This review is based on an advanced reader’s copy of the novel obtained through snail mail at the permission of Simon and Schuster. This is in no way had an effect on the integrity of my review. Please note that published novel will differ from this ARC.
Genre:
Young Adult, stomach Contemporary, Romantic Thriller
Pages:
392
Part of a Series?:
Standalone Novel
Release Date:
October 7th, 2014
You Can Find the Book At:
GoodReads Summary:
Sometimes danger is hard to see… until it’s too late.
Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn’t prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.
In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there… and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target.
But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?
My Review:
This book has been floating around on my radar for quite some time now. I tried to get my hands on it at ALA but I had failed, and I’ve been avoiding getting ARCs on Edelweiss or NetGalley unless I really want them, so I just thought, well, if I’d like to, I’ll buy it in October. I’ve admittedly never read anything by Becca before so I wasn’t in any rush. I was pretty excited actually when I received it in the mail and it seemed to be just the thing I needed to get through an epic reading slump.
What I loved about this book is that it unexpected in every way. The thriller part of the description is completely true. From the moment that we met the two men, Mason and Shaun, I’m terrified. These kinds of things…they are more true to life than any fantasy or science fiction that I read. Girls get kidnapped, assaulted, raped, all sorts of things all the time so it was terrifying, especially after the initial encounter we have with one of the boys earlier in the novel. It was incredibly surprising. I finished it so quickly because I had no idea what was going to happen next, what twists and turns it would make, and where I would end up. It was incredibly gripping and it kept me turning the pages, easily. In the middle of a book slump, as well. Well done, Becca, for taking me out of that, finally!
I also loved the romance! It came from such a random spot and the ending that it took was just…so random. But I loved it. The whole novel I wasn’t quite sure who to root for, who the good guy was or who the bad guy was. It was so confusing and made scenes with different boys seems so incredibly complicated. Another reason for me to keep reading. I had to know what was going to happen next, how it was going to end. Its a complete page turner. That always seems to be a mark of a good book, the ability to keep you addicted the entire time, where you keep turning the pages, just one more chapter, just one more chapter, because you can’t stand not knowing what is going to happen next. That is completely accomplished in that novel.
Plus, I’m really interested in survival lately. I write a lot of survival scenes in my novel so when I see characters attempting to survive, making a perilous journey, I immediately get sucked in. As soon as it starts to snow, I knew that things were about to go down. Not only are we dealing with kidnappers, possible murderers, possible love interests, and all that sort of thing, but we’re also dealing with the elements. There are literally so many things against Britt in this novel, its unreal! But watching as she faces them all, including all the survival stuff, is just fun. I think this book would actually make a really great movie.
I’m excited for this to be released this book so I can pick up a finished copy and Becca will be doing an event here soon so I’ll be able to meet her and talk to her about this super great book. I’m feeling a little bit more open to reading her previous novels now so let’s see how it goes! Don’t forget to pick up Black Ice this week!
Rating:
4 out of 5 stars
I might have to read this. I love backpacking, but the wilderness can be really scary! (Even without kidnappings.) I had a bear outside my tent one night. Fun times.
I just finished reading it today, and I thought it was pretty great. At least it held my attention rather well. I finished it in three days, whereas I haven’t finished this other book I got way back before September. However, a majority of the time I did not like her judgement and I kind of saw quite a few of the plot twists a few pages before they happened so that bothered me a little. But overall, I thought the book was really good.