Early Review: Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: October 7th, 2014
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

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…

My Thoughts:
Becca Fitzpatrick has done it again! She swept me away with her Hush, Hush series, and now...Black Ice has surpassed my expectations! I love this book so hard!

“Because I couldn’t think of anything snide to say, I stuck my tongue out at him.  
Jude wagged his head. “More tongue exercises? Would have thought you’d had enough last night.” “Go to hell.”
“Sorry, love, but we’re already there.” 

And in HELL they were! Black Ice is a story of survival in every way, shape and form. Whether it’s surviving a broken heart, weather, kidnapping, friendship, secrets, the truth, or loyalties...it all boils down to one hellacious journey of survival. Knowing this is a mystery, thriller, action...I swear I was trying to figure who was who, and who was going to do what throughout the whole story! And it was unpredictable! And I loved it!

Two girls get stuck in a snowstorm...end up in a cabin with two complete strangers who happened to be hotties? Yes please! Britt and her best friend Korbie head into the mountains to hike the Teton Range for spring break. (But before they head out, there was an awesome scene at a gas station that totally set the story up.) While I really liked the protagonist Britt, I was pretty much instantly annoyed by her bestie Korbie.

“If kidnapping and abduction don’t pan out for you, I’m sure you could give psychic reading a try!” 

Britt was no dummy. That girl had a natural instinct when something was off. Sometimes she didn’t listen to her conscience, but it wasn’t annoying or excessive. I felt her reasoning was legit some of the time. Then evidence of murders that happened up in those very mountains were uncovered and their plans quickly took a turn for the worst.

Mason and Shaun had a different agenda. They needed to get off the mountain for reasons that were unknown but became brutally clear in one quick turn. I loved the intensity of the situation. Those two boys were polar opposites. While Shaun was a nutcase and quick to lose his patience, Mason maintained a calmer demeanor and had a way with Shaun. I knew there was more to Mason, I just wasn’t sure what it was until later.

The girls knew Korbie’s brother Calvin would start to worry about them when they didn’t show up to Korbie’s family cabin. Britt had a lifelong crush on him and then he eventually broke her heart. It was pretty sad to see her pining over a guy who clearly used her. But you can’t help who you fall in love with, right? Calvin rubbed me the wrong way pretty much from the beginning. I pegged him for a player.

But I do have one issue...where the heck was Bear??? (He was Korbie’s boyfriend who was supposedly going to meet up with them later at the cabin.)

The unexpected twists really kept me on night watch...as in, I stayed up way late in the night/ early morning reading this puppy. I absolutely HAD to know what was going to go down. It’s been quite a while since another book has done that to me, so this says a lot about the story itself.

Fantastic plot, characters, and chemistry here folks! And before I finish my gushfest here...let me tell you about that EPILOGUE!!!! If there isn’t another book, I may cry and throw a tantrum of epic proportions. The story is set up as a standalone, but I would like to plead my case. I haven’t had my fill of Britt and Jude. Becca has induced palpitations here!!! Don’t leave us hanging! (Pun intended) #BrUde forever!

5 Snowflakes