4.75 ‘Worth it all’ Stars

WOW…. Reckless was Magnificent! Seriously, Tori is up there with my all time fav Romance heroines! She was so genuine, so funny, so heartfully emotional and overall kickass. I adored her! And Ethan… Yes, the saying ‘Save a horse, ride a cowboy’ applies to a T here. This man was not only absolutely drool worthy, but so caring and loyal, he just stole my heart. And the kids… Arghhh, so freakin adorable! I love a good single parent/nanny trope and this one was just PERFECT! 

One year ago, Victoria, better known as Tori to friends and family – Kat’s sister, from Shameless, which you need to read btw –  life came tumbling down thanks to a huge deceive from her then boyfriend, aka, the disgusting and cheating bastard. From that point on she stepped away from the opposite sex, and has been struggling to find her place in the world.

Besides, me? Have a family? I feel sorry for those hypothetical offspring already. I can’t even balance my checkbook, not that I have much to balance. 
I don’t totally understand what’s going on in my head, because when it comes to doing something for my sister or family, I’d gladly crawl over broken glass, but when I have to do something for myself, I can’t seem to care.

My heart really hurt for her, and her loneliness, even given her big family, her constant feeling of misfit and misunderstood always lingered no matter what. That is until a job opportunity comes to her (or better yet, she’s pushed into by Kat, lol), and even though she doesn’t feel it may be for her, maybe been this family’s nanny is just what the doctor ordered.

It’s bad enough living with a stranger, but a sexy one? Rugged and tatted up, someone who looks like he wrestles bears in his spare time? He’s definitely not on my diet plan.

The kind of guy to make a girl ache in just the right ways, if he were another guy and I another girl.

There was only one problem. A big, muscle, tattooed hot cowboy of a problem, because their instant attraction has trouble written all over it. On both fronts.

Ethan hasn’t had what you may call an happy marriage – how could he, with a selfish b!tch like his ex? – and it’s been a struggle to keep afloat since his father passed away, drowning in work, and trying to built his family business as well as keeping his children healthy and happy, has been tough. So he knows he needs help, but what a shock it is when the help comes in the shape of a real life ‘mermaid’ full of sass and fire?! Yep, sparks do fly!

“Must be nice to have something you love so much.” A cool breeze blows through the barn, and she tilts her head and closes her eyes. “To have something that’s so a part of you, you feel it all the way down to the soles of your shoes.”

It was amazing to see Ethan and Tori’s relationship develop after that first fiery meeting, how naturally they passed from boss/employee, to each others support in an easy friendship, until they gave freedom to their magnetism, and took the next step. 

One of the things that I loved most about this book was how very realistic their struggles and their problems were. I could feel Ethan’s physical and financial struggle as well as Tori’s inner conflict and self doubt. So very real, and so very understandable. That just enhanced their pull even more, imo, but even after giving in to their sexual attraction, it was not an easy task, with how much baggage they both had, from their previous relationships.

If that experience with Jamie taught me anything, it’s that guys like Ethan don’t settle down with girls like me. I’m a fun fuck. A good time. A way to burn off steam or sow some wild oats. Not a forever girl. Not someone you keep.

I cried for Tori, she touched my heart with her hidden fragility, with all that vulnerability and sweet and caring heart behind that sassy and fiery personality. Her self deprecation was painful to see at times, but so very realistic, that we could just feel her pain, and how she saw herself, and never truly hoped to have more. But Ethan was right there to show her he loved all parts of her.

Damn it, I like this girl and how she’s all bluster and ball-busting when she’s pissed, but sweet and vulnerable at other times.

From sweet and caring to his adorable children one minute, to sexy and sassy spitfire the next, this woman really was the whole package, and I loved how perfectly she is described and written. I connected with her in a way I felt what she was feeling, and like I’ve said she became one of my all time fav heroines.

“Why, Ethan Carter, are you saying you want the uncensored version of me?” She tsks. “I’m not entirely sure you can handle that.” 
I take a step closer and tug on a strand of her hair. “Try me.”

And OMGGGGGG, this insane chemistry translated in this blazing steamy scenes that almost burn up the pages with how HOT theses two went at it! Lordy, you will definitely need to cool down after you feel the thick sexual tension Ethan and Tori transpire!

That silly saying comes to mind: Save a horse. Ride a cowboy. 
I am so down with this.

Burning hot but shivering. 
Terrified but trusting. 
Overwhelmed but wanting.

Not only do their sexy scenes show you how these two are perfect together, but their love story, their slow developing feelings, their growing affections, and their overall love for one another, will reveal how they are indeed each others other half. Each others perfect counterpoint, soulmate.

I have no idea when this man dug through the defenses I spent the last year building, but he’s burrowed into me now, and I suspect nothing short of open-heart surgery can remove him.

For once in my life, I’m not afraid of the future or my place in this world. Because Ethan brings me hope that maybe my past happened for a reason. That it brought me to this place with him. And I wouldn’t change that for anything.

Tori’s true place really is with, and as part of this family. She brings even more light to these children lives and a much needed breath of fresh air, and new beginning and true love to their father’s existence. She was made to fit right there in this family. Her fated place in this world is by Ethan’s side.

In this moment, in our quiet bubble, all the heartache of the last few years is worth it. The divorce. The self-doubt. The loneliness. I’d do it again. Because it brought me to this place with this incredible girl.

She’s turned everything around. My outlook. My attitude. My expectations for my family.

Lex Martin gave us such an emotional, realistic, sexy, and beyond amazing in Reckless, that she managed to surpass, for me, the already huge success of Shameless, with Ethan and Tori’s love story. Beautifully developed main characters, extraordinary secondary characters, and intricate and organically natural plot, make this book that much more memorably rich. Reckless is a definite must read, a story I won’t soon forget and will just keep begging to see more of! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

“Does this mean we get to ride off into the sunset?” 
Gently, he lifts my face to his and wipes away the tears. “Absolutely. You’ll be mine,” he whispers. “Always and forever.” 
I smile against his kiss. “Always and forever.” 

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