The purpose of Thrifty Thursday is to read a book which was free (at some point).
Kindle freebie on December 5, 2017 (currently $2.99 at Amazon and Barnes & Noble as of writing this post)
Overall rating 3.9 with 2,386 ratings and 356 reviews
Wild Card by Karina Halle Series: North Ridge #1
on August 13, 2017
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 273
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Rough, raw & rugged.
As the man in charge at Ravenswood Ranch, Shane Nelson has never been afraid to get his hands dirty. His sculpted physique isn't the product of a gym, but of years of hard labor under a relentless sun. His straightforward, alpha tendencies come from a man who knows what he wants and goes after it.
And what he wants is Rachel Waters.
He's never stopped wanting her.
They were childhood best friends, then teenage lovers who evolved into soulmates. But on one fateful night, Shane made a grave mistake, breaking both their hearts in the process.
Now, after six years, Rachel is back in the small, wild mountain town of North Ridge, BC.
Ready to face her past.
Ready to face Shane.
Ready to face his dark secret.
But is a second-chance at a one true love in the cards? Or will their wild hearts be broken once again?
I enjoy getting the first book in a series free so I can check out the author and the series, especially when one of my friends gave it 5 stars. The setting in the mountain areas of British Columbia, Canada bring beautiful vistas to mind.
Somehow, while I enjoyed reading, I didn’t connect well with the characters. The scenario was plausible for a second chance romance but there were some too far out aspects for me. Several different events happening were extraordinary; how do so many sensational things happen to just these people? The disconnect for me was between how much Shane and Rachel loved each other and how well they knew each other and what happened when they were young. The only thing I can blame is how young they were, but somehow I feel like they should have trusted each other and figured it out then. That may not be rational but it is how I felt.
Chapters alternate between Shane and Rachel in point of view, and also between past and present day. I do like having both their thoughts and feelings. The moving between now and then can be disruptive but it does provide background and insight. I liked them both okay but didn’t relate to some of their perceptions of things. I did root for them and believe they loved each other. So while I didn’t connect with them, I felt their connection to each other. The sexy times were smokin.
Wild Card could be read as a standalone because it is the first in the North Ridge series. It does a nice job of setting up the characters of Shane’s two older brothers. I’d actually like to read more about them.
These are only Kindle freebies I get, or ones through author newsletters which anyone can sign up and get for free. I don’t include things like Kindle Unlimited (I don’t have it) or Prime Free Reading (I do have it). Both Tantor and Audible have occasional free audios (to anyone) and I do include those. Since I one-click on 1-2 freebies a day or probably at least 5 a week, I came up with this feature to make sure I start reading them.
So I have thought about doing a Thrifty Thursday Challenge someday. For now, what I think would be fun is if you have read and reviewed (anywhere) a freebie, send me your link to your review (Goodreads, blog, facebook or wherever) and I’ll post the links on the next Thrifty Thursday review. (I’m trying to do 1-3 a month which means I only add about 15 or so to my TBR every month. lol)
About Karina Halle
Karina Halle is a former travel writer and music journalist and The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author of Where Sea Meets Sky, Racing the Sun, The Pact, Love, in English, The Artists Trilogy, Dirty Angels and over 20 other wild and romantic reads. She lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia with her husband and her rescue pup, where she drinks a lot of wine, hikes a lot of trails and devours a lot of books.
Halle is represented by the Waxman Leavell Agency and is both self-published and published by Atria Books/Simon & Schuster and Hachette in North America and in the UK.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- Anne: 2017 New Release Challenge
- COYER Winter Switch
I think I have this one too. I would have to look. I like getting both POVs sometimes (sometimes I like first person too, depends on the character and author). Sounds like a fun book.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads
melanie – Lexxie loved this one gave it 5 stars. I wish I had related better to the characters. I’m having more trouble with romance right now, some of it seems too light.
I’m so sorry you didn’t enjoy this one as much as I did, Anne! I do get what you mean, though. I just got so completely sucked into their second chance nothing else mattered to me 😀
Great review!
Thanks Lexxie! I AM glad it worked for you. Some things are just different for different people. I did like the characters and was happy for them. Plus it was HOT!