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4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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
adventurous
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I adored this story! Ben and Lex are just so well written and you can almost feel like you are hiking right along with them on the Pacific Coast Trail. And while I initially thought the inevitable argument/issue/thing the couple works through to find their HEA was ridiculous when I read it, by the end of the story it sat right with me. Like, at first it didn't seem to fit well, but then it suddenly did.
Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes queer romance, or hiking, or nature.
And as I sit here gushing about this book I keep coming up with new things I loved about it.
This book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes queer romance, or hiking, or nature.
And as I sit here gushing about this book I keep coming up with new things I loved about it.
This book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Something Wild & Wonderful is a soft, sweet story that feels like a cozy blanket on a mild summer day.
I thoroughly enjoyed Alexei and Ben's stories. Their story in finding one another. Tagging along as they not only made their way through the PCT but through their own personal journeys was such a joy. And while not every part of their journey was easy, they stayed so honest with themselves and with one another. I remain completely entranced by Anita Kelly's ability to craft such beautiful characters who compliment one another so well. Who make me swoon and giggle and wish I could meet them in real life.
SW&W contains mental health rep, queer rep, a diverse cast, inclusive language, beautiful and descriptive scenery, and a careful handling of important topics in our daily lives.
4.5⭐️
2.5🌶
Thank you NetGalley, Anita Kelly, and Hachette Book Group for an ARC of Something Wild & Wonderful in exchange for my honest review!
I thoroughly enjoyed Alexei and Ben's stories. Their story in finding one another. Tagging along as they not only made their way through the PCT but through their own personal journeys was such a joy. And while not every part of their journey was easy, they stayed so honest with themselves and with one another. I remain completely entranced by Anita Kelly's ability to craft such beautiful characters who compliment one another so well. Who make me swoon and giggle and wish I could meet them in real life.
SW&W contains mental health rep, queer rep, a diverse cast, inclusive language, beautiful and descriptive scenery, and a careful handling of important topics in our daily lives.
4.5⭐️
2.5🌶
Thank you NetGalley, Anita Kelly, and Hachette Book Group for an ARC of Something Wild & Wonderful in exchange for my honest review!
Positives:
- Snake. “Snake.”
- We love a bird nerd
- I enjoyed their silence
- Alexei has mom friend energy
- Really sweet that he helped Ben with snow anxiety
- NICKNAME ALERT pls stop
- Yeahh once you notice someone’s back-of-the-neck muscles, it’s game over
- Big boo to Alexei’s parents
- Ben is clearly upset about Alex’s parents
- I want to wrap Lex in blankets & protect him at all costs
- LEX READ TO BEN OUT LOUD HELP
- Yes to weird sad dinosaurs & Burger King
- I think an imminent coyote threat is one of the most original one bed scenes
- Their zero day date 🥹🥹
- Alexei JUST TALK ABOUT YOUR DAMN FEELINGS
- The cutest reunion (I really need to read Tamora Pierce)
- A+ smut
- Meeting the fam 🥹🥹
- I could feel Alexei’s anxiety spiral after he left puzzling with Luis & it broke my heart
- Alexei you absolute walnut you CANT JUST LEAVE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
- Ben’s anger is justified
- ALEXEI YOU ARE NOT BROKEN
- These letters are gut-wrenching, Anita Kelly. How dare you.
- Alina 5ever
- THE TATTOO THIS BOOK IS TRYING TO KILL ME
Negatives:
- switch to written correspondence was a bit jarring
- Didn’t love keeping track of what was actually sent vs not sent
Reading this book was so comforting and encouraging. Anita Kelley brings together two deeply flawed and broken people who help show one another how while they already are. I just….it’s so…..ALEXEI. BEN.
There are so many moments that will make you swoon and blush, and they are all written with such tenderness and thoughtfulness.
“But you never wanted to change me. You were always just you. Wanting just me.”
Thank you @anitakelly, @netgalley and @ for the eARC. Something Wild & Wonderful is out March 7 and I can’t wait for you to read it. Anyone wanna go for a hike?
CW: homophobia, familial estrangement, religious trauma, instant coffee
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
There are so many moments that will make you swoon and blush, and they are all written with such tenderness and thoughtfulness.
“But you never wanted to change me. You were always just you. Wanting just me.”
Thank you @anitakelly, @netgalley and @ for the eARC. Something Wild & Wonderful is out March 7 and I can’t wait for you to read it. Anyone wanna go for a hike?
CW: homophobia, familial estrangement, religious trauma, instant coffee
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This title publishes March 7, 2023.
This book gave me peace. It was absolutely my favorite romance book of 2022.
Alexei and Ben meet on the Pacific Coast Trail while they are both at a crossroads in their own lives. They spend the book hiking the trail while also finding the best version of themselves and figuring out what’s next for them on their life journey.
Alexei - has just come out to his parents, is working on healing religious trauma, is neurodivergent, and is deciding where to live after he finishes the trail.
Ben - has just passed his Nurse accreditation exam, has a large accepting family, is navigating healing from his past relationships, and is deciding where to start his nursing career.
Just like the characters took their time on their hiking journey, I took my time reading this book and enjoyed my time spent on this healing journey with Alexei and Ben. I enjoyed the slow pacing and emotional healing throughout. I enjoyed the care with which the author developed their characters. I enjoyed how the characters focused on individual self-improvement while also improving their romantic relationship.
I would recommend this to readers who want a cute swoony romance with more serious emotional healing topics discussed throughout.
This book gave me peace. It was absolutely my favorite romance book of 2022.
Alexei and Ben meet on the Pacific Coast Trail while they are both at a crossroads in their own lives. They spend the book hiking the trail while also finding the best version of themselves and figuring out what’s next for them on their life journey.
Alexei - has just come out to his parents, is working on healing religious trauma, is neurodivergent, and is deciding where to live after he finishes the trail.
Ben - has just passed his Nurse accreditation exam, has a large accepting family, is navigating healing from his past relationships, and is deciding where to start his nursing career.
Just like the characters took their time on their hiking journey, I took my time reading this book and enjoyed my time spent on this healing journey with Alexei and Ben. I enjoyed the slow pacing and emotional healing throughout. I enjoyed the care with which the author developed their characters. I enjoyed how the characters focused on individual self-improvement while also improving their romantic relationship.
I would recommend this to readers who want a cute swoony romance with more serious emotional healing topics discussed throughout.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Religious bigotry
Minor: Death, Toxic relationship