Description
Her darkest story might just be her greatest strength.
Coaching figure skating at an athletic center in Whistler, Canada, seems like a dream come true to Addisyn Miles—especially since it offers an opportunity to pursue her relationship with Darius, the man who’s become more than a friend. But her excitement fades when she’s assigned to coach Darius’s troubled cousin. Withdrawn and turbulent, Kenzie Howard is also an unsettling reminder of Addisyn’s own shadowed past. But when Kenzie rediscovers a local legend, Addisyn realizes that there’s more at stake than either of them expected. Helping Kenzie means risking her job at the center and even her relationship with Darius…but it could also set Addisyn free from the shame she’s carried for years.
Kenzie has spent a lifetime walking the tightrope of perfection—until she crashed. The legend offers the only faint hope of escaping the nightmare her life has become, but to discover the truth, she’ll have to trust an unlikely ally: Addisyn. As the girls come closer to the brink of discovery, Kenzie’s secrets begin to unravel. Now, they’re both faced with a choice: allow the scars of their past to destroy them both…or finally see the purpose beyond their shared pain.
A tale of redemption and restoration, Why the Mountains Stand is the climactic finale to the Climbing Higher series, celebrating the healing power of friendship and the transformative promise of faith.
Nathan Parker –
I read a pre-release copy of this book, but I also pre-ordered multiple copies of it, so my review is objective.
Why the Mountains Stand is the third and final book in Ashlyn Ohm’s Climbing Higher series. The book picks up with Addisyn arriving in Whistler to work for Darius’ uncle Trent as an ice skating coach. Her original plans are turned upside down after she first arrives as readers are introduced to Kenzie, the mysterious skater that Addisyn must coach. Readers are also introduced to new characters such as Tina, Trent’s obnoxious daughter. Can Addisyn win over Trent’s approval while also having a breakthrough with Kenzie? It becomes tough when Addisyn keeps a major secret of Kenzie’s from Trent and Kenzie ends up in the hospital, although it also breaks through Tina’s tough outer shell. Throughout the book, Addisyn and Darius continue to grow closer, and just when it looks like their relationship is about to be taken to a marriage proposal, the rug is pulled out underneath the both of them. Will Darius ever have an opportunity to pop the question? You will need to read the story to find out!
Back in Estes Park, Avery continues to run the outdoors store with Laz while volunteering at Skyla’s bird rehabilitation center, when Skyla makes Avery an unbelievable offer. Instead of immediately accepting the offer, a scared Avery flees to Whistler to visit her sister, in which an unusual turn of events has Addisyn offering Avery some solid advice. When Avery returns to Estes Park, will she finally step out in faith and accept Skyla’s offer? While Avery is in Whistler, she assists Addisyn with Kenzie’s major secret search and stays long enough to find out where Addisyn and Darius stand in their relationship.
Ashlyn Ohm has done it again with another fantastic work. Why the Mountains Stand does an excellent job picking up the story line, balancing both old characters and introducing us to new characters, and weaves a fitting finale to the series. If you loved When the Ice Melts and Where the Wings Rise, you will also love Why the Mountains Stand. Even if you have not read the other two works, it makes for a good standalone read, although you will want to certainly go back and pick up what you missed! Ashlyn Ohm brings all her gifts of literary excellence, her love for the Lord and God’s creation, all into a wonderful story of the powerful, infinite grace of God.
My only “sadness” with Why the Mountains Stand is that the series has come to an end (oh how I would crave a book four!). However, Ashlyn does a fine job bringing the series to a conclusion in this book (and I am reminded of other trilogies such as Secret in the Maple Tree that told a wonderful story in three books, and Ashlyn has followed a similar path). There were still a few “loose ends” at the end of Why the Mountains Stand that Ashlyn could write in a short-story sequel on her “Words from the Wilderness” Blog (has Avery possibly found romance, can we hear a little more between Addisyn and Darius, and what about Skyla’s new expansions to the bird rehabilitation center?). Even though the series is closed, came to a fitting conclusion, and we will not see a “book four”, I would settle for a short story sequel that could give me a final taste of how our beloved characters are doing.
I highly recommend Why the Mountains Stand as I have recommended When the Ice Melts and Where the Wings Rise. It is a book I have enjoyed, and I have ordered multiple copies as gifts. Anyone will enjoy reading this book, and this book also makes such an excellent witness for our Lord. Order your copy today! You won’t be disappointed!
While the Climbing Higher series has concluded, I look forward to seeing what Ashlyn writes next. I know it will be another fantastic work!