The Simple Wild – K.A. Tucker
Published: 7th August 2018Source: Scribd
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, New Adult
My Rating:
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.
You know you're on to a winner when the book you're reading has you tearing up and it has barely started. I was a sobbing mess by the end of this book, like ugly crying, face blotchy crying when it was all over. It was not pretty but the emotion was so worth it for this book!
The Simple Wild had been on my radar for at least a year and I kept convincing myself not to buy it because it was a lot of money to spend on a book if I didn’t like it. Then I saw it on Scribd and I figured I might as well read one book with this 30 day free trial and I am so glad I did. This book was devoured in one sitting and I don’t think I could have read it any other way. I was dying to know how the book would develop and, honestly, it would have been too painful to read stretched over several days or several sittings. I didn’t even get distracted reading like I usually do. There was no looking at my phone constantly, or looking up something up online. None of that, It was just so good I did not want to put it down for even a second.
So this book is all about Calla, who has a father in Alaska she hasn’t spoken to in years and has never actually seen face to face (because no one remembers being a baby so meeting before the age of two does not count). She receives some news that her father’s health is less than stellar she throws caution to the wind and heads to the far reaches of Alaska to finally meet her dad and boy am I glad she did. I actually really liked the character of Calla. I admit I might have judged her a little at first, much like Jonah did. When it was mentioned she had a standing appointment for her nails and begged her stylist for a last minute hair appointment before she went to Alaska I did worry we wouldn't get on. I mean, it seemed a little superficial… but then if you were meeting your father for the first time I guess you kind of want to look your best. Thankfully, I was as wrong as Jonah was. Yes Calla liked to look good and, like any of us, spent too much money on clothes but that wasn't all she was and I loved seeing her have the chance to realise that too. During her time in Alaska she lost her clothes and was stuck wearing uncomfortable shows and like two pairs of jeans, and she has all of her makeup and hair products taken away from her for a while. but during all this she learnt that her appearance didn’t define her. This is especially significant as she was a lifestyle blogger with a strong social media presence where appearance is everything. Throughout this she learnt that she was more than how she looked and a picture didn’t tell a whole story and I really liked that aspect of the book and do wish that could have been explored a bit more.
Another thing I really liked in this book? The romance! Jonah was a sweetheart who I kind of hated at first appearance and was slowly charmed by as you learnt he was not as much of a dick as he first presented himself to be. Jonah is Calla’s pilot to the small town her father lives in and he gives the absolute worst first impression but he is a big presence in her dad’s life and quickly becomes a regular in Calla’s days in Alaska. The banter between Jonah and Calla was A+ and I couldn't get enough of them getting funny digs in and their joking. They were so entertaining to read together. I have always loved some good banter in romance because it so damn fun to read and you definitely get that here. And I think you needed the fun banter between Calla and Jonah to balance some of the heavy emotions which come up within this book because otherwise it would just be too much. I adored their romance but I don't think it was my highlight.
My favourite part of this book were the family connections. Honestly, I adored Wren, Calla's father, and the sweet moments of them being together as they tentatively got to know each other. They were both so hesitant around each other but I was crying at little moments like Wren being willing to eat a salad Calla had prepared even though he hated vegetables just so he could say he enjoyed a meal his daughter prepared. I was crying at him drinking the coffee she made even though she was clueless and it was way too strong. Seriously, this book has me tearing up even thinking about it. I will always love a strong family connection in a book but this father/daughter relationship just killed me. And let’s not forget Wren’s makeshift Alaska family of Mabel, Agnes and Jonah and really all of Bangor, Alaska was brilliant. It was so lovely to see this small, close knit community and how everyone there seemed to be part of this massive extended family. I adored how close everyone was and I just wanted to be part of it for a little while. This book had me about ready to book a flight out to Alaska.
This will definitely be going into a favourites list because I couldn't put it down. I will be investing my money in my own copy soon enough because this book destroyed my emotions and I am sure I’ll want to return for the happy moments.
Have you read this, or any other books by K.A. Rucker? And what was the last book you read which destroyed you emotionally?
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