4/5 This story was a delight. I loved the romance and thought the wilderness experience was a fun way to break down barriers between this couple. One issue I have is the way this book is marketed. It feels a lot like a women's fiction book, rather than a romance. It was obvious Sarah was the primary person who needed to work things out in order to feel comfortable in this relationship. Caleb almost felt secondary to the story and was a way to simply support Sarah, as he had most of their life. By the time I got to the end of the book, I felt it was almost too short and really wanted more from the relationship. Despite these things, I did have a good time with this and will absolutely read more Hannah Bonam-Young in the future.

Ignore any typos - I'm writing this with teary eyes 😭

This is a beautiful, raw, grounded romcom that had me in my feels just as much as it had me grinning. HBY balances humor and lightheartedness in a delicate and talented way, which is even more impressive when the MMC and FMC are at a week-long therapy retreat. Both Caleb and Sarah are flawed, which is an amazing thing to see. It's also special that the love is between a married couple. So often these romances are at the beginning of a relationship, which is beautiful and wonderful in it's own right, but it's refreshing to see a long-term commited relationship be at the heart of the story.

I just loved this so much. I was choked up most of the time reading it for all of the heart, emotion, evolutions, and revelations - and I laughed a lot too! I love Sarah's girlhood with Win, I love her history with Caleb, and I loved getting to know her mother through her memories.

Thank you, HBY, for this gratifying and moving story ❤️ and thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to get to read this ARC

I've never read a romance between a married couple and I loved it! I loved that they were going through a rough patch and the process of them working through their issues solo and together. This book was super cute and a great sequel to Out on a Limb.

Excited to read more books by Bonam-Young!

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book!

*I received a free eARC through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.*

I read a lot of romance, on reflection. Typically, I'm a Regency or Regency-style reader, but recently I've been reading more contemporary just so I have something to discuss (I'm trying to read more widely anyway, but this an extremely popular genre, soooo...). Hannah's writing is my sweet spot for this, I think: a touch of smut involving a lot of pretty normal people having weird times. This book has less sex than its companion novel, but a really gratifying amount of good relationship building. I relate to Sarah on the level of losing my mother and dealing with the grief of that loss after an extended illness (I cried five or six times while reading this, is what I mean). Her grief, like mine, messed with her sense of self and her direction in life, and it can be hard to reset yourself with that gaping hole in the path you thought you had. Caleb's combination of concern and lust is...endearing? I dunno, I liked him. He really wanted his wife to be okay, and he really thought he was okay, and sometimes you can deceive yourself in those situations -- his willingness to change after finding out he was wrong about the state of things in their life was one of the best things about him (tbf, it's a long list of good things). The side characters were not overly explored, but offered good texture to the story. Adding in Win and Bo (and August) was a nice bonus. My highest praise for this book? I would be happy to hang out in this world.

Absolutely incredible! I would give it six stars if I could! Every aspect of this book captivated me, from the stunning cover art that instantly draws you in, to the synopsis that introduces a refreshing and original idea within the romance genre. The characters are wonderfully distinct, each bringing their own flair, and I enjoyed witnessing their journey toward unity through the thrilling and passionate scenes that kept me on the edge of my seat. However, what truly resonated with me was their rediscovery of love, emerging stronger than ever before. The emotional and poignant moments added depth to the story, enhancing the overall experience. I eagerly look forward to diving into more works by this talented author!

i really loved this book, as always HBY's writing is so beautiful and her characters are so lovable. i loved getting to see more of win & sarah's relationship and sarah and caleb getting to know eachother again was really so sweet.

This was a delightful follow-up to Out on a Limb, which was among my favorite reads of 2024. Mining the truths of after the 'happily ever after' is not an easy task and Hannah Bonam-Young offers the an unflinching but undeniably heartfelt picture of Caleb and Sarah's relationship.

The ending of the book (with Caleb's hospitalization) felt a bit like a forced final act conflict. I also felt that many of the secondary characters/couples on the retreat were given very interesting introductions and were crucial in the progression of Caleb and Sarah's relationship but were then abandoned toward the end of the book. I would have enjoyed getting more insight into how those individual couples ended up and their relationship with Sarah and Caleb outside of the retreat (even if only in the epilogue).

Nonetheless, this was a great addition to Bonam-Young's catalog with a beautiful depiction of grief and loss. Sarah's outward confidence and extroversion seen in the previous book take on a new dimension as we see her grapple with her dependence on Caleb, her feelings of stagnation and her continued feelings of loss. Similarly, Caleb shifts from a lovable caretaker and protective husband to a man desperate to feel like he's enough and equally desperate to save his marriage from years of unspoken resentments. The unvarnished result is deeply satisfying and keeps you rooting for its leads.

“𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘣 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺.”

4/⭐️
2/🌶️

I love a good marriage in crisis story, and what made this one SO GOOD was that you could feel the love and passion between these two!! Sarah just needed to find who she was herself outside of the marriage, and I loved how patient and loving Caleb was! This was so adorable, and I loved the relatability there was to this story!

I really loved how this was more than just a romance story. It had me reflecting on myself and my own life, and where I’m at in my own individual self and with my partner. There was so much emotion packed into this story, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

🏕️ marriage in crisis
💛 high school sweethearts
🏕️ finding yourself
💛 forced proximity

✨ 𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 ✨

𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗵 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗺-𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴
𝚁𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝙳𝚊𝚝𝚎: 𝙹𝚊𝚗. 𝟸𝟾𝚝𝚑, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟻 — 𝙾𝚞𝚝 𝙽𝚘𝚠!

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
🌲 marriage in trouble
⛺️ high school sweethearts
🌲 FMC self-discovery
⛺️ acts of service
🌲 flashbacks
⛺️ MMC with glasses
🌲 spicy tent & outdoor scenes
⛺️ open door romance
🌲 one POV

𝗠𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦: I loved the real, raw, & genuine emotion that this book entailed! Sarah is struggling to find meaning in life. Her mother has passed away, her husband Caleb has a successful business of his own, & her best friends Win & Bo have created their own little family. Sarah feels stuck & lost so she decides to sign her & Caleb up for a couple’s hiking retreat. While there, Sarah & Caleb work on reigniting their intimacy, their communication skills, & their own personal growth. I loved how realistic this one was & how it highlighted real conflicts that occur in life!

As with other Hannah Bonam-Young books, I enjoyed the humor embedded in this book. Though there were also moments of grief and sadness, there was a nice human touch to the story that made it feel balanced.

I debate whether or not the accident was necessary for the plot, but I recognize it pushed both Caleb and Sarah to move toward their goals.

I enjoyed this book and identified with the couple that had been together for a very long time.

You know that feeling when a book just reaches in, grabs your heart, and refuses to let go? That’s exactly what happened with Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young. I swear, this woman writes stories that don’t just entertain—they heal. This book felt like a warm hug and a deep therapy session all rolled into one. It made me laugh, cry, and reflect in ways I wasn’t expecting.

We’re following Sarah and Caleb Linwood, high school sweethearts who seemed like they had it all figured out… until they didn’t. Seventeen years into marriage, Sarah starts asking herself the big, scary question: “Who am I without him?” Determined to prove her independence, she throws herself into organizing a fundraiser in memory of her late mother. But when things go south and Caleb swoops in to “save the day,” it cracks open years of unspoken grievances. Cue the tension, the tears, and the decision to sign up for a couples' wilderness retreat (because nothing says “facing your issues” like blisters and no cell service).

Hannah’s dual timeline approach is chef’s kiss. We get to see Sarah and Caleb as young, bright-eyed teens falling in love, and then as adults navigating the messy, complicated reality of staying in love. What I appreciated most was how real this felt. No overly dramatic, sweeping gestures here—just two people trying to figure out if love is enough when life gets hard.

Sarah Linwood, oh how I adore you. She’s confident, sarcastic, vulnerable, and painfully relatable. Her struggle with self-worth outside of her role as a wife hit me right in the feels. She’s been carrying the weight of expectations for so long, trying to be strong for everyone else, that she forgot to be kind to herself. Watching her unpack all that emotional baggage was both heartbreaking and inspiring.

And Caleb Linwood? Be still, my heart. He’s the nerdy, steady, quietly swoon-worthy type. The guy who’s always there, holding it all together… until he realizes he’s been holding in his own fears and insecurities too. Caleb isn’t just the “perfect husband” trope. He’s layered, flawed, and deeply human. Watching him fight for his marriage, not with grand gestures but with patience and understanding, made me fall for him over and over again.

Their relationship felt like real life. The kind of love story that isn’t just about the big moments, but the quiet ones—the knowing looks, the shared inside jokes, the hard conversations when it would be easier to walk away. Hannah captures all of that with such raw, honest beauty.

The side characters? Equally amazing. Bo, Win, Helen, Yvonne, Nina, Libby… each one brought depth, humor, and warmth to the story. It felt like being wrapped in a cozy blanket of found family, the kind that makes you feel less alone even when life gets messy.

And the epilogue? PURE PERFECTION. It left me with a big, goofy grin and that warm, satisfied feeling only the best books can give. (Bo and Win having their fourth kid? Stop. My heart can’t handle the cuteness.)

Out of the Woods isn’t just a romance—it’s a love letter to the idea that relationships take work, growth, and a whole lot of heart. It’s about finding your way back to each other, even when you get a little lost along the way.

Trust me, you’ll want to pack this one in your emotional survival kit. It’s that good.

Hannah has done it again, a homerun, straight out of the park (or out of the woods lol). I swear I am this woman's biggest fan. There is something really special about her writing that feels like a warm hug, or coming home and feeling that big sense of relief. Magic, healing, heartstring pulling and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for all of us in her future books.

I was really excited when this book was first announced. I think Caleb and Sarah have such an interesting story that I don't usually see written about in romance novels, especially in the capacity that Hannah wrote in Out of the Woods. There was a real rawness to it that definitely had me all over the emotional spectrum. (It's not a HBY book if I don't cry at least five times.)

I found myself relating to Sarah a lot and as someone who got married pretty young and who has grown exponentially as a person, those growing pains that Hannah wrote about felt super close to home and relatable. Sarah is a stubborn person and the way that she reacts and maneuvers through life, especially with Caleb, felt like I was reading my own story in a way and I just thought that was really special because no matter what - the love that they have for each other is so blatantly obvious that you can't help but be filled with hope.

I appreciated the fact that Hannah didn't shy away from the flaws of all of these characters, especially with Caleb. I think it would have been easy to put this light on him that would have him showing no faults but Hannah always makes her characters feel so real and human. I think my favorite aspect of the book was the progression and development of their communication skills with one another along the way.

I highly recommend this book to literally everyone but please be mindful of the content warnings. This one does feature some heavy topics like the loss of a parent and I would hate for anyone to be caught off guard by that. There are warnings within the book itself though so it'll be easy for you to find them!

Hannah, if you see this, I know that I tell you this pretty frequently but I love your brain and you are so talented at writing and I genuinely cannot wait to see what you come up with next!

- marriage in crisis
- he'd do anything for her
- they are high school sweethearts
- healing with humor
- flashbacks
- reader girl and geeky guy
- tent and outdoor spicy scenes
- bo and win cameo

Thank you Netgalley and RandomHouse Ballentine for the early copy in exchange for my honest feedback and review. I've never been more excited to receive an ARC. And my goodness -- I loved this book. Let's face it, Hannah Bonam-Young could write the phone book and I'd clamor to read it. I would probably also be puffy with tears by the time I flipped the final page. Her characters are so relatable and poignant and I always find myself falling in love with them.

The characters had me hooked. I too fell in love with my person when I was far too young and we've grown so much in the 12 years we've been together. I loved getting to peek into Caleb and Sarah's relationship -- one which seemed so perfect at the start of Out on a Limb. To see the parts that were cracked and broken and then watch them fight for their relationship too. The entire concept of shoving two non-outdoorsy folks into the woods to work on their relationship while being surrounded by other couples was so funny to me. I too would've tried to make it into a competition. Overall a great read and I give it 5 stars!!

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What.Nikki.Reads rated a book it was amazing
less than a minute ago
Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young
Out of the Woods
by Hannah Bonam-Young (Goodreads Author)
Read
I knew this book was going to hit close to home but JESUS 😭😭😭😭😭.
The amount of crying was ridiculous.
Thank you to the ALC
#penguinaudiopartner #prhaudiopartner #prhparter

🥾 Camping/hiking retreat
💜 Marriage in crisis
🥾 Highschool sweethearts
💜 First love
🥾 Grief + loss
💜 Dual timeline
🥾 Loss of a parent
💜 Golden retriever mmc
🥾 1st person/ single pov

Just making these edits, writing this review is making me emotional all over again. This book was Nikki coded in so many ways that I was a blubbering mess most of the book. Lost my dad, and MIL in my 20s. While married and both going through an impossible loss and making our way through that together. I could see this not being super emotional for someone who hasn't experienced much loss, but for someone who has it squeezed my heart so tight.

While the relationship/romance side is about a beautiful marriage in crisis (which we will get into) I think this story is just as much about grief and not just living with it but blooming from it.

Caleb, oh sweet golden retriever Caleb. He just wants to do right. Sarah... Gosh she felt so authentic and real. Her self esteem struggles. Her struggles with grief.
EVERY single interaction they had I was either swooning or crying.

The dual timeline was beautifully done.
I could go on and on about this book but... Just read it instead.
It is book 2. You absolutely do no need to read book 1, but I think you should because that one is beautiful in its on way as well.

Thank you to Hannah, and Penguin Random house for this ALC. And netgalley for the earc.

As the great Taylor Swift once said "Are we out of the woods?"

Now that doesn't necessary make sense as a start to this review, but it felt appropriate to mention.

Hannah Bonham-Young, thank you for this book. As if you hadn't already cemented yourself as one of my favorite authors with Out On a Limb, this book put you on the wall of fame in my book.

I almost don't want to call this a marriage in crisis book because a crisis doesn't seem like an accurate term. More like a marriage at a turning point. But I never doubted that Sarah and Caleb would find their way back to each other, no matter what they had to go through.

The amount of times I cried at this book was uncountable. From the lovely way Caleb talked about Sarah, to the heartbreaking flashbacks to Sarah's mom, to the suspenseful ending, this book had me holding the tissues.

Caleb is a top tier book boyfriend (husband) and has raised my standards even higher than they already are. How wonderful it was to see these two characters grow more in love with each other.

This story felt the most mature of Hannah’s books, and I think that comes from the age of our main characters and where they are in life. The wonder and concern of Sarah and the stress and hopefulness of Caleb could be felt through the page. Watching them fall in love twice during the book was such a treat even through the hardships they faced.

The love, the growth, the honesty…my heart! There were so many feelings in this book.

I also loved that Sarah and Caleb are living their best life childfree and being an amazing aunt and uncle.

Please check Hannah’s content warnings as some of those moments with her mom and with Caleb at the end felt especially raw, and I do not know how I would have responded if I would have gone through the passing of a parent in a similar manner. I liked how it was done and unfolded in the book, but it is an important point to assess before you pick up this story.

This felt very raw and real.
I’ll be honest the first 50 pages I really did not like Caleb. He felt different than how I remembered him in out on a limb but in all fairness that was in a different setting. As the story goes on it all clicks together.
One turning point was on Page 104 (I won’t say because it will spoil a cute moment) but we love thoughtfulness!

‘What hill will you die on’ segment paired with my imagination was perfect

This book shows you how things can stick with you but you can always overcome it.
I got emotional… reading about such intimate and realistic moments really makes you think.
I loved this. Words that make you feel so deeply is always a good sign.

My heartbeat was at 108 at one point!

Hannah knows how to write a fabulous book and is of course another auto buy author of mine.
I was thrilled receiving the e-arc for this, thank you again netgallery!

(Not sure about the Jerry springer show being mentioned😬 I’d steer clear from that)

This book has so much heart!! This is such a beautiful story about growing and changing with someone you love but also it's also a closer look into Sarah and Win's friendship. The flashback chapters that show Sarah's relationship with her mom and growing up with Win were my personal favorite! Caleb and Sarah's relationship was so raw and real and as someone who got married at 19, I related to their story so much. If HBY wasn't one of my favorite authors ever already, OOTW would've made me a life long fan!

This book made me absolutely bawl my eyes out. The love these two have for each other is truly inspiring, and I love that the author shows that even the strongest couples can still go through rough patches. I really liked the fact that there were two timelines going throughout the book; the past timeline showing how they feel in love, and the present timeline with them working through their problems. The nature couples retreat was an aspect that I really enjoyed; I feel like it is something that really helped them since it got rid of all the distractions, and let them talk with strangers to get a different perspective. I feel like Caleb and Sarah had a very relatable relationship because they are learning how to grow together, without losing their connection. I just really loved their story and how realistic it felt!

What a beautiful book that ends up being so much more than just them fixing their relationship. HBY does it again! Out on A Limb is my favorite romance book and this such a wonderful companion. I loved Caleb & Sarah in OoAL so I was delighted to get to learn so much more about them. Stories in the past with Sarah’s mother are heart wrenching. Overall this book just made me want to hug the ones I love the most and never stop trying to do better and evolve as a person. 4.5 stars