A short, super quick story from Elin. This started off strong but fell flat for me at the end. A bit too predictable but I liked the characters.

A really , really quick read., I do have to say I wanted more
Sophia has been dating JP, who is almost perfect in her eyes. They agreed to take their first trip together and while at the airport JP is called away for an emergency.. Sophia inbox on a trip that will save her life and change it in. She has not expected.!

I enjoyed this book. I just wanted more.!

In Natural Selection, Elin Hilderbrand takes readers on an unexpected journey of self discovery and transformation in her new short story. This story follows Sophia Othonos, who finds herself embarking on a rustic cruise to the Galapagos Islands alone after her boyfriend JP bails at the last minute. Initially, Sophia is unsure about continuing the trip meant for two. But throughout the week of exploring the islands, Sophia confronts her insecurities and reevaluates her relationship, ultimately realizing that the person she truly needs to fall in love with is herself. As always, this story is enriched by Elin’s vivid descriptions and thoughtful reflections, proving that sometimes the best adventures are the ones taken alone.

I adore Elin Hilderbrand's work and have read all of her long form books, and this is her first short story I've read. It was a different experience; I enjoyed it all the same.

The book is a snapshot of a relationship experience the main character, Sophia, is having. My favorite thing about it is a core message that there are ups and downs, and what is happening in a relationship or life right now is not indicative of how it will all turn out. This is a nice reminder, no matter where one is in life.

The main thing I missed from Elin's typical long books is the switching of perspective between characters. This is not a criticism of this piece as it would likely be too much for a short piece like this. Rather, this is praise for her other work as I really enjoy getting to see the story unfold from different angles.

It was also fun to see a glimpse of a trip to the Galapagos. I haven't visited that region yet, so I appreciated the view into what travel is like there.

I will forever read anything that Elin Hilderbrand writes. Natural Selection was her latest, a short story. As expected, it was phenomenal!

Natural Selection is a brief and breezy read that serves as a quick escape into the Galápagos Islands. The story is short, both in length and in plot, which makes it a perfect palate cleanser between more substantial reads. While the narrative is almost so predictable that I found myself second-guessing the simplicity of the "twist," in the end, there wasn’t much more to it than what appeared on the surface.

Despite its predictability, the story’s brevity is a strong point. Hilderbrand’s writing is smooth and engaging, making this an easy, one-sitting read. If you're looking for an undemanding story to fill the gaps between meatier books, this will fit the bill.

It's supposed to be their first vacation together, but just before Sophia and her new boyfriend board a flight to the Galapagos Islands together, he gets a call—and suddenly she's on a solo vacation to a place she didn't really want to go in the first place, with people she wouldn't befriend in her normal New York life. And suddenly she is not sure what is going on in her relationship, or how she's going to get through this holiday...

I haven't actually read any of Hilderbrand's books, though of course I've seen them in many a bookstore and many a library. This is a quick read of a story, only about fifty pages—I read it on the way to and from the gym. There aren't a lot of surprises here, but it's satisfying; I sort of love how much of a snob Sophia is about the boat when the package tour first starts. Without spoiling anything, I'll say that the phone call near the end is interesting—nice that it's very level-headed, but also clear that...oh, there's an extent to which some collateral damage is expected and treated as though it doesn't matter, I guess. Raises some interesting questions about whether one person's experience trumps another's—or, maybe more to the point, what you do when one person's experience trumps another's but the second person, you know, still has an experience.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

A touching short story by an amazing author. Sophia experiences heartbreak while learning how to appreciate life, nature and others. This would be a great novel and I was sad it ended.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, and it is not the most intelligent. It is the one most adaptable to change."

Sophia is thrown for a loop when her boyfriend, JP, of six months abruptly leaves just before they board their flight to the Galapagos Islands. Sophia goes on the trip alone and realizes JP may not be the person she thought he was.

This was a sweet short story. While pretty predictable, I guessed from the earliest description what the boyfriend was up to, I love a story where a woman realizes her best trait is to love herself.