Lynette Noni is a phenomenal author, and although this was very different to her other books, I still couldn't put it down. Wandering Wild is a fast paced read with plenty of emotion and little twists that kept me gripped. I loved it!

Zander is an A-list young actor who has ruined his reputation in one night. In an urge to keep his leading role in the latest blockbuster, he agrees to a survival reality show with a super fan to reshape his image. Charlie is a normal girl who hates Zander for his actions due to her personal circumstances. Her best friend Ember wins the reality show competition but is unable to take part for health reasons and convinces Charlie to take her place. Cue 4 days of tension, survival skills, thrilling incidents and revelations that everything is not quite as it seems! I’m a big fan of Lynette Noni’s The Prison Healer trilogy so I was excited to receive a copy of her YA contemporary romance debut. Wandering Wild is fast paced with high stakes action and likeable characters. I adore Noni’s writing style and how she creates characters with complex backgrounds. I felt the emotions the characters were feeling (trigger warning for grief and off page parental death) and it was lovely seeing Charlie remember life’s purpose and being excited for her future again. The book really started to pick up once the adventure started and I thought the beautiful descriptions of the Australian wilderness helped reinforce Charlie and Zander’s isolation from the wider world. I will say that romance is not the focal point of the book which I didn’t mind as I liked how Noni depicted friendship and the importance of close relationships with friends in times of trouble. Thank you Bonnier Books UK and Netgalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wandering Wild is a sweet, fast paced, YA romance that follows Charlie and Zander on a wilderness expedition which is being filmed for reality television. The story follows their adventure and the obstacles they face but also delves into the characters pasts, their relationships and how trip is providing each of them with an opportunity to confront their problems and change their lives for the better. I liked both Charlie and Zander a lot, they were smart, mature and felt very real. Despite the trip taking place over only a few days, the characters connection doesn’t feel rushed or surface level. The situations they face together and their similar past experiences create a valid reason for them to connect so quickly and I really enjoyed how supportive of each other they were. The plot kept me engaged and had lots of tense moments. The author handled serious topics sensitively and balanced them out with the characters’ sense of humour and positive outlook, so while there were emotional moments it never felt heavy or depressing. The ending was sweet and satisfying while still feeling realistic and relevant to the character ages. I read the book in less than 24 hours and although it’s aimed and an audience younger than me, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can see it being something I’d recommend to my daughter in the future.