When I first saw this at the library, I passed it by pretty quickly because I thought it looked a little cheesy, a little too lighthearted for what I was in the mood for. But then I noticed that someone I follow on bookstagram rated it really high, so on my next trip to the library, I snagged it. And I’m so glad I did. It was the perfect book to kick off Pride month: “‘ I am more trying to figure out… how I feel about a world that can make [my parents] believe what they believe. That [disowning me as their gay son] was the right thing. And where I fit now, in that world.’ Ben wanted to tell Alexei that he fit… He knew, of course, that even with every corporation in America shooting rainbow confetti out of a cannon every June, things like this still happened all the time” (46).

This book is so much more than I thought at first glance. It’s got heart and humor. It also has the perfect setting to really get to know someone new—hiking the Pacific Crest Trail—which is what brings together Ben and Alexei in this strangers to friends to lovers romance. ( )

From my TBR subscription.

Cute romance between two guys hiking on the Pacific Coast Trail. It has some nice hiking and birding descriptions but it’s really not about hiking. I read a lot of non fiction about thru hiking and it’s clear that many people who choose that adventure are working through some stuff. These characters are doing that and we see them grappling with the repercussions of coming out and not having a great response from your family and navigating your way out of bad relationship habits and learning to form better ones.

While there are certainly a few spicy scenes this book it’s mostly about love, feelings, and communication and not so much about the sex.

I have another book by this author that I’ll read - those characters are briefly mentioned here.
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5 / 5 ⭐️‘s

"Something Wild & Wonderful" By Anita Kelly

I loved everything about this book! It was an enchanting story that takes readers on an unforgettable journey of self-discovery, adventure, and love.

The author does an excellent job of immersing readers into the setting and painting a rich and vibrant picture of life on the PTC.

Alexei and Ben’s story is so sweet and I cheered for them the entire book. The ending ( )

Two guys meet while hiking in the West Coast wilderness. Lots of folks hike the Pacific Crest Trail every year, and they each have their own personal reasons. Alexei Lebedev has already resigned himself to his journey being a mostly solitary affair, leaving room for the occasional meetings and small talk shared with his fellow travelers...but...that all changes when he meets Ben Caravalho, a handsome stranger with gloriously unruly hair and a dazzling personality. What could have been merely a passing encounter turns into more...much more. Alexei keeps running into Ben. This happens over and over until the two men decides to just hike together. Neither can deny the attraction between them, but of course...there are complications. Wouldn't be an M/M romance without those pesky complications. Alexei is still coming to grips not only with being gay, but from also being out. Ben's history is different. He has a vastly supportive family that accepts him totally. The longer they walk, the more Alexei finds himself willing to try on opening up and embracing the sides of himself he's been afraid to acknowledge. Simply try being honest about what he's feeling not just for Ben's sake but for his own as well. Ben is coming off of a string of bad relationship decisions, but even he can't deny the fact that Alexei has carved out a unique place in his heart. Kelly has written a beautiful, sweet, curative read about the new identities people create by giving themselves permission to heal from the pain of the past and what can be discovered about who and what they are while giving themselves permission to "Be". The older kids that I volunteer with called it a story you could spend hours getting lost in, and they were 100% right. ( )

A charming gay romance with wonderful and realistic protagonists.