Thoughts from a Book Dragon
Today's book review is Reckless by Lauren Roberts, a book that grabs you by the horns and drags you through the dirt.
I'm serious! There's plenty of dangerous moments, passion, and enough plot twists to leave you scratching your head, but coming after such a powerful debut (aka: Powerless), I think it fell a little flat, unfortunately.
The plot lacked sustenance, in my opinion, and it felt as though it dragged, repeating the same beats over and over again. In the end, it suffered from the same problem as most books in a trilogy—it was a saggy middle.
Despite falling short as a sequel to Powerless, Reckless still delivered on many fronts: primarily, the love story. And that's what I'll be focusing on in today's post.
Major Tropes and Themes: Buckle Up, It’s Gonna Be a Bumpy Ride
This book serves up all the tropes we love, with a twist (or ten):
Enemies to Lovers: The tension between the leads is so thick, you could cut it with a sword. They may start as enemies, but the sparks flying between them? Pure fire.
Fierce Heroines: Our main character isn’t here to play nice. She’s tough, resourceful, and ready to do whatever it takes to survive in a world that’s out to get her.
Forbidden Romance: Nothing spices up a love story like a hefty dose of “we really shouldn’t be doing this.” The risk only makes the reward sweeter—or more heartbreaking.
Dark Secrets: Everyone in this book has something to hide, and those secrets are the key to survival—or destruction. The unraveling of these mysteries is half the fun.
Character Development: A Heroine Who Won’t Back Down
Our heroine in Reckless isn’t just strong—she’s downright fierce. She’s got a past that haunts her, a future that terrifies her, and a present that’s hanging by a thread. But does she back down? Not a chance. Her journey is one of grit and determination, as she faces impossible odds. She’s a fighter through and through, and watching her evolve from a lone wolf to someone who might just trust again (maybe) is nothing short of exhilarating.
The Romance: Dangerous, Forbidden, and Oh-So-Tempting
The romance in Reckless is as fiery as it is forbidden. It’s the kind of love story that has you screaming at the characters, “What are you doing?!” while secretly rooting for them to throw caution to the wind and just give in already. The chemistry is undeniable, the stakes are sky-high, and the tension? Let’s just say you might need to take a break to cool off. But be warned: this isn’t your typical fairy tale. Love here is dangerous, unpredictable, and anything but safe.
Oh, and in case you're wondering and dying to know—yes, we do finally get that elusive first kiss!
Final Thoughts: A Thrilling, Heart-Pounding Adventure You Won’t Forget
Reckless is a book that doesn’t just tell a story—it throws you headfirst into a world of danger, intrigue, and passion. Lauren Roberts has crafted a tale that’s as sharp as a dragon’s claw, with characters that leap off the page. Yes, the plot is lacking and the worldbuilding is minimal in this one, so go in knowing it's not going to "wow" you. But as far as giving many romance readers what they want (i.e. an entire book that showcases Paedyn and Kai and their forbidden dance of love), then yes, you'll 100% get that.
Recommendation:
This book is a must-read for fans of gritty romance with high stakes and even higher tension. If you loved the dynamic between Paedyn and Kai but desperately wanted more of it, then will 100% satisfy that itch. Just remember to lower your expectations for the plot and worldbuilding. If you do that, you'll be just fine.
And if you're interested in diving into another forbidden, enemies-to-lovers romance, then I have a recommendation for you. It's an epic adventure of rebellion, slow-burn romance, found family, and contains a brooding male MC just as captivating as Aaron Warner from Shatter Me or Jacks from Once Upon a Broken Heart. Take a look at Dissent by Josephine Lamont. This dystopian romance with strong romantasy vibes is sure to have you turning pages late into the night!
Comments