When a free-spirited wildlife photographer loses her Scottish terrier in a herd of bison, she sets out to rescue her furbaby before he is devoured. But will she succeed when Yellowstone National Park is chock full of boiling, bubbling, and rampaging hazards (both mammalian and geographical) — not to mention a rule-obsessed park ranger whose many rescues thwart her efforts to find her poor pup?… pup?
They say opposites attract, and when it comes to Kayla Dineen and Ranger Alexander Brandt, no two people have ever been more opposed…or attractive. Old Faithful isn’t the only thing making noise at Yellowstone this season.
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What I think you should know:
Yellowstone Yondering by Kristen Joy Wilks is a Contemporary Christian Romance novel. It is set in Yellowstone National Park and describes many of the physical features of the park.
What you might want to know:
Kayla was abused as a child and Alexander lost his parents at a young age to a tragic accident.
What I think about the book:
Who knew a book about finding your lost dog could be so captivating, I spent weeks driving around looking for my lost dog and NEVER had as many mishaps and adventures as Kayla. Even though Alexander and Kayla have trauma in their past the story was not a sad one. I enjoyed the way that Wills described the park and the animals in the park, while I have never been there I was able to picture the surroundings. Kayla was a great character, we all know someone who has good intentions but ends up creating more problems than they needed which seems to fit Kayla to a T. Alexander was also hilarious, I would hate to have a Ranger that followed the rules to the detriment of everything else. When the two were brought together they made a great story. I enjoyed how the author showed how someone could be made new in Christ. I look forward to reading more books by Wilks.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
Dogs, bears, wolves and more fill the pages of this book with the park ranger who is obsessed with rules and a motorcycle-riding photographer who is not necessarily one to follow rules at all and has her dog with her.. If there was ever an illustration of opposites, Kayla Dineen and Ranger Alexander Brandt totally represent that concept. Yet the compassion they each show for the other during the pages of this book make it truly come alive.
The descriptions of the scenes set in Yellowstone National Park captured my imagination. I could not put this book down until I finished it. It shows how God can be present even when we are not necessarily walking as close to him as we should.
It also illustrates how even if our past is not perfect, God loves us as His beloved children. I love how this story turned out. So if you like books about opposites which are full of danger, excitement, adventure, and more check out this book for yourself.
I received a copy of this book for my fair and honest review.
I did not know so many things could go wrong on a trip! Kayla Dinnen had many unexpected conflicts with wildlife when she decided to stop in Yellowstone for a few animal photos. These encounters usually were funny in some way.
{“After snatching up the keys, Kayla turned toward the SUV and came face to face with a full grown grizzly bear.
Ursus Horribilis”}
The worst collision may have been with stuffy Ranger Alexander Brandt when she ignored his attempts to save her from any harm. She had to get her Scottie back when it ran away though! There were too many wolves, bears, and other dangers for a little dog to survive on its own. In her desperation, Kayla repeatedly disregards Ranger Brandt’s instructions and the warning signs around Yellowstone.
Alexander takes his job too seriously. Still suffering from a personal loss in a tragic accident years before, he is determined to protect other people at all costs. He reminds everyone that ‘rules exist for a reason’.
What was supposed to be a quick drive through the park for wildlife pictures to sell to bloggers, turned into a longer stay. Kayla was not prepared for a camping trip. All she has are her camera, a bright yellow motorcycle, some old yoga pants, a little cash. She ends up roughing it.
Kayla’s makeshift campsite happens to be near Ranger Brandt’s cabin which proves hilariously convenient as she frequently needs rescuing from wildlife. Kayla and Alexander begin a friendship over a couple cups of cocoa, some dark chocolate with candied ginger bits (see the yummy giveaway below), and playing games of chess and a strategic board game. They both love motorcycles.
{”Your bike’s in great shape, despite the bumper sticker.”
Kayla blinked and gave the man a slightly dramatized sigh. “Of course she is. This is how I get around. If I treat her like a lady, she won’t leave me stranded by the side of the road.”}
My new motto…
“One good book deserves another!” Most of my book reviews include a suggested ‘Companion Read’ but not all.
I loved that Yellowstone Yondering explores the essential values of emotional and moral purity while dating and saving sexual relations for marriage. Ranger Brandt had planned to not kiss any women until he kissed his future wife on their wedding day.
I loved Kayla’s self-insight into where she needed improvement. She was intent on saving her dog which I get. Learning to think about the safety and needs of others was a major move forward.
Poor Ranger Brandt needs someone like Kayla to help him get out of his shell of fear and learn to live. He gets into trouble the more she stays in the park though. The question becomes a matter of who will rescue whom.
Kayla’s harrowing search for her dog leads her into a dangerous situation with a group of foolhardy park tourists. Apparently rabid raccoons, foraging bears, and stampeding bison are not the most dangerous creatures in Yellowstone!
Yellowstone Yondering is a cute and quick read. There is a yummy cranberry shortbread cookies recipe at the back of this book. The epilogue is perfectly cute! I am excited to read more of Kristen Joy Wilks’s books in the near future. If you have a furbaby, you may enjoy this clean romance more than I. I hope you read and review it too!
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are completely my own.
I received a free copy of this book from somewhere online. Wilks is a new-to-me author and I didn’t know anything about her or the book, but I decided to read it anyway.
This was a fun, sweet, entertaining story! There were a couple of plot points that could have been clarified a bit and there were a few places that I had to re-read to make sure I understood everything correctly, but Wilks opened with such strong, unique characters that I wanted to see how they would get together in the end.
I enjoyed the story, and now I’m looking forward to visiting Yellowstone National Park someday.
Rated G/PG (depending on your bend).
Yellowstone Yondering by Kristen Joy Wilks is a wonderful contemporary romance. A free-spirited woman butts heads with a strict park ranger while romping through Yellowstone National Park looking for her daring Scottish Terrier. The author’s situational humor, dry humor, and witty banter rolled together to form a hilarious yet charming story. I couldn’t put the book down and I even read a few passages to my kids, as we had just visited Yellowstone for the first time last summer. The descriptive language is spot on I could picture everything just as I saw it when I visited the park myself. I highly recommend this book!
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit but was not under any obligation to write a review. All opinions are strictly mine.
I enjoyed this romantic love story very much. It was a cute story but just a little unrealistic. I don’t know that all the trouble that the Kayla and Alexander experience would have happened in such a short time. However, it made for an exciting adventure that I had to find out what happened!! I’ve not yet been to Yellowstone National park but do wish to see it more now having read this book. I’m not sure I would want to go camping under the stars especially with bears and other animals roaming around. I was nervous just reading it! I really liked both Kayla and Alexander. Both are people I would want to get to know. Some of their intereactions made me smile! They both had stuff to work on throughout the story that the reader can relate to as well. I like how Kristen Joy Wilks weaved valuable truths of the Lord throughout this story.
I recommend this book to my family and friends.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. I also purchased a copy for myself. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
What a cute story. It’s a contemporary fiction romance with some fun and some adventure. I mean a herd of bison and a missing dog are sure to bring some adventure and maybe even a little danger.
I’m a rule follower so I probably related more to Ranger Brandt. But then again I would always go to rescue my dog too because I love love love my animals!
Highly recommend you check out this fun adventure romance and get sucked into the pages. You’re not going to be able to put it down until you’ve read the last word.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.