Stuck in Montreal with no job prospects, recent biology graduate Soleil Bellerose makes a snap decision to try tree planting in Alberta. She expects long days, blood‑sucking mosquitoes, and hard work. What she doesn’t the wild beauty of the land—and Gabe Hawthorne, the cocky, rugged foreman at Silvertip Reforestation who pushes all her buttons.
Gabe is confident, capable, and way too easy on the eyes. He’s the kind of foreman everyone wants—except Soleil. As their constant clashes evolve into undeniable chemistry, Soleil struggles with the pull between her growing feelings for Gabe and the safe, certain future calling her back home.
And out here? Love is about as predictable as the weather in the Rockies.
Andrea Wiseman lives in Alberta with her family and her very own tree planting foreman turned husband, Mike. She writes heart-tugging, laugh-out-loud romances that feel like real life. She's the author of Uprooted: A Tree Planting Romance. When she's not writing, you’ll find her biking down a trail or off on a new adventure.
I always call out unique books when I find them, and Andrea Wiseman’s debut was certainly that.
📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Uprooted by Andrea Wiseman
📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Standalone
📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: E-book ARC on Kindle. 🆓️ on KU.
📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Contemporary romance
📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Fish out of water, wilderness vibes, slow burn, banter.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Soliel is striking out finding her career-starting job, and with her parents leaving to explore Europe, she’s about to be homeless as well. While she waits for the perfect opportunity, she’s takes a chance on tree planting in western Canada - a rigorous summer job with a tough boss that will challenge her at every turn.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: There are very few times I can say “I’ve never read a book about that,” and tree planting definitely fit the bill. Andrea Wiseman built a following on her account talking about this book and her experience as a real life tree planter, so you know she’s coming from a place of expertise. What’s more is she also fell in love with her husband while tree planting - so you know she means business.
Uprooted was a solid debut from start to finish. Yea, there’s critiques I could make, but if we are just going on pure vibes, I loved this book. The plot was one of a kind, and the slow burn between Gabe and Soliel simmered until I could barely take it.
I loved this world. The wilderness, the grueling work and the found family aspect, it all slapped. There’s even a secondary romance I’m hoping she dives into deeper so I can keep following her writing journey.
Soleil Bellerose has no home and no job prospects, due to just graduating an undergraduate degree in biology and her parents selling their house and moving to Portugal. The only job offering on the horizon? Heading out to the backwoods of Alberta with an old acquaintance to engage in back-breaking tree planting.
Enter her forewoman, Gabe Hawthorne, bushman extraordinaire. He comes from money but is eschewing the family business to buy said tree planting firm. Oh, and he’s incredibly attractive. Will Soleil break her promise of a romance-free temporary job and find love and purpose in Alberta? Only the Rockies know.
“The highway stretches on forever, with nothing but towering spruce on both sides. No civilization, no roadside diner—just endless forest.”
This book was everything. Simple, quiet, deep, beautiful, raw, everything.
I could so easily picture it. The Alberta highways and backroads, the Calgary airport, Prairie’s Creek, Banff, Kananaskis.
The setting was richly portrayed enough to transport the reader there whether they have or haven’t experienced Alberta before. When I saw the opportunity to get this ARC I absolutely jumped on it because I knew I needed a romance set in a place that speaks to my soul.
“Oh yeah,” Emma laughs, pointing at the small beige tents. “Pro tip: don’t camp downwind from the shitter.”
I loved the logistics of tree planting that weee included. You could absolutely tell the author had been before and it gave the story an authentic whimsicality and I got to learn some fascinating new things and consider a change of career myself!
And the way this was included for the overall tone of humour ever present in the book, which had me snorting and laughing out loud. I was engaged the entire time.
“Six feet of pure muscle, dirty blond, loose curls, and these blue eyes that’ll stop you dead in your tracks.”
Okay, let’s talk about the characters. Let me talk about Emma first because I fell in love with her too and I need more of her story. And more of Logan!
Soleil was the perfect blend of confident and collected and uncertain and trying to find her path in life. She was endearingly human. She made mistakes, but she learned from them and she had such strength as she refused to give up or give in and I respected the hell pit of her for it.
And Gabe. I mean, the quote above says it all. Competent, endlessly kind, funny, rugged, he is truly the whole package. I could read hundreds of more pages about him. He snuck into my heart and will live there forever.
“You’ll always be my Sunshine.”
My favourite scene (though it was a tough competition) was the scene where they’re up late opening up to each other beneath the stars and the moment was so slow and wonderful and peaceful that I was fully present in that moment with them.
This book is not one to miss if you like slow burn, enemies to lovers, outdoorsmen, and quirky humour. Trust me; you’ll want to slow down and savour every moment of it.
“Maybe some things are worth complicating.”
Thank you to the author for sending over this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
Another great debut novel!! My second one this week. Soleil goes out of her comfort zone to try tree planting in Alberta for the summer. She is at a crossroads with nowhere to live and no job in her hometown of Montreal so she follows a friend to tackle a summer job tree planting. What follows is her learning just how hard the job is when you also have to contend with weather, bugs, the backbreaking job itself and the living conditions. Soleil is resilient and determined to succeed at this job and her strong fortitude pushes her through. It definitely helps when she begins a relationship with her hunky foreman Gabe. Gabe is a perfect book boyfriend! I enjoyed the descriptive details of the scenery and the job. I am from Alberta and the book locations are familiar to me which enhanced my reading. The writing throughout this book is strong and the dialogue is well written. The relationship between Gabe and Soleil is well paced, authentic, and their chemistry is palpable. I loved their dynamic and I was engaged in this book from page one! This is an excellent debut from this author and I am looking forward to more from her.
I am so thankful that I received an ARC of this book. It was so good I couldn’t put it down.
The premise of Uprooted is instantly relatable for many recent graduates—what comes *after* the degree? Toss in being nudged out of the nest because your parents have traded domestic life for European adventures, and you’ve got the perfect setup for a summer of unexpected growth, literal and metaphorical.
Soleil, our main character, takes a leap into the unknown by signing up to plant trees in the backcountry of Alberta with a family friend, Emma. Andrea Wiseman’s writing is immersive; you don’t just read about Soleil’s journey—you feel it. From shivering through sleepless nights in a damp tent to the sharp sting of a scalded hand during a clumsy coffee mishap, the sensory details pull you right into the wild.
The romance strikes a fun balance—it’s a quick-paced slow burn. Soleil and Gabe clearly spark from the start, though their initial encounters are anything but smooth. Their dynamic is cheeky, imperfect, and deeply endearing, lingering in your mind long after the final page.
This is a five-star read for me because it perfectly captures the inner tension of being both an adventurer and an over-thinker. Wiseman’s prose is evocative and warm, and the story lingers like the scent of pine smoke on a well-worn hoodie. It’s a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and love—all wrapped in a wilderness I didn’t want to leave.
This book was so good. Set in the Alberta wilderness, it was unlike any book I've read. I know people who have gone tree planting, but this was such a great look into how it actually is. While there is a love story, I thought the book focused more on the life of a tree planter, and I really liked it. It was well written, and now I'm following her on her tree planting adventure this year! I'm looking forward to what she writes next!
Well this was charming. I bought this book when I was on a vacation in Alberta, Canada because I saw it was from a local author and had never read anything related to tree planting before. Both the main characters were relatable and likable. Despite this being single POV, I didn’t feel like I missed anything. The mmc started out grumpy and then becomes his true almost golden retriever type self after learning more about him. The fmc I really enjoyed and loved how she tried something new with the tree planting while also staying true to herself and her goals. I absolutely adored this and look forward to reading what the author publishers next!
🌲 outdoorsy (they’re tree planters) 🤭 strangers to lovers 👥 close proximity
First of all, the back country vibes were top notch. it does such a good job explaining the tree planting world and brought me back to my own memories hiking and camping in the back country.
Second, I loved our fmc, Soleil, she is trying to figure out what’s next in life while she navigates her post university life and mid twenties, that time when you feel like you should be settled into a job. She takes a chance on her dad’s recommendation and goes tree planting for the summer to take a break while figuring out her next step.
And third, the romance! Gabe is our mmc, a true outdoorsman. I really enjoyed that the romance didn’t take over the book, but instead complimented the plot. I enjoyed all their flirting and subtle looks, and how low key obvious it was that Gabe was so into Soleil the second she showed up.
Name: Uprooted Author: Andrea Wiseman Time to Read: July 19 – July 27 Book Status: Owned (paperback)
In one sentence (or two...) I'm ready to move to Alberta and take up tree planting. This book made that world feel raw, real, and oddly appealing. As someone who loves being outside, the dirt and exhaustion didn’t scare me off, it actually made the whole thing sound fascinating.
How many ✮’s and why? ✮✮✮✮✮ I’m kind of a 5-stars-or-bust reader, and this one totally earned it. I’m not looking for perfection; I’m looking to feel something, and Uprooted gave me that. It pulled me in with its raw, human pace and left me feeling curious, connected, and moved.
Favorite Quotes “I wake up to find my breath puffing in tiny white clouds above me, the thin morning light pressing around my tent's walls. A frosty layer clings to the nylon, and the flimsy plastic floor beneath my mattress feels like ice.” If you’ve shoulder-season camped, you know this feeling. This moment snapped me right into the book’s world, cold air, stiff limbs, and all.
“I called it out because this road is skinny and winding, and it's hard to see other vehicles coming around corners or over hills. Think of it like playing hide-and-seek, except you can't easily see each other. So you call out your position to avoid bumping into someone head-on, and sometimes that someone is a big rig hauling a full load of timber. They don't stop on a dime, and they don't move out of your way.” I’ve traveled logging roads deep in a provincial park and this took me right back there. It’s such a specific kind of tension, and the book nailed it.
Idiosyncrasies / Something Interesting I’m game to try reading anything new, if a book introduces me to an unfamiliar world, I’m in. Hyperbaric welding? Sure. Forest fire lookout? Let’s go. Tree planting? Apparently, all it takes is one good novel.
My personality tends to become about 20% of whatever I’m reading, so for now, I’m looking at trees with a whole new level of curiosity. Uprooted pulled me into a world I hadn’t given much thought to and made it feel tactile, alive, and oddly familiar.
Also, fun fact: I live near Belleville, where the actual Hawkins Cheezie factory is, and yes, they are as good as the book makes them sound.
A note to the author: consider this my official preorder request for a Silvertip Reforestation hoodie and sticker. I want to wear my love for this book literally.
BBF (Best Book Friend) Recommendation After a run of big romantasy books, this one felt like a snack break, lighter, grounded, and exactly what I needed. I’d recommend this! Especially if you love a little campy spice and a story that feels real. It’s the kind that sneaks up on you and makes you want to Google tree planting jobs by page 20.
Other Books to Consider Here are a few that carry a similar wilderness pull or quiet grit: Wild by Cheryl Strayed Swamp Angel by Ethel Wilson The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed by John Vaillant
This was such a fun read! I loved reading about the Alberta Rockies through Soleil’s eyes and being able to picture exact areas talked about in the book made it that much better.
I stumbled across this book on Instagram and I've never been more thankful for targeted ads because this book was right up my alley. A Canadian outdoorsy romance. I've never tree planted but I used to work at a summer camp and this book made me nostalgic for summers spent working alongside friends. I stayed up really late reading this one and couldn't put it down. Great pace and description of the setting. I loved Gabe and Soleil together- it was hard to believe this was a debut author! I cannot wait to read more!
My only complaint about reading this book is that I had too busy a week this week otherwise I would have read it in one sitting!
I was happy to get my hands on an advance e-copy of the book, and I honestly loved it. Loved the characters, the banter, the spicy scenes, but most of all I loved getting a glimpse into the world of tree planting. I can totally see how even one summer of that can change a person (and leave them with some of their most cherished memories!). Of course it’s even cooler that the author is going back for a summer of tree planting after all these years.
I can’t wait to read her next book and (hopefully) dive deeper into some of the side stories!
As someone who works in forestry and hires tree planters, I found this book especially engaging—it offered a more personal, behind-the-scenes look into a world I’m familiar with, which I really appreciated. The story is a bit of a slow burn, but it’s worth sticking with. The FMC is… a lot. Neurotic at times, definitely frustrating, but also incredibly compelling—a character you want to hug and shake in equal measure. The banter between her and the MMC was delicious. There were moments that genuinely made me laugh, and even one that brought a tear to my eye. It’s a cute story with spice and a lot of heart. Oh and to you Canadian readers, you’ll appreciate that it’s all set in our beautiful country.
Wow! I stumbled upon this book while mindlessly scrolling Instagram one day. I'm so glad I did! It originally appealed to me because it was a debut novel by a Canadian author, with a story set in Canada. The blurb also caught my attention...tree planting...hmmm this is something different for a romance. The tropes were ones that I tend to love - slow burn, opposites (city girl x outdoorsman), button pushing. Other than that, I went in blind, and I was so blown away and totally captivated by this book. I don't think I've ever read a romance where I also learned so much about a job and lifestyle.
Soleil is a city girl struggling to figure out life's next steps. She decides to do something completely out of her comfort zone and go plant trees for a summer with her friend Emma. Gabe is the foreman at Silvertip Reforestation. He's going to be taking a rookie from the city onto his crew this season. He chose the career path less travelled.
The banter people! These two were back and forth the whole book and I was so here for it. The teasing and the flirting had me giggling and kicking my feet. It was impossible not to love both of these characters. Soleil was so strong willed. Going into the bush and doing something SO physically and mentally challenging with zero experience - I was rooting for her. *Gabe totally would have lost that bet if it was me in Soleil's place haha! Gabe had some grumpiness to him, but I was a swooning puddle for him when we finally got to see who he truly is. For me, this book had an underlying sense of nostalgia that I could really feel coming through from the author. Friendships forged in challenging conditions that nobody else would understand. And a love that grew from a once in a lifetime experience that would never again be replicated. Amazing!
I’ve read this one twice now, a second time after having more free time to really soak it all in. My previous review did not do Wiseman justice in how much I love Uprooted.
Review 1: I want more!! I loved learning about all the characters and following their days in Alberta. The author wrote so vividly that I am tempted to quit my job and plant trees. I loved the slow burn of Gabe and Soliel’s relationship, as well as the growth of Emma and Soliel’s friendship. I can’t wait for this one to be released so my friends can read it.
I hope we can see more of Emma and Logan, maybe even more of Jessie. I definitely want more of Gabe and Soliel.
Review 2:
Following the story of Soliel reluctantly leaving everything she knows to tree-plant in rural Alberta was relatable for me as she went through this transformation of self-discovery, resilience, and connection. She was nervous and uncertain, but she found the strength she wasn’t sure she had while building bonds with a fun and caring group of tree planters that immediately welcomed her to camp. Soliel was left with a sense of belonging when her time in camp came to an end.
Like I said in my first review, Soliel learned to keep an open mind when it came to her friendship with Emma, discovering that she is no longer just a carefree party girl and that she has many of the same qualities as Soliel. This was my favourite connection, I think, and I’m so glad it was included.
Wiseman really allowed Gabe and Soliel to grow their connection organically. She wrote Gabe as exactly the type of guy I would fall for, so I obviously loved him. Gabe is caring, funny, passionate, tender, and respectful to his crew. When Gabe brought Soliel out of the camp to see the bear cubs, knowing that isn’t something she’d see in Montreal, UGH my heart, he’s so thoughtful.
Another thing I want to note is the internal struggle Soliel had deciding whether to stay in camp or go back to Montreal early for her dream job. She didn’t want to leave Gabe, but she followed her heart and put herself first. Then, the universe put them back together in the end. Best-case scenario.
I resonated with many aspects of Uprooted, especially planting (punny) yourself somewhere unfamiliar and learning to thrive. Uprooted is an unforgettable read, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it. I really hope Wiseman writes a sequel.
Highly recommended for fans of character-driven stories and slow-burn romances with vivid settings that leave you wanting more.
“It’s like the dirt gets buried so deep in your skin, altering your DNA - my DNA. I just think I’m one of those people who’ll always feel connected to it. To tree planting.”
A romance that takes place in the bush in Alberta, describing the tree planter life perfectly, AND mentions Prairie Creek (where I got married)? This is everything I’ve wanted in a book for so long!
Cowboy romance? Nah. Billionaire romance? Pass. Office romance? No thank you. Tree planters falling in love?? Oui, s'il vous plaît et merci🙂↕️🙂↕️
Our main character, Soleil, hails from Montreal where she is trying to find a job in relation to her major in university. Her parents will be leaving for their own adventure and thus, nothing is stopping her from branching out on her own. A family friend convinces her to take the trip to Alberta where she will spend the summer tree planting out in the bush all while still sending her resumes out to prospective employers for work on days off in town. She meets the foreman, Gabe at the airport, and they quickly form a bond with fantastic banter. The lead up is great and she can’t help but fall for his rugged charm, and neither can we 😉.
Obsessed with every page of this book! The descriptions of tree planting speak to me, the duct tape for everything, the soggy sandwiches, crying at the cache, planting through slash, avoiding planting j-roots, developing bonds with people through it all. This book contains perfect summer romance, and I truly loved it. I read it on my kindle (it’s on kindle unlimited!) but HAD to buy a physical copy for that beeeeautiful cover.
I dont think I can begin to describe how much I loved this book. I was so excited to receive an ARC copy, and it did not disappoint.
Living in Quebec, Soleil is in a bit of a life transition. She hasn't yet found her dream job after completing university, she's back living with her parents post-break up, and now her parents are off to Europe to live out their retirement dreams.
She ends up taking a chance tree planting for the summer with an old friend. It's a bit out of her comfort zone, but she's got nothing to lose.
Gabe is the foreman Soleil ends up working for. He's a bit of a grump but super hot. As Soleil gets to know him, she realizes he's funny, selfless, and actually quite caring.
There's a lot of banter, angst, and a bit of spice. I loved it. I didn't want this story to end.
This story felt... honest? Emotional? I was laughing one minute and crying the next. I fell in love with the characters and was rooting for Soleil and Gabe the whole time.
I was in a bit of a rut after many sports romance and billionaire/mafia romance, and this book pulled me out. It was a breath of fresh air, and I was enthralled. I can not believe it was Andrea's first book. It was beautifully written, and I 100% recommend!
'We’re more than just a crew—we’re friends who’ll still have each other’s backs years down the line, even if life takes us in different directions.' 'Tree planting might've uprooted me from what I knew, but it also planted me right where I was meant to be.' I could not just pick one favorite quote. There was more, but two is enough for now.
Uprooted by Andrea Wiseman is a refreshing contemporary romance that I fell in love with from the first chapter. I received an eARC of this book, and I could not have been happier with my decision in applying. The reasons Soleil has in her decision to plant trees in Alberta are relatable to many and added a realistic tie when reading. Gabe!.. Gabe and Soleil meeting at the airport in Calgary at first gave me enemies to lovers vibes but changed into this small town vibe once we get to know him a bit better. The banter between Gabe and Soleil is addicting and I want more. I was laughing and crying the entire book. Gabes 'oopsie' with the towel was hilarious, and I loved it! Wisemans writing style is so vivid and easy to get lost in, I can't wait for more from Andrea, and I hope to hear more about Emma and Logan for sure. Thank you for picking up the manuscript again and continuing the story you started because it's definitely something I enjoyed reading.
One of my favorite things about this book was how unique it was as a tree planting romance! I felt like I gained some insight into the forestry and tree planting industry while still getting a healthy dose of romance. It was also a bonus for me that most of the book took place in my home province. There were a lot of places mentioned in the book that I recognized!
Soleil’s story was truly inspiring, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Jumping into something new can be so intimidating, and she persevered with so much strength and determination. Her first experience in the bush was anything but glamorous, and I love that she pushed through and saw the beauty in the experience.
Add sexy bushman Gabe as her foreman, and I was hooked. The banter between them was priceless, and I was kicking my feet and smiling as the story progressed. Her friend Emma really elevated the story as well, and I love how they leaned on each other for support. I can’t wait to get more of her story!
Overall, this book was a lot of fun, and I highly recommend!
@underthecoversrd hosted book club and we read Uprooted by @the.mid.lifer
I’ll be honest—at first, the book (and even its synopsis) didn’t grab me. With 10,000 books already waiting on my TBR, I actually considered skipping this month’s read. Boy, am I ever glad I didn’t! 🩵
First off, I absolutely love supporting indie authors, and the fact that this one is local? Yes please.
The story started with me wanting to (lovingly) give the FMC a little smack for being whiny, but the second she mentioned Old Port, I was hooked. I had just been there myself—I could picture it so clearly! From that point on, it felt like an Alberta tour: Red Deer (my hometown), Calgary (where I work), Rocky Mountain House (where my family lives)… it was like I was living inside the book and really connected me to it.
This is a sweet contemporary romance where the environmental/tree-planting themes add depth, but the romance really shines. The characters are warm, relatable, and best of all—there’s no annoying AF miscommunication trope.
I read this on Kindle, but I’m going to need to buy a physical copy now 🩵
Highly recommend if you’re looking for a heartfelt, locally-rooted (see what I did there?) romance.
I stumbled across the ARC opportunity for Uprooted on Instagram and thought, “Why not?” I’ve been deep into cowboy romances lately, so an enemies-to-lovers story set in the world of tree planting sounded like a refreshing change—and it absolutely was.
From the very first pages, I was hooked by the banter and teasing between Soleil and Gabe. Their chemistry is undeniable, and if they hadn’t ended up together, I might have started a petition!
The dynamic between them is both sharp and sweet, and it kept me turning pages late into the night.
Andrea Wiseman has a way with words that makes you want to pack a bag, lace up your boots, and dive headfirst into the wilderness. Knowing she pulled from her own experiences adds such a powerful layer of authenticity.
Soleil may be fictional, but the story felt so real, I could vividly picture the author in each scene. Why didn’t I go tree planting in Alberta in my 20s?
There’s something quietly profound about standing in a clearing where a forest once stood—sad, yes, but also hopeful. The author captures that emotional complexity beautifully. Her descriptions are vivid and grounded, each one clearly drawn from lived experience.
And the dedication? Loved it.
This book left me with so many questions: Are Emma and Soleil still friends? Do Logan and Emma get married? Will there be more books? (Please say yes.) And while we’re at it—can we get stickers that say “mound pounder”?
Uprooted is heartfelt, adventurous, and quietly powerful. A beautiful tribute to nature, connection, and finding one’s self.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
What a refreshing, unique book! Although I’ve lived in Alberta all my life, I knew nothing about tree planting going into this novel. I was hooked from the start. I love Wiseman’s writing style - it is descriptive, has “voice,” and flows across the page.
Soleil & Gabe are great lead characters, both strong in their own right yet needing to find their “person.” I appreciated how they championed each other.
The nods to Canadiana (Canadian Tire, Cheezies, Twoonies, specific locales/communities, etc) was woven seamlessly & unapologetically into the story, and I LOVED that! Plus, the author’s own experiences tree planting clearly enhanced the novel’s authenticity.
This novel will be for you if you like: 🍁 A slow burn 🍁 Close proximity 🍁 Grumpy/Sunshine 🍁 One bed 🍁 City girl meets country boy 🍁 He’s her boss 🍁 The wild outdoors 🍁 Single POV 🍁 Canada 🇨🇦
I HIGHLY recommend this romance…it’s a perfect summer read for camping season!
This was the first romance I've read set in the wilds of Alberta, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It's a quintessionally Canadian book--the forest setting and the premise of tree-planting draws the reader into the heart of Alberta and the Canadian landscape. The plot is a fun ride, the MCs have palpable chemistry, and the cast of secondary characters fleshed out the story in a wonderful way. I've never been tree-planting and I'm honestly not in great shape, but this book tempts me to try it! At the very least, I've found a new interest, and I want more books like this!
I recommend Uprooted if you like romances set in the great outdoors, rugged bushmen with a lot of heart, and determined heroines who don't give up their dreams.
Received as an ARC from the author (thank you!) I absolutely fell in love with this book. Soleil is freshly graduated and slightly adrift in life and the tree planting crew becomes her safe harbour, giving her a home in the wilds of Alberta. Having spent many Summers camping around Rocky Mountain House myself I could picture exact where they were in town. I loved the way Gabe’s character revealed itself without being obvious.
Overall this was the sort of book that felt like a warm hug on a misty rainy day or a cold (off-brand) beer by the fire after a muggy Summer day. It was everything you wanted with knowing you wanted it.
I was gifted an ARC from the author AND I can honestly say that I absolutely loved it. Sometimes spicy book lean too heavy into the spice -in that there’s less emphasis on the actual story-but Uprooted got had the exact right combination. I could not put it down!
As a tree planter myself, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a romance set in the world I live and breathe each season—but Uprooted: A Tree Planting Romance blew me away. Andrea Wiseman absolutely nailed the atmosphere of a planting contract: the muddy grind, the aching bodies, the tight-knit (and sometimes tense) camp vibes, the sense of isolation and connection that comes from working in the bush.
The romance at the heart of the story felt raw and real in a way that only planting life can create—born of long days, shared pain, and stolen moments around the fire. The relationship between Soleil and Gabe wasn’t just compelling; it felt earned. Their chemistry built slowly and believably, layered with the same grit and grace that planting demands from all of us.
There were so many moments where I caught myself nodding, smiling, or even getting emotional—because the book didn’t just get the details right, it got the feel of planting right. The way it can break you down and build you up. The way it forces you to confront yourself. And how sometimes, in the middle of nowhere, you find something—or someone—unexpectedly worth holding onto.
Uprooted is a beautiful blend of bush camp realism and emotional vulnerability. Whether you’ve planted trees or just wondered what that world is like, this book is a love letter to resilience, community, and unexpected connection.
I’ll be thinking about it long after the season ends.
I loved this book so much! Not only is it great that she’s a local author, but it was so cool being able to visualize the settings in RMH and out west. I look forward to more work by Andrea!