Wild at Heart

The Kincaid Brothers of Pine Harbour #3

by Zoe York

He’s the guy everyone loves, and she’s the outsider who knows better than to fall for the town’s favourite golden boy.

Everyone in Pine Harbour loves Will Kincaid—except the one person he cares about actually impressing. Can grown men have crushes on their frenemies? When Catie joins the small town’s Search and Rescue team, Will finds himself spending every Thursday night swapping glares with the hairdresser while they get in each other’s way.

Catie Berton has a long list of reasons why Will is an arrogant jerk. But the more time she spends with him, the more she’s forced to admit sometimes they make a good team. That doesn’t change the fact that Will has always been her right crush, wrong guy.

When the SRT goes on a road trip to a competition, she surprises herself by agreeing to ride shotgun in his truck. The long drive could be a chance to repair a shredded friendship, if Catie can get past her complicated feelings for the too-attractive-for-his-own-good school principal.

Because Catie knows all too well how cold a small town can be to an outsider who wants too much happiness from one of their own.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Small Town Romance, Slow Burn, Military Fiction

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 28, 2021

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Zoe York is a busy working mom of two young boys, wife to a very understanding soldier, and creator of modern, sexy, small town contemporary romances.

She lives in London, Ontario and is currently chugging Americanos, wiping sticky fingers, and dreaming of heroes in and out of uniform.

Reviews

[Zoe]

This gorgeous story about trust, friendship, pie, adventure, found family, and learning how to cry (and then laugh) consumed me all summer long, and I'm so excited to share it now.

Amazon: https://smarturl.it/Kincaids3Zon
Apple Books: https://smarturl.it/Kincaids3Apple
Kobo: https://smarturl.it/Kincaids3Kobo
Nook: https://smarturl.it/Kincaids3Nook
Google Play: https://smarturl.it/Kincaids3Android

Content note: this book deals with the death of a parent (in the past) and grief. More details on my blog here: https://zoeyork.com/grief-content-not...

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

This book was an easy smooth read. Will is the up tight principal who is trying to do everything correctly and Catie is the non local eho wants everyone to like her. Together they are fire and ice and in the end come together to have a great outcome. Love how the characters develop and the story progresses. Love this story.

[E-Reader Addict · Rating 2 out of 5]

The year 2021 is going down as “the year of colossal disappointments” - at least as far as my reading addiction goes. I know there’s still two months left in the year, but I’m gonna go ahead and call it. Maybe that way my expectations for the rest of the year will be managed and I won’t be as disappointed by the highly anticipated reads I’ve got coming up in my TBR pile…

Anyway, if you’ve followed me for very long you know how much I LOVE Zoe York’s books. She’s usually a go-to when I’m in a reading slump. And I’ve really enjoyed the first two books in this Kincaids of Pine Harbour series. So I was REALLY looking forward to this one! But Wild at Heart instead made me feel dead in the heart.



I think where this one started to fall apart for me is that I couldn’t understand exactly why the hero and heroine had such a combative relationship. We walk into the story with them already “hating” each other, with only a cursory telling of their animosity-filled past. And it’s caused by silly things - silly things I found it hard to believe two normal, rational people (which Catie and Will both appear to be otherwise) would let rile them up.

Then, according to the synopsis, our heroine feels like she is an outsider in their small town. Yet she has a successful business (two, actually), a handful of close girlfriends, and is involved in several community activities. There’s only one person who isn’t nice to her, and everyone in town knows this lady is a cranky busybody. I’m not saying that couldn’t cast a shadow, but again...would a normal, mature person let the occasional run-in with a rude person taint everything else in her life?

And this brings me to where this story completely fell apart. The hero’s grand gesture made zero sense to me. I don’t want to give away any potential spoilers, but if I don’t feel how out of place and unwelcome the heroine feels, the grand gesture falls flat. This book needed a strong finish and it wasn’t there.

So yeah, Wild at Heart was a trudge to get through. It took me over a week to read! Even though this story had Ms. York’s signature mature characters, dealing with realistic issues, and had decent relationship development, the pacing was slow and the storyline never lived up to the synopsis. Which makes me so incredibly sad. But I have hope for the rest of the series because Ms. York rarely lets me down!

* thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Maria Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much heart and soul go into these wonderful small town romances by Zoe York and it's hard to pick favourites but this is definitely one of them! I've actually missed the beginning of this series, but am familiar with Pine Harbour and while there are some cameos from series characters, it works well as a standalone (and makes me want to go back and read about the other Kincaids).

I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers stories and Will and Catie definitely don't get along at the start of the story (her old crush on him notwithstanding, being scorned for a bachelor auction has left things between them rather awkward). While Will may appear arrogant to Catie, in fact, he's a really good guy and there are several moments where she comes to realize that she's misjudged him. In her defense, she's got reasons for feeling like an outsider and that she's being judged herself, making it easy to deflect those feelings onto Will. But once they team up on the search and rescue team, those sparks fly and a sexy affair ensues. Going from that to an open and aboveboard relationship though, that's the tricky part. The author pulls it altogether with some laughs and tears along the way, and made this memorable for me - one for the keeper shelf!

Note: a copy of this story was provided by the author.

[Trace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book of the series set in a small town in Ontario and just as amazing as the first two.

Will is the principal of the local school and Catie is a hairdresser/real estate agent. She has moved back to town after her mother has passed away and it now living in her old house she bought.

After Catie didn't ask Will to be part of the Bachelor's auction and years of her one sided crush on him they had a very cool relationship with each other.

Catie volunteered with the S&R in town but the problem with that is Will(Mr Grumpy) was one of the trainers. They had a to deal with each other and their feelings about each other.
The whole S&R team went to a completion and they discovered that their feelings where turning into lovers instead of enemies.

She wanted to keep their night at secret but he didn't. She felt unworthy of being loved. So he went out of his way to prove that she is loved in her town and the wonderful things her mother had also done for this town.

Also included a new baby in the family( Owen and Kerry) and getting caught up with some old friends for Zoe's other series.

Highly recommend. Can't wait for Seth's book

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, slow, and soft: a small town romance with secret crushes, sarcastic emails, search and rescue competence porn, small town politics, and a stunning grand gesture. Yes, Will and Catie's story swept me into all the alliterative feels. C'mon, who isn't a sucker for a school principal who has to learn to listen and use his words in order to woo his secret lover out into the open?

See the full review on my blog Lucky Reads.

Thank you to the author for providing a complimentary eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series, but a totally solid contemporary romance. The feud between the leads just seemed so silly for characters who were otherwise so with it. Really liked that this book dug into the ways in which small towns are not always great though.

[Jessen Reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Stephanie Panach · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I need to get this off my chest - as much as I have adored this series, this book was hit and miss for me. I still have a great love for the whole Kincaid family, but I struggled with some aspects of this one. This is an enemies (?) to lovers story - that gave me some serious feelings. I'm giving it 3.5 stars because any book that can make me feel so strongly - deserves a lot of recognition. But I can't bring myself to give it four because of those feelings.

Will Kincaid is a a good guy. He is a straightlaced, rule abiding, school principal of a K-12 school (not an easy task). He comes from a large family and lost his parents at a young age. Even though he didn't take on the same responsibilities his older brother did - he still struggles with his place in the community and his family.

Catie is a force of nature. She wears a lot of hats and always has ideas about how to improve and make things better. Her dedication and volunteer work in the community is really amazing. She is confident, independent, and a natural leader. This also gets her a lot of labels - as bossy and controlling.

Unfortunately, that is kind of where things started to give me trouble in this book. And honestly - maybe it just touched a nerve for me or hit too close to home - but I had a really hard time liking Catie. I respected her and acknowledged that she was right - Will was being difficult just to be difficult and he was grumpy. But I felt like the same things she was complaining about in Will were reflected in her. And, while we see Will exhaustively putting in the work to change and better understand Catie, I don't feel like she put in any work at all on the other side of things.

One scene that truly stands out in my mind is where Catie and Will sit down to talk about where their problems with each other started. As background, the issue started when Catie told Will and other about her ideas for an updated "bachelor auction" idea. Will said he didn't think it was a good idea - and Catie was pretty offended by this. He then tried to backtrack and offered himself up for the auction. Catie - as I read it at least - declined to include him mainly because he hadn't supported her idea. Will, understandably, was stung by this. When they talk about it - Catie's response is "Wow, that's really fragile." My response to that was - wow. That is really cold Catie. She's not wrong - but damn - what a way to tear someone down when they are telling you how you made them feel. It just felt - cruel. And yet- Will still wants her, still goes after her, still continues to build her up and even agrees that he did have a bruised ego. And then he apologizes to her for not working more collegially with her. After all of this - Catie never apologizes, never owns up to her part in their back and forth, and never admits that the blow to her own ego played a role too.

At the end - Catie and Will clearly find a way forward - but from my perspective that is because Will put in the work and really adjusts his mindset. I'm not sure Catie ever really does. They have a moment towards the end where she challenges Will on his cell phone policy in the school. Catie thinks it is dumb and holding back her own progress with the kids involved in the business club - so of course the entire policy is just one more example of how out-of-touch and controlling Will is. Will challenges her on this - and she reacts badly. He calls her bossy (for the umpteenth time) and she says - I'm not bossy, I'm a take charge person and don't like things that stand in my way. She's right - she is a take charge person - and as long as things are going her way - all is well. So who really is the unbending person in this relationship? It was pretty clear to me that it wasn't Will.

Overall - I felt like the only way their relationship was going to be a success and go the distance is if Will continued to let Catie be in 100% control - and that doesn't seem healthy to me. Relationships are all about compromise and consideration - and I am not sure we really go that here.

I still love the Kincaids - and I am anxious for the other books - but this one wasn't a hit for me.

I received this as an ARC but these opinions are all my own.

[Naomi (aplace_inthesun) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is part of the Kincaids at Pine Harbour Series - who knew? Not me when I was approved on Netgalley, but it didn't make any difference as the references to previous characters and books appeared to be covered with sufficient detail for me to be able to piece things together.

Pine Harbour is a small place - 600 people according to the book so there's not alot of room for people who don't like each other to be able to steer clear of one another. This is particularly true when you are the school principal and heavily involved in the Search and Rescue Team (Will Kincaid) and the resident hair dresser and real estate agency (Catie Berton) who have had a hate-hate relationship in the past. Their preferred method of communicating is snarky, attitude laden emails. Catie wants to join the Search and Rescue, and the school needs a business mentor, and one of Will's students needs a part-time job, so there are plenty of opportunities for these two find to butt heads. When the hatred gives way to simmering tension (or when they both recognise this was what they were both feeling from the beginning) they realise they work well together and could have a future (well that's if Catie is prepared to have a relationship out in the open).

This is an enemies to lovers, small-town romance where we see Will doing all the work, all the time. Catie is a prickly customer - she's a strong, independent woman but she does not really give Will an inch. Upon knowing her backstory it's not unreasonable however she was a tricky one to warm to, and it impacted the chemistry for me a little, as I felt Will was more invested and more willing to be open about it.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC of this book to read.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Zoe York's small town vibe - it's low angst and steamy, there are real feelings, very relatable world, likable and heartwarming characters, it's all pretty fun and I usually read the books instantly, as they come out, that's how lovely her writing has been for me. This installment though, I did not love as much, the story dragged for the first 5 or 6 chapters, both main characters were so inconsistent in what they wanted from each other and at the end the chemistry between them was kind of meh. Having said that I loved seeing the people from the previous books and the original series and I honestly can't wait for the next installment, which will be the mysterious pilot Seth. No matter what pen name this author writes under or even what genre, it's an auto buy for me, even if this one was not my cup of tea.

[Carissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading Will and Catie's story.

According to the HOT Kincaid brothers, Catie is Will's nemesis. But we all know there is a fine line between love and hate. And what these two do not realize, is that neither of them are on the side of hate. They think they are so different from each other, but they have a lot more in common than they first thought, and as they spend more time together, they realize their opinions of each other change drastically.

This is a great addition to the Kincaid stories, and I cannot wait to read more!

[DKW · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully written love story between frenemies. Everything you want in a small town, nosy neighbors, gossips, friends, and family you can rely on. Humour, misunderstandings, and love. A story that leaves you smiling because it was so good. Standalone but great series. No cliffhanger and hea.
I voluntarily accepted this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Maureen Fink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return to Pine Harbor for Catie and Wills journey to love. I love the Story and the people of Pine Harbor. Funny, emotional and hot.
Highly recommend

[Debra Johnson]

Amz Purch. Sept. 22, 2023

[Salpy KS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely no warm or fuzzy or happy feelings when I finished this one, just a lot of bewilderment. This one did not work for me. My first problem with it was the FMC. As it gets pointed out, Catie and Will are a lot alike and this is why they clash so often. They both have opinions on how things should be done, they're both wanting that leadership position. The conflict is that Will is "don't fix it if it ain't broke," and Catie is all about constant evolution and progress. This clash is what leads to them being very petty to each other. My problem is that the book presented the pettiness as being one-sided. Only Will got his feelings hurt, only Will was petty, and only Will needed to change. My reading comprehension isn't that bad, and I went back and checked and honestly, it was Catie who started the childish feelings. Will was not 100% on board with her suggested changes to the auction and because he expressed doubt (and so hurt her feelings), she didn't let him participate (and so hurt his feelings), and then they just kept sniping at each other from that point on. Will does apologize. Catie does not. Catie, in fact, behaves as if she has no problems, as if she has never been petty, and that drove me up a wall (see the fact that I've written this much when most of my reviews are a sentence or two). Her attitude, too, that she automatically knows better than everyone else in the town what the town needs also bothered me.

Anyway, these two manage to stumble their way forward, have a night together, Will expresses interest in dating, and she shuts him down. I would expect, at this point, for her to work on whatever she needs to to make the relationship happen. Usually the one who is running scared is the one who has to come back. That never happens. Will pursues her until she accepts. And that is probably all tied in to the odd pivot the book made. Now, the issue isn't that their rivals who need to learn to see each other for who they really are, but her feelings of being an outsider; of how terribly the town treated her and her mom and the desire to belong but constantly be shut out (think Welcome to Temptation). So everything from before gets shoved to the side while Will focuses on making her feel welcome and luring her out from behind her walls. Apparently a slideshow about her mom does the trick and she confesses her love (?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!).

Lastly, the scene that I read romance for wasn't there: the moment when the two MCs are fully vulnerable and open to one another and connect (and this is different from the romantic declaration--Will does make a pretty good declaration). I don't think these two at any point really discussed her issues. Will found out about it from other people, put two and two together and referenced it so she knew he knew, but some kind of sharing initiated by her? No. So no money scene for me.

I'm still gonna read the next one, but this one was a disappointment.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoe York is one of my favorite authors because her books never disappoint me. This book is no exception! Will and Catie appeared to have an adversarial relationship, at least that’s what they each thought. Life can be funny, though, and turn things around with a different set of circumstances. This was a great book and I’m looking forward to reading more in the series.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catie has had a crush on Will for years. Will never really noticed Catie when they were growing up since she was younger. Now Will wants to get to know Catie better, but these two can't seem to say anything nice to each other. In SAR training they call a truce and get to know each other. Will realizes that he was completely wrong about Catie. Catie is hoping that the real life Will measures up to her fantasy Will. These two both have some issues to work through, but Will gets some good advice and tries to see why Catie does things the way she does. Will learns a lot about Catie's mom and realizes a bunch of things about Catie. Catie realizes what a great guy Will is. This was such a good book! I am loving this series and Pine Harbour!

[Ana Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book of the series so far! Zoe York is a wonderful author who has a unique style and her character are so good! It is good to be back at Pine Harbour and see old characters and new ones. Will and Catie are kind of a enemy to lovers story and has so many plot twists and exciting scenes that made me want to live in Pine Harbour as soon as possible. Although Catie has had some troubles she really connects with the city through her mother and Will helps and support her knowing it is so important. It is a delicate book that will make your heart swell and fall in love with this couple.
I loved it!

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The streak continues with book #3.

Zoe York’s writing is difficult for me to describe. Her books of the friends and family on the Bruce Peninsula are as close to perfect as I have read. This is not a simple “boys hates girl, boys loves girl, boy marries girl.” There are so many layers to Catie and her wall of issues she has built around her heart. And not only is there such sweet dialogue as Will slowly breaks through, but the community planning and SAR training shows us the complexity Zoe creates as this romance unfolds. Time to get #4 of the Kincaid Brothers, I am most delightfully hooked on this series and Zoe’ writing. If only I could give it more than five stars.

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a story of a relationship. I know, that’s romance, but these two, they started out, not quite as enemies, more like adversaries, but it was evident the attractions was there. A nice slow build-up had them, and us, finding out about them. Then the flash heat, and we finally have them finding themselves, and then finding each other. The depth of their emotions, personal and for each other, had me emotional myself, as they worked things through. Quiet and thoughtful, like our characters, the emotions were soul touching, and this story flowed from the pages and deep into my heart <3

[Charliegirl1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pine Harbour is the star

If it weren't for Pine Harbour and the peripheral characters, this would be a two at best. There's so much almost-but-not-quite angst, too much "I like him, I don't like him" "She hurt my feelings so I'm going to pout". Even at the end, they're supposedly in love but aren't sure they want to date publicly. I feel like they talked at one another instead to to one another the whole time. And why in the world would she choose to buy a house next to someone who caused misery to her family in the past? The whole story just rambles.

[Vi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming Home! The right move or a grave mistake? Catie was never thrilled with the people of Pine Harbour, though she did return. She reunites with people she knew and new transplants; then there's Will, "the arrogant jerk! "
Enjoyed the visit to Pine Harbour and it's residents. Good story, characters and conversations!
Voluntarily read ARC for honest review. 3 1/2 stars.

[nagako · Rating 5 out of 5]

✅Small Town Romance
✅Antagonists to Lovers
✅Forced Proximity (volunteer training)

I have absolutely ADORED Katie since we met her and I am so glad that we got her book! Loved the fact that her issues were tied to small town mindsets and how her experiences were so different than the Kincaid's. Loved the hard conversations that happened and the way that Will really got to readjust his understandings of their hometown.

Sitting here debating between four and five stars but really the only reason this dropped to 4 for me is because of person preferences and I really didn't connect with Will the way I did with Adam from Fierce At Heart.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love it in Pine Harbour and I'll keep reading until the end but this enemies to lovers story didn't really float by boat. Something about the progress of their relationship just didn't seem natural to me. I didn't feel like they really talked enough and then they were just in love. Idk. I can't really put my finger on it. The Fosters and Minnelli's stories have been better than the Kincaid's but I love this small town and I'll see it through until the end.
Side note: Upstanding, rule following Will is a dirty talker and I loved that for them.

[Amy (amysbooksnthings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this quite a bit. Will and Catie were both headstrong, but also equally as kindhearted, and because of that sometimes I thought their "feud" was a little silly. I was so thankful when the MCs started to move past that and really liked those moments when they were being vulnerable and getting to know each other. And I've got to say Will's grand gesture was absolute perfection - deserving of all the heart eyes. I'm just finding this series as a whole very comforting and it's bringing my romance loving heart so much joy.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite story so far in the Kincaid brothers series. Will and Catie get off to a very rough start, dating.back to an unrequited teenage crush on Catie’s part. Lots of misunderstandings and jumping to conclusions on the part of both parties and it takes a lot of the book to resolve. I thought the story was well written and the sexual tension between these two was realistic. I thought that Adam was my favorite brother, but Will is so much more complex and yummy. I’m enjoying this series and can’t wait to see Seth’s story unfold.

[riley | romance reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoying the Kincaid brothers!

Will is a rule following school principal, and can’t help but banter with his frenemie.

Catie is very involved in the community and constantly butts heads with Will. She has a crush on him but can’t help but be in his face, and email, about doing better for the community when he’s resistant to her ideas.

Catie has fortress walls up, and once Will gets his head on straight that he has complicated feelings for her, he’s patient. He shows up and shows her that he’s there for her no matter what.

Super super cute

[Ashley N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Zoe York's writing style, and I've enjoyed her small town Canada books. This story, book three in the series, was not my favorite. I felt Will was under-developed, and Catie's personality grated on me. They spent too much time being antagonists, and their romance felt forced. Certain plot threads also seemed forced and/or abruptly dropped. I did enjoy their interactions with the other lovely residents of Pine Harbour, and I still enjoy this series as a whole.

[Alyson Buxey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ my favourite thing to do is binge a series which I feel might have let me down a little on this occasion because after quickly reading these first 3 in this series I just wanted a bit more something. Will and Catie are great and I really loved the dynamic of Mr perfect being less than and Ms independent filling a void. This was a good frenemies to lovers story and it was nice seeing them slowly get out of their own way as well as the cast of support characters