I have been looking forward to the next book in the Moose Springs series for months and was disappointed once I started reading this one. Easton was such a great character in the previous two books and I wanted to love his story but I couldn’t for one very big reason - his love interest.

Easton Lockett is one of the greatest characters - so funny, stoic, caring, considerate...really all the things I want my 6' 6", bearded, man bunned, mountaineering men to be. He loves his family and friends and his job - you can tell how much when you see him in his element, in the mountains sharing Mount Veil with other climbers.

On the flip side of Easton, you have River Lane...possibly one of the worst characters I’ve ever read. She’s inconsiderate, bossy and driven to a fault, all of which made me dislike her even more. Her insistence on putting her career and the documentary above her own safety and the safety of her team and guides really rubbed me the wrong way.

I was so disappointed that he fell in love with her, went along with her whims and gave her way more leeway than he’d give other people because he couldn’t see past what he wanted to, couldn’t see the selfishness that was an essential part of her character. Getting through this book was a slog - River made me want to DNF before the story really began and my hopes that she would grow and become someone worthy of Easton kept me going. Sadly, it just left me feeling upset about Easton’s decisions.

Ultimately, I think I would have preferred it if Easton and the marmot got together in the end. I wanted so much more for him and think he deserved better than River Lane. Really hoping Ashton’s story gets this series back on track.