The more I think of this book the more stars I want to give it. I enjoyed the travel aspect of this book when typically, I don't. I felt like I was on vacation with the MC and enjoyed living vicariously through her. I loved her exploration of realizing her importance and what she really wanted for the rest of her life. Thank You Netgalley for the ALC. The Narrator Caroline Hewitt did a great job with all the specific accents needed. I enjoyed every part of this story.

Why I really loved this audiobook:
Great narrator: Caroline Hewitt
Beautiful cover: Beautiful covers are in shockingly short supply, which makes me think that maybe my taste is not in line with the general public, but I’m ok with that. It truly is lovely to see a beautiful cover every time you pick up a book.
Characters you can root for: the heroine, Veronica Stratton, has a really interesting and unique job as a specialty food broker. I never even considered that was a profession, but because I love food and cooking, I found it fascinating.
The premise: at 26, Veronica celebrates Christmas with her parents and they all receive a DNA kit from her younger sister. When the results come back, Veronica discovers that she is adopted and proceeds to spend the next month traveling the world to all the places her ancestors immigrated from.

This novel was just a tonic for the times we live in, a pleasant escape with likeable characters, a travelogue, and a coming of age story all wrapped up in a neat package.

The Wandering Season by Aimie K. Runyan, follows Veronica Stratton—a speciality food consultant who confirms her suspicions of being adopted at her family Christmas, when her unknowing sister gifts them all DNA tests. This confirmation—along with a tough breakup—takes Veronica across the ocean, as her family funds a month long trip to the locations of her ancestry (as found by the DNA test) to give her a chance to process and learn about herself. Along the way she meets Niall Callaghan, a charming Irishman who prompts her to ask even more questions of herself and what she wants for her future. A Wandering Season is a beautiful story of self-realization, with a bit of magical realism as Veronica makes some connections with her ancestors.

At the beginning of this audiobook, I was a little skeptical of where it was gonna go, and if it would keep my attention. But as it progressed I began to really enjoy the plot, and found Veronica’s journey fascinating and sweet. Some of the dialogue and inner thoughts were a little corny and a bit on the nose for my liking, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless. The jump (or fall rather) Veronica makes into self-discovery after a big breakup and confirmation of her adoption, carries many beautiful insights into family connections, identity, self-doubt, and self-worth. It was well worth the listen. 🎧🌿🌍

I rate it 3.75 stars

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.