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ive_colon's review against another edition
4.0
Second Chance Romance
Shane & Rachel
Rachel and Shane were together as teenagers until Rachel leaves... always wanting to escape the trauma she lived. That is until her mom is ill and Rachel returns to care for her mother and face her demons. Shane took over the ranch as it was always expected of him. They move on as much as they could be never could really shake their first loves. Shane tries to remind her where she comes from all while Rachel facing what she's been running from.
Shane & Rachel
Rachel and Shane were together as teenagers until Rachel leaves... always wanting to escape the trauma she lived. That is until her mom is ill and Rachel returns to care for her mother and face her demons. Shane took over the ranch as it was always expected of him. They move on as much as they could be never could really shake their first loves. Shane tries to remind her where she comes from all while Rachel facing what she's been running from.
bibliophile90's review against another edition
4.0
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
"I wasn't drowning in the memories-I was dying in them. And every single thing I felt for her? It came rushing back, a flash flood of desire and pain that nearly blindsided me."
I can always depend on Karina Halle to come up with a great romance story. It doesn't matter if it's a dark, suspenseful, funny or contemporary romance. Wild Card was a very beautiful second-chance contemporary romance. I have read a lot of those and was looking forward to see how the author would differentiate this story from all the rest. I think the main way she did it was with the personalities and actions of the characters. They didn't make the obvious decisions in certain situations.
"Love isn't a chain, Rachel. It's not a shackle. Love is what sets you free, love doesn't confine. What I feel for you...it's wild and it's raw an it's as real as that sun above us."
I either hate or love flashbacks in books. And I was really happy that they were included in this book, because it enforced my believe in their love. Without the flashbacks the story would be missing a lot and it would be harder for me to connect to the characters. Thankfully, they weren't too long and actually added to the story. It was obvious that the love between Shane and Rachel was still alive, maybe a bit broken but not unfixable. However, it wasn't easy for them to overcome their obstacles and I could really feel the pain of both characters. What I also enjoyed reading was the interaction of the main characters with the secondary characters, such as Shane's brothers Maverick and Fox. Especially Shane and Fox have a very complicated relationship, and I am looking forward to learning more about that in the next books.
"Rachel, I love you. I loved you then, I love you now, and I loved you in all the light and darkness in-between. I love you with a wildness I can't tame."
I really loved Shane and Rachel's personalities and they made such a great couple. Wild Card in my opinion was a great first book in the North Ridge series, and I can't wait for Fox and Maverick's stories. This book helped me get out of my month long book slump. There was no unnecessary drama thrown into the story to add angst, so I really appreciate that. All the decisions made by the characters made sense for them, and that is how it suppose to be. Wild Card was another solid contemporary romance by one of my favorite authors Karina Halle!
"I wasn't drowning in the memories-I was dying in them. And every single thing I felt for her? It came rushing back, a flash flood of desire and pain that nearly blindsided me."
I can always depend on Karina Halle to come up with a great romance story. It doesn't matter if it's a dark, suspenseful, funny or contemporary romance. Wild Card was a very beautiful second-chance contemporary romance. I have read a lot of those and was looking forward to see how the author would differentiate this story from all the rest. I think the main way she did it was with the personalities and actions of the characters. They didn't make the obvious decisions in certain situations.
"Love isn't a chain, Rachel. It's not a shackle. Love is what sets you free, love doesn't confine. What I feel for you...it's wild and it's raw an it's as real as that sun above us."
I either hate or love flashbacks in books. And I was really happy that they were included in this book, because it enforced my believe in their love. Without the flashbacks the story would be missing a lot and it would be harder for me to connect to the characters. Thankfully, they weren't too long and actually added to the story. It was obvious that the love between Shane and Rachel was still alive, maybe a bit broken but not unfixable. However, it wasn't easy for them to overcome their obstacles and I could really feel the pain of both characters. What I also enjoyed reading was the interaction of the main characters with the secondary characters, such as Shane's brothers Maverick and Fox. Especially Shane and Fox have a very complicated relationship, and I am looking forward to learning more about that in the next books.
"Rachel, I love you. I loved you then, I love you now, and I loved you in all the light and darkness in-between. I love you with a wildness I can't tame."
I really loved Shane and Rachel's personalities and they made such a great couple. Wild Card in my opinion was a great first book in the North Ridge series, and I can't wait for Fox and Maverick's stories. This book helped me get out of my month long book slump. There was no unnecessary drama thrown into the story to add angst, so I really appreciate that. All the decisions made by the characters made sense for them, and that is how it suppose to be. Wild Card was another solid contemporary romance by one of my favorite authors Karina Halle!
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!