Wild Spirit

Surprisingly, Wild Spirit has become my favorite Wilder Irish books. Leo and Yvonne were so perfect, had so much of a history that you knew that the friends to lovers story was going to be resplendent. And, I loved how the story started so that we understood the history and the love. <br /><br />Leo. One of the most responsible, loving men that I have read in a long time. He knew how to love and, when he did, he loved long and hard. His first responsibility is to Vince, Clint and Ryder … his second responsibility is his family. A devoted dad and son, he didn’t have much time to be devoted to himself. Until a certain someone crashed back into his life and started teaching him about just how great his life could be.<br /><br />Yvonne is a whirlwind. She fell in love with Leo when she was a teenager and he always had a special place in her heart. She hated that he refused to take time for himself, to ask for help when he so desperately needed it. It’s time that she stepped in and opened his eyes to the world beyond Vince, Clint and Ryder. It’s time to teach him a few Collins lessons. Maybe it’s time for her to admit to her feelings that she’s had forever.<br /><br />I loved how this story went. From the devoted family man to the man who realized that the person he needed the most was standing right in front of him, Leo’s transformation was wonderful. Mari Carr really did a fantastic job in making us understand his feelings, his way of thinking and why he felt the way he did. She also showed us the Collins’ spirit and determination in bringing life and love into other peoples lives. The children were so well written … typical teen and pre-teens with hormones and all … you had to love them.<br /><br />From devastation to determination. From defeat to victory. Mari Carr brought two wonderful people to life in Wild Spirit and gave them a beautiful story filled with love, laughter and PopPop.<br /><br />Review copy provided for a voluntary review.

I love anything that Mari Carr writes. That's why I was anxiously awaiting her newest book, Wild Spirit. Wild Spirt is another story in the Wilder Irish series that focuses on the Collins family. This is Yvonne's story.<br /><br />Yvonne has had a crush on Leo since she was a teenager. But Leo had eyes for another girl. Yvonne felt destined to forever be in the friend zone. Leo made plans to marry that girl but it turned out that she was pregnant and she didn't feel the same about Leo. Leo still vowed to be a part of his son's life. To Leo, life is all about working hard to help his family farm and to support his son. He sees Yvonne often and wishes he could have a relationship with her but he holds fast to his other responsibilities.<br /><br />Yvonne loves life. She works hard helping to cook for her family's restaurant and bar. She sees Leo often and wishes she could play a bigger part in his and his son's life. When tragedy strikes Leo, Yvonne jumps in to help. Leo may insist that he can do it all on his own but Yvonne knows that sometimes people just need a helping hand.<br /><br />As their friendship grows, can it evolve into more or will continued tragedy drive Leo further away? Wild Spirit is part of a series but it can be read by itself. But I'm sure you'll love it so much that you'll go back and read the other stories.

Wow - this series just gets better and better plus this makes me want to re-read Wild and Wilder Irish!<br /><br />Loved Vonnie &amp; Leo's move from best friends to lovers!<br /><br />Wonderful to see their HEA after a few hiccups - no this can't happen sort of things<br /><br />Major thumbs up for Pop Pop &amp; his "advise" :-o Love checking in with Pop Pop &amp; getting his stories!

Leo and Vonnie friends to lovers story

Another amazing example of a love built around the Collins family! All of the stories in the Wild(er) Irish series have focused heavily around the strong family bond, and emotional support, of the Collins family, and this story is one of my favorite so far! Leo and Yvonne are absolutely perfect for each other, they just had to figure that out for themselves!<br><br>Yvonne has a great family, an amazing childhood, and a job she adores. Her life is almost perfect. Except she has feelings for her best friend, that she doesn't think could possible go anywhere. Until things start to creep into unknown territory, and she begins to wonder if he could possibly feel the same thing for her. <br><br>Leo's life is one day of stress after another. Single father-hood, helping run a family arm, and all of the day to day drama that comes with those things makes him a man on the edge. Until his best friend decides to help him learn to cut loose, and lose the stress. Until he starts to look at her just a bit differently, and he has to decide what that means for them!<br><br>I loved Yvonne and Leo! They were fun, energetic, and I couldn't help but enjoy their antics. Even tough it seemed like everything was working against them, I just knew they had a magical HEA in store for them. This is a book that was as fun as it was romantic, and it was exactly what I needed! While it was plenty romantic (and extremely HOT!) there were also plenty of laughs, and (as always) the antics of the Collins never disappoint!<br><br><p> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1537595709i/26336186._SX540_.png" alt="book review banner" width="671" height="457" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </p>

Wild Spirit is part of Mari Carr's Wilder Irish series, set in the Collins family universe in Baltimore. It's a fantastic friends-to-lovers story, about Yvonne Collins and Leo Watson. Leo is a year older than Yvonne, and became good friends first with her cousins Lochlan and Colm when he moved to their high school, and then Yvonne. While Yvonne had a huge crush on Leo then, Pop-Pop's advice helps her focus on their friendship, and the blessing that is to them both.<br /><br />More than a decade later, that friendship has held them in good stead. Leo's life has been a bit of a roller coaster ride, and the responsibilities just keep stacking up. Yvonne can see the toll it's taking on him, and determines that it's her job as a friend to remind him how to relax, the Collins way. Along the way, that long dormant crush reawakens, and it's a real pleasure to see Leo and Yvonne negotiate the changes to their relationship as it takes on new direction and depths.<br /><br />Mari Carr does an incredible job of letting us get to know Yvonne and Leo, and those close to them. We get to see their comfortable and comforting friendship as well as the chemistry that explodes as they take a chance on more. Yvonne's a smart, generous, determined woman and a loving friend. Her steady care for Leo gives him the freedom to enjoy their bond and explore the possibilities of MORE. Leo's no dummy either. He's a loving father, devoted son, and takes each of his responsibilities seriously. When he able to cut loose though? Let's just say that Vonnie's fortunate to be on the receiving end of that deliciously focused attention.<br /><br />Wild Spirit is a sweet romance with plenty of heat. It's the perfect addition to the Wilder Irish series, and a great prompt to re-read this warm, funny, sexy series again!

Once again Mari Carr gives us a glimpse of life among the large Collins family. Pop Pop is still giving out advice in the beginning of the story to 14 year old Yvonne who has a crush on her cousin's friend Leo. She hoped he would ask her to the dance but he asked someone else and Yvonne's young heart is broken. Her grandfather suggests that being friends with Leo is better so Yvonne chooses that path. Leo's life becomes more complicated as the years go by and he continues to shoulder more and more responsibility. Yvonne remains his friend and worries about him wearing himself out and not asking for help. She tries to help him by teaching him the Collins' way of handling life. Will Yvonne find that she still has that crush on Leo? And that it might be stronger after 12 years? What about Leo? Is he seeing Yvonne as more than a friend? It's a captivating story that grabs you from the first page!

Leo and Yvonne were a fantastic couple. He’s a by the books single dad and she’s a free spirit. I loved seeing him brought into the craziness that is the Collins clan.<br /><br />I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Eighth book in the Wilder Irish series, this series is a spin-off of the Wild Irish series. Can be read and enjoyed as stand-alone, told in dual POV with HEA. This big awesome family owns and operates a pub, so the secondary characters are throughout the series. I love how the Collins clan is so loving and has an abundance of advice. Yvonne has been crushing on Leo sense she was 14, but the timing has never been right. Her Pop Pop’s long-ago advice has her glad for her 15-year friendship with Leo, even though she still dreams of more. Leo’s life is full of chaos, but Yvonne is teaching him how to live like a “Collins”. Great friends to lovers’ story! I love and highly recommend this series!

I am such a huge fan of this series. Each time a new book is released, I feel like it is the best one yet. Therefore it was no surprise to me that after reading Wild Spirit, it became my new favorite. Yvonne and Leo's story was not only hot, but so romantic. Yvonne is a free spirit who helps everyone she knows, including Leo. While she has long had a crush on him, Leo just realizes how much he needs Yvonne in his life. Not only did I love their story, but I love how Mari Carr continues to weave the rest of the family into this series. I truly enjoy reading about the other family members and how they interact with one another. As anxious as I am for the rest of the books in this series to come out, I don't want to rush them. I will hate when this series ends!!!