A review by lauralou_reads_
A Reckless Memory by Marie Johnston

3.0

A Reckless Memory by Marie Johnston is the first novel in the Oil Knights series. This second chance romance story is about Aggie Knight and Ansen Barron. Aggie lived and worked on the ranch owned by her father, Barnaby Knight. Ansen lived in a cabin on their land while working as a horse trainer for Barnaby. Their story starts out on their wedding day, when Aggie learns that her father is paying Ansen to marry her. After hearing this, she leaves Ansen and her family and doesn't look back. The story then picks up ten years later when Aggie sends out a drunken email offering Ansen a job.

Ansen accepts the job not knowing it was for Aggie, and since he desperately needs work he still takes on the job even after learning Aggie will be his boss. Unfortunately I have to say that I didn't care for these circumstances that brought them back together after ten years. And when Ansen tries to get Aggie to give him a second chance, I had a hard time with it because he didn't even know if he would be in it for the long haul. After how things had ended with them ten years ago, I don't think it was fair for Ansen to pursue anything with Aggie until he was ready to have a future with her. I would have been more accepting of him if he discovered how much he really did love Aggie during their time apart, and then tracked her down to try to win her back.

With that being said, I can understand Aggie's feelings when it came to Ansen and respected her decision to finally give him another chance. I did like how Aggie was such a strong female character. I loved how she would try to stand up for herself. It was definitely tough for her growing up with four older brothers and a father that was a real piece of work. I felt for her and all that she had been through. I could relate to her older brothers when it came to their concerns over Ansen. I found myself thinking similarly, and I wouldn't want my sister to get hurt again. But at the end of the day, I would support her no matter what. And although I wasn't a big fan of Ansen, I did like when he took Aggie on dates and remembered things she liked from when they were together. I also enjoyed Ansen's jealousy when it came to Aggie and other men. I was glad to see how Ansen reconnected with his brother, father, and the rest of his family.

In the end, I was happy to see Aggie get her HEA. Overall it was a good read and a great introduction to the Knight family. I am interested to read Cody's story next, as well as the rest in this series.

I did receive an ARC and voluntarily read it for an honest review.



Merged review:

A Reckless Memory by Marie Johnston is the first novel in the Oil Knights series. This second chance romance story is about Aggie Knight and Ansen Barron. Aggie lived and worked on the ranch owned by her father, Barnaby Knight. Ansen lived in a cabin on their land while working as a horse trainer for Barnaby. Their story starts out on their wedding day, when Aggie learns that her father is paying Ansen to marry her. After hearing this, she leaves Ansen and her family and doesn't look back. The story then picks up ten years later when Aggie sends out a drunken email offering Ansen a job.

Ansen accepts the job not knowing it was for Aggie, and since he desperately needs work he still takes on the job even after learning Aggie will be his boss. Unfortunately I have to say that I didn't care for these circumstances that brought them back together after ten years. And when Ansen tries to get Aggie to give him a second chance, I had a hard time with it because he didn't even know if he would be in it for the long haul. After how things had ended with them ten years ago, I don't think it was fair for Ansen to pursue anything with Aggie until he was ready to have a future with her. I would have been more accepting of him if he discovered how much he really did love Aggie during their time apart, and then tracked her down to try to win her back.

With that being said, I can understand Aggie's feelings when it came to Ansen and respected her decision to finally give him another chance. I did like how Aggie was such a strong female character. I loved how she would try to stand up for herself. It was definitely tough for her growing up with four older brothers and a father that was a real piece of work. I felt for her and all that she had been through. I could relate to her older brothers when it came to their concerns over Ansen. I found myself thinking similarly, and I wouldn't want my sister to get hurt again. But at the end of the day, I would support her no matter what. And although I wasn't a big fan of Ansen, I did like when he took Aggie on dates and remembered things she liked from when they were together. I also enjoyed Ansen's jealousy when it came to Aggie and other men. I was glad to see how Ansen reconnected with his brother, father, and the rest of his family.

In the end, I was happy to see Aggie get her HEA. Overall it was a good read and a great introduction to the Knight family. I am interested to read Cody's story next, as well as the rest in this series.

I did receive an ARC and voluntarily read it for an honest review.