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4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ARC Reading Vlog -- Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly & The Plus One by Mazey Eddings
~Thanks to Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Something Wild & Wonderful in exchange for an honest review. ~
GUYS, this was so damn cute! Both of these love interests are absolutely adorable!
We’ve got Alexei (or Lex, as only Ben calls him(be still my heart)) who’s dealing with the trauma of being disowned due to coming out as gay and has been struggling with his sexuality. He’s still trying to be comfortable as himself and is attempting to figure out on this hiking trip who the new Alexei will be. He’s full of fun nature facts and is tooth-achingly sweet. On the opposite side, we have Ben, who’s finally figured out a career path for himself but is worried that he’ll self-sabotage. He’s laid back and funny wears his heart on his sleeve, and charms every person they meet. While Ben is trying to keep from opening his heart to Alexei, Alexei is trying to do the same, because he doesn’t realize that Ben is also gay.
I love that this balances between a slow romance and two coming-of-age stories. Both characters are fleshed out and have solid personalities, their perspectives aren’t too similar to get confused, and their dynamic is adorable. They’re both just so sweet and have found solace in each other, first as friends and now as something more. Once they're officially a couple, I’ve just been squealing over the cute moments and sweet lines they say to each other. I’m so completely wrapped up in their romance, it’s ridiculous. The spice is also fantastic, 4 chilis worth.
Though, of course, there’s the looming concern about what will happen when they reach the end of the trail since Ben is from Nashville and Alexei is from Seattle. However, this did take me by surprise when there was a change in plans halfway through, which I appreciated, so it wasn’t too predictable. Although I was a bit frustrated with the third-act conflict that occurred due to a lack of communication, I also think it made sense for the characters and what we’ve seen of their personalities. Each of their actions did make sense for what had been created. It then led to some tear-worthy letters that made me pause and take a breath more than once. We really get to see more of Alexei’s struggles with his identity and his faith and his loss of his family because of those two things. There was one line that really made me stop because I nearly lost it crying.
The reunion was so damn sweet in different ways. The emotional healing both characters had done in their time apart made me have even more faith in their relationship. I had also been curious if Alexei was coded as autistic and his diagnosis allowing him to further understand his own identity made me love him all the more. I’m going to have to get my hands on a copy of this book so I can go back through and annotate all these heartwarming and adorable moments!
The atmosphere is also fantastic, really taking you on the trail with these two and describing the scenery spectacularly.
~Thanks to Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Something Wild & Wonderful in exchange for an honest review. ~
GUYS, this was so damn cute! Both of these love interests are absolutely adorable!
We’ve got Alexei (or Lex, as only Ben calls him(be still my heart)) who’s dealing with the trauma of being disowned due to coming out as gay and has been struggling with his sexuality. He’s still trying to be comfortable as himself and is attempting to figure out on this hiking trip who the new Alexei will be. He’s full of fun nature facts and is tooth-achingly sweet. On the opposite side, we have Ben, who’s finally figured out a career path for himself but is worried that he’ll self-sabotage. He’s laid back and funny wears his heart on his sleeve, and charms every person they meet. While Ben is trying to keep from opening his heart to Alexei, Alexei is trying to do the same, because he doesn’t realize that Ben is also gay.
I love that this balances between a slow romance and two coming-of-age stories. Both characters are fleshed out and have solid personalities, their perspectives aren’t too similar to get confused, and their dynamic is adorable. They’re both just so sweet and have found solace in each other, first as friends and now as something more. Once they're officially a couple, I’ve just been squealing over the cute moments and sweet lines they say to each other. I’m so completely wrapped up in their romance, it’s ridiculous. The spice is also fantastic, 4 chilis worth.
Though, of course, there’s the looming concern about what will happen when they reach the end of the trail since Ben is from Nashville and Alexei is from Seattle. However, this did take me by surprise when there was a change in plans halfway through, which I appreciated, so it wasn’t too predictable. Although I was a bit frustrated with the third-act conflict that occurred due to a lack of communication, I also think it made sense for the characters and what we’ve seen of their personalities. Each of their actions did make sense for what had been created. It then led to some tear-worthy letters that made me pause and take a breath more than once. We really get to see more of Alexei’s struggles with his identity and his faith and his loss of his family because of those two things. There was one line that really made me stop because I nearly lost it crying.
The reunion was so damn sweet in different ways. The emotional healing both characters had done in their time apart made me have even more faith in their relationship. I had also been curious if Alexei was coded as autistic and his diagnosis allowing him to further understand his own identity made me love him all the more. I’m going to have to get my hands on a copy of this book so I can go back through and annotate all these heartwarming and adorable moments!
The atmosphere is also fantastic, really taking you on the trail with these two and describing the scenery spectacularly.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really, really loved this! I'm not a huge fan of romance unless there's more to the story - Something Wild and Wonderful found the perfect balance between the excitement of new love and the excitement of the great outdoors. I fell in love with both Alexei and Ben, and really felt like I was out there on the Pacific Crest Trail. I'm not a hiker myself, but I'm fascinated by epic treks and will truly miss being out there on the trail within the pages of this beautiful book.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Something Wild and Wonderful by Anita Kelly might be in the running for my favorite romance of 2023, and it’s only March. This is the story of Alexei and Ben, both of whom are hiking the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail). They meet early on their solo adventures when Alexei stops Ben from accidentally stepping on a rattlesnake. From there they cross paths repeatedly till they begin to hike together - and they begin a relationship along the way.
For a short book I would call this a slow burn, and wow was it worth it and beautiful to watch. Alexei, who I felt was the most developed of the two main characters, reads very neuroatypical. He’s also struggling with the loss of his family. After coming out as gay his very conservative Russian parents cut him off. He meets Ben, who is a happy and lovingly wonderful person. Ben is attempting to put his life back together after a string of hearbreaks that lead to an abusive relationship and the fall out from that.
The little things are what truly made this for me. Alexei’s love of ornithology, and the inclusion of a Tamora Pierce book. Ben’s soft and constant humming and singing, all of it made the characters feel rich and real to me likely because those are all habits and loves of my own. The third act breakup as well was something that felt believable and warranted. Real life can get in the way of a dream romance, and this showed that well.
And have no fear! The story, while it takes place on a long hike up country does not feel so much like a hiking story. The setting is perfect, and we do get descriptions - when appropriate, of the hike but it is only the vehicle in which our characters are traveling. We are not swamped with details or focused on the trail.
Overall this is a powerful new romance. There are heavier moments and topics, and I’ll list those below, but for the most part it’s inspiring and uplifting. I’d recommend this to any fan of romance. Anita Kelly is quickly climbing my list of favorite authors - I expect more fantastic work from them!
For a short book I would call this a slow burn, and wow was it worth it and beautiful to watch. Alexei, who I felt was the most developed of the two main characters, reads very neuroatypical. He’s also struggling with the loss of his family. After coming out as gay his very conservative Russian parents cut him off. He meets Ben, who is a happy and lovingly wonderful person. Ben is attempting to put his life back together after a string of hearbreaks that lead to an abusive relationship and the fall out from that.
The little things are what truly made this for me. Alexei’s love of ornithology, and the inclusion of a Tamora Pierce book. Ben’s soft and constant humming and singing, all of it made the characters feel rich and real to me likely because those are all habits and loves of my own. The third act breakup as well was something that felt believable and warranted. Real life can get in the way of a dream romance, and this showed that well.
And have no fear! The story, while it takes place on a long hike up country does not feel so much like a hiking story. The setting is perfect, and we do get descriptions - when appropriate, of the hike but it is only the vehicle in which our characters are traveling. We are not swamped with details or focused on the trail.
Overall this is a powerful new romance. There are heavier moments and topics, and I’ll list those below, but for the most part it’s inspiring and uplifting. I’d recommend this to any fan of romance. Anita Kelly is quickly climbing my list of favorite authors - I expect more fantastic work from them!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Grief
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Emotional abuse
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
Listen. It’s time to admit that I’m not a great book reviewer. I can’t identify always what I loved. All I know is I loved it.
And y’all. I LOVED this book. Pulled out my kindle even if I only had a literal minute, finished it in 48 hours or less even though I’m a parent to a toddler, LOVED this book.
Alexei and Ben meet through-hiking the Pacific Coast Trail (PCT - the one from Wild by Cheryl Strayed portrayed by Reese Witherspoon - that PCT). They are both just the sweetest, purest humans and form an unlikely connection quickly. Alexei is recovering from religious trauma after coming out, and Ben is seeking to prove that he can accomplish something hard and make GOOD decisions. The joy they find together, the care they have for each other, the way they relate to the world differently and each see the beauty in the other’s way of being - they are just too good for this world and I love them so much.
Highly highly recommend. Content warnings - homophobia, religious trauma, open door sex scenes.
And y’all. I LOVED this book. Pulled out my kindle even if I only had a literal minute, finished it in 48 hours or less even though I’m a parent to a toddler, LOVED this book.
Alexei and Ben meet through-hiking the Pacific Coast Trail (PCT - the one from Wild by Cheryl Strayed portrayed by Reese Witherspoon - that PCT). They are both just the sweetest, purest humans and form an unlikely connection quickly. Alexei is recovering from religious trauma after coming out, and Ben is seeking to prove that he can accomplish something hard and make GOOD decisions. The joy they find together, the care they have for each other, the way they relate to the world differently and each see the beauty in the other’s way of being - they are just too good for this world and I love them so much.
Highly highly recommend. Content warnings - homophobia, religious trauma, open door sex scenes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes