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Off-Piste
Not yet published
Expected 3 Dec 26A sparkling winter romance with fake dating, enemies-to-lovers tension, and all the glamour of a world-famous French ski resort.
Marketeer Quinn has one goal this redeem herself at work by landing the resort account her company has been chasing for years. Convinced she can win over the elusive owners if she can just get in front of them, she books herself into their luxurious, star-studded ski retreat in the French Alps.
What she doesn’t expect is to come face-to-face with Sébastien—the owner’s infuriatingly handsome, infuriatingly smug son she clashed with years ago. He’s the last person she wants to deal with… until a situation arises that forces them to save face in front of the resort’s VIP guests.
Their solution? Enter into a mutually beneficial fake Sébastien gets his meddling parents off his back, and Quinn just might spark the jealousy she needs from a competitive colleague. It’s simple. Strategic. Completely under control.
Until real feelings start to slip through the cracks...
Perfect for fans of fake dating, forced proximity, and sizzling slow-burn chemistry, this winter romance will sweep you off your feet!
Marketeer Quinn has one goal this redeem herself at work by landing the resort account her company has been chasing for years. Convinced she can win over the elusive owners if she can just get in front of them, she books herself into their luxurious, star-studded ski retreat in the French Alps.
What she doesn’t expect is to come face-to-face with Sébastien—the owner’s infuriatingly handsome, infuriatingly smug son she clashed with years ago. He’s the last person she wants to deal with… until a situation arises that forces them to save face in front of the resort’s VIP guests.
Their solution? Enter into a mutually beneficial fake Sébastien gets his meddling parents off his back, and Quinn just might spark the jealousy she needs from a competitive colleague. It’s simple. Strategic. Completely under control.
Until real feelings start to slip through the cracks...
Perfect for fans of fake dating, forced proximity, and sizzling slow-burn chemistry, this winter romance will sweep you off your feet!
Audible Audio
Expected publication December 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 31, 2026
5 Stars / 2 Spice
TWO MONTHS. That's how long I had been stuck in a reading slump… and then 'Off-Piste' by Katherine Reilly came along and reminded me why I love reading in the first place. ❄️⛷️
Sometimes you just need a snowy French village, an infuriating man, ridiculous amounts of banter, and a fake engagement to get you back on track. Apparently, this was exactly what I needed.
❄️ Slow Burn
❄️ Mutual Dislike
❄️ Sports Romance — Freestyle Skiing
❄️ Forced Proximity
❄️ Fake Engagement
Quinn has lost more than her fair share. Her only remaining relative is gone, her four-year relationship has ended, and she's been placed on paid leave from work after being told she needs to take some time to "sort herself out."
Except Quinn isn't ready to admit she's struggling.
Determined to prove both her ex and her company wrong, she impulsively heads to France with one goal: win back a hotel her marketing company previously lost.
Enter Sebastien.
The owner's son.
The man who immediately gets under her skin.
These two clash from the moment they meet. Their conversations are filled with sharp remarks, stubbornness and enough verbal sparring to make me want to grab popcorn. Neither is willing to back down, and I was absolutely living for it.
But somewhere between the arguing, forced proximity and working together, those icy walls begin to crack.
And suddenly...
Why is there chemistry?!
What started as mutual irritation slowly transformed into something far more complicated. Their arrangement becomes mutually beneficial, but the more time Quinn and Sebastien spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore the attraction simmering underneath all that bickering.
And the BANter.
The banter was everything.
These two had me smiling, laughing and constantly waiting for their next interaction. The slow burn was delicious because you could genuinely feel the shift between them. Every little moment mattered, and watching their relationship evolve from I cannot stand you to oh... this might be a problem was so satisfying.
But it wasn't just Quinn and Sebastien that pulled me into this story.
The entire snowy community was filled with characters who felt distinct, charming and genuinely enjoyable to spend time with. I found myself wanting more of their interactions and becoming invested in the world around Quinn and Sebastien. Katherine Reilly created a setting that felt warm and inviting despite the freezing temperatures, and I could easily picture myself wandering around this little French community with a hot chocolate in hand.
There was also something incredibly refreshing about Quinn.
She's messy. She's stubborn. She's determined. She's trying to prove something to everyone around her while simultaneously figuring out what she actually wants for herself. I loved watching her slowly realise that moving forward doesn't necessarily mean proving everyone else wrong.
And Sebastien?
Infuriating.
Charming.
Stubborn.
Exactly the kind of man who makes you want to roll your eyes one minute and swoon the next. Watching his relationship with Quinn shift was one of my favourite parts of the book, particularly because neither of them gave in easily.
The romance is a true slow burn, with plenty of tension building before everything finally starts to thaw. And when it does?
Worth the wait. ❄️🔥
I also have to mention the freestyle skiing element because it added such a fun layer to the story. The snowy setting wasn't simply a backdrop; it became part of the atmosphere of the entire novel and made this feel like the perfect winter escape.
Overall, 'Off-Piste' was exactly the book I needed at exactly the right time. It pulled me out of a two-month reading slump when nothing else could, and for that alone, I am incredibly grateful.
But beyond that, it was genuinely an enjoyable romance with a delicious slow burn, fantastic banter, charming characters and a setting I didn't want to leave.
Katherine Reilly, you have officially thawed my reading slump. And this is exactly why I keep adding her books to my shelf AFTER reading the ARCs.
I need her trophies. 😂❄️
TWO MONTHS. That's how long I had been stuck in a reading slump… and then 'Off-Piste' by Katherine Reilly came along and reminded me why I love reading in the first place. ❄️⛷️
Sometimes you just need a snowy French village, an infuriating man, ridiculous amounts of banter, and a fake engagement to get you back on track. Apparently, this was exactly what I needed.
❄️ Slow Burn
❄️ Mutual Dislike
❄️ Sports Romance — Freestyle Skiing
❄️ Forced Proximity
❄️ Fake Engagement
Quinn has lost more than her fair share. Her only remaining relative is gone, her four-year relationship has ended, and she's been placed on paid leave from work after being told she needs to take some time to "sort herself out."
Except Quinn isn't ready to admit she's struggling.
Determined to prove both her ex and her company wrong, she impulsively heads to France with one goal: win back a hotel her marketing company previously lost.
Enter Sebastien.
The owner's son.
The man who immediately gets under her skin.
These two clash from the moment they meet. Their conversations are filled with sharp remarks, stubbornness and enough verbal sparring to make me want to grab popcorn. Neither is willing to back down, and I was absolutely living for it.
But somewhere between the arguing, forced proximity and working together, those icy walls begin to crack.
And suddenly...
Why is there chemistry?!
What started as mutual irritation slowly transformed into something far more complicated. Their arrangement becomes mutually beneficial, but the more time Quinn and Sebastien spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore the attraction simmering underneath all that bickering.
And the BANter.
The banter was everything.
These two had me smiling, laughing and constantly waiting for their next interaction. The slow burn was delicious because you could genuinely feel the shift between them. Every little moment mattered, and watching their relationship evolve from I cannot stand you to oh... this might be a problem was so satisfying.
But it wasn't just Quinn and Sebastien that pulled me into this story.
The entire snowy community was filled with characters who felt distinct, charming and genuinely enjoyable to spend time with. I found myself wanting more of their interactions and becoming invested in the world around Quinn and Sebastien. Katherine Reilly created a setting that felt warm and inviting despite the freezing temperatures, and I could easily picture myself wandering around this little French community with a hot chocolate in hand.
There was also something incredibly refreshing about Quinn.
She's messy. She's stubborn. She's determined. She's trying to prove something to everyone around her while simultaneously figuring out what she actually wants for herself. I loved watching her slowly realise that moving forward doesn't necessarily mean proving everyone else wrong.
And Sebastien?
Infuriating.
Charming.
Stubborn.
Exactly the kind of man who makes you want to roll your eyes one minute and swoon the next. Watching his relationship with Quinn shift was one of my favourite parts of the book, particularly because neither of them gave in easily.
The romance is a true slow burn, with plenty of tension building before everything finally starts to thaw. And when it does?
Worth the wait. ❄️🔥
I also have to mention the freestyle skiing element because it added such a fun layer to the story. The snowy setting wasn't simply a backdrop; it became part of the atmosphere of the entire novel and made this feel like the perfect winter escape.
Overall, 'Off-Piste' was exactly the book I needed at exactly the right time. It pulled me out of a two-month reading slump when nothing else could, and for that alone, I am incredibly grateful.
But beyond that, it was genuinely an enjoyable romance with a delicious slow burn, fantastic banter, charming characters and a setting I didn't want to leave.
Katherine Reilly, you have officially thawed my reading slump. And this is exactly why I keep adding her books to my shelf AFTER reading the ARCs.
I need her trophies. 😂❄️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75 ★
After my experience reading polo fever where it fell short of expectations, I was a little trepidatious about requesting this book; but with ride the wave being one of my favourite romance books, I still wanted to give this book a chance.
I feel like ride the wave may have been a one off for me however 😞 this author's other books just aren't hitting for me like it did.
Just like in ride the wave and polo fever though, I have to commend the authors skill at writing immersive settings. I felt like I was in the alps with the characters. I almost wish I had read this in winter to get the full effect, but the cosy wintery vibes were perfect!
I think ride the wave and polo fever were so brilliant for how involved their sports themes were in the story; but since we don't get the mmc Sebastian's (the professional skier's) pov, I feel like we didn't get as much skiing in this book as I would have liked.
At the start of this book, we are introduced to the fmc Quinn on her very first visit the ski resort, where she let's us know that she took lessons back in the uk to prepare herself for coming out there.
I wish that instead of her taking these lessons off-page, Sebastian had helped her learn. It could have given us more time on the slopes and created exciting, tension filled moments; that in all honesty I feel like this book was missing.
This book desperately needed Sebastian's pov in my opinion so I could see his mind changing about Quinn; so I could feel his infuriation and infatuation from the moment he met her.
It definitely would have helped convince me more of their feelings for each other (which were meant to be pent-up enemies to lovers level hot), because Quinn on her own wasn't selling it for me.
I didn't feel their chemistry or quite understand what drew them to each other. We got one physical description of each character at the start the book where the author rapidly listed off their features, and then I feel like I never really got to see them again. I needed more expressions; searing looks and longing gazes. I couldn't feel the emotions. They were being told to me instead of shown.
There was just no spark for me.
Their enemies to lovers dynamic did start out good but it fizzled out quickly. It felt like nothing pivotal had changed between them when all of a sudden they were behaving amicably towards each other.
Quinn and Sebastian as indivials also held a similar problem for me. They felt bland. I craved further development of their backstories, as well as just their personalities, beyond their love of working hard. It felt like their only personality trait was how hardworking they were - they loved to work! (and if this had to be the case, it would have been nice to see Quinn's passion for her job in action - yet again we are only told that she's hardworking, we don't get to see her interacting with clients, making her spreadsheets, or building pitches)
Another thing I struggled with in this book was feeling like Drew (Quinn's boss and ex-bf) wasn't given enough character development either.
We first meet him on Quinn's very first trip to the alps, in a little epilogue that takes place 4 years before the main timeline of the book. Quinn is Drew's new employee at this point.
During this scene, Quinn causes trouble for Drew and he even swears at her.
So it was difficult for me to wrap my head around the plausibility of Drew and Quinn then going on to date for 4 years. Their only interactions had been negative ones where Quinn left a bad impression.
I think scenes of them together as a couple would have been valuable to build a full picture, because Quinn and Drew had already had a whole relationship and broken up by the time I'd flicked the page to "4 years later".
Quinn's mission and entire reasoning for going to the ski resort after the breakup in the first place is to hopefully win Drew back and prove to him and the company that she was worth it. Her motivations felt foreign to me because I'd missed so much backstory.
I still enjoyed the conflict Drew provided anyways - I just wish it had been explored more.
I actually forgot that this book was a fake-dating romance because the sudden inspiration to fake-date as a solution to all of Quinn and Sebastian's problems came about at very nearly 50% into the book.
I was happy with the way things were going (minus the lack of chemistry) before the fake-dating scenario came into play, and I honestly don't really think it was even needed - especially because it put a glaring red flag on Sebastian's back:
It already feels pretty horrible to put your parents through planning a wedding that will never come to pass, but after learning about some difficulties Sebastian's family are having, it feels incredibly distasteful that he'd put his family through so much hard work - as well as bringing them joy and false hope - planning a wedding when it's all just a ruse. The stress it would have caused when they "broke up", as well, is something Sebastian should never have been willing put his family through.
I'm so sad I didn't love this one. I feel like it had everything right there to make it just perfect, but the execution didn't land for me.
This book did have a wholesome ending, however, which I really enjoyed; it was probably my favourite part of the book! I actually could have seen myself crying like I did with ride the wave if I had just had a better connection to the main characters and their relationship.
I'm still determined to read and fall in love with another of this author's books the way I did with ride the wave, so I look forward to whatever they next publish.
~
thank you so much to aria & aries and netgalley for the e-arc ☺️
After my experience reading polo fever where it fell short of expectations, I was a little trepidatious about requesting this book; but with ride the wave being one of my favourite romance books, I still wanted to give this book a chance.
I feel like ride the wave may have been a one off for me however 😞 this author's other books just aren't hitting for me like it did.
Just like in ride the wave and polo fever though, I have to commend the authors skill at writing immersive settings. I felt like I was in the alps with the characters. I almost wish I had read this in winter to get the full effect, but the cosy wintery vibes were perfect!
I think ride the wave and polo fever were so brilliant for how involved their sports themes were in the story; but since we don't get the mmc Sebastian's (the professional skier's) pov, I feel like we didn't get as much skiing in this book as I would have liked.
At the start of this book, we are introduced to the fmc Quinn on her very first visit the ski resort, where she let's us know that she took lessons back in the uk to prepare herself for coming out there.
I wish that instead of her taking these lessons off-page, Sebastian had helped her learn. It could have given us more time on the slopes and created exciting, tension filled moments; that in all honesty I feel like this book was missing.
This book desperately needed Sebastian's pov in my opinion so I could see his mind changing about Quinn; so I could feel his infuriation and infatuation from the moment he met her.
It definitely would have helped convince me more of their feelings for each other (which were meant to be pent-up enemies to lovers level hot), because Quinn on her own wasn't selling it for me.
I didn't feel their chemistry or quite understand what drew them to each other. We got one physical description of each character at the start the book where the author rapidly listed off their features, and then I feel like I never really got to see them again. I needed more expressions; searing looks and longing gazes. I couldn't feel the emotions. They were being told to me instead of shown.
There was just no spark for me.
Their enemies to lovers dynamic did start out good but it fizzled out quickly. It felt like nothing pivotal had changed between them when all of a sudden they were behaving amicably towards each other.
Quinn and Sebastian as indivials also held a similar problem for me. They felt bland. I craved further development of their backstories, as well as just their personalities, beyond their love of working hard. It felt like their only personality trait was how hardworking they were - they loved to work! (and if this had to be the case, it would have been nice to see Quinn's passion for her job in action - yet again we are only told that she's hardworking, we don't get to see her interacting with clients, making her spreadsheets, or building pitches)
Another thing I struggled with in this book was feeling like Drew (Quinn's boss and ex-bf) wasn't given enough character development either.
We first meet him on Quinn's very first trip to the alps, in a little epilogue that takes place 4 years before the main timeline of the book. Quinn is Drew's new employee at this point.
During this scene, Quinn causes trouble for Drew and he even swears at her.
So it was difficult for me to wrap my head around the plausibility of Drew and Quinn then going on to date for 4 years. Their only interactions had been negative ones where Quinn left a bad impression.
I think scenes of them together as a couple would have been valuable to build a full picture, because Quinn and Drew had already had a whole relationship and broken up by the time I'd flicked the page to "4 years later".
Quinn's mission and entire reasoning for going to the ski resort after the breakup in the first place is to hopefully win Drew back and prove to him and the company that she was worth it. Her motivations felt foreign to me because I'd missed so much backstory.
I still enjoyed the conflict Drew provided anyways - I just wish it had been explored more.
I actually forgot that this book was a fake-dating romance because the sudden inspiration to fake-date as a solution to all of Quinn and Sebastian's problems came about at very nearly 50% into the book.
I was happy with the way things were going (minus the lack of chemistry) before the fake-dating scenario came into play, and I honestly don't really think it was even needed - especially because it put a glaring red flag on Sebastian's back:
It already feels pretty horrible to put your parents through planning a wedding that will never come to pass, but after learning about some difficulties Sebastian's family are having, it feels incredibly distasteful that he'd put his family through so much hard work - as well as bringing them joy and false hope - planning a wedding when it's all just a ruse. The stress it would have caused when they "broke up", as well, is something Sebastian should never have been willing put his family through.
I'm so sad I didn't love this one. I feel like it had everything right there to make it just perfect, but the execution didn't land for me.
This book did have a wholesome ending, however, which I really enjoyed; it was probably my favourite part of the book! I actually could have seen myself crying like I did with ride the wave if I had just had a better connection to the main characters and their relationship.
I'm still determined to read and fall in love with another of this author's books the way I did with ride the wave, so I look forward to whatever they next publish.
~
thank you so much to aria & aries and netgalley for the e-arc ☺️
September 27, 2026
This was cute, and honestly I had a good time reading this book. The story was nice, pretty lighthearted, some funny moments, good banter and chemistry between the characters, mostly what I expected from the book and it delivered.
Now, and I don’t often say this… both characters are honestly pretty bad. At least they make a good match of two pretty bad people so there’s that.
Quinn was definitely irrational and impulsive and needed a real break instead of her half-assed plan. Some of it I can understand and have some sympathy, given her situation, but she is lucky Sébastien found it endearing instead of worrying. Now I’m sorry but Seb… he is charming when he is on page, and the chemistry is great, but he is a spoiled kid that who won’t grow up and accept that he’s an adult and life isn’t always going to be just fun and games. Skiing is his only priority and he takes way too long to become better, which in more than occasion is irresponsible and disrespectful to the people around him.
This was still a good and fun book, in the end they did make it work and had their happy ending, but I am not impressed and Sébastien is not making it into the top book boyfriend list.
*I received an ARC of this book, this is my honest opinion*
Now, and I don’t often say this… both characters are honestly pretty bad. At least they make a good match of two pretty bad people so there’s that.
Quinn was definitely irrational and impulsive and needed a real break instead of her half-assed plan. Some of it I can understand and have some sympathy, given her situation, but she is lucky Sébastien found it endearing instead of worrying. Now I’m sorry but Seb… he is charming when he is on page, and the chemistry is great, but he is a spoiled kid that who won’t grow up and accept that he’s an adult and life isn’t always going to be just fun and games. Skiing is his only priority and he takes way too long to become better, which in more than occasion is irresponsible and disrespectful to the people around him.
This was still a good and fun book, in the end they did make it work and had their happy ending, but I am not impressed and Sébastien is not making it into the top book boyfriend list.
*I received an ARC of this book, this is my honest opinion*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fake dating, enemies to lovers and a ski resort in the French Alps... this was always going to be my kind of book 😂 I loved Quinn and Sebastien together, especially the banter, tension and little digs between them. I also really liked that they both had something to gain from the fake dating, which made the setup even more fun. And watching all those fake moments slowly become very real will get me every time 🔥👀
I really liked Quinn’s storyline outside of the romance too. She had a lot to prove with her career, and the skiing competition for Seb added another fun element. The found family aspect was adorable as well. Seb’s family welcomed Quinn with open arms and I especially loved her relationship with Camille.
The French Alps setting just made everything even better. Such a fun, easy read with plenty of chemistry and tension... and now I want to book a ski holiday, although realistically I’d probably spend most of it at the après ski or in front of a fire reading a book 😂
Also, did she actually hide his skis?! 🤣
Tropes ✨
🎿 Ski resort romance
💋 Fake dating
😏 Enemies to lovers
🫶 Found family
🏔️ Forced proximity
🔥 Slow burn
Fake dating, enemies to lovers and a ski resort in the French Alps... this was always going to be my kind of book 😂 I loved Quinn and Sebastien together, especially the banter, tension and little digs between them. I also really liked that they both had something to gain from the fake dating, which made the setup even more fun. And watching all those fake moments slowly become very real will get me every time 🔥👀
I really liked Quinn’s storyline outside of the romance too. She had a lot to prove with her career, and the skiing competition for Seb added another fun element. The found family aspect was adorable as well. Seb’s family welcomed Quinn with open arms and I especially loved her relationship with Camille.
The French Alps setting just made everything even better. Such a fun, easy read with plenty of chemistry and tension... and now I want to book a ski holiday, although realistically I’d probably spend most of it at the après ski or in front of a fire reading a book 😂
Also, did she actually hide his skis?! 🤣
Tropes ✨
🎿 Ski resort romance
💋 Fake dating
😏 Enemies to lovers
🫶 Found family
🏔️ Forced proximity
🔥 Slow burn
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another fun and entertaining sports romance from Katherine Reilly. I stayed up ‘til 1.30am on a school night because I couldn’t put it down. I loved the slow-burn chemistry between Seb and Quinn. Their mutual dislike was both genuine but with a tinge of heat. Watching them go from that to learning more about the other, their mutual grief as well as care for each other was sweet. I also loved Quinn slowly realising she is worth so much more in both her career and personal relationships, while Seb regains his mojo after family tragedies. The fake engagement plot did have me worried at how bonkers of an idea it was for the characters and short time frame, but it all slotted in perfectly and wasn't overdone. While I think there could've been more of their backstories explored a bit more in-depth, it hit the right tone and vibe that I was needing. The ending? Sweet.
A fun sassy winter romance for a reading escape. Best read with a hot chocolate.
A fun sassy winter romance for a reading escape. Best read with a hot chocolate.
September 15, 2026
❄️ Off Piste by Katherine Reilly ❄️
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.75/5
Off Piste was an enjoyable and atmospheric read that transported me to the mountains and the world of winter sports. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and following their interactions, as well as the cosy setting and the little twists along the way.
The story was easy to read, with a romance that brought some lovely and emotional moments. While some aspects worked better for me than others, I still had a great time reading it and enjoyed the overall experience. 🏔️💙
Thank you to NetGalley UK and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 📚✨
#OffPiste #KatherineReilly #NetGalley #NetGalleyUK #BookReview #Bookstagram #RomanceReads #ARCReview
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.75/5
Off Piste was an enjoyable and atmospheric read that transported me to the mountains and the world of winter sports. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and following their interactions, as well as the cosy setting and the little twists along the way.
The story was easy to read, with a romance that brought some lovely and emotional moments. While some aspects worked better for me than others, I still had a great time reading it and enjoyed the overall experience. 🏔️💙
Thank you to NetGalley UK and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 📚✨
#OffPiste #KatherineReilly #NetGalley #NetGalleyUK #BookReview #Bookstagram #RomanceReads #ARCReview
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC review thanks to Netgalley
-small town
-slow burn
-holiday escape
This was fun and engaging read that kept me entertained from start to finish. I really enjoyed the setting and the way the characters were developed throughout the story. There was a great balance of humour, drama, and heartfelt moments, which made it easy to become invested in what happened next.
The pacing flowed well, and while there were a few moments where I wanted a little more depth, overall, I found it an enjoyable and satisfying read. The author's writing style was easy to sink into.
4 stars
-small town
-slow burn
-holiday escape
This was fun and engaging read that kept me entertained from start to finish. I really enjoyed the setting and the way the characters were developed throughout the story. There was a great balance of humour, drama, and heartfelt moments, which made it easy to become invested in what happened next.
The pacing flowed well, and while there were a few moments where I wanted a little more depth, overall, I found it an enjoyable and satisfying read. The author's writing style was easy to sink into.
4 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I honestly love a good sports romance but I’m not the biggest enemies to lovers fan. However this one was very enjoyable and a very quick read with language that wasn’t too complicated nor too childish. Perfect one to get back into my reading habit.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A full review is coming soon - this was a lot of fun to read. 4.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews