Review: Wild at Heart by K.A. Tucker

WILD AT HEART
K.A. Tucker
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Released: February 18, 2020
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4 stars

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 interior 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.

After reading – and loving – The Simple Wild in 2018, I was so excited when Tucker announced the continuation of Calla and Jonah’s story in Wild at Heart. And I thoroughly enjoyed this look at what happens beyond the fade-to-black happily ever after. 

When Calla returned to Alaska she was thrilled to be reunited with Jonah but that was quickly tempered by the realities of life in her newly adopted home. Calla was completely out of her element and began to feel resentful when she felt she was the one doing all the compromising. At times I was frustrated with her and wanted to tell her to stop acting like such a spoiled princess. While I could understand the culture shock she was experiencing, it took her a long time to engage in her new life and actually make an effort to expand her horizons. She constantly compared her new small town life to her big city background and found it lacking. Over time, sometimes even despite herself, she did meet new people, form connections, and began to make a place for herself in her new community. I really loved the growth in Calla over the course of the story and it felt like her evolution was the crux of the book.

I sensed the tectonic shift somewhere deep inside – my time in Alaska had changed me in ways I couldn’t pinpoint but also couldn’t ignore. Who I was and who I am now seem like two different people.

The secondary characters went a long way in making the story come to life. Tucker assembled a cast of characters that were bursting with personality and I could practically see strong-willed Muriel and the curmudgeonly Roy. And then there was calm and steady Jonah who was trying so hard to balance his love of flying and the long hours away from home with Calla’s shaky start in Alaska and her growing pains as she struggled to find an identity for herself outside of Jonah’s girlfriend. They hit some rocky patches along the way but I loved the journey. 


YOU CAN FIND WILD AT HEART HERE:


30 comments

  1. I read The Simple Wild earlier this year and loved it; now I really can't wait to get to this one!

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  2. I found this one harder to read than the first because I just wanted them to be happy, but I think it did a great job of showing that not everything is always rosy and we have to work hard in relationships to find balance. Great review!

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    1. Same, Deanna! It was hard to see them feeling kind of disconnected while Calla found her way but I thought Tucker made it feel so realistic. Things don't just magically fall into place.

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  3. I won’t lie, at first I was so excited to see there was a sequel to The Simple Wild and then I was nervous because what if I didn’t like it? Seeing you enjoyed this sequel makes me feel like I should get over myself and just read it already.

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    1. I felt the same way, Becky. I was happy with hw The Simple Wild ended and felt okay leaving it at that. But I also was excited at the chance for more Calla and Jonah! :) It really was worth it.

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  4. I love this book so much - already read it three times this year. And can't wait to read the novella.

    ~ Corina | TheBrownEyedBookworm.com

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  5. I ended up liking this book, but I felt like it took too long to get to the heart of the story. Once it got there, I was all in.

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    1. I found that a bit but wasn't really put off by it. There were times I wanted to shake Calla for being so wrapped up in her own wants and needs but I really liked where she ended up.

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  6. I've had an audio and e-copy of this book, but I've hesitated to start it because I loved the first book so much I didn't want to ruin it. It sounds like Calla starts off kind of like she did in the first book, spoiled princess. I think I'd have to have some patience to go there again. Glad to hear she grew as a person and you ended up loving her all over again. I'll get to this someday! :)

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    1. I was a bit hesitant, too, Rachel. I mean, The Simple Wild ended in a way that I could use my imagination and conceive of an HEA. But I loved Calla and Jonah a lot and I was excited at the thought of more of their story. I'm so glad I took the chance but it really was worth it. :)

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  7. I can't wait to read this book! I loved the first one :D
    Great review!

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  8. You convonced me to give it a chance Tanya! I was not certain as I loved the first one so much I feared she would destroy the magic!

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  9. i love when secondary characters stand out. glad the series keeps on giving
    sherry @ fundinmental

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    1. Thanks Sherry. Great secondary characters make for such a well-rounded story.

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  10. It’s been a while since I read anything by this author but this does sound good!

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  11. This sounds like a lovely read to embrace, although I would struggle with aspects of the heroine I think at times. But then I tend to adapt to new circumstances pretty fast so I don't understand that particular reluctance to take your "time"

    Great review and hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

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    1. Yeah, Calla definitely still had some growing to do and was quite the fish out of water for a while.

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  12. I had no idea that this was a continuation of the story from Simple Wild. It sounds like I need to read both books since I am pretty sure that I would like the series.

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    1. The Simple Wild was just a remarkable story. I hope you'll enjoy it if you decide to pick it up.

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  13. This sounds lovely. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it since I still have it and The Simple Wild on my kindle. I'm absolutely determined to read The Simple Wild before the end of the year.

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    1. I hope you manage to squeak it in before the end of the year, Suzanne!

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  14. I'm glad you loved the sequel. i heard there was a third book too?

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. Yes! Forever Wild comes out next month. Super excited for that. :)

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  15. I love when an author continues characters from a story that I adore! Wonderful review! I haven't read the first book in this duology but I do have Anathema by her and it sounds like a lot of fun!
    Jen @ Star-Crossed Book Blog

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    1. Same here, Jen. I just love revisiting favorite characters.

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