Wolfpack

by Natalie Shaw Evjen

Cat and Josie belong to different worlds, but they share a lifeline – their small town’s high school cross country team. Can they set aside their differences to do what’s best for their teammates – and themselves?

Cat Shultz needs a fresh start. After spending several months at an eating disorder treatment facility, she comes home to the realities of her older sister leaving for college, her best friend growing distant, and the stress of sophomore year looming. When an unlikely invitation lands her a spot on Plain City High School’s cross country team, Cat discovers a natural talent for long distance running, and what she hopes is a step toward recovery. The only problem? She’ll have to lie – to her parents, her team, and ultimately herself.

Josie Romero lives for cross country. When Coach Davis – the closest thing she has to a father – announces this will be his last season, she believes a championship win against their rivals will convince him to stay. As team captain, Josie has always fiercely supported her teammates, but when Cat challenges her spot as the fastest runner, Josie must confront her own insecurities in order to become the leader they deserve.

As the championship race approaches, conflicts arise on and off the course, and suddenly winning feels less likely than ever. When Cat can no longer outrun her lies, Josie finds herself racing for something much more important than the finish line.

Wolfpack is a heartwarming tale of healing, hope, and learning that you always go farthest if you run as a pack.

300 pages, Paperback

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Sarah Allen-Sutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I wish I had read as a teenager and still enjoyed as an adult. Felt so attached to all the characters, and the writing kept me engaged until the very end.

[Lizzie Parish · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best YA I’ve read in a while! Awesome characters and a compelling story. Highly recommend

[maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

really loved this!! it's been a while since i picked up a YA contemporary but Wolfpack is everything i love about the genre. we follow two protagonists, Cat - who has just returned home after seven months in hospital in recovery for her eating disorder - and Josie, fighting to keep the cross country team she loves and the coach who is like a father to her.

well-written, emotional (the whole last third had me unable to put it down) and featuring rounded characters who will stay with you.

i'd recommend this especially if you're looking for a book that features:
🌟found family trope
🌟fast-paced yet emotional plot
🌟raw yet uplifting depictions of ED recovery
🌟a super cute love story
🌟heartwarming parental/sibling relationships

i'll definitely be picking up any future books from this author !!

[Grace Kinirons · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🥹

I absolutely loved this, such a beautiful story that tackled tough topics such as eating disorders, friendship, competition and growing up. I will definitely be using some of the Wolfpacks mantras on my next long-distance race! This was the book I didn’t know I needed that merged my 2 hobbies❤️

I love a found friendship group of weirdos too!

- half a star because I feel the reason Cat wasn’t allowed to run should have been fleshed out a bit more, this was so disappointing after she worked so hard for it! However it did show the reality of eating disorder recovery and how it can have a long-term impact on your body.

[Hannah Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great heartfelt read and an inspiring story that I couldn’t put down! This novel, in a vulnerable and captivating way, is a lesson in self-growth, team spirit and friendship. It’s an honest representation of recovery and captures the complexity of being a young adult navigating personal struggles. Throughout the story, you will find yourself invested in the characters individual journeys, internally cheering for each of their personal triumphs and feeling motivated by the way they come together as a team in the end. Read this book!

[Kelly Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard Natalie Shaw Evjen do a reading of the first page at a multi-author event, and it pulled me in so much I rushed right over to buy a copy. The rest of the book was just as engaging. Wolfpack is beautifully written with no words wasted, but all the impact driven home, and had me tearing up, cheering for the characters. Highly recommend.
Be aware that the book deals with healing from disordered eating (but the emphasis is on the healing; the main character has returned home from a treatment center and is dealing with transitioning back into daily life.)

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wanted to give this book, which I felt was geared toward young adults, 4 1/2 stars because I was disappointed in the amount of bad language that was in it. But I ended up giving it 5 stars because it was such a well written story with so many lessons young adults could learn from. Lessons about body image, friendship, judgement, forgiveness and selfless love. I really enjoyed this book, but still have mixed feelings about the bad language.

[Sunni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and deeply moving. I loved the journey I went on with Cat and Josie, loved the humor, the heartaches, the details about cross country culture and the lives of these very likable, very believable characters. Highly recommend!!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is impossible not to cheer on the two protagonists as they face the ups and downs of the cross-country season and a tumultuous high school year. Rich with vivid detail and real emotion, "Wolfpack" is an engaging and an inspiring read.

[Emily Rowlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Wolfpack is a heartwarming tale of healing, hope, and learning that you always go farthest if you run as a pack.