Clark: It started as a joke. After all, I’d never pretend to date a woman just to get my mom and sister off my back.
I would, however, pretend to date her to get her ex-husband off hers.
Now the two of us, the wilderness warrior and the wedding planner, are stuck sharing a very small tent. I had no idea how fast things would heat up in here, or how hard it would be to keep my hands—among other things—to myself.
I also didn’t guess how quickly the news of our “relationship” would spread to my big, nosy family.
We can’t “break up” yet, because she’s planning my brother’s wedding and I’m his best man. Through venue visits, DIY disasters, and Vegas trips, we’re thrown together, and the chemistry’s off-the-charts. But the kicker is, I feel like she gets me.
Maybe that’s what scares me the most. I’m still reeling from the loss of my wife, and she’s still hurting from her ex’s betrayal. There’s no way this can ever be real.
USA Today bestselling author Serena Bell writes contemporary romance with heat, heart, and humor. A former journalist, Serena has always believed that everyone has an amazing story to tell if you listen carefully, and you can often find her scribbling in her tiny garret office, mainlining chocolate and bringing to life the tales in her head.
Serena’s books have earned many honors, including an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, Apple Books Best Book of the Month, and Amazon Best Book of the Year for Romance.
When not writing, Serena loves to spend time with her college-sweetheart husband and two hilarious kiddos—all of whom are incredibly tolerant not just of Serena’s imaginary friends but also of how often she changes her hobbies and how passionately she embraces the new ones. These days, it’s stand-up paddle boarding, board-gaming, meditation, and long walks with good friends.
A wilderness warrior and wedding planner of his brother’s wedding find themselves stuck in a very tight tent during their fake dating!
Well, this book is entertaining, steamy, hilarious and also very emotional.
Jessa plans Clark’s brother’s wedding, self sufficient, strong woman who wants to get rid of her cheater ex.
Clark who also suffers from losing his wife Emma, pretending as her boyfriend to help her out from this disturbing situation. But it seems like fate has other plans. As hard as they push too hard to stay away from each other, their paths keep crossing in coincidental circumstances including Vegas trips, very entertaining DIY disasters, unexpected venue visits.
Both of the characters are so much lovable: they both have different reasons to hold themselves back: they are still traumatized because of their baggages from own pasts.
I personally had great time during my swoon-sweet-soft- enjoyable reading time! Absolutely recommended for feelgood romance lovers!
I haven’t read the previous books of the series but I’m already intrigued about Kane’s story. So I’m looking forward to read the upcoming sequel as well.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Jelsba Media Group for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
The intro chapter from Jessa's PoV didn't initially endear her to me with her run on thoughts, but she grew on me as the read progressed, we learn more about her and how understanding she is of what the H is going through.
Clark, we learned in the earlier books has had a rough few years following the sudden death of his wife and wants to get his family off his back about dating again. In fact in the previous book he "joked" about finding himself a fake girlfriend if it means they'll leave him alone for a bit - who'd have thunk the opportunity would present itself as a package deal to help Jessa cope with the unfortunate occurrence of being stuck on a wilderness weekend getaway with her cheating ex & his new partner that he happened to cheat on her with...yeah things get a smidge more complicated by the fact two of his siblings are on the trip + overhear his rash decision/exclamation and to avoid awkward questions it spills over into Jessa planning the couple from book1s wedding for which Clark happens to be best man. Yup it's that kind of read as these two go in with their eyes open with "no feelings" kisses that spiral into more as they both figure out what they want all while "pretending" 🤭
Buck 🐶 treats us to not one but two of his unique seals of approval in this book following the bachelor/bachelorette parties in Vegas giving us a sneak peek at brother #4's upcoming story 😈😇
I thought this ending was going to follow the predictability of the previous two books which would have irked me, but Ms Bell bait & switched in a sweet way 🤗
4.5 stars ⭐️. I adored this book. It was a perfect blend of love, acceptance, crazy family antics, adventure and steaminess. This was also cultural rich. A fast paced well written romance with likeable characters.
More than anything I loved that heroine was very mature and bold. She accepted hero wholeheartedly. Hero was a widower and I thought I would’ve a problem with it but thankfully the author pulled it off. And heroine was never once jealous of the late wife. This book also had humour and depth. Likewise hero was such a good hearted viking. You could see that he was enamoured with the heroine from the beginning itself.
When I say I'm obsessive, I'm serious. MAN, THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. It fucking hits. It's fantastic, so read it, or I'll make you. It's a romantic comedy set in a small town.
It begins with Jessa preparing for a three-day trip to learn survival skills led by the legendary Wilder Adventure. Jessa's friend, however, had to cancel at the last minute, leaving her alone. What could possibly go wrong, right? It just so happens that her scumbag ex-husband and his new girlfriend will be joining her on this trip. How fun… not.
Clark Wilder is the trip leader and, of course, a member of the famous Wilder family. For a long time, this man has not had it easy. Unfortunately, his wife died, and he has been effectively shutting out the rest of the world as a result of his suffering.
Clark and Jessa already know each other because they live in a small town. Jessa used to be a member of Clark's deceased wife Emma's book club. Clark and Jessa have met each other a few times after her death, but Clark never says anything or finds a way to get out of a small conversation.
With this trip, he will be unable to ignore her. Especially when Jessa's ex-husband asked if she was on this trip alone, and Clark stepped in and confirmed she was with him. He could tell Jessa's ex was a jerk right away, and he wasn't about to let him get away with being even more of a jerk and ruin her trip. So, not only for her sake but also for his, they agreed to fake date.
Clark had always been nagged by the Wilder family to get back into dating, but he was never ready. But now that he's jumped in to help Jessa, things may not be so bad. Such that no one will bother him about not dating if he has a fake girlfriend. It shouldn't be too difficult to fool the other two Wilder siblings who are helping out on this trip into believing it. Then they can break up right after the trip. Isn't it that simple and easy?
It's not simple at all. Instead of notifying his family that the relationship had ended, he continued to lie. As a result, fake dating continues to occur. Although when the faking starts to become real, they find it safer to hide behind faking it so that none of them can get hurt. Clark does not want to fall in love again, while Jessa believes she is unlovable and therefore does not want to fall in love. They're both completely wrong.
As the book progresses, their genuine affections for each other become more apparent, even if they are unaware of it. These two are so in love with each other that it just radiates from them. They are deserving of the entire world and so much more.
*Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
Wilder Adventures series Make Me Wilder - 4-4.25 stars Walk On The Wilder Side - 3.25 stars >>Wilder With You - 3.75-4 stars A Little Wilder - tbr Wilder At Last - tbr/2023
Back to Wilder Wilderness Adventures again. This go-around is the third Wilder brother, Clark’s book. WWY is pretty much trope catnip of mine — fake dating with a dash of forced proximity. I wasn’t sure what to expect beyond that because of the mixed results from the previous two installments. Plus while all the series' covers lean towards pretty cutesy, WWY seemed a step further…to more…er, wholesome? I found myself inadvertently thinking perhaps SB might back off the steam & welllll…that she did NOT.
Ok, anyways so… Now being on the third book, I have one critique of the series overall. What causes each story’s conflict to reach its climax is becoming repetitive. It’s not damming to wreck the series, but another plot device would be appreciated. Although I have a hunch it might happen again in Kane’s the way the synopsis & the teaser in this book reads. Not sure yet about Easton’s. (They’re the 2 remaining brothers)
Back to this book specifically…
Clark —SB imho was fairly tight-lipped about him, so I really didn’t have a feel for him in his two older brothers’ books. A closed-off widower & that’s really about all I knew. It wasn’t a surprise his heart would still be fragile after losing his wife (especially as it happened so unexpectedly) or that he wouldn’t willingly accept he just might be ready to fall for someone new. As things unfolded, it was apparent Clark had been a devoted & loving husband to his late wife. That is who he is as a partner. He’s still pretty gun-shy to accept the possibility he might be ready to be that again for someone else(Jessa). I know what their family business is, but I just hadn’t gathered his exterior would be so burly & imposing of a bearded, mountain man. Idk why I had somewhat of a long & lean type & perhaps not so obviously outdoorsy looking in my mind. But as I read, he began morphing into something akin to this… 😏…minus the jewelry. Clark doesn’t seem the type to wear that.
Jessa — I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to relate to her at first. She wasn’t unsympathetic, but there was something tricky to connect with in the first handful of chapters 🤔. Then again, she was a totally fresh character on canvas, so perhaps it was just that 🤷🏻♀️. After a humiliatingly public discovery of her ex-husband’s cheating(what a worthless, narcissistic little shit. Idk what Jessa ever saw in him, to begin with.), she was still having a difficult time connecting to who she was before & what use to make her happy. As I got a better grasp of what happened & then the sudden turn of shenanigans/fake dating Clark happened, her personality begins to shine. I steadily warmed up to her from there.
Despite their efforts to keep things fake for appearances, Clark & Jessa were good together & the chemistry between them couldn’t be pushed aside. Of course, they think they can hit the sheets with no consequence to their arrangement 😏. So far these two brought the best steam of the series(in terms of rom-coms, as I don’t want to mislead it so far as to be scorching — that height of heat it is not), as I alluded to above. No contest. True, Gabe & Lucy’s overall story still has the edge for me, but Clark & Jessa’s chemistry was more palpable. Before reading WWY, idk if I would’ve guessed Clark had some of those moments in him he had during their sexy times 😉. Their willingness to let the other see their vulnerability was definitely more gradually developed, especially with Clark still being torn about moving on, but still mostly satisfying. Something else I really appreciate about them, as things progressed, Jessa wasn’t threatened by Clark’s love for his late wife & didn’t put on an insecure attitude about it or make him feel guilty. Even better, didn’t he declare deeper feelings for either woman. A romance pet peeve of mine is when an author forces the issue that the widow/er somehow never loved their late spouse the way they’ve now discovered they love the hero/oine 🤦🏻♀️. It’s not a competition & it’s ok to have loved more than one person deeply throughout their life…just as long as it’s not more than one at once (unless you reside in Utah, I suppose & all parties know what’s up 🤔 😉). It’s odd how often that direction is taken when I've read a romance involving a widow/er 🤦🏻♀️.
In nutshell, WWY is a solid rom-com with heart & spice. As well as a good supporting cast. Like I enjoyed Clark’s heart-to-heart with his younger brother, Kane on the joint bachelorette/bachelor trip, that didn’t have to do with him & Jessa.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
I don't know why widowers are so sexy, but they really are. There's something about a man who has loved and lost that gets me every time, and I loved this sweetheart of a mountain man. This fake relationship romance is light and STEAMY, with plenty of heat to keep things interesting. It builds on the series while still feeling like a standalone, and I had no trouble bingeing it in one sitting. The story flew by, and the chemistry between these two kept me turning the pages late into the night.
The story follows Clark and Jessa, two people who really shouldn't get together. Clark's wife passed away unexpectedly a few years ago, and Jessa was one of her friends. Though Clark and Jessa were never close, he feels guilty every time a spark of attraction ignites in her presence. So when Jessa's ex shows up on the wilderness retreat Clark and Jessa are a part of, no one is more surprised than Clark when he comes to her rescue. Pretending to be in a relationship with the woman he shouldn't be attracted to is sure to be trouble, but Clark goes for it anyway. And as the two spend time together, they discover that those sparks have the potential to turn into something more... even if neither one is ready for something real.
This manages to remain light and sexy, even while handling heavy topics. Clark is a widower and Jessa is divorced, so the ghosts of relationships past haunt them both. They're both hesitant to move forward with a real relationship, but the chemistry between them is impossible to ignore. I loved how likable these characters were, and I felt for them both. I typically don't love books that feature "just" sex, but it was understandable that these characters would resist giving in. The story is fast-paced and steamy, with plenty of sexual tension and just enough heartache. I also loved getting to know Clark's family better, and this remained a standalone while also advancing the series. I'm not a big fan of either of the tropes that are up next in the series, but I'm definitely looking forward to more from the author. I received an early copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this fake relationship romance.
Serena Bell does it again! I am a HUGE fan of this "Wilder Adventures" series and was so excited to read Clark's story and it definitely did not let me down!
Firstly, I highly recommend reading this series from the beginning. Although it could be read as a standalone, you will miss out on a lot of the detail if you don't read the other two books first...plus they are amazing!! This book is about Clark Wilder, who is a widow still grieving for the loss of his wife two years on. He is an outdoor survival expert, bearded, has muscles for days and is the strong and silent, mysterious type of man. I was so excited to get to know Clark more and I adored him even more than I expected. He is so much more than first impressions show and I loved wafching his kindness and vulnerability show. Our female lead is Jessa, a wedding planner who goes on one of Clark's glamping survival trips. I lov Jessa! She is so sweet and understanding but also has a naughty side to her. She is a divorcee after her ex husband cheated on her and left her. I loved watching her confidence grow through the story.
The book is a fake dating trope which isn't usually my favourite but I loved this version! Serena Bell is a master at making you love her characters and also completely made me wish I was a part of the Wilder gang! I love this kind of book series where you see how characters in past books are also continuing. It is a great story, with a lot of emotion and heartfelt moments as well as a ton of steamy scenes!
Overall, I loved it! Such a fun read which I read in a day as I couldn't put it down. If you love romance with smut and rugged men with beards, this series is for you!
Please note that I was gifted this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
While this was very cute it was also very predictable. It's your classic sunshine and grump story where Clark Wilder is the gruff widow and Jessa is the bubbly divorce.
Jessa starts off the book by going on a weekend hike and camping activity with Clark's company. She's brooding on the bus because her best friend bailed on her when things get even worse, the group is joined by none other than Jessa's ex-husband and his new girlfriend.
One thing leads to the other and Jessa and Clark start a fake dating arrangement. She wants to avoid humiliation, he wants his family off his back because after his wife passed away he's been single going on two years.
The writing and setting were charming, but there was absolutely nothing new here. It was very formulaic. I couldn't connect with the characters because they were incredibly cliche.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love this series. Serena Bell has done a great job weaving romance with real life scenarios. Wilder With You is no different and a great addition to the series. To be honest, I was hesitant to read this book as the main character, Clark is the quietest brother and he hasn’t gotten over the loss of his wife. When one of his late wife’s friends, Jessa, needs help he didn’t hesitate to step up and be her knight. I’m not going to lie, the story held some sadness but the pair drew on each others strengths. I loved watching them break down their walls and let the other person into their world. We have one more brother left and I can’t wait to see what the author has in store!
The series continues with another enjoyable Wilder brother's adventure, this one with a few tears shed too. I really liked Clark and how with Jessa's help he comes to better terms with his grief over losing his wife (who died from a medical incident but not cancer). He's also a protective hero, coming to Jessa's rescue when he sees her in a bind, and it's just nice to read a good guy hero who deserves to have another loving partner. Their fake relationship makes Clark's family happy but their very real (and hot) sex, and their heart to heart talks, lead to more. This has been my favourite of the series, though I'll be interested in seeing if Kane or Easton's stories will surpass it! The concept of the series is a unique one, and I can always count on Ms. Bell to entertain me.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital ARC.
Awwww, this was so cute. And fun and steamy. A quick, easy read for a lazy Sunday. This is the 3rd book in the Wilder series, but it can be read as a standalone. I haven't read the first two, but I'm inclined to do so. I'm also interested in the 4th book.
The writing is really light and fun, it flows easily and it's quite engaging in a quirky way. My only objection would be that we don't get enough on page interactions. And by that I mean that we only get mentions of important events that I think could have added a lot to the story if they weren't skipped.
This is the story of Jessa and Clark, a recently divorced wedding planner and a widowed mountain man. Haha, well, he's working for his family's business, outdoors activities, hiking and all that, so as I was saying, a mountain man. 😁 Everything kicks off at a glamping event where forced by circumstances, these two adorable humans decide to start fake dating in order to get people off their backs.
The small town vibe is present, but not nearly enough. I love a small town setting, so this was a plus, but perhaps a bit overlooked. I would have liked more details on the town itself and its inhabitants.
One thing I absolutely adored is the family dynamics. Clark is one of 6 siblings, he has 4 brothers and 1 sister. I just love when a big family is involved, the sibling banter is something I really enjoy. We get a bit of that, but I definitely would have wanted more.
I liked how Clark's past relationship was handled. I love a book where former partners aren't vilified for the sake of the current love interest. You can truly love more than one person in this lifetime, it's ok to grieve and be scared to love again after losing someone important. Jessa's story is interesting as well, but perhaps too easily dismissed.
I mean, of course I liked this, it has fake dating! That's only my favourite romance trope ever. 😅 But, at the same time, something was missing. It just felt like there wasn't enough information and the book was a bit rushed.
I received an ARC of this from NetGalley. It is a romance about a burly viking woodsman and a wedding planner. I really enjoyed myself. Both of them are coming out of marriages, one divorced and one widowed. Neither of them think they will find love again, let alone anytime soon. In this book you get to see them break down the walls and learn to love and trust again. It was a great love story. Steamy and emotional. Also the Wilder family is a crazy group. Bell spent a bunch of time talking about the other family members that have their own stories or will have their own stories. It was a nice universe to get lost in for the awhile.
I was blessed with an ARC from the author, and oh how I loved Clark’s story! Really enjoyed this “fake dating” storyline with plenty of laughs and lots of steam. Plus, it’s a good lead-in to the next book… Kane’s story!
In 1x uitgelezen. Het was een ‘even kijken of ik de Kobo fijn vind’-boek, maar nu ben ik fan. Ook nog eens m’n eerste spicy romance, maar het was niet zo erg als gedacht! Ik ben Wilder fan. There, I said it. Niet alleen leuke scenes maar ook ongelofelijk sterk verhaal met een boodschap. Tuurlijk, de scènes zijn soms corny en de uitspraken zo cliché, maar wie houdt daar nou niet van? Aanrader als je een niet te zwaar boek wilt lezen met wat spice!
I enjoyed this book. I always feel uncomfortable with some of the sex stuff and knew there would be “the thing” that broke them apart. But this actually felt realistic. The “stuff” he was going through was valid.
Loved this book! This series just keeps getting better and better. I was eager for Clark's story and it didn't disappoint. The longing! The emotion! The character evolution of both Clark and Jessa! If you haven't read this series yet, start with book 1 and keep going because just when you think you've found your favorite Wilder brother, the next one is even better.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ "You know at the beach, when a wave is rolling back out, and the another one comes in, and they smash into each other? That's how I feel right now. Relief and disappointment, one rolling in, one rolling out, and I'm not sure which is coming and which is going."
What You'll Find: ✔️Romantic Comedy ✔️Tortured Past ✔️Fake Relationship ✔️Steamy Open Door ✔️Dual POV
Wilder With You is quick enjoyable read with the perfect blend of humor, heart, emotion and steam to keep you locked in to the end!
Clark Wilder is a widow, not ready to move on. But when he finds himself fake dating Jessa to get her ex off her back, he soon is in over his head. And sharing a very small tent, that leaves no room to hide their attraction. Once the small town gossip has spread they find themselves continuing their fake relationship for the sake of his family. Especially since Jessa is now planning his brother's wedding. Forced to spend more time together because of this, their chemistry can no longer be ignored. But can he move on from the past?
This is the third (full) book of the Wilder Adventure Series and I have really been enjoying these siblings. Based in a smalltown setting, the Wilder family offers a variety of outdoor adventures. And Clark teaches wilderness survival. This mountain man of few words has a tortured past. But doesn't hesitate to step in when he sees Jessa needs it. I truly adored him. And Jessa. What a strong character. So caring and empathetic. They had a spark from the beginning that they naturally fight. But it eventually ignites.
This was a quick and enjoyable read. It has humor and plenty of steam. But also heart and emotion too. I enjoyed the diversity of characters. And all the delicious food talk. Such a fun and unique series idea... I have been loving the variety of outdoor settings, each with their own unique stamp in the Wilder family. This one features a miscommunication (or perhaps lack of) aspect, that isn't always my favorite. But overall this is another great addition to the series I enjoyed and would definitely recommend. And I am so excited for Kane's story next!
* I received an ARC from Author Collective 20, Jelsba Media Group via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely.
Loved, loved, LOVED! This series is just so good... <3
Clark's story was teased a bit in Brody's book (Walk on the Wilder Side) when he grumbled that he just might get himself a fake girlfriend to get their mom off of his back about getting "out there" again. But Clark obviously didn't mean it. Or did he...?
Clark and Jessa's story actually made me snort-laugh...a whole lot. I mean, fake dating is a pretty ridiculous trope to begin with, but when it's paired with the extreme denial here that Clark and Jessa have immersed themselves in? It tips over from ridiculous to LOL funny. OMG, every time they came up with their breakup "exit strategy" and then one (or both) of them couldn't do it because of reasons...it was just too much. In the absolute best way, of course ;)
Ms Bell did a great job of showing the conflict that Clark felt as a widower in starting a new relationship, and I loved that he was able to (eventually) find a new significant other without diminishing the relationship he had with his first wife. (He also was carrying around a lot of guilt, and I liked how he managed to move past that as well.) Jessa had her own issues with relationships, and her BFF/business partner was able to give her the kick in the butt she needed to get over herself as well.
Barely, though. OMG did she leave it until the last possible minute...
I honestly didn't want to put this one down...but was so sad to get to the end. Because now there's nothing to do but wait for Kane's book (heavily teased here, plus there's an excerpt at the end to taunt you) and then Easton's...
I mean, there are other books out there to read, I guess. And Serena Bell does have a backlist... ;)
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Jessa, recently divorced from a completely full of himself man who cheated on her and wrote about it in his fucking fiction novel. A-HOLE.
Clark, a handsome mountain man with many muscles and a Wilder brother, recently a widow by the loss of his wife. The Wilder family spends most of their time outdoors holding wildlife adventures for beginners.
Jessa signs up for a wilderness adventure with Clark as her guide and right as the trip sets off her ex-husband and new fling happen to be here as well. Great start to a weekend in the woods….but wait. Muscle man to the rescue and he tells everyone he’s Jessa’s new boyfriend to save her from the harassment of her ex.
They have known each other for awhile because Jessa was friends with Clark’s deceased wife, but he always acted like he hated her.
What could go wrong with fake dating for a weekend in the woods? Nothing right?
But…if you bring your fake dating back to real life to please Clark’s family and get everyone off his back, that could be a problem!
There are obvious sparks between the two of them. Decisions are made where they will fake date but can really fuck….
Fake dating and real fucking….this can’t end well.
The smut in this is phenomenal, loved it all. What an incredible romance novel. Stands alone on its own and you definitely don’t need to read the first two before this one.
Everything about this book was perfection. The story had real heart, heartbreak, death, it really made you think about life and relationships.
Wilder With You is the third book in the Wilder Adventures series and can be read as a standalone (which is what I do). The book follows widow Clarke Wilder and Jessa Olsen, a newly divorcee. With what starts as a small fake dating white lie to spite Jessa's cheating ex-husband turns into a lot more when Jessa and Clarke start developing feelings for each other.
This book is SO charming. The characters are all so loveable and if you haven't read their stories yet, this is definitely going to convince you to do so. The town they live in is so sweet. Jessa is a wedding planner and Clarke runs an adventure wilderness company with his siblings (who play a big role in both his life and the book). Serena does an amazing job capturing the essence of fake dating and the guilt of falling back in love after tragedy.
I absolutely LOVED Jessa and Clarke's story and look forward to eventually reading the rest of this series!
This is my 2nd title by this author. I didn't love the first one, but this one, well, I found it charming and delightful. The writing was strong and I believed the characters.
Clark and Jessa start as a fake relationship as he is a really great guy who wants to help someone who he sees in a rough situation. It makes you like him from the beginning of the story.
And, I think we have all been in the awkward position of running into an ex in a location where escape might not be as possible as you all of a sudden want it to be.
I also liked the way the author developed the relationship, the connection between them, and the way it evolved was really well done.
I love this book for what it was. It addressed some pretty heavy topics in a very sensitive and thoughtful way. I loved the characters, not just the leads, but also all the secondary roles. I loved that we got to see everything without it feeling overwhelming.
I wish we had had a bit less sex maybe? Like one less sex scene or sexually motivated scene and instead got to see more relationship development between Clark and Jessa.
Overall though, this book was a really fun read. It was mostly light-hearted and would be the perfect antidote to a hard day.
ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Continuing the series with the third brother, this book was everything I expected. It was a great, easy, quick read, & I enjoyed seeing the clues being planted for the last two books (Although I’m sure I’ve had the last book figured out since the first one).
I did end up skipping over a lot of the steamy scenes in this one, there were a lot & felt like more than the last two? Or maybe I’m all smutted out. Either way, it was still an enjoyable book, just not my favourite out of the lot.
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆ This is the third book in the series, and I would recommend that you read them in order as they are a lot of fun, and the story is ongoing. However, if you start here (and go back afterwards), you will still get a really lovely romance with plenty of detail to give you the background to catch you up.
I have read a host of fake romance stories, but none have started out like this one, and it is incredibly refreshing, funny, and based on nascent love which neither had been prepared to act on for the sake of propriety.
Clark's wife, Emma, died suddenly, and as her friend, Jessa never thought she could then act on her attraction to him. Cue a number of uncomfortable meetings – but when faced with her ex-husband showing off his girlfriend, Clark cannot help but intervene. What follows is both incredibly sweet and romantic, but also moving, and caring, and also at times very funny.
The Wilder clan all feature large, and there are more revelations for us to enjoy and look forward to more details in the future. Be ready for some good laughs, some real healing from sadness, and a lot of hope for a better future.
I am already looking forward to Kane's story that's for sure!
Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆ I highly recommend getting comfy and enjoying this book on an afternoon where you want to get lost in a good book.
Clark and Jessa at first seem to be complete opposites. Clark is part of the Wilders – his family owns Wilder Adventures – and the whole family are wilderness buffs. Jessa is trying new things so as to not appear boring, staid, and a stick in the mud.
Starting with a "fake dating" relationship to becoming reluctant friends to truly enjoying each other's company, you can see how their relationship progresses. These two have issues and boundaries that they each must work out and take their time to do so.
This is a stand-alone book but I highly recommend reading the first two because you get to know the Wilders and the backstories of the people in Clark and Jessa's story.
Veronica – ☆☆☆☆ WILDER WITH YOU is the third installment in the Wilder Adventures series gives us Clark’s story. Clark’s wife passed away several years ago and he is feeling pressure from his family to start dating. A spur of the moment decision sees him pretending to be the boyfriend of Jessa, a woman who was in his wife’s book club.
I’m not the biggest fan of fake relationships as a trope but it worked really well here. Jessa and Clarke are insanely attracted to each other and seeing them fall in love while “pretending” to be a couple was sexy and a lot of fun. Dating again is a big deal for Clark and in a mostly light-hearted book, Clark’s grief added an extra depth of feeling.
Clark’s family are a feature in the story, and they quickly adopt Jessa into their clan. One of things I love about this book, and this series, is getting to hang out with the Wilder bunch. They are fun, a little crazy, and full of love. And we get little hint of things that are to come in the future books for the rest of the Wilder brothers.
I’d highly recommend WILDER WITH YOU for romcom lovers. It can be read as a standalone but the whole series is so good it is worth your time to read them all.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
WILDER WITH YOU is the third installment in the Wilder Adventures series gives us Clark’s story. Clark’s wife passed away several years ago and he is feeling pressure from his family to start dating. A spur of the moment decision sees him pretending to be the boyfield of Jessa, a woman who was in his wife��s book club,
I’m not the biggest fan of fake relationships as a trope but it worked really well here. Jessa and Clarke are insanely attracted to each other and seeing them fall in love while “pretending” to be a couple was sexy and a lot of fun. Dating again is a big deal for Clark and in a mostly light-hearted book, Clark’s grief added an extra depth of feeling.
Clark’s family are a feature in the story and they quickly adopt Jessa into their clan. One of things I love about this book and this series is getting to hang out with the Wilder bunch. They are fun, a little crazy and full of love. And we get little hint of things that are to come in the future books for the rest of the Wilder brothers.
I’d highly recommend WILDER WITH YOU for rom-com lovers. It can be read as a stand alone but the whole series is so good it is worth your time to read them all.
This was such an amazing book! So much laugh-out-loud humor, especially in the early scenes, and so much heartfelt emotional turmoil throughout. Jessa is getting over a humiliating divorce, while Clark is still figuring out how to breathe after his wife's death two years earlier. When she signs up for one of his wilderness trips, the sudden inclusion of her ex with his mistress gives birth to the fake-dating arrangement that all too soon starts to feel very, very, real.
I adore this author's writing style. She really gets into the hearts of her characters and hoo boy, there's a lot to get into with Clark. I loved how he didn't have to "get over" her before he could move on -- because really, you don't get over the death of a spouse -- and Jessa's approach to honoring her memory was inspiring. The chemistry between these two was hot, hot, hot!
I loved that we got a glimpse into the setup for the next book, and you don't want to miss the bonus epilogue that not only celebrates Clark and Jessa's HEA but it also contains a fantastic prologue for Kane upcoming story. Love stories just don't get any better than this one. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.