Scan barcode
A review by chloe_liese
Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
5.0
Thank you Simon & Schuster/Gallery and NetGalley for the early review copy! All opinions are my own. While I think Christina and Lauren are the sweetest people and we share a literary agency, this in no way influenced my appreciation of their book.
SOMETHING WILDER was a wild ride in the best way. With unexpected twists and turns, sumptuous descriptions of desert life, sunsets, rare rains, and breathtaking vistas, along with an adventuring, treasure-hunting plot, this felt deeply in the vein of their excellent craft yet fresh in its plot and premise.
Second chance romance can be hard to pull off without a dual timeline, but this single timeline interwoven with flashbacks worked great for me. Maybe that's because rather than feeling like their love was a full-on second chance, Leo and Lily's love was portrayed as more like a cord that got pinched, whose power was paused until it could be straightened out again, allowed to flow freely. These two never stopped loving each other, and I love how CLo portrayed that realization dawning on both of them.
The cast of secondary characters ranged from infuriating (looking at you, Terry) to endearing and entertaining (Sweet [Potato] Walter) to fiercely loyal and lovable (bada$$ Nicole).
I always look to Christina and Lauren for an engaging premise and beautiful craft, and like always, they didn't disappoint. After the past few years prohibiting travel, I loved being swept away to a wildly different place and enjoying both a romantic and escapist journey.
SOMETHING WILDER was a wild ride in the best way. With unexpected twists and turns, sumptuous descriptions of desert life, sunsets, rare rains, and breathtaking vistas, along with an adventuring, treasure-hunting plot, this felt deeply in the vein of their excellent craft yet fresh in its plot and premise.
Second chance romance can be hard to pull off without a dual timeline, but this single timeline interwoven with flashbacks worked great for me. Maybe that's because rather than feeling like their love was a full-on second chance, Leo and Lily's love was portrayed as more like a cord that got pinched, whose power was paused until it could be straightened out again, allowed to flow freely. These two never stopped loving each other, and I love how CLo portrayed that realization dawning on both of them.
The cast of secondary characters ranged from infuriating (looking at you, Terry
Spoiler
and Brad!!I always look to Christina and Lauren for an engaging premise and beautiful craft, and like always, they didn't disappoint. After the past few years prohibiting travel, I loved being swept away to a wildly different place and enjoying both a romantic and escapist journey.