Didn't Ski You Coming

by India Tungate

He’s trying to hold everything together. She’s starting over after everything fell apart.

Braelynn Marlowe has built a career writing happily-ever-afters, but she isn’t sure she believes in them anymore.

After a devastating divorce and a looming deadline, Braelynn escapes to a cozy mountain lodge in Vermont with her two best friends, hoping a change of scenery will cure her crippling writer’s block. The last person she expects to meet is Thatcher Hayes—a man bearing far more than he lets anyone see, with a knack for making even ordinary moments feel magical.

Thatcher has spent the last two years trying to keep his late father’s company afloat while carrying expectations he never asked for.

His family’s annual holiday gathering at Frost Peak Lodge is supposed to give him a chance to step away from it all, but between his meddling relatives and the grief that seems to linger in every familiar corner, he can’t escape the weight of everything he’s carrying. That is, until he meets Braelynn.

They make a Thatcher will help her find inspiration for her next romance novel, and Braelynn will help him forget about the responsibilities waiting for him back home. At least, that’s the plan. But once their week comes to an end, they’re left with a choice—

Do they walk away and return to the lives they left behind, or risk everything for a love they didn’t ski coming.

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 23, 2026

About the author

India Tungate writes sweet, faith-filled, closed-door romances. She’s living her own happily ever after in a small town in Kentucky with her husband and two children. She discovered her love for storytelling at the age of ten and dreamed of becoming an author ever since. In 2023, she finally took the leap to pursue that dream, independently publishing her debut novel in 2024. When she's not writing, you’ll find her homeschooling her children, running her photography business, baking something delicious, getting lost in a good romance novel, or making memories with the people she loves. And if the Backstreet Boys happen to be playing, she’s probably singing along.


Follow India on Instagram at @indiatungateauthor

Reviews

[India Tungate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi there! I am the author of this book. Didn’t Ski You Coming is a part of a Christian Romance Novella Series called A Slopes and Sparks Series. Me and 6 other authors have teamed together to bring to you some cozy, swoony, winter romances that can be quickly read and enjoyed. This was the first novella I’ve ever wrote and I had so much fun with Thatcher and Braelynn’s story so much. I truly hope everyone enjoys this book.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, I absolutely loved this story. Both times I have had the change to read it. Thatcher and Braelynn were such a wonderul couple to read about. Thatcher was on family vacation, this had a different feeling to it but he still showed up. Braelynn had a bad thing happen and her life as a writer was being affected by it, being taken on a writing retreat to a wonderful winter wonderland was her solution. But when a noisy grandma decided going to talk to her favorite author is the best idea, you can guess the rest. India's stories are amazing fave for me, I would read anything she writes. Her stories have romance, have passion, have family, have God in them but most of all have stories well written then stay in your head forever♥︎

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all, I got to beta read this AMAZING novella by India. And I couldn’t have loved it more! If you’re in the market for humor blended with depth and faith, then this is the story for you.

India is excellent at portraying reality within her stories, and I absolutely love the way she handled divorce within this one.

If you love…

❄️ strangers to more
❄️ he helps her “research” for her novel
❄️ meddling families
❄️ close friend group
❄️ resort fun

THEN READ THIS!

[Jordan Scoggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

DAWWW!

So strangers to lovers IS MY JAM. My favorite trope of all time. HANDS DOWN.

India did this trope SO AMAZINGLY WELL. The meddling grandma...AHH. It was perfect.

ODDLY ENOUGH, one of the things I enjoyed about this book the most was the way she framed Braelynn's divorce was SO REFRESHING. Yes, she still made the ex-husband out to be more of the "bad guy" but she brought the perspective that Braelynn wasn't perfect either. Oftentimes with divorces in books one person is THE WHOLE reason and I appreciated the viewpoint she provided AND of course how our amazing God and Ultimate Author is always writing our story in a way we might have never seen coming! (:

Favorites:
- I love a meddling grandma
- Betting on kisses (eek)
- Ice skating
- Braelynn showing up AT HIS OFFICE.

One of my favorite winter reads so far!!

[Danielle Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

We aren't even past Halloween yet and I'm already starting Christmas books 😂😂😂. This was a great way to start though!! Didn't Ski You Coming follows Braelynn, an author that writes happily ever afters. But after her divorce she struggles to keep writing.

Thatcher, our mmc, has been struggling to keep his late father's business going. While on his family's annual stay at Frost Peak Lodge he meets Braelynn!
This is a spice free holiday romance that is the start of a series. Each book is written by a different author and Didn't Ski You Coming will be released on November 23rd!!

I highly suggest any of India's books if you love sweet romance with Christian and faith elements!!

[jennie.and.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun ski town love story! Hallmarky vibes! A fun one to read in the winter/Christmas time!