Out of the Woods

Hannah Bonam-Young

Out of the Woods

Hannah Bonam-Young
56 pages1-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Adult
Published in 2025

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Sarah is a woman in her early thirties fighting perfectionism and a profound sense of purposelessness. Having married Caleb at 19 during her mother's terminal illness, she battles the codependent dynamic that formed during her early trauma. A former aspiring writer, she often feels she has failed to honor her mother's sacrifices. This dissatisfaction leads her to initiate a wilderness couples' retreat to force a change in her life.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Marcie

Best Friend of Win McNulty

Friend of Bo Durand

Surrogate Niece of June

Daughter-in-Law of Michelle Linwood

Daughter-in-Law of Cyrus Linwood

Target of Cecilia Floodgate

Mentee of Helen

Mentee of Yvonne

Mentor of Libby

Caleb is Sarah's husband, a successful professional who hails from a wealthy but emotionally distant family. Since their teenage years, he has adopted the role of Sarah's steadfast protector, especially during her mother's fatal illness. He tends to avoid conflict by focusing on his career. He feels deeply threatened by Sarah's sudden demand to alter the foundation of their marriage.

Key Relationships

Husband of Sarah Linwood

Son of Cyrus Linwood

Son of Michelle Linwood

Best Friend of Bo Durand

Son-in-Law of Marcie

Fellow Attendee of Libby

Supporting Characters

Win is a fitness and recreation expert working to open an inclusive summer camp for children with disabilities. Raised in a shared household with Sarah, she acts as a sister figure and a grounded, practical sounding board. Her happy marriage and straightforward communication style serve as a reference point for Sarah's own marital evaluations.

Key Relationships

Best Friend of Sarah Linwood

Wife of Bo Durand

Mother of August

Daughter of June

Surrogate Daughter of Marcie

Bo is Caleb's best friend and Win's husband. He is a steady, attentive partner who prioritizes his family. This focus contrasts with Caleb's recent work-obsessed behavior. Bo provides practical help and emotional grounding for the extended friend group during stressful situations.

Key Relationships

Husband of Win McNulty

Father of August

Best Friend of Caleb Linwood

Friend of Sarah Linwood

Marcie is Sarah's late mother. She gave up her aspirations of becoming a journalist to raise Sarah as a single parent, sharing a home with her best friend June. Her diagnosis with ALS and subsequent death forced Sarah into adulthood early and permanently altered the trajectory of Sarah and Caleb's relationship.

Key Relationships

Mother of Sarah Linwood

Mother-in-Law of Caleb Linwood

Best Friend of June

Surrogate Mother of Win McNulty

June is Win's mother and Marcie's best friend. After both became pregnant as teenagers, they decided to raise their daughters together. June remains a maternal, comforting presence for Sarah in adulthood.

Key Relationships

Mother of Win McNulty

Best Friend of Marcie

Surrogate Aunt of Sarah Linwood

Helen is a practical, energetic retreat leader with a background in sports and therapy. She co-runs Reignite with her wife. She uses direct questioning and group exercises to help couples confront their underlying issues. She is also raising her granddaughter after a family tragedy.

Key Relationships

Wife of Yvonne

Grandmother of Libby

Counselor of Sarah Linwood

Yvonne is the co-leader of the Reignite retreat. She approaches counseling through mindfulness, meditation, and gentle psychological probing. Her barefoot, calm demeanor contrasts with her wife's energetic style. She helps attendees trace their current anxieties to past traumas.

Key Relationships

Wife of Helen

Grandmother of Libby

Counselor of Sarah Linwood

Libby is Helen and Yvonne's 10-year-old granddaughter. She joins the couples on the retreat because she recently lost her mother to a workplace tragedy. An avid dancer, she seeks out connections with others who understand the grieving process.

Key Relationships

Granddaughter of Helen

Granddaughter of Yvonne

Mentee of Sarah Linwood

Fellow Attendee of Caleb Linwood

Nina is an ambitious 23-year-old actor attending the Reignite retreat to work through trust issues with her partner. Her clear focus on her career and reluctance to rush into marriage make her a foil to Sarah's life choices.

Key Relationships

Partner of Jai

Friend of Sarah Linwood

Jai is a retreat participant who brings his partner Nina to the event. He previously attended the same retreat with a former fiancée. This secret causes initial friction in his current relationship.

Key Relationships

Partner of Nina

Michelle, also known as Chellie, is Caleb's wealthy and status-conscious mother. She often exhibits emotional distance and historically looks down on Sarah's modest background. Family crises occasionally push her to drop her reserved exterior.

Key Relationships

Wife of Cyrus Linwood

Mother of Caleb Linwood

Mother-in-Law of Sarah Linwood

Cyrus is Caleb's father, a highly successful businessman who consistently prioritizes his work over his family. His emotional absence serves as a negative example for Caleb, who fears repeating his father's mistakes in his own marriage.

Key Relationships

Husband of Michelle Linwood

Father of Caleb Linwood

Father-in-Law of Sarah Linwood

Cecilia is a published author who once served as Sarah's literary idol. During a brief meeting, she is distracted and cruel. She delivers harsh criticisms that convince Sarah to abandon her dreams of a writing career entirely.

Key Relationships

Critic of Sarah Linwood

Kieran attends the Reignite retreat with his partner Henry. He possesses strong business acumen and occasionally teases the other participants. He brings moments of levity to the group.

Key Relationships

Partner of Henry

Fellow Attendee of Caleb Linwood

Henry is Kieran's partner. He attends the Reignite retreat to focus on their relationship. He contributes to the supportive community atmosphere among the campers.

Key Relationships

Partner of Kieran

Maggie is an experienced retreat-goer who attends Reignite with her husband. She is an amateur painter who keeps her artwork private. She provides Sarah with a different perspective on personal hobbies and marriage.

Key Relationships

Wife of Phil

Fellow Attendee of Sarah Linwood

Phil is an older participant at the Reignite retreat. He attends with his wife to maintain their long-term connection.

Key Relationships

Husband of Maggie

August is Win and Bo's two-year-old daughter. She represents the growing stability and future of Sarah's closest friends.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Win McNulty

Daughter of Bo Durand