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Born Wild
I’ve loved Cassie Higgins since the day we met.
Not that she has any idea about my feelings. I’m not good with words or outgoing like the other guys my age. No, I’m more comfortable keeping to myself and working on my family’s ranch. A girl as beautiful and smart as her is out of my league, and I think everyone in town would agree.
But everything changes the moment I find Cassie in tears on the side of the road. When she confides that she’s pregnant and the father wants nothing to do with her or their child, my first instinct is to put my fist through his face. My second is to take care of her.
She needs a friend now more than ever and that’s what I become. Maybe one day she’ll come to see me as more. Maybe my dreams aren’t all that far from reality. Maybe, if I’m lucky enough, she’ll agree to marry me and make me the happiest man in Wilder Valley.
Born Wild is a prequel to Kacey Shea’s Wilder Valley series. It can be enjoyed as a standalone or at any point within the Wilder Valley novels.
Not that she has any idea about my feelings. I’m not good with words or outgoing like the other guys my age. No, I’m more comfortable keeping to myself and working on my family’s ranch. A girl as beautiful and smart as her is out of my league, and I think everyone in town would agree.
But everything changes the moment I find Cassie in tears on the side of the road. When she confides that she’s pregnant and the father wants nothing to do with her or their child, my first instinct is to put my fist through his face. My second is to take care of her.
She needs a friend now more than ever and that’s what I become. Maybe one day she’ll come to see me as more. Maybe my dreams aren’t all that far from reality. Maybe, if I’m lucky enough, she’ll agree to marry me and make me the happiest man in Wilder Valley.
Born Wild is a prequel to Kacey Shea’s Wilder Valley series. It can be enjoyed as a standalone or at any point within the Wilder Valley novels.
- GenresContemporary
72 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2025
11 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Kacey Shea
33 books1,557 followersJoin Kacey's newsletter to receive a free book ↦ http://www.subscribepage.com/kaceyshe...
Kacey Shea is a USA Today bestselling author of steamy contemporary romance. She enjoys writing strong and smart heroines, heroes with hearts of gold, and stories that deliver a satisfying, well-earned happily ever after.
When she's not writing you will find her tracking down one of her three children, drinking iced tea by the gallon, or planning her next escape from the Arizona heat.
Kacey enjoys interacting with her fans so please feel free to stalk her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Kacey Shea is a USA Today bestselling author of steamy contemporary romance. She enjoys writing strong and smart heroines, heroes with hearts of gold, and stories that deliver a satisfying, well-earned happily ever after.
When she's not writing you will find her tracking down one of her three children, drinking iced tea by the gallon, or planning her next escape from the Arizona heat.
Kacey enjoys interacting with her fans so please feel free to stalk her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 16, 2025
Adorable!
It was so much fun to read this prequel about the Wilder Parents and how they got their start as a couple 🥰
It was so nice to see Tim Senior as the good guy he was portrayed to be by all the other kids.
It’s too bad that he and Tim Jr ended up having a falling out. It was fun to see the hardware store mentioned that appears in Tim Jr’s story also! 🥰🥰
It was so much fun to read this prequel about the Wilder Parents and how they got their start as a couple 🥰
It was so nice to see Tim Senior as the good guy he was portrayed to be by all the other kids.
It’s too bad that he and Tim Jr ended up having a falling out. It was fun to see the hardware store mentioned that appears in Tim Jr’s story also! 🥰🥰
August 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
Heartfelt, Sweet, and Comforting
"Born Wild" is a touching and emotionally grounded prequel that dives into unspoken love, quiet strength, and the power of showing up for someone when they need it most. The story unfolds through the eyes of a quietly loyal ranch boy who has harbored feelings for Cassie Higgins for years. When Cassie’s world is turned upside down by an unexpected pregnancy and abandonment, his instinct to protect and care for her becomes the heart of the story.
What I really enjoyed was how genuine and tender the main character felt—his inner dialogue was believable and full of hope, even when circumstances were far from ideal. The slow burn of their evolving relationship was sweet, and I appreciated how it never felt rushed or forced. It’s not overly dramatic or flashy, but that’s what makes it work: it’s raw, real, and heartfelt.
This book works well as a standalone but also makes me curious about the rest of the Wilder Valley series. If you're into small-town romance with emotionally rich characters and a solid, feel-good vibe, "Born Wild" is definitely worth picking up.
Heartfelt, Sweet, and Comforting
"Born Wild" is a touching and emotionally grounded prequel that dives into unspoken love, quiet strength, and the power of showing up for someone when they need it most. The story unfolds through the eyes of a quietly loyal ranch boy who has harbored feelings for Cassie Higgins for years. When Cassie’s world is turned upside down by an unexpected pregnancy and abandonment, his instinct to protect and care for her becomes the heart of the story.
What I really enjoyed was how genuine and tender the main character felt—his inner dialogue was believable and full of hope, even when circumstances were far from ideal. The slow burn of their evolving relationship was sweet, and I appreciated how it never felt rushed or forced. It’s not overly dramatic or flashy, but that’s what makes it work: it’s raw, real, and heartfelt.
This book works well as a standalone but also makes me curious about the rest of the Wilder Valley series. If you're into small-town romance with emotionally rich characters and a solid, feel-good vibe, "Born Wild" is definitely worth picking up.
October 22, 2025
Have you read the Wilder Valley series by Kacey Shea yet? If not, you are surely missing out! They are absolutely fantastic and live rent-free in my head! Born Wild is a beautiful prequel that gives you a taste of the depth and emotion you’ll find in the rest of the series.
Cassie and Tim’s story sets the tone for what lies ahead or gives longtime fans a glimpse into the past. Tim is quiet, introverted, and completely convinced Cassie is way out of his league, while Cassie is a strong, independent woman dealing with a lot and learning to trust in him.
What I loved most about this story is how it shows that love isn’t always about grand gestures, it’s the little things that add up and mean the most. Heartfelt, emotional, and perfectly paced for a novella. Grab this series now and there's no better place to start than here.
Thank you @kaceysheabooks for another fantastic read.
Cassie and Tim’s story sets the tone for what lies ahead or gives longtime fans a glimpse into the past. Tim is quiet, introverted, and completely convinced Cassie is way out of his league, while Cassie is a strong, independent woman dealing with a lot and learning to trust in him.
What I loved most about this story is how it shows that love isn’t always about grand gestures, it’s the little things that add up and mean the most. Heartfelt, emotional, and perfectly paced for a novella. Grab this series now and there's no better place to start than here.
Thank you @kaceysheabooks for another fantastic read.
October 21, 2025
This was a quick, sweet story about Cassie and Tim. If you've read the Wilder Valley series then you know all the Wilder siblings, this is their parents story. It was a great story about hope and happiness. Tim was such an amazing guy and totally stepped up when he needed to. Anybody would be lucky to have him.
Cassie was a kind character who found herself in a spot of trouble. I enjoyed how organically their relationship developed and how pure their love was. You could really feel the connection between them. I loved the setting on the ranch and the barn scene. The pen pals element was fun and the strong small town vibes were cozy. If you’re looking for a quick Wilder Valley fix then this book is perfect!
Cassie was a kind character who found herself in a spot of trouble. I enjoyed how organically their relationship developed and how pure their love was. You could really feel the connection between them. I loved the setting on the ranch and the barn scene. The pen pals element was fun and the strong small town vibes were cozy. If you’re looking for a quick Wilder Valley fix then this book is perfect!
September 9, 2025
What a wonderful introduction to the Wilder family and how it all began. Tim Wilder is a quiet, hard working young man. He has been in love with Cassie since the moment he met her. When he finally worked up the nerve to ask her out, she told him she was leaving town for the summer. Now she is back and when she needed him most, Tim didn't hesitate to offer to take care of her. As he continued to show her he was an honorable man, the sparks began to fly and Cassie began falling just as hard for him. This was a well rounded novella that really allowed me to understand and care for Tim and Cassie. I loved how their sweet and steamy story played out, making me want to read this series again!
August 16, 2025
Tim has been in love with Cassie forever. She goes away for the summer and comes back pregnant for a deadbeat. Tim steps in and supports her and offered to marry her. She accepts but still wonders if Tim would want her if she wasn’t pregnant. Tim assures her that he has always loved her and would do anything for her. This was a sweet short story about the Wilder beginnings.
August 23, 2025
A sweet beginning!
This is the story of the Wilder Brother’s parents. Tim was in love with Cassie when they met in high school, but he was shy and couldn’t bring himself to ask her out. When Cassie leaves for the summer, they write letters to each other and end up forming a bond that can’t be broken. A heartfelt prequel to this series.
This is the story of the Wilder Brother’s parents. Tim was in love with Cassie when they met in high school, but he was shy and couldn’t bring himself to ask her out. When Cassie leaves for the summer, they write letters to each other and end up forming a bond that can’t be broken. A heartfelt prequel to this series.
August 19, 2025
It was simply impossible for my heart not to melt as I read Cassie and Tim's story. Epically heartfelt and beautifully swoon worthy, sets a rock-solid base for a family I cannot wait to read more about.
August 25, 2025
Love this!
I've read & loved all of Wilder Valley (the kid's books) but to get the parents story is AMAZING! How Tim & Cassie meet and get together is a great start to all of the Wilder Valley series!
I've read & loved all of Wilder Valley (the kid's books) but to get the parents story is AMAZING! How Tim & Cassie meet and get together is a great start to all of the Wilder Valley series!
August 28, 2025
Great start
I love that thus story goes before the other books and get to see the love that is in these two. Now it makes me want to reread the whole series again. I loved this quick, sweet book!
I love that thus story goes before the other books and get to see the love that is in these two. Now it makes me want to reread the whole series again. I loved this quick, sweet book!
August 23, 2025
This is a brilliant prequel to a brilliant series.
It's so good to see how the family became and can't wait to read more.
It's so good to see how the family became and can't wait to read more.
September 6, 2025
So nice to get Tim and Cassie’s story. It’s the pre story to all the Wilder boys and how they came to be. Tim is a great man and his love for Cassie shows.
Sweet story.
Sweet story.
December 20, 2025
I did not expect to cry when reading this but the ending got to me. It is a heartwarming read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews