laughlinesandliterature's review against another edition
4.0
*I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Wild Card is a difficult book for me to review because I really enjoyed it, but it just felt that there was something missing from it. I can't really describe it but Karina Halle's books usually have a little spark of something that sets them apart from the standard contemporary romance novel, and while I have to agree that this is a top of the line novel its just missing that little something. And the more I think about it, the more I feel like the characters emotions didn't run as deep as they usually do in her novels. Rachel went through some really really horrific things, and it just felt like it didn't really phase her at all. The worst thing that she got out of the whole thing was it was hard for her to trust people. It didn't really seem to get to her too much, and I just can't help but feel that the anguish and rage should have ran alot deeper than it did.
That being said I did really enjoy this book, this is a fun, lighthearted read and Shane and Rachel are sizzling on the pages of the book. Karina Halle's writing is absolutely flawless, and I seriously want to go take a vacation in the Canadian wilderness now. The scenes between Rachel and Shane in the past are beautiful, and I really liked getting to see them as young kids. It really made me feel their history and how they were tethered to each other by years and years of shared history and friendship. I also really loved the way that the two held each other up during all of things that were happening. They took turns being each others strength, and I always love seeing a well balanced relationship.
Overall, I would give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars, and I highly recommend this book to any romance readers out there. It's beautifully written and these characters are burning up the pages of this book.
Wild Card is a difficult book for me to review because I really enjoyed it, but it just felt that there was something missing from it. I can't really describe it but Karina Halle's books usually have a little spark of something that sets them apart from the standard contemporary romance novel, and while I have to agree that this is a top of the line novel its just missing that little something. And the more I think about it, the more I feel like the characters emotions didn't run as deep as they usually do in her novels. Rachel went through some really really horrific things, and it just felt like it didn't really phase her at all. The worst thing that she got out of the whole thing was it was hard for her to trust people. It didn't really seem to get to her too much, and I just can't help but feel that the anguish and rage should have ran alot deeper than it did.
That being said I did really enjoy this book, this is a fun, lighthearted read and Shane and Rachel are sizzling on the pages of the book. Karina Halle's writing is absolutely flawless, and I seriously want to go take a vacation in the Canadian wilderness now. The scenes between Rachel and Shane in the past are beautiful, and I really liked getting to see them as young kids. It really made me feel their history and how they were tethered to each other by years and years of shared history and friendship. I also really loved the way that the two held each other up during all of things that were happening. They took turns being each others strength, and I always love seeing a well balanced relationship.
Overall, I would give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars, and I highly recommend this book to any romance readers out there. It's beautifully written and these characters are burning up the pages of this book.
22margaret's review against another edition
1.0
I have really liked other Karina Halle books, but this one just really fell flat for me. Maybe it was the narrators voices, but I struggled to finish an 8 hr audiobook for almost 2 months on Hoopla. I couldn't find any other free versions, so I had to suffer through. Maybe I should have just DNF'd it.
The trauma the FMC goes through is awful, and it's mentioned that she goes to therapy (once near the end of the book), but Rachel was hard to like as a person. The conflict that broke apart the main characters is glossed over instead of given as a flashback scene, yet other less important details are given flash back scenes. Because of the vague event that broke them apart, you're never given a reason to really hate the MMC, and instead spend the whole book feeling sorry that Shane's in love with this seemingly shallow girl that just strings him along. Example- the spice was poorly timed each time it happened, with her leading him on, only to remind him when they're done that she's leaving town again soon. I think Shane even mentions feeling used but will take anything he can get from her. Also, the final hour of the book did not need a catastrophic event because it made her decision to stay and fix her relationship with her mother and Shane less genuine.
Anyway, I'll probably still attempt book 2 because it's a different brother and maybe he will have a better storyline. Unfortunately, it's still the same two narrators, so I can only hope I can finish the book faster.
The trauma the FMC goes through is awful, and it's mentioned that she goes to therapy (once near the end of the book), but Rachel was hard to like as a person. The conflict that broke apart the main characters is glossed over instead of given as a flashback scene, yet other less important details are given flash back scenes. Because of the vague event that broke them apart, you're never given a reason to really hate the MMC, and instead spend the whole book feeling sorry that Shane's in love with this seemingly shallow girl that just strings him along. Example- the spice was poorly timed each time it happened, with her leading him on, only to remind him when they're done that she's leaving town again soon. I think Shane even mentions feeling used but will take anything he can get from her. Also, the final hour of the book did not need a catastrophic event because it made her decision to stay and fix her relationship with her mother and Shane less genuine.
Anyway, I'll probably still attempt book 2 because it's a different brother and maybe he will have a better storyline. Unfortunately, it's still the same two narrators, so I can only hope I can finish the book faster.
cassire's review against another edition
4.0
Wild Card is the first book in a new standalone trilogy that is set in a rural Canadian town called North Ridge. Each book is about a different Nelson brother. Wild Card is about the youngest brother, Shane.
Shane is a dreamy, hot cowboy that is helping run the family ranch. He was a good boy that turned into a great man. Rachel moved to North Ridge when she was a kid. She quickly became friends with Shane and something more blossomed over the years. Rachel's life was never easy. She dreamed of running away.
Wild Card is a second chance romance. I highlighted a lot of passages while I was reading this book. So many of the words were just beautiful descriptions of what was going on or being felt. I enjoyed this book and I can't wait for the other two books in this trilogy. North Ridge is a fun book world to visit.
Shane is a dreamy, hot cowboy that is helping run the family ranch. He was a good boy that turned into a great man. Rachel moved to North Ridge when she was a kid. She quickly became friends with Shane and something more blossomed over the years. Rachel's life was never easy. She dreamed of running away.
Wild Card is a second chance romance. I highlighted a lot of passages while I was reading this book. So many of the words were just beautiful descriptions of what was going on or being felt. I enjoyed this book and I can't wait for the other two books in this trilogy. North Ridge is a fun book world to visit.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
5.0
Karina Halle sure knows how to break her readers! Wild Card not only broke my heart, it obliterated it. And it was delicious. I have highlighted half the book, that's how many quotes spoke to my soul.
FTC
FTC
kaori25's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
3.5
alexperc_92's review against another edition
5.0
I received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Review and blog tour can be found on *Milky Way of Books*
Wild Card was one of these books you get to enjoy, knowing that not only will you be introduced to new characters but also you'll get to enjoy the AMAZING scenery! I may not know enough of British Columbia, but after reading Karina Halle's new book, I really want to travel there!
The characters may be flawed but you have some funny moments, some heart-wrenching ones and a good dose of the male heroes I enjoy reading from this author! My beautiful Shane and my sweet Rachel, as also the other two brothers and their respective (soon to be seen) love interests.
There is also a small issue of assault which Karina Halle manages to deliver subtle and quite well and it gives light to everyday problems which in some cases the society likes to turn its eyes away.
Wild Card was one of these books you get to enjoy, knowing that not only will you be introduced to new characters but also you'll get to enjoy the AMAZING scenery! I may not know enough of British Columbia, but after reading Karina Halle's new book, I really want to travel there!
The characters may be flawed but you have some funny moments, some heart-wrenching ones and a good dose of the male heroes I enjoy reading from this author! My beautiful Shane and my sweet Rachel, as also the other two brothers and their respective (soon to be seen) love interests.
There is also a small issue of assault which Karina Halle manages to deliver subtle and quite well and it gives light to everyday problems which in some cases the society likes to turn its eyes away.
mandy_pandy's review against another edition
5.0
LOVED this book! This is the perfect second-chance romance with a sexy cowboy! Emotional, steamy and a beautiful romance - this book had everything I love! This is a top book of 2017 for me and I can't wait for the other brothers books!
rlp78's review against another edition
5.0
Wow
This was a beautiful story of love and sacrifice and forgiveness. I figured out pretty early on what had happened between Shane and Rachel but it didn't make reading it unfold any less gut wrenching. I normally am not a fan of flashbacks but these were so necessary and perfectly done I loved them. I love this author and this was yet another winner from her. Can't wait for Maverick's story but I'm even more excited to read about Fox and Del!
This was a beautiful story of love and sacrifice and forgiveness. I figured out pretty early on what had happened between Shane and Rachel but it didn't make reading it unfold any less gut wrenching. I normally am not a fan of flashbacks but these were so necessary and perfectly done I loved them. I love this author and this was yet another winner from her. Can't wait for Maverick's story but I'm even more excited to read about Fox and Del!
chroniclesofabookreader's review against another edition
3.0
**3.5 Stars**
Set in a rugged small-town where the landscape felt like a secondary character, Wild Card's second-chance romance, one that ended on bad terms six years ago, pulled in light angst and heartbreak at every turn. Told in dual perspectives and in the past and present timelines, Halle brought the reader into the lives and hearts of both Shane and Rachel with ease, lightly sprinkling in tension and turmoil as it progressed, ultimately building upon a love story that was larger than life.
I adored getting to know the rugged, intensely quiet pull that was Shane, and how his devotion and hardworking demeanor made his character what it was. He was easy to connect with, to find attractive, to fall for. His allure wasn’t in your face, but a slow, steady beat that entranced with each pulse. And while Rachel was very much his opposite, at times difficult to connect to, one couldn’t help but see the pain and love and joy that hung heavy in Shane in his, and their, every scene thus making her character more real and likeable.
What I crave from all second-chance romances is that raw, pulled-apart beauty that forces my heart into my stomach as I’m ripped in two due to their pain and heartbreak. I want to feel that messy breakup or that horrible heartbreaking pain as they are either torn apart or upon re-connecting. That pain is needed in order to believe that their love can overshadow any struggle and to connect the reader with the couple. Because these scenes were absent, much of the angst between the characters felt only surface deep, and I never truly felt any of it in my gut.
But, I still think Wild Card is a beautiful romance that readers who love the lighter side of angst will rave about. It opened a breathtaking world for the series to be in and set a foundation for the rest to stand on. The Nelson family was wonderfully introduced and has me very excited to experience the beauty of what’s to come. Halle is always reinventing herself and I look forward to how she’ll present her inner self in the next story, either in this series or one outside of it.
**Received an early copy; this had no bearing on my opinions**
Set in a rugged small-town where the landscape felt like a secondary character, Wild Card's second-chance romance, one that ended on bad terms six years ago, pulled in light angst and heartbreak at every turn. Told in dual perspectives and in the past and present timelines, Halle brought the reader into the lives and hearts of both Shane and Rachel with ease, lightly sprinkling in tension and turmoil as it progressed, ultimately building upon a love story that was larger than life.
I adored getting to know the rugged, intensely quiet pull that was Shane, and how his devotion and hardworking demeanor made his character what it was. He was easy to connect with, to find attractive, to fall for. His allure wasn’t in your face, but a slow, steady beat that entranced with each pulse. And while Rachel was very much his opposite, at times difficult to connect to, one couldn’t help but see the pain and love and joy that hung heavy in Shane in his, and their, every scene thus making her character more real and likeable.
What I crave from all second-chance romances is that raw, pulled-apart beauty that forces my heart into my stomach as I’m ripped in two due to their pain and heartbreak. I want to feel that messy breakup or that horrible heartbreaking pain as they are either torn apart or upon re-connecting. That pain is needed in order to believe that their love can overshadow any struggle and to connect the reader with the couple. Because these scenes were absent, much of the angst between the characters felt only surface deep, and I never truly felt any of it in my gut.
But, I still think Wild Card is a beautiful romance that readers who love the lighter side of angst will rave about. It opened a breathtaking world for the series to be in and set a foundation for the rest to stand on. The Nelson family was wonderfully introduced and has me very excited to experience the beauty of what’s to come. Halle is always reinventing herself and I look forward to how she’ll present her inner self in the next story, either in this series or one outside of it.
**Received an early copy; this had no bearing on my opinions**
kdorka's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0