When everything seems to be falling apart, love often finds a way to knock on our door. Yet, there are times when we might not be ready to welcome it and end up trying to run away. It’s a great reminder of the beauty of unexpected love stories!

What an adorable story! Gretchen Miller has sworn off dating and accepts a summer job of being a dance teacher at a summer camp in Minnesota. Teddy Knight just finished a tour with this rock band and has also gotten roped into working at this summer camp while he figures out what his next steps in his life are going to be. When Gretchen and Teddy get lost in the woods and have to rely on each other for sanity and warmth, they realize each are not who they seem at first glance. I love the camp setting and the morning swims in the lake. The characters were fun, both with flaws and it was refreshing that we were in their late 30’s / early 40’s. The banter between Gretchen and Teddy and the sarcastic humor was spectacular. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the dual narrators. I think it was a smart choice. This was a story about finding yourself again and being inspired.

Duet narration is my absolute favorite way to listen to an audiobook. This was so well done. Teddy Hamilton and Kit Swan are two of the best narrators. They have such great voices and really embody the characters in the book. This was a beautiful story that had me laughing out loud and also had me tearing up at times. This is definitely a book our library will be purchasing and recommending to patrons.

I had already received and read an ARC before I was given the ALC, so I’ll reiterate that it’s a wonderful follow up to Canadian Boyfriend. It has a very great romance in the middle of two stories of discovery that wrapped this into the perfect story.
So, I’ll focus on the narration for this review. It was done really well! I am very familiar with the male narrator, and he never does wrong. This was my first experience with the female narrator, and I thought she incapsulated the mfc so well! Also, bonus points for her doing all the women parts and him doing all the men. I know that’s usually out of the control of some, but I always feel like it helps to stay in the story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

Thank you Forever Pub for the gifted ALC and finished copy!!

As a Minnesotan and former dancer, I wanted to like this book SO much more than I did 😭 it was pretty cringey and I had a hard time seeing where this story was going as I was listening to it.

Gretchen is who really threw me. It felt like she was two different characters sometimes bc she was grouchy and unapproachable at times but bubbly and literally leaping away from people other times? Idk I just didn’t get her. And her whole hardcore commitment to the “crone” thing (that was so cringe I’m sorry) didn’t make sense to me. The whole point was that she couldn’t find a good guy and then she does but still doesn’t want to give up “being a crone”? Idk 😭

I really enjoyed Teddy! He’s the broody, rockstar with a secret heart of gold 😌 it was so nice getting to know him in this book and see him open up to the idea of this camp.

The narration was amazing for the most part! I loveeee duet narration and the female narrator seriously nailed Gretchen. I didn’t love the stereotypical Minnesotan accent the male narrator used though bc teddy isn’t even from minnesota 😭

Wow! As someone who is typically NOT a rom-com girly, I was surprised by how much I loved this book! Truly. This story is something special. The two main characters are so well developed and their personal growth felt so authentic. I found myself laughing out loud at several points in the story and felt myself tearing up at others. I also love a romance with ‘older adults’ (fmc is 39). While I am not artistic in anyway I loved hearing about some of their artistic processes as they worked on theirselves. Finally- I am a sucker for a good side character and the grumpy writer was perfect!
Thank you to Hachette Audio for the early copy. I listen to hundreds of audiobooks a year and I’m already a huge fan of Teddy Hamilton, who is the male voice in this duet narration, but Kit Swan is new to me— and she going on my favorite list asap! I have already got other audiobooks with her on cast. The production of this duet is amazing.

Jenny Holiday’s delightful tale, narrated by Kit Swann and Teddy Hamilton, was brought to life through Hamilton’s unique narration and the duet format. This isn’t a typical swoony romance; it focuses on character growth and personal struggles, which hooked me!

Wow, I have to say that this audiobook was done so well! The narrators went back and forth, so it felt like I was listening to a podcast or watching a movie where the two love interests banter back and forth. The banter between them were so fun. I'm a sucker for any camp settings, so that always adds to my enjoyment of books no matter the genre. I also liked how mature the characters felt with them being older than in their 20's like most contemporary romances are right now. It was sweet and romantic. A great grumpy/sunshine romance to recommend!

Into the Woods was a fun take on an adult camp situation while trying to rediscover yourself. Gretchen, a dancer and Teddy, an ex member of a rock band are two camp counselors at Camp Wild Arts for all different types of artists. After a slew of horrible dating experiences, Gretchen has decided to embrace her inner crone and stop dating. Teddy's band just broke up and he's feeling all different sorts of ways about that. This is the perfect storm for these two to have a summer fling.

I felt that the chemistry between Gretchen and Teddy was forced at times and I didn't get it. In the beginning of the book Gretchen talks about what a bad ass female she is but at times I thought she was just mean, especially to Teddy. I enjoyed the overall story of them being at camp and how Gretchen and Teddy bonded over their traumatic upbringings. I liked a lot of the side characters. Gretchen just seemed to be all over the place.

I really enjoyed the dual narration for Teddy and Gretchen and felt both narrators did a great job with the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for my ARC of this book which publishes 1/7/25.

I was pleasantly surprised by this one! The characters were interesting and both went through a significant arc as well. I loved how they bonded over their upbringing and the challenges they overcame. This one feels like the love interests just compliment each other so well. I also appreciate the messages about contemporary dating along with empowering women. It just added more depth. I’m also a sucker for anything arts based!

The narrators did an excellent job of capturing the characters and story. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!

(4.25/5) Into The Woods is EXACTLY what I needed in between fantasy worlds — this book was funny, charming, and sweet.

- eARC & ALC review -
Pub date: Jan 7, 2025

What to expect:
⛺️ Contemporary romance
⛺️ 1st person, dual POV
⛺️ Dance instructor x rockstar
⛺️ BANTER
⛺️ Self growth
⛺️ Grumpy x sunshine
⛺️ “Older” characters (FMC - 40, MMC - 35)

Gretchen, our FMC, is DONE with men after one too many failed dates. She’s having a bit of an (early) mid life crisis as she’s about to expand her dance studio. What better way to run away from life than escaping into the Minnesota woods as a counselor at an artsy camp. You know who’s also running away and joining Gretchen as a fellow counselor? Teddy, our grumpy rockstar whose band recently broke up. Maybe Gretchen hasn’t completely sworn off men… or maybe it’s just a summer fling.

This book is such a snack — it was lighthearted (even though it touches on serious topics like child neglect) and funny. I also loved the banter between these two characters, and I’m a SUCKER for a grumpy x sunshine dynamic.

The ALC (duet narration) was AMAZING — Teddy Hamilton and Kit Swann do a phenomenal job at bringing these characters to life. I highly, highly recommend the audiobook. The humor in this book may not resonate with some readers, especially given the characters’ ages, but I believe the audiobook is ultimately what sold me.

Into the woods is A cute but spicy enemies to lovers romance set at a summer camp.

Gretchen has all but given up on romance when an opportunity is given to her to help out at a camp where she meets Teddy who is there to try and get his inspiration back for his writing music after having a falling out with his bandmates.

I enjoyed this romance written by Jenny Holiday, it is my first book of hers and after this book will for sure be picking up some of her others .

I have always been a sucker for enemies to lovers and grumpy x sunshine characters which Jenny does a magnificent job of bringing to life in her characters Teddy and Gretchen.

Kit Swann and Teddy Hamilton did an amazing job at bringing the characters to life making for an enjoyable listen.

All in all I highly recommend this book especially if you enjoy enemies to lovers and grumpy x sunshine .

Thank you Netgalley and Hachette audio for the arc

Into the Woods is a great romance book that has everything I love in romance books. This should be a book that I loved, but for some reason, I just fell short of loving it.

As I write this, I am getting more confused about why I didn’t love this book. It has two great leads and an intriguing story, but I cannot pinpoint what stopped me from falling in love with it.

Gretchen is about to turn 40, and she continues to ask herself if this is all there is in life. She plans on giving up on dating and just focusing on the next stage of her business, which is expanding her dance studio and adding different classes.

Teddy just had a very public meltdown with his band's breakup. He is struggling to find his identity and wants to go solo but is having a hard time writing.

Both Teddy and Gretchen agree to work at a summer camp for arts. They both find new inspiration with the kids at the summer camp and also become friends, and we get to watch that quickly grow into more.

I wanted to see Gretchen drop her walls and fully let Teddy in, but it just took forever for that to happen. Gretchen and Teddy are both such great people that you couldn’t help but want the best for both of them.

The audiobook was amazing and the narrators did an amazing job. You can never go wrong with teddy Hamilton 💖 he is one of my favs !!

This is centered in a camp (adults) that a lot of artists (famous/ well known) people are attending . The FMC is excited for a fresh new start and the camp with help her get distracted from dating horrible men. The MMC is a rocker who is looking for an outlet to help write new songs since the bad he was involved with for seven year just broke up. Both characters grew up with nothing and made a successful life for themselves.

Overall I enjoyed the mmcs’ personalities and the banter. Some things were very related as well. If you’re looking for a grumpy X sunshine I would recommend this book💖

Cute spicy romance that is just as much about finding your life and passion as it is about falling in love. Quick read. Great characters. Narrator was engaging.

3.8
A little cutesy for me, but not in an obstructive or offensive way. I'm not wild about either of the romantic leads, but that's just a preference, they weren't inherently flawed or anything.

Jenny Holiday writes such fun contemporary romances. Into the Woods is a swoony, hilarious summer camp romance–featuring Gretchen (a badass ballet teacher) and Teddy (a grumpy rockstar bassist). They both find themselves as artists in residence at a summer camp for the arts–mentoring teenage dancers and musicians. Gretchen has decided she’s done with men, and she’s decided that spending the summer in the Minnesota woods is the perfect time to embrace her inner crone. But she didn’t expect the mutual attraction with Teddy. He offers to be her last hurrah–and if one last hurrah turns into multiple last hurrahs, then maybe a camp affair is exactly what they both need. With a firm end-date, Gretchen doesn’t have to worry about her heart getting involved, except that’s not how these things work.

Thank you so much to Hachette Audio for the advance listening copy. Teddy Hamilton is one of my favorite male narrators–his voice is an absolute dream–and I love how he captured the character’s grumpy charm. And Kit Swann’s narration is charming and energetic, a perfect match for Gretchen’s personality.

Thanks to Hachette Audio, Forever, and NetGalley for early access to the title in exchange for my honest opinion. Into the Woods follows Gretchen, one of the characters from Holiday’s previous book, Canadian Boyfriend. While I was disappointed that Joshua Jackson did not narrate this audiobook (as he did Canadian Boyfriend), Teddy Hamilton does a great job narrating with Kit Swann. This is a standalone, and you don’t need to have read Canadian Boyfriend to be able to enjoy Into the Woods.
Gretchen is professionally doing well as a dance studio owner who is in the midst of a large expansion. Personally, though, she is done with the apps and getting ready to give up on love. I completely understood her feelings! When a dancer/choreographer has to cancel on the summer arts camp, Gretchen takes the job as a last minute replacement, moving to live on site at the camp for a month. It takes place in the north woods of Minnesota (and I read it right after finishing another MN set book, Four Weekends and a Funeral), and the setting made me long for my old days working at summer camp in the midwest.
Into the Woods combines some of my favorite things to read about: summer camp, dance, and a fun summer fling! But the story deepens when the summer session ends and Gretchen returns to the life she put on hold. Is she actually happy with things the way they are or should she make some big changes? I think readers will understand this dilemma, too, and connect with Gretchen. I can’t wait to hear what others think when this book publishes in early 2025!

Rating 3.5 stars

Pleasant, well intentioned book failed to deliver an emotional punch. The setting was interesting, but I never became invested in the characters. A bit two dimensional. The author kept telling us her main character, Gretchen, was a “bad ass”, but there wasn't enough bad assery to convince me. The premise of women not appeasing men in a relationship against their own interests was promising, although the idea was repeated enough to come across as a bit too much of a crusade, instead of being more organically integrated into the story. Although the main character was turning 40, it felt almost like a young adult book rather than written for an older audience.

The narration was well done and added to the books appeal.

I would read more by the author in the future.

Good romance book I found myself laughing out Loud a few times and it was sweet just 3rd act break ups annoy me so much but everything else I loved