Heart of the Wild

by Patti Callahan Henry

New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan Henry’s riveting new novel takes readers deep into the woods where the lives of two teenage girls—one lost and one hiding—will forever change.

The summer Emma McKinney turns fifteen, hope feels fragile. Her father is missing in action in Vietnam, and her mother—seeking escape as much as stability—accepts a teaching job in a remote mountain town. Emma, sensitive and intelligent, senses her mother has other reasons for their stay in Silverveil. Before she can press for answers, Emma is sent away to a youth group retreat with only her father's worn copy of The Call of the Wild for comfort.

On the last day of the retreat, Emma strays from the trail and becomes hopelessly lost. With no clear path back to camp, she relies on instinct, animal signs, and the vast, unyielding wild for guidance. As days go by and exhaustion, hunger, and fear begin to hollow her out, Emma’s fate feels uncertain. But she is not alone. Deep in the woods, another teenage girl is keeping watch—resourceful and determined to remain unseen. As they move through the same wilderness, their stories begin to collide, forcing them to discover their strength and will to survive.

Aching and gritty, Heart of the Wild is an atmospheric journey not only of perseverance, but of self-discovery and secrets whose roots run much deeper than just the forest floor.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 20, 2027

About the author

Patti Callahan Henry is the award winning NYT bestselling author of nineteen novels, including her newest, HEART OF THE WILD. Other novels include The Story She Left Behind and The Secret Book of Flora Lea. She’s also a podcast host of original content for her novels, Surviving Savannah and Becoming Mrs. Lewis.
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She is the recipient of The Christy Award “Book of the Year”; The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year for Becoming Mrs. Lewis. She is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly online Friends and Fiction live web show and podcast. Patti also was a contributor to the monthly life lesson essay column for Parade Magazine and the Writer in Residence for Victoria Magazine. She’s published in numerous anthologies, articles, and short story collections, including an Audible Original about Florence Nightingale, titled Wild Swan narrated by the Tony Award winner, Cynthia Erivo.
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Once a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist she is now a full-time author.

Reviews

[Robin O'Bryant]

“Patti Callahan Henry has a gift for creating settings that linger long after the final page, and Heart of the Wild is no exception. The story is further enriched by the mystical power of the wilderness itself, where ancient wisdom and the untamed spirit of the natural world help guide its characters toward survival and healing. Equal parts coming-of-age story, survival tale, and testament to female resilience, this novel celebrates women who survive, endure, and become the rescuers of themselves and one another.” – Robin O'Bryant, Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers

[Cassidy]

B grade The Great Alone!!! But still good and worth the read if you enjoy mother/daughter stories and being lost in the woods.

[Libby Reidy]

This new book is so different from the author's previous books. I started it several week ago and debated about whether to finish it. I did pick it up again and loved it. A teenage girl and her mother relocate to the mountains to pick up their lives after their husband/father is declared MIA in Vietnam. Hoping to help her daughter(Emma) to find new friends, her mother(Jenny) enrolls her in a summer camp. Disaster follows as Emma becomes separated from the summer group and is hopelessly lost in the mountains. Eventually rescued by a young woman (Becky) who is escaping from her abusive father , the two become friends and return safetly to civilization. An emotional story of survival and also the beauty of nature makes this book a winner!

[Allyn Oliver]

I cried, and I stayed up way too late finishing this book! This story follows Emma, a teenage girl lost in North Carolina’s Nantahala National Forest, and another young girl hiding in those same woods for reasons that slowly unfold.

As Emma fights to survive, she learns not only how much she can endure, but also how to listen to and rely on the natural world around her. I especially loved the role the animals played—and the connection to Jack London’s The Call of the Wild. The hawk absolutely captured my heart!

With its dual perspectives, atmospheric setting, and undercurrent of mystery, this felt different from Patti Callahan Henry’s usual historical fiction novels and I was completely here for it!

Look for this book April 20, 2027.

Thanks to Atria Books for the ARC!

[Itzy Morales]

3.25 rating

Wow! This could be a movie!

This story was absolutely rich with detail and made me fall in love with the beauty that nature holds. It’s not only a story of survival but a coming of age story and a story of resilience. Henry’s words truly made one feel like they were with Emma, our main character, and helping her and guiding her through her time in the woods.

It’s a celebration of women and their stories and survival in world that caters to men. I found myself gripped with tension and wanting to know more about each and every single character. Absolutely moving!

Thank you to Atria Books for the ARC.

[Laura Palmer]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC of this book. "Heart of the Wild" is my first read by Patti Callahan Henry, and it did not disappoint. Emma is a teenager, forced to move to a small town with her mother for the summer after her father goes MIA in Vietnam. Her mother forces Emma to go to a youth group summer camp for a few days, much against Emma's desire. The other kids are cruel and tease her. Emma ends up spending a lot of time alone and eventually goes missing in the woods and can't find her way back to camp. There is also another missing girl out in the woods. Will they both survive? Will their stories intertwine? Read to find out!

[Cait Sully]

3.5⭐

I really enjoyed the journeys of the main female characters in this book. Each of their stories brought something different to the book and I liked seeing how they grew and found their own strength along the way.

I liked the nature aspect of the story and Emma using the book her father had shared with her to help guide her while she was stranded. I thought that was such a sweet connection between them.

Overall - I enjoyed the characters, the setting, and the themes throughout this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Crystal Tipton]

Special thanks to Edelweiss for the advanced reader copy of this book. I really loved this book! I loved the characters and seeing how much everyone grew throughout the story, especially the lost girls. Everything came together so well, and it even made me cry. This would make such a fantastic movie!

[Anderson McKean]

Patti Callahan Henry never ceases to amaze me. Her latest novel, HEART OF THE WILD has both the intriguing characters and lyrical prose that defines all of her work, but with the heart-pounding suspense of a can-she-make-it-out-alive thriller. I was furiously flipping the pages, but forced myself to slow down because I didn’t want to miss a single beautifully placed word.

[Lorie]

4.5 stars
I've loved every book I've read by Patti Callahan Henry, and this is no exception. I enjoyed the multiple points of view and thd historical details. The woods and mountains are where the story came to life.

[Lauren Albrecht]

Really enjoyed this one!! Was drawn into the story and following Emma’s journey. Ending drug out a bit but it wrapped up very nicely

[Pascale]

Thanks to theAtria for the ARC. A beautifully written book on how nature can shape us and what lessons can be learned by trusting forgiving and yourself.