Melanie Drake has started a new career after years in the OSI. She is now a guidance counselor in a elementary school. She is super smart and burnt out from her previous job. He old boss calls her to run a few local operations with her old partner.
She is just now buying a home and thinking of getting a home. As she works at school she is now moonlighting as decoy at rich men's parties.
I just loved the twist and turns of who is dirty and who is just being used. Fern Michaels books always hold my attention and leave me wanting the next book.

The Wild Side by Fern Michaels
Starts with Melanie and as she grows up shre realizes that you have to study and learn things. One summer she had an injury and read tons of books and continued with that. After high school she wants to work in cyber security. She's got credentials from college also, knows how to ask for what she wants but know nothing of men....
She does a lot of things and as time goes on she is brought onto a team that go after others that they know are in the wrong, mostly anti Americans...
Love hearing of the high paced high society the places she is asked to go and she finds what they are really looking for...
action, adventure, travel, down to earth living, fills this read for anybody with every passion possible.
Received this review copy from Kensington Publishing a via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

this was a good addition to Ferns body of work. whenever her books come up at my library i put a hold on them so i was so glad to get the chance to read this new one.
its a good thriller with a great heroin at its centre. shes brave and fearless and gets the job done.
i think we could definitely see more from this lady. id love to see her crossover or work with others like many of Ferns other books have featured. her kick ass teams and romance duos have been great to read in the past. either way this was a good read and im just glad i get to read more by this author.

I did not realize at first this was a rerelease.
While a completely enjoyable story, and definitely worth reading, it was not one of my favorite Fern Michaels books.
The main character is a brilliant girl/woman on a mission to make sure the world is following the rules. The book takes you through her life, and the events that led her to working for the government. I did enjoy the story, I felt the first half of her life was told in too much detail, and drawn out, where the double life and action part was very quick, and not elaborated on enough. Left me wanting more.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

The story follows Melanie starting from grade school and her process becoming a government then retiring to become a school counselor. It took a long time to get to the action in this book and I did find myself skipping over some of it. There was suspense towards the end but it took a long time to get there. On the whole it was worth my time reading. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zebra Books for my copy of The Wild Side by Fern Michaels
Melanie Drake has left her old life behind and is now a school guidance counselor in a small Virginia town, until her old boss gets in touch.
An entertaining fun book, easy to read and intriguing enough to keep your attention.

Fern Michaels does a strong concept and had that element that I was looking for in this type of book. I was engaged with what was happening and it was a suspenseful atmosphere that I was looking for. It was everything that was promised and was glad I got to read this.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Once again, Fern Michaels has delivered a first rate fun ride of an unputdownable book.

I LOVED the protagonist - the Melanie Drake character (particularly her pre- guidance counselor existence) definitely a strong enough character to support a series.

If you have not read Fern Michaels and you enjoy mysteries, this book is an excellent choice, this author has an amazing imagination, and I am happy to go along for the inevitably enjoyable ride.

What really impressed me was that after penning so many books, she managed to continue to create well rounded interesting characters that are enjoyable and timely.

5 stars from this pleased reader / reviewer.

This book wasn’t as “wild” a ride as I expected. Much of it was more a narrative of Melanie’s life. Once I realized that, it was an easy, fast read.

This is a different type of book. It is the story of a woman’s life from childhood to adulthood. The plot is loose and does not really come together until the end. I have read many of her books but was not overly impressed with this one. Easy read

As a long time fan of Fern Michaels, I was looking forward to reading this new book. Unfortunately, the characters were unremarkable and the story moved so slowly with nothing much happening that I was really disappointed. I can't recommend this. one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for an advanced reader copy.

I really enjoy reading Fern Michael’s romantic suspense books. With that said, “The Wild Side” was anything but wild. I kept waiting for something to happen, and when it finally did, it was over so fast, the reader was left wondering if that was all there was. Turns out, that’s all there was. The story follows Melanie, from a precocious child to an intelligence spy with very little intrigue. The character of Melanie was well conceived and crafted, but the story lacked substance. This was my least favorite Fern Michael’s novel, but it certainly won’t keep me from reading everything she publishes. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the advanced copy in return for my unbiased review.

This was a good and fast read. I had not read anything from Ms Michaels in years. If you like mystery and romance this will be for you. A young girl who is an over achiever has her life planned out. She wanted to be an overseas diplomat for the government. When she graduates college, she is hired by the FBI in counterintelligence. But her dreams and the reality of just what she ends up doing is worlds apart.

A few things on this book, it definitely ends on a to be continued! Its not a huge cliffhanger but there is many things left up in the air! This book had light suspense, intrigue, some action, espionage, and some crazy twist and turns! The storyline was decent and flowed nicely! I wouldn't say it was one of my top favorites books but it is still worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me! I would definitely like to read the next!

"The Wild Side" by Fern Michaels centers on Melanie Drake, a school guidance counselor in a serene Virginia town, whose past as a covert operative starkly contrasts her current life. Initially, her daily challenges involve minor school conflicts and caring for her two retired service dogs, but this tranquility is shattered when her former supervisor, Rich Patterson, presents her with a dangerous task. He asks her to infiltrate an elite circle of billionaires who employ high-class escorts for lavish dinners. These men are not only affluent but also ruthless, posing a significant threat to anyone who might jeopardize their operations.

As Melanie assumes the role of an escort, she immerses herself in a world of luxury while gathering crucial intelligence for national security. This duality—balancing the calm of her everyday life with the risks of her mission—creates a compelling tension throughout the narrative. The themes of loyalty, courage, and the struggle between her past and present resonate deeply as she navigates this treacherous landscape.

Michaels adeptly portrays the contrasting environments, shifting from the comfort of Melanie's home to the extravagant yet menacing gatherings she infiltrates. The emotional stakes rise as she confronts fear, determination, and the weight of her dual identity.

The characters are well-developed; Melanie stands out as a strong female protagonist whose resilience is continually tested. The supporting characters enrich the story, each contributing meaningfully to her journey.

The author's writing style is both refined and accessible, skillfully blending suspense with moments of introspection. While the premise is engaging, certain elements could benefit from further development, suggesting that although the story captivates, some aspects may lack depth.

The Wild Side by F. Michaels. I'm sitting on this review for quite some time, so how to do the boook justice.
I'm a fan of F. Michaels writing, I love her stories, the plots, the characters.
The Wild Side has not much of these love gained.
The story is confusing. Melanie Drake a former cop now school counselor and this is her story.