astarion's bhaal babe (wingspan matters)'s Reviews > Reckless

"That night we were reckless." His voice cracks. "But god, I'd be reckless with you over and over again if it means ending up here."

Came for Theo Silva, stayed for the Nessian vibes ✨


A really good friend said "YOURE GONNA LOVE THEO SILVA PLS READ RECKLESS" and when she put it like that, all caps and everything, I knew I couldn't refuse.
Not gonna lie, I was a little reluctant at first, because my first encounter with this author left a bitter taste in my mouth. I read Flawless with my emoji gang last year and, while we had tons squirming at all the ways that book made us cringe, it kind of convinced me Elsie Silver wasn't for me.

Trust me when I say I'm incredibly glad I didn't let Rhett and his poor-ass game stop me from reading this, because this book, this book right here is e v e r y t h i n g.

There's something impossibly charming about a man (fictional or otherwise) who knows what he wants and can love so utterly the way Theo Silva does.
Jesus Christ, the things that cocky motherfucker made me feel.
It was clear right from the start I was going to be a goner for him because as much as I like to brag about getting the hots for the baddest of boys, it's always the sexy golden retriever with smirks for days and a mouth made for sin that wins all the prizes for me.
And, of course, the fact that his initial approach with Winter and basically all their relationship reminded me of Cassian and Nesta's journey (minus the booze and the training, plus a kid and a chihuahua) did nothing but increase my enjoyment.
Give me a flawed ice queen with daddy and mommy issues and pair her with the sweetest adonis in town who'll love her despite and because of said flaws, and I'm all in forever.

I devoured this book and hated every moment when I wasn't reading it.
It made me understand why Elsie Silver is so hyped and I finally realized the problem I had with the first book didn't really revolve around her style or the story itself, it was more about my dislike towards how the MMC is characterized and how cringey he got during sexy times.

I absolutely love this story and it flowed so well and effortlessly, it was the palate cleanser with depth I didn't think I'd need.
The plot is an easy one and one that has been written about before, but it's the execution that did it for me. I kept waiting for a proverbial shoe to drop, sat on the edge of my sit looking sideways whenever I sniffed drama coming, but I was pleasantly surprised when my anxiety was quieted down by well-rounded characterization and an amazing representation of what a good relationship looks like.
I was also pretty pleased by the time jump at the beginning. I thought we were going to miss an important part of Theo and Winter's journey, but instead it just showed how good of a match they are.
Winter, like Nesta, is not a particularly likeable character at first. We've got to see a bit of her in Flawless and she didn't leave a very good impression. Her relationship with Summer, her little sister, is complicated and stained by a past neither can change, but I loved seeing them get together in this installment and I adore just how willing Winter was to remediate to all the pain she's put her little sis through, even though her behaviour didn't completely depend on her.
I totally rooter for her and related to her in ways I didn't think were possible. She was a true revelation and her and Vivi filled my heart with love and joy.

Motherhood is a precious theme to me, considering my life got a million times better when my little boy was born, and this book gave me all the feels and made me nostalgic in a good way.
I also really loved how well Winter fit with the Eaton bunch and how she got to pick up her strained relationship with her dad. As someone whose been basically abandoned by her biological father figure, I loved how Winter put herself first when it came to a dad that had all but stood by her side during hard times.
The doolhouse bit, tho, made me shed a few tears, not gonna lie.
I also admit I liked Rhett and company way more as secondary characters, even tho his dad is still the MVP and always will be.

The romance was simply perfect and if I could give this book more stars for the fact that there's no third act breakup, I would. Heck, I'd buy 4 copies of the book just as a reward for going against one of the tropes I hate the most.
I LOVED how supportive Theo and Winter were of each other and how easily they fell into their new dynamics as parents.
But I think what I loved the most, was how they understood each other the way nobody else could. How they fought for each other when no one else would and how committed they were all the time.
At some point, Winter, who's used to being treated like shit and manipulated all her life can't understand how someone like Theo can love her the way he does and he says: "What's happening is Miss Independent met the treat-her-like-a-princess guy, and she's freaking out." and I squealed so loud because SAME SIS!!!
I saw a lot of myself in Winter and saw even more of my current relationship with the man I love in this simple phrase.
Being independent doesn't mean you don't need someone to take care of your heart.

Best romance novel I've read these past 2 years, hands down.
I think I'll add something to this review in the future, but for now, I'm gonna leave this emotional mix of fangirling and warm, fuzzy feelings here for everyone to see.

"You only think you owe me something because you've spent too long dating assholes who are terrible lays. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. Stop overthinking it. Plus, my face is the ride."

RE-READ AUGUST 2024: how can I marry a fictional character? Asking for a friend