Review: War and Piste by Alex Thomas

Bridget Jones' Diary meets Chalet Girl is the easiest way to describe War and Piste, but that synopsis really doesn't do the story justice!

When Poppy Connors swaps a life of suits and cappuccinos for a job as a ski rep, she soon finds that resort life on the side of an Austrian alp is more than she bargained for. Adapting to her new diet of Jagermeister, adrenaline and europop, Poppy throws herself into this strange new world - a world in which 200 foot cliffs, midnight shootings and the intrigues of the megalomaniac resort manager soon start to feel normal.

The idyllic backdrop of the Austrian Alps instantly draws you into the novel, and, despite the fact that it does not shy away from the less glamorous side of chalet hosting, it manages to make the lifestyle seem incredibly appealing. Alex Thomas knows her stuff about skiing and it shows; her descriptions are a little technical at times but it only serves to demonstrate her expertise and make the story seem all the more authentic. The diary form works well with the plot and the characters are all well defined; I defy anyone not to be in love with Jon by the end, he's an absolute sweetheart! I raced through this book in a matter of days and didn't want it to end. As others have said, I would love to read a sequel telling us what happened to the characters once the season ended! 

5/5 stars: I absolutely adored this book, and genuinely had withdrawal symptoms from it for a few days after finishing.