A review by jessread_s
Reckless by Elsie Silver

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Review: I honestly didn’t think anyone could ever make the surprise baby trope work, but Elsie Silver is truly exceptional! 

 

Winter is a very layered and complex character. In the other books in this series, she was portrayed as villain of sorts, but I quickly became heartbroken when I learned that her icy exterior developed as a result of being made to feel unloved by her awful ex-husband, her spiteful mother, and her absent father. It made me so happy when Theo came into the picture because he gave her the attention she deserved, became someone she could lean on, and helped her open up about her struggles. I loved watching her character develop the closer she became with Theo. I think motherhood played a huge role in her development as well. Her relationship with her daughter Vivi is so wholesome and in a way it helped Winter reconnect with her half-sister Summer. I enjoyed watching her grow as a person and heal.  

 

Theo! Dale! Silva! This man is the blueprint! He is such a great father and partner. It was truly devastating to see him come to the realization that he had missed out on so many “firsts” with his daughter—including her birth—all because of miscommunication, but he didn’t let that get in the way of stepping up to be a fully present father and I admire him so much for that. He also steps up for Winter too. He is protective of her, prioritizes her, and makes her feel lovable. I appreciate that he actively avoided being controlling (unlike her ex-husband) and came to her defense when she needed him to. He made sure Winter knew that she didn’t need to change or fix any aspect of herself by loving her unconditionally. 

 

The exploration of motherhood, self-acceptance, finding happiness, forgiveness, and moving forward is what makes “Reckless” so much more than a cowboy romance and set this book in cement as my favorite of the Chestnut Springs series.