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ashleystory's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Something Wild & Wonderful was a beautiful, emotional story about finding love - both the love from another and the love for your queer self.
Alexei is a recently out gay man who is determined to create Alexei 2.0, to be better, bigger, and experience more. I loved him so much, his special interest in birds and their calls, his spreadsheets and GPS tracker. I loved seeing him literally navigate the Pacific Crest Trail and his relationship with Ben and others that he meets on the trail.
Ben is a whirlwind of energy and had the biggest open heart and I want all the good things for him always. I love how he found peace and quiet with Alexei, how he was vulnerable and strong. I loved seeing him realize his dreams and his decision to put himself out there over and over.
There are a lot of ups and down for my sweet babies. I cried several times, this is marketed as rom-com and there are so many comedic moments, and it's one of the most sincere and emotional rom-coms. Is rom-dram-com a genre? This might be more a contemporary romance with comedic moments.
This is the second book in Anita Kelly's Love & Other Disasters series and even though I haven't read the first one yet, it didn't take away anything from the story. You do meet the two MCs from Love & Other Disasters, but you do not need to know anything to enjoy the banter and the friendship.
If you enjoy the grumpy and sunshine trope, gays on a hiking trail, family hurt/comfort, found family, and lots of emotional vulnerability and pining, I do recommend this one.
Alexei is a recently out gay man who is determined to create Alexei 2.0, to be better, bigger, and experience more. I loved him so much, his special interest in birds and their calls, his spreadsheets and GPS tracker. I loved seeing him literally navigate the Pacific Crest Trail and his relationship with Ben and others that he meets on the trail.
Ben is a whirlwind of energy and had the biggest open heart and I want all the good things for him always. I love how he found peace and quiet with Alexei, how he was vulnerable and strong. I loved seeing him realize his dreams and his decision to put himself out there over and over.
There are a lot of ups and down for my sweet babies. I cried several times, this is marketed as rom-com and there are so many comedic moments, and it's one of the most sincere and emotional rom-coms. Is rom-dram-com a genre? This might be more a contemporary romance with comedic moments.
This is the second book in Anita Kelly's Love & Other Disasters series and even though I haven't read the first one yet, it didn't take away anything from the story. You do meet the two MCs from Love & Other Disasters, but you do not need to know anything to enjoy the banter and the friendship.
If you enjoy the grumpy and sunshine trope, gays on a hiking trail, family hurt/comfort, found family, and lots of emotional vulnerability and pining, I do recommend this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Blood
Minor: Domestic abuse
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Thanks to Forever for the free advance copy of this book.
- What a gift SOMETHING WILD AND WONDERFUL is. It pulls of the balancing act of dealing with very real homophobia and giving the characters real queer joy.
- Kelly excels at writing characters who care so deeply for each other, for all their quirks and complicated personal histories. I particularly loved being there with Alexei while he tried to figure out his new relationship to faith and church.
- This is also the rare romance novel that didn't have me rolling my eyes and speeding through the third act breakup. The way Alexei and Ben worked through it was so beautiful and precious.
- And! We also get to see Dahlia and London from LOVE AND OTHER DISASTERS!
- What a gift SOMETHING WILD AND WONDERFUL is. It pulls of the balancing act of dealing with very real homophobia and giving the characters real queer joy.
- Kelly excels at writing characters who care so deeply for each other, for all their quirks and complicated personal histories. I particularly loved being there with Alexei while he tried to figure out his new relationship to faith and church.
- This is also the rare romance novel that didn't have me rolling my eyes and speeding through the third act breakup. The way Alexei and Ben worked through it was so beautiful and precious.
- And! We also get to see Dahlia and London from LOVE AND OTHER DISASTERS!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Sexual content, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, and Dementia