Review - - Wilde Abandon

Wilde Abandon

by Jennifer Ryan

A Dark Horse Dive Bar Novel

Publisher: Jennifer Ryan

Release Date: August 6, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Broken and betrayed, Fox Bridges escaped Blackrock Falls 16 years ago, vowing never to return. But when his mom is diagnosed with terminal cancer, there’s no escaping it. Making the best of a bad situation, he goes back to face his past and set up a program to help foster kids who age out of the system like him. But more importantly— to reunite with the best friend he had to leave behind.

Melody Wilde never got over the loss of her childhood best friend. She saved his life… but it cost her Fox. He left town and never looked back, hating her for revealing his secret.

So when Fox walks back into town—right through the front door of her bar—she realizes he’s the man she’s been falling for online. He could be her chance at forever.

But Fox has secrets, and there are those who will do anything to bring him down. They’ll exploit any weakness. And he’s just given them the biggest one yet—Melody.

PJ'S THOUGHTS:

Wilde Abandon showcases everything I love and have come to expect from a Jennifer Ryan novel: well-developed, relatable characters, family dynamics, heart-tugging romance, and breath-stealing suspense. 

Fox and Melody pulled me in and refused to let go, immersing me into their lives from the get-go and keeping me hanging on every word right up until the end of their journey. I pulled so hard for these two. They certainly didn't have an easy path to their HEA but that's the emotional depth - and complex family dynamic - that Ryan brings to her stories. She doesn't hold back when it comes to life-threatening and life-altering obstacles that life sometimes throws in her characters' paths. 

As with the earlier books in this series, Wilde Abandon brings readers a twisty, danger-filled, contemporary romance story that took me on an emotional journey while also delivering a satisfying, hard-earned happily ever after. 

I'm deeply invested in this close-knit, Wyoming ranching family and eager to discover what Ryan has in store for her next Wilde couple.

*Wilde Abandon is the third book in Jennifer Ryan's Dark Horse Dive Bar series and the first to be self-published. The first two books (published by Avon) are Wilde Love (read my review) and Wilde for You (read my review). Avon opted to not continue the series. I'm thrilled that Ryan has decided to continue the series on her own. There's at least one more couple begging for their story to be told and I'm looking forward to reading it in Wilde In His Arms, due to be released later this year. 

Content Warning:

Child abuse, sexual assault, kidnapping