Love grows such strange things.
For nearly a century, the Nomeolvides women have tended the grounds of La Pradera, the lush estate gardens that enchant guests from around the world. They’ve also hidden a tragic legacy: if they fall in love too deeply, their lovers vanish. But then, after generations of vanishings, a strange boy appears in the gardens.
The boy is a mystery to Estrella, the Nomeolvides girl who finds him, and to her family, but he’s even more a mystery to himself; he knows nothing more about who he is or where he came from than his first name. As Estrella tries to help Fel piece together his unknown past, La Pradera leads them to secrets as dangerous as they are magical in this stunning exploration of love, loss, and family.
Wild Beauty was a total impulse buy at BookCon last year. I’d heard of it and I’d added it to my TBR because of some great reviews, but it was really the cover that drew me in. It’s just so pretty. (It didn’t hurt that it was a signed copy, either.)
I’m going to start off by saying that it took me about three weeks to read the 340 pages of this book. At first, I thought it was just me being distracted. I’ve definitely had trouble focusing on books recently, but after three weeks of effort, I think I can say with about 99% certainty that this book just wasn’t for me.
It’s not badly written. The writing style is fine (if a little flowery for my tastes) and I liked the focus on family, but… nothing happens. It’s just a bunch of teenage girls making flowers bloom. The conflict wasn’t very interesting. The mystery of Fel’s past did nothing for me. I was just so bored. I can’t even tell you how many times I almost fell asleep while reading this book.
I have another one of the author’s books and will be giving it a try at some point, but this particular story just wasn’t for me.
#killingthetbr: six months on shelf
Have you read Wild Beauty? Is it on your TBR?
Let’s talk in the comments!
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A shame it didn’t pique your interest enough, but I hope her next book is more enjoyable for you, I hadn’t heard of this novel until now truthfully!
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I hope so too! I’ll definitely be sharing my thoughts on the next book that I read from her.
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“It’s just a bunch of teenage girls making flowers bloom.”
Done.
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AND THEY ALL HAVE FLOWER NAMES TOO 🙄
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UGH
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a pity. I know it’s a dnf for me when i start falling asleep.
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I should have just DNFed it, honestly.
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Aaaww!!! It’s too bad you didn’t enjoy this novel! Anna-Marie McLemore is one of my fave authors, but I can totally see how she’s not for everybody. She works for me because I’m totally weak for flowery prose and books not heavily centered on plot.
I hope you enjoy whatever other novel you have of hers, tho!
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Thank you! I have Blanca & Roja and When the Moon Was Ours and I’m excited for both. 😊
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That sounds about how my experience went. I tried SO hard to read this book. It was in my possession for a number of weeks, but I could never get past the first 30 pages or so. I finally DNF’d it after skim reading the last few pages or so. I could not make myself read that whole book. Thank you for the review!
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That was definitely a good decision! I should have DNFed it but I wanted to see if it was worth it in the end. (For me, it wasn’t.)
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I feel exactly the same!! At first I was like, “cool, I like this pretty magical atomosphere”. But then we kept getting those same flowery (literally) descriptions over and over and over again 😦 I’ll def keep an eye out for your thoughts on another one of her books though. I’ve been conflicted about giving her another shot…
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I’m glad I’m not the only one who felt that way! I’m a little conflicted too, but I’m hoping I’ll have a better experience next time.
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Uh oh, I also have a copy of this book on my TBR…. I generally enjoy flowery writing so I hope it holds me over! I’m sorry you didn’t like it!
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I hope you like it more than I did! But if you enjoy flowery writing, I think you will. 🙂
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Ah no! I had this one on my TBR because the cover is just so pretty (I have a thing for flowers) and I liked the description. I shall go in with my eyes a bit more opened (and not as swayed by pretty covers)!
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The cover is so gorgeous that it’s almost impossible to resist! I’d be curious to know your thoughts on the book if you read it.
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I’m hoping to get to it this year (best laid plans and all that) so I’ll definitely let you know!
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Pretty cover, but no conflict, no interest. Thanks for the review.
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You’re welcome 🙂
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thanks for the review, will definitely buy this one.
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I hope you like it more than I did!
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Gorgeous cover! Not every book suits everyone. Good review.
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Thank you 🙂
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Oh man!! I have this to read still… It has been on my shelf for about 6 months too!
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I hope you end up liking it more than I did!
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