Publishers Weekly
11/06/2023
Wei (House Rules) puts a modern, gender-swapped spin on the 1938 film Bringing Up Baby in this zany rom-com. Zoey Fong has always obsessively stuck to the Plan: finish medical school and dedicate herself to researching a cure for the bone cancer that nearly killed her little sister. Her life’s thrown into chaos, however, when she meets handsome, wealthy, and whimsical Davy Hsieh, who comes into her university lab hoping to find someone who can help him open a wildlife sanctuary on his private island. Zoey shoos him away, but Davy accidentally leaves with her precious sample slide in his pocket. Things take a sharp turn when the slide somehow ends up on the cargo ship leaving for Davy’s island off the coast of Vancouver. Zoey insists on traveling there with Davy at once—despite worrying that her undeniable attraction to him could derail her Plan. The characters’ frequent sexual musings (mid-conversation, Davy “found himself wondering about her underwear, probably also practical, a plain covering for something extravagant and beautiful”) are as over the top as everything else and can be jarring at first, but Wei balances their relationship with delightfully wacky comedic scenes. This whirlwind opposites-attract romance offers plenty to enjoy. Agent: Tara Gelsomino, One Track Literary. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
"I am utterly enchanted by Opal Wei’s voice. This book was a magical blend of humor, heartache and romance. Wei sure knows her way around a beautiful sentence and a human heart."—Yulin Kuang, author of How to End a Love Story
"Wild Life is a warm hug of a book anchored by two eminently lovable protagonists who are made for each other. Zoey and Davy's romantic adventure was a joy to read!" —Mia Sosa, USA TODAY bestselling author
"Wild Life is a classic screwball story set in the modern age—creative, compelling, and so witty. Wei delivers laugh out loud moments alongside thoughtful, moving reflections on why and how we love—with sharp, chemistry-laden banter on nearly every page." —Kate Clayborn, author of Georgie, All Along
"Opal Wei takes small town romance one step further in this delightful tiny island screwball romance. Wild Life is an absolutely charming opposites attract story that will have you swooning for Davy, feeling for Zoey, and swearing to stay away from geese."-—Lily Chu, author of The Stand In and The Comeback
“Wei is a miracle-worker. Wild Life somehow manages to combine a delightful homage to Bringing Up Baby’s screwball antics with a thoroughly modern romance—one remarkable for its warm intelligence, wit, and complexity. Zoey and Davy are an incredibly charming central couple." –Olivia Dade, nationally bestselling author of Spoiler Alert and Ship Wrecked
“Wild Life is a delightful romp of a romance that will win readers’ hearts. As the characters look for a missing slide and deal with disasters of all types, Opal Wei handles their personal struggles with a sensitive touch.” –Jackie Lau, author of The Stand-Up Groomsman
"Wei’s (Clean Breaks, as Ruby Lang) steamy, slow-burn stranger-to-lovers romance is a great read."—Library Journal
“[…] Wei balances their relationship with delightfully wacky comedic scenes. This whirlwind opposites-attract romance offers plenty to enjoy.”—Library Journal
“Wei writes well-drawn, one-of-a-kind characters that will elicit readers’ sympathy and laughter as they spur each other to grow and change. Put together the aforementioned sexual chemistry, a big cat (heard but not seen) and geese (both seen and heard, eliciting an appropriate amount of terror, if one knows geese) and the result is a vibrant, fast-paced and highly entertaining romance.” —BookPage
Library Journal
10/01/2023
Researcher Zoey Fong aims to find a cure for bone cancer, the disease that almost killed her sister. In her lab one day, she encounters Davy Hsieh, whose request for help inadvertently leads to a tissue sample critical to Zoey's research being left in Davy's possession. Not knowing what to do with the sample, Davy prepares to head back to his remote island off the coast of Canada, where he's establishing an animal sanctuary. Zoey's realization of the missing sample sends her on an unexpected trip with Davy to his island, and together they encounter his rescue cougar and face unexpected challenges. As Zoey and Davy navigate their struggles (including Davy's past drug addiction, Zoey's lack of confidence in her endeavors, and the sexual tension between them), they must also confront the threat of a neighbor who seeks to cause trouble for the animal sanctuary. VERDICT Wei's (Clean Breaks, as Ruby Lang) steamy, slow-burn stranger-to-lovers romance is a great read.—Michelle Mistalski
MARCH 2024 - AudioFile
Natalie Naudus narrates a romance loosely inspired by the 1938 movie BRINGING UP BABY. Zoey Fong's life is guided by The Plan--that is, until she meets Davy Hsieh and he upends almost every aspect of it. Naudus's portrayal of Zoey highlights her focus and goal-oriented mindset, while her portrayal of Davy captures his easygoing nature. Both Zoey and Davy suffer from anxiety, but their symptoms present differently, allowing Naudus to show her considerable range. Naudus's distinctive portrayals of Zoey's roommate and Davy's grandmother underscore the pivotal aspects of their characters. Despite some heavy topics, including anxiety, illness, and racism, Naudus's delightful performance expresses the inherent joy in Zoey and Davy's budding relationship. K.M.P. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
