Running Wild: Simple Wild, Book 4

Wow, where to begin with this book? I'm sure like most Calla/Jonah stans Marie was one of those characters that I was leery of from the previous books. However, I was willing to give this book a shot to see where her story goes and this book DELIVERS. Readers will not be disappointed in this addition to the series, and we get to see Marie's side of things. We do get to see past friends from this series (yay!), but ultimately this is Marie's story.This book starts off by giving us a glimpse into Marie's history with Jonah and how everything changes once Calla arrives in Alaska. Marie feels like everyone around her has everything they want in their life - except her and she isn't sure how to change that. She has taken over her father's veterinarian practice, but everything changes for her when one of her biggest clients brings in what seems to be an abused sled dog. Marie is a very caring person (especially with animals) and is outraged. She decided to confront the supposed owner of the dog, who turns out to be the newest person in town, Tyler Brady. Tyler does not appreciate Marie's accusations of mistreatment when he is the one that originally found the dog in such bad shape. To say they start off on a rocky path is an understatement, but circumstances start throwing them into each other's paths.Once they get past their initial meeting, Marie feels like Tyler is flirting with her. Something happens (during Tyler participating in the Iditarod no less!) where she doubts herself and if she is reading the signs wrong, again. Tyler offers her friendship, but Marie is wary of this because she is afraid of getting too attached without any sort of future that leads to her getting hurt a second time. She is doing her best to avoid past mistakes, but Tyler makes it difficult. Tyler makes things even harder to resist when he asks Marie to be the vet to his sled dogs, which puts Tyler in her path on a regular basis.Tyler has some old hurts he has a difficult time getting past, and he really holds himself back from Marie. He's really struggling with what is now his new life and Marie is something that is unexpected. We see him as someone that is really caring and selfless, but he does something really hurtful to Marie after she really lets down her guard with him. You can really experience the emotions and hurt they are both feeling throughout the book. Will Marie finally find what she wants out of life with so many changes happening around her? Will she be strong enough to move forward?I know this review is a little long, but I do want others to know that this book is an absolute delight. If you love the Simple Wild world, you will LOVE this book. You will love seeing old friends, but you will really love being introduced to new characters. You will also love reading about new aspects of Alaskan life and the sledding dog culture (and the love and criticism surrounding it). Marie's family was a trip and I really enjoyed seeing the bond she has with her dad. I also really enjoyed seeing into Marie's thoughts and how loving and caring she really is. There are a lot of things that make you laugh throughout (there is one scene where her past and future converge while waiting for coffee that had me laughing like crazy at a mention of being in the twilight zone). There are also a lot of scenes that really hit you in the feels while Marie is sorting through her own feelings, professionally and personal lives, and what she really wants. You really feel like you are going through what Marie is going through, just like you do in the original books. I do think (and I hope!) there is potential for other characters from this book getting their own stories.If you were on the fence about this book not being about Jonah and Calla or if were unsure with this being Marie's book, don't be. You will love her story just as much, and you will be wanting more from these characters and this world just like I was. I don't think fans of this series and author will be disappointed AT ALL. You will just be happy to be in this world again. I stayed up WAY too late to read this book and immediately went back to re-read some of my favorite parts once I finished it. I've been thinking about this book and characters all day, and I can't wait to read it again! I hope I've expressed how much I loved this book and what a great story it is. I honestly wish I could experience this book as a new read a second time!

This lovely story that spins off of the Simple Wild series is wonderful. I was hesitant at first. I didn't realize that it was going to go off with a different main character Marie the Vet in the first 3 books of the series. It took me a few months to pick it up I was so in love with all the characters and the dynamics of the first 3 and I have to say she wasn't a favorite. But this book is a great addition to the series and it does have a lot of my favorite people in it they make the perfect appearance in a more in depth look into Marie's family and longing to find true love. Don't hesitate it's a wonderful read. I'm so glad I got to know another side of Marie and her family and her love and commitment to the animals she cares for. The only thing that's sad is the that the Simple Wild Series is now officially done.

*4.5 StarsI just love this world so much! This book seriously felt like coming home to this small Alaska town with Calla, Jonah, Marie, and even Roy, Agnes, and Mabel! So this is Marie's story, who if we remember was Jonah's best friend in The Simple Wild who was very clearly pining for him. I will admit, I wasn't the biggest fan of hers but we get to see so much more into her character, backstory, family, feelings, etc. in this book and it totally brought me around to her.She is a Veterinarian who volunteers for the Iditarod every year and helps the sled dogs around the area. She gets off on the wrong foot with Tyler at the beginning by wrongly accusing him of not properly caring for his dogs, But they end up spending more time together while he is mushing in the Iditarod and they form a sort of friendship. Having gone down the friends road in the past with Jonah, Marie is hesitant to do it again with Tyler, but they keep getting drawn to each other.I really appreciate how K.A. Tucker handled Marie's past and also her age. As a single 29 year old, I could really relate to how Marie felt so excited for her friends in their big life events, but also sad for herself that she is still single and feeling like she is stuck. It really is refreshing to read about an older heroine (and hero) despite my love for age gaps. And Tyler at times was frustrating, but I could totally understand where he was coming from and my heart just hurt for him so much.I will say that I do wish we got a little more of them together. It was very slow burn and at the end I wanted to see more! So would I be mad if we get another Tyler and Marie story?!? Absolutely not! Also would love to see a Mabel and Reed story someday!!

Along with many other Wild series fans, I approached the addition of Marie's story with trepidation. But she was the 'other woman ' wasn't she. The foe to Calla's angel. The thorn in Jonah's side. Would her story really appeal?In the hands and pen of KA Tucker, of course it would! This author writes males to swoon for and Tyler is no exception. But thinking back over the novel now I've come to the end, the most satisfying part for me was seeing under Marie's skin and into her wider life.Getting to know her and witnessing her love for animals, dogs especially, as a vet and in private, was very touching. She has the same kind of insecurities, the same struggles and hangups we all have; amplified after falling for her best friend and not seeing it reciprocated.But don't get me wrong. This isn't a pity story. Far from it. It's a very enjoyable return to the places and people of the Wild series and who knew it would be laconic Roy would pull a blinder, in his inimitable way, and kinda save the day.Loved it. Very sorry it's over. But there's always Reed's story now. And Agnes. And in a few more years, Mabel. Please.

Who knew I'd finish this book and want to move to Alaska and watch a 1,000 mile long dog sled race?! 🐕🛷Like a lot of others my feelings for Marie were lukewarm at best. I was keeping my feelings for her reserved but from page 1 I immediately had so much understanding and empathy for her situation. I mean, you're a lucky duck if you've went through your life without having unrequited feelings for some guy at one point or another.I was engrossed from start to end. This is very slow burn but there's enough flirting and chemistry between Marie and Tyler from almost the first page that it never felt slow. Between the information around Tyler and the Iditarod and the secondary characters this was packed of so much story.I think there's so much potential for more in this world, I'd love to see Toby get his HEA but also a little age-gap romance for Mabel would be so good!

I will admit I was not the biggest Marie fan after reading Calla and Jonah's journey in The Simple Wild Series, but I decided to give this a read and I'm glad I did. Marie's story was heartbreaking and romantic at the same time. I really enjoyed this. The romance is a slow burn and has some heartbreaking moments, but I fell in love with Marie by the end.Also, for any Calla and Jonah fans you get some small snippets of them throughout this book that will make you smile from ear to ear.

There is something missing from this story. And that's more. Not that the story was too short, rather the ending was abrupt while still technically addressing any outstanding plot questions. I'm a fan of post resolution story.But I really did enjoy the book. The family dynamics were interesting, both amusing and frustrating. Seeing characters flourishing from the previous books was fun. And I liked Marie way more than i thought I woukd.

I read this in one sitting and I really enjoyed it overall. I liked the detail about the Iditarod purely because it’s something I know nothing about!I liked Marie a lot more than I was expecting to and her parents as well. I liked seeing Calla, Jonah and I thought that her and Jonah were sweet together.I gave this 4*, because it felt a bit abrupt at the end and I would’ve liked Marie and Tyler to be together for longer. And I didn’t love how much pining she was still doing either.