Lacey Montgomery is a wildlife conservationist with a love of wolves, and Clay Stevens is a rancher with a wolf problem. The townsfolk view Clay as a spoiled, big-city jerk who's going to ruin their small town the same way his father did. Lacey and Clay are at odds as to how to handle the wolves that are going after his animals. After a prank by Clay's nephew Zach goes awry, Lacey is hurt and Clay comes to the rescue. With Lacey recovering from a concussion, Zach and Clay step up to help her at the zoo. Lacey and Clay discover their differences are only surface deep. This is a slow-burn romance without much internal conflict. Once Lacey and Clay discover and act on their feelings, there's not much sizzle. VERDICT Though the story features an interesting premise and a competent narrative, the central romance fails to engage readers fully.--Claire Brown, Red Deer P.L., Alberta, Canada

Laurel Kerr, writing as Marsh, returns to charming Sagebrush Flats and its zoo in the swoony, well-paced third Where the Wild Hearts Are romance (after Wild on My Mind). Rocky Ridge National Park ranger Lacey Montgomery, the town sweetheart, is working to reintroduce endangered Mexican gray wolves into the area; gorgeous city-slicker Clay Stevens, the town pariah, recently inherited his grandfather's ranch and does not want wolves killing his cattle. But after Clay's troubled teenage nephew, Zach, and Zach's drunken buddies accidentally collapse a wolf den, Zach and Clay help Lacey to rescue the affected wolf pups and bring them to the safety of the Sagebrush Zoo. In the process, Lacey sustains a concussion that lands her on leave from her ranger job. She volunteers at the zoo for the summer, which also happens to be where Zach is completing his state-mandated community service--so Clay offers to chauffeur them both. Clay and Lacey share an intense attraction, but Clay will have to overcome Lacey's distrust of him and his family to win her over. Periodic perspective shifts into the heads of the zoo's animals add a unique charm, lightening the serious themes of family baggage and environmental conflict. This bighearted enemies-to-lovers romance is a treat. Agent: Sarah Phair, Sandford J. Greenburger Assoc. (Aug.)