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Desolation Point Tumbledown #1
Desolation Point
"He's going to find me," Sarah whispered. "He's going to find me before you do."
One wrong step in Los Angeles leaves Alex Pascal scarred and traumatized, unable to continue the career she loves.
In England, a drunk driver shatters Sarah Kent’s family.
For Sarah, exploring the North Cascades is an opportunity to regain her health and her confidence, while Alex has already abandoned LA to make the mountains her home. Drawn to the beauty and history of Desolation Peak, Sarah is hiking alone when a storm leaves her stranded. Determined to track her down, Alex heads into the wilderness, never anticipating the terrible danger she will face. Because Sarah is already running for her life, fleeing from a ruthless criminal with a mission to complete and nothing left to lose. With everything stacked against them, neither woman expects to survive, let alone fall in love.
All they have to do now is find a way out.
One wrong step in Los Angeles leaves Alex Pascal scarred and traumatized, unable to continue the career she loves.
In England, a drunk driver shatters Sarah Kent’s family.
For Sarah, exploring the North Cascades is an opportunity to regain her health and her confidence, while Alex has already abandoned LA to make the mountains her home. Drawn to the beauty and history of Desolation Peak, Sarah is hiking alone when a storm leaves her stranded. Determined to track her down, Alex heads into the wilderness, never anticipating the terrible danger she will face. Because Sarah is already running for her life, fleeing from a ruthless criminal with a mission to complete and nothing left to lose. With everything stacked against them, neither woman expects to survive, let alone fall in love.
All they have to do now is find a way out.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2013
21 people are currently reading
717 people want to read
About the author
Cari Hunter
12 books538 followersCari Hunter lives in the northwest of England with her wife, their cats, and a field full of sheep. She works full-time as a paramedic and dreams up stories in her spare time.
Cari enjoys long, wind-swept, muddy walks in her beloved Peak District. In the summer she can usually be found sitting in the garden with her feet up, scribbling in her writing pad. Although she doesn’t like to boast, she will admit that she makes a very fine Bakewell Tart.
She has written eleven novels, including the Dark Peak series, and has won multiple Goldie and Rainbow awards. In 2024, she won the Best LGBTQ Mystery Lambda for A Calculated Risk, the first book in the DI Jo Shaw series.
The Stolen Girl, the second book in the DI Jo Shaw series, will be released in June, 2025.
Cari can be contacted at: [email protected], via her blog: http://carihunter.wordpress.com/, or by dropping by and saying hallo on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/cari.hunter.9
Cari enjoys long, wind-swept, muddy walks in her beloved Peak District. In the summer she can usually be found sitting in the garden with her feet up, scribbling in her writing pad. Although she doesn’t like to boast, she will admit that she makes a very fine Bakewell Tart.
She has written eleven novels, including the Dark Peak series, and has won multiple Goldie and Rainbow awards. In 2024, she won the Best LGBTQ Mystery Lambda for A Calculated Risk, the first book in the DI Jo Shaw series.
The Stolen Girl, the second book in the DI Jo Shaw series, will be released in June, 2025.
Cari can be contacted at: [email protected], via her blog: http://carihunter.wordpress.com/, or by dropping by and saying hallo on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/cari.hunter.9
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
January 29, 2019
You have to be in the right frame of mind to start a Cari Hunter book because you know your heroines will go through the torments of Hell for most of the story. Desolation Point did not disappoint in that regard. Cari Hunter shines when it comes to writing hurt/comfort romance in the rugged outdoors (or the grimy city). This time they didn’t go roaming the cold English Peak District but instead the story plays out in the cold North Cascades in Washington State, USA.
I swear, this author is able to write some of the meanest bad guys in les fic land. There is nothing remotely redeemable about these men, yes… men plural, because this time there will be more than one baddy chasing them up and down the mountainside. Second thing Hunter really knows how to write about is realistic physical trauma (as an EMT she has extensive practical knowledge which proves to be invaluable here). Third thing I always marvel about with a Cari Hunter story is the setting. She paints a very detailed and vivid picture that makes the book come alive in your head. That can be a bit jarring when the scene is extra graphic and that is also why I need something fluffy before and after one of her novels.
Alex and Sarah will become as dear to you as Sam and Dr. Kate from Snowbound or Alis and Pryce from Alias or Sanne and Meg from The Dark Peak series although they are my all-time favorite Cari Hunter pairing.
If you don’t know any of these fantastic women it means you haven’t read Cari Hunter yet. Fix that! You will love her stuff!
f/f
Themes: hurt/comfort with the emphasis on hurt, nature is a bitch, white supremacists, a bit of extreme camping, cultural differences, the scene with the awful tasting teas made me laugh, these poor women go through all the layers of Hell, the love-making scene in the cave made me think back on Xena & Gab fics where this scenario played out quite frequently.
5 stars
I swear, this author is able to write some of the meanest bad guys in les fic land. There is nothing remotely redeemable about these men, yes… men plural, because this time there will be more than one baddy chasing them up and down the mountainside. Second thing Hunter really knows how to write about is realistic physical trauma (as an EMT she has extensive practical knowledge which proves to be invaluable here). Third thing I always marvel about with a Cari Hunter story is the setting. She paints a very detailed and vivid picture that makes the book come alive in your head. That can be a bit jarring when the scene is extra graphic and that is also why I need something fluffy before and after one of her novels.
Alex and Sarah will become as dear to you as Sam and Dr. Kate from Snowbound or Alis and Pryce from Alias or Sanne and Meg from The Dark Peak series although they are my all-time favorite Cari Hunter pairing.
If you don’t know any of these fantastic women it means you haven’t read Cari Hunter yet. Fix that! You will love her stuff!
f/f
Themes: hurt/comfort with the emphasis on hurt, nature is a bitch, white supremacists, a bit of extreme camping, cultural differences, the scene with the awful tasting teas made me laugh, these poor women go through all the layers of Hell, the love-making scene in the cave made me think back on Xena & Gab fics where this scenario played out quite frequently.
5 stars
February 6, 2020
This is my first complete lesfic audio book and I’m really grateful to my friends for encouraging me to push through my mental block. Cari Hunter was probably a great place to start too. Alex Pascal finds herself badly injured during the apprehension of two violent criminals. Sarah Kent, on the other side of the globe is the only survivor of a car crash. Their paths meet on the trails of the North Cascades and where both of them have gone to see their own lives from a different perspective. A huge storm rolls in leaving Sarah stranded and Alex feels she should go and look for her. An escaped convict in the area means the storm becomes a compounding factor in their survival.
The pace is riveting from the outset and Hunter pushes her characters to their physical limits. If it was possible to be a book character, this is one author I would stay very far away from. It’s a thriller with no respite. The romance falls subtly and neatly into the action. If your preference is for more of a story and less concentration on romance, this is for you.
The pace is riveting from the outset and Hunter pushes her characters to their physical limits. If it was possible to be a book character, this is one author I would stay very far away from. It’s a thriller with no respite. The romance falls subtly and neatly into the action. If your preference is for more of a story and less concentration on romance, this is for you.
February 19, 2020
4.5* – After a rather emotional time with E. J. Noyes’ Ask Me Again, I needed a change of pace. So yeah, a story about being hunted by white supremacists in the wilderness didn’t sound traumatic at all. And it turned out to be a really good choice.
After a drunk driver shattered her life, Sarah has left England to enjoy some me-time. She’s hiking in the North Cascades National Park, near Seattle, in the U. S., when she stumbles upon a murder and ends up involuntarily stealing the murderer’s duffel bag, all while a storm prevents her from getting to safety.
Alex, a former L. A. police officer, was on her own hike when the storm hit. On hearing about the lone hiker who has not yet made it back, her instincts kick in and she goes looking for Sarah.
Of course there’s a lot more to the story than that, but I’ll let you find out on your own, it’s too good for me to add too many details.
I’m still bewildered that it’s taken me so long to read Cari Hunter’s books (my first was Breathe last summer). Desolation Point is an excellent thriller, the events are frightening, the MCs endearing and perfectly matched. They’re both incredibly brave in an unconscious way, they simply do what needs to be done. I like when characters are sweet, I also like when, like these two, they’re tough and resilient. I loved the banter between them too, and the way their feelings for each other grew in a hostile environment. That’s one trope I genuinely like, how shared danger makes instalove believable.
The narration is outstanding, and I have to honest here, coming after Abby Craden is no mean feat. Last time I listened to one of her narrations (Ask, Tell), I had to take a few days off audiobooks to give the next one a chance. Nicola Victoria Vincent and her seamless accents didn’t need any buffering. I am always most impressed by narrators who manage to make me forget they are narrating, that what I’m hearing is a sole person’s voice, and I’m even more in awe when there are accents involved. So naturally my next listen will be Tumbledown.
After a drunk driver shattered her life, Sarah has left England to enjoy some me-time. She’s hiking in the North Cascades National Park, near Seattle, in the U. S., when she stumbles upon a murder and ends up involuntarily stealing the murderer’s duffel bag, all while a storm prevents her from getting to safety.
Alex, a former L. A. police officer, was on her own hike when the storm hit. On hearing about the lone hiker who has not yet made it back, her instincts kick in and she goes looking for Sarah.
Of course there’s a lot more to the story than that, but I’ll let you find out on your own, it’s too good for me to add too many details.
I’m still bewildered that it’s taken me so long to read Cari Hunter’s books (my first was Breathe last summer). Desolation Point is an excellent thriller, the events are frightening, the MCs endearing and perfectly matched. They’re both incredibly brave in an unconscious way, they simply do what needs to be done. I like when characters are sweet, I also like when, like these two, they’re tough and resilient. I loved the banter between them too, and the way their feelings for each other grew in a hostile environment. That’s one trope I genuinely like, how shared danger makes instalove believable.
The narration is outstanding, and I have to honest here, coming after Abby Craden is no mean feat. Last time I listened to one of her narrations (Ask, Tell), I had to take a few days off audiobooks to give the next one a chance. Nicola Victoria Vincent and her seamless accents didn’t need any buffering. I am always most impressed by narrators who manage to make me forget they are narrating, that what I’m hearing is a sole person’s voice, and I’m even more in awe when there are accents involved. So naturally my next listen will be Tumbledown.
November 23, 2019
After reading several romances in a row I needed some action. And Cari Hunter delivered once more.
This is a thriller that takes place in the wilderness of the North Cascades in Washington. It is an action-packed story and keeps you on your toes. Two wounded souls, Alex and Sarah, find each other in this wilderness, and they have to fight off cruel criminals with nothing to lose. It is a race against the men and against nature. As beautiful nature can be, in stormy weather it can also be a challenge to survive.
My rating 5 stars
This is a thriller that takes place in the wilderness of the North Cascades in Washington. It is an action-packed story and keeps you on your toes. Two wounded souls, Alex and Sarah, find each other in this wilderness, and they have to fight off cruel criminals with nothing to lose. It is a race against the men and against nature. As beautiful nature can be, in stormy weather it can also be a challenge to survive.
My rating 5 stars
November 3, 2018
From the reviews that I read before braving myself to read this book, I knew that reading this will require a buddy. Since my Lesfic introducer/friend said that her stomach wasn't that strong to read it, a selection of horror movies, a quarter bag of Ruffles and an extra spicy+cheesy ramen accompanied my gritty read.
Almost everything was against our strong willed heroines.
1. Desolation Point - where almost nothing magical happened.
2. The weather - a storm, surprise - surprise
3. The bad guys - No sexual assaults, other than that, they held nothing back.
Based on those not suitable for anyone elements above, who am I to take away the enjoyment out of the hs when they discovered that they'd been put as a pair in the next challenging moments of their lives where they clicked immediately. Neither Alex nor Sarah turned into Ripley/Lara Croft. They both struggled for survival, made efforts to keep each other calm even though they were both terrified and in pain throughout the book. If Ms.Hunter added illustration into the story,
Alex and Sarah would be chased by the locals with torches and pitchforks for looking like Frankenstein after all their ordeals.
The only break that they had was, their companionship.
Ms.Hunter, an amazing author. If you're looking for shrimp and grits kind of stories then look her up.
Almost everything was against our strong willed heroines.
1. Desolation Point - where almost nothing magical happened.
2. The weather - a storm, surprise - surprise
3. The bad guys - No sexual assaults, other than that, they held nothing back.
Based on those not suitable for anyone elements above, who am I to take away the enjoyment out of the hs when they discovered that they'd been put as a pair in the next challenging moments of their lives where they clicked immediately. Neither Alex nor Sarah turned into Ripley/Lara Croft. They both struggled for survival, made efforts to keep each other calm even though they were both terrified and in pain throughout the book. If Ms.Hunter added illustration into the story,
Alex and Sarah would be chased by the locals with torches and pitchforks for looking like Frankenstein after all their ordeals.
The only break that they had was, their companionship.
Ms.Hunter, an amazing author. If you're looking for shrimp and grits kind of stories then look her up.
June 2, 2019
Wow! This is a really well written thriller with a side of romance. Don't go into this book expecting a lot of cute moments and hot steamy scenes, they are lost in the mountains, trying to survive. The story got me hooked from the start, and I couldn't stop reading. Alex and Sarah are strong, resilient characters, and I might have a little crush on both of them. This was my first Cari Hunter book, but it definitely won't be my last! Highly recommend :)
April 4, 2017
**Edit: Audiobook version of a very good quality. Nicola Victoria Vincent is a great narrator, with a nice british accent**
This was my first Cari Hunter's book, a very enjoyable reading indeed.
It reminded me of Die Hard, only set in the mountains and with two nice and brave lesbian ladies instead of Bruce Willis.
You know what I mean, one of those stories where the hero (or the heroines in this case) deals with an impossible situation of extreme danger and barely survives with the most terrible physical wounds and unbearable psychological burdens, but at the end finds the way and the time to kick the butts of all the evil guys.
So, more or less, this is Desolation Point, which is a bit predictable, but has a great rhythm and brings adrenalinic fun to the reader.
Also, the evil guys are a little bit too standardized. The classical, violent, hateful bastards, so you're not too worried when they meet their fate at last.
The romance is very well done. The main characters are both nice, intelligent and lovable. A good compromise of strenght and fragility. I'd say butch and femme, even if my impression is that Alex is a quite feminine butch, and Sarah a tough femme, so this is interesting.
They become a couple quickly, but it works because we can see they are kindred spirits and the heavy load both of the past and the present plays an important part in getting them together, connecting fist their survival and then their life.
Now I'm curious about the sequel!
This was my first Cari Hunter's book, a very enjoyable reading indeed.
It reminded me of Die Hard, only set in the mountains and with two nice and brave lesbian ladies instead of Bruce Willis.
You know what I mean, one of those stories where the hero (or the heroines in this case) deals with an impossible situation of extreme danger and barely survives with the most terrible physical wounds and unbearable psychological burdens, but at the end finds the way and the time to kick the butts of all the evil guys.
So, more or less, this is Desolation Point, which is a bit predictable, but has a great rhythm and brings adrenalinic fun to the reader.
Also, the evil guys are a little bit too standardized. The classical, violent, hateful bastards, so you're not too worried when they meet their fate at last.
The romance is very well done. The main characters are both nice, intelligent and lovable. A good compromise of strenght and fragility. I'd say butch and femme, even if my impression is that Alex is a quite feminine butch, and Sarah a tough femme, so this is interesting.
They become a couple quickly, but it works because we can see they are kindred spirits and the heavy load both of the past and the present plays an important part in getting them together, connecting fist their survival and then their life.
Now I'm curious about the sequel!
March 12, 2017
Action packed and great narrator (thank god). Finished this in one sitting.
October 20, 2019
Oh Cari Hunter. My faith in solid storytelling was restored as I started this "oldie" from 2013. She has a way of hitting you in places you did not expect and sure didn't hold back on this one. MCs Sarah and Alex both have incredibly traumatizing backstories that literally take your breath away in the first few pages. As many of you are aware, Ms. Hunter is thriller and action first, with any romance very much back-burnered, so go in expecting to be emotionally gut-punched.
MC Sarah is from England and survived a horrible accident. MC Alex is an ex-LAPD who had an awful, tortuous run-in with a criminal. Both have left the lives they know in order to try and move on and heal themselves. I can't express how much I liked these two characters, they are strong, loyal, complex and kind women with fighting spirits. They are both hiking separately in a national park on the west coast when Sarah witnesses a crime, and they have to survive the wilderness while running from a psychopath. Holy heart-beating frenzy, Batman! (I love Batman)
Then....it gets fractured for me. I got hit over the head with so....much....awfulness that I had to keep putting the book down. "AGAIN?! What the fuuuuck...." I'd find myself uttering many times as my spouse asked "what in the world are you reading?" Time and time again these two are stricken down by not only the elements but dickless men doing awful things to them. Why can't they catch a break? It was too much, too detailed, and not necessary to keep the story moving. In all honesty I was happy it ended, except for the naggling feeling of wanting a little more of Sarah and Alex's story as a couple.
I'd say the first part was a solid 4/5, but the last 40% or so went down to 2/5, so overall the ratio equals a solid 3/5. Then today I realized there is a second book, and I am so torn as to if I should read it or not. On one hand, Sarah and Alex's story barely started by the end of book 1. But I can't bear to think of more shit happening to them. They should have a villa on the beach where hot ladies feed them peanut butter banana bits dripped in honey and where dolphins swim up daily to say "hey" and give them l'il kisses.
Convince me I can handle book 2, peeps!
MC Sarah is from England and survived a horrible accident. MC Alex is an ex-LAPD who had an awful, tortuous run-in with a criminal. Both have left the lives they know in order to try and move on and heal themselves. I can't express how much I liked these two characters, they are strong, loyal, complex and kind women with fighting spirits. They are both hiking separately in a national park on the west coast when Sarah witnesses a crime, and they have to survive the wilderness while running from a psychopath. Holy heart-beating frenzy, Batman! (I love Batman)
Then....it gets fractured for me. I got hit over the head with so....much....awfulness that I had to keep putting the book down. "AGAIN?! What the fuuuuck...." I'd find myself uttering many times as my spouse asked "what in the world are you reading?" Time and time again these two are stricken down by not only the elements but dickless men doing awful things to them. Why can't they catch a break? It was too much, too detailed, and not necessary to keep the story moving. In all honesty I was happy it ended, except for the naggling feeling of wanting a little more of Sarah and Alex's story as a couple.
I'd say the first part was a solid 4/5, but the last 40% or so went down to 2/5, so overall the ratio equals a solid 3/5. Then today I realized there is a second book, and I am so torn as to if I should read it or not. On one hand, Sarah and Alex's story barely started by the end of book 1. But I can't bear to think of more shit happening to them. They should have a villa on the beach where hot ladies feed them peanut butter banana bits dripped in honey and where dolphins swim up daily to say "hey" and give them l'il kisses.
Convince me I can handle book 2, peeps!
January 23, 2019
I listened to this months ago and forgot to review it, but I still remember how amazing this book it. There is suspense and fear and weather and insurmountable obstacles and at the center of it all two amazingly strong women that will not give up.
Anyone that hasn't read everything they can by Cari Hunter and likes suspense, thrillers, and extremely well written plots, look no further and then delve into her catalog of books.
Anyone that hasn't read everything they can by Cari Hunter and likes suspense, thrillers, and extremely well written plots, look no further and then delve into her catalog of books.
November 9, 2020
A exciting thriller story, featuring two badass babes with painful pasts. Scars both internally and externally. But both are so much braver and stronger than they know, especially together.
I enjoy Cari Hunters book immensely, and especially the British humour she puts into them. This time though we have just the 1 British protagonist, it is set in the US with an American Cop as the other main protagonist.
You really feel the danger and sense the action happening and all the drudgery of the weather and the isolation of the location to really make the scenes come alive. But it is met as well with tenderness of the two women striving with strength to help themselves and eachother selflessly. It was very touching.
I really look forward to reading the sequel, next.
I enjoy Cari Hunters book immensely, and especially the British humour she puts into them. This time though we have just the 1 British protagonist, it is set in the US with an American Cop as the other main protagonist.
You really feel the danger and sense the action happening and all the drudgery of the weather and the isolation of the location to really make the scenes come alive. But it is met as well with tenderness of the two women striving with strength to help themselves and eachother selflessly. It was very touching.
I really look forward to reading the sequel, next.
July 7, 2017
Very enjoyable romantic adventure. Interesting characters. Lots of danger. Some humor. nice romance. 4 solid stars!
June 10, 2019
Very well written thriller with a fantastic outdoor setting.
January 3, 2022
So I decided to start my 2022 with this book and probably will read the rest of Cari Hunter's books within this year (if my heart can take it lol). I think doing marathon on her books is not a good idea cus I kinda having some kind of disturbing dreams from all that disturbing action and thriller (obviously sooo into it).
So my thought is this is some kind of series of unfortunate events for both Alex and Sarah. They both met while trying to recover from traumatic events that change their lives, only to face series of another unfortunate encounters. Even so, in those harsh time, they find comfort in each other's company and occasionally sneak some sweet romance for us to catch our breath. I believe being with the right person, even at the most horrible places, you can still find happiness in it.
I love both Alex and Sarah. Their bravery will leave you rooting for them and pray for their lives.
Read this and you will appreciate your comfortable life better.
So my thought is this is some kind of series of unfortunate events for both Alex and Sarah. They both met while trying to recover from traumatic events that change their lives, only to face series of another unfortunate encounters. Even so, in those harsh time, they find comfort in each other's company and occasionally sneak some sweet romance for us to catch our breath. I believe being with the right person, even at the most horrible places, you can still find happiness in it.
I love both Alex and Sarah. Their bravery will leave you rooting for them and pray for their lives.
Read this and you will appreciate your comfortable life better.
May 22, 2013
Two women from opposite sides of the Atlantic meet in the desolate wilderness, and battle to stay alive against their two most dangerous foes--nature and man.
The first few chapters setting up the backstory and alternating between the two ladies were a bit predictable and almost perfunctory. But when they finally meet, and the rain
starts bucketing down, our ladies are in for the most harrowing rollercoaster ride of their lives, and we are in for a very suspenseful, effective thriller.
The author rains bruises, cuts, scrapes and bullet wounds on our heroines all over and again and again. Despite how they must look covered in muck and bruises(literally black and blue!), they manage to fall in love. Lots of exciting twists and turns, although the biggest one you could smell a mile away if you paid attention.
I loved how the author managed to let the ladies resolve their
impossible situation And who can not but adore Sarah's lovely Britishisms... (if this ever gets an audiobook release, I'll be first in line 8-) )
The first few chapters setting up the backstory and alternating between the two ladies were a bit predictable and almost perfunctory. But when they finally meet, and the rain
starts bucketing down, our ladies are in for the most harrowing rollercoaster ride of their lives, and we are in for a very suspenseful, effective thriller.
The author rains bruises, cuts, scrapes and bullet wounds on our heroines all over and again and again. Despite how they must look covered in muck and bruises(literally black and blue!), they manage to fall in love. Lots of exciting twists and turns, although the biggest one you could smell a mile away if you paid attention.
I loved how the author managed to let the ladies resolve their
impossible situation And who can not but adore Sarah's lovely Britishisms... (if this ever gets an audiobook release, I'll be first in line 8-) )
February 6, 2019
I'm glad I read Hunter's later series, Dark Peak, before this one, because I thought it MUCH better and would recommend reading it instead of Desolation Point.
Unfortunately, this book repeatedly managed to trigger my "That's not how X works" personality disorder, often rearing its ugly head when I read poorly researched fiction. This frankly surprised me, since I've read that Hunter is both a paramedic and a hiker. Did she simply ignore that fires are not that easy to get going with wet fuel, that improvised shelters are seldom tall enough to stand in, that tracking a person over long distances is pretty hard even with training? Who knows? Fortunately, this book did manage to kill my growing crush on Hunter, so there is that.
I had a hard time sympathizing with the protagonists because I thought them too dumb to live. They made a lot of incredibly stupid mistakes, and I was almost disappointed that they survived. At least they were pretty cute together.
Still, Desolation Point is better than most of the books of its genre (lesbian trash fiction), as it has actual characters with actual personalities, so I can't give it less than three stars.
Unfortunately, this book repeatedly managed to trigger my "That's not how X works" personality disorder, often rearing its ugly head when I read poorly researched fiction. This frankly surprised me, since I've read that Hunter is both a paramedic and a hiker. Did she simply ignore that fires are not that easy to get going with wet fuel, that improvised shelters are seldom tall enough to stand in, that tracking a person over long distances is pretty hard even with training? Who knows? Fortunately, this book did manage to kill my growing crush on Hunter, so there is that.
I had a hard time sympathizing with the protagonists because I thought them too dumb to live. They made a lot of incredibly stupid mistakes, and I was almost disappointed that they survived. At least they were pretty cute together.
Still, Desolation Point is better than most of the books of its genre (lesbian trash fiction), as it has actual characters with actual personalities, so I can't give it less than three stars.
February 7, 2019
I'm glad I read Hunter's later series, Dark Peak, before this one, because I thought it MUCH better and would recommend reading it instead of Desolation Point.
Unfortunately, this book repeatedly managed to trigger my "That's not how X works" personality disorder, often rearing its ugly head when I read poorly researched fiction. This frankly surprised me, since I've read that Hunter is both a paramedic and a hiker. Did she simply ignore that fires are not that easy to get going with wet fuel, that improvised shelters are seldom tall enough to stand in, that tracking a person over long distances is pretty hard even with training? Who knows? Fortunately, this book did manage to kill my growing crush on Hunter, so there is that.
I had a hard time sympathizing with the protagonists because I thought them too dumb to live. They made a lot of incredibly stupid mistakes, and I was almost disappointed that they survived. At least they were pretty cute together.
Still, Desolation Point is better than most of the books of its genre (lesbian trash fiction), as it has actual characters with actual personalities, so I can't give it less than three stars.
Unfortunately, this book repeatedly managed to trigger my "That's not how X works" personality disorder, often rearing its ugly head when I read poorly researched fiction. This frankly surprised me, since I've read that Hunter is both a paramedic and a hiker. Did she simply ignore that fires are not that easy to get going with wet fuel, that improvised shelters are seldom tall enough to stand in, that tracking a person over long distances is pretty hard even with training? Who knows? Fortunately, this book did manage to kill my growing crush on Hunter, so there is that.
I had a hard time sympathizing with the protagonists because I thought them too dumb to live. They made a lot of incredibly stupid mistakes, and I was almost disappointed that they survived. At least they were pretty cute together.
Still, Desolation Point is better than most of the books of its genre (lesbian trash fiction), as it has actual characters with actual personalities, so I can't give it less than three stars.
April 3, 2014
Let me first start by saying that this book is of high quality, especially within the lesbian genre.
If you are looking for an exciting thriller then this is a must.
Personally, I was not completely happy with this book. Actually I had the same problem than what I had with reading Snowbound, a book also by Cari hunter.
For me the balance between romance and thriller/action is very important. Unfortunately for me there was not enough romance and there were little to none intimate scenes.
The story and the characters would have been perfect if there had been more chemistry and romance.
The scene's between the main characters were missing the passion I love to read.
I personally thought Snowbound is slightly better.
If you are looking for an exciting thriller then this is a must.
Personally, I was not completely happy with this book. Actually I had the same problem than what I had with reading Snowbound, a book also by Cari hunter.
For me the balance between romance and thriller/action is very important. Unfortunately for me there was not enough romance and there were little to none intimate scenes.
The story and the characters would have been perfect if there had been more chemistry and romance.
The scene's between the main characters were missing the passion I love to read.
I personally thought Snowbound is slightly better.
August 15, 2015
I don't really understand why this book received so many good reviews. I was really bored and was tempted to leave it unfinished.
The story is not original at all: girl hiking in the mountains encounters a butch hiker; both get into trouble, and fall madly in love while escaping from the bad guys; end of story.
A part from the predictability of the story, the writting is not bad, the dialogues are actually decent, but the worst part for me is that nothing in the story seems credible to me. Neither the thriller, nor the love story.
The story is not original at all: girl hiking in the mountains encounters a butch hiker; both get into trouble, and fall madly in love while escaping from the bad guys; end of story.
A part from the predictability of the story, the writting is not bad, the dialogues are actually decent, but the worst part for me is that nothing in the story seems credible to me. Neither the thriller, nor the love story.
June 20, 2022
4 stars. Another hit from Hunter. I’m having a blast going through her backlist. Her books are action packed and addictive as hell. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I adored the characters of Sarah and Alex. I’m so glad that there is a book two that is a continuation of their story.
Their chemistry was great and I loved their banter and just how strong they both are. They go through some traumatic shit and none of it broke them which was interesting. The plot was intriguing and intense and I love Hunter’s writing style. Everything wraps up nicely which makes me nervous to see where the story is going to go from here.
Their chemistry was great and I loved their banter and just how strong they both are. They go through some traumatic shit and none of it broke them which was interesting. The plot was intriguing and intense and I love Hunter’s writing style. Everything wraps up nicely which makes me nervous to see where the story is going to go from here.
July 1, 2017
My wife and I listened to this on audiobook. She couldn't wait and listened to the second book without me. I have to say this book made my stomach hurt. It is intense, as in I am glad it was an audiobook because I would have skipped pages to see what happened kind of intense. We would both try to decide how many hours of sleep we "really" needed to determine if we could stay awake another hour to listen. This was only my second Cari Hunter book. My first was Snowbound, I don't remember it but I gave it an awesome rating. I have now purchased all of her books on audiobook. I used to think I didn't like mystery/thriller but recently I have read several really good books. I am really excited to listen to the rest of her books.
April 18, 2013
Cari Hunter knows how to write a thriller. This book had excellent pacing, great twists and turns and a even an "oh crap" moment. It took me a chapter or two to really warm up to the two main characters because there's a lot of action in those chapters to lay out the back story. But as the story continues, the characters develop well and you are easily caught up in the flow of things. This is the second book from this author, and I've enjoyed both. She's someone to definitely keep an eye on as her talent continues to develop.
August 22, 2023
I just love this audiobooks so down to earth, kinda like how life sometimes goes.
January 6, 2019
Not a direct review of this book (which was a quick, intense and an okay-ish read) but thriller, crime and mystery books are not for me and that's mainly because I never find myself actually reading the entire book and enjoying it because my eyes are scanning the lines so quickly trying to find out what is happening to the characters, if anyone will get hurt and how will they be safe. So basically I ruin the entire reading experience because I can't help but jump ahead. It's a very hard habit to stop.
February 12, 2022
Great story with factual errors
SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO: character with a disability (PTSD), favorite trope; UNICORN: therapy mentioned once or twice (possibly other categories)
You'll love this book if you're unfamiliar with, or are able to suspend your disbelief over some of the content. Four stars is a generous rating because the number of inaccuracies could have pushed it even lower. I won't go into the details so that I don't ruin it for other readers, but I did enjoy the story. I intend on reading the sequel, and hopefully, it'll have better research.
SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO: character with a disability (PTSD), favorite trope; UNICORN: therapy mentioned once or twice (possibly other categories)
You'll love this book if you're unfamiliar with, or are able to suspend your disbelief over some of the content. Four stars is a generous rating because the number of inaccuracies could have pushed it even lower. I won't go into the details so that I don't ruin it for other readers, but I did enjoy the story. I intend on reading the sequel, and hopefully, it'll have better research.
February 14, 2024
if cari hunter writes it im reading it, her novels are fucking incredible i love them all
April 21, 2013
After suffering the terrible tragedy of losing her mother and her younger sister to a drunk driver, almost losing her own life and being abandoned by her step father, Sarah Kent feels she owes it to herself to travel the world. After leaving her home in England, Sarah eventually arrives in the North Cascades. Sarah is trying hard to get her life back on track and regain her health and confidence.
Ex Los Angeles cop, Alex Pascal, leaves Los Angeles after a traumatic attack on her life. She no longer has the confidence to be a cop. Her colleagues are just not the same towards her. She can’t bear the looks of pity any longer. Alex makes her home in Desolation Peak away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and the dangers of the criminal world.
Sarah and Alex are destined to meet after a storm leaves Sarah cut off from civilization. When Alex hears of Sarah’s plight, she is determined to find her and heads off into the wilderness.
When Alex finally discovers Sarah, she finds that Sarah is running from a dangerous, murdering criminal who has already killed without any regard for human life.
The two women set out on the run, trying desperately to stay one step ahead of the perpetrator. Will they succeed?
It isn’t long before both women begin to feel the magnetic pull of attraction. Is it possible to fall in love while they are trying to survive? Will Sarah and Alex manage to escape with their lives unscathed?
Let me start by saying, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is an extremely well written, page turning adventure romance. I simply couldn’t put this book down and read well into the night.
The suspense and tension along with several OMG moments had my heart racing and left me breathless.
The two main characters, Sarah and Alex are well formed and multidimensional. Both women have suffered mind and body altering experiences, which in my opinion, helps them to form a close bond from the outset.
I love the way Cari Hunter laid out their stories, so that we got to know each of the characters backgrounds as well as their story together in the present day. It certainly helped me to understand Sarah and Alex and how their backgrounds formed them into the women they’d become.
Another thing I enjoyed about this book is the way Cari Hunter portrayed Sarah who is English and Alex who is American. I’m English and have many American friends, their dialogue is very much the same as between me and my friends.
Although most of this book is a serious story, there is a great sense of humor throughout. Amongst all the devastation and pain Sarah and Alex suffer, the humor really shines through and takes the edge off the terror.
The scenic descriptions were excellent. I lost myself in the mountains with Sarah, Alex and the baddies. After I’d read the book, I Googled Desolation Peak. The area was exactly as I’d envisaged it.
This is another book to add to my re-read list.
Ex Los Angeles cop, Alex Pascal, leaves Los Angeles after a traumatic attack on her life. She no longer has the confidence to be a cop. Her colleagues are just not the same towards her. She can’t bear the looks of pity any longer. Alex makes her home in Desolation Peak away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and the dangers of the criminal world.
Sarah and Alex are destined to meet after a storm leaves Sarah cut off from civilization. When Alex hears of Sarah’s plight, she is determined to find her and heads off into the wilderness.
When Alex finally discovers Sarah, she finds that Sarah is running from a dangerous, murdering criminal who has already killed without any regard for human life.
The two women set out on the run, trying desperately to stay one step ahead of the perpetrator. Will they succeed?
It isn’t long before both women begin to feel the magnetic pull of attraction. Is it possible to fall in love while they are trying to survive? Will Sarah and Alex manage to escape with their lives unscathed?
Let me start by saying, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is an extremely well written, page turning adventure romance. I simply couldn’t put this book down and read well into the night.
The suspense and tension along with several OMG moments had my heart racing and left me breathless.
The two main characters, Sarah and Alex are well formed and multidimensional. Both women have suffered mind and body altering experiences, which in my opinion, helps them to form a close bond from the outset.
I love the way Cari Hunter laid out their stories, so that we got to know each of the characters backgrounds as well as their story together in the present day. It certainly helped me to understand Sarah and Alex and how their backgrounds formed them into the women they’d become.
Another thing I enjoyed about this book is the way Cari Hunter portrayed Sarah who is English and Alex who is American. I’m English and have many American friends, their dialogue is very much the same as between me and my friends.
Although most of this book is a serious story, there is a great sense of humor throughout. Amongst all the devastation and pain Sarah and Alex suffer, the humor really shines through and takes the edge off the terror.
The scenic descriptions were excellent. I lost myself in the mountains with Sarah, Alex and the baddies. After I’d read the book, I Googled Desolation Peak. The area was exactly as I’d envisaged it.
This is another book to add to my re-read list.
October 14, 2021
When a drunk driver destroys Sarah’s family and leaves her scarred and unsettled she opts to take some time away and travel. Finding herself in the North Cascades and now fit enough to do some serious hiking she decides to take the trail up to Desolation Point before the predicted storms come in.
Alex has left her beloved LAPD after a traumatic arrest leaved her physically and mentally marked. Unable to face the fear of being hurt again she has run away to the hills and is working on an isolated farm. She too takes a break to get some hiking in before the season puts a stop to any more camping.
When Alex hears that Sarah is still up the mountain when the storm hits earlier than expected she instantly decides to go after her. But what neither Alex or the other rescue teams know is that Sarah has unwittingly stumbled across an escaped criminal and put herself in the middle of a race for survival.
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This is the second of Cari Hunters’ novels and is another great example of a romance action adventure thriller. The story is fast paced and thrilling. A real page turner from beginning to end. There are times when only the fact that there are chapters left in the book convince you somebody must survive to carry on. Ms Hunter is a master at an adventure plot and comes up with more twists and turns that the mountain trails they are hiking.
The characters are well developed and multilayered. Sarah is English, Alex American, and there is humor throughout as they explore their language and cultural differences. (I’m English – we play football NOT soccer) Cari Hunter clearly knows the UK and US well as shown in her settings - Snowbound in the UK and this in the US. She uses that knowledge to great advantage as a lighthearted part of her character development.
The descriptions of the scenery are well drawn and evocative, her use of the weather as an additional part of the plot is clever and we really experience the mountain in all its fearsome glory.
Among all the horrors, pain and fear we also have a love story as good as any LesFic out there. Alex and Sarah are great characters and as the plot unfolds you cant help but root for them both to survive the ordeal and survive together as a couple, forged in adversity and drawing on each others strength to survive.
Well written, edited and crafted this is an excellent book and I cant wait to read the sequel.
Alex has left her beloved LAPD after a traumatic arrest leaved her physically and mentally marked. Unable to face the fear of being hurt again she has run away to the hills and is working on an isolated farm. She too takes a break to get some hiking in before the season puts a stop to any more camping.
When Alex hears that Sarah is still up the mountain when the storm hits earlier than expected she instantly decides to go after her. But what neither Alex or the other rescue teams know is that Sarah has unwittingly stumbled across an escaped criminal and put herself in the middle of a race for survival.
-------------
This is the second of Cari Hunters’ novels and is another great example of a romance action adventure thriller. The story is fast paced and thrilling. A real page turner from beginning to end. There are times when only the fact that there are chapters left in the book convince you somebody must survive to carry on. Ms Hunter is a master at an adventure plot and comes up with more twists and turns that the mountain trails they are hiking.
The characters are well developed and multilayered. Sarah is English, Alex American, and there is humor throughout as they explore their language and cultural differences. (I’m English – we play football NOT soccer) Cari Hunter clearly knows the UK and US well as shown in her settings - Snowbound in the UK and this in the US. She uses that knowledge to great advantage as a lighthearted part of her character development.
The descriptions of the scenery are well drawn and evocative, her use of the weather as an additional part of the plot is clever and we really experience the mountain in all its fearsome glory.
Among all the horrors, pain and fear we also have a love story as good as any LesFic out there. Alex and Sarah are great characters and as the plot unfolds you cant help but root for them both to survive the ordeal and survive together as a couple, forged in adversity and drawing on each others strength to survive.
Well written, edited and crafted this is an excellent book and I cant wait to read the sequel.
January 21, 2018
It's very hot, cute and believing how Alex and Sarah fell in love with each other. The plot was a page-turner as well. I wish I could have read more of them being together (because it was so cute and hot) than them being captured and tortured by those bad guys and have been suffering because of it.
June 4, 2013
4.5. Great book. I got two of my favourite genres, thrillers and lesfic romance in one well written novel. Mixed in with the danger from human sources and natural ones the reader gets two strong women with interesting back stories who learn to lean on each other for support while battling the bad guys. I liked the "across the pond" debates between Alex and Sarah but more I liked the way both women were portrayed supporting each other during the fun times and the harrowing times.
My favorite line in the book comes when Sarah says to Alex "Why don't you let me be the butch today." so she could care for Alex who was busy trying to be strong for the two of them. Such a sweet moment. Add in the almost non stop action and I found it hard to put this book down.
My favorite line in the book comes when Sarah says to Alex "Why don't you let me be the butch today." so she could care for Alex who was busy trying to be strong for the two of them. Such a sweet moment. Add in the almost non stop action and I found it hard to put this book down.
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