I love hiking/backpacking so I was so excited when I got approved for this book on NetGalley. This book is told in multiple POV with four main characters, plus a few supporting characters, so it’s not too difficult to keep track of everyone which was nice. Each character had a distinct personality and were well developed. Unfortunately it does takes a while to build the story and introduce all of the characters, their personalities, and the problems each of them are having in their personal lives. I did enjoy the dynamic of their friendship, and their different reasons for choosing to embark on this journey.

The author did a great job at creating an atmosphere that felt claustrophobic with an isolated trail, no cell service, poor weather conditions, and no one to hear you scream. I wanted to love this one, but overall this survivalist thriller was good, but not great. It just kind of fell flat for me as I felt like not much really happened until the end. The book kept my interest, but I felt like I kept waiting for something to actually happen. The story wasn’t as gripping and suspenseful as I hoped it would be. I’d recommend this book to those who enjoy character driven survivalist books.

The Hike is a beautiful story of friendship set amidst a survival thriller. I loved the depth of the characters and enjoyed each of their POVs. My favorite part was how each of them had a reason to attempt climbing the mountain, beyond gathering for their annual holiday. An inner demon to conquer on the mountain. The added thrill of a hiker’s disappearance gave the story a sense of eeriness and immediacy. I loved how immersive the story and setting were - very atmospheric. I got lost in the pages and highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Hike is a wilderness survivalist thriller, aka yet another reminder for me that I never want to go camping ever. Four friends decide to go on a camping trip in the Norwegian wilderness because they thought it would be fun I guess (to me, that’s not a vacation that’s a punishment but to each their own!) and lo and behold, they are I n the middle of nowhere with no way to call for help.

Right off the bat, I instantly loved the dynamic of the friend group. You can tell that these women have been friends for years and there’s just so much girl power in their connection. This made me want a friend group like theirs! Despite the fact that some of these women are pretty troubled and problematic (notably Joni and Liz got on my nerves so bad) I still felt an attachment to their friend group. Before they had even gotten to Norway, I was already sad at the possibility that at least one of them might die, seeing as this is going to be a survivalist murder mystery and all.

This book is a bit slow to get started, but this is one of the cases where I think it’s necessary. I usually want a book to jump right into the action, but I like how this book took some time to set up the story, let us get to know the personalities of these women, and form a real attachment to them before jumping into all the horror and danger. It makes the stakes feel even higher. Even so, I couldn’t wait until some of the action and terror actually started to happen. Unfortunately, I was disappointed on that front,

Though I liked the dynamic of the four friends but I also didn’t think this book was gripping enough. I was 60% in and realized this wasn’t even an ounce scary or gripping at all. This book kind of made it seem like the women were being chased by a killer the whole time but that’s not the case. If anything, it’s more of a bunch of friendship drama but under a survivalist in the wilderness circumstance. I don’t know if I’d even label this as a thriller because it’s really not high stakes, gripping, or scary at all. That is why even though I enjoyed reading about these 4 women, I’m giving it 3 stars. I think if thriller fans pick this up looking for a gripping read, they would be disappointed because that isn’t what this book is. Not until the last 10% or so.

Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

A thrilling hiking trip in the Norwegian wilderness? Yes, please! This was an adrenaline fueled adventure in a beautiful nature with harsh conditions that made the terror and panic even more realistic. ⁣
The tension was as thick as a mountain fog and the suspense was as sharp as jagged cliffs over the violent sea. ⁣At first I was worried that the multiple POVs would be confusing or overwhelming but it was perfect. It made it easy to familiarize myself with what was happening in the characters’ minds and hearts and that made the story even more interesting. ⁣
Every time I thought I figured out the direction of the story, something unexpected happened and I could not wait to see what happened next. I absolutely loved this book! ⁣
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Thank you Netgalley for this ARC that was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a cliff-hanger in the truest sense of the word, taking place on one of the highest mountain peaks in Norway. When four lifelong friends decide to hike in Norway on one of their annual retreats together, they discover shady characters on the trail, harrowingly narrow ledges on the sides of the mountain, a landslide, illicit goods in a cavern, and a murderer on the loose. This is a must-read for all readers of thrillers.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this advance copy of The Hike

Took me a little to get into but only because I am a mood reader but once I got into it , I really enjoyed it! Good mystery thriller

This was my first Lucy Clarke book and I devoured it. The details and descriptions made it seem like I was experiencing this hike with them. All the characters were relatable and it was an easy but thrilling read. The first few chapters were the development of the characters and the slowest. Once you get through that, it was smooth sailing. Thank you Net Gallery and Harper Collins for this ARC!

A group of 4 women have a “girls’ trip” every year. The woman have known each other from early childhood school days. This year it is Liz’s turn to plan the trip and she chooses a hiking trip in Norway, to a mountain they had talked about in their teenage years. Usually their trips are more of the relaxing, kick back on the beach variety - so this one is bound to be different. Of course this brings about a lot of the expected problems - being out of shape for some, camping outdoors, heavy backpacks,etc. - plus more emotional elements that each of the women are dealing with. They also hear stories about a woman who went missing on the same trail they are about to embark on. The story is told from different points of view, so we get to see inside of the different characters minds. I thought the characters were well written, even though they weren’t always likable. There is a good amount of mystery and danger woven into the story. This book definitely held my attention. I would recommend this book and give it 4 stars out of 5.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this book completely blind. I knew the name "Lucy Clarke" without having read any of her books, I just understood that this is an author who should be read. This book validated that and sold me entirely. I will admit I have been in a bit of a reading rut lately, but this book just brought me out of it.

This is an adventure thriller about 4 college friends who meet up annually for a girl's trip. Each of them has different stories and backgrounds that the book opens up to explain. It takes a minute to get going because there is a lot of character information in the early pages, but I assure you it is worth it to get to know the characters. Once you get through the first 20-25% the story really gets rolling. This year, their trip brought them to the mountains of Norway, despite none of them ever having hiked a mountain before.

The book is told from each of the four women's points of view, as well as a 5th point of view in a different time frame. Don't worry, it'll make sense when you read it. It was incredibly easy to keep track of the different characters and different things going on in the book. This book was non-stop and pulled me so much I forgot all about my reading slump and devoured it in just a couple days! I haven't read a book similar to this in awhile. I feel like a lot of thrillers I normally pick up are domestic thrillers, suburbia crime, wondering which wife did what, and who's husband was the secret killer. It was refreshing to read something different. I only guessed one of the twists, the rest was just turn after turn of suspense.

The best part about this story was that it was actually pretty realistic. I feel like that could have been a group of my friends and I setting out for a dangerous adventure, none of us in hiking shape, complete novice backpackers. The ending was decent, a little shocking, a little sad, a little pull on the heartstrings. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to picking up something else by Mrs. Clarke.

Thank you to #Netgalley & the publishers for an early free e-copy for my honest review.

I LOVED this! Lucy Clarke’s ‘The Hike’ details a tumultuous journey between four life-long friends that have to confront their own conflicts while relying upon each other to make it out alive in the harrowing Norwegian mountains.

From the very moment I started reading, it really hooked me. The pace was perfect. I’m a real sucker for shorter chapters. It didn’t feel rushed or like it was lagging in any sense. The reveals were done so well, without anything too premature. And, I love when chapters alternate point of views; I think it makes the novel so much more engaging to the reader. This had a good balance between each of the women’s POV alongside the POV of the lodge owner. This definitely gives off a Yellowjackets mixed with Pretty Little Liars vibe, which is so enthralling.

This had me go through all the range of emotions—from joy to anger to sadness and so forth. It’s a story of friendship, betrayal, forgiveness, and selflessness. About overcoming your own faults to see the bigger picture and living life fearlessly. Overall, I think this is such a strong novel with a great plot and characters that we get to see evolve and develop. I’ll surely be buying a physical copy of this once it’s out. I’m now definitely going to check out more from Lucy!

The most perfect book if you are looking for short chapters, character development, and a twisted ending. I rate this book 4 stars!

Thank you for NetGalley for the advance copy.

Fun and suspenseful page turner. The setting, a fogged-in mountain in Norway, provided a great (and eerie) backdrop for this book focused on 4 long-term friends and their intricate relationships. Nothing out of left field — some fairly predictable outcomes — but enjoyed it overall!

Thanks for NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advance copy!

The Hike follows a group of 4 friends who take a girls trip together to hike up a mountain in Norway. The book was pretty good. Told in alternating POV of the 4 friends, the author does a great job showing their individual sides.

I did felt as though there was a lot of build up to the story only to have a very minimal climax. I just felt like something was missing. The story was good and the plot and character development were there, but I needed something more from the ending.

Thank you to Penguin Publishing, the author, and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review. 3.5⭐️ rounded up.

4.5 stars rounded up. This was my first Lucy Clarke book and I’m baffled as to why I have not read her previous novels. This novel is completely in my wheelhouse, I love thrillers set in the wilderness. This worked for me on multiple levels. The friendship between the ladies felt realistic with petty disagreements and some major betrayals thrown in. I genuinely liked all of the main characters. Liz is going through a rough patch in her marriage and this is her year to plan the annual girls trip. Liz wants something more adventurous than their standard beach trips. She plans a somewhat challenging backpacking trip in the Norwegian mountains. Her friends Helena, Maggie and Joni go along with it somewhat reluctantly. We get chapters from each woman’s perspective. The chapters are pretty short and I was pulled into the story right away. I’m looking forward to checking out her back list books. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I was really excited to read this book based on the description and reviews I read. This book did not disappoint!
The book centers around 4 friends who get together every summer for a trip. This year it is Liz's choice and she picks going backpacking in Norway for 4 days. Nothing to worry about, right? Probably would be correct, if there hadn't been an unexplained death of a hiker a year ago and there is also a nefarious smuggling operation that is going on and it seems like these women are literally walk into it.
There are a lot of twists and turns as the book goes into the relationships among the women. There is also what is going on during the hike. The imagery within makes it easy to imagine what this place looks like. Lots of suspense too.
I would highly recommend.

Fantastic suspense building and great character development make this a winning story. Enjoyed it immensely.

The story starts out with a dead body, which hooked me in. Then the story proceeds to be told from the point of view of four female friends who live vastly different lives. Each year, they take turns planning a girls trip and this year, they decide on an intense, four-day hike in the Netherlands. Little did they know, trouble awaits them on the trail.

I went into this book not thinking it was going to be a page Turner. The chapters were so fast and well written that at the end of each, I found myself needing to read more. My only issue with the book was that because it was told in four points of view, so I oftentimes found myself having to recall whose POV I was reading. Overall, I really enjoyed the book because the storyline was one I never saw coming and I love that in a thriller.

Loved the setting of Norway for this thriller about four friends on a hike that goes awry. This was a tense and suspenseful book, making it hard to put down. It definitely kept me guessing.

First I’d like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early.

This is my first Lucy Clarke book, I will say I’ll be reading more of hers.

I think it starts a little slower, takes a while to introduce all the characters and what’s going on in their lives. The ending wasn’t as good as I thought it would be but overall it was a good book.

thank you netgalley & penguin group for the early copy of this book!

This was my first Lucy Clarke and I was hooked from the beginning. I loved the character development and the rotating POVs. I knew something would go awry but every time I got to know one of the girls for the first time I thought “oh no I hope it’s not them.” This book is my definition of a page turner - the tension was raw & the female friendship aspect was beautiful and felt real. I want to hear about their other annual trips!

As someone who is an avid hiker I was a littler nervous about picking this up (I even read it while camping) but it didn’t affect me, and I’ll still pick up my poles this weekend.

I will definitely be putting other Lucy Clarke books on my tbr now.