Something Wild & Wonderful

October 24, 2022
This appealing contemporary romance from Kelly (Love & Other Disasters) has Alexei Lebedev meeting Ben Caravalho while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Sheltered Alexei came to the PCT to find a “new version of himself” after his conservative parents cut him out of their lives for coming out as gay. Out and proud Ben develops a growing attraction to “Lex” as their paths keep crossing—including in one memorable scene when the men curl up in a tent together while an animal howls outside. Their relationship becomes definitively romantic when they head into town for a real dinner—and share a real bed—but both fear their fling may only last the length of the trek. When Ben asks Lex to pause his journey and come home to Nashville with him for some family celebrations, Lex reluctantly agrees. The trip is beneficial to both—until Ben gets an irresistible job offer that derails both his plan to complete the PCT and his budding love with Lex. The leisurely pace and heartfelt bond between the guys makes for pleasant, swoony reading. Kelly should win some new fans with this one. Agent: Kim Lionetti, Bookends Literary.

Starred review from January 1, 2023

Alexei Lebedev has only been hiking the Pacific Coast Trail for a few miles when he meets Ben Caravalho. Awkward and quiet, Alexei intended to do the trail solo, but Ben creeps under his guard with kindness and, well, hotness. Ben is hiking the PCT as an adventure--his last before settling into a new career. He didn't mean to fall for Alexei. But the quiet hiker is cute and smart, and Ben can't resist, no matter how hard he tries. Hiking together, the duo form a friendship, then a romance, one that lifts both up at a time when they need it most. Alexei and Ben are likable, relatable characters written with great depth and emotion. Both are carrying more baggage on their journey than just their packs, and readers will laugh and cry with them as they learn to share the load. VERDICT This steamy opposites-attract m/m romance from Kelly (Love & Other Disasters) is impossible to put down. Highly recommended.--Heather Miller Cover

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Starred review from February 1, 2023
Two men meet while hiking in the West Coast wilderness. Many people hike the Pacific Crest Trail every year, and they each have their own motivations. Alexei Lebedev has already resigned himself to his journey being a mostly solitary affair--leaving room for the occasional small talk shared with fellow travelers, of course. 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 as Alexei keeps running into Ben, over and over, until the two decide it simply makes more sense for them to hike together than apart. There's no denying the attraction between them, but there are complications. Alexei is still coming to grips not only with being gay, but being out, and Ben's history with a vastly supportive family couldn't be more different. But the more they walk, the more Alexei finds himself willing to try on a number of levels--opening up, embracing the sides of himself he's been afraid to acknowledge, and being honest about what he's feeling--for Ben's sake as well as his own. Meanwhile, 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 niche in his heart. Kelly has crafted a gorgeous, 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 as they immerse themselves in the vast, untamed, wonderful wilderness. A deeply satisfying, romantic story worth getting lost in.

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Starred review from June 10, 2024

Alexei Lebedev hoped a solo trek along the 2500-plus miles of the Pacific Crest Trail would help him discover himself. His conservative, religious parents rejected him after he came out to them, and now he looks forward to finding out who Alexei 2.0 will be. When Alexei helps fellow hiker Ben Caravalho deal with an unwanted snake encounter and then keeps running into the cheerful, gorgeous man, the two decide to form a "trail family" and journey together. Ben can sense that Alexei is struggling, but he can't help but fall in love with gentle Alexei, who promises to stick with Ben through his biggest fears on the trail. When Ben realizes his biggest trail fear is losing the Alexei he already loves to Alexei 2.0, they must decide whether they can overcome past traumas and turn their "for a time" into forever. Narrator Mark Sanderlin skillfully distinguishes between the voices of Alexei, Ben, and their loved ones in this dual POV romance. VERDICT While deeply poignant and emotional, Kelly's (Love & Other Disasters) charming writing, humor, and care for her characters make this a stunning romance. Contemporary romance at its best; essential for most core romance collections.--Elizabeth Gabriel

Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.