Review: Into the Wild by Beth Ciotta

Into the Wild
Beth Ciotta {Blog | Facebook | Myspace}
Publisher: HQN Books
Publication Date: September 1, 2010
Mass Market Paperback {p.379}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: Contemporary
Characters: River Kane, Spenser McGraw
Challenge: 50 States, 100+, Contemporary
My Rating:

When River Kane's fiancé abandons her at the altar for being too conventional, she's heartbroken. But everything changes when her estranged archaeologist father sends her his journal—filled with cryptic maps and a note indicating he's in mortal danger. Worried, River faces her greatest fears and flies to the Amazon to find him. But she needs a guide. Someone completely unlike danger-seeker Spenser McGraw.

A charismatic treasure hunter who thrives on risk, Spenser hosts the popular TV show Into the Wild, dedicated to locating lost treasures and mythical icons. But River's father's life depends on discretion, and too-sexy Spenser is all about publicity. Forced to team up, they embark on a jungle adventure ripe with temptation and danger…ultimately discovering a hidden treasure that could alter history—and a steamy love neither expected.

River has just been left at the altar by her husband-to-be, but she doesn’t feel heartbroken or even feel like crying. All she feels is upset that he had the nerve to tell her she was controlling and adventureless.

So when she receives a mysterious package from her estranged globetrotting father, she goes in search of him. Her good friend Kylie, being worried about River, enlists her celebrity globetrotting brother to keep an eye out for River. Because this is so unlike River to go on an impromptu adventure.

Of course there’s an immediate attraction between them but Spenser is too much like her father who abandoned her as a child. Spenser is the type that’s always chasing a treasure or the next big adventure, just like her father. Whereas she prefers structure and plan for her life, which is the reason for agreeing to marry her ex, Harry, for the stability.

River tended to be the kind of girl who was seeing everything from the worst case scenario. She had all kinds of phobias and was a walking pharmacy. At times it could be cute and funny and at others it was somewhat annoying. Even with that being the case, she was still a very likable character. She and Spenser both.

The entire Ecuador adventure had me trying to figure out who was the bad guy was. My theory was constantly changing throughout until near the end before all was revealed.

I’ve only read two books by this author, but I have really enjoyed them both.