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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Out of the Woods is my love letter to all of us who met their soulmate before they had the chance to fully meet themselves
"If you give me the space to grow, I'll plant myself next to you. Always"
This story was so beautifully written, seamlessly balancing past and present POVs to show how two young souls fall in love, experience grief and depression after losing a parent, and later navigate a marriage that feels like it's starting to slip. It’s not your typical romance, instead, it asks the question: What happens after happily ever after? And the answer is raw, honest, and emotional.
"If you give me the space to grow, I'll plant myself next to you. Always"
This story was so beautifully written, seamlessly balancing past and present POVs to show how two young souls fall in love, experience grief and depression after losing a parent, and later navigate a marriage that feels like it's starting to slip. It’s not your typical romance, instead, it asks the question: What happens after happily ever after? And the answer is raw, honest, and emotional.
Sarah and Caleb’s journey felt deeply authentic. I especially appreciated how this book explored marriage not as a perfect destination, but as a constant effort between two people who love each other. Sarah’s struggles with self-esteem and purpose were relatable, and Caleb - soft, supportive, golden-retriever energy Caleb - was one of the most emotionally mature male leads I’ve read. You really feel the love between them, both in their past and present moments.
The found family aspect was a standout, between Win and Bo and the connections formed during the retreat, there was warmth and comfort woven throughout.
This would have been a full 5 stars if it were a touch more realistic (a one-week wilderness retreat won’t magically fix everything, let's be honest), and personally, the spice level felt a little too high for the tone of the story at times. The ending also seemed like a plot point that didn't really need to be there to serve the story and offered a quick resolution, but I loved the emotional honesty and how it makes you reflect on relationships, growth, and the need to face hard truths with someone you love.
If you liked Out on a Limb, just know that Sarah and Caleb feel a little different here (especially since it’s told from Sarah’s POV), but in a way that deepens their characters. Honestly, I feel like this was way better than Out on a Limb but that is just my opinion :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
REVIEW FOR FUTURE ME WHEN I FORGET THAT I EVEN READ THIS BOOK:
Every time Caleb called her “baby” you stopped breathing and blacked out so the details are a bit hazy but you think you LOVED:
- Caleb “Make me pay for it” Linwood. Hottest nerd ever and forever
- The humour; them stressing about having no phones in case they needed to google the name of someone from a movie was looooool
- Win & Bo & Gus appearances
Every time Caleb called her “baby” you stopped breathing and blacked out so the details are a bit hazy but you think you LOVED:
- Caleb “Make me pay for it” Linwood. Hottest nerd ever and forever
- The humour; them stressing about having no phones in case they needed to google the name of someone from a movie was looooool
- Win & Bo & Gus appearances
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
so turns out i like books about messy relationships... i und rstand why some said they're childish BUT feels kinda relatable idk not married yet but it feels like it🧍♀️ just wish the arguments were longer and hit harder (in a good wayyy since that's the theme)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Medical content
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
4.5/5
This book is like finding your way home after you lost your glasses and weren't able to see your surroundings.
Sarah and Caleb have always been the idealistic couple. They are rich, decent enough looking, and successful. As we all know, this is all surface level bullshit. Underneath the facade, they are high school sweethearts who married really young and had tragic events shape the course of their early years. They have settled into a comfortable life, if not a little mundane.
The characters are realistic in their struggles and self-doubt. Their relationship is full of love and shared history, but over the course of time, the passion has dulled, and their communication has slipped into a secondhand thought.
Sarah has the most growth in this story. Sarah is struggling with her identity and self-esteem and the role she plays next to her husband.
I do feel like their issues were wrapped up really quickly with complete resolve.
The way the author wrote this was like a love letter to marriage. The highs, the lows, the pits, and the peaks. She doesn't sugar coat the time and energy it takes to make a marriage work. This isn't your fairy tale romance where you only get to see the good parts. She shows just enough of the ugly to make you appreciate the good moments all the more.
This book is like finding your way home after you lost your glasses and weren't able to see your surroundings.
Sarah and Caleb have always been the idealistic couple. They are rich, decent enough looking, and successful. As we all know, this is all surface level bullshit. Underneath the facade, they are high school sweethearts who married really young and had tragic events shape the course of their early years. They have settled into a comfortable life, if not a little mundane.
The characters are realistic in their struggles and self-doubt. Their relationship is full of love and shared history, but over the course of time, the passion has dulled, and their communication has slipped into a secondhand thought.
Sarah has the most growth in this story. Sarah is struggling with her identity and self-esteem and the role she plays next to her husband.
I do feel like their issues were wrapped up really quickly with complete resolve.
The way the author wrote this was like a love letter to marriage. The highs, the lows, the pits, and the peaks. She doesn't sugar coat the time and energy it takes to make a marriage work. This isn't your fairy tale romance where you only get to see the good parts. She shows just enough of the ugly to make you appreciate the good moments all the more.
Hannah Bonam-Young has totally stolen my heart! I was hooked from start to finish across all 315 pages. This book has definitely confirmed that Hannah is an auto-buy author for me from now on—I'm so excited to read more from her!
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This sequel was perfect. I love Sarah in the first book. It was so refreshing to have a romance about a couple long into their relationship. I think there should be more like this. Relationships grow, and sometimes it can feel hard, but when you have the right partner by your side, it will all be alright. Plus, I loved getting more Bo and Win.