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lauraelovesbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
This is not usually the type of book I like: a domestic story where the couple is already established. But every time I read it I find myself captivated by Calla’s journey to adjust to life in Alaska. I also love the side characters (particularly everyone’s favourite curmudgeon Roy)
I will say that I did find myself irritated with Jonah a few times in this book. It felt like Calla was doing all the sacrificing and he wasn’t as sensitive as he could be about it. And his approach to Marie? Not a fan of how that was handled (colour me appropriately shocked that I ended up also loving Marie’s book. I was very convinced I would not after finishing this book). Jonah was also absent a lot here and I would have liked to see more scenes with them together
All in all, though, I really love this book and getting to see what a quiet life in Alaska could look like
I will say that I did find myself irritated with Jonah a few times in this book. It felt like Calla was doing all the sacrificing and he wasn’t as sensitive as he could be about it. And his approach to Marie? Not a fan of how that was handled (colour me appropriately shocked that I ended up also loving Marie’s book. I was very convinced I would not after finishing this book). Jonah was also absent a lot here and I would have liked to see more scenes with them together
All in all, though, I really love this book and getting to see what a quiet life in Alaska could look like
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Cancer, and Grief
cass_ev's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
This was a great follow-up to the Simple Wild! At first I felt it dragged and we were just going through the motions of Calla renovating the house and being annoyed at various Alaska-isms. It wasn’t until halfway through that the tensions and stakes started to mount up that I got really into it. It’s a given, of course, that Calla and Jonah end up together, it’s a romance novel lol, but what is really at the centre of the book is how they stay together despite their challenges and differences.
I really enjoyed Calla’s growth, again, in this book. It seems with both books I start off disliking her because she’s being judgemental and, to be honest, annoying but again, I started rooting for her. Calla has to grow through life in Alaska being more challenging than she signed up for, especially when her and Jonah’s original plans that helped entice her to move don’t pan out. Seeing Calla eventually realize that even though she moved for Jonah, she still has to create a life for herself that is solely hers was really well done and progressed very naturally. In the end it was heartwarming to see how she carves out a life for herself despite living in an isolated, rural area that she otherwise wouldn’t have found herself in.
The tensions between Jonah and Calla felt real and had me questioning how exactly they could come back from the struggles they were facing. I really liked that at the heart of everything are two people who need to figure out how to have a life together while also creating separate, fulfilling lives for themselves.
And there’s the fun parts of the book that kept me reading—the descriptions of the wild beauty of Alaska, Calla’s sarcastic humour, the quirky community and characters, and the various mishaps that come with having a goat and a raccoon as pets (lol).
A feel-good, heartwarming read coupled with the adventures of living in Alaska but with deep character and relationship growth at the centre!
I really enjoyed Calla’s growth, again, in this book. It seems with both books I start off disliking her because she’s being judgemental and, to be honest, annoying but again, I started rooting for her. Calla has to grow through life in Alaska being more challenging than she signed up for, especially when her and Jonah’s original plans that helped entice her to move don’t pan out. Seeing Calla eventually realize that even though she moved for Jonah, she still has to create a life for herself that is solely hers was really well done and progressed very naturally. In the end it was heartwarming to see how she carves out a life for herself despite living in an isolated, rural area that she otherwise wouldn’t have found herself in.
The tensions between Jonah and Calla felt real and had me questioning how exactly they could come back from the struggles they were facing. I really liked that at the heart of everything are two people who need to figure out how to have a life together while also creating separate, fulfilling lives for themselves.
And there’s the fun parts of the book that kept me reading—the descriptions of the wild beauty of Alaska, Calla’s sarcastic humour, the quirky community and characters, and the various mishaps that come with having a goat and a raccoon as pets (lol).
A feel-good, heartwarming read coupled with the adventures of living in Alaska but with deep character and relationship growth at the centre!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Gun violence
Minor: Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
clareasday's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Suicide, and Pregnancy
marybsimp's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, Child death, Death, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
lea_talisa's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
There aren’t a lot of words to show my feelings for this book. Again I liked it a lot! It’s a unique story that surely takes it‘s time to build up but in the end is exciting and inspiring.
The only thing would be that that similar to the first book, the first half of the book felt pretty long or rather the scenes were what was long. So maybe some of those could’ve been shorter and in the second half some scenes or incidents were too short and should’ve been given more attention in my eyes. I would’ve loved to see more about Diana’s visit and the dynamic between the two best friends. Also the engagement and everything following could’ve been longer. The same counts for the time after Jonah’s accident, for example how Calla gets to the hospital, how they see each other there and his weeks of recovering as well as their building of the cabin on the other side of the lake.
So ignoring that little thing about the changing lengths of important scenes I liked literally everything else about this book (which does not happen that often actually) and I’m excited to read the next book!
The only thing would be that that similar to the first book, the first half of the book felt pretty long or rather the scenes were what was long. So maybe some of those could’ve been shorter and in the second half some scenes or incidents were too short and should’ve been given more attention in my eyes.
So ignoring that little thing about the changing lengths of important scenes I liked literally everything else about this book (which does not happen that often actually) and I’m excited to read the next book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism and Suicide
miszne99's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
At first, I was afraid that I might not like the second book and would rather it be a standalone, but I was wrong.
The second book is definitely better. The character development, the conflicts, the relationship and friendship just make it enjoyable to read. I appreciate it so much.
I love seeing Calla efforts trying to make herself feel at home far away from her confort zone and also build relationships with others.
The second book is definitely better. The character development, the conflicts, the relationship and friendship just make it enjoyable to read. I appreciate it so much.
I love seeing Calla efforts trying to make herself feel at home far away from her confort zone and also build relationships with others.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, and Domestic abuse