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

It was such a joy to reread this one via audio. The narrator was excellent. I would be sitting down listening to this one because you will swoon. Just the emotion, the steam, it hit all the right spots and everything I loved about the book and more. Just a masterpiece!

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.

I was already falling in love with Anita Kelly's work before 'Something Wild and Wonderful ' but, my god, this was a masterpiece.

This is a story of two gentle souls finding each other while on a journey to find themselves is as charming as it sounds. While it utilizes certain tropes present in most romance novels such as third act breakups and misunderstandings, it does so in original and realistic ways.

Ben and Alexei, meeting after Alexei saves Ben from a nasty snake encounter, are both fully fleshed out and wonderful. Alexei has certain eccentricities that can make it difficult for him to relate to others while Ben is extremely sociable but finds that he is charmed by Alexei almost immediately. We get a really good understanding of both men throughout the novel as the hiking narrative really lends itself well to diving deeply into character. It's so interesting that they come from COMPLETELY different backgrounds, with different temperaments, and family history but they slot into each other's lives so seamlessly.

I also loved that London and Dahlia from 'Love & Other Disasters' make a cameo as Ben's buddies from home!

The narrator was wonderful, helping us empathize with both men as well as giving them beautifully distinct voices.

I'm so glad I already had this one preordered and I absolutely cannot wait for Kelly's next undertaking.

I can't remember the last time I literally screamed at a book, but this one had me yelling at Ben and Alexei! In Anita Kelly's most recent, very open door, romance, readers are dropped onto the Pacific Coast Trail. With a friend that recently took this on I felt immediately drawn to the struggles, fears, and breathtaking views held within. But beyond the scenery and the unique setting, Kelly does a phenomenal job crafting two very nuanced and complex characters from two very different worlds as they collide together in a physically demanding environment.

Each with their own motivations and reasons for taking on the PCT, Alexei and Ben become hiking buddies. But, as they open up to one another and reveal their motivations for hiking this story grips you and leaves you fully invested in these two men's futures - together or apart.

This story follows two men's journey on the Pacific Crest Trail and brings me back to the days of reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed.

Alexei and Ben set out to hike alone, but when their paths keep crossing they decide to trek together. I really enjoyed this one as our leads reveal more of themselves throughout the trails and help each other get through the treacherous circumstances they come across.

The story is so tender as they are both figuring out their place in the world -- they build up an emotional connection but also sweetly bond over bird songs and pictures of bugs. It's intimate and immersed in nature and I really enjoyed this one overall.

Thanks Hachette Audio and NetGalley for my advance audiobook copy.

Anita Kelly writes amazing queer love stories. I've read Love & Other Disasters and now Something Wild and Wonderful, and she's two for two--five stars, both times.

Something Wild and Wonderful takes place mostly along the Pacific Crest Trail, where Alexie and Ben have a random encounter that leads to a trail friendship and eventually so much more. Alexie is hiking the trail to process some seriously heavy emotions centering around his religious family's rejection of him after he came out to them. Ben is hiking the trail as one last hurrah before growing up and getting an adult job as a nurse.

Their attraction is immediate. I loved watching them build each other up and take care of one another on the trail and off. I loved watching them fall in love.

Alexie's family situation broke my heart. My parents are very religious, and I couldn't' help comparing and wondering how they would have taken the news of a gay child. Alexie actually reminded me so much of my college best friend and his journey. Anita Kelly handles those incredibly difficult emotions with a deft and tender hand. The hurt was real and raw but there was hope woven in, as well. Ben's family acted as a foil to Alexie's, showing what a loving and accepting family can be like.

The narrator, Mark Sanderlin, delivered a wonderful performance. His portrayal of the characters was engaging and kept me listening straight through to the end.

Thank you so much to Forever Publishing for my physical ARC, and to Hachette Audio for my ALC.

This book left me with a giant smile on my face that didn't fade for hours.

When Alexis Lovato took to the Pacific Coast Trail in California it was a treck that would serve multiple purposes. One would be to mend his broken heart from the abandonment of his parents due to his sexuality and his emotional estrangement from his beloved sister Elena but it was also going to help him come to terms with the church and help him work on a Lexus 2.0. It was when he almost stepped on a rattlesnake that his life would slowly start to change because in that instance hearing footsteps come up behind him he quickly put his arm out to stop the hiker who clearly wasn’t going to stop at all. The hiker was Benito Corvallisand and his smile lit up lights inside of a Lexus he didn’t know he had. Before he knew it his solo hike had turned into a two-man team as they hiked daily and got to know each other Alexis knew he should part ways with Ben because the whole time he thought Ben was straight and he didn’t want to feel this way about a straight man but one night in big bear California turned into the best night not only for Lexi but for Ben as well that’s why when Ben woke up and Alexis had his stuff packed Ben was confused and didn’t know what to say and he just sat there as Alexis walked out the door. Lexi was confused who is Ben just using him? Was he by or was that his first time with a man? He had mini questions but couldn’t get the answers because he had left then and went back on the trail. I don’t want to say much more even though there’s lots more to this book because I could go on and on talking about this perfect romance book all day. I have never read a romance book that made me cry happy tears but this book absolutely did and more than once. You really root for Alexis and for them as a couple. I loved Ben’s family and friends and loved this audiobook. This narrator did such a stellar job it is one of the best narrating performances I have ever heard. If I knew where to go I would definitely nominate this book in this narrator for some type of award because it definitely deserves it. A stellar performance of a stellar book it doesn’t get any better than that. I do want to say usually I would turn the book off that had detailed sex scenes in it but while reading the book the sex scenes seem to push the narrative forward instead of just being sex for sex sake… I hope that makes sense. This author is truly a talent and I cannot wait to go back and buy her first book or their first book either way I’m getting the first book that was written by this author. I loved it and highly highly recommend it. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review I receive this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Something Wild & Wonderful was, quite frankly, wonderful. I really loved the relationship development between Ben and Alexei. Their relationship is honest, genuine, and so, so lovely. Overall, this book was an incredibly comforting read. Between this and Love and Other Disasters, Anita Kelly is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me.

Read For:
- Wholesome romance
- Hiking
- Strong family and found family dynamics with one of the MCs)
- Found family on the trail
- Characters who aren't afraid to work on themselves
- Cameos of our favorite characters from LaOD

Watch Out for:
- Estrangement from family due to homophobia (One of the MCs)
- Snakes (scene on page one)

----- 4.25/5

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

💭Thoughts:
I loved the setting for this book. I’ve day hiked on several parts of the PCT in the past. Being from Oregon, I enjoyed the references to so many places that I know and love, including the Eastwind Drive-In in Cascade Locks! The ice cream from there is a must every Summer!

I really enjoyed the relationship between Ben and Lex. I thought both characters were well developed. I really felt for both of them in different ways. Each of them having to overcome different hardships in their lives. I especially felt for Lex and the situation he faced with his family. I can’t imagine how hard that would be.

Overall, this was a fun and engaging book! I look forward to reading more from Anita Kelly in the future.

This was a warm, cozy hug of a book. Alexei and Ben were such warm characters. Well, Alexei took a bit of warming up to people, but he was earnest and friendly. Ben befriended everyone he met and just exuded friendliness and warmth. They had such an easy, peaceful companionship that they fell into as they walked the Pacific Crest Trail. It was so nice to read.

The descriptions of the trail and the hiking were so beautiful and so appealing. It made me feel like I was there with them and made me want to attempt the hike myself. There's no way I could actually do it, but imagining it feels nice.

The difficult parts were not so much conflict between the two (aside from a few misunderstandings) but rather things each was struggling with internally. For Ben it was the loss of a close relative to Alzheimers and his past abusive relationships. For Alexei it was being cut off by his parents after coming out as gay. These were things each had to wrestle with on their own, and I really like that they weren't swept under the rug when they got together. They took the time and space they needed and came to terms with them, allowing them to build a stronger future together.

It was wonderful to see Alexei being welcomed into Ben's family and friend group, and it was wonderful to see Alexei and Ben's close relationships with their little sisters.

There is a section toward the end where it becomes an epistolary novel for a bit, the sort where most of the letters are unsent. Those are always heartbreaking, and this was no exception. I really, really, like the way it was written. Having the letters be unsent halves of conversations made them so much more impactful.

Most of all, this is a book emphasizing the wonders of queer companionship. As a queer person myself, who values that sort of companionship very highly indeed, this book hit all the right notes for me.

The audiobook performance was beautiful and the narrator imbued the characters with so much personality. I loved listening to it and definitely recommend it.

*Thanks to NetGalley, Forever, and Hachette Audio for providing an early copy of the ebook and audiobook for review.

4.5 stars. A beautiful MM love story with strong themes of self-discovery and acceptance.

Synopsis: Set on the iconic Pacific Crest Trail, Alexei and Ben meet on the 2,500-mile trail. Each arrives on the trail with his own personal baggage. Ben has a long history of bad decisions, usually involving beautiful men, while Alexei grapples with his gay identity and how to love himself when his family has rejected him. What unfolds is a beautiful love story.

Thoughts: This was such a sweet and bingeable story. I enjoyed how Anita Kelly crafted the characters and their backstories, each embarking on different personal journeys. I particularly appreciated that they reinforced the notion that no two life experiences are the same. There was great LGBTQIA+ and disability rep, and I look forward to reading more by this author!

Thank you to Forever Publishing for my ARC & Hachette audio for my ALC.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for an ALC of this book!

After being cut out from his family for coming out as gay, Alexei decided to become a new version of himself while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Enter the charismatic Ben who is trying to grow up. They agree to hike together, but will they be able to work out their own problems in time to be together?

I loved this so so much. Alexei and Ben are both amazing characters with great POV chapters. They have distinct voices even tho the narrator is the same.

The romance is incredible. Honestly so sweet and wholesome and I loved it. It broke my heart when they weren't together!

And surprise London and Dahlia scene! Yay!

CW: homophobia, slurs

I really enjoyed this strangers to lovers adventure romance about falling in love and finding self-acceptance while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Perfect for fans of TJ Alexander, this big-hearted story tugged at my heart strings and had me feeling all the feels as Alexei tries to work out his feelings after being disowned by his Christian fundamentalist family and Ben does such a great job showing him that he deserves to be loved just as he is. There were some fun cameos from Love and other disasters too which was a lot of fun! If you enjoyed Cheryl Strayed's Wild, this is the perfect story for you. All the PCT stuff was extremely well done! Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital copies in exchange for my honest review!

This was SO GOOD! I laughed, I was in my feels, Alexi and Ben had me melting into a puddle. Such a sweet story! 10/10 would recommend. The narrator was excellent.

Incredible, incredible, incredible.

Alexei and Ben are both hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in an effort to find themselves - Alexei's just lost his job and is working through his emotions about being disowned by his conservative, religious family after coming out as gay. Ben's just passed the NCLEX and is taking a break after several non-stop years of caregiving and studying. When they run into each other (almost literally) on the trail, they're immediately attracted to each other, but have no idea what to do with it, besides hike together and get to know each other.

This book is so truly <i>wonderful</i> and tender and kind and heartachy and perfect. Loving Ben and Lex is irresistible and God did they melt my dumb little heart. They're so cautious and careful with each other, so gracious about boundaries they don't know they need to set until they're setting them, and I've literally never been so entranced by BIRDS in my whole life.

This is a heavy book - Alexei in particular is dealing with A Lot of religious trauma, certainly around his own sexuality, but also around the way his whole childhood was quite sheltered. I've never seen someone so able to capture my own complex feelings about religion (and mine aren't even really compounded by my childhood faith's view of my sexuality!) and the way that something you once thought so fundamental to you becomes something you don't even recognize anymore, except in its purest, best, most love-filled form in the quietest, awe-filled moments. Ben is a geriatric nurse who truly loves his calling, but still has to reckon with a lot of tough patient losses on top of some poor romantic choices in the past. Each of them ends up in some very well-deserved therapy, and I think that all of their trauma is treated with the deftest, kindest, most respectful hand.

I wish I could say more about this book, but I truly don't have the words. This'll likely end up on my favorites shelf at the store.