Good story of captured hostages made to live life under Father, linked to more recent losses. Kept me enthralled, and liked the characters..

This book was a perfect example of why reading is subjective. I know many who loved it, yet I just didn't. I felt like it took forever to get into and then would rush through some plot points then slow right down then rush again, etc. It wasn't for me but that doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a try!

Thank you NetGalley, Angela Crook and Lake Union Publishing for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I gave this a 3.5 star but rounded up for NetGalley

This was a quick read, and one that I could not put down! The ride starts on page 1 and doesn’t let up until the final page. This was heartbreaking and hard to read as a parent. The case is dark and features some hard topics. I raced through it and look forward to more from the author.

Holy crap what a crazy book. I was stuck to the story from the very beginning. Amazing!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was a mystery novel that centered around reconciliation and forgiveness. This reads more like general fiction vs a mystery. Olivia was very emotional throughout a lot of the book, but I can only imagine what losing a child is like. I definitely won't hold her emotions against her, but some of that could've been left out. It was very repetitive.

I liked the premise of the story, but felt the execution was lacking. I would've liked to have seen more surrounding the victim's and their experiences. Instead, I felt Olivia and Brandon were the focal point of the story. This was just an ok read for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Entertaining and immersive. A recommended purchase for collections where crime and thrillers are popular.

Hurt Mountain resolves a mystery within a mystery through compelling but predictable story-telling. The expected requirements of a dark thriller are fulfilled, the tormented characters, semi-rural setting, the foreshadowing, and the mysterious similarities between a string of missing persons cases. The stage is set for a positive resolution – answers to be found or criminals to be caught.

I enjoyed the plot-driven development of the novel. I was drawn in by the tension of Jane-Doe’s sudden appearance and the dark menace lurking in her background. Our heroes, recovering from the loss of their own child, work together to solve the crime and protect Jane-Doe from further harm. There are no significant twists in the novel, but Angela Crook plays deftly with pace to keep the reader turning the page. Ultimately this is probably what got me to the end of the novel.

The characters just aren’t likeable. Dr. Olivia Blake (FMC) cries every five minutes, Brandon (MMC) cheats on his fiancé, and the parents and neighbours are as supportive as a slap with a wet towel. The hospital characters are bland, and inexplicably insensitive. I’m still not sure why one of the more prominent characters was determined to sabotage the FMC at every turn. I did like the best friend, and the fiancé was just phenomenal. More time spent fleshing out the characters (and less crying) would have changed my impression of the novel.

The violence referenced in the plot prevents it from being a ‘light’ read, but if your TBR shelf is empty or you don’t want to think too hard about anything you could try this on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to an electronic copy of this book in return for this review.

4.5 ⭐
I adored this book, beginning to end! It was a great story, heartbreaking but not overly graphic (for those of you who prefer that), and it kept me hooked. I'd definitely recommend this book, wonderful read.

Dark, pacy and thrilling this atmospheric thriller will be hard to tear yourself away from. From beginning to end you’ll be hooked.

Incredible incredible incredible psychological thriller. I am still reeling from the rollercoaster that is Hurt Mountain. If you want a book that keeps you guessing, keeps you on your toes, actually makes you want to close your eyes while reading, this is the one for you.

I’m not sure I will ever heal from this one. The heartbreak was real. The thrill was addicting. The story was too real.

Incredible book. Thank you for the opportunity to read this.

I think the premise and plot is intriguing, for me it just was kind of predictable and also I felt like the ending was super abrupt and I wanted more of what happened after. I did enjoy this book though and it kept me guessing!!

Really enjoyed this book. Was invested from the first few pages and flew through reading it. I found the plot very engaging and wanted to know how it needed. I loved the story of Brendan and Olivia but wish we’d had more about what pushed them apart/brought them back together and if they were able to get through the issues that separated them in the first place. Lastly, the ending was a little abrupt and I was left with several questions… maybe there’s a second book in the works and I’ll get more answers someday!
Overall I enjoyed this story and am very appreciative of NetGalley for the opportunity!

Four years ago Olivia and Brandon Hill’s 8 year old daughter disappeared from their front yard ending their marriage. Olivia, a doctor working at the local hospital and Brandon a Private Investigator join together again after a young girl is found along the highway, in a 20 year old car bloody and bruised, with a dead boy in the backseat who has been beaten to death. Upon investigating, Brandon discovers similar disappearances of young girls who resemble their daughter and one girl who went missing 25 years ago. Where did this girl along the highway come from and will it lead to his daughter’s discovery?

I got a touch of a supernatural vibe with this one which I did not expect and it felt out of place. This book was just ok for me, that main character Olivia was quite unlikable and felt like the character in a thriller movie that you just want to yell “come on! Stop crying and get on with it” to. Bit harsh because of course you’d be so upset losing a child 4 years prior BUT you're on this mission for answers, not the time to be unstable- don’t get me started on the fact that she’s a doctor.

All in all, a good story but I feel it could’ve been executed better.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest review.

HMountain by A. Crook, a new to me author, published by Lake Union Publishing, is an heartwrenchingly, raw and gritty read that had me guessing till the last page. Angsty, action packed, twisty and full of unexpected turns, literally unputdownable.
Blurb:
When patrolman Brandon Hall comes upon a broken-down car on a Colorado highway, he finds a young girl at the wheel. In the back seat, the body of a teenage boy. The girl will say only one word: Hurt.
When the girl is admitted to the hospital, the doctor on call is Brandon’s ex-wife, Olivia Blake. For Olivia and Brandon, Jane Doe opens a floodgate of memories. It’s been four years since they shared their own tragedy―the unsolved disappearance of their eight-year-old daughter, Carly, and the end of their marriage. As Olivia focuses on Jane's care, Brandon makes a startling discovery: a series of disappearances from across the country, over decades, that could finally lead to the truth about their missing daughter.

Very easy read. Many twist and turns like most thriller books. Good characters some where randoms and you kind of forget them, but the main characters were good. Fyi is abused chikdren are a trigger for you just be aware that's in this book.

Sorry to say that I had to DNF at around 40% - I try not to do this with books I’m reviewing, but I just could not keep reading this one. I was hoping for more focus on the suspense/thriller aspect, but it seemed to be sidelined for Brandon & Olivia’s story. I didn’t enjoy the writing style and the events were overly dramatised in my opinion. Rating 3 stars as I didn’t finish it and it may be more suited to other readers’ tastes, but this book was not for me.

I'm sorry to say that I DNF'ed this book. From the description it had everything I love in a story -- thrills, chills, and powerful character dynamics. However, as I started the book I was disappointed to realize that it just wasn't the book for me. I made it about 10% into the story, and that first ten percent was tough for me to get through. I have a really big "ick" around characters with unnecessary dramatics and unfortunately Olivia was written that way for me. You're a trauma doctor and you keep fainting/having emotional floods? As a medical professional myself I understand that we are all human and sometimes we do have our own responses to stress in the work place, but in the few chapters I read Olivia had fainted or almost fainted like three times. Girl, come on.

I'm sorry to say this was a no go for me, however it doesn't mean that it might not be a great story for another reader out there! I don't feel comfortable giving a star rating for a book I didn't finish, but I know I have to so I'd say 2.75 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

this book….twist after twist. gasp after gasp. it’s dark and bold and so unbelievably heartbreaking. you can feel the pain radiating from the pages, old wounds freshened up. i loved it so much. i have flown through a book like this in the longest time. an absolute page turner, had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. beautifully written and masterfully constructed. i truly have no criticisms. i’ve already recommended it to every single one of my friends. angela crook the writer you are

wow! absolutely amazing thriller. shook me to my core. couldn't put this book down at all!!! highly recommend to all thrill seekers