Reviews

Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly

death_by_cliffhanger's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I can’t even pinpoint what exactly made me hooked on this book. This couple was lovely and I wanted to see them grow and they made my heart break and go back together. I don’t cry often with books but there were a couple of moments. Love love love. 

heidifuglevand's review against another edition

medium-paced

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

4.0

mooonyaa's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

pratty97's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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? N/A

4.5

This is not a cute little gay rom-com, as someone in IG suggested me. Its the story of two guys who go on a trail to deal with certain personal stuff

- Alexei after coming out to his parents is disowned by them and then lost his job; Ben had a series of past bad relationships and messed up life that is finally on track

. Its quite amazing how they find each other because they are not just each others support system but discover and learn a lot from the trail and from each other. Though initially Alexei is reserved and Ben reaches out to him in some ways, they gradually open up and get to know each other better - the good, bad and the ugly. Its a nice, sweet and slow read. Heavy at parts but the author handles it with utmost care.

andyparr's review against another edition

emotional 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

4.25

exquisite_tragedy's review against another edition

4.0

Tropes/Themes:
-MM contemporary romance
-Adventurous meet cute (they meet while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail)
-Opposites attract
-Instant attraction to slow burn romance
-Hurt/comfort
-Epistolary moments
-Mental health and neurodivergent rep
-Deals with some pretty heavy topics, so be sure to check trigger warnings
-Dual POV
-Standalone

This dealt with some pretty heavy themes, but the romance itself was so sweet!!

CWs for family estrangement due to queer identity, extreme religious view and strict religious upbringing, homophobia, conversations about Alzheimer’s/dementia

Story: 4/5
Audiobook: 3/5 (narrated by Mark Sanderlin)
Length 10h34min

moll_ereads's review against another edition

5.0

Oh my god??? I feel like ive been putting this one off for ages and more fool me because it is absolutely WONDERFUL!?! So well written, all the dialogue and character interactions felt so natural and realistic.

So tender and beautiful I just absolutely loved Ben and Alexei's story so much

ki_cher_07's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted tense medium-paced

4.75

farrington's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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

4.75

lauraelovesbooks's review against another edition

emotional 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

A wholesome lovely read with two cinnamon roll characters we should protect at all cost

Normally I get bored with books like this because I don’t usually like when two characters both like each other right away, but this book had enough emotions to make up for the lack of angst 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry and Homophobia

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Dementia