he's seeping in and breaking that mold, breaking her schedule and calling her out when she shut down to process. All to lead up to the big test run of the training. And they realize all sorts of feelings both positively and negatively. Which is how the 3rd act got there. The coming back together was expected, but the epilogue made up for it.
First off, I'm never a fan of 3rd acts. That said, the way the 3rd act happened you do break a little bit. What I'm not satisfy with, is that we know what happened to Stoney, but we don't see how he recovered. I think the pacing of the book was interesting, certain parts moves along nicely, but some parts really got stuck in the technicals. I understand the sport and the training has alot of techniques here, but I'm not entirely sure how it contributes to the story line. We do get our HEA, and don't miss the epilogue, that's cute.
Thanks NetGalley & Turner Publishing Company for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A stunning debut with great writing and so much detail on skiing that I feel educated.
It's really well-written, both in terms of the language itself, and the general structure of everything. These characters live and breathe different types of skiing and it shows in their way of thinking or speaking, which is a level of detail I'm jealous of being able to write. And everything is so well-described it feels like a textbook sometimes, in a good way. The whole premise is also very fresh and executed flawlessly.
I had no trouble sympathizing with the characters and enjoying how different they were. Kit's craving for normalcy was heart-breaking at times, and Asher's openness and communication skills were disarmingly adorable. I need more people who just say the things they're feeling right as they feel them.
I liked the whole cast of side-characters, but especially the fact that the parents weren't some villains, as they so often are in books, instead being shown as people who can make mistakes as well and ultimately just want what's best for their children.
The 'smaller' things I enjoyed were Kit's thoughts when they finally got to the hardest part of her training (nothing made her more human in my eyes than those), the conflict near the end (both sides are perfectly valid and understandable to me), and the second epilogue (especially the Quinn-related stuff).
Overall, if you're looking for something fresh in the sports romance world - Julie Cook's got you.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for letting me read the ARC!
It's really well-written, both in terms of the language itself, and the general structure of everything. These characters live and breathe different types of skiing and it shows in their way of thinking or speaking, which is a level of detail I'm jealous of being able to write. And everything is so well-described it feels like a textbook sometimes, in a good way. The whole premise is also very fresh and executed flawlessly.
I had no trouble sympathizing with the characters and enjoying how different they were. Kit's craving for normalcy was heart-breaking at times, and Asher's openness and communication skills were disarmingly adorable. I need more people who just say the things they're feeling right as they feel them.
I liked the whole cast of side-characters, but especially the fact that the parents weren't some villains, as they so often are in books, instead being shown as people who can make mistakes as well and ultimately just want what's best for their children.
The 'smaller' things I enjoyed were Kit's thoughts when they finally got to the hardest part of her training (nothing made her more human in my eyes than those), the conflict near the end (both sides are perfectly valid and understandable to me), and the second epilogue (especially the Quinn-related stuff).
Overall, if you're looking for something fresh in the sports romance world - Julie Cook's got you.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for letting me read the ARC!
August 1, 2026
Liked not loved.
Kit is a world renowned Olympic skier who is trying to maintain her status as a younger up and coming skier is pacing her for the most wins. She decided to team up with ski mountaineer, Asher, to train to compete in the brand new ski mountaineering event only to have her plans derailed as she starts to fall for him.
The pros: I LOVED Asher. He was so well developed, was communicative, and had the best family. The spice between the two was fun and made sense. The Olympic/competitive sport elements were right up my alley.
The cons: Because Kit has spent the majority of her life competing and not living, she is emotionally stilted and an absolute BORE. The pacing of the book also felt off with some parts dragging and others happening so fast it didn’t make sense. I also think there was too much and at the same time too little explanation about the sport of mountaineering. Wither go all in and explain what things mean so I have an idea what it looks like or just leave it out. A personal pet peeve of mine is when the character is “the best” at something and to prove that they need to CLIMB EVEREST THREE TIMES?! Just say they are a good climber lol.
I really did have a fun time with the book and am probably in love with dirtbag Asher but the end pacing fell flat for me. Would be a fun book to read during the winter (even though it is set in the spring/summer) or around world skiing events! Out 8/4!
Thank you to Turner Publishing Company & NetGalley for providing me a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Kit is a world renowned Olympic skier who is trying to maintain her status as a younger up and coming skier is pacing her for the most wins. She decided to team up with ski mountaineer, Asher, to train to compete in the brand new ski mountaineering event only to have her plans derailed as she starts to fall for him.
The pros: I LOVED Asher. He was so well developed, was communicative, and had the best family. The spice between the two was fun and made sense. The Olympic/competitive sport elements were right up my alley.
The cons: Because Kit has spent the majority of her life competing and not living, she is emotionally stilted and an absolute BORE. The pacing of the book also felt off with some parts dragging and others happening so fast it didn’t make sense. I also think there was too much and at the same time too little explanation about the sport of mountaineering. Wither go all in and explain what things mean so I have an idea what it looks like or just leave it out. A personal pet peeve of mine is when the character is “the best” at something and to prove that they need to CLIMB EVEREST THREE TIMES?! Just say they are a good climber lol.
I really did have a fun time with the book and am probably in love with dirtbag Asher but the end pacing fell flat for me. Would be a fun book to read during the winter (even though it is set in the spring/summer) or around world skiing events! Out 8/4!
Thank you to Turner Publishing Company & NetGalley for providing me a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Recommended for anyone who enjoys sports romance, forced proximity, and an emotionally mature MMC. I read a LOT of sports romance, but this was my first pro skier book, and I'm not mad at it. I feel like I learned a lot about pro skiing, and I had never even heard of ski mountaineering before this.
Kit is a pro/olympic skier (in slalom? I think?) who has been training intensely since she was 12 years old, with no room in her life for anything but skiing. Asher is a laid-back guy who just loves the outdoors and the thrill of pushing limits, and has worked his way into professional adventuring for sponsors. When the Olympics decides to add ski mountaineering as an event, Kit sees another way to prove herself the best, and hires Asher to train her. She didn't expect to be living and training at his house, and the proximity is clearly an issue.
Listen, I love an emotionally mature MMC, and Asher is giving that in spades. Every time Kit wants to run away from an uncomfortable conversation or decision, Asher is right there encouraging her and enforcing the need to communicate honestly with each other. I do feel like Kit's impetus for training so hard for so long to be the best is a little flimsy, and this is the first time I've had an issue with miscommunication outside the relationship, but the way her character and flaws have developed does make sense based on her interpretation of the event. Overall I had a great time and it kept me coming back.
I received this book as an eARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Kit is a pro/olympic skier (in slalom? I think?) who has been training intensely since she was 12 years old, with no room in her life for anything but skiing. Asher is a laid-back guy who just loves the outdoors and the thrill of pushing limits, and has worked his way into professional adventuring for sponsors. When the Olympics decides to add ski mountaineering as an event, Kit sees another way to prove herself the best, and hires Asher to train her. She didn't expect to be living and training at his house, and the proximity is clearly an issue.
Listen, I love an emotionally mature MMC, and Asher is giving that in spades. Every time Kit wants to run away from an uncomfortable conversation or decision, Asher is right there encouraging her and enforcing the need to communicate honestly with each other. I do feel like Kit's impetus for training so hard for so long to be the best is a little flimsy, and this is the first time I've had an issue with miscommunication outside the relationship, but the way her character and flaws have developed does make sense based on her interpretation of the event. Overall I had a great time and it kept me coming back.
I received this book as an eARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Highly focussed Olympic skier Kit Schuster enlists the help of the laid back ski mountaineer Asher McClendon to train her for a new Olympic event.
Despite their contrasting personalities, sparks soon fly and romance blossoms. But how will this shift in routine affect their training and Kit’s Olympic hopes?
Off Course starts slow; it takes a minute to get into as there is A LOT of detail about the sport of ski mountaineering and training routines (my extent of skiing knowledge starts and ends with me losing a ski, popping my knee and being tobogganed down a mountain). I didn’t mind this (I found it quite interesting), but there will definitely be people who prefer less actual sport in their sport romances.
When it gets going it is more of an emotional read than I was expecting. There’s an exploration of healthy masculinity and friendship which I enjoyed and the actual high stakes, life or death situations Kit and Asher found themselves in were at times really tense.
Asher’s relationships with his friends and family, and how Kit is brought into those, was really nicely done. I’m glad we got to see Kit resolve some of her issues surrounding her family.
The spice was… ok. Their chemistry and banter was hot but some of the skiing innuendo during that act itself was a bit much for me and gave me the ick.
Overall and fun (and at times stressful!) read. Great debut novel.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 rounded up
Despite their contrasting personalities, sparks soon fly and romance blossoms. But how will this shift in routine affect their training and Kit’s Olympic hopes?
Off Course starts slow; it takes a minute to get into as there is A LOT of detail about the sport of ski mountaineering and training routines (my extent of skiing knowledge starts and ends with me losing a ski, popping my knee and being tobogganed down a mountain). I didn’t mind this (I found it quite interesting), but there will definitely be people who prefer less actual sport in their sport romances.
When it gets going it is more of an emotional read than I was expecting. There’s an exploration of healthy masculinity and friendship which I enjoyed and the actual high stakes, life or death situations Kit and Asher found themselves in were at times really tense.
Asher’s relationships with his friends and family, and how Kit is brought into those, was really nicely done. I’m glad we got to see Kit resolve some of her issues surrounding her family.
The spice was… ok. Their chemistry and banter was hot but some of the skiing innuendo during that act itself was a bit much for me and gave me the ick.
Overall and fun (and at times stressful!) read. Great debut novel.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 rounded up
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The thing I liked about this most - and I liked a lot - is the way Kit and Asher meet and develop their relationship. There is no instant friction, no manufactured drama, just two people brought together for professional reasons, starting off a little awkwardly, and then working together towards a set aim. The mutual attraction appears alongside that in an entirely believable manner, making this one of the most mature romances I’ve read in a while. It helps that Asher is the greenest of green flags, with a healthy attitude towards communication. Kit, meanwhile, is the epitome of physical health - her obsession with her diet and exercise regime did get a little wearing, but it does illustrate her need for control and the fact that up until meeting Asher, competitive skiing is her entire life. The reasons for that don’t become clear until the last part of the book; I did feel that plot strand was introduced, explained and resolved in too short a period and could have been developed a little more and a little earlier. That’s a small quibble, because overall the positives definitely outweigh that negative: in particular, a setting that concentrates on the training rather than the competition, which helps build the depth of their relationship, some wonderful interactions with family and friends, and a Dolomites expedition that is full of detail and tension and self-discovery. This is a truly excellent debut that kept me engrossed, and I look forward to more from this author.
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