The Simple Wild
Emotional
Heartwarming
Sweet

The Simple Wild A Novel

K.A. Tucker2018
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 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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Reviews

Photo of Stephanie Davila
Stephanie Davila@steffie
3.5 stars
Aug 26, 2024

Slow start! But got much better halfway.

Photo of Madii
Madii@alieco
5 stars
Jul 30, 2024

5/5 Reading this book felt like a breath of fresh air. It was sweet, calming, sad, and more. I loved everything about it.

Photo of aly
aly@yubinhong
3 stars
May 30, 2024

3.50

Photo of clau☁️
clau☁️@claureading
4 stars
May 11, 2024

OK First of all, this was a 4.5 stars but I’m not gonna rate up. So I’ll say I was very annoyed at the beginning with the love interest being all so “girls look better without makeup” and “all city girls are shallow and the same”. That literally took half a star away from the rating. Yes, I’m strong minded, I can’t let that go unnoticed😫 But no one can deny that this book is BEAUTIFUL. I couldn’t put it down because even if there is no romance at all in the first half of the book, it didn’t bother me. I was super involved with the family matters and I think they were necessary for the beauty of the book. The growth of the characters was great. I also loved the writing. It was fluid and easy but thoughtful at the same time and it made the reading experience much better. I can’t wait to pick up the second part of the duology and I do recommend the novel a lot!

Photo of aleksandra
aleksandra@aleksandrareading
4 stars
Apr 2, 2024

4/5 I already know I will be utterly obsessed with this series. “As long as I’m flying my planes and you’re with me, I’ll be happy. But this going-our-separate-ways bullshit? This isn’t working for me, Calla.”

Photo of sam
sam@sammiev
4 stars
Feb 15, 2024

alaska - maggie rogers

the beginning of the book was a little slow to me but as i kept reading i started to appreciate and love k.a tucker’s storytelling. seeing calla reconnect with her estranged father was heartwarming! i wish we got more moments of them together :(

jonah really serving the dislike to lovers trope bc i also didn’t like him at first esp with his comments towards calla about wearing makeup but he slowly grew on me.

Photo of Danielle
Danielle @daniellesreadinglife_17
5 stars
Jan 7, 2024

Love the setting and the story, even though a lot of it is heartbreaking!

Photo of honour
honour@honreads
4 stars
Jan 7, 2024

calla. jonah. wren. agnes. mabel. everyone in alaska. (and of course simon). i don’t know if i’ve ever loved so many characters in a book as i did i this one.

Photo of lexie
lexie@lexiereads
5 stars
Jan 7, 2024

i just love this book not only the love stort itself the characters specially Simon and Wren. i loved Calla too and Jonah. I cried knowing that Wren will yk. But this is so good. A lighthearted no drama novel even though it supposed to have one.

Photo of Denaiir
Denaiir@denaiir
3 stars
Oct 3, 2023

Another romance book, another book I didn't really care for, so I think the genre is not really for me. The romance was ok but I was more interested in the family dynamics and of course the setting (I LOVE reading about Alaska). Basically it was ok but it was no Great Alone. The main character was judgmental, vapid and vain, I didn't care for her one bit. I don't care if you want to wear heels and makeup at home, but if you go to the middle of Alaska use some common sense and adapt to the place. Anyway, it's a book I will forget all about pretty soon and I'm done with the genre.

Photo of Mary Rose Gibson
Mary Rose Gibson@mary_roseytoes
3.5 stars
Aug 22, 2023

Was not expecting a cute little romance to make me tear up! This is a sweet and easy read. I had a few issues with the main love interest however which is why it’s a 3.5 for me.

+1
Photo of mar uriarte
mar uriarte@maycresslloway
5 stars
Aug 2, 2023

this book is very good, I think I cried every two seconds or else I laughed because of the flirtation between calla and jonah, I love them sm

Photo of Abby Champion
Abby Champion@abbychampion
5 stars
Mar 4, 2023

Okay I loved this book. I thought it was emotional, witty, romantic and so much more! I hate a cheesy, cliche book but I felt this was nothing like that. The story line is great and you really fall in love with the characters. I thought it was actually really funny and though the author was very witty. Sometimes when reading a book I never really feel a great connection between the characters but that’s not the case with this book. The characters have great chemistry without the author having to use any cheesy lines. Anyway I loved it so much and it definitely left me in tears. I recommend everyone to read this book :)

Photo of 🧸
🧸@lamiaa
5 stars
Feb 1, 2023

I have a permanent lump in my throat from the ugly crying I did while reading this.

Photo of dija
dija@dija
4 stars
Jan 23, 2023

This was so refreshing!! Loved the atmosphere and the descriptions! ALSO WREN ALMOST *ALMOST* GOT ME CRYING

Photo of Mika Chavarria
Mika Chavarria@mika_cc
5 stars
Jan 22, 2023

A bit of a slow start, but once this story got good. IT GOT GOOD!! Gut wrenching, heart warming and even straight belly laughing. It all made me love this story so much!! I fell in love with Alaska the same way Calla did and man, I was unready for the way this story unfolded! I sobbed until I couldn't anymore. Such a beautiful story about found family and finding love in unlikely places. After taking my time with this novel, I can see this story resonating in me for a long while!

Photo of brianna
brianna@adansey
5 stars
Jan 22, 2023

EXACTLYYYY

Photo of Jessica Ford
Jessica Ford@jessford
5 stars
Jan 7, 2023

4.5 stars What a sweet book. While Calla was a self-indulgent 26-year old, who acted more like a spoiled 16-year old, I couldn’t help but like her. Calla’s verbal sparring with Jonah, the angry yeti, as she called him, was fun to read. Jonah, at 31, also acted like a teenager, so they were a good match. You know the story of her dad is going to be sad, but there were also a lot of laughs throughout. I’m looking forward to reading the next book.

Photo of Lover of Romance
Lover of Romance @addictedtoromance
5 stars
Jan 1, 2023

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. They can’t sense my loneliness, or the knot in my stomach. That’s the magic of social media, I guess. But there’s also an odd comfort to hiding behind the illusion. First Impressions The Simple Wild has been a book and is part of a series that has been all over the book community and for years I have been wanting to pick this one here but just never got around to it. I will be honest I was kinda nervous about it, however, so many have recommended this one personally to me. And finally after talking with a new bookstagrammer friend, (I blame her lol) I decided I needed to really read this and what do ya know.,…I ABSOLUTELY ADORED IT. Like honestly, I have this urge to bang my head against the wall because I feel like an idiot for not reading this book sooner. I never thought that I would love it so much, but this book was everything I was looking for and more and you can bet I will be reading the rest of the books that involve this couple this week because it was so DELICIOUS. Its definitely a book that is well worth the hype. Summary Calla Fletcher, was raised mostly in Toronto but her parents split up when she was just a little girl. Her mother struggled to live in Alaska and her father couldn’t leave it. So they ended up separated and Calla hasn’t seen her father since then. When she receives a call from his secretary that he has cancer, she immediately makes plans for a week-long visit and to reconcile with him. When she arrives to Alaska, she meets the big and burly bush pilot that works with her father, Jonah who is a grump and doesn’t like her much. Calla isn’t a huge fan of the prickly Yeti pilot who doesn’t own a shaver. Both Jonah and Calla don’t get off to the best start, but Calla is determined to see this through for her father’s sake. Calla is determined to rekindle her bond with her father but there are sparks that fly between Jonah and Calla. Calla knows that there is no future for them, but wants to embrace what they have. But will Calla decide where her future lies at home with her mom in Toronto or in Alaska where her heart lies? “You have been driving me fucking insane for days and I couldn’t hold myself back for one more second.” What I Loved There was so much joy I found in this book and I can’t believe that I just discovered it and the well-talented author. You can be assured that this won’t be my last K.A. Tucker. I was really blown away by this book and what was delivered here. I didn’t really know much about this book to be honest, and I was so nervous in reading this one, but it ended up being such a superb read that worked out so well for me. I was so drawn into the picturesque setting that is delivered and I just wanted to see where the author would take me on this one. It was such a treat to have the world-building done so well, and honestly, I am so tempted to move to Alaska because darn it!! LOL. I was also intrigued by the way that this author focused on the father/daughter relationship. I was so unsure about it, and I did feel like it crossed off all the boxes for me as I adore family relationships especially when there is healing involved. Then we have the romance that builds between Jonah and Calla which was so well done and I was impressed by its delivery. These two had me laughing all over the place while also focusing on the heart of it. I was really impressed with how balanced their romance was capitalized on and you really could feel the intensity of emotion between them. As characters both Jonah and Calla were like a breath of fresh air. They have such passion in everything that they do and believe in and its emphasized in the writing. There is such a vivid connection you bond with these characters and you just want them to reach their HEA. They don’t sell alcohol in Bangor.” “What?” I feel my face twist with shock. “You’re lying.” His eyebrows arch. “You’re arguing with me about this?” “What the hell is this, the 1920s prohibition?” What I Struggled With Nothing!!! This book was perfect and is my favorite of the year so far! Overall View I found The Simple Wild to be a majestic romance that lifted my heart and stirred up my emotions. Its a story that will evoke beautiful responses within the read that captivates and stimulates joyous satisfaction. A KEEPER for any reader on their bookshelf! He’s not like any other guy I’ve dated or crushed on. And while he’s capable of making my blood boil like no one else, I feel a magnetic pull toward him that I can’t explain.

Photo of Caryn Bayne
Caryn Bayne@cbayne245
5 stars
Dec 27, 2022

Great love story. Enemies to lovers.

+1
Photo of Cecilia
Cecilia@cafp
3 stars
Dec 19, 2022

I loved this and want to jump into the next book in the series. My only complaint is the fashion choices but I can overlook it

Photo of Heather Miller
Heather Miller@heathersereads
4 stars
Dec 1, 2022

** spoiler alert ** I loved this story. It isn’t like anything I’d normally read. It was very movie-like and slow in a fast paced, every day life sort of way. I liked the idea of a rich, high maintenance, girly girl going to Alaska and learning the harsh reality away from her usual comforts and fast-paced life. Learning a little about the ways of life in Alaska was also a fun addition. Watching her slowly ease into the life there and go from a high class barbie, to someone more down to earth and real was a real fun transition. I loved her relationship with Jonah, and that fact that it worked out in the end. The loss of her dad was enough heartbreak, and something I was really hoping wouldn’t end up happening. The only thing that bothered me was how unfriendly everyone was in the beginning just because she was different. Just as their way of life was the only way they knew how to live, her way of life was the only way she knew, and it was highly judgmental, something I really dislike about people. But it was also another piece of real life that would actually happen, so I understood the need for it. It was definitely a tear jerker. The writing was beautiful and I love a book that can make me cry! I will definitely be reading the rest of the trilogy!

Photo of Annabella
Annabella@onmyown
4 stars
Nov 3, 2022

This was a bit slow, but the perfect break from plot heavy books. And yes, I did sob

Photo of Tars Wilken
Tars Wilken @taradactyl25
3.5 stars
Oct 5, 2022

I really liked this book. However I couldn't give it 5 stars. It read a little like a YA novel where the spicy scenes were jumped over. I wanted something a little more. Regardless it was beautiful and definitely made me cry at the end.

+3

Highlights

Photo of Sara Poole
Sara Poole@sarastbr

"Are you angry with him?"

Her lips wobble a little before she presses them firmly together, cutting off the rare show of emotion. "I love him and I'm here for him. That's all that matters."

Photo of Miriam
Miriam@miriam_wag

And now Jonah's sitting in front of me. “What are you doing here?" "What do you think I'm doing here, Calla?" He sighs, shaking his head. “It’s not the same” “What’s not?” “Alaska. You’ve ruined Alaska for me.”

Page 384
This highlight contains a spoiler
Photo of Genesis (@whisperingchapters)
Genesis (@whisperingchapters)@whisperingchapters

bracing life. None of them know the ral story-of why I'm here, of why l'm already thinking about going home. Ihey cant sense my my fingen again, l tthree m loneliness, or the knot in my stomach. Thats the magic of social media, I guess. But there's also an odd comfort to hiding behind the acn llusion. 1fI stare at myself beside the orange-and-yellow toy plane long enough, and reread the effervescent caption enough times, maybe I"ll start to buy what I'm selling, too.

Page 87

Sounds very lonely. 😞