What Wild Women Do

by Karma Brown

Two women's lives unexpectedly intertwine in this intriguing dual timeline novel from the #1 internationally bestselling author.

A 1970s feminist facing the costs of loss and autonomy strives to create a better future for women at her Adirondacks camp; the other woman, an aspiring screenwriter of today, makes a shocking discovery that sets her on a course of rewriting her own story.

Rowan is stuck. Her dreams of becoming a screenwriter are stalled, along with her bank account, as she and her fiancé, Seth, try to make sense of what's next for them after leaving LA. But when the couple takes a trip to a cabin in the Adirondacks, hoping the change will provide inspiration for Seth's novel-in-progress, Rowan finds herself drawn into a story greater than her own--that of socialite-turned-feminist-crusader Eddie Calloway, who vanished one day in 1975 and was never found or heard from again. In a handbook left behind in the abandoned ruins of a once-great camp, Rowan learns more about the enigmatic Eddie, and clues as to what happened to her.

As Rowan delves deeper into the mystery, we meet Eddie herself, a fierce and loving woman whose greatest wish was to host women at her camp and unlock their "wildness." However, Eddie's wild ways aren't welcomed by everyone, and rifts between camp owners threaten her mission. When Rowan gets closer to the truth of Eddie's disappearance, she realizes that it may hold the key to unlocking her own ambition and future.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Audiobook, Book Club, Contemporary, Feminism

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 24, 2023

About the author

KARMA BROWN is a Canadian award-winning journalist, speaker, and the #1 bestselling author of six novels, including RECIPE FOR A PERFECT WIFE. She has also written the non-fiction bestseller THE 4% FIX, and has co-authored two holiday rom-coms under the pen name Maggie Knox. In addition to her books, Karma's writing has appeared in publications such as Redbook, SELF, and Chatelaine. Karma lives just outside Toronto with her husband, daughter, and a labradoodle named Fred. She released a holiday rom com in 2026 (THE CHRISTMAS CURE) under the pen name Kristine Winters, and her horror debut, MOTHER IS WATCHING publishes March 17, 2026.

Reviews

[Taylor Reid]

Rowan finds herself stalled in her career, so she heads to the Adirondacks for an escape. When she stumbles upon a handbook in the ruins of a camp, she learns about Eddie – a woman whose wish was to help women discover their own 'wildness.' But as Rowan is pulled deeper into the mystery surrounding Eddie's disappearance, she wonders if it could help her unleash her own ambition. Karma is one of my must-read writers.

[Shannon (The Book Club Mom) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review, but also a (non-creepy) lover letter to Canadian author, Karma Brown. I’ve read (and loved) all of her novels, but her forthcoming one, What Wild Women Do is my very favorite. This story spoke to my quiet, introverted, and nature-loving soul like you would not believe. I love hiking, exploring, and my dream is to live in a secluded cabin near the mountains one day. So when aspiring screenwriter, Rowan and her YouTuber/novelist fiancé, Seth rent a cabin in the Adirondacks for a month to get their creative juices flowing, I just knew that this one would be a winner for me. The unique, thought-provoking, and mysterious plot pulled me in immediately. Rowan discovers the abandoned ruins of a women’s summer camp, and is quickly intrigued by its history, and the mysterious disappearance of the camp’s founder, Eddie Calloway. Through dual timelines, Brown marvelously weaves the lives of the two women, unlocks clues to the decades-long mystery, and creates a remarkable connection between the two characters.

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Stories with feminist undertones
- Dual timelines (present & 1970s)
- Hiking, exploring nature, and birdwatching
- Adirondacks setting
- Mysterious missing person cases
- Treasure hunting
- Summer camps & retreats
- Dreams of living in a secluded cabin in the woods
- Reflections on loss, grief, and healing
- Social media influencer lifestyle (YouTube specifically)

The audiobook is narrated by two of my favorites: Hillary Huber and Karissa Vacker, so I HIGHLY recommend that you go that route. I’m extremely grateful to have a finished copy for my bookshelves! (Thanks, Dutton!) What Wild Women Do releases on October 24th, and I seriously can’t recommend it enough. You need this book in your life, nature lovers!

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes place in two timelines; I loved Eddie’s story and could have read a whole book about her life BUT hated Rowan’s. Her boyfriend was annoying AF and ruined that part of the book for me.

I also think this is just the frame of mind I’m in now but I hated how Rowan re-hid the treasure/money. At least pick some charities Eddie would have supported and donate it!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in two timelines this is the story of Eddie a 1970's feminist who strives to create a better future for women at her Adirondack camp and Rowan an aspiring screenwriter who many years later makes a shocking discovery relating to Eddie's sudden disappearance in 1975. She was never to be seen or heard from again.
An inspiring and compelling story of self-discovery.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada/Viking for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

[Ashley Dailey · Rating 1 out of 5]

The title is what interested me. There was so much potential there alone. I fully embrace the tone of Eddie’s mission. I would have preferred Eddie’s life story over anything with Rowan and Seth.

Not compelling at all. It felt like it took forever for the plot to even get started. Writing is fine, audio performance is fine. I don’t like Rowan and Seth is a loser. There I said it. The book never packed the punch I so desperately needed.

[Krissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Random House Canada, and Viking for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A novel told in two timelines as they converge together and studies empowering and strong woman.

In the present we have Rowan. Rowan is an aspiring screenwriter who feels stuck and uninspired. She and her partner Seth were living in LA trying to make it, but after realizing they can no longer afford to stay they move back to Ann Arbor, and begin supporting themselves with a growing YouTube channel that is a curated account of their lives. They are struggling in their relationship and boom a cabin getaway so Seth can focus on writing his novel, but what Rowan does not expect is to find herself in the middle of a local mystery.

Eddie Callaway inherited her family's camp, one that had been in the family for generations. After tragedy struck her life in the city she returned to her camp in the 70's and began creating a retreat for women. She used her fortune to help woman discover their voice and become 'wild' but her mission was met with criticism and many in town wanted to shut her down. One day in 1975 she disappeared without a trace.

In modern day Rowan stumbles on some clues as to what happened to Eddie all those years ago, who Eddie was and what she stood for, and how her legacy can help Rowan find herself again.

I love what the author set out to do with this novel. I can appreciate the way the story was told, but I had a hard time connecting with Rowan. The timeline with Eddie worked for me, but the majority of the story was told in Rowan's perspective and I did not like her much. Her motivation did not feel genuine to me. I definitely did not like Seth at all, and although he is not supposed to be very likable, it didn't feel like his personality felt fully fleshed out. Overall I just felt the message of the book was spot on, but the characters did not feel fully real.

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not for me. There was absolutely nothing wild about any of the women in the story. Even the lead, Rowan, was so mild-mannered, she was boring. Had she taken the money and run, that would have portrayed a wild side. The incidents between Eddie and the neighbor, Vince, were forced and added nothing to the story. I’m not sure what purpose that “sub-plot” provided. I kept plugging along, hoping something wild would happen, but it never materialized. Ridiculous that Rowan would re-hide money and invite the public to overrun and search in a forest that was beloved by Eddie. Eddie found the forest to be a sacred place, so inviting outsiders to desecrate the area would not have been in her wishes. The relationship between Seth and Rowan was confusing and I didn’t really care what happened to either of them—together or apart. I do not recommend this book.

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initial Thoughts
I enjoyed this book! This was my first experience with this author so I wasn't quite sure what to think when I picked up this book. This story is told in two timelines. We meet Rowan in the present day first and I have to admit that her point of view was my favorite in the story. We also meet Eddie in the 1970s who hosted camps for women in the same area that Rowan and her fiance visit years later. I was very curious about what happened to Eddie when she disappeared years ago and I also wanted to see what choices present day Rowan would make. I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrators did a wonderful job with the story.

Review copy provided by the publisher. Full review to be posted soon.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been waiting for quite some time for Karma Brown to publish a new novel under her own name again and What Wild Women Do did not disappoint.

This novel explores the lives of two women from very different time periods and brings them together in a unique setting. I liked this story and getting to know Eddie and Rowan throughout. I never knew what was going to happen from one moment to the next and there were a lot of surprises in store as a result. I also loved the Adirondacks setting and how serene everything felt in nature.

There was an element of suspense in wanting to find out how Eddie went missing, but I felt like it was anticlimactic when we learned what happened. The situation was tragic, but I was expecting something more from it.

Overall, an interesting novel and a worthwhile read. Well done, Karma!

[Mai H.]

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Wild Women Do is a compelling exploration of ambition that spans decades. This dual-timeline novel is about Rowan, an aspiring screenwriter who stumbles across the mysterious disappearance of Eddie, a 1970s feminist, during her self-imposed isolation in the Adirondacks. The author interconnects Rowan's modern struggles with Eddie's revolutionary past, creating a narrative that transcends time. The abandoned camp becomes a portal to secrets, and a found handbook unveils Eddie's quest to liberate women from cultural constraints. As Rowan uncovers the fractures in Eddie's mission and the camp's utopia, the novel unfolds with suspense, revealing the truth behind Eddie's disappearance and a transformative key to Rowan's destiny.

One of the things that sucked me into this book was the author's note to the readers, in which she says, "Early one, Eddie writes, 'I am on a path with a clear beginning but no end. There is no room to be tentative with our intentions. Time is a fickle thing.' Like Eddie and Rowan, I survived my own life-changing trauma when I was diagnosed with cancer at age thirty. This fact about my history explains why I write the characters I do: women who have survived the hardest moments of their lives and who are now on the path to thriving versus merely surviving. I, too, believe time is a fickle thing and that there is little room to be tentative with our intentions. It's a lesson I gave to Eddie to relay, but one that becomes a beacon for Rowan throughout the pages." Ultimately, though, What Wild Women Do is a gripping novel about the power of self-discovery and the wild, uncharted territories within us all.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://shows.acast.com/moms-dont-hav...

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this dual timeline mystery that sees a struggling screenwriter Rowan vacationing with her fiancé in an old feminist commune from the 70s and stumbling upon the remains of its missing founder, Eddie Callaway.

The two women main characters stole the show for me in this story about strong, independent women, female friendship and empowerment and finding your voice. Great on audio narrated by Karissa Vacker and Hilary Huber and perfect for fans of authors like Bianca Marais. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Hannah McKinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karma Brown has long been one of my favourite authors, and no wonder. Her latest, What Wild Women Do is such a unique, compelling, and beautifully written story that sucked me in from the very first page. Part mystery, part journey to self-discovery, I quite simply loved everything about this book. A highly recommended, spectacular read.

[Prianka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like Brown's other novel, Recipe for a Perfect Wife, this book also follows two women from two different eras. There's Rowan, a modern day, aspiring screenwriter and then there's Eddie, a wealthy socialite turned camp owner in the 70's. While vacationing in the Adirondacks, Rowan discovers a book about the Wild Women camp Eddie ran and she becomes entranced with this mysterious figure.

The premise of the novel was interesting, but felt extremely similar to Recipe for a Perfect Wife which I read years ago. Both stories have dual timelines where one character discovers a book written by the other character and this book greatly influences that modern day character's life. Regardless, the format worked well with the overall plot. I enjoyed reading Eddie's parts about the day to day activities of the camp.

What didn't work for me, however, was Rowan's personality. She didn't seem to like her fiance, Seth at all. He's not without his faults, but I couldn't understand why Rowan had a problem with pretty much everything he did, including the way he made a living. I'm not sure why she agreed to the engagement at all. At one point Seth accuses Rowan for being a snob. I happen to agree with him. Her main issue with Seth stems from the fact that he prefers making YouTube videos (which earns him a paycheque) over working on his novel. She paints Seth to be the villian for wanting to profit by posting videos on YouTube about the treasure they discovered, yet she does the exact same thing at the end of the novel, only her profiteering takes the form of a screenplay. I couldn't forgive Rowan for this hypocrisy. If she had ended the novel without pitching the idea of a screenplay about Eddie, I would have sympathized with her actions more.

Another thing I didn't like about Rowan was that she reburied the treasure for someone else to find. While it's a beautiful idea to pass the prize onto someone else, Rowan and Seth's issues are largely based on the fact that they don't have enough money. Why is she okay with taking handouts from her parents, but the prize that she rightfully finds on her own, the prize that was intended to make a woman's life easier, is the very thing she cannot accept for herself? This felt like a very privileged and rather selfish move on her part. I understand she wasn't exactly in the mood to respect Seth's wishes, but it would have made both of their lives better. It bothered me that Rowan couldn't see anything other than her obsession for this woman, including her own and Seth's betterment. Given the title of the book, I would have even preferred if Rowan took all the prize money for herself as revenge, rather than what she actually did.

Other than these two issues, I mostly enjoyed this novel. I appreciated the depictions of unique relationships, different races and the different age groups that were explored. I especially loved reading the scene when Eddie suffers from a hot flash. We need more scenes like this in novels to normalize something all women go through.

[Rachel Handing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man the boyfriend is absolutely insufferable. She definitely could have had her moment and arc without him. I want a whole book about the chicken lady.

[Claire Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not offensive but likely wouldn’t have finished if it weren’t for book club. More of a YA read imo.

[Penelope · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars. What a dreadful book. Before I even started reading, I hated the title and the book cover. But the actual book was even worse. I couldn’t stand any of the characters, most especially Eddie. She was awful. But the rest were pretty dreadful too. I did like the crow. And what happened with the treasure at the end was just absurd. This book was ridiculous.

[Angelica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love karma brown. Her other books are among my favourites. This one just missed the mark for me. I found it pretty predictable and the story didn’t grip me like her others have.

[Gaelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a difficult one for me to rate. I wanted to like the story more and I think there is a very good story here, but the way it was told wasn't ideal and some of the story's message was flawed by certain plot points.


First of all, I think this book should have been longer. Even at the "average" length of 320 pages, the font was large and there were many blank pages for part dividers that shortened it overall. I personally prefer writing styles with flare, but this story was written in a narrative style that is pretty straight-forward and brief. I can't fault the book or author for that just because it's not what I like, however, I think there were certain parts of the story that were written in summary that should have been lengthened out and given its moment to enhance the drama. For example, at a pivotal point close to the story's climax, one chapter includes a hefty conversation between Rowan and her new friend she's made while staying in the woods, and this conversation then leads into a big fight between Rowan and her boyfriend, except the fight itself was practically summarized. It was as if I was suddenly reading the author's outline of the end of the chapter after being immersed in a deep conversation that preceded it. One could argue that the author was just favoring female connections because this is a book focused on women, but since Eddie has many interactions with her antagonistic male neighbor, that argument doesn't really hold water.

My second big issue is that, while the endings for both characters were right plot-wise, I don't think they were earned thematically. Eddie ends up falling and hurting herself to the point that she dies in the woods, and the death is necessary to create the mystique around the woods that draws Rowan there in the first place. However, as someone so attuned with the woods and herself, I don't think Eddie should have ended up like this. One could argue that mistakes happen, however, in a story, BIG mistakes like falling from a log into a ravine and dying should be made because of character flaws. Eddie isn't found because she told no one where she was going, but Eddie communicates effectively with everyone throughout the story. Eddie also falls because her ankle was hurt due to a poor choice to confront her antagonistic neighbor, a choice she made out of anger, but later resolved. If Eddie was either reckless or secretive regularly, and to the point where it was a character flaw, this ending would have felt better to me.

Rowan's ending though I take even more issue with. Rowan finds the treasure that Eddie was hiding when she died and Eddie's body. Because Eddie was the main inspiration for Rowan's inner struggle throughout the story and eventual self-actualization, she feels guilty even opening the treasure box, but, despite fighting about it, her fiance opens it anyway and reveals fistfuls of cash. Her fiance, who is money- and attention-driven, plans to keep the money and document the discovery on his YouTube channel in order to gain further popularity. They are at odds about this, but also Rowan discovered right before finding the treasure that her fiance hid an email from her from a Hollywood producer, and risked killing her career before it even got off the ground because he didn't want her to miss this trip. During the entire trip, Rowan comes to understand that her husband doesn't care about writing his novel, but instead wants to focus on his YouTube career, which she always thought was temporary. It's obvious that the two should not end up together, mainly because their values are extremely at odds, but Rowan's actions in the end seem childish and vengeful. Rather than allow her fiance to keep the money and post videos about the treasure, she secretly deletes all of his work and takes the treasure box to hide it again while he's asleep. While it definitely feels like the right ending, the way Rowan does this feels just as bad as her fiance's actions to hide the email (although it could be argued at least he showed the email to her later, while she completely destroyed his work). What's even worse is that she later uses the story of Eddie and the treasure to write a screenplay, which becomes successful (partially because it reinvigorates the search for the treasure). The story frames this as Rowan celebrating Eddie's story by honoring her last wish of creating a fantastic treasure-hunt, and that it is ultimately a boon to the small town as well because all the people coming to seek the treasure are stimulating the economy. This is such a simplistic and overly positive way of framing the ending. Eddie wanted to help and empower women, but ANYONE who sees the movie or even hears about it could go searching for the treasure. And maybe all this attention helps the economy of the town, but wouldn't it also invite a lot of people who don't care about nature into the woods and possibly harm it? Also, though Rowan did make her own success rather than take the money, she exploited the story as much as her fiance planned to. I don't think this is the wrong ending, but, again, the way the story got there seems flawed.


There are a lot of things to like about this book, but I unfortunately got hung up on a few things and it makes it hard to give it a higher rating.

[Harper Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Would give it a 2.5 if I could)

This book had a lot of potential. I loved the plot, the dual timelines, and the cozy mystery vibes. Where it fell completely flat for me was the characterization.

Eddie Callaway seems interesting at a glance, a millionaire who spends her time helping women improve themselves at a summer camp. What lost me about Eddie was the way that she’s established as this very illusive woman, but in the end she turns out to be the most normal person ever. In the beginning of the book she’s hooking up with the talented writer Judith, but by the end, she’s apparently in love with Sam,her best friend who she previously had zero romantic interest in? I was so lost when Sam was described as “the love of her life”. That just didn’t seem like Eddie. Also, the entire book the reader is lead to believe she died in some grand, mysterious way, but in the end…. she just fell down? That reveal was a huge letdown.

I can’t even describe how much Rowan irked me. She starts the book talking about how much she hates her boyfriend and his Youtube channel, but when he proposes on camera, she says yes? And then proceeds to put up with his bullshit the entire rest of the story? It didn’t add up with her supposed-to-be feminist writer persona.

In the end, I would’ve loved this book if only the characters had been more thought-out. There was so much wonderful world-building and mystery-spinning, and that gave me really high hopes. I wish I could’ve enjoyed the whole of the story, instead of just bits and pieces.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yet another bit of promised “intrigue” that delivers nothing more than two stories from two different eras, neither of which is all that interesting. Wild women? Hardly.

[Rowan · Rating 2 out of 5]

ugh, I really don’t like this book. It was so hard to get through, the characters were so unlikeable, and I found myself skimming large chucks of it.

[Lindsey Fields · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wholesome read🫶🏻 Took me a while to get interested in Eddies perspective but by the end I loved all the characters (except Seth he was such a bum). Loved the two timelines writing style and 1970s feminist energy

[Nicole Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly a surprise at how delightful of a read it was. Quite enjoyable!

[Lauren Ohler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another super good read!!! Currently loving this author (if you couldn’t tell). I felt like the underlying messages & character arcs were similar to recipe for a perfect wife, but with a happier ending & different setting. Either way, so empowering & though provoking about relationship expectations, life goals, and personal reflection.

[Erin Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book blind. Having no idea if I was reading a romance, thriller, or drama. Karma Brown weaves connects two women, living 50 years apart through mystery, intrigue, and adventure. I could not put this book down, it leaves you guessing all the way to the end. Great for a vacation read, easy to pick up on a weekend.

[Haley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rowan is a self-righteous art snob.
Eddie doesn't really do anything but is interesting and yet has a gaggle of people who follow her every move.
Neither woman does anything particularly wild.
As someone who's spent a considerable amount of time in the Adirondacks and adores the place to pieces, the setting here falls entirely flat.

[Vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I would really enjoy this book. The first half was waiting for something to happen. And the last half I was just let down with the whole mystery. I didn’t really connect with the characters. I picked this for hosting for book club. And everyone felt -it was not the book for them.

[Kelly (miss_kellysbookishcorner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: What Wild Women Do
Author: Karma Brown
Genre: Historical Mystery
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: October 24, 2023

T H R E E • W O R D S

Uplifting • Captivating • Rewarding

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Rowan is stuck. Her dreams of becoming a screenwriter are stalled, along with her bank account, as she and her fiancé Seth try to make sense of what’s next for them after leaving LA. But when the couple takes a trip to a cabin in the Adirondacks, hoping the change will provide inspiration for Seth’s novel-in-progress, Rowan finds herself drawn into a story greater than her own—that of socialite-turned-feminist-crusader Eddie Calloway, who vanished one day in 1975 and was never found or heard from again. In a handbook left behind in the abandoned ruins of a once great camp, Rowan starts to discover clues to what happened to Eddie.

As Rowan delves deeper into the mystery, we meet Eddie herself, a fierce and loving woman whose greatest wish was to host women at her camp and unlock their “wildness.” However, Eddie’s wild ways aren’t welcomed by everyone, and rifts between camp owners threaten her mission. When Rowan gets closer to the truth of Eddie’s disappearance, she realizes that it may hold the key to unlocking her own ambition and future.

💭 T H O U G H T S

Karma Brown is one of my favourite authors, so it's no surprise What Wild Women Do was one of my most anticipated 2023 fall releases. I preordered it, yet for whatever reason, I didn't get around to reading it until early 2024. And what a treat it was!

I absolutely loved this book!! It combines so many elements and themes that I love: mystery, self-discovery, adventure, historical detail, wellness retreats, grief, dual timeline/dual POV, the outdoors, a treasure hunt, strong female characters, recipes... the list goes on and on. It just all meshed together exactly to my liking.

The characterization was on point. Rowan and Eddie were different in so many ways, yet their connection (despite decades apart) came across so authentically. The secondary characters (apart from Seth) were supportive and the found family each of the two main characters needed. I especially enjoyed Rowan's budding friendship with Jess and Aidan and Samuel role in Eddie's life.

Through vivid prose, Brown was able to being the rural Adirondack setting to life. I felt like I was right there with Rowan and Eddie. It certainly had me researching trips to the area (an area I already love). It is through the setting along that the influence and power of nature really takes hold. The significance of the inclusion of the crow as guiding source was never lost on me and pays homage to Indigenous doctrine.

All of the little details, including the Camp Calloway handbook and the recipes, added to the atmosphere and helped bring both women to life. I seriously cannot wait to try Samuel's Pineapple Upside-Down Cake.

What Wild Women Do is such a powerfully, quiet story. Rowen's discovery of what really happened to Eddie brought these two incredible women together. I understand this isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea, but it certainly ticked all of the right boxes for me. One of the things I love about Karma Brown's work is that each book is so vastly different from any of the others. And this one is a reminder of why reading is such a crucial part of my daily life. I cannot wait for her next release and will continue to support this incredible Canadian author.

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• Karma Brown
• feminist historical fiction
• the wilderness
• dual timelines

⚠️ CW: death, child death, grief, car accident, injury/injury detail, blood, drug use, sexism, misogyny, infidelity, domestic abuse, divorce, suicide attempt, pandemic/epidemic

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"It's fair to say things didn't turn out how we hoped; none of us is immune to catastrophe. However, there can be great beauty in what's left behind, if you're willing to riffle through the shards."

"Your wildness is a gift that must remain unchanged."

"Making things for the people she loved was a privilege."

"You know, I have learned stories, particularly hard-to-tell ones, are a lot like birds. You have to let them come to you, in their own time."

"It is both a beautiful and heartbreaking thing to be bonded to another person through a tragedy. Like an awful club that you wouldn't wish its membership on anyone."

[Danielle]

If you want to transform, you can’t be tentative.
- Eddie Callaway, Wild Women Handbook (1975)

WHAT WILD WOMEN DO is the title of a handbook written by Eddie Callaway, a perfect 1950s socialite who completely transforms after a tragedy in her life, using her wealth to open a camp for women in the Adirondacks where she encourages them to unlock their repressed wildness. A copy of the 1970s feminist manifesto is found 30+ years later by Rowan, an aspiring screenwriter vacationing with her fiancé, who becomes obsessed by the mystery of Eddie's disappearance in 1975.

Eddie backstory and the retreats she held were fascinating to me and I wish the whole book had been about her life. Rowan's story, on the other hand, fell a little flat and I didn't understand her relationship with her fiancé at all. Despite that, I loved the way the two timelines converged at the end and the resolution of the mystery surprised me in the best way.

3.5 stars

Thanks to Dutton Books for the copy to review.