A long-time fan of bestselling Canadian Author Karma Brown (favorite author), her latest powerhouse masterpiece novel—WHAT WILD WOMEN DO, is STUNNING and Top Books of 2023 list!

Two women's lives unexpectedly collide at a camp in the Adirondacks in this fascinating dual-timeline novel full of ambition, secrets, betrayal, mystery, intrigue, nature, inspiration, and a journey of self-discovery.

The author is at the top of her game with WHAT WILD WOMEN DO! Her best yet!

"If you want to transform, you can't be tentative."
—Eddie Callaway, Wild Women Handbook (1975)

1975: EDDIE CALLAWAY: A 1970s socialite-turned-feminist divorced with son Theo, who died in an auto accident at age 18, took over her family's camp, changed her name, and opened The Wild Women of Camp Callaway in the Adirondacks—A retreat for women to offer them refuge and compassion for their miraculous unfurling.

She uses her wealth to help empower women, allowing them to come free of charge. The enigmatic Eddie believed that your wilderness is a gift that must remain uncaged.

"Who knows what women can be when they are finally free to become themselves?"
—Eddie Calloway from Camp Callaway's Wild Woman Handbook, 1975

She went from socialite housewife to Camp Callaway's Head Goddess. Her staff consisted of her childhood friend, Sam, Florence, Dot, and her special friend, later a poet, Judith (Jules). Many loved her, and she had enemies with other camp owners. I loved them all!

Then, one morning, after encountering one of her enemies, she goes on a morning hike alone, planning a special treat for her guests and keeping it a secret from the staff; she disappears and is never found. The camp was passed on to her beneficiaries (her special friends from the camp), and it was closed.

ROWAN 2021: Rowan dreamed of becoming a Hollywood screenwriter and her fiancé, Seth, a novelist. However, their part-time jobs ended during the pandemic in LA, and they are now left with little money and nothing to show for their efforts. Seth has turned into a Youtuber, has put aside his novel writing, and is obsessed with subscribers and taking videos.

Rowan decides to book a month at a remote cabin in the Adirondacks to get their creative juices flowing. However, things do not go as expected. Seth is not writing and spends his time editing and taking videos. Rowan soon realizes they are not on the same page, and Seth does not have her best interests at heart.

While on a hike alone, she meets Jess and partner Aidan, ornithologists (loved them), and inquires about the abandoned camp nearby. Intrigued, she wants to know more and finds an old handbook from 1975 from Camp Callaway's Wild Woman. She also finds an old Nestle's Quick container with a note. Who was this mysterious woman, Eddie Calloway?

Rowan becomes obsessed with learning more about Eddie and the camp for women. She spends time at Glenda's Diner, asking the owner about her and researching online as much as possible since there is no internet at the cabin.

She also has a white feathered crow that visits her cabin where she leaves peanuts, and in turn, the crow leaves her treasures related to Eddie and the Camp.

In Rowan's search, she uncovers mysteries of the past that connect her to Eddie in more ways than she expected, which will change her life.

Beautifully told —from alternating two POVs and two timelines: Rowan 2021 from March-December and Eddie 1975. I was hanging on every word to return to Eddie's story and the mystery surrounding her disappearance— how the two stories would connect.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!

Words cannot adequately express my feelings about this book. From vivid descriptions and settings, it stirs your senses and emotions from nature, nostalgia, empowerment, inspiring, intriguing, mysterious, organic, enigmatic, and bold. The characterization is superb, and the writing is captivating, lyrical, and, at times, ethereal and enchanting.

I loved all the treasures: An old jewelry box, the treasure box mystery, the Nestles Quick chocolate milk containers, the smiley face pins, the birds, crows, trees, herbs and plants, and the wilderness all enhanced the reading experience. I enjoyed the staff and all the women and their experiences.

I particularly loved Eddie's character and was so happy Rowan finally learned what a jerk Seth was. I adored the cast of supporting characters and hated to see the book end. I am still thinking about it. My fifth book by the author, and this was my favorite! Brown dazzles! As a big nature lover, a HIT!

I loved it so much after reading the e-book that I purchased the hardcover and the audiobook narrated by the fabulous Karissa Vacker and Hillary Huber (two favorites) for a spellbinding performance for Rowan and Eddie! I highly recommend the audiobook!!

I cannot recommend WHAT WILD WOMEN DO enough. Compelling, inspiring, and uplifting. A Must-Read! The ending was perfection.

Many thanks to Dutton Books & NetGalley for the privilege of reading an ARC for an honest opinion.

Blog Review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars ++
Pub Date: Oct 24, 2023
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I really enjoyed this dual timeline mystery that sees a struggling screenwriter Rowan vacationing with her fiancé in an old feminist commune from the 70s and stumbling upon the remains of its missing founder, Eddie Callaway.

The two women main characters stole the show for me in this story about strong, independent women, female friendship and empowerment and finding your voice. Great on audio narrated by Karissa Vacker and Hilary Huber and perfect for fans of authors like Bianca Marais. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

If you want to transform, you can’t be tentative.
- Eddie Callaway, Wild Women Handbook (1975)

WHAT WILD WOMEN DO is the title of a handbook written by Eddie Callaway, a perfect 1950s socialite who completely transforms after a tragedy in her life, using her wealth to open a camp for women in the Adirondacks where she encourages them to unlock their repressed wildness. A copy of the 1970s feminist manifesto is found 30+ years later by Rowan, an aspiring screenwriter vacationing with her fiancé, who becomes obsessed by the mystery of Eddie's disappearance in 1975.

Eddie backstory and the retreats she held were fascinating to me and I wish the whole book had been about her life. Rowan's story, on the other hand, fell a little flat and I didn't understand her relationship with her fiancé at all. Despite that, I loved the way the two timelines converged at the end and the resolution of the mystery surprised me in the best way.

3.5 stars

Thanks to Dutton Books for the copy to review.

I didn't know what to expect diving into this book, and I was pleased with the dual timelines and exploring nature. However, it took me a long time to get drawn into this book and I don't think I was ever fully engaged. There was a lot of build-up that I'm not sure was necessary. The end was nicely wrapped up.

This is a review, but also a (non-creepy) lover letter to Canadian author, Karma Brown. I’ve read (and loved) all of her novels, but her forthcoming one, What Wild Women Do is my very favorite. This story spoke to my quiet, introverted, and nature-loving soul like you would not believe. I love hiking, exploring, and my dream is to live in a secluded cabin near the mountains one day. So when aspiring screenwriter, Rowan and her YouTuber/novelist fiancé, Seth rent a cabin in the Adirondacks for a month to get their creative juices flowing, I just knew that this one would be a winner for me. The unique, thought-provoking, and mysterious plot pulled me in immediately. Rowan discovers the abandoned ruins of a women’s summer camp, and is quickly intrigued by its history, and the mysterious disappearance of the camp’s founder, Eddie Calloway. Through dual timelines, Brown marvelously weaves the lives of the two women, unlocks clues to the decades-long mystery, and creates a remarkable connection between the two characters.

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Stories with feminist undertones
- Dual timelines (present & 1970s)
- Hiking, exploring nature, and birdwatching
- Adirondack setting
- Mysterious missing person cases
- Treasure hunting
- Summer camps & retreats
- Dreams of living in a secluded cabin in the woods
- Reflections on loss, grief, and healing
- Social media influencer lifestyle (YouTube specifically)

The audiobook is narrated by two of my favorites: Hillary Huber and Karissa Vacker, so I HIGHLY recommend that you go that route. I’m extremely grateful to have a finished copy for my bookshelves! (Thanks, Dutton!) What Wild Women Do releases on October 24th, and I seriously can’t recommend it enough. You need this book in your life, nature lovers!

This was a beautiful and thoughtful book that I think will stick with me for a while. Both protagonists, Rowan and Eddie, are fascinating, fully realized, complicated people that captivated me in this story. There is a strong theme of feminism and female empowerment that gave a depth and humanity to this book that I found very compelling.

This book feels like what I think a lot of Literary Fiction strives for - a snapshot of humanity with real complicated people who don't always get the happy ever after, but the growth and change they experience says a lot about their time and culture (and ours). The sense of place is beautiful and complete and creates a lush atmosphere for a rich story which is told in dual timeline (one of my personal favorite plot devices). Unlike many dual timeline books, I found both plotlines equally compelling with just enough overlap that it didn't feel contrived or unrealistic. Having both plots take place at the same location gave the story almost a layer of ghost story - since the location was so well described I could almost picture them both overlapping, seeing Eddie's camp when Rowan visits.

I feel like there are lessons from this book that will linger with me, and haunt me (in a good way) longer after this book is put back on the shelf.

Karma Brown has written another fantastic book she never fails to draw me in keep me turning the pages totally involved.The two women the timelines the feminist slant.Will be recommending.#netgalley #duttonbooks

Rowan's dreams of being a screenwriter have stalled, and she heads to the Adirondacks with her fiance Seth to hopefully spark both of their creative spirits. When she explores the area around them, she discovers an old camp where Eddie Calloway, heiress turned feminist leader in the 1970s, brought women together to re-ignite the wildness within them. The more she learns about Eddie's life leading up to her disappearance in 1975, the more she finds answers to the parts of her own life that she has been questioning.

Both Rowan and Eddie were instantly loveable characters, and I loved how Karma Brown wove their stories together in a sweeping story about the power of the wild.

I went into this book blind. Having no idea if I was reading a romance, thriller, or drama. Karma Brown weaves connects two women, living 50 years apart through mystery, intrigue, and adventure. I could not put this book down, it leaves you guessing all the way to the end. Great for a vacation read, easy to pick up on a weekend.

This book was an absolute treasure. Following struggling screen writer, Rowan (who is also clearly showing struggles in her marriage as the book begins), and then following feminist camp organizer and leader, Eddie, this book is high on female empowerment. Rowan and her husband arrived at an Adirondacks cabin hoping to spark their creative flow and as Rowan discovers an abandoned camp, she seeks to learn more about Eddie, who mysteriously disappeared back in 1975. Told in dual timelines, each woman's story is beautiful and will stick with me for quite some time.

Thank you to Penguin/Dutton and NetGalley for allowing me to read and provide an honest review ahead of pub date.

Good premise. I really like this author, but found the front was loaded with so much backstory that the pacing was too slow for me. Wishing I felt otherwise.

I found What Wild Women do to be just fine. It wasn’t earth-shattering, but it certainly wasn’t a bad book! Simply just not one I’ll think about now that I’ve finished it.

I found it to be very sad for a spoilery reason that I won’t write. I also found it to be quite slow. The pacing wasn’t there for me to stay as interested as I thought I’d be for a Karma Brown book.

I always love female-led stories and I’m a sucker for a dual timeline that comes together, so those were pluses! However, it just felt like too many loose ends by way of unresolved character arcs. So many characters get introduced and then they just…fade away. I didn’t love it.

What Wild Women Do gets a 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4) from me. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am drawn towards books of competent women in the outdoors, which is why I requested this title. It was not the outdoor woman's manifesto or tale of supremely competent women tackling the wilds that I had expected, but I also couldn't put the book down. Female empowerment, a nature setting, a mysterious death, a hidden treasure all told in dueling timelines of the 1970s and the present day. Smart, capable women who are growing and learning and becoming better versions of themselves and an engaging plot. Not too preachy. A great fun read with a feminist bent.

After leaving LA, nothing feels right. Seth hasn’t worked on his novel in ages and Rowan still has zero response from her last screenwriting submission. Their writing dreams feel stalled while exasperating vlog (video channel) retakes have become Seth’s obsession. Hoping to rejuvenate some creative juices they decide to spend a month at a cabin in the Adirondacks. It is quiet and beautiful with minimum distractions and as their cash flow is practically non existent - its’ cheap. Rowan stumbles upon an old deserted camp in the woods. It is a huge piece of gorgeous property with crumbling structures that appear deserted. Curious, Rowan dives deep into the history of the original owner, socialite and feminist Eddie Calloway who ran a women’s camp many years earlier. She mysteriously disappeared in 1975 without a trace. Slowly putting the pieces together, Rowans imagination runs wild. She discovers an old canister filled with clues and is compelled to follow each and every one of them. It seems Eddie Calloway summered at this camp as a child with her eccentric, loving and extremely wealthy family. With everyone long gone and a marriage that fell apart Eddie finds herself at a crossroads and reinvents her life’s purpose developing an infamous and often controversial camp for women. Narrated in dual timelines it is easy to fall in love with Rowan and Eddie, both strong women on a mission to follow their hearts. Filled with mystery, intrigue and the beauty of the natural world, this wholly original and heartfelt novel is a journey of the soul.

I will always read everything Karma Brown writes. That being said, this was just an okay read for me. I like the dual timelines and how both Rowan and Eddie both stood up for women’s rights. The growth of Rowan throughout the story was a definite plus.but I was not fully engaged with the storyline. #WhatWildWomenDo
#KarmaBrown NetGalley

This is the first book I have read by Karma Brown, and it was absolutely incredible. First off, the setting in the Adirondacks was so wholly realized that I feel like it’s a destination I want to visit in real life now. Second, I loved the dual timeline linking Rowan and Eddie - two women connected by a secret. I felt compelled to keep reading to find out the truth, alongside Rowan, of Eddie’s disappearance.

A smart women's fiction read perfect for book clubs.

I enjoyed this dual timeline novel in which two women are connected across the decades. The setting in the Adirondacks is so vivid that I immediately added the Adirondacks to my must-see vacation list.

The mystery of what happened to Eddie Calloway definitely kept me turning the pages, and I enjoyed how Rowan ended up in the woods and finding certain clues. Eddie's love of birds and the natural world really touched me, and provided a nice contrast to the social media fixation of the present-day timeline. Ultimately, the ending is satisfying and I appreciated how Rowan had changed over the course of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary e-galley; all opinions are my own.

I have long been a fan of Karma Brown's work, and think I now have a new favourite! One of the best things about this book, in my opinion, were the characters. They're so unique and full of depth, that I felt like I knew them. Eddie is interesting and alive and Rowan was so real and honest. Even all of the side characters who don't have as much time on the page had depth and a realness to them. In addition to the characterization, I also loved the plot and setting. There was a part where Rowan said she had to know what happens next, and that's how I felt when reading it. I needed to know what happened to Eddie and Rowan and where they end up. To top it all off, the scenery was so vivid - I was longing for a quiet forest in summer to explore. I really loved this book and can't wait for more of Karma Brown's books.

Thank you to the publishers, the author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A gripping and emotional tale of two women connected by a dark secret. I loved the twists and the feminist themes!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This dual timeline novel is an intriguing read, set in an idyllic setting in the Adirondacks and reaching across the years to connect two women.

Eddie Calloway is the owner of a feminist camp in the 1970s, set on her family's large property in the woods. She brings women together to celebrate womanhood and to find their own power, and the camp attendees love her for it. The other camp owners nearby don't love her camp and its focus on feminine topics such as the female body. After Eddie vanishes on a morning hike, no one is ever able to find her or what happened to her.

In the present day, Rowan and her fiancee Seth rent a cabin in the woods in an attempt to stir their creative juices for her screenplay and his novel. When they stumble across the camp and an old Quik container, Rowan begins digging into the past and is fascinated by Eddie's story and the mystery of her disappearance.

This book is beautifully written. The setting is absolutely idyllic, and the author describes the greenery and the camp in a way that makes you picture it all in your mind. I liked the alternating timelines and just how different the two women's lives were as they existed in the same space 50 years apart. Rowan and her fiancee are YouTubers, making short videos of all the things they see at the camp. Eddie never would have been a YouTuber. She cares deeply for the earth, the environment, the birds, and the people at her camp and wouldn't care one bit about social media if it had been around in her day. The contrast was startling and so very interesting.

Rowan makes some strong decisions toward the end of the story, showing great character development and growth. That month in the woods changed her deeply, and that felt like commentary on how one event can shake a person and truly change the course of their life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.