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My Review:Title: Something Wilder
Author: Christina Lauren
Published by: Simon & Schuster Audio
Release Date: May 17, 2022
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Patti Murin, Jon Root
Length: 9 hours and 27 minutes
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Romantic Suspense
Source: Libby
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2022 Audiobook Challenge, Lenoreo's 2022 COYER Summer, Lenoreo's 2022 Diversity Reading Challenge
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ Google ✩ Kobo ✩ IndieBound ✩ iTunes ✩ Book Depository ✩ Libro.FM ✩ Chirp
My rating:
Blurb: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.
4.5 stars — I started off absolutely loving this one — it was everything I love in a Christina Lauren book: spunky heroine, sweet hero, moments of comedy, interesting and different characters (both main and secondary). And an interesting and unique premise. Even the push and pull between Lily and Leo was palpable — struggling with the past and the hurt and the misunderstandings.
There came a point where the story kind of took an odd turn for me — I was expecting something with a certain character, but definitely not what happened. And then there were some reactions that just threw me off. I knew I had to set it down for a moment, or I would get wrapped up in the little stuff (and big stuff) that were important to me. It was only overnight, but I was glad I did, because I was able to come back not obsessed with it, and just continue on with the story. And in the end, I think I was okay with how it played out. Enough to suspend my disbelief and enjoy myself again.
The plot had a few twists that, while I didn’t see *completely* coming, I definitely caught on earlier than Lily and Leo — but I think I was supposed to, you know?
As for our characters (the most important part for me), Lily was definitely frustrating…my GOD was she frustrating and stubborn…but I still really enjoyed her somehow. The thing is, her childhood had damaged her (as it does for so many people), and so her reactions at least came from somewhere realistic. And I loved how passionate she was about her horses, and how competent she was. And in the end, she was afraid of being hurt…and fear is crazy powerful.
Leo was a bit easier to love for me. It’s not that he didn’t have his flaws, but I guess he was less fundamentally messed up about relationships, so he didn’t have that part to fight against. He had to fight against Lily’s fear instead. I loved that he was the quiet guy. He was observant, smart, geeky. I loved how dedicated he was to his family, and how he translated that into dedication to Lily. I appreciated that this time around he was going to fight for her with all he had.
They had some solid chemistry, though I probably could have used a bit more steamy time. 😛 Just greedy.
Also, bonus novella with Walt and Nic? PLEASE!! Please please please.
I was really satisfied with the way the plot ended wrt her father and the hunt. Can’t say more than that, but I was hoping for a few things, and they came to pass.
This was my first listen by Mr. Root, but he was solid. I really enjoy Ms. Murin’s narration, so wasn’t surprised that she nailed it. I will say, there was a chapter or two near the end where Patti would be narrating, but the sentences would make me believe it should have been Leo’s POV. But I might just be freaking crazy.
So yeah. Super fun, perfect for summer, just what I was needing.
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