After surviving breast cancer once, Kat Jamison is devastated to hear she has had a recurrence. Can she suffer through the “cure” again, knowing the pain, sickness and exhaustion that await her? Maybe she should just surrender. She heads to the Blue Ridge mountains to try to decide what to do. Once there, she doesn’t find the quiet serenity she was searching for, instead encountering noisy children and bouncy dogs. When a wild fire isolates Kat, the children and dogs are forced to try to find a way to safety. And in all the craziness, fear and confusion, Kat begins to realize how very much she wants to live. This novel hit a personal nerve with me because my sister lived through a bout with breast cancer and she has often told me she doesn’t believe she could go through chemo and radiation again

If you have any compassion at all, this new book will send your heart racing after a few chapters. A 40-something woman facing a momentous health related decision befriends two young children and another adult while taking a hiatus to think about what she wants to do. Soon after, a forest fire arrives and this sends the reader on an adrenaline fueled blast. I couldn't put the book down; would the plot be predictable or would it cover new territory? Will everyone survive?

Thanks to the publisher for this advance reader's copy. I'll be sure to look for future books by this author.
#EdgeOfSafety #NetGalley

Edge of Safety is a great novel that I could not put down. The characters are well developed and the storyline is interesting. I would read more by this author.

This book hits all the marks:

A protagonist who is at a major crossroads in her life. Two adorable children who do not belong to her. Two dogs she only thinks she wants nothing to do with. Random lines of Shakespeare that pull at you heart. And a fire. And by fire, I mean Ms. Hodge makes you feel the heat and hear the crackling flames with a descriptive talent that beyond compare.

I loved this book. Can you tell?

It is hard to believe this is a debut novel. An incredible first book that should be a best seller and a movie.. A wonderfully written, breathlessly paced description of a horrific forest fire and the people who endured its furor. I loved it! When I pick up a new book, I know immediately I will like it when I am drawn to the characters and relate to them. These protagonists are so likable and charismatic. They are not stereotypical but individuals you can empathize with as soon as you read about them. Of course, the dogs are adorable and I don’t like dogs! Thank you to the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this exceptional novel.

Really enjoyed this book. The author asked at the end of the book if readers would like to read more of the characters and I say a resounding yes. Need to know what happens next.

Hi! Welcome to my review of Wildland Rebecca Hodge!


The Non-Spoiler Review:

In Wildland, we follow Kat as she retreats to cabin in the forest to think about her future, concerning her breast cancer.
She meets two children, Lily and Nirav, who disturb the peace she really wanted. But then lightning strikes and a massive forest fire breaks out.
It’s up to Kat to keep herself, Lily, and Nirav safe and alive.
This was the type of book I could easily read in one sitting. The characters were interesting and once the pace started picking up, I was chewing off all my nails!
It was interesting and made me think for a while after reading it!


The Review With Spoilers:

You have been warned.


Good Underlying Themes/Messages:

-Kat doesn’t give up while trying to get herself, the kids, and the dogs to safety.
-Scott overcomes his fear and does the right thing to help others.
-The pilots decide to help other people instead of following their orders.
-Malcolm doesn’t hesitate before he sets out to save Kat and the children.
Since this book really is about the ultimate survival, it was nice to see good role models!

A whole star for this catagory!


Interesting Story:

I have to admit, it took a while to get the ball rolling and for the action to start but once it did, it never stopped. I was chewing my nails off for the last part of the book where it got really intense.
I learned some interesting things, too. I never really knew how fast wildfire travels and that the fire would always head up the mountain.

Half a star for this catagory!


Realistic Characters and Growth:

I think that this is where the book exceled!
I loved reading about the characters and their pasts. Malcolm and Nirav’s story was especially endearing for me – the way they connected to each other. Kat’s struggle with breast cancer was tragic and the way her daughter was stubborn with her mother to continue her treatment broke my heart a little.
But I was satisfied with all the character’s endings. I liked how Kat realized that she wasn’t fighting the cancer for anyone but herself, and how she was surrounded by people who would be there for her when she needed them.

A whole star for this catagory!


Writing Style Was Beautiful/ Easy To Read:

The writing style wasn’t especially beautiful but it was quite easy to read and made the action scenes fairly easy to understand. I also really liked how the author used Shakespear quotes here and there; it added a little something extra to the mix.

A whole star for this catagory!


Fantastic Worldbuilding:

I could perfectly picture each scene: From the cabin where Kat stayed to the bridge that burned down to the lake where they where trapped at the end. I’d say that’s a job well done!

A whole star for this catagory!


That’s it!
4.5 stars of of 5!
“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves.”

This book really resonated with me because my mother has had breast cancer twice. Kat is such a strong character and I loved her from the start. Lily and Nirav are just what Kat needed, along with Juni and Tye. This is a gripping, keep you on the edge of your seat book, with the fire and the fight for survival, not only against the fire but for Kat's life. A beautifully written story.

Wildland is an incredible story of strength and survival. This story was fast paced, without any lulls. Rebecca Hodge did a wonderful job on her debut novel of creating an emotional atmosphere around a very realistic scenario. 

When recent widow and breast cancer survivor Kat goes to the mountains to find solace and consider her next steps in her life, she could never have imagined the horrific events that will occur.

When Malcolm goes to the mountains to help his newly adopted son adjust to life in America he never thought his Special Forces skills would be needed to save the lives of his new friends.

When Scott and Lily go on their annual father daughter summer trip to the mountains, they never expected to be separated by a raging forest fire.

Together these characters show us what strength and determination and a lot of love can do.

I absolutely loved this book by Rebecca Hodge and felt that it was a wonderful debut novel! I was truly invested in the characters and the outcome of their decisions the entire book. I stayed up late to finish it (in 1 day!).
The main character is at a crossroads in her life. She decides to take a month to think about her options about where to go next with her illness and decide what she wants to do, but ends up responsible for 2 dogs and 2 kids smack dab in the middle of a forest fire. It puts her decision about her own life into perspective in order to help her decide what to do in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their harrowing escape from the clutches of the fire. I highly recommend this book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, so much so, I read it within the day, I couldn’t put it down, I was completely drawn into the story. It’s a exciting novel of courage, surrender, and self-discovery. It is also a story of vivid female courage and inner strength. I highly recommend it!

This is a riveting story of Kat who went to a cabin in Western North Carolina mountains to decide whether to continue cancer therapy as the last numbers were not promising. She meets a man with an adopted son from Afghanistan and a man with a teenage daughter who is unhappy to be with her father and in the mountains.
Kats daughter surprises her with a dog which she foes not want. The dog turns out to be key to survival. The boy and girl become friends and are welcome visitors for Kat. One day while they are visiting a fire breaks out blocking the road making them stuck. The dog finds a brook that saves them from the fire.
Through perseverance, Kats determination to save the kids, she discovers more of herself. The kids find their inner strength. The fathers don't like each other but find they have to work together to find the kids and Kat.

I will suggest this book for book club.

I’d like to thank Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Wildland’ by Rebecca Hodge in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Kat’s breast cancer has returned and despite being told to start chemotherapy she decides to rent into a cottage in the Blue Ridge Mountains for a month while she decides what to do. Whilst there she meets Malcolm Lassiter and his adopted son Nirav and divorced father Scott Bradford with his daughter Lily who are living in nearby cottages, and despite not being an animal lover she’s soon taking care of two dogs, Juni and Tye. Lily and Nirav stay overnight with Kat but in the early hours of the morning a lightning storm causes the dry woodland to catch fire and they have to flee on foot to escape its clutches. Can they survive before the wildfire catches up with them?
‘Wildland’ is an absolutely amazing story of bravery, strength and courage and I find it hard to believe it’s Rebecca Hodge’s debut novel. From page one I was totally involved in the story and was sitting on the edge of my seat unable to stop reading. The characters were so believable that it felt true to life and I found myself praying that they escaped and were able to take the dogs with them. The story was fast-paced with lots of excitement, action and drama and by the time I reached the last few pages I had tears in my eyes. I have no hesitation in recommending this thrilling novel and look forward to reading more by this author.

Wow. The author’s active prose kept me on the hook and didn’t let me off until the end. A wonderful tale of survival.
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I do want to say that had I realised the subject in this book covered cancer, I wouldn’t have chosen it right now, having lost my sister almost a year ago. However, I did read on, it was interesting to see Kat trying to decide whether to go through treatment again, having already had breast cancer , along with the treatment that involved, that had gone into remission, to then find it was back and the numbers weren’t good, you can understand her wondering whether to go through the treatment again. Her daughter isn’t happy that her mum is considering not having treatment, which causes an argument. Kat decides to go to a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains, to reflect, she is also recently widowed, so even more trauma. She hopes the solitude in the cabin will help her think about her situation. However, she won’t be alone as her daughter gives her a trained adult rescue dog. Kat initially doesn’t want the dog but soon starts to bond with it.

In nearby cabins, there is Michael with his newly adoptive son Nirav from Pakistan, he takes him to the cabin to help him adjust to life in America. Michael is ex Special Forces which turns out handy, having the skills to survive, not that he expected to be using them.

In another cabin is Scott with his 12 year old daughter on their annual summer holiday, which she really isn’t happy about and doesn’t want to be there.

Both children take a shine to Kat’s dog and Kat, they then find a neglected, sick and injured puppy. It’s in bad condition but Kat uses her skills and gives the dog treatment. The children stay over the night in Kat’s cabin, little did they know they would be separated from their fathers and trapped with fire spreading around them. Kat has to summon all her energy, and courage to get the two children, and the two dogs out of danger. Can she do this?

This is a highly emotive story, the pace is initially slow but soon picks up pace and has you gripped and engrossed in the challenges they gave to face. The rescue teams don’t know where the families are, the smoke is blinding them, and some of the rescuers get injured.

This is a story not just of a woman fighting the cancer that is in her body, but her realising how much strength she does have as she tries desperately to save the children and dogs, to get the children safely back to their fathers. Kat May have more strength and fight in her than she ever realised. Now us the time to find out. For a debut novel this is beautifully written, all the characters feel real and alive, relatable.

I look forward to reading more by this author. Excellent first book.

4 1/2 ⭐️‘s
When Kat finds out her cancer has returned, she heads to the mountains for a month of contemplation, a time to consider her options and to make some tough decisions. Within a few short hours the tranquility she hoped for is disrupted as she meets those in the neighboring cabins. All of a sudden she has the company of dogs and two children disturbing the peace she was so craving. When circumstances find her trapped in a deadly forest fire with the two children and two dogs, she does everything she can to save them, but will it be enough? Meanwhile the fathers are in a helicopter desperate to save their children, but where are they and will they be too late? An absolute pulse pounding, thrill ride of a book. As Hodge’s words come to life on the page, get ready to smell the smoke, to feel the heat of the fire, to hear the crackling flames, and to be a passenger on a terrifying helicopter rescue mission. Easily a one sitting book because once the action starts it’s impossible to put down!