Something Wilder by Christina Lauren

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. 

Paperback 361 pages

Published May 17th 2022

by Gallery Books

4/5 stars

I am relatively new to the writing duo that makes up Christina Lauren. They had me at Love & Other Words and every book since. Going in blind I discovered Something Wilder is somewhat different from those I’ve read, this is their pandemic and with reviews all over the page I proceeded with caution.

Lily lost the love of her life 10 years ago and she doesn’t really know why. What follows is a chance encounter, but can that mend the hurts that both sides feel? Lily was the last person Leo expected see while away on a guys week long treasure hunt. What follows is a somewhat less witty story filled with mystery, deceit and nature.

I enjoyed this book, though it lacked the wit usually associated with a Christina Lauren book it was adventurous with life and death situations, friendships and reconciliation. It was well written with twists and turns both predictable and those not so much. A fun read that highlights the unforgiveness of nature.

This book released many months ago, I feel I’m one of the last to finally read Something Wilder, if you haven’t read this yet don’t let the mixed reviews sway you.

This book was part of my 2022 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #63