Lucy on the Wild Side
by Kerry Rea
Primatologist Lucy Rourke pours herself into her zookeeper job and her beloved gorillas, escaping into TV in her spare time. When the wildlife docuseries On the Wild Side comes to film at her zoo, she sees a chance to…
About This Book
Lucy on the Wild Side is a contemporary romance novel by Kerry Rea, first published in 2022 by Berkley. It runs 352 pages. Readers can expect enemies to lovers.
At a glance
- Genre
- Contemporary
- Trope
- Enemies to Lovers
- Length
- 352 pages
- Format
- Paperback
Reading Options
Lucy on the Wild Side
As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- When a prickly primatologist is forced to work with a glitzy TV host at her zoo, they must overcome their professional differences to find a deeper connection.
- Fans of zoo or animal-themed stories
- Readers seeking heartwarming character growth
- Looking for emotional comfort
- Features Enemies to Lovers
This may not be ideal if…
- Potential reliance on familiar tropes
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Contemporary Romance
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Professional friction between a zookeeper and an external media host.
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Moderate comfort, moderate tension.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
Recommended audience: Adult
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Primatologist Lucy Rourke is passionate about the gorillas she cares for at the zoo. When the production team for the docuseries 'On the Wild Side' arrives, Lucy is forced to interact with the host, Kai Bridges. Initially viewing him as a superficial fame-seeker, Lucy finds that working in close proximity challenges her assumptions about him and her own stagnant life, leading to a journey of emotional healing and personal discovery.
Central Conflict
A professional clash between Lucy's commitment to animal welfare and Kai's focus on show ratings evolves into an internal struggle for Lucy as she learns to balance ambition with personal joy.
Setting
A zoo and a film production set.
Strengths
- Clear professional conflict
- Compelling personal growth arc
Consider before reading
- Potential reliance on familiar tropes
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 13, 2026
- Confidence:
- Moderate confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Kerry Rea
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Berkley
- Format
- Paperback
- Length
- 352 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9780593201862
Lucy on the Wild Side: quick answers
- Who wrote Lucy on the Wild Side?
- Lucy on the Wild Side was written by Kerry Rea.
- When was Lucy on the Wild Side published?
- Lucy on the Wild Side was first published in 2022 by Berkley.
- What genre is Lucy on the Wild Side?
- Lucy on the Wild Side is a contemporary romance novel, with enemies to lovers.
- How many pages is Lucy on the Wild Side?
- Lucy on the Wild Side is 352 pages long (Paperback).
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inReading Options
Lucy on the Wild Side
As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
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