Something Wild & Wonderful
by Anita Kelly
Buy on Amazon"When Alexei Lebedev finally comes out to his conservative community, it does not go well. That's how he ended up on the rugged Pacific Crest Trail, hoping he can figure out a new life plan in the thousands of miles it'll take to walk the famed hike. He's prepared for rattlesnakes, blisters, and months of solitude. What he's not prepared for is the ray of sunshine named Ben Caravalho. Charismatic and outgoing, Ben's personality and infectious laughter is a stark opposite to Alexei's quiet, reserved demeanor. But no matter how determined Alexei is to hike the trail alone, it seems he and Ben can't avoid being drawn to each other. Through snow crossings and close calls with coyotes, Alexei inches closer to letting Ben in.…
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"Some of the best modern romances are as much about growing into oneself as about finding the one to create a life with. With a literal quest at its center, Anita Kelly’s latest melds those two arcs particularly well. Alexei Lebedev and Ben Caravalho have their minds fixed on their personal hurdles when they meet cute, just barely avoiding disaster on the challenging Pacific Crest Trail. Completing the 2,500-mile hike is a trial. It takes months. But it’s a great way to exhaust your body while seeking change or tending to emotional and mental bruises. Though they have very different experiences and outlooks, Ben and Alexei are undeniably drawn to each other after repeatedly crossing paths. Their romantic relationship grows organically and gorgeously as they press forward into the wild."
NPR Books We Love — 2023 · apps.npr.org