Book Review of 'Where the Wild Hearts Are' by Sondra Kraak

Happy Monday Bookworms!

I hope you are all doing well and had a good weekend. I was able to spend some quality time with the family and get a little bit of a rest, all of which was unexpected but much needed.

Today I am kicking off the week with a sweet story. I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this Sweet Small-Town Romantic Comedy and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours.

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Where the Wild Hearts Are by Sondra Kraak, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Where the Wild Hearts Are
Series: Hearts of Sparrow Ridge #1
Author: Sondra Kraak
Publisher: Trail House Publishers
Release Date: April 7, 2026
Genre: Sweet Small-Town Romantic Comedy

Miles

Second chances come in all shapes and sizes. Let’s be clear, I did not see this one coming in any shape or size. I was over Juliette as soon as she started dating my brother years ago.

But here we are. I’ve lost my brother, Juliette’s lost her husband, and our short-lived summer camp romance from when we were teenagers is rising from the grave to haunt me—or rather, invite me into an unexpected, irresistible redemption opportunity.

No problem. I’m a handyman. I fix things for a living. And I want to fix everything that’s been shattered in Juliette’s life.

Unfortunately for me, I overwhelmed her years ago with my big personality. Who’s to say I won’t be too much again? But I hope and pray I’m not because there’s no holding my feelings back this time, and with the way she’s distracting me, using power tools is out of the question.

Juliette

I don’t need my brother-in-law, Miles, swooping in to save me and my girls. I may not be thriving as a single mom, but I am surviving. The last thing my life needs is more upheaval, which is what I’ll get if I misread this chemistry between me and Miles.

Besides, my heart’s got a bigger issue: the summer camp that saved my life is for sale, and my old dream of running a camp is resurrecting with a vengeance. Only, it’s even less practical now than when I was a teenager.

I can’t let my heart run away with my good sense—regarding Miles or camp.

But I really want that camp, no matter how impossible the dream. And why am I acting like a schoolgirl crushing hard on her first boy? It’s just Miles.

Wild hearts scheme big to buy a summer camp in this swoony, second chance romance with found family, quirky characters, and sizzling chemistry. And it’s all wrapped up in a low spice, inspirational package. Where the Wild Hearts Are is the first in a new rom-com series featuring adventurous friends and the love and laughter they bring to their small, mountain town.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

My Review

I was never a camp kid, but it was something I always wished I could’ve participated in, which could be why I tend to gravitate to stories that involve camps or camping, like Where the Wild Things Are.

While I know the main focus is on the second-chance romance between Miles and Juliette, that wasn’t the part that hooked me and kept me intrigued. Some of my favorite moments in this novel involved Juliette’s daughters and their interactions with their uncle, Miles, as well as the journey to rescuing the childhood camp that means so much to Juliette.

Miles won me over with his sincerity and caring nature, and honestly, all of the side characters stole the show and really carried this story, in my opinion. I enjoyed the conversations in the text chats with Juliette and the Sparrow Chicks and Miles with the Warbirds. It added a little something to an otherwise ordinary narrative and added something that was both friendly and familiar.

While this novel is very sweet, I struggled to connect, and I think it’s because this is a trope that I don’t particularly care for. Second chances are redemptive, which I do like and appreciate, but they seem to lack a certain zest that I crave. Still, Miles and Juliette are very sweet together, and seeing the family together was heartwarming.

If you like second chances with a sweet, slow burn and a Hallmark feel, then you’ll enjoy Where the Wild Things Are. There is heart and depth that you’ll appreciate and it will leave you with all the warm, fuzzy feelings.

My Rating: ★★★★

About the Author

Sondra Kraak (pronounced croc, like the shoe) is a part-time writer, full-time Jesus follower. A native of Washington State, she now lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains where she serves as the Worship Coordinator at her church. She and her Michigan-born husband, Nate, have two children--a daughter in college and a son in high school. Sondra fails miserably at social media and Jane Austen trivia, but she’s a champion sports fan (yah, hockey!), and has recently had success making sourdough bread (miracles do happen). Don’t ask her to drink eggnog (or kiss her husband after he does), but she’ll happily consume most teas and coffee, so long as it’s decaf (otherwise her heart races and she gets chatty). Her current to-do list includes training for a backpacking trip and folding laundry that’s been left in the dryer for two days. But first, just one more chapter.

Connect with Sondra by visiting sondrakraak.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of Where the Wild Hearts Are (winner's choice between ebook or print)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 13, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 20, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for print. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!