A sweet romance and an inspiring story about a young woman discovering who she really is after a breakup, The Great Outdoors is a quick and heartwarming read perfect for lounging in a hammock, sitting by a campfire, or just chilling in your own backyard. The story centers around Sadie, a very relatable overpacker and overthinker, as she goes on a two-week wilderness excursion to prove she’s not as high-maintenance as her ex and her best friend seem to think. And if the wilderness guide is hot, kind, and very kissable? Well, that’s just a perk.
It’s becoming more and more rare to find a closed door romance that still packs the warm and fuzzy feelings, but Kayla Olson always delivers. Compulsively readable and joyfully relatable, with low stakes, big emotions, and beautiful descriptions, The Great Outdoors almost made me want to go wilderness camping. Almost.
I did go for a walk in the metroparks after reading it, though.
Vibe: A good talk with someone you love under the stars. Drinking single-origin coffee from your favorite mug in the quiet early morning as the sun rises and the birds start to sing. A solid hug after a long day spent outside.
Kristen Sommers 