Book Review: Running Wild by K.A. Tucker
Running Wild by K.A. Tucker
Holy moly. This was amazing. perfect. beautiful. What a story. It’s intense, emotional, heartbreaking and heartwarming. You’re going to feel all the feels, and you might as well get your tissues ready just in case! Running Wild is book 3 in The Simple Wild Series by K.A. Tucker and our time in Alaska is now following Marie and her life after Calla and Jonah's story takes off.
This story is about second chances and healing - moving on and finding peace and it does speak to some unimaginable tragedies, but I was so glad to get to know Marie more, and honestly, I really hope we get more her and Tyler! The book is available now. So, let’s review Running Wild by K.A. Tucker.
“I have a heart that aches when dreams are shattered, and emotions that can pull a river of tears when hope proves false.”
About The Book
Like I said, Running Wild is about second chances and healing - moving on and finding peace. With your current circumstances, ones to come, ones that have been lost and also embracing change. This story does speak to some unimaginable tragedies and hardships in life. There’s grief and emotional trauma, but there’s also closure and growth. Ultimately, this is Marie’s love story and she’s well overdue for it!
Book Details
Title: Running Wild
Author: K.A. Tucker
Publication Date: January 25, 2022
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Fiction
Purchase a copy: Amazon | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Add on Goodreads!
Synopsis
From the internationally bestselling author of The Simple Wild comes the story of a woman at a crossroads in her life, struggling between the safe route and the one that will only lead to more heartbreak.
Veterinarian Marie Lehr knows unrequited love all too well after pining for her best friend, only to watch him marry another woman. It’s a mistake she will never make again, especially not when she can practically hear the clock ticking on her childbearing years.
The trouble is, she can’t seem to find anyone who appeals to her even a fraction as much as that burly bush pilot did. Competitive musher Tyler Brady certainly doesn’t, especially not after the heated altercation with the handsome but arrogant, spiteful man.
Or so she thinks.
While volunteering at the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, Marie discovers that first impressions may have been false, and her attraction to Tyler is very real. But his heart belongs to someone else, leaving him with nothing to offer but friendship. Marie’s been down this road before and knows how that ends. Yet, no matter how hard she works to keep from falling for Tyler, it seems she’s doomed to follow her own trail once again
“Dogs know the good ones, Marie. Dogs always know.”
The Story
spoiler-free
It’s Marie story time! We finally get a deeper glimpse at the life of Marie and begin following her just after Calla and Jonah's story takes off. She's doing her vet thing, protecting and caring for animals in the Alaskan wild. She's moving on from the path of unrequited love, determined to never make that same mistake again. And then she meets Tyler - the new guy in town - a competitive musher, dog sledder, and trainer ... and both of their lives turn upside down. But Tyler's heart still belongs to another woman, so where does that leave Marie?
The Characters
Marie, determined and thoughtful, she knows what she wants and at 38, she isn’t afraid to go for it.
Tyler, the new guy in town, competitive musher, dog sledder and trainer, he’s hunky and sincere but not without his grief and haunted past.
Sidney, Marie’s loveable and wise retired veterinarian father, he loves corny jokes and knows exactly what his daughter needs.
Also, look out for, the rest of her family - mom and 2 sisters and their families - the clinic’s clients and the wider musher community.
And yes, you’ll get glimpses of Calla and Jonah and other important characters from their storyline!
Steamometer
🔥 - it’s gettin’ hot in here
There is definitely steam, but it’s light while also being incredibly intense.
For those who are unfamiliar with my Steamometer, check it out below (it’s ever-evolving lol)!
❤️ NICE AND SWEET
💃🏼 SASSY SPICE
🔥 STEAMYYYY GOODNESS
🥵 MY OVARIES ARE BURSTING
🌋 my whole body is on fire and I’m melting
🖤 SMUTASTIC
Content Warnings
I will mention - some of the book's content was hard for me because of my own personal experiences with miscarriage and trying to conceive, but while it was hard, I also appreciated the awareness and true-to-life thoughtfulness surrounding pregnancy. So just take care with the content warnings 💙💙💙
miscarriage
TTC difficulties (mentions)
maternal death in childbirth and infant loss (mentions)
sister rivalry/family drama
animal cruelty
Overall Thoughts
*takes big contented sigh* 😮💨🤧
From the start, I loved the whole vibe of this book SO MUCH - from Marie, the dogs, her family, and just being back in Alaska with these characters ... I felt so very much at home!
I really hope we get more her and Tyler! I need them together, living life, and experiencing more big (and little!) moments. I daresay I may have officially forgotten about Jonah just like Marie 😅
But, seriously, Marie and Tyler's story touched my heart in unfathomable ways. I will truly never forget it.
I adored her family, the conflict, and ultimately how everything turned out.
Hats off to Tucker for writing true to life experiences and embracing the sometimes harsh, difficult, and complicated realities of the human experience.
“In my gut and my heart and my head, I know Tyler is the one for me, even if our path here hasn’t been simple. Even if the path forward proves bumpy.”
About The Author
About k.a. tucker:
K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge. She is the internationally bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series, He Will Be My Ruin, Until It Fades, Keep Her Safe, The Simple Wild, Be the Girl, and Say You Still Love Me. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, Publisher's Weekly, Oprah Mag, and First for Women. K.A. Tucker currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto.
Website | Instagram | Goodreads | Twitter
*Pic and bio Courtesy of her website
Running Wild is out today January 25, 2022!
Thank you so much Valentine PR for the advanced review e-copy. One of my favorites of the year!
More Coming from K.A. Tucker in 2022
Fate & Flame 2 | Expected Publication July 12, 2022
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I’m Leah. Cozy connoisseur and bountiful book buyer. I have a minor obsession with getting lost in the pages of a good book, guzzling coffee, and thriving at home. Leggings, wine, and essential oils are also my jam. I'm truly just a bookworm and homebody at heart with a knack for content creation & cozy shots. This is my creative space.
I love this feeling when I’m reading a book. Nothing compares! This sense of being completely immersed and lost inside the pages of the story — like you could live there endlessly, never get enough of the plot and characters and yearn to get more of the story once you’re finished. Here are the last 3 books that made me forget I was reading.