A review by unsuccessfulbookclub
Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

Sometimes a book comes along and manages to wring all of the best emotions out of you with a seemingly simple premise. This was one of those books for me! Two men meet on the Pacific Coast Trail. They hike together and fall in love. Sounds so basic!! In Anita Kelly’s hands, this concept is transcendent.

Not only is this a love story between Alexei and Ben, this is a love letter to hiking, to the Pacific Coast Trail, to the beauty of the outdoors, to the exceptional peace that comes in being quiet with someone, to the goodness that can persist in a world full of hatred and loss, to finding family and friends, to siblings who show up for you, to birds (yes, birds!), to embracing yourself and allowing yourself to feel joy and pleasure, to allowing yourself to be fully weird but also fully loved and lovable.

As I have gotten deeper into my historical romance era, I have become extremely picky with contemporary romance. This one though, THIS ONE TICKS ALL THE BOXES. The MCs are believable, lovable, relatable and realistic. Alexei is struggling with some intense parental trauma, and I found his inner monologue emotionally deep and also very sad at times, but also incredibly touching. Ben is struggling with some past relationship trauma, and *his* inner monologue and his friend group were very sad and very beautiful. Most of all, I was struck by Alexei’s struggle to reconcile his faith in God with his awful experience with religion, and I appreciated that point of view, as it is one I know is common but is very rarely addressed with the level of nuance and gray area that Anita built into this story.

I dunno gang. No matter how much I tell you this book is incredible, I will not do it justice. Just read it.

Recommended. With my whole chest. 
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