Out of the woods

Out #2

by Hannah Bonam-Young

Depuis le lycée, entre Sarah et Caleb Linwood, cela a toujours été une évidence. En dix-sept ans de relation, ils ont tout vécu et se sont toujours soutenus.

Mais après tant d’années, Sarah commence à s’interroger : qui est-elle vraiment sans son mari ?

La jeune femme décide alors de mener à bien un projet rien qu’à elle, un gala de charité en hommage à sa défunte mère, avec un objectif : se prouver qu’elle n’a pas besoin de l’aide de Caleb pour réussir.

C'était sans compter sur l'échec de l'événement et l’intervention inattendue de Caleb pour sauver la situation, faisant ressurgir une décennie de rancœurs et éclore des doutes.

Dans une tentative désespérée de réparer ce qu’ils pensent être brisé, ils se lancent dans une randonnée conçue pour aider les couples à traverser les tempêtes de la vie, une aventure qui les poussera à se confronter à leurs faiblesses.

Pour mieux se retrouver ?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Fiction, Second Chance, Adult

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2025

About the author

Hannah is an Amazon bestselling romance author from Ontario, Canada. She lives with her childhood-friend-turned-husband Ben, two kids, and bulldog near Niagara Falls on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples.

Hannah writes romances featuring a cast of diverse, disabled, marginalized, and LGBTQIA+ folks wherein swoon-worthy storylines blend with the beautiful, messy, and challenging realities of life.

When not reading or writing romance you can find her having living-room dance parties with her kids or planning any occasion that warrants a cheese board.

Reviews

[Sara Carrolli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this take on a romance! We usually get to see couples find each other & see their firsts, but with this one it was refreshing to watch a couple that’s been together for over a decade help themselves grow

I wish we got a bit more detail of the past + Caleb’s pov, but other than that a really vulnerable & sweet read 🏕️💕

[Clace · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.35!

"If you give me the space to grow, I'll plant myself next to you. Always."

Okayy this was definitely soooo much better than out on a limb (I really enjoyed out on a limb) but this one was so easy and fun to read, I just liked the way it was written and marriage in trouble, if done right, is a really good trope and I honestly didn't think that it was gonna have that trope because I did not remember much from Out on a limb but I was so pleasantly surprised at how well it was written and how easily it consumed me, like you know those books that are just so addicting that you have fun reading them and after a long day just look forward to lay in bed and read them? yeah, this was that book for me. It had it all, it was sad, funny, sexy, comfy, you name it!!! If you're looking for an easy read which also deals with grief and real life problems, read this.

"Because you shine brighter than anyone i’ve ever known"

Sarah and Caleb, I can't write about them separately. Both of them loved each other clearly but they knew they had a problem and the way they viewed it was so different and I think that is what was making it more difficult to solve, I really liked the retreat. I liked how Sarah told Caleb what she wanted, I liked how her grief was dealt with, the past and present jump made her story more realistic and gave it a solid foundation which it needed. Her character itself was so jolly and fun to read!! Then came Caleb, he was sooo downbad for Sarah, I liked how he was willing to do anything for her and I loved how much patience he had and how he dealt with some of the situations, he was so caring and cute I really enjoyed reading about him as well. The side characters were also so cute.

"And, when you’re not near, you occupy every corner of my life. Half of my thoughts are about you. All of my dreams involve you. My hopes and fears and purpose revolve around you."

The romance was the highlight of this book it was everything. The whole plot revolved around it, it was the perfect balance was sweet and sexy. The spicy chapters were so well written and the wholesome moments were also well written, the way everything was carried out was so beautiful to read, I loved how natural the interactions between Caleb and Sarah felt, I felt so much from just one interaction that they shared!!! The ups and downs that they faced were so beautifully reflected and the loyalty that they had for each other and how they both stood by each other and those last chapters where Sarah confronts the parents was so satisfying to read. I was dying for that to happen. SO safe to say I really enjoyed it.

The only problem for me was while I believed that the past pov chapters were important for the story it was just not something that I enjoyed, mainly because it disrupted the flow that the story was carrying.

Overall, a really good book!
___
I remember how I was driving back home when Roxy asked me to buddy read out on a limb with her and it was such a spontaneous read which I loved, so let's see how much we enjoy this one!

-Buddy reading this with the one and only Roxy
__
Hannah single handedly made me love the accidental pregnancy trope, I wonder what she has in this for us 👀🤭

[Ri ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

“If you give me the space to grow, I’ll plant myself next to you. Always.”

Another masterpiece from Hannah, and I’m not even surprised by my rating. I don’t know what it is about this book, but it healed parts of my life I didn’t even know needed healing. That’s the beauty of certain books. They touch your soul in ways you never expected, offering comfort and perspective.

Hannah did an amazing job with this beautiful and impactful novel. The story was told through dual timelines—past and present. Hannah's narrative was effortlessly beautiful and engaging. She seamlessly blended all the elements of the story into a swoon-worthy yet realistic tale that explored the challenging and messy realities of life. She didn’t shy away from portraying a marriage in trouble, offering realistic and brutally honest storytelling that made me love this book even more. Often, when writing a marriage-in-crisis trope, authors tend to romanticise the situation, allowing unresolved feelings to overshadow the characters’ struggles. But here, Hannah gave equal focus to every aspect of Caleb and Sarah’s relationship. She showed us the hardships they were facing and how a wilderness retreat for couples could help them work through those issues. I also appreciated the emphasis on therapy and the sessions the couple had with Helen and Yvonne.

“He’s so familiar to me now that I feel myself having to concentrate to truly see him. As if he was a mural passed every morning on the way out the door or the lyrics to a favorite song I’ve sung along to a million times. Beautiful. Special, even. But known.”

Sarah Linwood is so precious to me. Her character had so much depth and authenticity that she felt incredibly real, like I could feel her pain and emotions. Sarah is confident, funny, and spontaneous, but she's been going through a very difficult phase in her life that forced her to reflect on her decisions and the life she’s lived so far, including her marriage. Her struggles with self-esteem and being hard on herself due to a perceived lack of personal accomplishments were pivotal to her background and her journey in this book. I love how soft and emotional Sarah is, and how she strives to be strong and courageous for her loved ones. I adore characters like her, who embrace their vulnerability and complexity without being afraid of being “too much”. I truly loved her growth throughout the story, and how she gained insightful perspectives from Helen and how she reflected on her struggles and dilemmas. It was perfect and completely genuine for her character.

“Life kept going, the Earth kept spinning, everyone moved on, but I stayed still.”


Caleb Linwood is an intelligent nerd, a gentleman, a man with the sweetest, funniest, and kindest soul. I love this man, and it’s impossible not to love a man written by HBY. Caleb is the caretaker, the most stable and consistent person in their group of friends. I loved him back in Out on a Limb, when he was just a side character helping his fellow nerd friend find love, and I love him even more now because this book revealed a deeper, more complex side of him. Caleb thrives on caring for his loved ones, always taking on the role of giver and protector. But beneath that, he’s a man quietly battling the fear of never being enough. He’s driven, and I loved seeing his struggles and his dream of becoming someone he could be proud of. Caleb as a nerd was amazing, but Caleb as a husband trying to win his wife back? Absolutely swoon-worthy!

“I hope that if you have to rewrite your life, you won’t erase my part in it, that you’ll let me stay a part of your story.”


Caleb and Sarah are are such a beautiful couple and they make me believe that love like theirs truly exists. Their love story more than a decade ago, they found their soulmates when most people can only dream of such a connection. It was heartwarming to see how they loved and uplifted each other as teenagers, all while finding their own paths in life and navigating the transition into early adulthood. The simplicity and comforting vibes they share are soothing, and they’ve lived in a bubble of security and mutual understanding for so long that Sarah never gave herself the opportunity to explore her own life as an individual—hence, the existential crisis. Every conversation, every interaction, cut deep into my heart—it was both emotionally devastating and incredibly beautiful at the same time. The familiarity, intimacy, and friendship they shared were so heartwarming.

“It is you. And your heart is mine in the way that our home or our neighborhood or my favorite movie is mine. Mine but not for me alone. Your heart is mine to care for, to treasure. But it will never be just mine.”

I loved how they worked through their issues by putting in effort and truly trying to understand each other’s situations. It’s not easy to acknowledge your mistakes in a marriage, but Caleb was so patient with Sarah, doing everything in his power to understand her dilemma, her situation, and her needs. They communicated when necessary and worked together to heal their relationship while also helping each other heal and grow. There was a new warmth and confidence in their newfound reality, and I loved how everything unfolded for them during their retreat into the outdoor wilderness.

“I don't want to wait ten years to have the life we want. You are the only thing that matters to me, and I'm tired of pretending otherwise.”

I also want to highlight the beautiful friendships and the sense of found family in this book. Sarah and Caleb both have incredible, honest friends in their lives who would do anything to keep them happy and safe. Bo and Win stood unwaveringly by their sides, offering help and support when it was needed most, and keeping them grounded through some of the hardest moments of their lives. Then there’s Nina, Helen, Yvonne, and Libby—each one lovable and amazing in their own way. I couldn’t help but adore them and root for them throughout the story.

The epilogue was the cutest and most wholesome part of the book. I just loved everything about this book. Truly a masterpiece!

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

5 billion stars for calebsarah and this masterpiece 🤌🏻 rtc

starting my 2025 with this beauty 🩵

screaming crying throwing up THIS GURL HERE GOT THE ARC 😭

The glasses!?!?!? I am going feral and wdym hannah i have to wait for 2025 to have this book in my hands? That's criminal!

Sarah and caleb the college sweethearts from out on a limb???? Marriages in crisis??? More of win and bo??? This book is a NEED.

[maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

ˋ°•*⁀➷ 4.5 ✰

⋆𐙚₊˚⊹”When you’re not near, you occupy every corner of my life. Half of my thoughts are about you. All of my dreams involve you. My hopes and fears and purpose revolve around you.” ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

the story follows Sarah and Caleb Linwood, a couple who have been inseparable for 17 years, always supporting each other through life's highs and lows. But lately, Sarah has been questioning who she is outside of her marriage. Determined to prove her independence, she takes on a big project, a fundraising gala in honor of her late mother, only to see it fail. Caleb steps in to help, unasked, which only deepens the tension between them.

Old resentments bubble up, leaving them wondering if they’ve grown too far apart since their teenage wedding. To save their relationship, they join a wilderness couples retreat, even though neither of them is outdoorsy. The trip is full of challenges, but it forces them to confront their problems and figure out if they can rediscover the love that brought them together in the first place.


➳ my thoughts:

This book was truly beautiful.

Marriage in crisis trope is always going to do it for me, there is something special and realistic about that trope, the way it delves into the raw, vulnerable layers of a relationship that was once filled with love and promise but has since become strained. It forces characters to confront not only their partner's flaws but also their own, revealing how time, unspoken resentments, or external pressures have eroded their bond. it captures the reality that love isn’t always easy or perfect; it’s a choice made repeatedly.

I really enjoyed this book, it took me by surprise how much I felt while reading it, I loved out on a limb I really don’t remember that much of it, so when I saw that there was a book coming out about Win’s friends, I got really excited and I had high expectations for it. It is safe to say that the expectations were met. I just wished the flashbacks chapters were a little bit longer because they were so cute.

This is my second book by Hannah and I can say that she has a way with her writing and how she blend emotional parts with humor involved to make the read more engaging and enjoyable. I was either crying or laughing while reading it. This can be read as a standalone but seeing more about Win & Bo in here after reading out on a limb was everything, seeing how now they have their little family gave me so much joy🥹

CHAPTER 14!!!!! besties chapter 14😭
grab your tissues when you start that chapter because I've never seen a claim of love as beautiful and magical as the one in that chapter. I was bailing my eyes out at 4am because I think no one in real life is going to be able to express love the way Caleb and Sarah did for each other in that chapter.

“I hope that if you have to rewrite your life, you won’t erase my part in it, that you’ll let me stay a part of your story.”

This is more than a simple romance book between Caleb and Sarah, it’s about discovering your true self, it’s about growing, trying to heal the wounds of the past and to focus on the present.

“Humans are typically just stumbling through this life, making mistakes and trying again. Anyone who says anything different is trying to sell something.”

The reason why this is not 5 stars is because I found the ending to be a little underwhelming for me, the last 15% were super random and kind of changed completely the vibes of the book for me. Also got triggered by mentions of one religion lol, that’s on me tho because I didn’t read the content warning and the sex scenes were a bit cringe imo but it was still a very emotional read.


��� characters:


ೃ࿐ sarah

⭑.ᐟ “But I went from someone’s daughter to caretaker to someone’s wife. I never got the chance to exist on my own.”

If you are going through a rough time in your life in which you aren’t sure what you are supposed to be doing, or you think you are behind the others, that you have wasted your time, that you are lost. Then you’re going to relate to Sarah.

She is dealing with grief after losing her mom, she married Caleb when they were young and even when she knows that he is for her, she doesn’t know who she is without Caleb.

She is going through an existential crisis in her thirties and the book focus more deeply on that factor rather than anything else. Even though I’m not experiencing the same things as Sarah, I still resonate with her, mostly because I’m also wondering what I’m doing with my life lmao. Nonetheless I loved seeing her growth, how she finally started to find her way back into herself.

”I feel directionless, because I don’t really know my own feelings or wants or desires. I just sort of live in some . . . middle. Not really pleasing myself or performing what is expected of me.”

ೃ࿐ caleb

⭑.ᐟ “He is my steadfast, easy, contented man. Something solid in a world that constantly seems to shift on its axis. Caleb has always been safe.”

I have a weakness with male characters that wears glasses🤭 the moment I saw the glasses on the cover I knew that I was going to love Caleb. But what I love the most about Caleb apart from his glasses is how caring he is, he is shy, protective, patient, kind, sweet, amazing, he is a husband. To be honest the book focuses more on Sarah so I feel like we don’t get to know that much of Caleb, I would love to have a few chapter from his pov😕 I still love him tho.


˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥˚✿ °. the linwoods:
⤷ high school sweethearts ᡣ𐭩

They are never getting divorced🫡 I love them together so much, their kind of love is the one that makes me wonder if it really exists in real life. I could actually feel the way they love the other just by their actions, by the things they said to each other.

I can’t say anything about being married because I’m not🤸🏻‍♀️ but from the things I’ve seen around me I can tell that it’s easy to forget about yourself when you are in a relationship, the line between “us” and “me” begins to blur, overtime, you might prioritize the other person’s needs, dreams, and identity so much that your own sense of self fades into the background. And that is exactly what happened between Sarah and Caleb, they had been together for so long, they have been through high and low with each other and that was affecting their relationship.

“A lot of people will say relationships are fifty-fifty, but I think that’s a load of rubbish. We all have seasons and periods where we require more from our partner. The trick to a long, lasting relationship in my professional experience is not getting stuck at a set percentage.”

I adored seeing them getting to know the other again, seeing them falling in love one more time.


♬⋆.˚ caleb & sarah mini playlistᰔ

⤷ love in the dark ⟡ adele
⤷ those eyes ⟡ new west
⤷ helium ⟡ sia
⤷ will you cry ⟡ gracie abrams
⤷ this is me trying ⟡ taylor swift


💌 tropes:

ꨄ︎ highschool sweethearts
ꨄ︎ marriage in crisis
ꨄ︎ self discovery
ꨄ︎ flashbacks
ꨄ︎ found family


-‘๑’- my favorite quotes
possible spoilers mentioned

・❥・ “If you give me the space to grow, I’ll plant myself next to you. Always.”

・❥・“Your heart is mine to care for, to treasure. But it will never be just mine.”

・❥・“I don’t want to wait ten years,” he says softly, in almost a whisper, “to have the life we want. You are the only thing that matters to me, and I’m tired of pretending otherwise.

・❥・You have to shine on your own. And you will, baby. I know you will. Because you shine brighter than anyone I’ve ever known.”

・❥・You love so deeply, it’s hard for me to understand. It seems exhausting, but you do it anyways. You leave yourself open for anyone who needs a safe place to land, even near perfect strangers. That is all, uniquely, individually, perfectly you. Something to be proud of that is all yours.”

・❥・“All of me is and will always be yours.” His smile unfurls slowly as his eyes linger on our hands. “Me too,” he says, his voice slightly choked.

・❥・”He holds me like I’m a treasured, precious, delicate thing, drifting his hands up and down my back in slow comfort.”

・❥・”If your future peace means leaving, so be it. But don’t think for a single second you could ever truly leave me. You can go as far as you need to, but you’ll always be a part of me. You will always be the second voice in my head. The force that surrounds me.”

・❥・“I don’t want easy. I don’t want anyone else. I want you, Sar. I want to be the only man ever lucky enough to be loved by you.”

・❥・ “Often, we can find ourselves playing what-if instead of recognizing what we can do now to build the life we want. The truth is the past is one of the only things as stubborn as us humans.”

・❥・”Plenty of people who’ve had to pave their own way still consider themselves unsuccessful. Feeling inadequate tends to be a relatively common experience when we struggle with our self-esteem. You could have been miserable all the same, even if the timing were different or with a degree or career you felt proud of.”

・❥・“Life kept going, the Earth kept spinning, everyone moved on, but I stayed still.”


thank you so much netgalley, dell and prh publishing for the e-arc and the pr box🫶🏻🫶🏻



ᝰ🪵 pre-read: ᯓᡣ𐭩୭˚.

I’m so excited to read this🤭 I love the tropes and out on a limb was one of my fav reads last year so I have high expectations for this one🤞🏻

________

I GOT THE ARC!!!😭 I feel like I’m winning the lottery with the arcs lately🙂‍↕️

_______

omg marriage in crisis + high school sweethearts!!!! I can’t wait to read this.

[Eden Yonas · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ cute!

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8 ⭐️

[B.K. Borison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the time of my life.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ Starting 2025 out with a BANG(ER)! Legit, no notes! 👏


"So according to you, to save my marriage I have to shit in the woods? Or piss into a funnel?"

"People have done a lot more work for a lot less reward." 😂


WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ contemporary romance
✨ high school sweethearts
✨ marriage in crisis
✨ camping couples retreat
✨ forced proximity
✨ "who am I without you?"
✨ 30 year old MCs
✨ flashbacks
✨ playful banter
✨ 2.5/5 spice
✨ "good boy", "good wife", switches
✨ found family
✨ lots of Win and Bo cameos 💕
✨ HEA
✨ TW: death of parent, grief, mentions of ALS, absent father


My Thoughts:

A soul book is one that resonates with you on a profound level, leaving a lasting mark on your heart and mind. It's the kind of book where the characters' journeys feel like your own, where their struggles and triumphs mirror your own experiences. Out of the Woods is one of those rare books for me. While certain elements of this story are different from my own, there are so many similarities that I couldn't help but stop (more than a few times) and think, "This is me" or "This is totally my husband and I." It's as if Hannah Bonam-Young somehow saw into my life, captured my story and translated it onto the page in a beautifully nuanced way. I feel an undeniable connection to Sarah and Caleb; their journey mirrors my own in ways that are deeply meaningful. I know their story will stay with me, quietly echoing in the background of my own for a long time to come. 🫶

So what did I love?

Everything. But more specifically . . .

Sarah is such a complex character, and I’ve said it a million times, but I truly connected with her. Like Sarah, I’m in my early 30s, navigating the process of finding myself, or perhaps, more accurately, going through a bit of an existential crisis. While her trauma stems from the loss of her mother and mine comes from a different place, the way those events shaped our lives felt strikingly similar. Both of us found loving, supportive partners early on, who provided comfort and stability during tough times. But over time, those relationships became a lifeline we held onto instead of learning to navigate life independently. It became a "we" instead of a "me," and with that came the question: Who am I without you?

The real question, though, was always: Who am I? Period. After a lot of therapy and self-reflection, I’ve worked through most of the hard stuff, and come out stronger on the other side. But reading Sarah’s journey was almost like therapy in itself. It was a reminder that I’m not alone in this struggle to understand who I am, separate from anyone else, and it honestly was healing to see that reflected in her story.

The relationship between Sarah and Caleb felt incredibly real and relatable. These two clearly love each other. But like any relationship, it's the small, seemingly insignificant issues that can quietly build up into larger problems before anyone even realizes it. What makes their connection so strong, though, is the solid foundation they’ve built on love and trust. Because of that, they’re able to work through their challenges in a way that feels authentic.

What I really appreciated was seeing them navigate these tough moments. In many romance books, conflicts can feel forced or get resolved too easily, but Sarah and Caleb put in the real work. They take the time to do the introspective self-reflection needed before even addressing the problems in their relationship. Ultimately, a relationship can only thrive if both people are willing to grow together, and Sarah and Caleb clearly love each other enough to do just that.

I also just really enjoyed Sarah and Caleb's interactions. They didn't really banter, but instead would have playful conversations. It's as if they're best friends who find joy and amusement with life and they want to share it with each other. I just got such a sense of peace whenever they were happy together.

The spice was HOT. Sarah and Caleb have incredible sexual chemistry from the start, but once they work through the deeper issues in their relationship, they’re able to truly connect on a more intimate level. Since this book takes place during an outdoor camping retreat, you can expect some really fun and steamy moments in interesting places - including a natural pool with a waterfall, the lush forest, and a cozy tent. Also, Sarah and Caleb are both switches, so we get to see both of them take control in one way or another throughout these scenes.

I absolutely adored the bond between Sarah and Win. These two women embody the very essence of true friendship and are sisters in every way that matters. The love, understanding, and support they share with each other is truly beautiful. From childhood to now, they've been each other's constant, always there through life's ups and downs. In moments of struggle, they’re each other’s lifeline, and in times of joy, they celebrate together with pure happiness. Every interaction between them radiates warmth and affection. They are friendship goals. 🫶

The flashbacks absolutely wrecked me. I was not prepared to experience the pain and grief Sarah goes through while losing her mom to ALS. I 100% burst into tears. It wasn’t a dramatic or overly intense scene, but rather a quiet, tender moment that made the loss all the more devastating. (Honestly, I’m tearing up just thinking about it.) The bond between Sarah and her mother was so beautiful, and walking through that loss with Sarah was absolutely heartbreaking. It felt raw and real, and it broke my heart.


This story was truly beautiful that resonates deeply with my heart and left a lasting impression. I have no doubt that many others will feel the same way. Hannah Bonam-Young's ability to craft such powerful, moving narratives is unmatched and once again proves why she’s an auto-buy for me.

Everyone needs to add this to their TBR, pre-order, and read when it comes out 01/28/25!


Thank you NetGalley for providing an eARC and Dell Romance for providing a physical ARC copy in exchange for an honest review! As always, all opinions are my own.


Favorite Quotes:

***POSSIBLE SPOILERS. Read at your own risk!***

Dedication: For all my fellow Amy March girls out there. You don't have to be great or nothing. You can just be.
_______

I am a simple creature, at my core. Give me books, sunlight, water, and a handsome man looking at me like I'm some rare jewel, and I'm all set.
_______

"Often, we can find ourselves playing what-if instead of recognizing what we can do now to build the life we want."
_______

"A lot of people will say relationships are fifty-fifty, but I think that's a load of rubbish. We all have seasons and periods where we require more from our partner. The trick to a long, lasting relationship in my professional experience is not getting stuck at a set percentage."
_______

"If you give me the space to grow, I'll always plant myself next to you. Always."
_______

"Don't ever think for a single second you could ever truly leave me. You can go as far as you need to, but you'll always be a part of me."
_______

Some men are boob guys, and some are ass guys. Then there are men like Caleb, who are whatever-is-closest-to-my-face guys.
_______

"I don't want anyone else. I want you, Sar. I want to be the only man ever lucky enough to be loved by you."
_______

"We have the rest of our lives to fuck each other's brains out. I'm here to get your heart back first."
_______

"Weirder people live longer."
_______

"Your heart is mine in the way that our home or our neighborhood or my favorite movie is mine. Mine but not for me alone. Your heart is mine to care for, to treasure. But it will never be just mine."
_______

She doesn't have to be all right. She just has to try again tomorrow.
_______

[buket · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay guys admit it, i know some of y’all thought about marrying your high school sweethearts. idk what was going on in our minds at seventeen because marriage is scary now that i’m 25 but back then it was like a dream🌝
well none of my friends or me survived high school sweethearts phase but caleb and sarah certainly did.

caleb is dorky, funny and lovely. he also wears glasses🫦(you guys know my obsession with the glasses). but most importantly caleb is a provider and supporter. honestly, like forget about every grand gesture you saw, every love language, every gift. what this man did for sarah was incredible

when caleb and sarah were dating in high school, her mom was diagnosed with ALS and things were tough for them. what caleb did was stepping up. he was there for sarah in every moment. he was there for sarah’s mom, her best friend, her best friend’s mom. and he was sixteen!! guys do you remember how dumb boys were at 16?(excluding some of them) i wouldn’t even trust them with least important thing in my life. but caleb wasn’t scared of the challenges that came with sarah. he was her biggest supporter since day one and still is after years of marriage🥹

the love caleb has for sarah is unmatched masallah🧿 he was so afraid of losing her, so afraid of the possibility that he might have to live without her but he kept showing the love he has for her with his actions🥹

💌“𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐌𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐈 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈 𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨. 𝐀𝐧𝐝, 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐭. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐠𝐨 𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐦𝐞. 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐟 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞. 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲.”


sarah, my dear🫂 i wish i wasn’t able to relate to her this much but i did and she’s not the most relatable character😔 the resentment she felt towards the life she had while feeling incredibly grateful for having that life…the feeling of being left out, like everyone but herself was moving on with their life while she was still at the same place as she was years ago…my baby deserves everything🥹

💔𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐤𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥.

she was so strong. she will always have a special place in my heart because i took inspiration from her. the way she was feeling like she’s late in life for things she wants to do is something i also struggle with. seeing her strength and her determination gives me hope that it’s not late to start doing things that i kept delaying🫶🏻

💔“𝐈𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈’𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞. 𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬. 𝐈 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞…𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞. 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞.”

i’ve read hundreds of romance novels in my life, at least a hundred times i said ”i want whatever they have”, a hundred times i wished to find someone like the book character so believe me when i say this is the exact type of love i want for myself.🥹 their love was so strong that i’ve never doubted of it while reading. you know when it’s a marriage in crisis book you’ll be stressed because things will be bad between them, not for calebsarah🤍 their love was one of the most beautiful thing i’ve seen, even in their lowest moments even when they were fighting badly, you could see how much they loved each other. and that sums up the type of romance they had

💌“𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰, 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬.”


my only complaint is, i wish we get to see caleb’s pov. sometimes this felt like woman’s fiction rather than romance because past chapters were mostly focused on sarah and her mom and present chapters were mostly about sarah’s life. in some moments i wished we get to see caleb’s mind because he was struggling too but we didn’t know what was his struggle. other than this slight complaining, it was literally perfect🥹

and lastly,

i love my mom. whenever i read a book that includes mother-daughter relationships i find myself sobbing. my mom is my best friend, just like sarah’s mother is for her. reading about her mother getting weaker day by day and sarah preparing herself to reality of losing her mother was so hard. i kept imagining myself in her place and then i couldn’t stop crying😔

🪽“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐌𝐨𝐦.” 𝐈 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐛𝐮𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝. “𝐒𝐨, 𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥.”
𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐟 𝐈’𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦, 𝐢𝐟 𝐈’𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐈 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐮𝐩.

my two thanks, one for hannah because she’s amazing and i’ll recommend her books forever especially now that she gave me 4 books that i rated 5 stars🩷 and one for hoda because she’s my in the most cheesy way to say this soulmate and this was our much needed therapy <3

sooooo🌝 not to pressure you guys or anything but like wouldn’t it be so cool if you read this book👉🏻👈🏻 just a suggestion…🥹

[anh · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

“If you give me the space to grow, I’ll plant myself next to you. Always.”

Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young is a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant story about love, self-discovery, and the complexities of marriage. The novel follows Sarah and Caleb Linwood, high school sweethearts who’ve been together for 17 years. When Sarah faces an existential crisis after the death of her mother, she realises she’s lost a sense of herself and has spent most of her adult life defining herself through Caleb. In an effort to prove she can stand on her own, she organises a charity event in her mother’s honour. When it fails, Caleb steps in to help, creating a rift that forces them to confront old wounds.

To repair their strained marriage, they take on a gruelling hiking trip meant to help couples work through their issues. What follows is a blend of humour and heartfelt moments as they try to find their way back to each other.

➸ I absolutely loved this book! While it’s not flawless, it’s deeply satisfying and touching. The story handles the idea of a “marriage in crisis” with real depth and authenticity. Rather than relying on melodrama, the author gives us a couple whose struggles feel honest and relatable. There’s no easy fix or magic moment- just a slow, realistic exploration of what it takes to repair a relationship. It’s raw, messy, and human in the best possible way.

"Life kept going, the Earth kept spinning, everyone moved on, but I stayed still."

Sarah’s character really struck me. She’s not just dealing with grief after losing her mother, but also with the overwhelming pressure of having spent her whole adult life with Caleb, to the point where she’s lost herself in the process. I think we’ve all been in a place where we feel unsure of who we are or where we’re supposed to be. Sarah’s journey of rediscovering her identity outside of her marriage felt so real. Her struggle with self-worth and finding purpose was deeply relatable, even though my situation isn’t the same. What I really admired was her growth. Sarah wasn’t just trying to fix her marriage with Caleb—she was learning how to embrace who she is again. I loved how her character showed vulnerability but also strength. Watching her learn to be imperfect and still worthy was a powerful experience.

"And, when you’re not near, you occupy every corner of my life. Half of my thoughts are about you. All of my dreams involve you. My hopes and fears and purpose revolve around you."

Caleb was a character I completely fell for. He’s kind, patient, and so deeply in love with Sarah. From the beginning, it’s clear how much he cares for her, and his love only deepens as we get to know him better. Caleb is by no means perfect, but his dedication to Sarah and his willingness to fight for their relationship made him absolutely swoon-worthy. What I really appreciated about Caleb was how he balanced being a protector and provider while still showing his own vulnerabilities. He’s always been there for Sarah, but underneath his stability is this quiet fear of not being enough. That’s what makes his love for her even more powerful—he loves her with everything he has, and he constantly shows that love through action. Whether it’s taking care of her when things are hard, or just being there when she needs him, his commitment is unwavering.

“Your heart is mine to care for, to treasure. But it will never be just mine.”

The dynamic between Sarah and Caleb was one of my favourite parts of the book. Their love isn’t perfect; it’s messy, complicated, and real. But what makes it so special is how they communicated through their issues. There’s no blame game or stubbornness here. Instead, they approach each other with empathy and maturity, taking responsibility for their mistakes and genuinely trying to understand each other’s feelings. The way they work through their problems felt so true to life. It made their reconnection all the more satisfying.

The hiking trip they take is such a great metaphor for their relationship. It’s challenging, frustrating, and sometimes it feels like they might not make it through. But with every step, they learn more about themselves and each other. I loved how the physical obstacles on the hike mirrored their emotional struggles. At times, it felt like they were both ready to give up, but slowly, they start to understand that the journey isn’t about pushing through alone—it’s about walking beside each other, even when it’s hard.

One of the most impactful themes in this book is that love isn’t just about feeling it—it’s a choice. It’s a decision to keep showing up for each other, even when things aren’t easy. This book beautifully illustrates how love requires continuous effort, patience, and understanding. It’s a reminder that relationships may not always be easy, but they’re worth fighting for. Even when things feel broken beyond repair, love can still evolve and grow if both people are willing to work on it.

I did feel like the last 20% of the book became a bit unnecessary but it didn’t diminish how much I loved the rest of the story.

By the end, I felt a sense of hope. Sarah and Caleb’s journey left me with the understanding that love isn’t perfect, but it’s worth every bit of effort. Their story is messy, complicated, and beautiful—and it’s exactly the kind of love we all deserve. The way they worked through their issues, communicated openly, and chose each other over and over was something that really resonated with me.

Out of the Woods is a poignant, emotionally layered love story that left me feeling all sorts of things—joy, heartbreak, and everything in between. Highly recommend!

[Lilyya ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

and that’s how you write a marriage in crisis 💅🏽

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just want Caleb to call me baby 🥺😭

——

Manifesting a 5 star read because this has all my fave things in it 🥺🤞

[✨Julie✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

✩ 3 stars ✩

What to Expect:
➼ Marital Rut
➼ High School Sweethearts
➼ Wilderness Retreat
➼ Grief
➼ Self Discovery
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Dual Timeline
➼ Interconnected Standalone
➼ First Person POV

“If you give me the space to grow, I’ll plant myself next to you. Always.”

I adore HBY and will sing her praises forever, but I honestly didn’t love this as much as I hoped I would. I really struggled with the FMC and felt that her whole vibe was pretty ungrateful, especially at the beginning. Oh… so your trust fund baby husband who loves you unconditionally and would do anything for you wrote a check to help you save face and protect you from failure? Poor you. She has every right to want to grow and change, but I was really bothered that she even insinuated that this event could be grounds for divorce when she had nothing but good things to say about him otherwise. He was clearly a very supportive cinnamon roll of a man who I’m frankly not sure she even deserves.

Maybe it was the single girl in me that caused such a strong reaction, but she should be counting her blessings every single day to have someone like Caleb in her corner. Why would it bother her for him to refer to the event as theirs vs. hers? Are they not partners in all things as husband and wife? Just a really weird basis for a “marital rut” that kind of spoiled the rest of the story for me. Caleb was perfect and all the stars are for him. I did also enjoy their easy banter that can only be the result of knowing and loving someone for so many years. It was kind of fun to read about a married couple for a change, but the plot needed some major tweaks to truly win me over.

“I can’t feel my legs.”
Caleb leans in close.” What do you want me to do about it? Roll you?”
“Roll me to our tent?” I scoff. “You thought of rolling me before carrying me?”
“Carrying you would be a little obvious,” he says, shrugging. “If you don’t want people to notice.”
“But rolling me wouldn’t?!”

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

Pre-read: should I just go ahead and rate this 5 stars? Or…

Another HBY?! Heck ya!! Take my money 💸💸💸

[Lau ♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would love to know what's the point of this book

Like a lot of romance readers out there, I adored Out on a Limb, so I was very excited to have a book about Caleb and Sarah (secondary characters in Out on a Limb). However, this one didn’t go that well. There are several problems I need to address, but the main one is that this is a marriage crisis book, but I never felt like they were really on the rocks. At the beginning of the book Sarah does mention something along those lines, but she quickly goes back to being completely in love with Caleb. The stakes were very low from there on, which made me confused about the purpose of the story.

Another fact that didn’t help was that they are millionaires. Caleb has a company that works really well, so Sarah has spent the last fourteen years or so as a stay at home wife. Firstly, it’s difficult to relate to the problems rich people have, because you keep thinking how easily they could solve them. For example, Sarah wanted to go back to college, but she hadn't because, if she started studying ‘between that and Caleb’s job, we’ll never see each other’. So she was ‘sacrificing herself’ for the sake of her marriage, but college is during the day and her husband is only at home at night. I don’t see why she couldn’t enroll in morning classes, maybe not a complete course if it was too much, but they could hire someone to take care of the house and meals and she would have all the day free to study. She also said that tried to work but wasn’t good at it, so she’s stuck with being a millionaire stay at home wife.

As you can imagine, it was also very hard to relate to Sarah. She was also grieving the loss of her mother, which happened fourteen years ago, and isn’t happy about her life choices. I can’t imagine what it's like to suffer that kind of loss, especially being so young, but she never used her money to go to therapy despite having the time to do it. What drove me crazy was seeing her feeling miserable about ‘only’ being a stay at home wife, when that’s what she decided to do and has been doing for the last fourteen years of her life. She also didn’t think about going to therapy to fix that, but she was so quick at pointing out couples therapy the second they had a disagreement!

That leads us to the next point: while they had some problems, the majority of the therapy was about Sarah feeling miserable with her life. It wasn’t a marriage crisis book, it was Sarah having an existential crisis and bringing her husband along. Don’t get me wrong, Caleb was afraid of changes and shouldn’t have thrown money to solve her problem at the beginning of the book, but they could have solved that in one week-oh, actually, they did-, you don’t need to write a book about that.

Further problems not related to money: the therapy didn’t make a lot of sense to me. There wasn’t a part of them coming home and working on what therapy told them they had to work on. It was one week in the woods with other couples with problems-technically, but they were always working on Sarah because she was the one with real problems-, an epilogue so bright I couldn’t believe, and that’s it. Are you telling me that a marriage crisis so big that you can write a whole book about can be solved in ONE week of therapy?

I could probably keep going (was the drama at the end really necessary?) but I’m tired already. I wanted to love this and I didn’t. I lost my money and my time and my hopes on this, and it didn’t deliver. Most readers are loving this, but I can’t lie and tell you it was worth it, because for me it really wasn’t. I’ll try more books by her as long as they don’t have the marriage in crisis romance.

[Kennedy Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who has been married for 9 years (to their high school sweetheart) this was such a refreshing read! Truly there’s not another romance book I’ve read so far like it.

I laughed, I cried, and I actually took away some things to apply to my own marriage from this book.

Hannah is an auto-buy author for me!!

“He’s so familiar to me now that I feel myself having to concentrate to truly see him. As if he was a mural passed every morning on the way out the door or the lyrics to a favorite song I’ve sung along to a million times. Beautiful. Special, even. But known.”

“I remember thinking that she was so warm and comforting, like a towel fresh from the dryer after a bath.”

[Hoda · Rating 5 out of 5]

” And when you’re not near, you occupy every corner of my life. Half of my thoughts are about you. All of my dreams involve you. My hopes and fears and purpose revolve around you.”

This was so beautiful, heartwarming, and heartbreaking at the same time! I honestly didn’t expect it to make me cry, and I didn’t want to cry today because I was happy all day and wanted to stay that way. But the book had other plans in mind. 🧍‍♀️i adored out on a limb so i had a feeling i was gonna adore this too and i was right because this was just perfection and while the “ plot-twist” that happened in the end through me off a little it still made me tear up all the same.

” I don’t want to risk losing you.”
“You won’t”
“Promise?”
“ if you give me the space to grow,I’ll plant myself next to you.always”

I loved how it was more than just a romance. I love how the author did a great job writing about Sarah's grief! Like, OMG, it was so raw and real! It really did break me! Because I can't, for the life of me, imagine my life without my mother! We fight; we annoy each other to the point that we make each other want to scream, but I can’t even picture her not being in my life or not scolding me for doing things wrong! she is me. Losing her is like losing myself, and this is what made me understand Sarah so much! How lost she was! How the only thing she was trying to do was make something for herself to make her mom proud! The past chapters and how she cared for her mother at such a young age literally broke me!Ugh, I just love her so much, and I adored her relationship with Win. It was so heartwarming and beautiful how they were always there for each other.🥹🫂

”Because you shine brighter than anyone i’ve ever known”

CalebMy man ✋🏻The sweetest, most considerate, and thoughtful guy ever! The only thing I didn’t like about this book was the lack of Caleb’s point of view. I feel like it was really needed so we could see how he truly felt in certain situations.But anyway, he was perfect. I absolutely adored how supportive he was of her when they were young and how he was always there for her! I really hate his parents! However, I loved his relationship with her mother and the scene when she went to his graduation and clapped for him louder than anyone soo beautiful 🥹. I admired how vulnerable he was with her and how he didn’t shy away from his feelings 🥹 and come on he wears glasses and loves to read. I’m so hopelessly in love with him! Literally, my type🧎🏻‍♀️💕

” and i hope that if you have to rewrite your life, you won’t erase my part in it, that you’ll let me stay a part of your story.”

Sarah and Caleb I know I’ve said this a lot, but their marriage and their crisis felt so real here, and I absolutely loved how mature they were about their problems not stubborn and blaming each other! I loved how they communicated and how they didn’t give up on one another. They both approached everything from each other’s perspective and apologized for the hurt they caused each other! They were simply made for each other! Like whenever there is sarah there is Caleb it can’t be any other way 💕Their cute moments were so adorable and just warmed my heart. The flying papers and glances and small smiles and her being his first everything ugh adorable 😭🤍 may this love find me pleaseee

I totally 100% recommend like seriously everyone need to read this!! And I had the greatest ( well not really giving both of us were crying because of the book) time reading it with my love buket 💕🫂

beautiful quotes

” i want you to understand that you can be anything but not everything. And, sometimes, you have to make a choice for yourself, right or wrong, before life makes it for you. I don’t want ti let anyone tell you not to try just because you might fail. Failure is simply an opportunity for those who have time. And you will have so much time. Okay baby?”

“But don’t think for a single second you could ever truly leave me. You can go as far as you need to, but you’ll always be a part of me. You will always be the second voice in my head. The force that surrounds me. The source i pull inspiration from”

“I’m the only girl you ever dated,And I’m not easy.”
“ I don’t want easy. I don’t want anyone else. I want you sar. I want to be the only man lucky enough to be loved by you”

“ and your heart is mine in a way that out home or our neighborhood or my favorite movie is mine. Mine but not for me alone. Your heart is mine to care for, to treasure. But it will never be just mine”

[madi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

thank you to annie for buddy reading this with me 🫂💗

this book caught me off guard in the best (and most tear-filled) way. it was quiet. intimate. heartbreaking and healing all at once. i went into it expecting something soft and emotional, but i didn’t expect it to wreck me like this

sarah’s grief hit me hard. watching her try to find herself again after losing her mom… it was so raw. so real. it made me think about how tightly we’re tied to the people who raise us. how even when we argue or pull away, they’re still a part of us. and when they’re gone? it’s like trying to breathe with only half a heart. sarah’s pain, her memories, the way she just wanted to make something of herself in honor of her mom — it broke me. she was lost, but still trying. still standing. still holding on. i admired her so much for that

and win?? the kind of best friend everyone deserves. steady. loving. always showing up. their bond felt like home 🥹

“if you give me the space to grow, i’ll plant myself next to you. always.”
i had to pause. wipe my tears. and then cry again

caleb linwood is dream guy coded, no joke. thoughtful, gentle, a little nerdy (in the best way), and so in tune with his feelings. i really wish we got more of his point of view because there were so many moments i wanted to understand from his heart. but even without it, you could feel how much he loved sarah. through every little gesture, every quiet word. i hated his parents with my whole chest, but the way sarah’s mom loved him like her own? especially at his graduation?? i melted 🥹

“and i hope that if you have to rewrite your life, you won’t erase my part in it.”

sarah and caleb’s marriage was written with so much honesty. it didn’t feel perfect. it felt real. the way they handled everything with maturity and communication?? the effort they put in to truly understand each other?? i was rooting for them the whole time. and their little moments. the soft glances. the shared memories. him being her first everything. it made my heart ache in the best way. soulmates. period

only thing that pulled me out a bit was the last few chapters. it felt like the story didn’t need that added conflict. everything was already so powerful without it. it didn’t ruin anything, but it did make the ending feel a little less grounded than the rest of the book

still, this story was full of softness, healing, and love that chooses you, and i’m so glad i read it

₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊

𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ pre-read ♡⋆°｡⋆𐙚
⤷ finally starting this after seeing so many people love it! i’ve heard it’s soft but emotional, and i’m really hoping it gives all the heart and healing vibes 🥹

୨୧ buddy reading this with annie 🤭🩷 so excited to read it together and see how it makes us feel. hoping it lives up to the hype and gives us all the feels 💌

[Chloe Liese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute, utter perfection.

[fadheela ♡ (I'm back!!!!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷・❥・“𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓸𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓸𝔀𝓷. 𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓫𝓪𝓫𝔂. 𝓘 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵. 𝓑𝓮𝓬𝓪𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓫𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓷 𝓪𝓷𝔂𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓘'𝓿𝓮 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀𝓷.”・❥・ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

💌26/01/25
➸4.5 stars ~spoiler-free review💫~
Release Date: 28th January, 2025

This book freaking hit me hard. It was too raw, realistic & at the same time so beautiful! Hannah did it again, y'all! *sobs again* 😭🤍 Ok so I am just in time to review this book here (because I was procrastinating in gr), although I did a mini review in my booksta last year 🤭 Where shall I begin with? The fact that Hannah made me single handedly love the "marriage in crisis" trope, and also her note at the beginning was so incredibly heartfelt!🥺❤️‍🩹

✨️Let's meet the cast of OOTW✨️

“Desperate prayer is the only kind I've ever known.”

Sarah Abilene Green 💖~ After being 17 years together with the love of her life, Caleb, she realizes she's nothing without him. She feels like a loser and that she's too dependent on him and wants to do something alone. However, a confrontation with him at a charity gala night made her feel like she was losing everything she had known, including her marriage. Their relationship is hanging by a thread, and her doubts & insecurities keep growing when it comes to him. Everything about her character was so raw and realistic.🥺

“I don't want easy. I don't want anyone else. I want you, Sar. I want to be the only man ever lucky enough to be loved by you.”

Caleb Linwood 🥰~ He's really the definition of husband material. Like how come a man can be this perfect y'all? I need a man like him in my life. He's so caring and patient when it comes to Sarah. Deep inside he is afraid to loose her, because all he knows is her. He always wants to save her and be a knight in shining armour, but Sarah wishes the opposite.

While Out on a Limb showed us the glimpses of the goofy side of Sarah & Caleb, this one focused on how they met, loved, and got married very young. In a desperate attempt to save their marriage, Sarah insists Caleb that they go for the 1 week outdoor camping meant for rifted couples like them called "Reignite", so they can reconnect all over again.

“I would never erase you from my life, Caleb. It's our new chapter, okay? For both of us. Together.”

I loved reading about Sarah & Caleb, them trying to mend their relationship & also learning about each other all over again and trying to change themselves for each other for the better. They made me giggle like a teenager & they made me sad at so many moments.🤧 I just wish I could give the biggest hug to Sarah for going through so many things at such a young age 🥺🫂❤️‍🩹 Also Nina, Helen, Libby, Yvonne, Maggie and all the others from the camp were so sweet! And meeting Win & Bo again with their baby girl Gus was EVERYTHING!!🥹💗 Overall, the epilogue ATE, it was so literally freaking wholesome!!!🫶🏻💕

Read this if you like 💌:
🎀 Marriage in Crisis
🎀 Reader Girl x Geeky Boy
🎀 Outdoor Camping
🎀 Highschool Sweethearts
🎀 Dual timeline
🎀 Dealing with grief

🌶 chps: 3 (past), 4, 9, 18, 20

Thank you the author, the publisher & Netgalley for this beautiful ARC in exchange for an honest review 🫶

𝓢𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓯𝓪𝓿𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓷𝓸𝓽𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼 💌:

“I need a change, Win. Something has to give. And, maybe, that thing is Caleb. Maybe I need to survive on my own. And, maybe, he'd be better off.”

“I brought it and a solar charger. I didn't want you to lose your reading streak. Downloaded a couple of extra books too.”

“That growing awareness picks and chips away at childhood until you're suddenly twelve and crying in the bathroom because you got your first period and came to realize that everyone was right. You shouldn't have wanted to grow up. Womanhood is just a trap of a different making.”

“Often. we can find ourselves playing what-if instead of recognizing what we can do now to build the life we want. The truth is the past is one of the only things as stubborn as us humans. Unfortunately, it won't change no matter how much you ask it to.”

“Humans are typically just stumbling through this life, making mistakes and trying again. Anyone who says indifferently is faking it or trying to sell something.”

“I really don't like change.”
“I know, love.”
“I don't want to risk losing you.”
“You won't.”
“Promise?”
“If you give me the space to grow, I'll plant myself next to you. Always.”

“And I hope that if you have to rewrite your life, you won't erase my part in it, that you'll let me stay a part of your story.”

“I want you to understand that you can be anything but not everything. And sometimes, you have to make a choice for yourself, right or wrong, before life makes it for you. I don't want you to let anyone tell you not to try just because you might fail. Failure is simply an opportunity for those who have time. And you will have so much time.”

“I don't want to wait ten years to have the life we want. You are the only thing that matters to me, and I'm tired of pretending otherwise.”

ˋ°•*⁀➷・❥・𝓟𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀・❥・ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

💌20/12/24
4.5 stars, RTC. Finished this finally today, and all I got to say is, this was freaking too raw, realistic and beautiful at the same time!😭💖 Hannah did it again y'all!!

💌14/12/24
Finally getting to my most anticipated arc!😍 hoping Sarah & Caleb can rescue me from the reading slump that I've unfortunately fallen into due to my last read 🤧🤞🏻💕

[Kezia Duah · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If you give me the space to grow, I’ll plant myself next to you.”

Wow!! This is what people mean when they say love isn’t just a feeling, it’s a choice. I loved how, throughout the whole story, I could feel the love between Caleb and Sarah even though things were clearly rocky. I never felt like I had to pick a side; I was just rooting for them to work things out because both their feelings were so valid and real. It really shows how important communication is in a healthy relationship.

I was completely immersed in this book the entire time just soaking in all the love. But there were definitely moments of sadness too, since grief plays such a big role in the story. The setting was also super fun and added something special to the romance.

Romance books aren’t always realistic, but this one felt really close to what some couples actually go through. And I loved that there was humor sprinkled in too. I hope a lot of people see themselves in these characters and learn a little something.

I seriously can’t wait to see what Bonam-Young comes out with next!

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of Out on a Limb like me, you’ll understand why I practically screamed with excitement when I received an ARC of this book! Win and Bo’s story was perfection, and it remains one of my all-time favorites. So, when I was introduced to Sarah and Caleb, I immediately adored them. They deserved their own book, and it’s not only a pleasure to see their more mature selves but also to witness how Win and Bo’s relationship has evolved as supportive characters in this story.

The story begins at a fundraising gala Sarah organizes in honor of her late mother, who passed away from ALS a decade ago. Despite her hard work, the event fails to raise sufficient funds until Caleb, her loving husband, steps in with a generous anonymous donation to save the night. However, Sarah doesn’t appreciate his gesture. She wanted to succeed on her own merit and felt she should have been allowed to embrace failure without his interference. Their argument stirs a whirlwind of emotions in Sarah, prompting her to question the trajectory of her life. She feels unfulfilled as a housewife, having given up her dream of becoming a writer after receiving harsh criticism from a favorite author. Ten years later, she’s still grieving her mother and feels like a shell of her former self, while Caleb’s tech company thrives. As Sarah’s resentment grows, Caleb begins to wonder who Sarah truly is without him and whether their relationship would have survived if they had met later in life rather than as teenagers.

At Sarah’s lowest point, Win proposes a solution: a hiking trip designed as a couples’ therapy retreat. This seven-day journey includes exercises aimed at rekindling their bond and confronting the challenges they’ve been avoiding.

For Sarah and Caleb, who aren’t naturally outdoorsy, the trip is physically grueling and emotionally demanding. They are forced to confront their buried issues, face their fears, and engage in brutally honest conversations with each other. Listening to the struggles of other couples on the trip also provides valuable insights into their own relationship.

Sarah is determined to make meaningful changes in her life, while Caleb is equally committed to doing whatever it takes to save their marriage. Together, they embark on an arduous yet transformative journey of self-discovery and healing.

Overall: The final chapters left me deeply emotional, and the conclusion was both heartwarming and incredibly satisfying. I loved Sarah and Caleb’s journey, beautifully interwoven with reflections on their past and present. This is one of those rare books that deserves to be read more than once. I’m a huge fan of this author and her uniquely relatable characters. I can’t recommend this book enough—consider this my rooftop-level declaration of enthusiasm!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Dell for providing this exceptional book’s digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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[Destiney Bomberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

INFINITY STARS!!! I’m not okay after finishing this.
Thoughts to come but omg one of my all time favs, like up there right next to simple wild!

[naz · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔.”

This book hit WAY TOO HARD, RAW, and BEAUTIFUL. 😭✨

I never thought the "marriage crisis" trope would be for me, but this book completely changed my mind. Don't worry they're together throughout the entire story!

The plot focuses on Sarah finding her way back to herself without depending entirely on Caleb, her husband. After 17 years together and a charity gala where Caleb "saves" Sarah, she realizes she doesn't know who she is without him. What better way to reconnect and face their insecurities than a couples retreat in the woods called Reignite? 🏕️🪵

While you can read this as a standalone, I highly recommend starting with Out on a Limb first to get a deeper sense of their dynamic. Who are they as a couple? They’re best friends with incredible banter who say whatever’s on their mind except for the hard stuff. When it comes to certain topics, you can see them walking on eggshells, and this book dives right into those avoided conversations.

Hannah Bonam-Young absolutely nailed it, giving us not only the goofy side of marriage and a past timeline of their relationship from the start, but also the raw emotion of Sarah’s perspective. Watching her try to express how she feels in their marriage, while Caleb struggles to see what’s “wrong,” is so authentic and heart-wrenching. The way their conversations unfold is beautifully written 🥹.

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍, 𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒚. 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍. 𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏.

And let’s not forget they are VERY much in love. 💕 Sarah just wants to grow as a couple, which means finding herself and communicating how she feels, so she doesn’t feel lost within the relationship. If that doesn’t hit you straight in the feels, I don’t know what will. 😭 PERFECTION. 💖

“𝑾𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓’𝒔 𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒖𝒕. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕.” 𝑯𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒍𝒎 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒕, 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒅𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒏. “𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕.”

Tropes
🪵 marriage in crisis
🪵 high school sweethearts / first love
🪵 reader girl x geeky boy
🪵 first person POV (FMC)
🪵 past and present timeline
🪵 spicy outdoor scenes

⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ nothing like a book that will hits you with all the emotions to get your heart racing! WOOO!

i have this ARC and i can’t freaking wait to read it, I just know is gonna wreck me and heal me all in one🥹😭 thank you Dell Romance for this eARC in exchange for my honest review 😭

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

😭💔OH MY ACHY BREAKY HEART😭💔!!!!!! Out of the Woods written by Hannah Bonam-Young was so powerful, raw, inspiring, beautiful, heart breaking, deeply moving, personal, and so much more. I have never read a book written by Hannah Bonam-Young before this one, but after loving Out of the Woods, I'm definitely going to read every single book this queen writes. In Hannah's author notes, she does state you CAN read this book as a standalone and I had no issue doing so. Hannah, I will be sending you my therapy bill because this book mentally destroyed me and broke my heart more than once. When I first saw that beautifully detailed cover, I knew I had to get my hands on this book immediately and I'm so beyond happy I had the chance to devour this beautiful novel. If I could give this book an infinity star rating I totally would because it deserves all of the love, but I'm honestly scared my reviews and words will never give this book the justice it deserves. I absolutely loved this book with my entire heart, it will stay with me for years and years to come, no matter how much it left me broken hearted. There's a very small amount of books that will leave a ever lasting impact on you and Out of the Woods is one of those books that will change your life. Out of the Woods is more than just a romance novel, it's about self growth, finding your true self, hopefulness, familiarity, inside jokes, shared history, grief, friendship, and intimacy.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND RANDOM HOUSE PUBLISHING GROUP-BALLANTINE FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!!

TRIGGER WARNING'S
~Death of a parent from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
~Medical treatments, illness, hospitalization, and terminal diagnosis.
~Questioning religious practices/spirituality, and Catholicism.
~References to alcohol and marijuana consumption.
~Descriptive sex scenes.
~Accident resulting in hospitalization.

"❤💋I'm capable of seeing you at your worst. At your angriest. At your lowest. At your meanest....and still loving you❤💋".

"🌻If you give me the space to grow, I'll plant myself next to you. Always🌻".

"💫😘I hope that if you have to rewrite your life, you won't erase my part in it, that you'll let me stay a part of your story💫😘".

"🌳💐We believe that there is no better place to reconnect with ourselves and our partner than in the glory of nature🌳💐".

"😍💎Give me books, sunlight, water, and a handsome man looking at me like I'm some rare jewel, and I'm all set😍💎".

"😭Feeling inadequate tends to be a relatively common experience when we struggle with our self esteem😭".

Sarah Linwood is so authentic and real. Sarah's authenticity felt so deeply personal to my own, it was like Sarah was a reflection of myself. It felt like Sarah was my best friend throughout the entire novel, I cried when she cried, I laughed when she laughed, I was angry when she was angry, and I was feeling all of the emotions and turmoil Sarah went through. Sarah isn't perfect by any means, but she always put her family and friends first before herself, which is also something I do as well. I just wanted to reach into my kindle and give Sarah the biggest hug whenever she was being vulnerable. I feel like so many can relate to Sarah, she suffers with her self growth, and it was so heart warming to watch Sarah navigate her self discovery and find her true self. Sarah's self growth journey throughout this book was so inspiring. Marcie Green, Sarah's mom died from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) eleven years ago which just broke my heart. I can't even imagine losing my mom. Sarah decides to host a fundraising gala memorial in honor of her mom to help with ALS research. Sarah decided to set a goal to reach three hundred thousand dollars, but only reached one hundred and eighty thousand dollars, but that's only until Sarah's husband Caleb stepped in and saved the day. Sarah absolutely hates being the damsel in distress. 💅💃👑Sarah has The Spoiled Princess pout that says: I'm upset but you don't have to take me seriously💅💃👑.

Caleb Linwood is the true and real definition of husband material. Ladies and gentlemen, please take notes from Caleb Linwood. Caleb has maple brown curly hair, hot as fuck in skinny jeans, wears glasses, espresso colored eyes, perfect pearly smile, five foot eleven, I think y'all get in now, Caleb is insanely hot. The only issue I had was with Cyrus and Michelle- Caleb's parents, they weren't very lovable towards Sarah, they always compared Caleb and Sarah to his siblings and their significant others, which I absolutely can't stand when in-laws do that, they are just very judgmental which doesn't sit right with me. Caleb is a wealthy young entrepreneur, so he's always working and trying to make the best work environment for his employees which is just the sweetest thing. Caleb is driven, intelligent, nerdy, protects out of love-not dominance, he also plays Dungeons and Dragons which I think is adorable that he's a gamer. Caleb Linwood is so spicy and has a mouth that will have you on your knees, "🌶😍🔥I would climb mountains for the chance to watch you come undone, baby🌶😍🔥". Caleb is just so perfect and the absolute sweetest to everyone around him. Caleb always delivers with the princess treatment for Sarah.

Sarah and Caleb Linwood are high school sweethearts, they have been married since they were nineteen years old. Caleb has always been Sarah's safe person, but after they had a falling out because Caleb saved the day at the ALS gala, Sarah and Caleb's marriage may seem rocky for a little bit. After their argument, Win and Bo- Sarah and Caleb's best friends set up a little trip for these two love birds to save their marriage. Sarah and Caleb decide to take the chance with Reignite which is a camping trip for couples, Reignite is a seven days of couples counseling in the great outdoors. The owners, Helen and Yvonne are there to lead these couples through breathing exercises and techniques to save their marriage. I absolutely loved all of the side characters Nina and Jai, Kieran and Henry, and Maggie and Phil, they were all so supportive of one another and I truly believe they all became the best of friends. Caleb and Sarah were very skeptical at first, but watching their self growth was truly inspiring. These two love birds were just the cutest, but I'm so proud of them for putting their differences aside and working together to save their marriage despite Sarah wanting to be independent and reaching the fundraising goal on her own. Sarah and Caleb, I love you both dearly and hold you both close to my heart. It often felt like I was right there in the woods cheering all of these couples on as they navigate and find their true selves. I can honestly say, I don't have a favorite couple from this book because they were all of my favorites.

[ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Lilyya for buddy reading this with me💗

I feel like no one else has this opinion, so please don’t come for me I love you, Hannah Bonam-Young but Sarah lowkey frustrated me in the middle of the book. By the end, I started liking her again, but there were definitely moments where I wanted to shake her. Caleb, though? WE LOVE HIM! He deserves everything good in this world.

Overall, it was a cute story, but a few parts got on my nerves. Also, I have to take off a star because the sex scenes felt awkward and forced. I kept forgetting these were full-grown adults because Sarah was acting like a child half the time. Oh, and a heads up grab a tissue box before you hit Chapter 14. Trust me.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Out of the Woods was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025. When I met Sarah and Caleb in ‘Out on a Limb’ I knew their story was one I wanted. Sometimes reading about already established couples is challenging, but Hannah Bonam-Young wrote this seamlessly between past and present. When I got to the dedication, I knew this book was for me. 

‘Out of the Woods’ is my love letter to all of us who met our soulmates before we had the chance to fully meet ourselves.

Whew… talk about relatable. I met my husband when we were 15, and we became fast friends. We started dating at 17, married at 20, and are now almost 39. Like I said, relatable. But enough about me; back to Sarah and Caleb. 

Sarah has a husband who has been with her and supported her through all the ups and downs of her life. Ever since she’s been a teenager. He’s the best partner she could ask for. But she finds herself wondering… who is she aside from being Caleb’s wife? To figure this out, she and Caleb go on an adventure to rediscover themselves. An outdoor hiking/couples retreat. 

I enjoyed the first 40%- 50% of this book, but the last half… the last half was everything. I laughed, I cried, and I loved it so incredibly much. This was a beautiful journey of self-discovery and finding yourself, and it was a great example of how beautiful a long-term marriage/relationship can be when you grow together. I adored this book and couldn’t recommend it more. It is my first five-star of the year and one that will most definitely be on my favorites list of 2025.

[Roxy · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute, i liked it, nice smut.


just starting this now...GUYS I MIGHT BE OUT OF MY SLUMP AAAA ut we can't be sure I am not to be trusted w my slumps yuurrr

Out on a limb was one of my favs from my last year, so im trusting this one to be 5 stars as well.

Buddy reading w Clace<333

[Tabatha (tab.talks.books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️ 2🌶️

Was kinda boring. I didn’t really find there was much romance or connection until the end.

[aira {vacay ia} · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If you give me the space to grow, I’ll plant myself next to you. Always."

"And I hope that if you have to rewrite your life, you won’t erase my part in it, that you’ll let me stay a part of your story."

3.75!! This book was so good and I have no words.

[zoë ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗ · Rating 3 out of 5]

ੈ♡˳ rating: 3.5 of five stars

ੈ♡˳ summary: out of the woods by hannah bonam-young follows sarah and caleb, a married couple of 17 years, as they head off to a wilderness couples retreat in a last-ditch effort to save their relationship. with their marriage on the rocks, and communication at an all-time low, they’re forced into uncomfortable vulnerability, tough conversations, and a whole lot of introspection—all while stuck in the middle of the woods, facing both their relationship and themselves head-on.

ੈ♡˳ thoughts: i wanted to like this more than i did, especially since i loved the first book, but this just didn’t hit in the same way. i honestly spent most of the book wondering if sarah even wanted to change. her constant blaming of caleb for the state of their relationship felt unfair, especially since it really seemed like he was doing everything he thought was right. i kept waiting for her to take some accountability, and it just never really happened.

caleb didn’t need “time in the woods”—sarah did. he was doing his best, trying to love her through everything, and the fact that we didn’t get his POV made it feel like he was just a punching bag the whole time. it also didn’t help that sarah kept talking about how she had all this time, no kids, the perfect life… and yet she wasn’t doing anything with it. if you want to write—then write. if you feel empty—then go to therapy.

this didn’t feel like a romance book to me. i didn’t root for them as a couple. in fact, i found myself hoping caleb would find someone who appreciated him. the ending didn’t really convince me that they actually worked through their issues—it felt unresolved.

ੈ♡˳ tropes:
ꕥ marriage in crisis
ꕥ second chance romance
ꕥ forced proximity
ꕥ therapy retreat vibes

ੈ♡˳ fave quotes:
➼ “life kept going, the earth kept spinning, everyone moved on, but i stayed still.”
➼ “i want you to understand that you can be anything but not everything. and, sometimes, you have to make a choice for yourself, right or wrong, before life makes it for you.”
➼ “we have the rest of our lives to fuck each other’s brains out. i’m here to get your heart back first.”

————
pre-read: me and the last book didn't get along for personal reasons, but i'm excited to read this one & i hope i love it more than the first one.