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Where the Wild Hearts Are: A Sweet Small-Town Romantic Comedy

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338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2026

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Sondra Kraak

12 books148 followers

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5 stars
18 (78%)
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4 (17%)
3 stars
1 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Emily.
594 reviews16 followers
April 11, 2026
Where the Wild Hearts Are is the first story I have read written by Sondra Kraak. I could not put this book down. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

This story is such a sweet story. There is a group of friends who met as youth at summer camp. Now the group is all adults. Juliette has gone through a lot in her life. She is a mother to three sweet and spunky little girls while dealing with the death of her husband. She moves back to her hometown to be closer to a sense of home and to give her some space from her brother-in-law, Miles. Juliette and Miles dated briefly before Juliette and Phillip dated and then got married. There was never anything between Juliette and Miles, but since the death of Phillip, things seem to have shifted. Miles is the doting uncle and always seems to show up at the right time to help with the girls. Miles is a handyman, so he is fixing up the family cabin, which just so happens to be closer to Juliette’s new place. Juliette is keeping things afloat just barely.

When the camp is put up for sale, Juliette dreams of purchasing it and keeping the legacy alive. The group of camp friends comes together to save their beloved camp. Working hard to raise the funds to purchase the camp, but not everything is as easy as one might think. Watching the friends come together to work on bringing this dream to life was great.    
 
This second-chance romance was so clean and sweet.   

With faith elements sprinkled throughout, it was a great story. I am looking forward to book two in the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. A positive review was not required. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Amanda  H.
846 reviews56 followers
April 17, 2026
I enjoyed this small town story of loss and second chances. My heart broke for Juliette as she struggled to figure out life after losing her husband in a tragic accident. I could feel for Miles as he struggled with feeling like he was too much at times. I also loved the second chance with the characters dreaming of purchasing the campground that had been so instrumental in their youth. This is a sweet story of love and hope, and trusting God when things seem hopeless. I look forward to reading more about the characters in this series!

I received this book from JustRead. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Lisa.
627 reviews67 followers
April 16, 2026
Miles was Juliette’s summer camp boyfriend, but things fizzled between them when Juliette started dating (and eventually married) Miles’ brother. Now Juliette is a single mom, raising three girls on her own after her husband died. She moved back to her small hometown to get away from her slightly overwhelming but well-intentioned in-laws, and from Miles and the suddenly weird chemistry between them. And when she learns that the summer campground is for sale, old dreams of running a camp come rushing back to life.

This book was such a delight! I’m a summer camp kid, and I loved that Sondra Kraak has a group of friends who met at camp and have maintained those friendships into adulthood. I love it more that Juliette and Miles met at that camp, and that the summer romance sparks were there, just waiting to be fanned back to life. I do love a good second chance romance, and this one was adorable.

Both Juliette and Miles are wonderfully likable characters. Juliette is determined to make it on her own, and she’s so sure she needs someone like Philip, someone levelheaded to balance out her big emotions. She thought Miles was “too much” when they were younger. And Miles is just huggable. He’s a handyman, a fix-it kind of guy with a big heart, and he genuinely cares for his nieces and enjoys spending time with him. It’s lovely to see a male character who’s a nurturer and not afraid to act like it.

Juliette’s kids are a lot of fun, too. Bea is constantly on the move, a chatterbox who wants to be in the thick of everything. I could really relate to Lucy, carrying her favorite book with her everywhere. And Aria is just a toddler, but of course she’s precious, too!

There’s just enough tension mixed in with the sale of the camp. Juliette doesn’t have that kind of money, and there are several potential buyers interested in the property. But Sparrow Ridge was a haven for several of the friends. Can they come up with a plan to band together and bring dreams to fruition? Those aren’t high stakes in terms of physical well-being, but losing a dream is sometimes more painful than a physical blow, so I was invested in the outcome.

Found family, second chance romance, a gentle faith that underlies daily decisions, cute kids, there is nothing about this book I didn’t like. I’ll be reading more from Sondra Kraak, and I recommend this to anyone who appreciates a sweet, clean romance!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from JustRead Publicity Tours. I wasn’t required to leave a review. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books I don’t actually like.

Profile Image for Christi.
1,216 reviews36 followers
April 14, 2026
I was never a camp kid, but it was something I always wished I could’ve participated in, which could be why I tend to gravitate to stories that involve camps or camping, like Where the Wild Things Are.

While I know the main focus is on the second-chance romance between Miles and Juliette, that wasn’t the part that hooked me and kept me intrigued. Some of my favorite moments in this novel involved Juliette’s daughters and their interactions with their uncle, Miles, as well as the journey to rescuing the childhood camp that means so much to Juliette.

Miles won me over with his sincerity and caring nature, and honestly, all of the side characters stole the show and really carried this story, in my opinion. I enjoyed the conversations in the text chats with Juliette and the Sparrow Chicks and Miles with the Warbirds. It added a little something to an otherwise ordinary narrative and added something that was both friendly and familiar.

While this novel is very sweet, I struggled to connect, and I think it’s because this is a trope that I don’t particularly care for. Second chances are redemptive, which I do like and appreciate, but they seem to lack a certain zest that I crave. Still, Miles and Juliette are very sweet together, and seeing the family together was heartwarming.

If you like second chances with a sweet, slow burn and a Hallmark feel, then you’ll enjoy Where the Wild Things Are. There is heart and depth that you’ll appreciate and it will leave you with all the warm, fuzzy feelings.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
Profile Image for MK.
508 reviews14 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 6, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
As someone who grew up going to and loving church camp, this book about a group of friends that met at camp, and who want to save their childhood camp, was so fun. I loved the friendships of the very different friends. Their unique personalities and closeness, despite differences was such a fun dynamic to the story. My hope is they each friend gets a story! I also loved the complexity of the romance. Life is messy. We change as we grow and experience life circumstances that lead to changes in ourselves, as well as changes in our relationships with others. I loved the inner turmoil that felt so relatable. Life truly is messy! This was a fun light read, with enough depth to make it meaningful and keep me reading. A lot of books with kids in them, create unrealistic kids. I like that the kids in this book seemed authentic. I could definitely relate to this mom in the stage of young motherhood exhaustion. This was the first book by this author that I’ve read and I’d definitely read more of her books.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Cathy.
2,037 reviews71 followers
May 6, 2026
I enjoy reading a good second chance romance. This one is really cute.

Juliette is a single mom. Her daughters give her a run for her money. They were definitely the comic relief in this story. Juliette's husband died not long before the story opens and she's trying to figure out how to be both mom and dad, and how to survive away from his family. I loved how strong Juliette was. She worked hard and she still had her own dreams.

Miles is Juliette's brother-in-law. He's also a handyman. I love the way he was willing to help not only with repairs on the rental Juliette and the girls were living in, but making sure Juliette was able to get out and do something for her sometimes. He was such a great guy! He also happened to be Juliette's teenage crush.

I loved how the author weaved Miles and Juliette's story through the story of the friends buying the camp that brought them all together as teenagers. The ending was perfect for the friends, the camp, and for Miles and Juliette.
Profile Image for Robin Mason.
Author 11 books81 followers
April 14, 2026
I’ve not seen this, uh, meet-cute (is cute even the right word?) before. I mean technically, Juliette and Miles met at camp when they were teenagers. But the circumstances were [SPOILER] then.
Now? Another tragedy has struck, leaving Juliette a young widow with three small daughters. And Miles without his brother.
This story takes the reader on a journey of the heart, both in long-held dreams and in romance. The characters are real and human and three-dimensional, with emotions that ebb and flow, surge and retreat.
I’ve seen this author’s name, but not read any of her books before, and I can promise it won’t be my last read by Ms. Kraak.

ROBIN’S FEATHERS
ALL | THE | FEATHERS!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, Where the Wild Hearts Are, Sondra Kraak, Hearts of Sparrow Ridge Series, JustRead Publicity
Profile Image for Christy.
1,358 reviews73 followers
Review of advance copy
April 14, 2026
As soon as I started reading Where the Wild Hearts Are by Sandra Kraak, I became totally absorbed in this inspirational second chance rom-com. I stayed up way too late the night I began it and read it pretty much the entire day afterwards. I literally couldn’t put it down. I loved everything about this dual narrative story as told by Juliette and Miles. These two dated at camp for a brief time when they were teenagers, but Juliette fell in love with Miles’s brother and was married to him for several years. She’s been a widow for two years now, and suddenly the dynamics have changed between these two. Being afraid of what she was feeling, Juliette moved back to the small town in which she grew up.

That small town is home to the summer camp where Juliette, Miles, and a few others became close friends who feel like they’re family. (And I hope they all get a book!!) The camp is now for sale, and Juliette wants to buy it…which is completely impossible. But God. God was already working in the heart of a former camper who believes that God is calling him to run this camp. He knows that Juliette wants that too, and he truly believes that this group of friends was meant to buy the camp.

I loved this book immensely! The characters are amazing and very realistic. I adored Juliette’s children. The banter among the friend group is so much fun. The pages are filled with humor, but there are also some heartbreaking moments…just like life. That this is an inspirational book is especially evident when the friends talk about the camp. The romance is low-spice while still being swoony. This is a total 5 star read for me, and I cannot wait for more books to come out in this series!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Amy.
313 reviews42 followers
April 12, 2026
Ooooh.... that. Was. FUN!!! I have enjoyed Sondra's historical fiction for years, and knowing her as a friend as well as a favorite author, I knew her first foray into contemporary fiction would deliver all the feels. And it did!! This story made me laugh out loud several times (I nearly hyperventilated during the Fourth of July parade scene!), as well as choke up with emotion as the story's deeper themes and truths hit their marks. Sondra is incredibly adept at pulling profound faith lessons from even the simplest of everyday moments, and this really shines in Miles and Juliette's journey. Fans of her previous Love That Counts series will especially appreciate the modern-day Pine Creek setting and its historical "easter eggs" (hello, Monaghan Lumber!!!). I eagerly await more stories from Sparrow Ridge!
Profile Image for Beth | Faithfully Bookish.
944 reviews259 followers
April 25, 2026
This inspiring romcom does not shy away from the tough stuff (specifically, grief, widowhood, and family dynamics) and is refreshingly packed with wisdom that challenges.

"Walking with Jesus is always an active endeavor. There are no passive disciples."

"Allow what was to simply be what it was. And let what's starting to be... be."

I have been deeply blessed by reading this story and trust that God will use it to touch the hearts of many more readers.

On a personal note: Sondra and I had the pleasure of meeting several years ago and I've always enjoyed her charming stories. I borrowed this title through Kindle Unlimited. The opinions expressed are my own.

As owner of JustRead Publicity Tours, I received compensation from the publisher and/or author to coordinate a promotional tour for this title.
297 reviews1 follower
April 24, 2026
Heard of this author and picked up this book because of a friend's review.

What I somehow missed is that it's a young widow and her husband's brother - and they have a previous history (before she got married). Plus there's faith in this one? Say less. I was completely in love with this book from the very beginning.

I thought the dynamic of falling for her brother-in-law after she became a widow was beautifully handled. It was ridiculously swoony and I just loved it SO much!!!

Text Threads
Widowed Mom
Adorable Daughters
Brother-in-law
Nicknames
Friend Group
He Falls First
Faith Inspired

This one is definitely on my 2026 Favorites list!! And I cannot wait to read more from this author!!!
Profile Image for Anne.
Author 2 books1 follower
May 15, 2026
"𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐’𝘮 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴—𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦—𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘐’𝘮 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘥𝘮𝘪𝘵."
- Sondra Kraak, 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝘼𝙧𝙚

A sweet, second chance love story with heart, yearning, and inspiration. This is the first book of a new romance series set in a small, mountain town. I loved the relationship and chemistry between Miles and Juliette! I love the friendships and memories between the former "camp kids" and their big dream to buy a summer camp. This is swoony and uplifting!

​♡ 𝙸𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚜... ♡
💘 Second chance romance
🔅 Inspirational
💞 Dual POV
🏘 Small town
🏕 Summer camp memories
❤️‍🩹 Healing hearts
❤️‍🔥 A sweet, slow burn
Profile Image for Anna.
170 reviews
April 10, 2026
I really enjoyed this sweet story of second chances and enjoying the blessings God places in your life. This novel brought back summer camp memories for me, and I greatly enjoyed that aspect of the story. It was neat seeing their friend group rally together to revive their old camp. I also liked seeing how they all stayed in touch; their positive relationships were encouraging. I liked how the author portrayed Juliette; her struggles as a widowed, single mom of three and seeing herself as someone God loves seemed realistic. And Miles - he was just the best! He was a doting uncle, and he treaded so carefully in his relationship with Juliette. I quickly began to root for them. I also enjoyed the light faith thread. Though there were some funny moments, I would categorize this more as a contemporary romance rather than romcom. I’m looking forward to the rest of this series; I’m especially hoping we get Zayne and Sophia’s story! This one is a great choice for sweet romance lovers.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for my review copy; I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts above are my own.
49 reviews
April 20, 2026
This grabbed my heart!

This new book is one of a rare breed. It’s the kind of book that halfway through, I thought “I don’t want this to end”. I’m excited that there’s a series coming and can’t wait to read the rest. It’s a story that combines romance, friendship, and faith in a rich, wonderfully told story.
Profile Image for Jeannette Harbottle.
800 reviews10 followers
April 22, 2026
A fun read

I really enjoyed this book! It was light hearted but had depth and Godly wisdom woven into it. Juliette and her three girl's personalities were so real and who wouldn't fall in love with Miles?
271 reviews
April 8, 2026
Although the book doesn’t read as a romcom to me, but a more contemporary romance I really enjoyed this! I like to go into books pretty blind so seeing her former brother in law show up surprised me! But don’t let that deter you. This one was just so tender and sweet.

I love the way the relationship between Miles and Juliette grows and matures. I appreciate that although there was some background going on a lot of time has passed and this relationship has slowly changed up until this point.

Miles is so wonderful with Juliette’s girls and I love that he is always open to lending her a hand in the capacity she needs. He is patient and calm and I love that about their relationship.

Juliette has had such a rough go of it. Her resilience and care for her girls is wonderful to witness. I’m glad that she had so much growth throughout this story.

The friend groups for both is such a joy to witness. I love the group texts and all the conversations between them. I can’t wait to see where their stories go.

Okay along with this series I’m going to need a Porter brother series too!

CW: loss of spouse (past), loss of parents in accident (past), some Christian themes sprinkled in. Closed door (make-outs only.)

Thank you to the author for allowing me to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Lissa.
1,037 reviews18 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 8, 2026
I absolutely adore Miles & Juliette's caring, too muchness, sweet, loving, hopeful, swoony happily ever after!!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews