An inspiring novel that beautifully captures the spirit of adventure and the journey of self-discovery. Levy's writing is both engaging and heartfelt, with relatable characters who each bring their own unique strengths to the adventure. Themes of friendship, resilience, and the importance of following one’s dreams are woven throughout, making it a meaningful read for young readers.

2.5⭐️

I received an arc of this book from netgalley, although as you can see I did not read it before its 2020 pub date.

This is a story about two high school graduates who decide to climb Mt Everest. Rose and Tate have been best friends their whole lives and bond over mountain climbing, so climbing Everest seems like a natural thing to cross off their bucket list. But Rose’s mom is sick and can’t climb with them as planned and Tate has PTSD from a bad fall during their last climb, and tensions are high as they tackle one of the scariest and most deadly climbs in the world. And of course, a lifetime of friendship is on the line as romantic feelings bloom as well.

The writing style of this book was very dry and hard to get into, and while we had alternate POVs between Tate and Rose, I never really felt like I got to know them and their voice felt very similar to each other.

I also didn’t totally buy the romance here. All book long, they talk about how they see each other as siblings and how boys and girls can be friends with nothing happening and then BAM they’re having sex on a mountainside? I didn’t feel the vibes at all.

Plus, I know Tate is dealing with a lot of his own mental health issues, but the dude is kind of a douchebag. He is so selfish thinking only of himself and not of Rose’s feelings or her situation with her mom. And he constantly is yelling and blowing up in anger and she just is so calmly taking it from him. Idk. He gave me such a huge ick and I was screaming at Rose to not get with him and to just head off to college in the fall and leave him behind.

The mountain climbing aspect of this book was actually very interesting to me as someone who has no knowledge of that world. I’m not sure how accurate everything in this book is to real life, but I do feel like I learned a lot there.

TLDR: skip this one

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book. I unfortunately did not get a chance to read this before it was archived. I will be reading it now that it is published, but I would like to clear out some old reviews

This was a very unique concept. I can’t say that I identify with the characters’ mission to climb Mount Everest, but I really enjoyed reading about their experience.

This had SUCH a unique premise and SUCH a sweet friendship/romance. I was so in love with this book and would love more from this author in the future, especially more survival stories or more with interesting settings or characters.

-- This review is several years past the release date due to the many issues of 2020, but a huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early copy of the book.

I was a bit surprised by the marketing on this one as it didn't quite seem to match what the book actually was. I got a few chapters in but neither of the characters really captured me.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

Thank you net galley for the opportunity to read and review this book!! This book was amazing! So adventurous and heartbreaking!! I really fell in love and felt for these characters!! It made me want to get out into the world more and experience more life!! I definitely recommend this book who lives adventure and survivor stories!! Love love!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this story. The author’s writing in conveying the atmosphere in this story was so engaging. I could picture the surroundings and feel the drive that Tate and Rose had for concurring their next climb. Would’ve loved a little more of the romance between Tate and Rose but overall a good story.

I added this as an independent reading choice in my classroom after reading it here. Many of my students found the characters to be relatable - even though they themselves have never summited Mount Everest.

Best friends Rose and Tate have been focused on mountain climbing their whole lives and their plans to climb Everest in their senior year of high school are moving full-steam ahead. Even though Rose's mother, one of the climbing mentors is ill, they arrive in Nepal with many things on their minds and in their hearts even before tackling the mountain.

I love action and adventure stories which is what interested me when I read the blurb for this book. The aspect of challenging your own self to something like this is a grand goal for many, and I thought this story did a very nice job of illustrating the individual mental and physical challenges each of the climbers in the group have to face throughout the story.


An ARC was provided by the publisher. This is my honest review.

Perfect balance of adventure at character focused.
The research that went into this must have been epic, I've never but it feels like I could have been there now.
It lost a 🌟 because it had a slow start & took me a while to give into.

I really really enjoyed this. I would have liked more from Rose and Tate and their relationship and less about the task they are facing with climbing Mount Everest. I love the concept of this book and overall, I think it was very well done.

WHen I heard this was about Mt Everest I knew I needed to read it. I have always been facinated with the mountain, I have been to nepal and hiking to base camp it was amazing the first glimpse you get of the great mountain after hiking a few days its very rewarding.

I really enjoyed this YA Novel and would highly recommend it

I found this to be an enjoyable read, keeping me on my toes throughout. The storyline was written well and flowed seamlessly. I look forward to reading more by this author!

I couldn't get into it, I'm so sorry! I thought this would be perfect for me but I really found it boring. There are a few quotes I liked, but otherwise, it's a "meh.".

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I didn’t connect well with the characters or story. I do think others readers could like it if it sounds up their alley!

I honestly love books and movies about mountain climbing so I was so excited to pick this one up (definitely helps with a cover like that!) I thought the author managed to balance the romance aspects with the character's own individual problems and also the doubts about climbing the mountain perfectly.

Rose Keller and Tate Russo have been climbing for years, training in harsh weather and traveling all over the world. The goal that kept them going? Summiting Mount Everest, the highest point on earth. Accompanied by Tate's dad, the two will finally make the ultimate climb at the end of their senior year. But neither Rose nor Tate are fully in the game--not only is there a simmering romance between them, but Rose can't get her mind off her mother's illness, while Tate constantly fails to live up to his ambitious father's standards.

Everyone on their expedition has something to prove, it seems. And not everyone is making the best decisions while short on oxygen and exhausted, body and mind. The farther up the mountain they go, the more their climbing plans unravel and the more isolated each team member becomes. Rose and Tate will have to dig deep within themselves to determine what--or who--they value above all else.

This is a great book about climbing Mount Everest and the adventure it takes to get there. I really enjoyed the journey this book took me on since I'll never be climbing Mount Everest myself.

I was highly anticipating this books release, so I was very grateful for the epub! I enjoyed this story so much, and I cannot wait for future books from this author!