Awe man, this was probably the biggest disappointment of the year. Not because it was the worst book I've read, but because this was my most anticipated book. Lucy Clarke has been an auto buy author for me for nearly a decade, but this is the first book of hers I've given below a 4 star to. :(

There were too many characters with VERY little character development. None of them were flushed out enough, so I had a really hard time distinguishing between them. Looking back at her book from last year, there were a Feb more POV's but figuring out who was who was super easy bc she created them in such a way.

Aside from the characters, the overall plot was boring and just didn't hold my attention.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Four friends who take a yearly trip together decide to go hiking. Story is told from alternating point of views from all four, plus a local who is on the search and rescue team in the area. All four women have very different things going on in their personal lives and these are written well to give depth and relational info on each. Atmosphere is described but not over done, which I enjoyed!

Side character were well woven into story and didn’t figure out all the bad/good characters myself!!

My first by this author and definitely enjoyed, not your typical did the husband do it mystery for sure!

ARC provided by Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

DNF at 30%

Although the women's fiction thriller is not generally my cup of tea, I found myself really enjoying Lucy Clarke's One of the Girls for its messiness, constant twists, and genuinely surprising reveals. When I saw her new release The Hike, I quickly hit the request button and prepared myself for another wild ride.

However, The Hike didn't exude the same charm as Clarke's previous outing and frankly felt like it was written in what I like to call the "paint by numbers method". Put three or more women who are looking to overcome a very specific issue in their life, send them on a vacation, and wreak havoc. With this, however, I was so bored that I couldn't even get to the part where they start the vacation. I'd be willing to read something else by Clarke, but this just didn't do it for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

First off, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It is a story of four girlfriends who decide to spend their yearly girls' vacation hiking in the mountains of Norway. Their trip doesn't go quite as planned. There is mystery, adventure, friendship, and even betrayal. I found myself on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. I laughed in a couple of spots and actually teared up in one spot, and I don't often cry over books! This book was riveting from the first page to the last page. I'm not sure if this author has other books published, but I will definitely read them if she does. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a thriller with twists and turns. Please, please read it! You won't regret it.

One of the Girls was one of my favorite reads last year, so I was super excited to get an DRC for Lucy Clarke’s newest novel, The Hike. I love thrillers set in the wilderness so this one was calling me now.

It’s told from the perspectives of four women who are on a hiking trip in Norway. None of these women are experienced hikers or totally in shape, so it’s surprising they selected this for their annual trip when normally they sip drinks somewhere on the beach.

I liked the choice of one narrator for all of the women’s POVs as it worked being told in the third person. There is also another perspective that we get throughout the book, but I won’t say too much about that. I felt that each woman had a unique character and story, and it was easy to differentiate between them because each chapter was labeled by the character’s names. Stephanie Rancine and David Johansen-Menkin were able to create a sense of dread and suspense while listening to the audiobook.

I loved the shorter chapters, and the pacing of this story, however, I felt the ending was rushed. I hoped for some big twists, and although there are some smaller ones, I just never got that OMG factor I look for in thrillers. The setting was fantastic, and Clarke definitely knows how to keep her reader’s hearts racing in this atmospheric and unsettling story.

Thank you Penguin Group Putnam, G.P. Utnam’s Sons, PRH Audio,,and NetGalley for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.

Thriller Thursday!
Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam publishing and NetGalley for my e-arc in exchange for my honest feedback. The Hike by Lucy Clarke, an amazing destination thriller, is publishing August 29th!

This is a story about four women who have been lifelong friends and, despite their current careers/places in life, still take one annual trip together. Liz is tired of tropical poolside destinations so when it is her turn to plan the trip, she decides to plan an adventurous backpacking hiking trip in the mountains of Norway. Research is done, gear is purchased, training has been completed (well, for some), and the girls spend their first night full of booze, dancing, and reminiscing at the local lodge before embarking on their 4-day hike. Each day of the hike includes chapters from each of the women and I loved the multiple POVs. Additionally, there are future scenes from the POV of the lodge owner attempting a rescue. The reader is aware something has gone terribly wrong on the hike but is not aware of who is hurt or how the accident has happened. Fast-paced, propulsive writing, and twisty secrets were revealed in each section of the read. Additionally, there are local community members who add an eerie mix of folklore and mystery surrounding a local girl who went missing on the same trail a year ago. I had no idea where this story was going and loved every second! It also unlocked some new phobias I have regarding potential hiking disasters, and I might have sold my tent and hiking gear on FaceBook marketplace!

If you enjoy atmospheric destination thrillers, add this to your TBR today.

Four life-long friends embark on a 4-day hike for their somewhat annual girls trip. Taking a break from a tropical getaway, this year it is Liz's turn to pick the destination so she chooses something more challenging. Once they arrive at the Lodge to head out for their trip, they start getting the vibe that something is not right. But not heeding any warnings about weather or potential dangers, the 4 women head out to conquer not just the mountain, but their own personal struggles. A previous hiker died, a prodigal son returns, in the dark wilderness things happen, will the women return to be able to tell their tale....

3.5 stars! This was a quick, easy read, survivalist thriller. I was surprised by a few of the twists, because I usually guess them ahead of time. Each of the characters have their own issues they are dealing with, most that the other women in the group don't realize. There was good character development and made that aspect more interesting and their part of the story more important. Lots of intrapersonal and interpersonal conflict that kept the pace of the book. Chapters are told in different points of view between the different women, and I always think that is integral with a story like this.

Definitely got Lucy Foley/Ruth Ware vibes with this book! And would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys those authors!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the digital ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Books for a complimentary ARC copy of this novel!

Who can be trusted up on the mountain?

Four friends. Maggie, Joni, Liz, and Helena. But they share far more than just friendship. There are secrets as well. But a great adventure is awaiting them in Norway and the surrounding mountains. Each year they plan a different get away. Joni isn't always able to make it, but this time at the last minute she does. All four set out on the four day treacherous hike, but all is not as it seems. Secrets are revealed, a body is discovered. And just like that, murder is now a part of their hike!!! The question is, who can these four women trust? Who is the killer among them?
Available August 29, 2023

⛰️⛰️⛰️ / 5

I thought this one had a lot of potential, but I didn’t love it. The setting in a small coastal town in Norway was gorgeous, and I loved the premise of a girls’ hiking trip gone wrong. However, I wasn’t really drawn to any of the characters, and the story took a turn that I didn’t really care for. As much as I loved the setting, I wanted more of it. I was impressed by all the obstacles the author put these characters through as well as the conflict that they endured with each other. I thought it was a good amount without being redundant. Overall, I’d say this is a solid survivalist thriller that quite a few readers have enjoyed—based on reviews I’ve seen. As always, please take my reviews with a grain of salt, as you might enjoy this one more than I did, which is great!

4.5 Stars

Four friends on a hiking adventure to Norway. What could possibly go wrong? Liz is tired of their annual beach getaways and needs adventure. Maggie and Helena are not quite sure about this. Joni is touring, and hasn’t given an answer. What starts out as a fun, impromptu night at the lodge bar quickly turns dark and sinister when the hike is underway. Hold on to your backpacks!

What a destination thriller! I didn’t realize how much of a nightmare this would be for me until the beautifully graphic and yet terrifying descriptions of this mountain hike grabbed me and had my heart pumping. The unpredictable weather and short chapters add to the suspense. These friends have a lot of baggage which slowly enfolds during the 4 days. I became frustrated with friends for not sticking up for themselves against Liz’s reckless idea and know-it-all behavior. But, this just lends itself to the story. Innocent situations seem to steam roll into much bigger things. No one is what they appear to be. This book brought out a fear I never knew I had. Go ahead and go hiking, I’ll be at the beach, or swim up bar!

Another enjoyable read by Lucy Clarke. Can’t wait for the next one.

Thanks to Penguin Group/ Putnam and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

"The mountains are brutal. Impervious. They don't care who is broken and bloodied. They don't care for weeping or joy. It is why people lose themselves out here. There is no judgement. You can be anyone in the wilderness."

This is the kind of thing that makes me question people when they say their favorite hobby is hiking. Or camping.

Four lifelong friends — Maggie, Helena, Joni and Liz — have planned an annual vacation together since they were eighteen. A chance to get together and have fun, relax and take a break from their chaotic adult lives. This year, it's Liz's turn to pick, and instead of choosing beachside resorts and relaxing spa weekends she does the unthinkable — booking a backpacking trip in the Norwegian mountains. Beyond the obvious pitfalls of not being outdoorsmen (women actually), the trip seems to go according to plan until the four friends find themselves stranded out on a desolate mountain. No cell service. Lost. And they are definitely not alone.

For how short this book was I was considerably shocked at how much conflict and character development Lucy Clarke managed to pack into the chapters. From each woman's perspective, we got to see their personalities shine, and see how they each dealt differently with the struggles in their lives, and the very real and terrifying things they encountered while on the hike.

This is definitely a classic popcorn thriller — something escapist and totally binge-able in one sitting which I most definitely did. Definitely makes me want to reconsider the camping/outdoorsy trip I'm going on this weekend. ;)

The Hike is set to be published on August 29, 2023. Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, NetGalley and the author for the digital advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This titular hike is taken by four childhood friends who present to the outside world as Liz Wallace the shiny happy doctor mom-wife who can do no wrong, Maggie the self-doubting single-mom artist, Helena Hall the self-reliant career woman, and Joni Gold the world's sexiest rock star. But their planned Norwegian hike will prove way, way more than any of these British BFFs bargained for, and the secrets that each of them harbor will come to light along treacherous rock-lined fjords of danger.

There were little discrepancies that might only ring wrong to an American ear: a child with a wobbly front tooth speaking in articulate, adult diction "Will this have fallen out by the time you're back?" and another 6-yr old terrified in a power outage, cowering in the dark, alone and stumbling, "calling out her father's name" rather than "Father" or "Dad" or "Daddy" etc. But none of that diminishes the mastery of this thriller; the characters and their foibles are so real, the dramatic setting (emotionally as well as geographic) is exquisitely rendered, and the high stake suspense had me gasping out loud again and again!

As someone who myself survived marital collapse and infidelity with sanity intact, and credits that wholly to the healing powers of rage walking around London, I love Dr Liz's explanation "the science of why walking healed- something to do with decreasing activity in the part of the brain responsible for negative thoughts and rumination, instead activating a rest-and-digest mode". I loved this book, can't wait to read more by Lucy Clarke, and when this inevitably gets adapted to film, I'll buy a ticket with pleasure.

Thank you, Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley, for the advanced copy of The Hike.

Lucy Clarke is yet again delivered another great thriller! Who doesn't love a girls trip gone wrong as long as it's not your girls trip? This one had me on the edge of my seat. I would have been able to devour this in one sitting if it weren't for those pesky kids. Joking, sorta... This was a page turner that kept the suspense at the forefront.

Four friends take a girls trip to Norway of all places. It's not the destination that some would have chosen, but with it being Liz's turn to pick, she is even able to get their jetsetting rockstar friend to join them. The night before the big hike reveals some secrets about some of the locals. With an ominous warning to turn back around at the start of the trail, the friends may just end up wishing that they would have heeded the warnings that were so often spoken.

Thank you NetGalley and Ms. Clarke for giving me the opportunity to give an honest review of "The Hike." I was excited to get to read this story, since I have really enjoyed other books written by Ms.Clarke. That being said what in the Daisy Jones Ozark loving story this turned out to be. First, I found it very slow.I felt like I was climbing Mt.Blarfell waiting for something exciting to happen. It finally picks up after I am 70% through the book. The story focused so much on the four women, and suddenly you are slapped with a bunch of characters and a mangy dog. I found the story rushed and it needed more back story on the other characters in play.

This book was enjoyable but it also did not wow me. A solid 3 star review. This book follows a group of friends who go on a yearly vacation together and this year one of them decided to pick a multi-day hike. When they get there they find out that someone had gone missing on the hike and the story flip flops between the friends hiking and rescuing a missing hiker. There are some twists and turns and the story was not as predictable as many in the genre. A quick and pleasant read.

I received a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love Lucy Clarke. She is always able to write novels that I completely devour. Easy #5starread for me! Four women hiking an extremely difficult trail, each with their own secrets and constantly being watched by locals. I felt nervous while reading which makes for a great thriller. The shorter chapters had me not being able to put the book down.

Each woman was very interesting and going through unique life situations that only make a four day hike even more filled with tension. This was a book about female friendships and how the friendships can overcome any obstacle. Also, please take me to Norway someday. It sounds beyond beautiful.

This was a thriller for the ages! Kept me on the edge of my seat. I love a book that keeps me turning the pages! Lucy Clarke rocks.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the eARC of The Hike by Lucy Clarke.

Lucy Clarke can paint the picture of an atmosphere - that's for sure. I really enjoyed her novel "One of the Girls" and this one painted a different atmosphere. This story played out really well, I did not anticipate the end twist. I will say, the worst part for me is that I basically found all of the friends in this novel insufferable. And I wish Liz grew a backbone.

3.5/4 Stars.

This was SO MUCH FUN! I loved the atmosphere and pretty much any books that pits character vs nature will hook me in immediately. Four friends reunite to do a hike in Norway, against the advice of even the locals. Sign me up! And then, something fishy is going on with said locals. Even better! I truly could not put this down and didn't want it to end. Thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Hike
🗓️ 8/23/2023

No help.
No cell coverage.
No one to hear them scream.

Burned-out by both her marriage and work, Liz is desperate for an escape. More than that, she craves an adventure, a total reset. So, when she plans a vacation with her three best friends, she persuades them to spend four nights camping in the stunning mountains of Norway. Following a trail that climbs through lush valleys, towering peaks, and past jewel-blue lakes, Liz is sure that the hike is just what they need.

But as they stride farther from civilization, it becomes clear that the women are not the only ones looking to lose themselves in the mountains. The wilderness hides secrets darker than they could ever have imagined, and if they’re not careful . . . not all of them will return.

This was my first Lucy Clarke read and I was hoping for more. I did enjoy that it was told from multiple POVs and the short chapters made it a quick read. I never had that “I can’t put this book down” feeling. Many of the characters were unlikable and the plot twist that turned in the last third of the book didn’t hold my attention. Clarke’s ability to set the scene allowed me to visualize the Norwegian mountainsides as if I were on the hike with a group of friends.

Thank you @netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

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