Book discussion August: Something Wilder Christina Lauren

The “reigning romance queens” (PopSugar) and New York Times bestselling authors of Love and Other Words and The Unhoneymooners present a charming and laugh-out-loud funny novel filled with adventure, treasure, and, of course, love.

Growing up the daughter of notorious treasure hunter and absentee father Duke Wilder left Lily without much patience for the profession…or much money in the bank. But Lily is resourceful, and now uses Duke’s coveted hand-drawn maps to guide tourists on fake treasure hunts through the red rock canyons of Utah. It pays the bills but doesn’t leave enough to fulfill her dream of buying back the beloved ranch her father sold years ago, and definitely not enough to deal with the sight of the man she once loved walking back into her life with a motley crew of friends ready to hit the trails. Frankly, Lily would like to take him out into the wilderness and leave him there.

Leo Grady knew mirages were a thing in the desert, but they’d barely left civilization when the silhouette of his greatest regret comes into focus in the flickering light of the campfire. Ready to leave the past behind him, Leo wants nothing more than to reconnect with his first and only love. Unfortunately, Lily Wilder is all business, drawing a clear line in the sand: it’s never going to happen.

But when the trip goes horribly and hilariously wrong, the group wonders if maybe the legend of the hidden treasure wasn’t a gimmick after all. There’s a chance to right the wrongs—of Duke’s past and their own—but only if Leo and Lily can confront their history and work together. Alone under the stars in the isolated and dangerous mazes of the Canyonlands, Leo and Lily must decide whether they’ll risk their lives and hearts on the treasure hunt of a lifetime.

This page-turning adventure full of second chances, complicated relationships, and the breathtaking beauty of the American Southwest will take you on one wild ride.

1. That Mid-Book Shift – The story pivots from romantic adventure to high-stakes danger when Terry shoots Walter. How did you feel about the tonal shift? Did it enhance the story or feel too jarring?

2. Terry as Villain – Terry’s betrayal and greed drive much of the danger. Were there clues you picked up on early, or was his reveal a true surprise?

3. Walter’s Death – Walter’s sudden death shocked many readers. How did this loss affect your view of the tone and the stakes moving forward?

4. Leo’s Choice to Leave Years Ago – Learning why Leo never returned changed Lily’s perception of him. Did you feel his reasoning was justified, or should he have fought harder to stay in touch?

5. Lily’s Relationship with Her Father – Duke Wilder’s legacy looms large over Lily’s life. How did you interpret his role in shaping her trust issues and her determination to make her own way?

6. The Treasure Map Reveal – The map’s true purpose and Duke’s intentions add layers to the hunt. Did the payoff feel satisfying to you?

7. Nic & Leo’s Friendship – Nic provides both comic relief and emotional grounding. How important was he in helping Leo and Lily rebuild their relationship?

8. Ending & Epilogue – The ending gives Leo and Lily their HEA while tying up the treasure plot. Did the conclusion feel earned, or would you have preferred more unanswered mystery?