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.

Sarah and Caleb have always been steady. But after 10+ years of marriage Sarah is ready for some changes. They married young at 19 so Sarah’s mother could be at her wedding before passing from ALS. Sarah has felt like the damsel in distress for too long in her relationship. After another rescue from Caleb at her ALS fundraiser Sarah breaks down. Feeling at a loss in her relationship, Sarah approaches Caleb about attending a couples backpacking trip. The catch is that it involves therapy for reconnecting, oh and neither Caleb nor Sarah like outdoors. Will 7 days be enough to work through their issues?

This books was so beautifully emotional. I think I might like Sarah and Caleb more than Win and Bo, and that feels criminal because I’ve been obsessed with them since I read Out on a Limb. For those that read the first book in this stand alone series I will say this one feels much deeper and heavier. But in a beautiful way. I loved the way Hannah showed how Sarah and Caleb’s lives have been shaped by grief, and how naturally we can fall into roles because of life circumstances. I also loved how everyone perceived Sarah as strong and confident while inside she felt anything but. Just amazingly relatable. This book is seriously a work of art. I felt all the feels, cried all the tears, and even found myself kicking my feet. I did not think anything could compare with to my love for Out on a Limb, but this was just as beautiful.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hannah does it again with a romance that is full of so much emotion and vulnerability. I understand that it being a marriage in trouble romance may deter people from reading it, but it shouldn't. There is so much growth and love in these 336 pages. Hannahs writing makes me feel like I know her characters personally, and this story is no different. Their journey is beautiful and will live rent-free in my brain from here on out. Thank you, Hannah, for a book that reminds us all that it's never too late to try something different and grow with the ones we love.

This was so good. I love Hannah’s writing and this was just another great representation of it. I loved seeing Caleb and Sarah from Out on a Limb here and seeing them grow in their love even through hard times. The topic of grief throughout and the flashbacks really added to the characters and I loved getting to know more about them. 10/10 for Hannah once again.

This was not my first Hannah Bonam- Young book. but it was my favorite so far. Out of the Woods was a great read!

Total number of times that I cried: 15

HBY, you are a precious, beautiful soul. Your words keep me sane. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU.

This book is absolutely perfect. It healed me in ways I didn’t even know I needed. Sarah is me, I am Sarah. I resonated so deeply with her thoughts and feelings. As a girl who also married her high school sweetheart, there is so much change and complexity in our relationship that is difficult to convey, but HBY DID THAT!!! I felt this book in my bones. I didn’t think anything could top Out on a Limb, but I am SO happy to be wrong.

I loved everything about OOTW. I don’t have one single negative thing to say. If you don’t like this book, I don’t trust your judgment. That is how strongly I feel about it.

Thank you Dell Romance for the e-ARC. I can’t wait to buy this book for everyone I know when it’s out in January 2025!

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again—HBY could write a romance novel where two squirrels fall in love, and I’d give it 5 stars. Words could never truly explain how her books make me feel. How she writes the most beautiful love stories intertwined with the toughest topics and battles will always amaze me, and I deeply appreciate how much time and effort she puts in to making sure that those topics and battles are portrayed in the most accurate way possible.

This book made me smile, laugh, and UGLY cry. There were moments in this book that quite literally struck my heart, and I knew even before the end that this would be a 5 star read—just like every other HBY book I have read. Going on this journey with Caleb and Sarah was raw, real, and so unbelievably beautiful. I truly cannot wait for the world to read this book in January.

Hannah, thank you a million for sharing your incredible stories with us.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209220944

Out on a Limb was one of my favorite romance books of 2024 so I was very excited to get an ARC. Out of the Woods is a “marriage in crisis” trope about Sarah and Caleb, a high school sweetheart couple who, after 17 years together, are in the midst of a rough patch. They embark on a weeklong couples therapy style hiking trip in an effort to reconnect. It’s a dual timeline story that alternates between the early days of their relationships as teens with current day. Getting an understanding of who they were early on their relationship and what drew them together was a helpful way to understand some of the nuances of their relationship. I really appreciate a romance where the MCs are mature adults and this book definitely checked that box. The pace of the book was a little slow for me I did enjoy and appreciate the book. I would love to see a third book in the same universe.