Unstuck: An Audacious Hunt for Home and Happiness

by Rachael Herron

Get ready to become delightfully unstuck.Bestselling author Rachael Herron is stuck. She and her partner have lived in their beloved East Oakland home for 15 years, almost as long as they’ve been married. But the house is in a rough area, and they’re tied to a mortgage she’s not sure they’ll ever be able to pay off.

So when the whispered longing for adventure grows into a bellow she can’t ignore, Rachael decides to utilize not only her dual citizenship but also her impulsive nature.

She and her partner will abandon their standard-issue American life and move to the far-distant shores of Aotearoa New Zealand.

It’ll be easy, she thinks. It’ll be fun! They’ll ditch the mortgage and pack a couple of bags, traveling light and fast to find a new life. She’ll say goodbye to everyone she knows and loves, board the plane using a one-way ticket, and surely, that will solve everything. But even though she hasn’t bargained on the difficult realities behind relocations made with no final destination in mind, she can’t begin to imagine the untold surprises that will unfurl along her way.

In this no-holds-barred love story, a delightful cross between Eat, Pray, Love and Under the Tuscan Sun, Rachael chronicles the messy, enchanting, and growth-demanding challenges of relocation and personal resurrection.

“Herron’s jaunty prose will have readers breezily flipping through the pages as she enriches the narrative with indelible metaphors. This true story shows that making a big move can be a daunting but worthwhile and fascinating endeavor.” – Kirkus Reviews

“The story of Herron’s move to the other side of the world in Unstuck made me feel everything: curiosity, grief, transformation and joy. I loved every moment of this glorious, heart-warming book.” - Monna McDiarmid, author of After Everything

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Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Queer

248 pages, Paperback

Published July 10, 2024

About the author

Unofficial bio: Rachael eats way too many Cadbury Creme eggs, no matter time of year it is. She lives with a menagerie, and battles dog hair on a full-time basis. She's a Knitter with a capital-K, and she reads WAY more than she'd ever even think about exercising.

Official bio: Rachael Herron (RH Herron) is the internationally bestselling author of more than two dozen books, including thriller, mainstream fiction, feminist romance, memoir, and nonfiction about writing. She received her MFA in writing from Mills College, Oakland, and she teaches writing extension workshops at both UC Berkeley and Stanford. She is a proud member of the NaNoWriMo Writer’s Board. She’s a New Zealand citizen as well as an American.

Find her at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rachael.Herr...
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rachaelherron
Instagram: http://instagram.com/rachaelherron
Blog: http://rachaelherron.com/blog

Reviews

[Katrina Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapter 13 in Rachael Herron's latest memoir, Unstuck: An Audacious Hunt for Home and Happiness, begins like this: "This is how I die, then. In an Airbnb. Huh. I wonder how the company will spin it... I cower under my covers, clutching my clenched fists against my chest, my eyes screwed shut... The bed shakes as if four strong men each have hold of a different leg and are trying to toss me out of it. It's kind of interesting to know how I will die." What follows is a gripping and, at times, very funny chapter about - well, I'll let you find out. My point is, you might not expect such an engrossing chapter about someone's move with her wife to New Zealand during the Covid-19 pandemic. Prepare to be engrossed.

Not that you won't get some of what you might expect as Herron and her wife become "unstuck." You will learn what a move to another continent entails: the grunt work of deconstructing a home, the national bureaucracy you'll deal with, and the relational work needed to stay married through the stress of it all. You'll learn how other countries faced the pandemic (New Zealand was one of the most practical and successful), and you'll learn many things about New Zealand itself that you might not have gleaned from watching The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Herron is an expert storyteller so none of these details feels dry or stuffy. Instead, they're infused with the humor and heart Herron's readers have come to expect. In fact, she also manages to make recovery and self-care sound interesting. At key moments, the reader hears about various of Herron's emotional struggles - with her wife, in wanting to make friends, in worrying that she'll die - and with vulnerability, she shares the practices she reached for during these times. In less experienced hands, this could feel preachy. Instead, her words have the soothing effect of a fellow traveler saying, "Let me show you how far down I went, and what helped me out of it." There are many ways to become unstuck and Herron shares several of her stuck places. Then she shares not just how she became unstuck but what helped to unstick her. Prepare yourself for a warm and engaging read where you can just tell the author wants you to become unstuck, too.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know Rachael because I’m the one who took in her cat, Waylon, when she moved to New Zealand. It was by chance that she was also a knitter and crossed those paths as well. I started following her on social media so that I could send her pictures of Waylon and that led to me listening to her podcast and learning about the kickstarter that created this book.

I really enjoyed this book/ her stories of packing up and moving are unique in their place and time- while the whole world was locked down, she was trying to move in it. Highlights include: comic books, hopscotch, do-not-stop-not-even-to-use-the-restroom, bees, puppy. She peppers her story of moving with bits about thinking and writing and focus, which’ll give you time to pause the book and think a bit yourself.

I’m glad I’ll have this book on my shelf and I’ll make sure to request that my local library get it over it’s available more widely.

[Tawnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book doesn’t just tell a story; it opens a door to a deeply transformative journey, offering the tools and courage to face life’s challenges head-on. Unstuck is a gentle yet powerful companion for anyone feeling trapped, reminding us that progress often takes winding, unexpected paths. Herron’s journey is a beautiful testament to resilience, and her insights offer invaluable lessons for anyone eager to break free from their own ruts. Whether you’re seeking a sense of home or emotional clarity, this book is a beacon of hope and a must-read for anyone ready to welcome change and embrace personal growth. I’m incredibly grateful to have participated in the writing workshop that accompanied the book’s launch—an experience that’s deeply enriched my own growth. Planning my trip to New Zealand in another open tab! Simply put, Unstuck is a book you’ll want to share with everyone!

[Robert Muller · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all are anxious. I know I am. But sometimes it works for you. It did for Rachel Herron. Somehow she's found the secret of climbing on top of her wall of anxiety and jumping down on the other side. Of course, there's always another wall to jump. That's called living, and Herron seems to be doing a pretty thorough job of it. If moving across the world isn't enough, try making a living by writing. Why not? Well, lots of reasons, but reasons aren't everything in life. Sometimes you just have to live it, anxieties and all. This memoir is a fascinating look at living a full life.

[Heidi McIntyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unstuck reads like an inspiring, humorous novel. In this bold and heartfelt memoir, Rachael Herron shares the whirlwind journey of selling her home, packing up her life, and moving to New Zealand with her wife—all during the height of the COVID pandemic. With raw honesty and disarming wit, Herron brings readers along on a heroine’s journey of facing fears, embracing change, and daring to live the life of her dreams. I was captivated by the insights into Kiwi lifestyle and culture, and I truly hated to see it end.

[Sacha Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book on the flight to New Zealand. What a gorgeous warm hug of a book. I couldn’t get enough of it. I wanted to see them find their forever home. I’m not much of a memoir reader but I gobbled up all the details of their life and just wanted more more more. I love the way Rachael writes details, the things she sees and how she expresses them with equal amounts joy and raw truth. Such a good book

[Amber Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I love New Zealand and might someday want to move there. When I heard about this Kickstarter on The Creative Penn podcast, I bought in. I wanted to know just how easy or hard a move like this might be (hard, it turns out). The book did not disappoint. You get little delightful tidbits of Kiwi culture. It's so interesting to hear about New Zealand's COVID policies, garbage pickup, life in Wellington, and the adventure Rachael and Lala had along the way. I highly recommend it!

[Virginia Heslinga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unstuck is a book for anyone who feels stuck in patterns and routines they want to change. Courage for talking through fears, overcoming challenges, coping with change, and the charm of finding the hoped-for lifestyle appear in Unstuck. I have been following author/teacher Rachael Herron since I heard her presentations at a Writers' Conference in 2019. Rachael's honesty about life challenges and choices was inspiring then and continues to be in her latest book, Unstuck.

[Stanley B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy listening to Ms. Herron's podcast, which is why I bought her memoir. I usually don't give 5 star ratings (at least not anymore), but this one deserved it. In her writing, Rachael brought out her personality, along with her wife's, as they went on their adventure from Oakland, CA to Wellington, New Zealand. There is humor, dread, and excitement, along with good story telling.

[Camilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully delightful, diverting and deeply satisfying. Armchair geography at its finest! Rachael's fantastic writing makes this heroic journey from California to New Zealand a joyful (outer and inner) transformation.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, thought-provoking, heart-warming memoir about Rachael and wife unsticking themselves by moving from the USA to NZ during the height of Covid-19. A wonderful read for anyone who has ever thought about changing their life but is too scared to try.

[Lora Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachael is amazing. This book gave me all the feels. It was raw and exciting it showed all the ups and downs of this trip. I have always loved Rachael's writing but her Memoirs have always been my favorite. Hands down best memoir I've read in a while. Get this book.

[A.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I backed this in the kickstarter - and then forgot I had all these books in my book funnel account. so many apps…

So I am biased, and I loved hearing it in Rachael’s voice which is so familiar to me. In the time of AI, double down on being human YOU.

5 stars

[Barbara Smedt]

Loved this memoir! I could relate to it very much as I too moved countries just before Covid. Rachael’s humor is the best.

[OB · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely heartfelt and funny memoir telling the story about the brave decision to move across the world from America to New Zealand and all the adventures along the way.

[Abby Sugrue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful, hilarious, honest, relatable and inspiring. Rachael's bumpy yet beautiful journey to New Zealand is definitely worth the ride/read.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved being on this funny, honest, brave, and heartfelt journey with the author. Inspiring and real!

[Julie]

Listened

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the audio version. She's such a brilliant narrator and this book just warms the heart.

[Karissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of Rachael Herron’s memoir, Unstuck. In this captivating narrative, Herron shares her journey of selling her home and moving to New Zealand during a pandemic. While her specific experiences are fascinating, the book resonates with anyone yearning to live more fully, freely, and joyfully.

Herron’s stories are both unputdownable and relatable, filled with heart and humor. One particularly memorable moment was when she and her wife had to sell their home and move much quicker than expected, and I felt their courage and fear. Herron’s writing style is warm and inviting, making you feel you’re having a conversation with a dear friend.

Listening to the audiobook added another layer of intimacy to the experience, as Herron’s narration brings her stories to life with authenticity. The production quality was excellent, enhancing the overall enjoyment.

This memoir inspired me to dream, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a dose of motivation and joy.

[Nita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun book. Great story of ups and downs and real life. Thank you, Rachael for another great read.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! I listened to this as an audiobook and the author does a great job with the reading.

This book ticks a bunch of boxes for me. I have so much in common with this author - we are a similar age, queer women, married, knitters, nesters, a bit anxious, love our pets, and new to baking sourdough bread. I moved across the country with my love 25+ years ago. I think moving to New Zealand would be amazing, and enjoyed living vicariously through her adventure. (I am really happy with our home, friends, and family in Seattle, and don't actually want to move, but I would LOVE to visit New Zealand.)

I am also a fan of the author's, having read her blog before she published her first book. I saw part of the story recorded here in real time on social media, and liked getting more backstory.

One of the themes that emerged from Herron's book was forcing herself to lean into accepting the circumstances she found herself in, and what a difference that made. (Excitement or anxiety depends on how you think about a situation.) This theme feels tailor-made for me.

[Angel Ackerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Rachael Herron and her honesty, vulnerability and full transparency regarding her writing career is a gift and inspiration to any aspiring author. I backed the Kickstarter to this book, after being a fan for years, and having read some of the essays via Patreon.

Rachael's move to New Zealand of course is central to this memoir, but the true theme is how to get over ourselves and live no matter where we are.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this memoir! I don’t read a lot of memoirs, but I’ve loved both of Rachael’s—this one and A Life in Stitches. Her voice is so warm, comforting, humorous, sometimes sassy, and always inspiring. Her books actually inspire me to want to write memoir essays looking for the beauty and adventure in my own life. I recommend the audiobook, she has a great reading voice! You’ll love this.

[Chandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read other books by this author, and loved them. So loving this one was not a surprise. What was a surprise is the vulnerability and genuineness of this author to share her journey to becoming unstuck.