The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker
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.
City girl encounters sky cowboy in Alaska while trying to reconnect with her dad.
Let me start by saying- this is not your typical romance novel. I'm actually not ENTIRELY sure this is a romance novel- it could potentially be adult fiction. But I feel like if sex is mentioned, then why can't it be a romance novel? Romantic movies and porn aren't the same. Neither are romance novels and erotica! (You're welcome for drawing that conclusion for you. I know, I should be like a writing teacher or something right? So. Insightful).
Wren- he was such a solid character. I understood him and I liked him!Simon- hello good stepfather! I mean, I am SO pro a good step parent- it could just be the old disney movies in my head, but I always assume they're going to be the stereotypical step parent who should be banished to the ends of the earth. Well, that's not the case for Simon. You'll love him, trust me.I loved the name Calla - and overall I did like her. I was nervous when she was proclaiming herself anti-confrontation, because in general I am pro confrontation and I really don't like to read about characters who just whine in their heads all the time but never do anything about it. So Calla wasn't nearly as annoying as I thought she was going to be- and I did actually end up really liking her.Agnes.... Okay wait. I'm sensing a pattern here. I am actually going through the book and listing almost every main character. Wow. Okay, so I guess I enjoyed all of the characters in this book!I LOVED the setting. I mean, Alaska is DEFINITELY bucket list for me, and even more so after reading this book. I. Must. Go. To. Alaska.I liked reading about the world of bush pilots! Something I never would have thought to ever spend any time imagining and now, I feel as if I've lived among them.
I didn't looooove Jonah. I know, this is going to be an unpopular opinion. I didn't dislike him, but I certainly wasn't obsessed with him. Here's why- and this is FACT- he's kind of a jerk. I am NOT into the idea of someone who is SO judgemental of Calla so he totally messes with her just to entertain himself! Also he completely shames her for caring about her appearance, and nicknames her Barbie. Truth be told she may care too much about her appearance, but there's no winning there- people who don't care about their appearance have to have makeovers and people who do have to care less. Down with the appearance shaming! The whole uppity girl- can't help but fall in love with rugged jerk of a guy. NO! I'm done with that. I've watched Gilmore Girls approximately 12987059021 times - and have lived through Rory and Jess. Nope, I'm not into it. Try to change my mind. Go ahead....Really though, Jonah wasn't awful- I just wasn't personally remotely swooning for him. What can I say, he just didn't do it for me.
Eat: beef jerkyListen to: Can't Help Falling in Love by Kina GrannisDo: Learn to drive a manual carRequest: My Oxford Year from the library because if you like this one then you'll like that one!
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