49 Miles Alone sends cousins Asher and Katie into the Utah back country alone to hike 49 miles through canyons and desert. The girls' strained relationship makes the journey awkward as they navigate the challenges that come their way. Katie struggles to come to terms with the awful thing that happened to her; Asher wants to help but has no idea how to help her cousin heal. Things quickly start to go wrong, making the trip into more of a nightmare than an adventure. Asher gets sick and injures her ankle. A storm comes along and soaks everything. An encounter with a young couple leads to more trouble. Can Asher and Katie repair their relationship? Can they survive their hike? And what about the couple feels so wrong? Mixed in with Asher and Katie's alternating voices is the point of view of a third hiker, lying on a ledge after a bad fall. Where does she come into play? Each chapter highlights where on the 49 mile journey Asher and Katie are on their journey. The tension rides high right from the beginning chapters after the party that leads to the fracture in Asher and Katie's relationship. The tension only increases as the trip goes terribly wrong. YA readers who enjoy an intense survival story will likely enjoy this one. CONTENT: As far as content goes, rape is mentioned and referred to in flashbacks throughout the story. In addition, there is quite a bit of swearing. If those things don't bother you, I recommend the book as a compelling read.

**4.5-stars rounded up**

In 49 Miles Alone we follow cousins, Katie and Aster, as they embark on a 4-day, 49-mile hike through the Utah desert. We can tell early on that Katie and Aster are incredibly close, however, something has happened within the past year that has caused a fracture in their relationship. As hiking is an activity they've been doing together since they were kids, it seems they're intending to use this trip, in one way or another, to repair their relationship.

They're both experienced backpackers, but as everyone knows, the world is a dangerous place, due both to nature itself and other humans. As the trip starts off, the girls are both fairly quiet. There's a lot of thinking going on, but unfortunately not a lot of communicating. Eventually, though circumstances require them to begin to open up and work together. There's limited supplies, an illness, a freak storm and an injury, but the most unsettling may be the people they encounter on the trail.

They meet a couple, Riley and Finn, and end up tenting near them for a night. Something about them seems off to Katie and Aster when they share a meal with them. That night, the cousins hear the couple fighting and witness Riley fleeing their campsite with Finn in hot pursuit. Unable to assist Riley in the dark, Katie and Aster hunker down until morning, at which time the find the couple's campsite abandoned with no sign of either one of them.

How are Katie and Aster going to be able to help this other girl, when it's becoming increasingly difficult for them to even help themselves? Will they make it to mile-49?

I adored my time with this YA Survival Thriller for people who enjoy being out on the trails. The topics explored were great, the character arcs were fantastic, and the intriguing bits so well plotted. Honestly, this is my favorite Natalie D. Richards to-date!

I read this so quickly. I found the cousins both interesting and I enjoyed learning about their relationship, including all they'd been through together. In addition to getting both Katie and Asters perspectives, we also get a mystery perspective from an individual who has obviously been severely injured on the trail. This perspective was peppered in and I loved the mystery of who that was, and how it was going to connect to the story of our cousins.

When they meet the couple, there were many red flags, and that situation def upped the stakes for our girls. It was completely gripping. I had to know the ultimate outcome. I love hiking and being out in nature in general, exploring new places. This is a proper Survival Thriller and it never got too OTT-for me. I thought it was very well done and well plotted. The drama felt real and I loved the character arcs for both Katie and Aster.

I love how Richards kept it intriguing throughout. There was always something to question and wonder about. I also really enjoyed the emotional journey for both girls. They grew so much by the end and I loved the ending. It's so satisfying.

Thank you to the publisher, SOURCEBOOKS Fire, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I cannot wait to read more from this author!

I haven't felt the immense need to skim just so I can get to the resolution because I was eagerly anticipating knowing the answers to all of the burning mysteries in a while. The pacing of the miles with the few bits of flashback to "zero miles" and understanding what that was about which disrupted intense action was perfectly interjected.

This nature thriller I will definitely push with teens who LOVE this type of book- we're seeing a resurgence of outdoor thrillers and nature mysteries and I'm in love with this glut. More please!

The two narrators, cousins Katie and Aster, are on a hike in the Moab but there is a disruption that is doomlike. Yet there's also some baggage from before to figure out in addition to the current situation they're in. Of course there is natural disaster and human disasters that muddy the waters of what will happen and what the resolution might be. Intense!

Another good read by Natalie Richard's. This was an interesting story and loved the survival aspect. Unlike her previous books, it did take me a while to get into it. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I enjoyed the dual pov and the mysterious third pov (or is it a third?). The character change for both characters was strong.

Thriller | 16-Adult
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After a devastating night changes both their lives, cousins Aster and Katie reunite 11 months later to spend four days backpacking in the Utah desert, hoping to repair a fractured relationship. It’s a place they’ve hiked before, and it is where both find solace and peace. They are experienced and well prepared, and it’s a good thing. The desert is unforgiving of mistakes, and it throws everything at them – wildlife, storms, and narrow, dangerous routes. Low on supplies, they are grateful to get help from Finn and Riley, a couple they meet on the trail. Riley’s too-bright chatter and Finn’s behaviour puts them both on edge, but with darkness falling, Katie and Aster set up camp nearby anyway. When the couple start fighting, Riley shows up at their tent begging for help. When Finn comes after her she takes off – with Aster’s GPS. Aster stops Katie from following – it’s simply too dangerous in the dark. In the morning, both are still gone, and it’s clear Riley is in trouble. With no way of reaching outside help, it’s up to the cousins to find her before something terrible happens. This is a high-tension adventure story, with authentic dialogue and a realistic relationship between two close cousins. The desert setting is beautifully detailed, and the rigours and thrills of backpacking in Utah are well described. I do question a couple of their decisions – why hike a closed trail? – but I did enjoy reading of two teens drawing on their skills and preparation as they faced numerous challenges. There are a lot of challenges, too – bad luck comes in threes, not tens! And while I understand why author Richards included a woman in danger in the plot, it feels like this could have been a terrific story about two cousins on a difficult backpacking trip to repair their relationship without a human menace in the mix. Americans are inundated with stories of evildoers everywhere, and it contributes to a fearful and distrustful view of the world, when what we need most is to be building trust in each other. It’s a great thriller, but it could have been a great novel without the threat. My thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for the advance reading copy provided through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
More discussion and reviews of this novel: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199423917

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This was a great YA thriller about two cousins on a 49 mile hike through the Utah desert. This is a trigger warning but it is also something that happens in chapter 1 and not mentioned in the synopsis. It is a theme in the book that I think is important too mention. The cousins are trying to heal their relationship after Katie was sexually assaulted a year ago at a party that she and Aster went to together. Aster left the party and feels guilty about what happened. Katie knows it wasn't her fault, however she is still angry and has PTSD about the incident. Aster would like her could from before the incident back and can't understand why Katie isn't the same person she used to be. The book alternates between their point of views, and Aster's is probably realistic, but it is still lacks compassion for what Katie went through and what her triggers are. Katie is using this trip to try to get back to that person pre-incident, but she is terrified of so many things and has alot of triggers. Katie also has a hard time talking about that night and explaining why she freezes sometimes and she lives in a constant state of terror and pain. If you have ever talked to a victim of SA, please be gentle and patient, they went through something horrific that you can't imagine. It is not something they just get over after a year.

As the girls set off on their 49 mile hike with their packs and a plan, things quickly take a turn for the worse. The map is off by miles, Aster develops a cold, she gets injured, they run into a bad storm ruining some of their gear and supplies, and finally they run into a couple acting strangely. Katie is terrified of Finn and is sure that he has done something terrible to his girlfriend Riley. They are low on supplies, but they don't want to leave Riley in the desert if they can help her. The girls put together what they know and things don't add up, but when Aster is catastrophically injured, Katie must go find help and steer clear of anyone who might be out to hurt them.

There were a few unrealistic moments, and I felt like for experienced hikers Katie and Aster weren't prepared for this hike supply wise. They didn't have some of the basic tools I would expect them to have. I get what the author was trying to do, and perhaps this will resonate better with a younger reader. Overall this was a quick fun read, perfect for the more mature YA reader.

I've only been backpacking a few times. There is nothing as startling as filling out a heartbeat log - naming who and how many and what day you should be back. It's how you know you're going out there alone and, if something happens, only your wits will help you.

So we find Aster and Katie. Their fractured friendship as cousins and hiking buddies has taken a hit after Katie was attacked. Aster hopes this backpacking will bring them together and Katie just hopes it will help heal her soul.

But what a strange trip it is. I don't know anything about hiking except greener, lusher areas. I know sections of the Pacific Crest trail through Oregon and Washington. I know just the beginning of the Appalachian trail. But the Utah dessert, I know nothing about. But I would never try to hike a trail that was closed in Oregon, Washington, or Georgia. So I was shocked when that's the first thing these girls did.

I loved the suspense and complete feeling of being alone. The author did a great job of really painting the beauty of these trails but also the rugged reality of running out of food, water, and one wrong step meaning a catastrophic injury or death. It was nice to feel like I was hiking with them until they got into trouble.

It's a good read, after 60% it was almost impossible to stop. I needed to know how all these people running around these trails at each other were going to end up. I loved the last few chapters - what a great read!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

This book hit all of my buttons. My love of hiking. My fear of the desert at night. My independence. My fear of my own independence. Two cousins-practically sisters-take on a 49 mile hike to mend their relationship and try to return to normalcy. Not so easy as it sounds. The tension was perfectly drawn out. What was the danger? Was it the creatures hiding but deadly? Was it the other hikers? There's a reason we choose the bear. Yes, there are some TWs but I am not one to shy away from dealing with my own triggers. Books shouldn't do so either.

Things I liked about this book: the plot is well-paced, I basically couldn't put it down once I started it; the descriptions of Utah are very evocative; I feel like Katie and Aster were really relatable characters with a lot of depth. Things I didn't like about this book: all the violence against women. I think the same basic survival plot could have been told and Katie and Aster could have been well-rounded characters without relying on a violent rape to fuel the backstory. Aster points out in one of her POV chapters that she and Katie are already growing apart as a function of growing up, and I think their relationship could have been fractured and complex even without the rape. I think some people might find the surprise twist about who is guilty of the assault in the desert original or novel, but it just made me tired. That entire plotline was not as interesting to me as Katie and Aster's relationship, or their relationship with the inherent dangers of the Utah desert. The book was better before that plotline took over the story.

Katie and Aster have planned to spend 4 days alone in the desert trekking 49 miles. They have made trips like this before, but this one has been a cluster from the beginning. One of them becomes injured and the other becomes ill. Then a storm shatters their resolve and ruins some of their supplies. Just when they are about to give up and call for help, they run into a young couple with extra supplies. They are happy for the help, but something about the boyfriend seems off. Will this pair make it out alive? What other obstacles will this trail throw their way?

49 Miles Alone is an adventure story that was half plot set up and half high octane. It was interesting to learn about this type of hiking and the hazards that could occur, but the adventure was lackluster, and I had to keep re-reading passages to remember what was going on. The book’s saving grace is that it was a short read. 49 Miles Alone would be good for a road trip distraction.

Thrilling survival story. cousins Aster and Katie used to be close. That was before something happened. Almost ha year later they are hiking in Moab. The desert. Heat. Illness. Danger seems to lurk everywhere.

This one part resonated with me. "I hate that " I say. "People calling me strong. I didn't choose to be strong. A horrible thing happened. And I kept waking up every day. Whether or not I wanted to. That's not strength. Just survival."

That part was from Katie. She had an awful experience. She was scarred and scared. Traumatized.

Changed from how she was before.

Post traumatic stress is what she lives with now.

Both young women have to be strong on this hike. It's not like they are inexperienced, they are somewhat seasoned hikers.

There was x much to like with this book. It really is a great summer read, or any time of year read.

There is something appealing about survival stories where I can read it in comfort while wondering if they will make it to the end of the book or not.

Where even the weather can be a formidable enemy. Where teamwork is necessary.

The author has outdone herself with this book. Truly a page turner with realistic bits of triggers from an experience keep popping up.

where a not super popular hiking area has more people then the ladies would have thought.

I eagerly flew through this book, thinking when I was a teen I would have gulped it down just as fast.

A thrilling n adventure story.


I can not recommend this one enough.

I would suggest that the reader put plenty of time to read this one quickly.


HIGHLY recommended

Thank you #NetGalley the publisher and author.

4*****

Katie and Aster are cousins who take hiking trips each year. They are experienced, so they decide to hike 49 miles of the Moab desert in Utah. Something happens on the hike, as they meet several people along the way and not all of them are good people. Natalie Richards writes a fantastic YA novel - one that adults can enjoy.

While this was entertaining and showcases strength and female friendships, so much seemed sensationalized... almost like a whatever could possibly go wrong WILL go wrong. For the sake of what, though? It wasn't a full sense of unrealistic-ness, just a what is the need for this?

After a night that changes both of their lives, once greatly more than the other, cousins Katie and Aster wonder if their relationship will ever be the same as it was. No strangers to the desert of Utah backcountry, the two decide to make a four day hiking trip and even though they are fully prepared, know all of the ins and outs, and have the supplies they'd need, things start going wrong almost immediately. It isn't just mother nature that is making things difficult, but other humans, too.

Basically, two very prepared, capable girls, suffer injuries, sicknesses, storms, and being hunted (sort of), and all in all, it just seemed so far-fetched. I liked the message of the story, but the getting there was a slog... There were some fun little twists, some things I actually didn't see coming, but I was left with a meh feeling afterward.

TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions trauma and sensory memories (sound of a zipper for example) that come with Non Consent (Don’t wanna get flagged but we know what word I would use) frequently.

When cousins Katie and Aster go on a hike it’s supposed to be cathartic, a chance to maybe get close again after the incident. They just don’t know how to get back to the before-the-incident versions of themselves. The desert is brutal, and it brings out things that they’ve both left unsaid. If anything could go wrong on a hike, it’s definitely this one. What seems like a windfall at the time turns terrifying when they meet Finn and Riley on the hike. At a crucial time, the couple shares supplies with the cousins. But something is just….off. Later when Riley calls for help and they hear screaming, they have to decide whether to risk their limited supplies to go after her or get to safety where they can call for help.

I really like that this book was talking through trauma which is just as harsh and unforgiving as the desert background. It shows the scars each of them carry and how they’ve learned to deal with them alone instead of with their best friend-cousin. In the desert though, everything always comes to a head.

This book was a fast read, and the sense of urgency made you want to keep going until you finished. However, there were really a lot of references to that night. It felt real because of that,, but it might be a little much for some readers.

Katie and Aster are cousins, and they often hike together in Utah, where Aster lives. Being together in the wilds of the desert, at the mercy of nature, is a bonding experience they always look forward to – but this year, things are different between them. A year ago, Aster left Katie alone at a party, and Katie was subsequently assaulted. Now, Aster is overwhelmed with guilt over leaving Katie, and Katie is a shell of the fierce, vibrant young woman she used to be. They’re both hopeful that this year’s 49-mile hike will restore their bond, but they are beset by trouble from the beginning. When they meet Riley and Finn on the trail, they are at first relieved – but it soon becomes clear that there is tension simmering between the couple. After Riley confides some chilling truths about Finn, Aster and Katie hear them fighting overnight – and in the morning, they find Riley and Finn’s tent overturned and abandoned, with no sign of the couple. With their supplies dwindling and two more days of hiking through the rugged desert, will Aster and Katie be able to find Riley before Finn does?

49 Miles Alone is the first book I’ve read by Natalie D. Richards, and I found a lot about it to enjoy. The plot is propulsive, with rich atmosphere and an immediacy to the writing that fully immersed me in the world of the novel. The real strength of the book for me, though, was its portrayal of the lasting effects of trauma – on both a victim and their loved ones. The central characters of Aster and Katie are well-drawn and go through a lot of self-reflection and growth throughout the story. The relationship between the two central characters is well-written, with dialogue and decision-making that feel authentic.

The secondary characters in the story are less-developed, though, and there were some missed opportunities there. I have to admit that I guessed the direction the plot was taking pretty early on, but I was still invested in this story all the way through. If you enjoy adventure thrillers, add 49 Miles Alone to your reading list; it’s a solid entry in the genre. Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for the early reading opportunity.

Content warning: mentions of SA, which occurs off-page and is not graphically detailed.

I admire the author for writing Katie and Aster’s hike in great detail. I felt like I was on their journey with them. However, it did feel slow for the first 25% of the book. After that, the pacing of the plot went faster and got more interesting. The ending was very abrupt.

The story was mainly dual POV, with a 3rd POV thrown in for a few chapters. I sort of understand the intentions with the 3rd POV, I felt like those chapters weren’t crucial to the story. I would have been fine if there wasn’t a 3rd POV in the book.

This book is geared towards a YA audience, but the main character is a sexual assault survivor and her past is referenced several times. There should be trigger warnings somewhere in the book.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Title: 49 Miles Alone
Author: Natalie D. Richards
Genre: YA
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Four days alone in the desert. Except they're not as alone as they think. A year ago, Katie and her cousin Aster survived a night that left their world and easy friendship fractured. Desperate to heal and leave the past behind them, they tackle four days of hiking in the Utah backcountry. But the desert they've loved for years has tricks up its sleeve. An illness, an injury, and a freak storm leave them short on confidence and supplies. When they come across a young couple with extra supplies on the trail, they're grateful and relieved―at first. Riley exudes friendliness, but everything about her boyfriend Finn spells trouble. That night, after some chilling admissions about Finn from Riley, Katie and Aster wake to hear the couple fighting. Helpless and trapped in the darkness, they witness Riley's desperate race into the night, with Finn chasing after. In the morning, they find the couple's camp, but Riley and Finn? Vanished. Katie is sure Riley is in trouble. And with help a two-day hike away, they know they are the only ones who can save her before something terrible happens. The clock is ticking and their supplies are dwindling, but Katie and Aster know they have to find Riley before Finn―or the desert―gets to her first.

This did not make me want to go hiking very much—and I like to hike! Not backcountry hiking, though. I’m too much of a chicken. To me, there weren’t really any surprises here. I expect twists and turns from a Natalie Richards book, so I was on the lookout for signs. This was a quick read, and I enjoyed it for what it was.

Natalie D. Richards is a bestselling author. 49 Miles Alone is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Sourcebooks Fire in exchange for an honest review.)

Richards has done it again! She has written a captivating YA thriller that spans for all ages.
As two cousins, Kate and Aster set out on the hike of a lifetime we get to see into their memories and thoughts as they both deal with a horrific event that has occurred in the last year. Can they hike as usual? Can they trust each other? What is around every corner?
There is also the 0 mile hiker POV which, as the reader, we don’t know if this is one of the girls or someone else. Their POV has eye opening and terrifying moments.

I am beyond grateful to have read this as an arc, because it was actually pretty darn great! I love Natalie’s books and was definitely not disappointed with this one either. I will definitely be recommending this to everyone! There’s just something about ya thrillers that are just so enjoyable. There is an underlying theme of SA that is referenced throughout so just be cognizant of it and read accordingly.

I love when a thriller is told in a multi-pov and all of the characters are just a bit unreliable. The overall story arc was incredible, as usual, and the pacing worked just as it was supposed to. I loved the fact that the inclusion of Riley and Finn created the right amount of uncertainty at the right time.

Aster and Katie are both great, though at one point I wanted throttle Katie on the choices she wanted to make. I loved how the cousins are using this trip to mend t the strain on their relationship from the previous year. Aster is the older of the two and generally more optimistic and trusting, but also more introverted. She is more in tune with survival in the outdoors. Katie, is the more extroverted, but more reserved and wary. She’s a better judge of character. Though their skills seem to take a backseat right from the get go.

This is a great story of family, love, trauma, survival, self worth, and growth. This is definitely worth the read. Honestly this could have been longer and may have changed to a 5 star read! Also read any of her books and you won’t be disappointed.