A few posts ago, I mentioned doing a Library Reading Challenge, where I try to read four books within three weeks time. The reason? Well, you can only borrow a book for three weeks before you have to return it. Given my track record on reading, I would only be able to finish 3/4 books.
Yes, I know that I can renew the books if I don’t get to them, but that doesn’t make it a challenge. I want to see if I can do it. There’s really no other reason why I want to do this. Also, my TBR is piling up to uncontrollable levels and I’d like to read those books as well. First world book problems, am I right?
Anyway, I decided to start off my challenge with The Lovely Reckless by Kami Garcia.
The only other novel I’ve read by Kami Garcia was Beautiful Creatures, which wasn’t my favorite even if I always end up watching the movie when it’s on TV.
But this was different. Fast and Furious meets Rich girl/Poor boy.
Synopsis (from Goodreads.com) – Seventeen-year-old Frankie Devereux would do anything to forget the past. Haunted by the memory of her boyfriend’s death, she lives her life by one dangerous rule: Nothing matters. At least, that’s what Frankie tells herself after a reckless mistake forces her to leave her privileged life in the Heights to move in with her dad—an undercover cop. She transfers to a public high school in the Downs, where fistfights don’t faze anyone and illegal street racing is more popular than football.
Marco Leone is the fastest street racer in the Downs. Tough, sexy, and hypnotic, he makes it impossible for Frankie to ignore him—and how he makes her feel. But the risks Marco takes for his family could have devastating consequences for them both. When Frankie discovers his secret, she has to make a choice. Will she let the pain of the past determine her future? Or will she risk what little she has left to follow her heart?
Rating: 4/5 stars and a definite recommendation
My thoughts – I finished reading this book over the weekend while flying over to Florida. I love books like this. I love them because they’re easily digestible and entertaining. That’s not to say there isn’t substance, there is. But when you read a lot of books about serious “adult” stuff, you want a little bit of a break. The Lovely Reckless is definitely a nice little break.
The writing is easy-to-read and digestible. Kami Garcia does a great job painting the picture of a young girl who doesn’t know what to do with herself after seeing her boyfriend die. I think the one thing I didn’t like was how she made it entirely about herself. She ignored her friends and started causing trouble. I get that it’s tough when someone you love is gone, but you don’t ignore the friends and family that want to take care of you during your time of need. That part didn’t sit right with me, but that might not be the case for everyone.
The plot read like Fast and Furious. I was surprised that Frankie, the main character, didn’t actually work for the cops with her dad as an undercover agent. However, I did have to take half a star away for the plot being too quick for the couple to fall in love as well as the “good girl gone bad” and the rich/poor dynamic of the couple.
But again, this isn’t about the smaller minutae, but the bigger story. You will definitely fall in love with Frankie and Marco and you’ll feel feelings for Deacon that you wish could come true. It’s riveting and had me at the edge of my seat even if I was 30,000 feet in the air.
Simone and Her Books 