This was a slow burn to start, but I really enjoyed the build up and the two POV's. At about three quarters if the way in I felt it stalled a little and the ending was a but of a letdown to me after such a great build up.

Great read, have recommended to followers and friends. I enjoyed reading this book because it was engaging, well-written, and informative.

This was a really well written thriller that had me engrossed throughout. It was full of tension and suspense. I loved the twists and didn’t see any of them coming.

I really liked the detail of the experience of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. It felt like you are partaking in the climb alongside the characters.

The story is told through the dual POV narrative of the main rival characters Florence and Jacob. They are colleagues who are leading two teams in a competition to reach the top of Kilimanjaro.
However the story is full of secrets and pranks and things the tensions are run high throughout building the suspense and keeping you on the edge of your seat.

The narrator of told the story really well and made it really easy to distinctly recognise which character you were listening to throughout. I also thing it was narrated at a good speed as I was able to listen to it at 1.5x speed and found it great when normally I would listen at 2x/2.5x speed.

I will definitely be looking to read more by this author and looking out for more by this narrator.

Thank you to Headline and NetGalley for the eArc and ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a well narrated book, with a very interesting plot line and premise. Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others, who enjoy this sort of novel.

I enjoyed Karen Hamilton's previous book, The Ex-Husband, so I was looking forward to The Contest. This was a good example of a destination thriller and I enjoyed the descriptions of the trek in Kilimanjaro. I was intrigued by the rivalry between Jacob and Florence and wondered where the thrill element might take us. I have to say I disliked pretty much all the characters and didn't have any sympathy for any of them! They all seemed rather spoilt and annoying (which I think was the intention)!!

I found the narration for the audiobook a little flat and feel I might have enjoyed this book more if I had focussed on reading the print version. I also noticed that there would be lengthy descriptions of meal plans and menus, only for the characters to be described as consuming something else a few lines later. For example, detailing a snack of tea and cookies, only for a character to be described moments later as enjoying their hot chocolate! I found that a little jarring.

So I absolutely loved this authors debut The perfect girlfriend so was super excited to get an advanced copy of this.

Unfortunately this is where my excitement stopped. This was very lack lustre.and literally no twists, such a shame

***ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.co.uk in return for an honest review ***
Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. A thrilling story about jealousy, revenge & corporate competitiveness.

I found it to be a bit of a slow burner at the start, I did get into it later and found the plot to be interesting if not a little predictable. Thanks to Netgalley for this advanced copy

The Contest is a thrilling and twisty story full of secrets. We follow Florence and Jacob who are rival travel guides, they are embarking on a dangerous competition on their climb up Kilimanjaro with their elite clients. However as secrets are revealed and strange things begin to occur it may just turn into a competition for survival instead. Although this had a slow start I was soon completely absorbed and I loved the tense, suspenseful atmosphere. I was truly on the edge of my seat and definitely recommend to thriller lovers.

The Contest by Karen Hamilton, narrated by Heather Long, took me on a thrilling ride that I couldn't put down. Florence and Jacob, rival travel guides, embark on a dangerous competition to lead their exclusive clientele up Kilimanjaro. But this isn't just about the top job; Florence is on a personal quest for answers after a tragic accident, and Jacob is determined to impress his powerful father, the company owner. As the tension rises, a member of their team meets a suspicious demise, turning the competition into a deadly fight for survival.

The book's atmospheric setting drew me in from the start, and despite the characters not being the most likable, I couldn't help but be invested in their fate. The eerie, rival-group dynamic added a gripping layer to the story, leaving me constantly wondering what they would do next. The writing was sharp and engaging, capturing the essence of a dark thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

While I found the beginning a tad slow, the plot picked up its pace, and the well-crafted storyline kept me intrigued throughout. For fans of atmospheric and intense thrillers, The Contest is a must-read. I want to extend my gratitude to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with this gripping copy.

Florence was head hunted to work for Blackmore Vintage Travel. A company that does bespoke holidays for its super wealthy clients. This trip is a race to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro pitched against her work rival Jacob. Whilst looking after their demanding clients both must battle their own inner demons. All the time watched by the owner of the company Hugo.
As things start happening on the trip everyone's true nature starts to show. Who will reach the top and what will they loose on the way there.
This story is told from different points of view. However, the audiobook was an easy listen.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to see an ARC

This had me gripped from the beginning. I listened at every chance I had and finished it within a couple of days. There were some good twists and some parts that I managed to work out. I enjoyed the setting of the book - something different for this genre. I’ll definitely be interested in reading more by this author. The narration was also good.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers.

This is my first Karen Hamilton book and i found it to be a slow burn for a good portion of the audio book but it definately did pick up. I loved the storyline,setting and different points of view. It wasnt my favourite audiobook but well worth listening too. Thanks to Netgalley & headline audio for sending me this arc.

This was an interesting listen if a bit of a slow burn. It gives you an interesting storyline along with a well researched perspective on climbing Kilimanjaro as a group. I did find at times the characters backstories were lacking and felt a little like a good chunk of the backstories were blurred out and not necessarily at the right moment. There was a good variety of characters that were both likeable and and not so likeable. Overall it’s an enjoyable read with more to like then dislike.

3.5/5 🌟🌟🌟/🌟

Thanks to Netgalley and Headline Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review #TheContest

Blackmore Vintage Travel is a company that promises the ultimate in bespoke luxury holiday experiences and expects their staff to be the best in the business. Going above and beyond isn't a request its something they demand.

Every year they challenge two of their top guides to take a team of staff and valued clientele on the ultimate journey and this year Florence and Jacob are pitted against each other, both tasked with getting their individual teams to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro first.

Told in alternate chapters by the two team leaders, the contest flows really well. Great characters, stunning scenery and harsh conditions with the perfect balance of rivalry, suspense and drama made this an easy read that kept my attention from start to finish.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy, I was under no obligation and all opinions expressed are my own.

This was a really slow burn to start with, it did get better. I liked the setting and the plot was really interesting not something that I encountered before but worked well.
The narration suited the story

I had never read/listened to anything by this author before and on paper this should have been right up my street so would like to try more of hers.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

Wow what a drama and an incredible depiction of how business lives intertwine with personal lives creating the perfect backdrop of intrigue and murder. You definitely will not be putting this down as it runs away with your senses.

This is an unusual story about an extreme type of travel agent with a competitive edge. Basically a group of wealthy and competitive people are trying to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. It is not realistic as I think in reality more is required but then it is a novel. I won't be trying to re-write the blurb here as I believe it is better done by the professionals. It is one of those books that I cannot decide if I really liked it. One issue was that despite trying to, I just didn't like any of the characters. Most of the story is told by Flo and I think we are supposed to be on her side, but she ends up pretty unlikeable. In the end I just didn't care. Some how this one just doesn't quite hit the mark despite a promising start and idea.

This book I felt was abit slow to start with but did pick up in the second half. There was an Erie atmosphere but I found the story to be quite predictable.

I thought the plot and the characters interesting and although you can kind of guess what's going to happen, you'll still struggle to stop listening.
Thanks to NetGalley, the editor and the author for the opportunity to access this ARC.