I really wanted to like this but, I couldn't find anything that I remotely enjoyed.

I understand feeling like you've done nothing for yourself by the time you hit your 30s, that part I understood. I know that Sarah wanted to find something that was her own, but the way this was described, finding out that they actually have a lot of money completely threw me off. The type of money where she doesn't work. I...I really had to stare at my e-reader for a bit and process this piece of information.

Sarah's problems could've been resolved so many different ways that didn't involve this retreat. I understand that she's been grieving the loss of her mother and that everyone process grief differently, but jeez. She kept complaining that she and Caleb were miscommunicating when it felt mostly one sided.

The pacing was one of the things that really kept throwing me off. Just as I was getting the feeling for the couple's dynamics, a flashback. It really kept throwing me out of what I was feeling the chapter before and I had to circle back.

This is my first HBY book and it might be my last.

3.5 stars, 2 spice

Thank you to Dell and Penguin Random House Audio for the e-arc and ALC respectively.

<i>“If you give me the space to grow, I’ll plant myself next to you. Always.”</i>

Many years after marrying her husband Caleb at the young age of 19, Sarah has hit a life crisis - she is looking back and doesn't know of anything that she has accomplished just on her own. She has been his other half for half of her life and doesn't even know if she is a whole person anymore.

This story deals with her self discovery and dealing with the grief and emotions tied up into their relationship because they chose to marry so young so that her mom who was ill would be a able to see her get married.

This was decent, but probably my least favorite of HBY books. It did deliver on everything it said it would be, but I just wasn't fully sucked in. I have struggled a bit with this in the past when you have us fully removed from the environment of the first book and those characters, there is this disconnect. Sure, on this couples hiking retreat we had secondary characters, but I didn't feel anything for them.

The issues seemed to be resolved in just a couple of honest conversations. They make plans for the future but I feel like the true work happens off page between the last chapter and the epilogue.

*Thanks to NetGalley for a.copy of this beautiful book!

What a gorgeous book! I picked up Out on a Limb due to all the hype, and I fell in love with Win and Bo instantly. When I found we'd be getting Sarah and Caleb's story I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Wow, this book. Sarah and Caleb are such a wonderful couple, and I felt all the emotions reading this! I cried, laughed, swooned, and felt anxiety claw up my throat. Bonam-Young writes so.beautifully and with so.much depth. I cheered for this couple while laughing and crying with them. I can write with absolute certainty that I am officially a fan and will buy everything this amazing author writes.

Listen... Hannah Bonam-Young had a very tough act to follow in Out on a Limb. That is one of my most favorite romances of the past few years. And while I very much liked this book, to me, it just didn't quite meet that level of perfection.

There is so much to like about this book. Caleb and Sarah are lovely and meant for each other, I have no doubt of that. The conflict, the struggling to communicate, the need to remember one own's self in a relationship were all really compelling in this book. The chemistry was also there, but the book definitely benefits from our meeting of them in Out on a Limb - and I think that's why the book is not fully 5 stars from me.

It may just be me but something about the writing of this one had me struggling to love it fully, but I am totally willing to revisit again at some point.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! As always, all opinions are my own.

Sarah and Caleb (the best friends from Out on a Limb) go on a wilderness trip to work on their marriage. The best word I have to describe this one is tender. It’s soft and adorable. The group of couples also on the trip make for a hilarious cast of characters. Plus, we get some cameos of Win and Bo from book one. I didn't see the third act chaos coming, though it felt somewhat random and drawn out.

It’s an interconnected standalone, single POV, with some steam.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy!

Hannah really hit home with this one! Her books are so beautifully written and this one’s no different. I cried at least three times 🥲 but also laughed a lot.

Sarah and Caleb’s journey is raw and real. I met my husband freshman year of college, which felt like we were babies, so I could relate to their journey a little bit. Reading this book honestly felt like I was talking to a friend. Their story had depth, heartache and growth. I loved that we get to see how deep their love is and how they work through the hard parts of marriage to come out stronger together. It’s hard trying to find yourself in adulthood while already having roots down with a significant other. Hannah portrayed those details beautifully in this book.

Sarah and Caleb definitely make the list for some of my favorite book characters. Their personalities, love and humor are top notch!

10/10 recommend adding this to your TBR 💚

Thank you to the publisher for the e-arc!

4.75 ⭐️
i loved sarah and caleb so much already in out on a limb but reading them in their own book, getting to really know them made me love them even more!!! caleb is truly the sweetest, most gentle, just all around GOOOD man to ever exist on ink and paper!!! and sarah my most relatable queen! i’ve felt like sarah so much in my life it’s crazy! reading her character really helped give me perspective!
i loved that this book mostly took place in the woods— reading them figure out nature as two non outdoorsy people was so entertaining! i loved all the side characters and the bond that they all formed! the easy banter and teasing was top tier material! the building tension throughout their hike was sooo good!! and when it finally got steamy, it was everything!!!
i have a newfound love for the marriage in crisis trope! i think it’s beautiful because there’s no question that these two people love each other but it shows how sometimes that’s not enough. you have to continue to put in the work for a relationship to endure the test of time! it’s a very honest depiction of the highs and lows of real life and how that takes a toll on your love life. you have to heal and be well within yourself for other things in life to work seamlessly.
the ending was definitely unexpected and very emotional to say the least but i think it had to be this way for them to truly get to the other side!
but that 10 year epilogue!!!! i couldn’t have asked for anything more!! my heart is so full of love for them!!!

I love HBY, but I'll be honest - second chance romance really isn't my favorite. I appreciate it when it's good, but when it's great (like this book), I HAVE to respect it. Sarah and Caleb were extremely relatable - my husband and I got together when we were 19, and have had discussions like these before too. I felt like the two of them were so funny and sweet, and it gave me an outlook on life and relationships that I wasn't expecting. I really loved this book, and will probably make my husband read this too so we can talk about it (lol).

Thank you for the ARC - I am so grateful to be able to read this amazing book early!

Out on a Limb was one of my favorite books of 2023, and I had no idea if I would love this as much as Bo and Win's story but I'm so glad I was wrong!
We meet Caleb and Sarah in Out on a Limb as they help Win and Bo navigate their story and ultimately led their best friends together. in Out of the Woods, we follow Sarah as she begins to wonder if she likes her life and if her and Caleb are going to last because of how their marriage started. In order to find her answers, Sarah and Caleb decide to join the Reignite camping couples retreat to work on their marriage.
The format of this romance was much different than many romances I have read, but I know that the messaging in this book will change me and my romantic and interpersonal relationships forever. After finishing this, everything in my life came into perspective after reading about Sarah and Caleb's story. The love between the two main characters flies off the pages from their budding high school romance to coming together on their retreat and giving each other all of their hearts.
I know Hannah talked about how she used so much of her own experiences to write this book just like she did for Out on a Limb, and knowing that packed so much of an emotional punch. Reading Sarah's point of view felt like I was looking into Hannah's mind and I was reminded of why I fell head-over-heels for her writing two years ago. Hannah's writing feels like a warm hug and a forehead kiss. She'll make you cry but then she will comfort you through it.

thank you NetGalley!
I really enjoyed this and found that instead of just using silly miscommunication like many authors would, this author was really dedicated to having their characters talk and work things out like adults!

ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!
Raw and hard emotions. Relatable and heartwarming. Self Discovery and the beauty of real relationships. Favorite new book couple. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC. 5/5

If you've read Out on a Limb, you'll remember Sarah and Caleb, the couple who hosted the Halloween party where Win and Bo met. This time, we're getting their story which was something I never imagined we'd see. The two seemed like the perfect match but Hannah Bonam-Young planned the seed and from there, I was hooked. We're following Sarah and Caleb as she's struggling during a fundraiser for her mother. Things aren't going well and she just needs a break. To try to smooth things over, Caleb decides to come in and save the day. While it seems like the right thing to do at first, that becomes the breaking point for Sarah as she's tired of having Caleb come in and save her when she wants to try to figure things out herself.

From there, the crux of the story begins as Sarah and Caleb are both questioning if their marriage was a good idea and what to do next. Things change when the two agree to go on a couples retreat in the woods called Reignite. It's basically a way for the two to try to reignite their sparks and come back to each other. At first, the two are hesitant but eventually agree. This is where the real work starts as the two have to face the ugly things they'd rather not share or even, think about. Frankly, seeing how much work these two put in to be together was so realistic. Most people would be ready to throw the towel in but seeing Caleb and Sarah fix what was broken was beautiful.

Ultimately, this is a marriage-in-trouble story but it didn't feel that way the whole time. The author adds flashbacks to their early relationship and gives us even more backstory into Sarah and Caleb's characters. As incredible as this story is, it's also heartbreaking as the flashbacks show us the decline of Sarah's mother and her eventual passing. If that's something you're sensitive to, I'd take extra care in picking this book up.

This was one of the books I finished at the end of 2024 and it ended up being one of my favorites of the year. If you're thinking about picking it up, then don't wait as this release from Hannah Bonam-Young will cement her space on your bookshelf.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc. This book was so good. I loved the writing style, the characters, the whole vibe. The plot was stellar and kept me turning the pages. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book!

This book is everything I want and need in a second chance romance. Another book I’m obsessed with by Hannah 🥹🥹

Read if you love
🤍second chance
🤍reconnections
🤍tons of tension

Oh my goodness. This was perfect in every way.
The plot, the characters, writing. Perfection.
So thankful I was given the chance to read this one early!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC.

"Out of the Woods" by Hannah Bonam-Young is an emotional, heartfelt gem that left me reeling in the best way. I devoured this second installment in the “Out on a Limb” universe, and wow, Sarah and Caleb’s story is unforgettable. Huge thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publishers, Dell Romance & Random House, for this ARC—this one’s going straight to my favorites shelf!

Sarah and Caleb, high school sweethearts turned married couple of 17 years, find themselves at a crossroads when Sarah questions her identity outside of their relationship. After a failed fundraising gala for her late mother and Caleb’s well-intentioned but ill-received rescue, they embark on a rugged couples’ retreat, determined to reignite their connection.

The *marriage-in-crisis* trope is handled with such authenticity here, blending gut-wrenching moments with laugh-out-loud humor. Caleb’s unwavering love and Sarah’s quest for self-discovery create a powerful dynamic. The *flashback timeline* beautifully illustrates their history while adding depth to their struggles. Oh, and did I mention there’s a steamy *outdoor scene*? 🔥

This book isn’t just about rekindling love—it’s about finding oneself within a partnership. Equal parts tender, raw, and uplifting, "Out of the Woods" will break your heart and stitch it back together. Don’t miss this. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

**Tropes:**
Marriage-in-crisis
High school sweethearts/second chance
Forced proximity (retreat vibes)
Dual timelines: past and present
Personal growth journey

Prepare to laugh, cry, and fall hard for Caleb and Sarah. ❤️

We met Sarah and Caleb in Out On A Limb, and they were the picturesque best friends who have been together for literally ever. Their story however dives into self growth, growth between a relationship, and how it’s ok to change the path you’re on. They go on a hiking therapy trip, and along the way figure out what isn’t working and how both are trying their very best.

Hannah Boham-Young writes the most incredible stories I think everyone can connect with on some level. I felt this one took me a little longer to be hooked onto, but came out feeling like I had my own level of closure on paths not serving me.

This is not the process of falling in love, it’s about staying together when it is hard and how love shows up in different ways. A great read if you are in a relationship yourself!

I loved this just as much as “Out On a Limb.” If there’s one thing that Hannah Bonham-Young is a master at, it’s creating characters who have so much depth and emotion, and best of all, know how to communicate even through the hard stuff.

Going into this, I thought it would be mostly just a romance, but it was so much more. There were so many lines that I highlighted because they were so applicable. It really made me examine my own mental health, especially in terms of losing a parent to a horrible disease earlier than should happen. Unlike Sarah, my own grief is so fresh, but that’s why I loved reading the flashbacks so much and then seeing how even all these years later, she’s still struggling, but has healed and learned to move forward, which feels so hopeful.

I had a friend recently say that she feels as though books come to you in the right moment when you didn’t even know you needed to read them, and that was so true with this book.

Thank you SO much to NetGalley and Dell Romance for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The theme of two grown adults working through marriage challenges isn’t a trope you often see. So, this was refreshing to see! Overall, I would recommend this one to romance readers! HBY has a way of adding in complex topics like grief, marriage challenges, traumas, etc into her books that make it more realistic for life than a basic HEA.

I do find some inconsistencies with real like and HBY’s books though. In this one, they mentioned a 10 year old being almost in 8th grade…. A 10 year old would be in about 5th grade. The way this particular side character was described just didn’t match with the age she supposedly was.

Lastly, I found the ending to be rushed and thrown in a bit sloppily. Would have loved more about the Mom/Son dynamic as that felt surprising. Maybe an additional 20-30 pages would have gotten the accident/injury wrapped up better than it was? As a reader-I wanted more from that.

4.25⭐️ omg this book had me feeling all the emotions. I loved Sarah and Caleb in out on a limb and I still loved them now. The only thing that lacked for me was the miscommunication trope, but I feel like Hannah was able to write it in a way that you can take something from it and learn from it! I think Hannah has a way of taking the tropes I hate and making an amazing book out of it! I love the whole premise of them going to a retreat in the woods and working together and individually to fix their relationship and personal challenges. I think Sarah’s character growth was amazing and well as Caleb learning that change isn’t always bad.