3.84 AVERAGE

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-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

kdhmhmm's review

4.0

I’d rate 3.5 stars if I could. It’s good. I like both characters. They just felt very young and somehow naive.
stephanieam's profile picture

stephanieam's review

4.0
adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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: Yes
beckymmoe's profile picture

beckymmoe's review

5.0

A while back I heard a vicious rumor that *some people* might love Brody of [b:Walk on the Wilder Side|58119904|Walk on the Wilder Side (Wilder Adventures, #2)|Serena Bell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1628264904l/58119904._SX50_.jpg|91094281] even more as a hero than they loved his older brother Gabe from [b:Make Me Wilder|57865881|Make Me Wilder (Wilder Adventures, #1)|Serena Bell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1619482708l/57865881._SY75_.jpg|89845109]. Surely, I thought, that cannot be. Better than Gabe? Sacrilege! Who could possibly be a better hero than Gabe Wilder?

Apparently, Brody Wilder, that's who. I have become a convert.

I mean...

Let's put aside the tattoos and the motorcycle and the bad boy scowl and focus instead on his fly tying (creating a type of fishing lure, for everyone who didn't grow up with a dad like mine). His quick recovery when he realizes the girly sales party on his boat is actually selling "relationship enhancement products" (yes, it's exactly what you're thinking. Unless my grandma is reading this, in which case I have no idea what Rachel was selling). His diaper ninja abilities and how he knows his way around a Baby Bijorn. The way he is really trying his best for the family business, even as he's convinced that no one--especially Brody, it turns out--believes his best can possibly be good enough.

And--OMFG--the way he notices--and loves!--all of the different "Rachel smiles"? So. Much. Swoon. I mean, I can't even.

Rachel and Brody's story is a brother's-best-friend, starting over, good girl/bad boy, unrequited love (times two, it turns out--the absolute best kind!) story. It is sweet, and funny, and sexy as all heck, and if you don't tear up just a little at least once or twice while reading it then I just don't know if we can be friends. (Gah, that last bit right before the epilogue? I just about lost it. I can't even say I'm staying unaffected right now while only writing about it. Darn you, Serena Bell!)

Walk on the Wilder Side is the second book in the Wilder Adventures series, and though it absolutely can be read as a standalone, I cannot stress enough how wonderful all of the Wilder siblings are. Do yourself a favor and plan on reading them all--Gabe and Brody's are out now, and Clark's is coming in April...though rumor has it there might just be a Wilder story in the upcoming [b:Tinsel and Tatas: A Holiday Romantic Comedy Anthology|58794189|Tinsel and Tatas A Holiday Romantic Comedy Anthology|Kilby Blades|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1629211821l/58794189._SY75_.jpg|92581565] too, which *might* tide us over while we wait for Ms Bell to finish the other brothers' books... ;)

Maybe. I mean, at least she has a backlist...

...speaking of which, for longtime readers of [a:Serena Bell|6600927|Serena Bell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1359665648p2/6600927.jpg]--keep your eyes peeled for the teensiest of crossovers here with her Tierney Bay series. Blink and you might miss it, but it's a fun little mention!

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Loveable characters: Yes

 I picked up this book after reading Make Me Wilder, hoping that the series would improve—and it did! Knowing that the first book fell a bit short of my expectations, this second one completely won me over. An adult romance beyond comparison.
We have mature themes being addressed seriously, with a touch of humor. There’s also female empowerment and adults actually behaving like adults when it comes to problem-solving. This last aspect, in particular, takes on another dimension in this book due to its context. In many other books dealing with sensitive topics, we often see characters acting irrationally and making impulsive decisions. Here, there is thoughtfulness and seriousness in the way problems are handled, elevating this book to another level.
For these reasons, along with the high dose of humor that keeps us wanting more and more, this is a 5-star book for me. 

calandra_hudson's review

4.0
funny hopeful lighthearted 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: Yes

jonkerkat's review

5.0

Thank you NetGalley and Jelsba Media Group for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

5/5 stars

This can be read as standalone! I didn’t read book 1 and I didn’t feel like I missed anything (besides an amazing love story). This book was full of fun surprises!! Rachel and Brody had a fun childhood crush to lovers storyline. Rachel was upset with her life being turned upside down but she was making the best of it. It was funny how she got roped into the romance selling business.

I loved the added storyline of what her mom and was selling. And what Rachel ended up selling. I loved the beginning when Brody had no idea what he was getting into. As the reader I had no idea what I was getting into! :D I think it added a fun and interesting element to the storyline.

I also really loved the role Justin played in the book. It was a fun side plot that I was glad didn’t take away from the main story. I thought it was really cool that Zoë was supportive and not the vindictive ex we normally hear about.

Overall really enjoyed the story and romance that was in this book. It was a little instalove but with them being child hood crushes it worked. Looking forward to reading the other books in this series!
hopeful reflective

This is a fun, entertaining read. Brody and Rachel are interesting, complex, wounded, strong, feisty, intriguing, complicated, entertaining characters. These two are fun to spend time with. I enjoyed their romance and the path it took to get to their HEA. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. The story is easy to read and get into. 
thebookishnic's profile picture

thebookishnic's review

3.75
adventurous funny lighthearted 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

Really enjoyed this story! It was sexy and sweet.

Rachel is a woman who always has a plan, but after losing her job and then catching her boyfriend cheating on her, she heads to her hometown to figure out if the perfect plan she had was the right one.

Brody is the town’s sexy bad boy, who just doesn’t want to be the bad boy anymore. He’s been through a lot with his ex fiancé and had always felt like he’s a bit of a disappointment to his family.

Rachel and Brody had some insane chemistry. The heat between them was off the charts. I loved that they both helped each other discover that there was more to themselves than what they thought. Rachel is more than the good girl who follows the rules and needs a plan and Brody is more than the irresponsible bad boy. They both had a lot of personal growth.

The whole Wilder family dynamic is such a great part of the story too. This family really cares about each other and any member would drop whatever they were doing to help out one of their siblings.

Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!