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Review

5 amazing stars!

OMG, this book! From the moment I picked it up I was consumed by this story. The writing, the setting, the characters, the emotion, the wonder, the fantastic dynamics and, eventually, a banter and chemistry filled enemies-to-lovers romance. It’s a journey that is so much more than just the love story, and a truly special read.

What hold does Alaksa have on them? What makes this place worth giving everything else up?

Calla was born in Alaska, but left with her mother when she was only two years old after her parents’ whirlwind romance and marriage fell apart when her mother couldn’t handle the harsh realities of life in the isolated wild. Calla is now 26 years old and living in Toronto with her mother and stepfather, while her father remains in Alaksa, and she hasn’t seen him in all of that time. They maintained a relationship over the phone for a while, but that all fell apart when she was just a teenager. And now she has just received the new that her father is unwell. Knowing that this may be her last opportunity to get to know the man that she feels abandoned her so long ago, she makes the trek out to see him.

Calla’s arrival in the remote town of Bangor is a shock to her senses. It’s nothing like she’s ever experienced, and she understands why her mother couldn’t deal with the lifestyle. As a slightly spoiled city girl, she’s certainly not equipped to handle it either. But she is open minded enough to want to experience her father’s life, and though it’s a rough start, as they spend time together and she begins to understand him and his life, she finds herself more and more comfortable in his world.

“Life up here may be simple but it’s not easy, and it’s not for everyone … It’s about survival, and enjoying the company of the people that surround us. It’s not about whose house is the biggest, or who has the nicest clothes, or the most money. We support each other because we’re all in this together.”

And then there’s Jonah, the gruff and scruffy pilot who is her father’s right-hand-man. From the moment he picked her up at Anchorage to fly her out to Bangor, he is completely rude and dismissive towards her. He seems aggravated by her mere presence, and their unpleasant flight together only cements their dislike of each other.

“Hell. Six other pilots available and I had to be the one to get you,” Jonah mutters to himself.
… “ ‘Don’t worry, Calla.’ ‘It’s no big deal, Calla.’ That’s what a decent person would say,” I mumble.
“I’m here to get your high-maintenance little ass to Bangor, not soothe your ego.”

Jonah is a big part of her father’s life, and therefore Calla’s life while she’s in town, and the snark is just fantastic as they bicker, tease and taunt each other. But as they get to know each other, they both begin to realise that there is so much more to the other than their initial perceptions, and things slowly begin to change.

“Helped me?” he repeats.
“Yes. Maybe now you have a shot at getting laid. As long as you don’t speak.”
The wicked smile he flashes makes my throat go dry. “Do you think I have problems in that department, Calla?”

This is such a gorgeous romance. It’s definitely a slow-burn, taking them a while to develop feelings and then act on it, but once they do it’s natural, passionate and so, so functional. There’s no game playing, they’re up-front and honest about everything, and they just enjoy what they have while they have it.

My limbs curl around his body as I watch his broad chest heave with each thrust, and his hooded eyes alight with fire, our gazes locked, and I wonder how on earth I could ever possibly have not wanted this man.

But Jonah is a die-hard Alaska man. The land is his life, and he has no intention of ever moving. With Calla only in town temporarily, what chance do they have of a future together? Is this Calla’s chance at a happily ever after, or is she destined to repeat her parents’ mistakes? And how can she say goodbye to the father that she learning to love so deeply?

I love this book so freaking much! The setting brings so much to the story and the desciption of the land, the hardships and the sense of community that exists within their small patch of Alaska is wonderfully described, and I found it all really fascinating. But it’s the characters that make this book so special. They have their flaws, but they are real and relatable, and each of them brings a unique dynamic to the story as they contribute meaningfully to Calla’s journey. Special mentions to Calla’s father Wren, her incredible step-father, Simon, Agnes and, of course, Jonah…. just wow.

“I might take risks, but they’re always worth it.”

Calla’s journey as she discovers herself, her family, and who she truly wants to be is beautifully written, and I loved experiencing it all with her. The different aspects are woven together perfectly, and the slow-burning love story on top of that is just the icing on the cake. It all works together to form a part Calla’s journey and the character growth is fantastic as she figures it all out, and I laughed, cried and fell in love right alongside her.

Such a special read. 5 stars!

 

Wild