As a fan of these two authors, I can honestly say I’ve read almost all of their books and look forward to each new release. That being said this has a completely different feel than their other books. Not bad, just different. Definitely not rom com, as it’s filled with some twists and turns and not the comedic edge to it. So clear what you think you’re expecting based on other titles before you begin so you can enjoy this on for it’s own spin.

This was a quick and fun read. The chemistry between Leo and Lily was palpable, and the adventure aspect was really exciting and fun. However, this book focused more on the treasure hunt then the relationship between the characters. The plot also wasn’t really deep, very surface level, but I still liked it!

I absolutely loved this adventure romance! It was different than just the standard formulaic love story, and I couldn't put it down once I started. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this fabulous title!

Normally I love Christina Lauren books, but this one just didn’t quite land for me. While I love a twist, I felt the first one that spurs our characters into action was too outrageous for their reactions. This book felt a little heavy with the treasure hunting plot (weird pseudo Indiana Jones vibes?) with a romance thrown in as almost an afterthought.
I’m sure this will hit the spot for some fans, but not for me.
Will I continue to read Christina Lauren? Absolutely! Will I recommend this one? Probably not.

I was skeptical about this one even though it's Christina Lauren because I'm just not into horses and ranches and such, but I was so wrong for that because this book was PHENOMENAL. Am I an outdoors girl now? Will I go on a hiking trip soon? (Probably not but I was considering it!)

I was deeply invested in the plot, even without the romance! Such an amazing cast of characters to go on this wild treasure hunt and I loved them do much. Walt and Nicole have my HEART. I will not waste my breath on Terry or Bradley either. Actually I will for Bradley because I was rooting for you??? I thought you were off but in a fun way??? Not a diabolical betray my BFF type of way???? Nicole is my QUEEN though for getting him caught.

I loved Lily! Suchhh a complex and fun character. She carefully guarded herself and her feelings despite how strong they were and continued to surprise me in the book (especially with that one scene in the bar where she was annoyed with Leo for being jealous even though she was glad he was). It wasn't until she said how her life had been comprised of decisions made for others that I realized how true that was. I was rooting for her romantic story, but I was also rooting for her as an individual.

LEOOOO LOVE SICK CITY BOY!!! While Lily was definitely heartbroken, Leo was entirely lovesick. It was just so obvious that he was walking around in a half haze waiting for his path to return to Lily. My man was WOOED by her she did ANYTHING and he was deeply in love. I can't even talk about his love profession because it really got me. And like how everything he did he 100% put Lily first? Like when he was working his BRAIN to the BONE to try and figure out that code and he still made sure Bradley didn't rile her up. God I love that man.

All in all, I adored this book and I've learned my lesson: Christina Lauren knows what's best for me and I am stupid for ever doubting them. Yee Haw.

I literally can’t say enough good things about this latest installment by Christina Lauren. It has a treasure hunt with amazing clues, a Westworld vibe, and the most heartwrenching yet also sweet romance I’ve ever read.

Lily Wilder is really down on her luck in the beginning. Her infamous treasure hunter father (who she was never close with) has died after he sold her beloved ranch, leaving her with virtually no money. She’s forced to lead tours through the “wild west” for rich folks who want a “grand adventure.” She’s also still heartbroken over losing the love of her life, Leo Grady, ten years ago.

Meanwhile, Leo is living his (best?) life in New York, working as a tech guy and trying to forget about Lily. It’s been ten years, but these two haven’t forgotten. And somehow, the Christina Lauren author duo makes this feel very realistic. Their chemistry and their heartbreak jump off the page.

Now, they’re forced to be around each other when Leo’s friends book a one-week trip with Lily’s group. Neither of them realized that they were going on this trip together, and the “reunion,” when they first realize that the other is there, is incredibly awkward and delicious.

After the trip kicks off, the book gets really adventurous. I won’t spoil anything, but basically, they end up on a serious treasure hunt after a series of mishaps complete with looming cliffs, horses, guns, and tons of really intense codes that they need to crack under pressure. Plus, there’s the only-one-bed trope (and it’s incredibly well done) and a whole bunch of times where they’re in actual danger, forcing Lily and Leo to come to terms with their feelings.

While I’m not necessarily someone who will seek out a book about the wild west, this one really caught my interest. I wish I could go on a legit treasure hunt now! The plot is literally incredible – there are constant twists and turns that you just don’t see coming.

But the two main characters really cinched the deal for me. They communicate really well about their hurt (despite being separated for ten years over a misunderstanding), both have angst from their past but are able to share it with each other, and don’t pine unnecessarily. At the same time, there’s plenty of tension to keep the reader engaged. And the steamy scenes were incredibly hot and angsty.

I’m a huge fan of Christina Lauren’s earlier books (especially the smutty ones), but I have to say that this may be my favorite Christina Lauren installment yet. The plot combined with the characterization just really did it for me. 5/5 stars!

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

BOOK BLOG:
https://fromthereadingroom.com/review-something-wilder-by-christina-lauren/

This was not exactly what I expected and I did appreciate that it took a turn from being what I assumed would be a generic romance novel. I liked the twists and the adventure aspect it had.

I’m fairly familiar with Christina Lauren books, but this one definitely surprised me. I expected maybe a more light and fun read, but it was more suspenseful and heavier than I thought. It was good to read something different but I definitely wasn’t expecting it. The writing is excellent as usual, and this book could be a way to read a different set of readers! Time to treasure hunt!

I love anything that the amazing duo of Christina Lauren puts out. A steamy romance always hits the spot. But I also love a good mystery, and they intertwined the two perfectly in "Something Wilder".

So, I want to start this review with 2 things –
1.) I absolutely love Christina Lauren books. Love them, have devoured them…devoured this one too.
2.) I fully expect my review to be in the minority, so take what I have to say with a grain of salt.
This….was not my favorite of theirs. This premise sounded so neat…long lost loves reunited on a humorous and adventure-filled treasure hunting trip. It seemed fun, light hearted, and romantic. Until….it wasn’t. No spoilers, so I can’t really say when the book sort of took a nosedive for me, but it became strange after that. I didn’t know enough about the characters to root for them, or their love story, and the treasure hunting storyline seemed to really overtake the story of the people involved. I love a good adventure tale, but I think I was expecting something different.
With all of that being said, I still sped through it and still loved the writing style of this author duo. I suspect this one will make many summer reading lists, and I’m excited to see what other people’s opinions of this one are!
Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This one comes out on May 17th!

3/5 stars-@lucywrazor4

Very cute. I envisioned this being a light easy romance read but there was also action and unexpected turns. I was on the edge of my seat.

Lily Wilder wants very few things—for her father to retire his treasuring hunting ways, to spend her days on Wilder Ranch, and to be in love with Leo Grady. Unfortunately for her, one October day steals all of these hopes away.

Ten years later, a guys vacation unexpectedly brings Leo back into Lily’s life. While the two struggle to clear up miscommunications and reconnect, Leo’s friends are focused on something different: a lost treasure worth millions.

Christina Lauren takes the reader on a multifaceted journey of love, suspense, betrayal, and redemption that should not be missed!

I’m still in shock that I was actually granted this ARC but thank you to whatever bookish gods were smiling down on me that day 🥲

This book was immersive. Reading it was an experience. Every page had a vast amount of imagery and the plot throughout was so compelling. I was entirely sucked in and read it in two days.

Lily is the strong, independent woman we all love to read about. Leo, the supportive hottie, who knows when to let his girl shine.

The setting was brilliant. CLo describes the desert in a way that makes you feel as if you’re there, fully immersed into the story. Even though they were set in different places, the way the setting was written felt very similar to The Simple Wild to me… in the sense that, I just immediately wanted to pack up and go to these places.

THE ROMANCE 🔥
YALL the tensionnnnn between these two was palpable. This was a second chance romance and it was clear from the moment these two laid eyes on each other again that they could never imagine being apart a second time. Watching these two characters build their relationship back up was so rewarding.

THE ADVENTURE ⛺️
This part of the story was nuts! There was so much adventure as this crew embarked on a literal treasure hunt. The treasure hunt brought so many twists and really helped propel the story.

Read this if you like:
⛺️ treasure hunts
⛺️ second chance romance
⛺️ found family vibes
⛺️ hiking/camping/adventure
⛺️ discovery
⛺️ strong women who tell men what to do! 💪🏼

⭐️: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶: 🌶🌶/5

I am beyond grateful to have received this ARC and will not stop screaming about this book until it is released.

Thank you to @netgalley and @gallerybooks for an advanced copy. I am literally, forever indebted you 🥲

Christina Lauren’s books are always so charming and fun, and this was no exception. The second act twist honestly surprised me, and it really upped the stakes (as did, to be honest, the third act twist!) and kept the pace moving. I was ever so slightly more invested in the romance than I was in the adventure plot (though this is a romance book, so that makes sense), but the two mutually reinforced each other really well. If’s you’re looking for a super fun, zippy and romantic second-chance romance, this is a great selection.

Lily Wilder is the daughter of a famous treasure hunter and Leo Grady is the man that left without a word 10 years ago. You don't need a spoiler alert to know that these two are going to get together. How they get there is quite the adventure.
This is very different from Christina Lauren's other books. It is not the kind of book that would usually interest me - a treasure hunt through the Wild West? No thanks! However, in typical Christina Lauren style, they take likeable characters, witty banter, an adorable romantic pair and mix it altogether to create a fantastic story.

I flew through this book — absolutely loved it. I think this is one of my new favorite CLo books — it’s an absolutely wild adventure and I think it deserves a place at the top alongside Soulmate Equation.

I liked this book but not as much as other ones by her. There was a bit of a plot twist. I still recommend reading it especially for those her enjoy her novels. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy. #NetGalley #SomethingWilder

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC of Something Wilder by Christina Lauren. What a trip! This book is a bit of a departure from the authors’ typical romantic drama plot line. I have always been a big fan of adventure stories and LOVE the trope of treasure hunting and extreme hiking treks and climes. The book threw me for a loop a couple of times, with only one part a bit predictable. I enjoyed the story and feel like it’s going to be a big hit on many reader’s lists.

I love this story! Christina Lauren has mastered an emotional, sweet, beach read with depth. I highly recommend this novel!

Adventures in the desert Indiana Jones style mixed with a long lasting romance. Now, that’s a unique read!

A group of four guys sign up for an adventure in the desert. Nicole and Lily are the two guides for this adventure. Lilly wasn't expecting one of the guys to be Leo, her one and only love from ten years ago.

The adventure consists of a treasure hunt throughout the Utah desert. What they did not expect was for the playful treasure hunt to become so real - It seems like Lily’s father Duke left her maps and riddles for a real treasure of millions of dollars.

I liked it a lot and if you need something adventurous to literally escape reality, this book is for you!

3.5