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A review by thebiglittlelibrary
Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"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."
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"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."
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"If you give me the space to grow, I'll always plant myself next to you. Always."
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"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."
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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.
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"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."
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"We have the rest of our lives to fuck each other's brains out. I'm here to get your heart back first."
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"Weirder people live longer."
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"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."
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She doesn't have to be all right. She just has to try again tomorrow.
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