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We Went to the Woods
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
27 posts | 9 read | 1 reading | 39 to read
Five friends. No boundaries. And a utopian vision blurred by desire and betrayal. For readers of The Secret History and The Immortalists, a novel about the allure--and dangers--of disconnecting. Certain that society is on the verge of economic and environmental collapse, five disillusioned twenty-somethings make a bold decision: they gather in upstate New York to transform an abandoned farm, once the site of a turn-of-the-century socialist commune, into an idyllic self-sustaining compound called The Homestead. Louisa spearheads the project, as her wealthy family owns the plot of land. Beau is the second to commit--as mysterious and sexy as he is charismatic, he torments Louisa with his nightly disappearances and other relationships. Chloe, a dreamy musician, is naturally able to attract anyone to her--which inevitably results in conflict. Jack, the most sensible and cerebral of the group, is the only one with any practical farm experience. Mack, the last to join, believes it's her calling to write their story--but she is not the most objective narrator and inevitably complicates their increasingly tangled narrative. Initially exhilarated by restoring the rustic dwellings, planting a garden, and fermenting sauerkraut, these intense relationships are soon divided by slights, romantic and sexual relationships, jealousies, and suspicions. And as winter settles in, their experiment begins to feel not only misguided, but deeply isolating and dangerous. Caite Dolan-Leach spins a poignant and deeply human tale with sharp insights into our modern anxieties, collective failures, and often timeless desire to withdraw from the world around us.
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Hooked_on_books
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Pickpick

Five privileged white kids go to the property of one of their parents and playact at homesteading (this is acknowledged in the book), but then some side projects start to shake thinks up. While I enjoyed this while I was listening to it, I kind of now wonder what the point was. A low pick.

55 likes1 stack add
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WanderingBookaneer
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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I can‘t wait to dig in to all of these! 😻 Amazing, @catiewithac ! #FFFS #FallingForFallSwap

catiewithac I hope it meets your sweet tooth requirements!!! 🥳 3y
Avanders Love it!! 😍🍁🍂🧡 .. also, what‘s the 2nd book? I can‘t quite make out the title… 🤔 3y
Avanders Oooh fun!! 😁😄♥️ 3y
62 likes1 stack add5 comments
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WanderingBookaneer
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Asktheletters
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Somewhere in the multiverse, Thoreau wrote The Secret History; Or Millennials On A Commune.

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Lauren.Archer
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Panpan

Let me start by saying that I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book as I absolutely loved Dead Letters, Dolan-Leach‘s debut. When I started this book, I had the highest of hopes but as this story dragged on, I wanted this just to end.

For my full review, please visit my blog at: http://obsessedbookaholic.com/2019/08/26/we-went-to-the-woods-book-review/

ShyBookOwl That's too bad. 5y
Crazeedi Following your blog 5y
Reggie I do not often bail on books but after 100 pages I didn‘t really like anyone or care. 5y
Lauren.Archer @Reggie I 💯 agree. I was just so hoping it was going to go somewhere and it never did. 5y
85 likes5 comments
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Cinfhen
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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#AyUpAugust A group of privileged millennials head #DownInTheWoods to live life off the grid with the hopes of creating their own utopian society. Oh, those privileged millennials, they never learn 😜Enjoyable read from the author who brought us Dead Letters.

squirrelbrain Stacked, of course! 😁😘 5y
Bookartbookmarks Sounds interesting! And gorgeous cover!! 5y
TrishB Previously stacked! 5y
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Cathythoughts Absolutely stacking 👍🏻 5y
Cinfhen I thought this book was good, but wait for a #KindleDailyDeal @squirrelbrain @Bookartbookmarks @TrishB @Cathythoughts and the cover is lovely 😊 5y
TrishB Doesn‘t even seem to be on kindle here 🤷‍♀️ and it‘s very expensive in print! 5y
Reviewsbylola Gorgeous cover. 5y
87 likes4 stack adds7 comments
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KimmyM
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Pickpick

I loved DEAD LETTERS, so I was excited to read this. It was fascinating and frustrating at the same time, and I was surprised in the end to be so moved. I'm already looking forward to more from Caite Dolan-Leach in the future! 4/ 5⭐ #libraryloot

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JennyM
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Pickpick

Another solid read from Caite Dolan-Leach, author of Dead Letters. It was pretty clear where this one was going from the start, but I really enjoy her writing, so happily went into the woods with her 🏕

Kalalalatja What a great cover! 5y
JennyM @Kalalalatja it‘s pretty 5y
63 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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KimmyM
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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The #libraryloot keeps coming! I loved Caite Dolan-Leach's DEAD LETTERS when I read it in 2017, so as soon as I heard about this new book, I put a hold on it at my library!

Sweettartlaura It‘s got a small connection to Dead Letters, which I loved. She might be world-building -highly unusual in a straight fiction setting. Enjoy! 5y
KimmyM @Sweettartlaura Oh cool!! I loved that book, so I have high hopes for this one! 5y
KimmyM @Sweettartlaura I just finished and really enjoyed it. But I couldn't find the connection to Dead Letters (it's been a while since I read it). What was it? 5y
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Sweettartlaura @KimmyM they go to the twins‘ house at some point. The names have escaped me, so my apologies for that. And it‘s been a few months since I read this, so I‘ll be fuzzy on the specifics. But at some point, the main character finds herself at the vineyard/house where Dead Letters happens, talking to the twins‘ mother, I think, during some party/event/maybe a wedding? Is that ringing a bell? There is even mention that one twin is unaccounted for. 5y
KimmyM @Sweettartlaura Thank you! I just flipped back through the book and reread the synopsis for Dead Letters and I see it now! 5y
Sweettartlaura 👍🏻😊. I‘ll be curious to see if she keeps up with this practice. It‘s unusual in straight contemporary fiction, but I like it a lot. 5y
16 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Cinfhen
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Happy Publication Day to Caite Dolan-Leach!! If you liked Dead Letters, you‘ll enjoy We Went To The Woods. Great writing, intriguing plot and a guest appearance from Zelda!!! Pick up a copy!! #RandomHousePublishing

AmyG Looks good! 5y
Reviewsbylola This sounds promising! DL was ok, but she should have stopped a few letters short of the full alphabet. 😆 5y
Cinfhen Hahahahaha @Reviewsbylola you make a good point!!! 5y
Cinfhen I liked this one, not fantastic but a good read @AmyG @Reviewsbylola 5y
rather_be_reading waa good bt i loved DL more 5y
72 likes6 stack adds5 comments
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TorieStorieS
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Pickpick

While I loved Dolan-Leach‘s first novel, I found her second to be a gripping read as well, thanks to #NetGalley. Escaping reality to #ImaginaryPlaces of their own ideals, a group of millennials move off grid to a historic site in upstate NY where other communes have tried and failed- usually due to the #HotAndHeavy antics between members... but trigger warning to dog lovers here... #WanderingJune #JazzyJune #DogsOfLitsy

Cinfhen Well done!!! I wanted to add the TW to my review to especially for the slaughter scene( no, not dogs) but 🐷🐷🐷. That was rough 5y
TorieStorieS @Cinfhen Thanks! And I know- that scene was tough, too!! But since Argos was my favorite character... well, either way I am curious to see where the author will go next! I appreciated Zelda‘s cameo from Dead Letters, though! 😊 5y
Eggs Clever! 5y
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BarbaraBB Well played 👍🏼💕 5y
k.reads.5 Great review! I loved Dead Letters! 5y
TorieStorieS @Eggs Thanks!! 😊 5y
TorieStorieS @BarbaraBB Thanks!☺️ 5y
TorieStorieS @pl.2886 Thanks!!🤗 5y
Leftcoastzen What a cute pooch! 5y
TorieStorieS @Leftcoastzen Thanks!! He‘s my favorite reading companion- though he doesn‘t love to be used as a book stand! 🤣 5y
Marmie7 Beautiful heeler!😍 5y
TorieStorieS @Marmie7 Thanks!!! Yours is adorable too!!! ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
51 likes12 comments
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Cinfhen
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Pickpick

As a reader I know three universal truths: 1.Stay out of the woods 2. History repeats itself 3. It‘s always about sex and this book proves my theory correct 😊I‘m definitely a Caite Dolan-Leach fan. Her writing is clever & intuitive. She has a knack for creating real characters ( mostly people you‘d never want to befriend). 5 privileged millennials disenchanted with suburbia enter the woods to start their own utopia. We know this won‘t end well.

Chrissyreadit I really like your blurb. 5y
Cinfhen Thanks @Chrissyreadit ♥️ 5y
TorieStorieS I‘m about a quarter through this one now! I loved her first book and am intrigued with this one so far- glad to hear you enjoyed it!! 😃 5y
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JennyM Sounds really good - #stacked! 😘 5y
Cinfhen I‘m not sure this book will appeal to the masses but I was sucked in @JennyM @TorieStorieS share your thoughts after you‘ve read the book. 5y
Bklover This sounds interesting! 5y
TrishB Stacked 👍🏻 5y
Reviewsbylola One of my English professors once said all writers either write about sex or death. Whether it‘s overt or not, you can find it. That has always stuck with me! 5y
92 likes5 stack adds8 comments
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Cinfhen
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Caite Dolan-Leach gives us a wink & nod to her previous book Dead Letters. Handsome Beau is introducing his old friend “Zelda” to his new cohabiters. She‘s introduced as “something of a loose cannon” who‘s twin sister took off to Europe and she now runs a family owned vineyard. I like when an author throws in a hidden reference. Kudos 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

JennyM Ooo...I liked Dead Letters. Looking forward to hearing how this one is 5y
8little_paws Oh that's funny! Lol. 5y
Cinfhen It‘s so odd because Zelda makes another return and later on they talk about her death in a barn fire and they attend her funeral @JennyM @8little_paws which isn‘t really relevant to the current story unless it proves to be later on!!! Anyhow I‘m enjoying her new book. 5y
58 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Cinfhen
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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“Trying to live the good life can be f%cking complicated” Five friends decide to live off the grid and form their own little commune in the woods of upstate NY. We know from past experiences, nothing good happens when you enter the woods😜 I‘m intrigued so far #NetGalley #ARC

TrishB I‘ve decided it‘s best not to try 😁 5y
batsy Just finished a net galley arc where everyone should definitely never enter the woods ever again!!! 5y
Cinfhen Ha!! Which one @batsy !?!! I knew you were a clever one @TrishB 😉 5y
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8little_paws Oh I'll keep an eye out for this. I read her first book and it was ok but not great, but I thought she had potential as a writer 5y
Chrissyreadit This sounds intriguing. 5y
Cinfhen It‘s being compared to A Secret History @8little_paws @Chrissyreadit and I kind of see why... I don‘t think Donna Tartt fans will appreciate that comparison. Her writing is good and I‘m engaged but the 5 main characters are VERY pretentious and some readers might be turned off by their smugness (which is in a way, an extension of the author) 5y
82 likes2 stack adds6 comments
review
Sweettartlaura
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Pickpick

4⭐️
Mack can't help herself: when she gets a chance to show off, she takes it. Working for a caterer while living with her parents after a foray into reality tv, she attracts Louisa. Louisa probably knows what Mack has done. She certainly knows how to use her.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Full review at the link below:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42179785

36 likes1 stack add
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rather_be_reading
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Autumn is death.

DivineDiana Now that‘s a dark way of viewing it! 🤔 (edited) 6y
67 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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rather_be_reading
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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rather_be_reading
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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rather_be_reading
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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🤣🤣

Trollkonstnaren But it is honest and better than most of people do 😜 6y
30 likes2 comments
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rather_be_reading
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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passivity, too, is a choice.

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rather_be_reading
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Trollkonstnaren "I am just here for tomatoes" ? I have to use this line! 6y
rather_be_reading @Trollkonstnaren haha!!! go for it! it is pretty funny 6y
27 likes2 comments
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rather_be_reading
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Pickpick

Great second book from the author. I didnt think it was better than "Dead Letters" but it was worth the read. Also, it closely followed "The Girls" by Emma Cline. Dragged a little slowly in the middle but picked up at the end.

60 likes2 stack adds
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rather_be_reading
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Pickpick

Great second book from the author. I didnt think it was better than "Dead Letters" but it was worth the read. Also, it closely followed "The Girls" by Emma Cline. Dragged a little slowly in the middle but picked up at the end.

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rather_be_reading
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Rainy Day lunch with my smoothie and ebook ☔🌧 Rain, rain, DONT go away

karajay I love rainy days 6y
SW-T 😊😊😊 6y
RadicalReader Smoothies are always sensational I make them several times at home with yoghurt frozen fruit ( found some amazing and delicious bagged frozen fruit at my local 99¢ store and blend it in the blender with ice and some milk. Delicious and nutritious 6y
81 likes3 comments
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rather_be_reading
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Book 39 of 2019

37 likes1 stack add
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rather_be_reading
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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Book 35 of 2019
#netgalley #ebook

65 likes1 stack add2 comments
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rather_be_reading
We Went to the Woods | Caite Dolan-Leach
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So excited I got this ARC on @netgalley !!! This just got moved up my list!

Tex2Flo That cover! Big fan of woodcuts and the colors are fabulous! 6y
75 likes3 stack adds2 comments