Scan barcode
jessiebwriting's review
4.25
This was a fun read about two teens from different backgrounds, struggling with different issues and finding something inside themselves with each other. I feel like Reagan has the most noticeable character growth in developing her voice whereas Guillermo's growth seems to occur the most at the beginning and it's mostly his sense of hope that develops through the story. Loved the issues the author tackles and certainly brings a new perspective to second chances.
abbycostello1999's review
4.0
In her sophomore novel, The Right Side of Reckless, Whitney D. Grandison offers a cute opposites-attract romance that still tackles real world issues. While this book uses the classic “bad boy good girl” trope and doesn’t have much plot, the characters are real and kept me invested in the story.
Reagan London has always been the perfect daughter. When her father pressured her to take accounting, she gave in, knowing that’s not the career she wants to pursue. When football star Troy Jordan chased after her, she agreed to date him, despite not returning his feelings. Over time, she’s learned to love him, but now he’s pushing her to have sex with him when she doesn’t want to, making her rethink her entire relationship. She wants to break free of others’ expectations to become her own person, but the task feels daunting.
Guillermo Lozano is finally trying to be the good song his parents deserve. After three arrests and time in juvie, he wants to turn his life around. His parents have moved neighborhoods and schools to help him leave his old habits behind. His worst habit—falling for girls who are no good. He’s determined that at this new school, he will just make friends.
But part of his probation is volunteering at the local community center, where he and Reagan cross paths. She’s beautiful, but also sweet and kind, which is new for him. Reagan feels instant attraction to him as well. He’s not only incredibly hot, but respectful and considerate too.
Opposition rises up instantly. Reagan has a boyfriend, and Guillermo never wants to mess with another guy’s girl again. His parents want him to stay away, worrying she will threaten his rehabilitation. Her parents warn her away, preferring their daughter’s star athlete boyfriend to an ex-con. And yet, these two find they can’t stay away.
Overall, the concept of this novel is nothing… novel (haha). A good girl and a bad boy learning they aren’t all that different and falling for each other is a trope that’s done frequently, and Grandison doesn’t twist or reinvent it. The plot also dragged for me. There isn’t much plot to begin with, and that’s fine—I prefer character driven novels. However, I was frustrated by how long it took the two main characters to get together. We could lose some angst and gain tighter pacing and more kissing scenes!
The characters are where this book really shines. For me, reading Reagan’s perspective was the most enjoyable part of the experience. As someone who has always struggled with parental approval, her problems and emotional journey felt very real to me. I also appreciated how the author chose to focus on Reagan’s choice not to have sex and the impact it has on her relationships with other guys. This is an issue that many teens struggle with, but is rarely dealt with in fiction.
Guillermo’s perspective was harder. I occasionally felt his chapters dragging, mainly because I struggled to relate to him. That is entirely subjective, based on my own experience. His character was well written and felt authentically like a teenage boy. I appreciated hearing his perspective, even if I didn’t always agree with it. In general, all the teenager characters were well written and fleshed out in this novel
If you’re looking for a sweet, real, diverse YA that will tug on your heartstrings, add this to your TBR!
Reagan London has always been the perfect daughter. When her father pressured her to take accounting, she gave in, knowing that’s not the career she wants to pursue. When football star Troy Jordan chased after her, she agreed to date him, despite not returning his feelings. Over time, she’s learned to love him, but now he’s pushing her to have sex with him when she doesn’t want to, making her rethink her entire relationship. She wants to break free of others’ expectations to become her own person, but the task feels daunting.
Guillermo Lozano is finally trying to be the good song his parents deserve. After three arrests and time in juvie, he wants to turn his life around. His parents have moved neighborhoods and schools to help him leave his old habits behind. His worst habit—falling for girls who are no good. He’s determined that at this new school, he will just make friends.
But part of his probation is volunteering at the local community center, where he and Reagan cross paths. She’s beautiful, but also sweet and kind, which is new for him. Reagan feels instant attraction to him as well. He’s not only incredibly hot, but respectful and considerate too.
Opposition rises up instantly. Reagan has a boyfriend, and Guillermo never wants to mess with another guy’s girl again. His parents want him to stay away, worrying she will threaten his rehabilitation. Her parents warn her away, preferring their daughter’s star athlete boyfriend to an ex-con. And yet, these two find they can’t stay away.
Overall, the concept of this novel is nothing… novel (haha). A good girl and a bad boy learning they aren’t all that different and falling for each other is a trope that’s done frequently, and Grandison doesn’t twist or reinvent it. The plot also dragged for me. There isn’t much plot to begin with, and that’s fine—I prefer character driven novels. However, I was frustrated by how long it took the two main characters to get together. We could lose some angst and gain tighter pacing and more kissing scenes!
The characters are where this book really shines. For me, reading Reagan’s perspective was the most enjoyable part of the experience. As someone who has always struggled with parental approval, her problems and emotional journey felt very real to me. I also appreciated how the author chose to focus on Reagan’s choice not to have sex and the impact it has on her relationships with other guys. This is an issue that many teens struggle with, but is rarely dealt with in fiction.
Guillermo’s perspective was harder. I occasionally felt his chapters dragging, mainly because I struggled to relate to him. That is entirely subjective, based on my own experience. His character was well written and felt authentically like a teenage boy. I appreciated hearing his perspective, even if I didn’t always agree with it. In general, all the teenager characters were well written and fleshed out in this novel
If you’re looking for a sweet, real, diverse YA that will tug on your heartstrings, add this to your TBR!
beasleysbooks's review against another edition
The way this family is OBSESSED with this teenage girl’s relationship & how her boyfriend pressures her for sex… I was so uncomfortable. I can’t read any more.
aprilbooksandwine's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
moniska89's review
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kenadietd's review
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
biblioemily's review
3.0
*Thank you to Edelweiss & Inkyard Press for the ARC*
3 stars.
The positives: it's set in Akron, OH. All main characters and secondary characters are POC. Discussion of consent and losing one's virginity.
The negatives: this book is way too long. The writing is very cheesy in some sections, and the narration and dialogue is not very natural and certainly not how teens speak. The author is trying to sneak a lot of explanation into the main characters' internal dialogue and it just doesn't work. Major plot points (like Regan's choice of elective after dropping accounting) are so obvious early on in the text.
3 stars.
The positives: it's set in Akron, OH. All main characters and secondary characters are POC. Discussion of consent and losing one's virginity.
The negatives: this book is way too long. The writing is very cheesy in some sections, and the narration and dialogue is not very natural and certainly not how teens speak. The author is trying to sneak a lot of explanation into the main characters' internal dialogue and it just doesn't work. Major plot points (like Regan's choice of elective after dropping accounting) are so obvious early on in the text.
lisaluvsliterature's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is one of the nominees for the Gateway Award for the 23-24 school year. I had to read it in order to present about it at the Missouri Association of School Librarians spring conference, which I then didn’t get to go to because of my parents’ health issues popping up right when I was supposed to go. However it was a really good book, and I look forward to sharing it with my students. I liked how the characters had to realize what they needed to do for themselves. I liked that Guillermo didn’t immediately just become perfect right away. How he got into a bit of an altercation at one point, but was able to figure out when it really mattered, how to keep himself from going that way. I liked how Regan finally was able to tell her family what she wanted. I liked her storyline and how she didn’t let the pressure get to her. A really great book and definitely one deserving to be on the award list next school year!
novellyness's review
3.0
The Right Side of Reckless follows two main characters, Guillermo, a teen with some anger issues that landed him in juvie. At the start of the book, he is on probation and trying to make amends with his family by making a fresh start in life. The second main character, Regan, is a people-pleaser who does what is expected of her while sacrificing her own happiness in order to pursue the dreams her father has planned for her life. These two teens meet and find that their families and friends are starting to become intertwined and leads to a hot-and-cold friendship that might be more than that. And everyone around them has something to say about it.
I liked this book but I didn't love it. There was very little plot driving the story but I did love the main characters and their growth by the end of the book, however, it did feel like the slowest ride ever to get there.
Some of the topics addressed like not using violence to solve problems was great and encourages teens to find alternative ways to curb anger issues. The topic of not giving up one's virginity until one is completely ready was presented in an appropriate way that teens will relate to. Both of the main characters have great heads on their shoulders and give and receive excellent advice and guidance throughout the book. I believe this would be a great read for a teen in high school. It seemed very PG-13 with no explicit sexual content but briefly mentions that sex happens. If you're concerned with censoring your teenager from what happens in the real world, maybe you could use a read of this book too.
I would recommend this book for teenagers at the high school age. Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
I liked this book but I didn't love it. There was very little plot driving the story but I did love the main characters and their growth by the end of the book, however, it did feel like the slowest ride ever to get there.
Some of the topics addressed like not using violence to solve problems was great and encourages teens to find alternative ways to curb anger issues. The topic of not giving up one's virginity until one is completely ready was presented in an appropriate way that teens will relate to. Both of the main characters have great heads on their shoulders and give and receive excellent advice and guidance throughout the book. I believe this would be a great read for a teen in high school. It seemed very PG-13 with no explicit sexual content but briefly mentions that sex happens. If you're concerned with censoring your teenager from what happens in the real world, maybe you could use a read of this book too.
I would recommend this book for teenagers at the high school age. Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
mommasaystoread's review
4.0
If you're looking for a bad boy romance with a true bad boy, alpha type guy, this one isn't gonna do it. Guillermo has made some mistakes, but he's really not the bad kid people think he is. This boy genuinely wants to do better and he's making a real effort. As a mother, I absolutely loved this kid as he worked through his issues and tried to prove himself.
Then we have Regan, and ordinarily, I wouldn't care for a character with so much indecision about who and what she wants, but this case is a bit different. Regan is a teenager, so indecision is kind of part and parcel of that. The romance is a bit of a love triangle as Guillermo and Regan figure things out about each other, and Regan decides what she wants to do about her boyfriend, Troy. I worried at first about where this love triangle would go - as in whether or not there would be cheating, but the author steered clear of that.
I'll admit that I don't read a lot of young adult/teen romance. Mostly because some are so riddled with all the teenage angst, and as a mom, I see enough of that at home. That's not to say there's no angst here - we have a presumed bad boy and good girl, so a rule-breaker and a rule follower. These two are complete opposites and they're attracted to each other. There pretty much had to be some angst, but Grandison does an excellent job of keeping it to a minimum. And I greatly appreciated the lack of drama just for drama's sake.
The story started out a little bit slow, but there was just something about these characters that drew me in. The story is one of growth and healing as well as romance, and I tip my hat to the author for the accuracy of these characters. They act like teenagers - full of doubt while trying to get a foothold on becoming an adult, learning to face their mistakes and stand up for what they want. Even Regan's indecision about Troy felt real to me. I'm not usually a fan of indecision taking such a big part of a romance, but when her age is factored in, it's not a surprise.
To sum it up, The Right Side of Reckless is a well written, engaging teen/young adult romance. It's not over the top with angst, and it makes for an easy weekend read.
Then we have Regan, and ordinarily, I wouldn't care for a character with so much indecision about who and what she wants, but this case is a bit different. Regan is a teenager, so indecision is kind of part and parcel of that. The romance is a bit of a love triangle as Guillermo and Regan figure things out about each other, and Regan decides what she wants to do about her boyfriend, Troy. I worried at first about where this love triangle would go - as in whether or not there would be cheating, but the author steered clear of that.
I'll admit that I don't read a lot of young adult/teen romance. Mostly because some are so riddled with all the teenage angst, and as a mom, I see enough of that at home. That's not to say there's no angst here - we have a presumed bad boy and good girl, so a rule-breaker and a rule follower. These two are complete opposites and they're attracted to each other. There pretty much had to be some angst, but Grandison does an excellent job of keeping it to a minimum. And I greatly appreciated the lack of drama just for drama's sake.
The story started out a little bit slow, but there was just something about these characters that drew me in. The story is one of growth and healing as well as romance, and I tip my hat to the author for the accuracy of these characters. They act like teenagers - full of doubt while trying to get a foothold on becoming an adult, learning to face their mistakes and stand up for what they want. Even Regan's indecision about Troy felt real to me. I'm not usually a fan of indecision taking such a big part of a romance, but when her age is factored in, it's not a surprise.
To sum it up, The Right Side of Reckless is a well written, engaging teen/young adult romance. It's not over the top with angst, and it makes for an easy weekend read.