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The Wandering Season
Unraveling the tangled roots of her family takes her places she never expected.
Veronica Stratton, a specialty food broker with a business riding close to the margins, visits her parents in idyllic Estes Park for Christmas. With the holiday comes a DNA test from her younger sister and an engagement ring from her longtime boyfriend. The test confirms her secret suspicions: she's adopted. The ring rattles her even more, and she realizes that she might not be as ready to commit as she'd thought.
With so much that she'd counted on suddenly falling apart, Veronica is looking for an escape. Inspired by her best friend, she plans to go to Europe to see four of the places listed on her DNA ancestry report. She treks to County Mayo in Ireland; the Dordogne region of France; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Tuscany in Italy. She hopes to learn a bit about where her family lived and to make more connections for her struggling business, but she finds that each stop brings her visions of her ancestors that raise more questions than they answer. And among those pressing questions is how brooding Irish restauranteur Niall Callaghan will fit into her visions for the future.
Veronica Stratton, a specialty food broker with a business riding close to the margins, visits her parents in idyllic Estes Park for Christmas. With the holiday comes a DNA test from her younger sister and an engagement ring from her longtime boyfriend. The test confirms her secret suspicions: she's adopted. The ring rattles her even more, and she realizes that she might not be as ready to commit as she'd thought.
With so much that she'd counted on suddenly falling apart, Veronica is looking for an escape. Inspired by her best friend, she plans to go to Europe to see four of the places listed on her DNA ancestry report. She treks to County Mayo in Ireland; the Dordogne region of France; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Tuscany in Italy. She hopes to learn a bit about where her family lived and to make more connections for her struggling business, but she finds that each stop brings her visions of her ancestors that raise more questions than they answer. And among those pressing questions is how brooding Irish restauranteur Niall Callaghan will fit into her visions for the future.
368 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2025
88 people are currently reading
9368 people want to read
About the author
Aimie K. Runyan
15 books1,526 followersAimie K. Runyan writes to celebrate history’s unsung heroines. She has been honored as a Historical Novel Society Editors’ Choice selection, as a three-time finalist for the Colorado Book Awards, and as a nominee for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer of the Year. Aimie is active as an educator and speaker in the writing community and beyond. Her next books, The Castle Keepers (in collaboration with J'nell Ciesielski and Rachel McMillan) and A Bakery in Paris will release in 2023 from Harper Collins. Also from Harper Collins, Aimie's contemporary Women's Fiction debut, The Memory of Lavender and Sage, will release in early 2024. She lives in Colorado with her amazing husband, two (usually) adorable children, two (always) adorable kitties, and a dragon. To learn more about Aimie, please visit www.aimiekrunyan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews
February 10, 2025
I was invited to read this gem early... Here's what I wrote...
The Wandering Season is a delightful journey of self-discovery, romance, good food, and a little magic. I devoured every word and, although the ending was perfectly satisfying, I can’t deny wanting just a little bit more. I eagerly looking forward to Runyan’s next offering!
— Katherine Reay, Author of The London House and The Berlin Letters
The Wandering Season is a delightful journey of self-discovery, romance, good food, and a little magic. I devoured every word and, although the ending was perfectly satisfying, I can’t deny wanting just a little bit more. I eagerly looking forward to Runyan’s next offering!
— Katherine Reay, Author of The London House and The Berlin Letters
March 30, 2025
Veronica Stratton is a food broker, as a teenager she had her suspicions she was adopted and when her sister Avery gives everyone a DNA test for Christmas and her parents tell her the truth. Her best friend Stephanie and Avery organize for Veronica to travel to Europe, and visit the four places listed on her ancestry report and she has links to County Mayo in Ireland, the Dordogne region of France, Tuscany in Italy and Copenhagen Denmark.
Veronica’s business is struggling, and she hopes during her trip she can combine three things, her love of food and sourcing new products and learn more about herself and where her ancestors came from. At each place she has visions of them, I’m not a fan of magical realism but it did add an interesting aspect to the story and so did Niall Callahan who’s the caretaker of a castle in Blackthorn, County Mayo and he doesn’t think Veronica is crazy.
I received a copy of The Wandering Season by Aimie K. Runyan from Edelweiss Plus and HarperCollins Focus in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed reading about Veronica’s travels and her having second sight than I thought I would, her love of food and pairing flavours together, and it’s a narrative about one woman’s quest to find her biological family, herself and happiness.
The story emphasised the people who raised Veronica loved and supported her and understood she needed to forge her own path and four stars from me.
Veronica’s business is struggling, and she hopes during her trip she can combine three things, her love of food and sourcing new products and learn more about herself and where her ancestors came from. At each place she has visions of them, I’m not a fan of magical realism but it did add an interesting aspect to the story and so did Niall Callahan who’s the caretaker of a castle in Blackthorn, County Mayo and he doesn’t think Veronica is crazy.
I received a copy of The Wandering Season by Aimie K. Runyan from Edelweiss Plus and HarperCollins Focus in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed reading about Veronica’s travels and her having second sight than I thought I would, her love of food and pairing flavours together, and it’s a narrative about one woman’s quest to find her biological family, herself and happiness.
The story emphasised the people who raised Veronica loved and supported her and understood she needed to forge her own path and four stars from me.
May 4, 2025
Veronica Stratton is a food consultant for chefs and restaurants. When her sister gives her a DNA testing kit for Christmas, it's no surprise that the redhead in a family of brunettes is adopted. Her family pays for her to travel to each country of her ancestry for one week: Ireland, France, Italy, and Denmark. It is a smorgasbord of setting, places, roads less traveled, culture, and food. While there, Veronica meets Niall Callahan, and magical realism is sprinkled throughout. I loved being immersed in this feel-good story about where we come from, the meaning of family, travel, good food, romance, and making our dreams come true. If you love historical fiction, magical realism, and good food, this book is for you. I highly recommend it!
November 28, 2024
This book had the power to take me on a grand adventure.
My inner leprechaun REALLY wanted to love this book; I was emotionally packed and ready!
It ended up being a road trip, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, it wasn’t what I was psyched up for (knowing the author’s fantastic historical fiction) and I ended up slightly disappointed.
Why?
Two reasons.
One, I’m not a fantasy lover and the ‘visions’ that emerged in her first destination turned me off. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for leprechauns. Perhaps it was ‘how’ the thread played out that lead to my disinterest in the plot. Does my panache for facts and historical fiction hamper my ability to make room for fantasy elements? Perhaps.
Two, I didn’t connect to the characters. I liked Veronica’s motivation, but her backstory had no emotional resonance for me and her drive wasn’t active enough for me to become emotionally invested. I couldn’t imagine myself being friends with her despite acknowledging how she sees the world through food and how she uses it as a form of self-care.
Things I did enjoy:
☘️ the gorgeous cover and the itinerary
☘️ the idea of wandering Europe
☘️ the focus on self-discovery
☘️ I was intrigued with the DNA and adoption thread
☘️ the foodie references and the visceral reaction to them
☘️ sensory detail
☘️ a foodie character
☘️ unravelling secrets of the past
Keep in mind that I don’t read fantasy and am not drawn to contemporary novels when you give weight to my opinion!
I was gifted this copy by Harper Collins Focus and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
My inner leprechaun REALLY wanted to love this book; I was emotionally packed and ready!
It ended up being a road trip, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, it wasn’t what I was psyched up for (knowing the author’s fantastic historical fiction) and I ended up slightly disappointed.
Why?
Two reasons.
One, I’m not a fantasy lover and the ‘visions’ that emerged in her first destination turned me off. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for leprechauns. Perhaps it was ‘how’ the thread played out that lead to my disinterest in the plot. Does my panache for facts and historical fiction hamper my ability to make room for fantasy elements? Perhaps.
Two, I didn’t connect to the characters. I liked Veronica’s motivation, but her backstory had no emotional resonance for me and her drive wasn’t active enough for me to become emotionally invested. I couldn’t imagine myself being friends with her despite acknowledging how she sees the world through food and how she uses it as a form of self-care.
Things I did enjoy:
☘️ the gorgeous cover and the itinerary
☘️ the idea of wandering Europe
☘️ the focus on self-discovery
☘️ I was intrigued with the DNA and adoption thread
☘️ the foodie references and the visceral reaction to them
☘️ sensory detail
☘️ a foodie character
☘️ unravelling secrets of the past
Keep in mind that I don’t read fantasy and am not drawn to contemporary novels when you give weight to my opinion!
I was gifted this copy by Harper Collins Focus and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
April 5, 2025
Happy Publication Day!
A DNA kit confirms Veronica’s suspicions that she was adopted. It also points at four places where her ancestors likely came from, so she travels to Europe to find her roots and to process the news.
The way Veronica connected with her ancestors was way too paranormal for my taste, and not particularly well done. There were so many loose ends that the whole thing just annoyed me. What exactly was her connection to these people? What’s happened to them? What about Denmark? What was even the point in including the Danish roots? Besides, how did she manage to understand nineteenth century French and Italian? Part of the magic I guess, but even magic should be explained somehow.
The romance was also bland. I understood why Niall and Veronica were a perfect match, but I didn’t feel it. I loved that they connected over food, I enjoyed the food scene, the discoveries, the cooking and the food chats, and but there was barely any chemistry between them.
I also hated that everyone was pushing Veronica to open her own restaurant and that she eventually did it. Was it really her dream or did she just cave? Unfortunately it felt like the latter.
Despite all that, I’m still rating this book three stars. This author is definitely skilled and it was a pleasant enough story. Unfortunately not nearly as enjoyable as The Memory of Lavender and Sage.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
——-
Approved for the arc! 🥳🎉❤️
Super excited for this one, I loved The Memory of Lavender and Sage!
Thank you so much NetGalley and Harper Muse!
A DNA kit confirms Veronica’s suspicions that she was adopted. It also points at four places where her ancestors likely came from, so she travels to Europe to find her roots and to process the news.
The way Veronica connected with her ancestors was way too paranormal for my taste, and not particularly well done. There were so many loose ends that the whole thing just annoyed me. What exactly was her connection to these people? What’s happened to them? What about Denmark? What was even the point in including the Danish roots? Besides, how did she manage to understand nineteenth century French and Italian? Part of the magic I guess, but even magic should be explained somehow.
The romance was also bland. I understood why Niall and Veronica were a perfect match, but I didn’t feel it. I loved that they connected over food, I enjoyed the food scene, the discoveries, the cooking and the food chats, and but there was barely any chemistry between them.
I also hated that everyone was pushing Veronica to open her own restaurant and that she eventually did it. Was it really her dream or did she just cave? Unfortunately it felt like the latter.
Despite all that, I’m still rating this book three stars. This author is definitely skilled and it was a pleasant enough story. Unfortunately not nearly as enjoyable as The Memory of Lavender and Sage.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
——-
Approved for the arc! 🥳🎉❤️
Super excited for this one, I loved The Memory of Lavender and Sage!
Thank you so much NetGalley and Harper Muse!
April 14, 2025
5 stars. Another fascinating tale from Aimie Runyan! Exceptional, I enjoyed it all; -storytelling with plot focused on the finding of your true self, the beautifully descriptive writing style, relatable characters, Carolyn Hewitt on audio, and loved the “visions or echoes” of past ancestry that gave a special mystique to the storyline. And the romance was so sweetly crafted with lots of depth from the duo’s first sparks to finding each other again. With travels to international destinations and craving the regional foods mentioned, it truly felt like being on an adventurous mini-vacation. Just delightful! 📖🎧 Pub. 4/1/25
January 27, 2025
Travel, romance, delicious food, and a compelling journey to find FMC Veronica's birth mother make the author's latest tale a delightful read. The descriptions of place and food are glorious and the endearing story lifted my spirit. Highly recommended for fans of women's fiction and fabulous writing!
March 23, 2025
I’ll start off with accolades: Thank you to author, Aimee K Runyan, publisher Harper Muse, and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are wholly my own. This novel is available to readers on April 1st, 2025.
This novel, told in first person, takes place in Colorado, New York, Ireland, France, Italy, and Denmark. It also incorporates modern travel with a bit of magic/fantasy rolled into the plot for a bit of interesting nuance. What I loved most about it was the culinary aspect of the plot line. The foods she indulged in during her travels were enticing and exquisite in nature, and I found the recipes at the end of the book to be a delight!!
For me, however, this book was rather trite and banal. It is filled with nauseating clichés, far too simplistic language, and its predictability factor was far too immense for me to truly enjoy it or rate it highly. Additionally, its ending wrap-up appeared to be far too rushed. My apologies for this rather harsh review, but it is, unfortunately, what it is.
This novel, told in first person, takes place in Colorado, New York, Ireland, France, Italy, and Denmark. It also incorporates modern travel with a bit of magic/fantasy rolled into the plot for a bit of interesting nuance. What I loved most about it was the culinary aspect of the plot line. The foods she indulged in during her travels were enticing and exquisite in nature, and I found the recipes at the end of the book to be a delight!!
For me, however, this book was rather trite and banal. It is filled with nauseating clichés, far too simplistic language, and its predictability factor was far too immense for me to truly enjoy it or rate it highly. Additionally, its ending wrap-up appeared to be far too rushed. My apologies for this rather harsh review, but it is, unfortunately, what it is.
March 26, 2025
Runyan never runs out of ideas. I was captivated by the protagonists journey to discover her birth mother. She travels near and far. A little mystery, romance and travel along with delicious recipes makes this one to read in one sitting.
April 7, 2025
Veronica, a specialty food broker, has her high school suspicions confirmed that she’s adopted when her younger sister turns up at Christmas bearing DNA kits as presents for the family. When her parents are unexpectedly upset, the truth is revealed, and Veronica shares what she has long guessed. Later, she is coaxed into going forward with the kit to discover her roots, maybe get a match with a relative, and ignore the fact that her parents never told her — apparently because of an NDA that was signed at her birth.
When the kit results come back, Veronica is then coaxed on an all-expenses-paid trip to four of the regions and countries that showed up in her DNA results: Ireland, France, Italy, and Denmark. She visits Ireland first, staying in a lovely old castle in the off-season, and making friends with the caretaker and his family. While there, she is presented with a couple of visions that seem to be related to the former inhabitants of the castle. A similar thing happens when she visits France, Italy, and Denmark. She also takes the time and chance to visit the local food vendors to potentially add to her wealth of food knowledge.
While this wasn't a bad book — it absolutely wasn't my cup of tea. This was very much akin to a Hallmark-esque movie with the B-team. The dialogue strained to be more than the straightforward, direct dialogue, the characters were pat and static, and the plot was dull and predictable.
I enjoyed, and had more tolerance for, the visit to Ireland than any other spot. Runyan spent more time on Veronica and Niall (the castle's caretaker) here and their budding relationship than at any other place. In fact, there was a steady decline in the time spent on the page for each location as she went.
If you are a person who loves to read about food being sourced, tasted, prepared, and eaten, then you may get more out of this than I did. It was a dominant part of the book, and probably the only consistent component of Veronica's character. I didn't love it, but I did love the uniqueness of her job and the possibilities it could open up for her.
Other things I took issue with include the complete and utter disappearance of her parents from the plot, mostly her mother, who honestly had more to answer for than Veronica was demanding of her. And then there was the sheer goodness of the characters. They were pillars of kindness and understanding — even when an apology was due, it was quick to come and sincerely meant and genuinely taken. They were all scoops of vanilla ice cream. Even the romance side of the story was unbelievably tame — a couple of kisses and I think they held hands?
This will probably work for people who look for this level of easy, light reading where they can vicariously visit other places with and through Veronica. In that, I think it succeeds. I am unfortunately not one of those people.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This affected neither my opinion of the book nor the content of my review.
When the kit results come back, Veronica is then coaxed on an all-expenses-paid trip to four of the regions and countries that showed up in her DNA results: Ireland, France, Italy, and Denmark. She visits Ireland first, staying in a lovely old castle in the off-season, and making friends with the caretaker and his family. While there, she is presented with a couple of visions that seem to be related to the former inhabitants of the castle. A similar thing happens when she visits France, Italy, and Denmark. She also takes the time and chance to visit the local food vendors to potentially add to her wealth of food knowledge.
While this wasn't a bad book — it absolutely wasn't my cup of tea. This was very much akin to a Hallmark-esque movie with the B-team. The dialogue strained to be more than the straightforward, direct dialogue, the characters were pat and static, and the plot was dull and predictable.
I enjoyed, and had more tolerance for, the visit to Ireland than any other spot. Runyan spent more time on Veronica and Niall (the castle's caretaker) here and their budding relationship than at any other place. In fact, there was a steady decline in the time spent on the page for each location as she went.
If you are a person who loves to read about food being sourced, tasted, prepared, and eaten, then you may get more out of this than I did. It was a dominant part of the book, and probably the only consistent component of Veronica's character. I didn't love it, but I did love the uniqueness of her job and the possibilities it could open up for her.
Other things I took issue with include the complete and utter disappearance of her parents from the plot, mostly her mother, who honestly had more to answer for than Veronica was demanding of her. And then there was the sheer goodness of the characters. They were pillars of kindness and understanding — even when an apology was due, it was quick to come and sincerely meant and genuinely taken. They were all scoops of vanilla ice cream. Even the romance side of the story was unbelievably tame — a couple of kisses and I think they held hands?
This will probably work for people who look for this level of easy, light reading where they can vicariously visit other places with and through Veronica. In that, I think it succeeds. I am unfortunately not one of those people.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This affected neither my opinion of the book nor the content of my review.
May 13, 2025
Когато попадна на книги с пътуване, готвене или градинарство, знам че съм на точното място. А в The Wandering Season имаше пътувания до Ирландия, Италия, Франция и Дания. Героинята Вероника има интересна професия - " кулинарна муза". Тя търси най - добрите съставки и открива качествени производители на билки и подправки, за да предостави идеи и нови вкусове в менюто на елитните готвачи. Самата Вероника има умения, дарби и въображение да съчетае всичко в рецепти, които да изкушат небцето. Но предпазливостта и стремежът й постоянно да се учи и усъвършенства в готвенето, не й позволява да създаде собствен ресторант.
Описанията на местата, които посещава Вероника много плавно се допълват от рецепти и продукти, с историческа атмосфера и с усещане за уют. Така The Wandering Season се превърна в книга, в чиято компания трябва са сме готови постоянно да ядем. Или да пуснем на свобода собственото си въображение, апетит и креативност в готвенето ; да търсим пресни подправки, екзотични съставки и продукти от лични стопанства, а после да ги съчетаем с допълваща вкусовете бутилка вино и да се насладим на домашно приготвената храна с приятели, семейството, любими...
Явно зеленият и свеж месец Май за мен ще бъде изпълнен с книги , гъделичкащи малките ми слабости. Всички нюанси на зеленото, вкусовите изкушения, ваканционни пътувания и добрата компания. Щастливите елементи на всички усмихнати дни!
* “I think the person who can look back on life without some measure of regret is either blessed with never having to make hard decisions, or else they resigned themselves to always making the easy ones. "
* " Cooking provides a bit more scope for the imagination while baking requires focus and balance.”
* “Right. The creativity with baking is in finding the flavors and coming up with a way to shoehorn them into a workable recipe. I enjoy the challenge of it.”
* " Food should never be just about fuel. It should delight all the senses when it can.”
* " It all makes sense to me. With a good diet and lots of affection, what isn’t possible?”
Описанията на местата, които посещава Вероника много плавно се допълват от рецепти и продукти, с историческа атмосфера и с усещане за уют. Така The Wandering Season се превърна в книга, в чиято компания трябва са сме готови постоянно да ядем. Или да пуснем на свобода собственото си въображение, апетит и креативност в готвенето ; да търсим пресни подправки, екзотични съставки и продукти от лични стопанства, а после да ги съчетаем с допълваща вкусовете бутилка вино и да се насладим на домашно приготвената храна с приятели, семейството, любими...
Явно зеленият и свеж месец Май за мен ще бъде изпълнен с книги , гъделичкащи малките ми слабости. Всички нюанси на зеленото, вкусовите изкушения, ваканционни пътувания и добрата компания. Щастливите елементи на всички усмихнати дни!
* “I think the person who can look back on life without some measure of regret is either blessed with never having to make hard decisions, or else they resigned themselves to always making the easy ones. "
* " Cooking provides a bit more scope for the imagination while baking requires focus and balance.”
* “Right. The creativity with baking is in finding the flavors and coming up with a way to shoehorn them into a workable recipe. I enjoy the challenge of it.”
* " Food should never be just about fuel. It should delight all the senses when it can.”
* " It all makes sense to me. With a good diet and lots of affection, what isn’t possible?”
March 7, 2025
The plot of this book was so cute! It reminds me of Eat Pray Love almost? What I didn't find to be favorable was the dialogue. I would have liked to see an Irish accent represented on the pages instead of the storybook explanations. I was moving past this, but once the story introduced ghosts I lost most of my interest. I do think with some tweaking, this book could have a lot of potential.
May 5, 2025
One can only imagine having their family insist and pay for a trip to Europe to “find oneself” and possibly some history that links to their recent DNA findings. “The Wandering Season” by Author Aimee K. Runyan is a beautiful read of exquisite food, luscious landscape, designer fashion and family rich with unbound love.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Just when you think one’s life could implode, this was not the case for Veronica. Despite a recent breakup from her long time boyfriend, she travels back home to Estes, Colorado to embrace the solace of her family for the Holidays. Her younger sister has a surprise gift for the family , a DNA test. It’s all the rage and why not!. Veronica’s intuitions are found to be accurate in that she always wondered why she never had a picture from the hospital and why she was the only one in the family with bright red hair.
After grasping this information and processing it in sorts, Veronica’s family were so worried about her. They thought the best thing they could do would be to send her to seek out her history and her genealogy. After much encouragement, she decided to set out on this trip to Ireland, France, Italy, and Denmark, and along the way she not only found herself, but an Irish castle keeper, Niall that embraced her from day one. Along her travels, she would see “visions” of families and situations she needed to piece together and see how they related to her own story that she was trying to unfold.
This book left me hungry for decadent food, and a heart full of love for Veronica’s family and her future. An entertaining read, I highly recommend.
Thank you @harpermuse @suzyapprovedbooks for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 22, 2025
I am fan of this author I have really enjoyed all of her historical fiction books that I have read but I am loving her contemporary books. Last year I adored The Memory of Lavendar and Sage and now I can say I adored The Wandering Season.
When Veronica’s sister brings DNA kits for her family at Christmas, it is quickly confirmed that Veronica is adopted, this set’s Veronica on path to visit the places identified in her DNA, sending her on a month long trip to Ireland, France, Italy and Copenhagen. This book is a love letter to food, travel and finding yourself and what is important to you. This book causes you to think and feel and wonder about yourself, who do you come from and what are you meant to do with your life. So glad I read this book.
I also saw an interview with the author on The 10 Minute Book Talk on Youtube (if you have not heard of this channel is worth checking out), she does a great job describing the book and what she wants people to take away from it.
When Veronica’s sister brings DNA kits for her family at Christmas, it is quickly confirmed that Veronica is adopted, this set’s Veronica on path to visit the places identified in her DNA, sending her on a month long trip to Ireland, France, Italy and Copenhagen. This book is a love letter to food, travel and finding yourself and what is important to you. This book causes you to think and feel and wonder about yourself, who do you come from and what are you meant to do with your life. So glad I read this book.
I also saw an interview with the author on The 10 Minute Book Talk on Youtube (if you have not heard of this channel is worth checking out), she does a great job describing the book and what she wants people to take away from it.
January 3, 2026
Did I pick this book because of its cover? Absolutely. It looked like the kind of place I’d love to travel to, and thankfully, the story delivered on that front.
The premise was fantastic: Veronica’s journey to the places her ancestors may have come from was such a fun concept. Traveling through Ireland, France, Denmark, and Italy, discovering incredible food and ingredients, it was easy to imagine being right there with her. The descriptions were rich and immersive, making this book a treat for anyone who loves food and travel.
However, one thing that didn’t work for me was the paranormal element. Veronica connecting with her ancestors in such a mystical way felt out of place. I would have preferred if she had uncovered her heritage through distant relatives or historical records rather than literal visions. Readers should definitely be prepared for this touch of magical realism!
Another thing I missed was the chemistry between Veronica and Niall. On paper, they were a great match, they bonded over food and travel, but the romance just lacked that spark. A little more passion or tension would have made their relationship and the book more engaging.
That said, I partially listened to the audiobook, and Caroline Hewitt did a great job, especially with Niall’s Irish accent! That was definitely a highlight.
Overall, The Wandering Season is an enjoyable read for those who love books about self-discovery, food, and travel. Just be aware of the unexpected supernatural twist!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse Audiobooks and HarperCollins Focus for the (audio) ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The premise was fantastic: Veronica’s journey to the places her ancestors may have come from was such a fun concept. Traveling through Ireland, France, Denmark, and Italy, discovering incredible food and ingredients, it was easy to imagine being right there with her. The descriptions were rich and immersive, making this book a treat for anyone who loves food and travel.
However, one thing that didn’t work for me was the paranormal element. Veronica connecting with her ancestors in such a mystical way felt out of place. I would have preferred if she had uncovered her heritage through distant relatives or historical records rather than literal visions. Readers should definitely be prepared for this touch of magical realism!
Another thing I missed was the chemistry between Veronica and Niall. On paper, they were a great match, they bonded over food and travel, but the romance just lacked that spark. A little more passion or tension would have made their relationship and the book more engaging.
That said, I partially listened to the audiobook, and Caroline Hewitt did a great job, especially with Niall’s Irish accent! That was definitely a highlight.
Overall, The Wandering Season is an enjoyable read for those who love books about self-discovery, food, and travel. Just be aware of the unexpected supernatural twist!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse Audiobooks and HarperCollins Focus for the (audio) ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 20, 2025
This is my second book from Aimie so I knew I’d be in for a treat and I was correct!
In The Wandering Season, Veronica attempts to find herself by traveling to Europe to visit the places listed on her DNA ancestral report.
This was kind of an Eat, Pray, and Love story but especially the Eat portion as Veronica is involved in the food business. I’m not any kind of a foodie, but I’m telling you… My stomach would start rumbling after reading descriptions of the amazing food in this book. So. Much. Food!
Mixed in with the traveled places and food were visions of the past so you get a true feel of the history of each place Veronica visits. The locales were fascinating and now I want to do a trip recreating each of the places she travels to.
I truly loved each character in this story; Vero, her sister and best friend, her parents, the people she meets on her travels, but especially Niall. I was so very satisfied with the ending.
I can’t wait to see what Aimie writes next!
*Thanks so much to Aimie, Suzy Approved Book Tours, and Harper Muse for the gifted copy and for including me on this booktour!*
In The Wandering Season, Veronica attempts to find herself by traveling to Europe to visit the places listed on her DNA ancestral report.
This was kind of an Eat, Pray, and Love story but especially the Eat portion as Veronica is involved in the food business. I’m not any kind of a foodie, but I’m telling you… My stomach would start rumbling after reading descriptions of the amazing food in this book. So. Much. Food!
Mixed in with the traveled places and food were visions of the past so you get a true feel of the history of each place Veronica visits. The locales were fascinating and now I want to do a trip recreating each of the places she travels to.
I truly loved each character in this story; Vero, her sister and best friend, her parents, the people she meets on her travels, but especially Niall. I was so very satisfied with the ending.
I can’t wait to see what Aimie writes next!
*Thanks so much to Aimie, Suzy Approved Book Tours, and Harper Muse for the gifted copy and for including me on this booktour!*
March 31, 2025
2.5⭐️
I thought the premise of this story was really compelling: after discovering she was adopted, a young woman named Veronica goes on a month-long European tour, spending a week in each of the four countries found on her ancestors report. I loved reading of her experiences discovering each unique country! Veronica’s career as a restaurant consultant was unique and I found the sections about high-quality ingredients and rich food sources very interesting!
Unfortunately, this book left lots of question marks in my mind. Although I appreciate what the author was attempting, I did not feel the secret adoption element was flushed out well - the behavior of her parents did not fit their overall character, and the sudden appearance of a birth mom seemed forced. I also I did not think the “visions” Veronica kept seeing in each country were explained well. Other than referencing a possible “seeing” power held by her ancestors, and vague new-age ideas about being ‘visited’ by those ancestors, this part was left very unclear. I personally didn’t find the romance plot line to be necessary and I wish the author would have focused more on Veronica’s own journey of her heritage.
There were also couple other elements that really didn’t sit well with me. I did not appreciate the euphemisms for abortion and the slight air of disdain that someone wouldn’t support “a woman’s right”. I also found the way money/wealth was portrayed and handled to be problematic. There were way too many references made to “Daddy’s Amex” and “using your inheritance early.”
A beautiful cover & intriguing storyline, but overall not a book I plan to widely recommend.
🤐: occasional language including the UK version of a**, and muld profanity
😍: just a sweet kiss
😇: not much religion talk to speak of, other than general discussion about “fate”
Thank you to HarperMuse & Netgalley for the complimentary ebook in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
I thought the premise of this story was really compelling: after discovering she was adopted, a young woman named Veronica goes on a month-long European tour, spending a week in each of the four countries found on her ancestors report. I loved reading of her experiences discovering each unique country! Veronica’s career as a restaurant consultant was unique and I found the sections about high-quality ingredients and rich food sources very interesting!
Unfortunately, this book left lots of question marks in my mind. Although I appreciate what the author was attempting, I did not feel the secret adoption element was flushed out well - the behavior of her parents did not fit their overall character, and the sudden appearance of a birth mom seemed forced. I also I did not think the “visions” Veronica kept seeing in each country were explained well. Other than referencing a possible “seeing” power held by her ancestors, and vague new-age ideas about being ‘visited’ by those ancestors, this part was left very unclear. I personally didn’t find the romance plot line to be necessary and I wish the author would have focused more on Veronica’s own journey of her heritage.
There were also couple other elements that really didn’t sit well with me. I did not appreciate the euphemisms for abortion and the slight air of disdain that someone wouldn’t support “a woman’s right”. I also found the way money/wealth was portrayed and handled to be problematic. There were way too many references made to “Daddy’s Amex” and “using your inheritance early.”
A beautiful cover & intriguing storyline, but overall not a book I plan to widely recommend.
🤐: occasional language including the UK version of a**, and muld profanity
😍: just a sweet kiss
😇: not much religion talk to speak of, other than general discussion about “fate”
Thank you to HarperMuse & Netgalley for the complimentary ebook in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2025
Taking a European journey through the pages of The Wandering Season is an absolute delight! Veronica Stratton’s search for her roots takes us from the misty shores of Ireland to the rolling countryside of Italy, weaving the past and present together in a way that feels both magical and deeply personal. With every new destination, history seeps into her reality, offering glimpses of long-lost ancestors and unraveling secrets she never expected to find.
The story is a perfect blend of adventure, self-discovery, and romance, with the charming Irish castle keeper, Niall Callahan, adding just the right touch of warmth. If you love books that transport you to beautiful places while exploring the echoes of the past, this one is a must-read!
The story is a perfect blend of adventure, self-discovery, and romance, with the charming Irish castle keeper, Niall Callahan, adding just the right touch of warmth. If you love books that transport you to beautiful places while exploring the echoes of the past, this one is a must-read!
April 7, 2025
Interesting premise, but the writing lacked polish. There is a bit of magical realism in the book, but despite that there unexplained moments, such as understanding people speaking a different language. If it’s already magical there could have been just a short line explaining this.
The problems, unfortunately, did not end there. Too often, from the character’s POV, the reader is told something that the character would not know. Such as at a bakery in a city unknown to her she finds pastries that were made from recipes handed down through the generations. She does not know this, can only guess, but the wording in the book makes it seem she absolutely knew.
There were many instances where this type of thing occurred, and every time it pulled me out of the story. Also, many of the descriptions were not detailed, instead explained and used general words, such as modern and tasteful, well what exactly is that? It felt clunky and awkward whenever this occurred. Also, there was reliance on too many clichés, and way too many convenient coincidences.
Since this was an advance review copy I was reading, my hope is many of these things were fixed before publication.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks to HarperCollins Focus/Harper Muse and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.
The problems, unfortunately, did not end there. Too often, from the character’s POV, the reader is told something that the character would not know. Such as at a bakery in a city unknown to her she finds pastries that were made from recipes handed down through the generations. She does not know this, can only guess, but the wording in the book makes it seem she absolutely knew.
There were many instances where this type of thing occurred, and every time it pulled me out of the story. Also, many of the descriptions were not detailed, instead explained and used general words, such as modern and tasteful, well what exactly is that? It felt clunky and awkward whenever this occurred. Also, there was reliance on too many clichés, and way too many convenient coincidences.
Since this was an advance review copy I was reading, my hope is many of these things were fixed before publication.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks to HarperCollins Focus/Harper Muse and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.
April 4, 2025
This was such a cute charming story about a girl named Veronica who finds out she is adopted and is thrown for a loop figuring out her past. She takes an extended vacation and travels to Ireland, France, Italy, and Denmark where she has "dreams" of different women in the past who are going through major life changes.
The story has themes of found family, a sense of belonging, home is where the heart is, and life is what you make it.
Things that didn't work for me:
Really weird that the parents legally couldn't tell her she was adopted haha and when she figured out as a teen (she didn't look like anyone in her family) she didn't say anything.
The dreams dynamic felt a bit too dramatic and disjointed from the story as it is ambigous why she had those dreams even by the end of the book. Especially it felt off with the last vision she ends up having regarding a specific family member.
Why did she NEED to go to Europe? She didn't really do any research there and was mostly there for vibes by herself that her younger sister fully planned for her... It seemed that she was literally incapable of making life choices on her own many times throughout the book. She was a character that needed a "nudge" to do anything.
Things I loved:
Niall. The cat. The aspects of her job as a supplier for restaurants. Descriptions of the markets. Descriptions how the houses almost seemed to have "agency"- really well done!
Overall three stars because while I did enjoy it, this is one I maybe wouldn't read again BUT I am glad that I did as it has been so highly recommended on instagram. I would say this is for fans of What the Wind Knows, The Story She Left Behind, and To Sicily With Love.
Thank you to NetGalley and to HarperMuse Audiobooks and HarperMuse for my gifted ebook and audiobook copies in exchange for my honest review. This made a stellar audiobook and I really enjoyed the narrator!
The story has themes of found family, a sense of belonging, home is where the heart is, and life is what you make it.
Things that didn't work for me:
Really weird that the parents legally couldn't tell her she was adopted haha and when she figured out as a teen (she didn't look like anyone in her family) she didn't say anything.
The dreams dynamic felt a bit too dramatic and disjointed from the story as it is ambigous why she had those dreams even by the end of the book. Especially it felt off with the last vision she ends up having regarding a specific family member.
Why did she NEED to go to Europe? She didn't really do any research there and was mostly there for vibes by herself that her younger sister fully planned for her... It seemed that she was literally incapable of making life choices on her own many times throughout the book. She was a character that needed a "nudge" to do anything.
Things I loved:
Niall. The cat. The aspects of her job as a supplier for restaurants. Descriptions of the markets. Descriptions how the houses almost seemed to have "agency"- really well done!
Overall three stars because while I did enjoy it, this is one I maybe wouldn't read again BUT I am glad that I did as it has been so highly recommended on instagram. I would say this is for fans of What the Wind Knows, The Story She Left Behind, and To Sicily With Love.
Thank you to NetGalley and to HarperMuse Audiobooks and HarperMuse for my gifted ebook and audiobook copies in exchange for my honest review. This made a stellar audiobook and I really enjoyed the narrator!
August 24, 2025
This title surprised me somewhat. The blurb stated that each of Veronica's travel stops brought her visions, but I didn't expect it to be so literally.
Veronica's 'visions' were like tandem, historical narrative's that shed light on some of her ancestor's lives. Call them ghost stories, echoes, or even time slips, they added greatly to the interest of the novel, as long as you could suspend belief just a little...
I liked Veronica, who, though only in her late twenties, showed a maturity beyond her years. Her family and friends were supportive and warm. The Irish man she meets on her first stop in County Mayo, Ireland, added a frisson of romance to her life, after recently ending a failed relationship.
Foodies will love this novel. Veronica worked as a 'Kitchen Muse' who supplies restaurants with the finest ingredients. A talented chef herself, her family and friends urge her to open her own restaurant. Most of the time reading this book, my mouth was watering at the descriptions of the wonderful foods. I wondered though, how they could eat so much, and so often. LOL
Essentially a story of a young woman trying to find her place in the world, this was an enjoyable read. With themes of genealogical study, and ancestry DNA, this was women's fiction with underlying family drama and romance that I can easily recommend.
Veronica's 'visions' were like tandem, historical narrative's that shed light on some of her ancestor's lives. Call them ghost stories, echoes, or even time slips, they added greatly to the interest of the novel, as long as you could suspend belief just a little...
I liked Veronica, who, though only in her late twenties, showed a maturity beyond her years. Her family and friends were supportive and warm. The Irish man she meets on her first stop in County Mayo, Ireland, added a frisson of romance to her life, after recently ending a failed relationship.
Foodies will love this novel. Veronica worked as a 'Kitchen Muse' who supplies restaurants with the finest ingredients. A talented chef herself, her family and friends urge her to open her own restaurant. Most of the time reading this book, my mouth was watering at the descriptions of the wonderful foods. I wondered though, how they could eat so much, and so often. LOL
Essentially a story of a young woman trying to find her place in the world, this was an enjoyable read. With themes of genealogical study, and ancestry DNA, this was women's fiction with underlying family drama and romance that I can easily recommend.
April 10, 2025
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours, @bookishaimie @librofm and @harpermusebooks for my gifted book. The Wandering Season is out now!
Veronica finds out one Christmas via a DNA test that she’s adopted and her family gives her a wonderful gift. It’s a trip to the see all the four countries that were listed on her DNA report so that she can get to know her culture. This also gives her the opportunity to scout food markets for her job as a food matcher. She helps restaurants and bakeries locate special items such as truffles or fancy fruits for their delicacies. I personally loved all the food references as I consider myself a foodie, and I really liked this part of the book.
There is a secondary plot where each city she visits, United States Veronica has a vision of her family that came from that area. This was like a dream sequence that she had and I really didn’t connect with this part. I liked the other part of the story of Veronica’s real life so much more than this part.
*I listened to the audiobook of this and the narrator mispronounced the name Aoife so many times*
Veronica finds out one Christmas via a DNA test that she’s adopted and her family gives her a wonderful gift. It’s a trip to the see all the four countries that were listed on her DNA report so that she can get to know her culture. This also gives her the opportunity to scout food markets for her job as a food matcher. She helps restaurants and bakeries locate special items such as truffles or fancy fruits for their delicacies. I personally loved all the food references as I consider myself a foodie, and I really liked this part of the book.
There is a secondary plot where each city she visits, United States Veronica has a vision of her family that came from that area. This was like a dream sequence that she had and I really didn’t connect with this part. I liked the other part of the story of Veronica’s real life so much more than this part.
*I listened to the audiobook of this and the narrator mispronounced the name Aoife so many times*
March 31, 2025
ARC/Audiobook Review⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author @bookishaimie, @uplitreads, @harpermusebooks and @netgalley for the #gifted book.
What an incredible read! The Wandering Season gave me major Eat, Pray, Love vibes—but honestly, I think I loved it even more. This story beautifully captures the journey of self-discovery through travel, culture, and food, and I was hooked from the very start.
The settings were stunning, from the charm of Ireland to the magic of France, Italy, Denmark, and beyond. Every destination felt alive, and the way food was woven into the story was just chef’s kiss—it made me both adventurous and hungry!
Caroline Hewitt’s narration was absolutely perfect. Her soothing and engaging voice pulled me in right away, making it such an enjoyable listen.
This book had everything I love:
✨ A heartfelt journey of self-discovery
✨ Breathtaking travel moments
✨ Romance
✨ A touch of ancestral magic
✨ Mouthwatering food descriptions
✨ A fantastic cat
If you love books that transport you, inspire you, and make you want to book a trip (or at least a dinner reservation), I highly recommend this one!
Thank you to the author @bookishaimie, @uplitreads, @harpermusebooks and @netgalley for the #gifted book.
What an incredible read! The Wandering Season gave me major Eat, Pray, Love vibes—but honestly, I think I loved it even more. This story beautifully captures the journey of self-discovery through travel, culture, and food, and I was hooked from the very start.
The settings were stunning, from the charm of Ireland to the magic of France, Italy, Denmark, and beyond. Every destination felt alive, and the way food was woven into the story was just chef’s kiss—it made me both adventurous and hungry!
Caroline Hewitt’s narration was absolutely perfect. Her soothing and engaging voice pulled me in right away, making it such an enjoyable listen.
This book had everything I love:
✨ A heartfelt journey of self-discovery
✨ Breathtaking travel moments
✨ Romance
✨ A touch of ancestral magic
✨ Mouthwatering food descriptions
✨ A fantastic cat
If you love books that transport you, inspire you, and make you want to book a trip (or at least a dinner reservation), I highly recommend this one!
April 25, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5/5)
Veronica has wanted to be a chef since she was little. She is now a food broker. When she receives a DNA kit for Christmas, it confirms what she already knows. Her sister and best friend put together a trip for her to visit all the places highlighted on her DNA results. On this trip, she steps outside of her comfort zone and slowly discovers what she wants and needs.
This was a ‘Just One More Chapter’ book for me, hooked from beginning to end. From the supportive family and people met along the way, all characters were so well written. I loved the vividly sketched details of the food and charming counties. I didn’t expect to enjoy the echoes (visions) as much I did. They added so much to the story and Veronica’s transformation. The ending was perfect for the storyline. There is so much about this book to love…travel, food, great characters, a little romance and magical realism! I look forward to Ms. Runyan’s next book!
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse Books for this ATC. This is my honest opinion.
Veronica has wanted to be a chef since she was little. She is now a food broker. When she receives a DNA kit for Christmas, it confirms what she already knows. Her sister and best friend put together a trip for her to visit all the places highlighted on her DNA results. On this trip, she steps outside of her comfort zone and slowly discovers what she wants and needs.
This was a ‘Just One More Chapter’ book for me, hooked from beginning to end. From the supportive family and people met along the way, all characters were so well written. I loved the vividly sketched details of the food and charming counties. I didn’t expect to enjoy the echoes (visions) as much I did. They added so much to the story and Veronica’s transformation. The ending was perfect for the storyline. There is so much about this book to love…travel, food, great characters, a little romance and magical realism! I look forward to Ms. Runyan’s next book!
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse Books for this ATC. This is my honest opinion.
March 19, 2025
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.
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.
April 14, 2025
This book is about so many things but in the end it is all about family!! There is also romance, finding yourself, magical realism, recipes and travel. You will get to visit Italy, France, Denmark and Ireland as Victoria is looking for her family. Love the gorgeous cover on this book too!! Another winner by Aimie Runyan!!! Highly recommend!!!
April 1, 2025
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.
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.
July 14, 2025
Ridiculously beautiful. Where did this book even come from?? I’m still sitting in the sweet afterglow of finishing a book with beautiful growth, the bravery to accept a second chance, and the grit to pursue what you really want. There’s something about trying to learn more about yourself, your lineage, your home. This book has me curious to do my own ancestry!
The food in this book didn’t disappoint (thank you so much to the author who included recipes in the back- I’ll be attempting to make all 3) and the traveling was the picturesque experience all us Americans are drooling for. My only sadness is that her stop in Denmark was cut short, as that was the place I was looking forward to reading about the most. Now to find a book that takes place in Copenhagen!
The food in this book didn’t disappoint (thank you so much to the author who included recipes in the back- I’ll be attempting to make all 3) and the traveling was the picturesque experience all us Americans are drooling for. My only sadness is that her stop in Denmark was cut short, as that was the place I was looking forward to reading about the most. Now to find a book that takes place in Copenhagen!
January 21, 2025
This book, by description, author, and title, is everything I wanted. But.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy in exchange for a review. The opinions herein are my own.
We all want to know who we are and where we come from. In this newish age of DNA and the accessibility of results and matches, this dream is in reach for most of us. Especially if someone is adopted or doesn’t know their parentage for some reason, DNA can be a treasure trove, a disappointment, or shocking.
Runyan simply tries to do too much in this book. It has the best elements from other books I’ve read. She clearly enjoys that ancestral connection, cooking, and small towns in Europe. These elements were on glorious display and richly detailed.
But. I found the story really forced. It, to me, felt like the author was under deadline and was throwing things at her book to fill the pages. With more time and attention, it could have been set in one location, (or like Memory of Lavender and Sage, the American moving overseas). It didn’t need 5.
I didn’t feel connected to Veronica and downright loathed her sister and Caitlin. I was way more connected to the people she met along the way: the humble hard working people and not the rich spoiled, daddy dependent ones.
Setting aside reality for the magical elements was fine, but again over and over in the different settings was really all just the same old thing. And who finds out they have ancestry in several countries only to accidentally land in the exact spots to have that feeling of connection?
Maybe I am way off here. It gives the reader a false impression of what DNA kits do and the reception you get in different countries when you’re on such a pilgrimage.
2 stars because it was meh for me. Moving on.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy in exchange for a review. The opinions herein are my own.
We all want to know who we are and where we come from. In this newish age of DNA and the accessibility of results and matches, this dream is in reach for most of us. Especially if someone is adopted or doesn’t know their parentage for some reason, DNA can be a treasure trove, a disappointment, or shocking.
Runyan simply tries to do too much in this book. It has the best elements from other books I’ve read. She clearly enjoys that ancestral connection, cooking, and small towns in Europe. These elements were on glorious display and richly detailed.
But. I found the story really forced. It, to me, felt like the author was under deadline and was throwing things at her book to fill the pages. With more time and attention, it could have been set in one location, (or like Memory of Lavender and Sage, the American moving overseas). It didn’t need 5.
I didn’t feel connected to Veronica and downright loathed her sister and Caitlin. I was way more connected to the people she met along the way: the humble hard working people and not the rich spoiled, daddy dependent ones.
Setting aside reality for the magical elements was fine, but again over and over in the different settings was really all just the same old thing. And who finds out they have ancestry in several countries only to accidentally land in the exact spots to have that feeling of connection?
Maybe I am way off here. It gives the reader a false impression of what DNA kits do and the reception you get in different countries when you’re on such a pilgrimage.
2 stars because it was meh for me. Moving on.
March 30, 2025
This is one of my favorite books of the year so far. As an adoptee, I am always intrigued by books that feature people like me, so I had no doubt that I was going to read it, plus I am a big fan of this author's novels.
Veronica, the main character in this novel, takes a DNA test gifted to her by her sister, and it confirms her suspicions that she is adopted. She goes on a journey to Ireland, France, Italy and Denmark to see where her ancestors are from. She finds romance and explores what she wants to do with her life (she is a food broker but the question is if she wants to be a chef). She finds out some answers but has even more questions.
This book allowed me to be an armchair traveler (no small thing at the moment) and the descriptions of setting as well as the food in the locations allowed me to be elsewhere (and made me incredibly hungry). I wish the book had included a few recipes.
About the only reservation I had were about how the adoption was handled; Veronica seemed remarkably unaffected by it at times, especially since she found out when she was an adult. However, I was able to put that aside because the book was so enjoyable that I read it all in one day.
I also listened to part of it on audio. The narrator was good and I enjoyed her accents.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins Focus and Harper Muse Audiobooks for providing me with the advanced copies of the text and audiobook in exchange for my unbiased opinions.
Veronica, the main character in this novel, takes a DNA test gifted to her by her sister, and it confirms her suspicions that she is adopted. She goes on a journey to Ireland, France, Italy and Denmark to see where her ancestors are from. She finds romance and explores what she wants to do with her life (she is a food broker but the question is if she wants to be a chef). She finds out some answers but has even more questions.
This book allowed me to be an armchair traveler (no small thing at the moment) and the descriptions of setting as well as the food in the locations allowed me to be elsewhere (and made me incredibly hungry). I wish the book had included a few recipes.
About the only reservation I had were about how the adoption was handled; Veronica seemed remarkably unaffected by it at times, especially since she found out when she was an adult. However, I was able to put that aside because the book was so enjoyable that I read it all in one day.
I also listened to part of it on audio. The narrator was good and I enjoyed her accents.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins Focus and Harper Muse Audiobooks for providing me with the advanced copies of the text and audiobook in exchange for my unbiased opinions.
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