If you are a fan of Under the Tuscan Sun, you will certainly enjoy this gastric journey! Thank you @harpermusebooks @uplitreads for an early finished copy of @bookishaimie ‘s new release, THE WANDERING SEASON, out April 1, 2025.

This novel is a gastric tour of my favorite countries: Ireland, Italy, France, Denmark. We travel along as Veronica seeks to discover her heritage and ancestry after an awkward holiday DNA test moment with her family. [anyone think about 23andMe as soon as you read that?? Talk about TIMING! ha!]

I liked that the novel moves at a slower pace, as Vero discovers the beautiful nuances of each country, including the local people. I really liked Niall Callahan as a character- perfectly written. There's a touch of magical realism, as Vero has vivid, realistic dreams about historical figures having lived where she is visiting.

I actually really enjoyed this novel, and this is one you could grab and slowly enjoy during the spring season- watching Vero unfold into who she truly is, while the spring trees and flowers bloom into their new season.

2.5-3 ⭐️

The Wandering Season follows Veronica Stratton, a young woman in her 20s, as she learns that she is adopted. Her family plans a solo month-long trip to Europe for Veronica to learn about her heritage and explore where her ancestors came from. Will she find love along the way? Will she discover her true passions and finally act on a lifelong dream?

Does the synopsis sound like a Hallmark movie? Because that’s what I was reminded of while listening to this book. Overall, the story was predictable and enjoyable, but there wasn’t any oomph that made me want to continue listening. The bit of magical realism was a nice touch, but I think the story had too many positive coincidences and too many mentions of “dad’s American Express card” for me to connect and really care about the characters beyond the surface level.

I will say that the narrator did a fantastic job with the different accents. I may turn to this book if I need a light, easy, and happy story to read, but other than that I can’t see myself picking it up again.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for an advanced copy of the audiobook.

Aimie K Runyan takes readers on a European vacation when the main character, Veronica, is sent to track down her familial history. After taking a DNA test, Vero confirms her adoption, and she travels to Ireland, France, Italy, and Denmark to the towns from her results. At each visit, she sees scenes from her ancestors' past. In Ireland, she bonds with the handsome castle-keeper.

Travel and food, I was very excited to get this early listen. However, I wasn't able to fully connect with the story.
1) The visions from the past were odd and did not flow well in the story. They screamed plot contrivance.
2) Veronica was so stubborn about NOT wanting to open a restaurant that she decided to do it later because her unique job was perfect for her. There is nothing wrong with changing your mind, but it was hard to invest in the resolution.
3) At the start of the story, there was no investment in her recently ended relationship, so seeing her start processing it during the story didn't carry as much weight as it should.

But, it was not all negative. I liked that Vero was not devastated to be adopted. She loved her parents. Once it was out in the open, she needed to process it, but her love and faith in her parents and family did not falter. And all the food descriptions, I wanted to eat all the things!


Thank you, Netgalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks, for the advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.

A whimsical tale which I found too lightweight and frankly unconvincing. It rolls along nicely enough but I found the narrator’s attempts at accents and mis-pronunciation of names so annoying that I almost gave up on it. I didn’t find it rewarding enough to have made that effort worthwhile and,, even as lightweight holiday listening,, really cannot recommend.

Wow…..what an incredible journey this book has taken me on! I have been transported around Europe with Veronica and now feel rather bereft that the journey is over. I have come to really savour Aimie K. Runyan’s novels. Her writing is beautifully descriptive - I felt fully immersed in Veronica’s wanderings; I could vividly picture each location; I could taste and smell the culinary experiences. Veronica and her parents in particular, felt very ‘human’ with feelings, thoughts and emotions that are real and valid in relation to the adoption circumstances.

The audiobook is superbly narrated by Caroline Hewitt. The pace is perfect, allowing the story to flow and be understood by the listener. She beautifully brings every character to life with accents, tone and expression.

Whilst Veronica’s journey is a physical one to several European locations, her journey is also one of self-discovery and personal growth. This book has left me in no doubt that “a bit of wandering is good for the soul.” Oh and the ending is absolutely perfect! 5 stars and more!

Thank you to the audio publisher, Harper Muse Audiobooks for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

this book seemed so promising, but ultimately was a letdown.
the MC was just straight up annoying with her woe-is-me and i'm-not-like-other-girls attitude towards everything. her sister and her best friend love fashion? i'm not like them. they have problematic attitudes towards food? couldn't be me. they all had unlimited money, but she thinks she is not like her sister (who lives in a one-bedroom apt in NYC thanks to the father's money), who feels no guilt to use her father's credit card. those passages really pissed me off, so it's not really women's fiction per se.
i also didn't really care for the romance sub-plot, which seemed forced.
the "visions" of her ancestors, though a very interesting plot point, just made no sense without context (why didn't other people question why she knew these things randomly?)
i did love the food descriptions, though. now i'm craving homemade vanilla and butter, oops.

Veronica adores her family, but for years suspected she might not quite belong. When her younger sister presents her with a DNA kit at Christmas, her suspicions are confirmed, and her parents tell her what they can about her adoption.

What follows is a month-long journey of self-discovery, set against the backdrop of some of Europe’s most renowned culinary destinations. As a food broker whose whole career is about sourcing quality ingredients for top chefs, this trip is more than enticing. The Wandering Season
offers a perfect mix of personal growth, adventure, romance, and delicious food. The book blends elements of magical realism exploring Veronica’s heritage with a feel-good narrative.

Caroline Hewitt does a particularly fine job of narrating a large cast of secondary characters with several different accents. Aimie K. Runyan’s latest is a great choice for anyone looking for an uplifting story that also digs deep into identity and belonging.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse Audiobooks, and of course the author Aimie K. Runyan for the advanced copy of the audiobook. The Wandering Season is out on April 1st. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed the part of the stories that were Veronica's story. How she was finding her way in the world while her family cheered her on. Her story about knowing she was adopted long before her parents told her was an interesting side story. It gave her story some humanness. She wasn't just another young person who was not sure what to do with her life.
I did wonder about those 'visions' she had. They seemed to muddy the water a bit. I felt those parts of the stories could easily been shared through stories told by other women in the book. Not just a random 'dream/vison' that made Veronica seem just a bit off. Way too many people seemed perfectly okay that she knew stuff about people who lived hundreds of years ago, or in the case of her birth-mother, recently. It just didn't seem to fit the story well.
I do like Runyan's writing voice and I really do like her characters. She does a great job of reminding readers that it is okay to not always know what you want out of life, but to keep moving forward and find the one thing that makes you happy.

I was drawn to this book by the description. The idea of an adopted woman going on a journey to connect with her roots appealed to me. I am fascinated by our personal histories and love how this all unfolds. It doesn't hurt that I find I have A LOT in common with the main character, including hair color, height, and the same birthday!! I also have a love of cooking but I am definitely not the wizard in the kitchen Veronica is. This book checked so many boxes for me. I love to travel, I love good food and experiencing that food with others, and I have also wondered what a DNA test might uncover. Our FMC starts as someone who thinks she's sure of herself, and on the journey realizes how much she didn't know. Through her friends, family, and visions of the past she lands in a place where she is truly happy.

The narrator Caroline Hewitt is phenomenal! She manages so many different characters seamlessly. Very impressive.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to preview this audiobook in exchange for my honest feedback.

The story captures the journey of uncovering one’s roots in such a genuine way. It blends personal growth with a quiet romance that feels real and unforced. The way the characters evolve through the story kept me interested and connected to their experiences.

The narrator brings everything to life perfectly, giving each character their own voice and making the emotions feel authentic. It made the whole experience feel like I was right there with them.

The pacing felt just right, with the story unfolding naturally without rushing or dragging. There’s no heavy-handed drama, just a smooth, flowing narrative that lets you settle into the world the characters are navigating. It’s the kind of story that feels comforting and real.

As someone else mentioned, this book was reminiscent of Eat, Pray, Love!
Veronica sets out to trace her family tree after discovering her roots through a DNA test.
Our heroine packs her bags (and emotional baggage) and heads off on a solo adventure, like a caffeinated Elizabeth Gilbert with a Pinterest board full of linen outfits. There’s love, there’s loss, there’s some romance, and enough heartfelt introspection to fill a gratitude journal.


Was it life-changing? Maybe not. But it was charming, breezy, and filled with enough wanderlust to make you stare out your window dramatically for no reason. If you're in the mood for a book that feels like a hug with a passport, this one’s for you.

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Aimie K. Runyan’s books and I think this is my favorite. Veronica was a wonderful character and I loved being along for her journey as she explored her heritage and took time to sort out her feelings about being adopted. Aimie’s descriptions about Vero’s travels were incredible and I could clearly picture each place she visited. The “echoes” she experienced during her travels were all incredibly compelling and added a powerful layer to this beautiful story. Veronica’s passion for unique ingredients and culinary delights was inspiring and I was cheering her on big time as she considered her next steps.

This is a bewitching tale about feeling love in all its forms, finding your life's purpose and being able to change with the time. I loved the idea of a personal journey through 4 different countries to explore your roots. For the protagonist to then go and find out that her roots are much closer to home than she thought, it brought everything back full circle.

Exploring the culinary delicacies of Ireland, France, Italy, and Denmark was easily one of the biggest draws for me. The romance interest seems realistic while also being a total dreamboat of a man.

What can I say?! While this was my first Aimie K. Runyan, it definitely won't be my last. I especially loved the gentle sprinkling of magical realism moments that made the story all the more poignant.

Thank you Netgalley for this ALC.

This novel takes you along on an adventure of discovery. The pacing is fast and the story is interesting and the idea of following threads of the past to determine your future is interesting!

If you love food and travel, add this book to your TBR pile! It was just delightful and made me yearn to go to Europe and sample delicious foods! 
The story follows Veronica who leaves her home in Denver to find more about her family roots in Ireland, France, Italy, and Denmark. On the way, she discovers more about herself as well as the women from her family line.
It had some romance, magical realism, family drama, and lots of amazing food. If you get the physical book there will be an appendix with recipes! I did the audio and the narrator was fantastic with all the different accents. But I definitely want to get a copy of the physical book to see those recipes!
Thanks to @netgalley for the early audio copy!

This was a terrific read/listen! The audio itself was especially well done. There were so many diverse characters, accents, and personalities. One of the best single narrations I’ve listened to.

As for the story, it gave me The Holiday and Leap Year vibes. The actual plot is not relate to those, but the feel and the atmosphere was definitely there. It was cozy and quaint at times, then it was vivid and decadent. I enjoy Veronica’s wandering and wondering, while she discovered more about herself and her heritage. Niall was a dream.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audio for my advanced listening copy, all opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aimie K. Runyan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Wandering Season was not quite what I expected, but it was an enjoyable and heartfelt journey of self-discovery, identity, and passion. The story follows a woman in her twenties as she embarks on a life-changing trip to Ireland after uncovering the truth about her adoption. As she navigates the complexities of her heritage, she finds herself deeply connected not just to the land and its people but also to her true passion—food.

Runyan’s writing beautifully captures the essence of Ireland, from its rich history to the warmth of its people. The novel is infused with vivid descriptions that bring the setting and culinary elements to life, making it a treat for readers who enjoy immersive, sensory storytelling. While the pacing at times was different from what I anticipated, the emotional depth and character growth kept me engaged throughout.

Overall, The Wandering Season is a touching story about identity, belonging, and following one’s heart. Fans of contemporary fiction with themes of family heritage and self-discovery will find much to appreciate in this novel.

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!

The narration was great!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Caroline Hewitt does a fantastic job narrating this story and really makes it an enjoyable listening experience!

Veronica Stratton has always suspected she was adopted. When her sister surprises the family with DNA tests at Christmas, Veronica's suspicions are confirmed. With her business on the edge and a recent break up with her boyfriend, her family send her on a European vacation to see the 4 places listed on her DNA profile. She hopes to find out a little about her family roots and take a break from life.

This is a character driven novel that is well written. I loved the descriptions of the picturesque scenery of Ireland and france as well as the sights and smells of the foods curated by Veronica. The relationships and characters are wonderful. This is a light hearted read that will have you wanting truffles in Provence!!!

A captivating novel that spans continents, and centuries. While some of what was random planning turned out to be a bit too on-the-mark, it was still fun traveling along with Veronica. Quite satisfying. Excellent narrator.