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The Wild Side
A seemingly ordinary guidance counselor goes undercover as a high-class escort to bring down a dangerous network of ruthless and powerful men in the gripping new standalone page-turner from legendary, #1 international bestseller Fern Michaels.
The season's must-read for fans of Nora Roberts, Danielle Steel, James Patterson, and Janet Evanovich.
For Melanie Drake, school guidance counselor in a small Virginia town, the day’s challenges typically involve a playground scuffle or a student skipping school. It’s worlds away from her previous career as a vital part of the Office of Special Investigations. There, she devoted herself heart and soul to covert operations, the riskier the better.
Since leaving, Melanie has cherished her peaceful, calm existence, with her two beloved retired service dogs for company. Then a call comes from her former supervisor, Rich Patterson. He needs her back for a highly specialized assignment. An international group of billionaires is known to meet regularly for decadent dinners, and they always hire high-class escorts for the occasion. Only the most elegant, well-educated, and sophisticated women will do. Infiltrating those meetings could yield information vital to national security.
Melanie’s loyalty is indisputable. She’s willing to pose as an escort and glean every scrap of intel that she can. But these men aren’t just wealthy and powerful, they’re also exceptionally ruthless. One slip, and they won’t hesitate to eliminate Melanie, by any means necessary. . .
The season's must-read for fans of Nora Roberts, Danielle Steel, James Patterson, and Janet Evanovich.
For Melanie Drake, school guidance counselor in a small Virginia town, the day’s challenges typically involve a playground scuffle or a student skipping school. It’s worlds away from her previous career as a vital part of the Office of Special Investigations. There, she devoted herself heart and soul to covert operations, the riskier the better.
Since leaving, Melanie has cherished her peaceful, calm existence, with her two beloved retired service dogs for company. Then a call comes from her former supervisor, Rich Patterson. He needs her back for a highly specialized assignment. An international group of billionaires is known to meet regularly for decadent dinners, and they always hire high-class escorts for the occasion. Only the most elegant, well-educated, and sophisticated women will do. Infiltrating those meetings could yield information vital to national security.
Melanie’s loyalty is indisputable. She’s willing to pose as an escort and glean every scrap of intel that she can. But these men aren’t just wealthy and powerful, they’re also exceptionally ruthless. One slip, and they won’t hesitate to eliminate Melanie, by any means necessary. . .
288 pages, Hardcover
First published March 26, 2024
About the author
Fern Michaels
399 books6,093 followersFern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 493 reviews
November 6, 2023
I don't even know what to say about this book. I love Fern Michaels but she has really let me down with The Wild Side. I completed it sure that it would get better; it did not. This is the most convoluted tale I've ever read. It felt like 4-5 books in one:book. By the end, I couldn't stand Melanie Drake (or "Meldrake" as she insisted she be called...dumb). Skip it if you don't like to be frustrated.
March 22, 2024
First of all, I owe Fern Michaels an apology. I don't think I've ever read any of the many books she's written. Mostly because I mistakenly believed she was a writer of romance novels, and I avoid those most of the time. I finally decided to try one of her books and was pleased to find out that Fern Michaels writes thriller/mystery type books. I also learned that Fern Michaels is a pseudonym for Mary Ruth Kuczkir. I enjoyed The Wild Side, my first Fern Michaels book.
Description:
For Melanie Drake, school guidance counselor in a small Virginia town, the day’s challenges typically involve a playground scuffle or a student skipping school. It’s worlds away from her previous career as a vital part of the Office of Special Investigations. There, she devoted herself heart and soul to covert operations, the riskier the better.
Since leaving, Melanie has cherished her peaceful, calm existence, with her two beloved retired service dogs for company. Then a call comes from her former supervisor, Rich Patterson. He needs her back for a highly specialized assignment. An international group of billionaires is known to meet regularly for decadent dinners, and they always hire high-class escorts for the occasion. Only the most elegant, well-educated, and sophisticated women will do. Infiltrating those meetings could yield information vital to national security.
Melanie’s loyalty is indisputable. She’s willing to pose as an escort and glean every scrap of intel that she can. But these men aren’t just wealthy and powerful, they’re also exceptionally ruthless. One slip, and they won’t hesitate to eliminate Melanie, by any means necessary. . .
My Thoughts:
Melanie was a strong female lead. She showed courage in taking on the impersonations she had to manage in order to assist in the investigation. The investigation itself was daring and risky. Melanie's life was in danger and the cost of not succeeding was great. I'm not sure how Melanie left her fast-paced, dangerous life to become a school guidance counselor. That had to be a difficult transition for her. I have to admit I liked and admired the character. I also liked the wonderful dogs in the story.
Overall I enjoyed the story and it was a fun investigation and an enjoyable read. It did feel somewhat rushed and things seemed to come too easily for Melanie. This is probably not Fern Michaels best book, but I won't be hesitant to try another.
Thanks to Kensington Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. Expected publication on March 25, 2024.
Description:
For Melanie Drake, school guidance counselor in a small Virginia town, the day’s challenges typically involve a playground scuffle or a student skipping school. It’s worlds away from her previous career as a vital part of the Office of Special Investigations. There, she devoted herself heart and soul to covert operations, the riskier the better.
Since leaving, Melanie has cherished her peaceful, calm existence, with her two beloved retired service dogs for company. Then a call comes from her former supervisor, Rich Patterson. He needs her back for a highly specialized assignment. An international group of billionaires is known to meet regularly for decadent dinners, and they always hire high-class escorts for the occasion. Only the most elegant, well-educated, and sophisticated women will do. Infiltrating those meetings could yield information vital to national security.
Melanie’s loyalty is indisputable. She’s willing to pose as an escort and glean every scrap of intel that she can. But these men aren’t just wealthy and powerful, they’re also exceptionally ruthless. One slip, and they won’t hesitate to eliminate Melanie, by any means necessary. . .
My Thoughts:
Melanie was a strong female lead. She showed courage in taking on the impersonations she had to manage in order to assist in the investigation. The investigation itself was daring and risky. Melanie's life was in danger and the cost of not succeeding was great. I'm not sure how Melanie left her fast-paced, dangerous life to become a school guidance counselor. That had to be a difficult transition for her. I have to admit I liked and admired the character. I also liked the wonderful dogs in the story.
Overall I enjoyed the story and it was a fun investigation and an enjoyable read. It did feel somewhat rushed and things seemed to come too easily for Melanie. This is probably not Fern Michaels best book, but I won't be hesitant to try another.
Thanks to Kensington Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. Expected publication on March 25, 2024.
March 17, 2024
3.5/5
This book didn’t go how I expected. 70% of it was backstory to how Melanie, our main character, ended up working as a high class escort for OSI (a government agency working to catch the bad guys.) I enjoyed getting to know Melanie, the character development was superb. Goodreads says this is a gripping suspense novel, however there were only a couple “gripping” parts. I would say this is more fiction with a few small thrills sprinkled throughout. I was entertained nonetheless.
This one is out MARCH 26!
This book didn’t go how I expected. 70% of it was backstory to how Melanie, our main character, ended up working as a high class escort for OSI (a government agency working to catch the bad guys.) I enjoyed getting to know Melanie, the character development was superb. Goodreads says this is a gripping suspense novel, however there were only a couple “gripping” parts. I would say this is more fiction with a few small thrills sprinkled throughout. I was entertained nonetheless.
This one is out MARCH 26!
April 15, 2024
I am going to refrain from writing too much about this one. I will instead leave quotes from the book and then you can decide for yourself.
The two things I will say are:
Fern Michaels is not a person. So for those who are saying this is not like other Fern Michaels books it's because there is no such person, just an entity.
The synopsis of the book could not be more misleading. It reads more like the internal thoughts of someone's boring life for the first 70% of the book. Someone who is ridiculously cocky, immature and unlikable. And then last caper is downright comical with the way they stop the bad guy.
Anyway, here's the quotes I thought were representative of the writing/book:
"Just one round of heavy petting scared the whoopie out of her."
"They are very good at being psychopathic. Probably why they're called psychopaths. She chuckled to herself. "
"Gonzalez grunted and replied, 'true dat.'"
"She figured when she met the right guy, he would be the right guy. So far, none of them was the right guy."
From an enraged parent: "Good morning, my big fat hiney!"
Regarding a dog: "If you asked him, and if he answered, he would tell you he was just fine. Then your name would be Dr. Doolittle."
"'Everything I am wearing is geometric, sculptural. Probably the white chin-length bob and gray contacts.' 'Now THAT sounds kinky.'"
The two things I will say are:
Fern Michaels is not a person. So for those who are saying this is not like other Fern Michaels books it's because there is no such person, just an entity.
The synopsis of the book could not be more misleading. It reads more like the internal thoughts of someone's boring life for the first 70% of the book. Someone who is ridiculously cocky, immature and unlikable. And then last caper is downright comical with the way they stop the bad guy.
Anyway, here's the quotes I thought were representative of the writing/book:
"Just one round of heavy petting scared the whoopie out of her."
"They are very good at being psychopathic. Probably why they're called psychopaths. She chuckled to herself. "
"Gonzalez grunted and replied, 'true dat.'"
"She figured when she met the right guy, he would be the right guy. So far, none of them was the right guy."
From an enraged parent: "Good morning, my big fat hiney!"
Regarding a dog: "If you asked him, and if he answered, he would tell you he was just fine. Then your name would be Dr. Doolittle."
"'Everything I am wearing is geometric, sculptural. Probably the white chin-length bob and gray contacts.' 'Now THAT sounds kinky.'"
February 8, 2024
What a fun and original book! The synopsis reeled me in, and I’m so happy that I got the ARC. The spying escort part was what really intrigued me, but that’s actually not a large part of the book - and no, she’s not THAT kind of an escort; she was there for dinner, not dessert!
The part about a guidance counselor turned escort/informant may not have been necessary; I enjoyed it, but it’s kind of where the book went off the rails a bit. This story is mainly about a woman named Melanie Drake, who has quite the life story on her own. As a child, she was in a car accident that left her bedridden for quite awhile. This was before the internet, streaming services and smart phones, so she spent her time reading. All of us here understand how reading can impact our passions, our vocabularies, and our lives. She became obsessed with learning, and was a star student with a goal in mind…
After college, she began working for the government, and eventually became a profiler, working on cold cases and other stuck problems. Her desire to always follow rules, and her willingness to use her talents in this way, make her very successful for many years. Things were great and she excelled at her job, but after over 15 years, it was too much. The odd hours, the constant moving, the traumatic events she had to uncover…it all had her burned out. So she went back to school, got her Masters degree, and became an elementary school guidance counselor. Maybe instead of going after people who’ve committed crimes, she can help children at risk of turning into criminals? Her skills at reading people make her a natural at the job, and she’s loving it. Then a former coworker calls…
They need her to go on a few assignments as a high-class “companion” to solve a few cases. Her pull to her former life is strong, and she agrees - with very interesting outcomes. I do feel like this ended a bit hastily, and I can totally see this becoming a series, so I wonder if that’s why things were kind of left unresolved. I’d definitely read another book with Melanie in it; she’s quite the character. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this one (and I loved the dogs named Cosmo and Kramer, nice touch!). I’m giving this one 3.5 stars, rounded up.
(Thank you to Kensington Books, Fern Michaels and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on March 26, 2024.)
The part about a guidance counselor turned escort/informant may not have been necessary; I enjoyed it, but it’s kind of where the book went off the rails a bit. This story is mainly about a woman named Melanie Drake, who has quite the life story on her own. As a child, she was in a car accident that left her bedridden for quite awhile. This was before the internet, streaming services and smart phones, so she spent her time reading. All of us here understand how reading can impact our passions, our vocabularies, and our lives. She became obsessed with learning, and was a star student with a goal in mind…
After college, she began working for the government, and eventually became a profiler, working on cold cases and other stuck problems. Her desire to always follow rules, and her willingness to use her talents in this way, make her very successful for many years. Things were great and she excelled at her job, but after over 15 years, it was too much. The odd hours, the constant moving, the traumatic events she had to uncover…it all had her burned out. So she went back to school, got her Masters degree, and became an elementary school guidance counselor. Maybe instead of going after people who’ve committed crimes, she can help children at risk of turning into criminals? Her skills at reading people make her a natural at the job, and she’s loving it. Then a former coworker calls…
They need her to go on a few assignments as a high-class “companion” to solve a few cases. Her pull to her former life is strong, and she agrees - with very interesting outcomes. I do feel like this ended a bit hastily, and I can totally see this becoming a series, so I wonder if that’s why things were kind of left unresolved. I’d definitely read another book with Melanie in it; she’s quite the character. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this one (and I loved the dogs named Cosmo and Kramer, nice touch!). I’m giving this one 3.5 stars, rounded up.
(Thank you to Kensington Books, Fern Michaels and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on March 26, 2024.)
June 3, 2024
OMG this book was so boring!!!
February 22, 2024
Is Melanie Drake some kind of superhero? She excels at every opportunity presented to her.
When bored at work, ask for more training and get promoted. When at the top of the pyramid retire early. Go back to school and get your master's! Of course, you can get the job you apply for right after graduation. It's no sweat off Melanie’s back… let's save all the children.
This would have worked best as a short story or 10+ book series. The main character was so good at life that I questioned if she was human. If the author didn't have such a long backlist I probably would never pick up another of their books again.
Not my favorite book this month.
When bored at work, ask for more training and get promoted. When at the top of the pyramid retire early. Go back to school and get your master's! Of course, you can get the job you apply for right after graduation. It's no sweat off Melanie’s back… let's save all the children.
This would have worked best as a short story or 10+ book series. The main character was so good at life that I questioned if she was human. If the author didn't have such a long backlist I probably would never pick up another of their books again.
Not my favorite book this month.
July 7, 2024
I was hesitant to even read this book as I didn’t think Fern Michael’s would be my cup of tea — too Hallmark for me. I think I was right. My mom gave me this book and promised it was not like her others. It was too Hallmark for me after all.
A woman who is perfect at everything she does. Not realistic. A 40 year old woman who says things like “smart cookie” not once but at least twice is really 70 years old. An intelligence agency that has no active agents to use for missions that they need to recruit a guidance counselor to work part time. I don’t think so.
Overall, boring. Not a thriller, not a romance, just an unrealistic story about a seemingly perfect woman who is not very relatable.
I won’t be reading another book by the author.
A woman who is perfect at everything she does. Not realistic. A 40 year old woman who says things like “smart cookie” not once but at least twice is really 70 years old. An intelligence agency that has no active agents to use for missions that they need to recruit a guidance counselor to work part time. I don’t think so.
Overall, boring. Not a thriller, not a romance, just an unrealistic story about a seemingly perfect woman who is not very relatable.
I won’t be reading another book by the author.
April 28, 2024
This book is all over the place. It starts with a young girl getting bedridden, so she starts reading a lot. This makes her very smart. Then she joins OSI to be a profiler where she helps take down a serial killer. So by halfway through the book, you've already read two different stories.
Then, she becomes a school counselor for an elementary school. The author didn't prove to be the best up to this point, but it just gets worse. There had to be something missing. But apparently, if a 7 year old boy decides he likes to wear pretty dresses, that must mean he has a dangerous and aggressive father? Also, the author writes as if the school hiding this big fact about a little boy from his parents is heroic. I would be furious as a parent if the school is knowingly and actively hiding important information about my child from me.
I couldn't dislike and not recommend this book more. 🙄 It's poorly written, has too many different plots, and the "good" people are not good people in reality.
Then, she becomes a school counselor for an elementary school. The author didn't prove to be the best up to this point, but it just gets worse. There had to be something missing. But apparently, if a 7 year old boy decides he likes to wear pretty dresses, that must mean he has a dangerous and aggressive father? Also, the author writes as if the school hiding this big fact about a little boy from his parents is heroic. I would be furious as a parent if the school is knowingly and actively hiding important information about my child from me.
I couldn't dislike and not recommend this book more. 🙄 It's poorly written, has too many different plots, and the "good" people are not good people in reality.
August 15, 2024
This was the worst book that I have read in a while. It was touted as “a gripping novel of suspense“ there was nothing suspenseful about this book. It read just like Melanie goes to school. Melanie has a job. Melanie got two dogs. Like it was just so boring. Nothing gripping and nothing suspenseful about Melanie who got into an accident when she was a young child and then she had to stay home from school for a while so she, read a lot of books and became very bright and articulate. She then went onto college and then she wanted to work in the office of special investigation and while she did solve a mystery of a serial killer and went on some jobs after she retired, it just was very boring.
September 14, 2024
It’s a slow burn, that never really picks up. I kept thinking if I push through there will be an ending that will pay off but it ended abruptly and I felt like for being a suspense novel we didn’t get any suspense.
December 27, 2023
The summary of the book hooked me right away but I have to say the first few chapters/part one did not keep me hooked. I think I was too eager to get to the point where she is living a double-life to read the lead up! Although I understand the necessity to bring in her school years given that she ends up a school counselor. I wonder if alternating between past and present would have kept attention a bit more though? The linear timeline and breakup of the story into three distinct parts did help me keep my reading schedule though! All in all, a cool premise for a story but a bit flat in the delivery for me. I did find the main character of Melanie incredibly intriguing though—she seemed to be so put together in such a way that made her feel almost too perfect and unrelatable while at the same time admirable and powerful.
Big thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Big thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
October 30, 2023
In The Wild Side by Fern Michaels, a seemingly ordinary guidance counselor goes undercover as a high-class escort to bring down a dangerous network of ruthless and powerful men.
I'm not too sure how I would rate this book. I had a difficult time getting through the story. The synopsis sounded promising, but the story fell flat for me. The first half of the book felt like filler information and read like the killer's autobiography.
The best part of the story was the two German shepherds. The plot was just okay; the characters were so-so, and the pacing was slow for me. I normally like reading books by Fern Michaels, but I may not have been the target audience for this book.
#TheWildSide #NetGalley @KensingtonBooks
I'm not too sure how I would rate this book. I had a difficult time getting through the story. The synopsis sounded promising, but the story fell flat for me. The first half of the book felt like filler information and read like the killer's autobiography.
The best part of the story was the two German shepherds. The plot was just okay; the characters were so-so, and the pacing was slow for me. I normally like reading books by Fern Michaels, but I may not have been the target audience for this book.
#TheWildSide #NetGalley @KensingtonBooks
May 30, 2024
DNF at 22%
I'm sorry, I really just can't do it with this one. It reads like a 12 year old attempting to write extremely intelligent adults, which consists mostly of eliminating any contractions in casual dialogue.
Melanie, or MelDrake, is like a parody of what the author is trying to make her into. It'd be laughable if it wasn't written so badly.
***TW:
Also, just for the record, it's not snitching to report attempted rape ✌🏻
Don't really have anything good to say about this one but thanks to GR Giveaways and the publisher for the ARC.
I'm sorry, I really just can't do it with this one. It reads like a 12 year old attempting to write extremely intelligent adults, which consists mostly of eliminating any contractions in casual dialogue.
Melanie, or MelDrake, is like a parody of what the author is trying to make her into. It'd be laughable if it wasn't written so badly.
***TW:
Also, just for the record, it's not snitching to report attempted rape ✌🏻
Don't really have anything good to say about this one but thanks to GR Giveaways and the publisher for the ARC.
August 11, 2024
I really liked the main character and the burn out from doing a difficult job for so long felt very believable. The story was intriguing but the only critique would be the pacing felt off at times- but for that it would have been five stars. Would recommend this for sure!
March 22, 2024
I think this is a case where the summary builds up a higher expectation than the story delivers. Fern Michaels creates a wonderful character in Melanie Drake. For the first half of the book it follows her through impactful moments of her childhood and follows her into her career as part of the Office of Special Investigations. She is a profiler who can put information or abnormalities together and is good at her job. The next 25 percent of the story has her changing gears and becoming an elementary school counselor and we get one very good example of her doing that. Finally her work recruits her back for some evening part time work mentioned in the blurb. Yay, there is finally a bit of action and she gets a smidgeon of personal life.
If this is setting up the character to take on future cases then I’m invested and would love to read about Melanie again. If this is the end of her story then yes the bad guys are caught but I don’t know why I slogged through so much set up of the character. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
If this is setting up the character to take on future cases then I’m invested and would love to read about Melanie again. If this is the end of her story then yes the bad guys are caught but I don’t know why I slogged through so much set up of the character. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
January 31, 2024
This one was just "ok" for me. When I read what it was about, I thought it was going to be an action packed story about a woman who is a guidance counselor who moonlights undercover helping to solve crimes. That was actually only the last 10% of the book, and it wasn't very action packed. The rest of the book was all lead up and just way too long and slow for me. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 7, 2024
I won’t lie, I had to DNF this ARC. I wanted to like it so badly, but with the first SEVERAL chapters being what felt like unnecessary background dating back to the FMC’s childhood I just felt bored.
The writing itself was good, don’t get me wrong, but it just never captured my attention in the way I wanted it to.
Maybe this book is better suited for those that enjoy more of a slow burn story line. Very, very slow burn.
The writing itself was good, don’t get me wrong, but it just never captured my attention in the way I wanted it to.
Maybe this book is better suited for those that enjoy more of a slow burn story line. Very, very slow burn.
September 13, 2024
Not a book that I couldn’t put down. Just average for me.
July 14, 2024
Should you read this book quiz:
1. “The Wild Side” sounds too risqué
2. Common knowledge and sense qualify for the “personal mental vault”
3. Daily life details of a Silent Generation entity’s idea of a Baby Boomer trapped in a Millennial’s body are fascinating
4. “Blubbering” is a term an elementary school guidance counselor should use to describe children
5. Stories told from a single perspective are best when this pattern is broken once every 100 pages or so for no apparent reason
6. Not wanting to be a “tattletale” trumps security clearance/civic obligations of reporting when someone drugs you and attempts rape
7. People who ask others to call them “MelDrake” are super fun
8. Scanning a lanyard makes sense
9. Snarky inner thought comments based on single observations, turned into stereotypes are indications of moral and mental superiority
10. Zero degree character arcs spanning three decades are relaxing
+1 for each “yes”
-1 for each “no”
Give this one a try if you score > 0.
I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
1. “The Wild Side” sounds too risqué
2. Common knowledge and sense qualify for the “personal mental vault”
3. Daily life details of a Silent Generation entity’s idea of a Baby Boomer trapped in a Millennial’s body are fascinating
4. “Blubbering” is a term an elementary school guidance counselor should use to describe children
5. Stories told from a single perspective are best when this pattern is broken once every 100 pages or so for no apparent reason
6. Not wanting to be a “tattletale” trumps security clearance/civic obligations of reporting when someone drugs you and attempts rape
7. People who ask others to call them “MelDrake” are super fun
8. Scanning a lanyard makes sense
9. Snarky inner thought comments based on single observations, turned into stereotypes are indications of moral and mental superiority
10. Zero degree character arcs spanning three decades are relaxing
+1 for each “yes”
-1 for each “no”
Give this one a try if you score > 0.
I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
February 28, 2024
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.
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.
June 26, 2024
This book seemed like it was written by a geriatric robot. And not in an AI way, but in choppy sentences devoid of emotion. Perhaps this was just a reflection of the main character's personality? Or maybe this is how Fern Michaels writes? I've never read anything by the author. I should have been clued in when the main character at 8 years old described Billy Ray Cyrus as cute. No elementary school kid thought that in the '90s.
DNF
DNF
December 31, 2024
"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.
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.
June 16, 2024
If it hadn't been mildly entertaining I would have stopped reading it.. but it was ok and I needed to fill some time.
The reality is that this was anything BUT WILD... this was the most convoluted idea of wild I have ever been exposed to.
Meldrake (good grief) is one of the worst characters I have ever read about... she is really something else. She always gets her way, gets what she wants, and is so much better than anyone around her. In addition, as OSI is the executive agency for the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center and operates the U.S. Air Force Special Investigations Academy. Why didn't "Meldrake" have to be in the Air Force? I guess not but she sure rose to the high ground without military service.
Every time I was sure it was going to end, it started up with an another chapter. There was nothing wild and this might have been for a less than adult audience.... this was a girl raised in the 50s!
3 stars
Happy Reading!
The reality is that this was anything BUT WILD... this was the most convoluted idea of wild I have ever been exposed to.
Meldrake (good grief) is one of the worst characters I have ever read about... she is really something else. She always gets her way, gets what she wants, and is so much better than anyone around her. In addition, as OSI is the executive agency for the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center and operates the U.S. Air Force Special Investigations Academy. Why didn't "Meldrake" have to be in the Air Force? I guess not but she sure rose to the high ground without military service.
Every time I was sure it was going to end, it started up with an another chapter. There was nothing wild and this might have been for a less than adult audience.... this was a girl raised in the 50s!
3 stars
Happy Reading!
August 22, 2024
action at every turn. unexpected, and enjoyable.
I definitely recommend this book by Fern Michaels. There is unexpected action at every turn. A lot of backstory, but there is no world building, so to speak…it’s all part of the journey. Relax. Pour wine and get snacks. MelDrake is a female Indiana Jones. Adventure plus teacher. She has no idea the excitement is what makes her. Is there a part two? Because her love interest is interesting!
I definitely recommend this book by Fern Michaels. There is unexpected action at every turn. A lot of backstory, but there is no world building, so to speak…it’s all part of the journey. Relax. Pour wine and get snacks. MelDrake is a female Indiana Jones. Adventure plus teacher. She has no idea the excitement is what makes her. Is there a part two? Because her love interest is interesting!
January 7, 2025
I really did like the book. But I feel like the description is misleading. Over 65% of the book is “backstory” on the main character. I enjoyed the back story and the character development. But the description is not accurate. The description makes it seem like the whole book is about the main character doing undercover work, but this is mostly the last 25% of the book. Still a good read though!
April 16, 2024
The beginning of this book seemed to be different from the Sisterhood series and I enjoyed it very much, then a bit of the writing switched, for me and became more like the Sisterhood. All in all I liked it.
April 10, 2024
A story with a little humor, a little adventure. A good, entertaining story that was interesting till the end.
April 16, 2024
I've always loved Fern Michaels writing. A really fun read.
October 30, 2024
Terrible...too much spent on her childhood history I didn't even get 1/2 way through
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