This Wild Wanting

by Sophie Gonzales

Introducing Sophie Gonzales' sensational fantasy debut, where a magical potion comes at a terrible price to a noble's son ―and the potion maker's daughter who is determined to rescue him.

A dangerous bargain. A forbidden alliance. An impossible love.

Everybody knows about the faerie market that borders the crumbling edges of the mortal world. It is a place where almost anything can be bought . . . by those willing to pay terrible prices. Skills, memories, years of your life―even the freedom of one’s own mind are the currency of choice.

Declan Bonfeld, the only son of a noble house, has never encountered a price he cannot afford to pay. Until the day he attempts to bargain with a ruthless potion merchant for the a way to bring back someone he loves. When Declan dares to steal from the tyrant’s shelves with the help of the merchant’s captive daughter, Calla, the two discover a horrifying truth. Once a stolen potion is consumed, the thief pays the price, no matter who drinks it.

With Declan’s mind and body unravelling piece by piece, Calla must help him outwit her father, the man she has spent a lifetime fearing, before Declan is stripped of everything he is, and she loses the only person who has ever truly seen her.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Magic, Young Adult Fantasy, Fae, Romantasy

352 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication November 17, 2026

About the author

Sophie Gonzales writes young adult queer contemporary fiction with memorable characters, biting wit and endless heart.

She is the author of THE LAW OF INERTIA, ONLY MOSTLY DEVASTATED and PERFECT ON PAPER. IF THIS GETS (co-written with Cale Dietrich) is forthcoming in Fall 2021 from Wednesday Books / Macmillan.

When she isn’t writing, Sophie can be found ice skating, performing in musical theatre, and practicing the piano. She currently lives in Melbourne, Australia where she works as a psychologist.

She is represented by Jessica Mileo of Inkwell Management.

Reviews

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great narration on the audiobook, especially the FMC narrator.

Full RTC

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Thank you to the publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[Kaitie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook Read.

💚 YA Standalone Romantasy
🧚‍♀️ Faerie Bargains
💚 Forbidden Love
🧚‍♀️ Fae × Human Realm
💚 Captive FMC

I thoroughly enjoyed this standalone YA Romantasy with faerie courts, high-stakes bargains and the sweetest romance stemming from a high risk pact.

•

Declan is consumed by immense grief and needs to make things right; he must cross into the fae realm to find what he seeks. Calla has spent her life in chains, fearing her father—a faerie potion merchant who can make the impossible into reality for a steep price. Together, they plot to steal what Declan needs, not realizing the consequences are dire and that all potion prices must be paid.

•

This was such a unique read! I love Faerie court politics, and this book has a lot of fae × human realm dynamics. It definitely gave me some *The Cruel Prince* vibes with cunning faeries that manipulate humans for sport. I loved Calla as a character; she is defiant, she loves reading, and she has an infectious personality despite her dire situation. Declan is great too; I did feel that he makes a lot of foolish decisions, but he's warm and lovable all the same. The magic in this felt so unique, with bargains that are paid for using a potion—whether stolen or paid upon purchase—a detail unbeknownst to the MCs.

I did find that this had a little bit *too much* teenage angst for me personally, and while I generally expect that from a YA story, I just personally didn't jive with it. I would have liked more of a developed, feeling relationship from the MCs as well. A lot of time was spent on plot arcs that ultimately felt a little bit inconsequential.

I listened to the audiobook. I liked both narrators but definitely preferred Alex Wingfield, who voices Declan. Both narrators are fantastic, but since this is a dual POV and dual narration audiobook, I did feel that Helen Keeley's voicing for Declan felt a little bit jarring at times.

Overall, this was a magical read!

•

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book, and thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and feedback contained within this review are my own.

[melodie | readingwithmelodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

y’all are not ready for this masterpiece i DEVOURED this omg

[Starr ❇✌❇]

NEW SOPHIE GONZALES AND IT'S FAERIE BASED?

[Mariana ✨]

mother sophie is stepping into fantasy ohhhh i'm sat 🙂‍↕️

[Beth | Bookwyrm.Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook! 💚

✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ✦
This was a relatively dark, sensory forward standalone YA fantasy that felt very atmospheric and unique.

I loved how much the author leaned into faerie folklore and didn’t leave out the darkness within it. The magic in this world isn’t whimsical or free, but carries massive emotional stakes and a heavy price. This was such an enjoyable concept and I loved learning about all of the various rules and how they played out within the story. Every bargain felt dangerous and consequential, combining whimsy with truly high stakes.

Calla, a half-fae girl raised in captivity by her cruel father, is cautious and observant, while Declan is an impulsive human noble used to fixing problems with his family’s money. I loved watching them outgrow their prejudices and build mutual trust. Their romance unfolds as a sweet, zero-spice slow burn built on genuine friendship and respect, which balanced the darker elements of the story.

My only criticism would be that the pacing felt way too fast for the narrative. Plot points come in rapid fire, as well as travel between worlds, without enough connective tissue. I would have appreciated more structure to the narrative and transitional scenes.

Overall, I highly recommend this one, especially if you enjoy cruel depictions of the fae.

✦ 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 ✦
Duel Narration by Alex Wingfield and Helen Keeley
Alex brought a curious, high energy tone to Declan while Helen portrayed Calla’s cautious demeanor so well. They had great chemistry and played off each other really well. I think that the audio may have exacerbated the issues I was having with the fast pacing, so I recommend choosing your preferred format for this one! If you do choose the audio, you may need to adjust your typical listening speed.

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚:
Cruel Fae
Bargains and Trickery
Changelings
Friends to Lovers
Forced Collaboration
Grief and Letting Go
Overcoming Stereotypes

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[Bec · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I have read Sophie Gonzales' queer romances, and enjoyed them, and even though I knew this would be different, I was still excited to see how she creates a fantasy world. I'll admit, in the prologue I was weary and thinking "oh no, not another half fae switched as a baby story" because I've read so many. However, this was so much more than a "glamoured baby took the main character's nice life while she lives a horrible one" story, though that is what happens, we actually mostly focus on Declan. But all that to say, the author does an amazing job with her fantasy debut.

Though this starts out very similar to other fantasy faerie books with Calla's situation, the rest is quite unique and interesting, and I really enjoyed the direction the plot went. I was even nervous for how things would play out. I found myself wanting to rush forward to see what was going to happen next, and hope Declan would be ok, I was physically sweating at one point. And there were twists I did not see coming.

The romance felt nicely paced. It wasn't a super slow burn, but it wasn't instant loving either. They acknowledge that each other is attractive right away, which I am fine with, and they aren't lusting for each other thank goodness. Their dialogue together felt fluid and their banter was fun.

The characters aren't what I would call complex, but they do have personality and they have some depth. I do like Declan takes responsibility for his own actions and doesn't get mad at anyone else about the situation he is in, but I can't say I'd be the same about one event, but that just shows he's a better person than me.

If Sophie Gonzales writes more fantasy novels, I'll be picking them up for a read!

[Carrie (brightbeautifulthings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This pretty much does what it says on the tin. The first half of the novel is basically the synopsis playing out with few surprises. I generally enjoy Gonzales’s writing style, but she’s changed it up a little for the fantasy setting. It’s not bad, per se, but it sounds a lot like every other fantasy novel out there. I was hoping to see more of the faerie market (one of the reasons I picked this up in the first place), but aside from the one shop, it’s more of a backdrop than anything.

I enjoyed Calla a lot as a character. She’s thoughtful, clever, and kind, and her circumstances are frankly horrifying. Declan is more lackluster, and I struggle watching characters make stupid decision after stupid decision. Unfortunately, most of the plot hinges on him being a dipshit. Though he’s willing to own his past mistakes, he apparently learns nothing from them, and his reasons for bringing someone back from the dead are a little shallow/underdeveloped.

Calla and Declan’s connection is a bit YA insta-love-y, but it suits the genre, and I liked Declan’s determination to help her just because it’s the right thing to do. They’re so deep in trouble I was wondering how they would ever get out of it, but the ending is cleverly plotted. It’s a fun read, if not terribly deep. I received an invitation to read a free e-ARC through NetGalley from the publishers at St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books.

I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.

[Katie Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to try reading something different than what I typically read and I am SO GLAD I DID.

I devoured this book!


I couldn’t get enough of Calla and Declan and their friendship.

[BookishKB]

🧚‍♀️🖤 This Wild Wanting 🖤🧚‍♀️

📖 Bookish Thoughts

My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.

✨ What to Expect
• YA Fantasy
• Faerie Market
• Forbidden Romance
• Magical Bargains
• Found Family
_ _ _ _

📅 Pub Date: November 17, 2026
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Vhairi Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Wild Wanting, fae and mortal worlds collide when Declan crosses the Haze hoping to make peace with the past, only to find himself pulled deeper into a dangerous and captivating world. Sophie Gonzales delivers an atmospheric fantasy built around impossible choices and characters who often place others’ safety above their own.
What stood out most was how the characters were always willing to accept their fate if it meant saving the other from harm, giving their connection a quiet weight throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Energy Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I pretty much love everything Sophie publishes, but her doing fantasy? It’s a thing of beauty. I liked Calla, how she tries so hard despite how awful her father has made her life. She just wants to fly free. And while Declan makes a ton, and I do mean a ton, of idiotic decisions, he would be good for her. Thankfully, she has the common sense that Declan lacks.

Seriously, I would love more from Calla down the road. I want to see where life takes her, and I want to see what she learns and how she grows.

A super fun read.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shame to see high prices affecting both the real and fictional world these days…

Stolen from her crib , Calla has worked with her birth father selling potions to other fae across the haze and when new customer Declan arrives looking to bring someone back from the dead he bites off a bit more than he can chew. Working together she agrees to help him get the right potion for the resurrection but when their plan goes awry, Calla must work through the curse that binds her to her father before Declan succumbs to the high cost of each stolen good.

This was a fun idea I really liked the costs for each skill and they weren’t kidding with their warnings. The temptation to have something, even if it meant losing more in the exchange was fascinating as it had its hook in nearly all of our characters and what they most desired. As each new transaction took a bit more from Declan, Calla was forced to step out of the confines of her prison and confront a long history of deals and I loved seeing that growth from her.

I did wish for more from the characters overall, this book is a fast read so it is something that you don’t spend too much time on but they felt very flat for the most part with the villain being sort of one note himself. I would have loved to know more about his descent into greed and how it cost him everything but also that turn to take those who loved him and abuse them in such a way. Yes there’s evil for the sake of it but there was a brief moment that I thought was going to give us more layers only for it to fizzle out just as quickly.

A quick read thats lots of fun and poses the great question of how much are you willing to pay in order to get what you want?

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc for a fair and honest review**

[Carissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This YA fantasy follows an impulsive mortal boy in the search of necromancy magic (Declan) and a lonely fae girl (Calla) who is trapped under the control of her cruel father (The Ledger). They cross paths after Declan visits The Ledger’s potion shop and makes a risky decision in order to avoid paying the high, life-altering cost of obtaining a potion. Declan quickly faces the consequences of his actions, and Calla unravels the truth of her past as their bond grows stronger.

The best thing I could say about this book was the prose, in and of itself, was good. Calla and Declan were decently developed characters, but as far as characters go they were nothing special. Unfortunately, overall this story was bland, and I had issues with several elements.

1. World building—The book gave no context whatsoever about the history or politics of the mortal side of this world and little about the fae realm. Declan’s parents are diplomats and travel frequently, apparently negotiating with other nations and whatnot, but I had no context for what the relationship was between their country and others. It also didn’t make any sense to me that Declan goes to a school for gentry children, and it was commented twice that they don’t teach any kind of politics at this school, and yet the book also mentions how important diplomats are to the country!? Just speaking from how these things usually work in other pieces of fiction and reality, aren’t members of the noble class more often than not involved in diplomatic matters? So why not teach about politics at this school!?

2. Declan's decision-making—Yes, he is an 18-year-old boy, a group of people not known for making well-thought-out choices, but throughout most of the book his behaviors are ridiculous! He buys a low-cost potion from The Ledger that allows him to walk through walls and, shortly thereafter, robs that very same man of a high-cost potion located in an otherwise secure building. So would that not make it obvious who stole from this (very dangerous) man!? And it does not stop there! Once he’s inside the building, he steals not one potion but 10 potions from Calla’s father! A man who he knows is powerful and vengeful and also would not hesitate to punish Calla if he were to find out she was an accomplice in the heist.

3. Declan’s absentee parents—a big conflict in the book is that Declan wants to join the King’s Guard (that fact that there is a king is maybe the only thing I know about this country), while his parents make it apparent that they want him to follow in their footsteps and become a diplomat. Declan’s parents are always away from home, which makes him feel like they don’t care about him, and when they are around, they are constantly judging him on his ability to answer pop quiz-type questions about diplomacy. Turns out it’s all a completely asinine miscommunication where Declan’s parents are avoiding him because they believe he is mad at them for a reason I don’t feel like explaining. Umm, y’all are adults; actually have a conversation with your son instead of avoiding him and only criticizing him when you are around!!!

4. Lottie—Okay, this is maybe a bit too nit-picky, but at one point Calla goes into a jealousy thought spiral when Declan mentions he is worried about his friend Lottie. But earlier in the book Declan told her about Lottie and her infatuation with a girl from their town. Just seems weird that she would forget that Lottie was very taken by another and was only friends with Declan.

There are many more small things that bothered me, and I hate to say it, but this is the worst fae book I’ve ever read (even ACOTAR is better…). Overall, this book had potential, but it needs stronger world-building and more explanations for actions other than making the characters stupid.

[Sara Lynn · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This Wild Wanting hooked me from the very first page, and before I knew it, I was completely invested in the story and, more importantly, its two main characters. This was such an enjoyable read, with a premise that immediately caught my attention and a magical system that I found incredibly unique.

One of my favorite aspects of this story was its transactional magic system. The idea that magic comes at a price, and that people can trade things like their memories, skills, dreams, freedom, or even years of their lives, was so fascinating to me. There was something incredibly tempting about the possibilities, while also making the consequences of those choices feel unsettling. I loved the creativity behind it and would have happily explored even more of how this system worked and how it shaped the world.

The story itself is very character-driven, and I found myself genuinely invested in following the journeys of the two main characters. I enjoyed watching them grow, navigate their circumstances, and come to realize that they aren't as alone as they may have once believed. There is something lovely about watching characters discover that their lives still hold possibilities, that they have people to lean on, and that there is so much more ahead of them than they initially imagined.

That said, I did find myself wishing for a little more character depth. I wanted to dig further beneath the surface, particularly when it came to Calla's parents. I would have loved a deeper look into their history, especially her father's motivations. I wanted to understand more about the decisions he made, what led him down such a villainous path, and what shaped him into the person he became. There was so much potential there that I would have loved to see explored.

I also would have appreciated more worldbuilding. The magical concept was so intriguing, and I wanted more opportunities to explore the world beyond the immediate experiences of the characters. I think a little more depth in both the world and its supporting characters could have made an already enjoyable story even stronger.

It's also worth mentioning that I had to remind myself that this was a YA fantasy, because it absolutely reads like one. The storytelling, character arcs, and overall approach felt very much in line with the genre. That isn't necessarily a negative, but I think it's helpful to go in with those expectations rather than expecting a sprawling, deeply layered fantasy world.

Overall, This Wild Wanting was a fun, engaging read that pulled me in quickly and kept me invested until the end. While I wanted more depth from the characters and a richer exploration of the world, I really enjoyed the premise, the transactional magic system, and the emotional journeys at the heart of the story.

A solid 3.5-star read that left me appreciating its creativity and rooting for its characters.

Thank you to Sophie Gonzales, St. Martin's Press / Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for the gifted eARC.
All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[ChristineReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a very cute, whirlwind fae fantasy story I would recommend this. It was a very engaging experience and the audio book very much captured the spirit of the story. It had whimsy, poor decision making, and such a depth of caring.

Declan is on a mission to bring someone back to life, but after an almost deadly encounter with a fairy he is determined to have some revenge. With help from Calla, Declan hatches a plan to steal potions from her father. High off the heist Declan takes more than he set out to take and now the consequences are dire.

Calla is the only one that can help him. Together they work to outwit her father but the journey uncovers secrets much deeper than they both had any idea about. Can they take power back before Declan loses himself?

I really enjoyed this story, the telling, the art, and the character development. It was so good and I was entrenched in it. It was like I was there with the characters. It was such fun and clever storytelling. I highly recommend for anyone who loves a bargain with the fae, a changeling child, and friends and love we capture for our own. Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced readers copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Declan is heavy with grief and will do just about anything to bring back someone he loves from the dead. Willing to do anything, he finds himself going to the fae for help. But the fae are tricky and are known for their bargains. While Declan is bargaining he finds himself helping Calla who is being held captive by the merchant. Calla, who is intrigued by this human, decides to make sure that Declan leaves the fae territory safe. This decision will change both of their lives forever. I liked the pacing of how their romance developed in the book. It was just perfect timing for me. I really enjoyed Declan’s character as well. We got to see a lot of character growth and the sacrifices he was willing to make. I also liked Calla and was rooting for her too. This book just gave me all of the happy vibes and hope.

The audiobook is dual narrated and the narrators, Alex Wingfield and Helen Keeley did a great job portraying their own characters. I enjoyed the tones and inflections used.

This is perfect for readers who enjoy young adult, romantasy, faerie bargains, angsty vibes, and forbidden love.

A very special thanks to Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Wednesday Books for providing me with a gifted ALC copy of This Wild Wanting. All opinions are my own.

Narrator: Alex Wingfield, Helen Keeley
Time: 9 hours 26 minutes

This Wild Wanting combined two of my favorite things…changelings and Faerie bargains. I really enjoyed the world that Gonzales created and thought that the potions and bargains brought great conflict to the story.

Calla and Declan were a perfect YA romance couple and I loved seeing the sacrifices they were willing to make for one another. There are some darker moments which gave a great dark fairy tale vibe to the story, and I thought the family issues worked well in developing the characters.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* YA Fantasy
* Fae & Bargains
* Magic & Potions
* Slow Burn Romance

𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 🌶️

[Jennah Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review: 4.5 ⭐️

The Wild Wanting pulls you in immediately with a shocking child swap. We meet Declan, who is grieving someone he’s lost and becomes desperate enough to try to bring them back. His desperation leads him to a mysterious potion shop, where he meets Calla, who warns him about the dangers of making deals with The Ledger. Every potion comes with a price - and the cost is never small.
Despite her warning, Calla helps Declan steal a resurrection potion. But what she doesn’t realize is that’s not all he stole, setting off a chain of consequences neither of them can fully control.
As the story unfolds, it explores how power and greed can consume people, especially when they’re vulnerable. It asks a powerful question: if you could have anything you wanted, would you really stop yourself?
Calla and Declan feel like outsiders in their own lives, and their growing friendship gradually turns into something deeper. Along the way, there’s adventure, found family, and strong reminder that nothing comes without a cost - and that nothing should be taken for granted

[Elizabeth Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good! I really enjoyed the world Gonzales created. The characters fit well within their ages/roles in society, so it helped the scenarios feel more real, despite the fantasy of it all. I enjoyed the love story and how the main characters all came together to free Declan and Calla from their circumstances. I also really enjoyed how everything fell into place and worked out in the end, but it wasn’t handed to them - it was a reward for their actions, which worked well. Thank you to the publisher for providing this ARC via NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

[RebeccaReadsTooMuch · Rating 4 out of 5]

An immersive faerie story with a bit of a classic feel, that’s darkly atmospheric, action packed, and full of tricky bargains, magic potions, witty banter, and an all consuming love story. 🖤

🎧 I combined ebook and audio. I highly recommend the audio for the charming voices. I appreciate that the narrators speak at a clip, as it fits the faced-paced story well. Though they speak perfectly clearly, I had to slow my usual listening speed down a bit for this one.

This is a nice little fantasy escape, though I would have liked more. Hopefully we get a sequel 🤞

🙏 Many thanks to St Martin’s Press and Macmillan for the early review copies.

[Marybeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I really wanted to like this more. I liked the multiple POV, the shortish chapters and loved the concept. Mortal meets fae and befriends her while unknowingly making deals. Super fun!

But parts of this book seemed to drag on while the ending seemed a little rushed. I enjoyed and quickly read the first 40% or so, but struggled to get through the next 40%.

[Nicole B · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an easy fun read. I was hooked immediately. I loved the plot twists. The dual POV was great and I thought all the side characters had a good backstory. I would have liked more world building & more on the magic system…

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity.

[Megan Arning · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so sweet! The plot was so well-paced, I was constantly wanting to know what happened next. The relationship between Calla and Declan was precious. I just wish there had been more of an epilogue!

[Candy Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review ✨
This was such a cute, fun read! Mortals? Fae? Bargains?? What could possibly go wrong? The characters were easily lovable, the chemistry was great, and the magical world was so much fun to explore. I couldn't put it down!

[Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This premise had so much potential for everything I enjoy bargaining fae, changelings, a little romance. But unfortunately this YA was very poorly written. I found myself cringing at the dialogue. Even for YA, the conversations felt disjointed and fake somehow. The characters weee extremely shallow and the plot kept changing course in a way like the author was attempted to be clever, but in reality it just felt nonsensical.

To be fair, I did love that the book is truly YA with no unnecessary spice. But also every character seemed to be bisexual which is weird. What are the odds of that?

Declan was constantly making absurd choices and was quite witless and it made no sense to me why Calla would be interested in him except that he noticed she was in pain and wanted to help. Declan’s relationship with Eaving had potential to make the story great, and then it was just forgot about a third of the way through. Only using it as a catalyst to get him into the fae world. Also I fear that a governess to an 18 year old was a bit juvenile as well. These characters could have been 13 and it would have made the book much more enjoyable and believable.

Feels like a rough draft with potential, but needs cleaning up.

[Mia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This was fun but fantasy is bit too much for this author. The world building was lacking and pacing was slow.

[B]

DNF chapter one. This is so stilted. I thought about stopping as soon as the prologue ended so weirdly, but stuck it out another few pages only to be bored to tears by Declan and the entire run through of what the market (?) looked like.

[KazReads · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I find many first person POV books to be quite awkwardly written, but every now and again you come across one that does it flawlessly. If I were a little bit younger, this would’ve very easily been a 5 star read.

The fae themselves and their land gives off that classic Celtic mythology feeling that we had before the hot fae sensation took over.

The MCs are both lonely young adults who find care and acceptance in one another. It makes for a sweet love story.

The plot has no stakes in the wider world, but focuses on the personal stakes of the MCs and their friends. It’s a solid plot line and at no point was I ever bored. The twists were also well done and the ending wrapped everything up while also being open ended—leaving me wondering what will happen next for the MCs.

[Sara Bechtol · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Genre 📚: YA Fantasy, Romance
Tropes 💁‍♀️: Faerie courts, Bargains/trickery, Glamour, Half-fae x Mortal
Rep ✔️: Queer main character, queer side character
CW ⚠️: Kidnapping, torture, blood/violence, emotional and physical abuse
Rating ⭐️: 4.5/5

So, straight-up: I’ve never been a fae girly. Sure, I loved FernGully and Barbie: Fairytopia as a kid, but that was as far as my interest went. (I was more enchanted by vampires and ghosts.) It was hard for me to latch onto any fae books — and I tried. I even tried the ACOTAR series, and it just wasn’t for me. But I’m no quitter, and I’m still determined to find titles I do like. With Sophie Gonzales’s fantasy debut, I believe I may have found one.

In This Wild Wanting, the FMC Calla lives in captivity. Her father, a powerful fae and greedy merchant, stole her from her family when she was a baby. She’s now forced to work in her father’s potion shop, watching customers trade precious things for his spells. Precious things like a memory or a skill or freaking years of their life. MMC Declan is desperate for one of these spells, but he’s not willing to give away a whole chunk of his life. So he befriends Calla and together, they make a plan for him to steal a potion.

The couple have a fun dynamic, Declan being impulsive AF and Calla literally having to hold him back from getting them both in trouble. But, unfortunately, Declan’s recklessness wins out. He makes a mistake that has Calla’s father out for blood. At this point, Declan and Calla have gotten to know each other… they care about each other… and they would do anything to keep each other safe. Which leads to a merry-go-round of them essentially going “I’ll save you,” “No, I’ll save you,” “No, I’LL save you, dammit!”

At every turn, when something would go wrong, I was legitimately terrified for them. And as they were having their frustrating (though sweet) self-sacrificing speeches, I wanted to drag them to safety myself. They were such idiots in love. But as they fought back against the fae’s trickery, they found ways to be smart. Sophie Gonzales threw out a lot of twists, especially near the end, and I was pleasantly surprised every time.

Glad I finally found a fantasy about faeries that clicked with me. Maybe it was the flawed characters, maybe it was the desperate yearning (for both romantic love and familial love). Or maybe I just vibe with Sophie’s storytelling. All I know is, I want more.

**Much thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This Wild Wanting will be released on November 17, 2026.