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daisy1_f's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
Minor: Dementia, Terminal illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Chronic illness, Medical content, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Sexual content, and Religious bigotry
kelly_e's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Title: Something Wild & Wonderful
Author: Anita Kelly
Series: Love & Other Disaster #2
Genre: Romance
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: March 7, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Untamed • Affectionate •
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Alexei Lebedev’s journey on the Pacific Crest Trail begins with a single snake. And it is angling for the hot stranger who seemed to have appeared out of thin air. Lex is prepared for rattlesnakes, blisters, and months of solitude. What he isn’t prepared for is Ben Caravalho. But somehow—on a 2,500-mile trail—Alexei keeps running into the outgoing and charismatic hiker with golden-brown eyes, again and again.
Ben has made his fair share of bad decisions, and almost all of them involved beautiful men. And yet there’s something about the gorgeous and quietly nerdy Alexei that Ben can’t just walk away from. Surely a bad decision can’t be this cute and smart.
💭 T H O U G H T S
When a trusted book friend described and raved about this book, I instantly added it to my TBR and placed a hold through my library. When my hold finally came through I dropped everything to jump in. At the time, I was in quite a reading slump and Something Wild & Wonderful definitely changed that. I could not put this book down and fell absolutely in love with this story!
As an outdoor enthusiast myself, the Western wilderness of the Pacific Crest Trail was immediately transporting. The imagery - from the desert to the mountains, from the trees to the birds - all of it came to life. At times I even felt like I was taking the journey alongside Alexei. And as other readers have said, it certainly made me want to go hiking and see parts of the PCT.
But it is the characters that truly make this book shine! While I can safely say Alexei and Ben are opposites, they both are facing their respective life challenges. The heartbreaking reality of Alexei's reason for embarking on the journey evoked great emotion and I just felt an instant connection to his quiet, introverted character. The two men come together to help each other in ways they weren't even aware of and in the process being to heal. Ben's family and friends were also just wonderful.
The writing comes together in a tender and compassionate manner creating a purely magical story. The plot just made me heart happy. And even though the romance does happen fairly quick, yet it felt believable and sincere. There's no doubt Something Wild & Wonderful will be on my 2023 favourites list. It took me by utter surprise just how much I adored this book and it definitely made me was to explore more of Anita Kelly's work. I'd also be completely okay if Alexei and Ben got a sequel at some point.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• M/M romance enthusiast
• fans of Allison Cochrun
• readers who likes adventure
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Being still was powerful."
"There will also never be anyone else to take the place of my parents. Some parts of myself will always be missing. But you taught me I can find people. That there will be other people I meet in my life who will understand me. Who will love me. Who will show me how wonderful and surprising the world can be."
"Moving forward was different from running away."
Author: Anita Kelly
Series: Love & Other Disaster #2
Genre: Romance
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: March 7, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Untamed • Affectionate •
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Alexei Lebedev’s journey on the Pacific Crest Trail begins with a single snake. And it is angling for the hot stranger who seemed to have appeared out of thin air. Lex is prepared for rattlesnakes, blisters, and months of solitude. What he isn’t prepared for is Ben Caravalho. But somehow—on a 2,500-mile trail—Alexei keeps running into the outgoing and charismatic hiker with golden-brown eyes, again and again.
Ben has made his fair share of bad decisions, and almost all of them involved beautiful men. And yet there’s something about the gorgeous and quietly nerdy Alexei that Ben can’t just walk away from. Surely a bad decision can’t be this cute and smart.
💭 T H O U G H T S
When a trusted book friend described and raved about this book, I instantly added it to my TBR and placed a hold through my library. When my hold finally came through I dropped everything to jump in. At the time, I was in quite a reading slump and Something Wild & Wonderful definitely changed that. I could not put this book down and fell absolutely in love with this story!
As an outdoor enthusiast myself, the Western wilderness of the Pacific Crest Trail was immediately transporting. The imagery - from the desert to the mountains, from the trees to the birds - all of it came to life. At times I even felt like I was taking the journey alongside Alexei. And as other readers have said, it certainly made me want to go hiking and see parts of the PCT.
But it is the characters that truly make this book shine! While I can safely say Alexei and Ben are opposites, they both are facing their respective life challenges. The heartbreaking reality of Alexei's reason for embarking on the journey evoked great emotion and I just felt an instant connection to his quiet, introverted character. The two men come together to help each other in ways they weren't even aware of and in the process being to heal. Ben's family and friends were also just wonderful.
The writing comes together in a tender and compassionate manner creating a purely magical story. The plot just made me heart happy. And even though the romance does happen fairly quick, yet it felt believable and sincere. There's no doubt Something Wild & Wonderful will be on my 2023 favourites list. It took me by utter surprise just how much I adored this book and it definitely made me was to explore more of Anita Kelly's work. I'd also be completely okay if Alexei and Ben got a sequel at some point.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• M/M romance enthusiast
• fans of Allison Cochrun
• readers who likes adventure
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Being still was powerful."
"There will also never be anyone else to take the place of my parents. Some parts of myself will always be missing. But you taught me I can find people. That there will be other people I meet in my life who will understand me. Who will love me. Who will show me how wonderful and surprising the world can be."
"Moving forward was different from running away."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Homophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Abandonment, Religious bigotry, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Dementia, Gaslighting, Death, and Sexual assault
familial estrangementavidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.75
This was a more difficult romance to read since it dealt with some tough topics. But I did enjoy it. The narrator was pretty good. However, I got annoyed at the MCs at some points when they did things that frustrated me. I did like the fact it has a neurodivergent MC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Grief, and Homophobia
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Toxic relationship and Ableism
leahkarge's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Religious bigotry, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, and Mental illness
meganpbennett's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
I picked up a copy of Something Wild & Wonderful at the Hachette table at a library conference. I'd read a few reviews of it in librarian trade journals, and thought it would be an interesting read. It was. It was a very good trail log, making me wonder how many of the situations within the story happened to the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Cursing, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Grief
imstephtacular's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Medical content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Dementia, Racism, Blood, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Chronic illness, Death, and Outing
buttermellow's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Dementia and Toxic relationship
bookishmillennial's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
OH MY GOSH DID THIS BOOK SURPRISE ME!!!!!!
I adored Love & Other Disasters -- I am a simp for London & Dahlia. I am also an avid cooking competition show watcher so the setting was everything for me. This led me to feel kind of underwhelmed with the setting of this book (AT FIRST!!!! Let me finish!!!), which takes place on the Pacific Crest Trail for the most part, with interludes in Nashville, Tennessee & Portland, Oregon (both places that I adore). I am *not* an outdoors hiking gworly so admittedly, I was not as enamored with the scenery as Alexei was. HOWEVER, THIS BECAME A BEAUTIFUL, MOVING SLOW BURN AND IT MADE ME WANT TO HIKE! WHO AM I?!??!!??!!?
I grew up as a Roman Catholic - I attended private Catholic school from kindergarten to 8th grade, I went to church every Sunday with my family, & I grew up in a bubble, thinking everyone else was Catholic or believed in God/Jesus/Heaven too. I have since then redefined my spirituality and my relationship with the universe/a higher power. I am bisexual, which also took some time to proudly and wholly admit, so I deeply connected to Alexei's inner turmoil as he sifted through the dirt that was his parent's disowning of him & his religious trauma, to find the diamonds in the reality of his new life, post-parents (I really tried with that metaphor lmao. I'm not a writer, just a passionate reader). My parents never disowned me, but I also never declared my sexuality to them. They follow me on social media & my bookstagram/booktok so if they have watched my videos, they know but it's not something we have ever talked about. Anyway, though our situations differ, I have mentally and emotionally been where Alexei has been, wanting to create Brittany 2.0 in the hopes that I could leave the pain and heartbreak of Brittany 1.0 behind. I cannot thank Anita enough for infusing such care, hope, nuance and love into Alexei's arc. Those letters at the end?! I am still crying.
Ben, on the other hand, oh my goodness. Major golden retriever energy and I could not get enough. The sunshine to Alexei's grumpy. I loved both of these characters' reasons for hiking this intimidating, infamous trail! Again, I am not a hiking bb but I loved the messaging behind this both literal and metaphorical journey that it took them on! Gosh, I am so emotional over this book and I really thought it would be a flop during the first 50 pages.
I wish Anita didn't use the phrasing of "Ben was always the one to spazz out," just because I know it can be interpreted as harmful/offensive. Besides that though, I adored this book. I adored Alexei's acceptance of not only himself, but of what his "new normal" could look like without the love or acceptance of his parents. I loved Ben's reflections on what he deserves, & that grand gesture?!?!?!!? I AM FERAL!!!! The steam was a solid 2/5 -- gimme more next time please hahaha.
Otherwise, I will continue to read everything Anita writes. They are amazing. Incredible. Spectacular. And their bio mentions they want you to adopt a dog -- OKAY ANITA, I WILL!!!!! (must discuss with the doggo currently in the household tho lolol)
cw: homophobia, religious trauma, intrusive thoughts, (never named but I'm pretty sure Alexei experienced panic attacks or bouts of anxiety on-page)
I adored Love & Other Disasters -- I am a simp for London & Dahlia. I am also an avid cooking competition show watcher so the setting was everything for me. This led me to feel kind of underwhelmed with the setting of this book (AT FIRST!!!! Let me finish!!!), which takes place on the Pacific Crest Trail for the most part, with interludes in Nashville, Tennessee & Portland, Oregon (both places that I adore). I am *not* an outdoors hiking gworly so admittedly, I was not as enamored with the scenery as Alexei was. HOWEVER, THIS BECAME A BEAUTIFUL, MOVING SLOW BURN AND IT MADE ME WANT TO HIKE! WHO AM I?!??!!??!!?
I grew up as a Roman Catholic - I attended private Catholic school from kindergarten to 8th grade, I went to church every Sunday with my family, & I grew up in a bubble, thinking everyone else was Catholic or believed in God/Jesus/Heaven too. I have since then redefined my spirituality and my relationship with the universe/a higher power. I am bisexual, which also took some time to proudly and wholly admit, so I deeply connected to Alexei's inner turmoil as he sifted through the dirt that was his parent's disowning of him & his religious trauma, to find the diamonds in the reality of his new life, post-parents (I really tried with that metaphor lmao. I'm not a writer, just a passionate reader). My parents never disowned me, but I also never declared my sexuality to them. They follow me on social media & my bookstagram/booktok so if they have watched my videos, they know but it's not something we have ever talked about. Anyway, though our situations differ, I have mentally and emotionally been where Alexei has been, wanting to create Brittany 2.0 in the hopes that I could leave the pain and heartbreak of Brittany 1.0 behind. I cannot thank Anita enough for infusing such care, hope, nuance and love into Alexei's arc. Those letters at the end?! I am still crying.
Ben, on the other hand, oh my goodness. Major golden retriever energy and I could not get enough. The sunshine to Alexei's grumpy. I loved both of these characters' reasons for hiking this intimidating, infamous trail! Again, I am not a hiking bb but I loved the messaging behind this both literal and metaphorical journey that it took them on! Gosh, I am so emotional over this book and I really thought it would be a flop during the first 50 pages.
I wish Anita didn't use the phrasing of "Ben was always the one to spazz out," just because I know it can be interpreted as harmful/offensive. Besides that though, I adored this book. I adored Alexei's acceptance of not only himself, but of what his "new normal" could look like without the love or acceptance of his parents. I loved Ben's reflections on what he deserves, & that grand gesture?!?!?!!? I AM FERAL!!!! The steam was a solid 2/5 -- gimme more next time please hahaha.
Otherwise, I will continue to read everything Anita writes. They are amazing. Incredible. Spectacular. And their bio mentions they want you to adopt a dog -- OKAY ANITA, I WILL!!!!! (must discuss with the doggo currently in the household tho lolol)
cw: homophobia, religious trauma, intrusive thoughts, (never named but I'm pretty sure Alexei experienced panic attacks or bouts of anxiety on-page)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
rickireadss's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an earc!
ANITA HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!! they have made me fall head over heels with two mcs and had me going through all the emotions. i absolutely loved this even more than book 1 - i think i could read 1000+ more pages of alexei and ben just doing mundane stuff. this also made me kinda want to go hiking?? although i’m the least outdoorsy person EVER so do with that what you will. i just really enjoyed every second - the emotional journeys both alexei and ben were on were heartbreaking and again, had me feeling all the emotions. i just love them both so much, and i cannot wait for julie’s book!!!
⚠️: homophobia, religion and strict religious upbringing, religious bigotry, toxic relationships (past), panic attacks/disorders, injury/injury detail, death, dementia, homophobic slurs, familial estrangement due to queer identity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Panic attacks/disorders, and Homophobia
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death and Dementia
cluckieduck's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.0
Don't be fooled by the cute blurb - this deals with some pretty heavy stuff.
I had originally rated this as 3⭐ but think it deserves to be rounded up to 4⭐ because as I've had some time to collect my thoughts, I have to say, it's been niggling at me for a couple of weeks now. Something Wild & Wonderful is the loveliest of slow burns as you journey with Alexei as he trek along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). For Alexei, this is "a chance to say good-bye to his old life...to find a bit of peace before he started over." Unfortunately (or not), a chance encounter with the enigmatic Ben throws his plans off the cliff and Alexei finds much more than peace during his months-long journey on the PCT.
While the narrative shifts POVs between the two male leads, this is very much Alexei's story, and it is a story fraught with homophobia, abandonment, grief, & insecurities. I found the trauma of his religious upbringing was handled exceedingly well and it was heartbreaking.
"You raised me to believe that family and faith were everything. How can you take that away from me and not expect me to crumble?
[Y]ou might have been the one to bring me to church, Dad. But I got to know faith on my own. And your interpretation of God is a tragedy."
Each mile gained along the PCT expands Alexei's character and it was lovely to journey alongside him as he developed a tender, sweet relationship with Ben. "Alexei was a butterfly, just emerging from his chrysalis, and he was showing Ben his wings. Ben couldn't turn away from that." That's not to say that Ben is overlooked - he's also on the PCT for personal reasons as he closes in on 30 and is looking to become a more grounded, responsible person.
The setting itself is like another character and I loved the details about the PCT, the hiking community, and birding - things I'm completely unaware of but found really interesting based on the level of detail and care as they were presented with. It was a perfect backdrop to the tumultuous lived experiences & growth that both Alexei & Ben go through.
The last 20% was really unique for a romance novel. It's not a typical third-act conflict, but I don't want to get too spoilery in my review, so I'll just say that it's a heartbreaking and realistic turn of events and adding the epistolary choice of narrative was a deft touch.
All in all, if you love a slow-burn, feelings-filled romance with found family elements - this is the book for you.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I had originally rated this as 3⭐ but think it deserves to be rounded up to 4⭐ because as I've had some time to collect my thoughts, I have to say, it's been niggling at me for a couple of weeks now. Something Wild & Wonderful is the loveliest of slow burns as you journey with Alexei as he trek along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). For Alexei, this is "a chance to say good-bye to his old life...to find a bit of peace before he started over." Unfortunately (or not), a chance encounter with the enigmatic Ben throws his plans off the cliff and Alexei finds much more than peace during his months-long journey on the PCT.
While the narrative shifts POVs between the two male leads, this is very much Alexei's story, and it is a story fraught with homophobia, abandonment, grief, & insecurities. I found the trauma of his religious upbringing was handled exceedingly well and it was heartbreaking.
"You raised me to believe that family and faith were everything. How can you take that away from me and not expect me to crumble?
[Y]ou might have been the one to bring me to church, Dad. But I got to know faith on my own. And your interpretation of God is a tragedy."
Each mile gained along the PCT expands Alexei's character and it was lovely to journey alongside him as he developed a tender, sweet relationship with Ben. "Alexei was a butterfly, just emerging from his chrysalis, and he was showing Ben his wings. Ben couldn't turn away from that." That's not to say that Ben is overlooked - he's also on the PCT for personal reasons as he closes in on 30 and is looking to become a more grounded, responsible person.
The setting itself is like another character and I loved the details about the PCT, the hiking community, and birding - things I'm completely unaware of but found really interesting based on the level of detail and care as they were presented with. It was a perfect backdrop to the tumultuous lived experiences & growth that both Alexei & Ben go through.
The last 20% was really unique for a romance novel. It's not a typical third-act conflict, but I don't want to get too spoilery in my review, so I'll just say that it's a heartbreaking and realistic turn of events and adding the epistolary choice of narrative was a deft touch.
All in all, if you love a slow-burn, feelings-filled romance with found family elements - this is the book for you.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail