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 … 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.
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A SIMPLE WILD is a wonderful story that mostly takes place in Bangor, Alaska. The Prologue is a heart-breaking scene when Susan and toddler daughter Calla, are leaving Alaska. Their tickets are one way to Toronto. The husband, Wren Fletcher, is standing there watching the love of his life and precious daughter leave Alaska. There are no plans of coming back. Susan can’t bear the misery and isolation of Alaska. She had thought that the love and adoration for her husband would overcome anything Alaska threw at her. But she hated living in the last American frontier. She wanted Wren to come with her and he was never going to leave Alaska. “You knew when you married me that Alaska is my home. You can’t just change your mind now and expect me to up and abandon my entire life.”
Twenty-four years later, and Calla is living a very privileged life, with her mother and wealthy step-father, who is her own live-in psychiatrist. Twenty-six years old and still living at home. When her world is suddenly changed. In one day, she loses her job, catches her boyfriend cheating, and finds out her father, who she hasn’t seen in twenty-four years, has lung cancer. With advice from her wise step-dad, Simon, she is Alaska bound to try and fix the relationship with her father.
There are many humorous moments with Calla facing the shock of life in Alaska. Of meeting her father again. Of caring about the people that are now his family. She extends her visit, and cancels her return to Toronto. Calla’s greatest mistake might be finding herself not heading her mother’s advice to not fall for a rugged Alaskan bush pilot. Jonah is everything she doesn’t want in a man, but everything she finds she wants.
Calla and Jonah’s story began as a simple enemies to lovers romance, but The Simple Wild turned out to be so much more. Tucker took her readers on a journey to a small town in Alaska, and gave us a glimpse of community and family that felt completely genuine.
I just spent the last week in K.A. Tucker’s Alaska. Having just finished, my tears of sadness and happiness are still fresh as is the story of Calla, Jonah, Wren, Simon, Susan Agnes, and Mabel.
I’m hopeful that following this story, love will triumph.
The Simple Wild is long and at times complicated but nothing short of pure if that makes sense. I highly recommend it.
This story deals with every day life experiences of a big city, tiny town, and the tragedy of lung cancer.
Hug your loved ones for tomorrow is not promised.
Atmospheric, tender, and with feel-real characters who’ll make you laugh out loud and shed a few tears, this must-read book has it all. Cozy up and relax for the day, because you’ll want to do nothing but devour this stunning novel. Loved every page.
Lovedit
Audiobook Review
Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4.5 stars
There was so much hype for this book that I was a bit intimidated to start it. I decided to just jump right in though and I’m so glad I took the leap. This was a truly emotional experience. Yes, there is romance, but the larger story between Calla and her father, Wren, is the heart of this book. It made me examine my own relationship with my father and how quickly things come into focus when time isn’t on your side.
It took me a bit to warm up to Calla because she came across so shallow and privileged in the beginning. I understand that this was all a part of her character arc and was a necessary evil to allow her to really discover herself, but many times it felt over the top. I did like seeing her mature and change through the course of the book, and by the end, my heart really went out to her. The sparks between her and Jonah were deliciously fun and their banter and back and forth was one of the highlights of the book. The opposites attract/enemies to lovers vibe was the best and it was so fun seeing them try to get a rise out of the other. Jonah’s blunt honesty was a little jarring at first, but like Calla, I came to appreciate his candor. I also really loved all the secondary characters, especially patient and loving Agnes. I did shed some tears by the end of the book, but I liked that the author left the ending hopeful and open ended.
The narration by Rebekkah Ross was fantastic and I thought she did an amazing job bringing this story to life. Her male and female voices were great and I had no problem distinguishing between characters. She gave an emotional performance, one moment delivering snarky quips and the next, heart wrenching dialogue.
This is only my second KA Tucker book, but her writing is truly beautiful. Many times I felt like I was right there in Alaska. I’m excited that a sequel, Wild at Heart, is being released soon, and I can’t wait to get back into the wild with the yeti and Barbie.
This book was on several “best of 2019” lists that I came across over the holidays and I’m so glad that I found out why that’s the case. To start the new year I just wanted a simple, easy to read romance without a lot of undue angst and craziness and The Simple Wild delivered brilliantly.
The story is a slow burn romance where the main characters are kind of enemies but become fast, bantering friends in the midst of a personal crisis unfolding that effects them both drastically. The setting lends itself as another character in the story since the author so beautifully describes life in Alaska. K.A. Tucker makes readers feels as if they are actually a part of this story. The secondary characters bring more richness to the story as well.
There’s pain and forgiveness, hope and love and the exploration of all those emotions threaded throughout this book making it a wonderful romance read. I’m so glad I bought it and spent my New Year’s Day with Jonah, Calla and the rest of the Wild crew.
I’m not sure why I put off reading The Simple Wild for so long, because I loved every aspect of this book. From Calla’s relationship with her stepfather to her more thorny relationship with the Bush pilot who gets all the way under her skin. I love a great book that has not only character development, but stories that seem so real that they can’t help but tug on your heartstrings. Calla’s journey to Alaska to meet her father does all of those things.
Calla’s dad, Wren has recently learned that he has lung cancer and a family friend has called Calla to inform her that it might be a good idea to make the trip to Alaska to visit her father. Calla’s not quite sure what to think of all of this, but the call couldn’t have came at a better time. She recently got fired from a bank where she was working in Toronto and doesn’t really have anywhere pressing where she has to be. She heads to Alaska and thats where she meets Jonah, the pilot who is flying her to Bangor, Alaska. Their first encounter is chilly, even though Calla can’t seem to figure out why Jonah has it out for her.
The chemistry between Jonah and Calla was so amazing. As soon as these two have their first scene together, you are rooting for them to end up together. I loved the witty banter between these two. I hated Jonah and yet I also loved his personality and the way he would needle Calla. I loved loved loved the fact that both Jonah and Calla got to know one another first. They started off on the wrong foot, but the more you got to know both Calla and Jonah the more you hoped and wished for their love story to continue.
Wren and Calla’s relationship is best described as “it’s complicated.” Wren hasn’t been a part of Calla’s life in so long and she assumes that it’s because he loves his business more than he loves his family, his own daughter. But the truth is often complicated and Calla’s journey of self reflection and forgiveness was so heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. KA Tucker does such a wonderful job weaving all of these characters into each other lives. Jonah, Wren, Agnes, Calla and especially Calla’s mother Susan are all interconnected. This is the kind of story that I will read a hundred times and never tire of.
p.s. A few years ago, I used to watch this lovely show on the Discovery Channel called The Last Alaskans. What I loved most about that show was the relationships that these Alaskan natives had with their neighbors, how respectful they were to nature and just the general beauty of living in Alaska. This book reminds me so much about this show.
This book was incredible. I don’t think my words for this review will do it justice. The story and characters are so well developed throughout, that the feelings and emotions of these characters hits you really hard. It has made me take a step back at the life I live and how great it really is compared to so many others…kind of like a slap in the face… we take for granted so much while others are living without our simple necessities. KA Tucker has done an outstanding job with this novel and I look forward to reading more of her books.
The perfect Enemies To Lovers slow-burn romance. With enjoyable and real characters, K.A. Tucker creates a world that makes you understand how a place can captivate and ultimately change you. A must read for those who enjoy witty banter, as well as a story that tugs on the heartstrings.
4 1/2 stars. I loved it and would happily re-read it.
An absolutely gorgeous story. Jonah and Calla both should such growth, I know they made it work. Have tissues handy for the end though.
Great Romance
I’ve had this paperback for a while but just didn’t have the time to pick it up because I was swamped with Arc’s and other daily obligations.
I was actually reading an ARC but I wasn’t connecting to it and felt like it wasn’t working for me… I thought I’d pick something up—that is not an ARC, and cure whatever it was that has been plaguing me… and since the ARC isn’t due for about a week, I thought I’d revisit that after I read something from my personal pile—and decided to pick this one.
Damn. It was… I mean I knew that this was going to be an emotional read. I expected it but still I didn’t expect to bawl my eyes out. The last time I ugly-cried and sobbed towards a book this much was earlier this year when I read When Ashes Fall by Marni Mann.
I lost my father 13years on August 16th. And it doesn’t even matter if its been 2 months, 8years or even 13 years, it hurts all the same. It still hurts everyday. And I don’t think it’ll ever go away because love and grief are intertwined. You grieve the person you love. And I was a huge Daddy’s girl… Huge. I’m his errand girl and his go-to person because I’m the eldest. So this book hit me so hard.
I’ve been reading KA Tucker’s books eversince Ten Tiny Breaths was published and although I haven’t read every book she wrote, I’ve read most, and I already know in my heart that this is my favorite of them all… Well unless she writes another one that would blow me away like this one did.
My only complain is the short epilogue… I wish there was more… or an epilogue two…. lol I’m such a romantic sap.
https://benderdreamergirl.blogspot.com/2019/08/the-simple-wild-by-ka-tucker.html
I must admit I did not really like Calla at all in the beginning of the book. A 26-year-old woman still living at home, taking everything for granted. When she travels to Alaska to meet the father she has not seen for 12 years, she takes two big suitcases with her (filled with jewelry and make-up). So uhm, I did think she was kind of an airhead. Fortunately that changed haha.
But the writing took me further into the story. With small airplanes, beautiful scenery, small but fierce communities and family. Calla and pilot Jonah bicker from the start as he is not impressed with her. I loved the back and forth. I also loved the way Calla and her father try to overcome all those years of resentment and hurt. And I must admit I cried near the end.
The story of Wren Fletcher and Susan (Calla’s mother) also was so bittersweet. How sad to not be able to be with the one you love. There is this little story in the book about a raven falling in love with a goose. They stay together for the summer, but she has to leave before the first snowfall and – although the raven wants to follow her across the ocean – there is no way he can survive the flight. He has no choice to say goodbye. And the goose can’t stay because she can’t survive the winter.
And Calla’s stepfather, who is the voice of reason in her (and Susan’s) life. I really admired him.
Loved the beautiful ending… (2019)
This is one of my top reads of the year. Incredibly well written, unique and full of heart. It’s also sexy and emotional. This one will check all your boxes – definitely read it!
Amazing book…HIGHLY recommend. Fabulous story and characters. Tons of emotion and angst in the enemies to lovers story. Epic!
What a wonderful journey this was. This was addicting. I did not want to stop reading so I could do my RL job stuff *sigh*
A story with some stupendous characters that I wanted to hug and wish them all the love and happiness of the world. This also had a character that I was not a fan of as I felt the selfishness was too much! I couldn’t understand or respect the actions (no matter which way I turned it)
I LOVED Calla and Jonah So beautiful and fun and perfect.
An emotional ride ~ I felt anger, confusion, I was judgmental and pissed. UGH!! Some of the choices *SMH* I just couldn’t.
But I was also happy. When I finished I felt the biggest feeling for some of these characters ‘Regret’
We can live the rest of our lives thinking daily “What If” or “I should’ve” and it won’t change NOT one thing.
Live for today, enjoy every moment, care for others, learn from others, appreciate everything you have and forgive. Forgiveness is a gift.
I cannot say enough about this book! The Simple Wild is simply terrific. Great characters, real-life situations and outcomes. A romance that is as equally about falling in love as it is about heartbreak.
I love all of KA Tucker’s books and this one didn’t disappoint me. A spoiled young women thought that her estranged dad chose Alaska over her and that he didn’t want anything to do with her. She goes to Alaska and finds out the truth. She learns to love more than just the Alaskan scenery.