Oh you guys! It's SO good!

📖 Something Wilder
🖊Christina Lauren
💗Rom-Com
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Release Date: May 17, 2022

What I Liked: This new book has a bit of suspense and I liked it! It had the swoon-worthy, steamy scenes we love from Christina Lauren, but also a new layer of adventure, and mystery in the Wild West!! And Leo's character!? 😍 Hello new book boyfriend!
It will be the perfect summer read!

Read this if you:
🐎 Have ever wanted to rough it in the West.
💎Like scavenger or treasure hunts.
🔥 Like steamy scenes in the rain.

Synopsis: Lily and Leo are deeply in love at a young age. There are circumstances that tear them apart, leaving them confused and changed
Years later, they are brought back together on the trip of a lifetime, but Lily isn't sure she can put herself out there once again. As they work to solve Duke Wilder's clues, can they find a way back to each other?

Thanks to @gallerybooks @christinalauren @simonandschuster @netgalley for the ARC. Eeeek! I'm so excited I got to read this one early 💗

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✨Book Review✨

Something Wilder by Christina Lauren

Thank you @christinalauren @netgalley and @gallerybooks for the eARC! Releasing May 17, and available now for preorder.

➡️ Swipe for the synopsis!

This book. Is. Everything.
Literally!
It’s romance, it’s suspense, it’s funny, it’s sad, and it’s adventurous. I was instantly hooked and didn’t put it down until I finished it (at 1:45am last night).

Recommended if you love:
📚 #allthegenres
❤️‍🩹 Second chance romance
⛺️ One bed (or sleeping bag?)
🤠 Adventure in the Wild West
😡 Characters you hate to love, and characters you love to hate

This is a bit different than what this duo usually writes. I’m not big on books about treasure hunts, but this one was something I could read because I like the authors writing style.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy of this title.

The description was quite alluring, second chance at love accompanied by a treasure hunt.

Protagonist Lily Wilder falls in love with “Lovesick City Boy” prior to the events taking place. There is distance and somehow this boy is back in her life due to a friends trip for adventure. Leo and pals are signed up for an adventure to gaze upon the stars, solve riddles, and possibly find treasure at the end of the trail.

A gripping story but not quite what I expected. 3 stars since I remained engaged in the plot and there were a few twists and turns I didn’t expect. This felt like a departure from some of the other novels I have read by this duo, but not a bad spring/summer read,

I loved Christina Lauren's other books - Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating and The Unhoneymooners. But this one was too wacky. The guy literally jumps off a cliff!

Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
This is unlike any other CLo book and I am HERE for it! I haven't loved some of their recent books but this was such a fun book! You do need to escape into this adventure a bit and let go of the "this can't really happen" frame of thinking. This is a western meets mystery with a side of second chance romance and some great comedic moments and you know what - this is a perfect blend!!
If you like The Inheritance Games (one of my favorites from last year!) I think you would enjoy this one - the puzzles, codes, and riddles were smartly developed! This definitely has romance elements but feels more like a treasure hunt and adventure through the desert! I also loved some of the side characters - Lily's friend Nicole, and Leo's friend Walt!

I loved the author's note - they traveled and explored the area but ultimately made up their own maps and treasure guides and said don't follow their route or you'll die  

Huge thank you to @gallerybooks for my advanced copy! This book publishes May 17!

Authors Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, better known as the author duo, Christina Lauren, set out to write a book full of adventure, allowing you to escape reality for the duration of the story. I can say, without a doubt, they hit the mark on this one. They delivered a story line that was chock-full of adventure, leaving me wanting to go on a trip to Utah (but maybe the safer version, ha!).

Lily and Leo met at 19 years old, fell in love, and knew they were meant for each other. Unfortunately, tragedy and miscommunication tore them apart. A decade later, Leo sets out with his long-time friends for their yearly trip/vacation. This year, they’re headed on a trip out west to look for the famous Butch Cassidy’s treasure. When Leo arrives, he realizes his guide is none other than Lily, who he hasn’t seen or spoken to in years. Filled with action, adrenaline, and emotions, this vacation is nothing like Leo (or Lily!) expected. Will they be able to find the long lost treasure? Or will their fun adventure be ruined by greed and selfish personalities?

One thing is for sure…you will enjoy this one! Something Wilder is unlike any other book Christina Lauren has written. The setting, the characters, and the conflict…they’re all different. The solid, reliable writing of this duo remains the same, though. Going into this book, you must release the idea of, “That couldn’t actually happen.” If you hold tightly to that concept, you will find yourself frustrated. Let go of reality & escape into this wild and fun story.

Must go research trips to Utah now…

This was a very disappointing read. My familiarity with this author duo had me very excited to read but… I sincerely wish I could un-read this.
My biggest complaint is this should never be advertised as a romance. This book had about as much romance as National Treasure. The story concept was interesting, but just completely unrealistic. I couldn’t lose myself in the story because so much was just no realistic in the slightest (characters, story line, legal/criminal involvement, etc).

I was so surprised by this book! They weren't lying when they said this was SO different from all their other books--the er...exchange at 30% left me gasping, and while this still had the core CLo romance at its heart, it was also kind of a fun riddle-filled, outdoorsy story. Almost made me want to go camping! Almost...

I can't wait for people to read this! My one qualm would be that the cover feels very different from the actual story. Not that the story is DARK, hardly, but they don't jive.

I will follow Christina Lauren until the end of time. I go into their novels liking forward to snappy and whit filled romance, but this was different. I’m I into treasure hunts and coded puzzles now? Yes, I am! Saddle up and prepare to finish this one in less than 24 hours.

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery for this eARC! This was a fun adventure/second chance romance! I will say, it had more real peril than I was expecting. There were some truly heart-pounding moments, but Lily and Leo were a great team. And WALT! Truly a sweet potato. Netflix, call Christina Lauren, this is BEGGING TO BE A MOVIE! Could there be a better way to spend a snow day than with an early copy of this book and then some Googling about slot canyons? I think not.

This was definitely a departure from their usual formula. Not bad by any means... just different. I think if I had never read a novel from the dynamic duo before I may not be as thrown off as I felt after reading. I love their rom-coms and steamy romances so I think I was just not in the right headspace with my expectations for this book. All that to say, it was a great read. I did enjoy the story and the characters (minus a few... ahem, Terry) but if you're going into this expecting a light rom-com with a slow burn, second chance romance, then you'll be disappointed. BUT, if you're going into it with an open mind and expecting a story with twists and turns, mystery, and a little romance and humor thrown in, then you'll be a big fan.

I'd give this book a solid 4.5 stars for the story and 5 stars for the obvious research, planning, and thought that went into all the details!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was the most wild ride I don't even know where to begin.

I knew it was a little different than previous books they've written but this is on a whole other realm. The twists, the turns, the surprises - there were more than a few moments I sat up and said, "No way!" out loud. This book was so meticulously researched and some of the creativity that went into riddles and code blew my mind away.

The pacing was great. The world building was fantastic. The characters were quirky and loveable and the villains irritated the crap out of me, as they should and it made the book all the better for it. It was thrilling and I was on the edge of my seat many times.

But wait, there was romance too! Leo was yet another great book boyfriend and I particularly loved how Lily and Leo addressed things upfront. There was no drawn out angst, no unsaid confessions which was perfect. With everything else going on the romance needed to be direct.

Easily one of the purest 5 star books I've read in a long time. I hope a movie studio has snatched up the rights to this already!!

Whoa! My favorite romance duo blew my mind for good! They gave us something unique, extraordinary, unconventional and so exciting to devour!

This book is so different from the other stories they’ve crafted! This is a glowing gem! For the first time they wrote a action packed western meets mystery and heartfelt, angsty love story and sarcastic comedy with action packed adventure. Yes, this book is quiet mash up of blended genres! And you know it: they blended perfectly!

I loved the heart throbbing action parts! I loved Lily and Leo’s unresolved feelings and sweet-innocent love story!

The puzzles, the codes, the riddles were smartly developed! They were confusing enough to exhaust my mind! But I loved how those enigmatic codes fit into the entire execution.

It was like watching National Treasure meets City Slickers combined with love story!

I’m not giving much away! Both Lily and Leo were adorable characters. Lily is tough, independent, fiery, stubborn, caring, western Lara Croft as Leo was quirky, charming, caring, romantic, loyal, dedicated and extra smart code broker and heart stealer!

Nic and sweet potato Walt were amazing, entertaining supporting characters!

Conclusion of the book was smart and also heartwarming at the same time!

No more words! I’m reading this power duo’s books for years but I can honestly say this is their most unique and the best work! I’m so happy they were brave enough to write about completely different story! It truly worked for me and exceeded my expectations!

Giving my blazing treasure hunting, I have to rewatch Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid ASAP stars!

Millions of thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

CLo Stan forever and always.

Read this if you:
*have ever ridden a horse
*like camping
*always down for an adventure
*like puzzles

Knowing this was a CLo book I obviously wanted to read it. I will say I was a *tad* skeptical at first because Wild West/cowboys/treasure hunting is a bit out of left field and likely not my first choice for a plot. HOWEVER, I loved everything about this book! The adventure/romance was cute & kept me at the edge of my seat. As usual, I lol’d multiple times (it wouldn’t be a CLo book without a chuckle!) [I’m looking at you one sleeping bag scene]. Second chance romance with her first love, a badass strong independent MC & a genius ex. I read this in less than 24 hours! Don’t miss this one.

Thank you NetGalley & Gallery books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: May 17.

PS: CLo, I’m ready for your next book. Thanks ✌️

HJ Top Pick!

Something Wilder was a crazy-cool adventure-slash-romance from my favorite author duo, Christina Lauren. A pleasing mashup of Indiana Jones meets the Wild West meets City Slickers, this still had the lively banter and all the feels I expect from CLo.

If Christina Lauren writes it then I'll read it. Simple as that. So of course I was more than happy to go on a new type of reading journey with them in Something Wilder. And it didn't disappoint in the least. It did take a couple of chapters to get a feel for the characters and the situation(s) they were dealing with before I started flying through the pages. After that, I couldn't get enough of the rag-tag team while they set off on a treasure hunt. How fun, right? Just that premise alone–searching for Butch Cassidy's long-lost riches hidden along the Outlaw Trail–was enough. But adding in a second chance romance full of miscommunication and missed opportunities? Even better.

Lily and Leo made wonderful main characters. Both were steady and sure (about most things), had heaps of responsibility loaded on them at a young age, and took their promises to friends and loved ones very seriously. But the way their relationship ended when they were around twenty years old…ugh. That was sad as well as somewhat avoidable. The hurt Leo and Lily both felt because of it shaped their adult lives.

It felt like they were each at a crossroads when, serendipitously, Lily and Leo saw each other again ten years later. I loved Leo's quiet strength and the way he thought everything out. Talk about a swoon-worthy hero! *sigh* And Lily stole my heart right away with her blend of feisty sass and the longing to be able to live her life as she wanted to. What a pair they made on the trails, hunting down treasure. And their soul-deep love for each other felt oh so right when Lily and Leo finally gave in–again.

I do want to mention that as with all of CLo's books, the secondary cast was amazing! From Lily's best friend Nicole to Leo's group of friends: Bradley, Walter, and Terry, to all the locals they met on their trip, they were all woven into the storyline with huge–sometimes surprising–roles to play..

Wow!!! Never have I ever been so on the edge of my seat while reading a romance novel. Christina Lauren really show their dynamic writing abilities in this book as they venture into “adventure romance.” I was laughing at one-liners, aww-ing at the second chance love story (and Walter), gasping as the treasure hunt took twists and turns, and completely unable to put this book down. And we have a new trope: only one sleeping bag. While the adventure storyline was really the shining star here, Leo and Lily were great main characters and their rekindled romance was so sweet and honest. This was such a fun and wild ride going on a treasure hunt through the Wild West, solving puzzles and cracking codes, and watching two characters recreate their bond through it all.

Thank you to Gallery Books for the ARC!

I love Christina Lauren books, but they all don't hit me the same way. This one had some of the gut punch emotional bits I've been missing since Love and Other Words, but with more moments of levity. There's a lot of action, but a lot of trademark banter, and of course, deliciously tender scenes between the two love interests. It's a ride from start to finish, and you won't want to put it down. There's honestly so much I could say about this book, so many quotes I'd love to share, but you're going to have to experience the whole thing for yourself.

A really cool thing about reading romance is how fast reader cycle through what they're looking for in their books. Authors need to keep up with demand, which means it's often really easy to see how they've grown and improved during their careers. If you look at, like, the longue durée of Christina Lauren, this book is absolutely evidence of how authors can really stretch themselves. They've been traditionally published for less than ten years, and in that time they've gone from writing some really almost impenetrable heroes to Leo, a man who is so, so willing to put himself out there and confess his love from almost the jump. He doesn't want to play games -- he wants Lily, and he's going to make himself vulnerable to prove that. I truly cannot overstate how much I admire this kind of hero and this kind of growth. This is the kind of book that makes me proud of the work romance can do in a relatively short period of time.

They've cautioned that it's tonally a bit darker than their other works, and I'd say yes but not like remarkably so (although you should absolutely check content warnings). If you're looking for a little grit, some really strong women, and a true sweet potato of a side character (walt ily), you're going to want to pick this one up.

Christina Lauren is one of my favorites! While treasure hunting isn't typically my thing - romance on the trails and young love rekindled. kept me hooked. Great read!