Book review: Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young [blog tour]

I absolutely adore the acoustic version of Out of the Woods by Taylor Swift. So when I saw the title of this book by Hannah Bonam-Young, and realised it's also about a romantic relationship that's on the rocks, my interest was instantly piqued...

About Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young

Sarah and Caleb were high school sweethearts and have been together for more than half of their lives. They married very young as Sarah's mother was ill and they wanted her to be able to be a part of the wedding. But now, so many years later, Sarah is wondering if she made a mistake marrying at 19. She feels she got stuck at an age when she hadn't even properly figured out yet who she wanted to be – and she's been living an aimless and unsatisfying life since.

She loves Caleb and knows that he cares deeply for her as well, but now they're in a pattern of "hero" and "helpless" and she's had enough. When they hear from friends about an outdoors retreat for couples they make a spur of the moment decision to book on and discover if they can save their wavering relationship, or whether it's already too late. 

My review of Out of the Woods

I've never been in a long-term partnership like Sarah and Caleb, but the way their relationship was described by author Hannah Bonam-Young felt hugely genuine to me. They both had their positive sides but were also incredibly flawed, just like real people. They clearly cared deeply for one another yet at the same time the patterns they'd gotten themselves into had created an incredible chasm that seemed impossible to fix. Their underlying love for each other was beautiful, but the stiffening reality heartbreaking. And it was obvious that there was no way for them to find a solution in isolation, as they would forever fall victim to the same cycle of events they'd been going through for years. 

The hiking trip took Sarah and Caleb – quite literally – out of their comfort zone, so they could discover a new perspective. And I loved that for them. Amidst the many ups and downs (mentally and physically!) they were joined by an eclectic mix of fellow hikers, with a wide array of relationships amongst them, which made for some entertainment moments in the background. It ensured that even when the protagonists were hit with some of the toughest moments of their lives that we, as readers, could still find hope in the story. It wasn't all doom and gloom, because that wouldn't have made for a very enjoyable reading experience. 

I will say, though, that I wasn't a fan of the amount of spice and religious references within the pages, as these are not things I particularly want in a novel. That is, of course, very much a personal preference but I am mentioning this as I know some readers will find it important to know before diving into a story. And the I truly believe the book didn't even need it; it would've been a strong exploration of family, friendship, romance, and finding yourself without these moments. 

That said, for the most part Out of the Woods is a beautiful and realistic exploration of the many phases of love we go through throughout our lifetime – and the importance of understanding who you are as a person outside of your relationships. It's also a surprisingly funny read at times as Caleb and Sarah are not naturally outdoorsy people, which adds a much-needed touch of lightheartedness to the story and keeps it entertaining for readers throughout the ups and downs.   

Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young is published by Bedford Square Publishers and you can now buy your copy from your favourite local book shop!

Blog tour stops for Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young

This review for Out of the Woods is part of the blog tour for the launch of the book. Make sure to check out the other stops too!

Disclaimer: This book was gifted to me, but this has not impacted this honest review.