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A review by cass_ev
The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I cannot believe it took me almost 4 years to read this book since I first heard of it, it checks so many boxes for me:
✔️Wilderness setting/mountain vibes (I’m fascinated by Alaska and would love to visit someday)
✔️Cozy, small town romance
✔️Heroine who undergoes a lot of personal growth
✔️V attractive and funny “wilderness man” love interest
✔️Grumpy-sunshine trope (arguably my favourite romance trope to walk the Earth)
✔️Exploration of not only romantic love but the complexities of familial and platonic love
✔️Steamy but slow burn romance that feels realistic to me
✔️Funny banter between all the characters
What I was wary on was the cancer content since I’ve become all too familiar with it and how scary it is when your parent has it. But I liked Tucker’s handling of the subject, it didn’t feel too heavy but it also didn’t feel like it was taken too lightly either. There were moments where I wanted more emotional turmoil and depiction of grief from the characters but maybe I need to chill with the emotional masochism.
However, pacing was great (though I got a bit mixed up on the timelines but that could’ve been me just absolutely devouring this book and getting confused) and felt like it moved forward naturally without it stalling. Calla is such an interesting heroine since at the beginning I did not like her in the slightest—she was spoiled and judgemental—but then once she started to open her mind a bit and embrace the Alaskan lifestyle and people more then she really became someone I rooted for! I also loved the subtle Canadian reference to Toronto and the TTC lol.
Good thing there’s 3 more books in the series bc I would be panicking about what to read after loving this book so much! Brb cuddling up under a plaid blanket with a lit candle while the snow is falling outside to read the next book.
✔️Wilderness setting/mountain vibes (I’m fascinated by Alaska and would love to visit someday)
✔️Cozy, small town romance
✔️Heroine who undergoes a lot of personal growth
✔️V attractive and funny “wilderness man” love interest
✔️Grumpy-sunshine trope (arguably my favourite romance trope to walk the Earth)
✔️Exploration of not only romantic love but the complexities of familial and platonic love
✔️Steamy but slow burn romance that feels realistic to me
✔️Funny banter between all the characters
What I was wary on was the cancer content since I’ve become all too familiar with it and how scary it is when your parent has it. But I liked Tucker’s handling of the subject, it didn’t feel too heavy but it also didn’t feel like it was taken too lightly either. There were moments where I wanted more emotional turmoil and depiction of grief from the characters but maybe I need to chill with the emotional masochism.
However, pacing was great (though I got a bit mixed up on the timelines but that could’ve been me just absolutely devouring this book and getting confused) and felt like it moved forward naturally without it stalling. Calla is such an interesting heroine since at the beginning I did not like her in the slightest—she was spoiled and judgemental—but then once she started to open her mind a bit and embrace the Alaskan lifestyle and people more then she really became someone I rooted for! I also loved the subtle Canadian reference to Toronto and the TTC lol.
Good thing there’s 3 more books in the series bc I would be panicking about what to read after loving this book so much! Brb cuddling up under a plaid blanket with a lit candle while the snow is falling outside to read the next book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Medical trauma, Cancer, and Terminal illness
Minor: Blood