Member Reviews
Thanks to Netgalley for this review copy. I loved this one. A treasure hunt filled with romance and mystery made for a very enjoyable story. One of my favorites by this author duo.
Fans of The Simple Wild will love this one. ❤️
Something Wilder is nothing short of adventure, romance, mystery, and domestic discovery. 2nd chance trope is my fav! Add in lots of twists involving treasure hunting and some strong horse-girl vibes…and you’ve got the best romance duos’ newest book! Sounds cheesy, right? Maybe it is, but I don’t care!!! 😂 It was a blend of several different genres that meshed really well together. It’s unique, smart, heart-felt, and entertaining. My new fav by these authors!
Thank you NetGalley and Gallery books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
This book is not what I expected- in a good way. It is romance, but its really more of an adventure story, where our couple is challenged physically, mentally, and emotionally, and put in great danger in the midst of betrayal as they- along with others- follow clues that may or may not lead to the hidden fortune of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Lily Wilder has been left hurt and alone, not just by Leo but by her famous father Duke. There is an ocean of misunderstanding between she and Leo and when fate puts them together again it is clear they are better together than apart, and both have loved each other deeply over the years.
This will make an awesome movie, I really enjoyed it.
I love Christina Lauren and have a new favorite of theirs in this book. In true Christina Lauren fashion, the romcom wit & swoon exceeded all expectations. But even more so what took me by surprise was the level of adventure in store in this second chance romance takes on a long lost treasure hunt with layers of family dynamics mixed in
I LOVED THIS!
Things I need you to know about me before reading this review:
1. I hate the thought of being outside in the heat without shade and little to no water. Makes me wanna dry heave.
2. Horses aren’t my jam…and neither are stories about horse related adventures.
3. I’d rather fall off a cliff (albeit a small one, please) than have to watch a western.
That’s basically a lot of the vibes of this book AND YET I LOVED IT.
We have a second chance romance, huge miscommunication trope (but not in an insufferable way), lots of suspense, a murder (??), a treasure hunt, a swoony numbers geek, fierce and badass females, LOTS OF HORSES AND PROTEIN BARS, and it all comes together in a story unlike any I have read in a long time.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this adventure, Leo and Lily’s second shot at love, and how addicting this story was FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS NOW. I was so worried when everyone said “it’s different for CLo”, as if that meant that the romance would be lacking or the story wouldn’t be as addictive or heartfelt at their previous ones I loved…. Well friends, I’m here to tell you this one is great and I loved every moment and it might be my new favorite CLo book!
*thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the eARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.*
Something Wilder is a great love story set against the background of adventure. I had no clue when I started reading that there would be so many twists and turns. I thought I was getting a traditional love story but was surprised when it turned into a great adventure. My only critique is in the middle it became a little slow and dragged on. Overall I love the book and would recoommend it.
This book read exactly like a rom/com movie with a little suspense/action. I read this in 2 days!!! Thr Wild West, treasure hunt and romance was the perfect combo!! I am definitely recommending this book to friends and I really hope this becomes a movie!!
I couldn't finish this one. I'm so disappointed because I like this author duo's other titles. I felt like watching this story on TV would have saved me a whole lot of time.
This was a fun read! I loved the adventure aspect of it, it was similar to National Treasure but with more romance. You definitely have to suspend your belief with this one but it was such a fun time! I loved the second chance romance aspect of it and also how Lily and Leo cleared the air and communicated early on in the book aka acted like adults, truly appreciated that.
This book has a couple elements that I haven’t seen in a Christina Lauren book before but I absolutely loved the newness they brought to their writing.
Something Wilder is told in alternating third-person POVs between Leo and Lily. I loved how Leo’s tenderness complemented Lily’s toughness. They really brought out the best in each other and I loved how their relationship evolved throughout the book as they learned to be around each other again. I admired how Leo was there for his family when they needed him and how in the present day he is looking for what the next best step for himself is. I equally admired Lily’s tough attitude and her ability to communicate through her hurt feelings. The secondary characters came in and out of the story as the book progressed but managed to remain distinct, memorable, and play unique roles in the plot development.
I am so happy that the authors got the miscommunications between Lily and Leo out of the way toward the beginning. I personally get so bored when miscommunication is the only conflict in a book, so they got the past miscommunications out of the way to make room for vastly more interesting conflicts. I won’t say what happens because spoilers but that’s where the new element comes into play and I was shocked. I was honestly surprised by a couple events in this book and loved the unexpected twists in the plot.
This book was fast-paced because of both the adventurous plot and the emotional character development. Other than the romance, this book is about a treasure hunt. It was so cool how the authors incorporated real Wild West history of Butch Cassidy and the Outlaw Trail into the plot to make the treasure hunt a little more grounded in reality. I liked learning the historical pieces involved with the story as I was reading.
Of course, I also loved the romance. For some reason I’m a little apprehensive of plotlines involving old friends or old partners rekindling their relationship but this book does a great job with it. Like I said already, the authors clear up the larger miscommunications between the characters early on, so the rest of the book really focuses on the characters’ vulnerability and openness as they reacquaint themselves with one another after so many years apart. It was really sweet to see the characters communicate with each other and make space for the other person again. It had me grinning and squealing at my Kindle with how cute it was.
Before finishing up I do want to mention the great familial elements of this book. Leo often mentions his relationship with his little sister and it was so obvious how much he cares for her and how proud of her he is. Lily’s relationship with her father Duke was much more strained than that but I was equally interested in their dynamic. There are definitely aspects of found family in this book with Lily and Nicole and I was so here for it. Their bond and protectiveness of each other was so great to see.
This is one of my favorite Christina Lauren books. Between the historical elements, the plot twists, and the setting this book has such a different feel to it than their other books but I really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend this book to readers looking for a fun adventure, a cute romance, and a good Wild West Utah setting. I’ll be keeping an eye out for a physical copy of this book to buy!
A fun, light mystery/romance by Christina Lauren. Set in Utah, independent Lily is struggling to make ends meet and dreams of buying back her father's land. Lily and her partner give guided "treasure tours" in the Utah mountains. And wouldn't you know it, but along comes handsome Leo, a long ago romantic interest for Lily.
Complications ensue as does a slow burn re-igniting of their romance.
The mystery element of the plot was easy to figure out way too early and so for that I give only four stars, but I loved the descriptions of the countryside, I loved the characters,, well, most of them, and I love the good fun and humor that we see between Lily and her business partner.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Five stars from me! What a wild ride. This was so much fun to read and the plot never let up. The romance was adorable.
The only thing I had a hard time with was imagining such a big misunderstanding that neither Leo nor Lily would’ve like double checked on each other…
But it’s fiction so I digress. Can’t wait to buy and put this one on my shelves!
What a fun adventure story! There were twist and turns and more excitement than I anticipated. I really enjoyed the main plot and that the love story wasn’t THE story. It was a totally new take and a plot line not like anything else I’ve come across. Would definitely recommend.
Fun adventure read. I loved the twists and turns, the whodunit, the codes. I’ve loved everything Christina Lauren has written, but this one stands out in that it’s a departure into the action/adventure genre. I really enjoyed it! I’m hoping they’ll revisit these characters.
I received an ARC through NetGalley.
Thank you Gallery books for allowing me to read this via Netgalley prior to publishing!
I stayed up until 2:30 am last night finishing SOMETHING WILDER, so it's safe to say that I was hooked! I had my slight concerns about this second chance love story set in the desert of Utah, mostly because both the trope and the setting kinda had me turn my head in curiosity - I wasn't sure if Christina Lauren could pull it off.
The first 30% of this book I felt like I sloughed through. There were times where I wasn't sure if it was going to be a love story or just a straight up treasure hunt. But once the story really started focusing on Leo and Lily instead of some of the distracting side characters, I really found myself enjoying the ride!
The description of the scenery of Utah was beautiful was equally exhilarating and terrifying. It didn't sound like a place I would like to be stranded! But it almost made camping and hiking with a significant other almost sound adventurous and appealing. Watching Leo and Lily rediscover their love all while solving a mystery together ended up being a great mix of romance and suspense!
While a much different read from their past books, I really enjoyed this one and would recommend it to anyone who loves love, the great outdoors, and a little sprinkle of mystery!
So excited to have received an arc of SOMETHING Wilder by Christina Lauren from NetGalley! I really enjoyed this novel and give it a solid 4 stars.
I think the authors did a great job balancing the romance and story line. I know most people will come for the romance, but the plot is quite genuine and unique. I loved the treasure hunt and allusions to Butch Cassidy as well as the adventure the friends had!
For me, the romance was a bit of a slow burn. I was so shocked and confused by the turn of events out on the trail, that I spent more time reeling from those revelations than focusing on the romance aspect. I don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing though. The book was more than just a romance novel and I loved the additional characterization of Nic and Walter that it offered. They were both great supports for the main characters.
The relationship between Lily and Leo was a gem. The reason they parted felt so tragic, yet fitting for such young love. To be forced into one another’s lives after a decade and rehash what tore them apart added depth to their relationship. I think Leo described it best at the end when he said they had made those promises when they were young, happy, and not burdened by tragedy and loss.
So…great novel! I think this is going to be a huge summer hit. I give it four stars because I’m picky, but I have no doubt you all will give it a 5 which it deserves as well. I wouldn’t call it a light and breezy summer read since it shockingly includes murder, many guns, lots of unnecessary gut punches, and an exceedingly frustrating (yet redeemed) father who thinks they know what is best for their daughter, but inevitably screws up his plans and causes a decade of loneliness and heartbreak.
https://kristireadsbooks.blogspot.com/
Are you ready for an adventure? If so, Something Wilder delivers an amazing one! What was so great about this book was the second chance romance that revolved around a life changing quest for fortune and happiness.
There are multiple reasons why I couldn’t put this book down. I thought the main characters were interesting. Lily is one of those heroines that you will come to admire for her strength and tenacity. I thought Leo was the perfect match for her. They bonded not only on a physical level but an intellectual capacity as well. In my mind, there wasn’t a better pair who could figure out the intricate puzzle that they come upon.
The adventure was another reason why I thought this book was terrific. Duke, the renowned treasure hunter, didn’t make it easy for Lily and Leo. I loved how the authors kept me guessing until the very end.
Speaking of the ending… it couldn’t have ended on a better note. I definitely would recommend this book. It had the perfect amount of romance wrapped in a suspenseful storyline. Go and grab it now!
A fun and wild read! The adventure aspect of this story was a fun little added to the bonus to the romance piece that Christina Lauren does so well! I will highly recommend customers to purchase this book.
Lauren's books always have great characters and Something Wilder is no exception. It is more than just a beach read, it takes you on your own vacation. The great Southwest is drawn, right in front of your eyes. The exquisite scenery comes to life with fun times, lots of laughs and of course Romance. You will definitely be rooting for Lily and Leo! Book your vacation now!
I really enjoyed reading this book. It kept me on edge. It had a few unexpected moments that I did not see coming, Just when I thought I had it figured out something unexpected would happen. It also had laugh out loud moments.