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beautyinchapters 's review for:
Out on a Limb
by Hannah Bonam-Young
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is, at its heart, a beautifully written love story and one that has stayed with me long after I finished it. Hannah Bonam-Young takes familiar tropes and gives them a fresh, tender spin. I especially loved the twist on the pregnancy trope, because it felt authentic and emotional.
Out on a Limb was actually the very first book I read in 2024, and my very first contemporary romance when I decided to get back on my reading journey. I read it over a year ago for the first time, and this review comes after my fourth reread plus just about as many listens to the audiobook. I had to sit with it for a while before I could even put my feelings into words, because it was just that good.
From the very beginning, Bo and Win make each other feel seen. Their connection through their disabilities is written with such care, but it never defines them, it deepens the intimacy between them.
The slow-burn worked so well here. So much of the book is just Bo and Win learning from each other in every day, ordinary way, but that’s what makes you fall in love with them. By the time they finally admit their feelings, it’s electric. My favorite part? Bo’s birthday party when Win’s conversation with his dad reveals the truth about Bo’s mom’s death, and later that night, Bo finally opens up to Win. It’s raw, emotional, and at the moment everything shifts.The most unforgettable moment, though, is the red bandana. Bo pulls it from the couch and admits it was the one thing he hid before Win moved in, so she wouldn’t find it. He explains he couldn’t quite put into words why because it was before the baby, before knowing how much he would love her. But then he tells her he thinks it’s because, deep down, a part of him already did. That scene completely melted me.
This book is the definition of cozy comfort. It’s like wrapping up in a warm blanket by the fire on a cold night warm, fuzzy, and full of all the feels. I’ve gone back to it multiple times because it’s just that special.