Something Wilder

Lily Wilder leads treasure hunting tours through the Utah desert, channeling the legacy of her famous treasure hunter father, Duke. When her former flame Leo arrives on one of her tours with his friends, old feelings and unresolved history resurface between them. The tour transforms into an actual treasure hunt as Lily and Leo follow cryptic maps and clues left behind by Duke. Their journey through dangerous terrain forces them to confront their past relationship while facing present-day threats. Their adventure combines romance with elements of action and suspense, set against the backdrop of Utah's red rock wilderness. The story alternates between their current treasure hunt and flashbacks to their previous relationship a decade earlier. The novel explores themes of trust, forgiveness, and the weight of family legacy. It questions how the past shapes present choices and whether lost connections can be rebuilt under extreme circumstances.

Readers found this romance/adventure novel different from Christina Lauren's typical contemporary romances. Many noted it reads more like an action movie or treasure hunt story with romantic elements. Readers appreciated: - The unique premise combining romance with adventure - The Utah desert setting descriptions - The second-chance romance backstory - The integration of real historical elements Common criticisms: - Too much focus on treasure hunting over romance - Unrealistic plot developments - Slow pacing in the first half - Character decisions that felt forced Review scores: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (67,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (5,800+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.1/5 (300+ ratings) Specific reader feedback: "Expected more swoony romance, got National Treasure instead" - Goodreads reviewer "The setting feels like another character" - Amazon reviewer "Takes too long to get to the action" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

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🌵 The book's setting in the red rock canyons of Utah was inspired by co-author Christina Hobbs' own experiences growing up in Utah and her love of the state's dramatic landscapes. 💑 Christina Lauren is actually a pen name for two best friends who write together: Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, who met while writing Twilight fan fiction online. 🗺️ The treasure hunting plot draws inspiration from real-life treasure hunts, including Forrest Fenn's famous Rocky Mountain treasure, which was finally found in 2020 after a decade-long search. 📚 While most of Christina Lauren's previous works are contemporary romance novels set in urban environments, Something Wilder marks their first venture into adventure romance with elements of Western fiction. 💝 The novel's protagonist, Lily Wilder, is named after Lily Bart from Edith Wharton's "The House of Mirth," one of Lauren Billings' favorite literary characters.