Finding Elizabeth

by Chris Mor

Hey, can you help us? My name’s Grinder, and these are my friends, Nova and Bats. We screwed up. * Ahem * Okay, yes. I screwed up. You see, we met this incredible woman at the start of the trail. She’s smart, beautiful, and fun. She loves science, she’s everything each of us could want in a partner, and she makes the whole trail bright and sunny, even on a rainy day. Like Nova says, she’s our nachos. I know, but I swear it makes sense. It took a bit, but we realized what we all wanted, and what we want is belong to Elizabeth Dawson. Of course, then I had to go and screw everything up. I was supposed to talk to her, and well, we got a little sidetracked. When I woke up, she was gone. She ran away thinking she did something she can’t take back. Now we’re out here looking for her. We need to find her and let her know everything is alright. That we want to be her guys if she’s willing to give us a shot. Thing is, it’s a big trail and she could be anywhere. Which is why we need you. So how about it? Can you help us find Elizabeth?
------

Finding Elizabeth is the third book of the Trail Magic series, a contemporary reverse harem romance set along the Pacific Crest Trail. Grinder, Nova, and Bats continue their five-month trek from the Mexican border to British Columbia, determined to find Belle before they lose her for good. It’s full of laughs, coffee, cheeseburgers, and chances for four young adults to figure out who they are and what they want.

Genres: Contemporary Romance

351 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 21, 2023

About the author

Chris enjoys good food, steamy books, and long walks in the forest with his wife. Or the beach. Or parks. Okay, he enjoys long walks just about everywhere, and has since he was a kid. The world around us is simply incredible, and there’s so much to see beyond what you can see outside the car window.

He also loves telling stories. When his two cats aren’t trying to add to his manuscript, that is. A lifetime player of tabletop and role-playing games, he’s always been the one to step forward to run the game, weaving a story for his friends to enjoy. Writing has been something he’s always considered. It just took finding the right story to get him started.

Like a good trail, he doesn’t know where this journey will take him, but he’s going to enjoy the trip.

Reviews

[Peaceful · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally. I have been eagerly awaiting for Trail Magic 3. We finally get to see what happens to Elizabeth and the guys. I'm obsessed with these four. I don't want to leave any spoilers, so want to know why I love these four so much and can't get enough of the PCT, run and snag a copy of California Sunshine, Sierra High, and Finding Elizabeth now! You won't regret it ..

I immediately need book four 😁

My reread was as fabulous as the first time I read it and even though I knew the ending was coming, still punched me in the gut. love it! I can't wait for book four!

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving right along… Belle is on the run and the guys are giving serious chase to get her back.
I love the sweet gestures, the girls Belle hiked with (Artemis!), Nova wearing his heart on his sleeve, the “reunion” 🔥.
I feel like I’m terrible at writing reviews. I can only say I love the story so many times. I love the hiking and the teaching Belle gives the guys as they make their way along the PCT.
The cliffhanger made me want to yeet my kindle, book 4 is gonna bring all the drama and I’m here for it. (If Bryce won’t get drop kicked off a mountain by Bats then I’ll settle for some blood shed 😬)
Anyone on the fence about this series, really needs to give it a go. It’s worth it.

[NewFriendJen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

Book three in the series and it just keeps getting better! One of my favorite aspects of their story, outside of the science and hiking, is seeing how they struggle to figure out how a relationship like this actually works. It added a realism that was refreshing and relatable. I can’t wait to see how things go in the next book!

[Tuesday.after.dark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gahhhhh left me on a cliff hanger and where is the next book?!?!

[Jessica (Read book. Repeat) · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can find this review and all my others over at Read Book. Repeat

I received a complimentary copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Book three of Trail Magic sees the guys waking up and Belle is nowhere to be found. Grinder made a serious mistake. He was meant to talk to her before anything else, but when Belle opened her door with nothing but a towel to cover her, his mind ceased to function. Now she's taken off, thinking that she's cheated on Nova and has become the very thing she despises. The guys came to a decision, but she didn't know about it, and now she's gone. They'll do everything in their power to find her before they lose her forever. With the hopes that she's still on the trail, they power forward, asking anyone and everyone whether they've seen her. Can they find her before she leaves the trail and they lose her forever?

I was stoked to receive book 3 in this series, book 2 left us on a cliffy and I needed to see how things were going to pan out for Belle, Bats, Grinder and Nova. And I was NOT disappointed. This is the moment we've been waiting for, for them to come together (no pun intended, *ahem*) and realise that they each have something that the other's need. They each have a stake in Liz and that they need to work together to make it happen.

The characters are the same that we've grown to know and love through the previous two books, though this book does see them evolving and growing a fair bit due to their unique situation. It was really awesome to be able to see Grinder learn to let go a little bit and let someone else lead, and seeing Nova work through his jealousy issues as they adapt to their new relationship. I found it to be quite refreshing as I read a lot of why choose romance, and of course, generally speaking, the whole dynamic of the actual relationship and partners is not really discussed. There have been some books where it has come up and been discussed, but generally it's not. So to come across a series where there are growing pains and teething problems as the relationship is first starting and everyone is finding their place in it was fantastic. Working through the time sharing, the jealousy issues, and the need that will arise where the guys do want some one on one time with Liz. I felt that Mor did a fantastic job of showing the realities of a multi partner relationship, I don't use the term Poly as Liz and the guys relationship is a closed one, so I'll stick with multi partner. I also love that the situation arose where an outside party realised the relationship had more than two people in it, and they had to deal with that as well. This story really gives a more realistic look into this kind of relationship and I'm super here for it. Yes we read fiction to escape reality, so not everything has to be passable as real, but it is nice to get a dose of realism in the fiction as well. For me it makes the story more believable and actually makes me fall deeper into the story because it DOES feel more real.

The characters aren't perfect in this series and I'm all for it. I love a flawed character and being able to see the characters work through their issues is always a plus for me. This series has been a page turner for me since book one, so I'm a massive advocate of it. I also loved the new characters that we got to meet. I sincerely hope we see Artemis further on down the line as she is up there as one of my favourites. The scene on the picnic table was fan-freaking-tastic!

I don't want to say much more because I don't want to give away too much. All I can say is, if you find yourself wondering whether you want to continue with the series, yes, yes you do. If you haven't started it yet, what are you doing? Go and find book one! I'm hanging for book four already after the way this one ended!! I feel like there's going to be gratuitous amounts of satisfaction to come!! Oh! Also, the spice is A+, top notch. So if you needed another reason to convince you, there you have it!! GO READ THE BOOKS!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid Continuation

Book three was a good continuation of the story. We see some nice progression of all the characters and their relationships. Book three has a heavy focus on each of the guys and Belle learning how to all be together without feelings of insecurity and jealousy. While I totally get what the author was working us through, some of the interactions and reactions of different characters, especially Belle, seemed overblown or even immature which pulled me out of the story each time the conversation didn't seem natural to how adults in a mature situation would work through something.

While there was quite a bit more steam in this book than the previous (well done too! 🔥) overall the book seemed to move a bit slower than the other two. It felt like we spent a lot less time on the trail, and took a lot of detours. The ending though... oye! That ending promises to bring some serious drama in book four! This remains such a unique story in the RH space right now. Absolutely worth reading and following. Gives me a serious itch to hike! Honestly, I love vicariously walking the trail almost as much as getting to know Belle, Bats, Grinder, and Nova.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started this book legitimately months ago and put it down for some reason, only to finally pick it back up and finish it. The last 30% was a real drag, let me tell you.

Grinder has just gotten insufferable, sorry not sorry Mr. Richards.

The big reveal at the end? What is he, a Disney villain? COME ON!

I will say, I liked learning little tidbits about the PCT, and it's actually made me do some research of my own. I'm not in any sort of physical or financial place to try this myself but it would be cool. I also think the little spats and in fighting between Grinder, Nova, and Bats is a good example of the growing pains they're all going to go through, learning how to be together.

I might go back to the series at some point but for right now, I have no plans to.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belle is on the run from the guys as we start this leg of the adventure. Thinking she's as bad as Bryce, she hitches a ride out of town to drown her sorrows and put some distance between them. Not going to ruin anything except to say they have all collectively grown as a group and individually as they've progressed along the trail. I loved how relatable they are and truth to life their characters are created. You can picture yourself bumping into these people at the store or post office. Real life is slowly creeping in which is how it goes on the PCT as this book wraps. As all good things come to an end, the low point in Belle's life is back to ruin her again.

[Elation · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps getting better

I was a bit hesitant to read this series, outdoorsy romances aren't my thing at all. I'm really glad that I tried something different. Every guy in the harem has a distinct personality and we get to know them through the series. The romance unfolds beautifully and the pacing is good as well. The ending of this one got me, I can't wait to see what happens next! It's not a cliffie, it's let's see how Belle and her harem handle the next thing. Overall its a really good story with main characters who learn from their mistakes and each other so the group is just better than they would be individually. I loved it.

[Rachel Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Continuation
What a great addition to the series!
We get, adventure, drama, lots of emtions and more spice!
I think this book focuses a lot on the growing and changing relationships between Belle and each guy. As well as how to navigate their type of relationship.
Nova, Bats and Grinder, each offer something different and I love them for it.
I'm so excited to see what happens next!
What's in store for Belle and her men?!

[Galina Sulaiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my freaking goodness, this book was deliciously good! Belle is back having taken off thinking she cheated. I absolutely loved how out of the way the guys all went in searching for her, then setting up point where they'd meet up with a surprise gesture. Artemis is a fun character who gave me a few chuckles. The way Grinder grows in this book was a joy to read. Bats is always drool worthy. Nova the sunshine. All together hiking the PCT Belle and her guys was magical to read!

[Miranda May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ughhhh. At the end of the last book, my heart was broken. At the beginning of this one, my heart was broken. What an amazing story Chris is telling. The number one thing to know about me is I HATE hiking, but man does this book make me want to go out to the West Coast and do some hiking. Lol. I love how well I can imagine what these characters are seeing and feeling. Chris has an amazing way with words, and I can't wait to see what comes next for these characters.

[RainChaser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still loving the story! It’s such a unique premise and I love reading about the trail itself. I mean, the guys are cool too. lol

Two things though:

1) it’s still cheating no matter what they tell her. I will die in this hill.

2) the formatting. Pleeeease remove all the extra spacing between paragraphs. That white space is so distracting and breaks up the flow.

[Alex Blair]

DNF 16%

[Booksfordays40 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really has its own place in the #whychoose space. I feel like we are right there with them, walking the trail, and in their heads as they navigate life- drama outside and inside… the outside world encroaches on their bubble a little bit more the further they move along the trail, and they find out that communication is more than key in their new budding relationship as they try and figure things out. This is not a fast paced book, but its a lovely rainy day read, when you need a break from dark and heavy reads. I can’t wait to see what happens next in their story to see how they navigate the storms that lay ahead!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been eagerly waiting for the 3rd book in the Trail Magic series and was lucky enough to receive an ARC. Once again we are right there with the group learning about different areas of the trails and even some educational stuff got snuck in there about volcanos! We also got to see the guys adjust to expanding their friendship to include sharing Belle and meet some new friends on the way. I was worried about how the momentum of the series was going to keep up in the next book but when an old nemesis returns, I knew I was worried for nothing! I cannot wait to see how Belle and boys deal with their new hiking partners.