Big Wild Love Adventure by Julianna Keyes is a spirited, humorous, and heartwarming novel that takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and unexpected romance. Emmy Shaw, the protagonist, finds herself at the lowest point in her life after being ditched at the altar. Her heart is as broken as her food truck, and she’s grappling with debt, eviction, and a tarnished reputation. In a desperate and slightly inebriated bid for a fresh start, she applies for a new dating-adventure reality show, never imagining she would be selected.

The novel kicks off with Emmy’s arrival in a remote jungle, clad only in a bathing suit and carrying a backpack. Her immediate regret and apprehension about joining the show are palpable, making for a relatable and engaging beginning. Keyes masterfully combines humor with the gravity of Emmy's situation, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

As Emmy meets her fellow cast members, including the enigmatic and attractive Wes, the dynamics of the reality show start to unfold. Wes’s character adds an intriguing layer to the story, serving as both a romantic interest and a catalyst for Emmy's personal growth. The chemistry between Emmy and Wes is electric, and their flirtation provides a delightful counterpoint to the physical and emotional challenges of the jungle.

The adventure aspect of the novel is well-executed, with cave treks, jungle hikes, and impromptu talent shows that keep the pace lively and the reader engaged. These activities are not just plot devices but integral to Emmy's transformation. Each challenge she faces in the jungle mirrors her internal struggles, and her gradual rebuilding of confidence is both believable and inspiring.

Keyes excels in depicting Emmy’s growth. The jungle, initially a symbol of her escapism, becomes the backdrop for her journey toward self-acceptance and empowerment. The show's premise forces Emmy to confront her fears and insecurities head-on, and her evolution from a heartbroken and insecure woman to someone who can embrace her flaws and strengths is deeply satisfying.

The supporting cast members are also well-drawn, adding depth and diversity to the narrative. Their interactions with Emmy, along with the reality show format, create a dynamic and often hilarious ensemble story. The camaraderie, rivalries, and unexpected friendships that develop among the contestants add richness to the novel.

Big Wild Love Adventure is more than just a romance or a comedy; it’s a story about finding oneself in the most unexpected places. Julianna Keyes has crafted a novel that is both funny and heartfelt, filled with moments of introspection, joy, and genuine connection. Emmy’s story is a testament to the idea that sometimes, the wildest adventures lead us to exactly where we need to be.

For readers looking for a blend of humor, romance, and personal growth set against an adventurous backdrop, Big Wild Love Adventure is a perfect pick. Keyes’s witty writing, relatable characters, and engaging plot make this novel a thoroughly enjoyable read that will leave you rooting for Emmy and believing in the transformative power of adventure and love.

After being ditched at the altar, Emmy Shaw’s heart, like her dented food truck, is definitely not open for business. Deeply in debt to her parents and evicted from her apartment, she takes a friend’s drunken dare and fills out an application for a new dating-adventure reality show. She never expects to be chosen—or to get a chance at the show’s huge cash prize, which could put her life back on track.

But when she’s abandoned in the middle of the jungle two months later wearing only a bathing suit and a backpack, she questions if being on the show might be even worse than the #emmytrashtruck hate brigade she left back home. Then she meets her fellow cast members—including sexy, inscrutable Wes—and starts to reconsider, wondering if maybe money’s not all she stands to gain from this experience.

Fun beach read! I love reality TV dating shows and I'm a long-time Survivor fan, so this was totally up my alley. These tropes don't always translate well into romance novels, but this author did a wonderful job. There was so much going on here that I didn't even miss the lack of spicy scenes. I enjoyed watching the romance grow. Tons of places that had me snorting to myself or outright laughing. Definitely would recommend this for the summer!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

So, this was fun. Not even going to lie- I was lured in by the promise of reality show adventure and romance. While I’m not one to watch reality shows on television, I do love me some reality show shenanigans in my romance.

Emmy Shaw is a food truck baker who has fallen on hard times, and that is before she wrecks her food truck, gets lambasted on social media for failing to provide baked goods to an influencer’s wedding, and ends up sleeping in her parents’ basement. After a drunken night with her assistant laughing and filling out applications for a dating reality show, she’s shocked to find out she has been accepted as a contestant on Big Wild Love Adventure. She’s not in it to find love though, she needs the prize money to get back on her feet financially.

And that starts the adventure of a lifetime where she’ll meet lifelong friends, rediscover herself, and maybe, just maybe fall in love.

This was a quick, easy read. Low stakes, fun challenges, a group of contestants that turn out to be friends, and a sweet romance. If you are looking for super angsty drama, this book isn’t for you. It’s not hot and heavy, there is only one closed door love scene, but the romance is delightful. It’s easy to root for Emmy, she’s kind and thoughtful with a dry, sarcastic sense of humor that shines through even in trying circumstances. I really enjoyed her relationships with the other contestants, and that they all quickly and easily formed this friends’ group that supported and encouraged each other.

The romance is quiet, yet you feel her and Wes’s chemistry. There is a HFN ending, and I was satisfied with the way this author left this couple. This is the perfect summer beach read. If you are looking for something quick, fun this maybe just what you need.

"Big Wild Love Adventure" by Julianna Keyes is an engaging romantic comedy that combines reality TV excitement with heartfelt moments. The story follows Emmy, who joins a reality show to win money and change her chaotic life, and Wes, a brooding thinker. The characters are well-crafted, and the challenges they face are entertaining and over-the-top. Though the writing has its rough patches, the book is a delightful escape full of humor and romance. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Julianna Keyes' "Big Wild Love Adventure" is a wonderful, touching romantic story. The plot chronicles the journey of a group of individuals on an adventure mission, where they find love and self-discovery. Keyes' writing is interesting and humorous, making for an entertaining read. The characters are well-developed and approachable, and the plot is both enjoyable and emotionally gratifying. If you want to read a light and uplifting romance, this is the book for you.

What a wild, big, lovely adventure this book was!
It’s been on my radar and I was fortunate enough to receive a copy from Netgalley and Victory Editing.

This book satisfied my reality tv loving heart and the premise of the show translated well into this novel.

I laughed, I cried, I giggled and I sighed!
I loved Emmy, whose life was a dumpster fire and she used going on this show to reset and win some money to fix her financial woes.
Wes was a silent broody over thinker and I loved him too.
I needed a bit more sexy time between them I think.

Tad was the highlight! I loved that character haha

This is truly a rom com that had me laughing!

Such a fun read! It's Love Island meets Amazing Race. When Emmy takes a friend's dare, she turns in her application to be part of a new reality show Big Wild Love Adventure. She quickly finds herself + many others in the middle of the jungle competing to find love and win $250,000.00.

I loved the mc Emmy and how she was true to herself throughout the game. The challenges were silly and over the top - exactly what you would expect on a reality love game show. The rest of the participants were fun too. I love Tad and how we got to see snippets of his character come out.

Thank you to NetGalley, Julianna Keyes and Victory Editing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book is FUN! So much fun, basically my secret love of Reality TV dating shows like the Bachelor, Farmer wants a Wife, Married at First Sight and many others was satisfied while reading this delightful book.

Wes & Emmy are great lead characters and the story that Julianna Keyes has written is fabulous.

Love, laugh, and all of the drama! WE LOVE DRAMA!

Read this book!

Sure, the writing isn't always smooth, and the dialogue sometimes feel like they're trying too hard. But, the story's got heart, and it's nice to mix it up a little bit with game show.

The characters feel real, flaws and all, and their journey is sweet to follow along with, even if the writing occasionally trips over itself and you know where the story is going.

So yeah, this might not win any literary awards for its prose, but it's nice and a fun, easy sweet read. If you're in the mood for a feel-good romance that doesn't take itself too seriously, give this one a shot. It may not be perfect, but it's not a bad way to spend an afternoon!

Julianna Keyes is a great writer and you feel like you are watching a reality show while reading. Big Wild Love Adventure is just that, and adventurous reality show with some wild characters. I read this in one day and would recommend it to all by friends.
While I did enjoy this book, it is not for my students. I also found that I enjoyed all of the other characters more than the MC's.

Thank you netgalley for an arc of Big Wild Love Adventure by Julianna Keyes

I watch Survivor and am a fan of reality game shows. This book combined that love with self-discovery and I thought it was a hopeful story. I liked Keyes style of writing. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is such a fun, summer read! It truly is a rom-com, in that I laughed out loud several times throughout the story. However, there were also deeper moments of Emmy finding herself and the building romance between Emmy and Wes was enjoyable as well. I enjoy shows like Bachelor, so I loved the Reality TV show aspect, and I thought the author did a great job of building that show for her story, without it sounding exactly like a reality tv show that’s already out there. It’s definitely one I would watch! Overall, I loved this story, and hope to read more of Julianna Keyes’ books in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A quick and fun romance filled with crazy TV antics, awesomely wild adventures, and of course, love. After a disaster of a year, Emmy is the owner of a totaled food truck, a mattress on the floor in her parents' laundry room, and some not so great online PR #EmmyTrashTruck. When her assistant shows up with a bottle of sambuca and a reality TV application, Emmy soon finds herself a contestant on Big Wild Love Adventure, a new reality TV dating-adventure (think Survivor meets Are You the One?). Over the coming weeks, Emmy and her fellow contestants will battle it out to win cash prizes and maybe even a shot at love.

First off, Julianna Keyes perfectly captured the truly insane nature of adventure and dating reality shows, and I could absolutely see someone pitching BWLA. Although it took a bit for me to really develop any feelings towards the other contestants, I was impressed by how invested I was in the outcome each "week." The relationship/dating aspect of the story was entertaining, but I also love that Emmy never forgot why she was really there - to fund her dreams. Overall, a delightful read, perfect for the summer!

Honestly. Holy moly I loved this book. Down on your luck girl. Chance of a lifetime. Bachelor in paradise meets amazing race meets survivor. It was a wild ride. Emmy was a fantastic lead and broke my heart. Debated how I felt about Wes for a bit but I will say Tad Forever. It was incredible to watch someone down on her luck find a found family. That is sort of a fantastic trope and worth its weight in gold.

This book was SO FUN! I was rooting for Emmy from the beginning. Poor girl was having such awful luck and it legitimately was none of her fault. I loved the setting of this book, the romance, the side characters, and the reality show fun! I had a great time reading it.

[Note: I purchased the kindle copy of this book a few years ago and am copying over that review here]

This is FUN and my Bachelor/Are You The One?/Survivor-loving heart is elated. As much as I like reality TV on television, I don’t think the premise always translates well into romance novels. Well, I’m happy to be proven wrong because I loved this. The found family feels are epic. I legit cried several times — that end scene, when all the contestants are supporting Emmy during her encounter with [redacted character]? Amazing, one of the best scenes I’ve read all year. And Tad wins my vote for Most Surprisingly Improved Secondary Character.

What I didn’t love:

- Couple remarks about Wes’s weight loss after his childhood, paired with his focus on healthy habits and cutting down on impulses. Thankfully there were only a few throwaway lines, but it was unnecessary and could’ve been cut easily, imo.

- I recently read JK’s college romance with lots of explicit sex… This is not that book, lol. There’s one sex scene but it does that weird fade-to-black thing after mild foreplay. Upon reflection, I think the low heat fits the book because there’s so much plot surrounding the challenges and elimination repairing drama. But the low heat was unexpected and I felt bereft, so I’m knocking off a star.

But!!! Everything else was 💯 and I’m surprised there isn’t more hype. Overall, I loved this book because it is — as Jess says — an actual romantic comedy that makes you laugh. An endangered species, sadly.

Title: Big Wild Love Adventure by Julianna Keyes

Release Date: May, 31st, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Emmy Shaw, reeling from a broken heart and financial woes, impulsively applies for a dating-adventure reality show in hopes of winning a cash prize to turn her life around.

However, she's thrust into the jungle with minimal preparation, questioning if the show is worth the turmoil. Yet, as she bonds with her fellow contestants, including the enigmatic Wes, Emmy begins to see the potential for personal growth amidst the challenges. Through cave treks, jungle hikes, and unexpected connections, Emmy discovers a newfound confidence and a chance to rediscover herself in the midst of her chaotic journey.

This book offers a delightful blend of romance, drama, and self-discovery set against the backdrop of a reality TV dating show.

Emmy, our resilient heroine, signs up for the show to overcome her string of misfortunes but finds herself entangled in unexpected romantic entanglements, particularly with the serious and enigmatic Wes. As the story unfolds, Emmy undergoes personal growth, learning to let go of the past and embrace the future.

The book is filled with engaging characters, sizzling romances, and plenty of drama, making it a perfect summer read. With a slow-burn romance and a focus on Emmy's journey, readers will find themselves rooting for her every step of the way.

Overall, it's a fun and entertaining read that kept me hooked from start to finish.


Thank you to The Publisher Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op ,The Author Julianna Keyes & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Big Wild Love Adventure by Julianna Keyes
Rating:4/5
Release Date: 31 May 2024

Dumped at the altar, Emmy Shaw’s heart, much like her dented food truck, is closed for business. Struggling with debt and eviction, she impulsively applies for a dating-adventure reality show on a friend’s dare, hoping for a shot at the cash prize to turn her life around.

But when she finds herself stranded in the jungle months later, wearing only a bathing suit and a backpack, Emmy questions if the show is worth it. Surrounded by fellow contestants, including the enigmatic Wes, Emmy begins to see the potential for more than just money.

Amid cave treks, jungle hikes, and unexpected connections, Emmy discovers a newfound confidence. What started as an escape from her troubles becomes a journey of self-discovery.

This book was absolutely fantastic and exactly what I was looking for! The side characters were incredibly well-developed, making it easy to fall in love with each of them and not want anyone to get voted off, unlike real reality TV shows. The show itself was a blast, filled with entertaining twists and turns, some of which were delightfully ridiculous.

Overall, it was a delightful read, and I'm thrilled that it lived up to the excitement promised in the synopsis!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op, and the author, Julianna Keyes, for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I enjoyed this book and finished it in a day. It was an easy read and lighthearted. The concept of a game show is unique and I haven’t read a book with this same premise before. The game show made it really fun to read and I could easily envision the characters, setting, and challenges.

But there were a few drawbacks. I found the characters seemed to fall a little flat and were pretty one dimensional. They don’t really have a personality other than their game show persona. The book’s plot was pretty predictable and I didn’t find the scene with Emmy and Wes’ exes to be necessary. It seemed super thrown in as a a last minute attempt at shocking the reader. But it didn’t really serve a purpose. The book’s “villain” was also just…immature and annoying. But I think the biggest drawback was the ending. We go from what’s supposed to be a huge buildup to just…nothing. And then they just randomly get back together? It was much too rushed.

Overall, the book was fun and lighthearted. I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone but I would pass it along to those I know like an easy, fun read. I would read more from this author.

After being ditched at the altar, Emmy Shaw’s heart, like her dented food truck, is definitely not open for business. Deeply in debt to her parents and evicted from her apartment, she takes a friend’s drunken dare and fills out an application for a new dating-adventure reality show. She never expects to be chosen—or to get a chance at the show’s huge cash prize, which could put her life back on track.

But when she’s abandoned in the middle of the jungle two months later wearing only a bathing suit and a backpack, she questions if being on the show might be even worse than the #emmytrashtruck hate brigade she left back home. Then she meets her fellow cast members—including sexy, inscrutable Wes—and starts to reconsider, wondering if maybe money’s not all she stands to gain from this experience.

After a year of abysmal failures, this summer of cave treks, jungle hikes, impromptu talent shows, and a sexy flirtmance turns out to be just the thing to help Emmy rebuild her shattered confidence. She signed up for the show to hide from the mess her life had become, but this escape from reality might be just what she needs to find herself.

Dabney: I adore Keyes’ Charleston Thrashers series–those books are a perfect balance of romance and humor–so when this one came up for review, it was a no brainer to say yes.. That said,I don’t watch reality TV and I wasn’t sure whether or not I would find the setting interesting. ButI loathe baseball and that hatred didn’t keep me from enjoying the Thrashers books. What did you think about the worldbuilding in this book? 

Caroline: I didn’t feel that the reality TV setting was realistically developed. They do talk about cameras, the story is shaped by challenges and events, but I’m not even into reality TV much and I can tell you things that are left out. Nobody wears a mic pack. Nobody ever has to re-enact a conversation or event because of cameras. At one point, we know that another candidate was interviewed by producers, but we never see Emmy do a producer interview. It’s a bit wallpaper to me.

Dabney: I agree. I wish reality TV was like this–full of warm, smart, funny people–in general–who routinely care for one another more than they do the cameras! And I loved that Keyes made her show hilarious to read about. But, no, it is firmly in the fictional realm which, honestly, isn’t the worst. I’m not sure I’d be up for a romance where everything is manufactured and designed to manipulate the viewer. 

Caroline: Oh, yes, there’s none of the - to be honest, cruelty - that marks producer-participant relations on a lot of shows, where they try to provoke contestants into fighting and breaking down. My favorite part was the challenges. I love partners or teammates as a foundation for relationships, so it was nice to see Emmy and her partners work together.

Dabney: I too liked the challenges and all the teamwork. But, even more, I liked the humor. Keyes is funny and every few minutes I found myself snorting with laughter. And her humor isn’t ironic or compromised by judgment–the way she writes funny encompasses acceptance for all. That really works for me. 

Caroline: Yes. Even her “villain” had her moments of kindness. Of the secondary cast, I especially loved Tad. We stan a thoughtful himbo with a precise internal clock.

Dabney: It looks as though Tad will get his own book–here’s hoping. His story arc was lovely and had a sense of realness to it that some of the others didn’t. This is a book–which is kinda funny given that it’s about something as forced as a reality love show–that finding out who you really are. No one did that better than Tad. 

Caroline: I think it’s telling that we’ve reached this far in the conversation without talking about Emmy and the man she falls for. Their relationship is nice, but this is not a relationship-driven book. Neither protagonist is extremely complex, and they mostly grow or make relationship progress because of the show’s obstacles. 

Dabney: I guess I’d say this primary focus of this book is about the characters’ relationships with themselves. Emmy came onto the show with a bruised ego, a wreck of a work life, and a really crappy past love life. All of those things made her underestimate herself. Over the course of the book, she learned how great she was. That worked for me. This is a romance and I was rooting for Emmy to find true love but, more than that, I wanted Emmy to see herself as a winner. 

Caroline: I also felt that the pacing was off. So much of the early scenes with just Emmy could have been told in backstory or returned to in the show (treating her business struggles like her relationship with her ex), and entire days went by on the show without any narration or character interaction. 

Dabney: That didn’t register as much with me although I agree that the book certainly could have started with Emmy arriving on the show.

Caroline: It bugged me a bit that Panama was treated as an uninhabited jungle or resort, nothing in between. Actual people do live there.

Dabney: Well, I think it was for this show. But I hear you.

Caroline: This was a fun, fast read which definitely fits the bill for what a lot of people are looking for in the summer. I’d completely recommend it for a lighthearted poolside read. 

Dabney: I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am firmly in the camp that good romance novels can also be frothy and lesson free. This book is just a good time. It’s a B+ read for me. 

Caroline: I’d say B+. Highly recommended for a fun, light good time.

Buy it at Amazon
It's $2.99 as the pre-order price, but on release day (June 20) it'll go up to $4.99.
Visit our Amazon Storefront