Sigh, after reading Reckless Longing as an ARC on Netgalley and being thoroughly disappointed with a cliffhanger ending... as predicted I bought Reckless Secrets 2. I wanted to like this book and there was so much potential to make this romance more than just a cheesy, angsty, young adult story. Unfortunately, the author decided to use numerous cliches and tropes. Everything was predictable and again, I was rather upset that I have to purchase book 3 to get any closure. I'll shoulder some of the blame since I voluntarily choose to read a YA romance. I'll save myself the trouble and find another suitable series to read instead of reading the next installment in the series.
Here's some of my gripes with the book:
1. Ellie's backbone is made of soggy spaghetti noodles. Logan disrespects her numerous times in Book 1 and 2, yet she does nothing and begs him not to shut her out. Logan's family disrespects her and plays her like a fiddle, she offers some glib replies yet does nothing.
2. The concept of all-consuming true love in college is a bit overstated in YA books. Their romance felt a bit fake. Most college students are drunken, adrenaline-seeking, hornballs. Love does happen but the super sappy, found-the-love-of-my-life-in-a-month cliche didn't quite fit for Logan and Ellie's story.
3. Angsty love. I love Dawson's Creek and Felicity just like everyone else, but those shows depicted angsty, gut-wrenching romance like it was the norm for young 20 year olds. And the Reckless series seems to be doing so as well. Sometimes people are just happy to be in love and without the drama. Then again, maybe some unpredictable drama would've been beneficial to this book.
4. Lies and lies. Ellie lies to Logan for the duration of their relationship even though Logan had come forward rather early. The hypocritical aspect of Ellie's personality was irksome. She was incredibly nosey about Logan's personal problems but refused to share own.
5. WHAT ABOUT AUSTIN?!! Man I was hoping Austin would come back and give Logan a run for his money. With all of Logan's past sexual pursuits being bandied about, one would think Ellie would have another genuine love interest waiting in the wings. Alas, she gets stuck with creepy Byron and a platonic friendship with her math study buddy.
6. No one thinks to put Logan into counseling/therapy? Usually school's make that an option when dealing with sexual assault. Or responsible parents advocate for it. Also, no counseling/therapy for attempted suicide either? Or a semester off? Come on... make this a bit realistic.
PS- WHAT DOES ELLIE LOOK LIKE? Logan keeps saying that she's beautiful but doesn't even know it. The author doesn't bother to give Ellie a description which is perplexing to say the least.