Wandering Wild (Lynette Noni, Penguin)

Wandering Wild, the latest novel from Lynette Noni (The Prison Healer), is the perfect cosy romance read. The dual-perspective narrative follows Zander, a Hollywood ‘bad boy’ desperate to rebuild his public image, and Charlie, a young woman who is just trying to make it through a particularly difficult time in her life – and who also happens to despise Zander. What starts as a fun publicity stunt quickly turns south when Charlie and Zander are essentially left to fend for themselves in the picturesque but unpredictable landscape of the Blue Mountains. While this genre is a new style for Noni, whose work up until now has all been fantasy, the world-building is transportive. Combining Hollywood glamour with the ruggedness of the Australian bush creates an environment where both the characters’ flaws and strengths shine. Beyond the central romance, the novel’s supporting cast is equally well-crafted, each character serving a purpose and adding to the plot without feeling like a cliché or trope. Noni combines the survival of The Hunger Games and the young love of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, delivering a nail-biting story about love, grief and growing up. Wandering Wild offers enough depth to engage older audiences while maintaining themes appropriate for younger readers aged 14+. With its heartfelt storytelling and edge-of-your-seat tension, this is a must-read for fans of contemporary YA romance.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Tierney Khan is a freelance book reviewer and writer from Naarm/Melbourne. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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