Anita Kelly’s Something Wild and Wonderful is a charming character-driven romance that, while quiet and somewhat understated, nonetheless packs quite the emotional punch. It’s set mostly on the Pacific Crest Trail, one of the most unusual settings I’ve ever come across in a romance novel, and boasts two complex, likeable leads who each has his own reason for undertaking the punishing two-and-a-half-thousand-plus-mile hike.

Six months before the story begins, Alexei Lebedev came out as gay to his deeply religious parents, who very promptly and quietly disowned him for his “choice”. He’s still in contact with his sister, Alina, but feels the loss of his parents and ostracism from the community in which he grew up very keenly. He’s been planning his hike along the PCT for months, and he still feels a pinch in his chest when he remembers that he owes his love of nature, birding and hiking to his father – but he hopes that by the end of the trail, maybe he’ll have become used to that feeling, maybe so used to it that he won’t even notice it any more.

It was hard to imagine, truthfully. But he was hopeful anyway. Hope was why he was here.

He meets Ben Caravalho on his very first day, literally saving Ben’s life when he stops him walking into the path of a rattlesnake. Alexei can’t help noticing the deep brown of his eyes and the warmth of his smile, but when Ben invites Alexei to walk with him and his party, Alexei declines. He’s been looking forward to the solitude, wanting the chance to say goodbye to his old life and find a bit of peace before starting over.

Ben’s reasons for hiking the PCT are similar to Alexei’s in that he, too, is looking forward to starting afresh. After a string of bad decisions, messy relationships, dead-end jobs and missed obligations throughout his twenties, he’s finally got his act together. After qualifiying as a nurse, he’s ready to start his career – and is taking a few months to excise his restlessness and prepare himself for his new, responsible life. One thing he’s determined to do is to break his habit of falling in love so easily – usually with the wrong guy – so he absolutely isn’t going to fall for the next gorgeous man he sees. Even if that man did save his life...

This is very much a character-driven novel, so there’s not a great deal of plot to speak of. Rather, it’s a lovely, gently moving story about two very different people forging a strong, emotional connection as they walk, talk and think their way through desert and mountains, snow and sunshine, trees and birds and other wildlife. The PCT – which is described so vividly that it’s like another, integral, character in the story - provides an excellent backdrop for quiet reflection and internal processing, and much of the book is taken up with Ben and Alexei hiking the trail, getting to know each other, supporting each other and encouraging each other; the pacing is leisurely but never feels too slow or draggy, and the story itself is never dull.

Alexei is quiet and nerdy, he likes plans and routine, he struggles in regular social situations and has a strong awareness of never having quite fit in anywhere. (He reads as neurodivergent, although is never labelled as such until near the end when he receives an official autism diagnosis). By contrast, Ben is upbeat and outgoing, possessing the kind of exuberant opennness that makes people take to him instantly – and he definitely wears his heart on his sleeve. Alexei is clearly going through the stages of grief for the loss of his parents and the life he’d known, and parts of his story are very sad and his intense loneliness comes through strongly - yet he’s hopeful, too, determined to make a future for himself in which he does fit, to work out what he wants from life and what his safe place looks like.

I enjoyed meeting the various characters Ben and Alexei encounter along the trail, and there’s a lovely found-family aspect in Ben’s friendship group (which I realised later was also part of Ms. Kelly’s previous novel, Love and Other Disasters, in which Ben appears briefly). I loved watching Ben helping Alexei become more comfortable with his sexuality and Alexei helping Ben to realise that he’s so much more than he thinks he is – that he’s enough, just as he is.

I usually try not to talk too specifically about things that happen late on in the books I reivew, but I can’t end this without mentioning the way that the third-act crisis is handled, because it’s unusual and really well done. While they’re apart, Ben and Alexei pen several letters, some of which they send, some, usually the ones containing the biggest emotional revelations, they don’t. Their loneliness and yearning for one another leaps off the page, and the epistolary format – letters written sometimes weeks apart – allows them both time to heal and to demonstrate their individual growth. Reading the unsent letters, especially, brought a lump to my throat – but it’s clear that they needed to write them as part of that process, even if the other never gets to read them.

My main criticism of the book is to do with something that so clearly telegraphed ‘disaster-in-waiting that I couldn’t help but wonder why the author went there:

[spoiler title="Show spoiler"]When Alexei and Ben first have sex, Ben hasn’t actually told Alexei outright that he’s gay. Next morning, Alexei can't bear the thought that maybe he was just an experiment or that Ben was just lonely and wanted to get off and he heads back to the trail alone. Alexei’s assumption is definitely born of panic and fear that he might have taken advantage, but it seemed odd that Ben – who has already worked out that Alexei sometimes needs things spelled out – didn’t spell out  that one rather important fact.[/spoiler]

That aside, Something Wild and Wonderful is a gorgeous story featuring two engaging, well-rounded characters falling in love and figuring things out about themselves and each other. The messages – about being brave enough to live an authentic life and the importance of allowing yourself to be loved for who you are – are crystal clear and the chemistry and soul-deep connection between Alexei and Ben is superbly drawn. Highly recommended.

Thank you SO MUCH to Forever and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this book!! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.

Anita Kelly is quickly becoming an all time favorite author that I will trust with anything. I talk a lot about how neither the outdoors nor travel stories are for me. But wow was I proven wrong by this one. I loved every single second of this adorable romance.

This follows our 2 heroes who meet while hiking the PCT. They're both out there for fresh starts after some pretty difficult situations that they're struggling to cope with. But despite knowing they need the time alone, they quickly bond, travel together, and form the most beautiful relationship.

First of all - the writing in here is stunning. This entire book felt like a love letter to the PNW and the descriptions immediately transported me. The pacing was perfect. We never spent too long in one place or focused on one thing. And despite the fact that these characters were walking for the majority of the book, this never once felt repetitive.

But the real highlight of this book is the characters. Holy hell did I fall in love with these characters. These characters felt so real in their emotions and experiences. They were raw and complex. Soft at times and frustrating at others. Ben loved so damn hard and Alexei was so resilient. I can't even put into words how much I connected with these characters.

This book has amazing discussions about homophobia, family, love, mental health, therapy, and finding your place in the world. Anita Kelly is a gem to the romance community with their diverse romances and poignant themes. I cannot wait for more from them ❤️

Something Wild and Wonderful by Anita Kelly
Rating: 5 stars
Steam: 3 chilis
Pub Date: 3/7

I always find it difficult to review books I love with my whole heart. I knew within the first few pages of reading this one that it was going to be something special, and I am so grateful to Anita Kelly for sharing this incredible story with us.

Alexei is walking the Pacific Crest Trail to try and figure some things out. He recently came out to his parents and was promptly disowned, leaving him without his family or his beloved church. He’s a little socially awkward and generally keeps to himself, so he’s fully prepared to walk the 2,000 miles alone. But then he runs into handsome, charming Ben and realizes he wouldn’t mind spending more time with him. The two of them end up hiking together, and the relationship that grows between them is beautiful and life-changing.

The growth we see from the start of the book to the end is astounding for both of these characters. Alexei really comes out of his shell and becomes vulnerable with another person for the first time. Ben struggles with falling in love too hard and fast and has had relationships that make him question his self-worth. He is out, and has a loving, supportive family and friend group back home, so he can only sympathize with Alexei’s plight. The themes of acceptance, forgiveness, and learning to love oneself are strong throughout, and I loved the quiet, consistent, and tender kind of love that these men share.

There’s a section where the two communicate only through a series of (mostly) unsent letters. I think it really shows both characters' loneliness, and I shed more than a few tears thinking about their internal struggles. I loved that their issues weren’t brushed aside to make room for the romance. They gave each other space to heal from past hurts so that they could grow as individuals and as a couple. Aside from a few misunderstandings, this is mostly low angst. It’s also really steamy, which I was not expecting but was very happy about.

I’m not an outdoorsy person, and the idea of walking that far doesn’t even register. But the vivid descriptions of the sights along the PCT made me wish I could be there. I loved all the quirky hikers they met along the way, Alexei’s sister, and Ben’s huge, beautiful family. And of course, I loved catching a glimpse of Delilah and London from Kelly’s first book, Love & Other Disasters.

This book wrapped me up like a warm hug, and I was genuinely sad when it was over. This love story will stay with me for a long time and has cemented Anita Kelly’s place on my auto-buy author list. Thank you so much to Forever and NetGalley for my advanced copy to read and review. Something Wild and Wonderful is out on 3/7.

I've been trying to come up with the words that completely describe how much I loved this book. But I'm stumped. I loved it so much. I loved the relationship between Alexei and Ben. The communication via letters near the end of the book. I felt for Alexei coming out to his religious parents and them disowning him. This book is fantastic and a must read. The author does a fantastic job.

Y'all this book was incredibly cute and I was smitten by our main characters!!!

This book brought me back to so many good times I've had hiking trails along the PCT since I have lived in both California and Washington! I loved how accurate the descriptions of the camping, hiking, and scenery were.

I recommend if you like...
- outdoors & hiking
- forced proximity
- one bed (tent) trope
- m/m contemporary romance

CW from the author: familial estrangement due to queer identity; religion and strict religious upbringing (Christianity); alcohol usage; harsh homophobic language (used in Chapter 16); brief references to past toxic romantic relationships.

This book!! I have so much to say about it but I’m exhausted and my mind it jumbled from the back and forth sobbing and smiling I did the last 40%! All I know is I hope everyone picks up this book when it’s released on 3/7 and gets to experience this incredibly beautiful and heart wrenching story and fall in love with Alexei & Ben as they fall in love with each other 🥰

This is a book about love in all forms at its core. Love of yourself and figuring out who you are and where exactly you fit into the world but at the same time as realizing that you don’t have to change yourself to fit, you’re perfect exactly as you are! It’s also about falling in love when you least expect it and making mistakes along the way but making up for it and finding their way back to each other no matter what. It’s about finding a family, even if it’s not the family you expected.

This was about two guys that had very very different experiences in life and came from vastly different backgrounds but they both had trauma that they needed to work through. Alexei with religious trauma and dealing with having to walk away from his family. It took him until he was almost thirty to realize that he had to be true to himself and even though he knew his community and family wouldn’t accept him, he learned to put himself first. And along the way he found new family but also realized that he didn’t lose everyone from his past life. And Ben with his relationship trauma and feeling like he lost so much time with the people he loves. Having to deal with heartbreak after heartbreak but still putting himself out there again and again. I just loved these two so much and being on their journey was difficult at times but it was also beautiful and made me really happy! 🥰

When Alexei begins his trek on the Pacific Crest Trail, he is planning for several months of solitude -- and welcomes the opportunity to be free from cell phones and other people. But then he encounters Ben, and keeps running into him on the trail. Although the two are in many ways opposite -- Alexei seemingly serious and introverted and Ben loose and extroverted -- they find themselves draw to on another. The two decide to hike at least part of the trail together and soon find themselves falling for one another. But just as it seems there may be a future for them together, life intrudes and causes both to wonder if their romance can survive only in the isolated of the trail.

This was a charming and perceptive book, featuring strong characters and an engaging story.

Highly recommended!

This book was so CHARMING. Alexei and Ben are just the sweetest dudes. They are on the PCT for different reasons, and end up really falling for each other. I love that they get to know each other before anything romantic happens. It's pretty clear that Alexei has trust and social issues (he's later diagnosed with autism), but Ben is patient and kind. He also adores that Alexei can name any bird by their call, and that he carries around a middle school fantasy book with him. Alexei's parents disowned him when he came out as gay to them, but Ben's family has always supported their gay son. The juxtaposition of their unique experiences as young gay men is really poignant. There are a few emotional talks and a perfect big gesture moment at the end that make this book a well-rounded romance. The descriptions of hiking are also realistic, and if you like self-discovery books, this is a lovely one.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book.

After devouring Love & Other Disasters last year, Something Wild & Wonderful was by far one of my most anticipated reads of 2023. I am so happy to say it lived up to the hype of the first one, and maybe even exceeded it. Anita Kelly’s writing just soothes something in my soul and I care so deeply about all their characters; I want to hold Alexei and Ben in my pockets and keep them safe all the time. The subject matter couldn’t be further than my own interests (I took a 45 minute hike in 2020 and still haven’t recovered), but I found myself fully engrossed regardless. I knew we’d be heading into treacherous territory with the Religious Trauma™, which is painfully relatable, so I love to see it handled with care and healing. This book is a home run for me, and I couldn’t be happier*

*and by happier I mean I fully teared up through the last 40 pages. romance 🥰

Thank you NetGalley & Forever for the ARC; I know this book comes out next week but I literally could not wait any longer to read it and am glad to have had the opportunity to get it.

This was an absolutely fabulous book. The journey Lex and Ben went on was so much more than just the physical. They were each looking for something on the trail, and along the way they also unexpectedly found each other.

I can’t even begin the express how emotional this book was. I just wanted to wrap everyone in a big hug. If this book isn’t on your TBR, then you need to add it now!

*I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I had just finished Love & Other Disasters when I saw Anita Kelly's announcement that they were writing a new book centered around Ben, a character briefly introduced during L&OD, and the PCT. I knew that would be an instant read for me and I was not disappointed!

Something Wild & Wonderful switches perspectives between two men hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in an attempt to say goodbye to a period of their life. For Ben, he is saying goodbye to his immaturity and bad life decisions and preparing to get his dream job. For Alexei, he is saying goodbye to his home in the Pacific Northwest and the family that exiled him for coming out as gay, he wants to build a new version of himself.

There is just so much to love about this book. The characterization, the communication between Ben and Alexei, and the beautiful writing made you feel like you were hiking the trail with them. The low point of the book and up to near the end is told in letters, sent and unsent, and it was just so dang beautiful and heavy to read.
This book is about love and acceptance, of yourself and your past as well as of others. It's about growth and learning what your boundaries are and learning that it's okay to communicate that with others. There was one character that we meet a few times that was hiking the trail for a chance of quiet and to listen to their own body and I felt like that was really a running theme throughout the book.
It was a wonderful read and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy when it comes out!

Something Wild and Wonderful honestly has everything. Alexei and Ben’s story on the Pacific Crest Trail was funny and sweet and emotionally heartfelt. I loved them as individual characters, and I loved them together – first as new friends and hiking partners and later as so much more. And on top of that, the writing was so lovely. I have no interest in hiking over 2k miles through the dessert and over mountains, but Anita Kelly’s descriptions were so beautiful I kind of feel like I’m missing out.

I’m not a member of the queer community, so I suppose my interpretation of this comes with a grain of salt. But I really thought this book showed such care and didn’t shy away from mentioning the hard parts about coming out, how it happens over and over again with so many people. About accepting your own queerness, and how there’s no one right way to do that. About how much it hurts when the people you love refuse to accept you as you are, without veering into melodrama or tragedy porn. Alexei and Ben had such different experiences and histories, which just underscores that there’s no one size fits all version of sexual orientation, no matter how you identify.

There’s a really sweet romance between these characters, who are both so lovable on their own that you can’t help but want them to find exactly what they need in each other. There are amazing supporting characters and family, found or biological. There are sexy moments, and heavy emotional stuff, and all the things that make up a full, real life. And both Alexei and Ben grow on their own, exactly the way they needed to when they started the trail, rather than for each other, and that’s my favorite kind of romance.

Idk, I just really liked this book. I think other people will too.

Something Wild & Wonderful was a beautiful and emotional journey.

Alexei and Ben meet while they are hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, an over 2500 mile length hike that spans from Southern California all the way to Canada. For Ben, it’s his last big adventure before he starts his new career as a nurse. For Alexei, it’s this spiritual journey he undertakes to accept the past and figure out his future.

Their connection was instant and I could easily see how they could complement each other. At first, it felt like their relationship moved at warp speed, but spending 24/7 together while hiking can definitely bond you quickly. Despite the speed, their relationship felt natural. And I can’t forget about the spice!

Warning: there is a third act break-up, but it’s done so beautifully, that it felt almost necessary for both Ben and Alexei to grow as individuals. Honestly the characterization in Something Wild & Wonderful is written so well, I feel as if Ben and Lex are my real life friends (who I would 100% have brunch with). Their communication, their care and love for each other, their insistence on working on themselves too; it all makes it a sweet and endearing story.

All the stars for Anita Kelly and I can’t wait for more.

Thank you to Forever/Grand Central Publishing for the review copy!

The way my chest aches right now! The way Anita Kelly writes is absolutely stunning. They're so talented at painting a vivid visual with the exact perfect phrasing.

This is the story of Alexei and Ben who meet while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Which side note - I could never! But I'm fascinated by the concept and enjoy reading about people who could and do.

We get both MC's individual internal journeys as well as their joint journey towards each other. There's a lot here that both men are struggling with. This could easily have been a super heavy book, but while it delves into many serious issues, the author's deft touch allows us to experience the hope and small joys that lurk underneath the grief and uncertainty. There are lots of sweet and humorous moments as well.

I love the concept of trail family and the different interactions with fellow hikers. Ben's family both blood and extended are also a joy to read about. As is Alexei's much smaller but eventual growing circle. Basically I'll eat up anything about found family with a spoon and ask for more! The secondary characters are so distinct and appealing that I want separate books about every single one. I should also point out that Dahlia & London from Love & Other Disasters make an appearance in the friend group so obviously there's a precedent.

Representation: gay MMC's, Russian-American MC, Portuguese-American MC, autistic MC, queer and diverse SC's

TL;DR This book made my heart an ooey gooey mess in the best possible way - drop everything and read it now!

**Received an eARC via NetGalley**

It's hard to read this book without falling in love with Ben and Alexei. They've both come to the Pacific Crest Trail to work through their problems while hiking through 2,000+ miles of wilderness. Alexei's religious parents disowned him when he came out as gay, and he's here to figure out his relationship with them, his gayness, and God. Ben finally passed the qualification test to become a nurse, and is hiking the PCT to reckon with where he's been - a series of toxic relationships - and where he's going from here. Alexei's personal journey, in particular, could threaten to overwhelm the romance, but their relationship is always front and center.

The book is soft and lovely but also put me through the emotional wringer at times. There is a third act breakup that shows that Ben and Alexei had some processing they needed to do on their own before they could be together as a couple. It's my least favorite trope, but necessary for this relationship to work.

Ben does some medical stuff on the trail and, as far as my medically-adjacent eye can discern, everything checks out. I got a little thrill when Ben said he had to take A&P twice because hey, I know what that is! -and it's a minor detail that's allowed to sit without explanation. Good stuff.

My favorite part, though, is probably the epistolary section. The way it's put together is perfection, and it pulled me through to the end of book in no time.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Alexei is neurodiverse, both men are gay, and even after troubles with his church Alexei is religious. Their white, cisgender privilege is examined more than once, and we hear stories from minor characters about how being Black or fat or a woman affected their experience on the trail.

Something Wild and Wonderful isn't in my wheelhouse. I usually shy away from anything with religion, there's more angst than my usual reads, but I thoroughly enjoyed every page all the same. You can bet I'll read whatever Kelly comes out with next, in my wheelhouse or not.

A huge thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!!
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This is easily my favorite read of December and one of my top three reads in 2022. I can’t wait for it to come out in March and finally have so many more people to swoon over it with. Alexei is working through his personal trauma on the Pacific Coast Trail, and he doesn’t need a hiking partner, but Ben is headed in the same direction and happy to travel at the same pace. The two of them are the definition of sad-x-sunshine, and they gave me all of the warm and fuzzy feelings. This is instant love followed by slow-burn and naturally the one bed trope comes into play, but nothing about this book felt contrived or done before.
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This novel unpacks and discusses acceptance of self, family that won’t love you the way everyone deserves, and how religion intersects Alexei’s life. I know that I will never be a long-term hiker, but the way Kelly describes the PCT made me feel like I was there. The sounds and colors were so vivid, and added to how strongly I felt Alexei and Ben’s emotions leap off the page. I loved the little Easter egg cameos from characters in another Kelly book, Love & Other Disasters. Similar to the way Abby Jimenez writes romance with real heart and soul, this book felt like it was cut from the same cloth. Kelly has become another instant-buy author for me.

I enjoyed this book a lot! It sort of fits in the category of "quiet, not a lot happens". Which, I keep learning, really works for me. It was beautifully written - particularly from Alexei's perspective, where I did a lot of highlighting. And, again, especially from Alexei's POV, there were moments when I could feel really the warmth he was experiencing. Like, I had an actual physical reaction reading it. The connection and the longing (so much longing) between the main characters was so well drawn and I also appreciated the secondary characters. Also, I have been fascinated by long-distance trail hiking since following Alison Cochrun's walk on IG last year so I soaked up every little detail about the logistics and beauty and challenges of walking the PCT. And while overall I like how thoughtful the author was and how they were clearly mindful about intersectionality etc, there were a couple of little choices that didn't sit quite right with me and those are the things that kept me from giving this five stars but, I really did love it and will be doing a re-read in audio at some point and am thinking now I want to check out the author's novellas.

My first thought when I finished this book was, wow, it had a brutal punch of emotion. It was beautiful and thought provoking and difficult and sweet. From start to finish I felt like I was on the Pacific Crest Trail with Alexei and Ben. Alexei is more the main character as he’s the one dealing with familial trauma because of his sexuality. The author handled the entire situation with care and detail.

The romance? SWOON-LEVEL. The quiet moments were my favorite. These two felt destined from their meet cute and I felt like I was literally watching them fall in love.

Now, I gave this four stars because of the utter LOW we hit before their HEA. It’s totally a me thing…kudos to the author for breaking my heart into a million pieces. But the HEA was beautiful.

I was so excited to have the opportunity to read this. I saw Anita Kelly at a book launch last year, and when they described the premise for this book, I was completely sold. It's set on the Pacific Crest Trail with a journey toward the Pacific Northwest. It has Cheryl Strayed's Wild vibes, but make it a fictional romance.

Alexei is looking to find himself on the trail and come to terms with his family's awful reaction to him coming out to them. Ben is on the trail because he wants to follow through with a goal and be more mature before starting a new career in nursing.

The book highlights family and what that can look like. It tackles so many hard topics and does so thoroughly and well. It made me cry, as it resonated so deeply. And the journey on the trail was an amazing metaphor for the depth of character growth we see.

Parts were difficult to read, but overall, this book felt like a warm hug. I fell so hard for both Alexei and Ben, and I absolutely loved their journeys. It was great to revisit London and Dahlia, but this can be read as a stand alone.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

CW: homophobia

Alexei decides to hike the PCT from Mexico to Canada after coming out to his family as gay and consequently being disowned. Along the way he meets Ben who is on the trail to get away from his past and the bad decisions he makes when cute boys are involved. They begin hiking together and come to love each other’s quirks and provide much needed support for both the trail and life.

I loved Anita’s previous book and am very pleased to report that I loved this one too. I have never had the desire to hike the PCT, but each summer I find myself following a few through hikers on their journeys over social media. The book mostly takes place during the journey through the desert portion of California up to Kennedy Meadows, then switches to letters as Alexei continues north until he reaches Washington. I found this to be a really effective way to write the book, without getting bogged down by the hike itself. The writing made me really appreciate the trail and the hikers that keep its upkeep a thing, but confirmed to me that I never need to do anything like it.

I adored both Alexei and Ben. Both were such interesting and well rounded characters. I liked that they were both going through their own struggles, and while they were there to support one another, each made the decisions that were best for them and did their own growing. I loved the epistolatory section. The book had been in dual POV so I knew the characters well, but I loved having their written words and feelings, and the letters that were not sent were especially moving.

I read the beginning and end of the book, and listened to the audiobook for most of the middle of the book. I really enjoyed Mark Sanderlin’s narration. I was always able to tell whose POV I was in and his voice kept me engaged the whole time I was listening.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC, and Hachette Audio for the ALC.