Title: The Great Outdoors
Author: Kayla Olson
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Rom-Com
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5★ rounded up)
Release Date: June 16, 2026
Synopsis
Sadie Whitlock has always been the prepared one. The organized one. The woman with a plan for everything.
Unfortunately, her laid-back boyfriend sees things a little differently and breaks up with her for being "too high-maintenance."
Determined to prove both him and herself wrong, Sadie signs up for a wilderness adventure in the High Sierras filled with camping, hiking, kayaking, rappelling, and everything else she would normally avoid.
What she doesn't expect is August Thorn, the annoyingly attractive tour guide who seems determined to keep things professional.
As the trip unfolds, Sadie discovers that maybe she's capable of more than she ever gave herself credit for.
My Thoughts
Sometimes you pick up a book because you're in the mood for something dramatic, twisty, or emotionally devastating.
And sometimes you just want a relaxing, feel-good romance that leaves you smiling.
For me, The Great Outdoors was definitely the second one. ^^
As the blurb says, Sadie signs up for a wilderness adventure after her douche boyfriend breaks up with her for being "too high-maintenance." Determined to prove both to herself and to him that she's capable of more than luxury hotels and perfectly planned itineraries, she heads into the wilderness for a hiking trip that is very much outside her comfort zone.
The irony?
The ex who inspired this entire adventure doesn't even show up for the trip.
See? Douche. I told you!
I have to admit, I really liked Sadie. Yes, she's a planner. Yes, she's probably overprepared for absolutely everything. But watching her push herself outside her comfort zone was genuinely enjoyable. There were plenty of moments where I wanted to cheer for her, even when she wasn't entirely cheering for herself.
What I appreciated most was that the story never felt like it was trying to "fix" her. Sadie doesn't need to stop liking nice things or become a completely different person. Instead, she learns that she can be both: someone who enjoys five-star resorts and someone who can survive a wilderness trek when life throws one her way.
One aspect of her journey that I particularly enjoyed involved all the supplies she packed for the trip. Because, of course, Sadie being Sadie, she arrived with enough stuff to survive approximately three apocalypses.
As the trek progresses, she gradually starts leaving some of those items behind at designated camping stops. Not because she's forced to, but because she slowly realizes she doesn't actually need all of them. Watching her let go of things she initially considered absolutely essential was a subtle but effective way of showing her growth throughout the story.
It wasn't about changing who she was. It was about learning to trust herself a little more.
And then there's August.
Poor August.
My guy tried so hard to resist his attraction to Sadie. He really did.
But let's just say I had a front-row seat with popcorn while that plan slowly fell apart.
I absolutely adored him. Beneath the capable tour-guide exterior, he's such a sweetheart, and some of my favorite moments involved his loyalty and relationships outside of the romance itself.
My only complaint regarding August is that he was far more patient than I would've been when it came to his ex-best friend and fellow guide.
August was out there trying to make peace and be the bigger person.
Meanwhile, I would've happily left that man in a ditch somewhere along the trail.
But that's also the petty side of me talking, so maybe don't listen to me...
The outdoor adventure itself was another huge highlight. Kayaking, rappelling, fishing, hiking, camping; it all felt fresh and fun. As someone who spends a lot of time reading fantasy, mysteries, thrillers and small-town romances, it was refreshing to spend time in a completely different setting.
The wilderness almost became its own character, and I loved watching Sadie and August navigate both the landscape and their growing feelings for each other.
Honestly, I don't have many complaints.
This was simply a cozy, relaxing and genuinely enjoyable romance that put a smile on my face from beginning to end.
Final Thoughts
The Great Outdoors is a charming summer romance filled with outdoor adventures, personal growth, and a lovable cast of characters.
If you're looking for a feel-good romance featuring a heroine stepping outside her comfort zone, a cinnamon-roll tour guide, and plenty of wilderness adventures, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
Sometimes a book doesn't need to be life-changing, it just needs to make you happy.
And this one definitely did that for me.
⭐️ 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5
ARC Disclaimer
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing the ARC. All opinions are my own.
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