Thursday, August 26, 2021

Wilder {a review}



*this book has now been renamed Wishing for Wilder*

Today is the day that the second book in the Ryder Ranch series is available! That's right folks, Wilder is having his story told. You're going to enjoy this one. Especially if second chance romance is one of your favorite tropes.

In Wilder, we reconnect with Wilder, and we meet Frankie. Wilder and Frankie are both 16, and they meet for the first time. The attraction is instant. Frankie is a young woman who thinks nobody pays attention to her, and all the guys are looking at her twin sister. After all she thinks Piper is gorgeous, whereas she is a nerd and nothing to pay attention to. Wilder thinks differently. They may have only met for a moment, but in that time, Frankie made an impression on Wilder. A couple days later, they meet up again this time at the Ryder Ranch. The two spend the majority of the time talking and getting to know each other. Before Frankie, and her family, leave the ranch they agree to meet up the next day at The Pig. Except Wilder never shows. Flash forward a year, and a lot has changed. Frankie and her family are back in town for their annual vacation, Piper is a new mom, and no one wants to take this trip. Zee, Frankie's dad, is working on a surprise for Frankie. And this surprise will allow her to see Wilder again. Zee manages to convince the Ryder's to take Frankie on a trail ride through the ranch. Her dad remembers how much she loved it last year, and he just wants his daughter to be happy again. Wilder takes her out, and after a lot of talking, suddenly Frankie is thrown from the horse. That fall had her breaking her arm. Once she is back home, Wilder shows up for a visit. Her address had been on the paperwork they filled out for the ranch, and he just couldn't stay away. Plus he was feeling guilty, as though the fall was his fault. Eventually he has to leave, even though he doesn't want too. Flash forward many years, and Wilder goes out of town with his brothers to celebrate Hunter's recent wedding. (an after the fact bachelor party) While at the hotel, a woman literally runs into him. Who is it? Frankie! And that begins their current day story where a lot happens. There are high moments, low moments, passionate moments, and painful moments.

I gave this book 4.5 stars on Goodreads. It was extremely close to 5 stars, but I just didn't feel it in my gut. But still, this book was marvelous. From the first moment Frankie and Wilder met, I was hooked on them, and I knew their story was going to be memorable. Then when they reconnected a year later, and then again in current day, it was just so dang good! These two had a connection that was powerful then and now. Seeing their passion, their pain, their heartache, and then witnessing the healing, and growth they experienced was wonderful. I was smiling like a fool through most of the book. My heart broke for them at the painful parts of the story, and then I was floating on cloud 9 during the good parts.  When the big dramatic moment happened (with Brenda, Dixie, and Frankie) I legit gasped, and my hand flew to my mouth. I could not believe what I had read, and my heart broke for Wilder and Maverick. But then there was everything that happened after that moment, and I fell even harder for these characters. I loved the story. I loved the characters (main and sides, and the setting was somewhere I would enjoy visiting. Love the small town settings! Oh, and there was a bombshell dropped toward the end, and I need to know more about that. Is it time for Maverick's book yet? Because I'm sure it will be talked about in there. Or at least it had better be!

GO READ THIS BOOK! If cowboy romances are your typical read, read Wilder. If small town romances are your favorite, then read Wilder. If second chance romances top your list, then trust me, read Wilder. 

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,
Laura




I was too young to understand the beauty of what I held in my arms when she crashed into my world.

Frankie Young was never far from my mind, so when she came back into my life after nearly a decade, it was as if no time had passed.

After we reconnected in more ways than one, there was no denying what we had was extraordinary and, I thought, forever. But when she discovered something I’d been hiding, she gave up on us without giving me a chance to explain.

My lies broke her heart, but her walking away shattered what was left of mine. I thought that was the end for us… until Frankie and I found ourselves bound together for life. While we navigated our new found destiny, not only did we have to fight for each other, but we had to protect our future from someone who didn’t want us to have one together.


Grab Your Copy Here:

Add Wilder to your Goodreads TBR!


Make sure to check out the first book in the series, Hunter!





Meet Anna Brooks

The first time Anna tried to read a romance novel, her hair caught on fire when she leaned over a candle to sneak a peek at her mom’s Harlequin. She thinks being hit on the head with a shirtless Fabio until the smoke cleared is what sparked the flame for her love of romance. 

Anna was born in Wisconsin, but currently lives in Texas with her husband and two boys. 


She writes sexy romance that always has a happy ending and loves bringing characters back for cameos. Less than six degrees of separation connects any of her novels. 


When she’s not writing or reading, she’s watching reruns of her favorite romcoms, talking to her dog and cat like they’re human, eating carbs, or practicing hand lettering. 

 

She loves to hear from readers and can be found on social media as @annabrooksauth everywhere.


Connect with Anna Brooks

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Thank you to Anna Brooks, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of Wilder.