by K.A. Tucker
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
City girl Calla Fletcher attempts to reconnect with her estranged father, and unwittingly finds herself torn between her desire to return to the bustle of Toronto and a budding relationship with a rugged Alaskan pilot in this masterful new romance from acclaimed author K.A. Tucker.
Calla Fletcher was 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 her father reaches out to inform her that his days are numbered, Calla 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 new subarctic environment, Jonah—the quiet, brooding, and proud Alaskan pilot who keeps 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. As time passes, she unexpectedly finds herself forming a 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.
I’ve been a fan of Tucker since her Ten Tiny Breaths series. I absolutely love the directions her writing has taken. The Simple Wild is a standalone adult contemporary with a cute, “enemies to lovers” romance. It also shares an emotional father-daughter story. All delivered with a breathtaking view of Alaska. I laughed, swooned and cried as I fell for these characters and landscape.
The story opens with a prologue and shares the story of Calla Fletcher’s parents who split when Calla was just two years old. Her Mom moved them back to Toronto, and Wren, her father stayed in Alaska. Calla, is twenty-six and still lives with her Mom and her stepfather. On the same day she receives a pink slip from the bank, she learns her estranged father has cancer.
City girl meets sky cowboy. Gads, I loved the snarky haters vibe Calla and Jonah, a pilot for her father’s charter plane company have and it begins when he picks her up in Anchorage. While Calla and her gruff Dad get off to an awkward start, Calla and Jonah trade barbs and make assumptions about each other. Tucker does a great job of showing the vast difference between city life in Toronto and the fictional town of Bangor, Alaska. A flat area of Alaska surrounded by mountains.
Admittedly Calla and Jonah weren’t the fuzziest of characters, especially Calla in the beginning. In fact, I kind of thought she was a spoiled, entitled brat, but those assumptions changed early in as they interact with each other and those in the community. I laughed aloud at the nicknames these two called each other. Some were barbs thrown at each other and others like Viking Hottie were one’s Calla shared with her friend back home. I loved how this was a slow-burning romance that moved from haters to lovers as the two spent time together. It felt authentic, and yet you knew Calla was eventually going home.
Neighbors, the crew at the Wild Charter Company and some critters added to the tale. We gained a sense of community as we got to know Wren’s makeshift family.
The Alaskan landscape was a character all on its own. Beautiful and deadly. Tucker delicately balanced the beauty of Alaska, against the harsh realities of this lush, sometimes brutal landscape
Tucker took me through an array of emotions and hooked me. I lost track of time and devoured their story. I laughed, swooned and lordy did I cry before she wrapped it up leaving me in a good, hopeful place. The Simple Wild was a fantastic, memorable romance that is sure to make my list of top ten novels for 2018.
The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker delivered a touching, snarky, romantic, heartwarming and memorable tale. #NewRelease #mustread Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Stefanie
“All delivered with a breathtaking view of Alaska.” SOLD me.
Naomi Hop
I’m glad that Calla grew as a person in this one. I would love to meet Jonah… I’m going to order this one for sure!
Kimberly
I enjoy this author, and hope you grab it.
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
I got one of her books a little while ago when Audible had it on sale ( I think it was the book 3 books ago) and am so excited to read it! Now it seems I need to add this to my list as well. It sounds fantastic!
Kimberly
I think that was another standalone. Enjoy Katherine!
Sophia Rose
Oh boy! They sound like a pair. I love Tucker’s books so will snag this one at some point.
Kimberly
Me too. Enjoy my friend!
sherry fundin
Sounds like a wild ride and I do like the setting, along with the snark. I always like snark. lol
Kimberly
Hehe..yes give me snark and banter any day.
Debbie Haupt - The Reading Frenzy
I am a HUGE fan, I absolutely loved Until it Fades. I so agree with what you said about her writing. I didn’t read her earlier titles but this is definitely going on my yes please list. Thanks Kim
Kimberly
She is always fresh and I get excited whenever I see a new book.
Sam@WLABB
I have never read anything by Tucker, but I am dying to read this. I have yet to see one ill thought about this book, and I loved Alaska. It’s a really beautiful state.
Kimberly
Yes, Alaska is on my bucket list Sam
Tyler H. Jolley
Stories like this make me so sad. I can’t imagine being estranged from my kids under any circumstance, but I know it happens. Nice review, Kimba.
Kimberly
Right. Even when I want to smack them upside the head, I want to see them
Angela Adams
“Calla and Jonah trade barbs” — always makes for a fun read! Thanks for the post.
Kimberly
Yes, I love the back and forth.
Melliane
it’s an author that I want to try one day
Kimberly
Ooo I hope you do. I love Tucker.
Angie Elle
Oh my gosh. How has this book not been on my radar until now? It’s so far up my alley. I cannot wait to read this! I’m glad you enjoyed it so much. I keep meaning to pick up a K.A. Tucker book and haven’t yet, but this blurb and your review sucks me right in.
Great review!
Kimberly
Woot! I can not wait to hear your thoughts on it Angie!
kindlemom1
Yes Kim! I resonated so hard with this! I adored it, by far my favorite Tucker book yet.
Kimberly
I am so happy to hear that Ali!
Tracy Terry
Not my keen of book … though never say never. I can see how fans of the genre would love this one though. Great balanced review, thanks.
Kimberly
This falls between women’s fiction and romance. Every book by Tucker is different, some have been straight romance, others have had some great suspense.
Melissa
I loved this one sooo much. Glad you did too!
Kimberly
Yay..so happy you loved it too.
Jenea's Book Obsession
Weren’t Calla and Jonah interactions just great?! I adore them and their time together. This was such a wonderful read for me and I am happy to see you enjoyed it too.
Kimberly
Yes…the banter and tricks! Oh my.
Nick
Love this book and love this review, Kim! You totally nailed all my feelings about this one. That sky cowboy was hot, eh? 😉
Kimberly
Hot indeed!