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How to Survive in the Woods
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Sleeping With the Enemy meets Wild in this page-turning thriller, set in Maine's Hundred Mile Wilderness—the treacherous final stretch of the storied Appalachian Trail—an addictive and disturbing tale of passion, betrayal, lies, and control that pulsates with erotic and psychological tension.
Emma Sharp knows how to stay alive.
Raised by a doomsday prepper father and hardened by the startup world, she’s learned to survive, adapt, and endure. First as a successful founder, and now as the wife of Logan Grant, a charismatic tyrant who’s kept her under his thumb ever since the breakdown that nearly ended her life. To Emma, the marriage is a necessary cage—the kind that keeps you in, but also keeps you safe.
But when she forms an unexpected bond with Taylor Cognetti, Logan’s former college sweetheart and business partner, a new dream begins to take shape—and with it, a plan to help her escape her controlling husband, once and for all, on the punishing final stretch of the Appalachian Trail known as the Hundred Mile Wilderness.
After all, bad things happen in the woods all the time.
As Emma, Taylor, and Logan venture deeper into Maine’s backcountry, desire and dread curdle into something unpredictable, dark, and deadly. Someone is lying. Someone is watching. And in the remote heart of the forest, someone is about to be lost . . . or found.
How to Survive in the Woods is a heart-stopping knockout of a novel, by turns wryly witty, psychologically sophisticated, and deliciously diabolical. In her masterful hands, Kat Rosenfield asks us to consider what it means to be a survivor—and what, or who, you would sacrifice to stay alive.
Emma Sharp knows how to stay alive.
Raised by a doomsday prepper father and hardened by the startup world, she’s learned to survive, adapt, and endure. First as a successful founder, and now as the wife of Logan Grant, a charismatic tyrant who’s kept her under his thumb ever since the breakdown that nearly ended her life. To Emma, the marriage is a necessary cage—the kind that keeps you in, but also keeps you safe.
But when she forms an unexpected bond with Taylor Cognetti, Logan’s former college sweetheart and business partner, a new dream begins to take shape—and with it, a plan to help her escape her controlling husband, once and for all, on the punishing final stretch of the Appalachian Trail known as the Hundred Mile Wilderness.
After all, bad things happen in the woods all the time.
As Emma, Taylor, and Logan venture deeper into Maine’s backcountry, desire and dread curdle into something unpredictable, dark, and deadly. Someone is lying. Someone is watching. And in the remote heart of the forest, someone is about to be lost . . . or found.
How to Survive in the Woods is a heart-stopping knockout of a novel, by turns wryly witty, psychologically sophisticated, and deliciously diabolical. In her masterful hands, Kat Rosenfield asks us to consider what it means to be a survivor—and what, or who, you would sacrifice to stay alive.
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 10, 2026
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5395 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 6, 2026
A woman who is under the thumb of her abusive husband takes him and another woman into the Maine wilderness to execute a plan to better her situation with the help of the other woman. When things don’t go as planned, she is forced to use her extensive survival skills in order to make it out alive.
This is a twisty psychological thriller with a lot of deep discussions of f sensitive topics. I liked the Maine wilderness setting, the overall premise and the fact that there were twists. However, the book didn’t entirely grip me and I fear that this is one I will struggle to remember. I loved Kat Rosenfield’s book No One Will Miss Her and look forward to reading more by her.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Harper and Kat Rosenfield for my complimentary e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This is a twisty psychological thriller with a lot of deep discussions of f sensitive topics. I liked the Maine wilderness setting, the overall premise and the fact that there were twists. However, the book didn’t entirely grip me and I fear that this is one I will struggle to remember. I loved Kat Rosenfield’s book No One Will Miss Her and look forward to reading more by her.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Harper and Kat Rosenfield for my complimentary e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
November 7, 2025
Check out my full thoughts on this book and more here: booktube reviews :)
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review: Ugh, this book was not for me. There are aspects of it I would typically enjoy, but the way things are handled and written in this story just really rubbed me the wrong way. I've read other early reviews of people who really enjoyed it, so maybe take what I say with a grain of salt. But I just really struggled with the way sensitive topics were handled and that's not normally a soap box I get on. At first, I kinda liked how brash it was and just honest and to the point but over time that wore me down and just didn't work anymore. I'm sure there will be people who love this so before you pick it up, or not, maybe read other's reviews as well. If you typically have similar complaints as me, you will likely not enjoy this.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review: Ugh, this book was not for me. There are aspects of it I would typically enjoy, but the way things are handled and written in this story just really rubbed me the wrong way. I've read other early reviews of people who really enjoyed it, so maybe take what I say with a grain of salt. But I just really struggled with the way sensitive topics were handled and that's not normally a soap box I get on. At first, I kinda liked how brash it was and just honest and to the point but over time that wore me down and just didn't work anymore. I'm sure there will be people who love this so before you pick it up, or not, maybe read other's reviews as well. If you typically have similar complaints as me, you will likely not enjoy this.
November 5, 2025
This book was so thrilling with so many twists and a fast paced plot. Emma is a unique character and the writer did an amazing job of putting the reader right inside her brain. The setting was haunting out in the wilderness, so much so that I felt like I was right there. I gasped many times as the plot unfolded and loved the theme of freedom and control throughout the book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Want to read
July 21, 2025ooooooooooooh I've read a few from this author and really enjoyed the writing. I'm excited for this one!
January 11, 2026
How to Survive in the Woods is a slow-burning thriller that steadily tightens its grip until the tension feels almost unbearable. From the opening pages, Emma Sharp’s life is marked by strain—shaped by a survivalist upbringing, worn down by a suffocating, controlling marriage, and driven by a constant need to calculate how to endure. She’s instinctively capable, but emotionally exhausted, and that quiet fatigue adds real depth to her character.
The story takes a sharp turn when Emma agrees to hike the final stretch of Maine’s Appalachian Trail through the brutal Hundred Mile Wilderness alongside her husband’s ex, Taylor. It’s an uneasy partnership from the start, layered with resentment, suspicion, and unresolved history. The setting couldn’t be more unforgiving, and Rosenfield uses the isolation of the trail to heighten every moment of discomfort.
As the miles stretch on, the tension escalates in both subtle and shocking ways. The novel thrives on uncertainty—every character feels unreliable, every interaction carries an undercurrent of doubt, and the sense that someone is hiding the truth never lets up. What makes the book especially compelling is its exploration of survival beyond the physical. This is a story about emotional endurance, power, and the moral compromises people make to protect themselves.
The wilderness itself becomes a force in the narrative—claustrophobic, eerie, and constantly threatening. It amplifies the paranoia and turns the hike into something far more dangerous than a test of stamina.
Dark, atmospheric, and psychologically sharp, readers who enjoy stories of distrust, wilderness peril, and complex female dynamics will love this book. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what Kat Rosenfield does next.
With thanks to Kat Rosenfield, the publisher, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story takes a sharp turn when Emma agrees to hike the final stretch of Maine’s Appalachian Trail through the brutal Hundred Mile Wilderness alongside her husband’s ex, Taylor. It’s an uneasy partnership from the start, layered with resentment, suspicion, and unresolved history. The setting couldn’t be more unforgiving, and Rosenfield uses the isolation of the trail to heighten every moment of discomfort.
As the miles stretch on, the tension escalates in both subtle and shocking ways. The novel thrives on uncertainty—every character feels unreliable, every interaction carries an undercurrent of doubt, and the sense that someone is hiding the truth never lets up. What makes the book especially compelling is its exploration of survival beyond the physical. This is a story about emotional endurance, power, and the moral compromises people make to protect themselves.
The wilderness itself becomes a force in the narrative—claustrophobic, eerie, and constantly threatening. It amplifies the paranoia and turns the hike into something far more dangerous than a test of stamina.
Dark, atmospheric, and psychologically sharp, readers who enjoy stories of distrust, wilderness peril, and complex female dynamics will love this book. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what Kat Rosenfield does next.
With thanks to Kat Rosenfield, the publisher, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2025
How to Survive in the Woods is the first book I’ve read by Kat Rosenfield but it won’t be the last. This is a dark and twisted thriller set on the last 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Maine. The setting is as much a character in this book as the humans. Atmospheric, with an almost claustrophobic feeling of dread, this thriller kept me completely in its spell throughout the book.
Emma, the unreliable narrator, is married to a complete jerk, Logan. Logan’s ex girlfriend and business partner, Taylor has a relationship with Emma as well. Are any of these people who they claim to be? I don’t want to give anything away. I went into this book without knowing anything about it and it is definitely the way to go. So many twists and turns!
The narration by Sophie Amoss is outstanding and her work enhances the storyline. I will be looking for more books performed by her.
Highly recommend for fans of dark, twisty thrillers set in the wilderness. I was captivated throughout the production.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Audio Adult for the ALC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Emma, the unreliable narrator, is married to a complete jerk, Logan. Logan’s ex girlfriend and business partner, Taylor has a relationship with Emma as well. Are any of these people who they claim to be? I don’t want to give anything away. I went into this book without knowing anything about it and it is definitely the way to go. So many twists and turns!
The narration by Sophie Amoss is outstanding and her work enhances the storyline. I will be looking for more books performed by her.
Highly recommend for fans of dark, twisty thrillers set in the wilderness. I was captivated throughout the production.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Audio Adult for the ALC in exchange for my honest feedback.
November 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me the ebook ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Trigger warnings: Toxic Relationship/Friendship, Suicide Attempt(s)
Will Emma and Taylor be able to end the torment of Emma’s controlling husband? Or will he continue to control both of them at times without them even knowing? “How to Survive in the Woods” is a psychological thriller that creates suspense from each twist and turn, both literally and figuratively, as the trio sets forth along the Hundred Mile Wilderness, where nature is indifferent to whether you live or die.
Emma remains an unreliable narrator from beginning to end, not allowing us the reader or anyone around her to truly trust her. The dual third person/second person narration leaves an eerie feeling woven into every page, just like the setting of the Appalachian Trail.
I don’t want to give too much information away, as the direction of the plot line took an early twist. But I will say to 1) remember to be aware of what surrounds you 2) adapt to your environment for it will not adapt to you, and most importantly, 3) to leave no trace.
Lastly, I don’t tend to read the acknowledgments, but the last two paragraphs where we learn of the inspiration of the setting of the book was remarkable.
Trigger warnings: Toxic Relationship/Friendship, Suicide Attempt(s)
Will Emma and Taylor be able to end the torment of Emma’s controlling husband? Or will he continue to control both of them at times without them even knowing? “How to Survive in the Woods” is a psychological thriller that creates suspense from each twist and turn, both literally and figuratively, as the trio sets forth along the Hundred Mile Wilderness, where nature is indifferent to whether you live or die.
Emma remains an unreliable narrator from beginning to end, not allowing us the reader or anyone around her to truly trust her. The dual third person/second person narration leaves an eerie feeling woven into every page, just like the setting of the Appalachian Trail.
I don’t want to give too much information away, as the direction of the plot line took an early twist. But I will say to 1) remember to be aware of what surrounds you 2) adapt to your environment for it will not adapt to you, and most importantly, 3) to leave no trace.
Lastly, I don’t tend to read the acknowledgments, but the last two paragraphs where we learn of the inspiration of the setting of the book was remarkable.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Kat Rosenfield’s new novel How to Survive in the Woods pulls you in right from the very first page. Set up with an intimate, yet dark vibe, narrator Emma Sharp invites you into her world - a world where she was raised by a prepper father, founded a successful wellness company, and then gave it all up when she attempted suicide. Follow Emma as she takes you inside her subsequent marriage to the charming, yet psychopathic, Logan Grant and uncover all of the ways he torments and teases her. And then traverse along with Emma and Logan as they trek into the 100 Mile Wilderness, the final stretch of the Appalachian Trail, and discover just what it takes to survive in the woods …
The compelling and eerie How to Survive in the Woods is presented as part domestic thriller, part survival story, with sections titled like a how-to guide for staying alive in the wilderness. I was immediately captivated by this twisted tale, and became completely engrossed in Emma’s dangerous relationship with Logan. As someone who often spends time in nature myself, I was excited about the prospect of this novel taking us into the treacherous 100 Mile Wilderness, and enjoyed the parts of the novel detailing time on the trail much more than the included flashbacks and asides.
This novel was a strong 5 stars for me up until some later twists occur, knocking the story down a half star once it takes some outlandish turns. What felt like a unique, different, and dangerous kind of story soon turned into a tale more cartoonish and well-worn, so I was a bit disappointed it veered off of the original path.
Nonetheless, the writing here is both lyrical and engaging, describing the beauty and treachery not only of the wilderness, but within people themselves. What is more likely to kill you - the wilds of the woods or those you love most?
The compelling and eerie How to Survive in the Woods is presented as part domestic thriller, part survival story, with sections titled like a how-to guide for staying alive in the wilderness. I was immediately captivated by this twisted tale, and became completely engrossed in Emma’s dangerous relationship with Logan. As someone who often spends time in nature myself, I was excited about the prospect of this novel taking us into the treacherous 100 Mile Wilderness, and enjoyed the parts of the novel detailing time on the trail much more than the included flashbacks and asides.
This novel was a strong 5 stars for me up until some later twists occur, knocking the story down a half star once it takes some outlandish turns. What felt like a unique, different, and dangerous kind of story soon turned into a tale more cartoonish and well-worn, so I was a bit disappointed it veered off of the original path.
Nonetheless, the writing here is both lyrical and engaging, describing the beauty and treachery not only of the wilderness, but within people themselves. What is more likely to kill you - the wilds of the woods or those you love most?
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
How to survive in the woods is one of those thrillers that quietly gets under your skin and then refuses to let go. From the very first page, Emma Sharp's life feels like a pressure cooker - raised by a survivalist father, trapped in a suffocating marriage, and constantly calculating what it takes just to get through the day. She's tough, but you can feel the exhaustion in her bones.
The setup is fantastic: Emma teams up with her husband's ex (already deliciously messy) and heads into the Hundred Mile Wilderness, a stretch of the Appalachia Trail that's unforgiving even on a good day. The tension builds beautifully as the trio heads deeper into the woods, and Rosenfield does a great job balancing psychological unease with the raw, physical danger of the setting.
What I loved most is how the book plays with the idea of survival - not just in the literal sense, but emotionally, socially and morally. The shifting dynamics between the characters keep you guessing, and the creeping sense that someone isn't telling the truth adds a steady thrum of dread. The atmosphere is spot-on: claustrophobic, eerie and full of that "somethings watching" energy.
It's dark, smart and surprisingly intimate with a final act that really pays off. If you enjoy thrillers that blend wilderness survival with psychological tension and complicated female relationships this one is absolutely worth the hike.
with thanks to Kat Rosenfield, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The setup is fantastic: Emma teams up with her husband's ex (already deliciously messy) and heads into the Hundred Mile Wilderness, a stretch of the Appalachia Trail that's unforgiving even on a good day. The tension builds beautifully as the trio heads deeper into the woods, and Rosenfield does a great job balancing psychological unease with the raw, physical danger of the setting.
What I loved most is how the book plays with the idea of survival - not just in the literal sense, but emotionally, socially and morally. The shifting dynamics between the characters keep you guessing, and the creeping sense that someone isn't telling the truth adds a steady thrum of dread. The atmosphere is spot-on: claustrophobic, eerie and full of that "somethings watching" energy.
It's dark, smart and surprisingly intimate with a final act that really pays off. If you enjoy thrillers that blend wilderness survival with psychological tension and complicated female relationships this one is absolutely worth the hike.
with thanks to Kat Rosenfield, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
October 27, 2025
I love a thriller set in the wilderness, when the characters are trying to survive not just the situation but nature as well. This one hit all the suspenseful sweet spots in my brain. This book recalls the old adage that if you see a bear in the woods, you don’t need to be faster than the bear, just faster than your companion.
Emma was raised to be a survivor by her doomsday prepper father. We know that she has been through some stuff that caused a breakdown, and now she lets her abusive husband make all the decisions. When she bonds with his ex, the two of them decide to take him out into the wilderness and free themselves of him once and for all. Only, the lies and secrets being harbored by each of them makes us wonder: who if any of them will make it out alive?
I devoured this book! The pacing was perfect, and the unreliable narrator basically applied to every character in the story; nobody could be trusted. The main character Emma is so flawed and damaged, but I was rooting for her at every turn, even as her darkest secrets came out. The twists in this were fantastic, some predictable but others completely out of left field. If you want to be utterly entertained and on the edge of your seat, this is your book, plus it inspired me to assess all my emergency supplies, ha!
Emma was raised to be a survivor by her doomsday prepper father. We know that she has been through some stuff that caused a breakdown, and now she lets her abusive husband make all the decisions. When she bonds with his ex, the two of them decide to take him out into the wilderness and free themselves of him once and for all. Only, the lies and secrets being harbored by each of them makes us wonder: who if any of them will make it out alive?
I devoured this book! The pacing was perfect, and the unreliable narrator basically applied to every character in the story; nobody could be trusted. The main character Emma is so flawed and damaged, but I was rooting for her at every turn, even as her darkest secrets came out. The twists in this were fantastic, some predictable but others completely out of left field. If you want to be utterly entertained and on the edge of your seat, this is your book, plus it inspired me to assess all my emergency supplies, ha!
November 14, 2025
A promising story about two women who decide to lure their abusive ex-boyfriend/husband into the woods to kill him and then things quickly go sideways, but not in the way you think. To be honest this book was a let down for me. While I sympathized with the main characters Emma, I didn’t really like her. Her friend/lover Taylor wasn’t my favorite person either, and of course the terrible ex, Logan was just atrocious. I feel like this book set up a promising story but then the shocking betrayal just…didn’t hit the way it was supposed to. It’s the type of book that’s marketed as a “feminist thriller,” but the two women just hate and deceive each other. While there is the fun element of survival in the wilderness, it is overshadowed by somewhat confusing flashbacks and emotional interpersonal drama. Plus Emma has guilt ridden paralysis/inner monologuing so often that the story struggles to ever move forward. It wasn’t scary or tense or fun in any of the ways I wanted it to be.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Most of this book is set in the final 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Maine.
Emma has a troubled past and is trapped in an abusive marriage with her husband Logan. Emma’s only ally is Logan’s ex girlfriend Taylor.
Emma and Taylor begin plotting their revenge on Logan.
The three of them decide to hike the final leg of the Appalachian Trail in the Maine wilderness.
Logan has no idea that Emma and Taylor are luring him to his death…or does he?
Taylor and Logan have no idea that Emma was raised by her survivalist father and understands the wilderness. Taylor and Logan have no idea how tough and capable Emma is. Emma rediscovers her strength and will to live.
This book is filled with twists and deception. The remote setting is as scary as Logan.
How to Survive in the Woods starts off kind of weird and slow, but it gets interesting quickly!
Who is the hunter and who is the prey?
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for sending me this ARC.
Emma has a troubled past and is trapped in an abusive marriage with her husband Logan. Emma’s only ally is Logan’s ex girlfriend Taylor.
Emma and Taylor begin plotting their revenge on Logan.
The three of them decide to hike the final leg of the Appalachian Trail in the Maine wilderness.
Logan has no idea that Emma and Taylor are luring him to his death…or does he?
Taylor and Logan have no idea that Emma was raised by her survivalist father and understands the wilderness. Taylor and Logan have no idea how tough and capable Emma is. Emma rediscovers her strength and will to live.
This book is filled with twists and deception. The remote setting is as scary as Logan.
How to Survive in the Woods starts off kind of weird and slow, but it gets interesting quickly!
Who is the hunter and who is the prey?
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for sending me this ARC.
July 28, 2025
Wow! This was such a good story! It's both a taut, propulsive adventure story and a deep character driven exploration of humanity. It begins with Emma Sharp waking up in the hospital, angry to hear her heart thumping, to know she's still alive. She wanted to kill herself and is ashamed that she didn't get it right.
The story moves quickly after that as we learn more about Emma and the unusual life she has led. The heart of the novel begins when Emma and two other people step into the Maine woods to hike the last hundred miles of the Appalachian Trail. It's September, late in the season to begin a hike that far north and the group is warned to be careful. But no one could have anticipated the shocks and twists Emma and her companions encounter on their hike.
Twists! I loved that I was surprised at every turn. Highly recommended!
September 20, 2025
I was intrigued by the story of hunter turned prey turned hunter again in this novel set in the Maine wilderness of the Appalachian Trail. Emma and her friend Taylor gang up on Emma's tyrannical and abusive husband Logan and plan to get their revenge on this trip. The story of the three, the women against the lone man, has a lot of twists and turns that make it interesting. Getting lost, trying to survive each other and the harsh wilderness, makes for suspenseful reading.
Even though the ordeal in the woods seems similar to other wilderness mysteries, there is still good storytelling that will keep the reader interested in the outcome. I liked that the trail itself turned out to be an important part in the mystery . The last leg of the trail, the Hundred Mile Wilderness, plays a key role in their survival or death.
Even though the ordeal in the woods seems similar to other wilderness mysteries, there is still good storytelling that will keep the reader interested in the outcome. I liked that the trail itself turned out to be an important part in the mystery . The last leg of the trail, the Hundred Mile Wilderness, plays a key role in their survival or death.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Raised by a father who was a survivalist millionaire, Emma Sharp has learned the hard way how to look after herself - beginning with the time Gregory Sharp left his injured teenage daughter to find her own way out of the woods.
Despite her self sufficient beginnings, Emma has made some missteps that led her to allow a charismatic and controlling man, Logan, to take control of her life and her wealth.
Until, that is, Logan's ex-girlfriend Taylor offers Emma a chance of escape - an offer she cannot refuse, even if it means once again taking a trip into the dark heart of the woods....
Gripping and atmospheric, this is a story that excavates deep into the darker sides of human nature, keeping the reader on the edge of her seat. Definitely worth checking out for thriller lovers!
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Despite her self sufficient beginnings, Emma has made some missteps that led her to allow a charismatic and controlling man, Logan, to take control of her life and her wealth.
Until, that is, Logan's ex-girlfriend Taylor offers Emma a chance of escape - an offer she cannot refuse, even if it means once again taking a trip into the dark heart of the woods....
Gripping and atmospheric, this is a story that excavates deep into the darker sides of human nature, keeping the reader on the edge of her seat. Definitely worth checking out for thriller lovers!
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars
A gripping cat-and-mouse in the wilderness, which might be a deer-and-wolf now that I think about nomenclature. Emma became a wolf as a child in the hands of her father and then suppressed that wolf to become the deer. However, when you have tremendous survival training, and you are plunged into a survival situation, you can stay a deer or return to the wolf.
Some of this was predictable, and the author presented Logan as one of the most unlikable characters I have read in a while, so not just do we want him to fail, we want Emma to kill him. Fun moral challenge. However, there was a lot (a LOT) of emotional abuse and manipulation to get there, and gaslighting in huge doses. It's upsetting to read what Emma withstands but that's what drove her eventually.
Good pace, tension, satisfying, and even if you see all the many twists and betrayals, it's still a decent ride.
A gripping cat-and-mouse in the wilderness, which might be a deer-and-wolf now that I think about nomenclature. Emma became a wolf as a child in the hands of her father and then suppressed that wolf to become the deer. However, when you have tremendous survival training, and you are plunged into a survival situation, you can stay a deer or return to the wolf.
Some of this was predictable, and the author presented Logan as one of the most unlikable characters I have read in a while, so not just do we want him to fail, we want Emma to kill him. Fun moral challenge. However, there was a lot (a LOT) of emotional abuse and manipulation to get there, and gaslighting in huge doses. It's upsetting to read what Emma withstands but that's what drove her eventually.
Good pace, tension, satisfying, and even if you see all the many twists and betrayals, it's still a decent ride.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Emma is a woman with a troubled past. She is hurting and at one point tries to end her life. At her lowest she meets Logan Grant who is charismatic and promises to keep her safe. She marries him and lets him take charge of her life and realizes to late that was a HUGE mistake. She meets Taylor who is Logan's ex-girlfriend. She knows what Logan is like and calls Emma out on lies. Together they form a plan.
Taylor, Emma and Logan all go on a hike. The place is remote and bad things happen in the woods all the time. Not everyone will make it out alive.
The woods and isolation added creepiness to the story. At first you think it's going one way when you are thrown a curve ball. I liked how the author gave you glimpses of Emma's mind and her thoughts. What does it take to survive in the woods? This gives off vibes of Wild.
Thank you HarperCollins for advance copy.
Taylor, Emma and Logan all go on a hike. The place is remote and bad things happen in the woods all the time. Not everyone will make it out alive.
The woods and isolation added creepiness to the story. At first you think it's going one way when you are thrown a curve ball. I liked how the author gave you glimpses of Emma's mind and her thoughts. What does it take to survive in the woods? This gives off vibes of Wild.
Thank you HarperCollins for advance copy.
January 23, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of How to Survive in the Woods by Kat Rosenfield.
This was a tense, atmospheric thriller that slowly tightens its grip. The woodland setting is used brilliantly, creating a constant sense of isolation and unease that seeps into every page. The story is more psychological than action driven, with a creeping dread that builds rather than explodes, which I really appreciated.
The character work is strong, particularly in how vulnerability, fear and fractured trust are explored under pressure. Relationships feel complex and believable, and the emotional tension often feels as sharp as the physical danger. The dual timelines add a dimension of unease which unfolds throughout.
Not a fast paced thriller, but a smart, unsettling and immersive read that lingers after you finish. A solid four star psychological suspense novel.
This was a tense, atmospheric thriller that slowly tightens its grip. The woodland setting is used brilliantly, creating a constant sense of isolation and unease that seeps into every page. The story is more psychological than action driven, with a creeping dread that builds rather than explodes, which I really appreciated.
The character work is strong, particularly in how vulnerability, fear and fractured trust are explored under pressure. Relationships feel complex and believable, and the emotional tension often feels as sharp as the physical danger. The dual timelines add a dimension of unease which unfolds throughout.
Not a fast paced thriller, but a smart, unsettling and immersive read that lingers after you finish. A solid four star psychological suspense novel.
November 5, 2025
If you're looking for a tale of distrust and survival in the woods that will keep you on the edge of your seat, then this is the one. Kat introduces us to Emma, a survivalist by nature, who is trapped by her husband, Logan in a controlling relationship. She teams up with Logan's ex, Taylor to hike the last part of the Appalachian Trail in Maine. The twists and turns heat up from there. All the characters are unreliable and there is no one you can trust. The setting in the woods plays a character in itself and lends even more suspense to the story. It's a heart pounding race to the finish. Can't wait to see what else she has in store for us in the future.
January 1, 2026
This well-written, dark, suspenseful psychological thriller is set in the wilderness during the last hundred miles of the Appalachian Trail in Maine. Emma is married to an abusive husband, Logan, who controls every decision in her life. She bonds with Logan’s ex and business partner, Taylor, and together they decide to take him into the wilderness and get rid of him. But the lies and secrets between all three make you question who will survive. The story leaves the reader asking what or who you would sacrifice to stay alive. With many shocking twists and turns, I was completely surprised and highly recommend this book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Having loved "No One Will Miss Her" and having been horrified by this video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hMEo-OQlCM], I knew that I would love this book, and I quite like being right.
This had so much going on—several Cool Girl-style monologues that are both timely and correct, backstories that take some time to show you exactly how the characters turned out the way they did, and more than one thrilling hunt through the woods—but it all somehow fit into one cohesive narrative with a very satisfying ending, and I will be eagerly awaiting Rosenfield's next book about badass ladies and the bottom feeders in their lives!
Thank you for the advanced copy, Harper!!!
This had so much going on—several Cool Girl-style monologues that are both timely and correct, backstories that take some time to show you exactly how the characters turned out the way they did, and more than one thrilling hunt through the woods—but it all somehow fit into one cohesive narrative with a very satisfying ending, and I will be eagerly awaiting Rosenfield's next book about badass ladies and the bottom feeders in their lives!
Thank you for the advanced copy, Harper!!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The last thing anyone thought mild mannered Emma would do is go on a camping trip on the vast Appalachian Trail with her domineering jerk of a husband and his ex-girlfriend but one of them won't be coming back out of the woods. Almost immediately plans go south and the trip becomes very dangerous for all of them. No one counted on Emma's first rate training by her survivalist father. Lies and secrets and bears OH MY! Edgy, intense and you won't want to go camping any time soon. There are a few twists and turns as the lines blur between friends and enemies. Perfect for fans of thrillers where the fragile female is underestimated. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
August 17, 2025
This book was a real wild ride. I don't want to spill too much about it in order to protect what makes it so intense. So I'll just say that I read a lot of thrillers & this one was really got me. Big thumbs up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A well-written thriller with deeply unlikeable characters and a satisfying ending. Makes me want (and deeply not want) to go into the woods and get lost a bit. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC!
July 26, 2025
I couldn't put this one down--well-written, unpredictable, full of twists and turns and complicated characters. One of the better books I've read this year.
December 1, 2025
intense book with some absolutely thrilling plotting and incredible writing throughout. the twists are impeccable and the main character is interesting to read. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
December 20, 2025
Every time I thought I knew how this was going to end, there was a new twist. Excellent writing and storytelling. What a great thriller to end the year!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A fast paced survival story where no one is really what they seem.
January 7, 2026
3.5 stars
The premise of this one really drew me in, but I’m sorry to say the execution fell flat for me. I realize I’m an outlier here as many other trusted reviewers have loved this book. I think the problem for me was that none of the characters were particularly likeable. Although I had sympathy for the main character, I just couldn’t root for her no matter how hard I tried. Further, I was never tense or on the edge of my seat the way I’d like to be in a thriller. With that said, it was an enjoyable read – just not one that will be memorable for me.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The premise of this one really drew me in, but I’m sorry to say the execution fell flat for me. I realize I’m an outlier here as many other trusted reviewers have loved this book. I think the problem for me was that none of the characters were particularly likeable. Although I had sympathy for the main character, I just couldn’t root for her no matter how hard I tried. Further, I was never tense or on the edge of my seat the way I’d like to be in a thriller. With that said, it was an enjoyable read – just not one that will be memorable for me.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
December 22, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
Emma, Taylor, and Logan go into the woods for a hike, and one of them may not make it out alive.
Emma married Logan directly after a traumatic event, and soon she realizes her mistake. Logan is abusive, and even his ex-girlfriend Taylor agrees. Emma develops an unlikely friendship with Taylor, and the women plan the hiking trip.
Having survived being left alone in the woods before, Emma isn't worried about the trip, but soon, her confidence is shattered.
This novel is full of twists and turns, and the final betrayal surprised me. I found Emma's backstory particularly interesting and heartbreaking.
Emma, Taylor, and Logan go into the woods for a hike, and one of them may not make it out alive.
Emma married Logan directly after a traumatic event, and soon she realizes her mistake. Logan is abusive, and even his ex-girlfriend Taylor agrees. Emma develops an unlikely friendship with Taylor, and the women plan the hiking trip.
Having survived being left alone in the woods before, Emma isn't worried about the trip, but soon, her confidence is shattered.
This novel is full of twists and turns, and the final betrayal surprised me. I found Emma's backstory particularly interesting and heartbreaking.
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