Member Reviews
I wish this book wasn’t a part of the same story as Out on a Limb just because OOAL is one of my favorite books and I don’t think we needed to add on to those characters; however, I do love Hannah’s writing and the characters she builds. I enjoyed this book and the premise.
This author has me in stitches one minute and emotional the next! This book was perfection! I try was atmospheric and s perfect fit for this time of year! An outdoorsy romance with such great plot and characters !
OMG OMG OMG ABSOLUTELY OBSESSED WITH SARAH AND CALEB I LOVE THEM SO MUCH
Honestly still in tears after finishing this one 😭😭😭😭😭😭 It was everything I wanted and more: deep, meaningful friendships, found family, pseudo second-chance romance (rekindling a long-term marriage), the great outdoors, hot, steamy wilderness spice, and a not-to-be-named incident that left be bawling through many, many chapters.
This book put me in my feels in every which way—I loved it!!!! And it also felt a little too close to home as someone who has been in a long-term relationship for 12 years AND also named Sarah… but I digress.
Out of the Woods has quickly become, hands down, my favorite Hannah Bonam-Young book to date. Couldn’t recommend it more!!! 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
(Thank you, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.)
The book was wonderful. I love all of her books and Out of the Woods is just as excellent! Sarah and Caleb are great characters that feel like realistic, complicated people. Their story was a great blend of like emotional damage and the trauma of the past, but also moments of joy and love and healing.
The plot of the book is that Sarah and Caleb are high school sweethearts and have been married for seventeen years. Their marriage is in a rough patch following an argument that led to years of things that had been swept under the rug coming out. They sign up for a couples camping counseling retreat to unplug and reconnect. The bulk of the book takes place in the woods on that trip. You get a whole range of emotions from them on that trip, they’re happy, sad, hurt, angry, tense, and definitely horny lol.
Some random thoughts… There are some great side characters we meet, and of course our beloved Win and Bo from Out on a Limb that we get to see again. I related to Caleb and Sarah so hard as indoorsy people struggling camping. Hard pass. I was deeply unprepared for the third act conflict but it was also really well done. I won’t say more because I’m not trying to give anyone spoilers.
Obviously would recommend this and any of her books, I’m a big fan and will continue to read her future releases!
4.5 ⭐️ wow such a beautiful representation of grief & finding yourself. Sarah my beautiful girl! I wasn’t expecting to relate so much to her - I felt so seen with the way she handled her grief. I loved the snippets included of Bo & Win! The epilogue was beautiful!! 🤎
Oh I’m gonna have a hard time with this review because in ways I loved it because I think she had great metaphors and writing. But, it pains me to say that this was more of a miss than a recommendation for me. I think if marketed different as a book about sarah coming to find herself it would feel different, because it didn’t really feel at all like a marriage in crisis but more that sarah needed to work through some things. Also, admittedly she was hard to relate to, and felt very rich girl stay at home wife is bored and needs find herself. Ugh I’m sorry I will always love her books but this just didn’t fit for me!
I absolutely loved this book, even though it left me on the verge of heartbreak more than once. Sarah and Caleb are the sweetest couple, and their story completely drew me in. They are high school sweethearts who have drifted apart, so they join a couples' hiking trip in hopes of reconnecting. Along the way, with the support of others on the trip, they slowly open up and begin to communicate again. Despite all they’ve been through as a young couple, they’ve always had each other. If you're in the mood for a heartwarming, emotional read that will tug at your heartstrings, this book is a must read!
I don’t dislike the marriage in trouble trope by any means, but I’ve never really connected with a book that has that trope in it before this one. I’m a huge fan of Hannah Bonam-Young so I had no doubts that I would love this one, but I’m truly blown away by how much I loved it.
I adored Sarah and Caleb in Out On a Limb and despite their relationship troubles, I grew to love them even more in Out of the Woods.
I felt so much for Sarah specifically, especially as a person with a dead parent who also wanted to be a writer once upon a time. Seeing Sarah go through tough things and come out stronger and more confident and independent (AND not losing her husband) was inspiring. I loved the tenderness in which the author chose to write about Sarah’s mom and grief journey.
Caleb was a nerdy dream come true, and his dirty talk?? Yes, forever.
Anyway, I can’t wait for this to release and hold a physical copy in my hands.
Wow, this was just amazing! The backstories, the character growth, and the journey of finding yourself alongside the person you’ve always wanted to be with – it all really resonated with me. I was there laughing, crying, and reflecting on my relationship, thinking about how I can be the best partner possible.
I can’t thank Hannah enough for writing this book. I’ve been with my husband since high school, and it really touched my heart. It reminded me that even if you’ve been together forever, things can get tough. But if you’re both willing to put in the effort, you can achieve so much together. Yes, it’s going to be a challenge, but love makes you want to overcome anything.
I love how most books show the beginnings of relationships and then skip ahead to the happily ever after. But what I really appreciate is getting a peek into the reality of long-term relationships and how marriage isn’t always a walk in the park. It takes continuous effort, and you have to keep things exciting and fresh! I adored how she portrayed that in her writing. It makes me want to whisk my husband away on a fun retreat – it sounds like a blast, especially after that part!
Thank you NetGalley and Dell for the ARC!
Oh, be still my heart. Hannah Bonam-Young has mastered the perfect cocktail of heartbreak, humor, and horniness. The rom-com H trifecta, if you will.
Self-discovery in a marriage. Evolution of partnership. Sarah and Caleb have my heart.
From the second I read the author's forward, I knew I was in for a different reading experience. Unlike other so-called second chance romances, this wasn't a second chance for these high school sweethearts, it was a redirection. I think the novel did an incredible job of showcasing that two people can love each other and still not be on the same page, that the key is to be open and accept each new iterations of ourselves and each other. This book touches on romantic love, platonic love, and motherly love in such kind and thoughtful ways.
First I want to thank NetGalley for gifting me the opportunity to read this beauty months before its release. IM FOREVER GRATEFUL because this was yet another masterpiece. All of HBY’s books feel like a warm hug and this was no exception <3
Sarah and Calebs story was so well written and it made me feel all the feels. I didn’t know what to expect from their story and I loved them from “out on a limb” but nothing could prepare me for the way this book made me feel. This story was wrapped in love but also grief and the journey of finding yourself.
I love the writing of the story and the dual pov. I feel like the dual pop is necessary for further outlook on their love story. It added depth to their characters in my opinion and I loved it. Sarah was so real. I loved how she noticed herself slipping and took charge. I love how Caleb supported her through it all. I know their story was a bit messy but I loved how their love for each other never faltered no matter the obstacles.
So many words to describe my feelings for this book but it all sums up to PERFECTION. RUN DON’T WALK to purchase Out Of The Woods when it releases in January and in the mean time she has other great books that could be read if you haven’t already
Marriage in trouble romances are so hard to find, especially when they are well done. This one… was everything. I loved it so much.
This book deals with a lot of issues including a significant amount of grieving a deceased parent. There are a lot of fun, light moments, but the heavy is heavy. Just be aware.
This book also portrays marriage in a flawed, emotional, and intimate manner. The characters were amazing, the plot was amazing. The writing style is amazing. I cried, I laughed. blushed, giggled, and kicked my feet. I fell completely in love with the characters.
You will not be disappointed if you give this a go!
This was a delightful follow up to Out on a Limb featuring a marriage in crisis and a couples' hiking trip through the woods. Sarah's narration is hilarious, and I adored seeing her and Caleb find their way back to each other. The book also deals with heavy topics--grief and the loss of a parent--and does so in nuanced and compassionate ways. This hits the perfect mix of humor and heart!
You definitely don't have to have read Out on a Limb to enjoy this one, but I recommend going in series order because the character cameos are very satisfying.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.
i had the best time of my life reading this book!! this deserve infinity stars and even that wpuldn't be able to describe how much i love this books!!
5⭐️/2🌶️
I didn’t know if HBY could write anything as heartwarming and beautiful as Out on a Limb, but dammit she did it again. 🥹 My husband and I got together when I was 14 and married when I was 19. I followed him around the country while he was in the military, and I was slapped in the face by how much I related to Sarah and Caleb (whom I also adored in Out on a Limb but didn’t relate to nearly as deeply until Out of the Woods). The internal dialogue of Sarah was complex because of her anger and sadness and guilt and overwhelming love for her husband which left her feeling confused and reading that on paper was incredibly validating. Enough about me and my connection to the book though, the writing was GREAT. It was emotional and tense and you could feel everything they felt from the desperation and turmoil over their marriage to the joy and admiration they have for one another. It was beautiful to read. I already wish I could read it for the first time again. I could go on and on but long story short, this book is another 5⭐️ from HBY and I highly recommend it.
✨ARC Review✨
I could not have been more ecstatic than when I was approved for this ARC. The amount of love I have for Out on a Limb is immeasurable and I am so happy that I got to read Out of the Woods. Maybe I should have tried savoring it and reading it a few chapters at a time. Y’all. I couldn’t. I read it in one sitting. On my deck on the last nice sit-outside-able weekend before it’s too chilly. This was a perfect reading day and a perfect book to enjoy. Oh, and when the audiobook is available, I’m absolutely going to listen because @victoriaconnollynarrator.
So, our Sarah, Win’s bestie from OoaL, is having a major just-past quarter-life crisis. I’ll be honest. At first I was not “getting” her. I didn’t understand why she was so unhappy with her life, her station, and especially her husband. Caleb is sweet, thoughtful, her protector, and her rock. How could she be anything less than overjoyed with everything she has? It is a true testament to @authorhannahby ‘s talent that she made me “get” it.
Sarah and Caleb have been together since they were fourteen and married since nineteen. There’s a lot of room to grow between fourteen and thirty-one.
These two need *something*. Win suggests a week-long hiking excursion called Reignite which they reluctantly agree to. Sarah has all of these thoughts and feelings that she keeps bottled up and her resentment is bubbling over. Caleb has no idea. He’s just working too hard, too much, and making bank- something he learned from his father.
This book deals with a lot of issues including a significant amount of grieving a deceased parent. There are a lot of fun, light moments, but the heavy is heavy. Just be aware.
I wasn’t sure in the first quarter if I would love this book as much as OoaL, but I do. I do. I really do. It’s obviously a very different book and it for sure hit me harder in some ways. I cannot recommend it enough. I started this review immediately after I finished, but now I’ve been ruminating on it. I think I appreciate it even more. And the epilogue! 🥰
I received this eARC via #netgalley and @dellromance. All thoughts are mine alone.
#romance #romancebooks #contemporaryromance #savingmarriage #savingyourself #bookrecs #bookreview #bookstagram #outofthewoods #hannahbonamyoung
I received an ARC from Random House Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my thoughts about the book in any way. (I am still INTERNALLY SCREAMING that I got an early copy from an author i so clearly love)
I was actually rolling on the floor desperate BEGGING for an early copy a few months ago and I eventually fucking got it so prepare for how insufferable I will be because I deserve it. Out of The Woods will be in shelves on January 28, 2025 and I cannot wait for everyone to get their hands on this angsty and hilarious companion novel to OOAL!
Before I begin, THIS should be the standard for a marriage in crisis romance novel. It wasn’t shit because I almost cried multiple times. I need fourteen more of them right about now (Hannah if you see this, please listen to my annoying ass) this was fucking flawless you guys <3
This portrays marriage in a flawed, emotional, and intimate manner. All throughout this book, I simultaneously felt both Sarah and Caleb’s shared pain, along with their grievances. Hannah definitely handled this book with care because anyone could feel her love in the characterization and writing (especially with the Win & Bo cameos!) Warning though that this book comes with depressing loss, the brutal hit of having an existential crisis, and rethinking your entire fucking existence (ngl it was what I needed). And yet, OOTW is hopeful and insightful, eventually changing my perspective on marriage. I mean, who wouldn’t want to get married to Caleb? I’m pretty sure anyone would love to get married to a nerd (that would be me, is anyone interested?)
The most beautifully written book I've read all year.
I truly cannot express how much I love this book. The characters are amazing. The plot is amazing. The writing style is amazing. I cried. I laughed. A blushed, giggled, and kicked my feet. I fell completely in love with the characters (even more so from the small glimpses of them you got in Out on a Limb).
Truly truly truly the best book.
If I could give this book infinity stars I would! Will 100% be rereading it again when it officially comes out