New Release // Wild At Heart

*Grateful to Social Butterfly PR who gifted this ARC copy of Wild At Heart

Even though I didn't give A Simple Wild all the stars, I was very excited to hear that KA Tucker wrote a sequel. My biggest critique in book 1 was Calla, so I'm crossing my fingers and toes that her character improves for me in book 2. I've heard nothing but great things about Wild At Heart.

 A Simple Wild: Amazon

Wild At Heart: Amazon

The summary is below,

"Calla Fletcher returns to Toronto a different person, struggling to find direction and still very much in love with the rugged bush pilot she left behind. When Jonah arrives on her doorstep with a proposition she can't dismiss, she takes the leap and rushes back to Alaska to begin their exciting future together.

But Calla soon learns that even the best intentions can lead to broken promises, and that compromise comes with a hefty price--a log cabin in rural Alaska that feels as isolating as the western tundra.

With Jonah gone more than he's home, one neighbor who insists on transforming her into a true Alaskan, and another who seems more likely to shoot her than come to her aid, Calla grapples with forging her own path. In a world with roaming wildlife that has her constantly watching over her shoulder and harsh conditions that stretch far beyond the cold, dark, winter months, just stepping outside her front door can be daunting.

This is not the future Calla had in mind, leaving her to fear that perhaps she is doomed to follow in her mother's fleeing footsteps after all."

Book Review // RaeAnne Thayne's Haven Point Series

When it comes to reading, I don't have many guilty pleasures, but when a fellow book lover recommended the Haven Point series by RaeAnne Thayne, I knew I had to read one to see what all the buzz was about.

Well, I binged the entire 10-BOOK series in a 6-week span. The only unfortunate thing about this book series is that they seem to be difficult to find for some people. I have been recommending them to my followers on Instagram, but many find it difficult to get the entire series at the library. Thankfully, I've been able to find used copies on Thrift Books and Amazon.

The Haven Point series is centered around a town called Haven Point where in each book, there is a romance story involving one of the townspeople. Think Hallmark movie, but better! With the right amount of appropriate steam, you're able to recommend these books to everyone on the spectrum! (even Grandma and your mother-in-law!). 

Here is a list of the books in order, along with the new 2020 release, Summer at Lake Haven!

1. Snow Angel Cove here

2. Redemption Bay here

3. Evergreen Springs here

4. Riverbend Road here

5. Snowfall on Haven Point here

6. Serenity Harbor here

7. Sugar Pine Trail here

8. The Cottages on Silver Beach here

9. Season of Wonder here

10. Coming Home for Christmas here

11. Summer at Lake Haven preorder here

Book Review // Frankly In Love

Rating: 3/5

Review:

I have never read a YA book that screams YA as loud as FRANKLY IN LOVE. Wooooow. As I was reading, I felt completely absorbed into the body of Frank. Thoughts and quirkiness included. It had major geek moments and major 16-yo boy moments. I laughed out several times! Even though that isn’t my style, it was SO Frank! I have to give it to the author for killing this genre. 

There were a few parts that felt a bit forced for me towards the end and I wish Frank’s sister was more integral part of the story, but over all, this felt like a very genuine representation of a Korean-American household. It contained a lot of cultural references and growing pains, but it also portrayed an ordinary family who had struggles just like the next. 

Reflecting back on the entirety of the story, there were moments where it did drag and I found myself skimming. Overall, Frankly in Love felt like a well throughout out story with plenty of themes to discuss.

Synopsis:

"Frank Li has two names. There's Frank Li, his American name. Then there's Sung-Min Li, his Korean name. No one uses his Korean name, not even his parents. Frank barely speaks any Korean. He was born and raised in Southern California.

Even so, his parents still expect him to end up with a nice Korean girl--which is a problem, since Frank is finally dating the girl of his dreams: Brit Means. Brit, who is funny and nerdy just like him. Brit, who makes him laugh like no one else. Brit . . . who is white.

As Frank falls in love for the very first time, he's forced to confront the fact that while his parents sacrificed everything to raise him in the land of opportunity, their traditional expectations don't leave a lot of room for him to be a regular American teen. Desperate to be with Brit without his parents finding out, Frank turns to family friend Joy Song, who is in a similar bind. Together, they come up with a plan to help each other and keep their parents off their backs. Frank thinks he's found the solution to all his problems, but when life throws him a curveball, he's left wondering whether he ever really knew anything about love—or himself—at all." (Amazon.com)

Book Review // Such A Fun Age

Rating: 3/5

Review:

It is always difficult to stay objective when reading a hyped up book recommended by anyone, let alone recommended by Reese (or Jenna or Oprah). I really try to avoid reading reviews on these hyped books because I often fall in the “why is this book so popular?” camp. It happens far too often for me. 

Such A Fun Age was a disjointed, poorly executed, and unfortunate attempt to address stereotypes and implicit bias. The premise had promise, it really did. I was there for the story of Emira. Unfortunately, the author took some pretty heavy racial issues and filled them with so many stereotypes it was difficult for me to overlook. There were so many chaotic times throughout the book because the dialogue was hard to follow. I found myself skimming towards the end. 

Even though I think the execution was poorly delivered, I do believe this would be a great candidate for a book club book. I believe the discussion would help those in the book club take an introspective look at themselves and how they can learn to not have implicit biases.

Synopsis:

"Alix Chamberlain is a woman who gets what she wants and has made a living, with her confidence-driven brand, showing other women how to do the same. So she is shocked when her babysitter, Emira Tucker, is confronted while watching the Chamberlains' toddler one night, walking the aisles of their local high-end supermarket. The store's security guard, seeing a young black woman out late with a white child, accuses Emira of kidnapping two-year-old Briar. A small crowd gathers, a bystander films everything, and Emira is furious and humiliated. Alix resolves to make things right.

But Emira herself is aimless, broke, and wary of Alix's desire to help. At twenty-five, she is about to lose her health insurance and has no idea what to do with her life. When the video of Emira unearths someone from Alix's past, both women find themselves on a crash course that will upend everything they think they know about themselves, and each other." (Amazon.com)

Book Review // P.S. I Love You

Rating: 3/5

Review:

Don’t come at me. 

But. 

The movie is better than the book 😬 

PS I Love You was published in 2003, and the movie came out in 2007. And since I obviously didn’t read the book before watching the movie, I had a very hard time not comparing the two.

The plots are very very very different. The main story of Holly’s husband passing away and giving her letters over the following year to open is basically the only thing that the two have in common. Which I guess is a plus for both the movie and the book because it was like hearing a brand new story. 

But the book lacks the depth and emotion of Holly’s grieving process. The movie hits this part of her story powerfully and beautifully. And maybe it’s Hillary Swank killing it in her role as Holly, but regardless, the book was one note and that was very disappointing. And plus it’s very easy to notice the difference while reading. 

Anyways, grab the 🍿 and watch the movie instead. 

Synopsis:

"Everyone needs a guardian angel. Some people wait their whole lives to find their soul mates. But not Holly and Gerry. Childhood sweethearts, they can finish each other's sentences and even when they fight, they laugh. No one can imagine Holly and Gerry without each other. Until the unthinkable happens.

Gerry's death devastates Holly. But as her 30th birthday looms, Gerry comes back to her. He's left her a bundle of notes, one for each of the months after his death, gently guiding Holly into her new life without him, each note signed 'PS, I Love You'. As the notes are gradually opened, and as the year unfolds, Holly is both cheered up and challenged. The man who knows her better than anyone sets out to teach her that life goes on. With some help from her friends, and her noisy and loving family, Holly finds herself laughing, crying, singing, dancing--and being braver than ever before. Life is for living, she realizes--but it always helps if there's an angel watching over you." (Amazon.com)

Book Review // The Friend Zone

Rating: 4/5

Review:

Why this wasn’t a 5 ⭐️

What I liked:

▪️main character Kristen struggles with endometriosis which encourages conversation and awareness.

▪️super flirty and fun banter between Kristen and Josh.

▪️Freaking Josh. He was the star for me. He was patient, level headed, and sensitive. IMO, his character development was the strongest out of everyone in this book. Everyone needs a “Josh” in their life! So grateful I found mine 🥰

▪️I wanted more out of Sloan and Brandon. Their story held my interest!

Why it missed the mark:

▪️Kristen was very unlikable 😬. She had some good moments, but overall, I found her personality pretty annoying.

▪️I guessed the ending. 

▪️Felt 50-75 pages too long. The middle dragged.

▪️Quite a few undeveloped parts in the book that could have been left out or more polished. 

▪️The ending was too...perfect (maybe even unrealistic and unfair?). I can see how this may have bothered readers who have struggled with years of infertility. 

WITH THAT BEING SAID, would I recommend it? YES! For a romcom, I was pleasantly surprised at the depth this story had. The ending was very sweet. And I’m excited to read the sequel this year.

🔥: 2 sex scenes (can easily be skipped over, you KNOW when it’s coming) and lots of flirty and lustful inner and outer dialogue.

🗣: bad language throughout but not excessive. 

Synopsis:

"Kristen Peterson doesn't do drama, will fight to the death for her friends, and has no room in her life for guys who just don't get her. She's also keeping a big secret: facing a medically necessary procedure that will make it impossible for her to have children.
Planning her best friend's wedding is bittersweet for Kristen -- especially when she meets the best man, Josh Copeland. He's funny, sexy, never offended by her mile-wide streak of sarcasm, and always one chicken enchilada ahead of her hangry. Even her dog, Stuntman Mike, adores him. The only catch: Josh wants a big family someday. Kristen knows he'd be better off with someone else, but as their attraction grows, it's harder and harder to keep him at arm's length." (Amazon.com)

Book Review // Olive Kitterage

Rating: 2/5

Review:

I have never read a book like this before. It felt so unorganized, scattered, many “what’s the point?” thoughts went through my head, and I had an overall dislike for every single character. 

Like most books, I love going in without knowing too much about the premise. It is so enjoyable for me to go in blind! BUT!!! Olive Kitterage is one of those books that needs a disclaimer, maybe: ALERT! 🚨 Each chapter in this book is a short story, where the characters really have little to do with each other, except there is a FAINT line stringing through which is called Olive Kitterage.“

I could not get behind Olive’s curmudgeon-type personality. She was SO unlikable!! Plus, everyone in the town was miserable and pretty much caused pain to everyone in their wake. I couldn’t believe how much infidelity was happening! The only redeeming character was Christopher. I admired his growth by the end. 

I guess when a book leaves me with zero takeaways and impressions, it cannot be worth more that ⭐️⭐️. Honestly, I can’t say any positive about this book.

Synopsis:

"At the edge of the continent, Crosby, Maine, may seem like nowhere, but seen through this brilliant writer’s eyes, it’s in essence the whole world, and the lives that are lived there are filled with all of the grand human drama–desire, despair, jealousy, hope, and love. 

At times stern, at other times patient, at times perceptive, at other times in sad denial, Olive Kitteridge, a retired schoolteacher, deplores the changes in her little town and in the world at large, but she doesn’t always recognize the changes in those around her: a lounge musician haunted by a past romance: a former student who has lost the will to live: Olive’s own adult child, who feels tyrannized by her irrational sensitivities; and Henry, who finds his loyalty to his marriage both a blessing and a curse. 

As the townspeople grapple with their problems, mild and dire, Olive is brought to a deeper understanding of herself and her life–sometimes painfully, but always with ruthless honesty. Olive Kitteridge offers profound insights into the human condition–its conflicts, its tragedies and joys, and the endurance it requires." (Amazon.com)

Book Review // Dear Mr. Knightley

Rating: 4/5

Review:

Quirky and sweet, but it had a wonderful amount of depth and character. I caught myself several times tearing up! Reay wrote these characters in a way where they all (eventually) burrowed their way into your heart. Kyle! And Alex! Mr and Mrs Muir!! 🥰 The ending was a bit different than what I thought would play out, but I didn’t dislike it, just maybe found it too predictable. Regardless, it was absolutely charming!! 

This book is free of steam and language. It was an absolute delightful and I would recommend it anyone! 

*does graze the surface of the foster care system and the challenging childhoods many have faced. 

Synopsis:

"Sam is, to say the least, bookish. An English major of the highest order, her diet has always been Austen, Dickens, and Shakespeare. The problem is, both her prose and conversation tend to be more Elizabeth Bennet than Samantha Moore.

But life for the twenty-three-year-old orphan is about to get stranger than fiction. An anonymous, Dickensian benefactor (calling himself Mr. Knightley) offers to put Sam through Northwestern University’s prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.

As Sam’s memory mingles with that of eligible novelist Alex Powell, her letters to Mr. Knightley become increasingly confessional. While Alex draws Sam into a world of warmth and literature that feels like it’s straight out of a book, old secrets are drawn to light. And as Sam learns to love and trust Alex and herself, she learns once again how quickly trust can be broken.

Reminding us all that our own true character is not meant to be hidden, Katherine Reay’s debut novel follows one young woman’s journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become." (Amazon.com)

Book Review // Inheritance

Rating: 3.5/5

Review:

This unique memoir tells the tragic story of Dani Shaperio after doing a simple genealogy DNA kit to find out her father was not her biological father. Dani wrote Inheritance during the entire process and you could feel her pain with every page. She put all her feelings, vulnerabilities, and fear out there. I really loved this memoir because it felt different. It wasn’t the typical vibe of “this is my entire life, A to Z ,” but a deeper look at this heartbreaking and unfortunate turn of events that changed her entire life. I did find myself skimming occasionally, but probably because she wrote with a bit of mystery aspect that left me so anxious to know the full story. 

Synopsis:

"What makes us who we are? What combination of memory, history, biology, experience, and that ineffable thing called the soul defines us?
     In the spring of 2016, through a genealogy website to which she had whimsically submitted her DNA for analysis, Dani Shapiro received the stunning news that her father was not her biological father. She woke up one morning and her entire history--the life she had lived--crumbled beneath her.
Inheritance is a book about secrets--secrets within families, kept out of shame or self-protectiveness; secrets we keep from one another in the name of love. It is the story of a woman's urgent quest to unlock the story of her own identity, a story that has been scrupulously hidden from her for more than fifty years, years she had spent writing brilliantly, and compulsively, on themes of identity and family history. It is a book about the extraordinary moment we live in--a moment in which science and technology have outpaced not only medical ethics but also the capacities of the human heart to contend with the consequences of what we discover." (Amazon.com)

Book Review // Paradise Books 1&2

Rating: 4/5

Review:

I’m hooked on this series! 🏖 And can’t wait for book 3 (the last in the series) to come out later this year. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
It’s a mystery of a woman’s husband who died while on a vacation she didn’t know he was on. Later she finds out, he was living a separate life with another woman! 😱😱 It’s twisty and complicated and heartfelt. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
Surprise, I’m constantly annoyed with the lack of chapters and only alternating POV, BUT if you’re wanting to pick up an Elin Hilderbrand series, skip Winter Street and go for the Paradise books! It’s not like revolutionary when it comes to substance and refinement, but the series is perfect for the moment and highly enjoyable!

Synopsis:

"Irene Steele's idyllic life - house, husband, family - is shattered when she is woken up by a late-night phone call. Her beloved husband has been found dead, but before Irene can process this tragic news, she must confront the perplexing details of her husband's death. He was found on St. John, a tropical island paradise far removed from their suburban life. Leaving the cold winter behind, Irene flies down to the beautiful Caribbean beaches of St. John only to make another shocking discovery: her husband had a secret second family. 

As Irene investigates the mysterious circumstances of her husband's death, she is plunged into a web of intrigue and deceit belied by the pristine white sand beaches of St. John." (Book 1, Book 2)

Book Review // Mr. Nobody

*Thank you Random House for this gifted copy!

Rating: 3.5/5

Review:

The synopsis had me HOOKED! A man is found on a beach with no memory but some how knows the doctor?? I was ready for it! ⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣
It was SO GOOD until the last 50 pages and I said aloud, “Wait, who is Mr Nobody?? And how did we get to this point?” I didn’t hate the ending, but there were way too many loose ends. I’m sorry, but I prefer my endings to be wrapped up in a pretty little bow. #sorrynotsorry⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣
It missed the mark for me to be considered a GREAT thriller. Maybe it should be classified as a mystery? There were too many sideline plot distractions [her dad] that by the end it felt unnecessary and I was frustrated she gave it so much attention. There were also underdeveloped characters [like Chris] which made it hard to believe and felt too cliché by the end. ⁣⁣ ⁣
⁣
Ultimately, the story dragged in parts and felt too wordy. I do feel like she brought up very interesting points about mental health but maybe just didn’t execute it as well as she had hoped. Close but no cigar again, Steadman.

Synopsis:

"Who is Mr. Nobody?

When a man is found on a British beach, drifting in and out of consciousness, with no identification and unable to speak, interest in him is sparked immediately. From the hospital staff who find themselves inexplicably drawn to him, to international medical experts who are baffled by him, to the national press who call him Mr. Nobody, everyone wants answers. Who is this man? And what happened to him?

Some memories are best forgotten.

Neuropsychiatrist Dr. Emma Lewis is asked to assess the patient in a small town deep in the English countryside. This is her field of expertise, this is the chance she's been waiting for, and this case could make her name known across the world. But therein lies the danger. Emma left this same town 14 years ago and has taken great pains to cover all traces of her past since then.

Places aren't haunted...people are.

But now, something - or someone - is calling her back. And the more time she spends with her patient, the more alarmed she becomes that he knows the one thing about her that nobody is supposed to know." (Amazon.com)

Book Review // The Flatshare

Rating: 5/5

Review:

THIS BOOK. I binge-read this book so quickly after seeing a few high ratings
⁣
I loved everything. It felt fresh and unique! It had SHORT CHAPTERS 👏🏻👏🏻 It had depth and likable characters who had imperfections but also grew throughout the story. Tiffy, my girl! And Leon!! And the sidebar plots of Mr. Priot and Leon’s brother didn’t take over but instead they supported the overall story. Loved it so so so much. ⁣
⁣
⭐️Something totally new, I decided on who I would love to see as the main leads, Felicity Jones and Alfred Enoch (Dean from Harry Potter, the kid has grown up! 😍). Can’t you see it?? Ahhhh this is a book I would love to see make it to the big screen. ⁣

⁣
▪️language: British conversations (F words included but not excessive).⁣
▪️sex: implications and mild foreplay but nothing graphic.

Synopsis:

"Tiffy and Leon share an apartment. Tiffy and Leon have never met.

After a bad breakup, Tiffy Moore needs a place to live. Fast. And cheap. But the apartments in her budget have her wondering if astonishingly colored mold on the walls counts as art.

Desperation makes her open minded, so she answers an ad for a flatshare. Leon, a night shift worker, will take the apartment during the day, and Tiffy can have it nights and weekends. He'll only ever be there when she's at the office. In fact, they'll never even have to meet.

Tiffy and Leon start writing each other notes - first about what day is garbage day, and politely establishing what leftovers are up for grabs, and the evergreen question of whether the toilet seat should stay up or down. Even though they are opposites, they soon become friends. And then maybe more.

But falling in love with your roommate is probably a terrible idea...especially if you've never met." (Amazon.com)

Book Review // The Rosie Project

Rating: 3/5

Review: 

Liked it okay, but definitely didn’t love it. I found it extremely difficult to read Don’s perspective! Maybe my eyes were tired, who knows, but it wasn’t the easy skimming book I assumed it would be. ⁣

⁣

I will say though, I LOVED Don. I loved his hilarious stories like The Jacket Situation and the various questions regarding his potential wife. By the end, I was very much invested in Don’s character. ⁣

⁣

BUT- Rosie. She didn’t do anything for me. It might have helped to have a switching POV chapter for chapter to get more of who Rosie was, but oof, she was a challenge for me.

Synopsis:
"The art of love is never a science: Meet Don Tillman, a brilliant yet socially inept professor of genetics, who’s decided it’s time he found a wife. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which Don approaches all things, he designs the Wife Project to find his perfect partner: a sixteen-page, scientifically valid survey to filter out the drinkers, the smokers, the late arrivers. 

Rosie Jarman possesses all these qualities. Don easily disqualifies her as a candidate for The Wife Project (even if she is “quite intelligent for a barmaid”). But Don is intrigued by Rosie’s own quest to identify her biological father. When an unlikely relationship develops as they collaborate on The Father Project, Don is forced to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie―and the realization that, despite your best scientific efforts, you don’t find love, it finds you." (Amazon.com)

Book Review // Salt to the Sea

Rating: 5/5

Review: 

After reading The Fountains of Silence (which I LOVED), I realized that a YA historical fiction can be just as deep and complex as an adult historical fiction book. The writing style is different and quicker paced and might not give every single detail, but the emotion and heartbreak in the tragedy is still there.⁣
⁣
Salt to the Sea gave us a closer look at what the refuge situation was like after WWII. Millions of people were found displaced after the war and left to find safety. Cities were destroyed in air raids and the Russians were invading towns killing anyone getting in their way. There were so many running for their lives and trying to go where they could be safe. I’m kind of shocked this was my first book regarding this topic. Obviously, when there is war, there are refugees. The two go hand in hand.⁣
⁣
Ruta gave us accounts of 4 people who met up along the way trying to get to the Baltic Sea. The Germans were transporting refugees across the Sea to get to safety, all amidst air raids, freezing cold waters, and overcrowded ships. The ships were holding 10x their capacity, and still had to leave thousands upon thousands still on the shore. Each individual story was so tragic to read, but Ruta was able to intertwine each detail and somehow still give us hope.⁣
⁣
I love her writing style. She is a master storyteller and you can tell while reading how much detail and research she did in order for this story to come together. I had no clue to the extent of what happened on the Baltic Sea. How did this happen and how do so many of us not know anything about it?

Synopsis:
"Winter 1945. WWII. Four refugees. Four stories.

Each one born of a different homeland; each one hunted, and haunted, by tragedy, lies, war. As thousands desperately flock to the coast in the midst of a Soviet advance, four paths converge, vying for passage aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that promises safety and freedom. But not all promises can be kept . . ." (Amazon.com)

Book Review // American Royals

Rating: 3/5

Review: 

Pros:

◾️read quick

◾️little language and zero sex

◾️good amount of drama

◾️Gossip Girl vibes with very entitled and out of touch with reality young adults

◾️fun concept of a royal family in America

Cons:

◾️over 400 pages 

◾️it felt VERY YA at times

◾️didn’t give much history of how the Royal family came about. Could have benefitted from more backstory. 

◾️the middle dragged on 

◾️again, over 400 pages!!!! 

Overall, this book was ok for me. I felt bored a bit in the middle, but the last 1/3 picked up speed and the story developed more for me to give it 3.5 ⭐️ instead of 3⭐️. This is also Book 1 in the new series and I liked enough to put it on my radar when Book 2 comes out Fall 2020. 

Synopsis:

"When America won the Revolutionary War, its people offered General George Washington a crown. Two and a half centuries later, the House of Washington still sits on the throne. Like most royal families, the Washingtons have an heir and a spare. A future monarch and a backup battery. Each child knows exactly what is expected of them. But these aren't just any royals. They're American.

As Princess Beatrice gets closer to becoming America's first queen regnant, the duty she has embraced her entire life suddenly feels stifling. Nobody cares about the spare except when she's breaking the rules, so Princess Samantha doesn't care much about anything, either . . . except the one boy who is distinctly off-limits to her. And then there's Samantha's twin, Prince Jefferson. If he'd been born a generation earlier, he would have stood first in line for the throne, but the new laws of succession make him third. Most of America adores their devastatingly handsome prince . . . but two very different girls are vying to capture his heart." (Amazon.com)

Audiobook Review // Daisy Jones & the Six

Rating: 5/5

Review: 

DAISY JONES  🎧  W O W. My thoughts as I finished up the audio:

1. Why did it take me so long to start this?
2. Is Daisy a real person? ...proceeds to google “is Daisy Jones an actual person?”
3. Is Karen’s voice Tom Tom?? 
4. Benjamin Bratt needs to narrate more audiobooks!!
5. Where can I buy the soundtrack??

I just can’t express to you how incredible this audiobook was for me. Especially since I’m not an audiobook person! It was incredible because:

1. It read like a VH1 documentary. 
2. The full 👏🏻 cast 👏🏻 of 👏🏻 characters! So so so good and brought everyone to life. 
3. Very very gritty!!! Very rock n roll! 

This wouldn’t work for you if you don’t like to learn about a rock n roll band behind the music story or bad language or drug usage 😬 This is definitely an adults only type of audiobook. Keep those earbuds in!! 

Synopsis:

"Daisy is a girl coming of age in L.A. in the late sixties, sneaking into clubs on the Sunset Strip, sleeping with rock stars, and dreaming of singing at the Whisky a Go Go. The sex and drugs are thrilling, but it’s the rock ’n’ roll she loves most. By the time she’s twenty, her voice is getting noticed, and she has the kind of heedless beauty that makes people do crazy things.

Also getting noticed is The Six, a band led by the brooding Billy Dunne. On the eve of their first tour, his girlfriend Camila finds out she’s pregnant, and with the pressure of impending fatherhood and fame, Billy goes a little wild on the road.

Daisy and Billy cross paths when a producer realizes that the key to supercharged success is to put the two together. What happens next will become the stuff of legend." (Amazon.com)

Book Review // A Simple Wild

Rating: 3/5

Review: 

I know this book had a huge fan base surrounding it, soooo I’m sorry if this review isn’t what you were expecting! 

I liked it! Really liked the story and I even liked the ending. 

I have three criticisms that make it 3.5 ⭐️:

1. The middle fell flat for me. The story slowed down. The characters stopped growing and developing. Nothing really happened??  

2. As for the characters, my biggest issue was Calla. Ugh girl, you bugged me big time. Her “type” of being a high maintenance girl felt very forced. 

3. Not a memorable story. I’ll probably forget all about this book in a month. I think the author did too many tangent story lines. If she concentrated more on the reconnection between Calla and her father, instead of the love story between Calla and Jonah, I might have liked it more. I don’t know.

I would still recommend it though. It was a quick read and still was enjoyable. And loved the Alaska aspect! 

Synopsis:

"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." (Amazon.com)