This is a story of second chances, redemption and overcoming your past.

Katie Underwood spent her last two and a half years of high school being tormented and bullied by popular girl, Sawyer, and her boyfriend, Bowie Wilson. They were the worst two and half years of her life and included moments so humiliating that she never confessed them to her family. But she went on to college to make some wonderful friends and maybe that painful time helped Katie grow into the women she is today. She has gotten past that hurt or so she thought until Bowie Wilson walked back into her life and didn’t even recognize her! Yes, it was ten years ago and Katie has tamed her wild hair and has more fashion sense, but he tormented her for more than two years and he doesn’t recognize her?

Bowie runs the local animal rescue park and zoo and he comes out to Katie’s property to rescue some orphaned mountain lion cubs.

Since Katie never told her family about her torment by Bowie, her frustration is furthered by her mother who is taking it upon herself to play matchmaker between Katie and Bowie and volunteered both Katie’s webdesign services and Katie’s free time volunteering to help feed and care for the orphaned cubs.

Katie really isn’t happy to see Bowie again, especially since he still looks as attractive as he did in high school, but worse yet, he doesn’t even have the decency to still be a jerk so she can go on hating him! Some people.

Bowie had abusive, drug-addicted parents who ignored him (at best) or verbally abused him (at worse) but when they both died, Bowie was tossed into the system and into a string of foster homes where he was nothing but a burden and a paycheck. Being tossed out of his foster house on his 18the birthday should have been the worse thing that happened to him but hearing that his high school girlfriend was pregnant and wanted to abort his baby, just like his parents always told him they should have done with him, made Bowie fight for what was most important–being a good father to his baby. He was lucky to be taken in by Lou and Gretchen who taught him how to be the father his daughter needed and how to take care of the animals in their small zoo. For the first time in his life, Bowie had a life he could be proud of.

He doesn’t recognize Katie at first. She changed so much since high school, he only saw an attractive redhead who seemed strangely angry at him but that he wouldn’t mind getting to know better. It is when Bowie finally realizes who Katie is and he remembers exactly what he did to her, that shame fills him. Katie even agrees to help him and struggle zoo including a list of stunts to draw attention. Bowie more than owes Katie and readily agreed to do whatever humiliating thing she needs from him, especially when all her ideas are sparking a renewed interest in the zoo and bringing in much needed funds.

Now the only problem is whether Katie is going to walk out of Bowie and his daughter’s lives now that she has become so important to them. Can Bowie prove that he isn’t the same man that once hurt Katie so badly? Can Katie put aside their past because Bowie knows that she’s everything he needs for the future.

When I started this story, I was waiting to find out that Bowie was never responsible for all the horrible things done to Katie, and that he was only given credit for the antics. I was quite surprised once Bowie realized who Katie is, that he admits to the cruel torture. Really, how do you get past that and find a HEA with your tormentor?

Well, it wasn’t too hard to add Bowie into my favorite grouping of wounded hero after we learn about Bowie’s awful childhood and that tormenting Katie to the delight of his girlfriend was the first time he found acceptance anywhere and wasn’t treated like unwanted trash. At the time, he could only see that he was finally looked up to and accepted. Katie never let them see how their torment affected her, so Bowie never saw the devastation that his actions caused. Now he realizes how much different his life would have been if he had chosen Katie in high school rather than Sawyer. Sawyer supported Bowie’s torture of another student, while Katie would have supported Bowie in becoming a better man.

Katie wanted to get back at Bowie, but she couldn’t help admiring the man he has become, especially what a good and caring father he is to his daughter. She quickly gave up on her revenge stunts and truly worked with Bowie to breathe new life into the zoo. And while she admires the man Bowie has become, his treatment long ago taught her never to trust her heart to someone else.

I am still not certain if I am charmed or annoyed by the sections of the story narrated by Fluffy, the honey badger. I usually find animal narratives (unless they are paranormal shifters) to be too cutsy but the grumpy Fluffy was very funny in his desire to get Bowie and Katie together so that they would have more wee ones who would give him more treats.

Overall I enjoyed the storytelling and seeing the changes in Bowie and Katie as they establish their grown up relationship.

It was cover love and the animals that grabbed me first. A romance set at a small town zoo, people! How could I resist. And soon, I settled in to enjoy the heartwarming story that was more than the adorable cute animals, zookeeper trying to keep the zoo open, and a romance. This new to me author packed a sensational punch as she paired the cute and cuddly with the painful and serious topic of bullying and the lasting effects. But, the delight was old Fluffy the Honey Badger!
Review

Katie Underwood comes back to town after a dozen years away to take care of her police chief dad who was shot by an escaped prisoner. She spent some of the most miserable days of her life through Jr High and High School being persecuted by the guy who now shows up to take some orphaned baby cougars off her hands. Katie nearly falls over with shock to discover the bully who pranked and tortured her is now a responsible owner of the small zoo and a dedicated and loving single dad with a gentleness and kindness for animals. Okay, fine, Bowie’s always been amazingly cute and sure, she has always crushed on him and apparently still does, but she is not letting this man anywhere near her heart when she throws herself into volunteering with the baby cougars and using her design and marketing skills to help save the zoo.

I was not expecting a story of such heartwarming depth when I set out. Bullying leaves jagged scars and I was not sure what to think that the hero was the bully of the heroine with terrible pranks and harassment though he never threatened her physically. I worried that I would not connect with Bowie or that I would because the bullying was dusted under the carpet after the attraction showed up. But no, thankfully, this author balanced the effects of bullying on everyone and still brought a romance I could believe and root for. Rather than excuse the bullying, the author chose to explain which I thought was the best way to go.

The book had so much cuteness going for it from the baby cougars, the lonesome camel, the rocking out cockatoo, the aged grizzly and the matchmaking honey badger. Then there was Bowie’s darling daughter who he is raising by himself who is herself much like Katie the target of a mean girl.

I enjoyed both Katie and Bowie separately and like their matchmaking folks, was secretly working for them to work through Katie’s pain, anger, and distrust and Bowie’s feelings of inadequacy. Katie’s smart, hardworking, compassionate, and loves those animals as much as Bowie. I loved the ways she got things turned around for the zoo with her campaign ideas that started from her need to get back at Bowie prank for prank (he knew about and approved these as roasting style fundraiser videos and stunts to help the zoo). Her struggles were real and she didn’t make it easy on Bowie, but she didn’t carry on too far or too long because she is a good, tenderhearted person.
Bowie had a tough row to hoe all his life as a kid with abusive, addicted parents who were put in jail and he had to then go on to endure the foster program. He was an angry and messed up kid and he took it out on Katie. He got a second chance with Lou who was a vet and owned the zoo and turned his life around. His mean girl ex from high school left him with Abby when he was just a homeless teenage day. Abby is the apple of his eye, but he fears she will someday have to learn just who and what he was as a kid and in highschool. Meanwhile, he has an uphill battle to convince Katie to stay in town and give him a chance. which I liked that he understood that he was at fault and deserves to have her want to scratch the itch, but want nothing else from him.
My heart broke for them both because she really did have to fight past her demons and reach out on trust after what happened before. Bowie gave her whatever she needed from him and made no demands. Love just sort of slipped up on them and I liked how it all turned out.

The surrounding cast of characters with young Abby, Lou, Katie’s parents and brothers and her best friends and yes, the zoo animals, particularly Fluffy really helped add some sparkle to this one. And, fun fact, Fluffy the honey badger has a narration part that just made me giggle each time. But he also had a heroic role to play not once, but twice.

All in all, it was a fabulous series beginning and has me eager to see more of this group of people and the animals finding fun and romance at the zoo. Contemporary Romance fans who like some spice should give this a go.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I first came across Wild on my Mind, I thought it was going to be a fun and carefree romance with adorable baby animals. Boy, I was not prepared for the emotional roller-coaster this book took me on. Hang on, it's going to be one heck of a journey.

Growing up in the foster system, Bowie has never felt like he belonged. When the popular girl starts paying attention to him, he does anything to stay in her good graces. Sadly, that includes tormenting Katie. Of course fate would bring her back into Bowie's life when his young daughter is being bullied. Katie sweeps in to lend her publicist expertise to help support the zoo and to give both Bowie and his daughter a shoulder to lean on. Neither Bowie or Katie expected to find forgiveness and love, but they can't deny the attraction that is growing between them.

Holy Emotions, Batman! Wild on my Mind threw me for a loop and I loved every moment of it. Honestly, I had no clue that bullying was going to play a role in the story and of course it makes the story more emotional. I loved getting to know the fabulous characters Laurel created, both human and animal. That honey badger, though! Definitely stole the show. Kudos to the author on an extraordinary debut book. Keep 'em coming because I have a feeling you'll be on my favorite author list in no time.

Some people change. The question is whether it's a change for the better or worse. Wild on My Mind is the chance at a new beginning for two lonely hearts and a broken down zoo. Kerr tells the story of a the blossoming of romance. With the help of some adorably cuddly matchmakers to lend a hand. Beauty is all around, we just have to look beyond the surface to find the treasure hidden within. Kerr delivers a message I can get behind in this lighthearted sweet tale.

Seriously loved this book. I think it was a combination of the characters and the personalities of the animals in the zoo especially a honey badger named Fluffy.

I had a hard time putting this book down and found myself trying to read "just one more chapter" before work or bed or an errand. Katie is someone a lot of women could relate to if you were teased by your crush while a teenager. It is hard to let those feelings go even 10+ years later, but it can be done. Bowie was just trying to fit in at school and sadly made poor choices until faced with the biggest decision of his life. Both Katie and Bowie worked hard to overcome who they were and how they wanted others to see and know them as the years passed.

Katie also could relate to Abby and was able to offer a lot of sage advice to her in various situations. She remembered what it was like to be a teenager that was teased and even bullied. I enjoyed seeing their friendship blossom throughout the book.

Katie's mom was annoying at times. She wanted Katie back in town and so, of course, was trying to play matchmaker. I think Katie does a good job of putting her mom off at different times, but her mom is very persistent. I think she would have made me crazy!

I really enjoyed how well Katie and Bowie worked together to bring the zoo in their town back to life. I think it helped brighten Lou's mood. Lou was the original owner and is the current vet for the zoo.

Overall a well written book and I hope there are more to follow because there are some characters that I didn't mention that I can see having their own book, like June and Josh - two of Katie's best friends from college.

I really enjoyed how well Kerr captured Bowie’s growth since school and Katie’s struggles not just coming face to face with him after all these years but also with the long term effects her high school years had on her.

Bowie had his reasons for doing the things he did (in addition to being a stupid teenager) but he didn’t really understand exactly how damaging his actions were. Now the dad of a preteen daughter it hits home a little too hard exactly what he did. But the years have also turned him into a stand-up guy and he’s not going to hide from it. Hopefully, though, he can prove to Katie exactly how much he’s changed.

I can’t imagine how hard it was for Katie to meet Bowie again. High school can be bad under normal circumstances and truly awful when you find yourself a target. But she handles it with class. She doesn’t let him completely off the hook but she keeps her sense of humor about her when she goes about getting her revenge. Revenge that has her spending time with Bowie and his endearing family, both two legged and four. Before long she’s finding them all pretty hard to resist.

If the zoo’s misfit animals don’t steal your heart, then Bowie’s cute-as-a-button daughter definitely will. They provide a little extra charm to be the backdrop of an already delightfully irresistible guy who is trying really hard to prove that he deserves a second chance. Full of humor and fun, with the right amount of heartfelt moments and even a little suspense mixed in, Kerr delivers an absolutely adorable read that I found pretty darn hard to put down.

4.5 stars

Katie is back in her home town helping care for her father. While rescuing a litter of cougar cubs, she is unhappy to see Bowie who was her high school crush turned nemesis.

When Katie starts to help Bowie and his zoo with publicity she comes to find he is not the same teenager who hurt her. Instead he's a loving father to his daughter and he cares for all the zoo animals.

Despite their past I was rooting for Katie and Bowie from the beginning. The author made a good choice in telling the story from both of their perspectives. I don't think it would have worked only seeing Katie's side of the story.

One of my favorite things about the book, though, is all the animals. Fluffy the honey badger was especially funny. I feel like the zoo setting and all the animals could have easily been cheesy and over done, but it was done perfectly!

I can't wait for more books in the series!

What would you do if you suddenly came face to face with your high school tormenter? Katie Underwood has spent over 10 years away from her hometown of Sagebrush and has avoided seeing the group of kids who made her high school years hell, especially Bowie and his then girlfriend. Now Katie is back in town to help take care of her father, the town's sheriff who was shot in the chest, and she's inadvertently summoned help from a person she never wanted to see again.

Bowie has overcome the odds and become a decent person. He's come to Katie's parent's property to help some abandoned cubs, He doesn't even recognize Katie. To be fair, he's a busy guy. He's running a zoo and taking care of his eleven year old daughter Abby.

Over the course of some interesting interactions, Katie offers to help Bowie with some fundraising and marketing for the zoo. She also has a plan for a bit of revenge too.

I really enjoyed Wild on My Mind. It was a good story, with likeable characters, especially the animals. I don't know much about zoo animals, so I had to Google a couple of the types of animals to see what they were. Fluffy, the zoo's honey badger, is a personal favorite. Parts of the book were told from his point of view. He definitely feels like he's in charge of the zoo, it's inhabitants and the humans around him. I still need to find if Lulubelle is actually a llama or a camel. Or are llamas referred to as camels? That's been bugging me all day. Regardless of that fact, I recommend Wild on My Mind, and look forward to reading more from Laurell Kerr.

4.5 stars - This was a fun read. It has a little bit of everything, romance, campy humor, a little suspense & some emotional punches that are dealt with in a great way. Can't wait to read more by this author.

In a word, this book was adorable. It was a balance of light - almost campy at times - fun, and deeper emotional punches. There's a little bit of everything here (including some action and mild suspense), and it was a captivating ride.

I loved the nature of Bowie and Katie's relationship. Katie is #girlgoals - a fantastic heroine who is strong, kind, even-tempered, and smart. I adored her. And I loved the uniqueness of how her relationship with Bowie evolved. It was heartwarming, sweet, and completely satisfying.

The writing was a little uneven for me sometimes. I felt like there was a lot crammed into the book, and so I found myself skimming occasionally to get to the meaty bits. Over-all, however, I was charmed. I loved the zoo animals and the mischief they made. I loved the dynamic of Katie and Bowie's relationship with Bowie's daughter Abby. I loved the subtle twists and turns that the story took, and the growth I got to see in nearly every character. And I loved the sweet, sweet ending that left my heart full and happy.

Overall? I am happy to have read this book. It's a solid start to a new series and an author I would definitely read again. ~ 3.5 Stars

If you love animals and hot, sweet heroes, Wild On My Mind is the book for you! It's such a cute, heartwarming read!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Such an adorable read. I'm in love with Wild on My Mind. If you are an animal lover then this book is one to look at. How can you not love a mischief honey badger named Fluffy or a whole zoo of animals. Did I mention there is a hot single dad running this zoo. Bowie is so caring and doing everything he can for his 11 year old daughter Abby. Bowie has a bit of a troubled past and watching him with the zoo animals, his daughter and Lou is fabulous. Katie is back in town to help take care of her father. The last thing she wanted to do was fall for the enemy who made her life hell in high school. Saving some adorable cougar cubs brings Bowie and Katie together. I love how she bounds with the animals as well as his daughter Abby. She sees herself in Abby and helps her deal with her own bullies. This book has a lot of heart and plenty of giggles that will keep you glued to the pages. It was a beautiful journey watching Katie move past all what Bowie did to her and come together as a couple. Such an amazing read. I can't wait to read more from Laurel Kerr. I really can't believe I haven't read her before.

I fell in love with the way this story was written. It was witty and charming with the zoo animals take on the bipeds life. Tough subject to discuss and overcome but with family and friends you can get through and come out stronger. Katie understood what Abby was going through and with the love Abby receives from her dad Bowie they all come out great in the end. The story was perfectly paced pulling you in from the start.

This book starts off with Katie seeing 3 abandoned wild baby cubs on her family's property. Bowie is the person at the zoo who comes to retrieve them. While Bowie thinks Katie looks familiar, Katie remembers the boy who was cruel to her in school and made her miserable. To include making her cry! Poor Bowie cannot figure out why Katie seems to be hostile towards him.
Katie meets Abby - Bowie's daughter. Her mother, the woman who abandoned her, it the same girl who also made her life miserable while in school. Evidently Bowie and her dated for 2 years while in high school. At first, she didn't know she was Bowie's daughter and he, at first, thinks Katie might be mean to his daughter. She wasn't mean to her - ever.
Slowly, these two become friends then lovers. It is, in a way, a second chance love story.
I enjoyed the zoo (the animals) aspect of this story.

This is my first book by this is author. It does not appear to be part of a series.

Katie is home to help her mother deal with her father, who had been shot. Hearing a noise in a cave she finds three orphan mountain lion cubs, and calls the local zoo for help. Along comes Bowie, who is a single father of an 11 year old girl, and lives with Lou, a widower, who took them both in just before little Abby was born. Trouble is, Bowie was cruel and did many pranks on Katie back when they were in high school. At the time, he was dating Sawyer, one of the "in" crowd, and was trying to impress her. Sawyer didn't want anything to do with Abby. and gave him complete custody. Years have gone by since high school, and Katie and Bowie have both grown up and changed. Takes awhile for them to reach a HEA, but a fun ride. Also, nice to have a helpful honey badger, by the name of Fluffy, helping out the romance. Really enjoyed this story, and one I highly recommend.

You know those books you want to just hug and keep forever and ever? This is THAT kind of book. I absolutely fell in love with the stories and the characters within it. Laurel Kerr has made me an instant fan, and this is something generally hard to do with new to me authors. I very much recommend this sweet and satisfying read to any romance readers!

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

I love it. Not everyone have a easy start in life but Biwie is a great exemple of resilience. Katie and Bowie love story is base on forgiveness and friendship. The interaction with the zoo animals are great and cute.

So it seems this might be Laurel Kerr’s first book and let me just say...she needs to write more!! Kerr created such a rich and entertaining world. I can’t wait for more.

Katie, a PR wiz, comes back to her hometown after her father, a sheriff, gets shot in the line of duty. She’s only in town long enough to help with her fathers recovery. While exploring property behind her parents home, she stumbles upon three abandoned puma cubs. Calling in the local zoo keeper to help with the cubs she’s confronted with the bane of her high school experience, Bowie. Bowie and his girlfriend, Sawyer, made Katie’s life hell in school. From giving her the nickname Katie Underpants to tricking her to kissing a pig and showing the video during morning announcements. But she falls in love with the cute cubs and volunteers to help with their care in addition to helping Bowie save the zoo.

Bowie, a foster kid who’s birth parents are the worst of the worst, never fit in anywhere until he starts dating the meanest girl in school, Sawyer. He knows what he did to Katie in school was wrong but his desire to fit in for once overrode his morals. When Sawyer tells him she’s pregnant the week after he ages out of foster care, he turns his life around and raises his adorable daughter Abby with the help of his friend and mentor, the owner of the zoo he now is trying to save.

Katie figures she can get payback by making Bowie do humiliating stunts on social media to help his zoo. It backfires when she starts to realize what a tough life he’s had and how great a guy he is. She also help his daughter, who’s very unpopular like Katie was, deal with the mean girls at school. Bowie can’t help falling for Katie between her brilliant ideas for the zoo and for helping his daughter when he never knows what to say.

When Sawyer comes roaring back into Bowie and Abby’s life after 11 years to appease her sterile rich, older husband, Bowie and Abby lean on Katie for support and she realizes they’ve both worked their way into her heart.

Other thoughts; I absolutely loved the parts with the POV from the mischievous honey badger (yes honey. badger.) names Fluffy (!!!). I loathed Sawyer. She was such. a. bitch! Near the end, I got so overcome with emotion l, I had to set the book down and pull myself together before I read further. But I really loved this book. I want more. Please write more. This will be one book I will re-read multiple times.

This book is a beautiful, heart-melting and hilarious love story!
It`s also a story of growing-up (and become a little smarter) family ties and adorable zoo animals.
The heart of animal lovers will melt away... -The animals are so cute and funny ..

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.