Tall Again

by Zoe Caswell

In the four years since losing her wife Annie, Mo Reeves has let grief become her constant companion, watching her thriving career and relationships wither like autumn leaves. When her friends convince her to make a pilgrimage to Annie’s beloved hiking trail in Redwood National Park, she agrees—if only to silence their worry.

Aspen Anderson knows every trail and tourist that passes through her small town, content to pour drinks by night and guide backpackers by day beneath the towering redwood canopy. But lately, the comfort of her predictable life feels more like a cage than a sanctuary.

When these two women collide, their chemistry defies explanation. After Mo reveals the true purpose of her visit, Aspen proposes an unconventional solution: a journey down Redwood Creek that promises Mo one last chance to connect with Annie’s memory. But as they venture deeper into the wilderness, both women discover that the path to healing—and love—may lead somewhere entirely unexpected.

270 pages, Paperback

Published March 18, 2025

About the author

Zoe Caswell lives in Sacramento, California with her marvelous wife and three cats: Jack Jack, Penelope, and Pop Rocks. When she is not busy writing, she is either outside looking at birds or in her dark office playing video games. Zoe’s dream is to be surprised with a mariachi band way before she turns sixty-five years old.

Reviews

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about Imogene “Mo” Reeves who has lost her wife to breast cancer. Mo is severely depressed and on the verge of taking her own life. She gets fired from her job and sleeps all day and night. Her friends beg her to go on hike in the Redwoods National forest which was her wife Annie’s favorite place. However Mo has no hiking experience. Aspen works in a local bar adjacent to the NP and is an experienced hiker who works part time escorting hiking adventures. They meet in the bar and strike up a conversation, which results in them going on a hike together for Annie.

I liked the hiking parts of the book in the NP. I liked Aspen’s idea on how to get Mo out of her depression. I didn’t feel like I got to know either character very well and never felt the chemistry between the main characters. For a debut book, this was a good start.

Thanks to Bella Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank the publisher for letting me read this book

mo reeves is grieving for her wife.... its been a long four years but she still cant cope and has sold her house much to her friends disgust....

so to appease them she does the one thing her wife really wanted her to do and that was to go on a trek into the redwoods

so thats what mo does.... she arrives at a place and starts to plan her trip....

aspen anderson is disillusioned with life... but she carries on working in the bar and doing organised treks into the redwoods.... she loves the outdoors

so when mo walks into her bar her gaydar goes off and she is interested....as it turns out they maybe able to help each other though mo is still guarded

can aspen help mo with her trek and will mo let her and open up.... time will tell

captivating read.... i want to visit these redwoods now they sound amazing...

[queer_aussie_reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tall Again is the debut novel by Zoe Caswell, and it is a beautiful ode to love, loss, and the search for meaning in a world left barren by grief.

Mo hasn’t had a reason to live since losing her wife four years ago. When her best friends convince her to hike the trails where Annie spent so much of her time, she agrees but isn’t certain she will return.

Redwood National Park is Aspen’s playground. She knows the trails and trees like the back of her hand, and they bring her the much-needed peace she is constantly chasing. When Mo turns up, she can’t help but insert herself into the gorgeous woman’s world, insisting on helping her say goodbye to Annie.

As Mo and Aspen navigate the trails and each other, open wounds begin to heal, and love becomes a possibility neither imagined they would have again.

These characters are nuanced, and the chemistry sizzles from the moment they meet. Mo can be abrasive, sometimes outright mean, though her quick apologies and ability to own her flaws temper any lasting negativity.

Aspen is just as complex, coming from a relationship that left her wounded but determined never to repeat her mistakes. Her need to help Aspen is endearing even as she navigates her own uncertain emotions.

Reading the blurb of Tall Again, I knew I was going into a book that was centred around grief. I had to let myself sit with that for a while and wonder if I was in the right head space to begin a book that begins with such a profound loss. With a fair trigger warning, Caswell explores grief, connection, healing, and love while holding compassionate space for both sorrow and solace. Tall Again doesn’t shy away from emotional depth, but it also offers hope, resilience, and the possibility of finding love again.

I received an ARC from Bella books and am leaving my honest review.

[Chelsea Pitsos · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
1.5 🔥

[Fiona Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tall Again is a touching story about finding the path to healing. It tells the story of the inexplicable chemistry between two women who initially appear to have nothing in common. Imogen (Mo) Reeves is locked in a cycle of grief following the death of her wife four years earlier. Since that time, she has spiralled into a world of grief and depression leading to the loss of her friendships and her career. Meanwhile, Aspen Anderson loves exploring the wilderness and is content to guide backpackers on walks along the hiking trails by day and pouring drinks in the local bar by night. Her past has taught her that she isn’t worth much and that there is not much point aiming for more.

The two women first meeting in the bar where Aspen works. When Mo reveals the real reason for her visit to the park Aspen offers to accompany her on her pilgrimage along the Redwood Creek trail. As the two women spend more time together planning their journey and hiking the trail, their connection is undeniable, but neither is willing to admit it or allow anything further to develop. But the magic of the wilderness leads to a journey of discovery for both women and provides the opportunity for something special to occur…..if only they can let go of the past.

What follows is an emotional story of grief, resistance to change, supporting one another, stubborn determination and love as the two women overcome the challenges the hiking trail throws their way. I loved the concept of installing a “phone on the wind”, an old phone attached to a tree that can be used by anyone who wants to talk to someone they have loved and lost. I also loved the way that Mo’s deceased wife, Annie, draws these two lost souls together, even though she is no longer around. The evocative descriptions that Zoe Caswell uses to describe the wilderness of the Redwood National Park managed to draw me in, not just to the wilderness setting itself, but also the MC’s lives and journeys towards finding their future happiness.

I am grateful to the author and Bella Books for providing me with an ARC copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mo Reeves is adrift, having lost her wife, Annie, to death four years ago and having recently lost her job as a fraud investigator, a casualty of her continued grief. Her friends Bud and Opal highly suggest that Mo take a trip from Palo Alto to Annie’s favorite hiking trail in Redwood National Park. She reluctantly agrees, but entertains other self harm scenarios following her arrival.

When Mo arrives in Orick, a town just outside Redwood National Park, she meets Aspen Anderson. Aspen is a small town bartender who also takes on extra work as a backpacking guide. Aspen is outgoing and engaging, but also has her own past hurts. After they get to know each other a bit, Aspen offers to take Mo on a backpacking trip to connect with Annie’s memory. The book is the story of the trail adventure and how the trip results in the healing of wounds for both women.

This story was original, gritty, and forced both main characters to contemplate their lives and the changes they needed to make in order to heal and be happy. I experienced all sorts of emotions as a I read about a thirty-something year old woman losing her wife with the grief that she was experiencing and the pain of another thirty-something year old woman growing up as she did with absent parents. Together Aspen and Mo help each other to mend their hearts. 5 stars

I received an ARC from Bella Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written story of coming to terms with grief and anger. Mo Reeves lost her wife Annie four years ago and has been floundering ever since. When she sells her houses and loses the job she once loved, her friends push her to visit Redwood National Park. Annie loved hiking the trails there but Mo never joined her. Aspen Anderson works at a bar in a small town and loves to guide backpackers in the National Park. Her life hasn’t been easy. The pair meet at the bar when Mo arrives in town. Aspen suggests she guide Mo and comes up with a way to make a connection to Annie.

Of course along the trail there are difficulties and challenges. It is a time to share frustration, depression and grief. I love the concept of the tree phone and I love how much Annie is part of the story even though there are no flashbacks to her. The trail doesn’t solve all their problems but it opens them to new possibilities and the changes they need to make in their lives. And emotionally, this story of two thirty somethings hit my feelings. And although I saw the Redwoods just two years ago now I want to visit again. This is seemingly a debut novel and I look forward to what the author writes next. Thank you to Bella Books and the author for the ARC and I am leaving an honest review. (4.5 Stars)

[Ilana Weinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance isn’t usually my go-to genre, but Tall Again may have changed my mind. With its delightful grumpy/sunshine dynamic and impeccable attention to detail, Zoe draws you right into the Redwoods with her characters, like you are hiding behind a nearby tree watching the story unfold right in front of you.

This breathtaking story made me laugh, cry, and reflect all at once. Grief is such a profound and often misunderstood emotion, and Tall Again does a beautiful job of exploring it. Through the intertwined journeys of Mo, Aspen, and Annie, the book places all kinds of relationships front and center. I walked away feeling like I’d learned not only about love, but about compassion, too.

Zoe’s writing is evocative, descriptive, and impactful, and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is always just a phone call away. This is quite a satisfying read that covers all the feels. Grief, anger, love loss, love found all among the great redwood trees. Mo lost her wife 4 years ago and still grieves whole heartedly. Aspen bartends and guides hikers along the trails. Both are lost in this world and need direction. The story progresses at a leisurely pace that is perfect for these two. I listened to the audiobook and Jen Jayden narrates this beautifully and takes Caswell's words and entwines them in my mind and heart. Lovely and if you've ever loved someone, I recommend this.

[Elvira · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! The lush, vibrant scenery of the Redwoods is the perfect backdrop for Mo and Aspen’s journey together as they both heal from life’s challenges and grow towards one another. Zoe Caswell truly has a gift for storytelling. All of the characters are so full of life, especially Annie, whose presence never leaves the book’s chapters. This was a great debut novel for Caswell and I can’t wait to see what she has in store next.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think someone grieving the loss of a loved one would find this book comforting. It's well written and setting the plot in the Redwood National Park is interesting.

[Haney Hayes Promotions · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tender, introspective sapphic romance about grief, growth, and second chances.
This story took its time—and I appreciated that. Mo’s grief felt real, not rushed or romanticized. Her emotional journey through the redwoods was beautifully written and layered with quiet strength. Aspen was the perfect contrast—rooted, patient, and just as in need of something more.
The setting? Absolutely stunning. The way the forest was woven into the healing arc gave the whole book a peaceful, almost meditative vibe. I found myself pausing just to breathe in the atmosphere Caswell created.
I docked a star because the pacing lagged in a few places, and there were moments where I wanted a bit more dialogue or chemistry spark—but overall, this was a gentle, grounded romance that hit all the emotional notes.
Recommended for: readers who love slow burns, introspective character growth, sapphic love stories, and emotionally rich nature writing.