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CoalCliff Stud #1
Climbing Fear
A Coalcliff Stud novel - His beloved home is under threat, and with it the beautiful, haunted woman he's never been able to forget ... X-Treme TV sports star Reid Stratton has everything-until his best friend falls to his death on a climb while shooting their show. In the fierce media fallout, Reid begins to question everything about himself. Crippled by a new fear of climbing, Reid returns to CoalCliff stud, his family's horse farm, to recover.
Single mother Natalia Robinson is determined to start afresh, away from the shadow of her past. A job at CoalCliff Stud where she lived as a child is the perfect opportunity to live the quiet life she always wanted. But she is unprepared to see Reid, and is even more unprepared for the passion that still burns between them.
But after a series of menacing events threaten the new home she is trying to build, Nat realises that Reid is the only person she can rely on to keep her and her daughter safe. Together, Reid and Nat must face the pasts that haunt them if they are to survive the present and forge a future of hope.
Single mother Natalia Robinson is determined to start afresh, away from the shadow of her past. A job at CoalCliff Stud where she lived as a child is the perfect opportunity to live the quiet life she always wanted. But she is unprepared to see Reid, and is even more unprepared for the passion that still burns between them.
But after a series of menacing events threaten the new home she is trying to build, Nat realises that Reid is the only person she can rely on to keep her and her daughter safe. Together, Reid and Nat must face the pasts that haunt them if they are to survive the present and forge a future of hope.
- GenresRomantic Suspense
384 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2020
6 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Leisl Leighton
55 books65 followersLeisl Leighton is a tall red head with an overly large imagination. As a child, she identified strongly with Anne of Green Gables, and like Anne, is a voracious reader and born performer. It came as no surprise when she went on to a career as a performer, script writer, script doctor, stage manager and musical director for cabaret and theatre restaurants.
After starting a family, Leisl stopped performing and began writing the stories plaguing her dreams. She is addicted to sci-fi and romance books and DVDs, she sometimes sings in a choir, loves to ski and horse ride, and was President of Romance Writers of Australia from 2014–2017. When she’s not writing, she helps other writers make their manuscripts shine.
You can contact Leisl through her website www.leislleighton.com or sign up to her Newsletter there and be the first to find out about new releases, appearances, special deals and exclusive giveaways.
Leisl is excited to be part of the Goodreads community and is happy to post reviews, but will only do so for books she has given 4 or more stars. 'I want to share what I love, not put negativity out into the world.'
After starting a family, Leisl stopped performing and began writing the stories plaguing her dreams. She is addicted to sci-fi and romance books and DVDs, she sometimes sings in a choir, loves to ski and horse ride, and was President of Romance Writers of Australia from 2014–2017. When she’s not writing, she helps other writers make their manuscripts shine.
You can contact Leisl through her website www.leislleighton.com or sign up to her Newsletter there and be the first to find out about new releases, appearances, special deals and exclusive giveaways.
Leisl is excited to be part of the Goodreads community and is happy to post reviews, but will only do so for books she has given 4 or more stars. 'I want to share what I love, not put negativity out into the world.'
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 27, 2020
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
Climbing Fear is part romance and part suspense, but mostly romance. It’s a second chance at love between Reid Stratton and Nat Robinson. The story was fast paced and the suspense part of the plot was intriguing. The build up towards the ending before everything comes together is rip-roaring!
Reid is a X-Treme TV sports star who witnessed and is still mourning the death of his best friend who fell to his death while they where shooting their TV show. It’s given Reid a fear of climbing and he retreats to CoalCliff Stud, his family property to pull himself together and heal.
Nat is a single mother and widow, she’s taken a job at CoalCliff Stud where she lived as a child and hasn’t returned for ten years. Nat and her daughter Tilly have been through unimaginable hell during a huge trauma in their lives recently and Nat wants to escape from that life and seek a quieter one.
Reid and Nat reunite at the ranch and work together but a series of mystery events around the property threatens their safety and their lives.
The characters of Nat and Reid are extremely likeable and I especially enjoyed the character of Barb, Reid’s grandmother.
From the title of the book it appears this is #1 of a series and I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
I wish to thank Happy Valley Books Read and Harlequin for the opportunity to win a copy of this book
Climbing Fear is part romance and part suspense, but mostly romance. It’s a second chance at love between Reid Stratton and Nat Robinson. The story was fast paced and the suspense part of the plot was intriguing. The build up towards the ending before everything comes together is rip-roaring!
Reid is a X-Treme TV sports star who witnessed and is still mourning the death of his best friend who fell to his death while they where shooting their TV show. It’s given Reid a fear of climbing and he retreats to CoalCliff Stud, his family property to pull himself together and heal.
Nat is a single mother and widow, she’s taken a job at CoalCliff Stud where she lived as a child and hasn’t returned for ten years. Nat and her daughter Tilly have been through unimaginable hell during a huge trauma in their lives recently and Nat wants to escape from that life and seek a quieter one.
Reid and Nat reunite at the ranch and work together but a series of mystery events around the property threatens their safety and their lives.
The characters of Nat and Reid are extremely likeable and I especially enjoyed the character of Barb, Reid’s grandmother.
From the title of the book it appears this is #1 of a series and I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
I wish to thank Happy Valley Books Read and Harlequin for the opportunity to win a copy of this book
January 1, 2021
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Climbing Fear by Leisl Leighton. (2020).
**Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel; published 7 October 2020**
X-Treme TV sorts star Reid has everything until his best friend dies on a climb for their show. Crippled by a new fear of climbing and questioning everything about himself, Reid returns to CoalCliff Stud, his family's horse farm, to recover. Single mum Nat is determined to start afresh and a job at CoalCliff Stud where she lived as a child seems perfect. But she is unprepared to see Reid and even more unprepared for the passion still between them. But after a series of menacing events threaten her new home, Nat realises Reid is the only person to keep her and her daughter safe. Together they must face their pasts if they are to survive the present and forge a future of hope...
This has become one of my favourite genres to read, the romanctic suspense! I really appreciate having both tones to one story so it's not too dark but it's also not too lovey-dovey for me haha. This one is more heavier on the romance, with the suspense subtle until the climatic showdown near the end. In this book we have Reid and Nat, who are both psychologically damaged from recent events in their lives that would be traumatic for anyone. Nat's daughter Tilly was a lovely kid, and Reid's grandmother Barb was a cracker, the definition of cool. The setting of CoalCliff Stud sounded beautiful and so appealing, I think I would like a holiday there...
Those readers that enjoy a bit of dramatic action alongside their love story will appreciate this novel.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
Climbing Fear by Leisl Leighton. (2020).
**Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel; published 7 October 2020**
X-Treme TV sorts star Reid has everything until his best friend dies on a climb for their show. Crippled by a new fear of climbing and questioning everything about himself, Reid returns to CoalCliff Stud, his family's horse farm, to recover. Single mum Nat is determined to start afresh and a job at CoalCliff Stud where she lived as a child seems perfect. But she is unprepared to see Reid and even more unprepared for the passion still between them. But after a series of menacing events threaten her new home, Nat realises Reid is the only person to keep her and her daughter safe. Together they must face their pasts if they are to survive the present and forge a future of hope...
This has become one of my favourite genres to read, the romanctic suspense! I really appreciate having both tones to one story so it's not too dark but it's also not too lovey-dovey for me haha. This one is more heavier on the romance, with the suspense subtle until the climatic showdown near the end. In this book we have Reid and Nat, who are both psychologically damaged from recent events in their lives that would be traumatic for anyone. Nat's daughter Tilly was a lovely kid, and Reid's grandmother Barb was a cracker, the definition of cool. The setting of CoalCliff Stud sounded beautiful and so appealing, I think I would like a holiday there...
Those readers that enjoy a bit of dramatic action alongside their love story will appreciate this novel.
October 10, 2020
Climbing Fear by Leisel Leighton is an Australian rural suspense novel set in Victoria at a family run horse stud. For me it was more romance than suspense but a great story all the same.
Reid and Nat are both looking for a fresh start. Reid has recently watched his best friend die whilst filming their Xtreme sports TV show. He is grieving, scared to climb again and doubting everything in his life. Nat is escaping her past after the death of her husband. Both just want to start over and CoalCliff Stud where they grew up is the place for that. They are not expecting to see each other though. It has been 10 years but the flame is still there but are either of them ready for it?
Thanks to Harlequin Books Australian for my advanced copy of this book to read.
Reid and Nat are both looking for a fresh start. Reid has recently watched his best friend die whilst filming their Xtreme sports TV show. He is grieving, scared to climb again and doubting everything in his life. Nat is escaping her past after the death of her husband. Both just want to start over and CoalCliff Stud where they grew up is the place for that. They are not expecting to see each other though. It has been 10 years but the flame is still there but are either of them ready for it?
Thanks to Harlequin Books Australian for my advanced copy of this book to read.
October 27, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Climbing Fear heralds the first issue in Leisl Leighton’s CoalCliff series. A generous serving of romance and a side of suspense runs through this homecoming tale. Two torn souls, haunted by loss, reconnect under the skies of this spectacular rural horse farm. A story of grief, misunderstandings, confusion, trauma, togetherness, support, recovery and healing defines Leisl Leighton’s Australian romantic suspense offering.
Climbing Fear introduces Reid Stratton. The hero of Leisl Leighton’s new tale is grieving the loss of his best friend, who fell to his death while the two were filming a climb for their extreme sports show. Faced with intense media scrutiny, Reid retreats to CoalCliff Stud. Reid hopes that his family’s horse farm will provide him with the solace and support he needs to help him overcome his new fear of climbing. Natalia Robinson also arrives at CoalCliff Stud, with the intention of rebuilding her broken life. With her daughter Tilly, Nat hopes the move to CoalCliff will help her bury the past. Nat doesn’t expect to make a connection with Reid, but when she does, passion ensues. However, both Reid and Nat’s lives are placed in jeopardy following a number of threatening incidents. Reid and Nat realise that they must band together in order to keep themselves and Nat’s daughter safe from harm. With plenty of past baggage threatening to derail this blossoming relationship, both parties will need to confront their troubled pasts to safeguard their future happiness.
In 2018 I had the pleasure of reading Dangerous Echoes, one of three rural romantic suspense stories that formed the title Echo Springs. In my review of Dangerous Echoes, I noted that I appreciated the gritty realism and romantic elements of Leisl Leighton’s story. I think this statement could be easily applied to my response to Climbing Fear. Leighton’s latest release is full of suspense, loss, trauma and intrigue, but it is also very generous on the romantic front.
Leighton has cast two very likeable leads in Climbing Fear and the reader soon develops a strong sense of sympathy for their respective predicaments. For Reid, Leighton’s leading male figure, we have a man tormented by the pain and shock loss of his best friend to a tragic accident. I can only imagine the grief, deep loss, blame and regret that came from this terrible incident. Leighton does a very good job of drawing out the feelings of loss and anguish experienced by her lead. Leighton also explores trauma and fear, through Reid’s inability to resume his climbing pursuits. I took a clear liking to Reid, he was a protagonist that you just wanted to reach inside the pages and offer him some much needed emotional support.
In Nat, the lead female character of Climbing Fear, we have a hardworking single mother, who is haunted by the ghosts of her difficult past. The loss of her ex-husband has clearly cut deep and Nat’s strong ambition to restart her life at CoalCliff made her an admirable character in my eyes. The interactions that arise between Nat, Reid and the support cast, such as Nat’s daughter Tilly and Reid’s family adds much substance to this tale.
When Reid and Nat face off things get really interesting in the love stakes. With a good dose of tension and a healthy dollop of passion igniting the hearts of these two appealing leads, the romance aspect of Climbing Fear was definitely a high point for me. Leighton’s approach to her romance thread is just fabulous. We feel the attraction, heat, reservations and other personal issues at the heart of this couple’s rocky road to future happiness.
It was a joy to spend a couple of nights while I read Climbing Fear at CoalCliff Stud. This Victorian Alps based region is brought vividly to life for the reader. Leighton’s descriptions of this area showcases the surrounding landscape, the flora and fauna this location has to offer. I was able to imagine myself on CoalCliff Stud, thanks to Leighton’s hearty descriptions of this horse farm. I would definitely make a return visit to this locale!
In terms of the suspense side of things, Climbing Fear seems to focus more on the romance, relationship development and character progression, rather than the intrigue. The small mystery component of this novel did encourage me to turn the pages of Climbing Fear. I was definitely keen to see how the situation faced by the leads would develop and resolve. It was worth sticking around for the end, which seemed to pave the way for the opening of the next volume in this cracking new Australian series.
Climbing Fear offers a tale of pain, loss, trauma, broken lives, love, homecoming, hope and healing. Leisl Leighton’s latest is a must read for lovers of Australian based contemporary romance.
*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Climbing Fear is book #113 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
Climbing Fear heralds the first issue in Leisl Leighton’s CoalCliff series. A generous serving of romance and a side of suspense runs through this homecoming tale. Two torn souls, haunted by loss, reconnect under the skies of this spectacular rural horse farm. A story of grief, misunderstandings, confusion, trauma, togetherness, support, recovery and healing defines Leisl Leighton’s Australian romantic suspense offering.
Climbing Fear introduces Reid Stratton. The hero of Leisl Leighton’s new tale is grieving the loss of his best friend, who fell to his death while the two were filming a climb for their extreme sports show. Faced with intense media scrutiny, Reid retreats to CoalCliff Stud. Reid hopes that his family’s horse farm will provide him with the solace and support he needs to help him overcome his new fear of climbing. Natalia Robinson also arrives at CoalCliff Stud, with the intention of rebuilding her broken life. With her daughter Tilly, Nat hopes the move to CoalCliff will help her bury the past. Nat doesn’t expect to make a connection with Reid, but when she does, passion ensues. However, both Reid and Nat’s lives are placed in jeopardy following a number of threatening incidents. Reid and Nat realise that they must band together in order to keep themselves and Nat’s daughter safe from harm. With plenty of past baggage threatening to derail this blossoming relationship, both parties will need to confront their troubled pasts to safeguard their future happiness.
In 2018 I had the pleasure of reading Dangerous Echoes, one of three rural romantic suspense stories that formed the title Echo Springs. In my review of Dangerous Echoes, I noted that I appreciated the gritty realism and romantic elements of Leisl Leighton’s story. I think this statement could be easily applied to my response to Climbing Fear. Leighton’s latest release is full of suspense, loss, trauma and intrigue, but it is also very generous on the romantic front.
Leighton has cast two very likeable leads in Climbing Fear and the reader soon develops a strong sense of sympathy for their respective predicaments. For Reid, Leighton’s leading male figure, we have a man tormented by the pain and shock loss of his best friend to a tragic accident. I can only imagine the grief, deep loss, blame and regret that came from this terrible incident. Leighton does a very good job of drawing out the feelings of loss and anguish experienced by her lead. Leighton also explores trauma and fear, through Reid’s inability to resume his climbing pursuits. I took a clear liking to Reid, he was a protagonist that you just wanted to reach inside the pages and offer him some much needed emotional support.
In Nat, the lead female character of Climbing Fear, we have a hardworking single mother, who is haunted by the ghosts of her difficult past. The loss of her ex-husband has clearly cut deep and Nat’s strong ambition to restart her life at CoalCliff made her an admirable character in my eyes. The interactions that arise between Nat, Reid and the support cast, such as Nat’s daughter Tilly and Reid’s family adds much substance to this tale.
When Reid and Nat face off things get really interesting in the love stakes. With a good dose of tension and a healthy dollop of passion igniting the hearts of these two appealing leads, the romance aspect of Climbing Fear was definitely a high point for me. Leighton’s approach to her romance thread is just fabulous. We feel the attraction, heat, reservations and other personal issues at the heart of this couple’s rocky road to future happiness.
It was a joy to spend a couple of nights while I read Climbing Fear at CoalCliff Stud. This Victorian Alps based region is brought vividly to life for the reader. Leighton’s descriptions of this area showcases the surrounding landscape, the flora and fauna this location has to offer. I was able to imagine myself on CoalCliff Stud, thanks to Leighton’s hearty descriptions of this horse farm. I would definitely make a return visit to this locale!
In terms of the suspense side of things, Climbing Fear seems to focus more on the romance, relationship development and character progression, rather than the intrigue. The small mystery component of this novel did encourage me to turn the pages of Climbing Fear. I was definitely keen to see how the situation faced by the leads would develop and resolve. It was worth sticking around for the end, which seemed to pave the way for the opening of the next volume in this cracking new Australian series.
Climbing Fear offers a tale of pain, loss, trauma, broken lives, love, homecoming, hope and healing. Leisl Leighton’s latest is a must read for lovers of Australian based contemporary romance.
*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Climbing Fear is book #113 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
October 20, 2020
I do love reading books in a series and this is book one and I thoroughly enjoyed it, such a beautiful story of love and hope and putting the past behind you and with the added threat of danger around the corner Reid and Nat have a rough time to mend their love and look to the future, set on such a beautiful horse stud, this is a fabulous second chance love story one that I do hope you will enjoy like I did.
Reid Stratton has come home to the place he is hoping will help him put the past and guilt behind him CoalCliff is run by his loving grandmother Barb, Reid grew up here but when he was eighteen and had just had his heart broken he ran and made his dreams come true and became and X-Treme TV sports star with his best friend Luke. Ten years later Luke was killed in a climbing accident while filming and the media come at him from all angles, home is where he can mend his heart and get back on with life.
Natalia Robinson has been to hell and back with her nine year old daughter Tilly and it is now time to look to the future for her and Tilly, now a single mum she needs to do what she can for Tilly and herself, so when Barb the closest person to a mother she has rings and offers her a job at CoalCliff, Nat jumps at the chance and moves her and Tilly back to the only home she has ever known and where she can mend but finding Reid there was not what she expected especially when her feelings for him come to the surface after all of these years.
There is a lot going on threats to take Tilly of Nat and a few odd incidents around the stud and Reid is getting worried, but the more time they spend together the more they open up to each other both have had their lives turned upside down and maybe together they can find for love and happiness again. But with the danger heating up Reid steps up and finally Nat feels like she has someone she can trust and love finally grows together they can become a family.
This is a story that has great characters that are easy to love and with suspense flowing through the story it is enough to keep me on the edge of my seat, lots of emotions running along with the suspense and the ending is wow everything comes to a head and we find out who and why there has been danger, this is a story that I highly recommend and I am sure the next story is going to be just as good, bring it on.
Thank you to Harlequin Aus and Harper Collins for my book to read.
Reid Stratton has come home to the place he is hoping will help him put the past and guilt behind him CoalCliff is run by his loving grandmother Barb, Reid grew up here but when he was eighteen and had just had his heart broken he ran and made his dreams come true and became and X-Treme TV sports star with his best friend Luke. Ten years later Luke was killed in a climbing accident while filming and the media come at him from all angles, home is where he can mend his heart and get back on with life.
Natalia Robinson has been to hell and back with her nine year old daughter Tilly and it is now time to look to the future for her and Tilly, now a single mum she needs to do what she can for Tilly and herself, so when Barb the closest person to a mother she has rings and offers her a job at CoalCliff, Nat jumps at the chance and moves her and Tilly back to the only home she has ever known and where she can mend but finding Reid there was not what she expected especially when her feelings for him come to the surface after all of these years.
There is a lot going on threats to take Tilly of Nat and a few odd incidents around the stud and Reid is getting worried, but the more time they spend together the more they open up to each other both have had their lives turned upside down and maybe together they can find for love and happiness again. But with the danger heating up Reid steps up and finally Nat feels like she has someone she can trust and love finally grows together they can become a family.
This is a story that has great characters that are easy to love and with suspense flowing through the story it is enough to keep me on the edge of my seat, lots of emotions running along with the suspense and the ending is wow everything comes to a head and we find out who and why there has been danger, this is a story that I highly recommend and I am sure the next story is going to be just as good, bring it on.
Thank you to Harlequin Aus and Harper Collins for my book to read.
June 7, 2021
This book started well. Our hero, Reid, is a rock climber who, along with his best friend, Luke, turned his passion for this extreme sport into a successful tv show. With shades of [the movie] Cliffhanger, tragedy then struck when Luke plunged to his death in an apparent suicidal act. I really enjoyed this part, and was expecting more of this from the rest of the book. This is what I signed up for! But…
After that great opening chapter the book also took a dive into strictly rural romance territory - a rambling rural romance that soon had me bored and skimming.
Our heroine, Nat, returns to CoalCliff Stud, a farm which is run as a camp where Nat spent her youth. As teenagers she and Reid had a relationship of sorts, and this is more of the focus of the book -- the second chance at love trope. Nat also has a sad backstory too, of course, with her husband suffering from PTSD and taking it out on her before turning a gun on himself.
When I say rambling, at the 25% mark, Nat and her daughter, Tilly, were still settling in to their farm cottage and being shown around the place. There’s choosing of bedrooms and dogs to meet and horses to feed and clothes to unpack and… Skim.
I think the book might have worked better for me if there was more suspense/mystery plot. Seriously, there’s only the slightest sprinkling and unfortunately it’s not really mysterious or suspenseful. Rather, it’s all a little obvious. As I’ve said, it’s eclipsed by the horse riding and ute mustering. There's also annoying repetitive inner thoughts of Nat as to why she couldn’t possibly become involved with Reid again (which is pretty much one of the weaker conflicts I’ve read in romances, and I’ve read some weak ones!).
I’m trying to think whether or not you’d love this if you love rural romance… Maybe, although I still think that part needed something else too. Another review mentioned that the characters talked and thought a lot about their past and what happened and it would have been a better book if Leighton had just thrown in some flashback scenes actually showing what happened instead. I couldn’t agree more.
The pop culture/sci fi names for the farm animals was cute. (Although, I must point out it’s Bosley in Charlie’s Angels, not Boswell. Yes, I might have watched it once or twice or a million times when I was younger.)
Anyway, bit of a shame this book was such a disappointment. Maybe 1 1/2 to 2 out of 5?
After that great opening chapter the book also took a dive into strictly rural romance territory - a rambling rural romance that soon had me bored and skimming.
Our heroine, Nat, returns to CoalCliff Stud, a farm which is run as a camp where Nat spent her youth. As teenagers she and Reid had a relationship of sorts, and this is more of the focus of the book -- the second chance at love trope. Nat also has a sad backstory too, of course, with her husband suffering from PTSD and taking it out on her before turning a gun on himself.
When I say rambling, at the 25% mark, Nat and her daughter, Tilly, were still settling in to their farm cottage and being shown around the place. There’s choosing of bedrooms and dogs to meet and horses to feed and clothes to unpack and… Skim.
I think the book might have worked better for me if there was more suspense/mystery plot. Seriously, there’s only the slightest sprinkling and unfortunately it’s not really mysterious or suspenseful. Rather, it’s all a little obvious. As I’ve said, it’s eclipsed by the horse riding and ute mustering. There's also annoying repetitive inner thoughts of Nat as to why she couldn’t possibly become involved with Reid again (which is pretty much one of the weaker conflicts I’ve read in romances, and I’ve read some weak ones!).
I’m trying to think whether or not you’d love this if you love rural romance… Maybe, although I still think that part needed something else too. Another review mentioned that the characters talked and thought a lot about their past and what happened and it would have been a better book if Leighton had just thrown in some flashback scenes actually showing what happened instead. I couldn’t agree more.
The pop culture/sci fi names for the farm animals was cute. (Although, I must point out it’s Bosley in Charlie’s Angels, not Boswell. Yes, I might have watched it once or twice or a million times when I was younger.)
Anyway, bit of a shame this book was such a disappointment. Maybe 1 1/2 to 2 out of 5?
September 13, 2020
This is the first in a romantic suspense series centred around the Coalcliff Stud, a property on the edge of Victoria’s alpine region which runs horseriding camps for kids, trail rides and some adventure activities. Matriarch Barb runs the show and specializes in taking in lost souls.
Years ago, Natalia was one of Barb’s lost souls. Coalcliff was a safe haven for her growing up, until she got mixed up with Barb’s grandson Reid, who at just 18 was four years younger than she. Unable to deal with the intensity of their relationship, Nat took off and ended up married to someone else… a marriage that ended in blood and tragedy and left her needing a safe haven once again, this time with her nine-year-old daughter Tilly in tow.
Reid’s lived his own share of disaster. A world-class climber with his own TV show, he’s lost his nerve after his best friend Luke died right in front of his eyes. He’s going home to Coalcliff to try and put the shattered pieces of his life back together… but the last person he expected to find there was Nat.
There is SO MUCH backstory for these two, and honestly… I think in trying to avoid info-dumping the backstory, Leighton has gone a bit too light on. Information is doled out in dribs and drabs, which is okay if it’s part of what leads into the suspense plot, but just confusing when it comes to the details of Nat and Reid’s prior relationship and why it failed. I was left with way too many questions. I checked twice on the series information for this, wondering if it really was a first in series, or maybe tied back in to an earlier series by the author, because there were all these hints about Previous Important Events, but we never got a full explanation of them. There were a few weird continuity things too - Barb is 63 but her grandson is 28? Something a bit hinky about the maths there.
Those things aside, the romance plot was actually really good. There was some gorgeous pining between two very damaged souls, Tilly was a delightful plot moppet, and there are lots of wholesome country activities going on with horses and dogs (though I have to give a trigger warning for animal death, so be aware). The suspense plot was intriguing and took a surprising twist at the end… though I admit I’d have liked to see the ultimate villain featured a little earlier. The reveal had me wondering yet again if this led on from another series where he appeared, because he did pop up a little bit out of the blue.
I did enjoy this, but I think it needed to be about 20% longer. Maybe it was cut down to meet a publisher’s required word count, I don’t know, but it reads that way, and what got cut was backstory that was actually essential to really understand and empathise with Nat and Reid’s situation. I loved Coalcliff Stud, and several characters were introduced who I suspect are going to get their own books later on, which would be good to see. Overall a good read. Four stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
Years ago, Natalia was one of Barb’s lost souls. Coalcliff was a safe haven for her growing up, until she got mixed up with Barb’s grandson Reid, who at just 18 was four years younger than she. Unable to deal with the intensity of their relationship, Nat took off and ended up married to someone else… a marriage that ended in blood and tragedy and left her needing a safe haven once again, this time with her nine-year-old daughter Tilly in tow.
Reid’s lived his own share of disaster. A world-class climber with his own TV show, he’s lost his nerve after his best friend Luke died right in front of his eyes. He’s going home to Coalcliff to try and put the shattered pieces of his life back together… but the last person he expected to find there was Nat.
There is SO MUCH backstory for these two, and honestly… I think in trying to avoid info-dumping the backstory, Leighton has gone a bit too light on. Information is doled out in dribs and drabs, which is okay if it’s part of what leads into the suspense plot, but just confusing when it comes to the details of Nat and Reid’s prior relationship and why it failed. I was left with way too many questions. I checked twice on the series information for this, wondering if it really was a first in series, or maybe tied back in to an earlier series by the author, because there were all these hints about Previous Important Events, but we never got a full explanation of them. There were a few weird continuity things too - Barb is 63 but her grandson is 28? Something a bit hinky about the maths there.
Those things aside, the romance plot was actually really good. There was some gorgeous pining between two very damaged souls, Tilly was a delightful plot moppet, and there are lots of wholesome country activities going on with horses and dogs (though I have to give a trigger warning for animal death, so be aware). The suspense plot was intriguing and took a surprising twist at the end… though I admit I’d have liked to see the ultimate villain featured a little earlier. The reveal had me wondering yet again if this led on from another series where he appeared, because he did pop up a little bit out of the blue.
I did enjoy this, but I think it needed to be about 20% longer. Maybe it was cut down to meet a publisher’s required word count, I don’t know, but it reads that way, and what got cut was backstory that was actually essential to really understand and empathise with Nat and Reid’s situation. I loved Coalcliff Stud, and several characters were introduced who I suspect are going to get their own books later on, which would be good to see. Overall a good read. Four stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
August 27, 2019
Climbing Fear is book one in the CoalCliff Stud series by Leisl Leighton. After the death of her husband, Natalia Robinson decided to start fresh with her daughter at Coalcliff Stud as the new event manager. However, for Natalia, her childhood friend, Reid Stratton, the grandson of the owners of Coalcliff came home to recuperate after the death of his friend Luke. Natalia and Reid have more to contend with then their budding romance something strang was happing on the farm. The readers of Climbing Fear will continue to follow Reid and Natalia to find out what happens.
Climbing Fear is the first book I have read of Leisl Leighton, and I am so pleased that I found this book. I engaged with the plot and the characters from the first page. I loved Leisl Leighton portrayal of her characters and the way they interacted with each other. Climbing Fear is well written and researched by Leisi Leighton. I enjoy Leisi Leighton describing of her settings and the way they complete the plot of this book.
Readers of Climbing Fear will learn about how PTSD and how it affects people differently. Also, readers of Climbing Fear will start to understand the importance of children who are at risk to have a safe place with people who care to allow them to grow.
I recommend this book.
Climbing Fear is the first book I have read of Leisl Leighton, and I am so pleased that I found this book. I engaged with the plot and the characters from the first page. I loved Leisl Leighton portrayal of her characters and the way they interacted with each other. Climbing Fear is well written and researched by Leisi Leighton. I enjoy Leisi Leighton describing of her settings and the way they complete the plot of this book.
Readers of Climbing Fear will learn about how PTSD and how it affects people differently. Also, readers of Climbing Fear will start to understand the importance of children who are at risk to have a safe place with people who care to allow them to grow.
I recommend this book.
December 16, 2020
An interesting foray into the Australian suspense-romance genre, Leighton writes with great control of dialogue and description, all-encompassing wit and wonder, and with great intrigue into her imagined world, and its perils.
July 6, 2019
The setting of the area and the property CoalCliff Stud were very much part of the story. The atmospheric cover itself told me straight away I was in for a book with plenty of suspense.
There were two storylines that met at CoalCliff Stud, one was our main man Reid's story and the other our main female character Nat's story. Both are running from things that have happened to them and CoalCliff Stud is the place from their childhood where they both feel safe to do their healing.
I loved Nat's daughter Tilly, who is trying hard to be brave for her mum. And I loved interfering Barb, who has drawn Nat back to CoalCliff Stud. Barb is a great secondary character and I really enjoyed the role she had to play in pushing Nat and Reid to face some truths of the past and the present. She was also such a warm character, just the person you would want to help you through tough times.
The layers of suspense throughout the novel were just right and kept me guessing till the end to see what would happen and who was responsible. There was one character I definitely had some suspicions about right from when he enters the scene but had no idea why he would be doing what I thought he was doing.
I really enjoyed the growing relationship between Reid and Nat and the way they helped each other heal, despite misunderstandings, and how they had to face their own truths along the way. I hope, seeing as this is the first in a new series, that we get to see how they are doing down the track in the next books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Escape Publishing for providing me with a digital copy in return for an honest review.
There were two storylines that met at CoalCliff Stud, one was our main man Reid's story and the other our main female character Nat's story. Both are running from things that have happened to them and CoalCliff Stud is the place from their childhood where they both feel safe to do their healing.
I loved Nat's daughter Tilly, who is trying hard to be brave for her mum. And I loved interfering Barb, who has drawn Nat back to CoalCliff Stud. Barb is a great secondary character and I really enjoyed the role she had to play in pushing Nat and Reid to face some truths of the past and the present. She was also such a warm character, just the person you would want to help you through tough times.
The layers of suspense throughout the novel were just right and kept me guessing till the end to see what would happen and who was responsible. There was one character I definitely had some suspicions about right from when he enters the scene but had no idea why he would be doing what I thought he was doing.
I really enjoyed the growing relationship between Reid and Nat and the way they helped each other heal, despite misunderstandings, and how they had to face their own truths along the way. I hope, seeing as this is the first in a new series, that we get to see how they are doing down the track in the next books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Escape Publishing for providing me with a digital copy in return for an honest review.
June 25, 2019
Posted on Les Romantiques - Le forum du site
Reviewed by Rinou
Review Copy from the Publisher
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
2.5/5
In what is presented as the first volume in the CoalCliff Studs series, we meet Natalia when she comes back to her childhood horses’ farm to begin a new life with her daughter after her ex-husband’s death. She meets again Reid who, after his best friend’s alpinism accident, has come to seek refuge at his grand-mother’s to try and fix his soul.
I found the main characters interesting and their pasts seem to be well thought, unfortunately we only discover these pasts little by little through diverse hints that made me thought they were perhaps present in another book. I thought it made the reading frustrating as I wanted to know more than the snippets put here and there. Between them it’s a childhood friends reunion story, but we quickly understand through other hints that they were more than friends shortly before Nat went away and married her daughter’s father, but it takes a long time to finally learn more. The attraction between them is fast, bringing a lot of sensuality to the story, but both struggle against their feelings so don’t wait for a lot of love scenes, which is perfect here. Reid is the first to admit his feelings and talk about them. It’s also the character I preferred and I though his anxiety after the accident where his friend died understandable and realistic.
On the secondary characters’ side, Reid’s grand-mother, owner of the farm, is colourful (even her hair lol), Nat’s daughter is a typical pre-teen: grumpy but with an easily diverted attention, and Steve, another of Reid’s friends, seems a bit transparent, willingly or not.
The synopsis leads to think it’s a romantic suspense, but not at all. In reality it’s a contemporary romance sprinkled with a little touch of suspense. At the half of the book nothing had yet happened, and in the whole novel less than a quarter concerns a suspense quite evident from the start and of which one of the culprits is as evident from his first appearance.
The story isn’t helped by numerous descriptions and repetitions, sometimes the descriptions are repeated like when the hero explains to the girl how to take care of the horses, and then the author describes the heroine doing everything the hero said. There are also lots of repetitions in the couple’s thoughts, especially concerning their feelings for the other and what they want of it.
All in all it’s a correct novel that didn’t grab me in spite of certain qualities.
Reviewed by Rinou
Review Copy from the Publisher
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
2.5/5
In what is presented as the first volume in the CoalCliff Studs series, we meet Natalia when she comes back to her childhood horses’ farm to begin a new life with her daughter after her ex-husband’s death. She meets again Reid who, after his best friend’s alpinism accident, has come to seek refuge at his grand-mother’s to try and fix his soul.
I found the main characters interesting and their pasts seem to be well thought, unfortunately we only discover these pasts little by little through diverse hints that made me thought they were perhaps present in another book. I thought it made the reading frustrating as I wanted to know more than the snippets put here and there. Between them it’s a childhood friends reunion story, but we quickly understand through other hints that they were more than friends shortly before Nat went away and married her daughter’s father, but it takes a long time to finally learn more. The attraction between them is fast, bringing a lot of sensuality to the story, but both struggle against their feelings so don’t wait for a lot of love scenes, which is perfect here. Reid is the first to admit his feelings and talk about them. It’s also the character I preferred and I though his anxiety after the accident where his friend died understandable and realistic.
On the secondary characters’ side, Reid’s grand-mother, owner of the farm, is colourful (even her hair lol), Nat’s daughter is a typical pre-teen: grumpy but with an easily diverted attention, and Steve, another of Reid’s friends, seems a bit transparent, willingly or not.
The synopsis leads to think it’s a romantic suspense, but not at all. In reality it’s a contemporary romance sprinkled with a little touch of suspense. At the half of the book nothing had yet happened, and in the whole novel less than a quarter concerns a suspense quite evident from the start and of which one of the culprits is as evident from his first appearance.
The story isn’t helped by numerous descriptions and repetitions, sometimes the descriptions are repeated like when the hero explains to the girl how to take care of the horses, and then the author describes the heroine doing everything the hero said. There are also lots of repetitions in the couple’s thoughts, especially concerning their feelings for the other and what they want of it.
All in all it’s a correct novel that didn’t grab me in spite of certain qualities.
July 3, 2019
DNF 45%
As another reviewer stated, the descriptions are over the top in this book. The author goes on and on for paragraphs describing something that probably could have been described in 2-3 sentences. There's almost an over attention to detail.
But the bigger issue I had in this book is that I didn't feel any emotional connection between the characters. We're told about their history together, we're told about how they felt together, we're told about the issues they dealt with when they were apart. We're never shown any of these. I would have loved to read flashbacks to their time on the ranch when they were young. Flashbacks to Natalia's ex and her dealing with his issues. Flashbacks to Reid's friendship with his business partner and ultimately his loss.
We're TOLD a ton, but never shown.
** ARC received from Netgalley **
As another reviewer stated, the descriptions are over the top in this book. The author goes on and on for paragraphs describing something that probably could have been described in 2-3 sentences. There's almost an over attention to detail.
But the bigger issue I had in this book is that I didn't feel any emotional connection between the characters. We're told about their history together, we're told about how they felt together, we're told about the issues they dealt with when they were apart. We're never shown any of these. I would have loved to read flashbacks to their time on the ranch when they were young. Flashbacks to Natalia's ex and her dealing with his issues. Flashbacks to Reid's friendship with his business partner and ultimately his loss.
We're TOLD a ton, but never shown.
** ARC received from Netgalley **
October 7, 2020
A romantic suspense tale with an enthralling plot, appealing characters and an eerie misty setting all tied up in one satisfying novel.
Reid Stratton, a tv superstar returns to CoalCliff horse farm, his family home after witnessing his best friend’s death while filming their sports tv show.
Natalia ‘Nat’ Robinson, a single mother moves away from her murky past and accepts a job at CoalCliff, a place where she lived as a child.
Unaware that Reid is also there she is caught off guard that the passion and desire they had as youngsters is still on fire.
What both of them don’t know is that danger is not far away.
This is an compelling story that’s more heavy on the romance and light on the suspense but this doesn’t take away from the fact that the reader will be pulled into the book.
Well written, convincing and discussing many issues and you will be drawn to the many different personalities of the characters.
The strength of this story is the touching heartfelt relationship between Reid and Nat and Nat’s daughter Tilly.
The chemistry is there between the two leads and you can feel the heat from the pages and when danger lurks they look out for each other.
Perhaps there’s more to come from CoalCliff so maybe there’s a return visit on the cards.
September 28, 2022
Not normally one for romance but when climbing is involved I was all in. This was read on a climbing trip and provided much amusement and story reading of the climbing sections on the road trip.
August 12, 2019
“Climbing Fear” is a romantic suspense novel; its’ strengths lie largely in the romance area, with the suspense elements being considerably weaker. It’s an enjoyable read, but romance readers will enjoy it far more than readers who are interested primarily in suspense.
Reid and Natalia both grew up at Coalcliff, a rural property in Australia. Both had difficult relationships with their parents, but found a home here with Barb.
Reid went on to great success as a climber and media personality, always partnered with his childhood friend Luke. But now Luke is gone, a victim of a climbing accident, and Reid is suffering from a crippling fear that prevents him climbing again. His whole identity is tied up with his life as a sportsperson and star; he retreats to Coalcliff to lick his wounds and reassess his life.
At almost the same time, Natalia retreats to Coalcliff too. After the violent death of her husband and a subsequent media storm, she and her ten year old daughter need a place to hide. Barb offers refuge and a job. And, unknowingly, a chance for Natalia and Reid to rediscover the blistering heat between them that left them both burnt years ago.
Violence seems to have followed Natalia to Coalcliff. What’s happening? Who can she trust? How can she protect her daughter?
As I noted, the suspense element of this novel isn’t very strong. I found much of it quite predictable, a little unbelievable, and frankly not all that exciting or interesting. Leighton hasn’t quite hit the mark with this sub-plot, and if you read a lot of suspense, you’re likely to find this strand very disappointing.
On the other hand, the romance element is well written and convincing. Leighton makes you believe that the fire between Reid and Natalia is ignited quickly and is irresistible. She convinces you that these two damaged people could come together to make something good. The misunderstandings and misgivings are more believable than in many romance novels, and she’s thoughtful about the kind of obstacles they might face in the long run.
“Climbing Fear” is a light read, and a largely enjoyable one. It isn’t compelling though, and I doubt it will prove particularly memorable. Still, many romance readers will appreciate it.
Reid and Natalia both grew up at Coalcliff, a rural property in Australia. Both had difficult relationships with their parents, but found a home here with Barb.
Reid went on to great success as a climber and media personality, always partnered with his childhood friend Luke. But now Luke is gone, a victim of a climbing accident, and Reid is suffering from a crippling fear that prevents him climbing again. His whole identity is tied up with his life as a sportsperson and star; he retreats to Coalcliff to lick his wounds and reassess his life.
At almost the same time, Natalia retreats to Coalcliff too. After the violent death of her husband and a subsequent media storm, she and her ten year old daughter need a place to hide. Barb offers refuge and a job. And, unknowingly, a chance for Natalia and Reid to rediscover the blistering heat between them that left them both burnt years ago.
Violence seems to have followed Natalia to Coalcliff. What’s happening? Who can she trust? How can she protect her daughter?
As I noted, the suspense element of this novel isn’t very strong. I found much of it quite predictable, a little unbelievable, and frankly not all that exciting or interesting. Leighton hasn’t quite hit the mark with this sub-plot, and if you read a lot of suspense, you’re likely to find this strand very disappointing.
On the other hand, the romance element is well written and convincing. Leighton makes you believe that the fire between Reid and Natalia is ignited quickly and is irresistible. She convinces you that these two damaged people could come together to make something good. The misunderstandings and misgivings are more believable than in many romance novels, and she’s thoughtful about the kind of obstacles they might face in the long run.
“Climbing Fear” is a light read, and a largely enjoyable one. It isn’t compelling though, and I doubt it will prove particularly memorable. Still, many romance readers will appreciate it.
October 8, 2020
When I first read the synopsis for this book, it ticked all my boxes. Australian novel, romance with a bit of suspense - sounded good to me. There were a lot of positive things about it, it had such good bones! It fell a little short though, sorry to say.
Nat is a single mother with a grumpty pre-teen, Tilly. Both of them have been through a lot of emotional turmoil and they run to Coalcliff Stud, where Nat spent some very happy times when she was a child. Reid is another damaged soul who spent a lot of time at Coalcliff Stud, because his grandmother owns it. He met Nat when they were young adults and they had a spark immediately. However, through a variety of reasons, they went their separate ways. You can see where I am going with this. Of course, Nat and Reid still have an attraction 10 years later. I do love the two of them as a couple :) I loved little Tilly and grandma Barb as well. The descriptions of the bush and the people who lived there were spot on and it made me want to go there!
Some not so good things. I felt like I was coming in half-way, and I checked a couple of times to make sure that I WAS actually reading the first book in the series, I kept on thinking I was missing something. I think the background story of both Reid and Nat could have been covered in a little more depth. The facts came out a bit at a time and there are still some things I don't really get. Steve's character was very light and the way he came into the story, well, I knew that he wasn't there just by chance. I would have liked to have seen a bit more characterisation around him and Luke as well. The maths didn't work; Barb was 63 and her grandson was 28? I think the story could have been a little longer and it would have worked better?
Anyway, overall, I enjoyed this book and give it 4 stars. I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series :)
Thank you to Harlequin Australia for the chance to read this story. The opinions in this review are entirely my own and are not influenced by anyone else.
Nat is a single mother with a grumpty pre-teen, Tilly. Both of them have been through a lot of emotional turmoil and they run to Coalcliff Stud, where Nat spent some very happy times when she was a child. Reid is another damaged soul who spent a lot of time at Coalcliff Stud, because his grandmother owns it. He met Nat when they were young adults and they had a spark immediately. However, through a variety of reasons, they went their separate ways. You can see where I am going with this. Of course, Nat and Reid still have an attraction 10 years later. I do love the two of them as a couple :) I loved little Tilly and grandma Barb as well. The descriptions of the bush and the people who lived there were spot on and it made me want to go there!
Some not so good things. I felt like I was coming in half-way, and I checked a couple of times to make sure that I WAS actually reading the first book in the series, I kept on thinking I was missing something. I think the background story of both Reid and Nat could have been covered in a little more depth. The facts came out a bit at a time and there are still some things I don't really get. Steve's character was very light and the way he came into the story, well, I knew that he wasn't there just by chance. I would have liked to have seen a bit more characterisation around him and Luke as well. The maths didn't work; Barb was 63 and her grandson was 28? I think the story could have been a little longer and it would have worked better?
Anyway, overall, I enjoyed this book and give it 4 stars. I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series :)
Thank you to Harlequin Australia for the chance to read this story. The opinions in this review are entirely my own and are not influenced by anyone else.
June 3, 2019
X-Treme Sports TV Star Reid Stratton can't get over the death of his best friend Luke who died in a climbing accident. Or was it a suicide? Reid can't sleep, can't climb, is a real mess. He decides to go home to Coal CLiff Stud Horse Farm where his Gran is waiting to give him healing hugs and there's plenty of work to do to keep him busy and not thinking of his loss. Gran hires Natalia Robinson to do PR work for Coal Cliff. Nat is also returning home as she lived at Coal Cliff in her youth. Along with her daughter Tilly, Nat makes the drive to Walhalla and her new job. She needs to escape the memories of bad times with her deceased husband. Nat feels Coal Cliff would be a great place for Tilly to heal from the trama of her father's death plus it's a great place to grow up.
Nat and Reid have a history. Reid fell in love with Nat many years ago. When Nat returned to Coal Cliff to help take care of her dying mother 10 years ago they had a brief affair. Nat ran away back to her ex-fiance and got married to him. Reid ran off and got involved in X-Treme sports and became an international star. Now they meet again. The sparks are real! The attraction is red hot! Now what will happen?
Climbing Fear by Leisl Leighton is the first book in her new series Coal Cliff Stud. This is a romantic suspense story which is light on suspense and heavy on romance. This works just fine for this story. The author did a great job of hooking me into the story from the very beginning. I liked the characters and enjoyed the re-establishment of Nat and Reid's relationship. Eight-year-old Tilly added much interest and fun to the story.I look forward to more stories about the people of Coal Cliff horse farm.
Nat and Reid have a history. Reid fell in love with Nat many years ago. When Nat returned to Coal Cliff to help take care of her dying mother 10 years ago they had a brief affair. Nat ran away back to her ex-fiance and got married to him. Reid ran off and got involved in X-Treme sports and became an international star. Now they meet again. The sparks are real! The attraction is red hot! Now what will happen?
Climbing Fear by Leisl Leighton is the first book in her new series Coal Cliff Stud. This is a romantic suspense story which is light on suspense and heavy on romance. This works just fine for this story. The author did a great job of hooking me into the story from the very beginning. I liked the characters and enjoyed the re-establishment of Nat and Reid's relationship. Eight-year-old Tilly added much interest and fun to the story.I look forward to more stories about the people of Coal Cliff horse farm.
July 18, 2019
In Leisl Leighton's Climbing Fear, the first installment in the Coalcliff Stud romantic suspense series, this debut will leave you breathless and send goosebumps on your skin. For Natalia Robinson, she's a single mother and a widow, who needs a job and a place to keep her daughter safe. And she returns to Coalcliff Stud Ranch in Australia, when she could be safe from harm and escape her fears. For Reid Stratton, he's an action star on TV who's famous for climbing rock walls and mountains. But when his best friend Luke dies in a fall, he takes a break from shooting the series and returns to Coalcliff Stud, a place that's filled with memories and when his grandparents looked after him. That's when Nat and Reid reunite and work together on the ranch while they've gotten to know each other better as they started to work at the camp for young kids. For Nat, she has never gotten over her heartbreak from Reid in years gone by. But she fears that her former in-laws that might take her daughter away from her and turn her against her. She's also left emotionally scarred from when her husband attacked her before he killed himself. While Reid tries to get over his fear of climbing without Luke, things happen at the ranch: someone's been targeting the people at the ranch with attacks and spooking the horses along the way, both giving Nat and Reid a fright and a climbing fear. Together, the chemistry between them are sultry and steamy hot, when they try to find a way back into each other's hearts before danger strikes and hits close to home.
June 22, 2019
I relaxed into this book almost from the first page. The characters were so well developed they felt like real people to me. Their dialogue and mannerisms were natural and realistic and as a result the plot was believable.
Both Natalia and Reid, the stars of this show, have returned to Coalcliff ten years after leaving. Nat is seeking a new beginning with her daughter after the death of her abusive husband while Reid hopes to regain his strength and overcome his fear of climbing, which arose after the death of his best friend and partner Luke. Both are emotional wrecks in their own ways and when strange things start to happen the tension ramps up.
The setting near the old Victorian gold mining town of Walhalla is perfect for the story, which has a real Australian bush feel to it. There’s a sense of community that matches the setting.
I really enjoyed this book both for the plot and for the characters. I felt invested in the outcome of their story from the start and pleasantly satisfied at the end.
Both Natalia and Reid, the stars of this show, have returned to Coalcliff ten years after leaving. Nat is seeking a new beginning with her daughter after the death of her abusive husband while Reid hopes to regain his strength and overcome his fear of climbing, which arose after the death of his best friend and partner Luke. Both are emotional wrecks in their own ways and when strange things start to happen the tension ramps up.
The setting near the old Victorian gold mining town of Walhalla is perfect for the story, which has a real Australian bush feel to it. There’s a sense of community that matches the setting.
I really enjoyed this book both for the plot and for the characters. I felt invested in the outcome of their story from the start and pleasantly satisfied at the end.
June 16, 2019
After his best friend and business partner dies in a supposed rock climbing accident, extreme sports TV star Reid Stratton can’t face his fears and climb again. He decides he needs some healing time and takes up his Gran’s offer to return to the familiarity of Coalcliff Palomino Stud the Victorian Alpine Region. He had initially left because of a girl called Nat but now she’s back with her young daughter Tilly after her husband’s suicide.
This was a very easy read but a little too ‘sweet’ for me. It reminded me of the American rural romances of which I’m not really a fan of, maybe because I felt there were a few americanism terms in the story which put me off, this is an annoyance for me when the book is in an Australian setting.
But really that’s just my personal issue, overall the book is a gentle read with a hint of suspense and big on second chance romance, with healing and forgiveness at the fore.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.
This was a very easy read but a little too ‘sweet’ for me. It reminded me of the American rural romances of which I’m not really a fan of, maybe because I felt there were a few americanism terms in the story which put me off, this is an annoyance for me when the book is in an Australian setting.
But really that’s just my personal issue, overall the book is a gentle read with a hint of suspense and big on second chance romance, with healing and forgiveness at the fore.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.
July 10, 2021
My first encounter with Leisl Leighton and I loved her writing style! 'Climbing Fear' is a love story set in the present with some backstory to Nat and Reid's respective past lives and their journey to finding love, a place of hope.
Nat and her young daughter have gone through hell and hope to find refuge at CoalCliff Stud to mend their broken lives. The place that holds memories of a past she's not sure she's willing to face, but is determined to make a better life for herself and her daughter. But is she ready to face her pass? A pass that reminds her of one person, Reid...
Reid returns to CoalCliff Stud, his family home, after a personal disaster and injury, suffering the loss of his best mate. He is a broken man who fears he may never climb the cliffs and mountain tops that made him the man he became... Will he ever find the strength and courage to become that man once again, not knowing what the future holds? And facing Nat again?
Nat and her young daughter have gone through hell and hope to find refuge at CoalCliff Stud to mend their broken lives. The place that holds memories of a past she's not sure she's willing to face, but is determined to make a better life for herself and her daughter. But is she ready to face her pass? A pass that reminds her of one person, Reid...
Reid returns to CoalCliff Stud, his family home, after a personal disaster and injury, suffering the loss of his best mate. He is a broken man who fears he may never climb the cliffs and mountain tops that made him the man he became... Will he ever find the strength and courage to become that man once again, not knowing what the future holds? And facing Nat again?
July 1, 2019
Great book
Normally when I finish a book I like to post about it when I finish it. That’s when all the emotions and joy of the book are flowing through me and it’s an honest appraisal on how it made me feel. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to do that with my last read as I finished it as a sneaky read at work but that still doesn’t take away from how much I enjoyed it. This is the first novel of Leisl Leighton’s that I have read and it definitely won’t be the last. Leisl portrayal of her characters were second to none. She drew me into the story from the time I started reading to the last page. The issues she tackled in it and the way it was told, showed a lot of the talent for writing she has. I loved it and if your looking for something to read, grab yourself a copy and go for it. Great book.
Normally when I finish a book I like to post about it when I finish it. That’s when all the emotions and joy of the book are flowing through me and it’s an honest appraisal on how it made me feel. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to do that with my last read as I finished it as a sneaky read at work but that still doesn’t take away from how much I enjoyed it. This is the first novel of Leisl Leighton’s that I have read and it definitely won’t be the last. Leisl portrayal of her characters were second to none. She drew me into the story from the time I started reading to the last page. The issues she tackled in it and the way it was told, showed a lot of the talent for writing she has. I loved it and if your looking for something to read, grab yourself a copy and go for it. Great book.
Read
December 20, 2020I really enjoyed the setting of this romantic suspense novel, and as a once horse-mad teenager, I particularly liked the strong role of trail riding and horse care throughout the story. The character of Gran was lovely, she had some of the best lines in the book, and was the type of hard-working, no-nonsense but loving grandmother everyone wishes they had. The action really amped up in the second half of the story and finished on a satisfying note for the main protagonists Natalia and Reid, mixing suspense nicely with romance. There was also a strong dose of just-desserts for the less savoury characters. Thanks to Harlequin for my advance review copy.
February 8, 2021
I enjoyed parts of this book more than others.
The second-chance love story was good, but I didn’t really get on board with the mystery element. It felt a bit forced.
Nat returns to her childhood home and runs in to “the-one-she-wouldn’t-consider-previously-because-of-his-age”, but he is different now and she has been through something too.
A great story about putting things behind you, or maybe about bringing back the past bits that made you happy, but still moving forward and allowing something to be good.
The second-chance love story was good, but I didn’t really get on board with the mystery element. It felt a bit forced.
Nat returns to her childhood home and runs in to “the-one-she-wouldn’t-consider-previously-because-of-his-age”, but he is different now and she has been through something too.
A great story about putting things behind you, or maybe about bringing back the past bits that made you happy, but still moving forward and allowing something to be good.
May 22, 2021
The first half of the book was great, it made me want to visit country Australia again and I thought this would be a 4 star read. Then it became overly melodramatic - everyone had an over-the-top tragic backstory; the villain plot was unnecessary and silly.
December 10, 2020
Nice little twist at the end to top off a nice read
April 5, 2021
Enjoyable read.
June 11, 2021
I enjoyed this part romance part suspense book.
February 13, 2023
An enjoyable read:)
June 25, 2019
2,5/5
Un résumé qui laisse penser à un romantic suspense, mais finalement c’est un contemporain saupoudré d’un soupçon de suspense assez prévisible qui couvre environ un quart de l’histoire (et encore…). Des personnages sympathiques mais trop de répétitions dans les descriptions comme dans les pensées, dommage.
Avis complet https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Un résumé qui laisse penser à un romantic suspense, mais finalement c’est un contemporain saupoudré d’un soupçon de suspense assez prévisible qui couvre environ un quart de l’histoire (et encore…). Des personnages sympathiques mais trop de répétitions dans les descriptions comme dans les pensées, dommage.
Avis complet https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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