What a beautiful story!! HBY is the queen of mastering the tropes I typically avoid. This one being a marriage in crisis. I absolutely adored the entire book.

What got me the most was Sarah’s evolution to learning to stand on her own two feet and not rely solely on others. That really resonated with me. 💛

I know that Hannah Bonam-Young writes good books and I know that I liked the others. I just couldn't get into this one. I had to DNF it because I just couldn't get behind the FMC's reasoning. I just felt like she was complaining about nothing. I didn't want to be rooting against her for the whole book, so I put it back down. I might come back to this book in the future, but it wasn't for me at this time

4.75⭐️

this is my second hannah bonam-young book and let me tell you, she did not disappoint with this one. i’ve never read a marriage in crisis book before and the way she wrote is was very well done. i love how no matter what scenario sarah was thinking about, the way her life could change, that caleb was always in the picture. it just goes to show that they truly care for one another but they just got lost in the routine they were in for so long.

thank you netgally for proving me an arc of this book.

Honestly one of the best books i’ve read in the last two years, this was absolutely gorgeous and so relatable, It’s so nice to have a romance books which reads as relatable for those who are in relationships, not just those seeking, I love the outdoorsy nature of the book and will be seeking out more outdoor romance based upon this read. Fantastic book! so excited for more!

I received an ARC of "Out of the Woods", and could not put it down. I have loved all of Hannah's novels because her characters are so relatable. "Out of the Woods" is no different. I loved seeing Sarah and Caleb grow back together, but also grow independently. A wonderful feel good book that is deliciously warm and spicy.

i was overwhelmed with excitement when i first heard we were getting a book about sarah and caleb. their story was everything i could’ve hoped for and is one that definitely will stick with me!

my life looks very different compared to sarah’s but i’ve never related to her so much—overwhelmed with the expectations we put on ourselves and feeling stuck at times. it was beautiful watching her journey of finding herself again. i haven’t gotten this emotional while reading a book in a while but hannah really wrote something amazing!

caleb and sarah are amazing individually but oh are they the cutest together. i was rooting for them so hard and i loved seeing them work together to fix the difficulties they were facing. they truly got the ending they deserved and im so happy for them

hannah never fails to write such authentic characters with raw and heartfelt stories. she handles topics so well, especially grief in this story. her writing has become one of my favorites and i can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on this story tomorrow!

thank you so much dell romance (random house) and netgalley for the eARC!

This is the second book in the "Out Series", interconnected with Out on a Limb. Sarah finds herself in an early thirties crisis. Her and Caleb go on a trip into the woods to get "out of the woods" in their marriage crisis. They go through a journey of discovering who they are as a couple, setting new goals and growing back together.

Read this if you like:
- Highschool sweethearts
- Identity and marriage in crisis
- MC's don't want children
- Flashbacks to younger self
- Single POV (Sarah's), first person

This book hits home for anyone who has been with their partner for a long time. Sarah and Caleb are in a bit of a slump and instead of letting it fester, decide to do something about it and go to a retreat. They grow together, become even more open than they were before and come back stronger with new goals. Love this book!!

My star rating: 4.5/5 (rounded up to 5)
Spice rating: 2.5/5 (a couple descriptive scenes, some vulgar language)

OH MY ACHY BREAKY HEART!!!!!! Out of the Woods written by Hannah Bonam-Young was so powerful, raw, inspiring, beautiful, heart breaking, deeply moving, personal, and so much more. I have never read a book written by Hannah Bonam-Young before this one, but after loving Out of the Woods, I'm definitely going to read every single book this queen writes. In Hannah's author notes, she does state you CAN read this book as a standalone and I had no issue doing so. Hannah, I will be sending you my therapy bill because this book mentally destroyed me and broke my heart more than once. When I first saw that beautifully detailed cover, I knew I had to get my hands on this book immediately and I'm so beyond happy I had the chance to devour this beautiful novel. If I could give this book an infinity star rating I totally would because it deserves all of the love, but I'm honestly scared my reviews and words will never give this book the justice it deserves. I absolutely loved this book with my entire heart, it will stay with me for years and years to come, no matter how much it left me broken hearted. There's a very small amount of books that will leave a ever lasting impact on you and Out of the Woods is one of those books that will change your life. Out of the Woods is more than just a romance novel, it's about self growth, finding your true self, hopefulness, familiarity, inside jokes, shared history, grief, friendship, and intimacy.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND RANDOM HOUSE PUBLISHING GROUP-BALLANTINE FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!!

TRIGGER WARNING'S
Death of a parent from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Medical treatments, illness, hospitalization, and terminal diagnosis.
Questioning religious practices/spirituality, and Catholicism.
References to alcohol and marijuana consumption.
Descriptive sex scenes.
Accident resulting in hospitalization.

"I'm capable of seeing you at your worst. At your angriest. At your lowest. At your meanest....and still loving you".

"If you give me the space to grow, I'll plant myself next to you. Always".

"I hope that if you have to rewrite your life, you won't erase my part in it, that you'll let me stay a part of your story".

"We believe that there is no better place to reconnect with ourselves and our partner than in the glory of nature".

"Give me books, sunlight, water, and a handsome man looking at me like I'm some rare jewel, and I'm all set".

"Feeling inadequate tends to be a relatively common experience when we struggle with our self esteem".

Sarah Linwood is so authentic and real. Sarah's authenticity felt so deeply personal to my own, it was like Sarah was a reflection of myself. It felt like Sarah was my best friend throughout the entire novel, I cried when she cried, I laughed when she laughed, I was angry when she was angry, and I was feeling all of the emotions and turmoil Sarah went through. Sarah isn't perfect by any means, but she always put her family and friends first before herself, which is also something I do as well. I just wanted to reach into my kindle and give Sarah the biggest hug whenever she was being vulnerable. I feel like so many can relate to Sarah, she suffers with her self growth, and it was so heart warming to watch Sarah navigate her self discovery and find her true self. Sarah's self growth journey throughout this book was so inspiring. Marcie Green, Sarah's mom died from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) eleven years ago which just broke my heart. I can't even imagine losing my mom. Sarah decides to host a fundraising gala memorial in honor of her mom to help with ALS research. Sarah decided to set a goal to reach three hundred thousand dollars, but only reached one hundred and eighty thousand dollars, but that's only until Sarah's husband Caleb stepped in and saved the day. Sarah absolutely hates being the damsel in distress. Sarah has The Spoiled Princess pout that says: I'm upset but you don't have to take me seriously.

Caleb Linwood is the true and real definition of husband material. Ladies and gentlemen, please take notes from Caleb Linwood. Caleb has maple brown curly hair, hot as fuck in skinny jeans, wears glasses, espresso colored eyes, perfect pearly smile, five foot eleven, I think y'all get in now, Caleb is insanely hot. The only issue I had was with Cyrus and Michelle- Caleb's parents, they weren't very lovable towards Sarah, they always compared Caleb and Sarah to his siblings and their significant others, which I absolutely can't stand when in-laws do that, they are just very judgmental which doesn't sit right with me. Caleb is a wealthy young entrepreneur, so he's always working and trying to make the best work environment for his employees which is just the sweetest thing. Caleb is driven, intelligent, nerdy, protects out of love-not dominance, he also plays Dungeons and Dragons which I think is adorable that he's a gamer. Caleb Linwood is so spicy and has a mouth that will have you on your knees, "I would climb mountains for the chance to watch you come undone, baby". Caleb is just so perfect and the absolute sweetest to everyone around him. Caleb always delivers with the princess treatment for Sarah.

Sarah and Caleb Linwood are high school sweethearts, they have been married since they were nineteen years old. Caleb has always been Sarah's safe person, but after they had a falling out because Caleb saved the day at the ALS gala, Sarah and Caleb's marriage may seem rocky for a little bit. After their argument, Win and Bo- Sarah and Caleb's best friends set up a little trip for these two love birds to save their marriage. Sarah and Caleb decide to take the chance with Reignite which is a camping trip for couples, Reignite is a seven days of couples counseling in the great outdoors. The owners, Helen and Yvonne are there to lead these couples through breathing exercises and techniques to save their marriage. I absolutely loved all of the side characters Nina and Jai, Kieran and Henry, and Maggie and Phil, they were all so supportive of one another and I truly believe they all became the best of friends. Caleb and Sarah were very skeptical at first, but watching their self growth was truly inspiring. These two love birds were just the cutest, but I'm so proud of them for putting their differences aside and working together to save their marriage despite Sarah wanting to be independent and reaching the fundraising goal on her own. Sarah and Caleb, I love you both dearly and hold you both close to my heart. It often felt like I was right there in the woods cheering all of these couples on as they navigate and find their true selves. I can honestly say, I don't have a favorite couple from this book because they were all of my favorites.

4.5 stars Hannah Bonam-Young’s writing is exquisite. I will read ANYTHING this woman writes.

As soon as Hannah Bonam-Young announced that she was giving us Sarah and Caleb’s story in Out of the Woods it instantly became one of my most anticipated new romance books of 2025.

I had fallen in love with these two from reading Out on a Limb, her amazing hit of 2023, but getting this up close and personal with Sarah and Caleb for their own story was such a gift.

An even better gift is having Hannah join us this February in the She Reads Romance Books Book Club to discuss this book which is our February 2025 Book of the Month!

It’s a rarity to get a romance book that focuses on a married couple because you think married couples already have their happily ever after but those of us who are married know that marriages have their ups and downs – even for those who find their soulmate in the eleventh grade.

I LOVED that Hannah gave us a married couple but with a storyline that wasn’t tried and done before (such as focusing on fertility struggles or infidelity), focused simply on the fact that these characters were at a bit of a crossroads in their relationship.

Sarah and Caleb are honestly couple goals because despite the hardship that had them trekking in the woods for a week, they are two people who love each other wholeheartedly and completely and who are willing to do the work and to communicate to make their lives even better.

I love how Hannah normalizes that even people who love each other to pieces have their ups and downs and need some outside assistance to get them through a tough time. Sarah realized that couples therapy might not have been the way to go for them but the week out of the comfort zone was the trick.

Sarah was the wild, quirky friend to Win in Out on a Limb, but you see a different side to her in this book. She’s a woman struggling with her purpose in life, stuck in the space after taking care of and losing her mother to having no direction but a husband who is her caretaker and rescuer whenever she needs it.

Caleb himself was frustrated that Sarah wasn’t happy with her life, as good as it looked on the outside, but Sarah represents the woman in all of us who find ourselves at a time and place in our lives when we’ve lost our way, or simply want more.

Of course, Sarah is one of the lucky ones to have such a loving and caring husband like Caleb. This man is truly a unicorn among men. He is completely and utterly devoted to his wife and has been since the age of 17. His steadfastness, his patience, his kindness and his ability to step back and truly try and understand his wife were just awe-inspiring.

While Sarah and Caleb’s story was obviously front and center, I loved seeing more of their friendship with Win and Bo, the new characters they connected with (Libby, Yvonne, Helen and their fellow trekkers) and even how their relationship with Caleb’s parents had a moment (go Sarah!).

This book and EVERY book by Hannah is a must-read. I cannot wait to see what she gives us next.

*Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Ok this was my first read from Hannah and I am in love! This was absolutely stunning and I loved the fact that you don’t need to know really anything about out on a limb to read this one. This is a perfect example of a second chance marriage in peril trope that actually works.

Sarah and Caleb have become couples goals due to their ability to communicate and work together to resolve their crumbling marriage. The fact that they’ve know each other for forever is an even greater testament to their commitment and love. I loved the way they were still able to be flirty and romantic, but still have those hard conversations as to why there is turbulence. The banter was also effective in bringing some levity to the story and also the spice was just as great!

The entirety of the comping trip was just so fun to read and I was cheering for them the entire time! The impressive list of side characters were pretty much completely fleshed out and added their own flair to the story.

I think the most amazing point that’s made is that everyone feels like Sarah at some point in their life and that’s ok, but what’s more important is to no lose yourself in trying to find what you think is who you are. 🥰

Every Hannah Bonam-Young book I've read *and I've read them all* never falls to leave me swooning for more! As someone who married young, not quite as young as Sarah & Caleb, but nevertheless I could relate to some of the issues they struggled with. It makes my heart so happy to follow a couple who starts the book together and we get to see their growth into something for the better. Definitely makes me want to go sign my husband and I up for a romantic wilderness camp!!

Wow wow wow, I have been a Hannah Bonam-Young believer ever since I picked up Nex to You when it came out and have read every single book she has put out since, and her mind and ability to write never ceases to amaze me.
What she has done with Out of The Woods is truly magical, something I have always appreciated about Hannah is her ability to write characters, they feel like real people, like somebody you know, and makes you want to protect them and comfort them (I know that sounds cringe, but that's how I feel).
Overall, another amazing read from her, and cannot wait to read more from her.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

When Caleb saves the day again for Sarah, that is the last straw she can take and finally says something; however, her discomfort is news to her spouse, and he thought everything between them was ok. Sarah has been in a rut and wants more out of her life, and she is ready to take steps to change. Unfortunately, Caleb does not want anything to change. When Sarah suggests they go to a couples hiking retreat, he agrees because he will do anything for her and to make their marriage work. When they get to the meeting point, it is raining, but the sun breaks through before they start the hike: this turns out to be a striking metaphor. While they are there, they are able to openly discuss their issues and heal. The story alternates between the past when they were falling in love and to the present where they are starting to wither. The dichotomy was really interesting to see; their relationship used to be easy (despite their losses), but now they have to actively work on it if they decide it is with it.

Out of the Woods is one of those books that leaves a mark on your heart. This is Sarah and Caleb's story, and it felt so real.

The story goes by with Sarah trying to find herself without relying on her husband. After being together for so long, they find themselves on different pages. It's during a camping retreat; they work to find their way back to be on the same page.

Overall, I think the storytelling in this book is good. It definitely tugs on your heart. This can also be read a standalone, which I had done.

Releasing January 28, 2025. I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

At its heart, a book is about finding yourself when you have gotten stuck, 𝘖𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴, is less of a romance and more of a fiction work about self-reliance.
Sarah and Caleb Linwood are in their early 30s, clearly still in love. They are childless by choice (great rep) and have supported each other through life (and grief, Caleb’s career, friends becoming parents). Yet, their now pre-programmed roles have become suffocating. When their friend Win ( yay!) suggests a week-long couples retreat in the woods, they agree it could be significant.
Sounded kike something I would love, except for the fact that I did not. And I am struggling with that after how excited I was to read it.
So, Hannah is an incredible writer. Her prose is gorgeous. She captures grief and the mundane with similar skill. I could have had dozens of aesthetic quotes. Her cast of characters has depth and is created with great care. I could fully picture each of the couples on their retreat. Each secondary character had a distinct role,which is impressive in a setting like this. There were many things to like about this book.
Yet, I never emotionally connected with the outcome here. Where I cried through half of her previous work, I did not shed one tear here.
Caleb and Sarah’s relationship is strained by their damsel- rescuer dynamic. Sarah sometimes wonders what life would have been like had she met Caleb a little later. Had time to grow before they became routine. What to me are completely normal thoughts; however to Sarah they are intrusive and unending…
I just never bought into the conflict. Yes, they needed to communicate more but it I never felt they weren't each other’s end game. The push and pull of marriage felt so familiar that I couldn't understand why it was a problem for them. It felt like 70% of the book could have been a ten minute conversation.
While single POV there are flashbacks to Sarah and Caleb as teens and her relationship and time spent during her mom’s illness. Again I just felt zero emotion reading through what are meant to emotionally heavy scenes. I had trouble relating how each flashback impacted the future.
That said I loved getting to know a little more about Caleb. Perhaps it is because I relate to so many of caleb’s actions (fixing things before they are problems, sheltering my loved ones from my true emotions to prevent then harm, “over caregiving” if you will) but I do wish we had even one chapter from his POV.
Because I am me and cannot end on a negative note. Hannah does a beautiful job of including positive view of therapy (yes even for happy, well adjusted people), depicting friendship between married men and women as normal (because it is ) and honestly wrote some excellent tension between a married couple.
And I know a lot of people are going to love and relate to this book. Sarah and Caleb have a strong supportive relationship that those who have long term partners will certainly connect with

"A love letter to all of us who met their soulmate before they had a chance to fully meet themselves.”

Not really sure how to write this review through my tears, but I’ll try I guess!!!

Out of the Woods is an achingly beautiful and tender story about establishing and understanding your own identity when you feel lost and unmoored.

Caleb and Sarah have spent over half of their lives together as high school sweethearts. In the 17 years they’ve spent together they’ve been though a lot, including the death of her mother, and Sarah is struggling to find herself and her own identity outside of Caleb, especially after he swoops in to save the day when her fundraising event goes wrong.

Watching Caleb and Sarah fall in love with each other in the past and then subsequently reconnect with each other was excruciatingly raw and filled with so many emotions (see last slide), hard conversations, romantic moments, and the witty humor that HBY consistently balances so well within her stories.

I teared up rereading my highlights to make this post so if that doesn’t convince you idk what will.

✨Read if you love
- marriage in crisis
- high school sweethearts
- flashbacks
- hiking and some spicy tent scenes
- a hot nerd with glasses
- forced proximity
- spit on it
- childfree by choice couple (love this sm)
- good boy

Thank you Hannah + Netgalley + Dell for the ARC copy!

She’s done it again. There’s something magical about Hannah’s writing—the way she manages to say exactly what needs to be said, in a manner so poetic and effortlessly beautiful, that it leaves me in awe every single time. Out of the Woods is no exception.

This book is a heartfelt exploration of love, identity, and growth, wrapped in a story that feels as real as it is tender. Sarah and Caleb’s journey—both literal and emotional—had me laughing, crying, and reflecting in equal measure. Their relationship, built on years of history, is put under a microscope, and what unfolds is a raw, honest portrayal of what it means to navigate life alongside someone while still trying to hold on to your own sense of self.

I’m so in love with my main girl Sarah. I GET her in a way that feels almost uncanny. Her need for independence, her drive to prove herself, and her tendency to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders resonated deeply with me. Watching her confront her doubts and insecurities, and ultimately grow into a more confident version of herself, was so inspiring.

It was also absolutely heartbreaking to read about Sarah losing her mother. The grief she carried and her determination to honor her mother’s memory struck such a deep chord with me. I don’t know what I’d do without my mom—I’d be as lost as Sarah was. Her journey through that pain and her fight to find herself again was both devastating and beautiful.

The way Hannah wove humor and heart (and spice) into these scenes was masterful—I couldn’t stop smiling, even through the tears. Out of the Woods is a testament to the power of love, not just the romantic kind, but also self-love and the love found in deep, enduring friendships. It’s a story that will stay with me for a long time.

This one was really complicated for me because the main character’s mother dies of ALS and this plays a major part in the plot and storyline. When I first received this ARC I was thrilled because Out on a Limb was one of my favorite contemporary romance reads last year. My mother battled ALS for many years before passing away a few years ago. When I saw the content warnings on the first page I was crushed because I didn’t know if I’d be able to get through this one unscathed. Ultimately, I decided to give it a try and put it down if reading it became too difficult for me.

I’m glad to say that I ended up really enjoying this book. Hannah handles Marcie’s illness with tender hands and although I cried (a lot), I felt stronger for reading this book by the time I finished. I had to set it down a couple of times but always found myself reaching for it again. Sarah and Caleb are such wonderful characters whose love for each other really shines through despite the challenges they face. The marriage is trouble theme wasn’t one I’d read before, but reading through their conversations felt like therapy in itself. I feel like we all owe Hannah compensation for her therapy services after reading this. This story was a rollercoaster of emotion for me, I laughed a lot and probably cried even more. HBY has a way with words and writing deeply emotional and moving stories that will keep me coming back every time.

"If you give me the space to grow, I'll always plant myself next to you. Always.”

You might enjoy this if you like:
💕 High school sweethearts
💕 Forced proximity
💕 Found family
💕 Flirty banter
💕 Marriage in crisis/second chance romance

1.5/5 🌶️ Two open door scenes

Thank you to Hannah Bonam-Young and Dell Romance/Penguin Random House for the early reader copy.

I loved this book so much! Something about HBY’s writing just feels so good while reading. I’m fully convinced all of these characters are real and I want what they have. This felt reminiscent of Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center but was still very uniquely its own. It was refreshing to see a couple that held strong to not wanting kids and that didn’t change in the epilogue.

4 ⭐️
1.5 🌶️

Oh, to the loved by a man written by Hannah Bonam-Young. I was so so excited to hear Sarah and Caleb were getting their own story but was so worried when it was *marriage in crisis* but in the end, this story was so heartwarming and wonderful.

After being together since high school, Sarah and Caleb have fallen into their comfortable but stagnant routines that have built Sarah’s frustrations. The two go on a hiking retreat (couldn’t be me) to reconnect and this is where we see so much growth. I enjoyed the flashbacks of their earlier years together and how those years shaped what was happening in their marriage today. And once they started really digging deep, I was sobbing (Caleb’s letter IYKYK 😭😭😭).

Sarah grew a lot during their retreat and I’m glad she had the time to work through some of her issues and insecurities. Caleb is an angel human and his use of “baby” melted my heart every time. I want my own Caleb in life!!!!

My only wish was that this was dual POV but it was still wonderful regardless.

Thanks NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for an ARC!!