Saving the Lodge

by Sage Parker

Two strangers. One inheritance. Three months to save the lodge.

When Kate Thompson loses her corporate job, her late aunt's surprise inheritance seems like a half ownership of Pine Ridge Lodge in Ohio's Hocking Hills. But there's a problem. The other half goes to Hunter, the lodge's infuriatingly attractive trail guide who lives off-grid and thinks WiFi is the enemy.

They couldn't be more opposite. Kate envisions a luxury retreat with spa treatments and wine tastings. Hunter wants to preserve the rustic hiking haven he calls home. And if they can't hit their booking target in 90 days, they both lose everything.

Forced together, they clash over every decision until morning hikes and campfire nights start blurring the lines between business partners and something more...


This is Book 1 of 6 in the Holidays in Hocking Hills series. Scroll up to read now!

Genres: Fiction, Romance

87 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2025

Reviews

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate just lost her job at the marketing firm. An inheritance from her aunt is a saving grace. She learns that Hunter is also sharing the inn. They will have to stop butting heads and work together to turn a profit. Kate has many questions that are bugging her.

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

[Stox4story · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mystery in the Making

Kate finds out very quickly that life doesn’t always stay the same… one day you’re secure with a good job, the next day it’s gone. One day you’re in comfy warm Florida November weather, the next day you’re freezing in Ohio. Now, you’re headed to a lodge you know absolutely nothing about, a lodge left to you in an inheritance from an aunt you barely knew.

As you see, things can turn on a dime… ahhh, but life is full of surprises. It didn’t take Kate long to learn there are conditions she must adhere to in that will. She finds she isn’t the only one Aunt Lori willed the lodge too, it will be a shared inheritance with a very good looking but also grumpy Hunter Garrison, the lodge’s popular trail guide.

She also learns the lodge is not in good financial shape and only has 90 days to turn around the lodge’s bookings or the inheritance is lost, going to an unblown person or entity.

We see right away that the turnaround is easier said than done, especially when Kate and Hunter can’t agree on much of anything.

🤔THINGS THAT MAKE YOU WONDER🤔

… Just who is this Farrah? Yes, we know she’s Hunter’s ex, but why do I get the feeling there’s a lot more to her than meets the eye?

… Why is Kate so broke? She was in marketing for several years. Did she not have any savings at all? Marketing consultants tend to make good money.

… What family secrets are waiting to be discovered? What happened to cause such a drift Kate’s mom and aunt, and why didn’t Aunt Lori show up for Kate’s graduation … or even attempt to contact her?

Looking forward to answers as the series continues.

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

[June Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Thompson arrives in Hocking Hills, Ohio from her home in Florida and is acutely aware that she is out of her element, as she is not dressed appropriately for the colder weather, nor does she fully understand why her deceased Aunt has left her a lodge/retreat in the mountains. She had not seen her Aunt Lori since she was about 12 years old due to family issues between her Mother and Aunt. In route to the lodge she has a tire blowout and is rescued by Hunter Garrison, who takes her to his lodge to call for a tow truck as there’s no WiFi service on her cell phone But, how could this be? Her Aunt’s lodge and his are one and the same. This is where the problems truly begin. Her Aunt is controlling their futures from her grave and through both the estate attorney and Hunter’s ex-girlfriend, Farrah. There are many conditions to the inheritance that seem insurmountable for both Kate and Hunter, who must decide immediately how they will handle them and if they can.
This Author, Sage Parker, has started us reading a new series that promises to be as good as or better than her last series, which I thought was fantastic. I can’t wait on the next book.

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

[Nathalie DeSousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in this new series and that one that introduces Hunter & Kate.

The story starts with Kate - a city girl down with her luck - suddenly inherits her aunt's state, Pine Ridge Lodge. She sees a fresh start, until she arrives there to find the state of the lodge, and the Will's stipulations...
- 90 days of co habitation
- increase the clientele
- and 50% of the lodge belongs to Hunter

Her is the local trail hike guide, grumpy , and adverse to technology and change. Well prepare yourself for banter that feels like language, close proximity with a slow burn, and ex girlfriend with a hidden agenda, a desperate need for a cash infusion to the property, but also for the MCs to realize that this arrangement is changing their points of view and stand on the future. Will things change? Will they be able to work together? What secrets are hidden here? I guess we have to wait for the next books to find out.

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

[Alex Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually hate cliffhangers, but in this case Sage has the right idea, 6 books, 1 book a week and I will quickly be able to know the ending. Unlike most books with cliffhangers, I don’t have to wait months on end for more of the story. A city girl who loves her high heels and a rugged trail guide have to now run a lodge together? Sounds impossible for complete opposites to work well together right? Wrong, after all what’s that popular saying? Opposites attract, and in this instance it seems to ring true. Kate, after having her life in the city implode she gets a call about her late aunt and her will. Is this the change Kat needs in her life to move forward? Will she be able to work with her Aunt’s stipulations? Hunter prefers to live off the grid, and off the land. One wants to keep the lodge the same and the other wants to change everything about it. When heads clash in this series, will Hunter and Kate be able to work together or will everything go up in smoke?.

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

[Sandy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a wild journey with obstacles for Kate, from meeting Hunter for the first time, then the lodge inheritance stipulation, their struggled communication to achieve goals because of Hunter's gruff personality, his sentimental and hard work investment in the lodge, and honoring her aunt's legacy.
No flying sparks yet, just churning fire.
I'm waiting for the next parts of this story to find out how they come to an understanding, their brilliant ideas for the lodge, when and if ever Kate uncovers the truth about her family's past, how much I'll dislike the executor, and if will she be trouble in the lodge's paradise.



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

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Thompson is from Florida and has inherited her aunt Lauri's Lodge. Little does she know until the will is read is that she and Hunter Garrison, the lodge's hiking tour guide, have 90 days to increase the bookings at the lodge and run it together. If they don't succeed with the bookings, the lodge will go to someone else, and they have no idea who that is. They want opposite things and aren't getting along from the time that Hunter stopped along the road when Kate had a flat tire on her rental car. It's hard to say what will happen in the 90 days but I can't wait to find out!.

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

[Roslyn Simonin Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Lambert gets a call from an Attorney in Ohio , saying her Aunt Lori had passed and she had left Kate her Lodge in Hocking Hills,Ohio.
What? she hadn't even talked to her Aunt in 12-13 years(basically due to her Mother's interference ).
When she meets with the Attorney at Pine Ridge Lodge she learns of stipulations to the inheritance. A 3 month trial period to build the business back up, a 50-50 split with Hunter Garrison if they are successful, and she must stay at the Lodge for the 3 months and all decisions be mutual with Hunter.
WOW! Let's see where this is going.

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

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Thompson has a job in Florida at a marketing firm and then she doesn’t. She finds out after the death of her aunt that she was willed her aunts Pine Ridge Lodge in Ohio. When the will is read Kate finds out she is half owner along with Hunter.
After hearing that they have 90 days to increase the bookings or they lose the lodge to an unknown person.
The end of the book puts everything into a new light. I am anxious to read the next book in the series.

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

[Barb Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate gets word that her estranged Aunt Lori left her a lodge. When she drives to find out the details, her rental gets a flat and the person who helps her says he owns a lodge. Come to find out that it is the same place. Aunt Lori stipulates that Kate and Hunter must work to together to make the lodge work. Kate and Hunter have very different ideas of what should happen. When Kate realizes that she has to stay at the lodge for the six months, she is surprised and we shall see what happens next. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from BookSprout, and this is my honest review.

[Debdutch · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Saving the Lodge: Book One” by Sage Parker

-A charming start to a new series full of mystery, friction, and the promise of unexpected love. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Kate inherits a struggling Ohio lodge from an aunt she barely knew, her life flips overnight. She has 90 days to save the business along with Hunter.

Family secrets, hidden motives, and slow-burning tension turn this inheritance into a puzzle. The quick read ends with a cliffhanger as this is only book one. This type of story is only for patient readers.

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book one in this new series is off to a great start. Kate is left a lodge in her aunt’s will but she must run the lodge with the manager, Hunter. There are a few stipulations of how they must achieve the goal of increasing bookings in 90 days but it seems Kate runs into a brick wall with Hunter when he tries to shut down her suggestions on how to improve the numbers. I am already loving this story and I am so excited to read more and enjoy the journey that Sage Parker will no doubt take us on.

I received an arc copy via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saving the Lodge, Book 1, is the introduction to the Holidays in Hocking Hills Series which features Kate and Hunter who together inherit her aunt' Lori's prized Inn. The characters are diametrically opposite strangers who are equipped with marketing and management skills which will be needed to increase the number of clients in order to permanently claim their co-ownership. The book has plot twists, snarky banter, and a will executor who happens to be Hunter's ex.

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

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic new series!

This is a fantastic start to another new series.  Sage Parker's books always capture my interest and pull me in from book 1 to the last book in the series.  A job loss, an inheritance, a difficult partner who shares in running the lodge are all part of the challenges facing Kate. I highly recommend this book.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team.  I am voluntarily writing this review.

[PW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pine Ridge Lodge 2.0
The main players have been introduced with a glimpse of what's to come. The nice who was estranged from her aunt (not her fault.) A lodge worker who sees the lodge as home. A former lodge worker who has some yet to revealed agenda and some sparks. Should she stay or should she go???? Bring on the next book.

This Booksprout ARC set the tone with mire questions.

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

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate has questions when she suddenly inherits her aunt’s lodge in Ohio. Not only does she have to learn to work together with Hunter, longtime employee of the lodge, but they only have three months to do so and improve the financial stability of the lodge. Can they learn how to work together and figure out the best solution in time?.

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

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoy the strong lead characters. Especially the grumpy trail guide. He adds a bit of humor to the story and to the interaction with the lead female character. They have to work together and it was not by choice. There is also an attraction there. Like the setting and the background for the story. Good read.

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

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as an advanced reader copy.

Kate is under the assumption she’s inherited her Aunt Lori’s lodge. She’s not sure why as she hasn’t had contact with her for many years. Hunter who meets Kate is the caretaker or as he puts it the owner. Lots of confusion going on along with some mystery.

[Raylene Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happened when your aunt who you haven’t seen since you were a child because her fight with your mother, leaves you her business. You have three months to meet the quota for the lodge, plus you find out you have to stay at the lodge and share the business with a grumpy guy?.

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

[happy sunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness,
What a terrific start to another small town series.
These two characters are going to be so great to live with in my head for a little while.
It is a little slow to start for me with but stay with it you have to remember that this is not the whole story it is like a tv series where you get left hanging at the end and have to wait a week wondering what happened.

[Debi Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Beginning

This was a good beginning to a new series. Kate has been inherited a lodge from her aunt. Hunter is working at the lodge and has inherited the lodge. But with a clause in the will they have to turn it over in three months time or it goes to someone else. Will they make it? Looking forward to the next book to see what happens

[Cheryl McCrork · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Interesting Book 📖

The characters were interesting. They were very different types. I really think they worked well together even though they could not see that. There are many twists and turns. The act of experience and limited knowledge were a good mix. I enjoyed this book 📖 from start to finish.

[Casey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mmmmkay. So aside from the sexist cliché that is the insecure, nature-phobic FMC and the gruff, outdoorsy MMC, this book was fine until the utter lack of an ending. It abruptly stopped, what felt like mid-scene, and directed readers to the next book in the series. Guess I’ll continue wondering what happens with Kate and Hunter… 😬

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another story by this author that has an ending that is a bit of mystery. We don't know what happens next. It's a cliffhanger.

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

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

can a mis-matched pair rescue a remote lodge in the wintry North?

rediscovering family ties, using marketing and outdoor skills, and cooperating management promises frustrations, maybe some fun and possible romance and intruige.

looking forward to seeing how things develop.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books written by Sage Parker; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the first book in the Holidays in Hocking Hills Series; it is the beginning of a new series. The story continues in the next book and needs to be read in order.

[Julie's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sage Parker has done it again with her writing and I absolutely loved this first book of a new series by her and it just makes you wish you could visit this town. I loved the characters and the scenery and plot as well. Can't wait to start book two.

[B E · Rating 4 out of 5]

She just lost her job and inherited a lodge from her aunt. She doesn’t know that the trail guide inherited the other half. They must make a success in 90 days or both will lose the inheritance.

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

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story!

I'm not sure why but it felt like I had read parts of this book before, maybe in paperback form? Maybe just from the back of another book? Regardless I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read the next one!

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I am hooked on this story. I believe that Kate can get through this detour in her life. And Hunter wants to be left alone. I cannot wait to see where this story goes.

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