Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5/5

“Out On A Limb” by Hannah Bonam-Young is a warm and tender romance that brings some refreshing elements to the genre, particularly in its thoughtful representation of disability. The story of Win and Bo, two characters with limb differences, starts with a unique premise and offers a lot of promise, especially in its portrayal of the challenges and joys of impending parenthood.

The chemistry between Win and Bo is undeniable, and their relationship is grounded in healthy communication, which is always a pleasure to read. Their journey from a one-night stand to navigating the complexities of friendship and more is engaging, though it occasionally feels a bit too straightforward, lacking the emotional tension that could have taken the story to the next level.

The disability representation is the highlight of the book, handled with care and insight. A particularly touching moment is when Win contemplates the possibility of her child inheriting her limb difference, adding depth to her character and the story. The narrative also touches on the aftereffects of bad relationships, which is both relatable and well-executed.

However, while the book has plenty of heart, it occasionally feels too safe. The stakes are low, and the story unfolds predictably, which might not be satisfying for readers looking for more angst or drama. The ending, in particular, felt rushed, leaving me wanting more—especially a scene from Bo’s perspective or a more detailed conclusion to their journey.

In summary, “Out On A Limb” is a sweet, comforting read, perfect for when you need something light and uplifting. The characters are likable, the humor is spot-on, and the disability representation is commendable. It’s not a story that will stick with you long after reading, but it’s certainly enjoyable in the moment. If you’re in the mood for a low-stakes romance with a dash of spice and a whole lot of heart, this one is worth picking up.

Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5

Fluff rating: 💖💖💖💖 4/5

Final thoughts: While “Out On A Limb” didn’t quite blow me away, it’s a solid, feel-good read that’s worth your time, especially if you’re looking for something comforting and inclusive. Just don’t go in expecting too many surprises.

1.5/5 Stars

Thank you to Bedford Square Publishers for providing me with an arc to honestly review.

I had really heard nothing but amazing things about this book and it sounded like everything I love. It has disability representation, accidental pregnancy, one night stand, and forced proximity and I did love it for the first 30% of the book. After that point I started to despise this book, these characters while yes they are damaged it kept feeling like especially Winnie would take 2 steps forward in character development and then 10 steps backwards. It would continue to go in circle for her development until she isn’t even the one to take the next step in their relationship, Bo has to push her into it. I felt bad for Bo this whole book and he deserves so much better. I really rarely don’t believe the character would stay together past the end of the book but these 2 I refuse to believe stay together.

Winnie has always been independent and just wants to prove that she can do everything someone with “normal” limbs can do as she was born with a limb difference. She doesn’t care for relationships but she can’t help the spark she feels with Bo that leads to a one night stand. A little while later Winnie learns she is pregnant and there has been no one else but Bo. Bo wants to step up and not only help Winnie with the baby but be there fully and support them together. They agree to stay friends but they can’t deny the building attraction.

I have never hated a female main character more and this is a single pov book so we are stuck in her mind the whole book. She doesn’t listen to her friends even after she specifically asks for her friend’s advice. She agrees with her friend when her friend points out that she has fallen for Bo and says she will tell him but she still isn’t the one to push their relationship to that next step. Bo has to be the one to say fuck it and take the first step towards romance. Winnie and Bo don’t use a condom because they both have tested negative recently and Winnie says she is on the pill. We learn not that long later she doesn’t consistently remember to take it and she knows this could have caused her pregnancy. So she was irresponsible but it never is addressed outside of that moment in her mind. There is so much that could have been fixed by them just communicating, the circles we have to experience in her mind lasted way too long.

There also was a lot of discussion about both Winnie and Bo’s exes so much so that I kinda expected one or both to show up but they never do. Winnie makes a big deal over thinking Bo is still in love with his ex when it is pretty obvious to the reader he doesn’t love his ex and he loves Winnie. Legit Bo mentions his ex like once maybe twice while they are talking about their exes but Winnie is obsessed over his ex and the idea he is still in love with her for almost the rest of the book until they actually get together. The birth was so disappointing for the fact the book is focused around the pregnancy. We don’t get to see it from winnie’s pov it basically reads like a short article about the birth instead of us getting to experience it.

I am still so disappointed as I legitimately thought this was a 5 star book for the first 30% and by the time I realized I hated it I was too far in to give up… This book does seem to work for a lot of people, it just didn’t work for me at all.

🏴‍☠️ Out On A Limb 🏴‍☠️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Out On A Limb follows Win and Bo, two people with limb differences, as they navigate becoming parents. I was initially nervous going into this as I knew from the onset it centres around one of my least favourite tropes in books and one that is almost unanimously disliked in the book community; the dreaded pregnancy trope. However, after hearing so much praise, I decided to cast my reservations aside.

• Win and Bo’s story felt so normal, almost mundane. They were simple two people, striving to make the right decisions. Their communication was so healthy and refreshing and all other characters could do with taking a leaf out of their book.

• I loved the disability representation. One scene in particular brought tears to my eyes as Win came to terms with the possibility of her child inheriting her limb difference. This aspect, along with the reflections on the prior stagnancy of Win’s life, her relationship with her family and friends Sarah and Caleb, and her emotions about motherhood elevated the narrative in my eyes.

• Overall, this book got me out of a slump and I couldn’t put it down. I admittedly haven’t thought much about it since reading it, although I enjoyed it in the moment and would definitely recommend as a perfect palate cleanser. A sweet, touching and wholesome story, demonstrating that any trope, when in the right hands, can be done well.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of the traditional publication!

Someone tell me where I can find a Bo?

I would recommend to anyone to pick up this book and devour it, just like I did.
Bo, Robbie or Robert is the most perfect, wholesome human to ever exist and he is just most perfect for Win. They are the cutest and I’m so happy we get to see how their relationship develops especially as friends.

The whole book, full of friendship, love, smartass comments and just them being them, I loved it all and will definitely read any other book by Hannah. I also love that her limb difference is made aware but that she is not limited to it, she’s so much more than that and Bo makes her feel like she’s much more, and the same goes to Win.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so intensely personal to me. I've got a very similar disability to both Win and the author, and this was such a beautiful gorgeous read. Picture me crying on both my break and on the bus home.

This book was so gorgeously written, like all Hannah Bonam-Young books. The relationship between Win and Bo, at first so quick and then so slow, was a wonderful ride. Heartfelt characters, thoughtful conversations, and one of the best books I've read this year.

I received this book as an arc and it was sooo good so I gave it 4.25 stars. I loved the representation in this book and I loved how cute the book was. I'm normally not a fan of the pregnancy trope but I loved it in this book, and I love how well written it was. The MC's grew on me so much, and I love how the MMC immediately stepped up to help the FMC with her pregnancy.

Hannah is an incredible author. I have read and loved her previous books; she puts so much heart and soul in to them and it makes for such an enjoyable read. Out on a Limb was no different. I absolutely adored Win and Bo - their story was so beautiful and I never wanted it to end.

Thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author.

I loved this book! I wasn’t sure on the accidental pregnancy trope at first, but I fell in love with Win and Bo and couldn’t stop reading. Their story was beautifully written. Also enjoyed reading about Win’s best friend Sarah and her husband. Can’t wait to read more from Hannah Bonam-Young.

I went into this book blind and I’m so glad I did! I would normally avoid books with these tropes because they’re just not my favourite… but I loved this! It was such a nice, comforting read. It’s truly one of those books that gives you so much hope and reassurance for life, love and the future. Win and Bo are proof that no matter where you are in life or how you’re coping, it will get better and there is a happily ever after… and more importantly, that it can (and probably will) happen when you least expect it. So many good feels from this romance and I think it was exactly what I needed right now.

This is one of the most beautiful books I have read in this entire year!

I have so many emotions to handle and will come back to continue with this review

Thank you for this heart warming story!

I adored this book so much - I never wanted it to end! The amount of love poured into this story made my heart hurt in the best way.

Whilst I usually shy away from an accidental pregnancy, I was intrigued by ‘Out on a Limb’ and I’m so glad I read it. Win and Bo’s story is magical. Both characters show such a strong range of emotion and a deep sense of caring for those in their lives. There’s also a whole host of incredible side characters to fall in love.

I could’ve honestly read a thousand more pages of this story. It was so beautifully written. This won’t be my last Hannah Bonam-Young.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Bedford Publishers.

I loved the romance. It had such a wholesome vibe. I appreciated the disability rep as a person with a disability it gives me hope of love. The only downside was the accidental pregnancy trope since it’s not my thing. On the whole though i enjoyed it.

This book is a masterpiece!

Hannah Bonam-Young wrote this book with her whole heart and you can feel it.

Bo & Win were such a wonderful pairing and their banter was perfection! The disability representation felt so authentic and real, and I applaud HBY for handling it so beautifully, especially some of the difficult moments around the pregnancy.

For those worried about reading this book because it contains the pregnancy trope, I need to say that I am the biggest pregnancy trope hater. But this book is so much more than that and I just need you to give it a chance.

Tropes:
- Pregnancy Trope
- Forced Proximity
- Roommates
- One Night Stand
- Disability Rep
- Friends-to-lovers

What an absolutely heartwarming and beautiful gem of a book this was. I adored Win & Bo, they were well rounded and interesting characters that were nothing short of lovely to read about. Their romance and chemistry was off the charts and I adored their softer moments. The plot of this book is something I usually wouldn’t reach for, especially with the accidental pregnancy, but it worked so well. The focus was on their love and their lives and I felt so involved. I also really liked the disability aspect and the care and respect Bonam-Young handled these sensitive situations with. Truthfully I was swooning at my desk reading this, what a perfect little romance.

Such a warm cosy read! Out on a limb was the perfect combination of hilarious characters and great story telling. Good amount of spice throughout as well.

Win and Bo communicate amazingly with one another and have great chemistry! A perfect little comfort read with a well done accidental pregnancy trope.

Summary

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5

Fluff rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5/5

Reading this felt like being wrapped in the warmest fluffiest blanket whilst a cat purrs in your lap and you’re drinking a s’mores hot chocolate.

It was a beautifully character driven story and I loved both Win and Bo immensely. Bo is the ultimate green flag (I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Fictional men written by women hit different!) it was low stakes and low angst so perfect for when you need a warm comfort read. The characters were relatable and believable including the bestie relationships between Win and Sarah which was perfectly written in my opinion.

I wasn’t expecting to laugh as much as I did! The humor was right up my street and well placed and honestly made me think me and Hannah Bonam Young need to be best friends now.

The disability representation was well done and insightful. As was the depiction of the post bad relationship break up rebuild and how it continually affects the choices you make. The guy who comes after the one who hurt and broke you has the hardest job but the biggest reward and Bo was perfect for the job.

My only changes would be that the ending felt a little rushed (I really wanted to read about the birth 😭) and I would’ve loved a bit in Bo’s POV (even just the epilogue).

If you need a fluffy comfort read to cheer you up with a dash of spice on the side then this is for you. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

“Out on a Limb” was the perfect cosy romance to read when you want a lazy day wrapped up in blankets, with a feel-good book! It was the perfect balance of hilarious characters and poignant storytelling with such a swoon-worthy romance. I loved both Win and Bo from the get-go— Bo is just everything that perfect book boyfriends are made of while Win was so charming and wonderful. She was so easy to root for and I really enjoyed her single POV, she was engaging and funny enough to not need Bo’s POV. And I’m always a sucker for a surprise pregnancy romance, and this just had all the perfect ingredients to make it the type of book you devour in one sitting.

Also, shoutout to the gorgeous cover!!

Out on a Limb is an absolute delight, offering a refreshing departure from typical romantic narratives filled with conflict. The story follows Win and Bo, two endearing characters who have meet-cute at a party and embark on an unexpected journey when a one-night stand results in a pregnancy. Instead of the anticipated drama, the narrative focuses on their evolving relationship as co-parents and roommates, showcasing their genuine connection and the challenges they face while getting to know each other. The characters are brilliantly crafted, multi-dimensional, and instantly lovable, adding depth to the heartwarming tale.

This charming romcom not only captivates with its feel-good storyline but also offers some spicier scenes for those seeking a bit more excitement. The author excels in creating heartwarming stories brimming with warmth and unforgettable characters, with Win and Bo being prime examples. The narrative is sprinkled with beloved tropes such as surprise pregnancy, forced proximity, and an adorable golden retriever, making it a delightful read for fans of the genre. Overall, Out on a Limb is a must-read for anyone looking for a sweet and uplifting story that stands out from the crowd.

I received an ARC copy of this book for free from netgalley and I’m writing this review voluntarily based on my own opinion.