Perfect little story to fill some time. Hilderbrand never disappoints! I was disappointed when I came to the end!

Thanks for the opportunity to read this!

thank you netgalley for the e-arc. i should have known with less than 60 pages this would be one to skip. no connections to any of her previous books, it's a short story that has no point. its just a girl that still goes on a trip when her boyfriend leaves and later finds out she's the other woman. OF COURSE SHE IS

I will religiously read anything and everthing Elin Hilderbrand writes. I liked this story but it wasn't as enthralling as her long form writing. It also felt less gossipy and lived in like her books. I found myself skimming at the end to find the happily ever after.

Elin Hilderbrand's "Natural Selection" is a quick, enjoyable escape, albeit a bit predictable. The setting -- a Galapagos Islands cruise -- is a departure from Hilderbrand's typical Nantucket reads, but a fun backdrop for the novella. The story follows Sophia, a woman who finds herself solo on a couples cruise after her boyfriend abruptly bails on their planned vacation.

However, while the story is well-written and the characters are likable, I found myself wanting a bit more depth. The plot felt a little predictable, and the resolution was perhaps a bit too tidy. Had this been a full novel, I'm confident Hilderbrand would have delivered the drama, conflict, and complexity she's known for.

Overall, "Natural Selection" is a solid choice for fans of Hilderbrand or those looking for a light, breezy read. If you're looking for a quick escape with a touch of romance and adventure, this short story is a good option. But if you're expecting a complex character-driven narrative, you might be left wanting more. "Natural Selection" is not going to blow your mind, but it's a pleasant way to spend a few hours.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

“He’s a maestro in bed with a remarkably big baton.”

Elin packed so much content into these…wow, really!?! Only 54 pages!?! No way!?

I did this one as an audiobook and loved it.

We all know from the jump the JP is a sus kinda guy, well everyone but Sophia. Sophia is happy as can be with her new boyfriend…but wait has that ever been clarified!?! He plans a trip and then receives and urgent call and things go downhill from there, or do they!?

This one has a lovely cast of characters and was very enjoyable. I definitely recommend checking it out.

Considering that this was a short story, I believe Elin Hilderbrand worked her magic for this story giving you a glimpse into the world while leaving a world of possibility that could easily be a full-length book. The natural selection theming in the main character's ability to adapt was beautifully unpacked throughout the book. The story was a bit predictable, but I think that was natural for stories in this format. However, the boyfriend's sudden leave is interesting enough to keep you reading to figure out what happened. It's a simple, easy read and I think fans of her work will enjoy this quick read.

A very short short story about a woman who is about to board a flight to the Galapagos — when her boyfriend gets a call on the landline and tells her that he must head home to his ex-wife and family because there is a terrible situation. She assumes it has to do with his son who has been struggling with addiction. While her boyfriend leaves, she decides to go on the trip at his insistence.

Not terrible; but there are so many better Elin books to read.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this short story.

Since she is one of my favorite authors, of course I immediately downloaded and read it immediately. It was only 54 pages and took me no time at all to read obviously.

Sophia was in her 30s and her boyfriend of only 6 months, was 54, divorced, with three kids. Unfortunately, she got ditched at the airport right before they were headed on a cruise for The Galapagos Islands, due to a family emergency he said. Come to find out he was a liar. The decided to go anyway. It was supposedly a luxury cruise ship but that was definitely not the case but she ended up having a pretty good time and met some nice people.

It was a cute book and it ended years from the time she was on the boat and it was tied up nicely in her favor.

one of my favorites from Elin. heart warming, soul touching and fast paced. Elin never fails to bring a smile and tear to my eye in her stories.

A nice quick short story. I think the plot had a lot of potential of being turned into a novel. Elin did an amazing job. However, I am not into 3rd person pov novels therefore I gave it a 3/5⭐️. I’m very interested in reading more of Elin’s novels in the future!

Obviously, I’ll devour anything Elin writes, but wow—this short novel great! In just a few pages, I was completely hooked on these characters. The female lead’s evolution was so well done, and watching her realize her own growth was so satisfying. Sure, I had a hunch where the story was headed, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying every single twist along the way! Elin never disappoints!

Quick short story. Not really much of a story. Woke elements throughout and I could tell what was going to happen from the beginning. I expected more from this author.

A sweet little novella.

I wanted to STRANGLE the MC most of the time, but I think that's what Hilderbrand intended, to show the development throughout the story.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fun, quick short story by the greatest beach read author! I loved the setting, the Galapagos, most of all. Even though I guessed where the story was heading as far as the main character, I still enjoyed the ride there. HIlderbrand rarely disappoints.

Just when you think Elin Hilderbrand is done writing...she releases a short story! I was able to devour this in an hour and it was such a fun short stroy. I was not loving the setting, but the storyline and characters were great.

Sophia and her boyfriend are in love and talking marriage. He's divorced and has three older children. The lovebirds are going on a romantic cruise to escape snow and so that he can fulfill his dreams of photographing wildlife in the Galapagos.

At the airport he gets called away for a family emergency but he insists that she continue with the cruise. He gives her a list of the species he'd love to get photos of - and his prized camera kit.

While on the cruise, Sophia has a lot of time to think, get to know the other passengers, and to soak in the beauty of the Galapagos.

This is a quick reading short story/novella. I enjoyed reading it.

I will read anything by Elin Hilderbrand and this short story from Amazon Originals was the perfect quick read to enjoy while sitting outside, taking in the summer weather. Main character Olivia is excited for a couples cruise with her boyfriend when he bails at the last minute. She decides to go on the cruise anyway and learns some surprising things herself, her boyfriend, and the others on the cruise. Even though it's a short 54 pages, this story has Elin's signature details about settings, places, food and travel.

I would read a phone book if Elin Hilderbrand wrote it.

This was a fun story about Sophia, who left to go on a Galapagos nature cruise with her boyfriend. He abruptly leaves her at the airport for an emergency and she’s forced to go on the cruise alone.

This was such a fun quick read. I felt like so much happened in the 50ish pages of the book. I hope Elin will write more short stories in retirement. I’ll read them all!

Thank you net galley and publisher for this ARC. I really enjoyed this short story, it moved quickly and kept me curious all the way through.

This fast, fun story had a gorgeous backdrop in the Galapagos Island, that was filled with beautiful scenery, intrigue and romance. I was happy to read about Elin's typical name-dropping brands like the blue footed booby Stubbs & Wooten loafers! While I would obviously have loved a full length story, I'll enjoy getting my Elin Hilderbrand snippets where I can!