Camino Wandering

by Tara Marlow

Aubrey is struggling to pick up the pieces of her shattered life when her son convinces her that walking 500 miles across Spain via the Camino Frances would be good for her.

When she befriends Pam and Georgina, she meets kindred spirits. Each carry their burdens close to their hearts, trying to find where they fit “in the real world.”

Overcoming blisters, aching joints, and the uncertainty of life, the trio walk together on a path of trust and forgiveness. But as they shed the miles, and inches from their waistlines, the connection they share bonds them like no other relationship they have ever experienced.

Will the Lovelies escape the demons that haunt them or will they carry the baggage of their pasts forever?

Will ‘The Way’ provide the answers they’re looking for? Or will it make them face questions they hadn’t thought to ask? And can they do that without losing what they each want most in the world?

Genres: Fiction, Travel

600 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 24, 2020

About the author

Tara Marlow is a bestselling Australian author renowned for her work in suspense and women's fiction. After a two-decade corporate career in the United States and a subsequent stint as a travel writer, she now dedicates herself to crafting compelling narratives about women overcoming insurmountable challenges and discovering their true selves.

Visit Tara online at taramarlowauthor.com to sign up for her monthly newsletter.

You can find Tara here:

➜ WEBSITE: www.taramarlowauthor.com
➜ NEWSLETTER: www.thecrackpotwriter.com/newsletter/
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/taramarlowauthor
➜ INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/taramarlow.author/
➜ BOOKBUB: bookbub.com/profile/tara-marlow

Reviews

[Patricia Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was intrigued after learning that a friend was going to walk the Camino and wanted to learn more. I absolutely love the humanity and the emotional journey of these very diverse and interesting characters. If you’re considering this journey, you will be inspired. If you’re just looking for a great read, this one will transport you. I highly recommend this book!

[Susanne Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this isn't a memoir, but it does read like one - one that I wish was mine! I hadn't heard of the Camino, but the development of trust that builds through the story allows us to learn more and more about these women (and the Camino) until I got to the point where I was walking beside them. I became so immersed in the story that I became one of them, so I couldn't put it down and ended up with an all-nighter to see us reach our goal :-). Looking forward to Book 2 - days away, yay!

[Sadelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely read, with believable characters whom I really enjoyed and getting to know them more and more deeply as their walk progressed. There is so much in this story that I could totally see a sequel based on the lives of a few of the characters. I was THAT curious to know what would happen next.

[Laura Bauermeister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Bringing back so many poignant memories of our own Camino three years ago. Highly recommended if you have already walked the Way or are considering it.

[elish · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is straightforward, not literary, but I found the story so compelling..I felt like I was walking the Camino along with the characters.. I felt like it was a great depiction of how it feels to undertake such a journey as an older woman, although I don’t think we all are haunted by regret and guilt the way these women are..

[Dick R. McCart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to be with them!

What an interesting and motivating book. I'd love to do the Camino, especially in the company of these ladies. While the details about the walk were great, I wanted more. There is a bit too much self analysis. Still, totally a worthy read.

[Marji Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this on our cruise, borrowing it from the ship's library. Did not have time to finish. Now I have. I liked it a lot. There is something about books with characters pushing their physical limits and exploring their souls that appeals to me. And why does pushing your physical limit allow you to explore your soul? Don't know, but it does.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very excited to read this book as the Camino Santiago is of great interest to me. I thought This book was too much about the three women and not enough about what the Camino is like and their spiritual growth. The overuse of the F word in this book irritated me.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

I loved this book. It isn't my typical read of psychological thrillers but a good story about friendships and perseverance. The main plot is about three middle age women that are somewhat lost in their own lives, meeting for the first time and coming together to walk hundreds of kilometers across the Camino.

[Melissa Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will want to walk the Camino after reading this book. You'll also want to spend a little time strengthening those female friendships. Very inspiring read that will get you thinking—and hopefully, walking!

[Karen Bowness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Camino Wandering by Tara Marlow is a heartwarming and reflective novel about grief, friendship, and finding yourself on the Camino de Santiago.

After a major life upheaval, Aubrey reluctantly sets off on the Camino Francés in Spain. Along the way, she meets Pam and Georgina - two very different women, each on their own journey. As they walk, their bond deepens, and each step brings healing, clarity, and unexpected strength.

Tara Marlow beautifully captures the spirit of the Camino - the landscape, the inner struggles, and the magic of connection. It’s an emotional, uplifting story that explores the power of female friendship and the courage it takes to start over.

Perfect for fans of women’s fiction, armchair travel, and soulful journeys.

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story about female friendships and finding your truth.

What a fun adventure of a book! Tara has written three engaging lead characters that I cared about and I read the story quickly because I wanted to get to know them more and couldn't wait to see how - or indeed if - it would all turn out for them. I laughed and I cried and I cheered the Lovelies on and I loved seeing them grow and change as they courageously walked to find their truths. The supporting characters were also well written and fun to hang with.

The descriptions of the Camino walk were evocative, I could see and feel the path they were on and almost felt my feet aching with them after each day's walk. I also loved hearing facts about the places they were walking through, making the story feel very much like a travelogue (perfect for our covid-restricted lives).

The story made me appreciate my friends, and also made me yearn to do some multi-day walks in my home state to go on my own personal adventure and clear my head - and maybe make a new friend or two on the way!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tara Marlow’s Camino Wandering, captures the observations of three fictional Australian women who meet walking the Camino Frances from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
I loved the friendships that developed between the three “Lovelies “ as they experienced their pilgrimage. The writing encapsulated the deeply personal experiences & meditations that many pilgrims report feeling during this arduous walk.
Each character had their own reasons & problems of modern life that they wished to overcome. I liked the addition of the familiar characters that walked with the “Lovelies” on and off too.
Coincidentally, I read this book while two friends were walking the Camino, so this added an extra layer of richness to the subject for me.
A great first introduction to the Camino experience and it will prompt me to read and watch more stories about this famous and popular pilgrimage.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book, despite having little familiarity with the setting. By the time I’d finished, however, I’d fallen as much in love with the Spanish countryside as I had with the characters themselves! And the characters—they were a delight. The three main women, although very different, all felt like a part of me. I was enveloped in their struggles as well as the joy they found in one another’s growing friendship. By the end of the book, I felt like I’d walked all those kilometres with them, met those other lovely pilgrims, and stayed in the bustling albergues. If you’re looking for a book with evocative scenery and strong, compelling characters, then give this a read. And if you’ve ever considered walking the Camino yourself, this should give you a good idea of what it actually means to do so.

[Linda Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having walked a week in 2019 & planning a different route to walk this coming Spring, I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of the Camino. However, the book was more about the friendships formed on the Camino and the reasons the various walkers were on the Camino than it being a guidebook.

[Vicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

okay

Just okay. It took the author a long time to develop the characters. Lots of pages on noisy accommodations, what the meals were, and few descriptions of the scenery, making it come alive. Also, the editing was not all that good.

[Salmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wrapped up a bit /too/ nicely in the end, everyone got exactly what they wanted. I thought it was sweet, though.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking this walk is on my bucket list: descriptive, informative with distance suggestions and a tight unit formed by the walkers traveling together on this journey across the top of Spain.

[Mary Polzella · Rating 4 out of 5]

At her son’s urging, Aubrey swallows her fears to walk the 800-kilometre Camino de Santiago. At 50, she feels overwhelmed at the thought of the month-long pilgrimage. On her journey, she meets 2 other women and their bond blossoms as they find comfort in sharing their past hurts and their personal reasons for tackling this journey.

I'm so glad I have discovered Tara Marlow's writing. This is the 2nd book I have read and I have loved them both ❤️.

Like many others, I am fascinated about the stories of people who choose to walk the Camino. The characters in this story are diverse and along the way, you discover their resume for walking the Camino. You can't help but become immersed in this story about the trust and friendship that is built between people who undertake such a gruelling journey together. It's a beautiful reminder about the importance of female connection and friendships. It's so inspiring, it makes you want to consider the trek!

[Rigel · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those that have journeyed the Camino, and been fortunate enough to discover this novel, I am sure you will enjoy the tales and trails of all involved. It has reminded me that it’s the little things in life, and the souls that we meet along the way, that are so important to our life’s path.
Thanks Tara for reminding me of those moments and people…..and of the selfie moments along the way…. Jane

[Fiona Pene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely enjoyed Camino Wandering.
I laughed, I cried.
Could image my own version of the Lovelies. Highly recommend this very well written story.

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book?

Loved reading more about the characters but it wasn't enough. I'm not sure I would call this a book, it only takes 10-15 minutes to read it.