1.61k reviews for:

Something Wild & Wonderful

Anita Kelly

4.31 AVERAGE

the_boozy_baking_bibliophile's review against another edition

4.0

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I just love Anita Kelly and the amazing queer representation they wrote. This one follows two very different men who find each other and a lot more while hiking the PCT. I adored the back and forth of their story, from Alexei’s quiet yet capable nature to Ben’s boisterous yet anxious demeanor. I shed a few tears while reading their letters…truly a great story about finding your people and loving them hard. 

averybarbee's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective 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

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Alexei had so much growth throughout this book and while he hurt Ben, it was all understandable with his trauma. 

The letters they wrote, but didn't always send, were perfection.

I cried so much while reading this, but it was so worth it!

caseythereader's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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: No

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Thanks to Forever for the free advance copy of this book.

 - What a gift SOMETHING WILD AND WONDERFUL is. It pulls of the balancing act of dealing with very real homophobia and giving the characters real queer joy.
- Kelly excels at writing characters who care so deeply for each other, for all their quirks and complicated personal histories. I particularly loved being there with Alexei while he tried to figure out his new relationship to faith and church.
- This is also the rare romance novel that didn't have me rolling my eyes and speeding through the third act breakup. The way Alexei and Ben worked through it was so beautiful and precious.
- And! We also get to see Dahlia and London from LOVE AND OTHER DISASTERS! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Sexual content, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Dementia

elijah9715's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

eicart_reads's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

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Alexei and Ben meet while they are hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail. Alexei is looking forward to a solitary 2,500-mile hike. He wants to process recent (upsetting) events, leave his old life behind, find some peace and answers, and start over with a new life as Alexei 2.0.

Ben is there to challenge himself and have this last big adventure before he settles down in his new career as a nurse. He’s not happy with past Ben who had unsatisfying jobs, failed relationships, and made bad decisions (especially about men.) Hiking the trail will fill him with pride and accomplishment and let him springboard into his new life. 

Alexei isn’t looking for a hiking companion. Ben isn’t looking to be tempted by a handsome guy. Alexei is quiet, awkward, anxious, introverted, and kinda grumpy. Ben is talkative, outgoing, extroverted, and full of sunshine! (They’re perfect for each other.)

I loved their journeys, both physically hiking the trail and the emotional paths they travel. The varying sense of place as they trek is wonderful. I know I’ll never hike the PCT, but I got a small taste of it through their eyes. The author gives Alexei and Ben space to process past trauma, room to grow, and time after their conflict to do the emotional labor needed to be ready to come back together. This time apart was so heartbreaking yet necessary, and I loved how the author structured this section of the book. Ben and Alexei’s happy ending is so well earned and worth every heartbreak along the way!

I received an ARC from NetGalley. This is my unbiased review.

lynnedf's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny hopeful relaxing sad 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: No

mrlzbth's review against another edition

4.25

emotional funny hopeful 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

rustypumpkin's review against another edition

5.0

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Wow this was so good. I could tell immediately that i would love alexei and ben individually and together. i know a character has latched itself onto my heart when i want to protect them, and alexei was that for me. and ben was a good caretaker of his heart. it was also so nice to see Dahlia and London again.

this book made me miss california.

just grateful i got to spend my day reading a book like this.

ellaminnowpea84's review against another edition

3.75

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

missb_reads's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes