Something Wilder

Something Wilder is a story of adventure, complete with a treasure hunt and trek through the natural elements. The book is set in Utah and Colorado, and it is full of beautiful backdrops and amazing vistas. Lily Wilder is an adventure tour guide who leads travel groups on camping trips and horseback rides. She is taken by surprise when her past love, Leo, arrives with his buddies on one of her tours. They haven’t spoken in a decade, but the fire never fully cooled between them. What comes next takes them both by surprise and challenges them both physically and emotionally.

Something Wilder is a departure from Christina Lauren’s previous works in that the romance in this novel takes a backseat to the puzzles, dramatic events, and outdoorsy theme. There are plenty of entertaining moments as the tour group searches for clues leading to a hidden treasure that Lily’s famous father has left behind. Some of the plot points are unexcepted and oddly placed, such as a murder cover-up and “bad guys” entering the scene. Overall, it is well-written and fun to read, but short on actual romance. I wanted more from the relationship between Leo and Lily, and their ten-year miscommunication is a bit hard to swallow.