Sophie’s hotel internship in the scenic Swiss Alps becomes the adventure of a lifetime when a series of interesting guests come to stay for the holidays. After dropping out of school and deciding she wants a future in hospitality, Sophie travels to Switzerland to intern at a world famous resort. The Castle in the Clouds is known for its annual New Year’s ball, an event full of famous guests and festive cheer. Seventeen-year old Sophie balances her role as the hotel babysitter while uncovering a mystery that develops as the story goes on. Sophie eventually finds herself wondering if she’ll live to see the New Year. Full of romance and excitement, this book is the perfect winter read.

This book is one of the newer releases by Kerstin Gier, author of the Ruby Red and Silver trilogies. The Ruby Red series is one of my favorites because of the magic and fun involved. This book had all of my favorite elements of that series. Sophie has the wit and courage that I have come to love in all of Gier’s protagonists. She is unfazed by the secrets she uncovers throughout the story, proving her strength in all her actions. It is Sophie who uncovers the mystery that lurks behind the false appearances of several guests and it is Sophie who saves the hotel from ruin. 

The eccentric guests at the hotel are what make the book so special to me. Among them are a charming cat burglar, a Russian oligarch, a Texas billionaire, and a handsome hotelier’s son. There are also mischievous children, evil chambermaids, and a kind receptionist. Appearances are deceiving in the story as Sophie learns to expect the unexpected and be careful with whom she trusts. Sophie never has a dull moment in the story as she is constantly interacting with all the guests and staff. The book is full of funny dialogue and beautiful descriptions.

Above all I love the feeling that this book gives me. It is heartwarming and really funny. Sophie is relatable and the story is full of kind and comforting characters. Even though this story becomes a high stakes thriller towards the end, it remains a light and easy read. It is the perfect read for the holidays where you get to delight in the snow covered Alps, a hotel full of decked halls, and an eventful New Year’s ball.

I would give this book a rating of eight out of ten stars. This book has joined a group of holiday stories that I reread every year. While it has become one of my favorite books, it doesn’t become clear where the story is heading until the very end of the book as it takes a while for the mystery to build. This book is less about the mystery and more about the fun that Sophie has during her time at Castle in the Clouds. Nevertheless, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun book to read in the winter.

Check out A Castle in the Clouds from the Newport Beach Public Library!