Sarah and Caleb Linwood are that rare couple – they met and fell in love at fourteen and have been together, through the highs and lows ever since. But now, after seventeen years together, Sarah is beginning to question what she’s doing with her life. When she organizes an ALS fundraiser in her mother’s honor, she’s intent on making it a success she achieve on her own, until it tanks and Caleb once again swoops in as her safety net to save the day. What Caleb saw as kindness unleashes a torrent of pent-up frustrations that rock the core of their marriage. When their best friends Winn and Bo (!!!) are unable to attend a wilderness couples retreat, Winn suggests Sarah and Caleb take their place. Sarah and Caleb reluctantly agree, despite being two of the least outdoorsy people imaginable. What follows is a life-changing camping adventure with a quirky group of couples, all seeking to heal or strengthen their bonds. Told through dual timelines, we experience both the present and pivotal moments in Sarah and Caleb’s past—from their teenage love story to her mother’s passing.
This book will resonate differently depending on the reader’s life experiences. For me, it hit deeply. Hannah Bonam-Young captures the nuanced emotions of being grateful for the love of a devoted partner while grappling with feelings of personal stagnation—of being caught between past aspirations and present obligations. The growth both Sarah and Caleb achieve feels subtle yet monumental, embodying the reality of marriage. HBY beautifully illustrates the simultaneous complexity of deeply loving someone while yearning for change. Their raw honesty is wrapped in tenderness, rooted in years of respect and connection. It was also a joy to revisit Bo and Winn from Out on a Limb, one of my all-time favorite romance novels!
🎧 About the Audiobook 🎧 Victoria Connolly beautifully narrates the audiobook, bringing to life all of the humor and tenderness of this story. Her narration of chapter 13 brought me to tears. (10h)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Audiobook: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Book Smart Kate 