Tucker, A. K. --The Simple Wild informal buddy read starts April 6, 2020

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is open to discuss The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker.



Synopsis
Calla Fletcher wasn't even 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 Calla learns that Wren’s days may be numbered, she 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 rugged environment, Jonah—the unkempt, obnoxious, and proud Alaskan pilot who helps keep 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. Soon, she finds herself forming an unexpected 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.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Laura]

I'm looking forward to reading this one!

[Geri]

This does look good. Can you start Monday? I have the book another 12 days. Annoyingly, I saw someone has already put a hold on it.

[Laura]

Sure, I'd be happy to start Monday!

[Laura]

The next book looks good too!

[Geri]

OK. Great. I’ll start Monday!

[Laura]

is the second book :-)

[Brianna]

I just saved this one on Scribd! I'm pretty excited about it!

[Geri]

Welcome, Brianna! I will start later today.

[Geri]

I made it through chapter 7. Really enjoying it! (view spoiler)[The author is doing a good job at bringing the MCs to life. Calla is likeable and like a lot of new adults, a little self absorbed and trying to make it and trying to find themselves.

Alaska is also coming to life. From the mosquitos and the high prices at the grocery store. And the run down town feel. I have always wanted to visit Alaska. A bigger town, though. And maybe see the wilderness and nature too. Maybe one day...

Jonah is being a bit tough on her. But I think he is not seeing the entire situation and doesn’t realize that Calla’s dad is just as much to blame for not seeing each other. But I don’t mind a little tension between the MCs. Makes it more interesting. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I started a chapter last night. I 've had a busy morning..I'll catch up!

Hi Brianna!

[Laura]

I tried to catch up to Geri's spoiler and didn't realize I read past chapter 7. I just finished chapter 10. I'm really enjoying this too!

(view spoiler)[
I like the snippets of Alaskan life that we are learning. I think Calla is a spoiled adult. Alaskan life is such that communities depend on each other that I think Calla is going to do a bit of self awareness and perhaps grow more as an adult.

I like her step dad Simon!

I suspect I would have been sick on the plane to Alaska.. especially the little plane.

I like that Calla and her dad are slowly talking. I hope they get to sort out their feelings before he gets too sick.

I still haven't figured out if Wren and Agnes are in a relationship. (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

I finished today. It was sad at times. But not “ugly cry”sad, thank goodness! LOL The book reminded me of Christina Lauren. When Christina Lauren is good! Calla and Jonah made me laugh with their banter and pranks. I am interested in book 2. It won’t be in audio for a few weeks. So maybe we can read the next book in May?

[Laura]

I'm at 60% and still enjoying it a lot. Im waiting to finish... hoping it will fit for the next oregon task. I d love to read the next book. May sounds great.

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "I'm at 60% and still enjoying it a lot. Im waiting to finish... hoping it will fit for the next oregon task. I d love to read the next book. May sounds great."

OK. Great. Hopefully, it will work for a task. Let me know what you think when you are done.

[Laura]

I'm ready to get back to this one :-)

[Laura]

I really liked this one, Geri. It actually turned out better than I thought. I loved the banter between Calla and Jonah, like you. One of my favorite scenes - Calla shaving his beard when he was sleeping from the pain pills.

I liked the ending. Wren passing was sad. I 'm usually an ugly crier for a scene like that but surprisingly I didn't this time. I like that Calla 's mom came back and was there for Wren.

I think Calla and her mom are two different people same as Jonah and Wren so I think /hope that Jonah and Calla manage to stay together.

I really want to read the other book- now, but I will wait until you get your copy. Its nice to read a book with someone else.

I borrowed my copy from Overdrive and there is a reading group guide . I like this one:

If you were to move to Bangor, Alaska, what luxury would be the hardest for you to live without?

[Geri]

Yes, I laughed when Jonah’s beard was shaved too. They were cute together. And I like that it took time for their relationship to develop. I read the book description for book 2 and it gives too much away. UGH! Don’t read it if you haven’t already.

I think I would probably miss not having nice restaurants or shops to go to. So yeah, with all that is going on right now and everything being shut down, isn’t easy for me. But other luxuries I would probably order online like gourmet foods or coffee or high end lotions etc..

What would you miss?

[Laura]

I've been thinking about this a lot since I posted it.

I think as long as I had access to books I would be okay. I would definitely run out of water before the water trunk came again. (like Calla)

Right now, not being able to see the rest of my family and friends is what I'm finding the hardest. Are you able to get takeout ( I know its not the same as going in and sitting down at a nice restaurant) And are you still able to online shopping - though also different than going in a shop and browsing and buying.

[Geri]

Yes, not able to see friends and family is tough too. But I am talking, texting and emailing them.

And yes, my husband and I got takeout from a favorite restaurant last weekend. And it was definitely NOT the same! LOL

I am trying not to shop online too much. But staying at home makes it too easy. I recently ordered orange ginger bath set from Amazon. Only because Hannah in Maybe in Another Life mentioned it. I love both orange and ginger, so I had to have it! LOL

I don’t think the book mentioned a library. So not sure how much access to books there would be. Let’s hope there would be a library. Otherwise, things would be too uncivilized!

[Laura]

Geri wrote: "Yes, not able to see friends and family is tough too. But I am talking, texting and emailing them.

And yes, my husband and I got takeout from a favorite restaurant last weekend. And it was defini..."

It mentioned that Jonah had lots of books. Calla teased him about the titles and what she expected to be there. I'd be okay as I have my Overdrive account and KU.

I guess we have to just accept it's a new way of life for us and take one day at a time. That's what helping me anyway! Thank goodness for phone calls and video chatting:-)

You'll have to let me know if you like the bath set!