Reviews with content warning for Blood - Something Wild & Wonderful

I read this in one sitting and stayed up till 4am to finish this. Absolutely beautiful book that made me smile, laugh, and cry. There’s just such a sense of joy, sadness, and healing. I loved the characters and I respected their decisions which ultimately just made them a healthier couple. Amazing book.

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avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition

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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.

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shelvesofivy's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

From the moment I saw that one of the main characters was autistic, grew up in a homophobic environment, and left the religion that controlled his childhood, I knew that this book would throw a mirror at my face and punch me in the gut. And I was right! It did so in a way that was simultaneously beautiful and heartwrenching. I still don't truly have the words to describe how much of myself I saw in Alexei. Even though this was a romance, it felt like so much more. Even though this won't be the case for everyone who reads it, this story felt like healing, in a roundabout way.
But of course, the romance itself was also lovely!! Whenever characters start falling for each other and mutually pining while being either oblivious and/or stubborn about it, I eat it up! And this delivered that in spades in at least the first half-ish of the book.
I do have way more thoughts on this, but don't know how to articulate them. All I can really say is that this book has easily become one of my favorites ♡

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imstephtacular's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

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lost_windsock's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

This book was so full of deeply emotional moments. Alexei's pain at being disowned, Ben's feelings of inadequacy, and their combined struggles to do what felt right for them. The need to be alone versus the pull to be together. It was fun seeing London and Dahlia again, and all of the hiking friends they made along the way gave so much depth to the story. The letters in end about broke my heart, but the actual ending was so sweet and perfect.

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ashleystory's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.0

Something Wild & Wonderful was a beautiful, emotional story about finding love - both the love from another and the love for your queer self.

Alexei is a recently out gay man who is determined to create Alexei 2.0, to be better, bigger, and experience more. I loved him so much, his special interest in birds and their calls, his spreadsheets and GPS tracker. I loved seeing him literally navigate the Pacific Crest Trail and his relationship with Ben and others that he meets on the trail.

Ben is a whirlwind of energy and had the biggest open heart and I want all the good things for him always. I love how he found peace and quiet with Alexei, how he was vulnerable and strong. I loved seeing him realize his dreams and his decision to put himself out there over and over.

There are a lot of ups and down for my sweet babies. I cried several times, this is marketed as rom-com and there are so many comedic moments, and it's one of the most sincere and emotional rom-coms. Is rom-dram-com a genre? This might be more a contemporary romance with comedic moments.

This is the second book in Anita Kelly's Love & Other Disasters series and even though I haven't read the first one yet, it didn't take away anything from the story. You do meet the two MCs from Love & Other Disasters, but you do not need to know anything to enjoy the banter and the friendship.

If you enjoy the grumpy and sunshine trope, gays on a hiking trail, family hurt/comfort, found family, and lots of emotional vulnerability and pining, I do recommend this one.

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caseythereader's review

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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

5.0

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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