Is it bad that everytime I see this title I start singing FloRida & Sia? oooooh, Hey I heard you were a wild one, oooooo...""

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

In this kiss is declaration. In it is acceptance. In it is passion and perseverance, hope and happiness. In it is everything I’ve ever needed and everything I never thought I’d want. It’s everything because she’s everything.

It’s no secret that my favorite M. Leighton book is Wild Child. For a novella it sure packs a punch. I cannot pin point one particular thing about it that moved me so, but as a whole, I just can’t seem to let it go. That being said, Jake and Laney were a VERY close second. I mean a millimeter close. Throughout all their lies, and trust me, there were many (moreso what they told themselves), there was an honesty in their relationship that you don’t see too often. There was a no-nonsense air about them that I absolutely fell in love with and it’s what kept me up until the wee hours of the morning. Well, that and a certain campfire scene… But you will just have to read yourself to find out about that one!

“I love you. I love you. I love you.”
Those three simple words have never meant so much.

Leighton has this beautiful way of writing that absolutely pulls at your heartstrings. She reaches into your chest and cements herself as a permanent fixture. Her characters don’t simply live in the pages; no, they exist in your heart. You are drawn in from the first page and even at the last you are left attempting to catch your breath. This and so much more are what Laney and Jake did for me.

Laney was such a beautiful character. I loved that she didn’t take any crap from Jake and gave just as good as she got. I loved how she fought so hard NOT to love him only to have the inevitable happen. I love when characters fight their attraction because it only makes the reward that much sweeter. In my opinion, good or bad, the build up and subsequent payoff is ALWAYS worth the wait. I am a self professed angst whore and this book left me fully sated.

"We are hands and lips. We are mouths and tongues. We are passion and desperation. And it is beautiful."

Jake had this sadness about him that made him impossible not to love, though he unfortunately believed just the opposite. He had a prickly and cocky exterior meant to keep everyone at arm’s length, never letting them see the real him. When I learned what led him to believe these things about himself, I tell you, my heart just bled… To have that thrust upon a child had me in tears. And before you go thinking what it is, trust me, you will never guess. His sacrifice was noble nonetheless, and my love for him only grew. But armor only lasts for so long and Laney was just the person to put chinks in it.

"Trusting everyone else has gotten you nowhere. Take a chance for once in your life. Take a chance on me."

I think more than anything, I loved the growth that each character experienced in this book. Personal growth, relationship growth, and growth within their families (again, not what you think). It was delicious from start to finish and I eagerly await the next book in the series!

I wouldn't wish me on my worst enemy. I'm a black hole for love. It's the way I was born.

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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: A quick, sexy story with little substance. The perfect read for an afternoon at the beach.

Opening Sentence: “Come on, Laney. You gotta live a little. You’ll be eighteen in a few weeks and then you’ll be leaving for college. This is the last fair you’ll ever attend as an adolescent. Don’t you want this summer to be memorable?”

The Review:

While I sometimes enjoy the spicy and often angst-filled read that contemporary romances offer, it isn’t one of my go-to genres. This in no way means that I don’t think it’s a worthy genre, it’s just not my bag. I do believe that some contemporary romance stories are written better than others, though. Unfortunately, Some Like It Wild, reads more like a “Dear Playboy” letter than a character-driven romance.

It’s been four years since Jake and Laney’s first kiss, but neither of them has forgotten it. So Laney, the preacher’s daughter, knows exactly what she’s up against when she accepts the assignment to inventory Jake’s family farm after the death of his father. What she doesn’t expect is the way in which Jake still looks at her. Jake is used to getting what he wants and his sights are set on Laney. Making it very clear that he’s interested in nothing more than a physical relationship, he sets out to show Laney how to have fun. But it doesn’t take long for both of them to develop deeper feelings for each other. When their time together comes to an abrupt end, they’ll have to choose whether to tell the truth or risk losing each other forever.

M. Leighton is an extremely prolific writer with a huge fan base. The woman knows how to heat up the pages like nobody’s business and she brought the sexy back in Some Like It Hot. In fact, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to roast marshmallows again without thinking of Jake and Laney! So it’s too bad the rest of the story is underwhelming, especially in character development.

Alpha males are great, but bad boy alpha males are my absolute favorite. I was certain I’d be adding Jake to my book boyfriend list based on the synopsis. Sadly, the Jake in the story didn’t even come close to being what I think of as a bad boy. An extremely sexy commitment-phobe with great tongue-in-cheek quips who’s more than willing to sexually corrupt Laney? Sure. His renowned reputation seems to be based on nothing more than his rebellious teenage years, though. Telling me over and over again that he’s a bad boy isn’t the same as him being one. The same goes for his supposed adrenaline addiction. Where’s the adrenaline rush in getting a girl to sleep with you after the first time? Yes, there are a couple of instances where he jumps into a lake. So have I, from a train bridge and a rope swing. Do I consider myself to be an adrenaline junky? Not even close. To me, an adrenaline addict is going to constantly do things to get the rush, like speed up a mountain in his jeep or get into fistfights. Jake doesn’t do any of this.

As it turns out, the character I thought I was going to despise ended up being my favorite. Though her dream of domestic bliss never changed, Laney transformed from this meek, timid girl into a strong woman who stood up for herself. And the best part is that she did it all on her own. Yes, Jake gave her the courage to voice her sexual desires, but she was already strong before he came into her life. She broke off her engagement before returning to their hometown, something a timid woman who wanted nothing but a husband would never do. She was willing to start anew, to end relationships that hurt her and to stand up to her parents all before anything developed with Jake. It was refreshing to read about a female character who could be both fierce and gentle, vulnerable and confident.

Overall, Some Like It Wild is neither the best nor the worst romance I’ve read. I’d definitely recommend it for fans of the genre looking for a story with heat.

Notable Scene:

“We can do anything we want,” he answers softly, his breath tickling my neck.

And just like that, we’re talking of much more than just the swing.

I turn around to face him. He’s so close I can count the dark stubble that dusts his cheeks.

“So how do we do this?”

Without taking his eyes off mine, Jake winds his arm around my waist, pulls me in tight against him, then lifts me off the ground.

“Just hold on to me. I’ve got you.”

I don’t know if it’s just in my head or if Jake means to make that sound like more than the obvious. Either way, my brain, spinning with drink and fear and anticipation, interprets his words differently. In some ways, I think Jake does have me. My attention, my attraction, my curiosity, my desire—but what comes next? Some part of me anxiously awaits the answer to that question. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll be able to let go of the old Laney long enough to enjoy what I find.

FTC Advisory: Berkley/Penguin provided me with a copy of Some Like It Wild. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ( )