Alyssa_R

The Magic of Untamed Hearts is a sweet, modern romance that at times makes you feel as if you've been transported to a simpler time of the past. Honestly, without the pop culture references, which is a downside for me in books, one might think that this is a period piece. I do like that a central theme in the book is communication and directness, which is a little off-put by the minuscule miscommunication trope that happens near the end.

On that topic, the pacing in the second half feels a little rush, and I really wish that the cult plotline was explored more throughout the book. I feel as though it was kind of forgotten after Sky and Adam begin their romantic relationship, and then the author just remembered to tie it up in the epilogue. I do appreciate however how this book slightly deviates from your classic romance novel, in that the protagonist is not completely insufferable. Though maybe a little over-quirky at times, Gilliland does an amazing job in conveying a main character with undiagnosed autism and makes you fall in love with Sky.