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readinginthe_pnw's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Drew is not one of my favorite MMCs. I struggled to wrap my head around him going back to Mia over and over again, and how he kept just letting her back in. I loved Courtney though - she's the reason I wanted to read this book. She was just such a good friend and felt like a good character. I wanted to see her get the happy ending. I do love Drew and Courtney together; they worked really well. And of course, every time I picked up the book I stared craving fresh blueberry muffins.
sydneemae's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
koistyfishy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
3.5 Blueberry Muffin Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Given that I didn’t particularly love the previous duology, I did think myself slightly crazy starting with this book. I went in extremely cautious and overly sceptical. But I find that almost funny how side characters in previous books intrigued me so much by their story, even though I didn't enjoy the other books as much... I really wanted to see Drew and Courtney's story unfold.
Unfortunately, this cannot be read as a standalone because the plot elements of this book continue from This is Love and you need the foundation and backstory from the previous books to understand this one fully.
But I think that might be why I enjoyed this so much because I had spent two books getting to know these two characters and finally being able to see their love story was sweet and romantic and cute and just the warm fuzzies that I needed.
Courtney is a bowl of southern sunshine and she loves with all her heart. She has been hurt in the past by a previous relationship and as much as she jokes about her lustful attraction to Drew, underneath there is a deep-seated love for the man that she has developed overtime. This attraction has buried itself even deeper in the last two years since they became roommates and best friends. It can just be sensed how perfect these two are for each other as you know you have found "your person" when you consider your downtime and relaxation time being home with that person. AND THAT IS WHAT DREW AND COURTNEY ARE TO EACH OTHER...
Drew was an idiot. A DUMB BLIND IDIOT because that is the only was to explain how the man could live with and be friends with someone like Courtney AND NOT BE IN LOVE WITH HER...I don’t know what it is about Mia (his Ex and the main conflict in this story), but she must have a magical vagina or something to explain why he was so hung up on her. Completely ignoring her gaslighting, manipulation and blatant cheating...he just accepted that and allowed her to keep him whipped. I am extremely glad that he finally realised what a bitch she was and decided to look at Courtney a little differently.
The one thing that did frustrate me a little bit was Courtney’s love for Drew was built over many books so it didn’t feel rushed in the slightest. BUT the attraction and love Drew felt was too instant. It was almost at the snap of a finger that he acknowledged his feelings for her and he was already spewing "I Love You". His attraction felt that it was missing that foundation of how he unpacked his thoughts to get to the point of love, it was very cavemanlike of "now I like her and that must mean I love her."
There was a little bit of a mix between miscommunication and communication so I could tolerate the misunderstanding. I did like the way they dealt with some situations because they would communicate their feelings and issues when they finally realised to stop being children and have a flipping conversation instead of running away from their situation like a coward
I don’t think that I’ll be picking up the next book in the duology though. I don’t really wanna go into the unnecessary drama again with Mia. In my head the two of them got a very nice little happily ever after he met her family, her family loves him, she loves him, everybody loves each other, and they are all living happily ever after with little Drews and Courtney's running around in the backyard.
Overall this was a sweet little fluffy read that gave me the enjoyment that I needed.
The trope summary is
▶ Best Friends to lovers
▶ Grumpy X Sunshine
▶ Roommates to lovers
▶ Other Best friends brother
▶ Hand Necklaces
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Given that I didn’t particularly love the previous duology, I did think myself slightly crazy starting with this book. I went in extremely cautious and overly sceptical. But I find that almost funny how side characters in previous books intrigued me so much by their story, even though I didn't enjoy the other books as much... I really wanted to see Drew and Courtney's story unfold.
Unfortunately, this cannot be read as a standalone because the plot elements of this book continue from This is Love and you need the foundation and backstory from the previous books to understand this one fully.
But I think that might be why I enjoyed this so much because I had spent two books getting to know these two characters and finally being able to see their love story was sweet and romantic and cute and just the warm fuzzies that I needed.
Courtney is a bowl of southern sunshine and she loves with all her heart. She has been hurt in the past by a previous relationship and as much as she jokes about her lustful attraction to Drew, underneath there is a deep-seated love for the man that she has developed overtime. This attraction has buried itself even deeper in the last two years since they became roommates and best friends. It can just be sensed how perfect these two are for each other as you know you have found "your person" when you consider your downtime and relaxation time being home with that person. AND THAT IS WHAT DREW AND COURTNEY ARE TO EACH OTHER...
Drew was an idiot. A DUMB BLIND IDIOT because that is the only was to explain how the man could live with and be friends with someone like Courtney AND NOT BE IN LOVE WITH HER...I don’t know what it is about Mia (his Ex and the main conflict in this story), but she must have a magical vagina or something to explain why he was so hung up on her. Completely ignoring her gaslighting, manipulation and blatant cheating...he just accepted that and allowed her to keep him whipped. I am extremely glad that he finally realised what a bitch she was and decided to look at Courtney a little differently.
The one thing that did frustrate me a little bit was Courtney’s love for Drew was built over many books so it didn’t feel rushed in the slightest. BUT the attraction and love Drew felt was too instant. It was almost at the snap of a finger that he acknowledged his feelings for her and he was already spewing "I Love You". His attraction felt that it was missing that foundation of how he unpacked his thoughts to get to the point of love, it was very cavemanlike of "now I like her and that must mean I love her."
There was a little bit of a mix between miscommunication and communication so I could tolerate the misunderstanding. I did like the way they dealt with some situations because they would communicate their feelings and issues when they finally realised to stop being children and have a flipping conversation instead of running away from their situation like a coward
I don’t think that I’ll be picking up the next book in the duology though. I don’t really wanna go into the unnecessary drama again with Mia. In my head the two of them got a very nice little happily ever after he met her family, her family loves him, she loves him, everybody loves each other, and they are all living happily ever after with little Drews and Courtney's running around in the backyard.
Overall this was a sweet little fluffy read that gave me the enjoyment that I needed.
The trope summary is
▶ Best Friends to lovers
▶ Grumpy X Sunshine
▶ Roommates to lovers
▶ Other Best friends brother
▶ Hand Necklaces
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
yikes - mia is crazy af.
Checkmate: This is Reckless was so good! I absolutely love Drew and Courtney. I, of course, knew that they were meant for each other because I have eyes. They are simply adorable and they just get each other. Definitely two peas in a pod.. but of course, there's drama. So much crazy ass drama.
Enter Mia. She is Drew's crazy ex-girlfriend.. who is just something special. She has tried to break up two lovely couple's so far and I'm just wondering what the hell is going to happen next. Definitely dove into the next book already because I need more of this psycho.
Other than that, I loved getting to see Courtney's family. They were hilarious and I am in love with her brothers. On to the next book to see what the hell Mia is going to give me next.
Checkmate: This is Reckless was so good! I absolutely love Drew and Courtney. I, of course, knew that they were meant for each other because I have eyes. They are simply adorable and they just get each other. Definitely two peas in a pod.. but of course, there's drama. So much crazy ass drama.
Enter Mia. She is Drew's crazy ex-girlfriend.. who is just something special. She has tried to break up two lovely couple's so far and I'm just wondering what the hell is going to happen next. Definitely dove into the next book already because I need more of this psycho.
Other than that, I loved getting to see Courtney's family. They were hilarious and I am in love with her brothers. On to the next book to see what the hell Mia is going to give me next.
rinasreadsnz's review against another edition
5.0
Umm... I have SO. MANY. QUESTIONS.
WTAF?!
Drama, love, crazy, sexy and vindictive are all words I could use to describe this book.
I love Courteney and Drew as a couple.
They love hard and are just perfect for each other.
Mia... I want to do some very nasty things to that vile human.
That ending?! I’m pulling my hair out!
Lia did another amazing job with narration but I desperately NEED THE NEXT PIECE.
WTAF?!
Drama, love, crazy, sexy and vindictive are all words I could use to describe this book.
I love Courteney and Drew as a couple.
They love hard and are just perfect for each other.
Mia... I want to do some very nasty things to that vile human.
That ending?! I’m pulling my hair out!
Lia did another amazing job with narration but I desperately NEED THE NEXT PIECE.
tachomeskorner's review against another edition
4.0
I have been waiting anxiously to read this book, because I just wanted so much to read about Viola and Travis' wedding! When I found out that the next Checkmate book was going to be about Drew and Courtney I was a little disappointed, but after reading This is Reckless, I might just have a new favorite couple!
I love friends to lovers romance. I love that it isn't love at first sight. I love the build up and the antici - - -pation ;) of it all. I also dig the fact that Drew is a cop and I also befriended Courtney the moment she admitted her love of cop fantasies. She is now my new bff. We would get along great (except for the fact I'd be drooling all over her boyfriend).
This is Reckless rocked my world. I cried and laughed and felt every bit of pain Courtney was feeling, and that is probably because I can relate (but it didn't end in a lovers romance, unfortunately). I was a blubbering mess during Viola and Travis' wedding, which is a great feeling because if I didn't cry during that scene I would have to give this book a lower rating (I am so glad I don't have to do that).
Now you are probably wondering why I didn't give Checkmate: This is Reckless a 5* rating. And if I could use half ratings this book would be a 4.5*. Here's why: It was predictable. I don't mind predictability, but could see what would happen next a mile away.
The cliffhanger at the end was expected so it didn't hinder my rating one way or the other, because it's inevitable in a duet. Overall, I loved this book. It was heart pumping and panty wetting. Yes, I'll admit it - I got a little (OK A LOT) worked up during the sexy scenes, I'm not embarrassed, human nature, right? I blame it on the handcuffs.
I love Kennedy Fox's Checkmate books. I can't wait to read Checkmate: This is Effortless. I also can't wait to see her and get all her Checkmate books signed next February (Yes, I'm planning that far ahead!).
I love friends to lovers romance. I love that it isn't love at first sight. I love the build up and the antici - - -pation ;) of it all. I also dig the fact that Drew is a cop and I also befriended Courtney the moment she admitted her love of cop fantasies. She is now my new bff. We would get along great (except for the fact I'd be drooling all over her boyfriend).
This is Reckless rocked my world. I cried and laughed and felt every bit of pain Courtney was feeling, and that is probably because I can relate (but it didn't end in a lovers romance, unfortunately). I was a blubbering mess during Viola and Travis' wedding, which is a great feeling because if I didn't cry during that scene I would have to give this book a lower rating (I am so glad I don't have to do that).
Now you are probably wondering why I didn't give Checkmate: This is Reckless a 5* rating. And if I could use half ratings this book would be a 4.5*. Here's why: It was predictable. I don't mind predictability, but could see what would happen next a mile away.
The cliffhanger at the end was expected so it didn't hinder my rating one way or the other, because it's inevitable in a duet. Overall, I loved this book. It was heart pumping and panty wetting. Yes, I'll admit it - I got a little (OK A LOT) worked up during the sexy scenes, I'm not embarrassed, human nature, right? I blame it on the handcuffs.
I love Kennedy Fox's Checkmate books. I can't wait to read Checkmate: This is Effortless. I also can't wait to see her and get all her Checkmate books signed next February (Yes, I'm planning that far ahead!).
persephoneautumn's review against another edition
5.0
Sometimes you just want to smack Drew because of all things Mia. This Is Reckless is a sweet and hot introduction to Drew and Courtney’s relationship. There’s tenderness and intensity and plot twists I didn’t see coming.
jams0606's review against another edition
4.0
These 2 are sweet together.
Killer cliffhanger. Yikes!! But I did enjoy this first part of the duet of Courtney & Drew. They are really cute together. But the last 15%, wowzers!!!
Killer cliffhanger. Yikes!! But I did enjoy this first part of the duet of Courtney & Drew. They are really cute together. But the last 15%, wowzers!!!