Wild Mistake

Wilder Valley

By: Kacey Shea

Narrated by: Robert Hatchet, Samantha Brentmoor

Sarah Baker was the first girl I ever loved. It didn’t matter that we were high school sweethearts, our bond was unbreakable. Or so I thought.

I enlisted in the military to make a life for us and she promised to wait. Only, she crushed my heart, along with our dreams, when she married someone else.

Every inch of Wilder Valley is etched with memories of her, so I stay away, building a career for more than two decades.

But I can’t stay away forever.

When I return home, nothing is the way I expect it to be. My family has changed, but most surprising is discovering that Sarah is back too.

Separated from her husband, she’s raising her two teenage boys, living with her parents, and waiting tables at the diner.

Curiosity draws me to her, but that’s not what makes me stay. From the moment our eyes meet, the feelings I’d long forgotten come rushing back.

I’ve never loved anyone the way I’ve loved her. Maybe fate has brought us together again for a reason. Maybe finding each other too young was our only mistake. Maybe this is our second chance.

Aiden and Sarah’s book is the next standalone in the Wilder Valley series. This second chance, small town, single parent romance features a couple in their forties reconnecting after almost two decades apart.

©2023 Kacey Shea (P)2024 Kacey Shea

Great Second Chance Romance

I am always leery when I start a second chance romance, I am stubborn and I completely hold grudges against characters who do the main character wrong… luckily that wasn’t really the case here! Sarah and Aiden were both young when they made decisions that led to them walking away from each other. While they both broke the other’s heart, they willingly gave in to the attraction and friendship that was always there. Aiden wanted Sarah from the second he saw her again and he had no problem admitting that, it’s always great reading books where the male is the determined character that knows exactly what he wants! The petty and grudge holding side of me really wanted something to happen with Sarah’s ex… I thought for sure the kids would realize what a d-bag he was being, but no, Kacey Shea took the high road with her writing. I read the book when it first came out but listening to it now just made it so much better. Robert Hatchet and Samantha Brentmoor did a great job narrating, they really added something extra that brought the characters to life.

Aiden + Sarah forver

So glad to be back in Wilder Valley and with the swoon worthy Wilders 😍!! Each brother is more loveable and each book gives you all the feels. Aiden and Sarah's second chance story literally me chills and tears, it was written so perfectly. They both struggled in their time apart, but one eye lock in their hometown cafe and you just knew. Sarah was an amazing mother, who did everything she could to give her boys, Gabe and Parker, a good life in Wilder Valley. Kacey Shea, as a silent suffer, I personally appreciate the care you took in both researching and accurately portraying Sarah's everyday fight!! The last few chapters were hard, not giving anything away, but I totally fell more in love with Aiden during the last 7 chapters. I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by Samantha Brentmoor and Robert Hatchet, who both were the perfect Aiden and Sarah!

Amazing Story & Narration🎧Captivating & Emotional

This wonderful second chance romance captivated my attention and tugged at my heartstrings throughout the entire book. Kacey Shea created something very special when she created the “Wilder Valley” series, a later in life romance with characters and storylines that are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with. Each book in the series features a different couple and their story stands it its own and this second book is Aiden Wilder and Sarah Baker’s story. They were high school sweethearts who thought they were each other’s forever love. Maybe they would have been, but things changed and we find out those changes in reflections back in time as we watch the characters live through the present. Sarah, who had moved away from Wilder Valley, returns with her two teenage boys after separating from her husband. It has not been easy for her, financially or with the boys, especially her eldest, who has been very angsty and does not want to talk about it. Aiden, an Army Ranger served for twenty years and he felt it was time to come home, and when he is glad he did because his brothers did not tell him that their dad’s health and memory is declining and now he can spend time with him. He also learned that Sarah was back in town, his one true love and the one who broke his heart. I absolutely adored Aiden and as much as I adored him, I despised Sarah’s dirtbag soon to be ex-husband. Aiden and Sarah meet again and clearly there are unresolved feelings between them, and Aiden would love for something to come of it. Sarah is hesitant, she has more baggage, not meaning her children, but an ex who is a thorn in her side and some health issues which she eventually shares with him. Shea put these characters through the wringer for these two to get to their happily ever after, and I was rooting them on every step of the way, despite the speed bumps. This is a beautiful and heartwarming story, like all her other novels, the writing, plot and world building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development. I loved all the layers of the story, the complexity of the characters, and how love wins in the end. Kacey Shea, thank you for another beautiful story and emotional rollercoaster ride. 

🎧📚🎧 Samantha Brentmoor and Robert Hatchet were the perfect cast to bring these characters to life and did so with a complete understanding of who they were portraying, giving each their own voice, making it easy to follow along and tell who was who. I loved how they took their roles and made it their own, sounding believable and just as I imagined the characters would sound. Ms. Brentmoor captured every aspect of Sarah’s personality, from her vulnerabilities to her strengths and all in between. Hatchet nailed it as Aiden, grasping his cool, calm and caring demeanor, as well as his other personality traits. Both were fantastic performing the roles of the secondary characters, too. They set the right tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and had you feeling every one. These wonderfully entertaining storytellers are a pleasure to listen to and their performance elevated this already amazing story to another level. Thank you for another exceptional listen.

This is just ALL good!!

Kacey Shea writes the best books! And I’m in love with Wilder Valley. This book is well written, and mostly feel good.. when you read it you’ll know. Great story with amazing characters that make you want to know them. And the narrators are easy to listen to and make listening fun and easy!

More please!

Second chance in a small town

Aiden and Sarah had young love in high school and life changed their plans for marriage and a happily ever after but when Sarah and Aiden both come back to their hometown they find each other again and maybe this time they will have the love they were meant to have years ago.

I loved Aiden, he is a career military man who is honest and dependable. He has come home and wants to spend time with his dad and family. Finding Sarah again is a bonus he wasn't expecting.

Sarah has not had an easy life and she just wants what's best for her and her boys. In this small town, she finds her voice and strength to deal with her soon-to-be ex-husband and to let herself find her happiness with Aiden.

So many emotions in this book between Aiden's dad and Sarah's sons and their past it keeps you listening to see what will happen. Loved it all.

Robert Hatchet, and Samantha Brentmoor were perfect as Aiden and Sarah. Loved listening to both of them.

Truly does a number on your heart

This second chance romance truly does a number on your heart as Sarah and Aiden's story unfolds. Filled with epic feels, an avalanche of emotions and fierce heartstring tugging. This couple's romance seemed so incredibly honest and genuine that I couldn't help loving them even if I found them very frustrating on occasion. Still, these two give off extreme meant-to-be vibes that have you passionately invested and desperate for them to get that much deserved happy ever after. This book features dual narration which I much prefer, and I thought the narrator's performances were well done. They brought the book and the characters to life and made it very easy to get wrapped up in.

Emotional second chance romance!

I was totally captivated by this emotional second chance romance. Aiden and Sarah were high school sweethearts who had plans to be together forever. When Aiden left for the service, Sarah was heartbroken, but promised to wait for him. But life happens, and events cause them to move on in different directions. Now years later, they are both back home at the same time. Aiden has retired from the service and Sarah is a divorced single mother. Sarah's life is in turmoil and needs to focus on her two boys, not on the man she loved and thought was in her past. Aiden is trying to figure out civilian life when he sees the woman who got away. She is still the love of his life, and he is determined to do whatever it takes to win her back, for good this time.
This is a moving and tender story that kept me riveted and on a roller-coaster of emotions from beginning to end. I loved both Aiden and Sarah, they felt real and authentic and their relationship with her boys and their friends and family added so much fun and heartfelt emotion to this story. I loved learning the depth of their love and loss through their letters to each other through the years.
Robert Hatchet, Samantha Brentmoor's narration was fantastic. They really captured every nuance of these characters. Their depth of emotion, and delivery created a realism that was completely captivating, I was totally mesmerized by their performance. This is a wonderfully witty, moving, and steamy story that you can't help but devour as it captures your heart.

BEST story ever!

This is the BEST story ever!!! I love the laughs, the tears and all the feelings in between this one evokes! I like that these two have a old connection with includes smiles and heartbreak. The author does a wonderful job connecting me with both of these. The story is filled with many ups and downs. I could not put this down and read it fairly quickly since it is so enjoyable.
The characters are delightful! i really liked both Sarah and Aiden. Sarah has a lot to overcome plus a couple teenagers on top of that. She really is the star in here.
Aiden is a dream man! He is so kind, nice and he unassumingly sneaks into your heart. Plus he comes with the best family! Maeve and Jackson both cracked me up numerous times while reading this one.

Overall I highly recommend this book! It is the second in a series but it isn't necessary to read Wild Hearts first but it will ramp up your enjoyment of this one. I can't wait for the next installment in this series.

Second chances

Great job done by the narrators. They brought the story to life. A small town young love and second chances. When Aiden joined the service after highschool. Sarah said she would wait. Life has a way of making its own plans.
Aiden’s time serving is over and Sarah is back in town after a failed marriage. Can they just be friends or will all the feelings from the past come back. But can they make it work or will their past keep them apart. A great second change love story. Has been a great series and can’t wait for the next. I received an advanced copy for a honest voluntary review by Author.

Loved ❤️

I read this book last year when it was released in ebook format. The audiobook is next level though.

I really enjoyed this story and even though I knew basic ally what was going to happen it was just brought to a new level with the audiobook!

Their story was so beautiful. High School sweethearts that ended in heartbreak due to wanting different things at 20/21 and then finding each other again at 38/39 and never truly letting go.

She does break up with him in this story but it’s a calm break and it doesn’t last long.


This gem was narrated by Robert Hatchet and Samantha Brentmoor

Robert is newer to romance audiobooks and I really enjoyed his voice! It’s rich and smooth, deep but not super deep. I will definitely be looking for more from him in the future.


Samantha is just a powerhouse and I adore her!