The Tourist Attraction (Moose Springs, Alaska, #1)

by Sarah Morgenthaler

[reveriesociety_]

The story opens with Graham, the owner of The Tourist Trap, a diner that everyone wonders how against all odds remains in business, given that its owner makes people wait outside, randomly decides when to open and close, and other things. Everybody seems to love it and the harder Graham tries to drive the unruly tourists away, the more quaint they think it is.

I loved it.

In the first scene, Graham begins talking to a freaking moose. And it’s adorable.


I repeat: It’s adorable
It’s uncomplicated, but not superficial. We’ll get into that in a bit. Let’s focus on the cutenes for now. I really hope I can convince you of reading this book.

Our characters meet very early on, and it’s not love at first sight, but maybe… crush at first sight? Whatever, we know those two weirdos are made for each other. The characters don’t really have any sordid pasts, but normal problems any of us could face. So, instead of the plot trying to solve things that have already happened, it focuses on the actual relationship developing, the funny moments, and the uncertainty too.

I can’t with how often Graham becomes such a dork when it comes to Zoey. It’s not over the top, or alpha-male intense, it’s just… I can believe it, ok? Here’s a hero that I can believe exists out there.

He serves her hot dogs with paper antler decorations -he usually does this for the kids-, just to be cute.


Ok, but what about the plot, the depth?
First, we do have the glaring issue of Zoey being a tourist, so her days in Alaska are limited. That alone provides a lot of drama, but I love that the book doesn’t really touch on that for even the first half, or even 75% of the book. I can’t recall exactly. You know it will be discussed later, but it’s not the plot.

Instead, the book focuses on giving us a situation where progress and nature come into conflict. The rich and spoiled tourists, the nature, the townspeople and their businesses that depend on tourism… These are the main driving forces of this story, and I liked every point it made with its elements.


Did I dislike anything?
If I did, I can’t remember. There was absolutely nothing that bothered me enough to even remember. I have nothing but fond memories of reading this story, and writing about it makes me want to reread it!