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kayjay2012's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
patsaurio's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
snack7787's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the main elements of the book but the details that would elevate it to a great book were missing.
Let's start with the main character, Calla. I honestly hated the way she was written. I get the author was going for "superficial Californian girl" but she had no depth to her. I also disliked that the story arc for her was there's more to life than makeup and Instagram. Don't get me wrong, I'm not really big into makeup and not at all into Instagram but it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth to boil it down to "all just superficial and stupid"
Now, Jonah. I also disliked him, so much. We were continuously told that he had a soft heart and we even saw this a few times but the transition was just too fast to be believable. "Ups, sorry, I wanted to snog you the whole time, you're actually amazing and so clever" is just stupid, sorry.
Then whole Wren arc was also a bit lacking but it was the best part of the book.
The romantic parts were horrible because I didn't feel any connection between the characters.
Let's start with the main character, Calla. I honestly hated the way she was written. I get the author was going for "superficial Californian girl" but she had no depth to her. I also disliked that the story arc for her was there's more to life than makeup and Instagram. Don't get me wrong, I'm not really big into makeup and not at all into Instagram but it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth to boil it down to "all just superficial and stupid"
Now, Jonah. I also disliked him, so much. We were continuously told that he had a soft heart and we even saw this a few times but the transition was just too fast to be believable. "Ups, sorry, I wanted to snog you the whole time, you're actually amazing and so clever" is just stupid, sorry.
Then whole Wren arc was also a bit lacking but it was the best part of the book.
The romantic parts were horrible because I didn't feel any connection between the characters.
nmp089's review against another edition
5.0
I have re-read this book countless times, and it never gets old!
Everything about this book was great.
I loved the northern setting, reconnecting with a parent, and the romance. I laughed and I cried. I did not want to stop reading this one. I read until 1am two nights in a row, if I didn't have to work in the mornings this probably would have been a stay up and finish type book. Highly recommend this one.
Everything about this book was great.
I loved the northern setting, reconnecting with a parent, and the romance. I laughed and I cried. I did not want to stop reading this one. I read until 1am two nights in a row, if I didn't have to work in the mornings this probably would have been a stay up and finish type book. Highly recommend this one.
jirehsreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
watermelonvodka's review against another edition
2.5
This was... very incredibly okay.
I hated the main character.
I hated how childish both Jonah and Calla were towards each other.
Jonah didn't feel like a full person until almost the end of the book for me. We got such tiny little snippets of him, and most of them were him being mean or just not saying much. And the fact that he STOLE HER LUGGAGE AND CONTINUED TO LIE ABOUT IT IS INSANE. And then Calla just CUT HIS HAIR AND HIS BEARD!? WHILE HE WAS SLEEPING!? AND HE DIDN'T WAKE UP!? COME OONNNNN... and then Jonah STOLE HER MAKEUP I'm sorry, are they seven years old??? And then they just had sex after?? And just liked each other and cared about each other all of a sudden? there wasn't even any development around Calla not having access to her makeup. We just got to find out at the very end of the book that she hadn't gotten it back and went the whole time without wearing makeup. I also thought Calla was purposely rude and annoying so she could learn and we could watch her grow, but she didn't grow. Oh, she wears less makeup now, ooh. So much growth. I found the love in this to be so immature and also super out of the blue. It didn't have any sort of gradual or natural-feeling development.
I cried when her dad died though so I guess that's something. this review sounds like I hated this book, but I didn't hate it. There were things I hated about it... and overall it was just very okay for me. Ha.
I hated the main character.
I hated how childish both Jonah and Calla were towards each other.
Jonah didn't feel like a full person until almost the end of the book for me. We got such tiny little snippets of him, and most of them were him being mean or just not saying much.
bookedbynicole's review against another edition
5.0
Such a beautiful book with so much heart?! Calla goes to Alaska because her estranged dad (Wren, whom she hasn’t seen in 24 years) has cancer, and she meets his community (including a hot bearded pilot) and has a little *personal journey*.
Calla is a high maintenance city girl who needs a soy latte, but she’s not insufferable. What I love about her is that she really tries. She was in such an overwhelming position and was so brave in navigating around forgiveness and finding openness to growth. I actually thought the townfolk were overly critical of her, just because she wants to wear pink and likes makeup, like leave our cute girl be. Jonah is the beloved small town village boy has decided she’s a spoilt Malibu Barbie. Initially I was like ew, I don’t like men who think they have a moral high ground just because they drink black coffee and who seem to get off on lecturing women about makeup, but he did grow on me I guess. He’s ruggedly capable, a sharp shooter and leaves no room for miscommunication. He’s like a manly-man y’know, probably smells of wood and aftershave. They had great chemistry and a natural banter that made it hard not to root for them.
The highlight of the book for me is the Calla and Wren’s complicated relationship. Wren is a man of few words and seeing him try to open up was really touching. The raw and honest way that this book handled forgiveness felt very real, and the navigation around the acceptance of terminal illness and grief made me weep. All the characters in the book are full and complex, but relatable, and I think that’s why I was so invested in their stories and emotional journeys.
The emotional depth of this book blew me away, it showed that the world is messy and kind and filled with love and loss, friendship and family. I loved this book, it broke my heart in such a bittersweet way, and pieced it together with understanding. The only issue I have is that I’m typing this review after I read wild at heart where Jonah is a gaslighting asswipe and I’m still salty about it. Wish I stopped at the simple wild.
Calla is a high maintenance city girl who needs a soy latte, but she’s not insufferable. What I love about her is that she really tries. She was in such an overwhelming position and was so brave in navigating around forgiveness and finding openness to growth. I actually thought the townfolk were overly critical of her, just because she wants to wear pink and likes makeup, like leave our cute girl be. Jonah is the beloved small town village boy has decided she’s a spoilt Malibu Barbie. Initially I was like ew, I don’t like men who think they have a moral high ground just because they drink black coffee and who seem to get off on lecturing women about makeup, but he did grow on me I guess. He’s ruggedly capable, a sharp shooter and leaves no room for miscommunication. He’s like a manly-man y’know, probably smells of wood and aftershave. They had great chemistry and a natural banter that made it hard not to root for them.
The highlight of the book for me is the Calla and Wren’s complicated relationship. Wren is a man of few words and seeing him try to open up was really touching. The raw and honest way that this book handled forgiveness felt very real, and the navigation around the acceptance of terminal illness and grief made me weep. All the characters in the book are full and complex, but relatable, and I think that’s why I was so invested in their stories and emotional journeys.
The emotional depth of this book blew me away, it showed that the world is messy and kind and filled with love and loss, friendship and family. I loved this book, it broke my heart in such a bittersweet way, and pieced it together with understanding. The only issue I have is that I’m typing this review after I read wild at heart where Jonah is a gaslighting asswipe and I’m still salty about it. Wish I stopped at the simple wild.
333_mk_333's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Oh gosh, I liked The Simple Wild so much! It pulled me in completely, and I felt so sad as I got closer to the end. The setting was beautifully described—I’d love to see Alaska with my own eyes someday, even if I probably never will. Such a heartfelt and emotional read!
amorg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
danniellesarah's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0