Something Wilder - by Christina Lauren

Book Synopsis

The "reigning romance queens" (PopSugar) and New York Times bestselling authors of The Soulmate Equation and The Unhoneymooners present a charming and laugh-out-loud funny novel filled with adventure, treasure, and, of course, love.

Growing up the daughter of notorious treasure hunter and absentee father Duke Wilder left Lily without much patience for the profession...or much money in the bank. But Lily is resourceful, and now uses Duke's coveted hand-drawn maps to guide tourists on fake treasure hunts through the red rock canyons of Utah. It pays the bills but doesn't leave enough to fulfill her dream of buying back the beloved ranch her father sold years ago, and definitely not enough to deal with the sight of the man she once loved walking back into her life with a motley crew of friends ready to hit the trails. Frankly, Lily would like to take him out into the wilderness and leave him there.

Leo Grady knew mirages were a thing in the desert, but they'd barely left civilization when the silhouette of his greatest regret comes into focus in the flickering light of the campfire. Ready to leave the past behind him, Leo wants nothing more than to reconnect with his first and only love. Unfortunately, Lily Wilder is all business, drawing a clear line in the sand: it's never going to happen.

But when the trip goes horribly and hilariously wrong, the group wonders if maybe the legend of the hidden treasure wasn't a gimmick after all. There's a chance to right the wrongs--of Duke's past and their own--but only if Leo and Lily can confront their history and work together. Alone under the stars in the isolated and dangerous mazes of the Canyonlands, Leo and Lily must decide whether they'll risk their lives and hearts on the treasure hunt of a lifetime.

This page-turning adventure full of second chances, complicated relationships, and the breathtaking beauty of the American Southwest will take you on one wild ride.

Review Quotes

"Something Wilder is exactly what we all need right now...a true escape within the pages of a book, filled with adventure, rekindled romance, and second chances. Trust me, you'll want to go along for the ride with Lily and Leo." --Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wish You Were Here

"A thrilling romp through love and the Canyonlands" --All Things Considered, NPR Utah

"Christina Lauren clearly hold the red rocks and canyons of Utah dear and describe them in loving detail throughout. Something Wilder is laden with suspense, intrigue and fun as its main couple faces down danger and learns to love again." --BookPage

"Fans of Christina Lauren, known for their delightful rom-coms, may be surprised by this shift into the world of adventure romance. It should be a pleasant surprise, though, given that the story is fast-paced, exciting, and still full of that classic Christina Lauren swoon (in between the danger, occasional violence, and plot twists). Lily and Leo's romance is plenty steamy, but the real star is the landscape, which is described in sweltering, dusty detail. A vivid escape that's perfect for romantic thrill-seekers." --Kirkus (starred review)

"Funny and adventurous, Something Wilder is a rollicking good time, with desert shootouts, campfire kissing and literal treasure hunting. It's a perfect blend of action and romance, sure to appeal to Christina Lauren fans and new readers alike." --Shelf Awareness

"Once again, Christina Lauren has presented a fresh, witty and totally original take on romance, adventure and coming home. A pure escape, Something Wilder is without a doubt their best novel yet." --BookReporter

"The bestselling author duo returns with an unexpectedly dramatic contemporary romance. The tone veers from lighthearted rom-com to high octane romantic suspense as the danger ramps up and Lauren packs the plot with quirky characters, vivid scenery, and sizzling sexual tension. This tense, poignant romance is another sure hit for Lauren." --Publishers Weekly

"There's nothing more fun than Christina Lauren. Something Wilder is a nonstop adventure romp that pulls you out of the humdrum everyday and turns its own pages in the swooniest, most delightful way." --New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center

"This exhilarating, fast-paced, deeply emotional and sexy romance is required beach reading." --Oprah Daily

"Something Wilder is magnificent. It's everything I've ever wanted in a book -- laugh out loud humor, rollicking adventure, and the swooniest romance. A perfect read!" --Sarah MacLean, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Day of the Duchess and The Rogue Not Taken

"The name Christina Lauren (a portmanteau for the writing team of Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings) is beloved by romance readers (and publishers) having become synonymous with sure-fire hits year after year. Dubbed by many advance copy readers as a sexier version of the movie National Treasure, heroine Lily uses the old, hand-drawn, fake treasure maps as a way to guide tourists on tours through the red rock canyons of Utah. But what if those supposedly fake treasure maps weren't so fake after all?" --Fortune

"This might be the ultimate beach read of 2022. Christina Lauren are back with this highly anticipated, super-fun romp packed with action, adventure, and a treasure hunt. The authors describe it as Romancing the Stone meets The Hangover, and you'll understand when you read it! It's a bit if a departure for Christina Lauren, but there's plenty of romance and banter to keep their fans satisfied (plus...one sleeping bag!). If you're new to Christina Lauren, stop what you're doing and read The Unhoneymooners, a perfect choice for a beach read." --Country Living

"Writing duo Lauren Billings and Christina Hobbs strike gold again in this thrilling contemporary romance set in Utah's Canyonlands National Park. Equal parts exhilarating puzzle-filled adventure and steamy second-chance romance, this cinematic wild-west rom-com is a must-have." --Booklist (starred review)

About the Author

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of longtime writing partners and best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, the New York Times, USA TODAY, and #1 internationally bestselling authors of the Beautiful and Wild Seasons series, Dating You / Hating You, Autoboyography, Love and Other Words, Roomies, Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating, My Favorite Half-Night Stand, The Unhoneymooners, Twice in a Blue Moon, and The Soulmate Equation. You can find them online at ChristinaLaurenBooks.com, @ChristinaLauren on Instagram, or @ChristinaLauren on Twitter.