BOOK REVIEW : THE SIMPLE WILD (WILD #1) BY K.A.TUCKER

“What hold does Alaksa have on them? What makes this place worth giving everything else up?”

– K.A.Tucker(THE SIMPLE WILD)

TITLE : The Simple Wild (Wild #1)

AUTHOR : K.A.Tucker

GENRE : Contemporary Fiction, Romance

FBRC RATING : 5 stars

BLURB :

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. 

FBRC REVIEW :

I don’t even know where to start with this book because it was a beautiful, heartbreaking ride for me. This book will be one I will think of fondly after a long time, the one story that will bring a smile to my face and make me feel a little nostalgic for the feelings it evoked in me. It is beautiful, engaging and entertaining with a dose of heartwarming moments that will make you think.  The characters were fantastic and every moment you read through it will make you want to visit Alaska. Though Bangor is a made-up place, it still is so atmospheric and so full of a feel for the community living that there is something simply special about it. I loved it so much that if I could drop everything and hop on to a plane to Alaska, I would. 

Calla is just so nice and beautiful and smart. I loved her and her character so much. She is someone whom I could be friends with and she is so real in her ways that it reminds of young girls of today who loves to dress up, put on make-up, be presentable no matter where you are going but also can adjust to her situations seamlessly. She is empathetic and spunky and spirited too. Her love for life and in general her family is admirable. I loved her interactions with Simon, Wren and Agnes and her daughter. Jonah and her chemistry and their interactions were just engaging and so entertaining to read.

Jonah is your typical manly burly man who is so wild and just awesome. He is loyal, kind and loves his circle of people he had let into his life. His prejudices against Calla and the way he treated her reminded me of so much of the young boys who irritates the girl they like. Their growth as a couple was really good to see. I loved his dedication to the company and his love for Wren, Agnes, and people whom he cared for. He is just such a wholesome burly man that you cannot help fall in love with.

Agnes, Simon was just so effortlessly lovable. They just had that charm and so much love and loyalty for the people they loved. They were very understanding and patient that I felt for them. They were what I would consider the greatest example of unconditional love and selflessness. Wren is so heartbroken and pained by his life and regrets that you will be wept into his story as well. He is awkward and doesn’t know how to handle Calla and their broken relationship. You can see the love he has for her and wants her best. At times you cannot be angry with him for not making more of an effort to fill the hole he left in Calla’s life.

Overall it is a great story with a lot of serious topics being discussed and we see the choices people make and how the pride and recklessness of youth destroy people and their hope for the future. The scars that they leave behind bleeds without the chance for healing. The people of Alaska, the feel of community and the whole urban Vs rural debate is also fascinating. The story was so much more than just a romance with its layers. The sacrifices one makes for the sake of love, the mistakes you make in a moment of pride and having to live with those regrets. The love you have for the person that spans time and place and yet cannot fulfill, all of it just gave us a heart-warming story and yet heartbreaking at times. It was bittersweet and some amazing characters whom I would love to meet again and read more of their stories as well. The book is just great. I could go on and on about it and would love to see more of these characters in the future as I said. I would love to see Wren’s story and his motivations for his decisions and just hear his side of the story.

Overall if you love Atmospheric setting and love the hate to love trope, complicated family dynamics and relationships, some funny unlikely pets this would be a great book for you. I guarantee you will love and would stay with you for a while. I gave the book 5 stars and highly recommend checking it out.