📘 Every Wild Heart
by [Author]
Genre Women's Fiction
Format & Source Print ◦ For review, TLC Tours
Publication William Morrow ◦ 2017
Rating ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
📝 My Review
At its core, Every Wild Heart is the story of a mother and daughter. More character driven than action-oriented, I found myself becoming increasingly interested in the two women whom the story centers around.
Gail Gideon is a household name and radio host of The Gail Gideon Show, famous after an on-air rant nine years prior about her husband leaving her went viral. She is brazen and colorful, encouraging and inspiring millions of women nightly on her show. Though fame hasn’t changed her personality, she has encountered a wide array of fans and haters. Most recently is the troubling anonymous caller whose threats and scary behavior are mounting at an alarming rate.
Gail’s 14 year old daughter, Nic, is often overshadowed by her mom’s big personality. Shy and anxious, she struggles socially and at school. Her time spent riding her horse at the stables is the only time she comes out of her shell… until a riding accident lands her in a coma. Upon awaking from her coma, she is notably different. Brazen, like her mom, and unafraid.
While this wasn’t the most thrilling tale of all time, I enjoyed it quite a bit. The chapters alternate narration and I liked being able to see both women’s perspectives as well as Nic’s evolution from shy, stuttering girl to a more confident (albeit risk-taking) young woman. I could understand her social struggles as I grew up a shy, anxious kid myself, and felt that Donohue was spot on in her portrayal.
While the story includes love, animals, music, and even mystery, the heart of the story is the bond and relationship between mother and daughter. The struggles, the love, the worry, the devotion… it’s all there. This is definitely light reading (though not fluffy) that is perfect for those who enjoy women’s fiction and lighter fare. I look forward to reading more of Meg Donohue’s books (this was my first and her older books have been on my TBR list for far too long!). Ultimately, this was a lovely examination of one the best and strongest relationships that exist in this world.
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