* * * * 3/4
Sometimes danger is hard to see... until it’s too late.
Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but
she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought,
wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an
unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the
hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and
they take her hostage.
In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off
the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for
Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds
chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there... and in
uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target.
But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is
keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is
confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?
BLACK ICE is New York Times bestselling author Becca
Fitzpatrick’s riveting romantic thriller set against the treacherous backdrop
of the mountains of Wyoming. Falling in love should never be this dangerous…
Becca Fitzpatrick certainly made an enormous impact with
the Hush Hush series. That having concluded, it’s interesting to see what
she has done next with Black Ice. It’s a departure from what we’re used to and
I’ve got to hand it to her, she’s done a bang up job here! Also, how freaking cool is this cover?!
I’ll come clean and say that when I’d first heard of the
premise for this book months ago, I wasn’t too impressed. I’m not an outdoorsy
gal and the idea of a mountain trek and being lost just didn’t appeal to me. So
fast forward to months later, I read the premise again and all of a sudden I’m
all over this. I have no idea what changed. Black Ice is well planned out and
takes its time to reveal the plot. There are a few things going on here. Britt
wants to exert her independence from her ex-boyfriend. She wants to demonstrate
this to him but winds up needing to prove this to herself. She and her best
friend end up seeking shelter with strangers one night and it’s all awkward and
shady. I’ll excuse her few moments of cluelessness here because put next to her
needy, whiney and childish bestie, Britt comes off as a perfect angel. When she
does realize what’s up, her mind spurs into action and she’s all about making
sure her best friend is safe as she formulates a plan to either escape these
two fugitives or misdirect them so that she can buy her some time as she leads them to the
authorities. Then she unwittingly stumbles upon the murder mysteries and she feels in over
her head. But not for long.
I really like that Britt is a resourceful person. She
starts off as someone still feeling slighted by her ex but then evolves into a
leader. She had no idea she was capable of such things. Through flashbacks she has a new perspective
on her relationship with Calvin. May be it wasn’t all that “perfect” or
healthy. Still, being stuck on a mountain with the fugitive Mason, no matter how good
looking he is, is not the ideal place to evaluate her relationship history.
Her attraction to Mason is concerning as she feels she may be experiencing
Stockholm Syndrome. Like I said, she’s
smart and clearly no damsel in distress. This experience is opening her eyes to understanding that there are
more things to consider that are below the surface.
As I read along, I kept wondering how much longer things
could drag on as I just couldn’t fathom what else could be thrown in there. The
plot does unravel itself and once Britt gets herself out of her temporary
stupor she’s no longer the captive. This changes the nature of her relationship
with everyone.
I won’t say any more. Black Ice was a terrific read and far more than I had originally expected. I was able to slowly put the pieces together but most of
all, I really liked Britt. How great to see a female character seize upon a perilous and
life-changing experience to kick some butt!
~ Bel
~ Bel
