Oh the family secrets that fall apart when DNA test results come back. In this case, Veronica's sister Avery got the tests as a Christmas gift and they reveal that Veronica was adopted, something her parents hid from her and from Avery. Avery (a good egg) arranges for Veronica to visit four European countries-Ireland, France, Italy and Denmark- that are on Veronica's test. Nice gift and idea but then Veronica has visions and visitations in each locale from women who are her ancestors. This was a bit too too for me. And then there's Niall, the man she meets in Ireland. I've been a fan of Runyan in the past but this fell short for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Over to others.

Finally a book with a main character who has a truly unique job. Hallelujah! I was convinced this had to be good.
However, the beginning of the book already did not capture me. I feel like the writing style was too generic and the plot a bit boring, even though there was the dropping of a huge bombshell. Vero is just…boring…her reactions are, even though her job isn’t. It felt long-winded and did not really surprise me to learn about Vero’s past.

Just like I felt the characters to be bland I also didn’t connect with the relationships. I didn’t feel anything. The romance was boring, the conversations too long and at the same time not interesting enough. All in all I just didn’t really like the book.

Wow, this story pulled me in from the start when Veronica’s sister brings up DNA kits for their family to try. Her parents kinda freak out and Veronica is able to bring up something that she has suspected for a long time…that she is adopted. Since she had already suspected that, she did not seem to be as upset as the rest of her family, but it did hit her later on. Her best friend and sister scheme together to send her to Europe to see the four places that were on her DNA ancestry report. While in one of those locations, she met a handsome castle keeper, Niall, and connects with him more than she has with anyone in a long time.

So, so good! This book pulled on my heart strings in so many ways. I was adopted as a baby much like Veronica and my pictures with my parents started after the hospital as well. My parents have told me from as long as I could remember that I was adopted so that wasn’t hidden from me. I loved her journey of finally doing something for herself and especially the ending when she finally pursued her dreams. I loved the food talk in this story and although I am not as versed in food talk as Veronica, I loved here about her business and sourcing ingredients for famous chefs and their restaurants. This will probably be in my top 10 for this year!

Taking a European journey through the pages of The Wandering Season is an absolute delight! Veronica Stratton’s search for her roots takes us from the misty shores of Ireland to the rolling countryside of Italy, weaving the past and present together in a way that feels both magical and deeply personal. With every new destination, history seeps into her reality, offering glimpses of long-lost ancestors and unraveling secrets she never expected to find.

The story is a perfect blend of adventure, self-discovery, and romance, with the charming Irish castle keeper, Niall Callahan, adding just the right touch of warmth. If you love books that transport you to beautiful places while exploring the echoes of the past, this one is a must-read!

The Wandering Season
by Aimie K. Runyan
Pub Date: April 1, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I have read other books by this author but this one wasn't nearly as enjoyable.
First, I’m not a fantasy lover and the ‘visions’ that emerged in her first destination turned me off. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for leprechauns. Perhaps it was ‘how’ the thread played out that lead to my disinterest in the plot. Does my panache for facts and historical fiction hamper my ability to make room for fantasy elements? Perhaps.

Two, I didn’t connect to the characters. I liked Veronica’s motivation, but her backstory had no emotional resonance for me and her drive wasn’t active enough for me to become emotionally invested. I couldn’t imagine myself being friends with her despite acknowledging how she sees the world through food and how she uses it as a form of self-care.

Veronica is spending Christmas with her family, her mother, father and younger sister, Avery. Avery comes up with a perfect gift for the entire family. She has purchased genetic tests so everyone can have information about their family history. Suddenly the atmosphere changes. Veronica was adopted, and her parents have never discussed it with her or Avery. They fear it will make a huge difference in the family relationships.

Veronica had figured it out when she was in high school. She tells herself this is no big deal. Now, the family must wait to find out specifics about Veronica’s background.

Once the dust settles, Avery arranges for Veronica to take a month’s vacation to Europe. Avery has made reservations for Veronica to stay in 4 different countries, Ireland, France, Italy and Denmark. The reservations are for specific areas of those countries. The areas are the places that show up in Veronica’s genetic background. It will give her a chance to see the areas of her ancestors.

During her stays in the small towns from her background, Veronica begins to have “dreams”. In the dreams she sees vignettes of women and they are obviously women who are in her family background.

Each of the vignettes tell stories of dramatic times in lives. These are times when major life decisions must be made in order to secure futures. The women are all facing problems which must be overcome. There are dangers and losses which must be faced.

Veronica realizes these stories represent her family history. And the women must make difficult choices. The dreams allow her to see the women and feel the emotions they are feeling.

None too subtly, the choices are lessons for Veronica. She must make decisions and take responsibility for her future and her life.

This is a new to me author. She writes beautifully. Her characters are fully developed human beings. Money seems to not be a worry for these human beings so that works out well for everyone.

At times I felt Veronica was not listening to the messages in her dreams. She is a talented and intelligent woman. She has abilities which could lead her to becoming a very successful chef. That is the direction everyone seems to want for her. Most of all, her family and best friend want her happiness.

Veronica has been a very amenable woman who pleases the people around her. No rocking the boat here.

I enjoyed the story and I was glad I got to meet Veronica, her family and the people she met along her adventurous way.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.

I absolutely love Aimee’s books and her style of telling stories. This was a wonderful story! I loved everything about it. I felt like I was back in Ireland, Amazing warm characters. Highly highly recommend!

If you’re seeking an emotional, beautifully written adventure of a book, this is it! Upon learning that she’s adopted, Veronica embarks on a quest to find her birth mother. A journey through Europe sets the scene for Veronica’s self-discovery. The narrative features rich discussions and descriptions of food, providing plenty of sensory stimulation. I enjoyed it all! The travel, the food, the journey. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

This was a moving women's fiction book about Veronica, a food broker who has recently broken up with her boyfriend and who takes a DNA test confirming her she isn't her parent's biological daughter. While Veronica has always suspected this was the case and been okay with it, her sister and friend talk her into taking time off to visit Ireland and other European countries in the hopes of tracking down some blood relatives.

The book has a lot of great food content, a romance with a charming Irishman and a bit of magical realism in the form of dreams about some of her past ancestors. I also really enjoyed the audio narration by Caroline Hewitt who does an excellent job with a variety of accents and a large cast of secondary characters.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital and audio copy and Uplit Reads for a gifted physical copy in exchange for my honest review! Recommended for fans of other DNA test family dramas like Maine characters by Hannah Orenstein or The lost book of first loves by RaeAnne Thayne.

The Wandering Season is a captivating exploration of identity and self-discovery. Protagonist Veronica Stratton, a specialty food broker on the brink of professional success, faces personal upheaval when a DNA test reveals her adoption—a suspicion she had long harbored. Seeking clarity, she embarks on a transformative journey through Ireland, France, Italy, and Denmark, tracing her ancestral roots. Runyan masterfully intertwines vivid descriptions of European landscapes and culinary delights with Veronica's internal quest, offering readers a rich tapestry of culture and emotion. Her encounters with her heritage are both mystical and profound. The Wandering Season is a beautifully crafted tale that resonates with anyone who has ever sought to understand their origins and the true meaning of family

Veronica is a food broker, a person who sources the best ingredients for her clients to use in their restaurants. When her sister gives her a DNA testing kit as a gift, Veronica has her suspicions confirmed, as her parents explain she is adopted. In an attempt to help her learn more about her biological heritage, her family gives her an extensive vacation to the areas walked by her forefathers. This proves to be quite an adventure! This was an enjoyable, and life-changing trip through Veronica’s eyes.

****Publishing April 1, 2025****

Veronica Stratton, a food distributor, visits her parents at Christmas. This is when she finds out she has been adopted! Veronica had an inkling that she was adopted, but never felt the need to ask. With her mother’s encouragement, Veronica takes time off from work to travel to Europe to investigate her family history. In addition, to finding out about her family, she tries to find new vendors for her job. What will she discover? Will Veronica be satisfied with finding more about her family? Can she expand her business?

A wonderful book that takes you on an adventure to Ireland, France, Denmark and Italy! I loved the premise of Veronica finding out she is adopted to taking a trip to discover more about the family she never had! From the writing to the story to the characters, it makes for a heartfelt and entertaining read! A great book club read as it will lead to interesting discussions!

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

This is a magical book of food, family, history and discovering your real self.

A holiday gift of a DNA test proves what Veronica has wondered - that she is adopted. Feeling unteathered in her life, she's wondering how to take the news. Her parents and sister put together a surprise trip to send her to the top locations of her ancestry. She's a food broker, chef and has long thought about opening a restaurant. She turns her trip into a foodie adventure, too, hoping to find some connections to further her business.

Niall is a broody inn keeper of the first place Veronica visits on her trip. Soon they learn they have a food connection and are inspiring each other. Veronica has interesting visions along her trip and discovers part of her history in each visit.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

This story was such a delight! It started out with a woman taking a DNA test which led her to a month-long tour of the main countries she originated from. Lots of interesting things happened along the way, including some fantasy which I don’t usually love, but the author made it blend in seamlessly. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I look forward to reading more!

The plot of this book was so cute! It reminds me of Eat Pray Love almost? What I didn’t find to be favorable was the dialogue. I would have liked to see an Irish accent represented on the pages instead of the storybook explanations. I was moving past this, but once the story introduced ghosts I lost most of my interest. I do think with some tweaking, this book could have a lot of potential.

This novel held the promise of a captivating journey, weaving together mystery, romance, and travel against a backdrop of European locales and culinary delights. However, the potential was ultimately undermined by jarring paranormal elements, a rushed and underdeveloped romance, and weakly drawn secondary characters. Coupled with a pedestrian prose style, the narrative felt uneven and ultimately fell short. While it may appeal to readers seeking a light, escapist read that lightly touches upon themes of self-discovery, those looking for depth and narrative cohesion will likely find this a miss. This book was just not for me. But I do think it will find readers who will enjoy it.

I love books that take me on a journey, whether it’s a journey to other places or a journey to figure out where they belong. This book gives us both these things, as we travel with Veronica to beautiful locations while she’s discovering so much about who she is, where she came from, and where she belongs,

Enjoyed the book and would give it 3.5 stars. Loved reading about Ireland, France and Italy. Veronica's trip sounded amazing, along with all the food. Unfortunately, Denmark got neglected. She should have been used to cold rainy weather, after spending a week in Ireland. Why did Avery choose such out of the way areas, where Veronica would need a car? If she didn't have Niall in Ireland to chauffeur her around, she would have been stuck at the castle all day. I wouldn't have wanted to travel by myself for four weeks. It would get lonely after a while. It's nice to have someone to talk to. Stephanie and Avery showed up in Italy because they wanted to go shopping. No one batted an eye about Veronica's visions. Everyone acted like it was something normal. What about Denmark? What would she have discovered there? What happened to the women that Veronica saw? Veronica's parents finally admit that she was adopted after Avery got everyone DNA kits for Christmas. Their reaction was just a bit dramatic. Veronica's almost thirty and pretty much figured it out in high school. It's such a big deal that Stephanie leaves her Christmas Eve party and drives two hours. I loved Niall. I knew he would be perfect for Veronica. They both love food, talking about food and making it. Maximillien was also quite the handsome guy. Who doesn't love a cat who looks like he's wearing the fur coat of another cat that wronged him. Bookstore cats are the best. Loved the ending. Niall and Veronica's surprise was perfect.

Definitely recommend the book. Enjoyed the characters, writing style and story. Loved visiting all the countries. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Loved the color of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from HarperCollins Focus through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

The Wandering Season by Aimie K. Runyan is a great read. What do you do when your suspicions are finally confirmed. You take a trip to find your heritage and past and come to terms with the truth. While searching for these, you discover what you've always wanted for your future. With a few oddities in plot thrown into the mix, The Wandering Season pulls you into the life of Veronica, her sister Avery, and the culinary world.

Releases Apr. 1st. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Title: The Wandering Season
Author: Aimie K. Runyan
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Unraveling the tangled roots of her family takes her places she never expected.

Veronica Stratton, a specialty food broker with a business riding close to the margins, visits her parents in idyllic Estes Park for Christmas. With the holiday comes a DNA test from her younger sister and an engagement ring from her longtime boyfriend. The test confirms her secret she's adopted. The ring rattles her even more, and she realizes that she might not be as ready to commit as she'd thought.

With so much that she'd counted on suddenly falling apart, Veronica is looking for an escape. Inspired by her best friend, she plans to go to Europe to see four of the places listed on her DNA ancestry report. She treks to County Mayo in Ireland; the Dordogne region of France; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Tuscany in Italy. She hopes to learn a bit about where her family lived and to make more connections for her struggling business, but she finds that each stop brings her visions of her ancestors that raise more questions than they answer. And among those pressing questions is how brooding Irish restauranteur Niall Callaghan will fit into her visions for the future.

I really enjoyed this from the very first page. The food aspect was fascinating and made me want to try everything they talked about, and I’ve always loved travel novels like this. (I think that started with Eat, Pray, Love, years ago). Journeying with Veronica to find her roots was a fascinating read, and the vignettes she kept seeing of the women in the past were engrossing and added even more enjoyment to the story. Really liked this read!

Aimie K. Runyan lives in Colorado. The Wandering Season is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of HarperCollins Focus in exchange for an honest review.)

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