The Great Outdoors - by Kayla Olson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From USA TODAY bestseller Kayla Olson, a new rom-com about a high-maintenance woman who embarks on a wilderness trek to prove to her ex how low-maintenance she can be--only to find herself with no makeup and an extremely attractive trek leader.

Sadie Whitlock has always been praised for being the most prepared person in the room, the one who's thought of everything--and every backup plan--for any given situation. She knows exactly what she wants, exactly what she loves, and goes to great lengths to make sure her life runs perfectly as planned.

So, when her laidback boyfriend breaks up with her for being "too high-maintenance," Sadie is eager to prove him wrong, and signs herself up for a weeks-long guided wilderness adventure in the High Sierras of California: camping, hiking, rappelling, and kayaking. It's the most miserable, uncomfortable situation she can think of.

Sadie's a five-star resort girl at heart, but she has a compelling--and suspiciously attractive--tour guide: August Thorn. Thorn lives for adventure and always keeps a professional distance from the trekkers under his care...but there's just something about Sadie, and for the first time, he finds himself wanting to get closer. As they explore the wilderness together, Sadie realizes the great outdoors might truly be great with the right person.

Review Quotes

"The Great Outdoors beautifully illustrates how often the best things in life aren't the ones we can prepare for, but rather the ones that simply happen. During an adventurous mountain trek, a woman with the white-knuckle resilience to thrive under any circumstances meets the man who genuinely believes that she can--and as they traverse the Sierras, their romance unfolds with such gentleness and care. This is a wind-swept, pine-scented escape of a story about the great, healing force of the wilderness and the people who make us feel truly alive."

--Ellen O'Clover, author of The Heartbreak Hotel

About the Author

Kayla Olson is the author of The Reunion and The Lodge in addition to two books for young adults (The Sandcastle Empire and This Splintered Silence). Whether writing at her desk or curled up with a good book, she can most often be found with a fresh cup of coffee and at least one cat. Visit her at KaylaOlson.com or at @AuthorKaylaOlson on Instagram/TikTok.