Sweet and emotional and funny and steamy and WONDERFUL! Hannah has a talent for writing beautiful love stories filled with raw and messy emotions. Sarah and Caleb are struggling in their marriage, but their love for each other is never in question. Never once while reading was I wondering if these two would make it, it was only a matter of how. I adored Sarah as a main character. I found her deeply relatable and lovable. Caleb was such a sweetheart. I love their dynamic and how they support and tease and love each other. Plus the found family moments featuring Win, Bo, and Gus really had my heart squeezing. I laughed, I cried, I swooned. It was an absolute joy to read.

This story is truly a gem! It is an emotional rollercoaster that beautifully explores the complexities of long-term love and personal growth. Sarah and Caleb Linwood’s journey from a comfortable routine to a challenging wilderness expedition is both heartwarming and deeply relatable. The author captures their struggles with authenticity and humor, showing how their attempt to reconnect leads to profound self-discovery and renewed intimacy. The vivid descriptions of their adventure and the raw, honest portrayal of their relationship make this book a compelling read. It’s a heartfelt reminder of the power of resilience and the importance of rediscovering oneself and one’s partner. I’m eagerly anticipating more from this author.

As a disabled person, I've enjoyed all of Hannah Bonam-Young's books, particularly Out on a Limb, so I was excited to read this companion. Caleb and Sarah were real and emotional and I loved watching their relationship grow stronger and see them support each other. And, of course, the glimpses of Bo and Win were a treat!

In a sea of romance books about falling in love, it’s rare to find one about finding yourself while staying in love. Out of the Woods is a truly unique story in that regard, and I absolutely ate it up. Having been introduced to Sarah and Caleb in Out on a Limb, I loved getting to know them both on a deeper level. Sarah is the badass we knew and loved before, but seeing her softer and more vulnerable side had me tearing up on several occasions. Caleb is the sweetest, most clueless, lovable nerd on the planet, and not to be dramatic, but I would throw myself in front of a moving bus for him.

Hannah Bonam-Young has an exceptional ability to make her books feel so real that you almost forget that they’re fiction. Her characters speak to real life with a whole lot of heart and humor. I have loved all of HBY’s books, and Out of the Woods was no exception.

I took my time with this one; I savored it, because I knew I’d never get the chance to read it for the first time ever again. Every single second was worth it.

5 stars

• dual timeline
• single POV
• slow burn

✨ a friendship duo/square that I adore
✨ a dying parent and how much that changes you in big and tiny ways
✨ feeling lost and alone
✨ PAPER AIRPLANES
✨ I started crying at one point and just? never? stopped? Which since I was reading this at work made the crying weird. (How do I even count the crying on my spreadsheet?!?)