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A review by dinipandareads
The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker
5.0
4.5 stars rounded up!
The Simple Wild was a heartwarming, beautifully romantic story set in the Alaskan wild. I don't know what it is about me and Alaska, but I've loved the state ever since I first read a book set there a few years ago, and ever since I've only become increasingly fascinated with it. Sure, some books romanticize it, and to an extent this was one, but I'm not blinded to the harsh reality of what life in Alaska is like. But I digress. I just wanted to say that this book made me fall even more in love with the simple, terrifying, harsh and beautiful place that is Alaska; I'm not lying when I say it's close to the top of my bucket list!
What can I say about this book other than I loved it? I've already shared how much I loved the setting, but the characters also quickly grew on me. I'll admit that I wasn't Calla's biggest fan at the start. She was a spoiled and entitled millennial who thought life didn't exist without the internet, and who wouldn't stop spouting about how expensive everything in her luggage was. It became eye-roll inducing at one point. That said, her character growth was so satisfying to watch! It wasn't exactly a quick adjustment, but I loved seeing her character slowly find her place in the close-knit community in Bangor. If there's one thing I learned from reading stories set in Alaska, it's that community and the support you get from it, is a big part of surviving up there. It was great to see her let her guard down and finally realize that it is possible for one to survive without a full face of makeup and access to internet 24/7. I enjoyed how her relationship with Wren also grew. Calla felt a lot of resentment and abandonment issues because of her childhood without him, and his decision to stay in Alaska, but it was heartwarming to see both of them let their guards down and be open about their feelings. I'm so glad that they were able to build up their relationship and form a touching father-daughter bond.
I loved the relationship between Calla and Jonah! It was sweet and their progression from enemies-to-lovers was just SO GOOD. The build up was real and wholly satisfying, yo. Jonah was your typical grumpy mountain man, full with Yeti-styled fashion, with the biggest, warmest heart underneath! He was an absolute cinnamon roll and everyone who told me that I'd love him was SPOT ON! Damn those sky cowboys and their ability to steal your heart! I loved that Jonah wasn't afraid to tell it like it is, no matter how difficult it was for Calla to hear. He had zero issues putting her in her place, especially at the start, but I liked that he was also able to admit to his faults, if he did wrong. Their banter was hilarious and when she did *that thing* in revenge, I was breathless with laughter! There was one mildly explicit sex scene, with other shorter steamier scenes too, but nothing that was too much--I'd say it'd be a 2-3 out of 5 on the heat scale.
The reason why I took off half a star was because I felt the end was wrapped up so quickly! It obviously wasn't an unpredictable ending, but I still wish that it was a bit less abrupt. I also wished that we got to see Calla interact more with the Alaskan natives because of how big a role they play in certain characters' (Jonah and Wren) love and respect for Alaska and those who live there! Overall, I really enjoyed this read. I couldn't put it down and finished it one (long) night! It was my first Tucker but it won't be my last and I'm keen to read more of what she's written. If you're looking a for a sweet enemies-to-lovers romance, with a little bit of family drama, finding yourself and learning about forgiveness, this is the one for you!
The Simple Wild was a heartwarming, beautifully romantic story set in the Alaskan wild. I don't know what it is about me and Alaska, but I've loved the state ever since I first read a book set there a few years ago, and ever since I've only become increasingly fascinated with it. Sure, some books romanticize it, and to an extent this was one, but I'm not blinded to the harsh reality of what life in Alaska is like. But I digress. I just wanted to say that this book made me fall even more in love with the simple, terrifying, harsh and beautiful place that is Alaska; I'm not lying when I say it's close to the top of my bucket list!
What can I say about this book other than I loved it? I've already shared how much I loved the setting, but the characters also quickly grew on me. I'll admit that I wasn't Calla's biggest fan at the start. She was a spoiled and entitled millennial who thought life didn't exist without the internet, and who wouldn't stop spouting about how expensive everything in her luggage was. It became eye-roll inducing at one point. That said, her character growth was so satisfying to watch! It wasn't exactly a quick adjustment, but I loved seeing her character slowly find her place in the close-knit community in Bangor. If there's one thing I learned from reading stories set in Alaska, it's that community and the support you get from it, is a big part of surviving up there. It was great to see her let her guard down and finally realize that it is possible for one to survive without a full face of makeup and access to internet 24/7. I enjoyed how her relationship with Wren also grew. Calla felt a lot of resentment and abandonment issues because of her childhood without him, and his decision to stay in Alaska, but it was heartwarming to see both of them let their guards down and be open about their feelings. I'm so glad that they were able to build up their relationship and form a touching father-daughter bond.
I loved the relationship between Calla and Jonah! It was sweet and their progression from enemies-to-lovers was just SO GOOD. The build up was real and wholly satisfying, yo. Jonah was your typical grumpy mountain man, full with Yeti-styled fashion, with the biggest, warmest heart underneath! He was an absolute cinnamon roll and everyone who told me that I'd love him was SPOT ON! Damn those sky cowboys and their ability to steal your heart! I loved that Jonah wasn't afraid to tell it like it is, no matter how difficult it was for Calla to hear. He had zero issues putting her in her place, especially at the start, but I liked that he was also able to admit to his faults, if he did wrong. Their banter was hilarious and when she did *that thing* in revenge, I was breathless with laughter! There was one mildly explicit sex scene, with other shorter steamier scenes too, but nothing that was too much--I'd say it'd be a 2-3 out of 5 on the heat scale.
The reason why I took off half a star was because I felt the end was wrapped up so quickly! It obviously wasn't an unpredictable ending, but I still wish that it was a bit less abrupt. I also wished that we got to see Calla interact more with the Alaskan natives because of how big a role they play in certain characters' (Jonah and Wren) love and respect for Alaska and those who live there! Overall, I really enjoyed this read. I couldn't put it down and finished it one (long) night! It was my first Tucker but it won't be my last and I'm keen to read more of what she's written. If you're looking a for a sweet enemies-to-lovers romance, with a little bit of family drama, finding yourself and learning about forgiveness, this is the one for you!