Title: The Simple Wild (Wild, #1); Wild at Heart (Wild, #2)
Author: K.A. Tucker
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published On: 8/7/18, 2/18/20
Publisher: Atria Books, K.A. Tucker
Source: ebook
Pages: 390, 456

The Simple Wild synopsis:

Calla Fletcher wasn’t even two when her mother took her and fled the Alaskan wild, unable to handle the isolation of the extreme, rural lifestyle, leaving behind Calla’s father, Wren Fletcher, in the process. Calla never looked back, and at twenty-six, a busy life in Toronto is all she knows. But when Calla learns that Wren’s days may be numbered, she knows that it’s time to make the long trip back to the remote frontier town where she was born.

She braves the roaming wildlife, the odd daylight hours, the exorbitant prices, and even the occasional—dear God—outhouse, all for the chance to connect with her father: a man who, despite his many faults, she can’t help but care for. While she struggles to adjust to this rugged environment, Jonah—the unkempt, obnoxious, and proud Alaskan pilot who helps keep her father’s charter plane company operational—can’t imagine calling anywhere else home. And he’s clearly waiting with one hand on the throttle to fly this city girl back to where she belongs, convinced that she’s too pampered to handle the wild.

Jonah is probably right, but Calla is determined to prove him wrong. Soon, she finds herself forming an unexpected bond with the burly pilot. As his undercurrent of disapproval dwindles, it’s replaced by friendship—or perhaps something deeper? But Calla is not in Alaska to stay and Jonah will never leave. It would be foolish of her to kindle a romance, to take the same path her parents tried—and failed at—years ago. It’s a simple truth that turns out to be not so simple after all. 

My Thoughts

The Simple Wild has been recommended to me repeatedly. I’m so happy I finally took the plunge. It’s one of those books to get lost in—the outside world drops away and you can enjoy being in a different place. It’s absolutely what I needed at the moment. There’s so much to love about this book—the Alaskan setting, the realistically flawed characters, the emotional story. I immediately finished it and had to order the next one, Wild at Heart.

“I can’t remember what it feels like not being in love with you, Calla.”

~K.A. Tucker

I do think both of these books are better read knowing very little about them. If you enjoy contemporary romance, the enemy to lover trope, and reading about people being thrown into new and unknown situations, you’ll love this series.

Thanks to K.A. Tucker, I have the worst book hangover. I feel sorry for the book I read after these two books. It’s been a long time since I became so happily immersed in a story. I didn’t want them to end, but didn’t want to stop reading. And while I loved The Simple Wild, Wild at Heart was—dare I say—a perfectly written follow-up. Tucker deftly picks up Calla’s character development right where she left off in The Simple Wild, and the reader is a privileged participant to her character growth. I don’t want to give anything away. If you enjoyed The Simple Wild, you will love Wild at Heart. 

The Simple Wild Rating:

Wild at Heart Rating:

A Song For A Book

I’ve chosen Alaska by Moglie. For obvious reasons. 😉

All the seasons in one day
The heat takes my breath away
Melting snow in crystal veins
With wind comes the rain

Lost in the sweep of the horizon
Water so deep mountains are rising
No one but you by my side through lows and highs
Lost in the sweep of the horizon

Frozen river skeletons
Tears streaks to o’rcast shores
Blinded by the midnight sun, I run

Lost in the sweep of the horizon
Water so deep mountains are rising
No one but you by my side
Lost in the sweep of the horizon

I’m on top of the world
And then the wolves howl
And then the wolves howl
And then the wolves howl
The wolves
On top of the world
They howl

Have you read The Simple Wild or Wild at Heart? Are they on your tbr? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Wandering!