Love runs wild at the Sagebrush Flats Zoo, where a motley crew of big-hearted animals helps the most unlikely couples find love.When Katie Underwood discovers a litter of newborn cougar cubs, the last person she expects to come to the rescue is her former crush—and high school nemesis—Bowie Wilson. The worst part? He doesn’t seem to remember the trouble he caused her.As a single father and owner … caused her.
As a single father and owner of a cash-strapped zoo, Bowie struggles to balance budgets while raising his pre-teen daughter and a host of rascally animals. He considers himself lucky when Katie agrees to lend her talents to a publicity campaign in support of the zoo’s animal rehabilitation programs—until he learns just what she’s planning…
This time, Katie is determined to resist Bowie’s charm. But a lovelorn camel, a matchmaking honey badger, and a nursemaid capybara have different plans. Can they and the rest of the zoo’s menagerie help Bowie break through the barriers surrounding Katie’s heart?
Love can’t be tamed…
Where the Wild Hearts Are series:
Wild On My Mind (Book 1)
more
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) This book was cute sometimes I felt it a little out there but I trudged alone and did finish it. Their were something that I appreciated like the the issue of bullying, it happened and they dealt with it. Also how H didn’t back down and she stuck to her gun and the Hero realized that it was his fault and he apologized profusely to the heroine but forgiveness was in her hands.
I fell in love with the way this story was written. It was witty and charming with the zoo animals take on the bipeds life. Tough subject to discuss and overcome but with family and friends you can get through and come out stronger. Katie understood what Abby was going through and with the love Abby received from her dad Bowie they all come out great in the end. The story was perfectly paced pulling you in from the start.
This was a good read! The writing flowed well, and I loved the characters. Bowie was a good dad, and I loved that he was trying hard to make up for past mistakes. Katie was a strong woman, but I did get annoyed at the way she held Bowie apart from everything else in her life. She hurt him, and didn’t see it until he pointed it out to her. I knew there was going to be more to the Sawyer story line, but I didn’t see what she did coming. I was SO happy that Katie was adult enough to not let it bother her. I loved all the secondary characters (besides Sawyer), and they all added something to the story. Fluffy’s parts were funny, and it was interesting to have that point of view thrown in. This was a first for me from this author, but I will be reading her again!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
Katie was bullied in school by Bowie, the guy she crushed hard on, so running into her torturer 10 years later doesn’t give her immediate warm fuzzies. Katie has come a long way from being the bullied nerdy girl and her resilience, determination and sass reflected that.
Bowie has matured since his troubled youth, but once he realizes who Katie is isn’t an easy feat. As I learned what Bowie did to Katie, I admit it did rile me up! However, I respected him for taking responsibility and trying to show Katie just how far he’s come, but boy, did Katie make him work at it! Bowie was easy like because I saw him as the person he is now. Respectable, quick witted, and a strong hands-on parent, but Katie’s leery of letting him close in case the past happens again and he has a difficult road to travel winning her trust.
This was a good read! I would call it a well-earned second chance story. The characters were dimensional and the writing smooth. I thought the romance was good, but the journey was even better. It didn’t hurt to have so many furry matchmakers either! I apologize to the main characters now, but Fluffy, the honey badger was the real star of the show! His matchmaking logic was simple, but the execution was entertaining and hilarious!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 Heartwarming Stars
Review by Lisa
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
Once in a while you find a book that touches all the feels and deals with a very touchy topic in the world we live in today and this is one of those books. Wild on my Mind by Laurel Kerr is the first book in the Where the Wild Hearts Are series. Being that this is Ms. Kerr’s debut novel, it just blows my mind how amazing this book is. So well written, story flowed effortlessly and captivated my attention from the start.
Even with the touch of fantasy, the story line is amazing. The details are so complete that you want to cry and laugh and be angry all the same time.
Katie finds unattended newborn cougar cubs and when she calls for help, she comes face to face with the one man she was hoping to never see again–Bowie, her former high school crush and nemesis. But the thing is he doesn’t recognize her.
Bowie is a single father, and owner of a zoo that is slowing going under. With everything going on in his life, he is relieved when Katie agrees to help feed the newborn cubs and help try and bring some spark back into the zoo. Until he learns what she has up her sleeve.
But is redemption worth it? How hard is it for forgive when all, including the animals are pushing them together. A complex story at its best!! Touching the bullying topic that makes your heart ache for the Katie. But life has a funny way of handing out “Karma”.
I just loved this story from start to fnish and everything in between.
In a word, this book was adorable. It was a balance of light – almost campy at times – fun, and deeper emotional punches. There’s a little bit of everything here (including some action and mild suspense), and it was a captivating ride.
I loved the nature of Bowie and Katie’s relationship. Katie is #girlgoals – a fantastic heroine who is strong, kind, even-tempered, and smart. I adored her. And I loved the uniqueness of how her relationship with Bowie evolved. It was heartwarming, sweet, and completely satisfying.
The writing was a little uneven for me sometimes. I felt like there was a lot crammed into the book, and so I found myself skimming occasionally to get to the meaty bits. Over-all, however, I was charmed. I loved the zoo animals and the mischief they made. I loved the dynamic of Katie and Bowie’s relationship with Bowie’s daughter Abby. I loved the subtle twists and turns that the story took, and the growth I got to see in nearly every character. And I loved the sweet, sweet ending that left my heart full and happy.
Overall? I am happy to have read this book. It’s a solid start to a new series and an author I would definitely read again. ~ 3.5 stars
Some people change. The question is whether it’s a change for the better or worse. Wild on My Mind is the chance at a new beginning for two lonely hearts and a broken down zoo. Kerr tells the story of a the blossoming of romance. With the help of some adorably cuddly matchmakers to lend a hand. Beauty is all around, we just have to look beyond the surface to find the treasure hidden within. Kerr delivers a message I can get behind in this lighthearted sweet tale.
I really enjoyed how well Kerr captured Bowie’s growth since school and Katie’s struggles not just coming face to face with him after all these years but also with the long term effects her high school years had on her.
Bowie had his reasons for doing the things he did (in addition to being a stupid teenager) but he didn’t really understand exactly how damaging his actions were. Now the dad of a preteen daughter it hits home a little too hard exactly what he did. But the years have also turned him into a stand-up guy and he’s not going to hide from it. Hopefully, though, he can prove to Katie exactly how much he’s changed.
I can’t imagine how hard it was for Katie to meet Bowie again. High school can be bad under normal circumstances and truly awful when you find yourself a target. But she handles it with class. She doesn’t let him completely off the hook but she keeps her sense of humor about her when she goes about getting her revenge. Revenge that has her spending time with Bowie and his endearing family, both two legged and four. Before long she’s finding them all pretty hard to resist.
If the zoo’s misfit animals don’t steal your heart, then Bowie’s cute-as-a-button daughter definitely will. They provide a little extra charm to be the backdrop of an already delightfully irresistible guy who is trying really hard to prove that he deserves a second chance. Full of humor and fun, with the right amount of heartfelt moments and even a little suspense mixed in, Kerr delivers an absolutely adorable read that I found pretty darn hard to put down.
**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**