transportedlfl 's review for:

Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly

4.5

adventurous emotional 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

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I was so excited to have the opportunity to read this. I saw Anita Kelly at a book launch last year, and when they described the premise for this book, I was completely sold. It's set on the Pacific Crest Trail with a journey toward the Pacific Northwest. It has Cheryl Strayed's Wild vibes, but make it a fictional romance. 

Alexei is looking to find himself on the trail and come to terms with his family's awful reaction to him coming out to them. Ben is on the trail because he wants to follow through with a goal and be more mature before starting a new career in nursing. 

The book highlights family and what that can look like. It tackles so many hard topics and does so thoroughly and well. It made me cry, as it resonated so deeply. And the journey on the trail was an amazing metaphor for the depth of character growth we see. 

Parts were difficult to read, but overall, this book felt like a warm hug. I fell so hard for both Alexei and Ben, and I absolutely loved their journeys. It was great to revisit London and Dahlia, but this can be read as a stand alone. 

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own. 

CW: homophobia