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kpaladino's review against another edition
5.0
Soooo GOOD
Karina Halle...Bravooooo or would it be better to say Hot Dam Girl, or Yee Hawwww or hell idk this book damn near kept me glued to my seat. The secrets, the pain the uncertainty created an intense journey that was recovered, renewed and reborn to a future filled with love and unwaiverable passion. Those last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat clutching my Puffs Plus w lotion. Excellent read...looking forward to Maverick
Karina Halle...Bravooooo or would it be better to say Hot Dam Girl, or Yee Hawwww or hell idk this book damn near kept me glued to my seat. The secrets, the pain the uncertainty created an intense journey that was recovered, renewed and reborn to a future filled with love and unwaiverable passion. Those last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat clutching my Puffs Plus w lotion. Excellent read...looking forward to Maverick
lmrivas54's review against another edition
4.0
Six years ago, Rachel left town swearing she would never return. She had been wanting to leave for many years, and had only been waiting for Shane to decide to leave with her. One night, they had a big fight and she left. Now she's back, tending to her mother who has lung cancer. Sounds simple but it wasn't.
Rachel had made a life for herself in Toronto, working in Advertising. She had a condo, friends, and a boyfriend. You'd think her life was made, but it wasn't.
Shane loved his ranch. Although at one time he had considered leaving it so he could be with Rachel, he stayed behind because he had to. It's a little obscure why, but it's cleared up later on. Now, he loves his work and his heart is in this little town and his ranch, and he cannot consider living anywhere else.
When Shane and Rachel meet up for the first time in six years, you would expect hate, anger and condemnation. Instead there's gentleness and courtesy from Shane, and on Rachel's part, breathlessness and confusion. Right at this moment, I knew they had never stopped loving each other.
The book is done using flashback chapters. Some chapters are based on their childhood, and recount the story of how they met and became friends, later lovers up to their breakup. You get to understand the family mechanics in Rachel's home, which explain why Rachel's relationship with her mother is so stormy at the present time.
I liked the build up and I liked that there are no surprising twists during the story because you get the hints with the flashbacks, so when there's a revelation, it's not a big surprise. There's angst because Rachel was dealing with childhood issues and her mother's alcoholism. So the slow development allows you to enjoy the story of how they open up to their feelings and forge a relationship again. I liked that the author didn't make Rachel to be bitchy and confrontational. She was a little stubborn and stuck on her new idillic life in Toronto, but Shane wore her down. He needed to confess his guilt, because he had made her leave town six years ago, and he was going to get his second chance and forgiveness. He was tenacious!! During the book you also see Rachel mending relations with her mother.
I liked the book but didn't feel very connected to the characters. I did like the author's writing style and how the story flows and all the side plots connect and immerse you into the family and the story.
Shane has two brothers, Maverick and Fox, who I guess will be the protagonists of the next books. There are little side plots with them, in preparation for their stories. I liked the sound of them, Maverick seems to be fun and mischievous and Fox seems to be the dark and intense type. I actually liked Maverick more than Shane. And I found Fox to be intriguing. So, I'm hoping the next books arrive soon!
Rachel had made a life for herself in Toronto, working in Advertising. She had a condo, friends, and a boyfriend. You'd think her life was made, but it wasn't.
Shane loved his ranch. Although at one time he had considered leaving it so he could be with Rachel, he stayed behind because he had to. It's a little obscure why, but it's cleared up later on. Now, he loves his work and his heart is in this little town and his ranch, and he cannot consider living anywhere else.
When Shane and Rachel meet up for the first time in six years, you would expect hate, anger and condemnation. Instead there's gentleness and courtesy from Shane, and on Rachel's part, breathlessness and confusion. Right at this moment, I knew they had never stopped loving each other.
The book is done using flashback chapters. Some chapters are based on their childhood, and recount the story of how they met and became friends, later lovers up to their breakup. You get to understand the family mechanics in Rachel's home, which explain why Rachel's relationship with her mother is so stormy at the present time.
I liked the build up and I liked that there are no surprising twists during the story because you get the hints with the flashbacks, so when there's a revelation, it's not a big surprise. There's angst because Rachel was dealing with childhood issues and her mother's alcoholism. So the slow development allows you to enjoy the story of how they open up to their feelings and forge a relationship again. I liked that the author didn't make Rachel to be bitchy and confrontational. She was a little stubborn and stuck on her new idillic life in Toronto, but Shane wore her down. He needed to confess his guilt, because he had made her leave town six years ago, and he was going to get his second chance and forgiveness. He was tenacious!! During the book you also see Rachel mending relations with her mother.
I liked the book but didn't feel very connected to the characters. I did like the author's writing style and how the story flows and all the side plots connect and immerse you into the family and the story.
Shane has two brothers, Maverick and Fox, who I guess will be the protagonists of the next books. There are little side plots with them, in preparation for their stories. I liked the sound of them, Maverick seems to be fun and mischievous and Fox seems to be the dark and intense type. I actually liked Maverick more than Shane. And I found Fox to be intriguing. So, I'm hoping the next books arrive soon!
excel_spreadsheet_book_nerd's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
booknerd_1107's review against another edition
5.0
*thank you to the author and publisher for providing an arc**
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you are a fan of Karina Halle, then Wild Card needs to be on your TBR list. You are introduced to Shane and Rachel who are childhood sweethearts trying to find their ways now that they are older. Not only will you go on their journey but you are also introduced to the rest of the people inNorth Ridge including Shane's brothers. Karina Halle weaves an amazing story of first love, heartbreak and family that will have you ready for the next book.
Shane has lived in North Ridge his whole life and the only thing he regrets is letting Rachel slip out of his life. Now six years later she is back in town and he hopes that maybe they can be friends again.
Rachel is back in town to help her mother who she just found out is sick. North Ridge is the last place she wants to be and hopefully she won't cross paths with her former love, Shane. Unfortunately she finds herself needing his help her first night back. Rachel cannot ever forget how Shane ripped her heart apart six years ago and when she sees him for the first time it brings it back, but she also feels something more.
Shane hopes that he will be able to work away at Rachel's attitude towards him, but she makes it clear she doesn't want anything to do with him. Unfortunately they will be thrown together a lot more because Rachel's mom is moving into his family's guest cottage.
Rachel's mother tells Shane he needs to tell Rachel the truth on what happened all those years ago, but she won't even let him get close enough. When he finally gets the chance it changes everything between them. Not only is Rachel having to face her feelings for Shane but she will have to decide what her next step is and is there a future with Shane.
Get ready for a wild ride and join the gang in North Ridge. You will not be disappointed.
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you are a fan of Karina Halle, then Wild Card needs to be on your TBR list. You are introduced to Shane and Rachel who are childhood sweethearts trying to find their ways now that they are older. Not only will you go on their journey but you are also introduced to the rest of the people inNorth Ridge including Shane's brothers. Karina Halle weaves an amazing story of first love, heartbreak and family that will have you ready for the next book.
Shane has lived in North Ridge his whole life and the only thing he regrets is letting Rachel slip out of his life. Now six years later she is back in town and he hopes that maybe they can be friends again.
Rachel is back in town to help her mother who she just found out is sick. North Ridge is the last place she wants to be and hopefully she won't cross paths with her former love, Shane. Unfortunately she finds herself needing his help her first night back. Rachel cannot ever forget how Shane ripped her heart apart six years ago and when she sees him for the first time it brings it back, but she also feels something more.
Shane hopes that he will be able to work away at Rachel's attitude towards him, but she makes it clear she doesn't want anything to do with him. Unfortunately they will be thrown together a lot more because Rachel's mom is moving into his family's guest cottage.
Rachel's mother tells Shane he needs to tell Rachel the truth on what happened all those years ago, but she won't even let him get close enough. When he finally gets the chance it changes everything between them. Not only is Rachel having to face her feelings for Shane but she will have to decide what her next step is and is there a future with Shane.
Get ready for a wild ride and join the gang in North Ridge. You will not be disappointed.
ltcreads40's review against another edition
5.0
One day read!
I devoured this book in one day it was so awesome! I love the setting in Canada because I don't read a lot of books with that setting so I love getting an image from a talented authors point of view. The characters were perfect, you couldn't help but root for them and their happily ever after.
I devoured this book in one day it was so awesome! I love the setting in Canada because I don't read a lot of books with that setting so I love getting an image from a talented authors point of view. The characters were perfect, you couldn't help but root for them and their happily ever after.
booklovershangout's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful, moving and sweet second chance romance. Second chance romances always make me swoon and this one was absolutely stunning. I can't even tell you how much I was completely absorbed into this story. I fell in love with the story, and with the world that was created by Karina. I always love everything I read from Karina and this was no different. She always brings something different, but never fails to make me fall in love ever y time. I can't wait to read more from her.
bibliobeccas_bookshelf's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a very middle of the road read. It wasn't spectacular and it wasn't terrible either. I'm a fan of a good second chance romance but this book just seemed to fall a bit flat. The big "confrontation" between Shane and Rachel was underwhelming, and the progression between Rachel hating Shane and going back to being head over heels for him was so quick I felt like I had whiplash. If I were to recommend a cowboy romance this would not be my first choice.
desertlover's review against another edition
4.0
Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes and when you add a sexy mountain man into the mix, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. From the first chapter, I was transfixed with the story of Shane and Rachel. I longed to know what drove childhood friends and first love to such estrangement. Wild Card is an emotional ride, with a sprinkle of sweet and sexy. It’s a promising start to a new series from one of my favorite authors.
The majority of the book takes place in the present, which I prefer in second chance romances. There are well placed flashbacks, which allowed me to fully immerse myself in Shane and Rachel’s background. The books flows well, and I never felt like the past overshadowed the present; it only enhanced it. I enjoyed the dual points of view and getting both Rachel and Shane’s inner thoughts and feelings. Halle delivers a powerful look at Rachel’s haunting past. It’s often a delicate balance of revealing detailed information and allowing the reader to form their own thoughts.
My only major complaint about this book is that is left me wanting more. The ending isn’t rushed per se, but I longed for more scenes with Rachel and Shane, both in the past and present. Also, there is a storyline with Rachel’s mother that wasn’t fully addressed and I wish it had been left out completely or properly resolved. As with all of Halle books, the scenery is spectacular. Having never been to Canada, I was transformed into this picturesque town and ranch. The supporting cast is entertaining, and I am definitely intrigued about the other two Nelson brothers. I cannot wait for the next installment of the series.
*Thank you to Social Butterfly PR and Karina Halle for my advanced copy.*
The majority of the book takes place in the present, which I prefer in second chance romances. There are well placed flashbacks, which allowed me to fully immerse myself in Shane and Rachel’s background. The books flows well, and I never felt like the past overshadowed the present; it only enhanced it. I enjoyed the dual points of view and getting both Rachel and Shane’s inner thoughts and feelings. Halle delivers a powerful look at Rachel’s haunting past. It’s often a delicate balance of revealing detailed information and allowing the reader to form their own thoughts.
My only major complaint about this book is that is left me wanting more. The ending isn’t rushed per se, but I longed for more scenes with Rachel and Shane, both in the past and present. Also, there is a storyline with Rachel’s mother that wasn’t fully addressed and I wish it had been left out completely or properly resolved. As with all of Halle books, the scenery is spectacular. Having never been to Canada, I was transformed into this picturesque town and ranch. The supporting cast is entertaining, and I am definitely intrigued about the other two Nelson brothers. I cannot wait for the next installment of the series.
*Thank you to Social Butterfly PR and Karina Halle for my advanced copy.*
lifeinthebooklane's review
4.0
If you love second-chance romances then you will enjoy this amazing read. However it does have potential triggers regarding abuse.
It's all open spaces and heat and horses and heart.
Whilst this falls into that cliche of the man having 'wronged' the woman, because he thought this was the best for both of them, it then developed into its own story and was very much not cliched after that. I loved that once the truth was out it wasn't immediately all roses and rainbows, that Rachel struggled to give up 6 years of hate. This felt so much more genuine and believable as a response. I loved Rachel's thoughts as she stood in the thunderstorm.
Spoiler
I loved that clarity came without the need for a catastrophe or tragedy.Shane's thoughts, prayers and longings slew me. The more I got to know him the more I loved him, he truly is a hero in every sense of the word.
I see the ravens again. Omens of luck. I'm a man who wishes on broken bones.
I'm a man who has a second chance to make things right.
Some might find Rachel's wavering and indecision irritating but for me it reflected her broken spirit, her lack of belief in herself and how damaged she was. The chemistry between Rachel and Shane was smoking hot and their connection pulled me into this riveting story. Both main characters are fully rounded, fleshed out and perfect in their imperfection, whilst the story is strengthened further by some wonderful supporting characters.
The book is well written, it has a plot that flows smoothly and is easy to follow and a relaxed writing style. I like that each chapter told us who's POV it was, and that when it was a 'flashback', to fill in some of the backstory, we got told how old the person was, rather than how many years ago it was. The pace of the book was good, holding my attention and I really didn't want to put this book down - if I could have managed to keep my eyes open at 1 am it would have been a one sitting read!
This is the first book I have read by this author but it won't be the last. I can't wait to read both Mav and Fox's stories either. As a Brit I also loved that one of the horses was named Sybil after the Fawlty Tower's character.
shawniebooks's review
4.0
I'm never disappointed with a Karina Halle read. I love books set on a mountain ranch in a small town.