The View from the Top by Rachel Lacey is a beautiful one-night-to-forever romance about overcoming fears and stepping out of your comfort zone.
When a driven businesswoman from Boston collides with a free-spirited artist on a Vermont mountainside, they share a memorable—and steamy—night, but life soon pits them against each other over the fate of a family business.
Emily Janssen has always been cautious. She’s content working at her grandmothers’ inn to supplement the income she receives from her artwork. But she’s always dreamed of more. Her friends have ascended the mountain’s summit in her hometown of Crescent Falls, Vermont, but something has always held Emily back.
Diana Devlin has already made it to the top. She’s close to earning a promotion at her family’s hotel chain setting her up to take over the family empire when her father retires. When she comes across Emily while on a hike, the two share a passionate night that neither of them had ever experienced.
Both walk away from their night changed in a way that leaves them both wanting more.
Their growing passion threatens to ruin everything when Emily learns that Diana is in town to buy her grandmothers’ inn leaving Emily feeling lost and vowing not to let some city slicker take away the only home she’s ever known.
Will the view from the top be worth the climb, or will they both have farther to fall?
Writing
The picturesque town of Crescent Falls is the setting of The View from the Top which is so exquisitely detailed. I could often see the beautiful colors of the changing leaves, feel the breeze on my skin, and smell the dense outcropping of pine trees creating a rich sensory experience. The way the town offers a sense of comfort and security to both natives and newcomers makes it an inviting and integral part of the story.
The View from the Top captures the challenges and triumphs of characters who step away from their predetermined paths to embrace new ones. It’s handled beautifully, offering meaningful exploration of personal growth and transformation.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
The View from the Top’s cover art is the perfect accompaniment to its beautiful content, enhancing the experience before diving into the story. The cover captures the essence of Crescent Falls and the journey to come inside.
The dynamic between Emily and Diane is captivating, with their instant connection and the depth of their interactions. The way their relationship evolves through working together at the inn, revealing their potential as a couple, makes for a compelling and emotionally engaging read. As they learn about one another, the admiring looks become longer and the struggle they both feel to stay away from one another adds delicious tension enhancing the story further.
Emily’s group of friends known at the Adventurers are a wonderful addition to the story. Their strong bonds and welcoming nature add depth to the narrative and help enrich Diane and (her nephew) Carter’s experience in Crescent Falls. I enjoyed being a part of their different excursions causing me to fall in love with Crescent Falls right along with Carter and Diana.
Diana’s struggles with anxiety add another layer of depth to the story. I think this is valuable for readers to see these kinds of experiences depicted realistically, especially when it comes to the challenges of navigating mental health issues in environments where they aren’t openly discussed. This makes her character more relatable and her story more impactful. Diana’s openness about her anxiety and her courage to share it with Emily adds a touching dimension to her character.
Heads Up
Abandonment of a child and anxiety.
The Conclusion
The View from the Top is a beautiful story set in picturesque Crescent Falls, Vermont. It explores the theme of accepting and allowing change through compelling and relatable details and dialogue. Emily and Diane are opposites whose emotional attachment allows them to explore something neither thought they would ever find. The supporting cast of characters are varied and detailed allowing readers to become more fully immersed in the reading experience. It’s a brilliant and spicy story about overcoming fear, leaning into vulnerability, and embracing change. So grab your copy immediately, settle into your favorite reading spot, and enjoy the view!
Excerpt from The View from the Top by Rachel Lacey
“Which trail were you on?” Emily asked as she placed her knife on the palette next to her canvas. She reached into her bag and pulled out an unopened bottle of water, which she offered to the woman.
“Oh my God, you’re a lifesaver.” The woman practically sagged with relief as she accepted the bottle. Despite her authoritative stride when she’d walked out of the woods, Emily noticed subtle signs of strain: the way she couldn’t seem to catch her breath, the sweat glistening on her skin, and that ruddy flush on her cheeks and chest, marring her otherwise pale complexion. She twisted the cap from the bottle and took several greedy gulps. “I was on the Crescent Peak Summit Trail.”
Emily gaped. “That’s an expert-level trail.”
“I am an expert,” the woman said, a hint of exasperation in her tone.
“Oh.” Emily gave a skeptical look at the woman’s obviously brand-new boots and gear.
“Well, maybe I haven’t hiked in a while, but I’m a quick study and in excellent shape, so it shouldn’t have been a problem for me.”
Emily tried to hide her amusement at the woman’s cocky overconfidence. “It’s not just a matter of physical fitness. That trail is extremely technical, and Vermont’s topography can’t be underestimated. It gets steep on this mountain. I’ve been hiking here my whole life, and I still haven’t made it to the summit.”
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Bits and Bobs
AISN number: B0D58SJWVC
Publisher: Indie Author
Rachel Lacey Online
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