Wild at Heart: A Novel: 2 (The Simple Wild)

The book takes place four days after the end of The Simple Wild, as Calla and Jonah decide to pack up and move to Wasilla, Alaska. At this point, the new couple are totally and completely besotted with each other, and plan to spend the rest of their lives together in an adorable log cabin with a breath-taking view. Jonah resumes his sky cowboy ways, flying almost every day. While Calla struggles to adjust to her secluded life in an unfamiliar place.Calla in Wild at Heart is a new and improved woman. I really enjoyed her development as a character in the first book and this continues in the second. She’s mature, open-minded, adventurous and kind, all traits she cultivated spending the first summer in Alaska.Jonah’s a dream anyway, but we get to see more of his personality in this book. He’s still as stubborn as ever, while I didn’t love him in the beginning of The Simple Wild, he eventually became my favourite character. He has a good sense of humour, as well as a generous spirit above all his flaws.A large portion of the book concentrates on Calla’s personal character growth since the events of the first book. She’s adapting to huge life changes, while still trying to find her identity and her place in a new place. She was constantly worried about following in her mother’s footsteps, and learned the importance of being honest with yourself and finding something you really love. Her voice felt consistent and familiar from the first book, but it was clear she was a new person. I absolutely adored the way Calla handled her obstacles and fears, and found her to be very inspiring.The hopeless romantic in me was on a high from start to finish. Jonah and Calla are two people who are made for each other. Although they started off as enemies, they have a natural banter between them, which makes them work so perfectly. As a new couple, they face a lot of big decisions when it comes to the future, and fought against doubt, trust and self-esteem – natural hurdles in a relationship. While not all of their conversations went smoothly, I loved their candid and authentic interactions with one another. I loved the fluff, the angst and everything in between.Sadly, I wasn’t as interested in the sub-plots from Wild at Heart as I was with The Simple Wild. And I didn’t care for the secondary characters as much. Roy was OK, and I grew to like him as the author developed his character. I wanted to like Muriel but I just didn’t! I know Calla struggled to like the pushy neighbour, constantly feeling the need to please or gratify her. And I tried to have the same sympathies, but I wasn’t warming to her.However, I really like that Calla found a friend in Toby. Before starting this book, one of my biggest worries was that Calla would be alone in Alaska, thousands of miles from her best friend, and desperate to speak to someone while Jonah was in the air. There was also a subtle mention of Mabel and her rebellious ways but it wasn’t explored as much as I would have liked.One of my favourite things about this book, and The Simple Wild series, is the atmosphere Tucker builds. The characters are living in these idyllic, rural towns that are picturesque in natural simplicity. There’s a beautiful sense of community, and the descriptions of the tranquil but scenic landscapes were enjoyable to read. From the lakes, to the mountains, the town centres and the wildlife, it all sounds like a fantasy. As a reader, you get a genuine sense of life in Alaska from these books, even though it isn’t the main focus of the story.Wild at Heart is a journey, but a charming one. It’s humorous, heart-warming, and enchanting. If there’s a third book in the series, I don’t think I’ll be able to resist buying that plane ticket to Trapper’s Crossing. Compared to The Simple Wild, this book feels longer and slower. The pacing slows in some places, but is perfect in others. Understandably, it’s not as emotional, but twice as romantic. But overall, Wild at Heart is a delightful read.Anika | chaptersofmay.com

Let me start off by saying I am usually not the biggest fan of sequels, but I believe this one was definitely needed after how The Simple Wild ended! When I found out that Tucker was writing this novel I screamed with happiness. Calla and Jonah have become my favourite literary couple ever and the idea of reading about the story of some of the challenges they faced later on in their relationship was very enticing!Wild At Heart follows the next steps Calla and Jonah took in order to stay together. If you’ve read The Simple Wild, you know how it ended, and we just needed answers! I’m glad we found out that Calla moved all the way to Alaska in order to stay with Jonah and I appreciated her dedication to living in the land of cold and grim. It was a lot of fun reading about her hilarious encounters with the locals in Trapper’s Crossing and following her on an epic adventure in Alaska. I loved how Jonah took care of her while also dedicating his time to work.But aside from physical characters, the one thing I enjoyed the most in the book was Alaska itself. I have always been interested in the Last Frontier and life over there and this series has portrayed it perfectly. I almost wish there were more descriptions of the landscape as I am absolutely in love with it.

Ah I love this series! Calla and Jonah are one of my favourite book couples! I loved diving back in to their world and learning more about Alaskan living.The author really makes you feel like you are there, and has made me desperate to go to Alaska and experience the world she describes!

An amazing book.Sequels have a reputation of not living up to the first book, however this one continues the appeal, such great writing, fully emerges you into the world

I enjoyed reading this book, but it was a bit too much dragged out and I did not enjoy it as much as book one, however it was a good conclusion to the duology.