The Challenge by Danielle Steel is another must read novel by this prolific author, and it will keep you turning the pages until the very end.
While there are some drama and thriller aspects to this story, in the end, there is also romance. And Danielle Steel certainly does romance well 🙂
While I wouldn’t necessarily call this book a romance, it left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling on behalf of some of the characters, and that’s definitely what I call romance.
My review will give you a short publisher’s synopsis, and then I’ll let you know what I liked, what I didn’t like and whether I think this is a worthwhile read. So let’s get going.
Contents
The Challenge by Danielle Steel
The Challenge is the latest book (as of this writing) that has been published by Danielle Steel.
It really explores the topic of a community banding together in a crisis, and left me with the realization that communities, large or small, never have to go it alone in times of crisis.
Honestly, if you think that Danielle Steel writes nothing but fluff, think again.
Her books are always thought provoking in one way or another.
Publishers Synopsis of The Challenge
Fishtail, Montana, is home to Anne and Pitt Pollock, local royalty, high school sweethearts, and owners of the successful Pollock ranch. The sprawling foothills of the Beartooth Mountains surround the town, overlooking the Pollocks’ property and the nearby ranch belonging to Bill and Pattie Brown. The two couples have known each other since childhood.
Their sons Peter Pollock and Matt Brown are also the best of friends. When they and two other local kids meet Juliet Marshall, new to town after her parents’ bitter divorce, the five of them are soon inseparable, spending their summer days swimming, horseback riding, hiking, and fishing.
But one August afternoon, their latest adventure takes a dangerous turn—and quickly escalates into a battle for survival—when they find themselves trapped on Granite Peak. Fear reverberates through the town as their parents grow ever more desperate to hear word that their children have been found. They must place their own trials aside amid a massive search-and-rescue operation. As they come to lean on one another for support, a media frenzy ensues, heightening tensions and testing some already fragile relationships.
In the aftermath of this one fateful event, devastating secrets are revealed, new love appears on the horizon, and families are forced to reconsider what they once held dear. In The Challenge, Danielle Steel deftly weaves a story that is a portrait of courage and a striking tale of the bonds of love and family.
The Challenge by Danielle Steel – What I Liked
I have a confession – I almost didn’t read this book because I was certain I wouldn’t like it. Yes, I pre-judged it. That’s bad, I know!
The truth is that I wasn’t interested in the place it was set in. Fishtail, Montana. There is no reason why….I really have no idea why I thought that would not be interesting for me.
But then the magic of Danielle Steel somehow took over, and that was that.
I was wrong 🙂 Confession over!
I’ve never been to Fishtail, Montana, but I believe it is a real place. I ended up loving the setting in this book. Along with the description of the small town and the sense of small town community that went along with it.
I could imagine myself living a wonderful, peaceful life there.
The characters were interesting and completely likable right from the beginning of the book.
And the story was not only fast paced but had some elements of crisis and romance. Which is why I love books by Danielle Steel so much. She makes it easy for us to relate to what’s happening with the characters, and best of all, the story was thought provoking.
This was a really fast read for me, not unusual with a Danielle Steel book.
I promise I won’t pre-judge any of her books again 🙂
The Challenge by Danielle Steel – What I Disliked
I didn’t dislike anything in this book. Loved it!
The Challenge by Danielle Steel – Read, Reread or Reconsider?
And now, for my 3 Rs of book reviews.
Should you Read, Reread or Reconsider The Challenge by Danielle Steel?
A Definite Read!
This was a wonderful book that I highly recommend.
If you haven’t read all of Danielle’s books, you can check out a few here where I have all of her books in order.
And, just in case you prefer to “listen” to your books rather than read them, here’s a nice opportunity to try Audible free for 30 Days.
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Mary Emmer, the founder of Looks Like Books, is an avid book enthusiast and self-employed entrepreneur, with an inspiring passion for reading and learning. With a background in the travel industry spanning four decades, Mary has cultivated a diverse range of experiences that have shaped her unique perspective on life and storytelling. Books have always held a special place in Mary’s life and have served as a constant source of comfort, inspiration, and personal growth. Her mission is to ignite the same passion for reading in others and to encourage them to explore new worlds within the pages of a book. More about Mary.