Synopsis:

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.

Review:

The Simple Wild was a beautiful story that slowly unwound.  With small town charm, enemies to lovers, opposites attract, slow burn, and forgiveness laced throughout, this story easily seeped into my heart.  It made me laugh, sob, and fall in love.  This is definitely one of my top favorite reads from this year and I can’t recommend it enough!

How am I supposed to feel about possibly losing a person who has only ever hurt me?

Calla lived at home with her mom and stepfather.  When news came that her father would be fighting cancer, and they hadn’t talked in 12 years, she took a giant leap.  And traveled to Alaska.  While the journey there seemed to be a battle alone, what lay ahead would change Calla forever.

“‘Don’t worry, Calla.’ ‘It’s no big deal, Calla.’ That’s what a decent person would say,” I mumble feebly.
“I’m here to get your high- maintenance little ass to Bangor, not soothe your ego.”
High- maintenance? My ego? I crack one lid to shoot daggers at the back of his head. All pretenses of politeness have dissolved. “Does my dad know you’re such a giant dick?”

I absolutely adored Calla.  She could be so quick with her replies and her thoughts cracked me up!  Yet, I felt her pain and struggles.  Her first night with her father, my heart bled for her.  I was so hurt and angry for Calla.  It was hard to watch her struggle, since she didn’t fit in with her new surroundings.  But at the same point, Calla had so much room to grow.  And I loved watching her journey!

“I am not a Barbie doll!”
“No?” He gives me a sideways glance, amusement in his eyes. “Fake hair, fake face, fake nails . . .” His eyes dip to my chest before flashing away. “Is anything on you real?”

From the moment Jonah appeared on the pages, I wanted to hit him.  Hard.  He could be such a grumpy jerk, and his words at times could be laced with barbs.  Plus the games he played wanted to make me shake him.  So I was glad when Calla wouldn’t hold back.  Yet, underneath that rough exterior was a man who did know how to be funny.  Who liked to mess with others.  And he would do things that will melt your heart.  Jonah was a beautiful, complicated man who hid a kind heart.  He is definitely one of my top book boyfriends!  

How do you form a relationship with someone without forgiving them first?

While this story unfolded at a leisurely pace, I never wanted to put it down.  It held me completely captive.  The landscape was beautiful and I loved learning all I could.  It felt like another person in this story.  And Calla’s dad, Wren.  Oh gosh.  My feelings for him were so complex, just like Jonah.  As we spent more time with him, I couldn’t help but love Wren too.  Watching those moments of connection form between Calla and Wren made my heart explode.  I loved watching their father daughter relationship turn into something so beautiful.

His normally icy gaze slides over my mouth, my throat, my chest, and farther, before coming back up to meet my eyes. His hard swallow fills the silence. “You don’t need all that to look good, Calla. Seriously.”
My words falter. Was that a compliment?
From Jonah?

Jonah and Calla gave complicated a whole new meaning.  Their banter was absolutely fabulous!  And underneath it, there was almost a teasing tone.  Yet there was a tension there too.  As time passed and a tentative friendship started to form, I loved all of their moments together.  There were ones that held all the laughter and you couldn’t help it from bubbling up.  Payback was epic!  Others where there was a quiet peacefulness.  Ones laced with hurt or playfulness.  And moments that were filled with strong emotions.  It was impossible not to fall for Jonah and Calla, and want them to find their HEA.

Jonah wordlessly holds a headset out for me. I accept it, acutely aware of how our fingers graze in the process.
Even if I am not attracted to him.
Even if I still want to punch him in the face.

With a broody male, neighbors that feel like family, a dad you can’t help but warm up to and love, a fabulous stepfather, a supportive mother, a raccoon thief, and a small town community that’s so easy to adore, the characters in this book were everything!  Add that it was set somewhere stunning yet harsh at the same time, and this book truly had it all!  KA Tucker is going to be an author where I’ll be reading every single book she has ever written, and then I’ll be patiently waiting for that next release.  She is beyond talented, made me feel everything, and I can’t wait to read the continuation of Calla’s story in the next book!

PS Make sure to have tissues by you.  I sobbed all the tears!

A few more of my favorite quotes…

“You know, you’re definitely Wren’s daughter,” Jonah mutters.
“Why do you say that?” I ask warily. Do I want to hear this answer?
“Because neither of you have the guts to speak your mind when it matters most.”
I watch him stroll away, gravel crunching under his boots.

The deep chuckle that carries through the headset sends shivers down my spine and makes me smile dumbly. I’m becoming addicted to making him laugh.

“I’m saying that I might take risks, but they’re always worth it. Got it?”
“I think so?” Not really.
My gaze drifts to his mouth.

“I wish I’d been someone different than who I am.” 

Jonah is Alaska to me.