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Holding On-Book Review

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This was such a good book!! I read this while on vacation to Colorado and right before picking up our new puppy.  I particularly enjoyed the depth of the mountain climbing scenes even though they were difficult, they were REAL. Add in the descriptive puppy details and this book hit my shelf at the perfect time.

Harrison Conrad is a gifted and famous mountain climber who scaled the highest peaks in the world. He is also the only survivor in a horrific accident while trying to lead a team to scale Everest. With survivor’s guilt crippling him spiritually, he lives for 18 months with Tibetan Monks in an attempt to get his life back together. He finally returns home to the States vowing to never climb again.

Kenzie is a dog trainer specializing in search and rescue/recover dogs along with behavior training. She spends her days training other pups and answers rescue calls with her beloved Gizmo. Kenzie has known (and liked) Harrison for years but she’s given up on mountain climbers. They always seems to follow their gypsy hearts and chase the peaks, not Kenzie.

When Kenzie sees Harrison after his return, she knows he’s not okay. He is a walking shell and she can’t bear to watch the continued downward spiral. She does the only thing she knows to do. Kenzie walks over and literally drops her new puppy, Gabby, in his lap. Harrison can barely clean his house and keep a showering schedule so how is he going to care for a puppy? Kenzie doesn’t budge. Gabby is Harrison’s puppy to raise.

The rest of the story is full of some great storytelling. Pamela Clare is fantastic at keeping things simple, real, believable, and yet I didn’t want to put the book down. Can Harrison get it together to keep Gabby alive and healthy? Can Kenzie open her mind and heart to maybe loving another mountain man? Can Harrison climb again? And for the love of all that’s holy, will Kenzie do something about the dreadful woman who doesn’t know care for her dog, Prince?

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy for my honest opinion.