Abby’s off to college and she can be anyone or anything she wants. The problem is she feels like five or six different people all trapped in the same body. One Abby with her dad. One Abby with her mom. One with her sisters. One with her girlfriend. One with her friends. Everyone wants a different version of her. Until she meets them.Gavin’s off to college and he can be anyone or anything he wants. and he can be anyone or anything he wants.
The problem is the voices in his head of all the people who’ve told him he doesn’t matter; he’s too small, too weak, too nerdy. Being a math genius is pointless if no one pays any attention to you.
No one expects him to rise to the occasion.
But rise he does.
Authors’ Note: The Explorer is a Mountains Series standalone in the new adult/coming of age genre. It can be read with or without the main three books. Portions of this book were previously part of the title Mountains Loved. The Explorer has new content as well and is only recommended for readers over 18.
Book 1: Mountains Wanted – James & Sarah’s Story #1
Book 2: Mountains Climbed – James & Sarah’s Story #2
Book 3: Mountains Loved – James & Sarah’s Story #3
Book 4: Christmas in the Mountains – James & Sarah’s holiday novella
Book 5: The Navigator – Garrett’s Story
Book 6: The Explorer – Abby’s Story #1
Book 7: The Adventurer – Rachel’s Story (coming soon)
Book 8: Mountains Transcended – Abby’s Story #2 (coming soon)
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I have a tendency to not read the blurb of a book before I read it, therefore I had no clue where Phoebe Alexander was going in The Explorer (Mountains Wanted Publishing, 2020). I was exactly where Abby was in the story (laugh).
Alexander takes us through Abby and Gavin’s first year at college. Both of the main characters had completely different upbringings yet are very similar in personality. They both start off in the same place emotionally at the beginning of the book and Alexander takes us through their changes during their first year on their own.
We get to experience first times, heart break, the stress of tests and papers, and death. There might be some triggers for readers, but I did not issue the usual warning as Alexander just lightly touches the subject. There is some emotional abuse which one again borders on the trigger warning and me writing one. It was not a trigger for me, but it might be for others.
Alexander explores sexuality and gender in The Explorer and does it with sensitivity and sensuality. Alexander also utilizes humor which y’all know I love. I highly recommend you explore Phoebe Alexander’s latest in the “Mountain Series”.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
The Explorer (Mountains Series #6)
By Phoebe Alexander
5 out of 5 stars
I loved reading the story The Explorer (Mountains Series #6) by Phoebe Alexander. I have loved reading about Abby in the previous books of this series and am thrilled that she now has a story of her own. This is a book that pulled me in from the beginning and didn’t let me go until the final page. Even when I finished, I wished there were a few more chapters. Abby is in college and on her own. Although she feels like she has to be someone different with each family member and even her friends. Will Abby find her happiness? I also loved reading about Gavin. He is a fellow student of Abby’s. Will he find himself at college? Will he find the attention and friendship that he has always wanted? Read this book to find out. Both Gavin and Abby are wonderful characters. They are likable characters and you can’t help but want them to find happiness. This story is an emotional one and my emotions went up and down the entire time I was reading it. This is a coming of age story that has Abby and Gavin finding out about themselves and the others around them. There are steamy romantic scenes. I would highly recommend reading this book.
I found this book to be a great example of how we need to find out who WE are and not label us as others see or want to see us. Abby is a young girl on the cusp of adulthood and explores the different options to what her life will be like while in college. This book is sexually graphic so if not what you like to read then you might want to pass but the basic story is a good one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I never reveal spoilers!!! I will say once again Phoebe has out down herself. I received this as an ARC for an honest review. First off I have read the Mountain Series that this spins off from. I loved that I got to see what was going on with Abby now. The author does a great job in educating so LBGT terms. So many people just don’t understand.
This book can definitely be read as a stand alone which is great because sometimes authors do these spinoffs and it’s just not good but Phoebe nailed it!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved watching Abby go from being a shy girl to a comfortable in her own skin woman.
This book allows you to see a natural progression from the start to the ending of Abby’s evolution.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Explorer is the 6th book in the Mountains Series by Phoebe Alexander. In this book we follow Abigail who we meet in the first 3 books however now she is headed off to college. She is in a confused stage of life where she doesn’t know who she is or what she wants to be. This book is one that I could relate to on so many levels. Feeling like I have to be someone different for everyone in my life. The author pulls you in from the first page as she has done with every book in this series and leaves you craving more. You can read this book as a standalone but I would recommend reading it in order so that you have a better understanding of the story.
Another Great book By Phoebe Alexander! I love her writing style and how well she develops her characters through her books. She has captured me again through her pages of this great read you won’t want to put this book down. If you haven’t read her before you’re missing out!!! I can’t wait to read another great book!
Abby is torn when she goes off to college and is struggling to find out who she really is. Gavin knows who he is, but it’s a daily struggle being an introvert. His father who is constantly putting him down and his overprotective mother helped create who he thought he was. In the first books, we all followed Abby as she grew up and headed off to college where she meets a new friend Maddy and then meets Gavin where they become best friends. The author has an innate ability to create characters that draw you in and make you able to identify with them. This is what makes Phoebe Alexander’s books stand out from the rest!
I’m going to start by saying that you can read this book on its own, however, I suggest reading the whole series by book. I love series, and this is probably my favorite book of this series. Most “side” characters you never get to read their stories, so it was kind of refreshing to have read bits and pieces of Abby’s story and then have her as the head character of a book. Reading about her first year in college actually felt like reading a real persons story. I say that because a lot of this story feels like real life and parts were emotional. Like I said before, this is probably my favorite book out of the series now.
The Explorer is the 6th book in the Mountains series by Phoebe Alexander. Books 1-3 in the series should be read in order but the remaining books are standalones and can be read in any order. I have previously read a lot of Phoebe Alexander’s book and have enjoyed everyone that I have read but I was a bit worried about this one as I didn’t really relate to Abby’s character when I read books 1-3. I did, however really enjoy this book although it didn’t grip me quite as much as Sarah and James’ story.
In this book Abigail (or Abby) has gone off to college. It’s very much a coming of age story. Abby was confused about her sexuality. She was sure that she liked girls, and only girls but throughout this book we see Abby coming to terms with her sexuality and discover who she truly is. I really enjoyed reading Abby’s journey, her growing friendships and relationships.
This book has some great secondary characters, particularly Willow and Gavin, who are both fantastic characters that I really enjoyed reading. I also enjoyed reading the relationship between Abby and her newly found father and half-sisters. As much as I hated her father’s actions, it was very well written and engaging to the reader.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. It’s a great coming of age story.
he Explorer was a great 5 star read and book six in the Mountains series.
This can be read as a stand alone.
I was excited to get Abigail’s story, she is Sara’s daughter from the previous books.
Abigail is starting college in a new city and so is Gavin.
When Gavin meets Abigail and is instantly attracted to her until she shares that she isn’t interested in men and is confused about what she wants, could she be pansexual? They become fast friends and help each other get through their first year of college.
Overall this was a great read, you get so many different things that add a great element to the story. I don’t want to give anything away so I won’t go into much more detail. I loved all of the secondary characters. Phoebe does a great job of pulling you in with her writing and you won’t want to stop until you are done. She also has some great messages in her story as well. 1-click and get started today on this great read.
The Explorer by Phoebe Alexander was a great addition to the Mountains Series! It was a little weird at first reading about Abby’s sexual adventure in college, as you meet a younger version in the first Mountains novel. But that very quickly goes away as you see how developed into a young woman she has become, and how she learns to find herself. This novel had me laughing and crying, and raging as well. It’s full of positivity and why you should positive and tolerant of everyone. Definitely an 18+ novel, and I highly recommend reading this novel after finishing the Mountains Series!
I don’t normally like reading romance stories about college kids. I feel like I’m a creepy old lady! They’re my daughter’s age! LOL! But this one was wonderful! This is a coming of age story about exploring yourself and finding out who you truly are. Then learning how to deal with judgement by others. Others who are supposed to love you no matter what. This is a struggle so many in the LGBTQ community have to deal with. It shouldn’t matter what your sexuality is. This story shows both sides. It shows how those who are so uncompromising and ignorant in their beliefs really can change and learn to accept that it is okay for everyone to be who they are born to be.
This might be my favorite Phoebe Alexander book…and that’s saying something because I love all her stories! She pulls out all the feels…all…the…time! This story is completely different from the rest of this series but every book is great! Read them all. My recommendation is 5 stars!
This series has completely hooked me but I’ve always been a fan of Phoebe Alexander. Her writing has always been different from anyone else that I have read. Her stories are unique and nothing compares. I loved that we finally got to read about Abby. She’s in college and feels like she needs to be someone different to make her friends and family happy even though its not something that makes her happy. Gavin is also trying to find himself as well. The sparks between the two but they go through a journey that not only includes love but finding ones self. You can’t help but fall in love with these two characters. They send you on one heck of a rollercoaster ride but it was so worth it in the end.
Abby is trying to figure out where she belongs in the world, questions her sexuality and trying to get over a broken heart. Dealing with each of those things on their own is hard enough. But when you throw in also going off to college and throwing ALL of that in the mix, it makes for an overwhelming mix that has her feeling like she’s drowning in emotions.
Along the way, she meets several new people Gavin, Mia, and Willow. Each makes an impression on her and each friendship means so much to her. Through all of that, she’s coming into her sexuality more and relationships stir as their journeys unfold.
I loved the characters and the different quirks they each have. I felt like they’re each very relatable, whether it was in each of their everyday relationships or the struggles they have gone through. It’s a beautiful story that really pulls at your emotions, and has storylines that go a long way for self-discovery, tolerance, and love.
I was super excited to find out Abby had her own story coming out. Watching her grow in Sarah’s story made me want to know Abby’s story even more. While I dont want to give anything away, I will say that I loved the dynamic between Abby, Willow, and Gavin. While this is a standalone, I feel its best to start at the beginning of the series. A definite hit from Phoebe!
If you read the first three books in this series, then you have already been introduced to Abby and know a little of her back story. This book, however, focuses on Abby and her transition to college. As seen in previous books, there are many sides to Abby. Each side is dependent on who she is around. However, now Abby is off to college and it is time for her to discover who she really is. This means exploring this new freedom and allowing herself to come to terms with her own sexuality.
We are introduce to Gavin. Gavin is also starting college and trying to find himself. When he meets Abby, there is an almost immediate attraction. When Abby doesn’t feel the same way, they develop a friendship that they both really need. Gavin is coming to terms with being out from under his father’s thumb and constant scrutiny, and he and Abby form quite the bond.
One thing I love about Phoebe’s books is that they feel so real. She tackles the real-life issues that people struggle with on a day-to-day basis. I found pieces of myself in both Gavin and Abby. Also, there are some other characters that we are introduced to that feel like people I know in my real life! Another great book by Phoebe in a series that has kept my attention since the first page of the first book!
Phoebe Alexander has done it again! Every time I think she won’t exceed the book before she keeps proving me wrong! This read can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading them as part of a series! Phoebe Alexander each time creates a storyline and characters that are well developed, real and captivating. I loved following the characters journey throughout watching them grow into even stronger characters, and finding their self. This book has steaminess, romance and emotion, and makes it a hard read to put down! I can’t wait for more from this author, I can’t wait to explore more characters from this series! I highly recommend this read!
The Explorer (Mountains Series Book 6)
by Phoebe Alexander
I was so happy to find out Abby was getting her own story. We were introduced to Abby in the first book in this series, she is Sarah’s daughter and we have watched her grow in the previous books from afar because she wasn’t a main character. She is off to college now and she is trying to figure out who is. She meets Gavin and Willow and they become really close. Abby also meets a girl named Mia who is a little bit older than her. I’m not going to give anything away so if you want to know what happens between her and Abby you need to read this book.There are some issues that are dealt with in this story that bring out some emotions. I got caught up in this story so much so that I didn’t want to put it down. This book can be read as a standalone but it is my recommendation that you read all the books in this series because they are awesome and you get to know some really great characters. I absolutely love this Author and her writing style, I highly recommend this book.
The Explorer by Phoebe Alexander
Four Stars
The Explorer is the sixth book in the Mountains Series.by Phoebe Alexander. This book can be read as a standalone, but I would highly recommend you read this series in order. This book grabbed my attention from the very first page and I couldn’t put it. Phoebe is such a fantastic story teller and this book is no exception. The characters are true to life and the story flows from beginning to end. The issues are thoughtfully introduced and discussed. I am enthralled with this series, and can’t wait to read the next book in this series. I highly recommend this book, series and author.