yellow wood

by Minnie Darke

At twenty-two, free-spirited Amber Farrow has no concerns beyond finishing her final year of nursing on exchange in Australia. What she hasn't counted upon is crossing paths with Griffin Lee. Amber and Griffin's two hearts are clearly made for each other. But where Griffin is inclined to put down roots, Amber has always been a citizen of the world, treading lightly upon the earth, never staying too long in one place. Before long, Amber's inability to be still leaves Griffin behind.

At thirty, Amber has built a life of constant exploration and humanitarian nursing—yet she's haunted by the memory of Griffin. After narrowly surviving a near-fatal accident, she reckons with her lingering passion and no small measure of regret. Following her heart could mean tying herself down, or it could be her chance to rewrite her life's journey.

In the joyful spirit of David Nicholls' One Day and Emily Henry's You and Me on Vacation, a romantic story from Minnie Darke about the roads we choose, the chances we miss, and the beautiful, unexpected ways our paths can bring us back together again.

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, Fiction

5 pages, Audible Audio

Published July 2, 2024

About the author

Minnie Darke writes smart, contemporary stories about love ... of all kinds.

Her first novel Starcrossed - about a journalist who manipulates an astrology column for her own romantic ends - was published in over 25 international territories.

The Lost Love Song - composed in a slightly more melancholy key - tells the story of a haunting melody that finds its way home, all by itself, to the heart of the person who inspired it.

With Love from Wish & Co takes you deep into the world of a professional gift-buyer. It begins on the day Marnie Fairchild is wrapping two gifts: one for her best client's wife, and one for his lover. What could possibly go wrong?

Three Juliets brings together themes of motherhood, daughterhood, love, loss and dressmaking. It's the story of Claudie Miller, who designs the beautiful 'Juliet' dress in tribute to the daughter - who would now be 16 years old - that she never had the chance to know. It's also the story of Roisin, Bindi and Miranda – all born on the same day, all adopted – who are 16 years old when the 'Juliet' enters their lives. The dress was designed with one of them in mind ... but which one?

Minnie Darke is a lover of freshly sharpened pencils, Russian Caravan tea and books of all kinds. She lives on the beautiful island of lutruwita/Tasmania, at the bottom of the world.

Photo Credit: Karen Brown

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite poems is Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”. It’s a poem about choice, and regret. And as mentioned in “The Yellow Wood”, most people remember it as a path not taken. Frost intentionally used the word “road” because a road is man-made. It implies intent. Additionally, Frost’s individual is “sorry” that he had to choose, he must take a road, and this implies he’s already in the throes of regret.

“The Yellow Road” is a nod to Frost’s poem. Amber Farrow and Griffin Lee meet at university in Australia. Griffin is Australian and Amber is finishing her nursing degree on exchange. Amber always intended to part of humanitarian nursing, working with groups such as Doctors without Borders. She wants to see the world, travel, and experience life unencumbered. Griffin is an artist. He has roots in Australia; he loves his country.

Although the two love each other, neither will settle. Amber needs to travel. Griffin needs to be at his art studio, creating beautiful paintings with a unique twist. He wants to be near his family; Amber has no family.

This is an Audible Original short story. It’s a 5 hour listen. Author Minnie Darke structures her story by time, beginning in 2022 and we learn of their relationship. It bounces back to 2014 when they first met, and then other defining years in each of their lives. It’s an interesting look at choice and regret. It’s sweet.

[Jessica Hardie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story !
I genuinely love this
I listen to it on audible its fast paced it’s Australian / with travel
Relationship / regrets / hope / chance / spiritual / connection

[Jamie Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

the yellow wood by Minnie Darke. firstly loved the whole of its meant to be its meant to be vibe. but I disliked ambers character. like they found each other again and then without speaking to griffins face she left a note in his bag containing a dozen words and ran away and disappeared. what a coward! and then had a massive reality wake up and thought ok I'll go see if he is still hanging on the hook that I know he has been on for me for the last so many years. honestly if this was the guy that did this to her everyone would be calling him a dog and other things.
griffin is the best character knows what he wants and goes for it and doesn't let anyone sway him from his path

[Michael Sanderson-green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely love story between a home body and free spirit can they connect?

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning of this book was confusing. I isn't get the memories and the going back and forth did not make me like this book at first. But then it got to a point where I could follow along with their lives. Both sad and longing was the sense I got from both characters. I do feel it was a bit farfetched. I don't see 2 people not moving on with other people. And the way the female character kept leaving was annoying that it is not believable that once they met back up by chance everything would just be ok and they would pick up were they left off only for it to happen again and again. I liked they did have a life outside of each other and that they got together in the end but it was just slightly unbelievable.

[Jon Wand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed the ‘serendipity’ element of this tale and the back story of both characters was believable and relatable.

Nice to read a book where it was the woman with the ‘fear’ of commitment rather than the man - some guys would happily commit for the rest of their lives after all!

My only criticism was the utterly unbelievable ‘chance’ meeting in the middle of a foreign city with a population of over 8 million. This plot point was not in keeping with the rest of the story (in my humble opinion)

[Kalliste · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first audio book I've ever managed to get through. I loved Remy Hii and Aisha Aidara's narration. They brought more to the book than I think I would have experienced were I just reading it.

I enjoyed our step into Amber and Griffin's world and how they tried to navigate it together and apart.

[Ali Field · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was audiobook that came free with my audible membership. I liked the idea of it, but it was so poorly executed. No real character development so you don’t even like any of them. I could not wait for it to be over- thank goodness it was only about four hours.

[Tegan | Snakes Don't Wear Braces · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the concept for the story. I don't say this often, but I really wish Minnie had taken a bit longer to develop Amber's character, develop a bit more complexity around her story and desire to keep moving. Liked it anyhow.

[Rachel Nicole Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story! One of my favorite audiobooks and stories I’ve heard in a long time. Excellent storytelling and wonderful humanistic reactions throughout. I loved it. Cannot say enough good things about it honestly.

~xo,
Rach

[Melanie Vandervalk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every now and then you come across a little gem like this. Beautifully written with words that conjure images of art from imagination. A love story built out of life, freedom and art. Truly a hold your breath moment with the ending.

[Kelsea Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this story and the character development and how the characters come together. I love the storytelling in the book and how you could really feel the emotions of each of the characters as they shared their story.

[Barbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 3.5
A sweet read. Not overly complicated or lengthy.

[Ann Bradley M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok honestly SO SWEET. Short & I loved it

[Ericka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed listening to this book of Griffin and Amber journey to return their love.

[Jackie Leon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Tulahni Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

short and sweet

[Mary Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely story. Very easy to listen to.

[Alisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this simple but well written story. A bit of love, longing, and some wonderful imagery made it flow smoothly.

[Adel Pheloung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I loved this book!!!! Its such a lovely (if not rather sad) story, so well told! I just wish it was longer!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story and the characters but it was too sort. It needed another hour

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting short read about chance meetings and serendipitous choices. I would read another by this author.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

You’ll forget about this book minutes after finishing it. Lack of character and plot development makes it impossible to care about any of the characters. On the upside, it’s short.

[Siouxsie Trenaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel this book didn't spend enough time exploring what drove Amber to take the actions she does so it felt under developed as a story.

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely…kind of sad. A good second chance at both love and life. Quite thought provoking with interesting descriptions about art.

[Marcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was slow to start, and because I listened to it, I did enjoy the Aussie accents of the narrators.
The book follows a couple...one a young man who is an extraordinary artist. The other is a wondering soul. The meet and fall in love, but end up parting as Amber can't stay in one place too long...she doesn't want to get serious even though Griffin has become her constant thought. They go their separate ways, make their way back to each other, and part again. It is many years until Amber, after a near death experience, feels the need to reconnect with Griffin. Has Griffin given up on her, and begun a life without her? Or will he still be waiting for her? the story often references the Poem, the Road Not Taken...can you go back and take the other road? Or are you forever to live with your first choice.

It was all right. But not great.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice, a cute quick listen to ease my mind from the chaos and noise of my own everyday reality.

I enjoyed the pace of Griffin and Ambers romance, their specific stories and how they navigated through these things, easygoing and breezy.

[Yohana Ekky Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit I learned from Amber. Unbelievable. Sometimes (or most of the time), we really have to let go of our own ambitions and ego to actually see true love. Griffin is one man with a big heart, really.