Walk on the Wilder Side

Four Stars and a half ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒ Walk on the Wilder Side by Serena Bell is the second book in Serena Bell’s popular Wilder Adventures series. This book can be read as a stand-alone book too. I enjoyed this steamy, funny, and heartwarming story about a bad boy and a good-girl librarian. Rachel Perez has a plan for her life, and she’s almost checked off every step in her plan. All she needs now is her boyfriend to propose, and then they can have 2.5 children (she can’t decide between 2 or 3 children) and live happily ever after in the suburbs. When she arrives at her job as a librarian in Boston, she is told that her job has been downsized and she is no longer needed. When she arrives home after this devastating news, she finds her boyfriend, in bed with another woman. Devastated, she decides to return to her hometown of Rush Creek and help her mother who has recently injured her ankle. Brody Wilder is the screw-up of his family, and he’s working to remedy that by working hard in his family’s outdoor adventure firm. But, when he hosts a book club on the family boat, everything goes wrong. The poor reviews for the book boat tour anger his family and making Brody feel like the family screw-up again. Rachel helps her mother with her business of hosting hostess parties, selling self-enhancement products, and decides to host a party on Brody’s boat. Rachel has had a crush on Brody since they were kids. Brody was her brother’s best friend, and she knew he would never want to date a quiet good girl like her. This sexy, steam romance is also heartwarming and fun. The family dynamics of both Rachel’s family and Brodie’s family are so much fun. Both Brody and Rachel are wary of relationships due to their past relationships failing so miserably. Brody doesn’t feel like he’s good enough for the good girl, and Rachel doesn’t think she’s bad enough to catch Brodie’s eye. This book is fast-paced and well-written. The story grabbed me instantly and I enjoyed the journey as these two broken young people found their way to each other. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have to say, I love this family! They are so much fun and have so much heart! The banter flows and you can tell they have each other’s backs and love each other. Another HEA is in store, this time for Brody. As the family tries to rebuild the business, he is almost failing at doing his part. But, his attraction to Rachel and hers to him is unmistakable. She is his best friend’s, off limits little sister. So much fun!! I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Y’all. My brain just exploded with how excellent this book was, so apologies in advance if this review is mainly incoherent delighted happy noises and squeals. Walk on the Wilder Side by Serena Bell is the second in her Wilder Adventures series, about the Wilder brothers who jointly own an outdoor adventure company. It’s told in alternating first person perspective. Brody Wilder is the bad boy. He’s honestly a bit tired of being pigeonholed this way, but there something about the weight of history that can feel pretty confining at times… And Rachel Perez? It’s safe to say that when Walk on the Wilder Side begins, her life is in the toilet. The absolute beauty of Serena Bell’s writing is her ability to pull me into these characters’ lives, to feel their pains—both the ones others can see and the insidious unspoken ones we hide from the world. We see Rachel and Brody when the chips are down. And then we have the distinct pleasure of watching them grow and flourish as they find their way in the world and find their way to a relationship. Ms Bell’s writing made me laugh and brought tears of both sorrow and joy, and I loved seeing her portrayals of friendships and family relationships that ring true. We see that love is powerful, that speaking up is critical (and life changing), that we don’t always get things right even with the people we love (or sometimes especially with those we feel most for), and that communication and forgiveness have real and vital places in those bonds. All this in a page-turning story that is funny, so hot, and so good I had to force myself to slow down, lest I finish it too quickly and then be mad that it’s done ;) Walk on the Wilder Side is a gem. It’s one for the keeper shelf! And I’m already waiting impatiently for the rest of the brothers’ stories ;)

Wow. I LOVED this book! Brody and his almost mysterious aura in book one, Make Me Wilder, had me completely intrigued and eager to read his story. I absolutely adored him, huge heart eyes and all! Rachel is adorable and funny and I found her personality and demeanor was the most I’ve probably ever related to a character in a book. I just loved everything about her and the way Brody is with her just melted me every time! A wonderfully written book that once I started I didn’t stop until I finished it. The flow and pace of the whole story was so well done, I don’t think I could love this book anymore. I am beyond excited for the next book.