Something Wilder

Something Wilder

  • Downloads:7053
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-04-30 00:16:36
  • Update Date:2025-09-24
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Christina Lauren
  • ISBN:B09NNFP58M
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

Growing up the daughter of notorious treasure hunter and absentee father Duke Wilder left Lily without much patience for the profession…or much money in the bank。 But Lily is nothing if not resourceful, and now uses Duke’s coveted hand-drawn maps to guide tourists on fake treasure hunts through the red rock canyons of Utah。 It pays the bills but doesn’t leave enough to fulfill her dream of buying back the beloved ranch her father sold years ago, and definitely not enough to deal with the sight of the man she once loved walking back into her life with a motley crew of friends ready to hit the trails。 Frankly, Lily would like to take him out into the wilderness—and leave him there。

Leo Grady knew mirages were a thing in the desert, but they’d barely left civilization when the silhouette of his greatest regret comes into focus in the flickering light of the campfire。 Ready to leave the past behind him, Leo wants nothing more than to reconnect with his first and only love。 Unfortunately, Lily Wilder is all business, drawing a clear line in the sand: it’s never going to happen。

But when the trip goes horribly and hilariously wrong, the group wonders if maybe the legend of the hidden treasure wasn’t a gimmick after all。 There’s a chance to right the wrongs—of Duke’s past and their own—but only if Leo and Lily can confront their history and work together。 Alone under the stars in the isolated and dangerous mazes of the Canyonlands, Leo and Lily must decide whether they’ll risk their lives and hearts on the adventure of a lifetime。

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Reviews

Sarah

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 Another great slow burn from the dynamic due of Christina Lauren! At first, a few parts seemed rushed through and I wish we’d had more time, but by the end of the book ALL my questions and worries had been answered。 This as a great example of if you are meant to be with someone, you will end up back with them and boy was I glad they found each other again ❤️

Mabel

Think more of a 4。5。 Review coming next week - got to wait based on publishers request。 Will say that this is a really refreshing change from the typical Christina Lauren!

Jessica Brandt

Something Wilder was a lot different than I expected。 It turned out to be a treasure hunting story with a little romance mixed in。 The problem was that the treasure hunt was just ok and the romance was very light。 I feel like Christina Lauren were trying something different and fun and I’m all for it。 I did read it and I will read their next book but I would say go with one theme and stick with it。 If you want to write a book about treasure hunting, go all out and do it but make it the entire fo Something Wilder was a lot different than I expected。 It turned out to be a treasure hunting story with a little romance mixed in。 The problem was that the treasure hunt was just ok and the romance was very light。 I feel like Christina Lauren were trying something different and fun and I’m all for it。 I did read it and I will read their next book but I would say go with one theme and stick with it。 If you want to write a book about treasure hunting, go all out and do it but make it the entire focus of the book。 I was lucky to win this book in a goodreads giveaway and am glad to get to read it ahead of time。 Overall it was a cute, light read。 。。。more

Jaiden

This book is so good。 At first I didn’t think I was into it, but then I couldn’t put it down, and it’s currently 4am and I just finished it。 I am obsessed。 I don’t want to say much。 I’m scared I’ll say too much。 I just want to go on a rant about how good this book was。 Anyways, if anyone was wondering, you should definitely add this to your tbr。

Jill

I had NO IDEA this would become my favorite Christina Lauren book,,,, oh how they outdid themselves

Amber

Filled with adventure, mystery, romance, and good ol’ treasure hunting, Something Wilder takes readers on an unforgettable ride straight into the heart of the untamed Utah wilderness。⛺️🏜☀️To buy back her family ranch, Lily Wilder made a business of guiding tourists on a treasure hunting experience through the same dirt trails as the legendary outlaw Butch Cassidy。 When an unexpected group of guests arrives (including her ex-flame, who she hasn’t seen in a decade😍😱), everything goes up in smoke, Filled with adventure, mystery, romance, and good ol’ treasure hunting, Something Wilder takes readers on an unforgettable ride straight into the heart of the untamed Utah wilderness。⛺️🏜☀️To buy back her family ranch, Lily Wilder made a business of guiding tourists on a treasure hunting experience through the same dirt trails as the legendary outlaw Butch Cassidy。 When an unexpected group of guests arrives (including her ex-flame, who she hasn’t seen in a decade😍😱), everything goes up in smoke, and they decide to seek out the lost riches Cassidy hid in the land for themselves。📜💰With the adrenaline rush of Indiana Jones, the complex family ties and relationships of Outer Banks, and the treasure hunting aspects from Fool’s Gold, this book was a thrill of an adventure straight from the beginning。🤗 The entire rustic cowboy setting and backstory of Lily’s notorious treasure hunting father, his legendary maps, riddles, and ciphers, plus her simmering romance with her lost love, all hooked me in instantly。 The tone of the novel does shift from a fun, lighthearted read into one that focuses more on the action, drama, and adventure。 While I always adore Christina Lauren’s writing and take on romance, I was slightly disappointed the love story wasn’t the focus and the treasure hunting journey was。 I would of loved for the romantic parts to have been expanded on, especially their backstory and connection, which I wish we saw more of and been more deeply explored。Overall, this story was a fun, wild, unexpected adventure that is the perfect bingeable read。🥰 (Plus, I think it would be a GREAT film or tv series。🎬)3。25/5*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review。* 。。。more

Camilla_Reads

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sending me and e-ARC in return for my honest review。 She wanted to put down roots, but growing roots wasn't easy in the desert。"I am a huge Christina Lauren fan and have yet to read a book of theirs I didn't a) devour and b) love。 No book I've read by this powerhouse duo slips beneath four stars。 Something Wilder continues that trend。 Here are the things I loved:- A relatable, fun and extremely capable FMC who knows what she wants and is gunning for i Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sending me and e-ARC in return for my honest review。 She wanted to put down roots, but growing roots wasn't easy in the desert。"I am a huge Christina Lauren fan and have yet to read a book of theirs I didn't a) devour and b) love。 No book I've read by this powerhouse duo slips beneath four stars。 Something Wilder continues that trend。 Here are the things I loved:- A relatable, fun and extremely capable FMC who knows what she wants and is gunning for it no matter how many curve balls life throws her way- A gorgeous, sweet, kind, nerdy, loyal and all around cinnamon-roll MMC who is also swoon-worthy, of course- A host of great side characters that make the story even more well rounded and fun- A completely wild and unexpected plot which hots the ground running- A miscommunication that is resolved in the first 25% of the book instead of being a lazy plotline for the majority of the read- More information on Butch Cassidy than I ever thought I'd learn in a romcom novel! The amount of detailed research Christina and Lauren put into their books is phenomenal。 I'm in awe of how they can seamlessly flit from a Groundhog Day style Christmas romance to a rip-roaring cowboy treasure hunt romance。 I loved this book, such an easy five stars for me and I've already pre-ordered the paperback for my trophy shelf! 。。。more

Kylie

I absolutely loved this book。 I was obsessed from page 1 and never stopped being obsessed。 I found myself thinking desert thoughts and thinking about these characters when I wasn't reading which hardly ever happens。 I couldn't wait to have time to pick it back up again。I characters were fantastic。 Lily and Leo the main characters had such chemistry。 We get a "10 years ago" for the prologue and in those few short pages, it is so obvious that Lily and Leo are meant for each other。 Then we get the I absolutely loved this book。 I was obsessed from page 1 and never stopped being obsessed。 I found myself thinking desert thoughts and thinking about these characters when I wasn't reading which hardly ever happens。 I couldn't wait to have time to pick it back up again。I characters were fantastic。 Lily and Leo the main characters had such chemistry。 We get a "10 years ago" for the prologue and in those few short pages, it is so obvious that Lily and Leo are meant for each other。 Then we get the "10 years later" and Lily and Leo are thousands of miles apart and we don't know why。 Their reunion is so anticipated and I was cheering for them the whole way through。 The side characters were also fantastic。 Nicole was Lily's best friend and she was fierce and loyal。 Leo is on this trip with his friends Walter, Bradley and Terry。 Walter was by far my favorite。 He was the cinnamon roll。 Bradley was so excited for the trip and his excitement was contagious to me。 Terry was a jerk but that was his character。 The plot was great。 I was never bored, never wanted to put the book down, the slower parts still kept me totally engaged。 I loved the thought that this fake treasure hunt turned into a real treasure hunt。 With this being a romance, you wouldn't think there would be so many twists, but right from the start there were twists I didn't see coming and they made my excitement so much more。Out of the few Christina Lauren books I've read, this is my favorite!Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Tiffany Johnson

4-4。5 starsThis was definitely something different from these two authors and I really enjoyed it! Indiana Jones meets Yellowstone meets Romancing the Stone, CLo brings us a book with plenty of adventure, enough mystery to keep you on your toes, and a slow burn second chance romance amidst the red rocks and canyons of the wild west。 The writing gave me a visualization like I was watching this on the big screen, I could totally envision every single thing happening。Lily is tough and independent ( 4-4。5 starsThis was definitely something different from these two authors and I really enjoyed it! Indiana Jones meets Yellowstone meets Romancing the Stone, CLo brings us a book with plenty of adventure, enough mystery to keep you on your toes, and a slow burn second chance romance amidst the red rocks and canyons of the wild west。 The writing gave me a visualization like I was watching this on the big screen, I could totally envision every single thing happening。Lily is tough and independent (and suffering from some major abandonment issues) and trying like heck to make her dreams happen but she just can't seem to catch a break。 When the man who left her high and dry without an explanation 10 years ago shows up on one of her adventure tours she can hardly believe it。 Leo is a total cupcake。 He's sweet and smart and so selfless it almost hurts。 Lily is the one who got away after life forced him down a different path and when their paths cross again it's like he's 22 and right back at that crossroads and he's never felt more alive than when he's with her。 I loved all the action and the mystery of the characters surrounding the plot and solving of riddles and puzzles to figure out the clues to the treasure。 CLo does character development very well and I enjoyed the cast。 The one thing I wish there was more of was romance。 Romance kind of took a back seat to the action adventure and while I loved this departure from their norm I couldn't help but wish there was a bit more romance, a little more love story in the end。 。。。more

Lou

One of the highlights of every new year, in my opinion, is finding out what new experience Christina Lauren will have in store for us with their new book。 In 2020, they gave us In a Holidaze, a sweet holiday book with a side of Groundhog Day and last year, it was The Soulmate Equation an unexpectedly nerdy foray into the world of genetics and answering the question: “Can our soulmate be matched through our DNA?” (The short answer is yes。) And this 2022, Christina Lauren is guaranteed to wow new One of the highlights of every new year, in my opinion, is finding out what new experience Christina Lauren will have in store for us with their new book。 In 2020, they gave us In a Holidaze, a sweet holiday book with a side of Groundhog Day and last year, it was The Soulmate Equation an unexpectedly nerdy foray into the world of genetics and answering the question: “Can our soulmate be matched through our DNA?” (The short answer is yes。) And this 2022, Christina Lauren is guaranteed to wow new and old readers with this second chance adventure Romance that will melt your heart with how warm it is while also increasing your heart rate with its thrills and touch of suspense。I was 90% there for Lily and her absolutely badass, takes-no-shit attitude。 All her experiences shaped her up to be the woman we see her in Something Wilder, one that is fascinating, whip-smart, and not afraid to throw down。 There were moments wherein I wish she’d let herself be vulnerable and open but given the things she’d went through and had to give up, I understand her apprehension。 She was constantly let down by the people she loved and who were supposed to love her back, moving on from that isn’t easy, especially when the consequences of all those things leave her in a situation she’s unfortunately stuck in。 But her drive and tenacity are nothing short of amazing。And while I was cheering Lily on most of the book, the remaining 10% was just me being a simple person and simping over Leo and his juicy thighs。 He complements Lily so well; his soft, lovesickness for Lily offsets her fierce need to protect her heart, his cute mathematician/IT-nerdiness goes well with her survival smarts and codebreaking, and of course, his pining for her matches with her longing for him。 But beyond his relationship with Lily, he’s his very own person and it gave me joy that we got POVs from Leo as well, allowing us an insight into his thoughts。 Leo’s never had the opportunity to be selfish, after tragedy struck when his when younger and then having to be a parent to his sister for years, this is the first time he’s ever had the opportunity to do something for himself, and seeing him… blossom and find that place for himself was such an awe-inspiring moment。 It’s honestly impossible not to fall in love with Leo, trust me on this。If there are two things that I will say impressed me the most about Something Wilder, it’s 1) the incredible detail in which Christina Lauren describes the sceneries in Utah, it was my first time feeling overwhelmed by the setting in their books and how lush the landscape was。 I’ve never been to those canyons but with the way everything was described, it felt like I was there, having the sun beating at my back, touching the rock surfaces while trying to find my footing… the experience was nothing short of transformative; and 2) all the notes and riddles and codes were so。 Much。 Fun。 I love that there were actual pages put into the book and as a reader, we’re also given the opportunity to try and solve these clues as the characters do as well。 The amount of research the authors must have done on Butch Cassidy, his heists, all the types of ciphers in order to create the codes, and everything else must have been extensive and the effort really paid off。The plot itself was just plain fun and in true Christina Lauren fashion, the tense moments end up veering to a more humorous route。 And this book wouldn’t be as successful without the rest of the ensemble cast, even the side characters had something to contribute to this book; I absolutely adored the bond between Nicole and Lily, and the friendship between Leo, Walt and Bradley and even though tiny hands Terry is an asshole, he gave something…? to the story as well。Something Wilder is the Adventure Romance of your dreams, Christina Lauren takes you on this unbelievable journey of discovering not just treasure, but finding lost love and the place where you truly belong。 There was never a dull moment in this one, amongst all the excitement and surprising tension, it was difficult to pull away, the need to turn the next page and see what would happen next was nearing obsessive。 This is the perfect escapist novel and I can definitely see myself going back to this just to seek comfort and some adventure (and yes, the one bed scene it had wasn't FTB #bless but I definitely wish there was more。。。)。 Christina Lauren’s 2022 release is an absolutely fun success and this only makes me more excited to see what they’ll have in store for us with their next release。Massive thank you to Leo PR for gifting an ARC in exchange of an honest review! 。。。more

Maya

read as an arc from netgalley- what can i say, christina & lauren you’ve done it again。 as with their other books this was a fun fast paced easy read that kept you hooked。 i didn’t read the description before reading so i did NOT know what direction this book was going in but i don’t think a treasure hunt could ever be a bad thing。 brb, adding cowboy to the list of potential careers for my future husband

Morgan

LOVED! This was such a fun adventure romance! Very different from any other Christina Lauren novel and I really enjoyed it!Full review to come。

Lindsay Rambo

🥾I’m not normally a romance girl but Christina Lauren books are an exception for me。 This might be my favorite from the duo。 It’s light on the romance and heavy on adventure。 While I was reading I just kept thinking about Romancing the Stone, The Goonies, City Slickers and Indiana Jones。 If you haven’t seen any of these…my old 80’s heart is sad for you。 I went into this one completely blind other than a friend recommending it。 I don’t want to give away too much so read this if you like⬇️💰Treasur 🥾I’m not normally a romance girl but Christina Lauren books are an exception for me。 This might be my favorite from the duo。 It’s light on the romance and heavy on adventure。 While I was reading I just kept thinking about Romancing the Stone, The Goonies, City Slickers and Indiana Jones。 If you haven’t seen any of these…my old 80’s heart is sad for you。 I went into this one completely blind other than a friend recommending it。 I don’t want to give away too much so read this if you like⬇️💰Treasure Hunts⛺️Adventure👯‍♀️Strong female characters & friendships🧩Puzzles, Riddles & Codes🔥Very Mild Heat💞Second Chance Romance⛺️Thank you to the publisher, authors and @netgalley for my eARC。 This one is out on May 17th and I can’t wait to see what everything thinks of it! 。。。more

Natalyn

The Wild West treasure hunt I didn’t know I needed, “Something Wilder” by Christina Lauren follows Chloe Wilder after her father’s death。 Chloe’s father was a well known treasure hunter, often choosing to follow adventure rather than stay with his daughter。 Now Chloe, desperate for cash, begins giving adventure tours along famous outlaw trails despite her hate for it。 This tour group though is different。 The man she thought she would love forever is there after years of no contact。 And on top of The Wild West treasure hunt I didn’t know I needed, “Something Wilder” by Christina Lauren follows Chloe Wilder after her father’s death。 Chloe’s father was a well known treasure hunter, often choosing to follow adventure rather than stay with his daughter。 Now Chloe, desperate for cash, begins giving adventure tours along famous outlaw trails despite her hate for it。 This tour group though is different。 The man she thought she would love forever is there after years of no contact。 And on top of that, the treasure might be real。This book was absolute fun。 Okay, besides the murder。 But what is a Wild West story without some gun slinging, nature fearing intensity? I think everyone has had that moment where they wish they could find treasure, this book captures that feeling in the most satisfying way… And throwing in a little romance never hurt。This book was absolutely 5 stars for me。 It was fun and quick and kept me on my toes。 I loved the little riddles and clues, but mostly I loved the character development throughout the book。 Definitely a fun summer read!Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review。 This book hits the shelves May 17th! 。。。more

natalia

*4。5

Katie Prouty

Woooboy! This was like The Goonies meets Indian Jones。 (Plays Raiders of the Lost Ark soundtrack)。 Adventure is out there! Leo Grady。 SWOON。 Lovesick City Boy。 🥰

Camryn O'Conner

This is my 3rd book by Christina Lauren ( the first being Love and Other Words, which is a favorite of all time。) I was worried that my standards were going to be to high for any of their subsequent works。 Wellllllll They didn't let me down with this one! Lilly is an independent and strong willed, while Leo balances her out。 But lets talk about Leo a Bit more😍! LOVE LOVE LOVE HIM。 I was worried in the beginning because I wasn't feeling the chemistry between Lilly and Leo but THE DUO HAS MASTERED This is my 3rd book by Christina Lauren ( the first being Love and Other Words, which is a favorite of all time。) I was worried that my standards were going to be to high for any of their subsequent works。 Wellllllll They didn't let me down with this one! Lilly is an independent and strong willed, while Leo balances her out。 But lets talk about Leo a Bit more😍! LOVE LOVE LOVE HIM。 I was worried in the beginning because I wasn't feeling the chemistry between Lilly and Leo but THE DUO HAS MASTERED SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE!!! Also the one bed troupe (or rather one sleeping bag😜) will never let me down。 I was pleasantly surprised by the puzzles throughout the book。 They were just difficult enough where I would have never figured them out but they didn't make me feel dumb😂。 I will say that a death toward the beginning, while necessary I guess, seemed pretty rushed in my opinion。 The plot twist toward the end was also pretty unexpected。 Overall I'd say this is something I didn't expect from the Duo, but throughly enjoyed。Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an eARC in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Bewaji

I didn’t expect to fear for the lives of Lily and Leo, but I actually was。 Leo’s friends leave a lot to be desired but what in the world! Not to give too much away, The romance was there in this book, but so also was the danger。 It shows people cannot be trusted when it comes to money。 The second chance of Lily and Leo almost didn’t happen。 This book left me at the edge of my seat most of the time。 I have to re read now that i know what happened。 The danger and mystery aspect of this make it a f I didn’t expect to fear for the lives of Lily and Leo, but I actually was。 Leo’s friends leave a lot to be desired but what in the world! Not to give too much away, The romance was there in this book, but so also was the danger。 It shows people cannot be trusted when it comes to money。 The second chance of Lily and Leo almost didn’t happen。 This book left me at the edge of my seat most of the time。 I have to re read now that i know what happened。 The danger and mystery aspect of this make it a five star read for me。 Ha ha ha…*ARC provided by the Publishers through NetGalley* 。。。more

Amber ♡︎ cvillebooksandwine

Love love love! Christina Lauren is another dynamic duo that will always be an auto-buy for me。 I adored this book。 I loved following Lily and Leo and their journey, past and present, to love。 I laughed, I felt all the feels, and thoroughly enjoyed this one。 I will be buying a hard copy of this for my shelf!

Callie Hutchison

Thank you to Edelweiss+ for an advance reader copy! I’ll start out by saying – I’m a huge Christina Lauren fan! The Unhoneymooners, Love and Other Words, Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, The Soulmate Equation, and Autoboyography…truly five star reads for me。 This one…I’m not sure。 This was a classic CLo book – I love a second chance romance and that part of the book delivered。 I thought Leo was a sweetheart and really enjoyed the scenes between Leo and Lily。 It started out a little slow but Thank you to Edelweiss+ for an advance reader copy! I’ll start out by saying – I’m a huge Christina Lauren fan! The Unhoneymooners, Love and Other Words, Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, The Soulmate Equation, and Autoboyography…truly five star reads for me。 This one…I’m not sure。 This was a classic CLo book – I love a second chance romance and that part of the book delivered。 I thought Leo was a sweetheart and really enjoyed the scenes between Leo and Lily。 It started out a little slow but it built momentum and I ended up really liking them as a couple。Something Wilder was fun and different from their other books – it centered around horseback riding, treasure hunting, camping, solving puzzles and clues, and featured many stereotypical bad guys in a western type setting。 This wasn’t my favorite CLo book and I think it’s because I wasn’t super into the cheesy and quirky adventure story – I found a lot of the characters to be far fetched and a lot of scenarios to be completely unbelievable/over the top。 I’m looking forward to their next book – this one just missed the mark for me。 ☹ 。。。more

Alissa

Different setting with a modern cowboy vibe and lost love with a bit of an adventure mystery thrown in。

Maryanne/MA

What a wild ride! Pun intended! One of the many things I love about Christina Lauren is that their stand-alone books are not formulaic or predictable。 The settings are diverse, the characters multi-dimensional。 This one was such a treat! Lily Wilder leads tourists on treasure hunting expeditions in Utah using her late dad's maps。 。Lily's convinced the maps are all a dead end, but hey, if tourists want to pay her to follow them, then she's in。 it's not her dream gig, but it *almost* pays her bill What a wild ride! Pun intended! One of the many things I love about Christina Lauren is that their stand-alone books are not formulaic or predictable。 The settings are diverse, the characters multi-dimensional。 This one was such a treat! Lily Wilder leads tourists on treasure hunting expeditions in Utah using her late dad's maps。 。Lily's convinced the maps are all a dead end, but hey, if tourists want to pay her to follow them, then she's in。 it's not her dream gig, but it *almost* pays her bills。 Then, a group of four guys from New York sign-up and yikes! One of them is her long-lost love, Leo。 Ends up that that's the *least* of her worries! Not only Lily and Leo they have to navigate their long-buried feelings, but there's treachery and back-stabbing and double-crossing galore, all set in a brutal, unforgiving landscape。 Could not put this down! Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review! 。。。more

Lain | readingwithpointers

Something Wilder Review 🌵Pages: 384Pace: fastGenre: romanceThemes: second chance romance, adventure, finding your passion, responsibility, family obligations, friendship, wanderlustMy thoughts: this is definitely my favorite setting out of all the Christina Lauren books! I felt like I was back out in the desert, under the stars! It was so atmospheric and I was here for it。 This book was also different from anything they’ve written before。 It had a mystery/thriller element to it that really kept Something Wilder Review 🌵Pages: 384Pace: fastGenre: romanceThemes: second chance romance, adventure, finding your passion, responsibility, family obligations, friendship, wanderlustMy thoughts: this is definitely my favorite setting out of all the Christina Lauren books! I felt like I was back out in the desert, under the stars! It was so atmospheric and I was here for it。 This book was also different from anything they’ve written before。 It had a mystery/thriller element to it that really kept the plot moving forward。 Since thrillers are my fav, I really appreciated this part of the story。 I also loved the romance—nobody writes chemistry and steam like Christina Lauren, and the second-chance trope is one of my favorites! While Love & Other Words and Unhoneymooners still remain my favorites by this duo, I think fans will really love this one too (out May 17!)Who should read: fans of Outer Banks (show on Netflix) and Yellowstone (Beth & Rip storyline) 。。。more

Erin Kirstein Allen

I want to start this review by stating that I am a huge Christina Lauren fan and have read 7 of their books。 That being said, Something Wilder is my favorite。 I was expecting the usual fun, quirky romance but this novel was different。 It definitely is a romance and has all of their usual humor but I wasn’t expecting the adventure and thriller-like twists。 I couldn’t put this book down and finished it quickly in a weekend。 Hands down -5 stars!Lili Wilder falls in love with Leo in their early 20s I want to start this review by stating that I am a huge Christina Lauren fan and have read 7 of their books。 That being said, Something Wilder is my favorite。 I was expecting the usual fun, quirky romance but this novel was different。 It definitely is a romance and has all of their usual humor but I wasn’t expecting the adventure and thriller-like twists。 I couldn’t put this book down and finished it quickly in a weekend。 Hands down -5 stars!Lili Wilder falls in love with Leo in their early 20s -this is true earth-shattering love, but the two of separated by unforeseen circumstances。 Lili was raised by the renowned treasure hunter Duke Wilder who would leave for extended periods in search of adventure。 Lili resented Duke’s absences and his insistence that she decoded messages and complete challenges created by him。 However, Lili finds herself a decade later running a treasure hunting experience for those wealthy enough to afford such a trip (a girl has to make a living)。 Enter Leo -who after all of these years has not forgotten or stopped loving Lili。 Leo and his college pals go on a weeklong trip each year。 This year they will go on a real cowboy adventure looking for the lost treasure of Butch Cassidy。 This is where the real adventure begins。I would like to thank NetGalley, Christina Lauren, and Simon and Schuster Publishing for allowing me to read an advanced copy for this honest review。 。。。more

Rachel

I listened to the audiobook, and I loved that the authors read the introduction themselves。 They shared background on the research they had done in order to make the book as accurate as possible, which I appreciated。I loved the prologue of the story, and I enjoyed the beginning。 There was a event that occurred a quarter of the way through that unexpectedly changed the tone of the story, but the middle was still adventurous and fun, if a bit slow and far-fetched。 The epic ending ties everything u I listened to the audiobook, and I loved that the authors read the introduction themselves。 They shared background on the research they had done in order to make the book as accurate as possible, which I appreciated。I loved the prologue of the story, and I enjoyed the beginning。 There was a event that occurred a quarter of the way through that unexpectedly changed the tone of the story, but the middle was still adventurous and fun, if a bit slow and far-fetched。 The epic ending ties everything up perfectly。 This is not a typical rom-com, but it is an enjoyable adventure tale that features second-chance romance。 。。。more

Victoria

Disclaimer: I won an ARC in a goodreads giveaway。2。5/5。 This book was。。。。 strange。 It is a Western adventure novel crossed with a second-chance romance。 The blurb and intro notes from the authors make it sound like the romance is a bigger focus than it really is。 The central focus is the treasure hunt, which was pretty fun and had some genuinely surprising twists and turns along with a couple twists I could see coming。 It was definitely a page turner at points。The romance was a second chance rom Disclaimer: I won an ARC in a goodreads giveaway。2。5/5。 This book was。。。。 strange。 It is a Western adventure novel crossed with a second-chance romance。 The blurb and intro notes from the authors make it sound like the romance is a bigger focus than it really is。 The central focus is the treasure hunt, which was pretty fun and had some genuinely surprising twists and turns along with a couple twists I could see coming。 It was definitely a page turner at points。The romance was a second chance romance。 Like many of CL's novels the MMC, Leo, was very sweet, which I love。 The authors turned the one bed trope into a one tent/one sleeping bag trope which was really fun too。 I thought both characters were fleshed out well but their romance wasn't all the way there。 They definitely had chemistry, but they didn't really have much banter or anything really drawing them together。 We see flashbacks of when they first fell in love 10 years back, but it seemed a bit insta-lovey。 Also, the book is not as lighthearted fun as the blurb and author intro claims。 It is definitely not a rom-com by any means (though there are a couple funny lines here and there)。 There are some traumatizing scenes with accidental death, being held at gunpoint, a kidnapping/hostage situation, and physical violence。 This heightened the drama but I honestly could've done without them。。。 the riddles and puzzles from the treasure hunt and the struggle against nature are dramatic enough and would've kept the book in lighthearted but emotional territory。 (view spoiler)[ It was also very weird and unsettling that the characters moved on so quickly from Terry dying and them all being held at gunpoint by Terry and Bradley, that seemed like a really unrealistic way for people to react to something so traumatic。 (hide spoiler)]Another thing that makes me uncomfortable is the erasure of Native people from the backdrop of this book。 The people who live here are exclusively white in this book。 The authors awkwardly mention "tribal lands"。。。 (There are 2 passing mentions of "tribal lands", one of which is about giving money to tribal lands when money can only be given to Native Nations/orgs not the land itself?? This is from the ARC so hoping they fix this at least in the published version。)This is my fourth CL book (Soulmate Equation, In a Holidaze, and Love and Other Words) and I realized for all of them besides Soulmate Equation, they all had something that made me rate it 2 stars。 These are their "women's fiction"/fiction books so I'm curious to go back and try some of their older backlist before completely given up on them。 TW/CW: death in freak accident, physical violence, kidnapping/hostage situation, parental loss, parental neglect/abandonment, semi-explicit sex but not too spicy 。。。more

Andi

At first glance, you think you're going to read a typical CLo second-chance, romance, but that's where you'd be wrong。 Out of all the Christina Lauren books I've read, this one felt totally different。 It almost reads as a western suspense romance。 It felt completely unexpected from them and reminded me of the movie City Slickers, but with romance。 Just when you think you've got it figured out, there's another twist or turn。I liked that there was no miscommunication between the two MCs, once they At first glance, you think you're going to read a typical CLo second-chance, romance, but that's where you'd be wrong。 Out of all the Christina Lauren books I've read, this one felt totally different。 It almost reads as a western suspense romance。 It felt completely unexpected from them and reminded me of the movie City Slickers, but with romance。 Just when you think you've got it figured out, there's another twist or turn。I liked that there was no miscommunication between the two MCs, once they reconnected, and there was no third act break-up。 The story is more about their adventure, but with enough romance to call it a romance。Overall, it was fun and kept me guessing until the end。 I enjoyed reading it。 4。5 Stars。Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Kaye

I love that Christina Lauren places another of their books in Utah。 The setting is the beautiful and desolate red rock Canyonlands in southern Utah。 Lily Wilder runs a western adventure camp。 She takes wanna be cowboys on horseback into the canyons to experience life on the trail。 As part of the experience there are puzzles and clues to discover a to a fake treasure。 Her father was Duke Wilder, a famous treasure hunter。 He’s been gone for seven years now and this job pays the bills and lets her I love that Christina Lauren places another of their books in Utah。 The setting is the beautiful and desolate red rock Canyonlands in southern Utah。 Lily Wilder runs a western adventure camp。 She takes wanna be cowboys on horseback into the canyons to experience life on the trail。 As part of the experience there are puzzles and clues to discover a to a fake treasure。 Her father was Duke Wilder, a famous treasure hunter。 He’s been gone for seven years now and this job pays the bills and lets her keep her horses but with nothing left over。 Her family ranch is up for sale and the owner is giving her first chance to purchase it。 The next tour group arrives and she shockingly her first and only true love Leo Grady is among the four men。 He works in IT in NYC and has never gotten over Lily。 Instead of a typical CL rom-com this is a treasure hunting adventure romance。 There are clues, maps and bad guys all after the treasure they think Duke found。 Both Lily and Leo are great。 I like that they quickly clear up the reasons they separated twelve years earlier。 Leo decides early on he isn’t blowing this second chance at love even though their lives seem worlds apart。 The adventure is good, with twists and turns looking for clues left behind by Duke。 It isn’t written in a way for the reader to solve the clues but instead to watch the characters figure things out。 I found the adventure great fun and can imagine how enjoyable it was for the authors to write。 The only downside for me is that you never see Lily and Leo coming together when they were younger。 You just have to accept their love as a given。 So I didn’t feel as invested in their relationship as a couple in the beginning。 There are a couple of limited flashbacks to when they were already a together。 But you don’t know how they met up or started dating。I recommend this romantic adventure and will continue to look out for any future books by the author。 Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Amanda

First, thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC!Second, I will read any Christina Lauren book you put in front of me。 It's a fact。Third, this is neither my favorite or least favorite of their books。 It was mostly just fine。 I didn't expect the adventure plot to be so wild and twisty。 I think there was definitely a point where the twists went off the rails and was a twist too far, but I'm sure some readers will be delighted by it。 The romance was OK。 It all felt really predictable and under developed, a First, thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC!Second, I will read any Christina Lauren book you put in front of me。 It's a fact。Third, this is neither my favorite or least favorite of their books。 It was mostly just fine。 I didn't expect the adventure plot to be so wild and twisty。 I think there was definitely a point where the twists went off the rails and was a twist too far, but I'm sure some readers will be delighted by it。 The romance was OK。 It all felt really predictable and under developed, and the second chance swoon wasn't for me。So, between 3-4 stars for me, but I'm rounding up for the pretty scenery and a good treasure hunt。 。。。more

Addie Yoder

When an author says "this book is totally different", I listen。 I go into the reading with an open mind and a reminder to myself that they said up front this book is not the same。 This book is not the same。 It's setting in the national parks of Utah is completely different than anything that I have read from CLo。 The adventure/treasure hunt story line takes a little bit of the front of the stage。 Again, not what we usually get。 But the second chance love story that happens through the race and t When an author says "this book is totally different", I listen。 I go into the reading with an open mind and a reminder to myself that they said up front this book is not the same。 This book is not the same。 It's setting in the national parks of Utah is completely different than anything that I have read from CLo。 The adventure/treasure hunt story line takes a little bit of the front of the stage。 Again, not what we usually get。 But the second chance love story that happens through the race and twists and turns of the adventure is exactly what we want from CLo。 It just doesn't take center stage。 I loved the setting。 I am a cowboy romance lover at heart and this book fit that need in me and also hit all of the feels that I want from CLo。 I loved the cast of characters。 I enjoyed the bad guys and the adventures。 I loved the clever plot twists and the external conflicts that allowed Lily and Leo to come together as people instead of big internal struggles。 I openly admit to being a Christina Lauren fan from the beginnings of the Beautiful series and have read with them as they have grown as authors。 So when they said, this is different, but this is what we needed to write。 I let them have that and loved it just the same。 。。。more