Honestly whatever Lynette writes is gold! However, I wasn't sure what to think about reading a contemporary ya.... shouldn't have even questioned it! I loved Wandering Wild!!!! The dual pov was such a treat! Both Charlie and Zander are full of layers and it was so much fun watching them learn each other in the middle of a survivor episode setting!

Thank you to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing and Lynette Noni for this advanced copy. The following is my honest review.
Okay, so Wandering Wild is a YA adventure romance about Charlie, an ordinary teenage girl who, thanks to her best friend, winds up on a reality TV adventure with a celebrity and his so-called “biggest fan.” Only thing is—Charlie isn’t actually a fan of his at all. Quite the opposite, and the reasons behind that slowly unfold as the story progresses.
There were parts of this book that really worked for me, and parts that didn’t. Let’s start with the good news!
First off, I was obsessed with the adventure aspects of this story. The wildlife scenarios, the rugged setting, the general thrill of it all—absolutely 10/10. The cover art captures the vibe perfectly. While the pacing does hold back some of these elements until the last third of the book, it still delivered an exciting payoff that I really appreciated.
Another standout for me was the emotional depth of the main characters. The way the author explored grief and mental health was beautifully portrayed and added real heart to the narrative.
Now, onto the parts that didn’t hit the mark for me. Full disclosure: I’m not the typical YA target audience, so I totally understand I’m coming at this from a slightly different perspective. That said, I think some elements could be elevated to meet the standards of other books in the genre.
The “celebrity and fan” trope—or more accurately here, the “I’m not a fan” dynamic—just didn’t work for me. It always feels a bit contrived, and in this case, it fell into the usual pattern: she’s so cool because she doesn’t care, and he’s intrigued because she’s not impressed. Meh.
The other thing that dragged the story down for me was the cyclical, repetitive thoughts. Over and over, the same information was rehashed in different ways, making the narrative feel stuck at times. I know YA can lean into explaining things more thoroughly than adult fiction, but I felt like the story didn’t give readers enough credit to pick up on the nuances without the constant reiteration.
One last thing I wasn’t a fan of was the big plot twist. I won’t spoil it here, but when you read it, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Personally, I felt the characters’ reactions were way too muted for what had just been revealed. It seemed like they should have been way more upset or at least more reactive to it.
Overall, while there were definitely parts of Wandering Wild that I loved—especially the adventure scenes and the emotional depth—there were also elements that didn’t quite work for me as a reader.

Loved the adventure and surviving in Australia! The plot moved right along and had a lot of tension. LOVE celebrity romances, so that was the highlight for me. There was some great depth in both the individual main characters and their relationship.

I wish there was more romance, and that it was an adult romance instead of 18 yr olds. Also, the main characters got over the major plot twist at the end way too fast, in my opinion.

Content: kissing

60/100 or 3.0 stars

This was a cute middle-grade adventure romance! Since I wasn't the target audience for this story, some of the dialogue and plot points were a little forced/overdone, but I think this is a great way to introduce young readers to both adventure and a little bit of romance! It is a little predictable if you are not the intended reader, but I still had a fun time with this one! I would recommend this for middle-grade/young readers who are also getting into the survival type of stories as well, since there is nothing graphic related to them being in the wild on page. There are some heavy topics discussed on page, but it is done in a respectful and realistic way. Regardless of the target audience, there is almost always some sort of miscommunication in romances, which I personally hate, but I can see why authors do it, especially for the younger audiences to create DRAMA! I would read more by Noni to see what else they have for young readers, as they also do have a good writing style that flows through the novel!

This is for sure one of the best YA books I've read recently! I loved and enjoyed every moment of this wholesome story! The high stakes ADVENTURE (as in like literally heart-pounding stakes), the banter and tension, AMAZING character development that made me obsess over Lynette Noni's writing, a sweet and wholesome bonding between the main characters, and a really good depiction of trauma and healing from dark histories that will make you feel deeply connected to Charlie and Zander and make you ache for them.

To begin with, I LOVED the premise of this book! Zander, a famous Hollywood actor and heartthrob needs to repair his recent bad boy reputation to hold onto the movie role of his dreams. Charlie, on the other hand, is an ordinary teenage girl that hates everything that Zander represents (after what he did). However, thanks to her scheming best friend, Charlie winds up on a 4-day survival reality TV adventure with Zander... to cleanse his reputation. But when things go horribly wrong, Zander and Charlie are left stranded together in the middle of the dangerous wilderness with only each other...can they trust one another enough to survive?

Right from the beginning, I knew I was going to love this book! This plot is just outstanding from start to finish. It’s fast paced, filled with danger and angst and so much emotion. You know I love a good adventure, and the way Noni added that element to a contemporary novel like this, and also it being her first time writing something that's not fantasy, I was thoroughly impressed! There is something so wonderful and lyrical about Noni’s writing that pulls me in, hence why I couldn't stop reading and finished this book in a day. She has this brilliant ability to create a story so deep and realistic, that I felt as if I was there with the characters in that moment.

I've never read a book with a mental health rep, and I really impressed by the way Noni protrayed it in this story. The moments between Zander and Charlie made me giggle in excitement and I just couldn't stop smiling throughout. I loved seeing the ice in Charlie slowly melting and her trust in zander gradually growing. There were so many moments that were raw and deep, that made me want to climb into the book and give Charlie and Zander a big hug! Because I wanted to cry. I just felt all of their emotions, and it was so wholesome seeing them connect and find themselves through each other.

Now, can we please talk about the fact this story is based in THE Blue Mountains, Australia, where they are out on a heart-pounding adventure and trying to survive at all costs?! When I said stakes are high, I mean HIGH. Near-death experiences that had me literally on the edge. It's Indiana Jones worthy! But above all, I loved the aspect of how this book is set in Australia! As an Aussie myself, it was amazing to read a story with such a beautiful depiction of this amazing and well-known attraction in the country. And although it was portrayed as super dangerous, some parts convinced me I need to go here on my next holiday!

This is the exactly what I look for when I say I want to read an adventure book or I want cozy and wholesome, entertaining feels. I hope Noni will write more books like this! If you're a lover of all things YA and you want to find your next favourite book that will make you swoon, cry, laugh, and smile endlessly, I recommend you read this!

“Because life isn't about survival - life is beautiful, and it's meant to be lived."

Lynette Noni does a fantastic job in writing a really well done young adult romance novel, it had that feel that I was looking for and was invested in what was happening in this universe. The characters were wonderfully written and worked with the storyline being told. I was invested in what was happening and glad I got to read this.

This was such a cute story.
Zander is an actor on the edge of losing the role of a lifetime. Charlie is a struggling teen working at an ice cream shop and dressing up for kid’s birthday parties on the weekends, while fighting through the pain of losing her mom 6 months before.
When Charlie’s best friend Ember wins a trip with Zander as part of a reality tv show led by Rykon Hawke, she convinces Charlie to take her place. Only problem is- Charlie hates Zander. And now she has to spend 4 days in the wilds of Australia with him.
I enjoyed reading this story, though I think it could have had less language.

Zander and Charlie traveling through the mountains with Rykon reminded me of watching Bear Grylls when I was younger. I’ve always loved reading about outdoor adventures and mishaps even though I definitely wouldn’t want to be a part of them myself. They had to be tough and eat things they never would have normally even considered, and when things got hard there was no quitting. They put their differences aside and worked together to survive.
I especially enjoyed the twist at the end, which I was not too surprised about but still liked.


CW: quite a bit of language, kissing, lgbtq side characters, danger, near death situations, drowning

I did not have a good time with this one. Like her friend decided her to be in this reality show then she falls in love while being secluded with a random man her friend is a fan of. Like I don't know. icky cause he was so mean.

‘Live now, not later.’

I loved The Prison Healer series so much so I was really excited to read this.
First, can we talk about the cover? I love it! I think it’s a perfect cover for this book too. 😍

Ok, here are my thoughts on this book. I can’t believe how much I enjoyed Wandering Wild. This is one of those YA books that doesn’t feel overly YA. They’re young and there’s no spice but the main characters have been through so much so they felt more mature because of that.
The main characters fighting for survival in Australia was such a fun setting. It both made me want to go and also never go to Australia 😅
I loved the way the author slowly unraveled both Charlie and Zander’s history. There isn’t a huge mystery really but it kept me turning the page. I wanted to reach through and hug them both. Zander is an angel. It’s easy to see he’s a sweet boy living a strange public life. He’s such a green flag. I really adored him. Charlie has my whole heart though. The way I wish we all could have had a Charlie as a friend in our teenage years. She’s incredible. I love her to pieces.
I kind of wish we could get more books from these characters even if it’s from a side character pov. I just really loved them all so much. They all have beautiful friendships so it would be nice to read a book seeing more of them all together.
Overall, I genuinely loved this one!

🚨There’s some heavy themes in this so please check trigger warnings if you have any.

🎧
I listened to the audiobook and loved it! Nikki Thomas and Heath Miller were really great. This was not only an emotional book because of heavy themes but also because they’re on an adventure and trying to survive. I thought the narrators did a great job bringing all those emotions to life. They changed their voice when other characters were speaking as well so it was easy to follow conversations. I very much enjoyed it and highly recommend if you like audiobooks.

What a cozy YA romance! Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone for an e-copy of this novel.

I fell in love with Lynnette Noni’s writing with the Prison Healer trilogy (and so did my kids). While this book is nothing like that series, it is such an easy and entertaining read. I read it in one sitting! I will definitely be passing this on to my romance-loving pre-teen and I just know she will love this book. It has adventure, drama, conflict with friends, and angsty teenage romance - all the good things in a YA romance. You do have to suspend your disbelief with some of this especially the end, but what good story doesn’t have some unlikely events?

Love all of Lynette Noni’s books. This was very different from the other’s, but another great read. Exciting, sweet and great banter. Highly recommend! Great narration as well. The depth, emotional range, and very human intensity of the actions throughout the book really brought their story to vibrant life for me.

I absolutely loved this book! The characters felt so real and easy to root for, and their journey was both emotional and uplifting. The writing was beautiful, and I was hooked from the very beginning.

If you love heartfelt YA with a bit of adventure and a slow-burn romance, this one’s definitely worth picking up!

I am a HUGE fan of survival books-
Hatchet, the Horizon series, and I would even include the Hunger Games and Jurassic Park.
This is so on brand with that theme, which I loved.
It’s hard to give a good description without spoiling, but I felt the characters were fully fleshed out, the plot well developed, and the setting immaculate.
There was a thing at the end that I would have absolutely flipped out about if I had been in the same situation, and Charlie and Zander kind of just let it go without much fighting back, if that makes sense.
I would NEVER have forgiven the person that did that to me
Anyways, it was cute, short, and had all the stakes if that’s what you’re looking for!

Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Zander Rune is your stereotypical, Hollywood heartthrob who had the world at his fingers before he fell from glory and was overshadowed by his past mistakes. Desperate to redeem his image and secure his future career, he agrees to embark on a four-day reality TV adventure led by the infamous survivalist Rykon Hawke along with a randomly selected top fan of Zander's. What could possibly go wrong?

Enter Charlie Hart, your very average, girl next door who is loathes everything that Zander represents. Under no circumstances would she describe herself as a fan of Zander's, but her love for her best friend leads her to begrudgingly entering, and inevitably winning, the contest to accompany Zander on said tv adventure.

When unforeseen circumstances lead to Charlie and Zander being stranded all alone in the wilderness, both are left with the difficult decision of choosing to trust one another to survive and move forward or allow their pains from their pasts to overcome them.

I enjoyed several aspects of this book. I liked the innocence between Zander and Charlie, I appreciated the selfless friendship between Charlie and her best friend, and I thought both characters' growth throughout the novel. I did feel as though the ending was a little rushed and would have liked to see a few of the side characters storylines to be wrapped up a bit more. Overall, a good, light read.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Life isn't about survival - life is beautiful, and it's meant to be lived."

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I thought this was a great, fun YA book. It had an interesting adventure-esque plot with a celebrity romance mixed in. It is very much a love story, but the "lost in the wilderness" idea was a huge part of the story as well. I definitely thought it was interesting, and I love a book that can balance a love story with an interesting plot.

"They're shipping us Zander. As in, romantically."
"They're not the only ones."

Once again Lynette hits it out the the park.
I liked that we weren't hand feed their stories, but you could see the foreshadowing. You felt tense waiting for it all the be revealed.

I do knock off a star because the ending was cheesy and felt like an easy way out. I would have much preferred it had all gone wrong and the emergency extraction. Also at the end, the dialog got cheesy as well.

But over all, loved this book.

Summary in Brief

Zander is Hollywood’s golden boy turned bad boy after an unfortunate event, and Charlie is a small-town girl dealing with a recent, significant loss, but fiercely loyal to her best friend. So when said best friend asks Charlie to take her place on a trip with Zander to help boost his image, she agrees. Reluctantly.

Genre + Plot

Trope: Adventure/Survival Romance, Young Adult Romance, Forced Proximity, Family Trauma, Slow Burn, Dual-POV, Third-Act Breakup

I wanted to read this book because I *love* Lynette Noni’s *The Prison Healer* series. Seriously, I’ll be rereading those again soon. That series focuses on teens, so I wasn’t surprised to see this book continue in the young adult vein. With YA romance, I expect a certain level of drama, a third-act breakup, and a few communication breakdowns (I mean, these characters are teenagers… fully developed frontal lobes are still pending). That said, I *do* appreciate when teenage characters feel emotionally mature, and this book delivered on that front.

Zander was Hollywood royalty until an accident brought his career and reputation crashing down. Now, to save his future in film, he’s on a mission to clean up his image. Enter Charlie who, thanks to her best friend Ember’s obsession with Zander, ends up going on a publicity trip with him when Ember can’t make it for health reasons. Charlie used to be a fan, too… until, well, things changed. And let’s just say she is *not* thrilled about this whole situation.

Zander surprised me. He’s 18, rich, famous, yet grounded, sincere, and principled. He was one of my favorite parts of this book. He’s open, kind, and emotionally available (for the most part), which isn’t something you see often in teen male leads.

Charlie, meanwhile, is at a crossroads in her life. Still reeling from a major loss, she’s trying to figure out what’s next. I appreciated her emotional arc. She undergoes real character growth, which is always a win for me. She learns to confront her past, face her grief, and trust Zander, who meets her vulnerability with his own.

Their adventure? Wow. Talk about high-stakes. There were moments when I thought, *“Okay, there’s no way this would actually happen,”* because the danger level got *wild.* When they get separated from the group, things turn into a full-on survival situation. But the way they combined their first-aid and travel smarts? Surprisingly impressive.

They also end up having some serious heart-to-hearts. There’s trauma bonding, working through assumptions and past misunderstandings—not directly between them, but about how they perceived one another based on outside influence. I’ll admit, I found myself shouting “*JUST LISTEN TO HIM!*” at Charlie more than once, but eventually, they worked through it.

Yes, there’s a third-act breakup, but in a teen romance? Expected. What I *didn’t* expect was the final twist about their trip. No spoilers, but I was *shocked* and honestly *so mad* for them. The resolution was somewhat satisfying—they overcome it and get their well-earned happily ever after—but those last few chapters were intense. I do wish there had been an epilogue!

Final Thoughts

I’ve loved Lynette Noni’s books in the past, and while this one didn’t top *The Prison Healer* series for me, it certainly didn’t disappoint. Charlie and Zander go through some serious trauma—past and present—but come out stronger for it. If you’re into YA with emotional depth, forced proximity, survival stakes, and a slow burn that pays off, this one is worth picking up.

Charlie wins a contest to spend four days in the Australian wilderness with Zander, a famous actor who was recently arrested for a DUI and needs to clean up his public image. Charlie only agrees to the trip for her best friend, Ember, who is in remission from leukemia and dreams of meeting Zander and becoming an actor one day. Zander only agrees because he’s in danger of losing a major movie deal due to his bad boy image. And the tension between the two could be cut with a knife (not exactly what the producers were looking for). But when things get hairy in the wilderness and disaster strikes on the trail, Charlie and Zander can no longer fight their growing attraction and must work together to get home. This book was great! It was so fun to read about Charlie and Zander’s adventures in the wilderness, and I loved the chemistry between Charlie and Zander as well. While this is a departure from Lynette Noni’s usual fantasy, it was done very well, and I enjoyed it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for my copy! ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book felt so precious and wholesome to me. It was my first read by Lynette Noni, and it absolutely did not disappoint! The writing was beautiful, and watching these two characters grow and heal together was such a treat. I adored every step of their journey.

I really enjoyed this story! It kept me completely engaged and invested. My only complaint was that for a romance it would have been to have a little more going on, other than one kiss at the very end.