Curl up with a quirky small-town Alaskan rom-com that’ll leave you laughing over:
A grumpy local and the sunny tourist who turns his world upside down
A rogue moose who threatens to steal every scene
A vacation you’ll never forget
And a sweet romance that doesn’t need to scald the pages to burn its way into your heart
He had a strict “no tourists” policy…until she broke all of his rules.When … tourists” policy…until she broke all of his rules.When Graham Barnett named his diner The Tourist Trap, he meant it as a joke. Now he’s stuck slinging reindeer dogs to an endless parade of resort visitors who couldn’t interest him less. Not even the sweet, enthusiastic tourist in the corner who blushes every time he looks her way…
Two weeks in Alaska isn’t just the top item on Zoey Caldwell’s bucket list. It’s the whole bucket. One look at the mountain town of Moose Springs and she’s smitten. But when an act of kindness brings Zoey into Graham’s world, she may just find there’s more to the grumpy local than meets the eye…and more to love in Moose Springs than just the Alaskan wilderness.
This story of Alaska marries together all the things you didn’t realize you needed: a whirlwind vacation, a friendly moose, a grumpy diner owner, a quirky tourist, plenty of restaurant humor, and a happy ending that’ll take you away from it all.
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The Tourist Attraction is a charming and ever so lovable romantic comedy that will enchant readers with it’s small town vibe, charming cast of characters, witty and memorable dialogues with the vacation fling as romance trope. Graham and Zoey are not your typical romance couple and the setting is the not so often featured state of Alaska. Sarah Morgenthaler has managed to craft a story that might be slow burn but is pure enjoyment to read. I have never had so much fun reading a love story that has very little obstacle for the main couple from the start. Add in a town that sounds both small town and tourist spot rolled into one, fantastic sceneries, secondary characters that you wish gets their own book, a cute dog and a love sick moose and you have a winner! The vividness of the setting makes you just want to get on a plane and make your own Alaskan adventure happen. The Tourist Attraction has all the boxes ticked for a great romantic comedy plus Alaska!
The Tourist Attraction was a sweet, messily human, swoony read perfect for holiday and escape reading. Morgenthaler did an outstanding job building a lust to love romance and showing the couple’s passion, then fading to black in a way that didn’t make me want to toss the book.
Graham had cute grumpy-man antics, then pushed his way into actually-a-butt territory a few times that made me crinkle my nose, but he was a great match for Zoey, who is having the best-worst vacation of her life in Alaska. The path of the character’s romance was obvious, though there was a fun little twist at the end that proved me a little wrong and made me smile.
Morgenthaler either really did her homework or has traveled to Alaska with the situations and scenery that built a town that is detailed but not invasive to the romance. The humor toed the line of slapstick but didn’t feel forced, and the side characters made an excellent world that will clearly expand into a series.
Recommended for sweet/closed-door romance readers, adventure romance, and of course romcom lovers.
I adored this story! Graham is so grumpy and rude to the tourists visiting the town of Moose Springs, he even makes them clean their own tables! However, they keep on coming back and bringing more tourists with them. One lovely night Zoey appears with one of his favourite tourists and he is smitten.
Their interactions were so heartwarming and seriously hilarious. Behind grumpy Graham is this wildlife loving wishful artist with a blind dog that he dresses up. Zoey is seriously the sweetest person and she has worked so hard at her dreary waitressing job to save up to make this trip of a lifetime.
I ran the gamut of emotions through this story, but the one that lingers is this warm fuzzy feeling of satisfaction.
I absolutely loved this adorable book and could not put it down! Zoe is cute and genuine. Graham is funny, caring, and the best flirt! The whole time I was reading, I was smiling at his over the top lines and laughing at their adventures. I highlighted so many of Graham’s cute remarks! Zoe and Graham have an obvious connection but they both put walls up for different reasons. It’s fun to explore their new relationship along with them. It’s not a super steamy romance story, but the way the author writes about a simple touch or passionate kiss, you know just what Zoe is feeling. This story is light, fun, and cute! And now I want to book a trip to Alaska.
This was such a fun read! It had me laughing on the first page.
I loved the hero and heroine who were depicted as real and quirky people you root for and want Graham and Zoey to realize this could be more than a short-term vacation romance. I want to visit Moose Springs, track down Ulysses, and find my own Graham to call me his Zoey bear.
I’ll definitely read more of this series and of this author!
I really loved everything about this debut. The perfect balance of humor and heart, and the perfect light hearted novel to read during the stay-at-home order. Zoey saves all her tip money for years to go on vacation in Alaska and EVERYTHING goes wrong- told in such hilarious detail I laughed out loud in many places. Graham is a townie who hates tourists, but owns the hottest attraction around- the diner. The ruder he is to these snotty tourists the happier they are to come again. Nothing he does can make the place fail. Then one tiny, riotous tourist wanders in and his life is changed forever.
Highly recommend this novel!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Should be 3.5 stars, but rated 4. Zoey Caldwell saved for ten years in order to vacation in Alaska. After she entered The Tourist Trap eatery, owner Graham Barnett made it his mission to get to know Zoey, even though he had a policy of avoiding tourists. Somehow, tourists clamored to his place of business even though he had poor customer service. He was of the opinion that tourists were ruining his small town of Moose Springs. Graham is a funny, laid back character who carried the story when I was losing interest because of the writing not being at the level I enjoy. Narrator Elise Arsenault did a pretty good job of narrating.
I read this book for the first time about a year ago (and the second time immediately after that) and just finished rereading it again last week, and I have to say, I’m still every bit as in love with these characters and this town as I was the first time. I’m a sucker for a good grumpy/sunshine vibe, and Graham and Zoey have that in spades. I have such a clear image of this town (and the Tourist Trap in particular) in my head, which is not a given in a book that prioritizes humor and romance (other things often get overlooked in favor of developing the characters and moving the plot forward, but that’s not the case here). Even after reading it three times, I found myself wheezing with laughter, swooning, and tearing up in turns. Lana is such a vivid character in her own right, as are Ash and Easton, and of course, Ulysses. Zoey and Graham are a couple that I constantly want to come back to, almost like I wish I could text them just to check in and see how they’re doing. An absolutely hilarious, adorable read that I will 100% be returning to again and again.
3.5 stars if I could.
This is a cute story. I’m like Zoey and I have a special love for Alaska (even though I don’t live there) so I adored the setting. It felt very true to how some smaller towns that rely on tourism react. I believed the whole “us vs. them” shtick, even if I don’t like it. And Ulysses is the best moose out there!
Zoey is interesting. She is curious and determined and spunky but I didn’t understand what makes her tick. I didn’t get enough of a why for her actions and choices. Graham is annoying both as a character and how the author chose to describe him. We get it, he’s the most handsome outdoorsy-type imaginable; please stop constantly reminding us. He felt immature and confused. I wanted more of a why for him, too. It felt like events that were major driving factors for Zoey and Graham weren’t given enough space to be fully realized. They’re mentioned almost in passing and then the story moves on.
Lana is curious. I’d love to get her backstory but given how I feel about Zoey and Graham, I doubt it would go that way. The rest of the characters feel less troublesome. They fill their roles well and don’t leave me wanting.
The story itself dragged a bit. I think it tried to pack too much in and to drag the romance out too long. It wound up being a longer palate cleanser than I expected but a sufficient palate cleanser nonetheless.
I’m not sure if I’ll read the sequel or not.
I’ve had this book on my #tbr for nine months, and I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to fall into this wonderful world. Graham and Zoey had me hooked from page 1. I highly recommend this slow-burn, small-town romance.
“The Tourist Attraction” was a feel-good type of narrative. The easy-to-read page-turning plot was filled with romance, quirkiness, and hilarity. It was quite entertaining.
I had several laugh out loud moments and a ton of snickers with this story set in Moose Springs, Alaska. I found it bright, charming, and a lot of fun. I’ll be looking for the next book in the series very soon. If I ever get to Alaska, I want to try a Growly Beer. A reindeer dog…? Not so much.
I choose to read this romance because of it is set in Alaska and sounded humorous. I think it can be fun to read books set where you live. This one did not disappoint me. I really like Zoey, (and not just because my dog shares the name). She saved a number of years to have an Alaskan vacation. I know many tourists like her who saved up and then tried to do all the touristy things. I liked Graham too. I know a few men like him. Gruff, tough and yet kind and loving.
I live in a tourist town in Southeast Alaska. Tourists are seen as a necessary evil, just evil and as wanted guests to our town. Everyone has feelings and opinions about them. When you are a small town, it is easy to be overran by tourists. I know quite a few people who wish we were a locals only town. These people usually don’t own or work in a job that is related to tourism. They can be just like Graham was.
I liked the tension between Zoey and Graham as well as the friendship and then love. I like that they took things a bit slower not wanting just a vacation fling. I do think this part was stretched out a bit longer than necessary. They both made me laugh several times. I adored Ulysses the moose and Jake the dog. I love that the author brought Jake up a lot. He was part of the story not just background. I also appreciated the way the author showed what happens when tourists cause an animal to need to be removed. I see, so often, tourists who come here thinking the bears are all named Yogi and BooBoo. They get close to get that selfie and then if the animal reacts to it by getting defensive, the animal is who is taken away. See that happen a few times and you can understand why Graham disliked the tourists. The one thing I had issue with was Zoey’s friend, Lana, drugging her and no one really batted an eye. I didn’t understand at all why that was in there.
My opinion is that it was a fun, entertaining story. I don’t think it is going to be for everyone, but if you like a cute romance, you will most likely enjoy this story.
This was a cute sweet story. Loved the bread loving moose. Loved the characters. Side characters were great as well. Easton was my favorite side character. (Can not wait for his story btw). Zoey a hard working waitress saves all her money to go to Alaska and to have the best vacation ever. Graham a grumpy loving tourist hater decides maybe not all tourists are bad. Over all a fun loving book
This was a Fun read! Endearing and fun… I look forward to reading all Sarah Morgenthalers books!!! Well written, engaging, great characters… Just a wonderful week end read!
I began to love this book by about page 2 or so. When I was introduced to Graham and his hilarious personality and how he runs his business. I loved him and Zoey, his flirtatious personality, and the amazing Alaskan setting this book was in. I loved, loved, loved it.
This is a closed-door romance. It has some innuendos, steamy kisses, etc, but stops before anything gets too out of hand.
So good!! I laughed and laughed reading this book. It’s my favorite kind of “happy feel good” book!
So fun! I like when a grumpy hero is also a major sweetie marshmallow guy and the world throws him for a loop. And the town of Moose Springs was just quirky and just complex and real enough to really make me look forward to the rest of the series.
This was such a fun, slow-burn romance to read. The characters were delightful, and so was the setting. This book made me want to visit Alaska in the summer (I’m too much of a cold wuss to go in the winter).
If you love sweet romances, this story is for you!
Graham is the owner of The Tourist Trap, a diner, that just so happens to be extremely popular with the people he hates most – tourists. That is until Zoey arrives for a two week vacation and walks into his diner capturing his attention immediately.
I am struggling to write this review. I enjoyed the book, it was sweet and made me laugh a few times. However, it was almost 400 pages and began to drag a little. Graham constantly calls zoey gorgeous and darling and it started to grate. Also, there’s a scene where Graham beats the crap out of someone… unnecessary.
Having said that, i still plan to read the next book, Mistletoe & Mr Right. iIf you’re looking for a funny, quick read I would recommend this.