HBY does it again. This is a book that’s meant to be savored. There’s so much love and depth here. I highly recommend you read Out on a Limb first because that book is equally as amazing and makes this story even sweeter.

This story follows Caleb and Sarah. High school sweethearts navigating through issues in their marriage. They’ve been married for about 10 years and have fallen in roles that are starting to no longer feel comfortable. They agree to go on a guided hiking and outdoors adventure that includes counseling to help reconnect to each other and to themselves.

The story that unfolds here hurts so good. There’s so much love and so much hurt to unravel. My favorite quote has to be “if you give me room to grow I promise to always plant myself next to you” and I feel like it really captures the essence of this story.

It has been and always will be, Sarah for Caleb and Caleb for Sarah. I love these two and the discoveries they make about themselves and their relationship. I love their humor and the ways this story made me laugh (I was cackling at the ‘hill I would die on’).This book made me cry no less than 4 times and I related deeply to so much of it.

This book is masterfully done and I can’t recommend it enough.

Hannah has done it again!!! I want to start by saying thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. The story aside from the romance was phenomenal. Hannah Bonam-Young always delivers a romance you just can’t put down that also makes you feel things. I feel like it’s hard to have the balance of romance and a bigger story but Hannah hits it every time!

Sarah and Caleb were such an amazing part of Out on a Limb and getting to read their story with hints of Bo and Win was absolutely everything. The plot was fantastic and the character development was spectacular.

There was something so raw and vulnerable about this book and Sarah’s experiences. I could not stop crying even though I didn’t find myself relating to the specific situations in the book, the way Hannah writes a story and is able to explain a character’s feelings always gets me emotional.

Hannah Bonam-Young is now and forever an auto buy author!!

Thank you Hannah and the publishers again!!

Another outstanding Hannah Bonam-Ypung romance. These two characters were so loveable and the camping atmosphere added to the love story.

HBY has done it again folks, she has once again captured my heart with Out of the Woods ♡

With Sarah and Caleb's journey revolving about starting over, new beginnings, grief, healing, and finding one's purpose and selff, starting off the year with their story felt right.

With them being a married couple trying to rekindle their feelings, at first I was afraid I might not be able to relate with them since I'm single af but boy was I wrong. I found bits and pieces of me relating in Sarah's journey in finding herself and her purpose, her grief and healing process. This got me wishing I have my own Caleb too 🥹 (he's such a good boy y'all 🤭)

As funny as they were on OOAL, I am amazed how HBY wrote such deep and emotional story for these two. Their book got me sobbing in the middle of the night, but it was all so so worth it ❤️🥹

HBY's words will never fail to warm my soul and made me see how love works in different circumstances, so real and raw yet magical. I will be forever obsessed with her works ❤️

And seeing Bo and Win with baby Gus made my heart so so happy, I miss them so much!
These four and their stories will always going to have a special place in my heart.

Such a beautiful first read of the year, I can't wait for HBY's next book!

A huge thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this book!

Love starting the new year with a five-star read! HBY quickly joined my shortlist of favorite contemporary romance authors with the incredibly charming and funny Out on a Limb, and I was happy to get to revisit those wonderful characters with Out of the Woods, which was even more relatable for me.

Unlike all the meet-cutes, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, forced proximity, and second chance after loss tropes that are everywhere in romance, we start with a young couple who has been married for a long time and is going through a rough patch. It’s not about separation or new chances, though - it’s about reconnecting and communicating in a setting that challenges their comfort zones. It’s about realizing that life isn’t always perfect, or happy all the time, or what you expected, but that it can still be embraced for what it is, and it can get better if you try.

I have never related to an FMC in a romance novel more than Sarah. My husband and I didn’t get married as young as they did, but I also chose not to have kids, and that is not something you see represented a lot on the pages of romance novels. We had so many similarities, from our love of fantasy novels and our Kindles to our intolerance for blood! It was also very refreshing to enjoy a romance from the perspective of the already married, which helped me appreciate what I have in my own relationship and reflect on what I can do to keep the love alive and ensure that I am here for my partner as we get older.

Can’t wait to start checking out more of Hannah’s back catalog, and to see what she comes up with next!

Thank you to Netgalley Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for sending this DRC for review consideration.

Hannah destroyed me with one 😭😭😭

As someone who has been in a long term relationship for quite some time I feel like this is a super realistic representation of how relationships ebb and flow. The way that Hannah writes how beautifully they love each other was incredible

You can feel how deeply Sarah and Caleb care for one another and are willing to work on their marriage. A beautiful tender love story from start to finish

🌲marriage in crisis
🌲dual timeline
🌲camping retreat

🌲 OUT 28 JAN 25 🌲
this book is equal parts romance, comedy, and real life messy, difficult things. aka for me a PERFECT book! i really enjoyed this, HBY’s voice is so refreshing. i laughed multiple times and both of the characters are so relatable (i ALSO hate when people say “there’s no (insert deadly animals) here” HOW DO U KNOW!! THEY DO WHAT THEY WANT!!) anyway, this is a beautiful and real depiction of what it means to grow with someone, and a lot of the time that is growing pains. Sarah & Caleb met when they were 15?? (not a spoiler) And married when they were really young and now in their 30’s.. they’re different people and life is different! and different stages of life require different and new kinds of things to work through. but when you have the right person in your corner, the reward of hard work can be sooo sweet. all of this layered with grief (i just LOVE a good book that includes discussions around grief), work, purpose, the complexities of life!! yeah i loved this. add it to your TBR if you haven’t already. im an HBY fan for life.

the author also gives a really insightful and thoughtful introduction with trigger/ content warnings at the beginning of this ✨ please check this out!

PS this takes place in the same world as Out on a Limb! another masterpiece.

thank you to Netgalley & random house publishing group for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I knew I was going to connect hard with this one, given my own relationship has a lot in common with Sarah and Caleb's, but... this story made my eyes wet NO LESS THAN FOUR TIMES. For anyone who is deterred thinking this is "marriage in trouble"... that's not quite how it reads. This marriage is not in trouble. Sarah and Caleb are fully committed to one another, even if they're unsure on how to go about it. It's a little messy, a little sad, and a lot sweet as they keep learning about each other and how to create the life they want.

I'm left wanting just one thing... MORE. I could read another 100 pages about the deep conversations and flashbacks, but I also think the story length was a good choice, given it's a couple that's already fully committed.

If you like to read healthy communication in romance books - HBY's writing is for you. OOTW is no exception.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!

This was a great read. I liked how it switched back and forth between when they were young and when they were older on this retreat. I loved that (spoiler alert!) they end up staying together and falling even more in love! Very sweet and wholesome!

This follow up companion book to Out on a Limb focuses on Sarah & Caleb. You don't have to read Win & Bo's story first, but it would help. Sarah & Caleb married super young and after more than a decade together Sarah feels that she has lost herself. She can't think of one positive accomplishment. Win suggests a week long camping retreat with several other couples. Although they are not outdoorsy, Sarah and Caleb are both dedicated to saving their marriage and agree to go. The truths they realize, the work they do, and the love they have for each other make the trip much more beneficial than they could have imagined. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a book that isn't about falling in love but staying in love after being together for a while.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book, and this is my voluntary unbiased and true opinion. As much as I loved Out on a Limb by Bonam-Young, this sequel felt a little less solidified as a concept. I adored the characters and the premise of rekindling a marriage, but I did feel as though the plot didn’t keep up with their development. I wish there were more noteworthy moments, other than the dramatic turn at the end (which was fun to read!) I love Bonam-Young’s writing style and characters, but this read wasn’t my favorite of hers at the end of the day.

I’ve loved Hannah’s books since Next of Kin and have deep dived into all her writings since. Out on a Limb was my number one but I think this one takes the cake.

I met my husband young (two years older than Sarah and Caleb) so I empathize towards Sarah and her feelings. To love someone so wholly, but the terror of not knowing who you are without them is a daunting realization. Hannah did such a wonderful job of exploring each of them as characters in such a beautiful way and to still find each other in the end makes this story a heart warming tale. I absolutely ADORE this book and hold it close to my heart 🤍

4.5!

This was so sweet! I've never read a romance book where the characters were already together, so I thought it was super unique. Caleb and Sarah are so pure and beautiful. I found myself really connecting with them as a couple and individually. I laughed so many times throughout this book, but HBY also does a great job of adding a deeper element to her stories that I always appreciate.

I can only imagine how beautiful and rewarding it is to be with someone for over half your life, but it is safe to assume that this does not come without hard work and some troubles. Caleb and Sarah were going through a rough patch in their marriage and took steps to heal their relationship. Their love is SO strong, I can feel just how much these two loved each other through the pages. I also really enjoyed how it was dual-timeline because it allowed us to see how their past plays a part in their present, individually and collectively. Overall, this was such an emotional but heart warming book that I will forever appreciate. I thought this was so amazing. My only gripe is that I think we didn't dive deep enough into their issues and I wish it didn't get resolved as quickly as it did, but I still really loved this. HBY is truly an auto-buyer, a comfort author who does it for me every single time!!!!

I really liked the first book in this series (Out on a Limb) and was looking forward to following the characters' stories in this one. This book focuses on Caleb and Sarah and their relationship - how it began in high school, developed over the next 17 years, and how they attempt to revive it by going on a wilderness retreat when it starts to deteriorate.

I think this book does a great job discussing relatable issues around relationships, grief after losing a parent as a teenager, codependency, and finding your identity and purpose. I like how it isn't 'just' about a relationship; it also digs deep into Sarah's journey as a woman and her healing. Similar to the first book, there aren't many spicy scenes but they are 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 when they happen! I don't think it's necessary to read Out on a Limb before this one, but it would definitely provide more context if you do. After reading these two books by Hannah Bonam-Young, I'll definitely be adding more of her backlist to my TBR!

Read if you like:
- Marriage in Trouble
- First Love
- Dual Timelines

Raw, realistic, beautiful. Three words I would use to describe Out of the Woods.

A contemporary romance with themes of self-discovery, identifying one’s identity, the importance of communication, and the realities of marriage. Moments of grief, loss and resentment, met with humor, joy and connection. Over the course of this couple’s retreat, I was amazed by the realistic portrayal and dialogue of Sarah and Caleb’s relationship and romance. The character writing was both relatable and impactful. I loved the sense of emotion I felt as the reader. I loved the character growth, the heartwarming ending, and seeing the humor and joy resurface in their relationship.

A heartfelt romance. A 2025 release not to be missed.

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adored Out on a Limb, and wasn’t sure if this book could follow it up with the same level of banter and delight. But it absolutely did. This story of reconnection within marriage was funny and serious and all of the best parts of romance reads.

Oh my god. I devoured this in one night. Sarah and Caleb had me stressed, giggling, laughing, and ugly-snot-running-down-my-nose crying.

When we were first introduced to Sarah and Caleb in Out On A Limb, I wasn’t sure how their story would evolve, but I instantly loved their relationship. I didn’t think I could love them more—yet here I am, completely wrong. This book dives even deeper into their connection, showing just how beautifully complex and real it is.

The story begins with Sarah navigating an existential crisis, mourning her late mother, and trying to figure out who she is without Caleb—her high school sweetheart. The way the author portrays Sarah’s journey is so raw and relatable, especially the way things might look fine on the surface, but the truth is much more layered and fragile underneath.

What resonated with me most was how deeply you could feel the love between these two characters. It wasn’t just about the length of time they’ve been together but about the way they’ve grown up together—through the highs and lows, through heartbreak and triumph, always helping each other become better versions of themselves.

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.

This novel was so beautiful and I enjoyed it thoroughly! I’m not sure it falls neatly into any trope - I love the “risk” that Hannah takes in writing about a long standing couple rather than something new and fresh. Except that the moral of the story is that we can and do change, and isn’t it lovely when our love and loves can come along with us for that ride?

I enjoyed the setting of the nature retreat and the dual timeline which really sets up Caleb and Sarah’s relationship.

Well done - and bonus points for Canadian authors setting their books in Canada!

Out of the Woods tells the story of Sarah and Caleb. Two high school sweethearts who married young, endured the loss of Sarah's mother, and are now years later struggling to connect. They decide to go to a hiking retreat that focuses on reconnecting couples. Even though neither of them are outdoor people.

Let's get this out of the way: I loved Out On A Limb. It was tender, swoony, heartfelt, and an easy 5 star read for me. So maybe I jumped into this one expecting it to be more of that. And that's on me, because it really wasn't that. Don't get me wrong, in saying that this book has a very different feel, I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it. I did. But I will admit that I struggled with the romance of this story. Yes it's a marriage in crisis- which I generally LOVE. But these characters just didn't have much development, or that 'will they/won't they', to draw me in in the best of ways at all times.

That said, it's a fun settling. There's some sexual tension. Sneaking around. Some sweet gestures. And heartfelt moments. Sneak peeks into the past with flashbacks. Fabulous cameo's from Bo, Win and Gus. Self discovery journeys. It had many great moments, but was a little choppy at times. Overall an enjoyable story I think many are going to love.

*Thanks to Random House/Dell Romance for the complimentary ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely.

Out On a Limb is my favourite book of all time, as soon as I found out I could read Out of the Woods and learn all about Caleb and Sarah I was beyond excited. Hannah's books always have the perfect mix of funny dialogue, heart-wrenching situations and so much emotion - and they always have the perfect amount of spice too.

I personally related to Sarah a little too much, so much that her inner dialogue had me crying on multiple occasions. Her fears and insecurities resonated with me, and the conversations and clear communication between Sarah and Caleb left such an impact on me.

I adored absolutely everything about this book. The dual timeline, high school sweethearts story was to die for. Reading their experiences during the trip and their teen years was so magical as they each navigate through tough feelings that they're afraid to share with one another. The way they work through their issues was so special to read about. Sarah is so so strong, and Caleb just wants to be strong for everyone around him. They're perfect.

I will read anything that Hannah Bonam-Young writes!