Title: The Simple Wild
Author: K.A. Tucker
First published August 7, 2018
400 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781501133435 (ISBN10: 1501133438)
Rating: 4.33
Overview
From the bustling city of Toronto to the remote Alaskan wilderness, K.A. Tucker’s captivating novel, The Simple Wild, follows the journey of Calla Fletcher as she reconnects with her estranged father. Leaving behind everything she knows, Calla is faced with an unfamiliar environment, complete with roaming wildlife, odd daylight hours, and exorbitant prices.
But when she meets Jonah, a rugged Alaskan pilot, she finds herself torn between her desire to return to the city and her growing feelings for him. As their friendship deepens, Calla must decide if she’s willing to take a chance on love, even if it means facing the same challenges her parents failed to conquer.
Tucker’s masterful storytelling will sweep you away on an unforgettable journey of self-discovery, family, and the pursuit of true happiness.
Editoral Review
In “The Simple Wild,” K.A. Tucker delivers a compelling romance novel that explores themes of family, love, and homecoming. First published on August 7th, 2018, the book follows the story of Calla Fletcher, a young woman who travels to the isolated wilds of Alaska in search of her estranged father.
Tucker is a seasoned romance author with a loyal following, and “The Simple Wild” showcases her fondness for character-driven stories that blend humor, emotion, and adventure. The book’s genre is contemporary romance, with a strong emphasis on the Alaskan wilderness and small-town life.
Tucker’s writing style is engaging, witty, and sophisticated, with a vibrant narrative voice that captures the atmosphere of the northern landscapes effortlessly. Plot-wise, “The Simple Wild” is a slow-burning, heartwarming tale that centers on Calla and her relationship with her father, Wren.
Calla is a city girl who has never known her father, who moved to Alaska after her parents’ split. When her father is diagnosed with cancer, Calla decides to fly to Alaska to meet him and perhaps spend some time getting to know him.
Upon arrival, Calla experiences a culture shock, a world of pickup trucks, muddy boots, and grizzly bears. She immediately clashes with her father, who is gruff, unapologetic, and stubborn.
Wren is an experienced pilot who owns a bush plane, and he lives in a small town named Bangor, where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Calla is an outsider in every sense of the word, but she is determined to make a connection with her father.
The novel patiently explores the dynamics between Calla and Wren, as well as Calla’s budding relationship with Jonah, a local pilot and Wren’s surrogate son. The love story between Calla and Jonah is beautifully rendered, with Tucker infusing their interactions with affection, humor, and vulnerability.
The chemistry between the two is palpable, and readers will root for them to overcome their differences and find common ground. Tucker’s descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness are breathtakingly vivid, with every sentence evoking a sense of awe and danger.
She also tackles the issue of climate change, showing how it affects the landscape and jeopardizes the locals’ way of life. The book highlights the fragility of the environment and the importance of preserving it for future generations.
Overall, “The Simple Wild” is a well-crafted, charming romance novel that delivers on its promises. Tucker’s writing is skillful and entertaining, with memorable characters that linger in the reader’s mind long after the last page.
The book has a few predictable clichés and a somewhat slow pace, but these are minor drawbacks that do not detract from the story’s overall quality. I would recommend “The Simple Wild” to readers who enjoy light-hearted romances with a sense of adventure and an emphasis on nature.
The book would also appeal to anyone interested in Alaska’s culture and ecology, providing a glimpse into a world that is both harsh and beautiful. I give “The Simple Wild” a solid rating of four out of five stars, based on its strong writing, engaging characters, and meaningful themes.
