Wandering Wild

Jessica Taylor adores sleepy Southern settings, unrequited love, and characters who sneak out late at night. After graduating from law school, she realized she'd rather write her own stories than read dusty law books. She lives in Roseville, California with a sweet-yet-spoiled dog and several teetering towers of books. Visit her online at www.jessicataylorwrites.com or follow her on Twitter @JessicaTaylorYA.

"A moving portrayal of young love, family, and hope, a combination that steals your heart on every page." —John Corey Whaley, Michael L. Printz Award winner and National Book Award finalist"Jessica Taylor's prose is exquisite, her characters authentic, and her plot imaginative. Tal is brave, flawed, and clever—a YA heroine who won't soon be forgotten!" —Julie Murphy, New York Times bestselling author of Side Effects May Vary and Dumplin'"Tal is a vibrant and compelling, and the questions she confronts—what belonging means, how to find your place in the world even when it looks nothing like what you expected—are gripping. Wandering Wild is a romantic and hauntingly beautiful tale of how we fight for what, and who, we love." —Kelly Loy Gilbert, author of Conviction"Wandering Wild is a beautiful, tempestuous read, filled with struggle and discovery. Descriptions of the open road, and of the thrill of striking off to someplace new will make you want to wander, even as you come to see that even the freest person can still be trapped. By the end, you'll embrace your own wild impulses." —Kendare Blake, author of Anna Dressed in Blood and Antigoddess"Full of thieves and vagabonds, authentic romance, and a hint of magical realism, Wandering Wild is as compelling as the call of the open road." —Katherine Longshore, author of Gilt* "Taylor’s story about a teenage girl and her complicated life is a stunning debut in the world of young adult novels. . . . This story is told in a first-person female point of view with a voice that is honest and real. The raw emotion of the protagonist will immediately draw readers into Talia’s plight. The setting of the story is unique and fascinating. . . . [A] realistic coming-of-age story about love, family, and change that will appeal to readers who like stories with romance." --VOYA 5Q 4P (starred review)“The unlikely romance at the core of the novel is charmingly realistic . . . The strength of this debut novel is in the tantalizing development of character and setting as the story unfolds and Tal seeks her path in life.” —Kirkus Reviews“[T]hought provoking. Despite her life of grift, readers will root for Tal and her nascent moral compass. A very enjoyable debut featuring an appealing protagonist in unusual circumstances; add to coming-of-age collections.” —School Library Journal"Taylor's debut novel is spiritedly paced, with tension increasing as Tal is pulled between her Wanderer identity and her romance with Spencer. Lively characters showcase the lore and traditions within the group, including the Spirit of the Falconer they believe protects them, as Tal is forced to make a decision that will affect all in her path." --Publishers Weekly