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Some people are dedicated beach people when it comes to vacations, but there's something so wild yet serene about being in the mountains. That's why, whether you're planning to cozy up in a secluded cabin soon or simply wish you could escape into some crisp, pine-scented air, you can't go wrong with mountainside-set books.
Light a fire, throw on a blanket, grab some tea, or do whatever you need to get comfy. From sweeping romances to heart-pounding thrillers, here are the best mountain reads you need to check out ASAP.
Scroll to see all the cozy books we're packing for our outdoor adventures and mountain vacations this summer!
Amazon
Virgin River by Robyn Carr
In Virgin River, readers are introduced to a small mountain town that feels idyllic on the surface but comes with its own set of challenges. Melinda Monroe, a recently widowed nurse, answers an ad for a medical position in the remote Northern California community of Virgin River, hoping the natural surroundings will help her heal. But the cabin she's promised turns out to be barely livable, and the local doctor isn't exactly thrilled to see her.
Yet, just as she's ready to leave, a baby left on a doorstep pulls her back, and a rugged former marine named Jack Sheridan may just give her a reason to stay.
Amazon
The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
Those searching for a chilling mountain read must check out The Sanatorium, a suspenseful thriller that's set at an abandoned sanatorium turned luxury hotel in the Swiss Alps.
The story follows Detective Elin Warner, who arrives during a snowstorm to attend her brother's engagement party. Then, her soon-to-be sister-in-law vanishes, and the hotel is sealed off by the weather, trapping all the guests inside while secrets bubble to the surface. This novel is perfect for fans of psychological, locked-room mysteries.
Amazon
The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker
This novel by K.A. Tucker follows Calla Fletcher, a woman who leaves Toronto and returns to her remote hometown in Alaska to reconnect with her estranged, dying father.
She finds herself face-to-face with the rugged realities of her childhood roots and encounters a man named Jonah, a stubborn pilot who seems set on pushing her buttons. Still, their chemistry is undeniable, and Calla has to wrestle with the uncomfortable truth that her heart might be tied to a place she was previously sure she'd outgrown.
Amazon
Wildfire by Hannah Grace
Wildfire is equal parts steamy and sweet, following college students Russ and Aurora, who unexpectedly reconnect as co-counselors at a remote mountain camp following a one-night stand. Of course, there's some awkward tension, and the camp also has a strict no-fraternization rule.
Nonetheless, as the days stretch into nights, resisting each other becomes a challenge. This lighthearted book is set against a playful wilderness backdrop and captures the thrill of young love.
Amazon
The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin
When disaster strikes in the sky, two strangers are forced to fight for their survival in The Mountain Between Us.
The story centers on a small plane crash in the remote wilderness of Utah. Two passengers, a surgeon named Ben Payne and a writer named Ashley Knox, are both injured and completely alone. They must rely on each other to make it out alive, and soon, their struggle to survive blurs into something deeper.
Amazon
Night Road by Kristin Hannah
This novel by Kristin Hannah explores motherhood, forgiveness, and the consequences of one tragic night. Jude Farraday is a mother in a quiet, coastal town who pours everything into her family, especially her twins. Yet, when their lives become entangled with Lexi, a former foster child with a painful past, the bonds between them become complicated.
Then, an accident during senior year shatters their once-perfect world, and the remnants of grief and blame live on. Night Road is a book that's best read with some tissues nearby.
Amazon
All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata
All Rhodes Lead Here unfolds in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and follows Aurora De La Torre, who's battling a broken heart and returns to the mountain town she once called home in search of some peace. Instead, she finds a gruff landlord named Tobias Rhodes, who's a man of few words.
Aurora works to carve a new beginning for herself; meanwhile, her connection with Rhodes starts to evolve from hesitant coexistence to a deeper, unexpected relationship.
Amazon
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Finally, this memoir by Cheryl Strayed captures the rawness of grief and the beauty of the American wilderness. After tragically losing her mother and suffering the downfall of her marriage, Cheryl decides to hike over 1,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail alone with no experience.
What follows is a transformative journey through the mountains, deserts, and her own soul. Wild is a thought-provoking tale of modern self-discovery, reminding us that facing fears of the unknown can help us rebuild.
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