Katherine Center has quickly become one of my favorite contemporary romance authors—especially because she writes closed-door romances, which I always appreciate. While I enjoyed this book overall, it wasn’t quite what I expected. There was a lot of untapped potential that left me wanting more. Still, I really liked getting to know the characters and following them on this emotional adventure. It’s the kind of book that makes a perfect summer read—or even a great pick for those late spring days when you’re ready for something uplifting and warm.

Going in, I thought the story would center more heavily on Helen’s survival hiking trip, but that portion only made up about half the book. The first 30% is all setup before Helen even arrives at camp, and while it was interesting, it did feel like a slow start. Once the hiking began, I expected more in terms of daily life on the trail—funny moments in nature, emotional bonding, personal revelations—but those scenes felt rushed. The timeline jumped quickly from week to week, which made the middle feel a bit underdeveloped.

That said, I really liked Helen from the start. She’s relatable and easy to root for, especially as she’s trying to bounce back after a painful divorce. Her desire to heal and rediscover herself gave the story heart. Jake, on the other hand, took some warming up to. For much of the book, I wasn’t sold on him, but once we learn more about what he’s going through, my perspective shifted. By the end, I appreciated him much more.

Though it’s marketed as a romance—and yes, there is a romantic arc—I’d actually categorize this more as women’s fiction or “chick lit” with a romantic subplot. Helen’s journey of self-growth and emotional healing takes center stage. I just wish we’d gotten a deeper dive into that transformation. There were a few nice nuggets of wisdom, but I kept hoping for more introspection or powerful moments of discovery. Helen does grow through the hiking experience, but the change felt subtle rather than transformative.

There is a steamy moment early on, but it’s not graphic, which I was glad to see. There’s also some language, but overall it maintains that closed-door romance feel.

If you’re into women’s fiction or romance with themes like the brother’s best friend trope, a subtle enemies-to-lovers vibe, a 10-year age gap, and a backdrop of outdoor adventure and personal growth, then this might be your kind of read.

Now, regarding the movie adaptation: unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the book. It felt flat and lacked the emotion, richness, and character depth that made the novel enjoyable. A lot was cut, and it just didn’t capture the same magic. The casting also felt like it prioritized diversity checking boxes over staying true to the characters (cue the eye roll). If you’ve read the book, I’d honestly recommend skipping the movie. But if you’ve only seen the movie, definitely pick up the book—it’s a much more fulfilling experience.

I’m excited to continue my journey of reading the author’s entire backlist and finding more hidden gems.

**This book is part of a real-time reaction episode, which you can listen to here.