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Where the Wild Hearts Are #1
Wild on My Mind
Love runs wild at the Sagebrush Flats Zoo, where a motley crew of big-hearted animals helps the most unlikely couples find love.
When Katie Underwood discovers a litter of newborn cougar cubs, the last person she expects to come to the rescue is her former crush―and high school nemesis―Bowie Wilson. The worst part? He doesn't seem to remember the trouble he caused her.
As a single father and owner of a cash-strapped zoo, Bowie struggles to balance budgets while raising his pre-teen daughter and a host of rascally animals. He considers himself lucky when Katie agrees to lend her talents to a publicity campaign in support of the zoo's animal rehabilitation programs―until he learns just what she's planning...
This time, Katie is determined to resist Bowie's charm. But a lovelorn camel, a matchmaking honey badger, and a nursemaid capybara have different plans. Can they and the rest of the zoo's menagerie help Bowie break through the barriers surrounding Katie's heart?
When Katie Underwood discovers a litter of newborn cougar cubs, the last person she expects to come to the rescue is her former crush―and high school nemesis―Bowie Wilson. The worst part? He doesn't seem to remember the trouble he caused her.
As a single father and owner of a cash-strapped zoo, Bowie struggles to balance budgets while raising his pre-teen daughter and a host of rascally animals. He considers himself lucky when Katie agrees to lend her talents to a publicity campaign in support of the zoo's animal rehabilitation programs―until he learns just what she's planning...
This time, Katie is determined to resist Bowie's charm. But a lovelorn camel, a matchmaking honey badger, and a nursemaid capybara have different plans. Can they and the rest of the zoo's menagerie help Bowie break through the barriers surrounding Katie's heart?
388 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 25, 2018
48 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
About the author
Laurel Kerr
2 books54 followersLaurel Kerr is a full-time romance writer and mom, who occasionally still dabbles in the practice of law. Her debut novel, Wild on My Mind, reached the Golden Heart® finals under the title of Volunteering Her Heart in 2016. Laurel Kerr was also a 2017 Golden Heart® Finalist for a historical manuscript. She lives in Pennsylvania with her daughter, husband, and loyal Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Connect with Laurel on: http://www.facebook.com/laurelkerraut...
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http://www.instagram.com/laurel_kerr/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
September 22, 2018
Seriously loved this book. I think it was a combination of the characters and the personalities of the animals in the zoo especially a honey badger named Fluffy.
I had a hard time putting this book down and found myself trying to read "just one more chapter" before work or bed or an errand. Katie is someone a lot of women could relate to if you were teased by your crush while a teenager. It is hard to let those feelings go even 10+ years later, but it can be done. Bowie was just trying to fit in at school and sadly made poor choices until faced with the biggest decision of his life. Both Katie and Bowie worked hard to overcome who they were and how they wanted others to see and know them as the years passed.
Katie also could relate to Abby and was able to offer a lot of sage advice to her in various situations. She remembered what it was like to be a teenager that was teased and even bullied. I enjoyed seeing their friendship blossom throughout the book.
Katie's mom was annoying at times. She wanted Katie back in town and so, of course, was trying to play matchmaker. I think Katie does a good job of putting her mom off at different times, but her mom is very persistent. I think she would have made me crazy!
I really enjoyed how well Katie and Bowie worked together to bring the zoo in their town back to life. I think it helped brighten Lou's mood. Lou was the original owner and is the current vet for the zoo.
Overall a well written book and I hope there are more to follow because there are some characters that I didn't mention that I can see having their own book, like June and Josh - two of Katie's best friends from college.
I had a hard time putting this book down and found myself trying to read "just one more chapter" before work or bed or an errand. Katie is someone a lot of women could relate to if you were teased by your crush while a teenager. It is hard to let those feelings go even 10+ years later, but it can be done. Bowie was just trying to fit in at school and sadly made poor choices until faced with the biggest decision of his life. Both Katie and Bowie worked hard to overcome who they were and how they wanted others to see and know them as the years passed.
Katie also could relate to Abby and was able to offer a lot of sage advice to her in various situations. She remembered what it was like to be a teenager that was teased and even bullied. I enjoyed seeing their friendship blossom throughout the book.
Katie's mom was annoying at times. She wanted Katie back in town and so, of course, was trying to play matchmaker. I think Katie does a good job of putting her mom off at different times, but her mom is very persistent. I think she would have made me crazy!
I really enjoyed how well Katie and Bowie worked together to bring the zoo in their town back to life. I think it helped brighten Lou's mood. Lou was the original owner and is the current vet for the zoo.
Overall a well written book and I hope there are more to follow because there are some characters that I didn't mention that I can see having their own book, like June and Josh - two of Katie's best friends from college.
August 20, 2022
I think I wore a HUGE smile on my face the entire time I read this book, because it was just so darn charming. If it doesn't already exist, we need to create a "cozy romance" category, because that is exactly where this book belongs.
• Pro: I LOVED the setting! It was so amazing spending all that time in the zoo. I really enjoyed being around the animals and learning so much about them.
• Pro: Although I was disappointed in high school Bowie, I loved grown-up Bowie. He worked so hard to overcome some major obstacles, and became an amazing father, "son", and man.
• Pro: Katie had a good reason to protect her heart, and I understood why she handled Bowie the way she did, but I was overjoyed, when she dealt with her past, and finally gave herself a shot at a great future.
• Pro: There were so many fabulous family moments. I loved Katie, her parents, and her over-protective brothers. Their interactions were fun and heartwarming, but Bowie and his daughter, Abby, absolutely owned my heart. They were nothing short of precious together.
• Pro: This may not have been a second chance romance, but it was about second chances. Bowie and Katie shared a painful past, and I liked that Kerr made them face that past head-on, but also allowed for redemption and forgiveness.
• Pro: At first, I thought Fluffy the honey badger's POV was odd, but then I started to look forward to the little rascal showing up, because he was hilarious. It was different and definitely added some additional fun to the story.
Overall: A sweet and heartwarming story of forgiveness, second chances, and love, which showed that many obstacles can be overcome with your friends, family, and animals by your side.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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• Pro: I LOVED the setting! It was so amazing spending all that time in the zoo. I really enjoyed being around the animals and learning so much about them.
• Pro: Although I was disappointed in high school Bowie, I loved grown-up Bowie. He worked so hard to overcome some major obstacles, and became an amazing father, "son", and man.
• Pro: Katie had a good reason to protect her heart, and I understood why she handled Bowie the way she did, but I was overjoyed, when she dealt with her past, and finally gave herself a shot at a great future.
• Pro: There were so many fabulous family moments. I loved Katie, her parents, and her over-protective brothers. Their interactions were fun and heartwarming, but Bowie and his daughter, Abby, absolutely owned my heart. They were nothing short of precious together.
• Pro: This may not have been a second chance romance, but it was about second chances. Bowie and Katie shared a painful past, and I liked that Kerr made them face that past head-on, but also allowed for redemption and forgiveness.
• Pro: At first, I thought Fluffy the honey badger's POV was odd, but then I started to look forward to the little rascal showing up, because he was hilarious. It was different and definitely added some additional fun to the story.
Overall: A sweet and heartwarming story of forgiveness, second chances, and love, which showed that many obstacles can be overcome with your friends, family, and animals by your side.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
June 16, 2019
This book reminds me of that old movie, We Bought a Zoo. Only this book also put more effort on the animal to be part of the story. Especially Fluffy. I am quite surprise how much i enjoy listening to the audiobook.
I thought th story can be more dramatic especially bringing up prank and bully issue. But i think at the end it still ends up ok. The moral of the story is dont judge a person by its cover. By being humble and respectfull you can gain understanding amd wisdom.
It is a very enjoyable read to end my weekend.
4 stars
I thought th story can be more dramatic especially bringing up prank and bully issue. But i think at the end it still ends up ok. The moral of the story is dont judge a person by its cover. By being humble and respectfull you can gain understanding amd wisdom.
It is a very enjoyable read to end my weekend.
4 stars
February 9, 2024
How do you begin the review of a book you liked so much, that was so special to you, that made you thought you've been waiting for this book all your life ??? Well, I guess I just did, but I feel like no matter what I'll say, I'll never find the right words to describe how much I loved this book.
Katie Underwood find three cougar cubs and do what she must do to ensure they're really orphaned before trying to rescue them. So she call on the professionals : people working at the Sagebrush Flats Zoo. Much to her surprise, the person who come is none other than the guy who broke her heart in secondary school when he pretended to be interested in her and played other cruel pranks on her, with his girlfriend and their friends.
Bowie Wilson changed a lot since high school. Becoming a dad, and a single dad at eighteen and finally finding people who believed in him and gave him affection after many years in the foster system is probably what made him a different man. Too busy with raising his eleven year old daughter and being the director of a zoo who's at risk of foreclosure doesn't let him lot of time for a social life and he hasn't been with a woman in years. But something in the woman he just met immediately caught his interest. But why did she seem to have taken an immediate dislike to him ? Bullies never remember the people they hurt, but the injured party never forget. He'll learn soon enough who she is and he recall easily what he did. Katie is not ready yet to put the past behind, even if he's trying to make amend, but working for the zoo to help them with marketing strategies and volunteering with the cubs she helped rescued will show her a new man, one who is hard to resist, but can she trust again ?
I purchased this book when I've read it's about a zoo and there was adorable animals in it. But when I've learned, before reading it, that Bowie was not a nemesis, but a bully, it made me very worried that I wouldn't be able to get over it to enjoy the story. I have a pretty low tolerance for mean people and douchebag so I was ready to dislike the hero. But he was able to make me believe in his goodness, and right from the beginning. I still think it's weak to play the rough family upbringing card as the main reason for being a coward and acting mean, but it's other people who excused his behavior with that and not because he didn't want to acknowledged his responsibility. I also think he should have been upfront with his daughter, especially since she's having trouble with kids at school and at time I thought that the subject of bullying was not treated as seriously as I think it should. Maybe it's my too sensitive side who comes out. At the same time, I understand that for the sake of the romance, it needed to not always be a big deal and I guess this part was also there to show that there's beauty in forgiveness ? Anyway, Katie and Bowie romance was well done. The time it took for them to rediscover each other and fall in love felt natural and believable and the fact that Katie wasn't resentful even if she was marked by the past showed that she became a strong and remarkable woman.
You didn't think I wouldn't talk again about the animals, right ? Even if the love story was oh so very satisfying, this book wouldn't have been the same without the furry sidekicks. I love that they were such an essential part of the book but even when they stole the show, they never overshadowed the romance. And Fluffy, oh my heart, you'll never find a more adorable and funny honey badger than him!!! His POV was my favorite moments ! I'm sure you won't be surprise if I tell you I'll probably have an honey badger obsession in the weeks to come ;p And he won a spot in my list of favorite characters ! Seriously, I already miss him. I also adore the fact that the zoo was like a character too.
The only problem there is it's that now I have to wait for the next book because this one was Laurel Kerr's author debut, and I don't know how I'll be able to wait! And I hope we'll see more of Katie's brothers.
A big, big, big thanks to my Goodreads friend, Julie, who made me discover this book :)
Katie Underwood find three cougar cubs and do what she must do to ensure they're really orphaned before trying to rescue them. So she call on the professionals : people working at the Sagebrush Flats Zoo. Much to her surprise, the person who come is none other than the guy who broke her heart in secondary school when he pretended to be interested in her and played other cruel pranks on her, with his girlfriend and their friends.
Bowie Wilson changed a lot since high school. Becoming a dad, and a single dad at eighteen and finally finding people who believed in him and gave him affection after many years in the foster system is probably what made him a different man. Too busy with raising his eleven year old daughter and being the director of a zoo who's at risk of foreclosure doesn't let him lot of time for a social life and he hasn't been with a woman in years. But something in the woman he just met immediately caught his interest. But why did she seem to have taken an immediate dislike to him ? Bullies never remember the people they hurt, but the injured party never forget. He'll learn soon enough who she is and he recall easily what he did. Katie is not ready yet to put the past behind, even if he's trying to make amend, but working for the zoo to help them with marketing strategies and volunteering with the cubs she helped rescued will show her a new man, one who is hard to resist, but can she trust again ?
I purchased this book when I've read it's about a zoo and there was adorable animals in it. But when I've learned, before reading it, that Bowie was not a nemesis, but a bully, it made me very worried that I wouldn't be able to get over it to enjoy the story. I have a pretty low tolerance for mean people and douchebag so I was ready to dislike the hero. But he was able to make me believe in his goodness, and right from the beginning. I still think it's weak to play the rough family upbringing card as the main reason for being a coward and acting mean, but it's other people who excused his behavior with that and not because he didn't want to acknowledged his responsibility. I also think he should have been upfront with his daughter, especially since she's having trouble with kids at school and at time I thought that the subject of bullying was not treated as seriously as I think it should. Maybe it's my too sensitive side who comes out. At the same time, I understand that for the sake of the romance, it needed to not always be a big deal and I guess this part was also there to show that there's beauty in forgiveness ? Anyway, Katie and Bowie romance was well done. The time it took for them to rediscover each other and fall in love felt natural and believable and the fact that Katie wasn't resentful even if she was marked by the past showed that she became a strong and remarkable woman.
You didn't think I wouldn't talk again about the animals, right ? Even if the love story was oh so very satisfying, this book wouldn't have been the same without the furry sidekicks. I love that they were such an essential part of the book but even when they stole the show, they never overshadowed the romance. And Fluffy, oh my heart, you'll never find a more adorable and funny honey badger than him!!! His POV was my favorite moments ! I'm sure you won't be surprise if I tell you I'll probably have an honey badger obsession in the weeks to come ;p And he won a spot in my list of favorite characters ! Seriously, I already miss him. I also adore the fact that the zoo was like a character too.
The only problem there is it's that now I have to wait for the next book because this one was Laurel Kerr's author debut, and I don't know how I'll be able to wait! And I hope we'll see more of Katie's brothers.
A big, big, big thanks to my Goodreads friend, Julie, who made me discover this book :)
September 26, 2018
4.5 Stars!
Wild on My Mind features a wonderful romance, some adorable newborn cougar cubs, and a matchmaking honey badger.
When Katie Underwood discovers a litter of abandoned newborn cougar cubs, she does the responsible thing and calls in someone more experienced to rescue the animals. The last person she expected to show up is Bowie Wilson, her former crush and eventual high school nemesis. After Bowie doesn’t recognize her and her mother offers Katie’s marketing skills to help out the zoo, Katie plans to get revenge against the man who made her life hell ten years ago. When Bowie remembers her soon after their initial meeting and sets out to make amends, Katie is determined to resist his charms.
Katie didn’t have a great experience socially growing up because of Bowie and as a result she has difficulty letting people into her life. Her dealings with Bowie ten years ago also really soured her opinions on love and she tries to protect herself from being hurt again at all costs, sometimes to the detriment of others. Her dream was always to leave her small town and get a job in a big city which isn’t something she’s managed in the ten years since high school.
Bowie didn’t have a stable home life as a kid and ended up in foster care for a large part of his time in high school. Due to his need to fit in and find somewhere he could belong, Bowie bullied Katie at his girlfriend Sawyer’s insistence. After Sawyer unexpectedly ended up pregnant and wanted nothing to do with a child, Bowie fought tooth and nail to gain custody of his daughter which turned his life around. Bowie’s relationship with Abby is wonderful and I loved how much he wanted to make sure she had a better life than him.
Katie and Bowie definitely had a lot to work through in order for their relationship to work, but it’s amazing once it does. Initially Katie has a hard time forgiving Bowie for his treatment of her, but after getting to know the man he is now she slowly begins to forgive him. I liked that Bowie and Katie had to work to reach a good place and that it didn’t come easy for them which I believe made their relationship stronger. Their physical relationship is incredibly hot and was at first the only type of relationship Katie thought to have with Bowie. I enjoyed watching them become more to each other and feel their journey as a couple in the present was perfect.
One of the best parts of this book was the setting of the zoo and the inclusion of the animals. All of the animals have such distinct personalities and I enjoyed watching the characters get to interact with them. The only thing I disliked about this book were the snippets from the honey badger Fluffy’s point of view. I think it’s neat how the author tried to include a point of view from the animal trying to play matchmaker for Katie and Bowie, but it just felt weird reading from an animal’s point of view in a contemporary romance.
Overall, Wild on My Mind was an absolute delight from start to finish and I can’t wait to read more books from this author in the future. I highly recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a great contemporary romance.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Wild on My Mind features a wonderful romance, some adorable newborn cougar cubs, and a matchmaking honey badger.
When Katie Underwood discovers a litter of abandoned newborn cougar cubs, she does the responsible thing and calls in someone more experienced to rescue the animals. The last person she expected to show up is Bowie Wilson, her former crush and eventual high school nemesis. After Bowie doesn’t recognize her and her mother offers Katie’s marketing skills to help out the zoo, Katie plans to get revenge against the man who made her life hell ten years ago. When Bowie remembers her soon after their initial meeting and sets out to make amends, Katie is determined to resist his charms.
Katie didn’t have a great experience socially growing up because of Bowie and as a result she has difficulty letting people into her life. Her dealings with Bowie ten years ago also really soured her opinions on love and she tries to protect herself from being hurt again at all costs, sometimes to the detriment of others. Her dream was always to leave her small town and get a job in a big city which isn’t something she’s managed in the ten years since high school.
Bowie didn’t have a stable home life as a kid and ended up in foster care for a large part of his time in high school. Due to his need to fit in and find somewhere he could belong, Bowie bullied Katie at his girlfriend Sawyer’s insistence. After Sawyer unexpectedly ended up pregnant and wanted nothing to do with a child, Bowie fought tooth and nail to gain custody of his daughter which turned his life around. Bowie’s relationship with Abby is wonderful and I loved how much he wanted to make sure she had a better life than him.
Katie and Bowie definitely had a lot to work through in order for their relationship to work, but it’s amazing once it does. Initially Katie has a hard time forgiving Bowie for his treatment of her, but after getting to know the man he is now she slowly begins to forgive him. I liked that Bowie and Katie had to work to reach a good place and that it didn’t come easy for them which I believe made their relationship stronger. Their physical relationship is incredibly hot and was at first the only type of relationship Katie thought to have with Bowie. I enjoyed watching them become more to each other and feel their journey as a couple in the present was perfect.
One of the best parts of this book was the setting of the zoo and the inclusion of the animals. All of the animals have such distinct personalities and I enjoyed watching the characters get to interact with them. The only thing I disliked about this book were the snippets from the honey badger Fluffy’s point of view. I think it’s neat how the author tried to include a point of view from the animal trying to play matchmaker for Katie and Bowie, but it just felt weird reading from an animal’s point of view in a contemporary romance.
Overall, Wild on My Mind was an absolute delight from start to finish and I can’t wait to read more books from this author in the future. I highly recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a great contemporary romance.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
August 12, 2018
In a word, this book was adorable. It was a balance of light - almost campy at times - fun, and deeper emotional punches. There's a little bit of everything here (including some action and mild suspense), and it was a captivating ride.
I loved the nature of Bowie and Katie's relationship. Katie is #girlgoals - a fantastic heroine who is strong, kind, even-tempered, and smart. I adored her. And I loved the uniqueness of how her relationship with Bowie evolved. It was heartwarming, sweet, and completely satisfying.
The writing was a little uneven for me sometimes. I felt like there was a lot crammed into the book, and so I found myself skimming occasionally to get to the meaty bits. Over-all, however, I was charmed. I loved the zoo animals and the mischief they made. I loved the dynamic of Katie and Bowie's relationship with Bowie's daughter Abby. I loved the subtle twists and turns that the story took, and the growth I got to see in nearly every character. And I loved the sweet, sweet ending that left my heart full and happy.
Overall? I am happy to have read this book. It's a solid start to a new series and an author I would definitely read again. ~ Shelly, 3.5 Stars
I loved the nature of Bowie and Katie's relationship. Katie is #girlgoals - a fantastic heroine who is strong, kind, even-tempered, and smart. I adored her. And I loved the uniqueness of how her relationship with Bowie evolved. It was heartwarming, sweet, and completely satisfying.
The writing was a little uneven for me sometimes. I felt like there was a lot crammed into the book, and so I found myself skimming occasionally to get to the meaty bits. Over-all, however, I was charmed. I loved the zoo animals and the mischief they made. I loved the dynamic of Katie and Bowie's relationship with Bowie's daughter Abby. I loved the subtle twists and turns that the story took, and the growth I got to see in nearly every character. And I loved the sweet, sweet ending that left my heart full and happy.
Overall? I am happy to have read this book. It's a solid start to a new series and an author I would definitely read again. ~ Shelly, 3.5 Stars
October 2, 2018
Excellent contemporary. The setting is a zoo and there are lots of cute animals and their antics. Both the hero & heroine have pasts they need to deal with in order to move forward today. The story stirs many emotions, it’s a pageturner, and I highly recommend it.
September 29, 2018
Katie was bullied in school by Bowie, the guy she crushed hard on, so running into her torturer 10 years later doesn’t give her immediate warm fuzzies. Katie has come a long way from being the bullied nerdy girl and her resilience, determination and sass reflected that.
Bowie has matured since his troubled youth, but once he realizes who Katie is isn’t an easy feat. As I learned what Bowie did to Katie, I admit it did rile me up! However, I respected him for taking responsibility and trying to show Katie just how far he’s come, but boy, did Katie make him work at it! Bowie was easy like because I saw him as the person he is now. Respectable, quick witted, and a strong hands-on parent, but Katie’s leery of letting him close in case the past happens again and he has a difficult road to travel winning her trust.
This was a good read! I would call it a well-earned second chance story. The characters were dimensional and the writing smooth. I thought the romance was good, but the journey was even better. It didn’t hurt to have so many furry matchmakers either! I apologize to the main characters now, but Fluffy, the honey badger was the real star of the show! His matchmaking logic was simple, but the execution was entertaining and hilarious!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Bowie has matured since his troubled youth, but once he realizes who Katie is isn’t an easy feat. As I learned what Bowie did to Katie, I admit it did rile me up! However, I respected him for taking responsibility and trying to show Katie just how far he’s come, but boy, did Katie make him work at it! Bowie was easy like because I saw him as the person he is now. Respectable, quick witted, and a strong hands-on parent, but Katie’s leery of letting him close in case the past happens again and he has a difficult road to travel winning her trust.
This was a good read! I would call it a well-earned second chance story. The characters were dimensional and the writing smooth. I thought the romance was good, but the journey was even better. It didn’t hurt to have so many furry matchmakers either! I apologize to the main characters now, but Fluffy, the honey badger was the real star of the show! His matchmaking logic was simple, but the execution was entertaining and hilarious!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 29, 2019
Liked how the issue of teenage bullying wasn't swept under the rug & how the h made the H feel like her plaything when she was fine with casual sex & he wanted something deeper. He had made her high school years miserable and when he had to face his own daughter seeing who he was, I liked that. All in all not a bad read. Hero tried apologizing many times but realised that the heroine didn't owe him a thing, even making himself feel good by making an apology that didn't change the past.
September 13, 2018
It was cover love and the animals that grabbed me first. A romance set at a small town zoo, people! How could I resist. And soon, I settled in to enjoy the heartwarming story that was more than the adorable cute animals, zookeeper trying to keep the zoo open, and a romance. This new to me author packed a sensational punch as she paired the cute and cuddly with the painful and serious topic of bullying and the lasting effects. But, the delight was old Fluffy the Honey Badger!
Katie Underwood comes back to town after a dozen years away to take care of her police chief dad who was shot by an escaped prisoner. She spent some of the most miserable days of her life through Jr High and High School being persecuted by the guy who now shows up to take some orphaned baby cougars off her hands. Katie nearly falls over with shock to discover the bully who pranked and tortured her is now a responsible owner of the small zoo and a dedicated and loving single dad with a gentleness and kindness for animals. Okay, fine, Bowie's always been amazingly cute and sure, she has always crushed on him and apparently still does, but she is not letting this man anywhere near her heart when she throws herself into volunteering with the baby cougars and using her design and marketing skills to help save the zoo.
I was not expecting a story of such heartwarming depth when I set out. Bullying leaves jagged scars and I was not sure what to think that the hero was the bully of the heroine with terrible pranks and harassment though he never threatened her physically. I worried that I would not connect with Bowie or that I would because the bullying was dusted under the carpet after the attraction showed up. But no, thankfully, this author balanced the effects of bullying on everyone and still brought a romance I could believe and root for. Rather than excuse the bullying, the author chose to explain which I thought was the best way to go.
The book had so much cuteness going for it from the baby cougars, the lonesome camel, the rocking out cockatoo, the aged grizzly and the matchmaking honey badger. Then there was Bowie's darling daughter who he is raising by himself who is herself much like Katie the target of a mean girl.
I enjoyed both Katie and Bowie separately and like their matchmaking folks, was secretly working for them to work through Katie's pain, anger, and distrust and Bowie's feelings of inadequacy. Katie's smart, hardworking, compassionate, and loves those animals as much as Bowie. I loved the ways she got things turned around for the zoo with her campaign ideas that started from her need to get back at Bowie prank for prank (he knew about and approved these as roasting style fundraiser videos and stunts to help the zoo). Her struggles were real and she didn't make it easy on Bowie, but she didn't carry on too far or too long because she is a good, tenderhearted person.
Bowie had a tough row to hoe all his life as a kid with abusive, addicted parents who were put in jail and he had to then go on to endure the foster program. He was an angry and messed up kid and he took it out on Katie. He got a second chance with Lou who was a vet and owned the zoo and turned his life around. His mean girl ex from high school left him with Abby when he was just a homeless teenage day. Abby is the apple of his eye, but he fears she will someday have to learn just who and what he was as a kid and in highschool. Meanwhile, he has an uphill battle to convince Katie to stay in town and give him a chance. which I liked that he understood that he was at fault and deserves to have her want to scratch the itch, but want nothing else from him.
My heart broke for them both because she really did have to fight past her demons and reach out on trust after what happened before. Bowie gave her whatever she needed from him and made no demands. Love just sort of slipped up on them and I liked how it all turned out.
The surrounding cast of characters with young Abby, Lou, Katie's parents and brothers and her best friends and yes, the zoo animals, particularly Fluffy really helped add some sparkle to this one. And, fun fact, Fluffy the honey badger has a narration part that just made me giggle each time. But he also had a heroic role to play not once, but twice.
All in all, it was a fabulous series beginning and has me eager to see more of this group of people and the animals finding fun and romance at the zoo. Contemporary Romance fans who like some spice should give this a go.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Katie Underwood comes back to town after a dozen years away to take care of her police chief dad who was shot by an escaped prisoner. She spent some of the most miserable days of her life through Jr High and High School being persecuted by the guy who now shows up to take some orphaned baby cougars off her hands. Katie nearly falls over with shock to discover the bully who pranked and tortured her is now a responsible owner of the small zoo and a dedicated and loving single dad with a gentleness and kindness for animals. Okay, fine, Bowie's always been amazingly cute and sure, she has always crushed on him and apparently still does, but she is not letting this man anywhere near her heart when she throws herself into volunteering with the baby cougars and using her design and marketing skills to help save the zoo.
I was not expecting a story of such heartwarming depth when I set out. Bullying leaves jagged scars and I was not sure what to think that the hero was the bully of the heroine with terrible pranks and harassment though he never threatened her physically. I worried that I would not connect with Bowie or that I would because the bullying was dusted under the carpet after the attraction showed up. But no, thankfully, this author balanced the effects of bullying on everyone and still brought a romance I could believe and root for. Rather than excuse the bullying, the author chose to explain which I thought was the best way to go.
The book had so much cuteness going for it from the baby cougars, the lonesome camel, the rocking out cockatoo, the aged grizzly and the matchmaking honey badger. Then there was Bowie's darling daughter who he is raising by himself who is herself much like Katie the target of a mean girl.
I enjoyed both Katie and Bowie separately and like their matchmaking folks, was secretly working for them to work through Katie's pain, anger, and distrust and Bowie's feelings of inadequacy. Katie's smart, hardworking, compassionate, and loves those animals as much as Bowie. I loved the ways she got things turned around for the zoo with her campaign ideas that started from her need to get back at Bowie prank for prank (he knew about and approved these as roasting style fundraiser videos and stunts to help the zoo). Her struggles were real and she didn't make it easy on Bowie, but she didn't carry on too far or too long because she is a good, tenderhearted person.
Bowie had a tough row to hoe all his life as a kid with abusive, addicted parents who were put in jail and he had to then go on to endure the foster program. He was an angry and messed up kid and he took it out on Katie. He got a second chance with Lou who was a vet and owned the zoo and turned his life around. His mean girl ex from high school left him with Abby when he was just a homeless teenage day. Abby is the apple of his eye, but he fears she will someday have to learn just who and what he was as a kid and in highschool. Meanwhile, he has an uphill battle to convince Katie to stay in town and give him a chance. which I liked that he understood that he was at fault and deserves to have her want to scratch the itch, but want nothing else from him.
My heart broke for them both because she really did have to fight past her demons and reach out on trust after what happened before. Bowie gave her whatever she needed from him and made no demands. Love just sort of slipped up on them and I liked how it all turned out.
The surrounding cast of characters with young Abby, Lou, Katie's parents and brothers and her best friends and yes, the zoo animals, particularly Fluffy really helped add some sparkle to this one. And, fun fact, Fluffy the honey badger has a narration part that just made me giggle each time. But he also had a heroic role to play not once, but twice.
All in all, it was a fabulous series beginning and has me eager to see more of this group of people and the animals finding fun and romance at the zoo. Contemporary Romance fans who like some spice should give this a go.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2018
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Read It, Rate It and Record
A short review to update challenges
I saw friends read this and I have a thing for zoos. I was thrilled to find it available at the library. Wild on My Mind is the start of the Where the Wild Hearts Are series . I'll be curious to find where the series goes from here.
So is it realistic? No. And Yes. The characters other than Bowie, Katie, and Abby are pretty limited in their definition, and the villains are quite cliche. The jobs and activities are fairly normal, other than the zoo. Bowie and Katie show us authentic feelings from worry and discomfort, to caring and love.
There are a couple big wins here. One is the animals as characters which is not totally real but IS totally fun. Another is the developing of a marketing and social media blitz for the zoo business. The top awards are for tackling the topics of bullying and kindness.
Read It, Rate It and Record
A short review to update challenges
I saw friends read this and I have a thing for zoos. I was thrilled to find it available at the library. Wild on My Mind is the start of the Where the Wild Hearts Are series . I'll be curious to find where the series goes from here.
So is it realistic? No. And Yes. The characters other than Bowie, Katie, and Abby are pretty limited in their definition, and the villains are quite cliche. The jobs and activities are fairly normal, other than the zoo. Bowie and Katie show us authentic feelings from worry and discomfort, to caring and love.
There are a couple big wins here. One is the animals as characters which is not totally real but IS totally fun. Another is the developing of a marketing and social media blitz for the zoo business. The top awards are for tackling the topics of bullying and kindness.
February 4, 2019
I loved this book! It may look like it is long at almost 400 pages but you won’t even notice because you are enjoying the book so much. When Katie and Bowie were in high school Bowie along with his girlfriend Sawyer terrorized and bullied Katie. Katie was tough and never let them see her cry. Flash forward Katie is back in Sagebrush to help her mother take care of her father after he is shot in the chest. Katie rescues three newborn cougar cubs. They are taken to the local zoo, where Bowie is now in charge. Katie offers to help with the cubs and do there nighttime feedings. Katie and Bowie begin spending a lot of time together.
Great book, I can’t wait for the next book in this series Sweet Wild of Mine.
Great book, I can’t wait for the next book in this series Sweet Wild of Mine.
September 23, 2018
Wild on My Mind (Where the Wild Hearts Are #1) by Laurel Kerr
Some people change. The question is whether it's a change for the better or worse. Wild on My Mind is the chance at a new beginning for two lonely hearts and a broken down zoo. Kerr tells the story of a the blossoming of romance. With the help of some adorably cuddly matchmakers to lend a hand. Beauty is all around, we just have to look beyond the surface to find the treasure hidden within. Kerr delivers a message I can get behind in this lighthearted sweet tale.
Some people change. The question is whether it's a change for the better or worse. Wild on My Mind is the chance at a new beginning for two lonely hearts and a broken down zoo. Kerr tells the story of a the blossoming of romance. With the help of some adorably cuddly matchmakers to lend a hand. Beauty is all around, we just have to look beyond the surface to find the treasure hidden within. Kerr delivers a message I can get behind in this lighthearted sweet tale.
October 8, 2018
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) This book was cute sometimes I felt it a little out there but I trudged alone and did finish it. Their were something that I appreciated like the the issue of bullying, it happened and they dealt with it. Also how H didn't back down and she stuck to her gun and the Hero realized that it was his fault and he apologized profusely to the heroine but forgiveness was in her hands.
October 4, 2018
I love to read books by new authors. I love the anticipation - and slight trepidation - I get discovering if the author struck out, or hit a home run with their first book. Wild On My Mind, in my mind, was a solid double. (I have no idea why I’m using baseball analogies here, as this story has absolutely nothing to do with baseball!)
This book didn’t draw me in right away. In fact, I was a little put off by both the hero and heroine’s internal thoughts about how hot the other is. My concern was that there would be LOTS of that kind of writing - and with my mantra “more plot, less pecs” that didn’t bode well. Also, there was the anthropomorphizing of a badger. And I wasn’t sure how I felt about that…
But then, our heroine Katie starts taking to her friend June, and I discovered this author can write some dialogue! It gave me hope this book would be good. And it was.
Katie Underwood suffered greatly at the hands of bullies all through high school. The leader of the bullies was Bowie Wilson and his girlfriend Sawyer. When high school was over, Katie fled the state for college and never came back home - except for short visits. Now, twelve years later, Katie has come back home to help her mother after her police chief father was shot chasing a criminal.
Bowie Wilson had a terrible childhood, and while things have gotten better for him, he’s still struggling. As a single father to a 12 year old girl, and the owner of a small zoo, he’s happy with his life. But the zoo is in financial trouble and he doesn’t know how he’s going to keep it open. When he’s called out late one night to rescue three cougar cubs, he doesn’t recognize the beautiful woman who leads him to a cave in the woods.
But Katie recognizes him. And when she realizes she has the skills needed to help his zoo get some much needed publicity, she takes the opportunity to exact some good-natured revenge at the same time. As Katie and Bowie spend more time together, she begins to forgive him for his past treatment, and Bowie falls in love with the woman who accepts his apology and shows him forgiveness.
I love a book that tells a great story, but also teaches us lessons about life. In Wild On My Mind, we see that Katie is able to understand how Bowie was able to participate in the bullying, and to appreciate how he was able to grow up and become a wonderful father. The behavior was never excused, but Katie sought to understand Bowie’s motivations and was able to have compassion for his circumstances growing up. For his part, Bowie accepted responsibility for hurting Katie, and did his best to build a relationship built on trust. In the midst of finding their way together, there were plenty of laughs, but also struggles that they worked through as a couple.
But on the flip side, I struggled with a couple things. I never did quite warm up to the honey badger and his antics. Had he just been wandering around the zoo getting into shenanigans, I would probably been entertained by him. But his efforts to get the Black-Haired One and the redheaded female to have a Wee One came across, to me, as a border-line kitschy gimmick.
Also, this was a really long book considering not a whole lot extra happened plot-wise. There was a storyline with Bowie’s ex-girlfriend (and the mother of his child) that I would have liked to see carried a little further than it went. (Why have one of Katie’s brothers conveniently be a lawyer if you aren’t actually going to utilize him?) I feel like overall the writing needed to be tightened up and some cuts made to reduce the length of the book. Sadly, I have no suggestions as to where those cuts could be made. 🤷
Overall, this was a very sweet, heartwarming story about offering forgiveness, understanding where others are coming from, and owning up to your mistakes and moving forward to make a better life. This book won’t go on my “re-read��� list, but I am certainly interested in reading more by Laurel Kerr.
* thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Want to see what else is feeding my addiction?! Visit my blog: E-Reader Addict
This book didn’t draw me in right away. In fact, I was a little put off by both the hero and heroine’s internal thoughts about how hot the other is. My concern was that there would be LOTS of that kind of writing - and with my mantra “more plot, less pecs” that didn’t bode well. Also, there was the anthropomorphizing of a badger. And I wasn’t sure how I felt about that…
But then, our heroine Katie starts taking to her friend June, and I discovered this author can write some dialogue! It gave me hope this book would be good. And it was.
Katie Underwood suffered greatly at the hands of bullies all through high school. The leader of the bullies was Bowie Wilson and his girlfriend Sawyer. When high school was over, Katie fled the state for college and never came back home - except for short visits. Now, twelve years later, Katie has come back home to help her mother after her police chief father was shot chasing a criminal.
Bowie Wilson had a terrible childhood, and while things have gotten better for him, he’s still struggling. As a single father to a 12 year old girl, and the owner of a small zoo, he’s happy with his life. But the zoo is in financial trouble and he doesn’t know how he’s going to keep it open. When he’s called out late one night to rescue three cougar cubs, he doesn’t recognize the beautiful woman who leads him to a cave in the woods.
But Katie recognizes him. And when she realizes she has the skills needed to help his zoo get some much needed publicity, she takes the opportunity to exact some good-natured revenge at the same time. As Katie and Bowie spend more time together, she begins to forgive him for his past treatment, and Bowie falls in love with the woman who accepts his apology and shows him forgiveness.
I love a book that tells a great story, but also teaches us lessons about life. In Wild On My Mind, we see that Katie is able to understand how Bowie was able to participate in the bullying, and to appreciate how he was able to grow up and become a wonderful father. The behavior was never excused, but Katie sought to understand Bowie’s motivations and was able to have compassion for his circumstances growing up. For his part, Bowie accepted responsibility for hurting Katie, and did his best to build a relationship built on trust. In the midst of finding their way together, there were plenty of laughs, but also struggles that they worked through as a couple.
But on the flip side, I struggled with a couple things. I never did quite warm up to the honey badger and his antics. Had he just been wandering around the zoo getting into shenanigans, I would probably been entertained by him. But his efforts to get the Black-Haired One and the redheaded female to have a Wee One came across, to me, as a border-line kitschy gimmick.
Also, this was a really long book considering not a whole lot extra happened plot-wise. There was a storyline with Bowie’s ex-girlfriend (and the mother of his child) that I would have liked to see carried a little further than it went. (Why have one of Katie’s brothers conveniently be a lawyer if you aren’t actually going to utilize him?) I feel like overall the writing needed to be tightened up and some cuts made to reduce the length of the book. Sadly, I have no suggestions as to where those cuts could be made. 🤷
Overall, this was a very sweet, heartwarming story about offering forgiveness, understanding where others are coming from, and owning up to your mistakes and moving forward to make a better life. This book won’t go on my “re-read��� list, but I am certainly interested in reading more by Laurel Kerr.
* thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Want to see what else is feeding my addiction?! Visit my blog: E-Reader Addict
July 30, 2018
4.5 Heartwarming Stars
Review by Lisa
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
Once in a while you find a book that touches all the feels and deals with a very touchy topic in the world we live in today and this is one of those books. Wild on my Mind by Laurel Kerr is the first book in the Where the Wild Hearts Are series. Being that this is Ms. Kerr's debut novel, it just blows my mind how amazing this book is. So well written, story flowed effortlessly and captivated my attention from the start.
Even with the touch of fantasy, the story line is amazing. The details are so complete that you want to cry and laugh and be angry all the same time.
Katie finds unattended newborn cougar cubs and when she calls for help, she comes face to face with the one man she was hoping to never see again--Bowie, her former high school crush and nemesis. But the thing is he doesn't recognize her.
Bowie is a single father, and owner of a zoo that is slowing going under. With everything going on in his life, he is relieved when Katie agrees to help feed the newborn cubs and help try and bring some spark back into the zoo. Until he learns what she has up her sleeve.
But is redemption worth it? How hard is it for forgive when all, including the animals are pushing them together. A complex story at its best!! Touching the bullying topic that makes your heart ache for the Katie. But life has a funny way of handing out "Karma".
I just loved this story from start to fnish and everything in between.
**ARC provided for honest review**
Review by Lisa
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
Once in a while you find a book that touches all the feels and deals with a very touchy topic in the world we live in today and this is one of those books. Wild on my Mind by Laurel Kerr is the first book in the Where the Wild Hearts Are series. Being that this is Ms. Kerr's debut novel, it just blows my mind how amazing this book is. So well written, story flowed effortlessly and captivated my attention from the start.
Even with the touch of fantasy, the story line is amazing. The details are so complete that you want to cry and laugh and be angry all the same time.
Katie finds unattended newborn cougar cubs and when she calls for help, she comes face to face with the one man she was hoping to never see again--Bowie, her former high school crush and nemesis. But the thing is he doesn't recognize her.
Bowie is a single father, and owner of a zoo that is slowing going under. With everything going on in his life, he is relieved when Katie agrees to help feed the newborn cubs and help try and bring some spark back into the zoo. Until he learns what she has up her sleeve.
But is redemption worth it? How hard is it for forgive when all, including the animals are pushing them together. A complex story at its best!! Touching the bullying topic that makes your heart ache for the Katie. But life has a funny way of handing out "Karma".
I just loved this story from start to fnish and everything in between.
**ARC provided for honest review**
December 29, 2018
I find bully redemption stories *really* hard to do & I don’t know if this was a right time/right place shindig (I read this the week I was in the hospital after my father’s stroke) but this was just a lovely, moving, heartfelt story and I really spectacularly enjoyed it. Contemporary is one of those genres I always long to be done *well* without feeling bored or trite re: the story and I think this nails it—everything felt lifelike and exciting without veering into “Wow how does this small town have 50 attractive single men and women in their late 20s/30s who all are secretly military spies” territory.
October 7, 2018
This story was so good!!! I love the setting of the zoo and all the animals the most, especially the POV from Fluffy. I want to go to the zoo now!!!
October 6, 2018
Wild on My Mind is a romance story between a woman and her high school bully. Katie was always picked on as a kid. Between he frizzy hair, the way she dressed, and the fact that she was quiet and kept to herself, she was always the butt of people's jokes. She was tormented as a kid and the bane of her existence was Bowie, the boy whom she had a crush on who made it his personal goal to make her life hell. So, when she returns home to help her father recover from being shot while on the line of duty, she isn't prepared to run into her nemesis. However, that's exactly what happens when she finds a litter of abandoned mountain lion cubs and brings them to the local zoo.
I love a good redemption story, and boy did the author give us that with this book. Bowie was a complete and utter jerk to Katie growing up. From pretending to like her back, attaching underwear to her vehicle, to picking on her every chance he got, he was just a despicable human being. However, adult Bowie is the complete opposite. He's reserved, respectful, he teaches his daughter values, and he is an upstanding citizen. The author gives you glimpses into Katie's past and how she was terrorized as a kid. Yet, you see Bowie as an adult and how much he's changed over the years. The author makes you see the good and bad of Bowie, but is still able to make him a likable character.
One of the things that really drew me to the story was the fact that Bowie ran a zoo. I was hoping that we'd get to see some of the animals and again, the author didn't disappoint. Since Katie is helping Bowie build up interest in the zoo, they zoo videos and presentations with some of the various animals in the zoo. So we get to meet a lovelorn giraffe, a mischievous honey badger, a trio of adorable baby cougar cubs... the list goes on. And we don't just meet them, they play a big role in the story. I really liked that the author didn't just use the zoo as a background. It played a bit part in the book.
Wild on My Mind is a solid debut novel by Laurel Kerr. While it follows the same story arc that many other romances do, I felt like the author added her own touch to it. I found myself really looking forward to what videos they'd do for the website, or what themed day they'd do for the zoo. Not to mention, that ending with Fluffy the honey badger was priceless. We build a connection with this particular animal and to see him at the end was pretty comical.
Favorite part...
When I said that the author put her own stamp on this romance, I wasn't lying. A good portion of the book is told through the eyes of Fluffy the honey badger. He escapes his enclosure quite a bit and gets into trouble more times than not. He's protective of his humans and has this goal that if he can get Katie and Bowie together, they will have children and those children will feed him honey coated larvae, like Bowie's daughter does. So, he runs around the zoo trying to manipulate these two into mating so that he can have more children sneaking him treats. The whole this was absurd but highly entertaining.
I love a good redemption story, and boy did the author give us that with this book. Bowie was a complete and utter jerk to Katie growing up. From pretending to like her back, attaching underwear to her vehicle, to picking on her every chance he got, he was just a despicable human being. However, adult Bowie is the complete opposite. He's reserved, respectful, he teaches his daughter values, and he is an upstanding citizen. The author gives you glimpses into Katie's past and how she was terrorized as a kid. Yet, you see Bowie as an adult and how much he's changed over the years. The author makes you see the good and bad of Bowie, but is still able to make him a likable character.
One of the things that really drew me to the story was the fact that Bowie ran a zoo. I was hoping that we'd get to see some of the animals and again, the author didn't disappoint. Since Katie is helping Bowie build up interest in the zoo, they zoo videos and presentations with some of the various animals in the zoo. So we get to meet a lovelorn giraffe, a mischievous honey badger, a trio of adorable baby cougar cubs... the list goes on. And we don't just meet them, they play a big role in the story. I really liked that the author didn't just use the zoo as a background. It played a bit part in the book.
Wild on My Mind is a solid debut novel by Laurel Kerr. While it follows the same story arc that many other romances do, I felt like the author added her own touch to it. I found myself really looking forward to what videos they'd do for the website, or what themed day they'd do for the zoo. Not to mention, that ending with Fluffy the honey badger was priceless. We build a connection with this particular animal and to see him at the end was pretty comical.
Favorite part...
When I said that the author put her own stamp on this romance, I wasn't lying. A good portion of the book is told through the eyes of Fluffy the honey badger. He escapes his enclosure quite a bit and gets into trouble more times than not. He's protective of his humans and has this goal that if he can get Katie and Bowie together, they will have children and those children will feed him honey coated larvae, like Bowie's daughter does. So, he runs around the zoo trying to manipulate these two into mating so that he can have more children sneaking him treats. The whole this was absurd but highly entertaining.
May 8, 2019
I was not expecting this one to have as much substance as it had and I was pleasantly surprised. I guess because of the cute and cuddly animals on the cover I was expecting this to be a bit fluffy but it had weight to it and delved into a serious matter. So yeah…it was definitely surprising.
Here’s what’s going on. When Katie stumbles upon three abandoned cougar cubs, she didn’t expect her high school tormentor to be the one to rescue them and, oddly enough, he doesn’t seem to remember her. When Katie finds herself working with him to raise money for the zoo, she’s determined to keep him at an arm’s length while getting a little payback of her own. Although the longer they work together and the more she seems him care for his daughter the more her heart starts to melt but will it be enough to put the past behind her.
When I discovered that Bowie was Katie’s high school bully, I worried that I wouldn’t be able to warm up to him and I worried that I wouldn’t be able to believe that he’s a changed man. Thankfully, that worry was for naught because I really ended up liking Bowie and, as his story progressed, I understood where was coming from and I believed he changed. He ended up being a solid guy.
I also worried that Katie would hold a grudge. While that could make for interesting reading, I find that it often holds the plot captive and makes the character seem cold. Katie was completely different than I was expecting her to be. I mean, she was leery and wounded from her treatment but she didn’t let that take over her life and turn her into a shrew. She was willing to forgive Bowie and let him into her life.
Their relationship had some obstacles to overcome and I liked the way it played it out—it showed that they both had grown and matured.
While this book had some heavy stuff in it, it was also adorable. The animals stole my heart from the start, especially Fluffy, the match matching honey badger who lends his own POV to the story.
The one thing I could have done without was Bowie’s ex showing back up. It felt a little odd like something that was thrown in just to add a bit of external conflict.
Overall, this is one not to miss. I think this is the first book I’ve seen that’s had a zoo keeper as the hero, so it was unique. I also liked that Bowie was a Byronic hero—he wasn’t perfect but he was realistic. Plus, he adores his daughter. This one’s unique, heartwarming, a tad bit heavy at times, humorous, and just an all-around good romance.
Here’s what’s going on. When Katie stumbles upon three abandoned cougar cubs, she didn’t expect her high school tormentor to be the one to rescue them and, oddly enough, he doesn’t seem to remember her. When Katie finds herself working with him to raise money for the zoo, she’s determined to keep him at an arm’s length while getting a little payback of her own. Although the longer they work together and the more she seems him care for his daughter the more her heart starts to melt but will it be enough to put the past behind her.
When I discovered that Bowie was Katie’s high school bully, I worried that I wouldn’t be able to warm up to him and I worried that I wouldn’t be able to believe that he’s a changed man. Thankfully, that worry was for naught because I really ended up liking Bowie and, as his story progressed, I understood where was coming from and I believed he changed. He ended up being a solid guy.
I also worried that Katie would hold a grudge. While that could make for interesting reading, I find that it often holds the plot captive and makes the character seem cold. Katie was completely different than I was expecting her to be. I mean, she was leery and wounded from her treatment but she didn’t let that take over her life and turn her into a shrew. She was willing to forgive Bowie and let him into her life.
Their relationship had some obstacles to overcome and I liked the way it played it out—it showed that they both had grown and matured.
While this book had some heavy stuff in it, it was also adorable. The animals stole my heart from the start, especially Fluffy, the match matching honey badger who lends his own POV to the story.
The one thing I could have done without was Bowie’s ex showing back up. It felt a little odd like something that was thrown in just to add a bit of external conflict.
Overall, this is one not to miss. I think this is the first book I’ve seen that’s had a zoo keeper as the hero, so it was unique. I also liked that Bowie was a Byronic hero—he wasn’t perfect but he was realistic. Plus, he adores his daughter. This one’s unique, heartwarming, a tad bit heavy at times, humorous, and just an all-around good romance.
March 27, 2022
It wasn't a full 4 stars for me, more like 3.7 but I enjoyed it a lot. She was bullied in high school...by him! I think the book handled this in a very interesting way and made it very believable and developed the relationship very nicely. I'm a fan of all the details about the animals and the perspective of the honey badger was odd but it landed ok. I found the book engaging. My favorite part was the heroine was so calm and mature. That was delightfully refreshing. The next book in the series doesn't look as interesting to me, but it's a character from this book and so I'll give it a shot.
October 23, 2018
This was a cute romance that dealt with forgiveness and bullying. It deals with how we carry bad feelings from our teens into our adult years and learning to let go of them. I liked the ending, especially how Bowie stood up to his ex. However, I didn't care for the animal perspectives. I'm not a fan of those in general as the usually pull me out of the narrative.
August 11, 2019
The whole marketing scheme to help reinvent the brand of the zoo reeeeally reminded me of that Nathan for You episode. You know, the one where he machineers the ruse for the pig to save a "drowning" baby goat in order for it to become a viral hit. Throw in some steamy, single father romance and there we have it.
September 25, 2018
This is a story of second chances, redemption and overcoming your past.
Katie Underwood spent her last two and a half years of high school being tormented and bullied by popular girl, Sawyer, and her boyfriend, Bowie Wilson. They were the worst two and half years of her life and included moments so humiliating that she never confessed them to her family. But she went on to college to make some wonderful friends and maybe that painful time helped Katie grow into the women she is today. She has gotten past that hurt or so she thought until Bowie Wilson walked back into her life and didn’t even recognize her! Yes, it was ten years ago and Katie has tamed her wild hair and has more fashion sense, but he tormented her for more than two years and he doesn’t recognize her?
Bowie runs the local animal rescue park and zoo and he comes out to Katie’s property to rescue some orphaned mountain lion cubs.
Since Katie never told her family about her torment by Bowie, her frustration is furthered by her mother who is taking it upon herself to play matchmaker between Katie and Bowie and volunteered both Katie’s webdesign services and Katie’s free time volunteering to help feed and care for the orphaned cubs.
Katie really isn’t happy to see Bowie again, especially since he still looks as attractive as he did in high school, but worse yet, he doesn’t even have the decency to still be a jerk so she can go on hating him! Some people.
Bowie had abusive, drug-addicted parents who ignored him (at best) or verbally abused him (at worse) but when they both died, Bowie was tossed into the system and into a string of foster homes where he was nothing but a burden and a paycheck. Being tossed out of his foster house on his 18the birthday should have been the worse thing that happened to him but hearing that his high school girlfriend was pregnant and wanted to abort his baby, just like his parents always told him they should have done with him, made Bowie fight for what was most important–being a good father to his baby. He was lucky to be taken in by Lou and Gretchen who taught him how to be the father his daughter needed and how to take care of the animals in their small zoo. For the first time in his life, Bowie had a life he could be proud of.
He doesn’t recognize Katie at first. She changed so much since high school, he only saw an attractive redhead who seemed strangely angry at him but that he wouldn’t mind getting to know better. It is when Bowie finally realizes who Katie is and he remembers exactly what he did to her, that shame fills him. Katie even agrees to help him and struggle zoo including a list of stunts to draw attention. Bowie more than owes Katie and readily agreed to do whatever humiliating thing she needs from him, especially when all her ideas are sparking a renewed interest in the zoo and bringing in much needed funds.
Now the only problem is whether Katie is going to walk out of Bowie and his daughter’s lives now that she has become so important to them. Can Bowie prove that he isn’t the same man that once hurt Katie so badly? Can Katie put aside their past because Bowie knows that she’s everything he needs for the future.
When I started this story, I was waiting to find out that Bowie was never responsible for all the horrible things done to Katie, and that he was only given credit for the antics. I was quite surprised once Bowie realized who Katie is, that he admits to the cruel torture. Really, how do you get past that and find a HEA with your tormentor?
Well, it wasn’t too hard to add Bowie into my favorite grouping of wounded hero after we learn about Bowie’s awful childhood and that tormenting Katie to the delight of his girlfriend was the first time he found acceptance anywhere and wasn’t treated like unwanted trash. At the time, he could only see that he was finally looked up to and accepted. Katie never let them see how their torment affected her, so Bowie never saw the devastation that his actions caused. Now he realizes how much different his life would have been if he had chosen Katie in high school rather than Sawyer. Sawyer supported Bowie’s torture of another student, while Katie would have supported Bowie in becoming a better man.
Katie wanted to get back at Bowie, but she couldn’t help admiring the man he has become, especially what a good and caring father he is to his daughter. She quickly gave up on her revenge stunts and truly worked with Bowie to breathe new life into the zoo. And while she admires the man Bowie has become, his treatment long ago taught her never to trust her heart to someone else.
I am still not certain if I am charmed or annoyed by the sections of the story narrated by Fluffy, the honey badger. I usually find animal narratives (unless they are paranormal shifters) to be too cutsy but the grumpy Fluffy was very funny in his desire to get Bowie and Katie together so that they would have more wee ones who would give him more treats.
Overall I enjoyed the storytelling and seeing the changes in Bowie and Katie as they establish their grown up relationship.
See more at EBookObsessed.com
Katie Underwood spent her last two and a half years of high school being tormented and bullied by popular girl, Sawyer, and her boyfriend, Bowie Wilson. They were the worst two and half years of her life and included moments so humiliating that she never confessed them to her family. But she went on to college to make some wonderful friends and maybe that painful time helped Katie grow into the women she is today. She has gotten past that hurt or so she thought until Bowie Wilson walked back into her life and didn’t even recognize her! Yes, it was ten years ago and Katie has tamed her wild hair and has more fashion sense, but he tormented her for more than two years and he doesn’t recognize her?
Bowie runs the local animal rescue park and zoo and he comes out to Katie’s property to rescue some orphaned mountain lion cubs.
Since Katie never told her family about her torment by Bowie, her frustration is furthered by her mother who is taking it upon herself to play matchmaker between Katie and Bowie and volunteered both Katie’s webdesign services and Katie’s free time volunteering to help feed and care for the orphaned cubs.
Katie really isn’t happy to see Bowie again, especially since he still looks as attractive as he did in high school, but worse yet, he doesn’t even have the decency to still be a jerk so she can go on hating him! Some people.
Bowie had abusive, drug-addicted parents who ignored him (at best) or verbally abused him (at worse) but when they both died, Bowie was tossed into the system and into a string of foster homes where he was nothing but a burden and a paycheck. Being tossed out of his foster house on his 18the birthday should have been the worse thing that happened to him but hearing that his high school girlfriend was pregnant and wanted to abort his baby, just like his parents always told him they should have done with him, made Bowie fight for what was most important–being a good father to his baby. He was lucky to be taken in by Lou and Gretchen who taught him how to be the father his daughter needed and how to take care of the animals in their small zoo. For the first time in his life, Bowie had a life he could be proud of.
He doesn’t recognize Katie at first. She changed so much since high school, he only saw an attractive redhead who seemed strangely angry at him but that he wouldn’t mind getting to know better. It is when Bowie finally realizes who Katie is and he remembers exactly what he did to her, that shame fills him. Katie even agrees to help him and struggle zoo including a list of stunts to draw attention. Bowie more than owes Katie and readily agreed to do whatever humiliating thing she needs from him, especially when all her ideas are sparking a renewed interest in the zoo and bringing in much needed funds.
Now the only problem is whether Katie is going to walk out of Bowie and his daughter’s lives now that she has become so important to them. Can Bowie prove that he isn’t the same man that once hurt Katie so badly? Can Katie put aside their past because Bowie knows that she’s everything he needs for the future.
When I started this story, I was waiting to find out that Bowie was never responsible for all the horrible things done to Katie, and that he was only given credit for the antics. I was quite surprised once Bowie realized who Katie is, that he admits to the cruel torture. Really, how do you get past that and find a HEA with your tormentor?
Well, it wasn’t too hard to add Bowie into my favorite grouping of wounded hero after we learn about Bowie’s awful childhood and that tormenting Katie to the delight of his girlfriend was the first time he found acceptance anywhere and wasn’t treated like unwanted trash. At the time, he could only see that he was finally looked up to and accepted. Katie never let them see how their torment affected her, so Bowie never saw the devastation that his actions caused. Now he realizes how much different his life would have been if he had chosen Katie in high school rather than Sawyer. Sawyer supported Bowie’s torture of another student, while Katie would have supported Bowie in becoming a better man.
Katie wanted to get back at Bowie, but she couldn’t help admiring the man he has become, especially what a good and caring father he is to his daughter. She quickly gave up on her revenge stunts and truly worked with Bowie to breathe new life into the zoo. And while she admires the man Bowie has become, his treatment long ago taught her never to trust her heart to someone else.
I am still not certain if I am charmed or annoyed by the sections of the story narrated by Fluffy, the honey badger. I usually find animal narratives (unless they are paranormal shifters) to be too cutsy but the grumpy Fluffy was very funny in his desire to get Bowie and Katie together so that they would have more wee ones who would give him more treats.
Overall I enjoyed the storytelling and seeing the changes in Bowie and Katie as they establish their grown up relationship.
See more at EBookObsessed.com
September 6, 2018
Wild on My Mind (Where the Wild Hearts Are #1) by Laurel Kerr
4.5 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Shooting
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Katie is back home...in a place where she has a loving family, but also remember the torment she endured when she was in school. While helping her dad after a shooting, she is the only one of her siblings that can take the time to help full time. While she loves her family, she also has dreams bigger than her city has to offer.
Bowie loves living and running the local zoo. However, despite loving it, it's struggling. Bowie also has a young daughter who he is trying his best to raise. When three baby cubs are brought to his zoo, he'll do everything he can to help them survive and he might find a little redemption along the way.
Bowie and Katie's relationship is well developed. The history they share helps shape them as they are now and it really helped create their successful dynamic. They have quite a mountain to overcome, but with the help of loving parents, a pesky honey badger and a sweet little girl, they eventually get there.
I loved the voice of the honey badger! It was constantly hilarious and I can't wait to see what happens next!
4.5 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Shooting
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Katie is back home...in a place where she has a loving family, but also remember the torment she endured when she was in school. While helping her dad after a shooting, she is the only one of her siblings that can take the time to help full time. While she loves her family, she also has dreams bigger than her city has to offer.
Bowie loves living and running the local zoo. However, despite loving it, it's struggling. Bowie also has a young daughter who he is trying his best to raise. When three baby cubs are brought to his zoo, he'll do everything he can to help them survive and he might find a little redemption along the way.
Bowie and Katie's relationship is well developed. The history they share helps shape them as they are now and it really helped create their successful dynamic. They have quite a mountain to overcome, but with the help of loving parents, a pesky honey badger and a sweet little girl, they eventually get there.
I loved the voice of the honey badger! It was constantly hilarious and I can't wait to see what happens next!
May 24, 2018
****3.5 Stars****
Katie discovers a litter of abandoned mountain lion cubs and when she calls the local rescue her crush, the one that tormented her throughout school in their little town, comes to get the cubs. Bowie is instantly attracted to her but doesn't understand her frosty attitude.
When Katie and Bowie are thrown together, Katie begins to see a different side of Bowie, a side that she could easily fall in love with. Bowie, in turn, learns why Katie was so standoffish and he immediately begins to try to make amends. This was a fun read, set in my home state of Colorado, so I really liked that! Fun for the beach or a plane ride!
Thanks to Sourcebooks for the ARC!
Katie discovers a litter of abandoned mountain lion cubs and when she calls the local rescue her crush, the one that tormented her throughout school in their little town, comes to get the cubs. Bowie is instantly attracted to her but doesn't understand her frosty attitude.
When Katie and Bowie are thrown together, Katie begins to see a different side of Bowie, a side that she could easily fall in love with. Bowie, in turn, learns why Katie was so standoffish and he immediately begins to try to make amends. This was a fun read, set in my home state of Colorado, so I really liked that! Fun for the beach or a plane ride!
Thanks to Sourcebooks for the ARC!
November 19, 2018
What a sweet, yet intense story! I believe this is the author's first published romance and wow, was it ever a good one. This romance has it all - adorable animals, great leading characters, some angst but not an overwhelming amount.
Bowie is the owner of a small zoo that specializes in rescue animals. He's also a former foster child of druggie parents, and a single dad who took responsibility of his infant daughter (now 11) at age 18 when her mean girl mother gave birth, then abandoned her. He was taken in by the elderly owners of the zoo after performing an act of vandalism there (he was 18 and angry at the world) and became their de facto son. He puts his heart and soul into the zoo, but it's failing from lack of visitors. Katie was bullied by Bowie and his nasty girlfriend throughout HS. She was shy, geeky and a great artist and had a crush on him. The girlfriend sensed that, and tortured her for it. Bowie went along willingly, knowing it was wrong, because he was desperate to keep his own precarious social standing and not be ostracized because he was a foster child.
Twelve years later Katie's back in their small town to help her parents. She's a PR and marketing whiz, and agrees to help Bowie out with publicity for the zoo in hopes of also paying him back for being so cruel to her, by putting him in embarrassing situations to generate interest in the zoo. He's truly sorry for what he did, very attracted to grown-up Katie, and tries to make it up to her. The chemistry between them is off the charts and they start sleeping together, but Katie insists it's only fun-and-games, while Bowie quickly realizes he wants much more than that.
This book had lots of layers, good angst, but also tons of genuinely heartwarming animal action with 3 cougar cubs, a lovelorn camel, a dancing cockatoo, and an matchmaking honey badger. I loved it and I truly did believe that Bowie was remorseful for his previous actions. This trope, where a woman gets involved with a man who formerly bullied her, usually doesn't work for me because I don't believe she could ever get over that behavior. However, this book is the rare exception. The author did a great job of showing younger Bowie's motivations, but more importantly, showed how he grew up into the person he was meant to be all along - a wonderful caring father, who loved his daughter, his elderly mentor, and all of the damaged animals in his care. He also never whined or made excuses about his past actions, and treated Katie's forgiveness as the precious gift that it was. Because of that, I was able to believe completely in his redemption, and that Katie could fall for him. I can't wait to read what Laurel has in store for us in the next book.
Bowie is the owner of a small zoo that specializes in rescue animals. He's also a former foster child of druggie parents, and a single dad who took responsibility of his infant daughter (now 11) at age 18 when her mean girl mother gave birth, then abandoned her. He was taken in by the elderly owners of the zoo after performing an act of vandalism there (he was 18 and angry at the world) and became their de facto son. He puts his heart and soul into the zoo, but it's failing from lack of visitors. Katie was bullied by Bowie and his nasty girlfriend throughout HS. She was shy, geeky and a great artist and had a crush on him. The girlfriend sensed that, and tortured her for it. Bowie went along willingly, knowing it was wrong, because he was desperate to keep his own precarious social standing and not be ostracized because he was a foster child.
Twelve years later Katie's back in their small town to help her parents. She's a PR and marketing whiz, and agrees to help Bowie out with publicity for the zoo in hopes of also paying him back for being so cruel to her, by putting him in embarrassing situations to generate interest in the zoo. He's truly sorry for what he did, very attracted to grown-up Katie, and tries to make it up to her. The chemistry between them is off the charts and they start sleeping together, but Katie insists it's only fun-and-games, while Bowie quickly realizes he wants much more than that.
This book had lots of layers, good angst, but also tons of genuinely heartwarming animal action with 3 cougar cubs, a lovelorn camel, a dancing cockatoo, and an matchmaking honey badger. I loved it and I truly did believe that Bowie was remorseful for his previous actions. This trope, where a woman gets involved with a man who formerly bullied her, usually doesn't work for me because I don't believe she could ever get over that behavior. However, this book is the rare exception. The author did a great job of showing younger Bowie's motivations, but more importantly, showed how he grew up into the person he was meant to be all along - a wonderful caring father, who loved his daughter, his elderly mentor, and all of the damaged animals in his care. He also never whined or made excuses about his past actions, and treated Katie's forgiveness as the precious gift that it was. Because of that, I was able to believe completely in his redemption, and that Katie could fall for him. I can't wait to read what Laurel has in store for us in the next book.
October 3, 2018
This is a cute, easy read with a bit of revenge and plenty of animal antics thrown in around the romance. But, I have to admit, it didn’t entirely win me over, for a few different reasons.
I liked Bowie. A lot. Which made it hard to believe he’d been so awful to Katie. Because we see them both as grown ups, it makes Katie seem petty and even a little bit cruel when she pushes Bowie away or keeps him at arms length. Even though he deserves it. Or, at least, the boy he was did. It’s hard to believe it of the man who cares so deeply for his daughter, takes care of the zoo and the old man who has become like a father to him, while quietly putting his own dreams aside. He’s so great that Katie definitely suffers by comparison, which is pretty unfair.
I’m also not a massive fan of cutesy, matchmaking animal POVs in adult fiction. Even honey badgers. Fluffy did kind of win me over throughout the book, mostly because his antics were great, but the matchmaking stuff didn’t really work for me.
I wish the zoo had been given a bit more life. I liked getting to know the animals, and seeing all the fundraising ideas, but where are the workers and volunteers? I know Bowie has been struggling to keep the place going, but he doesn’t work there alone. Yet not one fellow worker or volunteer is ever seen, let alone spoken to, or even mentioned by name – except for Katie. I found that a little strange. Bowie really didn’t seem to be part of the community at all.
There’s also too much going on. The plot ended up feeling a little lumpy as the romance or emotional subplot or action bit would reach a climax, only for it to sort of fade away because we weren’t quite at the end yet. Then there would be a lull where nothing much happened, until it all exploded again. Coupled with the slow start, it made the pacing feel a bit off to me. Nothing much happens in the first half, then suddenly everything goes off. Like the whole subplot about Katie’s dad and the man who shot him, which to be honest I’m not sure the book needed, what with a nasty absent mother, interfering friends, the bullying, Abby’s pain, the zoo money worries, the revenge fundraisers, Katie’s job plans, a matchmaking honey badger and brotherly intervention, all on top of the romance itself.
None of which stopped this from being a cute, easy, enjoyable read. The characters were nice, the setting was fun, the romance was hot as well as sweet, and yet it just wasn’t quite as fun and absorbing as I’d hoped.
(ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.)
I liked Bowie. A lot. Which made it hard to believe he’d been so awful to Katie. Because we see them both as grown ups, it makes Katie seem petty and even a little bit cruel when she pushes Bowie away or keeps him at arms length. Even though he deserves it. Or, at least, the boy he was did. It’s hard to believe it of the man who cares so deeply for his daughter, takes care of the zoo and the old man who has become like a father to him, while quietly putting his own dreams aside. He’s so great that Katie definitely suffers by comparison, which is pretty unfair.
I’m also not a massive fan of cutesy, matchmaking animal POVs in adult fiction. Even honey badgers. Fluffy did kind of win me over throughout the book, mostly because his antics were great, but the matchmaking stuff didn’t really work for me.
I wish the zoo had been given a bit more life. I liked getting to know the animals, and seeing all the fundraising ideas, but where are the workers and volunteers? I know Bowie has been struggling to keep the place going, but he doesn’t work there alone. Yet not one fellow worker or volunteer is ever seen, let alone spoken to, or even mentioned by name – except for Katie. I found that a little strange. Bowie really didn’t seem to be part of the community at all.
There’s also too much going on. The plot ended up feeling a little lumpy as the romance or emotional subplot or action bit would reach a climax, only for it to sort of fade away because we weren’t quite at the end yet. Then there would be a lull where nothing much happened, until it all exploded again. Coupled with the slow start, it made the pacing feel a bit off to me. Nothing much happens in the first half, then suddenly everything goes off. Like the whole subplot about Katie’s dad and the man who shot him, which to be honest I’m not sure the book needed, what with a nasty absent mother, interfering friends, the bullying, Abby’s pain, the zoo money worries, the revenge fundraisers, Katie’s job plans, a matchmaking honey badger and brotherly intervention, all on top of the romance itself.
None of which stopped this from being a cute, easy, enjoyable read. The characters were nice, the setting was fun, the romance was hot as well as sweet, and yet it just wasn’t quite as fun and absorbing as I’d hoped.
(ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.)
October 12, 2018
Reviewed by JoAnne
Book provided by NetGalley
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
What a wonderful debut novel by Ms. Kerr. I am so looking forward to reading more in this series and whatever else she pens! My emotions were engaged from the beginning and I kept turning the pages to see what would happen next especially with the bullying story line.
The characters had a depth to them and we learned about them and their past a little at a time. Their interactions were realistic. Katie and Bowie had a history having lived in the same small town and gone to school together. But his girlfriend in high school, Sawyer, was an evil piece of work and did not improve with age. She helped carry out pranks against Katie and Bowie was the one that thought most of them up. But what were his reasons for being so mean? Watching he and Katie work through their history was heartwarming especially since she got him like no one else ever had. They had a lot of misconceptions to work through though. He’s a single dad and owns a zoo that is on the verge of fiscal collapse until Katie and her marketing genius help turn things around.
The animals had human characteristics especially Fluffy, the honey badger. Watching the interactions of the animals with each other and the humans gave a playfulness to the story line. There were multiple stories going on but they were seamlessly woven together with the animals and the zoo almost always front and center. There were twists and turns and ups and downs. Things would be going smoothly and then hit a rough patch only to smooth out again. Bowie’s eleven year old daughter was wise beyond her years but still a kid at heart. She had a wonderful relationship with her dad and adopted grandfather but definitely needed a female influence but not from her mom when she meets her. There were family and friends with multiple generations, the animals, secrets, injuries, heartache, sadness, tears, matchmaking, doubts, posturing, planning, laughter, lots of loving and ultimately love. There was some closure and a happily ever after especially with the epilogue. There were some loose ends that will hopefully be addressed in the next story.
Book provided by NetGalley
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
What a wonderful debut novel by Ms. Kerr. I am so looking forward to reading more in this series and whatever else she pens! My emotions were engaged from the beginning and I kept turning the pages to see what would happen next especially with the bullying story line.
The characters had a depth to them and we learned about them and their past a little at a time. Their interactions were realistic. Katie and Bowie had a history having lived in the same small town and gone to school together. But his girlfriend in high school, Sawyer, was an evil piece of work and did not improve with age. She helped carry out pranks against Katie and Bowie was the one that thought most of them up. But what were his reasons for being so mean? Watching he and Katie work through their history was heartwarming especially since she got him like no one else ever had. They had a lot of misconceptions to work through though. He’s a single dad and owns a zoo that is on the verge of fiscal collapse until Katie and her marketing genius help turn things around.
The animals had human characteristics especially Fluffy, the honey badger. Watching the interactions of the animals with each other and the humans gave a playfulness to the story line. There were multiple stories going on but they were seamlessly woven together with the animals and the zoo almost always front and center. There were twists and turns and ups and downs. Things would be going smoothly and then hit a rough patch only to smooth out again. Bowie’s eleven year old daughter was wise beyond her years but still a kid at heart. She had a wonderful relationship with her dad and adopted grandfather but definitely needed a female influence but not from her mom when she meets her. There were family and friends with multiple generations, the animals, secrets, injuries, heartache, sadness, tears, matchmaking, doubts, posturing, planning, laughter, lots of loving and ultimately love. There was some closure and a happily ever after especially with the epilogue. There were some loose ends that will hopefully be addressed in the next story.
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