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Wild River #2
Under an Alaskan Sky
Allowing himself to love always seemed too dangerous. Now it might be his only salvation…
Single dad Tank Wheeler has vowed to keep his heart shuttered in the name of keeping his young daughter’s life stable. But lately, the chemistry between him and his adrenaline-loving best friend, Cassie Reynolds, has been getting him a little hot under the collar. And then, with one scorching birthday kiss, these best friends are instantly more.
Exactly the wrong time for Tank’s ex to show up in Wild River, Alaska.
Cassie is pretty sure she’s having a waking nightmare. Not only is Tank’s gorgeous ex hoping to reclaim her family, but a new megastore is threatening the wilderness-adventure business she’s spent five years building. But Cassie never backs down from a fight. And now it’s time to make the most terrifying leap of her life—and hope that Tank catches her…before she falls too far.
Single dad Tank Wheeler has vowed to keep his heart shuttered in the name of keeping his young daughter’s life stable. But lately, the chemistry between him and his adrenaline-loving best friend, Cassie Reynolds, has been getting him a little hot under the collar. And then, with one scorching birthday kiss, these best friends are instantly more.
Exactly the wrong time for Tank’s ex to show up in Wild River, Alaska.
Cassie is pretty sure she’s having a waking nightmare. Not only is Tank’s gorgeous ex hoping to reclaim her family, but a new megastore is threatening the wilderness-adventure business she’s spent five years building. But Cassie never backs down from a fight. And now it’s time to make the most terrifying leap of her life—and hope that Tank catches her…before she falls too far.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2020
192 people are currently reading
551 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Snow
86 books692 followersJennifer Snow is an award-winning, USA Bestselling author. Her publishing credits include a six book small town, Brookhollow series published through Harlequin Heartwarming, her MMA sports romance series Beyond the Cage is published through Berkley/NAL Intermix, her Colorado Ice series with Grand Central and her Wild River & Wild Coast series published with HQN. She also writes thrillers under J.M. Winchester and screenplays with 13 produced rom-coms for UPTV, Hallmark, BET+, QVC+ and more. Her upcoming speculative rom-com is releasing through Canary Street Press in Sept 2024.
More information can be found at www.jennifersnowauthor.com
More information can be found at www.jennifersnowauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
April 6, 2020
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.
Where was my romance? Seriously. It took a good 3/4 to even get to any scenes between Tank and Cassie. This book was way too hyper focused on Cassie's business and Tank's ex. I think since Snow is setting up Tank's ex as the main heroine in the next book, she had to give her some weight here, but it ended up being about 50 percent Cassie's story I felt and 50 percent Tank's ex's story. It's a shame too since I loved the first book in the series. I thought Snow did a great job of setting up the residents of Wild River. I wish she had stayed mostly focused on Cassie and Tank. I also thought that Erica and Cassie's brother stuck out in this one (not in a good way).
"Under an Alaskan Sky" follows Cassie Reynolds and Tank Wheeler. They have been best friends for years, with a great deal of heat underneath. Cassie wants more than friendship, however, Tank is reluctant to get involved with another woman after having his heart broken by his daughter's mother, Montana Banks. Tank wants to make sure any woman he gets involved with understands his daughter is his priority. When Montana returns to Wild River to become a mother to her daughter, and to rekindle her relationship with Tank, Cassie has to decide to let things lay or fight for him.
I think I got tired of everyone telling Cassie to fight for Tank. The dude was back and forth about what he wanted. I think she should have kicked his nonsense to the curb eons ago. The whole friendship read as damaging. She had been his daughter's stand in mother for years at this point in the story and there are pictures of her all over his place. And then Tank even goes well Montana will have to get used to them. Get used to what? You two are not dating.
When these two eventually get together I was just over the whole thing. Snow focused way too much on Tank and Montana's shared past and then on Montana for my liking in this story. I felt like Cassie and Tank's romance got lost.
Also you can tell the third book will be about [redacted] and Montana. I felt annoyed since I think that Snow wanted to play it both ways. Montana was an absentee mother and does at times seem manipulative in this story, but then seems vulnerable and you want to root for her. Eh. The whole thing just felt off.
Also the rush to have Cassie's dad and mom back together was headache inducing. I think that Snow skipped over a lot in this story. We had some comments made about it in book #1, but it just felt like everything was glossed over what is a serious issue (addiction).
The writing was good, I just felt bored. The flow was off though. I think that in the last book going between Erica and Reed worked. I think it worked though because neither of them was caught up in another person from their past you know? You got why they were
attracted to each other and the sex scenes were good. This one just felt meh to me after a while.
The setting of Wild River didn't feel as special in this one either. We have the Search and Rescue people out and about, but things get drowned out a bit by Cassie having angst over a new adventure business opening up across the street from her. It reads as this very big thing that somehow was not a very big thing after a bit.
The ending was probably the least romantic thing ever. Snow included an excerpt of the next book, "A Sweet Alaskan Fall" which I am probably going to read. It's Montana's story. Montana read as more interesting to me than Cassie did in her own story so there you go.
Where was my romance? Seriously. It took a good 3/4 to even get to any scenes between Tank and Cassie. This book was way too hyper focused on Cassie's business and Tank's ex. I think since Snow is setting up Tank's ex as the main heroine in the next book, she had to give her some weight here, but it ended up being about 50 percent Cassie's story I felt and 50 percent Tank's ex's story. It's a shame too since I loved the first book in the series. I thought Snow did a great job of setting up the residents of Wild River. I wish she had stayed mostly focused on Cassie and Tank. I also thought that Erica and Cassie's brother stuck out in this one (not in a good way).
"Under an Alaskan Sky" follows Cassie Reynolds and Tank Wheeler. They have been best friends for years, with a great deal of heat underneath. Cassie wants more than friendship, however, Tank is reluctant to get involved with another woman after having his heart broken by his daughter's mother, Montana Banks. Tank wants to make sure any woman he gets involved with understands his daughter is his priority. When Montana returns to Wild River to become a mother to her daughter, and to rekindle her relationship with Tank, Cassie has to decide to let things lay or fight for him.
I think I got tired of everyone telling Cassie to fight for Tank. The dude was back and forth about what he wanted. I think she should have kicked his nonsense to the curb eons ago. The whole friendship read as damaging. She had been his daughter's stand in mother for years at this point in the story and there are pictures of her all over his place. And then Tank even goes well Montana will have to get used to them. Get used to what? You two are not dating.
When these two eventually get together I was just over the whole thing. Snow focused way too much on Tank and Montana's shared past and then on Montana for my liking in this story. I felt like Cassie and Tank's romance got lost.
Also you can tell the third book will be about [redacted] and Montana. I felt annoyed since I think that Snow wanted to play it both ways. Montana was an absentee mother and does at times seem manipulative in this story, but then seems vulnerable and you want to root for her. Eh. The whole thing just felt off.
Also the rush to have Cassie's dad and mom back together was headache inducing. I think that Snow skipped over a lot in this story. We had some comments made about it in book #1, but it just felt like everything was glossed over what is a serious issue (addiction).
The writing was good, I just felt bored. The flow was off though. I think that in the last book going between Erica and Reed worked. I think it worked though because neither of them was caught up in another person from their past you know? You got why they were
attracted to each other and the sex scenes were good. This one just felt meh to me after a while.
The setting of Wild River didn't feel as special in this one either. We have the Search and Rescue people out and about, but things get drowned out a bit by Cassie having angst over a new adventure business opening up across the street from her. It reads as this very big thing that somehow was not a very big thing after a bit.
The ending was probably the least romantic thing ever. Snow included an excerpt of the next book, "A Sweet Alaskan Fall" which I am probably going to read. It's Montana's story. Montana read as more interesting to me than Cassie did in her own story so there you go.
April 18, 2023
4.5 stars
May 19, 2020
3.5
Everyone know that long-time best friends Cassie Reynolds and Tank Wheeler have stronger feelings for each other. Even they know it. But for the single dad, his ten years old daughter has always been his priority and he's got a complicated past that surrely explain his commitment issues. Well, both their lives are about to get more complicated because his ex, Kaia's mom, is back and Cassie also have to deal with some tough competition with her wilderness-adventures business.
When I read this book, I don't think I was in the best mood for a complex character like Tank and an "ex back in the hero's life" kind of story or a very slow burn romance. But I have to say that the way the author handled the whole thing was refreshing and full of interesting nuances. This book especially reminded me of Robyn Carr's Virgin River series.
Everyone know that long-time best friends Cassie Reynolds and Tank Wheeler have stronger feelings for each other. Even they know it. But for the single dad, his ten years old daughter has always been his priority and he's got a complicated past that surrely explain his commitment issues. Well, both their lives are about to get more complicated because his ex, Kaia's mom, is back and Cassie also have to deal with some tough competition with her wilderness-adventures business.
When I read this book, I don't think I was in the best mood for a complex character like Tank and an "ex back in the hero's life" kind of story or a very slow burn romance. But I have to say that the way the author handled the whole thing was refreshing and full of interesting nuances. This book especially reminded me of Robyn Carr's Virgin River series.
April 17, 2020
Under an Alaskan Sky was my first Jennifer Snow book. I have to say, I have found a new author to read and a new series to love!
Cassie and Tank are one of those meant-to-be couples even if they are the only two who don't know it... correction-even if Tank is the only one who doesn't know it. Cassie sure as heck knows that she belongs with him and after five years, she's tired of waiting. When his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his daughter, waltzes back into Wild River, Alaska, life gets complicated for Cassie. Check that-life gets more complicated. Already losing her adventure tour business to a new chain store moving in across the street, the competition might put her under. To complicate matters, she's paying for her father's rehab bills, and her world is crashing down on her already without the complications of Tank and his ex.
Tank, the owner of the Drunk Tank, the only bar in town, is afraid. Cassie is his best friend and he's desperately afraid to lose her. Not just as his best friend, but as the role model he depends on to help him with his ten-year-old daughter, Kaia. The last thing he expects is to see his ex-girlfriend, Montana, walk through the door of his bar just when he gets the nerve up to kiss Cassie. Little does anyone know just how much Montana knows about his bar. Suddenly, Tank isn't sure about anything in his life including his relationship with his daughter and his relationship with Cassie. One thing he is acutely aware of? Montana could screw it all up for him.
Cassie wants nothing more than to be in Tank's life, and if that means remaining nothing more than friends, that will have to be enough, even though she wants so much more. When his ex, Montana, strolls into her business, SnowTrek Tours, offering Cassie a solution to her business problems, Cassie immediately fears she's getting in bed with the devil.
Speaking of getting in bed, that's all Cassie wants out of Tank. When they finally give in to their attraction she's convinced it's enough for now. The question she asks herself is how long before she needs more? Tank isn't capable of opening his heart up to her, and Cassie doesn't know if casual sex is enough for the rest of her life. Not when her whole heart is already in the game. That is the same question that Tank asks himself. Tank has a hard time committing after having his heart broken by Montana, and rightly so, but he knows if he ever wants happiness again he's going to have to trust someone.
This book is a complicated walk through single parenting, co-parenting, brain injuries, past parental hurts, best friends to lovers, search and rescue, and the realization that sometimes you have to take a chance on love.
I loved Cassie, though she sometimes drove me crazy with her need to always put everyone else first, even when she would continue to suffer. You just want her to be happy, but she got in her own way a lot. She enabled Tank A LOT but the great part was eventually she realized it and decided to do something about it.
Tank was the strong and silent type to the point you wondered if a hammer was what he needed to be hit with to see that Cassie wasn't going to wait forever. Correction-he he saw it all, he just couldn't put it into words. By about 80% into the book that storyline did get a little tired. He knew he should tell her but he couldn't force the words out. Please. He was a good dad who cared about not scaring his child for life, and that redeemed his whishy-washiness with Cassie. He also loved Cassie's dog, Diva, who was a doll face everyone will love. A man who loves kids and dogs, already a perfect hero!
I loved the extended cast of characters in the series. I want to go back and read the first book about Cassie's brother, Reed, (though it wasn't necessary to read this one). I know Montana's story is next, and while I liked her a little bit more by the end of this one, Ms. Snow will have to work hard to make her redeemable. Then again, maybe Eddie the cop will be the one to do that...
I give Under an Alaskan Sky 5 stars for a great read that had me sneaking in pages whenever I had a second free to read!
Cassie and Tank are one of those meant-to-be couples even if they are the only two who don't know it... correction-even if Tank is the only one who doesn't know it. Cassie sure as heck knows that she belongs with him and after five years, she's tired of waiting. When his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his daughter, waltzes back into Wild River, Alaska, life gets complicated for Cassie. Check that-life gets more complicated. Already losing her adventure tour business to a new chain store moving in across the street, the competition might put her under. To complicate matters, she's paying for her father's rehab bills, and her world is crashing down on her already without the complications of Tank and his ex.
Tank, the owner of the Drunk Tank, the only bar in town, is afraid. Cassie is his best friend and he's desperately afraid to lose her. Not just as his best friend, but as the role model he depends on to help him with his ten-year-old daughter, Kaia. The last thing he expects is to see his ex-girlfriend, Montana, walk through the door of his bar just when he gets the nerve up to kiss Cassie. Little does anyone know just how much Montana knows about his bar. Suddenly, Tank isn't sure about anything in his life including his relationship with his daughter and his relationship with Cassie. One thing he is acutely aware of? Montana could screw it all up for him.
Cassie wants nothing more than to be in Tank's life, and if that means remaining nothing more than friends, that will have to be enough, even though she wants so much more. When his ex, Montana, strolls into her business, SnowTrek Tours, offering Cassie a solution to her business problems, Cassie immediately fears she's getting in bed with the devil.
Speaking of getting in bed, that's all Cassie wants out of Tank. When they finally give in to their attraction she's convinced it's enough for now. The question she asks herself is how long before she needs more? Tank isn't capable of opening his heart up to her, and Cassie doesn't know if casual sex is enough for the rest of her life. Not when her whole heart is already in the game. That is the same question that Tank asks himself. Tank has a hard time committing after having his heart broken by Montana, and rightly so, but he knows if he ever wants happiness again he's going to have to trust someone.
This book is a complicated walk through single parenting, co-parenting, brain injuries, past parental hurts, best friends to lovers, search and rescue, and the realization that sometimes you have to take a chance on love.
I loved Cassie, though she sometimes drove me crazy with her need to always put everyone else first, even when she would continue to suffer. You just want her to be happy, but she got in her own way a lot. She enabled Tank A LOT but the great part was eventually she realized it and decided to do something about it.
Tank was the strong and silent type to the point you wondered if a hammer was what he needed to be hit with to see that Cassie wasn't going to wait forever. Correction-he he saw it all, he just couldn't put it into words. By about 80% into the book that storyline did get a little tired. He knew he should tell her but he couldn't force the words out. Please. He was a good dad who cared about not scaring his child for life, and that redeemed his whishy-washiness with Cassie. He also loved Cassie's dog, Diva, who was a doll face everyone will love. A man who loves kids and dogs, already a perfect hero!
I loved the extended cast of characters in the series. I want to go back and read the first book about Cassie's brother, Reed, (though it wasn't necessary to read this one). I know Montana's story is next, and while I liked her a little bit more by the end of this one, Ms. Snow will have to work hard to make her redeemable. Then again, maybe Eddie the cop will be the one to do that...
I give Under an Alaskan Sky 5 stars for a great read that had me sneaking in pages whenever I had a second free to read!
January 14, 2022
Der zweite ist vor ein paar Tagen als Hörbuch erschienen und da der erste mit schon gut gefallen hat, musste dieser hier auch gehört werden. Ich war wieder von der ersten Minute gefesselt. Es war wieder schön nach Alaska zu reisen und in diese Welt einzutauchen. Dieses Mal lernen wir Reeds Schwester Cassie und Tank besser kennen. Lange haben sie schon Gefühle füreinander, aber so richtig geklappt hat es noch nicht. Es macht Spaß wieder über Charaktere zu lesen, die schon ihr Glück gefunden haben. Es hat mich wieder so in den Bann gezogen und neben Bücherregale einräumen war es entspannend zu hören. Ich bin gespannt, wann der dritte Teil vertont wird und darauf freue ich mich wieder. Schade, dass es die nicht in Buchform gibt.
5 Sterne
5 Sterne
January 10, 2022
RATING: 3.5 STARS
2020; HQN/Harlequin
The love story of Tank and Cassie was hinted at in the first book, so I was excited that it was book two. I love the two characters and their chemistry, plus with Tank's daughter. I am looking forward to the next novel.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2020; HQN/Harlequin
The love story of Tank and Cassie was hinted at in the first book, so I was excited that it was book two. I love the two characters and their chemistry, plus with Tank's daughter. I am looking forward to the next novel.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
February 3, 2021
Despite having adored the first book in the series I was hesitant to pick up the second. It was one of those moments where I kept thinking this wouldn’t be as good and I was definitely wrong! It was so nice to be back in Wild River again and Tank and Cassie had such great chemistry as friends and even hotter chemistry as lovers. I’m a sucker for a single dad trope and Kaia stole my heart as well. I can’t wait to continue to catch up with this series 💖
April 10, 2020
E-galley from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed the first book, An Alaskan Christmas, so I looked forward to the second book in the Wild River series. I had high hopes for this one but ended up just feeling kind of meh about it. The main characters had such potential but Tank disappointed me in his indecision and reluctance to man up regarding Cassie (friend and lover), Kaia (daughter), and Montana (ex) until the last possible minute. I admired that he put his daughter first but he seemed to give other relationships the bare minimum because of possible risk. Anyway, I hung in until the end just to see where things went. An ok read.
I enjoyed the first book, An Alaskan Christmas, so I looked forward to the second book in the Wild River series. I had high hopes for this one but ended up just feeling kind of meh about it. The main characters had such potential but Tank disappointed me in his indecision and reluctance to man up regarding Cassie (friend and lover), Kaia (daughter), and Montana (ex) until the last possible minute. I admired that he put his daughter first but he seemed to give other relationships the bare minimum because of possible risk. Anyway, I hung in until the end just to see where things went. An ok read.
May 6, 2020
It was great to read about some of my favourite characters from An Alaskan Christmas. You do not have to have read that book to enjoy this one, but we meet these characters in the first book in the series and I was pleased to read their story.
Tank, the owner of the Drunk Tank, the only bar in town, is afraid. Cassie is his best friend and he's desperately afraid to lose her. Not just as his best friend, but as the role model he depends on to help him with his ten-year-old daughter, Kaia. He is afraid to take the next step, he is also unaware of how Cassie feels about him. Cassie is sure that they belong together and after five years, she's tired of waiting. She is ready to take the next step, but when his ex-girlfriend and Kala's mom shows up in town, she is not sure what to do. Not only is she dealing with her feelings for Tank, but a new company has opened in town in direct competition with Cassie's business. With their opening specials undercutting her prices, she has all kinds of cancellations and is worried that her business might not survive. Will anything work out for Cassie?
I love the characters of Cassie and Tank. Cassie is a woman who seems to put everyone else first. She loves Kala and Tank, but is willing to put her happiness on the back burner in order to stay in their lives. She gives people back their deposits when they cancel trips and excursions and even befriends Tank's ex. Tank is the strong, silent type. He has a lot of baggage from his past, as well as the hurt from his previous relationship. He loves Kala with all his heart, and does not want anything to change that. He is keeping secrets and if he doesn't grab onto Cassie now, he might just lose her. Kala is a child, so you can expect a certain amount of spoiled, childish behaviour, but she did make me angry at times. I enjoyed this slow building romance, that had to deal with roadblocks and hurdles along the way. There were a few graphic sex scenes which I did fast forward through as that is not my interest, but they did not ruin the story for me. There is a lot to this story including, the danger of keeping secrets, having faith in others, taking a risk but keeping physically safe, love, loyalty, forgiveness and acceptance. I enjoyed this visit to Wild River, Alaska and reading Cassie's and Tank's story. Of course there is a HEA, but the journey to that point was an interesting and heartbreaking one. I recommend this book to those who enjoy an adult (not erotica) romance.
I did a read/listen of this book, with the audiobook narrated by Melissa Moran. She has a wonderful voice that is easy to listen to. I enjoyed her performance much more than I did in the last book I listened to that she narrated. She gives a voice to Cassie that fits well. Her expression and inflection is right on. Once again my issue with male voices is here with this one. I always prefer a male narrator to do their voices, but that is not the narrator's issue. Overall, the narration was well done and added to my interest in the story. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
Tank, the owner of the Drunk Tank, the only bar in town, is afraid. Cassie is his best friend and he's desperately afraid to lose her. Not just as his best friend, but as the role model he depends on to help him with his ten-year-old daughter, Kaia. He is afraid to take the next step, he is also unaware of how Cassie feels about him. Cassie is sure that they belong together and after five years, she's tired of waiting. She is ready to take the next step, but when his ex-girlfriend and Kala's mom shows up in town, she is not sure what to do. Not only is she dealing with her feelings for Tank, but a new company has opened in town in direct competition with Cassie's business. With their opening specials undercutting her prices, she has all kinds of cancellations and is worried that her business might not survive. Will anything work out for Cassie?
I love the characters of Cassie and Tank. Cassie is a woman who seems to put everyone else first. She loves Kala and Tank, but is willing to put her happiness on the back burner in order to stay in their lives. She gives people back their deposits when they cancel trips and excursions and even befriends Tank's ex. Tank is the strong, silent type. He has a lot of baggage from his past, as well as the hurt from his previous relationship. He loves Kala with all his heart, and does not want anything to change that. He is keeping secrets and if he doesn't grab onto Cassie now, he might just lose her. Kala is a child, so you can expect a certain amount of spoiled, childish behaviour, but she did make me angry at times. I enjoyed this slow building romance, that had to deal with roadblocks and hurdles along the way. There were a few graphic sex scenes which I did fast forward through as that is not my interest, but they did not ruin the story for me. There is a lot to this story including, the danger of keeping secrets, having faith in others, taking a risk but keeping physically safe, love, loyalty, forgiveness and acceptance. I enjoyed this visit to Wild River, Alaska and reading Cassie's and Tank's story. Of course there is a HEA, but the journey to that point was an interesting and heartbreaking one. I recommend this book to those who enjoy an adult (not erotica) romance.
I did a read/listen of this book, with the audiobook narrated by Melissa Moran. She has a wonderful voice that is easy to listen to. I enjoyed her performance much more than I did in the last book I listened to that she narrated. She gives a voice to Cassie that fits well. Her expression and inflection is right on. Once again my issue with male voices is here with this one. I always prefer a male narrator to do their voices, but that is not the narrator's issue. Overall, the narration was well done and added to my interest in the story. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
October 26, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this one. I adored Cassie but Tank's indecisiveness grated my nerves. I wasn't a fan of Montana and her entire storyline felt insincere. I am unlikely to read the next book since Montana will be the heroine.
April 15, 2020
3.5⭐️ full review to come.
June 20, 2020
3.5 hearts
I enjoyed this and wanted to see how this couple got together. It's a little crazy they didn't before. There was a bunch of drama, resolved almost too easily. There were too many things where I had to suspend disbelief. It was great to see them be adults in the end though.
I enjoyed this and wanted to see how this couple got together. It's a little crazy they didn't before. There was a bunch of drama, resolved almost too easily. There were too many things where I had to suspend disbelief. It was great to see them be adults in the end though.
June 5, 2020
Cassie owns an adventure sports business in Wild River. She's been in love with Tank for years while helping him care for his 11 year old daughter, Kaia. Tank has been a single parent for nearly the entirety of Kaia's life after her mother (Montana) left both of them when she was practically a newborn. Cassie and Tank are desperately in love with one another. Cassie is ready to make their relationship official but Tank is afraid to make that leap. He hesitates because of the dangerous nature of both of their jobs. Tank owns the local bar and he's a big part of the Wild River Search and Rescue team. Both he and Cassie put their lives on the line nearly every day, and he doesn't want Kaia to grow up having lost both of her parents.
Things I liked: the Alaskan setting, the outdoor sports, the scenes involving the Search and Rescue, the secondary characters, Tank's daughter Kaia, and Diva the dog
So basically I liked the same things about this book that I liked about the previous book, An Alaskan Christmas. I think the author has done a great job in creating a setting and friend group that is interesting, and the little details (like Diva the dog!) are also great. Still, I find myself feeling fairly middle-of-the-road about the Wild River books so far.
I really like Cassie and Tank and this book has a great ending, but it is really frustrating to watch Tank's indecision about taking that leap with Cassie. For as big and tough as he is, he's straight-out afraid of having a real romantic relationship with her because he thinks the risks are just too high. There is so much back and forth in this story. I would have loved to see the romantic relationship begin early in the book so I could spend some time observing Cassie and Tank as a couple. As it stands, they spend the majority of the book in limbo.
Sidenote: Tank's ex Montana shows up early on in what I thought would be a love triangle situation. After finishing the book, though, I hesitate to call all of their drama a triangle. Montana has her reasons for being away from her daughter for 10 years, and she has reasons for showing up out of nowhere. It's a little bit strange that Montana befriends Cassie and they have a whole side-plot thing going on involving Cassie's business. I appreciate the author's ability to write Montana into the story without making her the big reason things are complicated with Cassie and Tank. I think Montana has way more page time than she really needs in this installment, but I think Montana is to be the focus of the next full-length book in this series. So I can see the reason for all of Montana's story set-up. Still, I feel like she took precious page-time away from Cassie and Tank.
Both Cassie and Tank have a close connection with Reid from the previous book in this series. Cassie is Reid's sister, Tank is Reid's best friend. Having read the first book, I was pretty familiar with both Cassie and Tank, but I think this one would also be fine as a standalone. I like the way things ended for Cassie, Tank, and Montana and I'm curious about Montana's place in Wild River. Tank's daughter Kaia and Cassie's dog Diva were my favorite things about this story.
Thank you to Harlequin publishing for sending me a free digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my thoughts in the form of a review!
Things I liked: the Alaskan setting, the outdoor sports, the scenes involving the Search and Rescue, the secondary characters, Tank's daughter Kaia, and Diva the dog
So basically I liked the same things about this book that I liked about the previous book, An Alaskan Christmas. I think the author has done a great job in creating a setting and friend group that is interesting, and the little details (like Diva the dog!) are also great. Still, I find myself feeling fairly middle-of-the-road about the Wild River books so far.
I really like Cassie and Tank and this book has a great ending, but it is really frustrating to watch Tank's indecision about taking that leap with Cassie. For as big and tough as he is, he's straight-out afraid of having a real romantic relationship with her because he thinks the risks are just too high. There is so much back and forth in this story. I would have loved to see the romantic relationship begin early in the book so I could spend some time observing Cassie and Tank as a couple. As it stands, they spend the majority of the book in limbo.
Sidenote: Tank's ex Montana shows up early on in what I thought would be a love triangle situation. After finishing the book, though, I hesitate to call all of their drama a triangle. Montana has her reasons for being away from her daughter for 10 years, and she has reasons for showing up out of nowhere. It's a little bit strange that Montana befriends Cassie and they have a whole side-plot thing going on involving Cassie's business. I appreciate the author's ability to write Montana into the story without making her the big reason things are complicated with Cassie and Tank. I think Montana has way more page time than she really needs in this installment, but I think Montana is to be the focus of the next full-length book in this series. So I can see the reason for all of Montana's story set-up. Still, I feel like she took precious page-time away from Cassie and Tank.
Both Cassie and Tank have a close connection with Reid from the previous book in this series. Cassie is Reid's sister, Tank is Reid's best friend. Having read the first book, I was pretty familiar with both Cassie and Tank, but I think this one would also be fine as a standalone. I like the way things ended for Cassie, Tank, and Montana and I'm curious about Montana's place in Wild River. Tank's daughter Kaia and Cassie's dog Diva were my favorite things about this story.
Thank you to Harlequin publishing for sending me a free digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my thoughts in the form of a review!
April 3, 2021
Was für ein tolles Buch. Die Geschichte von Tank und Cassie ist einfach schön. Die beiden haben eine besondere Verbindung zueinander. Beide sind beste Freunde bis sie sich zum ersten Mal küssen. Beide wollen ihre Freundschaft nicht gefährden, aber der Kuss hat ihre Gefühle zueinander geändert. Die Anziehungskraft wird immer stärker zwischen den beiden. Dann taucht noch Tanks Exfrau auf. Das Chaos ist perfekt. Mehr verrate ich zum Inhalt nicht. Lasst euch überraschen. Ich habe das Buch verschlungen. Tank und Cassie sind zwei wundervolle Charaktere. Ich habe beide sofort ins Herz geschlossen. Die Geschichte ist wunderschön geschrieben. Es ist wirklich schwierig, wenn aus Freundschaft plötzlich Liebe wird. Man steht zwischen den Stühlen. Man will die Freundschaft nicht verlieren, aber man merkt, dass sich die Gefühle zueinander verändert haben. Dieses Buch beschreibt den Grad zwischen Freundschaft und Liebe. Für mich hat die Autorin das Thema super beschrieben und ein tolles Buch erschaffen. Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist flüssig und super zum Lesen. Danke für die tollen Lesestunden. Klare Leseempfehlung. ❤️❤️❤️
May 7, 2020
I didn't read book 1 in the series and it wasn't necessary to read this one.
Tank and Cassie have been friends for a long time and though there's an obvious attraction between them, Tank won't let anything more happen between them. He's got lots of issues and Cassie is very patient with him. Between his 10-year-old daughter, and this business, and the rescue team, and training Cassie's dog, he's busy.
Then we have Cassie who's been waiting for him and wanting more. When Tank's ex comes into town, that puts more issues between Cassie and Tank.
I found the story a bit too long. It's also not clean. Why all the language? Do people really talk like that, S-word and F-word in almost every sentence? So unnecessary. There's also descriptive sex.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
Tank and Cassie have been friends for a long time and though there's an obvious attraction between them, Tank won't let anything more happen between them. He's got lots of issues and Cassie is very patient with him. Between his 10-year-old daughter, and this business, and the rescue team, and training Cassie's dog, he's busy.
Then we have Cassie who's been waiting for him and wanting more. When Tank's ex comes into town, that puts more issues between Cassie and Tank.
I found the story a bit too long. It's also not clean. Why all the language? Do people really talk like that, S-word and F-word in almost every sentence? So unnecessary. There's also descriptive sex.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
August 15, 2020
This series is a low 3 star for me. This one is about Cassie, Reeds sister from the first book. She owns the adventure company and has had a flirtatious relationship with Tank, the bar owner. It’s never really progressed because he has a young child and he’s a single dad. The baby mama (Montana) comes back and starts working with Cassie. Again, this book has way too much explicit sex for me and it really pulled me out of the story. I won’t be continuing with the series.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
Montana comes back just wanting to be apart of her daughters life. There’s nothing between her and tank.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
Montana comes back just wanting to be apart of her daughters life. There’s nothing between her and tank.
January 28, 2021
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
Special thanks to Harlequin for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.
Jen Snow does it again! After reading and loving An Alaskan Christmas, I hesitated to dive further into this series on the of chance I wouldn't love book 2. Well, I was wrong. It's great to be back in Wild River, Tank & Cassie & their friends to lovers relationship work great. I loved the addition of Montana & the story just works for me. I'm excited to continue the series and the audio is great!
Happy Reading, friends!
Special thanks to Harlequin for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.
Jen Snow does it again! After reading and loving An Alaskan Christmas, I hesitated to dive further into this series on the of chance I wouldn't love book 2. Well, I was wrong. It's great to be back in Wild River, Tank & Cassie & their friends to lovers relationship work great. I loved the addition of Montana & the story just works for me. I'm excited to continue the series and the audio is great!
May 29, 2020
I have never read this author before but i grabbed it on a whim at walmart. Im in love! Steamy, funny, adventures you name it! Its going on my favorite shelf
December 8, 2020
I enjoyed this story.
It was good to see the development and growth of two of the previous characters.
It was also nice to catch up with the other characters and the town from book 1.
It was good to see the development and growth of two of the previous characters.
It was also nice to catch up with the other characters and the town from book 1.
December 18, 2020
I loved getting to read Cassie and Tank’s story and also still see so much of Erika and Reed ❤️
January 6, 2022
Not as good as the first one.
June 18, 2022
I loved this! I couldn't put this book down. So much happens but in here and I'm so glad Cassie and Tank got their happy ending. I'm a sucker for a good friends to lovers book.
July 8, 2024
3.5
Very sweet friends to lovers. It was a long time coming, whirlwind of a romance and ended so cute. It was a little frustrating the fact he was such a closed book and wasn’t moving forward when he obviously wanted to but I’m glad he got there in the end. Cute fast read. Would recommend.
Very sweet friends to lovers. It was a long time coming, whirlwind of a romance and ended so cute. It was a little frustrating the fact he was such a closed book and wasn’t moving forward when he obviously wanted to but I’m glad he got there in the end. Cute fast read. Would recommend.
August 24, 2025
3,75⭐️
December 24, 2023
I wanted to like it but I just couldn't. The way that Cassie was strung along... I just couldn't get behind the romance. One of the most annoying parts were people constantly telling her to fight for someone who didn't even do the bare minimum 😒
April 20, 2021
Das Cover:
Passt sehr gut zur Natur Alaskas und durch die abgeschnittene Darstellung des Kopfes bleibt den Leser*innen genügend Raum für eigene Ideen des Protagonisten. Zudem finde ich, dass es sehr gut zu Band eins dieser tollen Reihe passt.
Meine Meinung:
Dies ist zwar Band zwei der Wild River Reihe, man kann sie aber auch unabhängig von band eins lesen, was ich sehr gut finde. Die Charaktere aus Band eins haben leider nicht mal einen kleinen Auftritt, was ich schade finde, aber was nicht war, kann ja vielleicht im nächsten Band noch werden.
Unsere Protagonisten sind diesmal Tank Wheeler mit seiner Tochter Kaia und Cassie Reynolds, die eine Art Ersatz-Mutter für Kaia ist und dabei noch die beste Freundin von Tank.
Cassie kennen wir bereits aus Band eins, aber auch wer sie nicht kennt, wird sie schnell kennenlernen. Sie ist ehrgeizig, sensible und sehr loyal. Ich habe Cassie schnell in mein Herz geschlossen und empfinde ihre Unsicherheiten in Bezug auf Tank sehr nachvollziehbar. Sie versteht seine Prioritäten, seine Zurückhaltung auf Grund seiner Vergangenheit und ist zufrieden damit für ihn da zu sein. Hut ab für so viel liebevolle Geduld. Andere wären schneller Mal versucht das Ganze in eine andere Richtung zu lenken.
Tank Wheeler und seine Tochter Kaia sind das andere Paar in dieser Geschichte, dabei muss ich sagen, dass ich überrascht war, dass Kaia bereits zehn war, aber im Laufe der Geschichte ergibt dieses Alter natürlich Sinn und sorgt nicht nur fürs Schmunzeln, sondern auch für das ein oder andere Augenrollen.
Tank ist als Vater wirklich hingebungsvoll und würde für seine Tochter alles tun, naja mit einer Ausnahme. Aber das müsst ihr dann schon selber lesen.
Kaia ist als zehnjähriges Mädchen durchaus glaubhaft, liebevoll und natürlich ab und zu mal ein wenig zickig. Ich fand die Mischung sehr gelungen und die Kleine hat mir immer wieder ein Lächeln ins Gesicht gezaubert und mit ihrer kindlichen Art zwischen Teenager und Kind sehr gefallen.
Die Mutter von Kaia, Montana, wollte ich anfangs wirklich unsympathisch finden. Wer lässt seine Tochter allein zurück und kommt dann Jahre später und will plötzlich eine Beziehung zu ihr aufbauen? Ganz so einfach war es natürlich nicht, denn die Autorin schafft es auch ihre Beweggründe glaubhaft darzustellen und ihre Reue und Ängste nachvollziehbar dazustellen.
Die ganze Geschichte dreht sich hauptsächlich um die Gefühle der verschiedenen Protagonisten und welche Auswirkungen diese auf den jeweils anderen haben. Trotzdem ist die Geschichte spanend gestaltet durch den Job von Tank und der Feinfühligkeit mit der die Autorin an das ganze Thema rangeht.
Der Schreibstil ist wirklich schön locker und leicht, die Seiten fliegen nur so dahin und die Protagonisten sind allesamt glaubwürdig und tiefgründig gezeichnet und ich mochte sie allesamt gerne.
Mein Fazit:
Eine wunderschöne Geschichte über die Liebe zwischen besten Freunden, Eltern zu ihrer Tochter und der Unsicherheit die mit den Gefühlen für den / die beste/n Freund/in einhergehen. Klare Leseempfehlung.
Passt sehr gut zur Natur Alaskas und durch die abgeschnittene Darstellung des Kopfes bleibt den Leser*innen genügend Raum für eigene Ideen des Protagonisten. Zudem finde ich, dass es sehr gut zu Band eins dieser tollen Reihe passt.
Meine Meinung:
Dies ist zwar Band zwei der Wild River Reihe, man kann sie aber auch unabhängig von band eins lesen, was ich sehr gut finde. Die Charaktere aus Band eins haben leider nicht mal einen kleinen Auftritt, was ich schade finde, aber was nicht war, kann ja vielleicht im nächsten Band noch werden.
Unsere Protagonisten sind diesmal Tank Wheeler mit seiner Tochter Kaia und Cassie Reynolds, die eine Art Ersatz-Mutter für Kaia ist und dabei noch die beste Freundin von Tank.
Cassie kennen wir bereits aus Band eins, aber auch wer sie nicht kennt, wird sie schnell kennenlernen. Sie ist ehrgeizig, sensible und sehr loyal. Ich habe Cassie schnell in mein Herz geschlossen und empfinde ihre Unsicherheiten in Bezug auf Tank sehr nachvollziehbar. Sie versteht seine Prioritäten, seine Zurückhaltung auf Grund seiner Vergangenheit und ist zufrieden damit für ihn da zu sein. Hut ab für so viel liebevolle Geduld. Andere wären schneller Mal versucht das Ganze in eine andere Richtung zu lenken.
Tank Wheeler und seine Tochter Kaia sind das andere Paar in dieser Geschichte, dabei muss ich sagen, dass ich überrascht war, dass Kaia bereits zehn war, aber im Laufe der Geschichte ergibt dieses Alter natürlich Sinn und sorgt nicht nur fürs Schmunzeln, sondern auch für das ein oder andere Augenrollen.
Tank ist als Vater wirklich hingebungsvoll und würde für seine Tochter alles tun, naja mit einer Ausnahme. Aber das müsst ihr dann schon selber lesen.
Kaia ist als zehnjähriges Mädchen durchaus glaubhaft, liebevoll und natürlich ab und zu mal ein wenig zickig. Ich fand die Mischung sehr gelungen und die Kleine hat mir immer wieder ein Lächeln ins Gesicht gezaubert und mit ihrer kindlichen Art zwischen Teenager und Kind sehr gefallen.
Die Mutter von Kaia, Montana, wollte ich anfangs wirklich unsympathisch finden. Wer lässt seine Tochter allein zurück und kommt dann Jahre später und will plötzlich eine Beziehung zu ihr aufbauen? Ganz so einfach war es natürlich nicht, denn die Autorin schafft es auch ihre Beweggründe glaubhaft darzustellen und ihre Reue und Ängste nachvollziehbar dazustellen.
Die ganze Geschichte dreht sich hauptsächlich um die Gefühle der verschiedenen Protagonisten und welche Auswirkungen diese auf den jeweils anderen haben. Trotzdem ist die Geschichte spanend gestaltet durch den Job von Tank und der Feinfühligkeit mit der die Autorin an das ganze Thema rangeht.
Der Schreibstil ist wirklich schön locker und leicht, die Seiten fliegen nur so dahin und die Protagonisten sind allesamt glaubwürdig und tiefgründig gezeichnet und ich mochte sie allesamt gerne.
Mein Fazit:
Eine wunderschöne Geschichte über die Liebe zwischen besten Freunden, Eltern zu ihrer Tochter und der Unsicherheit die mit den Gefühlen für den / die beste/n Freund/in einhergehen. Klare Leseempfehlung.
November 8, 2020
Not my cup of tea
I constantly struggle with "friends to lovers" plots, because I almost never find them believable. The romantic conflict, always and forever, remains the same, "Romance has a high likelihood of failure, but friendship is forever, so I'm not going to dare to try for romance with my best friend, because I could not bear to lose him/her if it did not work out." This motivation absolutely contradicts several key, reality-based facts: (1) For generations now, the romantic ideal, in the USA and most of the West, for a permanent mate is someone who is a best friend. Thus, I find it impossible to buy that two people who are madly physically attracted to each other and also best friends would be unwilling to take their relationship to the next level. (2) Inevitably, if these two best friends do not become romantic partners, they will end up dating other people, and very likely even married to other people, who will inevitably and rationally be extremely jealous of this BFF relationship and do their darndest to break it up. (3) I greatly agree with Harry, in his famous quote from the movie, When Harry met Sally: "Men and women can't be friends, because the sex part always gets in the way."
In the case of this novel and its particular take on this timeworn, romance-genre trope, I just can't buy that a 35-year-old man and a woman who's around 30 could go 5 whole years of being best friends and never act on the very strong, sexual attraction between them while, apparently, neither is dating anyone else. Are we to believe that they tacitly made a mutual vow of eternal celibacy? In addition, the hero Tank knows the heroine Cassie is lusting after him. And he, of course, because this is a romance novel, is lusting after her. But he continually shuts them both down by pretending that this is not happening, while he conveniently uses her as a free babysitter for his illegitimate, currently 10-year-old daughter from a previous love affair.
In short, the morally indefensible passivity and selfish narcissism of Tank drove me crazy. And the codependence of Cassie, allowing herself to be used, year after year, by a commitment-phobe jerk, made me squirm with shame on her behalf.
In my not so humble opinion, a woman in her position should have made her move sexually on Tank within 6 months of this farce of a friendship's beginning. If he had rejected her at that time out of emotional cowardice, which would have been inevitable, given the description of his emotional motivation in this book, then she could have moved on rather than giving away five of the best years of her life to someone who was taking advantage of her.
I constantly struggle with "friends to lovers" plots, because I almost never find them believable. The romantic conflict, always and forever, remains the same, "Romance has a high likelihood of failure, but friendship is forever, so I'm not going to dare to try for romance with my best friend, because I could not bear to lose him/her if it did not work out." This motivation absolutely contradicts several key, reality-based facts: (1) For generations now, the romantic ideal, in the USA and most of the West, for a permanent mate is someone who is a best friend. Thus, I find it impossible to buy that two people who are madly physically attracted to each other and also best friends would be unwilling to take their relationship to the next level. (2) Inevitably, if these two best friends do not become romantic partners, they will end up dating other people, and very likely even married to other people, who will inevitably and rationally be extremely jealous of this BFF relationship and do their darndest to break it up. (3) I greatly agree with Harry, in his famous quote from the movie, When Harry met Sally: "Men and women can't be friends, because the sex part always gets in the way."
In the case of this novel and its particular take on this timeworn, romance-genre trope, I just can't buy that a 35-year-old man and a woman who's around 30 could go 5 whole years of being best friends and never act on the very strong, sexual attraction between them while, apparently, neither is dating anyone else. Are we to believe that they tacitly made a mutual vow of eternal celibacy? In addition, the hero Tank knows the heroine Cassie is lusting after him. And he, of course, because this is a romance novel, is lusting after her. But he continually shuts them both down by pretending that this is not happening, while he conveniently uses her as a free babysitter for his illegitimate, currently 10-year-old daughter from a previous love affair.
In short, the morally indefensible passivity and selfish narcissism of Tank drove me crazy. And the codependence of Cassie, allowing herself to be used, year after year, by a commitment-phobe jerk, made me squirm with shame on her behalf.
In my not so humble opinion, a woman in her position should have made her move sexually on Tank within 6 months of this farce of a friendship's beginning. If he had rejected her at that time out of emotional cowardice, which would have been inevitable, given the description of his emotional motivation in this book, then she could have moved on rather than giving away five of the best years of her life to someone who was taking advantage of her.
May 16, 2020
If you are a die hard, happily ever after fan who shy’s away from darkness and the sublime, then Under an Alaskan Sky will smother you in a warm onesie and plop you in the middle of romance heaven. After 5 torturous years of ‘just friends’ determined and loyal Cassie realises she now needs to start pushing things to the next level with Tank, who throughout is described as some sort of other-brother of Chris Hemsworth Thor 2...sweet lord! Tank evidently adores Cassie but has deep commitment and trust issues stemming from his past, a sort of rags to riches style backstory cut from a classic board of ‘self-made man’ narrative. And if 5 years of forced celibacy for both our lovers doesn’t cave your head in, the disastrously timed arrival of Tank’s ex and father of his child Montana rocking up to town, to re-insert herself in her child’s life after 10 years, and incidentally become besties with Cassie, certainly will. By all means, Tank and Cassie had a pretty straight forward relationship until this juncture (albeit non-human and unbelievable) that ironically, Montana’s arrival is the desperately needed catalyst of change for. Despite some excellent sexual tension development and well crafted dialogue, it sadly just smacked as too unrealistic. No one on the planet is Cassie – not even Mother Theresa herself! In fact, Cassie is so ridiculously reasonable and understanding that she manages to justify that Montana’s Base Jumping business proposal is exactly what she needs to save her own business in the face of giant corporate industry take-over which occurs across the street. Indeed, while the key action kernels are border-line ridiculous, Under an Alaskan Sky was saved entirely but effective style and pace and some delightful raunch scenes. As Montana seemingly swans around taking everything Tank and Cassie have independently built and together love, it was hard to believe the lack of jealousy, lack of self-interest or self-preservation from Cassie. And whilst the cohesion of the plot itself is successful, it was evidently too much of a strange trifle blend of Disney meets raunch meets Alaskan mountaineering adventure survival film. Ultimately, if ‘all-too perfect’ romance novels are your pet love, then I highly recommend you snuggle into this one, and if not, keep the onesie on and enjoy mentally planning a trip to see beautiful Alaska and its Tank-like men folk!
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