Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this book and to be an early reader via NetGalley! However, I will not be writing a review for this title at this time, as my reading preferences have since changed somewhat. In the event that I decide to review the book in the future, I will make sure to purchase a copy for myself or borrow it from a library. Once again, thank you so much for providing me with early access to this title. I truly appreciate it. Please feel free to contact me with any follow-up questions or concerns.

I love animals, what can I say they are my passion, so when my favorite genre of reading combines my passion for animals there is no way I can resist the chance to read the story. I had never heard of this author until I say this story come up as a possible option in Netgalley, but between the story synopsis, the title and the cover there was no resisting. And I am happy to say I am glad I gave the story a real shot; Wild on My Mind is a great first story in a series that looks like it could be very interesting by an author that I could really come to enjoy reading. The story kicks off with Katie stumbling across three orphaned and cute-as-can-be cougar cubs that are close to death and in serious need of help, in the wilds behind her family’s farm. She is determined to do all she can to make sure they survive, and calls for the help of the local animal rescue/zoo, never knowing that the bane of her high school years is about to crash back into her life as a fully grown man. Bowie is instantly and intensely attracted to the sexy woman, but her just as intense and instant dislike for him is puzzling because while she looks vaguely familiar he just can’t seem to place her. When the truth of her identity comes to light, Bowie is horrified by the truth of the damage he caused as a thoughtless youth, and determined to make it up to Katie, even as she seeks to humiliate him as much as he once did her. Soon they are working side-by-side to care for the baby cougars and find a way to turn the zoo around and bring it back to life, and the closer they get the more they both begin to understand that the past belongs in the past and the feelings they are developing for each other now are deeper and more important. Katie and Bowie have both done a lot of growing up, and still have some to do, but each knows that the character that they have developed and the hurts of their pasts have made them into the perfect match for one another, as long as they can keep the outside world from coming between them. Katie was the quintessential nerd in high school, the girl that was picked on and tortured simply because she was different, but her inner strength and light was apparent to Bowie even then, though he didn’t know what to do about it. As she grew up and found her place in the world, becoming the strong and determined woman that can find a way to forgive the hurts of the past and embrace the love of a truly good man and father, she became my hero even more. I also loved that despite Bowie’s ex trying to come between them, once Bowie earned her love and trust, no way was Katie going to give him up. Bowie was a kid that had so much going on that was hidden from the world and he fought back in the best way he knew how, but when he was forced to grow up quick, he found that he was a good father and man. The love that he was offered at just the right time by his new family led him down a truly wonderful path and allowed him to find a path that earned him the forgiveness of a woman that was meant to be his all along. While the emotional turmoil they both had to deal with was high, especially in the beginning of this story, the palpable energy and passion between Bowie and Katie left them both confused and burning for one another and reminded the readers that sometimes letting that passion have free reign cane lead to some truly amazing connections. I am really looking forward to seeing what comes next in this story and seeing the Katie’s bestie June fall in love.

I was not expecting this one to have as much substance as it had and I was pleasantly surprised. I guess because of the cute and cuddly animals on the cover I was expecting this to be a bit fluffy but it had weight to it and delved into a serious matter. So yeah…it was definitely surprising.

Here’s what’s going on. When Katie stumbles upon three abandoned cougar cubs, she didn’t expect her high school tormentor to be the one to rescue them and, oddly enough, he doesn’t seem to remember her. When Katie finds herself working with him to raise money for the zoo, she’s determined to keep him at an arm’s length while getting a little payback of her own. Although the longer they work together and the more she seems him care for his daughter the more her heart starts to melt but will it be enough to put the past behind her.

When I discovered that Bowie was Katie’s high school bully, I worried that I wouldn’t be able to warm up to him and I worried that I wouldn’t be able to believe that he’s a changed man. Thankfully, that worry was for naught because I really ended up liking Bowie and, as his story progressed, I understood where was coming from and I believed he changed. He ended up being a solid guy.

I also worried that Katie would hold a grudge. While that could make for interesting reading, I find that it often holds the plot captive and makes the character seem cold. Katie was completely different than I was expecting her to be. I mean, she was leery and wounded from her treatment but she didn’t let that take over her life and turn her into a shrew. She was willing to forgive Bowie and let him into her life.

Their relationship had some obstacles to overcome and I liked the way it played it out—it showed that they both had grown and matured.

While this book had some heavy stuff in it, it was also adorable. The animals stole my heart from the start, especially Fluffy, the match matching honey badger who lends his own POV to the story.

The one thing I could have done without was Bowie’s ex showing back up. It felt a little odd like something that was thrown in just to add a bit of external conflict.

Overall, this is one not to miss. I think this is the first book I’ve seen that’s had a zoo keeper as the hero, so it was unique. I also liked that Bowie was a Byronic hero—he wasn’t perfect but he was realistic. Plus, he adores his daughter. This one’s unique, heartwarming, a tad bit heavy at times, humorous, and just an all-around good romance.

I need more. I need more of them and a lot more LOVE!! This book is beyond good and a great reread. I read it about 3 times already.

I love a good redemption story, and boy did the author give us that with this book. Bowie was a complete and utter jerk to Katie growing up. From pretending to like her back so that people could laugh at her, attaching underwear to her vehicle, and just picking on her every chance he got, he was just a despicable human being. However, adult Bowie is the complete opposite. He’s reserved, respectful, he teaches his daughter values, and he is an upstanding citizen. The author gives you glimpses into Katie’s past and how she was terrorized as a kid. Yet, you see Bowie as an adult and how much he’s changed over the years. The author makes you see the good and bad of Bowie, and is still able to make him a likable character.

One of the things that really drew me to the story was the fact that Bowie ran a zoo. I was hoping that we’d get to see some of the animals and again, the author didn’t disappoint. Since Katie is helping Bowie build up interest in the zoo, they make zoo videos and presentations with some of the various animals in the zoo. So we get to meet a lovelorn giraffe, a mischievous honey badger, a trio of adorable baby cougar cubs… and the list goes on. We don’t just meet them, they play a big role in the story, as well. I really liked that the author didn’t just use the zoo as a background. Instead, it played a bit part in the book.

Wild on My Mind is a solid debut novel by Laurel Kerr. While it follows the same story arc that many other romances do, I felt like the author added her own touch to it. I found myself really looking forward to what videos they’d do for the website, or what themed day they’d do for the zoo. Not to mention, that ending with Fluffy the honey badger was priceless. We build a connection with this particular animal and to see him at the end was pretty comical.

This was a cute romance that dealt with forgiveness and bullying. It deals with how we carry bad feelings from our teens into our adult years and learning to let go of them. I liked the ending, especially how Bowie stood up to his ex. However, I didn't care for the animal perspectives. I'm not a fan of those in general as the usually pull me out of the narrative.

This was an interesting story. It did take me a bit to get into, but overall I did enjoy it. I liked that it dealt with the topic of bullying and that Katie didn't back down from how she felt.

Dear Laurel Kerr,

I like animals and romance so when I saw Wild on My Mind at NetGalley I requested it. Katie Underwood finds some abandoned cougar cubs and calls on the assistance of the local zoo in Sagebrush Flats to rescue them. Basically, you had me at “cougar cubs”.

Katie has returned to her hometown to help her mother look after her dad who is the chief of police and had been shot in the chest by an ex-con, currently at large. Katie’s mother wasn’t coping with the stress of it all and none of Katie’s four brothers were able to manage either so Katie quit her job (a job she didn’t like much anyway) as a marketing assistant for a mulch company in Minneapolis and came home.

She is less than impressed when the man from the zoo who comes to help with the cubs is Bowie Wilson – her high school nemesis, Or, one of them at least.

Read the rest: https://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/overall-c-reviews/c-minus-reviews/review-wild-on-my-mind-by-laurel-kerr/

What a wonderful debut novel by Ms. Kerr. I am so looking forward to reading more in this series and whatever else she pens! My emotions were engaged from the beginning and I kept turning the pages to see what would happen next especially with the bullying story line.

The characters had a depth to them and we learned about them and their past a little at a time. Their interactions were realistic. Katie and Bowie had a history having lived in the same small town and gone to school together. But his girlfriend in high school, Sawyer, was an evil piece of work and did not improve with age. She helped carry out pranks against Katie and Bowie was the one that thought most of them up. But what were his reasons for being so mean? Watching he and Katie work through their history was heartwarming especially since she got him like no one else ever had. They had a lot of misconceptions to work through though. He’s a single dad and owns a zoo that is on the verge of fiscal collapse until Katie and her marketing genius help turn things around.

The animals had human characteristics especially Fluffy, the honey badger. Watching the interactions of the animals with each other and the humans gave a playfulness to the story line. There were multiple stories going on but they were seamlessly woven together with the animals and the zoo almost always front and center. There were twists and turns and ups and downs. Things would be going smoothly and then hit a rough patch only to smooth out again. Bowie’s eleven year old daughter was wise beyond her years but still a kid at heart. She had a wonderful relationship with her dad and adopted grandfather but definitely needed a female influence but not from her mom when she meets her. There were family and friends with multiple generations, the animals, secrets, injuries, heartache, sadness, tears, matchmaking, doubts, posturing, planning, laughter, lots of loving and ultimately love. There was some closure and a happily ever after especially with the epilogue. There were some loose ends that will hopefully be addressed in the next story.

This book was cute sometimes I felt it a little out there but I trudged alone and did finish it. Their were something that I appreciated like the the issue of bullying, it happened and they dealt with it. Also how H didn't back down and she stuck to her gun and the Hero realized that it was his fault and he apologized profusely to the heroine but forgiveness was in her hands.

Wild On My Mind is a wildly wonderful story. My first book to read written by Laurel Kerr, whose style including one very different POV I just loved. I read a lot but it has been a long time since a book has grabbed me like this one did. I can only hope for much more from this author in the future.

What’s to love, well, I can name a few things. Life at a zoo, who could imagine such setting being so interesting. The interest the animals, well, one special self-serving one anyway, take in the people’s lives, hilarious. Characters who grow up to be better than they were as teenagers. Heartwarming family moments in which this story has an abundance. An “enemies to friends to lovers” story that has a sweet conclusion. Now I can’t wait to see what this author gives us next.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a really cute read as someone who has a zoo at home this book was just perfect for me. Katie has moved back home to look after her dad when she finds three abandoned cougar cubs she gets into with the local zoo to come and collect them what she is not expecting is that person happens to be Bowie the boy who made her life at school miserable and while he thinks she looks familiar he has no clue why she seems to hate him. I really enjoyed this really sweet read

I love to read books by new authors. I love the anticipation - and slight trepidation - I get discovering if the author struck out, or hit a home run with their first book. Wild On My Mind, in my mind, was a solid double. (I have no idea why I’m using baseball analogies here, as this story has absolutely nothing to do with baseball!)

This book didn’t draw me in right away. In fact, I was a little put off by both the hero and heroine’s internal thoughts about how hot the other is. My concern was that there would be LOTS of that kind of writing - and with my mantra “more plot, less pecs” that didn’t bode well. Also, there was the anthropomorphizing of a badger. And I wasn’t sure how I felt about that…

But then, our heroine Katie starts taking to her friend June, and I discovered this author can write some dialogue! It gave me hope this book would be good. And it was.

Katie Underwood suffered greatly at the hands of bullies all through high school. The leader of the bullies was Bowie Wilson and his girlfriend Sawyer. When high school was over, Katie fled the state for college and never came back home - except for short visits. Now, twelve years later, Katie has come back home to help her mother after her police chief father was shot chasing a criminal.

Bowie Wilson had a terrible childhood, and while things have gotten better for him, he’s still struggling. As a single father to a 12 year old girl, and the owner of a small zoo, he’s happy with his life. But the zoo is in financial trouble and he doesn’t know how he’s going to keep it open. When he’s called out late one night to rescue three cougar cubs, he doesn’t recognize the beautiful woman who leads him to a cave in the woods.

But Katie recognizes him. And when she realizes she has the skills needed to help his zoo get some much needed publicity, she takes the opportunity to exact some good-natured revenge at the same time. As Katie and Bowie spend more time together, she begins to forgive him for his past treatment, and Bowie falls in love with the woman who accepts his apology and shows him forgiveness.

I love a book that tells a great story, but also teaches us lessons about life. In Wild On My Mind, we see that Katie is able to understand how Bowie was able to participate in the bullying, and to appreciate how he was able to grow up and become a wonderful father. The behavior was never excused, but Katie sought to understand Bowie’s motivations and was able to have compassion for his circumstances growing up. For his part, Bowie accepted responsibility for hurting Katie, and did his best to build a relationship built on trust. In the midst of finding their way together, there were plenty of laughs, but also struggles that they worked through as a couple.

But on the flip side, I struggled with a couple things. I never did quite warm up to the honey badger and his antics. Had he just been wandering around the zoo getting into shenanigans, I would probably been entertained by him. But his efforts to get the Black-Haired One and the redheaded female to have a Wee One came across, to me, as a border-line kitschy gimmick.

Also, this was a really long book considering not a whole lot extra happened plot-wise. There was a storyline with Bowie’s ex-girlfriend (and the mother of his child) that I would have liked to see carried a little further than it went. (Why have one of Katie’s brothers conveniently be a lawyer if you aren’t actually going to utilize him?) I feel like overall the writing needed to be tightened up and some cuts made to reduce the length of the book. Sadly, I have no suggestions as to where those cuts could be made. 🤷

Overall, this was a very sweet, heartwarming story about offering forgiveness, understanding where others are coming from, and owning up to your mistakes and moving forward to make a better life. This book won’t go on my “re-read” list, but I am certainly interested in reading more by Laurel Kerr.

* thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Katie Underwood has recently moved back home to help care for her father. While home she finds three abandoned cougar cubs. None other the Bowie Wilson, one of her high school tormentors, shows up to rescue the cubs. But he’s no longer the bully she remembers. He now runs a small zoo & is a single father to Abby. Katie not only volunteers to help with the cubs, she also agrees to help the failing zoo with publicity. Meaning she’ll be spending lots of time with Bowie.

The storyline in this book is unlike any I’d read before. The nerdy girl from high school falling for her bully. I was sure no matter what or how, there was no way I could like a former bully of a hero, or understand how she could possibly fall for him. But I not only liked him, I totally loved him!

Katie is a sweet, down to earth character. She used her past to make her a strong, independent, woman. As a teenager she was bullied but even then she knew who she was, what she stood for & didn’t let it change her. I liked that. If only all teenagers could understand that the things that hinder you in your youth only help shape who you become.

The one problem I had with this book was we get one character’s point of view, although in very short snippets, I just didn’t care for it. I found it silly & pointless.

I’m hoping for June’s story soon!...and hopefully with one of the Underwood boys.

This is a cute, easy read with a bit of revenge and plenty of animal antics thrown in around the romance. But, I have to admit, it didn’t entirely win me over, for a few different reasons.

I liked Bowie. A lot. Which made it hard to believe he’d been so awful to Katie. Because we see them both as grown ups, it makes Katie seem petty and even a little bit cruel when she pushes Bowie away or keeps him at arms length. Even though he deserves it. Or, at least, the boy he was did. It’s hard to believe it of the man who cares so deeply for his daughter, takes care of the zoo and the old man who has become like a father to him, while quietly putting his own dreams aside. He’s so great that Katie definitely suffers by comparison, which is pretty unfair.

I’m also not a massive fan of cutesy, matchmaking animal POVs in adult fiction. Even honey badgers. Fluffy did kind of win me over throughout the book, mostly because his antics were great, but the matchmaking stuff didn’t really work for me.

I wish the zoo had been given a bit more life. I liked getting to know the animals, and seeing all the fundraising ideas, but where are the workers and volunteers? I know Bowie has been struggling to keep the place going, but he doesn’t work there alone. Yet not one fellow worker or volunteer is ever seen, let alone spoken to, or even mentioned by name – except for Katie. I found that a little strange. Bowie really didn’t seem to be part of the community at all.

There’s also too much going on. The plot ended up feeling a little lumpy as the romance or emotional subplot or action bit would reach a climax, only for it to sort of fade away because we weren’t quite at the end yet. Then there would be a lull where nothing much happened, until it all exploded again. Coupled with the slow start, it made the pacing feel a bit off to me. Nothing much happens in the first half, then suddenly everything goes off. Like the whole subplot about Katie’s dad and the man who shot him, which to be honest I’m not sure the book needed, what with a nasty absent mother, interfering friends, the bullying, Abby’s pain, the zoo money worries, the revenge fundraisers, Katie’s job plans, a matchmaking honey badger and brotherly intervention, all on top of the romance itself.

None of which stopped this from being a cute, easy, enjoyable read. The characters were nice, the setting was fun, the romance was hot as well as sweet, and yet it just wasn’t quite as fun and absorbing as I’d hoped.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Shooting

Katie is back home... in a place where she has a loving family, but also remembers the torment she endured when she was in school. While helping her dad after a shooting, she is the only one of her siblings that can take the time to help full-time. While she loves her family, she also has dreams bigger than her city has to offer.

Bowie loves living and running the local zoo. However, despite loving it, it's struggling. Bowie also has a young daughter who he is trying his best to raise. When three baby cubs are brought to his zoo, he'll do everything he can to help them survive and he might find a little redemption along the way.

Bowie and Katie's relationship is well developed. The history they share helps shape them as they are now and it really helped create their successful dynamic. They have quite a mountain to overcome, but with the help of loving parents, a pesky honey badger, and a sweet little girl, they eventually get there.

I loved the voice of the honey badger! It was constantly hilarious, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

I enjoy second chance love stories. This one is dealing with an issue that is prevalent in today's discussions, being bullied. Katie comes in contact with Bowie. Whom she not only had a crush on he was also the one who bullied her. And made her life miserable. Now Bowie comes back into her life and would like to make things right. But Katie could care less or so she thought. This is a book that takes you through all the emotion on the spectrum. This turns out to be a beautiful end for two people who deserve a second chance.

This was a good read! The writing flowed well, and I loved the characters. Bowie was a good dad, and I loved that he was trying hard to make up for past mistakes. Katie was a strong woman, but I did get annoyed at the way she held Bowie apart from everything else in her life. She hurt him, and didn't see it until he pointed it out to her. I knew there was going to be more to the Sawyer story line, but I didn't see what she did coming. I was SO happy that Katie was adult enough to not let it bother her. I loved all the secondary characters (besides Sawyer), and they all added something to the story. Fluffy's parts were funny, and it was interesting to have that point of view thrown in. This was a first for me from this author, but I will be reading her again!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

Katie was bullied in school by Bowie, the guy she crushed hard on, so running into her torturer 10 years later doesn’t give her immediate warm fuzzies. Katie has come a long way from being the bullied nerdy girl and her resilience, determination and sass reflected that.

Bowie has matured since his troubled youth, but once he realizes who Katie is isn’t an easy feat. As I learned what Bowie did to Katie, I admit it did rile me up! However, I respected him for taking responsibility and trying to show Katie just how far he’s come, but boy, did Katie make him work at it! Bowie was easy like because I saw him as the person he is now. Respectable, quick witted, and a strong hands-on parent, but Katie’s leery of letting him close in case the past happens again and he has a difficult road to travel winning her trust.

This was a good read! I would call it a well-earned second chance story. The characters were dimensional and the writing smooth. I thought the romance was good, but the journey was even better. It didn’t hurt to have so many furry matchmakers either! I apologize to the main characters now, but Fluffy, the honey badger was the real star of the show! His matchmaking logic was simple, but the execution was entertaining and hilarious!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 Stars!

Wild on My Mind features a wonderful romance, some adorable newborn cougar cubs, and a matchmaking honey badger.

When Katie Underwood discovers a litter of abandoned newborn cougar cubs, she does the responsible thing and calls in someone more experienced to rescue the animals. The last person she expected to show up is Bowie Wilson, her former crush and eventual high school nemesis. After Bowie doesn’t recognize her and her mother offers Katie’s marketing skills to help out the zoo, Katie plans to get revenge against the man who made her life hell ten years ago. When Bowie remembers her soon after their initial meeting and sets out to make amends, Katie is determined to resist his charms.

Katie didn’t have a great experience socially growing up because of Bowie and as a result she has difficulty letting people into her life. Her dealings with Bowie ten years ago also really soured her opinions on love and she tries to protect herself from being hurt again at all costs, sometimes to the detriment of others. Her dream was always to leave her small town and get a job in a big city which isn’t something she’s managed in the ten years since high school.

Bowie didn’t have a stable home life as a kid and ended up in foster care for a large part of his time in high school. Due to his need to fit in and find somewhere he could belong, Bowie bullied Katie at his girlfriend Sawyer’s insistence. After Sawyer unexpectedly ended up pregnant and wanted nothing to do with a child, Bowie fought tooth and nail to gain custody of his daughter which turned his life around. Bowie’s relationship with Abby is wonderful and I loved how much he wanted to make sure she had a better life than him.

Katie and Bowie definitely had a lot to work through in order for their relationship to work, but it’s amazing once it does. Initially Katie has a hard time forgiving Bowie for his treatment of her, but after getting to know the man he is now she slowly begins to forgive him. I liked that Bowie and Katie had to work to reach a good place and that it didn’t come easy for them which I believe made their relationship stronger. Their physical relationship is incredibly hot and was at first the only type of relationship Katie thought to have with Bowie. I enjoyed watching them become more to each other and feel their journey as a couple in the present was perfect.

One of the best parts of this book was the setting of the zoo and the inclusion of the animals. All of the animals have such distinct personalities and I enjoyed watching the characters get to interact with them. The only thing I disliked about this book were the snippets from the honey badger Fluffy’s point of view. I think it’s neat how the author tried to include a point of view from the animal trying to play matchmaker for Katie and Bowie, but it just felt weird reading from an animal’s point of view in a contemporary romance.

Overall, Wild on My Mind was an absolute delight from start to finish and I can’t wait to read more books from this author in the future. I highly recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a great contemporary romance.