There are a lot of good things that I can say about this book. I am a staunch watcher of Hallmark movies, especially the girl from a big city coming to a small town trying to fix things and the owner of a place being male gets frustrated with her but sparks fly.

This book has that in droves, but brings all the good parts of a Hallmark movie while giving it a slightly naughtier edge and a pining that will leave you breathless. Serena Bell knows how to take you into the scene and set the stage, making it captivating without being boring and putting you in the mind and feelings of the characters, giving us both the perspective of Lucy and Gabe.

Lucy finds herself in a bit of hot water when she finds out that her one night stand was the boyfriend of her boss, not knowing who he was and having a fling while they were on one of their "breaks". The boss kind of gets in her face and tells her that she is more upset that she doesn't hang out with the people that she works with, which would have made the situation never happen. This part is the only one that took me a bit out of the story, because I know that when I worked while I had a couple of friends at work, but I wasn't going out every week with them and there weren't office parties. It seemed a little unrealistic that that would be such a big deal.

However, Lucy is given a three week break, and she decides to go visit her mother and help an outdoor shop get better business now that the area had been bringing in a different crowd, that being women and bridal parties since it was becoming less cowboy and more spa retreat.

Gabe is a hard cookie to crumble, having been spurned in love himself one too many times. One night stands are all he does, though he is known even by his family for sleeping with the out-of-towners on occasion and Lucy has just the right amount of fire to her to spark an interest. If only she wasn't trying to change his family business.

Growing up in Maryland and spending time in the Appalachia, I know all too well about the fishing, hunting and camping that is involved in the outdoors. Having initially been a city girl myself, I immediately empathized with Lucy in her struggles to enjoy the outdoors and find ways to bring women from the city interest in the activities that were involved with the Wilder family business. It was interesting and funny seeing this fish out of water story play out, and the more that we get to know the characters the more that I felt drawn into the story. Both of the mains have deep backstories, and it keeps you gripped until the end of the book.

The cast of supporting characters are fun as well, especially the Wilder family. You can tell that it is being set up to be a series following the family, and each of the members have a distinct personality that leave you wondering where the future will take them.

I enjoyed this story, and recommend it to any lover of Hallmark movies, the outdoors, or just a fun romance. You won't be left disappointed.

Make Me Wilder will be made available on May 20, 2021

**Thanks to Netgalley and Author Collective 20 for the ARC**