April 1, 2024
One anxious teen's attempt at winning a scholarship becomes a test of will and endurance. Nineteen-year-old theater major Natalie Hart, who's from Kentucky, signs up for the adventure of a lifetime when she decides to compete in Wild Adventures, a reality television show offering a grand prize of a $100,000 college scholarship. In order to win, Natalie will need to hike the Appalachian Trail while completing wilderness challenges in partnership with a complete stranger. Natalie's partner is Finn, a boy from Vermont who's a closed-off pessimist who seems to think Natalie won't take the competition seriously. But Natalie's college education is on the line, and she's determined to win. When her anxiety disorder becomes a roadblock, however, she realizes that she may find comfort in the most unexpected places--and she's not the only contestant facing challenges on the trail. Endearing relationship-building between the main characters will charm readers, while some humor feels a bit corny. Ultimately, the themes of overcoming grief, understanding mental health challenges, and believing in one's self-worth propel the story forward beyond any minor awkwardness in the text. This novel will be a comforting read for fans of the outdoors and romance. The leads are white. A lesson in trusting oneself when doubts (and stakes) are high. (Romance. 13-18)
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May 1, 2024
Gr 9 Up-Nineteen-year-old Natalie Hart's parents have never been supportive of her going to college to study dramatic arts. So when her anxiety causes her to lose her scholarship, she is in a financial bind. To solve her problem, Natalie goes on a wilderness reality show for a shot to win a scholarship. Much to her dismay, she is soon partnered with Finn, who is grumpy and judgmental of Natalie, who is new to camping. They must work together to complete wilderness challenges and compete against other undergraduate students also vying for scholarships. As the competition progresses, Finn and Natalie warm up to each other, and their chemistry pulls them together into a whirlwind romance. But Natalie is learning to live with anxiety, which causes romantic strife that will leave readers wondering if they will get their happily ever after. The author's voice is funny and charming, with many jokes peppered throughout the book. Both Finn and Natalie are likable, relatable, three-dimensional characters. The romantic build-up is well-paced, and even though the relationship experiences turbulence early on, it's done in a very sensitive way. Natalie and Finn are white. VERDICT Witty and amusing prose will take readers on a romantic journey that realistically addresses anxiety.-Candyce Pruitt-Goddard
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
May 15, 2024
Grades 9-12 Get ready for a wildlife adventure of romance, exploration, and self-discovery in the latest from Hill (Not Here to Stay Friends, 2023). Natalie Hart's first year of college did not go as planned. Not only is she losing her scholarship, facing the fear of disappointment from her parents, and battling grief from the loss of her beloved grandmother, she is also facing newly diagnosed anxiety attacks. Natalie, however, is determined to prove everyone wrong when she signs up to participate in the reality TV show Wild Adventures--where she meets Finn Markum, her assigned race teammate--for the chance to win $100,000. From the start, Natalie and Finn butt heads, but while Natalie thought hiking through the Appalachian trial was hard, it's nothing compared to her anxiety attacks and budding feelings for her race partner. Amid this fun, grumpy/sunshine romance with crossover appeal, Hill capably covers mental health, college experience, survival tactics, appreciation of nature, and the importance of not judging a book by its cover.
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