Second Act by Danielle Steel

 Second Act

Book Summary

In this gripping novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel, a top Hollywood executive seeks a new beginning when his career takes an unplanned turn.

As the head of a prestigious movie studio for nearly two decades, Andy Westfield has had every conceivable professional luxury: a stunning office on the forty-fourth floor, a loyal assistant who can all but read his mind, access to a private jet and company cars. The son of Hollywood royalty, Andy always put his career before his marriage, and now, besides his daughter and young grandchildren, it’s the only thing he truly loves.

But then Andy’s world is upended. The studio is sold, and the buyer’s son demands the top seat. Out of a job and humiliated, Andy spirals. When his head clears, he decides to get as far away from Los Angeles as possible until the dust settles and he can find a new way forward.

Andy signs a six-month rental agreement for a luxurious home in a tiny, forgotten coastal town two hours from London. When he arrives, he hires a local woman to help get his affairs in order. A former journalist, Violet Smith is at a crossroads as well, and this temporary job is exactly what she needs to tide her over. But when Violet leaves the manuscript of her unfinished novel behind after work one day, Andy lets his curiosity get the best of him and is captivated by a story that begs to be adapted for the big screen. Could this be the miracle they’ve both been looking for? 

In Second Act, Danielle Steel presents a heartening tale of how challenging times give way to opportunities and an original outline does not always contain the perfect ending.

My Thoughts

Second Act by Danielle Steel provides an escape from reality for a couple of hours.  I found the story to be easy to read.  The characters are developed.  I liked that there were not too many.  I was able to envision the characters from the author’s vivid descriptions.  The glowing depictions also allowed me to visualize the settings including Andy’s California home and the unique house he rents in England.  It is a story about staring over and self-discovery.  Sometimes it takes hitting bottom for someone to realize that family is more important than power or money.  At one time, if a person lost their job and they were in their 50s, it would be challenging for them to get another position.  Now, you can begin a new chapter of your life by going to college or changing career paths.  I could understand Andy struggling after losing his position especially since he did nothing to warrant the loss of it.  The author captured the feelings of humiliation, lack of self-worth, and anger.  

While I enjoyed reading Second Act, I was not a fan of the repetition.  I really do not need the same details repeated ten times (Andy not being around for his daughter while she was growing up, how Andy got his position at the studio, Alana was only with Andy to help her career).  The plot twists can be anticipated (such as Andy being fired).  There is mild foul language along with the consumption of copious quantities of alcohol.  I can always count on Danielle Steel to provide a relaxing read (which is what I needed).  Second Act is a touching tale with a surprise termination, a UK hideaway, a pretty assistant, a captivating tale, career change, and a singular romance.  

Second Act is available from Amazon*.  Danielle Steel has Upside Down coming out January 2, 2024.  You can find the author's other novels here.  Thank you for dropping by today.  I will be back on Tuesday, October 10 with Sugar Plum Poisoned by Jenn McKinlay.  It is the fifteenth A Cupcake Bakery Mystery. My clumsiness has me injury once again.  I ended up tripping over a rope on one of the inflatables in my front yard.  I ended up spraining my right foot (the big toe swelled to twice its size).  Just as it was beginning to heal, I went down the stairs to outside and tripped over a package on the bottom step (I did not see it).  I will be spending the weekend with my foot propped up (it will give me a chance to catch up on my reading).   I hope that you have a delightful weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Must Love Flowers by Debbie Macomber

Must Love Flowers 

Book Summary

Joan Sample is not living the life she expected. Now a widow and an empty-nester, she has become by her own admission something of a recluse. But after another birthday spent alone, she is finally inclined to listen to her sister, who has been begging Joan to reengage with the world. With Emmie’s support, Joan gathers the courage to take some long-awaited steps: hiring someone to tame her overgrown garden, joining a grief support group, and even renting out a room to a local college student. Before long Joan is starting to feel a little like herself again.

Across town, Maggie Herbert works mornings as a barista, tending to impatient customers before rushing to afternoon nursing classes. She lives with her alcoholic father, ducking his temperamental outbursts and struggling to pay the household bills. But her circumstances brighten when she finds a room for rent in Joan’s home. In the unexpected warmth of her new situation, Maggie finds a glimmer of hope for a better life. But will Maggie’s budding attraction to one of her favorite customers ruin the harmony she’s only recently found with Joan? Meanwhile, what is Joan to make of the mysterious landscaper who’s been revitalizing her garden—a man who seems to harbor a past loss of his own? 

As Maggie and Joan confront difficult life choices, they draw strength from this new friendship in surprising ways—discovering in the process that “found family” is often the very best kind.

My Thoughts

Must Love Flowers by Debbie Macomber is a story about grief, starting over, friendship, family, and romance.  I always look forward to reading Debbie Macomber’s latest novel. They provide a great escape.  The author has a casual writing style that draws the reader in and holds their attention.  The characters are friendly, relatable, and realistic.  I could certainly understand what Joan was going through.  Grief is not something that will go away overnight.  Shutting yourself away, though, is not good for you.  I like how her family encouraged her to see a therapist and get a boarder.  The letter from the HOA about the condition of her yard was actually a good thing.  It helped Joan to get interested in gardening again.  Must Love Flowers has a couple of intersecting storylines.   

We get to meet Maggie, a nursing student who is living with her alcoholic father.  Her father has not been the same since Maggie’s mother passed.  Nick, one of Joan’s sons, worries about his mother.  He is not in favor of her taking a boarder.  Maggie’s other son is so focused on work, he is missing out on a special woman.  Phil, Joan’s landscaper, happens to be in Joan’s grief support group.  He knows what Johan is going through.  Phil is there to lend a listening ear when Joan needs one and to offer a helping hand.  The author captured what it is like to suffer a loss and the long healing process.  Must Love Flowers hit all the right notes.  I started reading Must Love Flowers and kept going until I turned the last page.  Must Love Flowers is more than a romance.  We get to see people going outside their comfort zone.  They are making changes to their lives and meeting new friends while dealing with their grief.  An epilogue nicely wrapped up the character’s storylines.  Must Love Flowers is a touching tale with a messy yard, a concerned sister, a nursing student, a workaholic son, a helpful therapist, and a hopeful future.  

Must Love Flowers is available from Amazon*.  You can find Debbie Macomber's other novels here. Three other books out today are A Cryptic Clue by Victoria Gilbert, An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo, and Macaroons Can Be Murder by Rose Betancourt.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return tomorrow with An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo.  It is the latest A Kate Burkholder Novel.  I hope that a joyful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Worthy Opponents by Danielle Steel

 Worthy Opponents

Book Summary

Spencer Brooke always knew she was destined to be CEO of her grandfather’s business—the most respected and luxurious department store in New York City. Brooke’s has been at the center of every happy memory she has, but it hasn’t been an easy journey. Seven years after her father’s death, her life is very different from the days when she walked through the store with her grandfather as a young girl. She may be the owner of Brooke’s, but she’s also now a divorced single mother of twin boys. And with the ever-evolving landscape of the fashion industry comes new challenges for Spencer and the legacy she’s inherited.

Mike Weston is known for making enormous profits by transforming small businesses into bigger, more successful ones. With his marriage at a breaking point and his children grown up, investing is where he thrives—where he can build something greater. And Brooke’s feels like the perfect opportunity. Yet the firm’s beautiful and savvy CEO turns down the offer before they even meet.

Spencer has no interest in outside investors meddling in her family business; her grandfather never saw the need for them, and neither does she. She refuses to be tempted by Mike’s offer, despite her big dreams of expanding the store. But when bad luck strikes, suddenly she is backed into a corner.

In Worthy Opponents, Danielle Steel crafts a thrilling story about a powerful woman—and her equally formidable opponent.

My Thoughts

Worthy Opponents by Danielle Steel is a story that spans three generations.  I thought Worthy Opponents was an easy-to-read story.  I was immediately drawn into the tale.  I like the author’s casual writing style.  I enjoyed the wonderful descriptions of Brooke’s.  It sounds like a very special store.  If I had the money, I would want to shop there.  I liked the majority of the characters in the story (Spencer’s father and wife were the exceptions).  Spencer is a strong, smart woman with a good heart.  I liked how she wanted to preserve her grandfather’s legacy.  Spencer is a woman who works to overcome the obstacles thrown in her path.  She had a great attitude.  Spencer sees no reason why she could not have a career and a family.  It takes hard work, courage, love, and help from the right people.  I enjoyed the heartwarming ending. 

Worthy Opponents is a story about dedication, hard work, family, second chances, and love.  The first couple of chapters are the backstory.  They set the stage for the rest of the book.  There is repetition of the main details.  I am not sure why author’s feel the need to repeat key details (do they think we forget).  I have been reading Danielle Steel’s novels since I was twelve years old.   I am always eager to read her latest creation.  Worthy Opponents is a great escape.  I like it when I begin reading and the world falls away.  For a few hours, I am immersed in a different world.  Worthy Opponents is an uplifting tale about a family legacy, a resilient woman, a  special store, a disheartening hardship, a money man, and a lasting love.

Worthy Opponents is available from Amazon*.  Danielle Steel has The Wedding Planner coming out May 2 and Palazzo on June 27.  You can follow Danielle Steel on Amazon and they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for joining me today.  I am off to finish organizing my outdoor decorations.  I am getting them organized into totes by holiday.  I am then storing them in order.  This will make things much easier (as I cleaned things out, I kept finding new inflatables and lights).  I will return on Tuesday, March 14 with Methods of Malice by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe.  It is the seventh A Hope Street Church Mystery.  I hope that you have a delightful weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Whittiers by Danielle Steel

 The Whittiers

Book Summary

Preston and Constance Whittier have built a happy life together, with a brood of six children raised in a beautiful historic Manhattan mansion. Now, with a nearly empty nest, it’s easier than ever for the Whittiers to maintain their tradition of a solo romantic “Wintermoon” ski trip.

But with this year’s trip comes tragedy, and suddenly the Whittiers’ adult children find themselves reuniting in the family home without their parents for the first time ever. The oldest, Lyle, is reaching a breaking point in his marriage and must decide whether a divorce would be best for him and his two children. Gloria’s big job on Wall Street has kept her single at thirty-nine, and growing ever more cynical. The twins, Caroline and Charlie, moved out long ago to start a fashion business that may now be faltering. Benjie, with special needs, is hit hard by the loss of his parents and needs his siblings’ help. And Annabelle, the youngest, drops out of college and starts to spin out of control.

The eldest four are forced to put aside their personal issues and their grief to keep the family together and support each other and their two youngest siblings. Selling the house, along with all the memories that live in its walls, feels like yet another devastating loss. Could there be another way, as unconventional as it seems?

In The Whittiers, Danielle Steel delivers an inspiring story about the everlasting bonds of one unforgettable family.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed reading The Whittiers by Danielle Steel.  Preston and Constance Whittier go on a “wintermoon” each year.  Unfortunately, this one was their last.  We see how their six adult children cope with the loss of their parents.  I was drawn into the story.  I like the author’s writing style which is relaxed and friendly.   The story moved along at a fast clip.  There are quite a few characters to keep track of.  I found it easier as I got further into the story. I liked that the characters were not perfect.  Each character had something happening in their lives (life is messy).   Benjie is the youngest son, and he is at the high end of the autism spectrum.  The family soon learns just how much their mother did for Benjie.  The family will need to step up to fill the gap.  Benjie provides many of the uplifting and funny moments in the book.  Annabelle is the youngest child, and she was on a downward spiral before her parents’ death.  After the parent’s death, Annabelle’s life quickly spirals out of control.  The four older siblings are needed to handle the parent’s estate and help their youngest siblings.    There are many moving moments in this emotional story.  I found myself staying up late to finish The Whittiers.  It is a story that will leave you with a smile on your face.  My one negative is the repetition of backstory details.  It is a trait found in all of this author’s books, and I really wish she would discontinue doing it.  The Whittiers is a feel-good story with grief, regret, love, humor, and family.  I enjoyed seeing the family came together after such a tragic event.  The Whittiers is a touching tale with a terrible tragedy, a dreadful divorce, an unrestrained sister, dear dogs, a captivating Italian, cute kids, and a happy house.

The Whittiers is available from Amazon* along with other major retailers.  Danielle Steel will have Without a Trace coming out January 3, 2023 and Worthy Opponents on March 7, 2023.  You can find Danielle Steel's other novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope that you have a very Happy Thanksgiving.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Dead and Gondola by Ann Claire

 Dead and Gondola

Book Summary

Ellie Christie is thrilled to begin a new chapter. She’s recently returned to her tiny Colorado hometown to run her family’s historic bookshop with her elder sister, Meg, and their beloved cat, Agatha. Perched in a Swiss-style hamlet accessible by ski gondola and a twisty mountain road, the Book Chalet is a famed bibliophile destination known for its maze of shelves and relaxing reading lounge. At least, until trouble blows in with a wintry whiteout. A man is found dead on the gondola, and a rockslide throws the town into lockdown—no one in, no one out.

The victim was a mysterious stranger who’d visited the bookshop. At the time, his only blunders had been disrupting a book club and leaving behind a first-edition Agatha Christie novel, written under a pseudonym. However, once revealed, the man’s identity shocks the town. Motives and secrets swirl like the snow, but when the police narrow in on the sisters’ close friends, the Christies have to act.

Although the only Agatha in their family tree is their cat, Ellie and Meg know a lot about mysteries and realize they must summon their inner Miss Marple to trek through a blizzard of clues before the killer turns the page to their final chapter.

My Thoughts

Dead and Gondola by Ann Claire is the first A Christie Bookshop Mystery.  Ellie Christie has returned to her hometown of Last Word, Colorado to run the Book Chalet, the family bookshop with her older sister, Meg.  A stranger comes into the bookstore looking for someone, but he refuses to provide any information.  The man left his satchel behind with a rare, signed copy of a Mary Westmacott novel inside.  As Meg and Ellie are getting onto the gondola, they notice the mystery man ahead of them.  By the time the gondola reaches the bottom, the man is dead.  The police do not find any identification on the victim.  Ellie, Meg, and Gram are curious about the victim.  They do a sleuthing in the hopes of uncovering the guilty party. 

Dead and Gondola by Ann Claire a quirky new cozy mystery.  The story is told in the first person with Ellie Christie as the narrator.  The author gives picturesque descriptions of the town, bookshop, and characters.  I did not feel that there always needed to be such wordy descriptions utilizing multiple adjectives.   I wish I could visit Book Chalet, the Christie’s bookshop that was a former ski chalet. It has a rabbit warren of shelves filled with books (every booklover’s dream).  We meet a number of characters in the beginning as the Mountains of Mystery group meets in the reading lounge.  It is difficult to keep them all straight (even after reading and rereading the chapter).  I felt bad for Ms. Ridge when Morgan Marin sashayed in and took control of the group.  There are references to Agatha Christie and her books scattered throughout the story.  I love the gondola line that runs from Last Word to the base of the mountain.  

The whodunit was a letdown for me.  The mystery can be solved quite early in the book.  There are several suspects along with misdirection.  There are plenty of clues to aid readers in solving the crime.  The reveal reminded me of Murder, She Wrote with a touch of Scooby Doo.  I liked that all the details of the mystery were wrapped up at the end.    There is a secondary mystery involving Ms. Ridge. She disappears during the Mountains of Mystery meeting.  Ms. Ridge fails to return to work, and she is not at home.  It is easy to guess what made Ms. Ridge do a runner.  There is humor scattered throughout the book.  Gram particularly provides lighthearted moments.  There is also the pretentious Agatha C., a long-haired Siamese who is the queen of the Book Chalet.  Let us not forget Calamity Janet, a pony with attitude.  Dead and Gondola failed to capture and hold my attention.  The story was a little humdrum at times, and I thought it was too long.  There were also repetitive details.  Those who are fans of Agatha Christie will enjoy this cozy mystery.  Dead and Gondola takes us to chilly Colorado where there is a mysterious man, a pretentious pony, a silly séance, an absent assistant, curious club members, gratis gondola rides, and a Ouija board omen.

Dead and Gondola is available from Amazon*.  Readers can follow Ann Claire on Amazon so they can be notified when she has a new book release.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  I will be back on Tuesday with Christmas at the Amish Market by Shelley Shepard Gray. I am cutting back on my blog a bit due to health reasons.  I have been overdoing it which makes my condition worse.  The doctor said I need more rest and less stress (easier said than done).  I hope that you have an enjoyable weekend.  I will be busy putting away the Halloween decorations (this is the part I do not enjoy).  I will do a little at a time, so I do not overdue.   Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber

 The Christmas Spirit

Book Summary

Two lifelong friends decide to trade places the week before Christmas and end up finding love along the way in this delightful novel from the queen of holiday stories, #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax are best friends, but their lives couldn’t be more different. Peter, the local pastor who is dedicated to his community, spending time visiting the flock, attending meetings, and, with the holiday season approaching, preparing for the Christmas service and live nativity. As a bartender, Hank serves a much different customer base at his family-owned tavern, including a handful of lonely regulars and the local biker gang.  

When Peter scoffs that Hank has it easy compared to him, the two decide to switch jobs until Christmas Eve. To their surprise, the responsibilities of a bartender and a pastor are similar, but taking on the other’s work is more difficult than either Peter or Hank expected. As the two begin to see each other in a new light—and each discovers a new love to cherish—their lives are forever changed.

In The Christmas Spirit, Debbie Macomber celebrates the true meaning of the holidays and the inclusive community spirit that binds us all.

My Thoughts

The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber is a heartwarming Christmas story.  I like the way this story was told.  A grandmother is telling two of her grandchildren a story.  The tale she tells takes place in 1977.  There are chapters in the present with the grandmother and the kids plus the chapters in the past.  This is a cute story.  I liked the characters.  Hank and Pete are the main characters.  They have been friends since elementary school.  They are having lunch and each one is complaining about their job.  It is a busy time for both of them with Christmas only a week away.  One of them proposes they switch jobs for the week.  Pete, a pastor, will run Hank’s bar while Hank will handle Pete’s pastoral duties.  Hank will have the added task of dealing with Pete’s sister and church secretary, Grace Ann who is not Hank’s biggest fan.  It is an enlightening experiment for both men.  

Snowball Cookies

There is plenty of humor.  I laughed often while reading The Christmas Spirit.  There is a scene with Pete, a biker gang, and darts that tickled my funny bone.  There is romance for Pete and Hank as well.  Miracles do happen during the holidays.  I like Debbie Macomber’s writing style.  It is conversational and friendly.  I felt like grandma was telling me a story.  I just loved the ending.  This is one book that you will want to read straight through (make sure you have your hot cocoa and cookies nearby).  The Christmas Spirit is a cheerful Christmas tale with a job swap, scrumptious snowballs, a dripping roof, a mulish mule, a biker challenge, a striking server, straightlaced secretary, a dour donor, and party planning.

The Christmas Spirit is available from Amazon*.  You can find Debbie Macomber's other novels here.  Thank you for joining me today.  I made it through the DMV yesterday.  It took forever.  The hard part was keeping my mother awake (she can fall asleep in the blink of an eye).  

I wanted to show you how I decorated my front yard.  Here are The Spooky Specters and the Ghoultones.  I think it turned out great.  There is a motion sensor at ground level so when people pass by they will hear eerie sounds (the light flash in time to the sounds).  They all light up too, so they can be seen at night.  I will share pictures of the side and back yard later.  Tomorrow I am a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril.  It is the first A Killer Chocolate Mystery.  Be sure to stop by.  I hope that you have a spooktacular day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The High Notes by Danielle Steel

 The High Notes

Book Summary

Iris Cooper has been singing ever since she can remember, hitting the high notes like no one else. When she is twelve, her father convinces the owner of a bar in Lake City, Texas, to let her perform, and she stuns the audience. In the ensuing years, never staying anywhere for long, father and daughter move from one dusty town to the next, her passion for music growing every time she takes the mike in another roadhouse.

But it is not an easy life for Iris with her father in charge and using her income to pay for gambling, women, and booze. When she starts to tour at age eighteen, she takes on a real manager. Yet he exploits her too, and the singers and musicians she tours with are really the only family she has. It is they who give Iris the courage to finally fly free, leave the tour, and follow her dreams.

After years of enduring the hardships of the road, exploitation, and abuse to do what she loves, Iris’s big chance comes as her talent soars. But at the top at last, Iris still has to fight every step of the way. In The High Notes, Danielle Steel delivers an inspiring story about finding the strength to stand up for yourself and your dreams, no matter what it takes.

My Thoughts

The High Notes by Danielle Steel is about Iris Cooper who was gifted with a magical voice.  Her father decided to cash in on his daughter’s talent.  Iris was twelve when her father got her a job in a local bar.  He kept them moving all through Iris’s childhood with her spending her evenings and weekends singing for their supper.  When Iris was seventeen, father dearest signed her up with a slimy promotor to tour for five years.  It was a grueling five years.  Unable to find work after the tours, Iris signed up with a different promoter for another five years.  This man liked to surprise his singers at concerts and degrade them.  When the slime ball slapped a singer, Iris had enough.  Iris changed the color of her and disappeared.  She was fortunate to encounter a good band in Jackson’s Hole, Wyoming.   Boy, a member of the band, and Iris became friends.  When the band breaks up, Iris and Boy head to New York.  Iris had been given the phone number of an agent who could make her a star.  Clay signs Iris and Boy.  Their careers are soon on the rise.  A tragic event has Iris making a few changes to her life.  

The High Notes is what I call a rags-to-riches story.  I like Danielle Steel’s writing style.  It is casual and friendly.  The story moved along at a steady pace.  I liked Iris Cooper.  She had a terrible childhood, but it never affected her outlook.  Iris is a kind person with a magnificent voice.  Iris had a rough road to hoe, and she deserved something good to happen to her.  There was plenty going on this book.  I found myself quickly drawn into the story.  It is a book that can be finished in a couple of hours.  It is the perfect book to read before a cozy fire or while lounging on the beach.  I just loved the description of Rosebud.  She is a cutie.  There is some foul language as well as some graphic violence.  Key backstory details are repeated frequently.  The High Notes has hope, disappointment, perseverance, friendship, and love.  The High Notes is a touching tale with barroom ballads, truck tunes, taxing tours, punishing promoters, a big break, a moving melody, and a special surprise.

You can find The High Notes on Amazon*.  Danielle Steel has The Whittiers coming out on November 22, Worthy Opponents on March 7, and The Wedding Planner on May 2.  You can follow Danielle Steel on Amazon and they will send you an email when she has a new book coming out.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I have been busy as a bee working on my outdoor Halloween decorations.  I just have to get one or two more things done and it shall be complete.  I will share some pictures when I am done.  Tomorrow I am featuring An Amish Proposal for Christmas by Vannetta Chapman.  It is the first book in the Indiana Amish Market series.  I hope that you have a joyful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Challenge by Danielle Steel

 The Challenge

Book Summary

In this thrilling novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel, a small community is tested when their children go missing while exploring a dangerous local peak, forcing them to band together during the crisis.

Fishtail, Montana, is home to Anne and Pitt Pollock, local royalty, high school sweethearts, and owners of the successful Pollock ranch. The sprawling foothills of the Beartooth Mountains surround the town, overlooking the Pollocks’ property and the nearby ranch belonging to Bill and Pattie Brown. The two couples have known each other since childhood.

Their sons Peter Pollock and Matt Brown are also the best of friends. When they and two other local kids meet Juliet Marshall, new to town after her parents’ bitter divorce, the five of them are soon inseparable, spending their summer days swimming, horseback riding, hiking, and fishing.

But one August afternoon, their latest adventure takes a dangerous turn—and quickly escalates into a battle for survival—when they find themselves trapped on Granite Peak. Fear reverberates through the town as their parents grow ever more desperate to hear word that their children have been found. They must place their own trials aside amid a massive search-and-rescue operation. As they come to lean on one another for support, a media frenzy ensues, heightening tensions and testing some already fragile relationships.

In the aftermath of this one fateful event, devastating secrets are revealed, new love appears on the horizon, and families are forced to reconsider what they once held dear. In The Challenge, Danielle Steel deftly weaves a story that is a portrait of courage and a striking tale of the bonds of love and family.

My Thoughts

The Challenge by Danielle Steel is an engaging story.  Fishtail, Montana is a small town that is perfect for those who enjoy the outdoors and a laidback lifestyle.  There is horseback riding, swimming, hiking, rock climbing, and so much more.  There are friendly neighbors who watch out for each other.  In the first couple of chapters, we get to meet the various characters.  There are adults and teenagers as well as a six-year-old (it will take time to keep the characters straight).  I thought the characters were realistic and relatable.  I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of Montana.  I like Danielle Steel’s engaging writing style.  She draws the reader into the story and keeps them hooked.  The Challenge is about more than seven kids getting stuck on Granite Peak.  It is a story about friendships, family, loss, heartache, and love.  We get to see how the kids being lost on the mountain impacts the families and the aftermath.  The time the kids were lost on the mountain affected each person differently.  I found the second half of the book to be more compelling than the first.  I really wish the author had included an epilogue (say a year after the book ended).  The Challenge is a book that captures your full attention, so you are unaware of what is going on around you (and you get annoyed when someone interrupts you).  Life is full of challenges.  Some of them are small and others are life threatening.  In this book, we get to see how the characters react to a large challenge.  Each decision we make takes us down a different path.  Our choices affect others in our lives. The story does contain foul language and intimate relations (just to let you know).  I enjoyed The Challenge, and I was sorry when I finished it.  It was interesting to see how each family's story turned out.  The Challenge is a compelling tale with firm friends, trail troubles, a big bear, a serious search and rescue, parent disputes, a troubled teen, and rocky relationships. 

The Challenge is available from Amazon*.  Danielle Steel has The High Notes coming out October 11 and The Whittiers on November 22.  You can follow Danielle Steel on Amazon to receive an email when she has a new book release.  Danielle Steel has written (approximately) 139 novels (this does not include her children's books nor her nonfiction).  How many of them have you read?  I have read 133.  I missed the releases in 2013 and 2014.  I am going to add them to my TBR pile. Danielle Steel is a prolific author. I appreciate you stopping by today.  I am featuring Overkill by Sandra Brown tomorrow.  I hope that you have a delightful day.  I am off to get work done around the house.  My To Do list is getting longer (I need to cross off some items).  Take care, stay cool, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.