Monday, October 21, 2013

REVIEW: WILD CHILD by M. LEIGHTON

Wild Child (The Wild Ones, #1.5)Series: The Wild Ones #1.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: 10/22/13
Format: eARC
Source: Received from author for review
Rating: 5 stars

Jenna Theopolis has always known what she wanted. Getting out of her small hometown of Greenfield was number one on her list of priorities. Until she met Rusty Catron.
Rusty’s fun-loving personality was the perfect match for Jenna’s inner wild child. But what started off as a summer fling quickly turns into something more. At least it does for Jenna.

Rusty has lived with the ghost of his father’s abandonment since he was a child, but now he’s beginning to feel the crippling effects of his scars. He wants to trust in Jenna, but deep down he doesn’t believe someone so wild and free can ever be tamed.

But tragedy strikes, pushing Jenna out of Greenfield and leaving Rusty with a choice to make—face his inner demons or lose the love of his life. Forever.


Trick Henley was my first fictional cowboy crush. But.... I also fell hard for his best friend Rusty Catron. Whereas Trick and Cami were the star-crossed, Romeo and Juliet-esque couple that had me on the edge of my seat, Rusty and Jenna, Cami's best friend, were the wild cards, the couple who had my giggling and hoping I would eventually get their story.

Wild Child is their story. And while I was initially bummed that they were getting a novella and not a full-length novel, I will say that Leighton did her characters justice. Wild Child is a story that I felt had two completely different, but both very thorough, sides. The first half read like an Epic Bout of Foreplay; a seduction, full of sexy, fun moments and intense chemistry between Rusty and Jenna. That first half of Wild Child? It gave me a seriously wicked case of hot flashes.

The second half, though, was more emotional. That half of Wild Child delved into the issues that hold Rusty back, keep him from moving toward a future with Jenna. It's about betrayal and insecurity, fear and hesitation. By the same turn, Jenna must wade through her uncertain future with Rusty. Whether she can -or should - hang her star around a man who will never give her what she needs, full-throttle love and devotion.

Wild Child was a big story in a short space. We get moments of sweetness, especially revolving around Trick and Cami. There are moments full of naughty, naughty fun, courtesy of Rusty and Jenna. There are moments of tension and heartbreak, and an event that changed everything. Wild Child also provides an excellent set-up for the next book in the series, Some Like It Wild. Wild Child is a story that not only fits within The Wild Ones series, it enhances it. A great novella.


Favorite Quotes:

  He steeling himself against wanting me, which makes me want to tease him that much more. I want to break him. I want him to give in because he just can't stand it. I want him to forsake all else for me, for the want of me, for the love of me. That's all I've ever wanted from Rusty -- his devotion. The same kind of devotion I have for him.   ~eARC, 14%


  "I haven't texted Rusty one naughty thing since you told me what we were doing with this no sex thing."
  "Really? I'm impressed."
  "You should be, you cock-blocking gutter snipe!"
  "Cock-blocking gutter snipe?" she asks.
  I giggle. "I don't know where in the blue blazes that came from. See what a lack of sex does to me?"   ~eARC, 16%


 



The Wild Ones Series
The Wild Ones (The Wild Ones, #1)  Wild Child (The Wild Ones, #1.5)  Some Like It Wild (The Wild Ones, #2)  There's Wild, Then There's You (The Wild Ones, #3)
(covers lead to GoodReads page)
Purchase Wild Child





About the author
M. LeightonM. Leighton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Wild Ones and The Bad Boys romance trilogies. She is a native of Ohio, relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she lets her mind wander to romantic settings with sexy Southern guys much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.


Website | Twitter  |  GoodReads | Facebook



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21 comments:

  1. Novellas are pretty hit or miss for me, so it's good to hear this one's worth reading! Hot flashes, eh? *eyes bookie*

    Thanks for the review, Andrea!

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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  2. I gave up on this series after the first book - it simply wasn't for me but I'm happy that you've enjoyed this novella. It seems really interesting. Great review :)

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  3. I wasn't the biggest fan of the book because I wasn't too big on the characters, but I'm glad to hear that you're having good luck with it, Andrea! It's always a sign of an author's talent when a book is short but still manages to be emotional.
    Lovely review!

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  4. I really loved this novella and that we finally got Rusty and Jenna! This really did pack an emotional punch despite the relatively short amount of space. Great review Andrea.

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  5. Wonderful review and I am glad this novella worked., I need to catch up on this series!

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  6. It's the first cover version in this series that I LOVE and just as you, I was rooting for these two all the way. I can't wait to read it myself to see for myself what kind of demons haunt Rusty. I wasn't all excited about them having just a novella either, but I think that some stories are better to be told as short.I don't think it would have been a good idea to just create drama for these two and I'm glad we got the story so.. win-win :) I'm SOOOOO happy you loved it!

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  7. did somebody say cowboy?!
    I have to admit I have not read this series yet, but I been keeping my eye out on it. Many of my friends like it, so hopefully I can get to it eventually anyway!

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  8. Aww, I'm so glad Leighton does justice for Rusty and Jenna, Andrea. They deserve it! I, too, fell in love with these characters in The Wild Ones and I'm looking forward to reading Wild Child. I always worry I'll be left wanting more with a novella - but it sounds like I'll be satisfied here. Fantastic review!

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  9. That's great you loved this one, despite it not being a full-length novel. It sounds like the second half would be something I'd love....it's great to get into the emotion of characters.

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  10. OMG, I read The Wild Ones so long ago but I kind of remember! I am an equal opportunity cowboy lover so I'm sure I will love this cowboy too :)

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  11. I have had The Wild Ones for ages but still haven't read it. I really need to read this author, I have heard she's AMAZING!

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  12. I always love her cover arts, it's always sexy and done really well, tastefully and not trashy.

    I think I can read this as a "stand-alone" just to try her work. I haven't read any of her books and as I'm not in the mood to read full length novels, I think I'll try this one. Plus they sound like a cute and fun couple, just my kind of characters.

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  13. Ohhh! I have The Wild Ones sitting on my shelf as we speak! I really want to read it now after that awesome review! I loved her Bad Boys series so I know I will love these books from Michelle too! Great review chica! I can't wait to meet Rusty!

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  14. Wonderful review. I should give this series a go. Thanks for the honest opinion :)

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  15. I was hoping Rusty and Jenna would get a book!

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  16. Awesome review. I just love this book.

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  17. Great Review & I love the quotes you picked! This story sounds wonderful. I love how the first half is steamy and seductive, while the second half was emotional. This sounds like the perfect blend! I'm so glad you loved it, because I just bought it, and am looking forward to reading such a great book! Thanks for sharing :)

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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  18. I remember reading The Wild Ones a long time ago and loving it so I'm excited to read Wild Child (starting it next). It's great it adds to Trick and Cami's story. And I really like Michelle's writing. Great review!

    Vi
    AKA Vi3tBabe
    Deity Island

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  19. LOL I love that second quote! So Jenna. Great review babe. I love them.

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  20. Completely loved this one!!!!

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  21. I really need to read this series. I have had the first book on my nook for some time now and I can't wait to read it. I have read a different series by this author and really enjoyed it so I need to branch out with her books.

    Thanks for the great review, glad you liked this story!

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