Sydney Walsh needs to leave NYC immediately, and the only place she has to go is her moms, in the small town of Pine Ridge. Sam Kirkland feels trapped in that exact same town. When the big city girl running from her problems runs smack dab into the middle of his life, and his heart. Can the two of them get over their troublesome pasts and make it work?

Only one really big content warning on this book: Alcoholism & parental death

Okay so I had really high hopes for this book and I think that’s why I feel a little let down by it. The premise made it sound like something right up my alley. I did enjoy it, don’t get me wrong, but this book felt like three different plots rolled into one. I was expecting a light small town romance about a woman saving her mother’s bookshop and falling in love with the local mechanic... which is what I got, mostly. But there’s also a lot of other things happening in the background of this novel that take away from the main plot.

There’s one specific relationship and plot point that could have become an entire other book, or at least a chapter, but when it was brought up, it was so rushed and came out of absolutely no where. I was SO confused until I kind of filled myself in on what happened to this point.

Other than those things, I really did like this novel. I liked Sam and Sydney and I’m looking forward to reading Sweet Love, which is the sequel to this and the author’s sophomore novel that’s coming out this year as well. I still recommend this book, but definitely keep the content warning in mind before going into it.

Oh my gosh - what a fantastic debut. The author's easy writing style and voice pulled me in immediately and the characters and plot kept me engaged until the end. Sydney was tough on the outside, soft on the inside but not meek and I rooted for her. And Sam was...*fans herself.* Together they had smoking hot chemistry but their relationship went deeper than just physical. It was a slow burn but once it hit, it was HOT. I found the conflict and stakes completely believable and loved the way everything was resolved even though I was SO pissed at Sam at one point. The bookstore and its emphasis on romance novels was a fun touch. I very much look forward to book 2 in this series.

I love this classic trope. when I started it I couldn’t put it down. I wish it wouldn’t have ended. Such an easy read for a Saturday afternoon

Couldn’t put it down!

Things I loved; dual POV, both characters, side character Jorie was a gem, small town, New York upstate, chemistry, the bookshop, the mother daughter duo, the mother meddling, Jared, the steam was perfect and well done, realistic setting, the ending was very cute.

Basically everything.

I wish we could’ve had a last chapter though to let us know what happens in future ! I need an epilogue :)

I read it honestly in one sitting because I needed to see what happened between them, and my heart was breaking a bit that they couldn’t be together and I couldn’t fully understand why. Author did very well dealing with emotions from drinking and the after math / fall out -

Thank you for giving me this chance to review the book in advance for honest opinion, I will definitely be recommending

Wild Love by Lauren Accardo

This city girl goes to small town read gave me so many feels! Being from a rural, northern town, I felt so charmed by the community of Pine Ridge. The mountain description really gave me the urge to travel.

Accardo did a lovely job at establishing realistic stakes for both Sydney and Sam, allowing both characters to really shine. The sexual tension between them was executed in a very satisfactory way and was steamier than expected (in a good way!). I’m also forever a sucker for outdoorsy, bearded men in plaid 😍

Pick this one up if you’re looking for a steamy, yet small read!

If you're looking for a classic "city girl leaves NYC heartbroken to heal in her small hometown where she falls in love with a super hot guy with a beard" trope, here it is.

This was just a fun ride all around. Classic romance with a hot lead and a ton of baggage. Who could pass that up?

Wild Love is the debut novel for author Lauren Accardo and follows the story of Sydney and Sam. When Sydney’s life gets turned upside down, she decides to trade her city life for the mountains. Seclusion is just what the doctor ordered. But, what Sydney didn’t plan on was Sam. At first glance, Sam is broody with a gruff exterior. But, once you get past all that, you’ll see that he truly has a heart of gold. Falling in love is the last thing these two characters expected, but sometimes, fate has to intervene and put you on a path you never saw coming.

Overall, I thought this book was an ok read. I enjoyed the idea of the story and was sucked in right away. I really liked the small-town vibe and how everyone looked out for one another. I appreciated that even though Sydney’s life was a mess, she stepped up and tried to help save her mom’s failing business. I thought Sydney and Sam had great chemistry and I loved that they were both flawed and imperfect. I enjoyed their banter. and looked forward to their next encounter. They totally rocked the enemies to lovers vibe and I lived for those will they/won’t they moments.

However, I did have a couple of issues with this book. I do feel like as the story progressed it lost some of its spark. At times, I didn’t feel as engaged as I did at the beginning of the story. Also, I felt like the story ended quite abruptly. After everything these characters went through, I was left wanting and needing more from them.

In the end, I think this is one of those reads that will work for some, but be a total miss for others. For me, it was just an ok read. That being said, this book is a debut novel for this author, so I do see the potential there. So while this wasn’t a 100% hit for me, I’m glad to have checked it out and would be open to checking out more from this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: parental abandonment, infidelity (past relationship), grief, alcoholism, fat shaming

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f frenemies to lovers
-small-town romance
-forbidden romance elements
-a car crash of a meet-cute
-major sexual tension

This book immediately pulled me in. I loved that this book used romance as a way to save Sydney's mother's business as well as a way to bring the community together. There was great banter between Sydney and Sam, our bearded grumpy mountain man. I adored how loyal and soft he was. The sexual tension was so well done and palpable on the page.

What stopped me from fully enjoying this one was the dropped plotlines, Sydney was in debt but it was virtually ignored after being mentioned at the beginning of the book. While the book at first seems to examine alcoholism and alcohol in small towns it ultimately villainizes an alcoholic without dealing with the addiction aspect, then doesn't resolve the plotline.

The end was very rushed, utilizing a time jump rather than having the characters do the emotional work to get back to each other. Then just ends. It was frustrating after investing time in this one.

Rating: 3
Steam:3

Sydney and Sam in Lauren Accardo’s WILD LOVE are the perfect couple. Everyone in the small mountain town can see it – except them.

This sweet and steamy romance has everything – fun friends, a zany lovable mom, believable obstacles, long, thirsty glances, and a forbidden love interest with perfect … everything. Reading WILD LOVE is like wrapping yourself in flannel. With a friend. A friend with big, strong forearms. I will 100% be picking up every Lauren Accardo romance now.

If you like cozy settings, book-themed subplots, and warm fuzzies, you’ll love WILD LOVE.