Wild Man

By: Kristen Ashley

Narrated by: Kate Russell

Length: 13 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Goodreads Reader’s Choice Nominee, Best Romance, 2012

Goodreads Author of the Year Nominee

She's about to walk on the wild side....

While filling the display case in her bakery, the bell over the door sounds and Tessa O'Hara looks up to see the man of her dreams. Within 30 seconds he asks her out for a beer. But after four months of dating, she discovers he's an undercover DEA agent—and he's investigating her possible role in her ex-husband's drug business. For Tess, this means their relationship is over.

Brock disagrees. He's committed to his anti-drug mission, but he's fallen in love with the beautiful woman who's as sweet as her cupcakes—and he'll do anything to win her back.

Standing between Tess and Brock are their own exes, one of them a drug lord who's determined to get what he wants. Now as danger threatens, can Brock break the rules he's lived by and let loose his wild side to protect the woman he loves?

©2013 Kristen Ashley (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Surprised by Brock!

I'm a bit surprised with how much I loved Brock. I did not like him in book 1 because he was too careless with the heroine in that book. He seemed to have calmed down in this book. Add to the fact that he never had a jerk moment towards Tess, which is rare for a KA book, he turned out way better than I was expecting.

Both characters were enjoyable. No jerk moments and not a ton of pushing away that would have had me wanting to shake someone. I like that Brock's kids were in this and there were great moments Tess had with them.

Both exes were a thorn in the side but overall, I think it was handled very well by both main characters. I can see re-reading this one so it was easy to give it 5 stars.

I listened to the audiobook which had the same narrator as the first book. I'm impressed with how she actually sounded like a different character vs the first book. I think she did a great job!

Great read

I did not like Brock when he was first introduced as the DEA agent in the Mystery Man. He definitely grew on me in this Wild Man story. This is a great story to read and listen to (audible). I read this long time ago and just did not realize the value of writing a review. Now I know their importance to to authors. Listening to this is a great way to spend your time. It adds such depth to the story as they breathe life into the words. Love the audible. I can’t remember how many times I have listened to it.

A solid read.

This was definitely one of her slower books in the begining. I was wondering where and when the action of the story was going to shine through, and it took a little over halfway through the story. a steamy book for sure, if you're looking for a good read, this is it.

Love

This is, quite simply, a book about love and I loved it! I love how they interacted and how they worked through their many complications in a mature way.

The story was a little slow to get started for me, mostly because it wasn't what I expected. Almost everything in the blurb basically happened before the first chapter and it was a bit disconcerting. It was also disconcerting that all the Denver natives sounded like they were from New Jersey... 😂 once I accepted that? All good!

THE WILDEST , SWEETEST ROMANCE YOU'LL EVER FIND!!!

Wow, I was just blown away with this one! In Mystery Man (book 1), I got really pissed with the situation/relationship with the leads before I absolutely love it. And, I knew with my 2nd Kristen Ashley read, that I was in for another emotional adventure. Yet, I was just left in awed stupor at how perfectively beautiful and crazy this book is! Ashley is hands down one of my favorite authors because the woman can write!!! And, Kate Russell's narration was phenomenal!!!

The relationship between DEA Agent Brock Lucas (aka Slim) and Tessa O’Hara started off as an undercover endeavor for Brock. In an attempt to bring down Tessa's drug-lord, ex-husband, he spent time with Tess for 4 months. When his cover and mission is revealed, Tessa feels played, and it seems as though the romance will hit a dead end---However, at that point the ride has just begun!

At first I didn't think I would like this couple and their story because I felt as though Brock was too strong and dominant and Tessa was too sweet and might be a door mat---BUT THEIR ROMANCE & STORY COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE PERFECT. Ashley has created a beautiful story of love, of commitment, of family, of hardship, of hope and of healing in the most imperfect characters.

I hope you will also be swept away with Brock and Tessa's story. There are secrets to be uncovered, healing to begin, family drama like no other that is seeped on by layers of Brock's sisters, mother, father, brothers, and ex wife (super thick layers), and Tessa's ex-husband. But, one of the sweetest aspects of this story is Tessa's acceptance and love of Brock's two boys.

The leads are believable because, while in their early 40's, they have experienced enough of life with back stories that make their current romance a God-send, and an absolute treasure. For most of the story, it was as though Brock and Tessa were moving forward in the eye of this crazy storm of drama, but their romance was always settled in a place that was secure, ever-growing and developing, and super sexy! This is my favorite type of romance where the conflict is externally driven, and the romance is hot, steamy and just gets better.

Brock is a classic alpha male, who is rough (talk about F-bomb vocabulary at every moment..lol..but I loved that about him!!!), tall, handsome (all that stuff we love in a hot man), and who is fiercely loyal to his family, committed to the mission of his job (in taking drugs off of the streets), and who finds the sweetest, loveliest woman in Tessa and never lets go!

Tessa is everything feminine, patient, lovely and beautiful, and she fits Brock's life like the life-raft that he needs to experience balance and a life-changing love. She becomes the sweetness that he, his boys, and extended family so desperately need. I love the parallels that Ashley makes between Tessa's sweet character and her gift as a baker (and owner of a bakery) in making desserts that are like no others. She brings on the sweet in so many layers and Tessa is now one of my favorite heroines because she is also one of the strongest and wisest.

Can't say enough about this book! It was amazing and is now one of those, "STAY-WITH ME-FOREVERr" books….You have to read/listen to it!!!

MOST Excellent!!!!

I have always LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Kristen Ashley books and to have them coming out in an Audio format is a dream come true!!!

Brock Lucas and Tessa O' Hara make such a beautiful couple... Tessa with her history is an amazingly strong woman who over comes her hardships with a heart big enough to embrace all of the people in her life!

Brock is a strong enough man to stand by her!!! While he has his own set of issues he comes across as protective and caring without being smothering.

I think what makes them work is their willingness to make something good out of the ashes!!!

Good story, but . . .

Any additional comments?

I thought the narrator did a better job with "Mystery Man," but not a bad job here.

Brock didn't really seem all that wild to me. Maybe that's what the language was supposed to be about. I don't mind the f-word so much, but any reference to "c**t" is a complete turnoff for me. I don't find it sexy at all; just derogatory, even though the context would lead one to believe otherwise. I think I only counted it four times in a fairly wordy book, but I could do without it.

KA brought in characters from her other books that I'm not sure really fit with this story. Maybe it's just that it's been a while since I listened to the Rock Chick Series and "Mystery Man," but I had a hard time keeping the posse straight.

What I really liked was that the characters were closer to my age than most romance novels I've read lately. I also liked that they both had crazy exes as that was easy for me to relate to.

Worth more than one listen.

Couldn't finish it

Would you try another book from Kristen Ashley and/or Kate Russell?

I'm not sure. The constant "F" this and "sh*t" that got really old. The author seems to have a real thing for labeling someone "her man." The heroine is supposed to be a domestic abuse survivor... but she doesn't behave like one. Women who have been betrayed by someone they loved do not trust easily. Yet this character is EXTREMELY quick to forgive and forget and jump back into the "hero's" arms after he lies to her. I can't help thinking that the author missed an opportunity to make this a much more interesting story. More of the plot should have been centered around his betrayal, her subsequent lack of trust, his unwillingness to give up on them, and their reconciliation.

Sorry....became old....fast!

How could the performance have been better?

The narration lacked reality....totally couldn't tell the difference between characters. I had forgotten from book 1 of series or wouldn't have purchased #2!

Another wow!

Would you consider the audio edition of Wild Man to be better than the print version?

I would consider the audio edition better. This is a long book so you can be on the move while running errands, plus the narrator makes the story a whole lot better.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wild Man?

No comment. I don't want to give anything away.

What about Kate Russell’s performance did you like?

She brings the characters to life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It is very long but yes I did want to try to finish it in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

This book has everything an awesome book should have, such as suspense, romance, and drama. There are funny parts too.