Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for a copy of this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

As a huge fan of CLo and their novels, I was very excited to receive an ARC of Something Wilder. I knew it was going to be something different, given the synopsis, but I wasn't ready for the adventure this book would take me on.

It is fantastically written, and you can appreciate the level of research Christina Lauren have put into this world. It feels very cinematic, and I saw it all in my head as if I were snuggled in bed watching a movie as I read it. Something Wilder had all the elements to keep one invested - great characters, surprises and good plot twists along the way, a wild adventure that doesn't let up until the very end, and a second chance romance that was really beautifully weaved into this novel.

Both Lily Wilder and Leo Grady are exceptional characters. I loved learning about their past connection and how that fared upon reuniting on the trip together. Forced proximity helped bring back the natural chemistry these two had, though I did feel (and rightfully so) that Lily's defensive nature towards Leo's advances went on a little too long. I was thrilled that the authors didn't drag out the miscommunication between the pair over the reason for their sudden break up in the past. More importantly, it's maturely aired by the first third of the novel. The approach to this was dealt with so well. It was refreshing to have two people react and resolve some of their angst and tension by speaking it out and not ignoring the elephant in the room - or should I say, desert. I applaud CLo for this as it's something that many other romances drag out to the point of it becoming dry. It gave both Leo and Lily my respect, and I became more invested in them because of their mature approach.

The romance isn't at the forefront of this novel like it is in other CLo novels, but this isn't a bad thing. If you're coming into this just for the romance, you'll be a little disappointed if you're not into adventure. Whilst it isn't a subplot or thrown on the backburner in any way, the chase for the treasure and figuring out Duke Wilder's final clues is where the focus lies. That being said, when experiencing the romantic elements, the tension is perfect, the spice is tasteful and not overly detailed, and you leave this world knowing that Lily and Leo love each other and always will.

The side characters were intriguing, and I loved the adventure aspect so much. Whilst I predicted a lot that happened, I was thrown a couple of times along the way, which I was thankful for. The way the clues are done and the choices the characters make are really interesting, and as I said before, the vibe of this world is very movie-like. The world-building is overwhelmingly realistic- the sheer level of detail to their surroundings, the dangers, and how it all ties into the treasure hunt felt immersive from the get-go. I loved the legend around Butch Cassidy as well - these ladies really did their homework to make this world as in-depth as it was.

I originally gave this book 4.5 stars at the time of reading this, but it's been on my mind since I've finished it a lot. I admire the level of work Christina Lauren put into Something Wilder, so I've popped it up to a 5-star rating.

This book was so fun!

I always expect a bit of humor from a Christina Lauren book but this one was especially funny. Walter was my absolute favorite—he made me laugh pretty much every time he showed up. This is a fairly high-action, suspenseful, romance and the comic relief balanced it out really well.

All of the characters felt very fleshed out and I enjoyed reading about all of them. Lily and Leo were great POV characters and it was great watching them grapple with what they thought was real vs. what was actually real. I really appreciated the miscommunication being sorted out right at the beginning because it gave them time to work through their feelings about it and it didn’t feel rushed.

I found the treasure hunting aspect really fun. Nothing particularly surprised me reveal-wise, but, even though I figured out what was coming, the authors made the journey to get there so fun that I didn’t mind.

Christina Lauren's books just feel cozy and easy and Something Wilder was no exception. This is the perfect Summer Romance if you’re looking for something a little different.

Content warnings: Sexual harassment, gun violence, death/grieving, car accident, parental abandonment, illness, near-drowning, murder, broken bones.

Something Wilder centres Lily, daughter of notorious treasure hunter and absentee father, Duke Wilder. Lily leads a life using Duke’s hand drawn maps to guide tourists on fake treasure hunts through the red rock canyons of Utah. It pays the bills but certainly 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, Lilly would like to take Leo Grady out into the wilderness and leave him there. When the trip goes horribly wrong, Leo and Lily must confront their history and decide whether they’ll risk their lives and hearts on the adventure of a lifetime.

I love Christina Lauren books – This was instantly on my TBR, so I was thrilled to be accepted after requesting to read this one via NetGalley. Christina Lauren knows how to write such fun-loving romances. This one I felt was different to the others, I found it to be less romance and more action/adventure. There was a strong focus on the treasure hunt and uncovering a mystery.

This was a lovely comfort read, very uplifting and perfect for a cosy evening. I loved the friendship of Lily and her work colleague/ bestie Nicole – I always enjoy reading about fierce women who don’t take any nonsense, especially not from immature male guests. Luke was charming, I loved the workaholic phone addiction storyline and thought it was great that his friends organised a trip to remote Utah to get him away.

This is a unique story and not entirely what I was expecting. I enjoyed it, but I didn’t love it. There was too much focus on the treasure hunt and the I found the ‘lads’ to be irritating, which was of course intentional but difficult to continuously read when the are a large feature of the story. Why such a cute charmer like Leo was even friends with them to begin with was such a mystery.
I also felt the relationship was rushed – 10 years apart and suddenly nothings changed and they are in love again. I know it’s a story – but 10 years!!

Christina Lauren are amazing so I urge you to read this one to form your own opinion. I am excited for whatever they write next!

4 stars
The title of this novel is perfect. It really is a wild ride and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
There’s always an element in Christina Lauren books that’s a little outside the realms of reality. If you can just go with it they really do take you along on a funny, adventurous, page-turning ride.
This really came to life as I read it and felt like one of those books that plays out as a movie in your head.
The main characters are incredibly likeable and their romance is sweet and very genuine.
The side characters balanced it all out nicely and the pace was relentless.
I have been patiently waiting for this one for a while and was not disappointed.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This one was definitely fun. It started off really well and then kind of went in a weird direction, but I still enjoyed it for sure. It's sort of a book of two halves for me.

You don't know this about me but I love outdoorsy, in the elements stories. If anything is set in the jungle, the desert etc? Love it. Something about being in danger making people fall in love I guess. But there was a LOT of walking about in this, just saying.

Now onto the most important bit, which is of course the romance. Which was really sweet. I loved the hero, Leo, especially. I really liked that he was sure about his feelings for Lily straight away and always honest about it was and really wanted to be there for her. They got rid of the miscommunication straight away as well which was a nice change. HOWEVER....

I think I'll say it like this: there was a lot of romance, but not a lot of sexual tension. For me that's important, but I know that some people aren't going to be as bothered about that. There is one sex scene and thankfully it isn't a fade to black (I'm never going to forgive them for the fade to black in the unhooneymooners, ok) but it's sort of vague and flowery, which I suppose I could have suspected.

I don't know. I liked it a lot, and it was fun. Don't think I'm ever going to reread it again, or even really think about it much again, but it was a nice way to pass the morning before work.

A wild and fun four-star read. This was one that I was so excited to read, but sadly it did feel lacking in a couple of small ways, but that may just me being picky as I have loved this author before. I really liked the beginning and the end made this so, so good, but sadly the middle left me a little wondery. The twists were well done, and if you picked the clues you could get it, but the clues of this story were well done much like Dukes treasure hunts. I am hoping that its just me that that wandered with this story as I am sure so many will love it, like I have loved the authors other works.

This is an open door romance.

I think this would be a great summer read. I was able to put down and pick up this book and was still able to follow the story line.

True to its title “Something Wilder” was indeed wild. A second chance romance filled with mystery, adventures, friendships, fun, and of course love.

🌵Adventurous
💛Second Chance Romance
💰Treasure Hunt
💔Betrayal

I was so excited when I received the news I had receive the book since it was a second chance romance(my favorite trope), from an author I really like, and it was a bit different then my normal reads.

While the book is a second chance, which is a common trope, the book couldn’t be more unique and unpredictable. It was a page turner, I got hooked from the start.

I throughly enjoyed Lily and Leo!
I loved their dynamic, their chemistry and their love. Leo is such an lovable person. Nerdy, sweet and completely gone for Lily.
Lily is tough, badass, funny, and kind.

I ADORED Walter and Nicole so much. Walter is an absolute sweetheart, and Nicole is such a badass woman!

I’m so thankful to Little, Brown Book Group UK for providing me with an ARC.

This made me want to do an escape room!
I wasn't 100% sure of the book for the first maybe 20%, but the more I read the more I ended up loving it. It has a second chance romance, a treasure hunt, some drama and twists and turns and just a really fun concept that I have never read before? It was so nice to read something unique (to me) and as much as I enjoyed the romance (Christina Laurens speciality) I kinda ended up enjoying the treasure hunt aspect of it more? It was fast paced did just hook me and I didn't want to put it down, and it was FUN, it was very much a super enjoyable journey, with cool characters, a cool setting, a cool plot, where the romance wasn't necessarily front and centre. So if you're reading this book purely for romance the you might not love it, as the chemistry between the characters didn't do it for me (which is unusual for their novels), but if you are looking for an Indiana Jones type treasure hunt with a sprinkling of romance then you will love it, if you want to go on a fun adventure but also have a bit of romance in there, you will also love it.
I think it's a bit different from their previous novels, HOWEVER, that is not a bad thing in my opinion, just go into it ready for an adventure and not the best romantic duo you've ever heard of.

I received an arc of this book in return for my honest review of the book. Thank you to Christina Lauren and Little Brown Book Group / Piatkus for giving me the opportunity to read Something Wilder before it’s release.

This book is hands down my favourite Christina Lauren book yet! I read this in one sitting and I did not put it down for a moment. The characters were brilliant, I adored their interactions and the setting made everything grander and higher stakes.

Something Wilder follows Lily Wilder after a series of tragic events which resulted in her losing her father, the ranch, and Leo. Now working as an adventure guide with her friend Nicole, the pair take tourists through the desert hunting fake treasure in order to make ends meet. When what looks to be her last tourist group arrives however, she is shocked to see Leo amongst them, especially after how their relationship ended years ago.
But not everything is as it seems, and it turns out that Duke Wilder’s maps aren’t all for show, leading the group on a perilous search for the hidden treasure and a chance to save not only the ranch Lily loves, but maybe it can salvage whats left of Lily and Leo’s past relationship.

This book just kept giving more and more, each element weaving a more intricate love story within the desert of Utah. I was not expecting the twists and turns that followed, but they were pleasant surprises and served to make the story even more gripping.

The relationship between Lily and Leo was palpable, from the moment the two locked eyes again I was rooting for them to reunite, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Every touch, every kiss felt magnified tenfold by the high stakes hunt for treasure, and the spice was brilliantly written and in keeping with the novel- it never once felt out of place or forced.

Honestly I’ll be getting my hands on a physical copy as soon as I can, and I would completely recommend everyone reading this does the same!

Lily's father was a treasure hunter, who died leaving her penniless after a lifetime of failed adventure. She now makes ends meet by taking thrill seeking tourists out on adventure trails, and is thrown for a loop when one of her tourists turns out to be the love of her life, who left 10 years ago and never returned.

Something Wilder wasn't very romancey, which was a surprise since that's what I was expecting. However, it was a good adventure story with some unexpected twists and I enjoyed it regardless!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I became a huge fan of this writing duo after reading and loving The Unhoneymooners. I loved Something Wilder, it felt like it very easily could’ve been a Nicholas Sparks novel! I loved the romance, it was cute without being too overbearing. The reunion was written super well! I did start to lose interest at one point halfway through when the story took a unbelievable turn but I still powered through and the ending was definitely worth it!

I dove straight into this book and found it an easy read. I loved the setting, and the rustic vibe made me long for a ranch visit. I really appreciated how the MC was a such tough cookie with an interesting upbringing, and how she got her second chance at love. Lily felt original, and I adored her friendship with Nicole - it was nice to see two strong women propping each other up and working at a tough business together.

The idea of buried treasure in the canyons was great fun and something a little different from these authors. I did feel the suspense elements were a tad too predictable for my liking - it sort of reminded me of a paler version of Nora Roberts romantic suspense novels in this respect. The banter usually found in Christina Lauren books wasn't as prevalent, but the love interest was likeable - a bit of an honourable white knight in my mind - and you rooted for them to be together in the end, even if I didn't always feel the spark. Walter, I have to say, was a fantastic secondary character - he made me laugh and I loved the idea of him and Nicole possibly getting together.

All in all it was a nice, easy romantic read and I'd recommend for any Christina Lauren fan - possible even for those who like a little suspense with their romance too!

Huge thanks to Netgalley for my copy!

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was expecting a romcom with great banters from the co-authors of course, but I didn’t expect the dark turn this book took! That was unexpected but I liked that it makes this book an unconventional romcom. The story evolves around a mystery surrounding treasures, and there are codes and riddles to solve. I enjoyed that part a lot. The romance is sweet. The main two characters, Lily and Leo, are likeable and adorable. It melt my icy heart! You will especially enjoy this if you like…
👉Second chance romance
👉Western (you can expect lots of actions!)
👉Treasure hunt

A second-chance romance with a little bit of treasure hunting adventure and a few unexpected events which add a little interest to the story - although I couldn't help feeling like I was reading the outline for a Hallmark movie! The story flicks between Lily and Leo's PoV's, so you get a bit of insight into both characters; who were nice enough in a pleasant way - no witty banter though, which I have come to love from this Author. This is an easy enough read, although I didn't especially feel the chemistry, so it didn't fully hit the mark for me - I enjoyed it, but not as much as some of Christina Lauren's other novels and I found it easy to pick up and put down. It may make a good holiday read when it comes out on 17th May. Thanks to NetGallery and Little, Brown Book Group UK for allowing me to get a copy of this book.

Anyone who knows me knows that I love Christina Lauren books and am in a frenzy to make sure I read all of their books. Let me tell you, this one is certainly a game changer. If your looking for a Christina Lauren book to blow your mind then this is the one. This book took me completely by surprise. It was not what I excited at all and dint follow any of the same sort of narrative as their books normally do. I was in complete shock at some of the plot twists and was desperate to talk to someone about what was happening but couldn't!!!

I'm unsure as to how I felt in the end with this one as it isn't your typical romcom and definitely had a more mysterious side to it that came as a surprise. Therefore I'm giving it 3 stars for now but may change my mind later.

A fast paced, epic love story that I truly adored. Christina Lauren has captured a tale of a sweeping love story amidst remote American ranch. Lily and Leo’s journey starts at the beginning of the story, 10 years prior to most of the action where everything appears rosy but fast forward and due to unfortunate events they both aren’t together as hoped. This story follows their surprise reconnection that leads to a real but lethal treasure hunt. I loved the descriptions of the landscape. It was a real page turner and I felt good connections with the characters.

Lily is the daughter of the famous explorer and treasure hunter, Duke Wilder, but she doesn’t share his love of adventure. She is more at home on their ranch with her love, Leo. They have a blissful five months together and then Leo leaves suddenly and they never see each other again…until a decade later when Leo’s friend books him and their group of friends, on to one of Lily’s treasure hunting tours. What happens when throw a reunion with your first love, a massive deception and betrayal and a death defying search for real treasure into the mix? You get “Something Wilder” by Christina Lauren.

This is a book where the fact that you can predict the ending doesn’t spoil your enjoyment of the book at all.It’s a great mix of genres and I liked that it surprised me about a third of the way through with an event that came out of nowhere and made me sit up and pay attention. It’s written in such a way that I could really picture the journey Lily and the group were on and the landscape around them. I kept thinking it would make a really good movie. Though I enjoyed reading it, neither the plot nor the characters got under my skin and filled me with an urge to keep reading as often as I could. That said, it’s definitely a book fans of the mystery and romance genres will enjoy adding to their collection.

Thanks to Christina Lauren, Piatkus and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a bit of a departure for Christina Lauren - or maybe, considering their varied back catalogue, it's better to call it an evolution. Think rollicking adventure, with more than a hint of Indiana Jones/Romancing the Stone, and a second-chance romance underpinning it all. At first I wasn't sure, as it took a while to really get going for me, but once it did, I absolutely devoured it.

I really liked Lily and Nicole, both strong female characters making the best of what they have. Leo was harder to get a read on, although considering his character that probably wasn't surprising, and he developed well as the book progressed. I definitely appreciated that Leo and Lily didn't dance around their past and refuse to talk about it, because prolonged mis-communication gets annoying and there was already enough action to be going on with - so much that I could easily imagine this as a movie. If you're looking for a fast-paced read that requires a little suspension of disbelief but drags you along regardless, with a romance you'll root for and baddies you'll boo at, then give this one a try.

okaaaaay i’ve had so much fun reading this. it gave me ‘the inheritance games’ vibes with the riddles (probably bc that the only book i’ve read with that game). but i liked it. i was highly surprised with the plot and now i’m happy. you can have me with riddles or any mind blowing games because my brain could never solved them. but it’s still a lot of fun.

sometimes i felt like i’m in the middle of a dystopian book, after an apocalypse and the characters only can survive if they solve the riddle. (and i was absolutely thrilled)

i was questioning the story in the beginning, because it was a bit slow. but i think around the tenth chapter my blood pressure was raising because that accident came out of nowhere. and you know what Christina. you’ve got me. got me.

and we all know that she can write a great second chance romance. however i wished there were more attractions between lily and leo. they just keep bringing up the past how they loved each other, but after ten years they clearly were different people and i think they relationship could’ve been more developed.

and i really wished more time with nic and walt, i was sad they were out of the picture so fast. i enjoyed their characters.

overall i really enjoyed it. its a bit different christina lauren book that i thought i’m going to read but i love the positive disappointment. i liked this book!!!

thank you the early arc for netgalley and the author!!!!