Anita Kelly's Love & Other Disasters was one of my favorite romances I read in 2022, so I was very excited to read their new novel and it definitely did not disappoint. This book was such a sweet and unique romance. I absolutely loved the setting on the Pacific Crest Trail and how it was used as a way to bring together different people that had their own very different reasons for wanting to endure this hike. It was hard to put this one down once I started and it only faltered a little bit for me when the characters left the trail.

Heads up that this book does deal a lot with homophobia and the grief that comes with being disowned by one's family. It was all treated so well and it was rewarding to see so much character growth over the course of the book from both main characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing access to this ARC.

Something Wild & Wonderful is the story of Alexei and Ben, two men seeking a transformational experience while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Both men seek to leave behind their troubled pasts and find a new version of themselves in the wild isolation of the PCT, but after a chance encounter with a rattlesnake makes their paths cross, their plans for solitude are abandoned. What follows is a heartbreaking and beautiful story about two men who see each other in ways they cannot see themselves. This book is my favorite romance I have read so far and I can't wait for it to be released so everyone can experience the joy I felt reading it. Ultimately it's about finding home in the least likely place.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary ARC of this book through NetGalley. My review is my honest opinion.

CW: Homophobic language used briefly

Something Wild & Wonderful follows Alexei ( Lex) and Ben who are hiking the Pacific Coast Trail. Lex and Ben meet when Lex warns him about a rattlesnake. They end up going their own way. But Lex and Ben keep running into each other, so they decide to hike together. They end up learning a lot about each other and realize they might have feelings for each other. Sometimes you just find love when you least expect it.

This was such a cute romance book. It was similar to Christiana Lauren's book Something Wilder. However, this book dealt with both characters coming to terms with who they are. You saw their love story develop from strangers to lovers. I really enjoyed that because I haven't read a lot of romance books where that is the case. I thought this book was beautifully written. I love how in both of the Anita Kelly books I've read she focuses on queer experiences. This book was so beautiful and I highly recommend it. I also suggest Love & Other Disasters ( which was the first book I read in 2022). I can not wait to read more books by her.

Thank you Anita Kelly, Forever Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Thanks you Forever Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Such a charming and romantic book! Alexei is hiking the PCT because he’s recently lost his family had he figures he can use the time to begin to reinvent himself. Ben’s been through bad relationships ships and struggled with where he wants to go in like. He figures he can do the PCT and then get back to a more serious life. When the two meet on the trail sparks fly and when they keep meeting they decide they need to hike together for a while. Can they hike without deeper feelings growing? What about the pieces of themselves they were trying to connect with on the hike? I liked that both Alexei’s and Ben’s struggles and difficulties were real and relatable! I connected a lot with Alexei and his feelings of loneliness and the idea of throwing yourself into something to try and keep from feeling it, though we do it in very different ways! I loved the supporting characters both on and off the trail! I like the idea that because of the length of the trail and the isolation you could meet a stranger and really get to know them! I love that even in that isolation they have their ups and downs! I loved this book and can’t recommend it enough! Can’t wait to read it again!

Wow! It might still be early January, but I'm sure this will be one of the best books I read this year!

Alexei was so strong with everything he was dealing with, having his parents disown him and taking to the PCT to find himself and learn who he wanted to be on his own. I don't see Alexei as being a 'grumpy' person, he was just very reserved due to his upbringing and later diagnosis. Ben was so wonderful with Alexei, allowing him to have the quiet space he needed to just think and process his changes.

I thought that Alexei and Ben balanced each other well, and there were times that one of them was strong and supportive for the other just like a well balanced couple should be.

There were so many point in this book that had me in tears because Alexei was so damn relatable for me, and while he and Ben had a vastly different experience in being gay, both were accurate to what it's really like to be queer.

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for my opinion.

Something Wild & Wonderful is a soft, sweet story that feels like a cozy blanket on a mild summer day.

I thoroughly enjoyed Alexei and Ben's stories. Their story in finding one another. Tagging along as they not only made their way through the PCT but through their own personal journeys was such a joy. And while not every part of their journey was easy, they stayed so honest with themselves and with one another. I remain completely entranced by Anita Kelly's ability to craft such beautiful characters who compliment one another so well. Who make me swoon and giggle and wish I could meet them in real life.

SW&W contains mental health rep, queer rep, a diverse cast, inclusive language, beautiful and descriptive scenery, and a careful handling of important topics in our daily lives.

4.5⭐️
2.5🌶

Thank you NetGalley, Anita Kelly, and Hachette Book Group for an ARC of Something Wild & Wonderful in exchange for my honest review!

Ohmygoodness.
This book was absolutely devastatingly beautiful. I loved that the majority of the story takes place on the PCT, and the author did an amazing job establishing the setting and painting pictures of the trails and locations the MCs hiked. I honestly felt like I was there.

This was, at its core, a story of discovery. Both MCs make their journey on PCT for different goals, and end up discovering so many things about themselves, about life, about love, and about their pasts. I loved the strong undertone of hope woven throughout this book, and despite the challenges they faced, I never stopped rooting for Ben and Alexei.

Ugh! I don’t even know what else to say about this book other than I really really loved it. This book was just overall really fucking beautiful, and will live in my head for quite a while.

I was given an ARC by NetGalley and Forever. All opinions are my own.

Positives:

- Snake. “Snake.”
- We love a bird nerd
- I enjoyed their silence
- Alexei has mom friend energy
Really sweet that he helped Ben with snow anxiety
- NICKNAME ALERT pls stop
- Yeahh once you notice someone’s back-of-the-neck muscles, it’s game over
- Big boo to Alexei’s parents
- Ben is clearly upset about Alex’s parents
- I want to wrap Lex in blankets & protect him at all costs
- LEX READ TO BEN OUT LOUD HELP
- Yes to weird sad dinosaurs & Burger King
- I think an imminent coyote threat is one of the most original one bed scenes
- Their zero day date 🥹🥹
- Alexei JUST TALK ABOUT YOUR DAMN FEELINGS
- The cutest reunion (I really need to read Tamora Pierce)
- A+ smut
- Meeting the fam 🥹🥹
- I could feel Alexei’s anxiety spiral after he left puzzling with Luis & it broke my heart
- Alexei you absolute walnut you CANT JUST LEAVE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
- Ben’s anger is justified
- ALEXEI YOU ARE NOT BROKEN
- These letters are gut-wrenching, Anita Kelly. How dare you.
- Alina 5ever
- THE TATTOO THIS BOOK IS TRYING TO KILL ME

Negative:
- switch to written correspondence was a bit jarring
- Didn’t love keeping track of what was actually sent vs not sent

Anita Kelly has really created a special story here. Two men are hiking the Pacific Crest Trail for their own reasons and end up sparking a friendship that turns into one of the healthiest relationships I've ever encountered in fiction. The self reflection, (mostly) open communication, consideration for each other's experiences, space, journaling, consent, support, and references to therapy made this counselor's heart so happy. This book is easy to read and made me miss my hard core hiking days.

Anita Kelly roped me in with their novel Love & Other Disasters. So much so, I read the book twice in a year, something unheard of for me. I was really excited to get my hands on an arc copy of Something Wild & Wonderful and did not disappoint. Just like with L&OD, I really enjoyed the alternation narrations each chapter, it gave me insight into who Ben and Alexei were. As far as queer romance goes, Kelly has it down and I can't wait to see what they do next.

What a beautifully gay way to start the year. I love Anita Kelly's writing, and this story was everything I could have hoped for. The writing made me feel like I was on the trail with them at many points, and I loved getting to read through this journey with Ben and Alexei. Seeing them both learn to trust themselves and to communicate with each other in a healthy and kind way was really lovely. I didn't know I needed a love story set on the PCT, but wow, I really did. Thank you, Netgalley and Read Forever for the chance to read this one early!

We don’t deserve Anita’s beautiful stories… this was so emotional. After reading the synopsis, I knew my feelings were going to end up very raw with this book, and it happened. I loved it so much.

I wanted to hug Alexei for a hundred days. As someone who, personally, strongly rejects the idea of any religion (no shade to people who believe, of course), I wanted to (physically) fight his parents. My heart hurts so much for all the queer people that have been disowned by their families because of a religion. I really cannot comprehend. Anyway, this book, the romance… it was Alexei’s catharsis. Ben also got to get over terrible stuff thanks to the hike and meeting Alexei, but for me, the biggest protagonist of this story was Lex and I loved seeing himself living the life he deserved free of guilt and hate.

I would say this book is not a light romance, but one that everyone needs to read (if you’re not triggered). I adored Ben and Lex together, they were so perfect for each other. Everything that happens in this book needed to happen, and it has one of the most satisfying HEAs in the world.

TW: Homophobia, religious trauma, past abusive relationship

Rating: 4/5
Steam level: Open door, 3-4 scenes, medium level of detail

Thanks to Forever and NetGalley for my ARC. Opinions are my own!

I’m not a romance fan at all, but when Love and Other Disasters was an option on Book of the Month, I decided to give it a go. I absolutely loved that book, so when I heard Anita had another book coming out, I just had to read it. Huge thank you to NetGalley for making that happen in exchange for an open and honest review.

This book definitely has a slow pace, going over the boys’ hiking for quite some time. It took me a while to get into it. What made it interesting though for me was the depth of the characters: how both Alexie and Ben are on their journey to finding and becoming what they hope to be better versions of themselves. Then, on their journey to do that, they find love in each other. It’s a very beautiful story that will have you laughing, smiling, and saying “aww” while also including some spice.

This book is truly a 5 star read! Definitely pick it up if you haven't done so yet!

I absolutely loved this follow up to Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly! Such a beautiful love story between Alexei and Ben. Two very different people, yet connected almost instantly. I love the challenges and struggles each of them has, and the way they talk through things. The scene where Lex leads Ben by talking to him and reshifting his focus one step at a time is my favorite. The patience and understanding they show each other; it's such a beautiful connection and I couldn't get enough of it! Alos, the birds and the landscape descriptions in this book made me fall in love with the PNW, without having ever been there myself. It's on my to-do list now! Thank you, Anita Kelly for such a beautiful story and for sharing your gift with all of us.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

5 STARS!!!

Two men who set out to hike the PCT to find themselves end up finding each other. This was a really sweet romance, and I loved the descriptions of what they witnessed on their hikes. *Almost* makes me want to do it (who am I kidding, that would never happen. I would die.). I was so happy at the mere mention of London and Dahlia from Love and Other Disasters, but then when they actually interacted with them?! I love them so much. I’m so glad the two books are in the same universe.

This book has all the steamy romance, flirtation, and yearning you want in the genre, but also has so much heart and authentic conflict. Ben and Alexei aren’t exactly “opposites attract,” but they’re just different enough to be complementary. Ben, an aspiring nurse, comes from a huge loving and accepting family, is outgoing, and loves people. Alexei is much more reserved, nervous around people, but kind beyond measure. Readers will fall in love with both characters as they fall in love with each other.

SOMETHING WILD & WONDERFUL by Anita Kelly tells the story of two gay men as they set out on a journey along the Pacific Crest Trail in order to escape and heal from the traumas of their past.

One of the things that I particularly appreciated about this book was the way that it tackled complex and sensitive issues such as autism, religious trauma, and abusive relationships. The depiction of one character’s autism (although undiagnosed until the end), as well as the discussions of faith and religious trauma, were nuanced and authentic. Similarly, the exploration of abusive relationships in another character’s life was handled with sensitivity and care, and it was touching to see him work through his past and learn to trust and love again.

In addition to tackling these important themes, the book is also an engaging and well-written, soft adventure story. The descriptions of the Pacific Crest Trail and the challenges that Alex and Ben face as they make their way along it are vivid and evocative, and I found myself fully immersed in their journey from start to finish. The relationship between the two men is beautifully written, and it was heartwarming to see them support and encourage each other as they worked through their own personal issues.

Overall, SOMETHING WILD & WONDERFUL is an exceptional and deeply moving read that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys outdoor adventures, love stories, or simply a well-written and thought-provoking book.

Thank you Netgalley and Publishers for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This book broke through to be one of the runner-ups for my favorite books of 2022. I loved the relationship in this novel, dare I say even more so than Love and Other Disasters (!!!). It was so fascinating learning about the Pacific Crest Trail (and figuratively tagging along with Alexei and Ben for the journey). Speaking of the dynamic duo, I couldn't tell who of the two had a bigger heart. Yes, they both have their quirks and the story does have the classic romance 3rd act breakup with all the angst that comes with that.

Yet, the author did a wonderful job at portraying the communication (or lack thereof) between the two main characters. I also loved seeing the individual growth of the two characters on and off the trail. Their relationship blossomed but their individual growth was so good for the character development of the story.

Anyways, I'm off to preorder this lovely novel with its gorgeous cover.

Hope to read more from this author in the future.

This was a delightful book. Alexei and Ben are such sweethearts, and each felt uniquely themselves. I liked that their friendship and growth had balance - each had to come to terms with truths about themselves, the world, and their place in it (and, of course, how well they complemented each other in those ways!). Having read other memoirs about the PCT I was really looking forward to some of that rich vivid description that the author employed so well in their debut novel when talking about food, but some of those pieces fell a little flat for me. But overall, a sweet story, highly readable, and hit all the right notes.

4 stars

This was such a unique book!! I adored it for it's uniqueness and the complex characters that were Alexei and Ben. I already knew Anita Kelly was talented from Love & Other Disasters, but this book cemented it!

If you're a fan of the wild and discovery, this book is for you! I really enjoyed the PCT setting and actually learned so much about it from this book, it's an interesting concept that I never would have learned about otherwise, and that's why I love reading!

This book comes out in March!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Pub for the earc in return for an honest review