A Little Wilder is evidently not the first book in the series, but this was my first novel by Serina Bell. (Once again, thank you to NetGalley for introducing me to a "new to me author"!)

Mari is pregnant via a one night (hour) stand in Vegas and has been looking for adoption options for her baby. (Kudos, not a concept that it is not typical to most recent literature.) But alas Mari stumbles across the baby's daddy.

This was a rather steamy novel.

One of the themes surrounding this novel is airstream trailers and RV'ing. As an RV'er, I liked having that as part of the novel background, although I would have been happier with more RV content.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the advance review copy of A Little Wilder in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to Serena Bell the author and the publisher Jelsba Media Group.

I liked the book quite a bit, I originally rated at 4 stars but decided to up to 5 stars since I gained some travel ideas from the book. I also liked how the author brought photography into the book.

When it comes to interconnected romances centered around families, I always look forward to the "overlooked" family member. There truly is nothing better then having them finally get the recognition and appreciation they deserve and expressing their feelings to the rest of them family. This book definitely delivered on the appreciation part and it was so cute to see Kane get the love and family he always hoped for! Mari loves him exactly for who he is and in turn gains a family and support system she never had. It was a bit shorter than I expected, but still delivered on the steam and sweetness.
The only thing that bugged me a little bit was the resolution of the central conflict between the characters. Without giving too much away, it felt a little like Mari compromised a lot more for their happy ending than Kane. There is really no indication that Mari was unhappy with her life before and throughout the book it was often repeated that she wouldn't be able to compromise on her living situation and then she just... does. It had a slight "fixing what's wrong with her" vibe, which I think could have been avoided if Mari seemed a bit more dissatisfied with her living situation.
Overall I liked it a lot, Kane's family provides the perfect homey backdrop for Kane and Mari's lovestory.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and reviewed it voluntarily. All opinions are my own.

I adored everything about this book! Disclaimer-I haven’t read the other books in the series, but it stands alone very well. The romance in this book was adorable, I was rooting for Kane and Mari the entire time. The spice was on. Point. I loved it all so much I didn’t put it down once! I can’t wait to read others by this author.

This book was super cute, the pregnancy trope never lets me down. I really liked the family dynamic and I think I'm gonna read the other books in the series.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Mari got pregnant from an anonymous one-night stand in Las Vegas. With no way to find the father, she carries on her wandering, Airstream-based lifestyle, putting off the decision about what to do when the baby arrives... until fate, and a tiny bit of meddling, places her squarely in the path of Kane, the aforementioned one-night stand. And it turns out he's been unable to get her out of his head, either...

This is my favourite of the Wilder Adventures series so far. You don't have to read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one, although the one before (Clark's book) will give you a little of the Vegas background.... and to be quite honest, they're all great reads anyway. Kane hasn't had much of an impact on the series so far, because that's the kind of character he is: the quiet, amenable one who mediates and goes with the flow. In Mari he finds something to fight for, and it prompts him to think about other changes in his life. Mari is an excellent character: independent, straightforward, and willing to examine her own preconceptions when life takes an unexpected turn. I really liked the way they didn't pressure each other to change, but chose to bend and create solutions because they wanted the best for each other and their child. The supportive Wilder family were also a joy, and any book that can make me giggle and then shed a tear within the space of a few pages is definitely a keeper. Looking forward to the next one.

I like this series in general, and Serena Bell’s writing in particular; so I didn’t find much fault until this fun entry to the series. Mari gets a call to assist the Wilder family’s business, she had no idea she would run into the man she’s been longing for. How will she talk to him, will he understand, how will he react? To her surprise, Kane is the most understanding and respectful man. When it’s revealed he wants to try and convince her that they could raise the baby together, she’s uncertain. In the span of three weeks, Kane works hard to prove that this is something they can handle together, and to make her see that staying in Rush Creek, with him, could be the beginning of a dream life.

"After you told me your life was on the road, I kept seeing it as your either-or. Either you stayed or you went. And meanwhile, I had to keep being who I’ve always been—the peacemaker, the boy next door, the easy brother. And there was nothing I could do about it. I’d trapped myself in that version of the story."
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trope: pregnancy trope, found family
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rating: 5/5
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Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
7 months after a one night stand in Las Vegas, Mari is engaged to redesign RVs by Kane's brother. After meeting after 7 months, Kane sees that Mari is pregnant and realizes that the baby is his, Mari realizes that the person who hired her is the brother of the man she's been searching for since she learnt that she was pregnant.
I absolutely adored this book, even though I hadn't read the other books in the series (that follows Kane's sibling), I didn't feel lost at all with the characters. I really loved Kane's family, they were a bull of joy. Now for Kane and Mari's relationship: I loved its pace, I was scared that it would have been too fast but now it was not too slow nor too fast. I also really liked the fact that the book didn't end with the birth of Zara but it tackled the difficulty of having a baby and I loved how Kane and Mari got through it and came out stronger than ever.
The review is already postedon my instagram @readsoflaura and goodreads
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Rep: bisexual side characters
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genre: Adult Romance (+steamy scenes)
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#ALittleWilder #NetGalley

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book!

Let me just start off my saying that this book made me feel warm and happy the whole time I was reading it! I really loved Kane’s family and their dynamic and especially how they embraced Mari. Also contrary to most people, I really enjoy the pregnancy trope on books so that was one of the main reason why I loved this book as well!

Kane was also such a great guy and was the total sunshine of the book! Overall I totally enjoyed reading this book and HAVE to read the previous ones!

I read this book so quickly. It’s an amazing feel good romcom read. I am obsessed with books following families like this one and although I started the series with this book (fourth in the series) I got the dynamics quickly and it could be left as a stand-alone if that’s what I fancied.

The characters were just heartwarming and I loved how there wasn’t a person who really had to change up their entire personality to fit the others goals.

Kane really was such a sunshine character and really seemed to do everything right. Mari is a free hearted character and I was worried some decisions of hers would make me feel as though she was unlikeable but I couldn’t be more wrong.

I will definitely be going back to reading previous books in the series as well as keeping my eye out for the next ones.

“You’re a saint, Kane,” I tell him. The corner of his mouth turns up. “Hardly,” he says dryly . “If I were a saint, you wouldn’t be pregnant.”

The cover of the book was just perfect for the accidental pregnancy trope and that's what drew me in. I wasn't expecting to like Kane so much. He was such a cinnamon role hero! I felt bad for him as he always had failed relationships just because he often came across as the "boy next door" or "the golden boy", in fact all these reasons were enough to love him, I don't understand how could anyone leave him for that. But the timing was perfect because by then Marigold reappeared in his life. They met in Vegas when Kane was in the middle of celebrating his brother's bachelorette party and had a one night stand with her. They left without getting to know each other's names or numbers. So when Marigold found out that she was pregnant, she couldn't find a way to contact Kane but when a job opportunity leads her to Rush Creek, she coincidentally ends up working for one of Kane's brothers. Mari feels like she isn't cut out to be a good mom because of her mom's history of not being able to stay at one place for long. She thinks she has the similar kind of issues as her mom and is planning on giving her baby up for adoption but Kane convinces her to give him and his family a chance to change her mind so that he could raise their baby himself. He wanted to have a family of his own and raise his baby with Mari but he understood her concerns and never once pushed her boundaries. He respected her choices and that's what I liked the most about him. It was also good to see Mari slowly adjusting into the new life and find her own place among the Wilder family. Overall, it was a good read with an engaging writing and great side characters. Can't wait for Hannah & Easton's book coming up next!

Thank you Netgalley for providing me the ARC in exchange of an honest review

T R O P E S
- One Night Stand
- Golden Retriever MMC
- Surprise pregnancy

T H O U G H T S
After reading Wilder With You, I instantly knew I needed to read this book and I am glad I did. I have a soft spot for golden retriever boys who ends up in a surprise pregnancy!! I generally enjoyed the story line as well as the characters. I did feel at some point that the story was a little blend. I never thought about DNFing the book, so it was still very good. I just thought there was something missing between the characters... I think it might be chemistry?

The chapters were very short, which I highly enjoy and it was such an easy read. I'm not gonna lie, I did cry a little toward the end!!

I love me some small town, big family romances! This is the first book in the series I read, but I'm excited to go back and read them from the beginning. I loved Mari and Kane, they made a great team. While being a small town romance with a surprise baby story, it was actually very unique. 4.5

This was a really fantastic book! It was the perfect length and I couldn't put it down. Mari and Kane had such good chemistry and the Wilder Family was amazing! I didn't previous books in the series and I did not feel like I had to in order to understand what was happening. There was the perfect amount of backstory, without being too much. I now want to go back and read the other books! There was a good amount of spice (4/5), but it took enough time to build to that point. It felt balanced between the story and the spice and the ending was adorable. Really, really recommend reading this.

My review will be posted on Goodreads as well as my Instagram, @chemistryreads within the next month.

If you are a fan of Bridgerton, but have an affinity for the outdoorsy, spicy variety, then this is the perfect series for you!

The Wilder family lives up to its name in sibling dynamic and community impact. Five brothers, one sister, their various friends, and S.O.s have established quite the outdoor adventure company in small town PNW. Targeting a myriad of different adventurous outlets, each Wilder member has their role in establishing their footing in the family business.

After one of the siblings negotiates a designer to come elevate the RV facet of the company, their brother, Kane, discovers that the designer in question happens to be the fiery red head he had a whirlwind of an anonymous tryst with whilst out of town seven months ago. And she appears to be about seven months pregnant... Will Kane step up to the plate or support Mari's (Marigold) desire to pursue adoption?

I have really come to enjoy Bell's books and upon reflection, find them to be unsung heroes that retain positioning in my leading recommendations to friends who love the romance genre. The books are thoughtfully and compassionately tailored with memorable humor and lovable characters. Highly recommend.

Notes in no particular order:
~As a girl with five brothers who lives in the PNW, I have really grown to adore the Wilder family and look forward to new releases.
~Standalone with series (4th thus far)
~Bridgerton sibling dynamic- each with their own story
~Relatable abandonment trauma
~Pregnancy Trope
~One Bed Trope
~Dual POV
~Sweet and spicy male lead aka cinnamon roll
~Loved the pop culture references, particularly the Regency Era art gallery pinky graze
~LOVE a good boy next door
~The opening scene had me wonder if I was reading the right book until it unfolded- served as a captivating hook.
~Cue ovary throb and fanny flutters

Thank you NetGalley, Serena Bell and Jelsba Media Group for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

BOOK REVIEW: A Little Wilder by @serenabellbooks

5 Stars

Serena Bell does it again! I absolutely adore this series and A Little Wilder was another amazing installment.

This book is about Wilder brother Kane who had a very unexpected one night stand in Las Vegas and hasn't been able to get the woman out of his head. Seven months later this woman, Mari, arrives to help do some work for the family and she is pregnant.
This story is absolutely adorable. I loved every single second and it was great to see more about Kane as he had been the quieter brother in previous books. I loved the tropes in this book including secret baby and close proximity. I adored the story even though it was so simple because the characters were just perfect.
Mari is a strong female and it was wonderful to see her open up and become more vulnerable. I loved how she interacted with Kane and how their relationship grew. She saw a side of him that even his family didn't see and I loved that.
Kane is the sweetest, most caring and understanding male protagonist I have come across and I love him for this. It was so great to see him gain more confidence through the book.
I also loved that we saw a decent amount of the other Wilder characters as this family is becoming one of my favourite literary families of all time. They are just a joy to know!

The romance was adorable but also full of chemistry and with some rather steamy scenes. I really routed for them and thought they made a wonderful couple.
Serena Bell is such a brilliant romance author and never fails to make me care for her characters. Everything in this book was perfect for me!

I obviously adored this book and series and cannot recommend it enough for romance fans - but make sure you read the series from the start! I cannot wait for the next book!!

Please note that I was #gifted this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

My first foray into Serena Bell’s books and I could not be more ecstatic! This is such a perfect summer (or fall or winter or spring) read, and will leave you smiling and wanting more Wilder. I am excited to start from the first book (Gabe and Lucy’s story) and get to know the family better. I will definitely be recommending this series!!

I loved this book! Mari’s struggle to stay put in one place is so relatable, especially for someone with abandonment trauma. Kane is the perfect counter balance for her, with his patience and steady calmness. I adored Kane and his willingness to let Mari handle things however she felt she needed to with no pressure either way. I also thoroughly enjoyed the fact that Kane is this calm and steady peacekeeper to everyone else, but when the doors are closed he lets loose and shows his passion for Mari. I cannot wait for the next book!

This was a sweet surprise-baby novel. Everyone in the Wilder family is nice and welcoming to Mari when she shows up and, what a coincidence, Kane Wilder, the hot guy she had anonymous hot sex with in Vegas and is the father of her baby, just happens to be part of the team that wants to hire to fix up their RVs for their business. If you can swallow that massive coincidence as well as the idea of theme-related RVs such as one modeled on 50 Shades of Gray as a vacation destination then you’ll enjoy this novel.

I can suspend disbelief so I thought the book was fine. It was just rather insipid. Everyone is super nice and there really is very little drama or conflict. Kane is ready right away to do whatever Mari needs to convince her not to give the baby up for adoption and let him and his very loving family raise it. That decision is a no-brainer. Mari has her own problems because of her mother and how she was raised traveling all over the place. (BTW - did she ever go to school if her mother just kept moving around? How did they support themselves? I never got that part of her profile.) But it all gets resolved rather painlessly. If you want a drama-free romance with a surprise pregnancy plot, you’ll enjoy this.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

This is the fourth book in the Wilder series, and I have been here for all of them. I truly enjoy this family and feel that reading them in order brings more to the stories, but they could be read as stand alone. This one focuses on Kane and the result of him finally letting go in Vegas (its in the third book). I loved the banter and understanding between Kane and Marigold, the growing love they had was there but it's more the support and encouragement they give each other through the story that makes it magic.

I feel you do need to read the third book to understand how we got here in the story, I only wish that the scene was in this book too so we could remember more what happened.

(3.5 ⭐️)
A little Wilder by Serena Bell is the fourth book in the Wilder Adventures series and this one tells the story of Kane Wilder and Marigold Barrymore.

I'm a sucker for anything baby-related, whether it's a single parent, a surprise baby, a secret baby, or an accidental pregnancy, which is the focus of this novel, and I would literally read it. It's exactly why I decided to read this, simply because it had the accidental pregnancy trope, as well as a CINNAMON ROLL Hero, which I adore in romance novels.

There was also the writing style, which was enjoyable and not confusing, as the tropes were woven into the narrative amazing, it was quick paced, and easy to read with witty banter and fun moments in the crazy Wilder family.

However, and this may be just a personal preference, I disliked how the smutty scenes were basically blacked out, which meant that we would read how the Hero would start advancing on his moves, and then it would explain for a while before moving on to the next scene. Nevertheless, not all scenes were blacked out because we did get a couple of glimpses of what the Hero was doing to the Heroine, but it would then end abruptly with her *finishing* when things had literally just begun.

Overall, this is a quick and cute small town romance with no unnecessary angst and a side of two people discovering each other and bringing out the best in one another.

Thank you to NetGalley, Author Collective 20, and to the author, Serena Bell, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!