The “reigning romance queens” (PopSugar) and New York Times bestselling authors of TheSoulmate Equation and The Unhoneymooners present a charming and laugh-out-loud funny novel filled with adventure, treasure, and, of course, love.
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.
From the author of the “heartfelt and funny” (Publishers Weekly) sensation The Unhoneymooners, this page-turning adventure full of second chances, complicated relationships, and the breathtaking beauty of the American Southwest will take fans on one wild ride.
Something Wilder by Christina Lauren was just the adventure book I was looking for! It’s fun, wild, and exciting with just a bit of romance. I just loved exploring Southern Utah and the Canyonlands National Park Maze with these characters.
Lily Wilder grew up on a ranch with a famous, treasure-hunting father, Duke. All she’s ever wanted is to live and work on the ranch, but just before Duke died, he sold the ranch and left her to find another job, somewhere else. All he left to her was his worn-out treasure hunting journal. She uses the journal, in her new job as a guide in Southern Utah. She works with her best friend and is hoping to make enough money to buy back her father’s ranch. But, working as a guide doesn’t make much money, and when her former boyfriend turns up as one of the guests for a week-long adventure trip, Lily wishes she could just walk away.
Leo didn’t realize he would come face to face with his ex-girlfriend when he shows up in Utah for an adventure trip with his college friends. He didn’t plan the trip, so he didn’t realize Lily Wilder would be one of the guides. Lily was his first love and he can’t believe they will be forced to spend an entire week together in the wilds of Southern Utah. It doesn’t take long for the trip to turn to chaos, and Leo and Lily find themselves on a real-life treasure hunt!
What a fun and wild ride Something Wilder took me on. It’s part adventure, part romantic comedy, and a whole lot of fun! First, I love the location. I’ve been to Canyonlands National Park many times, and the vastness and remoteness of some of the park is mind-boggling. And it was a famous hideout for outlaws, so I could easily imagine all the trouble and the landscape of this journey really well. But, if you haven’t been there, the descriptions in the book really bring it to life.
I loved that there is a real mystery, in this book, and I felt like I was on a treasure hunt along with the characters. I didn’t figure it all out until the characters did and I just loved how this ended.
The characters were realistic and I enjoyed them all. Lily has had a tough life, and I was rooting for her all throughout the book. Leo was just everything I want in a hero. Smart, resourceful, compassionate, and, of course, hot!
I liked the alternating points of view as it was great to listen to the thoughts of each of the main characters. I listened to Something Wilder which was narrated by Patti Murin, Jon Root, and Christina Lauren. Pattie Murin does the point of view of Lily and did an excellent job with all the voices as did Jon Root, who did the point of view of Luke.
About Christina Lauren
Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners and best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The #1 international bestselling coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced seventeen New York Times bestselling novels. They are published in over 30 languages, have received multiple starred reviews, won both the Seal of Excellence and Book of the Year from RT Magazine, been inducted into the Library Reads Hall of Fame, named Amazon and Audible Romance of the Year, a Lambda Literary Award finalist and been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. They have been featured in publications such as Forbes, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Time, Entertainment Weekly, People, O Magazine and more. Their third YA novel, Autoboyography was released in 2017 to critical acclaim, followed by Roomies, Love and Other Words, Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, The Unhoneymooners, In a Holidaze, and The Soulmate Equation.
It’s one of my favorite places! And fall is such a good time to go there as it’s way too hot and crowded in the summer. And NEVER go on Easter weekend as that’s when they do the Jeep Jamboree, and it’s super crazy there. 🙂
I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I’ve been avoiding this book. I just didn’t get the feeling that it was something I wanted to read. Maybe that was wrong. Your review has me curious now!
Sounds like this really hit the spot and delivered just what you wanted. I was on the fence about this one because I haven’t loved the last few releases from Christina Lauren, but I might need to give this a try. Great review, Wendy!
What a wonderful setting. I’ve never been but have always been fascinated by America’s wild places.
It’s just so beautiful there. Thank you, Cathy.
This looks delightful. I have enjoyed this writing duo and love the added mystery and hunt!
Thank you, Kimberly
I think I’m going to have to get this one. A romcom with a treasure hunt? Sounds like the perfect combination. Excellent review, Wendy!
It was a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy it!
I’m excited to read this one, especially because so much of it takes place in Utah (where I’m from).
Oh Lark, I didn’t realize you were from Utah! I love it there and will be driving through Utah soon.
What a great setting, I’d love to go back to Utah some day.
It’s such a beautiful place.
Fantastic review Wendy! I loved this one too. It was just a bit different than their usual a bit romantic suspense but I really enjoyed it.
It was different! I’m glad we both enjoyed it.
I’m happy you enjoyed this one as well! We have a trip planned to Moab in early fall. I’m so excited to finally see it. 🙂
It’s one of my favorite places! And fall is such a good time to go there as it’s way too hot and crowded in the summer. And NEVER go on Easter weekend as that’s when they do the Jeep Jamboree, and it’s super crazy there. 🙂
I love this author usually, and have listened to most of her books as opposed to reading. I’ll have to add this to my wishlist on Audible!
I really liked the audible narration. Hope you do too
I like it when the characters are realistic, sounds great 💕
Thank you, Jenny!
I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I’ve been avoiding this book. I just didn’t get the feeling that it was something I wanted to read. Maybe that was wrong. Your review has me curious now!
It’s not for everyone. I think I enjoyed it more because I’m familiar with the location.
Sounds like this really hit the spot and delivered just what you wanted. I was on the fence about this one because I haven’t loved the last few releases from Christina Lauren, but I might need to give this a try. Great review, Wendy!
It is a bit different than their usual books.
Wonderful review Wendy!🤗📚💜
Thank you, Susan.
This was such a dramatic and fun read, I’m so happy you loved it.
It was just so much fun!
This sounds like my kind of book since it does have a mystery and a treasure hunt. What fun. Glad you reviewed this one Wendy. Will look it up
Thank you, Mallika! The treasure hunt was so much fun.
Glad you enjoyed this one! It’s on my list as I love Christina Lauren, but taking a back seat because I don’t love second chance romances lol.
It’s a bit more adventurous than their other books!