The Tourist Attraction

March 1, 2020

DEBUT Zoey Caldwell has longed dreamed of an Alaskan vacation, and after years of saving she's finally going. Inspired by her friend Lana's year adventures to Moose Springs, Zoey arrives excited and ready for her Alaskan adventure. On her first day in Moose Springs she meets grumpy Graham Barnett who, much to his chagrin, runs an extremely popular diner. Graham is immediately charmed by Zoey, and the two are often thrown together over Zoe's two weeks in town, either by circumstance, or at Graham's insistence. Exploring Moose Springs and the surrounding area with Zoey gives Graham fresh perspective, and he realizes maybe tourists aren't so bad after all. Zoey falls hard for not only Moose Springs, but its grumpy diner owner as well. VERDICT Morganthaler's debut is an utterly delightful romance with humor, small-town high jinks, and protagonists who share great chemistry.--Claire Brown, Red Deer P.L., Alberta, Canada

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Starred review from March 9, 2020
A grumpy diner owner and an adventurous waitress on her first vacation in years develop unexpected feelings in Morgenthaler’s thoroughly entertaining debut. Graham Barnett hates running the Tourist Trap, his popular Moose Springs, Alas., establishment famous both for the gimmicky menu items (“Growly Bear” drinks and “reindeer dogs”) and Graham’s surly behavior, which the wealthy visitors to the nearby resort find inexplicably charming. He would much prefer to spend his time working on his chain saw sculptures. But as soon as he locks eyes with the “adorably dorky” Zoey Caldwell, who’s saved up tip money for years for a two-week Alaskan adventure, Graham puts aside both art and business to spend time with her as her tour guide. Though their relationship hits an early hurdle when Zoey mistakes a chainsaw-wielding Graham for a murderer and kicks him in the groin, the chemistry between the two builds at a satisfying pace. Morgenthaler’s descriptions of the scenery are majestic, and her delineation of the friction between the townspeople and the tourists is well done. The quirky supporting characters, including a truck-humping moose, add charm. This sweet, funny tale is sure to win Morgenthaler many fans. Agent: Sara Megibow, KT Literary.