THE WANDERING SEASON by Aimie K. Runyan is a beautiful story about a woman learning about her roots and ancestry through travel and adventure. If you’re in the mood for an armchair vacation around Europe, please give this book a go!

The opening chapters of this novel stole my heart as the beginning is set in Estes Park, Colorado, aka my favorite place on earth. My family and I stay there quite often as it’s extremely close to Rocky Mountain National Park, and that’s our favorite park EVER. The author described the surroundings and scenery perfectly—especially the twisty and exciting drive from Denver on Highway 36. It felt like I jumped inside of the book and was a passenger in the car—major flashbacks!

I’ve read a handful of Runyan’s novels in the past, and they’ve all fallen under the historical fiction category. With her latest, the reader receives a nice little genre mash-up, which is always a huge plus. It’s mostly women’s fiction, but has sprinkles of magical realism, mystery, and romance.

Before you start reading this book, I have one warning. Don’t read it on an empty stomach! Food is a major component to this story as the main character is a specialty food broker and her mother is a baker. The food references are plentiful! If you’re a foodie like me, you’re gonna love it! But yes, my stomach was growling the entire time.

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Adoption stories
- Family dynamics
- DNA testing
- Sisterhood
- Female friendship
- Travel and tourism
- A touch of magical realism
- A hint of romance
- Mouth-watering food descriptions
- Gorgeous settings

Once again, Runyan has knocked my socks off and has solidified a spot on my list of favorite authors. I can’t gush and rave about her writing enough! 4/5 stars for THE WANDERING SEASON! It’s out now!

As an amateur genealogist, I was intrigued by the premise of this book. We go on a journey with the writer to find her genetic heritage. There are heavy themes of food, friendships, romantic relationships, and magical realism. I enjoyed the story, but it was all a little slow without any real spice or conflict.

2.5 stars
I appreciate the swing taken in this book, but it was a miss for me. I enjoyed the beginning of the modern day story in Denver and the start of the trip to Ireland. I was intrigued how the “visions” from her ancestors, mentioned in the blog, might fit with the present day plot. That part was the weakest for me. I also didn’t really feel the connection between Vero and Niall. The narrator was the saving grace of the book for me. I’ve liked the author’s other books and will give the next one a chance.
*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley

This novel, narrated in the first person, spans a range of locations including Colorado, New York, Ireland, France, Italy, and Denmark. It blends contemporary travel with elements of magic and fantasy, adding an intriguing dimension to the storyline. One of the highlights for me was the culinary focus throughout the plot. The description of the delectable dishes she experienced on her journeys was captivating, and I thoroughly enjoyed the recipes included at the end of the book.

However, I found the overall execution to be somewhat clichéd and lacking depth. The writing often felt simplistic, and the predictability of the plot significantly diminished my enjoyment. Additionally, the conclusion seemed hurried and unsatisfying. I apologize for the critical tone of this review, but these were my genuine impressions of the work.

The Wandering Season is one of those books that sweeps you away in the best way. I really enjoyed following the Vero as she traveled through four different places in Europe—each destination brought something new, both in scenery and in her personal growth. It felt like I was right there with her, discovering these places and watching her piece her life together.

Aimie K. Runyan has a way of making travel feel both exciting and meaningful. The book isn’t just about the journey across Europe—it’s about figuring out who you are after everything you thought you knew changes. There’s a great balance of lighthearted moments and deeper reflections, which made it really engaging from start to finish.

I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a fun, heartfelt adventure. Whether you love travel stories, self-discovery themes, or just a good, well-written escape, this book hits all the right notes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks | Harper Muse for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

The Wandering Season is a heartfelt and beautifully written story that lingers long after the last page!

Veronica's story pulled me in from the beginning. Her discovery, that quiet shock of learning she's adopted really moved me. I loved how a simple DNA test turned into a beautiful, winding adventure that spanned continents, cuisines and generations. It made me think about how the pieces of who we are can live in places we/be never been, in people we've never met.

This book left a mark on my heart. A beautiful read!

The Wandering Season follows Veronica as she navigates who she really is. After receiving a DNA kit for Christmas, Veronica officially learns that she is adopted. The results highlight four different places her heritage may have originated from. Veronica's family plan a once in a lifetime trip to allow her to explore all of these places in the hopes of finding clues to her ancestors.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and I'm so glad that I did. The narrator did such an amazing job with the many different accents throughout the book. The narration kept me intrigued.

I really enjoyed the descriptions of the places she visited and all the food that she encountered. Definitely don't read this book while hungry. Overall, I felt like some parts of the story just didn't work for me. The first issue was that her sister gifted her the DNA kit. I just think that's such an odd thing to gift a family member who you think might be adopted.

The romantic storyline between Liam and Veronica also fell flat for me. When we first met Liam's character, I couldn't tell if he was an older gentleman or a potential love interest. It was a very awkward love story to me. I loved that they connected over food but their romance was missing chemistry.

The paranormal flashbacks to her ancestors took me by surprise. I had to go back and relisten because I couldn't figure out what was happening. It was so unexpected and personally didn't think it worked with the story.

A food-matcher who is searching to learn more about her ancestors (after an adoption discovery) takes a quest across Europe. Readers who enjoy immersive settings with rich architectural and food descriptions will feel completely ‘present’ in this read.

From a historical castle in Ireland, to small village in France, across the Tuscan region of Italy, and a few snowy days in Denmark, before culminating in NYC this book is absolutely wandering in all the best ways. Along the journey, Veronica experiences visions or dreams connecting her to her ancestors’ lives and experiences, so readers should be prepared for that magical realism aspect. Along the journey, Veronica meets wonderful people, a potential new love interest, and grows closer to her family.

Audiobook narrator, Carolina Hewitt, did a phenomenal job with the diverse accents and cultural locations. She also did a great job capturing Veronica’s passion for foods and her nuanced emotional journey. This was the perfect audio book for my daily walks or commutes to work that always left me in an upbeat and happy mood!

Although I don't usually read books like this, especially the magical realism parts, it made for a pleasant listen on my daily walks. There were parts that weren't necessarily believable, especially the romance, the short shrift given to main character Veronica's sister and best friend, who were merely mechanisms to move the story along., and the ending. The book was greatly enhanced by narrator Caroline Hewitt, who is one of the best I've heard in a long time. Readers/listeners of this genre won't be disappointed.

When you mix food descriptions, travel, magical realism, and romance, along with supportive family and friends, it’s hard not to love this book.

The main character, Veronica, is a food matcher who always knew in her heart she was adopted. When a test confirms that, Vero’s sister with the help of Vero’s best friend send her on a month long European trip to learn about her heritage per the DNA results.

Veronica spends time in Ireland, France, Italy, and Denmark. At each stop she gets visions which are echos of the past.

I loved every bit of the culinary journey of each place, as well the people, and the snippets of those that lived in the past.

I also loved Veronica’s story which in part is her realizing what she wants to do for a lifetime career.

Based on the reviews, I enjoyed this much more than I expected. Lovely story of a young woman searching for both her roots and her future. Part family drama, part food tour, and a touch of time travel. What’s not to like?

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was so fun and amazing. I really loved it and enjoyed Veronica’s story. The author does a great job handling the story with care and making it believable and the ending had me in tears! The audiobook narrator does amazing dealing with several different accents and really helped me get immersed in the story!

This was such a cute charming story about a girl named Veronica who finds out she is adopted and is thrown for a loop figuring out her past. She takes an extended vacation and travels to Ireland, France, Italy, and Denmark where she has "dreams" of different women in the past who are going through major life changes.

The story has themes of found family, a sense of belonging, home is where the heart is, and life is what you make it.

Things that didn't work for me:

Really weird that the parents legally couldn't tell her she was adopted haha and when she figured out as a teen (she didn't look like anyone in her family) she didn't say anything.

The dreams dynamic felt a bit too dramatic and disjointed from the story as it is ambigous why she had those dreams even by the end of the book. Especially it felt off with the last vision she ends up having regarding a specific family member.

Why did she NEED to go to Europe? She didn't really do any research there and was mostly there for vibes by herself that her younger sister fully planned for her... It seemed that she was literally incapable of making life choices on her own many times throughout the book. She was a character that needed a "nudge" to do anything.

Things I loved:

Niall. The cat. The aspects of her job as a supplier for restaurants. Descriptions of the markets. Descriptions how the houses almost seemed to have "agency"- really well done!

Overall three stars because while I did enjoy it, this is one I maybe wouldn't read again BUT I am glad that I did as it has been so highly recommended on instagram. I would say this is for fans of What the Wind Knows, The Story She Left Behind, and To Sicily With Love.

Thank you to NetGalley and to HarperMuse Audiobooks and HarperMuse for my gifted ebook and audiobook copies in exchange for my honest review. This made a stellar audiobook and I really enjoyed the narrator!

Did I pick this book because of its cover? Absolutely. It looked like the kind of place I’d love to travel to, and thankfully, the story delivered on that front.

The premise was fantastic—Veronica’s journey to the places her ancestors may have come from was such a fun concept. Traveling through Ireland, France, Denmark, and Italy, discovering incredible food and ingredients—it was easy to imagine being right there with her. The descriptions were rich and immersive, making this book a treat for anyone who loves food and travel.

However, one thing that didn’t work for me was the paranormal element. Veronica connecting with her ancestors in such a mystical way felt out of place. I would have preferred if she had uncovered her heritage through distant relatives or historical records rather than literal visions. Readers should definitely be prepared for this touch of magical realism!

Another thing I missed was the chemistry between Veronica and Niall. On paper, they were a great match—they bonded over food and travel, but the romance just lacked that spark. A little more passion or tension would have made their relationship and the book more engaging.

That said, I partially listened to the audiobook, and Caroline Hewitt did a great job, especially with Niall’s Irish accent! That was definitely a highlight.

Overall, The Wandering Season is an enjoyable read for those who love books about self-discovery, food, and travel. Just be aware of the unexpected supernatural twist!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse Audiobooks and HarperCollins Focus for the (audio) ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This novel had such an intriguing premise: a young woman's month-long adventure to 4 European countries (Ireland, France, Italy, Denmark) to explore her ancestry (as indicated by an online DNA test) after discovering a long-secret adoption. Throw in some foodie references, a bit of romance, and an ongoing wrestling and reconciling with her identity, and I was sold. But....there were just a few too many issues for me to really love the book.

Ultimately, it came down to these key challenges...
1) Extremely flowery writing - It felt a bit like the author had a thesaurus at the ready and strived to elaborate on every detail with cliched phrases
2a) A fantasy element that worked initially, but then felt extremely overplayed as she explored each country, without a lot of connection to her current situation
2b) I also had a strong desire for her to have more "flesh & blood" discoveries. In other words, meet some relatives!
3) Repetition in language and situations, particularly related to her insecurities - I grew weary of hearing about her desire to "make it on her own" (no Daddy's Amex for her!), questions about her recent break-up, everyone nagging her about opening her own restaurant, and others

Overall, it felt like the story could have benefited from a better editor, who stripped away some of the fluff, and let the big issues shine through.

I will say that one huge positive for me was the dialogue, which was extremely well-written, particularly in situations with "banter". That is not easy to do and the author nailed it. I would be willing to read more from this author just because of that. And, the narration of the audiobook was top-notch.

Please note: I received an advanced listening copy from NetGalley & Harper Muse Audio in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

This story is told in first person and follows Veronica who has a business that I found fascinating as a specialty food broker, though her family often pushes her to go to culinary school and run her own kitchen. She’s recently broken up with her boyfriend and visiting her family in Estes Park for the holidays when her beloved sister gives the entire family DNA kits for Christmas. Awkward pause when it turns out that she’s adopted.

After receiving her results, Veronica ends up traveling to Europe to spend one week in each of the four places on her ancestry report from Irish castles to France and the Italian countryside. When Veronica travels to her first destination, a castle in Ireland, she experiences echoes of the past within her room and other places that she visits on the estate. The story of a young woman struggling with the marriage of her father to a woman that would rather see her gone even if it means marrying her off to a brute.

I loved the stories told through echoes in this book. It gave me the feel of a historical fiction novel within a contemporary one even if I did roll my eyes at the coincidence of Veronica visiting the exact places that she needed to see what was necessary to move the story towards its connections. It came together beautifully. I enjoyed watching her grow as a character over the course of the book and admit to her avoidance of pursuing her dreams. I enjoyed all the supporting characters, especially the romantic interest, though keep in mind the romance is just a part of the whole and not the focus.

Recommended to lovers of travel, family history and magical realism. I also think it would make for a great book club discussion. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Caroline Hewitt. I found her voice for the characters to be so cozy and comforting, I was surprised that this was my first audiobook narrated by her. Definitely recommend this format if you’re an audiobook listener.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Muse for a copy provided for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book!
As someone who loves to travel, it transported me away on an incredible adventure. The story is all about finding meaning and love in the most unexpected ways. It had me laughing, crying, and completely captivated from start to finish.
If you’re into tales that are both heartwarming and thought-provoking, this one’s a must-read.

I absolutely adored this book. It has everything you could want - cozy and heartfelt while also enchanting and magical. Such a wonderful story full of yummy food and beautiful surroundings, with a sweet little love story sprinkled in. I loved how the story unfolded and the self discovery the main character had was awe inspiring. The ending was simply beautiful. The quote, “Not all who wander are lost” definitely rings true. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fantastic job. I loved all the accents she did. 💚

I would like to thank Harper Muse Audiobooks and NetGalley for giving me an ARC (which did not sway my opinions or review).

I wanted to love this book so much, but it just didn’t hit the marks for me at all. The magical realism (which I love!) completely took me out of this story. I would have preferred the main character to uncover portions of her past in a different way, like through townsfolk directly. And there was zero chemistry in the love interest portion of this story. Enough that it actually made me angry when the ending unfolded. It truly felt like this was supposed to be a “woman finds herself” story but had a very weak female main character who just did what everyone told her to do while acting like she wouldn’t bend to their will. Absolutely frustrating.

I’m just a puddle! Gah. this book was so beautiful! The plot and story were so engaging and inspiring! I loved the culinary aspect of the book as well! My dad is a phenomenal cook so I thought he would appreciate all of the food references too! I was constantly hungry while reading this! The romance was subtle but so sweet! The overall resolution was so heartwarming and enlightening! Please read this!