Five stars ⭐️

I was a tiny bit scared to read this as I don’t typically love books where a couple is trying to save their marriage since I’m not a huge fan of angst and sometimes I can’t get over things as easily as the couple can… but this was the perfect exception.

I loved this SO much. There’s just something about Hannah Bonam-Young’s writing that just immediately pulls me in and has me hooked by the first page every single time.

I loved how even though there were problems between Caleb and Sarah, they still loved each other SO much and neither of them were afraid to fix things.

The way Caleb loved Sarah? Man, I hope I have that someday. He would’ve done absolutely anything for her🥹💙

This made me laugh and cry and feel all the feels. As someone who has also lost my mother, seeing Sarah’s perspective of her mother was so beautiful.

All in all, this was such a comforting read and I loved every second of it.

Huge thanks to Hannah Bonam-Young, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC! I’ll definitely buy this one when it’s out in the world to keep on my bookshelf.

I don't think there was ever going to be a scenario where this wasn't a 5 star read for me. I love the way Hannah takes these really high stakes ideas (a surprise pregnancy in OOAL, a couple struggling with how to communicate and questioning their marriage in this one, etc.) and makes them feel very low stakes and wholesome. You know you're going to be safe in this world and with these characters.

Granted, I was probably primed to love this from the get go. I met my husband when I was 15, and reading about a married couple who grew up together and had to learn how grow together and adjust as adults hit a little too close to home. I loved how even when they're fighting and not on the same page at all, they both still have love and attraction for each other. There's that level of comfort with each other that no amount of silent treatments and arguing can truly come between when you've been together for so long.

I won't spoil the ending, but the last chunk of this book made me fully cry. I already can't wait to reread this.

Side note: I also love how HBY writes spice in a way that is both always sweet and HOT.

Sarah and Caleb have my whole heart in this book! I found pieces of myself and my marriage in this story and it’s the first romance book I’m making my husband read (and he already agreed)! I cried alongside Sarah as she grieved and understood Caleb at so many parts. The humor was delightful, as were the side characters. I loved Sarah and Caleb’s story and how they were so committed to each other for so long. I’m still relatively young in my own marriage and reading a book about still figuring yourself out while being in a marriage was invigorating. There was so much that can be taken from Sarah and Caleb’s story and it’s so important to show being in your 30s and staying committed to your partner isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. I love how well Hannah Bonam-Young captures that. She has a magic in her stories that brings them to life and has the reader grow alongside the characters. I loved seeing Bo and Win again, but I mostly just adored being back inside Hannah Bonam-Young’s worlds again, if only for a few hours. 5⭐️, 2🌶

there’s something about Hannah Bonam-Young that’s gonna do it for me every. single. TIME. I loved this so so much, the emotional depth was chef’s kiss!! Caleb is the perfect man, new book bf for SURE. Thank you SO much to Random House for letting me read this arc from one of my favorite authors!!!

I feel so incredibly blessed to have been chosen for an arc but to also have had a chance to read Sarah and Caleb’s story.

I jumped on the HBY train so fast after reading and falling in love with Wyn and Bo and when I found out that Sarah and Caleb got their story I was excited to see where it went. And WOW I’m so moved by it.

The topics were so deep: death of a parent, grieving, finding oneself while also finding yourself with a partner, and many other amazing things. I think I cried seven times…. On their journey through the woods to figure out the next phase of their marriage, you get glimpses into their early days and the death of Sarah’s mom, a focal point of Sarah’s desire to step into this tough conversation with her husband. To find herself as Marcie wanted!

GO PREORDER OR BUY OR WHATEVER SO YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON THIS PHENOMENAL NOVEL.

What if you met and married your soulmate when you were barely an adult and didn't know who you were and who you'd grow into being?

Having met each other at 14, Sarah and Caleb have always been solid, with Caleb Sarah's dependable and steady rock as she battled with her mother dying when they were in high school. But now at 31, she's realised that her grief has left her floundering. All she is is Caleb's extra limb, someone to be rescued instead of a person in her own right. With no degree or career, who is Sarah? And can their rock-solid partnership survive with the changes Sarah knows she needs to make? To get them out of their comfort zone without distractions, they embark on a week-long couples' therapy hike in the wilderness to rekindle their connection.

I teared up so many times reading this book. These are two people clearly still in love with each other but something needs to change or they'll wither. I appreciate that from the outset both of them were clear about wanting to remain married, but needed to work through their issues and to free both of them up from playing the same roles - Caleb the rescuer, Sarah the rescued. Pace-wise it did lag a bit when they resolved a lot of their issues earlier than I expected, so the plot faltered a bit.

I find love stories far more satisfying when its existing couples. To me this is the biggest love story, seeing how they keep the love alive while giving each other the space to grow individually. I loved Sarah and Caleb's brutally honest conversations, the fear and pain, the pining and the transformation they both undertake. Sarah and Caleb were just such sweethearts to root for and I also really loved that they were childfree and, shockingly (because romance ALWAYS makes them do so), they didn't change their minds. We just don't see enough unabashed childfree characters so thank you Hannah!

With its beautifully raw dialogue and well-rounded characters, Hannah Bonam-Young really hits it out of the park with this deeply moving, heartfelt story of a marriage experiencing growing pains. It's also about finding the courage to grow and work through your struggles to find yourself. I cannot highly recommend this enough.

Thanks to Ballantine/Dell and NetGalley for the ARC.

I really liked this!!! HBY handles her writing with such care and that really shows! Caleb and Sarah’s story is such a lovely, heartfelt journey of healing and growing together and it was done in a really enjoyable setting to read!! Their love for each other, even when struggling, is so deep and present and I loved that! Sarah’s journey of grief and self-discovery was really well written, and the end was so fulfilling!!

What knocked the rating down a bit was the pacing; I think it felt a little bit wonky at times (sometimes slower, and some aspects a bit rushed). I also feel like Caleb’s character could have been detailed even more for this to really feel like his and Sarah’s story!

Thank you Dell for the eARC!

Such a heartfelt it story. Hannah’s books always have a lot of depth to them and I absolutely love her books. I have not read Out on a Limb but Hannah stated you don’t need to read it first to read this book. I definitely plan to read that book next! This was a masterpiece and I’m not okay after reading this! I love books that have a lot of depth and this one definitely delivered. Hannah writes absolute insane books. Love love love.

Such a heartfelt it story. Hannah’s books always have a lot of depth to them and I absolutely love her books. I have not read Out on a Limb but Hannah stated you don’t need to read it first to read this book. I definitely plan to read that book next! This was a masterpiece and I’m not okay after reading this!

If you're a fan of Out on a Limb like me, you’ll understand why I practically screamed with excitement when I received an ARC of this book! Win and Bo’s story was perfection, and it remains one of my all-time favorites. So, when I was introduced to Sarah and Caleb, I immediately adored them. They deserved their own book, and it’s not only a pleasure to see their more mature selves but also to witness how Win and Bo’s relationship has evolved as supportive characters in this story.

The story begins at a fundraising gala Sarah organizes in honor of her late mother, who passed away from ALS a decade ago. Despite her hard work, the event fails to raise sufficient funds until Caleb, her loving husband, steps in with a generous anonymous donation to save the night. However, Sarah doesn’t appreciate his gesture. She wanted to succeed on her own merit and felt she should have been allowed to embrace failure without his interference. Their argument stirs a whirlwind of emotions in Sarah, prompting her to question the trajectory of her life. She feels unfulfilled as a housewife, having given up her dream of becoming a writer after receiving harsh criticism from a favorite author. Ten years later, she’s still grieving her mother and feels like a shell of her former self, while Caleb’s tech company thrives. As Sarah’s resentment grows, Caleb begins to wonder who Sarah truly is without him and whether their relationship would have survived if they had met later in life rather than as teenagers.

At Sarah’s lowest point, Win proposes a solution: a hiking trip designed as a couples’ therapy retreat. This seven-day journey includes exercises aimed at rekindling their bond and confronting the challenges they’ve been avoiding.

For Sarah and Caleb, who aren’t naturally outdoorsy, the trip is physically grueling and emotionally demanding. They are forced to confront their buried issues, face their fears, and engage in brutally honest conversations with each other. Listening to the struggles of other couples on the trip also provides valuable insights into their own relationship.

Sarah is determined to make meaningful changes in her life, while Caleb is equally committed to doing whatever it takes to save their marriage. Together, they embark on an arduous yet transformative journey of self-discovery and healing.

Overall: The final chapters left me deeply emotional, and the conclusion was both heartwarming and incredibly satisfying. I loved Sarah and Caleb’s journey, beautifully interwoven with reflections on their past and present. This is one of those rare books that deserves to be read more than once. I’m a huge fan of this author and her uniquely relatable characters. I can’t recommend this book enough—consider this my rooftop-level declaration of enthusiasm!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Dell for providing this exceptional book’s digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Ohhh I just did not connect with this one and believe me, no one is more tormented by that than me. This is marketed as a ‘marriage in crisis’ romance but it seemed to be more of a ‘Sarah’s in crisis and bringing her husband down with her’ romance. I had a very hard time connecting with her and by the end just accepted that I never would. I found her a bit immature and childish- which is explainable due to what she went through in her formative maturing years but never addressed. A big book irk of mine is when a major plot point or character trait could have been solved by individual therapy a long time ago.

On the other hand, I loved Caleb. I think his POV would have added more of the longing and yearning I was looking for when i went into this book expecting a standard marriage in crisis. He is certainly not without his own flaws but in the grand scheme of things was a walking green flag. I often found myself on his side.

Though we got flashbacks, I still feel like we were missing backstory. I did enjoy a peek into their younger years but I think some of them were oddly placed. The ending and resolution felt very rushed and I did not like that we didn’t get to see them living by what they learned from the retreat in the outside world.

This felt more along the lines of women’s fiction than romance which is something I’ve felt with other authors who have become more mainstream popular recently. I have loved Hannah’s OG works- I still think about Next to You to this day- and will always recommend her (including this book!) to people who I think would vibe.

Thank you NetGalley, Hannah, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

Pure giddiness (in the form of a squeal) is what I felt when I got the email saying I was approved for an eARC of Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young. This book was one of my most highly anticipated books for 2025 and I can now confirm it was for good reason. Out of the Woods was the perfect companion to Out on a Limb. In Out of the Woods, the reader gets to learn about Sarah and Caleb, high school seniors that had to face some harsh realities at a young age. The book is set in present day but features flashbacks that shows the start of their relationship, as well as the loss of Sarah’s mother, both a pivotal point in Sarah’s life and a pivotal point in their relationship. This book is a good reminder that small glimpses of someone’s life do not tell the full story. When reading Out on a Limb I think most would think that Sarah and Caleb were living the picture perfect life, and in many respects they were but hearing their full story allows you the opportunity to understand the challenges these characters faced due to their upbringings, their loss as well as having met and married so young. It was great to see glimpses of Win, Bo and August and also learn about Win at a younger age. Bonam-Young has a real knack for writing characters who are raw, real, full of complexities but also that you can relate to. Plus, it’s always an added bonus (to this Canadian anyways) when a book is set in Canada.

Thank you to the publisher Randon House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell, NetGalley, and the author for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Cannot wait to get the physical copy for my shelf.

You know how you go into some books, knowing without a shadow of a doubt, you going to love. And then you actually don’t to the point that you feel absolutely no connection to any of the characters. This was that book for me. Even though they were both adults, Sarah especially seemed stunted and emotionally immature. And I get that was part of the problem and that overall they needed to grow and change together. But I couldn’t have cared less about them. Also the epilogue felt a bit too perfect overall. Like they struggle but then they got this perfect life. Mostly what I am feeling is disappointment. Loads of readers are going to love this book, just not this reader. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

**Thank you for this ARC!!**

*Out of the Woods* by Hannah Bonam-Young is a poignant and beautifully written exploration of grief, self-discovery, and healing. Set in the lush Pacific Northwest, the novel follows the journey of a woman returning to her childhood home after the death of her mother. Through vivid descriptions of nature and an introspective narrative, Bonam-Young delves deeply into the complexities of familial relationships and personal loss. The book’s pacing and tone invite reflection, making it an evocative read for anyone interested in stories of resilience and finding peace in the aftermath of tragedy. *Out of the Woods* is an emotional and thoughtful read that lingers long after the final page. Love Hannah’s writing style. 10/10 recommend.

(Note: This review is based on an early reading via NetGalley.)

This is an amazing follow up to her book Out On a Limb. It’s about High school sweethearts Caleb and Sarah. It’s about their struggles in marriage and what they do to fix them. I love how they get their own book after being Sid-characters in the first one. This was an all around amazing book and I so hope that there will be another one.

I am so absolutely honored to have been given an ARC of this book! Out on a Limb is one of my all time favorite romances, so I KNEW this was going to blow me away.

Right away, I knew from the author’s note that this book was going to both destroy me and put me back together. Hannah Bonam-Young’s writing is so beautifully raw, heartbreaking, life-giving, witty, and comforting. Sarah is such a beautiful character with such real struggles, trauma, and hardships that all throughout the book, I just wanted to give her a hug! She’s funny, relatable, loveable, and like I said just so so real. And of course we can’t forget about Caleb!! The softest, most intentional and kind funny-guy. Genuinely the sweetest couple.

I think that Hannah did a phenomenal job of crafting this novel so carefully so that we’re seeing real struggles and real hardships in a marriage, but we’re also seeing real healing and real love. I felt myself genuinely crying so many times and reflecting on my own life and marriage - If a book makes me do that, it’s a keeper. Cheers to Hannah for yet another phenomenal book!!

I have absolutely loved everything that Hannah Bonam Young has written and was so excited to read an early copy of Out of the Woods. Marriage in trouble is one of my most favorite tropes but it can be hard to execute well. This one was perfect. It’s told in single POV but alternates timelines a bit so we see Sarah and Caleb’s beginning and history. We also get to spend a lot of time with Bo and Win which HBY fans will love. The pacing of this story was perfection - I didn’t feel like any one act lingered too long and we get to see progression of the characters and story with every chapter.

Content flags: parental death from ALS; scenes that take place in a hospital/ICU

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

There is magic inside of HBY's books. You will never convince me otherwise. I thought I loved Out on a Limb... But Hannah... My word, is this story beautiful. I had to stop counting the amount of times, between these two books, that I cried. I loved Sarah and Caleb's story. As a woman in her 30s, I completely resonated where Sarah was at in her life. Questioning everything that you've done and never go to do. The infinite possibilities in your life that could have happened and wondering whether your choices were enough. This book was raw, it was real, and it was absolute magic.

I finished this book in a day, because I cannot put her books down. I cannot wait for everyone to get their hands on this book and I am so sorry that it doesn't come out till January. The world needs more stories written like this. Hannah... Wow. I may not be married to my high school sweetheart, but I felt every emotion in this story, as if I had.

Hannah, please never stop putting these stories in the world.

Sarah and Caleb have been together longer than they have been apart. High school sweethearts who were married at 19 amid one of the most devastating times in Sarah's life... Sarah starts to question who she is outside of Caleb. After swooping in to save her once again and not being able to tell her what she has that's completely her own, Sarah decides they need to head into the woods on a retreat to work on their relationship and themselves. This book navigates changing relationships and planting yourselves next to each other to grow together. This story navigates grief and weaves a story of hope of just how far love can go and how to define success and happiness on your own terms.

Thank you #Netgalley #DellRomance and #PenguinRandomhouse for the opportunity on this ARC. The scream I scrumpt when I was approved. My heart is not the same.

Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young is a poignant and introspective memoir that explores the author's journey of healing and self-discovery following a traumatic experience in the wilderness. Bonam-Young's writing is raw and evocative, capturing the complexity of trauma and recovery with honesty and vulnerability. While the book excels in its emotional depth, it sometimes struggles with pacing, as certain sections linger too long on reflection while the narrative momentum falters. Additionally, the transitions between past and present can feel abrupt, making it harder for readers to fully immerse themselves in the flow of the story. Nonetheless, Out of the Woods is a compelling read for those interested in personal growth and resilience, offering a heartfelt exploration of finding strength in unexpected places.

Es un libro sobre un matrimonio en crisis. Sarah y Caleb han estado juntos desde siempre, y si hay algo que ambos saben es que se aman y siempre estarán juntos, o eso es lo que pensaban hasta que Sarah comienza a darse cuenta de que su matrimonio y su vida no son perfectos. Hay algo en su interior que la hace sentir infeliz, ya no está contenta con su dinámica y siente que deben solucionar sus problemas antes de que sea demasiado tarde.

Su hermana y mejor amiga, Win, le recomienda un campamento para parejas, y Sarah acepta ir, ya que es algo que los sacará de su zona de confort y espera que allí puedan hablar y sincerarse sobre lo que les está pasando.



Hay algo que me encantó y fue que, desde siempre, ambos sabían que no querían hijos y nunca los tuvieron y fueron muy felices. Celebro esto porque hay varios autores que, hacen que sus personajes cambien de opinión y terminen con hijos en el epílogo, y todos felices y contentos. Sin embargo, que Hannah no hiciera esto y respetara las decisiones de sus personajes me encantó.

Lo que no me gustó es que el libro es muy corto, o al menos así se siente.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.