Wild Beauty

by Anna-Marie McLemore

Sorry, just wasn't for me. If I'm being honest, it wasn't a book that was high on my priority list anyways. I mainly read it because I got it through Owlcrate and have been trying to read all the books I get (ha.). The language of the writing is much like the core of the book - it's flowery. While pretty, it honestly just became tiring and bogged down. I ended up skimming this book more than anything simply because the underlying plot was *just* enough to keep me interested. And because I was just bound and determined to finish the dang thing.

I like the the main concept of family connectedness (and it's benefits and pitfalls) but I didn't really love any of the main Nomeolvides girls. I liked them well enough, but never felt connected to any of them (I believe again mainly the too flowery language). Also, maybe it's just me but I did NOT get the obessession with Bay. Or the likelihood that ALL 5 OF THEM fell in love with her. Also, while not explicitly stated, it seems like she's kind of dragging along all the girls and I am not here for that. However, I do think this book handled a lot of diverse and social topics wonderfully and subtlely enough that it seemed essential and not like it was added for the sake of it.

I will say that Fel was the light that shone through this book for me. His story was what kept me interested. He's so sweet and gentle and he cooks for the women as his way of caring for them AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY PRECIOUS! And the descriptions of food were to die for.

If you like flowery language, I think you'll find this book more enjoyable than I did (it was a BIG drawback for me because it felt overthetop). The author is certainly gifted with crafting language. While the story didn't wow me, it was interesting enough and I did enjoy the how/why behind the ultimate story. Fel is what made the book for me, but I know many will enjoy and relate to the family of the Nomeolvides girls. All in all, I do think this was more of a *me* problem than the book's problem, but it just wasn't for me.