Bonam-Young has done it again! The masterful way she weaves a tender story while remaining realistic is so special. The story of a long married couple trying to reevaluate their past and future while reaffirming their love was truly not a plot I’ve ever seen before. The author tapped into something fresh, a rarity.

This was such a sweet and fun read. I gave it four stars because it felt a bit like the conflict was resolved with minimal effort. I would have loved to see more glimpses into the therapy sessions and their conversations about their future. Because of this it was more of a lighthearted read considering it’s a fairly heavy topic. I LOVED the first book in this series, and this was a nice follow up. I would definitely recommend this to friends.

this was absolute perfection from hannah as always! if you want a romance but with an already married couple, this is IT!! finally found it!

I was drawn to the premise of this book - a long married woman, struggling to find her purpose in her marriage. The book didn't really live up to what I hoped. First the woman is only 32, having married very young, so it was essentially the standard age-range of young romances. Also, the marriage was never at risk to begin with; the couple was still ferociously in love. It was less about the marriage needing a reboot, and more about the woman finding a career to fulfill her. Still, it kept my attention.

A very heart-warming exploration of both grief after loss and how marriage takes work, no matter how much you love each other.

I loved both Sarah and Caleb, how you could tell they loved each other and the true connection they have after loving each other for so many years, through true hardships.

Caleb is the nerdy man of my dreams. I love a man with glasses, who just wants to love his woman and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her.

Their week-long camping/couples therapy trip was such a great setting for this story! I loved the cast of characters we were introduced to as well.

To say I cried reading this is an understatement. I related to Sarah in so many ways. Losing a parent in your formative years is life-altering and I can't imagine also having been my parent's caretaker to some extent. The portrayal of life after that type of loss, how it can change you, how it can make you afraid.. ouf, that cut to the bone for me. It mirrors my experience.

There are some truly heartfelt and emotional conversations that take place in this book, and Hannah did such a wonderful job with them.

The reason I didn't rate this 5 stars is that I felt like there was a bit of a lack of intimacy when it came to the spice. I think I was expecting something more emotional considering this book is about a marriage in crisis and these two reconnecting.. but the spice was more of the spicy/sexy side, and there was a bit of a lack of emotional connection for me. (this could just be personal preference)

I also wish that we could have explored Sarah's own personal journey a tad more.. it felt like it was maybe getting somewhere, but then the story change course and it didn't really circle back to her in a way that felt meaningful.

that said, I still absolutely loved this book! I think I will reread the finished copy in 2025 and see if my feelings have changed.. I always find it difficult to truly formulate my thoughts after I binge through a book, so maybe a slower read through it will make me see things differently.

oh and we get the best little moments of both Bo & Win and I lived for every second we got of them on page.

Hannah is a fantastic writer and I can't wait for her future releases!

I want to start out by saying this book hooked me from the first page. I can relate so much with the fmc and her worry about her life and where her marriage fits in. Throughout the first 50% of the book, I was extremely engrossed. However, somewhere around the 60% mark I started to lose interest. It started to feel less like a second chance romance, and more like then just getting over one big fight. I never felt as though divorce was a real possibility and the lack of angst at this point made me lose internet even more. I really really wanted to love this book. But it just didn’t deliver for me, as much as I wish it had.

WOW...just wow. Hannah has this way of writing these characters that make them feel so REAL, like they're people you know. Sarah and Calebs story is so full of love and acceptance and healing, its beautiful. As someone who also got married young, seeing conversations Sarah had and knowing ive had those exact same conversations and feelings really made this book hit home on another level for me. Also getting to see more Bo and Win was such a good little bonus. This was such a beautiful, romantic story. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House for the amazing opportunity to read this story.

out of the woods

after reading out on a limb, i was so excited to receive this arc!

i’ll start by saying that this trope (couple saves dying marriage? idk what to call it) has never really interested me before, and i’d still probably place it low on my preferred plot list. that being said, i feel like hannah bonam-young couldn’t have done a better job writing this story.

the first half of this book dragged just a little for me. it didn’t keep my attention as much as i would have liked, but i’ll note that i read most of this while fighting the flu, so that might’ve played a big part. aside from being in a fever-induced haze for the majority of this book, i think the lack of setting and character changes also made it feel a bit slow. you spend pretty much the entire story in one location with the same characters, so if that’s something that bothers you, keep it in mind. even though this kept me from loving the book, it definitely didn’t stop me from really liking it.

this story was so realistic, and i know sarah’s character will resonate with so many people, myself included. the reality of both characters and their relationship made this a super tender story that surprisingly had me choked up multiple times. on a similar note, i thought the scenes about sarah’s mom’s health were really well done. even though i can’t relate to their story exactly, i still found myself connecting to it in a lot of ways.

overall, i just feel like hannah bonam-young writes relationships extremely well, has some genuinely witty and funny dialogue, and creates unique stories that i’ll always be excited to read.

thank you netgalley and penguin random house for this early digital copy!

ps: the dedication was NOT lying, this book really was for the amy march girls.

3.75 stars

I really enjoyed this book! At first I thought I wasn’t going to like Caleb and Sarah’s characters, but both of them grew on me by the end. I think sometimes it is important to step away from your day to day life and just pause. People can get stuck in their routines and not realize how unhappy they are. Sarah knew that something needed to change in her life, but also knew that she didn’t want Caleb to change. Caleb just wanted to love Sarah and take care of her. Overall I thought the storyline was good and Caleb was my favorite character.

🌲Out of the Woods ARC Review🌲

“It doesn’t feel like I’m healing... I kind of feel like I’m
b r e a k i n g o p e n more than ever.”

“Often, we can find ourselves playing what-if instead of recognizing what we can do now to build the life we want. The truth is the past is one of the only things as stubborn as us humans.”

I screamed when @netgalley @randomhouse and @dellromance approved me for the Out of the Woods ARC a few months ahead of its release, and I devoured it immediately. I became an instant @authorhannahby stan the minute I finished Out on a Limb, the preceding novel, to Out of the Woods. I loved getting the opportunity to learn more about the seemingly stable, happy couple, Sarah and Caleb, and their relationship beyond the small glimpses we see in OOAL. I appreciated how Bonam-Young poignantly wrote about the challenges of young love and the growing pains of a relationship. This book hit incredibly close to home as I met my husband at 19 years old, and we have also had our share of obstacles and need for couples therapy to buoy our relationship when life seemed destined to rip us apart due to unforeseen circumstances. For Sarah and Caleb, it’s grief, the untimely loss of Sarah’s mother due to ALS, and the need to forge their own identities outside of each other. What struck me the most about this book was how astutely Bonam-Young captured the experience of how love is constantly evolving and that sometimes we need just a little help to see our partners clearly again. Caleb and Sarah unpack their grievances and try to find their way back to each other at a nature retreat that helps couples rekindle their relationship, all while not being the outdoorsy type of people, making it even more entertaining and beautiful as they put themselves outside their comfort zones in more ways than one. I cried a lot reading this book — primarily because of how tender and affirming it was — and I was filled with joy getting to see Bo, Win, and Gus again.

Highlights:
🌲Found family
🏕️High school sweethearts
🌲Marriage in crisis
🏕️ Grief and healing
🌲 Personal growth

CW: death of a parent, grief, terminal illness, medical trauma, head injury

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review 💕

I absolutely loved Out on a Limb and was thrilled to hear about the second book! The witty humor and adorable romance in the first story made me eager to dive into the spin-off.

However, this follow-up wasn’t quite what I expected…

Sarah and Caleb, the main couple, have a few marriage issues and decide it’s best to attend a “marriage retreat” called Reignite.

I understand that this is a book about growth and learning to take accountability for your actions, and I appreciate that focus, but the romance part was lacking for me. I couldn’t feel the connection between Sarah and Caleb, which made their journey harder to invest in.

The story itself felt a bit choppy and just wasn’t hitting the mark for me. The FMC came across as a bit frustrating, often feeling super ungrateful, and the romance felt a little cringe at times, taking away some of the charm I loved in the original.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!
I really enjoyed this beautiful story. It was emotional but not overdone and these characters and their experiences just felt so real and vulnerable to me. Bravo!

SO MANY EMOTIONS. Hannah Bonam-Young never misses. This is such a breathtaking, raw, beautifully vulnerable marriage in trouble. The characterizations are so deeply relatable and well-written. My heart ached for Sarah, crumbled for Caleb, and then healed itself with their unwavering love for each other. There are truly very few words to describe what a gem this story is. Infinite stars.

I loved this story. I cried and then laughed so hard I had an actual snot bubble at the most ironic moment.

Caleb and Sarah’s story was so real and raw. To fully grow up together and continue to love each version of each other, while figuring out who they were as individuals was really exposing. The raw honestly and vulnerability they showed through their journey made it feel like I was really there with them.

The fish-out-of-water idea to put two very indoorsy people and have them do couples counselling while hiking for a week was an inspired choice. Neither of them got to lead or be an expert, and they were able to fail or succeed, together.

The paper airplanes got me in the feels every time. The song “Grow as we go” by Ben Platt kept coming up for me as I was reading. “You can change right next to me”.

I highly recommend this book 📢

I had never screamed out loud over an ARC until this one! 😱

After Out on a Limb, I officially became a Hannah Bonam-Young superfan. Seriously, I was already hooked, and just the thought of getting more Bo and Win? YES PLEASE. But the real kicker? We got to dive deeper into Caleb and Sarah’s world. SOLD. 💖

This book is a whirlwind of rediscovery—of self, of love, and all the messy, beautiful in-betweens. I laughed so hard with Sarah I nearly cried (okay, I did cry), and when Caleb struggled, my heart was struggling right alongside him. The emotional rollercoaster this book took me on? Pure. Magic. 💫

The only downside? It ended too soon! 😩 I need more. I’m still not over it. More of these characters, more of their lives—can I get an epilogue that goes on forever, please? 📚

Loved the honor of reading this ARC!!!

Hannah Bonham-Young’s Out of the Woods is a heartwarming exploration of love, resilience, and the bonds that hold us together through life’s most challenging moments. At its core, the novel is a celebration of relationships—romantic, platonic, and familial—that shape who we are and help us endure even the darkest times.

The story of Sarah and Caleb’s marriage is the beating heart of this novel, and it’s nothing short of wholesome and inspiring. From the outset, it’s clear their connection is built on a deep foundation of mutual respect, understanding, and unwavering love. Bonham-Young masterfully depicts their dynamic through the trials life throws at them—health struggles, career upheavals, and personal insecurities. Despite the obstacles, Sarah and Caleb find strength in each other, and their ability to communicate and grow together makes their relationship feel beautifully authentic. Their quiet, everyday moments of tenderness are just as powerful as the dramatic declarations of love.

The novel also shines in its portrayal of friendship, particularly Sarah and Win’s bond. Win is the kind of friend everyone dreams of having: loyal, funny, and fiercely protective. Their friendship provides Sarah with a safe space to process her struggles and feel truly seen. Bonham-Young gives their relationship just as much care and attention as the central romance, highlighting the transformative power of platonic love.

Caleb’s friendship with Bo is equally compelling. The two men share a camaraderie that is refreshingly open and supportive, challenging the stereotype of emotionally distant male friendships. Bo’s role in Caleb’s life adds layers to the story, showing how male vulnerability can be a source of strength rather than weakness.

The ending of Out of the Woods is both dramatic and deeply satisfying, tying the story’s themes together in a way that feels earned. Without giving too much away, Sarah and Caleb face a defining moment that tests everything they’ve built together. The resolution is not just a testament to their love but also to the network of friends and family who surround them. It’s an ending that will leave readers with tears in their eyes and warmth in their hearts. Relationship goals all the way!

In Out of the Woods, Bonham-Young crafts a poignant, character-driven story that celebrates the enduring power of love and friendship. Sarah and Caleb’s marriage, as well as their relationships with Win and Bo, are a reminder that life’s trials are easier to face when you have people who truly care about you by your side. This is a book that stays with you, offering hope and comfort long after the final page.

as a fellow writer with anxiety and a gluten intolerance married to her high school sweetheart, I think this book was written personally for me.

truly have never read a romance that so perfectly captured the experience of growing alongside someone else, and I already know I'm going to reread this one someday. I can always count on HBY to write the most realistic yet charming romances, and this one did not disappoint (also the subtle Swiftie title is *chefs kiss*). thank you, Hannah!! 🥹

This book was a spectacular forage into loss and life and what happens when you feel like you’ve lost yourself along the way. There is honestly something really special about the way Hannah writes and delves into stories that makes you feel like you’re living it too.

This story was such a special read, and honestly something I needed to read. I feel a lot like Sarah (minus the husband) and her reconnecting with herself felt so reflective.

I’m so thankful to Netgalley and Random House for the opportunity to read this arc. And thank you Hannah for putting this story out there.

Thank you to Dell / Penguin Random House for a chance to read an arc this book! 🖤

5⭐️ Almost cried at work! |
tropes: marriage in trouble, childhood sweethearts, grief | medium steam | digital

Overall Thoughts
I liked Out on a Limb so I was excited to read this book and loved it even more! I loved Sarah and Caleb and the journey both of their characters go through in this book. "Marriage in trouble" books are great because the the love is already there and it focuses on the characters and how what they've gone through separately and together affects not only themselves but their relationship. Through out the retreat we got to see flashbacks of different times in their relationship which I liked a lot. I also liked that them loving each other was never in question but did need real work in order to make it last. It felt real and when they began to open up and be vulnerable it made me want to cry! Agh!!! I loved this book so much! I can't wait to hrt a physical copy once it releases because it's perfect for a reread!

Hannah has done it again. I devoured this book in two days. Caleb and Sarah have my whole heart. Hannah's ability to make me cry, swoon, and laugh all within a few minutes from each other is unmatched. Do yourselves a favour and read this book. I feel like my heart was broken and put back together in the most healing way.