Cute little romance about forced proximity, realizing you are more than your brain tells you and overcoming what you thought was your only option. News flash, it’s never the only option. Definitely recommend.

This was a delightful listen. Jenny Holiday wrote a wonderful romance, and Kit Swann and Teddy Hamilton did a great job of bringing it to life.

We met Gretchen as Rory’s boss and best friend in Canadian Boyfriend, but Into the Woods works perfectly well as a standalone. Gretchen and Teddy each end up in the woods, literally and figuratively, while putting a pause on their respective lives. Gretchen wants to avoid a midlife crisis, so she’s bought a building and plans to expand her dance studio. She’s also decided to give up on dating and enter her crone era (after a bad date with someone we hear more about later). She sees a month in the woods as a dance mentor at an arts camp is an excellent opportunity to detox from the men on the dating apps.

Teddy’s band has just broken up, and he responded with an act of hotel room destruction. Teddy needs time and space to recover and write a revenge album, but he hasn’t paid attention to the details and thinks it’s a band camp for adults, not an art camp for teenagers. Teddy and Gretchen’s meet not-cute happens off page. We hear about it as Teddy reflects that he was an ass because he thought Gretchen was a super fan of his now deceased band.

Gretchen and Teddy are where they are to deal with their mess. The joy is watching them work out that they can make room for each other, mess and all. Tbh, romance main characters are messy and that’s why I love them. Insert gif of Marie Kondo saying, “I love mess.”

Teddy is clearly a mess. He’s angry and without direction. His ex-girlfriend is still living in his apartment. He has a lot of unresolved issues from his childhood, which get a lot of airtime in the book.

I saw a review that stated Gretchen didn’t deserve Teddy, and after considering throwing my tablet across the room, I thought about how someone would come to that wrong conclusion. I think the short answer is internalized misogyny. But the longer answer is the different journeys Gretchen and Teddy are on. They start in very different places and Gretchen’s growth is more subtle. Because Gretchen is already a competent adult. Teddy is also a competent person, but he has much more emotional intelligence to gain.

Gretchen’s mid life crisis and cronification goals are based on avoidance. She has her life together in enviable ways. She’s made thoughtful choices about what she is going to prioritize in her life, she’s running a business that’s doing well enough to support her expansion plans, and she has a well developed sense of empathy and good boundaries. She does not need to be rescued in tangible ways (except for that one time she and Teddy got lost in the woods), not by Teddy and not by anyone. Gretchen is open to a fling, but doesn’t see how a rockstar would improve her life. She would be fine as a single person with friends and a satisfying life as an entrepreneur. To me the question was not whether Gretchen deserves Teddy, but whether Teddy would make her life better.

Teddy does not have his life together. He starts angry and feeling betrayed. But, early on, he accepts the advice of the women around him and lets go of the revenge album. He reluctantly starts to plug into the world around him. He starts a mile behind Gretchen, so his emotional growth is more obvious and easier to measure. Gretchen’s drunken rant about men on Tinder, and mentoring Anna, a teen prodigy opens Teddy’s eyes to the world experienced by girls and women. Teddy believes them. He accepts the lived experiences of women. He recognizes his mistakes (mostly) and corrects them.

In the midst of the emotional growth, Teddy and Gretchen connect over long conversations, horizontal hugs, and art. Because they are in a place outside their regular lives, they open themselves up to care and tenderness. I loved their relationship and the changes they make to their lives at the end of the book. This is out January 7, so you won’t have long to wait.

I received this as an advance listener copy from Hachette Audio and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook arc. Teddy Hamilton hoo does an amazing job as always bring the character to life. Cute romcom where she down on her luck and calling dating off for good, and he’s been kicked out of his band and wanting to write music and go solo. They both end up at a camp to help teens to further their art careers. They both become camp counselors, and getting stranded in the woods together, and after a night of sharing their secrets.

I absolutely loved this romance, and the audio narration by Kit Swann and Teddy Hamilton was perfect! I loved the whole vibe of an artist-in-residence/summer camp for teens setting, and it sounds like a place I would love to hang out at! Gretchen and Teddy were such well-developed characters, and I love the way that they (as well as their relationship) grew and evolved throughout the course of the book. Highly recommend if you are looking for a romance in the new year. Thanks to Netgalley and Forever for the advance copy.

I had the pleasure of listening to this book on Audiobook narrated by Kit Swan and Teddy Hamilton.

The Story
Following Gretchen, a ballet teacher who is about to substitute for a couple of weeks at an arts camp in the woods. Gretchen is about to expand her dance empire by opening a new studio that includes not only dance for children, but a Pilates and Yoga studio. Gretchen has had this dream of expanding and doing something great ever since her childhood. She didn't grow up under the best of circumstances, but she is changing that narrative now. She is even giving up dating and hoping to have a last hoorah with a band member. When that date goes south, Gretchen resigns to her time in the woods to let go of men for good. That is until she meets Teddy.

Teddy, a typical hotel-room-trashing rockstar is not about to spend the summer in the woods mentoring children. But is he truly that jerk of a rockstar, or was this just a fluke. After breaking up with his band, Teddy is trying to find himself again. So what better way to rediscover yourself than in the woods. After a rough childhood, Teddy was determined to live better. This is just step one of a new way of life.

Both Gretchen and Teddy have childhood traumas and resulting adult issues they are working through. It may take each of them some time to really discover how to best work through their issues.

The Narration
I loved the dual voice, dual POV. I especially loved that instead of trying to pretend to be the other character, even if the chapter was in Gretchen's POV, you would hear Teddy's voice, and vice versa. That helped me keep track of what were inner thoughts and actual conversations.

Also, anything narrated by Teddy Hamilton is always a win!

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC Audiobook!

This novel was such a warm hug. I love a story about people in their mid/late thirties who are still figuring things out. There seems to be a trend to treat love interests in their thirties far older than they actually are so this was super refreshing. The forced proximity of having them at camp together was super delightful. As someone who was very mid about Canadian Boyfriend, I enjoyed this one a great deal and am looking to future projects by this author. I will say, the third act fizzled a bit for me as far as the actual conflict, but that didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the majority of this novel.

The narrators, Kit Swann and Teddy Hamilton, were phenomenal and added to my enjoyment of the story itself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the arc!

Into the Woods by Jenny Holiday was so much fun! Come for the camp vibes and stay for all the banter and maybe even true love...

Both in need of a reset and some time to reflect, thirtysomethings Gretchen and Teddy find themselves at an arts camp in the Minnesota woods, and don’t exactly get off on the right foot. Not exactly bitter enemies from the start, but not friends either, each has made assumptions about the other.

After all the horrendous Tinder dates, dance studio owner Gretchen has sworn off dating and decides to focus on expanding her business. When the camp director begs her to fill in as a dance mentor, she decides to take a break from life and maybe take a breath. Teddy, a musician reeling from his band’s breakup, sees the camp as a peaceful opportunity to write his own songs and create a solo album.

It's a romcom, so we know where this is going. Gretchen and Teddy each have baggage to work through, and surprisingly find they have some things in common and a connection where they can help each other unpack it all. Not to mention the major attraction they have for each other. I loved their conversations, the ways they slowly opened up to each other, how their characters developed. I also loved the humor in this book—so much witty writing and clever banter, so many great comebacks, keen observations, and fun.

I highly recommend the audio version. Both narrators (Teddy Hamilton and Kit Swann) are fantastic and really bring the story to life.

When everything seems to be falling apart, love often finds a way to knock on our door. Yet, there are times when we might not be ready to welcome it and end up trying to run away. It’s a great reminder of the beauty of unexpected love stories!

What an adorable story! Gretchen Miller has sworn off dating and accepts a summer job of being a dance teacher at a summer camp in Minnesota. Teddy Knight just finished a tour with this rock band and has also gotten roped into working at this summer camp while he figures out what his next steps in his life are going to be. When Gretchen and Teddy get lost in the woods and have to rely on each other for sanity and warmth, they realize each are not who they seem at first glance. I love the camp setting and the morning swims in the lake. The characters were fun, both with flaws and it was refreshing that we were in their late 30’s / early 40’s. The banter between Gretchen and Teddy and the sarcastic humor was spectacular. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the dual narrators. I think it was a smart choice. This was a story about finding yourself again and being inspired.

Duet narration is my absolute favorite way to listen to an audiobook. This was so well done. Teddy Hamilton and Kit Swan are two of the best narrators. They have such great voices and really embody the characters in the book. This was a beautiful story that had me laughing out loud and also had me tearing up at times. This is definitely a book our library will be purchasing and recommending to patrons.

I had already received and read an ARC before I was given the ALC, so I’ll reiterate that it’s a wonderful follow up to Canadian Boyfriend. It has a very great romance in the middle of two stories of discovery that wrapped this into the perfect story.
So, I’ll focus on the narration for this review. It was done really well! I am very familiar with the male narrator, and he never does wrong. This was my first experience with the female narrator, and I thought she incapsulated the mfc so well! Also, bonus points for her doing all the women parts and him doing all the men. I know that’s usually out of the control of some, but I always feel like it helps to stay in the story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

Thank you Forever Pub for the gifted ALC and finished copy!!

As a Minnesotan and former dancer, I wanted to like this book SO much more than I did 😭 it was pretty cringey and I had a hard time seeing where this story was going as I was listening to it.

Gretchen is who really threw me. It felt like she was two different characters sometimes bc she was grouchy and unapproachable at times but bubbly and literally leaping away from people other times? Idk I just didn’t get her. And her whole hardcore commitment to the “crone” thing (that was so cringe I’m sorry) didn’t make sense to me. The whole point was that she couldn’t find a good guy and then she does but still doesn’t want to give up “being a crone”? Idk 😭

I really enjoyed Teddy! He’s the broody, rockstar with a secret heart of gold 😌 it was so nice getting to know him in this book and see him open up to the idea of this camp.

The narration was amazing for the most part! I loveeee duet narration and the female narrator seriously nailed Gretchen. I didn’t love the stereotypical Minnesotan accent the male narrator used though bc teddy isn’t even from minnesota 😭

Wow! As someone who is typically NOT a rom-com girly, I was surprised by how much I loved this book! Truly. This story is something special. The two main characters are so well developed and their personal growth felt so authentic. I found myself laughing out loud at several points in the story and felt myself tearing up at others. I also love a romance with ‘older adults’ (fmc is 39). While I am not artistic in anyway I loved hearing about some of their artistic processes as they worked on theirselves. Finally- I am a sucker for a good side character and the grumpy writer was perfect!
Thank you to Hachette Audio for the early copy. I listen to hundreds of audiobooks a year and I’m already a huge fan of Teddy Hamilton, who is the male voice in this duet narration, but Kit Swan is new to me— and she going on my favorite list asap! I have already got other audiobooks with her on cast. The production of this duet is amazing.

Jenny Holiday’s delightful tale, narrated by Kit Swann and Teddy Hamilton, was brought to life through Hamilton’s unique narration and the duet format. This isn’t a typical swoony romance; it focuses on character growth and personal struggles, which hooked me!

Wow, I have to say that this audiobook was done so well! The narrators went back and forth, so it felt like I was listening to a podcast or watching a movie where the two love interests banter back and forth. The banter between them were so fun. I'm a sucker for any camp settings, so that always adds to my enjoyment of books no matter the genre. I also liked how mature the characters felt with them being older than in their 20's like most contemporary romances are right now. It was sweet and romantic. A great grumpy/sunshine romance to recommend!

Into the Woods was a fun take on an adult camp situation while trying to rediscover yourself. Gretchen, a dancer and Teddy, an ex member of a rock band are two camp counselors at Camp Wild Arts for all different types of artists. After a slew of horrible dating experiences, Gretchen has decided to embrace her inner crone and stop dating. Teddy's band just broke up and he's feeling all different sorts of ways about that. This is the perfect storm for these two to have a summer fling.

I felt that the chemistry between Gretchen and Teddy was forced at times and I didn't get it. In the beginning of the book Gretchen talks about what a bad ass female she is but at times I thought she was just mean, especially to Teddy. I enjoyed the overall story of them being at camp and how Gretchen and Teddy bonded over their traumatic upbringings. I liked a lot of the side characters. Gretchen just seemed to be all over the place.

I really enjoyed the dual narration for Teddy and Gretchen and felt both narrators did a great job with the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for my ARC of this book which publishes 1/7/25.

I was pleasantly surprised by this one! The characters were interesting and both went through a significant arc as well. I loved how they bonded over their upbringing and the challenges they overcame. This one feels like the love interests just compliment each other so well. I also appreciate the messages about contemporary dating along with empowering women. It just added more depth. I’m also a sucker for anything arts based!

The narrators did an excellent job of capturing the characters and story. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!

(4.25/5) Into The Woods is EXACTLY what I needed in between fantasy worlds — this book was funny, charming, and sweet.

- eARC & ALC review -
Pub date: Jan 7, 2025

What to expect:
⛺️ Contemporary romance
⛺️ 1st person, dual POV
⛺️ Dance instructor x rockstar
⛺️ BANTER
⛺️ Self growth
⛺️ Grumpy x sunshine
⛺️ “Older” characters (FMC - 40, MMC - 35)

Gretchen, our FMC, is DONE with men after one too many failed dates. She’s having a bit of an (early) mid life crisis as she’s about to expand her dance studio. What better way to run away from life than escaping into the Minnesota woods as a counselor at an artsy camp. You know who’s also running away and joining Gretchen as a fellow counselor? Teddy, our grumpy rockstar whose band recently broke up. Maybe Gretchen hasn’t completely sworn off men… or maybe it’s just a summer fling.

This book is such a snack — it was lighthearted (even though it touches on serious topics like child neglect) and funny. I also loved the banter between these two characters, and I’m a SUCKER for a grumpy x sunshine dynamic.

The ALC (duet narration) was AMAZING — Teddy Hamilton and Kit Swann do a phenomenal job at bringing these characters to life. I highly, highly recommend the audiobook. The humor in this book may not resonate with some readers, especially given the characters’ ages, but I believe the audiobook is ultimately what sold me.

Into the woods is A cute but spicy enemies to lovers romance set at a summer camp.

Gretchen has all but given up on romance when an opportunity is given to her to help out at a camp where she meets Teddy who is there to try and get his inspiration back for his writing music after having a falling out with his bandmates.

I enjoyed this romance written by Jenny Holiday, it is my first book of hers and after this book will for sure be picking up some of her others .

I have always been a sucker for enemies to lovers and grumpy x sunshine characters which Jenny does a magnificent job of bringing to life in her characters Teddy and Gretchen.

Kit Swann and Teddy Hamilton did an amazing job at bringing the characters to life making for an enjoyable listen.

All in all I highly recommend this book especially if you enjoy enemies to lovers and grumpy x sunshine .

Thank you Netgalley and Hachette audio for the arc

Into the Woods is a great romance book that has everything I love in romance books. This should be a book that I loved, but for some reason, I just fell short of loving it.

As I write this, I am getting more confused about why I didn’t love this book. It has two great leads and an intriguing story, but I cannot pinpoint what stopped me from falling in love with it.

Gretchen is about to turn 40, and she continues to ask herself if this is all there is in life. She plans on giving up on dating and just focusing on the next stage of her business, which is expanding her dance studio and adding different classes.

Teddy just had a very public meltdown with his band's breakup. He is struggling to find his identity and wants to go solo but is having a hard time writing.

Both Teddy and Gretchen agree to work at a summer camp for arts. They both find new inspiration with the kids at the summer camp and also become friends, and we get to watch that quickly grow into more.

I wanted to see Gretchen drop her walls and fully let Teddy in, but it just took forever for that to happen. Gretchen and Teddy are both such great people that you couldn’t help but want the best for both of them.