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Wreckless
Wreckless... Where obsession and rebellion collide.
Bridget Larson's never met a rule she didn’t like. Drawing inside the lines isn’t just a way of life – it’s the only way she can make it through the day. And through it all her BFF Leah has stood inside the lines with her through the unspeakable. Then Bridget catches her boyfriend with Leah--and the last thing on her mind is staying safe.
Salvation... A bad boy and his jacked up pickup.
Jake Moore was everything she needed and nothing he claimed to be. With one night of freedom and a spontaneously scribbled Rebellion List, Jake leads Bridget down every path she thought was forbidden... And into the one place she'd thought was lost to her forever.
Bridget Larson's never met a rule she didn’t like. Drawing inside the lines isn’t just a way of life – it’s the only way she can make it through the day. And through it all her BFF Leah has stood inside the lines with her through the unspeakable. Then Bridget catches her boyfriend with Leah--and the last thing on her mind is staying safe.
Salvation... A bad boy and his jacked up pickup.
Jake Moore was everything she needed and nothing he claimed to be. With one night of freedom and a spontaneously scribbled Rebellion List, Jake leads Bridget down every path she thought was forbidden... And into the one place she'd thought was lost to her forever.
243 pages, ebook
First published June 12, 2013
About the author
Bria Quinlan
28 books432 followersBria Quinlan is an award-nominated bestselling author of eight Romantic Comedies and YA Issue Books (that she swears are funny...really. They are.) Her books make you snort Diet Coke out your nose or tear up and curse her name.
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ybgdq33r
Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/krvpqjr
BN: https://tinyurl.com/ydf9det6
iBooks: https://tinyurl.com/jrblzqr
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y9bcw7za
Twitter: https://tinyurl.com/zsxehx8
Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/yd8nv8tj
BookBub: https://tinyurl.com/y8edzs5d
BREW HA HA SERIES
#1 The Last Single Girl
#2 Worth the Fall
#3 The Catching Kind
#4 The Proposing Kind
#5 Things That Shine
#6 *In Progress*!
STARLIGHT HARBOR
#1 The Sweetest Things
#2 Back to You (summer 2022!!!)
RVHS SECRETS
#1 Secret Girlfriend
#2 Secret Life
YA Standalones
Wreckless
It didn’t surprise anyone when Bria Quinlan started writing YA Rom Coms… after all, her life is a walking sitcom (minus the commercials). Plus, secretly she’s still 16 (although her license says something different). Finally putting those English Literature and Creative Writing degrees and Copy Editing cert to work, Bria’s excited to get her quirky stories on the page to share with the world (or at least a segment of it).
She’s represented by the awesomely amazing Lauren Macleod of the Clan…. Oh, wait. Of Strothman Agency.
Bria writes Romantic Comedies for teens that take hard topics and make you laugh through your tears. You can contact her at briaquinlan.com OR twitter @briaquinlan
She also writes sweet & sassy Contemporary Romances as Caitie Quinn.
A proud Golden Heart Finalist, she’s focusing on writing stories that make you laugh, make you cry and remind you that life is an adventure not to be ignored.
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ybgdq33r
Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/krvpqjr
BN: https://tinyurl.com/ydf9det6
iBooks: https://tinyurl.com/jrblzqr
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y9bcw7za
Twitter: https://tinyurl.com/zsxehx8
Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/yd8nv8tj
BookBub: https://tinyurl.com/y8edzs5d
BREW HA HA SERIES
#1 The Last Single Girl
#2 Worth the Fall
#3 The Catching Kind
#4 The Proposing Kind
#5 Things That Shine
#6 *In Progress*!
STARLIGHT HARBOR
#1 The Sweetest Things
#2 Back to You (summer 2022!!!)
RVHS SECRETS
#1 Secret Girlfriend
#2 Secret Life
YA Standalones
Wreckless
It didn’t surprise anyone when Bria Quinlan started writing YA Rom Coms… after all, her life is a walking sitcom (minus the commercials). Plus, secretly she’s still 16 (although her license says something different). Finally putting those English Literature and Creative Writing degrees and Copy Editing cert to work, Bria’s excited to get her quirky stories on the page to share with the world (or at least a segment of it).
She’s represented by the awesomely amazing Lauren Macleod of the Clan…. Oh, wait. Of Strothman Agency.
Bria writes Romantic Comedies for teens that take hard topics and make you laugh through your tears. You can contact her at briaquinlan.com OR twitter @briaquinlan
She also writes sweet & sassy Contemporary Romances as Caitie Quinn.
A proud Golden Heart Finalist, she’s focusing on writing stories that make you laugh, make you cry and remind you that life is an adventure not to be ignored.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
June 15, 2013
Wreckless was a sweet, poignant romance that, at it's heart, was about learning that keeping yourself safe isn't the same as keeping yourself closed off from everything.
Bridget was just taking the first baby steps out of a brittle shell she's formed for herself when her first-ever boyfriend shattered it in one fell swoop. Jake is her knight in a shining pickup truck who challenges her to face the dragons surrounding her head-on instead of trying to shield her from them.
Of course, being a teen romance, there are plenty of twists and turns and secrets and swoons along the way to this sweet HEA.
I loved the rich Southern voice in this book, and the changing self-expression of a girl who was going from crying at the state fair to punching a boy who had wronged her square in the jaw, right in front of her mama.
This book is highly recommended to those who love teen romances with a strong coming of age theme.
Bridget was just taking the first baby steps out of a brittle shell she's formed for herself when her first-ever boyfriend shattered it in one fell swoop. Jake is her knight in a shining pickup truck who challenges her to face the dragons surrounding her head-on instead of trying to shield her from them.
Of course, being a teen romance, there are plenty of twists and turns and secrets and swoons along the way to this sweet HEA.
I loved the rich Southern voice in this book, and the changing self-expression of a girl who was going from crying at the state fair to punching a boy who had wronged her square in the jaw, right in front of her mama.
This book is highly recommended to those who love teen romances with a strong coming of age theme.
December 19, 2017
You can find this review in English below.
Esta es una de esas historias que es más de lo que parece (aunque al final se queda corta). No me esperaba un tema tan espinoso, ni un punto de vista tan abierto y acertado. Esta es una de esas historias en las que te preguntas qué habrías hecho tú en su lugar. Y yo no he sabido contestarme…
Bridged Larson ha pasado por mucho. Ha pasado por lo inimaginable y por lo que nadie debería tener que pasar. Ella y su familia. Y cada cual lo ha llevado como ha podido. Ni mejor ni peor, como han podido. Pero de repente un día, su vida perfectamente cuadriculada y predecible se desmorona. ¿Qué hacer cuando, de nuevo, se viene abajo uno de los pilares de tu vida?
Desde luego hay varias respuestas a esta pregunta, y muchas de ellas válidas. La que ha elegido la autora ha sido sutilmente perfecta. Y un poco irrealista, pero a estas alturas es de agradecer un punto de vista dulce y algo ingenuo, la verdad.
Esta historia trata de salir de una burbuja y vivir la vida. De asumir riesgos y de ampliar tus horizontes. De crecer como persona y de convertir lo que más te duele en lo que te hace más fuerte. De aprender de los errores, pero no dejar que ellos guíen tu vida.
No es perfecta, ni de lejos, pero a mí me ha llegado. Hay premisas que no son realistas, que no concuerdan bien con los personajes, pero siempre se pueden justificar, aunque sólo sea porque a los 16 no puedes pensar como a los 40.
Ha tenido sus momentos dulces, sus momentos locos, sus momentos peligrosos y sus momentos desoladores. En conjunto a funcionado y como ya dije antes, me ha llegado. Esta es una de esas historias que necesita el momento perfecto y, por suerte para mí, yo estaba en él.
Me quedo con una estrella porque el final no ha sido el adecuado. Porque a los 16 años me ha chocado que actúen con tantísima madurez, pero sobre todo porque, después de lidiar con una historia tan desgarradora, el final ha sido de película de Hollywood. OTT. Hubiese preferido algo más íntimo. Más sincero. Más real.
***
This is one of those stories that is more than it seems (although in the end it fell short). I did not expect such a raw topic, nor such an open and interesting point of view. This is one of those stories where you wonder what would you have done were you in their shoes. And I couldn´t come up with the perfect answer ...
Bridged Larson has gone through a lot. She had to go through the unimaginable, through what no one should ever have to go. She and her family. And each one had borne it as best as they could. Neither better nor worse, simply as they could. But suddenly one day, her perfectly squared and predictable life crumbles. What to do when, again, one of the pillars of your life comes down?
Of course, there are several answers to this question, and a lot of them valid. The one chosen by the author has been subtly perfect. And a bit unrealistic, but at this point, it is appreciated a sweet and somewhat naive point of view, truth be told.
This story is about getting out of a bubble and living life. About taking risks and expanding your horizons. About growing as a person and convert what hurts the most in what makes you stronger. About learning from mistakes, but not to letting them guide your life.
It has not been perfect, by any means, but it has moved me. There are premises that are not realistic, which do not go well with the characters, but they can always be justified, if only because at 16 you can´t think like at 40.
It has had its sweet moments, its crazy moments, its dangerous moments and its devastating moments. As a whole it has worked and as I said before, it has touched me. This is one of those stories that needs the perfect moment and, luckily for me, I was in it.
I'll keep a star because the end has not been the right one. Because it shocked me they acted with so much maturity being 16 years old, but especially because, after dealing with a story so heartbreaking, the end has felt more like a Hollywood movie. OTT. I would have preferred something more intimate. More sincere. More real.
Esta es una de esas historias que es más de lo que parece (aunque al final se queda corta). No me esperaba un tema tan espinoso, ni un punto de vista tan abierto y acertado. Esta es una de esas historias en las que te preguntas qué habrías hecho tú en su lugar. Y yo no he sabido contestarme…
Bridged Larson ha pasado por mucho. Ha pasado por lo inimaginable y por lo que nadie debería tener que pasar. Ella y su familia. Y cada cual lo ha llevado como ha podido. Ni mejor ni peor, como han podido. Pero de repente un día, su vida perfectamente cuadriculada y predecible se desmorona. ¿Qué hacer cuando, de nuevo, se viene abajo uno de los pilares de tu vida?
Desde luego hay varias respuestas a esta pregunta, y muchas de ellas válidas. La que ha elegido la autora ha sido sutilmente perfecta. Y un poco irrealista, pero a estas alturas es de agradecer un punto de vista dulce y algo ingenuo, la verdad.
Esta historia trata de salir de una burbuja y vivir la vida. De asumir riesgos y de ampliar tus horizontes. De crecer como persona y de convertir lo que más te duele en lo que te hace más fuerte. De aprender de los errores, pero no dejar que ellos guíen tu vida.
No es perfecta, ni de lejos, pero a mí me ha llegado. Hay premisas que no son realistas, que no concuerdan bien con los personajes, pero siempre se pueden justificar, aunque sólo sea porque a los 16 no puedes pensar como a los 40.
Ha tenido sus momentos dulces, sus momentos locos, sus momentos peligrosos y sus momentos desoladores. En conjunto a funcionado y como ya dije antes, me ha llegado. Esta es una de esas historias que necesita el momento perfecto y, por suerte para mí, yo estaba en él.
Me quedo con una estrella porque el final no ha sido el adecuado. Porque a los 16 años me ha chocado que actúen con tantísima madurez, pero sobre todo porque, después de lidiar con una historia tan desgarradora, el final ha sido de película de Hollywood. OTT. Hubiese preferido algo más íntimo. Más sincero. Más real.
***
This is one of those stories that is more than it seems (although in the end it fell short). I did not expect such a raw topic, nor such an open and interesting point of view. This is one of those stories where you wonder what would you have done were you in their shoes. And I couldn´t come up with the perfect answer ...
Bridged Larson has gone through a lot. She had to go through the unimaginable, through what no one should ever have to go. She and her family. And each one had borne it as best as they could. Neither better nor worse, simply as they could. But suddenly one day, her perfectly squared and predictable life crumbles. What to do when, again, one of the pillars of your life comes down?
Of course, there are several answers to this question, and a lot of them valid. The one chosen by the author has been subtly perfect. And a bit unrealistic, but at this point, it is appreciated a sweet and somewhat naive point of view, truth be told.
This story is about getting out of a bubble and living life. About taking risks and expanding your horizons. About growing as a person and convert what hurts the most in what makes you stronger. About learning from mistakes, but not to letting them guide your life.
It has not been perfect, by any means, but it has moved me. There are premises that are not realistic, which do not go well with the characters, but they can always be justified, if only because at 16 you can´t think like at 40.
It has had its sweet moments, its crazy moments, its dangerous moments and its devastating moments. As a whole it has worked and as I said before, it has touched me. This is one of those stories that needs the perfect moment and, luckily for me, I was in it.
I'll keep a star because the end has not been the right one. Because it shocked me they acted with so much maturity being 16 years old, but especially because, after dealing with a story so heartbreaking, the end has felt more like a Hollywood movie. OTT. I would have preferred something more intimate. More sincere. More real.
June 12, 2013
YA about being wronged and rebellion against oneself
Bridget is a beautiful silver blonde that dresses like a school teacher and lives by her rules, they make her life safe, easy and controlled. Bridget catches her best friend and her boyfriend making out, they've been having an affair. After seeing them she hides from confrontation, behind 'bad-boy' Jake's truck.
Jake looks and acts like a bad-boy. Though he is kind to Bridget and offers her a ride home after her ordeal. The world collides in on Bridget, she's fed up of listening to the rules, she needs to feel free, she needs to do the things normal teens do, she needs to do everything that she writes on her new Rebellion List and Jake is the guy to help her.
The story follows Jake and Bridget on the quest to get her list done. Its an adventure over the space of one night.
The book is very much aimed at teenagers, but is written well and is not childish, it addresses many teenage angst issues. I enjoyed the adventure and Jake, it was a easy, sweet and fun read.
Writing style: 9/10
Characters: 8/10
Romance: 8/10
Uniqueness: 7/10
Ending: 8/10
My star ratings:
1* Complete trash
2* Waste of time really, but I carried on for some reason
3* Half decent, usually down to personal preferences
4* Could read this again, only a little thing is missing, maybe more humour or romance etc...
5* Would read this again and again, unique story, adore this author
Bridget is a beautiful silver blonde that dresses like a school teacher and lives by her rules, they make her life safe, easy and controlled. Bridget catches her best friend and her boyfriend making out, they've been having an affair. After seeing them she hides from confrontation, behind 'bad-boy' Jake's truck.
Jake looks and acts like a bad-boy. Though he is kind to Bridget and offers her a ride home after her ordeal. The world collides in on Bridget, she's fed up of listening to the rules, she needs to feel free, she needs to do the things normal teens do, she needs to do everything that she writes on her new Rebellion List and Jake is the guy to help her.
The story follows Jake and Bridget on the quest to get her list done. Its an adventure over the space of one night.
The book is very much aimed at teenagers, but is written well and is not childish, it addresses many teenage angst issues. I enjoyed the adventure and Jake, it was a easy, sweet and fun read.
Writing style: 9/10
Characters: 8/10
Romance: 8/10
Uniqueness: 7/10
Ending: 8/10
My star ratings:
1* Complete trash
2* Waste of time really, but I carried on for some reason
3* Half decent, usually down to personal preferences
4* Could read this again, only a little thing is missing, maybe more humour or romance etc...
5* Would read this again and again, unique story, adore this author
June 4, 2013
At first this story reads like a light-hearted adventure: perfect A student Bridget discovers her boyfriend cheating on her and happens to run into bad boy Jake, who seems like just what she needs to shake her goody two-shoes persona. What good has it done her anyway? Apparently it's lead everyone to think they can walk all over her. Suddenly Bridget's putting together a Rebellion List and acting out in little ways as she starts to break out of her shell.
Gradually, you start to see that there's a lot more behind both of these characters than what's on the surface. You learn why Bridget's parents are so protective and why she allows them to keep her in a box, becoming the perfect daughter and student. Jake's got more behind him than a few cute smiles and one-liners as well, and I quickly became sucked into learning more about these two as the night progressed. Their little misadventures kept me entertained, but it was their emotional connection that really hooked me.
Overall, I felt this is a story that captures a genuine teenage vibe. When certain things like how people see you can mean so much and how a single night can seem magical and last forever. The adventures and dialogue are clever and sweet and the ending is cute. A great read.
Gradually, you start to see that there's a lot more behind both of these characters than what's on the surface. You learn why Bridget's parents are so protective and why she allows them to keep her in a box, becoming the perfect daughter and student. Jake's got more behind him than a few cute smiles and one-liners as well, and I quickly became sucked into learning more about these two as the night progressed. Their little misadventures kept me entertained, but it was their emotional connection that really hooked me.
Overall, I felt this is a story that captures a genuine teenage vibe. When certain things like how people see you can mean so much and how a single night can seem magical and last forever. The adventures and dialogue are clever and sweet and the ending is cute. A great read.
August 15, 2013
I met Miss Quinlan at RWA where she signed a copy of Wreckless for me and it said "Codi, who gets to read this one first! Bria Q"
Okay, I'm just gonna say this loud and clear so there is no mistaking my meaning....
EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK!
Yeah, that's righ, this book is so freaking awesome it's on my to be reread as often as I want! It's a young adult novel about a good girl (for very sad reasons she has made up these rules for herself)and the one wild night where she steps outside her comfort zone.
Sixteen year old Bridget Larson has always colored between the lines and never steeped out of bounds. When a misunderstanding makes her late for a date with her boyfriend, she stumbles upon his no good cheating butt feeling up her best friend (curse word here). Humiliated, she finds herself hiding in a parking lot when hottie mc hottertons Jake Moore offers to take her home. Only they take a little detour and Bridget starts making a list of rules she wants to break. And those are all the spoilers I'm going to give you but it is a fantastic adventure that made me laugh, giggle, squeal, cry, groan, and dance! Jake is fantastic, I love him and Bridget is amazing...go forth and read my friends!!!!
Okay, I'm just gonna say this loud and clear so there is no mistaking my meaning....
EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK!
Yeah, that's righ, this book is so freaking awesome it's on my to be reread as often as I want! It's a young adult novel about a good girl (for very sad reasons she has made up these rules for herself)and the one wild night where she steps outside her comfort zone.
Sixteen year old Bridget Larson has always colored between the lines and never steeped out of bounds. When a misunderstanding makes her late for a date with her boyfriend, she stumbles upon his no good cheating butt feeling up her best friend (curse word here). Humiliated, she finds herself hiding in a parking lot when hottie mc hottertons Jake Moore offers to take her home. Only they take a little detour and Bridget starts making a list of rules she wants to break. And those are all the spoilers I'm going to give you but it is a fantastic adventure that made me laugh, giggle, squeal, cry, groan, and dance! Jake is fantastic, I love him and Bridget is amazing...go forth and read my friends!!!!
January 27, 2016
A sweet and fast read!
Really simple story with some unsatisfactory endings like how she manages the ex boyfriend and ex best friend for cheating and betraying her. But I liked the underlying theme of nothing stops the life if you don't give up, life moves on! And of course everyone like happy endings so a movie-ending type declaration of love was really fun to read! :D
Recommended for fast reads.
Really simple story with some unsatisfactory endings like how she manages the ex boyfriend and ex best friend for cheating and betraying her. But I liked the underlying theme of nothing stops the life if you don't give up, life moves on! And of course everyone like happy endings so a movie-ending type declaration of love was really fun to read! :D
Recommended for fast reads.
June 10, 2013
What a great story. This author is becoming a favorite. :)
“I couldn't believe this guy—the one who had been my knight in shining armor just thirty minutes ago—was calling me boring. And a coward. And a nun!
A nun was just too far. We were Lutheran, for crying out loud.”
“I couldn't believe this guy—the one who had been my knight in shining armor just thirty minutes ago—was calling me boring. And a coward. And a nun!
A nun was just too far. We were Lutheran, for crying out loud.”
July 7, 2020
I almost put this book down but I trust Bria as an author and knew she wouldn't take me down any dark winding roads. I hate stories where the good girl turns bad for whatever reason. This tho was very different as you keep reading you see what motivates both of their actions and it all comes together to make a really sweet romantic story and a good coming of age story. This really pulled me in, it has some really fun moments and some good characters that make you want to know their story. I didn't want to put this down. It was fun to read.
This book has a darker feel then her other books, partying, underage drinking, nudity(that is not sexual), a little revenge. But it really all does come full circle and work out in the end to teach a good lesson.
This book has a darker feel then her other books, partying, underage drinking, nudity(that is not sexual), a little revenge. But it really all does come full circle and work out in the end to teach a good lesson.
February 24, 2015
So I gave this book 1 star. I didn't like it at all and find myself rolling my eyes way too many times. I couldn't connect with the characters or the plot. I didn't care what happened to them. Nothing drew me in; nothing speculator happened. To me this felt like the type of movie that Disney would make if you took out all of the PG-13 stuff. I seen that a lot of people really enjoyed this book, so maybe it wasn't my genre.
June 7, 2020
I read this a few years ago, I was going through my shelves and accidently deleted my review. GRRRR...
June 9, 2020
The premise of this was really interesting. I liked the balance that was struck with the hero being protective, as well as pushing the heroine out of her comfort zone.
This was a fun YA adventure.
Content: mostly clean. References to sex. Some underage drinking.
This was a fun YA adventure.
Content: mostly clean. References to sex. Some underage drinking.
June 14, 2013
I loved this book and in my personal opinion, believe that anyone whom enjoys the contemporary/romance genre should read it!!!
The book itself was written beautifully and I really connected with the main character of Bridget Larson. Bridget is definitely a goody goody:) Everyone knows one…she is the girl that will “accidentally” let it spill to your parents that you weren’t really at your best friends house last night. OR, the girl that will remind you that underage drinking is against the law and should not be done. She has NEVER done a bad or immoral thing in her life. That is until she meets Jake Moore!
Jake, Jake, Jake…I was having wonderful Jake dreams for days after reading this one. Add another one to the book boyfriend list. He pushes Bridget out of her comfort zone and really, it was for the better. He is rugged and built, he can be mocking and frustrating , but sweet and sensitive all within an hour of knowing him.
Bridget is tired of being looked at as perfect. She never did anything crazy in high school and she is about to graduate without having any real memories of her high school experience. She pulls out a napkin and starts creating a list of things she wants to do all within this one night’s time. Some items on the list include skinny dipping (my favorite), stealing a street sign, going to a party and kissing a boy that is NOT her boyfriend. Sounds easy enough right? Jake Moore is willing to help a girl out which leads to some very funny scenarios!
I literally blew right through this book and could not put it down. I loved the beginning, I loved the middle and I loved the ending! I enjoyed all the extra characters and really liked the idea of a scavenger hunt of sorts. Also the fact that the two main characters had just met and one wasn’t just pining for the other one their whole life. It was like a breath of fresh air to the book world.
I highly recommend this book and would love for anyone whom reads it to come back here and let me know your thoughts! I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did:)
The book itself was written beautifully and I really connected with the main character of Bridget Larson. Bridget is definitely a goody goody:) Everyone knows one…she is the girl that will “accidentally” let it spill to your parents that you weren’t really at your best friends house last night. OR, the girl that will remind you that underage drinking is against the law and should not be done. She has NEVER done a bad or immoral thing in her life. That is until she meets Jake Moore!
Jake, Jake, Jake…I was having wonderful Jake dreams for days after reading this one. Add another one to the book boyfriend list. He pushes Bridget out of her comfort zone and really, it was for the better. He is rugged and built, he can be mocking and frustrating , but sweet and sensitive all within an hour of knowing him.
Bridget is tired of being looked at as perfect. She never did anything crazy in high school and she is about to graduate without having any real memories of her high school experience. She pulls out a napkin and starts creating a list of things she wants to do all within this one night’s time. Some items on the list include skinny dipping (my favorite), stealing a street sign, going to a party and kissing a boy that is NOT her boyfriend. Sounds easy enough right? Jake Moore is willing to help a girl out which leads to some very funny scenarios!
I literally blew right through this book and could not put it down. I loved the beginning, I loved the middle and I loved the ending! I enjoyed all the extra characters and really liked the idea of a scavenger hunt of sorts. Also the fact that the two main characters had just met and one wasn’t just pining for the other one their whole life. It was like a breath of fresh air to the book world.
I highly recommend this book and would love for anyone whom reads it to come back here and let me know your thoughts! I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did:)
June 4, 2013
Wow! That sums this book up nicely. I have read Bria's books under the alias Caitie Quinn and loved them, but didn't know what to expect under the YA label. She did not disappoint! Being wayyyy past young adult, I still enjoy the genre because the stories remind me of a time when love seemed so complicated, but it really wasn't. I always finish a YA novel with a great feeling and a smile. While reading Wreckless I found myself thinking that Bridget could have been me, and Jake, well he wasn't like anyone I went to school with! The issues that were addressed in the book were done with such compassion and humor. I laughed and even found myself tearing up in several places. I recommend this book to anyone, at any age, who enjoys reading about characters that while they aren't perfect, they leave you feeling like their experiences are similar to your own, but handled is such a charmingly perfect way. Can't wait to read what Bria writes next! I'm also thinking that maybe I'll come up with my own list to remind me that no matter what my age, sometimes it's fun to break out of my self imposed rules and live a little;)
August 29, 2013
This was a super quick read! Did it in one morning! It was fun and fast-paced. I loved that both Jake and Bridget just needed someone to talk to about what was going on. Despite what happened between Leah and Tanner, they really fell in love with each other in a way so it was nice of Bridget to be understanding about it because sometimes you just can't help who you fall in love with even though the way they went about it was messed up. I was heartbroken when Bridget found Jake's phone and what was on it. But, his heartfelt apology was so cute even in front of Bridget's father. It doesn't make what he did any less crappy though so I do hope that he ends up making it up to her. I love Bridget as a character. I understood her and related to her even though I haven't been through what she went through. Overall, I loved this book! It was a create quick read. Can't wait to read more from Bria!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2013
This book was part light hearted, funny, romantic comedy and part serious drama, and I loved it all. The pacing was perfect, and the characters were endearing and authentic. I'm kind of attached to Bridget and Jake now. I wish I could read more of their story. :) Bria's writing is skillful, fun and engrossing. I couldn't put this book down. I read it in one day. The storyline kind of surprised me. I thought it would be a bit predictable, I didn't expect things to get quite that deep, but it was handled very well and I like that instead of staying surface level and easy, the plot dealt with some tougher issues head on and in a unique and thoughtful way. I just don't have words for how much I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend you check it out for yourself.
www.wanderingthepages.tumblr.com
www.wanderingthepages.tumblr.com
June 4, 2013
Bria Quinlan's stories can easily be described as teen romantic comedies that pack a whole lotta heart. What I liked most about WRECKLESS was the story was fun and sweeps the reader up in all the excitement of the Rebellion List...until you realize just what's at stake for Bridget.
WRECKLESS is the perfect read to kick your summer off right. Throw a little Luke Bryan on your playlist and get ready to go to the country fair, drive around with a cute boy in his jacked up pickup truck, and cause some trouble.
More at http://bit.ly/11CWoBh
WRECKLESS is the perfect read to kick your summer off right. Throw a little Luke Bryan on your playlist and get ready to go to the country fair, drive around with a cute boy in his jacked up pickup truck, and cause some trouble.
More at http://bit.ly/11CWoBh
October 21, 2013
It was just to immature for my taste which I why I typically refrain from reading young adult books about high school but once again I find myself a victim of raving reviews that don't live up to my expectations... : (
June 20, 2017
When I started this book I was wondering where it was going. I am so glad I found out!! I loved it! Jake, Jake he was sweet, sexy, clueless, and mysterious. Bridget was real, closed off, and adventurous. The two of them together were dynamite.
This story had all emotions you want to feel when reading a YA book. Trust me when I say you want to add this one to your collection. Give it a read ;)
PS. I'm waiting for a Andy and Jamie story!!
This story had all emotions you want to feel when reading a YA book. Trust me when I say you want to add this one to your collection. Give it a read ;)
PS. I'm waiting for a Andy and Jamie story!!
October 8, 2023
Pretty average and predictable but I enjoyed it anyway! The book was funny in parts and I liked the 2 main characters! Not bad at all!
October 20, 2024
There's a couple of things I didn't enjoy, but this book is largely inoffensive and sweet. Kind of like a 2000s high school rom com. Very fun and wholesome.
September 19, 2023
This book was a joy to read!
Not my first time reading this author as own several of her books. I loved everything about this book. What sucked me in most was how intelligent the writing is and the strength of the message.
Not my first time reading this author as own several of her books. I loved everything about this book. What sucked me in most was how intelligent the writing is and the strength of the message.
August 30, 2021
3.5 really, but hey, I loved it enough to marathon it on my day off. This was very different than any coming-of-age novel I've read (save for a few Sarah Dessen heroes). Here we go:
Pros
-Word Play
*The title Wreckless is a play on the idea of reckless: Jake explains that just because people are more impulsive/wilder than Bridget doesn't mean bad things will happen or that they're doing this just because; you can be wreckless, meaning you can walk away from the rebellious act unscathed.
-Opening Line
*Chapter one begins with a line of dialogue from Bridget's mother. Sounds small, but so many books open with description of our character's house, the sky beyond their bedroom, lots of set-up. But too much set-up/frivolous description makes for a boring read. Dialogue sets up tension/conflict, making the characters talk (which is, you know, an action). We really get a feel for who Bridget is, why she's restless, and it's not even Bridget speaking.
*This also sets the tone for one of the internal conflicts she wrestles with: letting others control her narrative.
-Timeline
*Wreckless takes place for the most part over one night. One night filled with teenage rebellion (contained rebellion, but rebellion nonetheless), complete with a scavenger hunt list started from a rambling "never have I ever" adjacent convo. And we also get week or so after the night's events. This really takes me back to movies like Sixteen Candles, where one night could make or break you. Just felt so John Hughes meets another 80's film with a similar concept (good girl-blonde no less-who's tired of being good meets up with a rebellious outsider for what she thinks is just one night of rebellion...) and title, Reckless (1984). Though, that one's on the scandalous side.
-True Teen Mindset/Speak
*Bridget's not thinking about long term; when she finds out her boyfriend's been cheating on her with her best friend, it's not because she has their wedding mapped out. She was just thinking "Oh, I've got a boyfriend and the world doesn't feel so scary right now. But now I'm alone again/the whole school probably knew...". She also dreams of going to the county fair, not hearing about the church potluck. The way she tunes out her parents at dinner was not done in a super angsty way, more like they were just gnats to her.
*So many YA books make their characters into caricatures, wannabe Holden Caulfield types, where you can practically feel the heavy hand of an adult writer, song of experience over song of innocence (any William Blake fans out there?). But here, they spoke authentically, honest to a fault, imperfect, no book references or loner girl/bad boy being the whole be all end all character trait.
*For example, when walking through the fairgrounds, Bridget marvels over the concept of not being noticed. Not because she's a spectacular beauty and usually people just throw themselves at her feet, but because everybody knows everybody in her town and how awesome it feels to be in crowd of people who aren't stopping to talk/stare with strange familiarity. Most books would have the character look at the kaleidoscope of colors, waxing poetic on her role in school/life, likening herself to one of the prizes at the booth. But nope, just a simple "pushing into a throng of people feels strangely comforting".
-Healthy Communication
*Bridget's actually got a good relationship with both of her parents:
1.She and her father joke about negotiating her Friday night curfew and even have a tradition where they attend football games together, her father buys them hotdogs while he huffs and puffs at the referee.
2.After the slight snafu with her mom, Bridget feels weird leaving her in a bad mood. So before she leaves for the fair, she quickly hugs her mom and honestly-not maliciously- says "I don't know why you're upset with me", seeming to encourage her mom to open up as to why. Also, her mom encourages Bridget to finally cut her hair (it's grown past her waist), and when she punches Tanner for trying to discuss the cheating before she's ready, Bridget tells her mom "He cheated on me with Leah" as justification, her mom just goes "Good enough for me; let's ice that hand".
*Tanner and Leah get to say their piece and they don't blame Bridget or get rewarded by their friends for cheating (Bridget was far from a laughing stock; those two are the ones on the social outs). They honestly say "I just started falling for them". Bridget gets closure too, going on to say that while she forgives Leah, she just can't be her friend anymore.
-Call and Response as Well as A True Call Out
*There's a bit in the beginning where Bridget's reading what she describes as a "we can't be together because we're not even the same species" romance novel. That had me laughing... also, I'm currently watching season one of Netflix's Hemlock Grove (so many people have told me stop after the first) so... Letha/Peter ran through my mind right then. Hence, one of my September TBR picks and why I added Maggie Steifvater's, The Wolves of Mercy Falls, to my TBR. Don't judge.
*In order to properly apologize, Jake creates his own list of things to do, one of which is to not threaten/manhandle every guy who looks Bridget's way. We love a progression.
*Bridget makes a remark that the CW makes parties look like an all you can eat date buffet and also that you can run businesses before you graduate high school/wear Gucci to pep rallies. Shots fired, Riverdale!
-Baby Got Backbone
*Towards the end of the novel, it's revealed that Jake's been using Bridget's rebellious list to his benefit: his time away from town made making friends difficult. So, the guys suggest joining The Player's club (ick) and Jake takes pictures of Bridget's dress, comments to his friends that she'll be "easy", and instead of forgiving him, Bridget tells him off, making him grovel and even in the end, she doesn't leave her father on the bench to watch the game alone. She tells Jake that she's not on the wrong team's side; she came with someone important.
-Method to the "Madness"
*We come to realize that Bridget's rules are self-imposed to keep herself from repeating what she believes was Christy's (her now deceased older sister's) mistakes:
1. She perpetuates the Madonna/Whore between herself and Leah (she claims Tanner cheated because Leah's more fun/beautiful), wearing conservative clothes, seemingly to protect herself from sexual attention.
2.Bridget avoids conflict even when she's in the right (i.e. Jake tells Bridget her plan to keep her head down/let her and Tanner's ties fade naturally is stupid and that if she doesn't nip it in the bud now, she'll get used to guys walking all over her the rest of her life). That unknowingly brings back the walking all over Christy received and how it drove her suicide. Bridget has to come to terms with the idea of standing tall vs. standing aside.
3.She doesn't cut her hair or upgrade her wardrobe from the time before Christy's death because doing so would mean more change. Her whole life changed in an instant. In her mind, is it too much to have one part of her life stay the same?
-Victimhood
*We've already discussed Bridget's discomfort with her appearance/body, but we later learn that part of why Christy committed suicide was because in a town this small, everyone would know about it. Would they think "Pretty girl like that, dating some out of town stranger, she knew the risks"? And in the end, she was too afraid to face society. The trauma of her rape/assault, the unfair embarrassment over something that wasn't her fault was too much. And for awhile, Bridget is angry that her sister left without a fight. But in the end, she goes to Christy's grave, offering up the apology she should've given in life. That line where through the tears, Bridget says "I'm sorry you felt like you had to go" broke my heart.
-Paper Doll Come to Life
*When getting ready to skinny dip, Bridget makes another observation about her clothing/lack of evolution: she's wearing the same style of undergarments her mother picked out way back in 7th grade, kind of allowing the past to dress Bridget. Even when she picks out her own clothes, it's a dress Leah bought for her.
-Bridget Centric Story
*I'm sure many people will ask "what about the romance?" "why wasn't her friendship with Leah or previous relationship with Tanner fleshed out?". The romance was good, healthy push-pull sort of manic pixie dream boy type. Sweet stuff, really. But the other things didn't effect the night. It's not about anyone else further defining Bridget. We get her POV on the people she chooses to associate with. I liked that this was study on the psychological effects of grief/self-isolation rather than YA friendship/romance gone awry.
-Repurposing Christy's Shoes
*Bridget wears Christy's favorite pair of boots and instead of crying over her loss, Bridget remembers all the places her sister wore them and her fondness for the objects. Kind of also read it like Bridget taking Christy along for the ride of life denied her.
-Last Line
*Jake thinks he's all smooth: "There's a creek I'd love to take you to", and Bridget responds "I'd rather drive your truck". Very brief yet very complex:
1.Driving represents freedom, especially for Bridget, who earlier in the novel, comments that Tanner never let her drive his truck. Jake in his speech says she can take the wheel almost anytime (provided she's wreckless as opposed to reckless).
2.Not only is Bridget suggesting she'd rather take charge instead of letting him lead her to the creek, but she also gets to say the final line/have final say by default.
Homages
-Bridget's self-imposed isolation from my prior point, side characters commenting on her long blonde hair (that's in a braid no less), and child-like wardrobe felt very Rapunzel to me.
-Here we go: This novel shares several similarities with the film Reckless (1984)
1. Bridget's a blonde good girl who is tired of being good and goes on a wild-ish night with a dark haired rebel from high school. In the film, Tracy's a blonde cheerleader who has many run-in's and one passionate night with her school's brooding rebel where they engage in teenage shenanigans spanning one evening both in their locked high school and her house.
2.Bridget lists off all the ways she's been good and all the things she's never done, just like Tracy straight up says "I've been good, haven't I? I've never given you any reason to worry" and then goes on to say all things she's never done.
3. Both main girls are in relationships with the golden boy of their high school
4.Following their one night together, Jake shows up to take Bridget to school on his motorcycle, much like the character of Johnny from Reckless both whisks Tracy away from the dance and convinces her to flee their small town (forever, it appears) on his motorcycle.
5.Both Johnny and Jake are football players.
6.Both end with romantic ambiguity (Tracy and Johnny ride away from their high school/their lives in town, while shouting to her brother to "Tell 'em (meaning their parents) I'll be alright!" and here, there's not talk of the future beyond high school/night at the creek. We hope both couples can make a go of it. Glass half full kind of thing).
7.Bridget and Tracy are both comfortable and restless with small town life (Tracy halfheartedly tells Johnny she'll probably stay there after grad, whereas Bridget is both in awe of no one knowing her and tired of knowing everyone and everything). While the leading men are born to run (Jake's already applying to college in Colorado and Johnny is looking only for life beyond and to get MORE out of of said life. If you've seen the film, you'll understand the caps).
-Splendor in the Grass (1961)
*Bridget's good girl breakdown (when she starts naming all the ways she's protected herself and parents and yet she still got hurt) after finding out her boyfriend cheated with her more adventurous best friend felt very much like Deannie's famous "I'm not spoiled/I've always been a good little girl, done whatever Mommy and Daddy told me" scene from the film after finding out Bud got his kicks from the "popular only with the boys flapper wannabe from school". Their frustrations are similar.
Con
-In the first chapter, we find out that someone sent a fake letter to Bridget's parents from a teacher accusing her of cheating on a test. Unless I missed it, we never find out who sent it or why.
So, yeah, *SPOILERS* for Splendor in the Grass (1961) and Reckless (1984). Is this novel perfect? No. But it kind of mirrors adolescence that way.
Pros
-Word Play
*The title Wreckless is a play on the idea of reckless: Jake explains that just because people are more impulsive/wilder than Bridget doesn't mean bad things will happen or that they're doing this just because; you can be wreckless, meaning you can walk away from the rebellious act unscathed.
-Opening Line
*Chapter one begins with a line of dialogue from Bridget's mother. Sounds small, but so many books open with description of our character's house, the sky beyond their bedroom, lots of set-up. But too much set-up/frivolous description makes for a boring read. Dialogue sets up tension/conflict, making the characters talk (which is, you know, an action). We really get a feel for who Bridget is, why she's restless, and it's not even Bridget speaking.
*This also sets the tone for one of the internal conflicts she wrestles with: letting others control her narrative.
-Timeline
*Wreckless takes place for the most part over one night. One night filled with teenage rebellion (contained rebellion, but rebellion nonetheless), complete with a scavenger hunt list started from a rambling "never have I ever" adjacent convo. And we also get week or so after the night's events. This really takes me back to movies like Sixteen Candles, where one night could make or break you. Just felt so John Hughes meets another 80's film with a similar concept (good girl-blonde no less-who's tired of being good meets up with a rebellious outsider for what she thinks is just one night of rebellion...) and title, Reckless (1984). Though, that one's on the scandalous side.
-True Teen Mindset/Speak
*Bridget's not thinking about long term; when she finds out her boyfriend's been cheating on her with her best friend, it's not because she has their wedding mapped out. She was just thinking "Oh, I've got a boyfriend and the world doesn't feel so scary right now. But now I'm alone again/the whole school probably knew...". She also dreams of going to the county fair, not hearing about the church potluck. The way she tunes out her parents at dinner was not done in a super angsty way, more like they were just gnats to her.
*So many YA books make their characters into caricatures, wannabe Holden Caulfield types, where you can practically feel the heavy hand of an adult writer, song of experience over song of innocence (any William Blake fans out there?). But here, they spoke authentically, honest to a fault, imperfect, no book references or loner girl/bad boy being the whole be all end all character trait.
*For example, when walking through the fairgrounds, Bridget marvels over the concept of not being noticed. Not because she's a spectacular beauty and usually people just throw themselves at her feet, but because everybody knows everybody in her town and how awesome it feels to be in crowd of people who aren't stopping to talk/stare with strange familiarity. Most books would have the character look at the kaleidoscope of colors, waxing poetic on her role in school/life, likening herself to one of the prizes at the booth. But nope, just a simple "pushing into a throng of people feels strangely comforting".
-Healthy Communication
*Bridget's actually got a good relationship with both of her parents:
1.She and her father joke about negotiating her Friday night curfew and even have a tradition where they attend football games together, her father buys them hotdogs while he huffs and puffs at the referee.
2.After the slight snafu with her mom, Bridget feels weird leaving her in a bad mood. So before she leaves for the fair, she quickly hugs her mom and honestly-not maliciously- says "I don't know why you're upset with me", seeming to encourage her mom to open up as to why. Also, her mom encourages Bridget to finally cut her hair (it's grown past her waist), and when she punches Tanner for trying to discuss the cheating before she's ready, Bridget tells her mom "He cheated on me with Leah" as justification, her mom just goes "Good enough for me; let's ice that hand".
*Tanner and Leah get to say their piece and they don't blame Bridget or get rewarded by their friends for cheating (Bridget was far from a laughing stock; those two are the ones on the social outs). They honestly say "I just started falling for them". Bridget gets closure too, going on to say that while she forgives Leah, she just can't be her friend anymore.
-Call and Response as Well as A True Call Out
*There's a bit in the beginning where Bridget's reading what she describes as a "we can't be together because we're not even the same species" romance novel. That had me laughing... also, I'm currently watching season one of Netflix's Hemlock Grove (so many people have told me stop after the first) so... Letha/Peter ran through my mind right then. Hence, one of my September TBR picks and why I added Maggie Steifvater's, The Wolves of Mercy Falls, to my TBR. Don't judge.
*In order to properly apologize, Jake creates his own list of things to do, one of which is to not threaten/manhandle every guy who looks Bridget's way. We love a progression.
*Bridget makes a remark that the CW makes parties look like an all you can eat date buffet and also that you can run businesses before you graduate high school/wear Gucci to pep rallies. Shots fired, Riverdale!
-Baby Got Backbone
*Towards the end of the novel, it's revealed that Jake's been using Bridget's rebellious list to his benefit: his time away from town made making friends difficult. So, the guys suggest joining The Player's club (ick) and Jake takes pictures of Bridget's dress, comments to his friends that she'll be "easy", and instead of forgiving him, Bridget tells him off, making him grovel and even in the end, she doesn't leave her father on the bench to watch the game alone. She tells Jake that she's not on the wrong team's side; she came with someone important.
-Method to the "Madness"
*We come to realize that Bridget's rules are self-imposed to keep herself from repeating what she believes was Christy's (her now deceased older sister's) mistakes:
1. She perpetuates the Madonna/Whore between herself and Leah (she claims Tanner cheated because Leah's more fun/beautiful), wearing conservative clothes, seemingly to protect herself from sexual attention.
2.Bridget avoids conflict even when she's in the right (i.e. Jake tells Bridget her plan to keep her head down/let her and Tanner's ties fade naturally is stupid and that if she doesn't nip it in the bud now, she'll get used to guys walking all over her the rest of her life). That unknowingly brings back the walking all over Christy received and how it drove her suicide. Bridget has to come to terms with the idea of standing tall vs. standing aside.
3.She doesn't cut her hair or upgrade her wardrobe from the time before Christy's death because doing so would mean more change. Her whole life changed in an instant. In her mind, is it too much to have one part of her life stay the same?
-Victimhood
*We've already discussed Bridget's discomfort with her appearance/body, but we later learn that part of why Christy committed suicide was because in a town this small, everyone would know about it. Would they think "Pretty girl like that, dating some out of town stranger, she knew the risks"? And in the end, she was too afraid to face society. The trauma of her rape/assault, the unfair embarrassment over something that wasn't her fault was too much. And for awhile, Bridget is angry that her sister left without a fight. But in the end, she goes to Christy's grave, offering up the apology she should've given in life. That line where through the tears, Bridget says "I'm sorry you felt like you had to go" broke my heart.
-Paper Doll Come to Life
*When getting ready to skinny dip, Bridget makes another observation about her clothing/lack of evolution: she's wearing the same style of undergarments her mother picked out way back in 7th grade, kind of allowing the past to dress Bridget. Even when she picks out her own clothes, it's a dress Leah bought for her.
-Bridget Centric Story
*I'm sure many people will ask "what about the romance?" "why wasn't her friendship with Leah or previous relationship with Tanner fleshed out?". The romance was good, healthy push-pull sort of manic pixie dream boy type. Sweet stuff, really. But the other things didn't effect the night. It's not about anyone else further defining Bridget. We get her POV on the people she chooses to associate with. I liked that this was study on the psychological effects of grief/self-isolation rather than YA friendship/romance gone awry.
-Repurposing Christy's Shoes
*Bridget wears Christy's favorite pair of boots and instead of crying over her loss, Bridget remembers all the places her sister wore them and her fondness for the objects. Kind of also read it like Bridget taking Christy along for the ride of life denied her.
-Last Line
*Jake thinks he's all smooth: "There's a creek I'd love to take you to", and Bridget responds "I'd rather drive your truck". Very brief yet very complex:
1.Driving represents freedom, especially for Bridget, who earlier in the novel, comments that Tanner never let her drive his truck. Jake in his speech says she can take the wheel almost anytime (provided she's wreckless as opposed to reckless).
2.Not only is Bridget suggesting she'd rather take charge instead of letting him lead her to the creek, but she also gets to say the final line/have final say by default.
Homages
-Bridget's self-imposed isolation from my prior point, side characters commenting on her long blonde hair (that's in a braid no less), and child-like wardrobe felt very Rapunzel to me.
-Here we go: This novel shares several similarities with the film Reckless (1984)
1. Bridget's a blonde good girl who is tired of being good and goes on a wild-ish night with a dark haired rebel from high school. In the film, Tracy's a blonde cheerleader who has many run-in's and one passionate night with her school's brooding rebel where they engage in teenage shenanigans spanning one evening both in their locked high school and her house.
2.Bridget lists off all the ways she's been good and all the things she's never done, just like Tracy straight up says "I've been good, haven't I? I've never given you any reason to worry" and then goes on to say all things she's never done.
3. Both main girls are in relationships with the golden boy of their high school
4.Following their one night together, Jake shows up to take Bridget to school on his motorcycle, much like the character of Johnny from Reckless both whisks Tracy away from the dance and convinces her to flee their small town (forever, it appears) on his motorcycle.
5.Both Johnny and Jake are football players.
6.Both end with romantic ambiguity (Tracy and Johnny ride away from their high school/their lives in town, while shouting to her brother to "Tell 'em (meaning their parents) I'll be alright!" and here, there's not talk of the future beyond high school/night at the creek. We hope both couples can make a go of it. Glass half full kind of thing).
7.Bridget and Tracy are both comfortable and restless with small town life (Tracy halfheartedly tells Johnny she'll probably stay there after grad, whereas Bridget is both in awe of no one knowing her and tired of knowing everyone and everything). While the leading men are born to run (Jake's already applying to college in Colorado and Johnny is looking only for life beyond and to get MORE out of of said life. If you've seen the film, you'll understand the caps).
-Splendor in the Grass (1961)
*Bridget's good girl breakdown (when she starts naming all the ways she's protected herself and parents and yet she still got hurt) after finding out her boyfriend cheated with her more adventurous best friend felt very much like Deannie's famous "I'm not spoiled/I've always been a good little girl, done whatever Mommy and Daddy told me" scene from the film after finding out Bud got his kicks from the "popular only with the boys flapper wannabe from school". Their frustrations are similar.
Con
-In the first chapter, we find out that someone sent a fake letter to Bridget's parents from a teacher accusing her of cheating on a test. Unless I missed it, we never find out who sent it or why.
So, yeah, *SPOILERS* for Splendor in the Grass (1961) and Reckless (1984). Is this novel perfect? No. But it kind of mirrors adolescence that way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2014
Intense YA romance
Bridget is a 16-year-old junior who has, by her own choice, lived a cloistered existence as a homeschooler since age 13, when a huge tragedy occurred in her family. For the past several months, she has been dating her very first boyfriend, Tanner, a 17-year-old football player, whom she met while tutoring him. She is not madly in love with Tanner, rather, she is mainly delighted that somebody would want her enough to date her. Other than her relationship with her friend Leah, who has been her BFF since early childhood, Bridget is an isolated loner. Mainly because she believes, with daily evidence to support that disheartening perception, that everyone in her tiny hometown pities her, because they know her story.
The inciting incident of this novel occurs on the night that Bridget rushes off to meet Tanner at the county fair, and is utterly horrified to encounter him with his arms around Leah, who is draped across his lap. It is impossible to overlook the reality that these two have clearly been cheating on her for some time now, and everyone at school but Bridget has been fully aware of it.
When Bridget runs away from Tanner and Leah and hides in the parking lot behind a truck, a 17-year-old senior named Jack, who is from a neighboring town, befriends her and offers her a ride in that same truck, which belongs to him. She is a little leery of the fact that Jack is a stranger to her, but his compassionate offer allows her to escape from the scene of her abject humiliation, which Jack has also witnessed, along with dozens of other teenagers from his school and hers.
Thus begins the most adventurous night of Bridget's life, in which she makes a bucket list of rebellious acts that Jack encourages her to commit.
This YA romance is romantic and quite poignant. It is told entirely from Bridget's first-person point of view, but we actually get to know the cinnamon-roll hero, Jack, quite well, via his tender, supportive treatment of Bridget. We do not learn what the tragedy is in her family until 75% of the book has passed, and a trigger warning is necessary for sensitive readers regarding that revelation. In addition, the Dark Period is brought on by an action of Jack that is also triggering in its own way. In order to create the expected, romance-novel, upbeat ending, this story ends with a classic, rom-com-movie type of embarrassing, public spectacle, which is rather incongruent in a melodramatic story such as this one. It would also have been very helpful if the author had provided an epilogue that demonstrates that these two are going to go the distance into an actual HEA. The story, as written, only provides an HFN, because Jack is planning to attend college far away from where they currently live, and he will be leaving within the next 10 months.
I rated this book 5 stars when I read it 11 years ago, the year it was first released. I reread it this week and, because of the issues listed above, this time around I would give it 3.5 stars, rounded to 4 stars.
Bridget is a 16-year-old junior who has, by her own choice, lived a cloistered existence as a homeschooler since age 13, when a huge tragedy occurred in her family. For the past several months, she has been dating her very first boyfriend, Tanner, a 17-year-old football player, whom she met while tutoring him. She is not madly in love with Tanner, rather, she is mainly delighted that somebody would want her enough to date her. Other than her relationship with her friend Leah, who has been her BFF since early childhood, Bridget is an isolated loner. Mainly because she believes, with daily evidence to support that disheartening perception, that everyone in her tiny hometown pities her, because they know her story.
The inciting incident of this novel occurs on the night that Bridget rushes off to meet Tanner at the county fair, and is utterly horrified to encounter him with his arms around Leah, who is draped across his lap. It is impossible to overlook the reality that these two have clearly been cheating on her for some time now, and everyone at school but Bridget has been fully aware of it.
When Bridget runs away from Tanner and Leah and hides in the parking lot behind a truck, a 17-year-old senior named Jack, who is from a neighboring town, befriends her and offers her a ride in that same truck, which belongs to him. She is a little leery of the fact that Jack is a stranger to her, but his compassionate offer allows her to escape from the scene of her abject humiliation, which Jack has also witnessed, along with dozens of other teenagers from his school and hers.
Thus begins the most adventurous night of Bridget's life, in which she makes a bucket list of rebellious acts that Jack encourages her to commit.
This YA romance is romantic and quite poignant. It is told entirely from Bridget's first-person point of view, but we actually get to know the cinnamon-roll hero, Jack, quite well, via his tender, supportive treatment of Bridget. We do not learn what the tragedy is in her family until 75% of the book has passed, and a trigger warning is necessary for sensitive readers regarding that revelation. In addition, the Dark Period is brought on by an action of Jack that is also triggering in its own way. In order to create the expected, romance-novel, upbeat ending, this story ends with a classic, rom-com-movie type of embarrassing, public spectacle, which is rather incongruent in a melodramatic story such as this one. It would also have been very helpful if the author had provided an epilogue that demonstrates that these two are going to go the distance into an actual HEA. The story, as written, only provides an HFN, because Jack is planning to attend college far away from where they currently live, and he will be leaving within the next 10 months.
I rated this book 5 stars when I read it 11 years ago, the year it was first released. I reread it this week and, because of the issues listed above, this time around I would give it 3.5 stars, rounded to 4 stars.
July 30, 2017
The plot was basically about goody two shoes Bridget finding her boyfriend cheating on her with her best friend. In a carnival where later on she meets the guy. He gives her a lift home and all, but then while going home they talk about her and stuff. And so they make up a list. A list of things she should do to have fun and normal.
Things I liked about the story.
1. It was fun and entertaining.
2. The concept and the whole thing behind how 'insecurities are all in your head' was a really good choice and portrayed clearly and efficiently.
3. The personality development of the character was awesome because I just wouldn't have been able to handle the Ms. Goody throughout the whole story. It would have been too timid and so not fun. But the characters were all nice. I couldn't even hate the cheating boyfriend and the best friend.
Things I unliked.
1. The time frame was too short.
2. It wasn't that believable. For example: the main characters fell in LOVE with each other in 1 night. It would have been easier to believe this if they had known each other previously, but they didn't. Liked, friendship, more than friends, heck even a boyfriend girlfriend relationship would have been believable in that time frame. But LOVE. How could she fall for someone within 12 hrs after breaking up with the boy friend you loved. I get that she only thought she loved her ex but still the whole best friend hing should have fazed her for at least 24 hrs. Or something.
So yeah even though the story was goo there were some plot hole that made it difficult to read. But all in all, I think that it is a must read for at least once.
Things I liked about the story.
1. It was fun and entertaining.
2. The concept and the whole thing behind how 'insecurities are all in your head' was a really good choice and portrayed clearly and efficiently.
3. The personality development of the character was awesome because I just wouldn't have been able to handle the Ms. Goody throughout the whole story. It would have been too timid and so not fun. But the characters were all nice. I couldn't even hate the cheating boyfriend and the best friend.
Things I unliked.
1. The time frame was too short.
2. It wasn't that believable. For example: the main characters fell in LOVE with each other in 1 night. It would have been easier to believe this if they had known each other previously, but they didn't. Liked, friendship, more than friends, heck even a boyfriend girlfriend relationship would have been believable in that time frame. But LOVE. How could she fall for someone within 12 hrs after breaking up with the boy friend you loved. I get that she only thought she loved her ex but still the whole best friend hing should have fazed her for at least 24 hrs. Or something.
So yeah even though the story was goo there were some plot hole that made it difficult to read. But all in all, I think that it is a must read for at least once.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2013
Loved this story of Bridget's night of rebellion. The power of this book is not in the main plot, but in the seemingly effortless way Bridget's backstory is woven into the fabric of the tale and her character.
Hard topics that leave you laughing through your tears is such an accurate description of this author's approach that grounds her stories in a realistic world. The glimpse into high school world struck me as highly plausible and not like the always glamorized one you see in YA or aimed-at-teen shows on tv -- no, these aren't inane, shallow little stories. They take on difficult topics, while carrying you along the varying ups and downs of teen life. I keep saying you couldn't pay me to be that age again, but if I got to be a character in one of Ms. Quinlan's books, I'd consider it.
Be sure to check out Ms. Quinlan's RVHS Secrets Series (Secret Girlfriend #1 Secret Life #2) too!
Hard topics that leave you laughing through your tears is such an accurate description of this author's approach that grounds her stories in a realistic world. The glimpse into high school world struck me as highly plausible and not like the always glamorized one you see in YA or aimed-at-teen shows on tv -- no, these aren't inane, shallow little stories. They take on difficult topics, while carrying you along the varying ups and downs of teen life. I keep saying you couldn't pay me to be that age again, but if I got to be a character in one of Ms. Quinlan's books, I'd consider it.
Be sure to check out Ms. Quinlan's RVHS Secrets Series (Secret Girlfriend #1 Secret Life #2) too!
October 15, 2013
we are always taught to colour within the lines, to write on the line, do what is expected of us. some of us take it to the heart and do everything just as told. we have so many untold rules and principles that we formulate for ourself as a defensive mechanism. we all try to do the same thing. protect ourselves from the world in the way that we know, we think is fine. we choose different ways, but hope to acheive the same thing.
this is the story of a girl whose life revolves around the rules built to keep her... safe.
an unexpected betrayal, a little dare and a small push, propells her towards the unthinkable... to break every rule!
The story is very nicely written with the right amount of humour and fun. it is unlike any other. every person out there who yearns to break the rules can live it through this book.
A marvelous plot written very skilfully.
loved every minute of it!
couldnt just stop reading until no pages were left.
this is the story of a girl whose life revolves around the rules built to keep her... safe.
an unexpected betrayal, a little dare and a small push, propells her towards the unthinkable... to break every rule!
The story is very nicely written with the right amount of humour and fun. it is unlike any other. every person out there who yearns to break the rules can live it through this book.
A marvelous plot written very skilfully.
loved every minute of it!
couldnt just stop reading until no pages were left.
August 31, 2013
This is a great story for teens... well actually for anyone who holds themself back to much. You have to allow yourself to have fun, let loose, and be yourself. Take risks and push yourself to test the boundaries....so you can get to know you. All of that can be done while being safe and not turning into a delinquent. I'm 30 years old and I was like the girl in the story. I always held back, never let anyone know the real me...hell I didn't even know the real me. I'm still working g on that part though and this book did have some great advice. A boy on the good side of being bad and a girl wanting to be on the bad side of being good. It was a cute story suitable more for teens. Two people trying to find their place in the world while not losing who they are. I think the price was a bit to high for the book though. Would say 1.99 max should have been the price.
September 9, 2015
This is one of those YA books that you read as an adult and just cringe because the character is making choices that could go SO wrong. In another story, if a character escaped from those situations without needing to make a police report (or worse), we'd think the author was pulling their punches.
In this story, everything is the way it is for a reason. The non-main characters have reasons for what they do (or don't do), and it's not because the author needed them to for the plot to work. Now that's a story a can respect. :)
In this story, everything is the way it is for a reason. The non-main characters have reasons for what they do (or don't do), and it's not because the author needed them to for the plot to work. Now that's a story a can respect. :)
January 20, 2016
****4 Let's Burn His Truck Stars****
This was such a wonderful story of a girl discovering who she is and coming out of her self-made shell. The mini adventures, Jake, new friends, new hair and new found strength was just a few things this book offers. Beautifully written and a great read.
This was such a wonderful story of a girl discovering who she is and coming out of her self-made shell. The mini adventures, Jake, new friends, new hair and new found strength was just a few things this book offers. Beautifully written and a great read.
February 6, 2018
I enjoyed this overall. It's an entertaining contemporary romance. The thing that brings the rating down for me is the sense that comes across that if you're always the "good girl" who never rebels or drinks or makes out with guys at parties as a teen then you'll have no memories or anything interesting to look back on. I realize that there are larger issues at play in Bridget's story, and the ending sort of diminishes this message, but as a "good girl" myself, I really don't feel like I missed out on anything. If anything I'm incredibly grateful I didn't do those things as a teenager. It just left a slightly bad taste in my mouth. Perhaps others won't read into it the same thing and I did feel like the ending of the book (not just the very end, but the things that happened after the night) redeemed it and brought it up to 4 stars for me.
I did enjoy the characters and Bridget's growth as she deals with the stuff that happened in her family's past. I really liked the narrator of the audiobook.
*note - I won the audiobook in a Facebook contest the author held.
I did enjoy the characters and Bridget's growth as she deals with the stuff that happened in her family's past. I really liked the narrator of the audiobook.
*note - I won the audiobook in a Facebook contest the author held.
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