Rewilding: Freedom, Friendship, and Finding Our Way Home

by Jane Green

What is Rewilding by Jane Green about?

I was fifty-five when I finally stopped pretending. What if real freedom isn't about reinventing yourself... but about letting the woman you buried years ago grow wild again?

To the world, Jane Green had bestselling novels, a beautiful home, the perfect family. Inside, she was disappearing, squeezed into the roles of wife, mother, provider, eternal people-pleaser while her marriage cooled, her children flew, and her own dreams gathered dust. Then she stopped squeezing herself into shapes that didn't fit.

Rewilding is the raw, exhilarating story of what happened next. Of rediscovering the loud, messy, paint-splattered art student she once was. Of choosing meaningful friendships over obligation, creativity over perfection, and the truth over silence. Of learning - messily and joyfully - that home isn't a place you build for other people. It's the life you dare to live for yourself. Part memoir, part battle cry, Rewilding is for any woman who has ever felt invisible in her own story. And it's proof that surrender could be the most radical act of all... and that the most powerful thing you can do is stop trying to be good, and start being free.

For readers of Glennon Doyle, Elizabeth Gilbert and Brene Brown. Who would you be if you stopped caring what anyone else thought?

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

322 pages, Paperback

Published June 4, 2026

About the author

Jane Green is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-one novels, and one cookbook. With over 10 million books in print in over 25 languages, she is credited as being one of the founders of the ‘chick lit’ genre.

Jane is also the author of the weekly Dear Jane column in the Daily Mail. She lives between London and Marrakech, where she holds writing and rewilding retreats, and tries not to rescue every stray kitten she comes across.

Connect with Jane:
www.janegreen.com

Find out about her retreats:
www.kitabamarrakech.com

Reviews

[Becky L-D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed this book and learned a lot from it. I felt deeply moved by the losses of Jane’s friends and I really admired her overall approach to life, some of which I hope to take forward with me.

However, I don’t think there was anywhere near enough acknowledgment of Jane’s unbelievable levels of privilege and, ultimately, wealth. Essentially, there was no acknowledgment at all.

I’d imagine Rewilding would be much easier and more accessible if we could all afford to pop to Marrakech regularly enough to fall in love with it as a place, and build and design our own homes in America.

The ‘woe is me’ parts about how tough it was to live in a 4 bedroom house so many would dream to have, I found difficult to swallow. Deciding she could only live in London or Morocco had me rolling my eyes.

Despite the immense work Jane has done on herself, I feel she remains somewhat blinkered to actual ‘real-life’ struggles and should acknowledge that more in this book.

[Anja Pusch · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used to adore Jane Green‘s novels. I read almost all of them. So I also read Rewilding… and finished it, with mixed feelings. A wealthy woman worrying about which hous(es) to buy, in Marrakech or London, fantasizing about men, partying, friends, psychedelics… Definitely not my tribe anymore.

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a disappointing read.
Privilege was flowing through the pages. The timelines jumped back and forth, whilst being repetitive.
The chapters did not align.
The host of 'friends' introduced was making my head hurt.
Storyline's were introduced, yet never revisited or concluded...what happened to the home she was waiting to buy?
This was up there with Matthew Perry's autobiography for me, which was a one star at best!
I have read all of Jane's books, and unfortunately this has tainted my thoughts of her writing...

[Gwendolina Toner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally enjoyable, but written by a hugely privileged woman which made it less relatable at times. It was also very repetitive and contained several errors.

[Josephine Olok · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice read. I related a lot to the author's feelings within her marriage and in some of her friendships. I am glad she was able to make the changes needed to end her unhappiness and truly find herself. The move to Marrakech certainly took a lot of courage. I felt that the book lacked some depth and was repetitive in parts but overall it was well written.

[Pascale Poitras · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Green. One of my favorite authors EVER. Her books arrived regularly and I always preordered. She wrote about wonderful strong women. The stories and their characters became more mature as did JG. I followed her on social media... so glamorous and happy with her family, career, fashion and novels.
To read (listen!) to this memoir, I was rather shocked that 1) her books were growing less popular (still cannot believe) 2) she struggled financially and 3) she was so unhappy and ultimately lonely.
Her Rewilding journey was so interesting. The leap to divorce, move to Marrakech, explore friendships, romantic relationships, sexuality, and find a home was a very satisfying and eye opening read.
The only thing I wish we learned about was the outcome of her home she fought to own...
Thank you Jane Green for showing me that your successful writing career and your gorgeous life was regularly and I always preordered. She wrote about wonderful strong women. The stories and their characters became more mature as did JG. I followed her on social media... so glamorous and happy with her family, career, fashion and novels.
To read (listen!) to this memoir, I was rather shocked that 1) her books were growing less popular (still cannot believe) 2) she struggled financially and 3) she was so unhappy and ultimately lonely.
Her Rewilding journey was so interesting. The leap to divorce, move to Marrakech, explore friendships, romantic relationships, sexuality, and find a home was a very satisfying and eye opening read.
The only thing I wish we learned about was the outcome of her home she fought to own...
Thank you Jane Green for showing me that your successful writing career and your gorgeous life was only part of you, allowing the depth of your heart to shine in this beautiful memoir.only part of you, allowing the depth of your heart to shine in this beautiful memoir.

[Carol Anne Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book. Rewilding is the memoir of bestselling author Jane Green, who, at age 56, starts over. That means divorce, a move to a different country, and some deep reflection, exploration, and self-analysis.

I see that a lot of readers claim this book's biggest flaw is that it's "just another navel-gazing book written by a privileged white woman." Sure, Jane has money, and her idea of "living simply" may not feel especially realistic, but if you can get past that and really listen to what she's saying, I think she speaks to women of a certain age from all walks of life. Because it doesn't matter how big our houses are, the fact remains that Gen X and Boomer women were often raised to feel "less than." We were taught to be peacekeepers and people-pleasers, often at the expense of our own identity. That part is deeply relatable.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author, and honestly, by the end I felt as though she were an old friend. Her vulnerability and honesty are refreshing, and her flaws and missteps make her feel authentic.

Also? She has a beautiful speaking voice. She was such a pleasure to listen to, and her message is one I think women everywhere need to hear: don't lose sight of who you are as you move through the different seasons of your life. At the end of the day, the only validation that really matters is the validation you give yourself!

[Mark Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rewilding is one of those rare books that feels like a heartfelt conversation with a trusted friend. Jane Green's honesty, vulnerability, and courage shine through every page as she shares her journey of breaking free from expectations and reconnecting with her authentic self.

What I loved most was how relatable her story feels. Whether you're navigating a major life transition or simply questioning the roles you've been playing for years, this memoir offers both comfort and inspiration. Green doesn't present transformation as neat or effortless; instead, she embraces the messy, imperfect reality of growth, making her story all the more powerful.

The themes of creativity, friendship, self-acceptance, and personal freedom are beautifully woven together, creating a book that is both deeply reflective and incredibly uplifting. I found myself highlighting passages and reflecting on my own life long after I finished reading.

If you've ever felt lost beneath the expectations of others or wondered what it would be like to fully embrace who you truly are, Rewilding is a must-read. Honest, empowering, and beautifully written, this memoir is a reminder that it's never too late to reclaim your voice and create a life that feels genuinely your own. Highly recommended

[robookz · Rating 2 out of 5]

lovely concept and had so so sooo much potential !! this had all the bones i look for in a memoir and i devoured the middle sections, but the privilege throughout all of it makes it fall,,, flat. this is a memoir ultimately intended to inspire others to “rewild” themselves and take those chances but… yeah. i too would feel better about my life if i were in the position to pack it all up and move to morocco on a whim xx

there’s a section where a couple criticise jane for always talking about herself later on in this journey and her response is ‘well! that says more about them than me!’ … so much of this book focuses on meaningful connections and understanding those around us, and the way this interaction is dismissed makes all of this redundant. there’s such a complete lack of accountability throughout so much of this which i think encapsulates my thoughts on this book - so so sooo close to being something thought provoking and inspiring, but falls flat when it comes to applying these lifestyle changes to the real world.

[Heather Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Jane Green's writings for over 20 years. I fell in love with jemima j and have read every book she has published.

I was so excited to read about the "Rewilding' process which sadly fell flat. I identified with difficult friendships and the all consuming loss that can be felt when what was once a soul sister disappears. I had hoped for more depth in the experience of finding oneself through deep soul searching, connection, mediation, adventures, and hard work. I was expecting an almost how-to "rewild" and build something greater than what was there before. This did not happen.

I agree with others who mentioned the repetitive nature of the book so won't discuss it further.

I am still looking forward to her next novel despite feeling disappointed by this book.

[T · Rating 1 out of 5]

I empathize with her situation (unhappy marriage, financial strain) and understand why she made the moves she did. But this memoir would have been far stronger with more self-awareness, accountability, and empathy — for her ex-husband, for the dates that didn't pan out, for the people in her social circle who didn't take to her.

As a developmental psychologist, I can see the leap she's making in her identity evolution, and there's something genuinely beautiful in it. When we move into a new identity — reaching back for the parts of ourselves we've lost while also becoming someone new — we tend to decide everything about our current life is wrong. We know we don't belong where we are anymore, but we don't yet know where we're headed. So the problem has to be "out there."

That's the trap she falls into. Her self-absorption flattens the story into something thinner than I had hoped, and I worry it may, in particular, inspire women to blow up their lives when the truer work may be to do right where they are. Leaving a marriage may very well be the right choice. But Ms. Green misses the boat and depth by locating the problem entirely outside herself.

[Fiona Pullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy Jane's fiction books so was intrigued to read this memoir. As a 40 something woman whose child is about to leave home and who left her husband a few years ago I can definitely relate to her journey! To that feeling of life not having turned out to be what you expected, but trying to figure out what you really want.

I wish this book had been around when I reached that turning point as it would have been interesting to read about someone else's experiences, especially in a memoir as open and honest as this one. I think it is a book many middle aged women will be able to relate to.

[julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rewilding. What a beautiful concept. After years of pleasing others, a deep and profound ennui had arrived in the author’s life.This book tells us how Jane Green reclaims herself and reawakens her passion and joy. Two of the accounts in the book have also been published in the Daily Mail, which I had already read and enjoyed, so I skipped past those, but may have been disappointed at the repetition if I had purchased the book.
Will resonate with a lot of women in their fifties after children have moved on and thinking about what comes next in their life. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the review copy.

[Helbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thoughtful and inspiring read: it’s not about reinventing yourself, it’s about remembering yourself. Jane Green is very open and honest about her journey and although I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to make some of the choices she did, I admired her willingness to embrace change. The book occasionally feels repetitive, but her easy, engaging writing style makes it a quick and interesting read. This was my first Jane Green book, and it has definitely made me interested in trying some of her fiction.

Thanks to netgalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC.

[S.J. Lomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book.
Jane Green tells her own story of re-finding herself in her mid-50s after deciding to leave her second marriage.
Jane's decisions and opportunities are unlike any from my circle, so it made for a fascinating read.
Since it's about the events of a real person's life, I don't feel comfortable reviewing it for content. I've read and enjoyed Jane's books for many years and it was very brave of her to publish this book.
I read the audiobook, which Jane narrated herself, and I especially enjoyed her tone and inflection. It felt like sitting with a girlfriend and having a conversation.
I did not come away from reading it with any deep truths, or profound revelations, but it was a unique story of Jane's recent life.

[Lucy Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have loved every single book Jane Green has written, and—as a huge fan of memoirs—I have been chomping at the bit to get my hands on a copy of Rewilding. Jane was kind enough to send me an ARC and boy did I fly through it. A propulsive account of what happened when Jane no longer recognised herself in the life she was living, it’s a story full of hope and heart, courage and curiosity. I adored it ❤️

[Jennifer Kavanagh]

I really enjoyed reading about Jane's rediscovery of who she was when she stopped prioritising other people's opinions over what she wanted. However, at times I found it quite repititious, with almost the exact same sentiment/sentence repeated quite soon after the first instance. I also would have enjoyed learning more about her relationship with her children and her friends, as that was a significant portion of her life and regrets.

[Linda Cuttone · Rating 4 out of 5]

So great to finally have a new book from Jane Green and to read about her personal journey and the next chapter. She took many leaps into the deep end and shared many entertaining stories. Looking forward to her next book now that she is writing again.

[Trish Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow.

[Rhona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting.

[Gill Crooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, empowering, raw, honest, second chances, healing and reconnecting to your authentic self, a must read for every woman that feels they've got lost along the way.

[Ricci Elisabetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

Honest, relevant, witty and uplifting. I loved reading Janey’s rewilding journey and she inspired me to try it too. Watch out world!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened on Spotify to the audio book. No real revelations and by the end not that endeared to the author. Self indulgent.

[Hazel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to read this for book club. I did not choose to read this. It is the worst book I have ever read.