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literaryhaylee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I don't think unrequited love is everyone's favorite, but it happens to be one of mine. Don't get me wrong, I go feral over men falling first. But sometimes it's a nice little sprinkle of seeing a woman going after someone she wants and winning?? If that makes sense. It breaks up all the typical romance formula, I guess??
Anyways, When We Were Reckless follows the romance between Jesse and Quinn. Jesse is the youngest brother of the McCallister's and even though this is a standalone, I recommend reading the previous two books first before jumping into this one.
Quinn is 9 years younger than Jesse and has always been in love with him. Matter-of-fact, when she was 5 years old she asked him to marry her and they had a cute little ceremony. Jesse never took her seriously and it was all in good fun. He knew she had a little crush on him, but never saw her that way.
Quinn knew she didn't stand a chance, but always showed her support to Jesse. Especially when Jesse's motocross career was starting to look a bit shaky due to him being involved in a really bad accident.
Jesse only ever wanted to be the best rider and he was, until he wasn't. When he finds out one of his rivals and the woman he sought to marry were sleeping together behind his back, he saw red. And this unfortunately this led to his downfall. Now Jesse is set to retire from his dream, leaving him a bit grumpy. Not knowing what to do next, his best friends asks for his help in running their local brewery (Jesse is part owner).
Now Jesse and Quinn are both working at the brewery for the summer and Quinn is determined to make Jesse see her as a woman and not a little girl.
Something to note is Quinn has kidney dysplasia and has had two kidney transplants. So everyone is constantly looking after her - making sure she is eating well and taking her medications. This is another reason Jesse decides to work at the brewery.
.
.
I am absolutely loving this series. There are NO skips, okay. It is that good!!
Anyways, When We Were Reckless follows the romance between Jesse and Quinn. Jesse is the youngest brother of the McCallister's and even though this is a standalone, I recommend reading the previous two books first before jumping into this one.
Quinn is 9 years younger than Jesse and has always been in love with him. Matter-of-fact, when she was 5 years old she asked him to marry her and they had a cute little ceremony. Jesse never took her seriously and it was all in good fun. He knew she had a little crush on him, but never saw her that way.
Quinn knew she didn't stand a chance, but always showed her support to Jesse. Especially when Jesse's motocross career was starting to look a bit shaky due to him being involved in a really bad accident.
Jesse only ever wanted to be the best rider and he was, until he wasn't. When he finds out one of his rivals and the woman he sought to marry were sleeping together behind his back, he saw red. And this unfortunately this led to his downfall. Now Jesse is set to retire from his dream, leaving him a bit grumpy. Not knowing what to do next, his best friends asks for his help in running their local brewery (Jesse is part owner).
Now Jesse and Quinn are both working at the brewery for the summer and Quinn is determined to make Jesse see her as a woman and not a little girl.
Something to note is Quinn has kidney dysplasia and has had two kidney transplants. So everyone is constantly looking after her - making sure she is eating well and taking her medications. This is another reason Jesse decides to work at the brewery.
.
.
I am absolutely loving this series. There are NO skips, okay. It is that good!!
emcclark42's review against another edition
2.0
I hate when older guys go after freshly 18 year olds. The author should have made the FMC 20 years old. It would have made the story so much better. I felt gross reading about an 18 year old being railed by a 27 year old.
tu_anh7's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
they’re rlly cute but the complication with her family was resolved way too quickly
also the epilogue with the kid was way to long. i had to read about that ugly child for much longer than i’d like
they’re rlly cute but the complication with her family was resolved way too quickly
also the epilogue with the kid was way to long. i had to read about that ugly child for much longer than i’d like
kaydanielsromance's review against another edition
5.0
A heartbreakingly beautiful story of how love can repair a broken soul and make you stronger than you ever thought possible.
I wish I could share all of the beautiful moments that happened in this story, but I'd basically be documenting most of the book verbatim, so, I'll stick to a review :)
Considering Jesse is a broken man and Quinn is suffering from unrequited love, these two have the most beautiful souls that continually lift each other up and truly want nothing but the best for each other out of life. They have known each other all their lives, given the age difference, Jesse is the best friend of one of Quinn's older brothers (she has three of them, who are all overly protective), so Jesse has known Quinn since the day she was born. When We Were Reckless highlights another great family, the Cavanaugh's, which I hope we see more of in the future.
Of the McCallister brothers, I'd call Jesse the charmer. It's no surprise that when Quinn was just five years old she declared her undying love for him and told him that she was going to marry him. Thirteen years later her affection has only grown for him, but when Jesse comes home after retiring from motocross, (a mystery in itself, since he's lived and breathed the sport for years) Quinn wants to help the man she knows, but she also wants to explore the feelings that have blossomed into something deeper now that she is officially an adult.
I've always loved Jesse, a guy so bright, full of life, full of everything - competitive spirit, integrity, hard work, he is just a likeable guy, but in this book he is a fallen man, his spirit is broken, and he is afraid to try, afraid to fail, afraid to love again. It was fascinating to watch someone who was the king of his own world, a shiny light to everyone around him become so dim. His mood now affected those around him and because he saw what his mood did, it kicked him in the pants and made him want to get better. That is the spirit I love about Jesse. He's that guy you root for because he is simply amazing and he doesn't stay down for long, not just for himself, but because he wants the best for everyone around him.
Quinn may be young, but she is wise beyond her years. She's also a lot like Jesse, full of optimism and passion (or at least the old Jesse). She may have a bit of hero worship from when she was younger, but they are also family friends and she wants to believe that their long time friendship will help now that he's home and hiding out from the world. She wants to bring the light back to Jesse's life and perhaps open his eyes to the possibilities of the two of them now that he's single. Could she finally have her fairy tale ending or will Jesse break her heart?
The McCallisters and Cavanagh's are both great families and I hope there are more stories to come from both of them. There are interconnections to past books, but When We Were Reckless can be read as a complete standalone.
I wish I could share all of the beautiful moments that happened in this story, but I'd basically be documenting most of the book verbatim, so, I'll stick to a review :)
Considering Jesse is a broken man and Quinn is suffering from unrequited love, these two have the most beautiful souls that continually lift each other up and truly want nothing but the best for each other out of life. They have known each other all their lives, given the age difference, Jesse is the best friend of one of Quinn's older brothers (she has three of them, who are all overly protective), so Jesse has known Quinn since the day she was born. When We Were Reckless highlights another great family, the Cavanaugh's, which I hope we see more of in the future.
Of the McCallister brothers, I'd call Jesse the charmer. It's no surprise that when Quinn was just five years old she declared her undying love for him and told him that she was going to marry him. Thirteen years later her affection has only grown for him, but when Jesse comes home after retiring from motocross, (a mystery in itself, since he's lived and breathed the sport for years) Quinn wants to help the man she knows, but she also wants to explore the feelings that have blossomed into something deeper now that she is officially an adult.
I've always loved Jesse, a guy so bright, full of life, full of everything - competitive spirit, integrity, hard work, he is just a likeable guy, but in this book he is a fallen man, his spirit is broken, and he is afraid to try, afraid to fail, afraid to love again. It was fascinating to watch someone who was the king of his own world, a shiny light to everyone around him become so dim. His mood now affected those around him and because he saw what his mood did, it kicked him in the pants and made him want to get better. That is the spirit I love about Jesse. He's that guy you root for because he is simply amazing and he doesn't stay down for long, not just for himself, but because he wants the best for everyone around him.
Quinn may be young, but she is wise beyond her years. She's also a lot like Jesse, full of optimism and passion (or at least the old Jesse). She may have a bit of hero worship from when she was younger, but they are also family friends and she wants to believe that their long time friendship will help now that he's home and hiding out from the world. She wants to bring the light back to Jesse's life and perhaps open his eyes to the possibilities of the two of them now that he's single. Could she finally have her fairy tale ending or will Jesse break her heart?
The McCallisters and Cavanagh's are both great families and I hope there are more stories to come from both of them. There are interconnections to past books, but When We Were Reckless can be read as a complete standalone.
bumedibum's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
caseroo7's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it! I could not put this book down, and while this is my first book by Emery Rose, it won't be my last! I love age gap and brother's best friend books, but this one was one of the best i've ever read. I loved Quinn and Jesse. They were great and I couldn't get enough of the chemistry and connection between them. Super sexy and perfect for one another, I am looking forward to reading more in this series! Highly recommend!
bookboyfriendandhusbandmake3's review against another edition
5.0
Emery Rose is a master of enthralling angsty stories, and When We Were Reckless is that and more.
One page was all it took for me to become completely enthralled by Quinn. Quinn wasn’t just the youngest and the only girl in the family but she had dealt with health issues, and that meant that her family was beyond protective of her.
Quinn was sunshine, she was optimistic with a side of witty sass. I loved the way she embraced life as the gift that it is, and while she generally lived cautiously, she was also willing to take chances. She knew what she wanted and she wasn’t going to back down from her dreams or the chance at a summer with the only man she’s ever loved.
Jesse had been through a rough time, in his personal life and his career, he was back in his hometown seeming to be a bit lost. He kept most people at arm's length, never really fully opening up, and while he went from growly to swoon throughout the story I fell more and more in love with him.
Jesse tried to deny the chemistry he and Quinn shared, but I don’t think it was ever a conscious choice, the magnetic pull between them was much too strong, and every look, touch, and whispered conversation made the gravitational pull between them that much stronger.
I wasn’t prepared for this angsty roller coaster ride of unrequited love and the painful blows my heart would take. Quinn’s emotions ever so eloquently infuse into the very depths of your heart bringing with it the heartbreak, pain, and rejection, that feels like lashes to your heart. It was the back and forth of the pull between them, and especially in the moments that Jesse put forth the most effort to sever the connection they shared. He turned into a growly possessive alpha and I will tell you, he upped his book boyfriend game in those moments.
You know the saying, “You can’t have the good without the bad,” the heartbreak is painful, but the moments they are happy feel like seeing a rainbow after a storm. Their playfulness, witty banter, and unyielding support of one another, it’s effortless between them, as natural as breathing.
When We Were Reckless is exceptionally unputdownable, an enthralling blend of magnetic chemistry, a swoony/possessive alpha hero, a sassy/determined heroine, ALL the FEELS, from heartache that you physically feel along with the characters, to butterflies fluttering, and everything in between, steam, and love, so much love, parents, siblings, and friends.
My top angsty read of 2021, Emery Rose put my heart through the wringer, and ever so eloquently wove every painful piece into something profoundly beautiful.
Website | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram
One page was all it took for me to become completely enthralled by Quinn. Quinn wasn’t just the youngest and the only girl in the family but she had dealt with health issues, and that meant that her family was beyond protective of her.
Quinn was sunshine, she was optimistic with a side of witty sass. I loved the way she embraced life as the gift that it is, and while she generally lived cautiously, she was also willing to take chances. She knew what she wanted and she wasn’t going to back down from her dreams or the chance at a summer with the only man she’s ever loved.
Jesse had been through a rough time, in his personal life and his career, he was back in his hometown seeming to be a bit lost. He kept most people at arm's length, never really fully opening up, and while he went from growly to swoon throughout the story I fell more and more in love with him.
Jesse tried to deny the chemistry he and Quinn shared, but I don’t think it was ever a conscious choice, the magnetic pull between them was much too strong, and every look, touch, and whispered conversation made the gravitational pull between them that much stronger.
I wasn’t prepared for this angsty roller coaster ride of unrequited love and the painful blows my heart would take. Quinn’s emotions ever so eloquently infuse into the very depths of your heart bringing with it the heartbreak, pain, and rejection, that feels like lashes to your heart. It was the back and forth of the pull between them, and especially in the moments that Jesse put forth the most effort to sever the connection they shared. He turned into a growly possessive alpha and I will tell you, he upped his book boyfriend game in those moments.
You know the saying, “You can’t have the good without the bad,” the heartbreak is painful, but the moments they are happy feel like seeing a rainbow after a storm. Their playfulness, witty banter, and unyielding support of one another, it’s effortless between them, as natural as breathing.
When We Were Reckless is exceptionally unputdownable, an enthralling blend of magnetic chemistry, a swoony/possessive alpha hero, a sassy/determined heroine, ALL the FEELS, from heartache that you physically feel along with the characters, to butterflies fluttering, and everything in between, steam, and love, so much love, parents, siblings, and friends.
My top angsty read of 2021, Emery Rose put my heart through the wringer, and ever so eloquently wove every painful piece into something profoundly beautiful.
Website | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram
lobetweenpages's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5