Like a Wildflower

The Hemlock #2

by Samm Wilde

What happens when the reserved wallflower meets the free-spirited wildflower?
​​​​​​​
Joey

I’ve always been the “too much” girl. Too expressive, too forgetful, too overwhelming. My life is a whirlwind of new adventures and endless roads. Now that I’m back home on a three-month work assignment, I’m stuck under one roof with a quiet, tattooed stranger. Enter Beckett, my new roommate. On paper, we’re complete opposites. But beneath the surface, we’re not so different. Somewhere between the late-night conversations and the chaos that turned into cherished memories—I realize we’re different versions of the same story. Because with Beckett, he shows me that being “too much” can be the perfect amount for the right person.

Beckett

The open road always calls to me. I’ve spent years collecting highway miles instead of human connections. With my cat in tow, I move from city to city across the country as a travel nurse, only staying as long as needed. As a result, building relationships doesn’t come easily. Especially when my social anxiety gets in the way. So when I find myself sharing a cottage for three months with a free-spirited woman who understands me better than I do, I learn some detours are destinations in disguise. When Joey speaks, the universe pauses to listen. Yet every time our eyes meet, it’s as if she can hear all my quiet thoughts. With her by my side, the tightness in my chest eases—grounding me more than anything or anyone else ever could.

Without warning, our lives intertwine, gradually reshaping around each other. And suddenly, three months in Hemlock doesn’t sound long enough.

Genres: Romance

Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 24, 2026

About the author

Samm Wilde is a romance author who weaves words into worlds filled with humor and heart.

When she isn’t obsessing over word count, second-guessing plot points, or anxiously deciding between synonyms—you can find her lying on the ground with her dog or eating emotional support cake.

Samm writes to remind us all that love, even with all its imperfect quirks, is a feeling worth embracing.

Find her on Instagram @AuthorSammWilde

Reviews

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I learned A New Leaf was going to be a part of a series I knew I had to get my hands on Like a Wildflower as soon as it came out, and it did not disappoint. I adore rom coms and how I always have a smile on my face while reading them, and this one made me smile and kick my feet with how adorable this story was.

Not only did I love the fact that we had previous charters in this story, but we were introduced to Barb. The hilarious yet judgmental and slightly creepy orange kitty. If you love animal side kicks in romances, you need this series just alone from them and their shenanigans.

Joey and Beckett were seriously so adorable, and I absolutely loved their story. Especially when you can relate to the characters on such a personal level. If you are looking for an adorable rom com with some hilarious side characters, adorable yet crazy animal friends, and some really, really good spice. Then you need to add this and book one to your TBR!

🌶️🌶️/5

*Thank you so much to the author, Samm Wilde for the opportunity to read the ARC!*

[Linna • linnareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samm writes some of the most relatable characters that you can’t help falling in love with. Plus the inclusion of adorable animals makes my animal loving heart happy. While this is the second in a series, you don’t need to read the first book to read one (though you should read it because it’s lovely). The mmc on the outside was tall and tattooed and maybe a little intimidating first glance, but truly the sweetest and most caring guy. I loved the inclusion of his journal entries in between every few chapters to get to know him even more. The fmc I empathized with as she felt like she was “too much” or a “burden” because that is what she had been told by a couple of terrible people. I loved how the mmc didn’t hesitate to correct her every time she’d try to dismiss something due to her feeling that way.

🏡 small town
👥 roommates
🤍 strangers to lovers
🐈 includes a cat
🌷 he gets a tattoo for her
👏🏻 no third act breakup

dual POV
4/5 stars ⭐️
2/5 spice level 🌶️

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

full review to come!!

What to Expect:
Small Town
Roommates
Opposites Attract
Slow Burn

[quinnreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samm does it again! I inhaled this ARC less than 24 hours. It was sooo good. Cried in the best way a few times and am already reading it again.

Book: Like A Wildflower, Book 2 but can be read as a standalone (you’ll just miss some cameos from the characters from book 1)

🌸 forced proximity
🌸 book one character cameos and shenanigans
🌸 traveling nurse and traveling graphic designer
🌸 anxiety reps 🙌🏽
🌸 sassy and adorable cat, Barbara aka Babs
🌸 tension!! all the delicious tension
🌸 shy and tatted MMC and he wears grey sweatpants in the house y’all 🥵 and more but I don’t want to spoil anything!
🌸 all of the animals are alive and well throughout the entire book.

This is, in my opinion, about two people finally being accepted as they truly are and loved by their partner unconditionally as well as them figuring themselves out along the way through new beginnings. I cackled and cried and kicked my feet with joy. I also swooned and wished this MMC were real. Also, Samm, if you’re reading this, pleaseeee give us more from Misty Sparkles, PLEASE!!!

🌸🤍✨ Can’t wait for you all to enjoy Like a Wildflower when it releases!

🪴A New Leaf is book 1 of the Hemlock series and is out now if you want to meet Charlie, Finn, Vera, and Frank!

[Kat]

Beta read <3

[Amber D’Ambrosio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a Wildflower is the sweetest, softest, most tender slow burn and I devoured it in a single day. Being back in Hemlock felt like coming home, with familiar faces from A New Leaf, adorable dogs, and of course the true star of the series, Barbara the slightly judgmental, mildly creepy orange cat. We love a sassy animal sidekick. We love a Cat Daddy even more.

Joey and Beckett grew up as neighbors but never really knew each other. Years of traveling and nomadic living bring them back to their hometown at the exact same time, and through a string of serendipitous run ins they end up as roommates. Strangers to roommates to lovers with forced proximity and a delicious slow burn? Yes please.

Joey is loud, chaotic, compassionate, and constantly worried she is too much. Too emotional. Too messy. Too inconvenient. Watching her navigate self doubt and chronic over apologizing felt painfully relatable. Beckett, on the other hand, is quiet, tattooed, a travel nurse with social anxiety, and the human embodiment of steady. He reassures her every single time she tries to shrink herself. She could never be too much. Not for him. The way he meets her where she is and the way she learns to read his overwhelm and ask what he needs made my heart ache in the best way.

The anxiety representation in this book is beautiful and nuanced. Beckett’s social anxiety and Joey’s internalized belief that she is a burden are portrayed with so much care. As someone who understands that spiral of overthinking and unnecessary apologies, I felt seen. They become the calm to each other’s storm. Two imperfect people who do not try to fix each other, only love each other as they are. Oh to be known like that.

Beckett is the definition of acts of service. The yes ma’am energy. The quiet caretaking. The journal entries woven between chapters that give us deeper insight into his heart. The way he shows up without hesitation when Joey needs him. He may look tall and intimidating on the outside, but he is the softest, sweetest, most attentive man. And when the slow burn finally ignites, it is very much worth the wait. The spice is real and really good.

Samm Wilde’s writing feels like a breath of fresh air. It is warm, funny, and grounded in a way that makes the characters feel like people you know. The dual POV, text messages, and journal entries add so much emotional depth and fun. If you love authors like Abby Jimenez and crave rom coms that make you smile, kick your feet, and occasionally tear up, this series needs to be on your list.

Like a Wildflower is ultimately a story about acceptance. About learning you are not too much. About loving someone not in spite of their anxiety, but alongside it. It is swoony, heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply comforting.

And yes, I am already begging for the next book. Especially if it involves a certain single dad.

[Holly Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is THE sweetest book! It’s such a good follow up to A New Leaf! I loved being back in Hemlock and seeing Charlie and Finn and their pups! It was such a sweet delicious slow burn!

Joey and Beckett were so so perfect. They were such a GOOD match, in the way that they were so different but their pieces fit so perfectly together!! Beckett was quiet and careful and Joey was loud and chaotic in all the best ways. Beckett became such safe place for Joey to land, while she was able to bring him out of his shell little by little!! I loved that they were both nomad, going where felt right, traveling the country and seeing new places!! Again!! They were the perfect match!!!

Joey often felt like she was too much, and I LOVED how every single person in her life made sure to tell her she is NOT. That she is perfect the way she is, that she should be loud and chaotic and messy and that no matter what they’ll love her just the same. And Beckett!! Sweet, shy Beckett! I loved that Joey was able to read him and see the way he got overwhelmed and meet him where he was, ask him what HE needs, and be such a safe place for him to be his quiet, shy, anxious self.

I loooooove Samm’s writing and I love this series! I’m hoping we’re eventually getting a story for a certain single dad!!!

Thanks to Samm Wilde for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joey has barely returned to her hometown when she collapses in her sister’s shop, only to be rescued by Beckett, a charming nurse on a travel assignment. From there, they keep running into each other in increasingly coincidental ways, until they serendipitously find themselves renting the same house (hello, forced proximity). Naturally, sparks begin to fly. The romance unfolds easily, but beneath it all Joey is contending with work stress, self-doubt, and deciding what comes next.

The book is told in dual POV and incorporates text messages, journal entries, and alternating perspectives, which helped the story unfold in a really engaging way. I felt especially connected to Joey’s personal growth, though Beckett was endlessly charming and easy to love. I also adored the PNW setting and Joey’s free-spirit energy. And yes, the romance scenes were very steamy and spicy.

Overall, this was an extremely enjoyable read from a very talented indie author. I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for a feel-good romance with heart, especially fellow free spirits in need of a warm, swoony escape.

Overall around a 4.25 for me, but going to round up for being an extremely impressive indie.

Thanks to the author for sending me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Natane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap. Well. I devoured this book in a day and it was perfect and wonderful and lovely. It's a slower burn but when they get to it, they get to it and it was delicious and delightful.

I was a bit worried that Joey's head in the clouds nature would make her frustrating to read and relate to, but she had so many other qualities (empathy, compassion) that the fact that she was imperfect fit really well. I think if she wasn't such a dreamer then she wouldn't be able to live the wanderlust life that she lives - she'd be too busy taking care of everyone around her.

Beckett is a smokeshow who also doesn't let his imperfections and anxieties get in the way of being the best version of himself, especially when he has someone who makes him feel safe.

I'll probably have to reread this book again here right away, and I definitely want to go back and read the first book in the series.

I received an ARC and I'm so glad I did as this author is now a favorite.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your love language is acts of service... you will absolutely love Beckett 👏👏

"Has anyone ever told you that your eyes are hex color #556B2F?"

I adore Samm Wilde's writing. It's a breath of fresh air and feels so real. I think if you are someone who loves Abby Jimenez, you should give Samm Wilde's books a try!

As someone who has social anxiety, I really loved anxiety representation in this. And I also loved that Joey was immediately there for Beckett whenever he started to feel anxious.

Also, Joey being the "too much" girl and Beckett constantly reassuring her she could never be too much is my favorite trope.

Beckett saying yes, ma'am will live in my head rent free...
"One. You must listen to me vent about work since my sister won't."
"Yes, ma'am."

I am hoping there is a third book for Joey & Charlie's brother because I just love this series so much! 🥹

-anxiety representation
-roommates to lovers
-golden retriever mmc
-small town
-slow burn
1.5 🌶️

[B Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

What a beautiful story of love and acceptance while living with anxiety. As somone who struggles with anxiety as well it's as if she looked into my soul and wrote about what she saw.

Josephine, Joey, and Beckett grew up as neighbors but never knew one another. Their traveling lifestyles eventually led them back to their home town at the same time by coincidence. They ended up living together unexpectedly.

Joey is me in another life. I am constantly feeling as if I am too much or never enough and it with a lot of therapy I was able to significantly decrease how often I apologize for no reason. Beckett is my need to take care of others. He became a nurse and I became a therapist but the same impulses are there.

Two characters who are able to be themselves with each other, accepting them as they are and not wanting them to change. Oh to be loved, to be seen, to be known in that way. What I would give.

Thank you Samm for making me cry in public. I had a wonderful time.

[Rachel Richeson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been anticipating this book since the moment I finished A New Leaf (my top read of 2025), and it did not disappoint. I loved seeing familiar characters return (including the dogs), while also watching the new character blossom.

Beyond the main storyline, the inclusion of text messages and journal entries added both fun and emotional depth.

The author portrayed anxiety in such a real, nuanced way, showing how differently it can manifest. The MMC struggles with social anxiety, while the FMC deals with self-doubt and chronic over apologizing… both of which I can strongly relate to.

Barbara the cat was a standout sidekick… judgmental, sassy, and genuinely funny.

Most of all, I loved Joey and Beckett’s journey toward unconditional love… not just with each other, but in learning to love and accept themselves, too.

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d give this book 500 stars if I could. Truly. Joey and Beckett are everything to me. The way they balance each other out so well and show their love in unsuspecting ways, impeccable. Joey and Beckett’s anxiety is not something to be fixed because nothing about them is broken. They love each other despite their flaws and with open hearts and minds.

The details of this writing and story are a true testament to Samm’s talent. She slips in humor and spice when needed and develops her characters so well. The dark humor mixed with fantastic banter made this book all the more compelling.

It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me yearn for a love like Joey and Beckett’s.

Thank you Samm, for an ARC of this book!

[Bibliophile Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second installment of The Hemlock series is just wowza...

This is the story of Joey (Josephine) and Beckett.

Joey is the wild child, the youngest Thorne sibling. She lives the nomadic life. Never settling in one place. She has been labeled "too much," and she has tried hard not to be that way. But she is what she is, and she doesn't want to apologize for it. (But finds she does anyway)

Beckett, what a package! He is the epitome of still waters run deep and he becomes the calm in Joey's chaos.

From roommates to more, their relationship is what dreams are made of, and I devoured their story like Joey devours snacks!

This story that Ms. Wilde creates is another testament to the talent she has. I have become an avid fan and can't wait to see what comes next!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

My goodness, I thought that A New Leaf was going to be a hard book to beat... then Joey & Beckett entered the room and absolutely stole my heart. The way Samm writes is just magical - her writing makes you feel as though you are truly inside the story & the way that she writes characters is absolutely beautiful. She crafts these real and dimensional characters that come to life and beg you for attention and love. This book made my heart squeeze and the tension was so absolutely perfect! I was kicking my feet and squealing waiting for these 2 to really open their eyes, see each other, and make a move! Utterly delicious.

The animals are by far my favorite & seeing the way that they all interact made me giddy. The squirrel scene had me just absolutely cackling! Such an absolutely incredible read.

[Sue Ouellet-Cofsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quirky story about two people with plenty of emotional baggage who find themselves drawn to each other both before and after their "forced proximity". Their connection is instantaneous and while they seem like complete opposites, they have the ability to truly see each other for exactly who they are and to allow the other to be completely themselves despite some of their quirks and anxiety. I could easily relate to Joey as I've often felt like she has-too much, too little, not enough and I saw way too much of myself in her character. Perhaps it was just what I needed. Some absolutely amazing banter and some very fun side characters brought the story to life and yes, I want to move to Hemlock and live with these people.

“Endlessly and beyond words. I’d use up all the paper and ink in the world trying to describe how much I love and adore you.”

[Annie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored Beckett and Joeys story🥹 I was hooked from the start! Their story was so beautifully written, the way Joey and Beckett cared for one another was just beautiful. These two were made for each other and seeing them work together to get through life and the things they were going through melted my heart.

This is easily becoming one of my favorite series, A New Leaf will forever be one of my favorite reads and Like a Wildflower has easily been added to this list. If you are looking for the sweetest comfort read I highly recommend adding this one to your TBR 🩷

[Karin ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Sam for sending me an arc of this book ✨️🎀

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 🌶.5

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
This was such a sweet read. First of all this is my first Samm Wilde book I've read and I really enjoyed the writing and the characters.

This story is beautifully written and Joey and Beckett's relationship is everything. This is a warm, sweet and cozy read and the main characters are made for each other.

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐈𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞
• Forced Proximity
• Anxiety Rep
• Traveling Nurse x Traveling Graphic Designer
• Roommates to Lovers
• Shy and Tatted MMC
• Tension

[Eva ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strangers to roommates to lovers + slow burn & forced proximity = a captivating story.

I loved how relatable both Joey and Beckett were. Her, always feeling like she’s too much, and him with his anxiety. The calm to each other’s storm. The tenderness with how Beckett cared for Joey had me weeping. He truly loved her for who she was - socks thrown haphazardly across the floor be damned (I am also guilty of this)

And shoutout to Barbara. We love a judgmental cat. And more than that we love a Cat Daddy.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

“She deserves to own her fire.”

Wooooooo-doggy! Samm does it again! I read her first book, A New Leaf, back in August and absolutely adored it, so naturally when I saw Samm post about her newest book, I HAD to get it in my hands! This book is everything. If you’ve ever felt like you’re “too much”, Joey just might be your new fave FMC. And the love interest is a man named Beckett who is a nurse…. Rides a motorcycle… bakes sourdough…. Has a pet cat… and ALWAYS says the right thing.

Roommates to Lovers
Mental Health Rep
Forced Proximity
Invisible String Theory
Secret Tattoo

[Alex Waller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC and devoured it in one day! I giggled and cried my way through this wonderful cozy story. Joey and Beckett’s relationship reminded me so much of my own, and that made it an even better read for me. This book was relatable, timely and the pace was great. A bit of a slow burn, but I loved that about it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Han Bento · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ ARC REVIEW ~
4.5 stars (rounded for goodreads)

absolutely loved this! warm and cozy and full of comfort. the mcs are perfect for eachother and compliment eachother wonderfully. no third act breakup which is just the cherry on top! absolutely i would recommend for people to read this!

[Kinzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beckett and Joeys story is a great opposites attract. It’s speaks beautifully to people who can compliment each other and help each other with insecurities. Roommates to lovers, cats and dogs, tattoos, baking…what’s not to like

[Sabina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5✨

If you want to read the softest, most wholesome romance with opposites attract characters, forced proximity, anxiety representation, a man who bakes sourdough, a woman who survives off of candy and a sassy cat, drop everything and read this book🧎🏻‍♀️

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

You guys are not ready for Beckett and his biceps and our girl Joey!!!

[Brina.readz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Samm Wilde for an advanced readers copy of this book!

Like a Wildflower was such a fun, wholesome and emotional read with so many different topics being approached in the most wholesome way (loss of parent, grief, anxiety, searching for identity etc.).

4.5 stars

"She’s taught me that love doesn’t always have to be loud and in-your-face. It doesn’t have to be loud in order to be strong. It could be subtle and understated. Quiet and peaceful. Because more often than not, quiet love is given from the loudest hearts."

Both our MCs Joey and Beckett were written with so much love and it was a joy to read about how the connected and interacted, taking the best care of the other persons trauma while helping each other face them as well.

"Because when I’m with her, my loneliness fades into the distance."

I had not read the first book in this series and did not have any issues with this book regardless, although I will definitely be reading it now.

“Hey, Beckett?” “Yeah?” “Follow me.” “Anywhere.”

[Lena Beiler · Rating 5 out of 5]

full review to come! Loved this story with Beckett and Joey so much

[mk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samm always has a way of writing that makes you feel like you are implanted directly into the mc’s minds. You don’t doubt who they are at their core because she writes them so authentically.

This was a very very sweet read. Joey and Beckett just fit together. And I love how they circled each other while also simultaneously just knowing what the other needed. Everything about them is precious.

I will forever be a fan girl of this author because you can find her in everything she writes. She doesn’t write for tropes or what will sell best. She writes because the characters have a voice and have a story and she is dedicated to giving them life.

[leah kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley/BookFunnel and Samm Wilde for the ARC of Like A Wildflower! This was a 4.5 ⭐️ for me! I was and still am obsessed with A New Leaf, and having devoured both of these books in a day? Safe to say I have found a new auto-buy author. The way Samm describes the characters and their stories while also making them not so “perfect” makes them more relatable. If you haven’t already, you need to read A New Leaf and then immediately pick up Like A Wildflower. The love story and the relatability of Beckett and Joey had me kicking my feet and crying all in one go. Loved this, thank you.