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The Climb
From award-winning, young adult author Amra Pajalic comes a friends to lovers, YA stand-alone romance novella
Noah and Zephyra have been best friends since they started high school. Zephyra thinks of Noah as a brother. Noah thinks Zephyra is the one.
Zephyra’s only interest in romance is between the covers of her favourite romance novels. Noah believes now that they’re sixteen it’s just a matter of time until their friendship becomes a relationship.
When they are completing a one week bike marathon their friendship hits some unexpected speed bumps. Will their friendship turn into something more or will they crash?
If you love slow burn romance with forced proximity, and a zero to hero makeover, you'll love The Climb, a young adult contemporary romance.
Noah and Zephyra have been best friends since they started high school. Zephyra thinks of Noah as a brother. Noah thinks Zephyra is the one.
Zephyra’s only interest in romance is between the covers of her favourite romance novels. Noah believes now that they’re sixteen it’s just a matter of time until their friendship becomes a relationship.
When they are completing a one week bike marathon their friendship hits some unexpected speed bumps. Will their friendship turn into something more or will they crash?
If you love slow burn romance with forced proximity, and a zero to hero makeover, you'll love The Climb, a young adult contemporary romance.
135 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2022
7 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Amra Pajalic
30 books80 followersAmra Pajalić is an award-winning author, educator, and PhD researcher of Bosnian heritage whose work explores how fiction represents the Bosnian genocide.
Amra Pajalić won the 2009 Melbourne Prize for Literature's Civic Choice Award for her debut novel The Good Daughter, now re-released as Sabiha's Dilemma (Pishukin Press, 2022). The anthology she co-edited, Growing up Muslim in Australia (Allen and Unwin, 2014), was shortlisted for the 2015 Children's Book Council of the year awards and her memoir Things Nobody Knows But Me (Transit Lounge, 2019) was shortlisted for the 2020 National Biography Award. Her short story collection The Cuckoo's Song (Pishukin Press, 2022) features previously published and prize-winning stories.
She is the author of the Sassy Saints series, Sabiha's Dilemma, Alma's Loyalty, and Jesse's Triumph, and the forthcoming Seka Torlak historical-mystery series, beginning with the prequel The Tree That Stood Still and the first book in the series Time Kneels Between Mountains. Her companion essay collection Fragments of History: The Essays Behind the Story, examine the legacy of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide.
She works as a high school teacher and is completing a PhD in Creative Writing at La Trobe University exploring representations of the Bosnian genocide in fiction. Her work blends storytelling with historical analysis to confront dehumanisation and preserve cultural memory. Her website is www.amrapajalic.com.
Amra Pajalic also writes romance under pen name Mae Archer
https://www.goodreads.com/mae_archer
Be sure to follow Amra on BookBub for the latest on sales https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amra-...
Amra Pajalić won the 2009 Melbourne Prize for Literature's Civic Choice Award for her debut novel The Good Daughter, now re-released as Sabiha's Dilemma (Pishukin Press, 2022). The anthology she co-edited, Growing up Muslim in Australia (Allen and Unwin, 2014), was shortlisted for the 2015 Children's Book Council of the year awards and her memoir Things Nobody Knows But Me (Transit Lounge, 2019) was shortlisted for the 2020 National Biography Award. Her short story collection The Cuckoo's Song (Pishukin Press, 2022) features previously published and prize-winning stories.
She is the author of the Sassy Saints series, Sabiha's Dilemma, Alma's Loyalty, and Jesse's Triumph, and the forthcoming Seka Torlak historical-mystery series, beginning with the prequel The Tree That Stood Still and the first book in the series Time Kneels Between Mountains. Her companion essay collection Fragments of History: The Essays Behind the Story, examine the legacy of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide.
She works as a high school teacher and is completing a PhD in Creative Writing at La Trobe University exploring representations of the Bosnian genocide in fiction. Her work blends storytelling with historical analysis to confront dehumanisation and preserve cultural memory. Her website is www.amrapajalic.com.
Amra Pajalic also writes romance under pen name Mae Archer
https://www.goodreads.com/mae_archer
Be sure to follow Amra on BookBub for the latest on sales https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amra-...
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 28, 2023
There's a reason self-published authors are encouraged to hire editors. This book is a prime example of why. In the beginning, it wasn't too terrible, so I thought I'd just keep reading; the book is short, after all. But at around Chapter 5, things took a turn for the worse, and reading this book became more of an exercise in endurance than enjoyment. (I will admit that I did enjoy some of the unintentionally funny typos and turns of phrase... but that's probably the only enjoyment I got out of this.)
The basic premise isn't bad. Two friends, Zephyra and Noah, join a school-sponsored charity bike ride. This forms the backdrop for the rest of the story, which is basically all about the characters. Unfortunately, none of the characters are likeable, or even realistic. We're stuck with stereotypes, and strange adult characters who come across like they're preteens.
My biggest issue, though, is the relationship between Zephyra and Noah. They're best friends. But Noah has a thing for Zephyra. Like... a getting-a-boner-on-the-bus sort of thing. (This book gets pretty graphic in spots, especially for a YA novella. It's definitely not for the younger end of that age group!) The problem is... he doesn't seem to have heard of a little thing called consent. Throughout the book, he repeatedly kisses or tries to kiss Zephyra, then gets angry when she tells him (also repeatedly) that she's not interested. Eventually, she comes around because of jealousy, and Noah gets the girl. I hate this. Make a nuisance of yourself until you get what you want? Great lesson.
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. Even if the relationship aspects had been dealt with better, the editing was non-existent. Seriously. The book shifts from third person to first person... twice. Save your time and skip this one.
The basic premise isn't bad. Two friends, Zephyra and Noah, join a school-sponsored charity bike ride. This forms the backdrop for the rest of the story, which is basically all about the characters. Unfortunately, none of the characters are likeable, or even realistic. We're stuck with stereotypes, and strange adult characters who come across like they're preteens.
My biggest issue, though, is the relationship between Zephyra and Noah. They're best friends. But Noah has a thing for Zephyra. Like... a getting-a-boner-on-the-bus sort of thing. (This book gets pretty graphic in spots, especially for a YA novella. It's definitely not for the younger end of that age group!) The problem is... he doesn't seem to have heard of a little thing called consent. Throughout the book, he repeatedly kisses or tries to kiss Zephyra, then gets angry when she tells him (also repeatedly) that she's not interested. Eventually, she comes around because of jealousy, and Noah gets the girl. I hate this. Make a nuisance of yourself until you get what you want? Great lesson.
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. Even if the relationship aspects had been dealt with better, the editing was non-existent. Seriously. The book shifts from third person to first person... twice. Save your time and skip this one.
January 14, 2024
Not recommended for young teens
In this short, YA romance novella set in Australia, two teenage virgins, who have been BFF's since childhood, awkwardly limp toward upgrading their platonic relationship to romance. There are additional subplots of each of their problematic home lives, several instances of bullying, and a troubling subplot of a pathetic teenage girl who offers sex to the hero to entice him into being her boyfriend.
This PG-13 story includes frequent foul language and many references to erections and masturbation.
In this short, YA romance novella set in Australia, two teenage virgins, who have been BFF's since childhood, awkwardly limp toward upgrading their platonic relationship to romance. There are additional subplots of each of their problematic home lives, several instances of bullying, and a troubling subplot of a pathetic teenage girl who offers sex to the hero to entice him into being her boyfriend.
This PG-13 story includes frequent foul language and many references to erections and masturbation.
November 29, 2023
I've read a couple of books by this author now and have really enjoyed them all.
Although the others have formed part of the Sassy Saints series, this one is a short, quick read, standalone novella with a couple of new characters.
This book deals with similar topics to the series and focusses on a couple of teenage friends who are exploring feelings and relationships for the first time.
I love the way that Amra presents our characters right at the start.
Both Noah and Zephyra stand out as being different amongst their peers at school.
Noah is super tall and is bullied by the popular boys as being gangly.
Being much more sensitive and a girl who likes her own company, Zephyra has always been drawn to Noah as a friend rather than the popular girls.
Along with this, they both have issues at home - Noah's parents aren't getting along with each other and Zephyra's mum, although single, brings home unsuitable boyfriends and comes across as very needy.
This makes our friends really relatable in today's society.
The storyline deals with the issue that Noah has always had a thing for Zephyra and now that his hormones are raging, he's keen to take their friendship to the next level. She however, is keen to keep the friendship as it was.
I absolutely loved the friendship that these guys had together.
Apart from his pesky hormones driving some of the narrative, Noah is such a kind and caring guy. And they both really stay loyal and look out for each other throughout.
It's not ideal that she does keep saying no to Noah and yet he does keep trying to kiss her - but I think this is a very real situation, especially at this age.
I don't think that this causes wider issues but helps to teach respect and patience.
Amra's writing is super engaging and easy to read and I always find that I get sucked into the books really quickly and struggle to put them down.
Although the others have formed part of the Sassy Saints series, this one is a short, quick read, standalone novella with a couple of new characters.
This book deals with similar topics to the series and focusses on a couple of teenage friends who are exploring feelings and relationships for the first time.
I love the way that Amra presents our characters right at the start.
Both Noah and Zephyra stand out as being different amongst their peers at school.
Noah is super tall and is bullied by the popular boys as being gangly.
Being much more sensitive and a girl who likes her own company, Zephyra has always been drawn to Noah as a friend rather than the popular girls.
Along with this, they both have issues at home - Noah's parents aren't getting along with each other and Zephyra's mum, although single, brings home unsuitable boyfriends and comes across as very needy.
This makes our friends really relatable in today's society.
The storyline deals with the issue that Noah has always had a thing for Zephyra and now that his hormones are raging, he's keen to take their friendship to the next level. She however, is keen to keep the friendship as it was.
I absolutely loved the friendship that these guys had together.
Apart from his pesky hormones driving some of the narrative, Noah is such a kind and caring guy. And they both really stay loyal and look out for each other throughout.
It's not ideal that she does keep saying no to Noah and yet he does keep trying to kiss her - but I think this is a very real situation, especially at this age.
I don't think that this causes wider issues but helps to teach respect and patience.
Amra's writing is super engaging and easy to read and I always find that I get sucked into the books really quickly and struggle to put them down.
June 8, 2024
If I could I would give 0 stars, really did not like this. The amount of times my mind went what the fuck or ew was too much!
Read
January 17, 2024Narrated by Nina Nikolic and Alec Shea
Listen to sample: https://youtu.be/k_UodRnLJs4
Purchase links:
https://bingebooks.com/book/the-climb
https://libro.fm/audiobooks/978192287...
https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks...
https://www.everand.com/audiobook/668...
https://play.google.com/store/audiobo...
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...
https://www.audible.com.au/pd/The-Cli...
https://www.storytel.com/in/books/the...
https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/...
https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Climb...
https://books.apple.com/au/audiobook/...
https://open.spotify.com/show/6U1ETT6...
https://www.overdrive.com/media/10108...
Listen to sample: https://youtu.be/k_UodRnLJs4
Purchase links:
https://bingebooks.com/book/the-climb
https://libro.fm/audiobooks/978192287...
https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks...
https://www.everand.com/audiobook/668...
https://play.google.com/store/audiobo...
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...
https://www.audible.com.au/pd/The-Cli...
https://www.storytel.com/in/books/the...
https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/...
https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Climb...
https://books.apple.com/au/audiobook/...
https://open.spotify.com/show/6U1ETT6...
https://www.overdrive.com/media/10108...
January 19, 2024
🌟🌟🌟.5 rounded up to 4. I have enjoyed this author’s other books, but I just didn’t connect with this story. I wasn’t a fan of Noah. I thought he was manipulative, childish, and unfair to Zephyra. I also felt that he needs a discussion on consent as he was told no many times by Zephyra and yet kept trying to kiss her. I didn’t enjoy the parts that were from his point of view as much as Zephyra’s. However, I did like Zephyra as she had guts to stand her ground, didn’t conform to what others were doing and made decisions for herself.
Noah’s parents’ marriage was troubled, and he was being bullied at school which gave insights into his mind outside of the romance story. Zephyra and her mother have a difficult relationship. Her mom dates awful men, Zephyra gets forgotten when the relationships start which is tough and then has to pick up the pieces when it falls apart. It was easy to see how their unsettled home lives and tendency to be a loner at school created a bond between them that developed into such a strong, supportive friendship.
I enjoyed the writing style as I think switching POVs for romance books is a great way to see the story from both sides and how the other is reacting/feeling as the story develops. Overall, it was a good story but unfortunately this book was a young adult romance, and I didn’t like Noah enough to root for them a couple.
TW: consent issues, bullying, troubled families.
Noah’s parents’ marriage was troubled, and he was being bullied at school which gave insights into his mind outside of the romance story. Zephyra and her mother have a difficult relationship. Her mom dates awful men, Zephyra gets forgotten when the relationships start which is tough and then has to pick up the pieces when it falls apart. It was easy to see how their unsettled home lives and tendency to be a loner at school created a bond between them that developed into such a strong, supportive friendship.
I enjoyed the writing style as I think switching POVs for romance books is a great way to see the story from both sides and how the other is reacting/feeling as the story develops. Overall, it was a good story but unfortunately this book was a young adult romance, and I didn’t like Noah enough to root for them a couple.
TW: consent issues, bullying, troubled families.
Read
January 18, 2024Many thanks to Love Book Tours and the author for my complimentary audiobook copy. This one is a short and sweet novella, clocking in at just over 2 hours on audio.
I was eager to hop on board with this one, because friends-to-lovers is my favorite trope. And the forced proximity of a bike marathon? The premise had me sold.
Sadly, The Climb didn't quite work for me as a reader. While the narration on the audiobook was great and the writing itself was solid, I had some issues with how Noah behaved toward Zephyra. He didn't seem to understand consent and kept trying to make moves on her even when she was very clear about her boundaries. That made it pretty hard for me to root for them as a couple or to even see how Zephyra considered him a good friend.
The book also focuses a lot on physical attraction and teenage hormones, which definitely makes sense given what it's like to be a teen, but personally I was missing the emotional connection and pining I look for in a friends-to-lovers story.
There were some entertaining moments and definitely plenty of action (in all senses of the word if you know what I mean). The premise is phenomenal, but for me, I wish we had a bit more depth to the friendship that builds into more.
I was eager to hop on board with this one, because friends-to-lovers is my favorite trope. And the forced proximity of a bike marathon? The premise had me sold.
Sadly, The Climb didn't quite work for me as a reader. While the narration on the audiobook was great and the writing itself was solid, I had some issues with how Noah behaved toward Zephyra. He didn't seem to understand consent and kept trying to make moves on her even when she was very clear about her boundaries. That made it pretty hard for me to root for them as a couple or to even see how Zephyra considered him a good friend.
The book also focuses a lot on physical attraction and teenage hormones, which definitely makes sense given what it's like to be a teen, but personally I was missing the emotional connection and pining I look for in a friends-to-lovers story.
There were some entertaining moments and definitely plenty of action (in all senses of the word if you know what I mean). The premise is phenomenal, but for me, I wish we had a bit more depth to the friendship that builds into more.
January 17, 2024
Noah has eye for one person, Zephyra wants to wait until she's older and would love it to be like the romance she reads in her books. The friendship Noah and Zephyra share is lovely, even when they can't to family or there is problems at home, they have here other. Noah is willing to wait for Zephyra, even when they join the bike club and he starts to work out a bit and she notices that he is looking different. Noah even stands up to the person that has picked on him so much. Will Zephyra ever see Noah as the person that loves her or are they always going to be just friends? I'm not telling you, you can either read the book or do as I did and listened to it. the book focusses on friendship and the feelings that they start to explore. I found it easy to listen to and it flowed well. With it only being just over 2 hours, it keeps you engaged.
January 19, 2024
This is a young coming-of-age story between two best friends. Noah has been in love with his best friend for a long time, but Zephyra want to keep her love for someone special; especially after seeing her mother's disastrous relationship with her boyfriends
Pajalic writes a strong female main character who knows to stand her ground, I enjoyed this character's independence, but also felt sorry for them at times, as they were more of an adult than their mother.
This was a novel about two teenagers going through emotions as well as personal developments of growth. My only complaint is I wish it was longer. This is the problem with most novellas as I would have loved to hear moves from these characters.
Pajalic writes a strong female main character who knows to stand her ground, I enjoyed this character's independence, but also felt sorry for them at times, as they were more of an adult than their mother.
This was a novel about two teenagers going through emotions as well as personal developments of growth. My only complaint is I wish it was longer. This is the problem with most novellas as I would have loved to hear moves from these characters.
January 14, 2024
This book was not for me, its a YA book but it has some graphic descriptions and problematic characters. Consent is a big issue. The main characters Noah and Zephyra have been friends for years and decide to take part in a bike ride. Noah has a crush on Zephyra and although she repeatedly says no he keeps trying to kiss her. I found this narrative tiring. It perpetrates the just keep asking and she will give in trope, which I hate. I'm sure people will like this but its not my cup of tea.
January 16, 2024
This is a cute coming of age novella which follows the two main characters Noah and Zephyra.
The story follows the two friends as they navigate life as teenagers and all the feelings (and sometimes embarrassing situations) that come with that.
I listened to this as an audiobook and really liked the narrator.
This is a young adult novella but is probably aimed at the higher age range of that genre.
The story follows the two friends as they navigate life as teenagers and all the feelings (and sometimes embarrassing situations) that come with that.
I listened to this as an audiobook and really liked the narrator.
This is a young adult novella but is probably aimed at the higher age range of that genre.
January 18, 2024
I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. I found myself very invested in the characters especially what happened with regard to some terrible parenting! It did take me back to being that age and made me realise I’m very glad I’m not a teenager anymore. I felt for Noah in particular. I do wish there had been a bit more to what happened next - or a follow on sequel! A fantastic shorter listen and I look forward to seeing more from this author in the future.
December 20, 2023
I want to say this is such a cute coming of age audiobook. I really had a good time listening to this. Loved Noah and Zephyra friendship. Even when their families were going through things they both came to comfort each other. I loved Zephyra and how she is into the book romances. How she wanted her first everything. To completely like the love stories she reads about. Taking things slow. I think maybe she is like this. Because of her mother. I have to say when I listen to Noah funny kid with such a big heart.But he wanted to be move then friends with Zephyra. Until they went on camping trip. This is not going to be the last book I read from this author. I already have her books added to my tbr list. Thank you to the author and lovebooktours for allowing me the opportunity to listen to such amazing book
January 22, 2024
This book wastes no time getting right into it and I definitely felt immediately immersed right back into the mind of a 16-year old. The tone and content of the conversations of the characters feels authentic of two teenagers exploring and understanding their emerging sexuality (please note that while these topics discussed are perfectly normal, it does require a mature listening audience). These two young adults march to the beat of their own drum but find a solid friendship in one another, even though Noah carries a torch for Zephyra. A bike marathon turns their world around and challenges them to re-examine their relationships, with each other, with their families, and with the world around them. This novella is a spicy and real coming of age tale.
January 20, 2024
Thank you @lovebookstours for letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book. I listen to the Climb on audiobook and its young adult teenage romance novella. This is the first book I have read by Amra Pajalic and I really enjoyed it. The narrators were Nina Nikilic and Alec Shea, and they worked well together. The characters were Noah and Zephyra who have been best friends from high school. Noah is started to get feelings for Zephyra, but she looks at him as a brother. I enjoyed following their friendship and then taking it slow to see what happens. I found this a very easy read and Amra writing is very engaging, and you can't help but enjoy the characters. I did feel sorry for Noah every time Zephyra came near him, he would get excited and could not help what happened to him. Both characters are lovely and this is a feel good read. I will definitely being read more of Amra books. 5 stars. I listen to the audio in 2 hours straight, and I hope there is second book because I like to see what happens next, and I enjoyed listening to the narratives
February 5, 2024
The Climb
By Amra Pajalic
Noah and Zephyra have been best friends since they started high school. Zephyra thinks of Noah as a brother. Noah thinks Zephyra is the one.
Zephyra’s only interest in romance is between the covers of her favourite romance novels. Noah believes now that they’re sixteen it’s just a matter of time until their friendship becomes a relationship.
When they are completing a one week bike marathon their friendship hits some unexpected speed bumps. Will their friendship turn into something more or will they crash?
The Climb, a young adult contemporary romance.
The audiobook version was great. I really liked the accents that the narrators had, you could definitely tell they were Australian and helped set the background of the book. I am a huge fan of audiobooks, huge that’s to the author and love books tour’s for this gifted copy.
By Amra Pajalic
Noah and Zephyra have been best friends since they started high school. Zephyra thinks of Noah as a brother. Noah thinks Zephyra is the one.
Zephyra’s only interest in romance is between the covers of her favourite romance novels. Noah believes now that they’re sixteen it’s just a matter of time until their friendship becomes a relationship.
When they are completing a one week bike marathon their friendship hits some unexpected speed bumps. Will their friendship turn into something more or will they crash?
The Climb, a young adult contemporary romance.
The audiobook version was great. I really liked the accents that the narrators had, you could definitely tell they were Australian and helped set the background of the book. I am a huge fan of audiobooks, huge that’s to the author and love books tour’s for this gifted copy.
February 29, 2024
Book Review
The Climb by Amra Pajalic
Audiobook
This is a coming of age story based around Zephyra and Noah looking at the complexity of family life and growing up in the world today. Emotions are complex particularly as a teenager when you are trying to see where you fit in the world.
Noah has a crush on Zephyra but to her they’re just friends and at first she refuses his advances. This puts a strain on their friendship and they start to drift apart until they’re forced to spend time together on a week long cycling trip. They are experiencing new emotions and changes in relationships that I am sure all teenagers can relate to. They both have complex home life’s and this ultimately is what makes their friendship so strong.
This writing is great in this and you really feel for the characters. I’d definitely recommend this book to any young adult.
The Climb by Amra Pajalic
Audiobook
This is a coming of age story based around Zephyra and Noah looking at the complexity of family life and growing up in the world today. Emotions are complex particularly as a teenager when you are trying to see where you fit in the world.
Noah has a crush on Zephyra but to her they’re just friends and at first she refuses his advances. This puts a strain on their friendship and they start to drift apart until they’re forced to spend time together on a week long cycling trip. They are experiencing new emotions and changes in relationships that I am sure all teenagers can relate to. They both have complex home life’s and this ultimately is what makes their friendship so strong.
This writing is great in this and you really feel for the characters. I’d definitely recommend this book to any young adult.
February 20, 2024
review to come.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews