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Half Moon Lake #4
Recklessly Yours
What to expect from Hattie's story:
-Suspense
-Brother's friend/Friend's sister
-Forced Proximity
-Police Detective
-Protector/Alpha hero
-Suspense
-Brother's friend/Friend's sister
-Forced Proximity
-Police Detective
-Protector/Alpha hero
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 3, 2025
About the author
A.J. Ranney
17 books220 followersA.J. Ranney lives in Maryland with her ever-growing zoo, including two kids, two cats, an attention loving dog, a bunny, a cricket eating lizard and her lovable well-meaning husband. She likes to leave the chaos of her real world behind and lose herself in a steamy romance novel. Her passion for reading romance prompted her writing journey, leading her to create relatable happily ever afters that come from her own dreams and experiences. She loves coffee, sushi, wine, and her family. Not necessarily in that order. Her inner peace comes from the water, always relating to her zodiac sign the Pisces. It’s no wonder the small town she created in her stories is situated on a lake.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
December 31, 2024
ARC review
It was a very good book. I love romantic suspense and this one did not disappoint.
Hattie had a stalker and even thought she tried to brush it off, Dylan didn't let her. He knew something was not right and he wanted to help her.
Dylan wanted to protect her and he did everything he could. What he did not expect was to fall for her.
They both tried to resist their feelings but there was no use. The tension was too high and them being in close quarters sealed their fate
It was a very good book. I love romantic suspense and this one did not disappoint.
Hattie had a stalker and even thought she tried to brush it off, Dylan didn't let her. He knew something was not right and he wanted to help her.
Dylan wanted to protect her and he did everything he could. What he did not expect was to fall for her.
They both tried to resist their feelings but there was no use. The tension was too high and them being in close quarters sealed their fate
January 4, 2025
ARC Review ✨️
This was my first book by this author, but I am very glad I received an ARC of this book.
It was good. I love the mystery to the story also, and the tropes of small town, brother's best friend, forced proximity, were such a good mixture. I love it!
I was turning pages like crazy to keep reading. Hard to put down!
Hattie is getting creeper texts and flowers and doesn't believe she would have a stalker. She confides in her brother's best friend... also a cop who takes it upon himself to keep her safe and find out who the stalker is.
Will definitely pick up the rest of this series and more from this author.
So grateful for the ARC opportunity!
This was my first book by this author, but I am very glad I received an ARC of this book.
It was good. I love the mystery to the story also, and the tropes of small town, brother's best friend, forced proximity, were such a good mixture. I love it!
I was turning pages like crazy to keep reading. Hard to put down!
Hattie is getting creeper texts and flowers and doesn't believe she would have a stalker. She confides in her brother's best friend... also a cop who takes it upon himself to keep her safe and find out who the stalker is.
Will definitely pick up the rest of this series and more from this author.
So grateful for the ARC opportunity!
January 10, 2025
Hattie is the shy and often overlooked sister, so no one is more surprised than her when she all of a sudden has flowers delivered to her workplace. Things start to ramp up in small ways until finally she realizes the flowers weren't a mistake - she has a stalker. She moves in with her brothers friend and local detective, Dylan. He tries to keep her safe while solving the case and desperately trying to keep his hands to himself.
*****
This book had an interesting premise, but it was endlessly boring. There was a lot of family drama, random inclusion of characters, going from work to home to work again and again, and not much of anything happening in between. Due to the relationship taking over a large portion of the novel, there was no suspense or intrigue into who the stalker was. It was both the focus and constantly brushed to the back burner as nothing moved forward until the very end.
From there, we dealt with the characters over explaining their own thoughts and actions to the point that it made the writing sound juvenile. The unnecessary details and intrusion of reasoning out every thought and action was so tiring and kept pulling me out of the story. Almost the entirety of the novel was tell and not show. To top that off, every female character was written in a negative light. They were intrusive, inappropriate, attention-seeking, meddlesome, dramatic, dense, etc. It was borderline offensive to have an entire host of female characters that were annoying, intrusive, and unsupportive to the female lead. She's being actively stalked, and they barely cared. It was baffling.
To round it out, the chemistry between the leads was nonexistent. I'm not sure we can count staring at nipples and being desperate for a boyfriend makes up for a lack of any genuine spark on the page. It was forced proximity in the blandest way, with juvenile communication, reactions, and thoughts. The mundane spice scenes full of cringe dialogue felt like a desperate grab to try to pull together a connection that just wasn't there.
All in all, this book was not what I was expecting. The voice was muddled and immature, and the characters were unrealistic and annoying. I wouldn't recommend this read for a spicy or fast-paced romantic suspense at all.
*****
Thank you, The Author Agency, for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****
This book had an interesting premise, but it was endlessly boring. There was a lot of family drama, random inclusion of characters, going from work to home to work again and again, and not much of anything happening in between. Due to the relationship taking over a large portion of the novel, there was no suspense or intrigue into who the stalker was. It was both the focus and constantly brushed to the back burner as nothing moved forward until the very end.
From there, we dealt with the characters over explaining their own thoughts and actions to the point that it made the writing sound juvenile. The unnecessary details and intrusion of reasoning out every thought and action was so tiring and kept pulling me out of the story. Almost the entirety of the novel was tell and not show. To top that off, every female character was written in a negative light. They were intrusive, inappropriate, attention-seeking, meddlesome, dramatic, dense, etc. It was borderline offensive to have an entire host of female characters that were annoying, intrusive, and unsupportive to the female lead. She's being actively stalked, and they barely cared. It was baffling.
To round it out, the chemistry between the leads was nonexistent. I'm not sure we can count staring at nipples and being desperate for a boyfriend makes up for a lack of any genuine spark on the page. It was forced proximity in the blandest way, with juvenile communication, reactions, and thoughts. The mundane spice scenes full of cringe dialogue felt like a desperate grab to try to pull together a connection that just wasn't there.
All in all, this book was not what I was expecting. The voice was muddled and immature, and the characters were unrealistic and annoying. I wouldn't recommend this read for a spicy or fast-paced romantic suspense at all.
*****
Thank you, The Author Agency, for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 21, 2025
I finished this book on new years and it had me on the edge of my seat. It was so good. I 10/10 recommend reading the series from the beginning.
I love Hattie and Dylan
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I love Hattie and Dylan
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
January 1, 2025
Story: 8/10
Spice: 2/5
Spice Hierarchy: open door
ARC Review-Releases 1/3
Hattie keeps getting strange texts and flower deliveries but she doesn’t think anything of it. At least not until her brother’s best friend, the police detective, finds out. Dylan doesn’t love the idea of someone stalking Hattie. Vowing to keep his best friend’s sister safe, Hattie comes to stay with him until the threat is over.
This is a good quick, light suspense read. I really liked how Hattie knew who she was. She was independent and worked hard to be there for her meddling family while also giving herself breaks. Dylan’s character was such a strong and fierce protector of Hattie. He tried to deny his attraction but his protector mode could not prevent him from falling for Hattie, even though her brother is his best friend.
This series has lots of characters that probably would have made more sense to me if I had read more of the backlist. This does set up some continuing storylines beautifully.
Spice: 2/5
Spice Hierarchy: open door
ARC Review-Releases 1/3
Hattie keeps getting strange texts and flower deliveries but she doesn’t think anything of it. At least not until her brother’s best friend, the police detective, finds out. Dylan doesn’t love the idea of someone stalking Hattie. Vowing to keep his best friend’s sister safe, Hattie comes to stay with him until the threat is over.
This is a good quick, light suspense read. I really liked how Hattie knew who she was. She was independent and worked hard to be there for her meddling family while also giving herself breaks. Dylan’s character was such a strong and fierce protector of Hattie. He tried to deny his attraction but his protector mode could not prevent him from falling for Hattie, even though her brother is his best friend.
This series has lots of characters that probably would have made more sense to me if I had read more of the backlist. This does set up some continuing storylines beautifully.
January 5, 2025
Rating: 3.5 stars rounded up
Two of my favorite genres, suspense and romance, together? You know I couldn't pass this one up!
This was my first AJ Ranney read, and right away, I knew it wouldn't be my last. I love an author who adds a music playlist to go along with their books, and this one fits perfectly! I'm normally not a big fan of small-town romances, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one! I loved Dylan's overprotectiveness of Hattie throughout the story and how Dylan brought Hattie out of her shell. With this story, you get your spice, your suspense, and your comedic relief, the perfect mixture.
Being a suspense girlie though, I couldn't help but be annoyed with how blind Dylan was to her stalker. Sir, you're supposed to be a detective! Major side eye on my end when you find out who they are.
Recklessly Yours is book four of the Half Moon Lake series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Two of my favorite genres, suspense and romance, together? You know I couldn't pass this one up!
This was my first AJ Ranney read, and right away, I knew it wouldn't be my last. I love an author who adds a music playlist to go along with their books, and this one fits perfectly! I'm normally not a big fan of small-town romances, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one! I loved Dylan's overprotectiveness of Hattie throughout the story and how Dylan brought Hattie out of her shell. With this story, you get your spice, your suspense, and your comedic relief, the perfect mixture.
Being a suspense girlie though, I couldn't help but be annoyed with how blind Dylan was to her stalker. Sir, you're supposed to be a detective! Major side eye on my end when you find out who they are.
Recklessly Yours is book four of the Half Moon Lake series, but it can be read as a standalone.
January 3, 2025
[ARC Review] 4⭐️ / 2🍋
this was my very first book from this author so i wasn’t sure what to expect but i enjoyed it! it was a quick and short read. so short from my normal read, that i didn’t even realize i was almost done by the time i looked at the page count.
recklessly yours totally gave off Catherine Cowles vibes (which i love!) i love a good romance suspense where i can’t guess who the antagonist is and i couldn’t figure out who it was for the life of me !
these two characters work so well together. dylan notices things about hattie that are easily overlooked by others and hattie literally just completes dylan. they just needed the forced proximity to push them !
if you’re looking for a brother’s best friend with said confession of “i love her” to her brother,, this is the one for you!!
this was my very first book from this author so i wasn’t sure what to expect but i enjoyed it! it was a quick and short read. so short from my normal read, that i didn’t even realize i was almost done by the time i looked at the page count.
recklessly yours totally gave off Catherine Cowles vibes (which i love!) i love a good romance suspense where i can’t guess who the antagonist is and i couldn’t figure out who it was for the life of me !
these two characters work so well together. dylan notices things about hattie that are easily overlooked by others and hattie literally just completes dylan. they just needed the forced proximity to push them !
if you’re looking for a brother’s best friend with said confession of “i love her” to her brother,, this is the one for you!!
December 30, 2024
ARC Review:
💜 Suspense
💜 Brother's Best Friend
💜 Forced Proximity
💜 Police Detective
The stalking plot line added suspense the whole way through the book and the close proximity pushed Dylan and Hattie to act on their mutual attraction.
This was an entertaining and fun read with an edgy romantic suspense element.
✨"But after today, it's clear that regardless of what happens between us, I'll be distracted. You're all I think about." ✨
💜 Suspense
💜 Brother's Best Friend
💜 Forced Proximity
💜 Police Detective
The stalking plot line added suspense the whole way through the book and the close proximity pushed Dylan and Hattie to act on their mutual attraction.
This was an entertaining and fun read with an edgy romantic suspense element.
✨"But after today, it's clear that regardless of what happens between us, I'll be distracted. You're all I think about." ✨
January 4, 2025
What a great book!
I loved it so much!
The main characters, Hattie and Dylan, were amazing. I loved the plot and the writing, too. The suspense of finding Hattie’s stalker kept me on my toes. I did not see that coming when they finally caught her stalker!
And Hattie and Dylan finally caving into their feelings for each other? Chef's kiss!
I loved it so much!
The main characters, Hattie and Dylan, were amazing. I loved the plot and the writing, too. The suspense of finding Hattie’s stalker kept me on my toes. I did not see that coming when they finally caught her stalker!
And Hattie and Dylan finally caving into their feelings for each other? Chef's kiss!
December 24, 2024
arc review 💘
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.2 stars
i’m OBSESSED with this omg.
this is the first book of A.J. Ranney’s i’ve read and i’ve already downloaded her other books to read asap.
i read this book in one sitting and i loved it! romantic suspense is one of my favourite genres; i love romance mixed in with a mystery and essentially a “who done it” situation.
both dylan and hattie’s characters are one of the aspects i loved most about this book. hattie is a massive people pleaser, and dylan essentially is a bit of a grump turned into a massive simp for hattie only. i also love the fact dylan is law enforcement because who doesn’t love a detective MMC?
overall, this book is one of my favourite romantic suspense novels i’ve ever read. i’m so grateful to have received this arc and i can’t wait to read the author’s other books.
read Recklessly Yours if you like:
🫶 forced proximity
🫶 small town
🫶 brother’s best friend
🫶 detective mmc
🫶 protector/alpha hero
🫶 suspense
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.2 stars
i’m OBSESSED with this omg.
this is the first book of A.J. Ranney’s i’ve read and i’ve already downloaded her other books to read asap.
i read this book in one sitting and i loved it! romantic suspense is one of my favourite genres; i love romance mixed in with a mystery and essentially a “who done it” situation.
both dylan and hattie’s characters are one of the aspects i loved most about this book. hattie is a massive people pleaser, and dylan essentially is a bit of a grump turned into a massive simp for hattie only. i also love the fact dylan is law enforcement because who doesn’t love a detective MMC?
overall, this book is one of my favourite romantic suspense novels i’ve ever read. i’m so grateful to have received this arc and i can’t wait to read the author’s other books.
read Recklessly Yours if you like:
🫶 forced proximity
🫶 small town
🫶 brother’s best friend
🫶 detective mmc
🫶 protector/alpha hero
🫶 suspense
January 2, 2025
Absolute perfection!
This is definitely my favorite by A.J. ! She did such an amazing job with the suspense throughout the book. I loved Hattie & Dylan’s story!
Hattie is always trying to make everyone happy especially her family, even if they are on her case at first due to her trying multiple dating sites. Dylan is her brother’s best friend and cop/detective. He comes off grumpy but once he found out Hattie had a stalker he went into protective mode. The more time they spent together especially when she moved in with him to stay safe they fell for each other.
The whole time I was trying to figure out who her stalker was and I never would have guessed who it was! The suspense killed me but I loved every second of it!
Hands down the best book in the series!
Tropes
Suspense
Forced proximity
Found family
Detective
Protective/ alpha hero
Brothers best friend
Thank you A.J for the ARC!
This is definitely my favorite by A.J. ! She did such an amazing job with the suspense throughout the book. I loved Hattie & Dylan’s story!
Hattie is always trying to make everyone happy especially her family, even if they are on her case at first due to her trying multiple dating sites. Dylan is her brother’s best friend and cop/detective. He comes off grumpy but once he found out Hattie had a stalker he went into protective mode. The more time they spent together especially when she moved in with him to stay safe they fell for each other.
The whole time I was trying to figure out who her stalker was and I never would have guessed who it was! The suspense killed me but I loved every second of it!
Hands down the best book in the series!
Tropes
Suspense
Forced proximity
Found family
Detective
Protective/ alpha hero
Brothers best friend
Thank you A.J for the ARC!
January 9, 2025
I started off slow on this one, because ya know...parenting. But then I hit a stride and devoured it in one night. And then I went and added the rest to my tbr to read this year because I'm obsessed now.
I related to Hattie in a way that I also try to just blend in to my own little world. She didn't try (or want) to stand out. She couldn't fathom why somebody in her small town would stalk her. The strange flowers and creepy txts, she just tried to play off because she was the quiet one of the family. So of course, nobody would actually want to go after her. She got in her head over things and then just tried to back out of the picture so she wouldn't cause any more drama/issues. It squeezed my heart
Dylan...what a focused man. Focused on his job. Focused on his girl. Focused on the fact that his girl was his best friend's little sister and that means she should be completely off limits but he couldn't ight it anymore. And when that damn broke? Whew...he let Hattie know how he felt and he made sure she heard him. I loved him solely for the fact that he didn't let her go unnoticed. Hattie was okay with being the quiet lover/supporter like her father, and Dylan saw all the things that other people looked over. He's put himself on the map for most protective MC of the year, so far.
These two together worked. You could see their routine playing out in your head. Watch them both fight the obvious attractions but deny it so many times because of the sibling's best friend/best friend's sibling trope. Loved that Hattie knew what Dylan's job required and she wasn't down to change him or demand anything more from him. Just open communication please. Loved that Dylan learned the little things, Cherry Coke and popcorn.
My guess on the stalker was closer than normal. I had it narrowed down to two guys and that was a step up from Dylan's guess 🥳
Thank you A.J. Ranney for trusting me with an early copy of this...I now have a backlist list for you 🫶🏼 Thank you for letting the 'invisible' girl be seen and for not roundhouse kicking me in the face with the bad guy like another certain author 🤣 lol they were perfect and I'm glad that this was the first read I did of yours. Cain't wait to see who Savannah takes on
I related to Hattie in a way that I also try to just blend in to my own little world. She didn't try (or want) to stand out. She couldn't fathom why somebody in her small town would stalk her. The strange flowers and creepy txts, she just tried to play off because she was the quiet one of the family. So of course, nobody would actually want to go after her. She got in her head over things and then just tried to back out of the picture so she wouldn't cause any more drama/issues. It squeezed my heart
Dylan...what a focused man. Focused on his job. Focused on his girl. Focused on the fact that his girl was his best friend's little sister and that means she should be completely off limits but he couldn't ight it anymore. And when that damn broke? Whew...he let Hattie know how he felt and he made sure she heard him. I loved him solely for the fact that he didn't let her go unnoticed. Hattie was okay with being the quiet lover/supporter like her father, and Dylan saw all the things that other people looked over. He's put himself on the map for most protective MC of the year, so far.
These two together worked. You could see their routine playing out in your head. Watch them both fight the obvious attractions but deny it so many times because of the sibling's best friend/best friend's sibling trope. Loved that Hattie knew what Dylan's job required and she wasn't down to change him or demand anything more from him. Just open communication please. Loved that Dylan learned the little things, Cherry Coke and popcorn.
My guess on the stalker was closer than normal. I had it narrowed down to two guys and that was a step up from Dylan's guess 🥳
Thank you A.J. Ranney for trusting me with an early copy of this...I now have a backlist list for you 🫶🏼 Thank you for letting the 'invisible' girl be seen and for not roundhouse kicking me in the face with the bad guy like another certain author 🤣 lol they were perfect and I'm glad that this was the first read I did of yours. Cain't wait to see who Savannah takes on
April 27, 2025
Recklessly Yours by A. J. Ranney is the fourth book of the Half Moon series and it delivers a thrilling blend of romance and suspense. The story follows Hattie, a young woman who finds herself in a dangerous situation, and Detective Jackson, the man tasked with keeping her safe.
Hattie doesn’t take the threats seriously, until the stalker takes things to a different level. Once her feelings for Dylan start to manifest, she becomes worried for herself, for him and the security of his home.
Detective Dylan Jackson is the quintessential alpha hero. He is strong, protective, and deeply carrying. His dedication to Hattie’s safety is impressive and his own personal struggles add depth to his character. His worry of having his judgement clouded by his growing feelings for her is well presented.
One of the central themes of “Recklessly Yours” is safety and protection. Hattie’s journey is one of vulnerability and her need (whether recognized or not) is for someone to watch over her. Detective Jackson embodies the protector role, and their evolving relationship highlights the importance of trust and reliance on others. Another prominent theme is friendship, with Dylan’s worry over his best friend finding out about his feelings for his sister. Hattie’s friends, some a bit loud, are a welcome distraction.
I did enjoy the story, but I did not like the intimate scenes. It jumped so quick from Hattie being vulnerable to her being too bold somehow. I am all in for some spicy scenes, but they need to blend well with our characters and their personalities, as well as the action. The constant complaining of not having a breakthrough was tiresome. Still, I liked how the story left some glimpses into what the series will offer next.
All in all, “Recklessly Yours” by A.J. Ranney is a well-crafted novel, that combines romance and suspense. The author’s writing is engaging and evocative, bringing the reader into the world of Half Moon Lake. The characters are well developed, and the themes of protection, self-discovery and redemption resonate throughout the story. This book is a must read for romantic suspense, and it leaves you eagerly anticipating the next installment.
Hattie doesn’t take the threats seriously, until the stalker takes things to a different level. Once her feelings for Dylan start to manifest, she becomes worried for herself, for him and the security of his home.
Detective Dylan Jackson is the quintessential alpha hero. He is strong, protective, and deeply carrying. His dedication to Hattie’s safety is impressive and his own personal struggles add depth to his character. His worry of having his judgement clouded by his growing feelings for her is well presented.
One of the central themes of “Recklessly Yours” is safety and protection. Hattie’s journey is one of vulnerability and her need (whether recognized or not) is for someone to watch over her. Detective Jackson embodies the protector role, and their evolving relationship highlights the importance of trust and reliance on others. Another prominent theme is friendship, with Dylan’s worry over his best friend finding out about his feelings for his sister. Hattie’s friends, some a bit loud, are a welcome distraction.
I did enjoy the story, but I did not like the intimate scenes. It jumped so quick from Hattie being vulnerable to her being too bold somehow. I am all in for some spicy scenes, but they need to blend well with our characters and their personalities, as well as the action. The constant complaining of not having a breakthrough was tiresome. Still, I liked how the story left some glimpses into what the series will offer next.
All in all, “Recklessly Yours” by A.J. Ranney is a well-crafted novel, that combines romance and suspense. The author’s writing is engaging and evocative, bringing the reader into the world of Half Moon Lake. The characters are well developed, and the themes of protection, self-discovery and redemption resonate throughout the story. This book is a must read for romantic suspense, and it leaves you eagerly anticipating the next installment.
January 4, 2025
Recklessly Yours by AJ Ranney
Our girl Hattie finally gets her book and I could not love it more!!!
If you know me, you know Brother's best friend is one of my favorite tropes! And watching Rhett loose all his best friends to his sisters is amazing to watch! Enter Detective Sexy, Dylan Gray who steals Hattie’s heart! If only is was easy as it sounds!
This book! Probably my favorite by AJ! It had all the feels! Small town, suspense. Hattie has a stalker! And while she brushes it off, its got Dylan on high alert. Dylan tries to convince himself its just bescause she's his best friends little sister. Until he cant deny his feelings anymore. The anxiety, sitting on pins and needles. Wondering who it is and will he get her. Surprisingly in this aspect i loved it! Like a mini adrenaline rush trying to put all the pieces together! So many easter eggs. Then there's the amount of times I yelled at Hattie 😅 her stubbornness. I just wanted to shake her and tell her to take it seriously! But then I wanted to hug her and tell her that Dylan would keep her safe, always! It had the right amount of forced proximity. The push and pull and they way they both try to fight their feelings but can't. Dylan oh how I love him. This man. The way he turns into a protective beast for Hattie. But also has you swooning with how much he cares. How he won't stop at anything to get his girl back to safety including his best friend and her brother. I loved watching their relationship go from he's my brothers best friend just doing him a favor, to her becoming his whole world. Seeing the rest of our favorite Half Moon Lake family is always a good time especially all their banter. Dylan & Hattie are absolutely perfect for eachother and I loved every minute of this story! I can't wait for whatever AJ has in store for us next!
Our girl Hattie finally gets her book and I could not love it more!!!
If you know me, you know Brother's best friend is one of my favorite tropes! And watching Rhett loose all his best friends to his sisters is amazing to watch! Enter Detective Sexy, Dylan Gray who steals Hattie’s heart! If only is was easy as it sounds!
This book! Probably my favorite by AJ! It had all the feels! Small town, suspense. Hattie has a stalker! And while she brushes it off, its got Dylan on high alert. Dylan tries to convince himself its just bescause she's his best friends little sister. Until he cant deny his feelings anymore. The anxiety, sitting on pins and needles. Wondering who it is and will he get her. Surprisingly in this aspect i loved it! Like a mini adrenaline rush trying to put all the pieces together! So many easter eggs. Then there's the amount of times I yelled at Hattie 😅 her stubbornness. I just wanted to shake her and tell her to take it seriously! But then I wanted to hug her and tell her that Dylan would keep her safe, always! It had the right amount of forced proximity. The push and pull and they way they both try to fight their feelings but can't. Dylan oh how I love him. This man. The way he turns into a protective beast for Hattie. But also has you swooning with how much he cares. How he won't stop at anything to get his girl back to safety including his best friend and her brother. I loved watching their relationship go from he's my brothers best friend just doing him a favor, to her becoming his whole world. Seeing the rest of our favorite Half Moon Lake family is always a good time especially all their banter. Dylan & Hattie are absolutely perfect for eachother and I loved every minute of this story! I can't wait for whatever AJ has in store for us next!
January 3, 2025
If you’re looking for a book that combines suspense with a side of swoon-worthy small town romance, then Recklessly Yours is the perfect pick for you!
Let's talk about our leading man, Dylan, the alpha hero who takes “protective” to a whole new level. Picture this: a brooding detective with a heart of gold (and let’s be real, some very well-defined abs) who has promised to keep his best friend’s little sister safe. And who is that little sister? The stunning, infuriating, and oh-so-off-limits Hattie Williams. The chemistry between these two is H.O.T.
I am a fan of the forced proximity trope that is in full swing here, and boy, does it deliver! Hattie moving into Dylan’s home to escape a stalker is the kind of plot twist that keeps you turning pages faster than you can say “What’s that noise outside?” The tension is palpable—every innocent touch and lingering look has you shouting at the book, “Just kiss already!”
Ranney weaves suspense into the narrative, keeping you on the edge of your seat. I mean, who doesn’t love a good stalker villain lurking in the shadows? The stakes are high. Dylan must protect Hattie at all costs.
But it’s not all edge-of-your-seat moments; let’s talk about the romance and the will they or won’t they moments. Let’s face it, when you’re stuck in a house with your brother’s hot best friend, things are bound to get complicated—and Ranney captures that dynamic perfectly.
Recklessly Yours is an exhilarating ride filled with suspense, heart, and spice. Hattie and Dylan are a duo you won’t soon forget, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be rooting for them every step of the way. Just remember though, this book is like a snack, because once you start reading, you won’t want to put it down!
Let's talk about our leading man, Dylan, the alpha hero who takes “protective” to a whole new level. Picture this: a brooding detective with a heart of gold (and let’s be real, some very well-defined abs) who has promised to keep his best friend’s little sister safe. And who is that little sister? The stunning, infuriating, and oh-so-off-limits Hattie Williams. The chemistry between these two is H.O.T.
I am a fan of the forced proximity trope that is in full swing here, and boy, does it deliver! Hattie moving into Dylan’s home to escape a stalker is the kind of plot twist that keeps you turning pages faster than you can say “What’s that noise outside?” The tension is palpable—every innocent touch and lingering look has you shouting at the book, “Just kiss already!”
Ranney weaves suspense into the narrative, keeping you on the edge of your seat. I mean, who doesn’t love a good stalker villain lurking in the shadows? The stakes are high. Dylan must protect Hattie at all costs.
But it’s not all edge-of-your-seat moments; let’s talk about the romance and the will they or won’t they moments. Let’s face it, when you’re stuck in a house with your brother’s hot best friend, things are bound to get complicated—and Ranney captures that dynamic perfectly.
Recklessly Yours is an exhilarating ride filled with suspense, heart, and spice. Hattie and Dylan are a duo you won’t soon forget, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be rooting for them every step of the way. Just remember though, this book is like a snack, because once you start reading, you won’t want to put it down!
January 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this story overall; I am becoming a really big fan of romantic suspense, and this book was done well. Kept me guessing, which is I think the general purpose, right!?
Hattie and Dylan were both lovable characters who got swept up in their forced proximity situation and yet the tension of being a brother's best friend situationship keeps you desperately involved in their growing attraction.
Hattie, who runs her family business has been serial dating for the last few months. When she realizes she may have a stalker she reaches out to her brother's best friend Dylan who is a local PD. When the stalker escalates things, Hattie is all but forced to stay with Dylan until the PD can ensure her safety.
When you think all fingers are pointing in one direction the snake in the grass bites you. Dylan who tries to stay away from Hattie for all the obvious reasons but also because he is worried about getting distracted realizes that he can't stop his feelings or distractions and must act on them gets even more protective of her.
When the stalker gets more and more bold in his affections Dylan must go to extreme lengths to keep her safe and while I must say that Hattie isn't the easiest person to keep out of harm's way, he does the best he can until they both let their guard down and the stalker makes his move.
I will be going back through this author back list. I enjoyed her writing style, and the depth and development of the characters and plot were exactly to my tastes. So, thank you so much for letting me ARC read this story!
Hattie and Dylan were both lovable characters who got swept up in their forced proximity situation and yet the tension of being a brother's best friend situationship keeps you desperately involved in their growing attraction.
Hattie, who runs her family business has been serial dating for the last few months. When she realizes she may have a stalker she reaches out to her brother's best friend Dylan who is a local PD. When the stalker escalates things, Hattie is all but forced to stay with Dylan until the PD can ensure her safety.
When you think all fingers are pointing in one direction the snake in the grass bites you. Dylan who tries to stay away from Hattie for all the obvious reasons but also because he is worried about getting distracted realizes that he can't stop his feelings or distractions and must act on them gets even more protective of her.
When the stalker gets more and more bold in his affections Dylan must go to extreme lengths to keep her safe and while I must say that Hattie isn't the easiest person to keep out of harm's way, he does the best he can until they both let their guard down and the stalker makes his move.
I will be going back through this author back list. I enjoyed her writing style, and the depth and development of the characters and plot were exactly to my tastes. So, thank you so much for letting me ARC read this story!
January 25, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️. 5
This was Hattie and Dylan's off Limits romance.
I liked the suspense brought into this small town. I mean everyone knows everyone, so who could be the suspect?
Hattie is quite and keeps herself to herself as her family can be a lot. Seeing her siblings with partners and children, she has realised she wants the same. Unfortunately no one actually interests her or they're all a bit ahem 'eccentric' on the dating app.
Ready to give up, she starts getting flowers. She is quite a easy going and wasn't thinking much of it. On top other things were happening too.
Dylan is her older brother's best friend. Newly single and he too would love what his friends have. He would never go with Hattie, even if she intrigues him. Brett wasn't happy when his other best friend dated his other sister. Nope, he isn't going there. But he can't help how he hs an instant smile every time he sees her.
The he finds out she is being stalked and everything happening isn't a coincidence. Then Rhett asks if she can stay with Dylan for protection. Yep, close proximity isn't helping his feelings or hers.
I really liked how I couldn't guess who was the stalker. I tried guessing but didn't get it right. So that's a good suspense for me haha.
But when it came to it, he would turn the world upside down to save and protect her.
As always the family and friends are fantastic.
I do feel there was potential for more spice but we didn't always get more apart from once. Overall another great story in this series.
🌶️. 5
This was Hattie and Dylan's off Limits romance.
I liked the suspense brought into this small town. I mean everyone knows everyone, so who could be the suspect?
Hattie is quite and keeps herself to herself as her family can be a lot. Seeing her siblings with partners and children, she has realised she wants the same. Unfortunately no one actually interests her or they're all a bit ahem 'eccentric' on the dating app.
Ready to give up, she starts getting flowers. She is quite a easy going and wasn't thinking much of it. On top other things were happening too.
Dylan is her older brother's best friend. Newly single and he too would love what his friends have. He would never go with Hattie, even if she intrigues him. Brett wasn't happy when his other best friend dated his other sister. Nope, he isn't going there. But he can't help how he hs an instant smile every time he sees her.
The he finds out she is being stalked and everything happening isn't a coincidence. Then Rhett asks if she can stay with Dylan for protection. Yep, close proximity isn't helping his feelings or hers.
I really liked how I couldn't guess who was the stalker. I tried guessing but didn't get it right. So that's a good suspense for me haha.
But when it came to it, he would turn the world upside down to save and protect her.
As always the family and friends are fantastic.
I do feel there was potential for more spice but we didn't always get more apart from once. Overall another great story in this series.
December 25, 2024
Holy moly. I think I just found a new favourite author. The way I devoured this book in one sitting and couldn’t put it down. It had the biggest chokehold over me and there was no way I wasn’t finishing it once I picked it up. I love a small town romance and make it brothers best friend and a suspense romance, yes please.
Dylan is an alpha hero and as soon as he realised Hattie had a stalker he was all in for protecting her and keeping her safe. Hattie brushed off everything that indicated she had a stalker because she is a quiet person who keeps to herself. Dylan and Hattie did start out fake dating to draw out her stalker but the sparks that were flying through the pages were too strong to ignore. This book was fast paced which I loved and forced proximity. Dylan was the perfect protector and someone Hattie didn’t realise she needed, he saw her for who she was and brought out a version of her that was amazing to see. They both completed each other in so many ways and you could just tell they were going to be perfect together when they finally gave into their growing affection. The found family in this book and background characters were so funny and just cemented my love for the book. Let me tell you the suspense in this book had me hooked and it was done perfectly, you may have your guesses throughout the book on who the stalker is but when it’s finally revealed you’ll be gasping.
Arc Review
Dylan is an alpha hero and as soon as he realised Hattie had a stalker he was all in for protecting her and keeping her safe. Hattie brushed off everything that indicated she had a stalker because she is a quiet person who keeps to herself. Dylan and Hattie did start out fake dating to draw out her stalker but the sparks that were flying through the pages were too strong to ignore. This book was fast paced which I loved and forced proximity. Dylan was the perfect protector and someone Hattie didn’t realise she needed, he saw her for who she was and brought out a version of her that was amazing to see. They both completed each other in so many ways and you could just tell they were going to be perfect together when they finally gave into their growing affection. The found family in this book and background characters were so funny and just cemented my love for the book. Let me tell you the suspense in this book had me hooked and it was done perfectly, you may have your guesses throughout the book on who the stalker is but when it’s finally revealed you’ll be gasping.
Arc Review
January 16, 2025
✨BOOK REVIEW✨
Recklessly Yours by A.J. Ranney 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A.J. Ranney delivers an emotional rollercoaster with Recklessly Yours, a gripping romance that perfectly balances passion, heartache, and redemption. This book had me hooked from the very first page, and I couldn’t put it down!
The characters in this story are raw, flawed, and incredibly real. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, igniting the pages with fiery passion and deep emotional connections. Their journey is filled with ups and downs, making it impossible not to root for them as they navigate their complicated relationship. Ranney masterfully captures the essence of falling in love, making mistakes, and fighting for a second chance.
The writing is beautifully evocative, drawing you into the characters’ world and making you feel every emotion right alongside them. The tension, the longing, and the undeniable pull between the protagonists create a story that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful.
Recklessly Yours is more than just a romance; it’s a story about growth, forgiveness, and the power of love to heal even the deepest wounds. A.J. Ranney has crafted a tale that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An unforgettable, passionate romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more. Highly recommend for fans of emotional and steamy love stories!
#BookReview #RecklesslyYours #AJRanney #RomanceReads #SecondChanceRomance #MustRead #Bookstagram #FiveStarReview
Recklessly Yours by A.J. Ranney 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A.J. Ranney delivers an emotional rollercoaster with Recklessly Yours, a gripping romance that perfectly balances passion, heartache, and redemption. This book had me hooked from the very first page, and I couldn’t put it down!
The characters in this story are raw, flawed, and incredibly real. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, igniting the pages with fiery passion and deep emotional connections. Their journey is filled with ups and downs, making it impossible not to root for them as they navigate their complicated relationship. Ranney masterfully captures the essence of falling in love, making mistakes, and fighting for a second chance.
The writing is beautifully evocative, drawing you into the characters’ world and making you feel every emotion right alongside them. The tension, the longing, and the undeniable pull between the protagonists create a story that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful.
Recklessly Yours is more than just a romance; it’s a story about growth, forgiveness, and the power of love to heal even the deepest wounds. A.J. Ranney has crafted a tale that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An unforgettable, passionate romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more. Highly recommend for fans of emotional and steamy love stories!
#BookReview #RecklesslyYours #AJRanney #RomanceReads #SecondChanceRomance #MustRead #Bookstagram #FiveStarReview
January 3, 2025
I love a good romantic suspense and AJ Ranney gave it to us in Recklessly Yours. Hattie struggles to be seen and heard with her siblings and tends to be more of a wallflower when everyone's around. Dylan mistakes this for her being "basically mute" when she's anything but.
Just as Hattie decides to quit online dating because of all the guppies, a stalker enters the picture. Who better to protect her than the sexy detective, who's also her brother's best friend? It just makes sense that they pretend to be dating, and he moves her into his house, to throw the stalker off, right? Only things begin to escalate with the stalker and Dylan takes protector alpha hero to a new level. In the process he starts to see who Hattie really is because he listens and pays attention, something she's always wanted. And Dylan likes what he see a lot. Their attraction grows as the stalker gets bolder.
The F-it moment hattie and Dylan share is perfect! Their burn may have been slow, but they sure are steaming up more than the windows with their chemistry. The sexy detective is so swoon worthy he'll make more than your heart melt.
The suspense was on point, and the plot twist will keep you guessing until the end. You'll want to take a trip to Half Moon Lake and meet all the meddling friends and family, and other couples that make this series a must read. I'm already looking forward to more!
Just as Hattie decides to quit online dating because of all the guppies, a stalker enters the picture. Who better to protect her than the sexy detective, who's also her brother's best friend? It just makes sense that they pretend to be dating, and he moves her into his house, to throw the stalker off, right? Only things begin to escalate with the stalker and Dylan takes protector alpha hero to a new level. In the process he starts to see who Hattie really is because he listens and pays attention, something she's always wanted. And Dylan likes what he see a lot. Their attraction grows as the stalker gets bolder.
The F-it moment hattie and Dylan share is perfect! Their burn may have been slow, but they sure are steaming up more than the windows with their chemistry. The sexy detective is so swoon worthy he'll make more than your heart melt.
The suspense was on point, and the plot twist will keep you guessing until the end. You'll want to take a trip to Half Moon Lake and meet all the meddling friends and family, and other couples that make this series a must read. I'm already looking forward to more!
January 16, 2025
ℝ𝕖𝕔𝕜𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕝𝕪 𝕐𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤
𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨
Oh how I’m loving these small town first responder romances!
Recklessly yours is about Hattie who co owns a restaurant with her siblings. She’s been unlucky in love and trying to find a partner is proving harder than she thought. After months of dating apps she decides enough is enough. However she has garnered the attention of someone, she keeps receiving flowers and strange text messages.
The local detective Dylan, who happens to be best friends with Rhett, Hattie’s brother, finds out about the strange stuff happening to Hattie and starts working to discover who is stalking her.
I loved that there was no miscommunication in this, that trope tends to peeve me, but both Hattie and Dylan act like adults and talk through their issues. Hattie is slightly insecure, being one of the younger siblings in her family she often feels overlooked but Dylan can’t help but see her. Dylan has had bad relationships in the past with previous partners not understanding his work and how he can become obsessed with a case until it’s solved. But Hattie understands his need to solve a mystery and would never berate him for it.
This is a quick read at 250 pages, but it doesn’t lack mystery,suspense, drama or spice (the detective has a filthy mouth) !
🚨Detective MMC
🌊Small Lake Side Town
🔪Stalker - Heroine in Danger
🏡Forced Proximity
✨Brothers Best Friend
𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨
Oh how I’m loving these small town first responder romances!
Recklessly yours is about Hattie who co owns a restaurant with her siblings. She’s been unlucky in love and trying to find a partner is proving harder than she thought. After months of dating apps she decides enough is enough. However she has garnered the attention of someone, she keeps receiving flowers and strange text messages.
The local detective Dylan, who happens to be best friends with Rhett, Hattie’s brother, finds out about the strange stuff happening to Hattie and starts working to discover who is stalking her.
I loved that there was no miscommunication in this, that trope tends to peeve me, but both Hattie and Dylan act like adults and talk through their issues. Hattie is slightly insecure, being one of the younger siblings in her family she often feels overlooked but Dylan can’t help but see her. Dylan has had bad relationships in the past with previous partners not understanding his work and how he can become obsessed with a case until it’s solved. But Hattie understands his need to solve a mystery and would never berate him for it.
This is a quick read at 250 pages, but it doesn’t lack mystery,suspense, drama or spice (the detective has a filthy mouth) !
🚨Detective MMC
🌊Small Lake Side Town
🔪Stalker - Heroine in Danger
🏡Forced Proximity
✨Brothers Best Friend
December 25, 2024
Hattie and Dylan are so good together! Thanks for giving us another tale in the Half Moon Lake series. Dylan is a police detective and good friends with Hattie’s older brother. Hattie runs her families resturaunt along with her brother and just wants to be seen and valued for who she is. Dylan definitely sees her and so does someone else.
When Hattie starts to receive flowers from an unknown admirer she doesn't think anything of it outside her curiosity. Dylan and his brother don’t agree. Dylan agrees to have Hattie stay with him in order to provide her a better level of protection from what turns out to be a serious stalker situation. All the while trying to avoid acting on his attraction from Hattie.
The romance, the suspense, and the passion had me on the edge of my chair for the whole read. I loved this book and the character development was sp good. Dylan was determined to communicate and Hattie worked on not letting her insecurities run away with her. Between all that and trying to catch a stalker this was the perfect read. The twist? Hello, shocker! And boy was I shook! Don’t hesitate to grab this book and jump into the Half Moon Lake world. It even comes with a recommended Spotify playlist, what could be better? I can’t wait to go back to Half Moon Lake!
When Hattie starts to receive flowers from an unknown admirer she doesn't think anything of it outside her curiosity. Dylan and his brother don’t agree. Dylan agrees to have Hattie stay with him in order to provide her a better level of protection from what turns out to be a serious stalker situation. All the while trying to avoid acting on his attraction from Hattie.
The romance, the suspense, and the passion had me on the edge of my chair for the whole read. I loved this book and the character development was sp good. Dylan was determined to communicate and Hattie worked on not letting her insecurities run away with her. Between all that and trying to catch a stalker this was the perfect read. The twist? Hello, shocker! And boy was I shook! Don’t hesitate to grab this book and jump into the Half Moon Lake world. It even comes with a recommended Spotify playlist, what could be better? I can’t wait to go back to Half Moon Lake!
January 2, 2025
Recklessly Yours is a fantastic read! I was so excited to read a suspenseful romance story and AJ did not disappoint! This is way better than a true crime show or podcast so I highly recommend jumping in because you get some steamy romance to go along with the mystery.
What you can expect:
💜 Forced Proximity
🚨Small Town
💜 Brother’s Best Friend
🚨 Detective MC
💜 Protector/Alpha Hero
🚨 Suspense
Hattie Williams life drastically changes when she gains the attention of a stalker and her brother’s BFF Dylan is tasked with protecting her. She is usually seen as the quiet one, but that doesn’t mean she is meek by any means. With Dylan she finds herself lowering her walls.
These two just click together. Dylan is so good at seeing Hattie for who she is and truly loving all of her. He listens and he hears her. He notices every detail and will stop at nothing to protect her. I love how their relationship and trust for one another develops and the way they grow as individuals. This was an exciting story with a swoony romance that will have you staying up late to finish. 10/10 highly recommend! Read this book and then make sure you catch up with the rest of the Half Moon Lake series because you’re going to want more.
A.R.C. Review
What you can expect:
💜 Forced Proximity
🚨Small Town
💜 Brother’s Best Friend
🚨 Detective MC
💜 Protector/Alpha Hero
🚨 Suspense
Hattie Williams life drastically changes when she gains the attention of a stalker and her brother’s BFF Dylan is tasked with protecting her. She is usually seen as the quiet one, but that doesn’t mean she is meek by any means. With Dylan she finds herself lowering her walls.
These two just click together. Dylan is so good at seeing Hattie for who she is and truly loving all of her. He listens and he hears her. He notices every detail and will stop at nothing to protect her. I love how their relationship and trust for one another develops and the way they grow as individuals. This was an exciting story with a swoony romance that will have you staying up late to finish. 10/10 highly recommend! Read this book and then make sure you catch up with the rest of the Half Moon Lake series because you’re going to want more.
A.R.C. Review
January 3, 2025
Are you ever in the mood for a small town, best friend's brother that has spice and a dash of romantic suspense with a protector/alpha mmc? This book would fit that mood for you.
Hattie is getting random flowers and texts from a stalker and that is when Dylan, her brother’s best friend who just so happens to be a detective steps in to help her but that help turns into her moving in with him and slowly turns into so more between these two.
I adored Hattie and Dylan together. Honestly, the tension between these two was absolutely perfect. I loved the moment they gave in to each other..because while Hattie comes across shy she was not shy with her feelings towards Dylan. The spice was just the right amount for this book and our girl was not shy in the bedroom 😏 . I loved how Dylan paid so much attention towards Hattie. I love when an MMC can remember a routine, coffee or food order and that is exactly what Dylan did.
The suspense in this was perfect! It was enough to keep you on your toes but didn’t take away from the relationship between Hattie and Dylan.
I can’t wait to see what AJ has in store for us next.
Thank you to the Author and the Author Agency for the arc of this book
Hattie is getting random flowers and texts from a stalker and that is when Dylan, her brother’s best friend who just so happens to be a detective steps in to help her but that help turns into her moving in with him and slowly turns into so more between these two.
I adored Hattie and Dylan together. Honestly, the tension between these two was absolutely perfect. I loved the moment they gave in to each other..because while Hattie comes across shy she was not shy with her feelings towards Dylan. The spice was just the right amount for this book and our girl was not shy in the bedroom 😏 . I loved how Dylan paid so much attention towards Hattie. I love when an MMC can remember a routine, coffee or food order and that is exactly what Dylan did.
The suspense in this was perfect! It was enough to keep you on your toes but didn’t take away from the relationship between Hattie and Dylan.
I can’t wait to see what AJ has in store for us next.
Thank you to the Author and the Author Agency for the arc of this book
January 3, 2025
I devoured “Recklessly Yours” by A.J. Ranney in one sitting, and let me tell you—I loved every second! This book is a small-town, brother’s-best-friend, forced-proximity jackpot. Add in a suspenseful stalking plot, and you’ve got a recipe for pure page-turning gold.
Hattie, sweet and determined to end her single streak, doesn’t expect her brother’s grumpy best friend, Dylan—a cop/detective—to step in when a stalker enters the picture. But when she moves in with him for safety, their chemistry explodes. Fake dating to catch the stalker? Yeah, that didn’t stay fake for long.
Now, the suspense? Absolute perfection. The stalker storyline had me hooked from start to finish. I had theories, but when the reveal came, I legit gasped. It’s that good.
This book is part of a series of interconnected standalones, so there are more stories to dive into, featuring some pretty awesome side characters. You don’t have to read them in order, but trust me, you’ll want to soak up the full Half Moon Lake experience.
“Recklessly Yours” is a total win, and I can’t wait to head back to Half Moon Lake for more. A.J. Ranney is officially on my auto-buy list—don’t sleep on this author!
Thank you @a.j.ranny for the gifted ebook arc. All opinions expressed are my own.
Hattie, sweet and determined to end her single streak, doesn’t expect her brother’s grumpy best friend, Dylan—a cop/detective—to step in when a stalker enters the picture. But when she moves in with him for safety, their chemistry explodes. Fake dating to catch the stalker? Yeah, that didn’t stay fake for long.
Now, the suspense? Absolute perfection. The stalker storyline had me hooked from start to finish. I had theories, but when the reveal came, I legit gasped. It’s that good.
This book is part of a series of interconnected standalones, so there are more stories to dive into, featuring some pretty awesome side characters. You don’t have to read them in order, but trust me, you’ll want to soak up the full Half Moon Lake experience.
“Recklessly Yours” is a total win, and I can’t wait to head back to Half Moon Lake for more. A.J. Ranney is officially on my auto-buy list—don’t sleep on this author!
Thank you @a.j.ranny for the gifted ebook arc. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 4, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5
Spice: 🌶🌶 1/2 out of 5
🫦Best Friend's Sister/Brother's Friend
🚔Protective Police MMC
🙈Sta1ker
🗯Fake Dating
🏘Small Town
✨️Blurb:
✨️Review
A lighter romance with just a bit of sta1ker suspense. The way the forced proximity came about for Hattie's safety made sense and I liked that we took some time with scenes her and Dylan getting friendlier and just having cozy movie watching nights! Some banter, the occasional movement of the sta1ker closing in to keep that plot point alive and we have an easy read small town romance.
It's nothing earth shattering as far as small town sta1ker stories go, but they are a cute couple and they don't let their unsaid feelings go unsaid too long, which is refreshing. Just a bit too standard for me.
Hattie is supposedly set up to be a shy girl but I never got that impression from her (I'm a shy girl and I definitely don't use as many dating apps and date as much as her lol). Regardless, I liked how open they were with each other, not keeping secrets for the sake of drama when it wouldn't make sense.
A good entry into this series and can be read as a standalone no problem! It's a tried and true plot if you want safe, expected and movie of the week feels.
Spice: 🌶🌶 1/2 out of 5
🫦Best Friend's Sister/Brother's Friend
🚔Protective Police MMC
🙈Sta1ker
🗯Fake Dating
🏘Small Town
✨️Blurb:
✨️Review
A lighter romance with just a bit of sta1ker suspense. The way the forced proximity came about for Hattie's safety made sense and I liked that we took some time with scenes her and Dylan getting friendlier and just having cozy movie watching nights! Some banter, the occasional movement of the sta1ker closing in to keep that plot point alive and we have an easy read small town romance.
It's nothing earth shattering as far as small town sta1ker stories go, but they are a cute couple and they don't let their unsaid feelings go unsaid too long, which is refreshing. Just a bit too standard for me.
Hattie is supposedly set up to be a shy girl but I never got that impression from her (I'm a shy girl and I definitely don't use as many dating apps and date as much as her lol). Regardless, I liked how open they were with each other, not keeping secrets for the sake of drama when it wouldn't make sense.
A good entry into this series and can be read as a standalone no problem! It's a tried and true plot if you want safe, expected and movie of the week feels.
January 14, 2025
enjoyable read
3.5 stars
Hattie had always been the quiet sister who liked to keep under the radar, but when she starts receiving flowers at work and then text messages she is thrust into the limelight.
Dylan had always found Hattie attractive, so when his friend, her brother asks him to look out for her, he is a little unsure but can’t say no.
They had both been attracted to each other before, but for Dylan the whole best friends sister thing held him back. The more time they spent together the more they liked what they saw and Dylan couldn’t fight his attraction any more. They were compatible in so many ways and just seemed to fit so well together.
Unfortunately they both had their own issues which got in their way at times, but I liked how they didn’t let things linger too long and actually talked things through.
I must admit I did find the suspense side of the story pretty predictable. I guessed who the stalker was and saw parts of the story coming. It felt more like a pretext to get them together than a dangerous situation until the end of the story.
I liked catching up with previous characters from the series and I really liked how Dylan made Hattie feel seen.
3.5 stars
Hattie had always been the quiet sister who liked to keep under the radar, but when she starts receiving flowers at work and then text messages she is thrust into the limelight.
Dylan had always found Hattie attractive, so when his friend, her brother asks him to look out for her, he is a little unsure but can’t say no.
They had both been attracted to each other before, but for Dylan the whole best friends sister thing held him back. The more time they spent together the more they liked what they saw and Dylan couldn’t fight his attraction any more. They were compatible in so many ways and just seemed to fit so well together.
Unfortunately they both had their own issues which got in their way at times, but I liked how they didn’t let things linger too long and actually talked things through.
I must admit I did find the suspense side of the story pretty predictable. I guessed who the stalker was and saw parts of the story coming. It felt more like a pretext to get them together than a dangerous situation until the end of the story.
I liked catching up with previous characters from the series and I really liked how Dylan made Hattie feel seen.
January 20, 2025
Book Review: Recklessly Yours by: AJ Ranney
I love this series so much I’m beyond obsessed! A.J. did yet again an amazing job! The Tension let me repeat… the.. T.E.N.S.I.O.N. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I literally read this book in an afternoon I could legitimately couldn’t put it down! It’s got all the best features of a romantic suspense! With a huge dash of mystery it was delicious!
Dylan and Hattie they were the chefs kiss on this delightful book. Dylan is the epitome of a toasty gooey marshmallow and Hattie is a total boss even though she is too much of a people pleaser when she’s in her element she is a badass.
I’m going to say one thing which will have you probably running to kindle to download… he is a cop!!! 🫠 This book is everything forbidden, witty, suspenseful, mysterious, hot, and swoony.
Favorite Quote:
“I can’t think about anything but you. I thought that if I kept my distance, I could stay focused, because I would never forgive myself if something happened to you. But after today, it’s clear that regardless of what happens between us, I’ll be distracted.”
🫶 forced proximity
🫶 small town
🫶 brother’s best friend
🫶 detective mmc
🫶 protector/alpha hero
🫶 suspense
I love this series so much I’m beyond obsessed! A.J. did yet again an amazing job! The Tension let me repeat… the.. T.E.N.S.I.O.N. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I literally read this book in an afternoon I could legitimately couldn’t put it down! It’s got all the best features of a romantic suspense! With a huge dash of mystery it was delicious!
Dylan and Hattie they were the chefs kiss on this delightful book. Dylan is the epitome of a toasty gooey marshmallow and Hattie is a total boss even though she is too much of a people pleaser when she’s in her element she is a badass.
I’m going to say one thing which will have you probably running to kindle to download… he is a cop!!! 🫠 This book is everything forbidden, witty, suspenseful, mysterious, hot, and swoony.
Favorite Quote:
“I can’t think about anything but you. I thought that if I kept my distance, I could stay focused, because I would never forgive myself if something happened to you. But after today, it’s clear that regardless of what happens between us, I’ll be distracted.”
🫶 forced proximity
🫶 small town
🫶 brother’s best friend
🫶 detective mmc
🫶 protector/alpha hero
🫶 suspense
January 1, 2025
I could not put Recklessly Yours down and spent my night so engrossed in this beautifully written storyline that I almost missed New Years. She has given us a suspense-filled, emotional, big brother's best friend romance that is heartwarming, captivating, and entertaining.
Hattie is the quiet one of the family but when flowers start showing up and strange texts as sent she ends up under the protection of the sexy and single Detective Dylan, her brother's best friend. Well here is where the story starts to get interesting and things heat up. Little does each other know, that they have feelings for one another but Dylan would never act upon them because of who Hattie is. Forced proximity, some teasing and flirting and we see them stepping over that line they know they shouldn't cross. When the danger is closer, miscommunication happens and they both jump to conclusions.
I loved how protective Dylan was of Hattie. He was definitely swoon-worthy. Hattie's family, especially her sister Savannah, were interesting and sometimes a little overprotective. Hattie and Dylan were perfect for one another.
Hattie is the quiet one of the family but when flowers start showing up and strange texts as sent she ends up under the protection of the sexy and single Detective Dylan, her brother's best friend. Well here is where the story starts to get interesting and things heat up. Little does each other know, that they have feelings for one another but Dylan would never act upon them because of who Hattie is. Forced proximity, some teasing and flirting and we see them stepping over that line they know they shouldn't cross. When the danger is closer, miscommunication happens and they both jump to conclusions.
I loved how protective Dylan was of Hattie. He was definitely swoon-worthy. Hattie's family, especially her sister Savannah, were interesting and sometimes a little overprotective. Hattie and Dylan were perfect for one another.
January 3, 2025
This was a nice easy low angst read for me. I Hattie was a great character who knows what she wanted, and even though her family was a little meddlesome, she handled them.
She decides to take a break from online dating as she just couldn’t find someone that she wanted to be with. And then she starts receiving weird texts and flower deliveries. And it seems like someone is stalking her. But Hattie doesn’t take it seriously. Until her brother’s friend, Dylan a police detective accidentally finds out and is so not impressed that she is not taking it seriously.
Dylan knows that getting involved with Hattie is not a good idea. He is friends with her brother and that would just complicate things. But when he finds out about her stalker and her brother asks him to watch out for her, she sort of moves in with him until the threat is gone. Definitely not a good idea…
The story was quick and easy read with a little bit of suspense thrown in. And I love a romance story with a suspense added. Dylan was definitely an alpha protector and that just made it so much easier to fall in love with her. Will totally keep your attention from start to end 😊
Read on behalf of
Fay’s Corner
She decides to take a break from online dating as she just couldn’t find someone that she wanted to be with. And then she starts receiving weird texts and flower deliveries. And it seems like someone is stalking her. But Hattie doesn’t take it seriously. Until her brother’s friend, Dylan a police detective accidentally finds out and is so not impressed that she is not taking it seriously.
Dylan knows that getting involved with Hattie is not a good idea. He is friends with her brother and that would just complicate things. But when he finds out about her stalker and her brother asks him to watch out for her, she sort of moves in with him until the threat is gone. Definitely not a good idea…
The story was quick and easy read with a little bit of suspense thrown in. And I love a romance story with a suspense added. Dylan was definitely an alpha protector and that just made it so much easier to fall in love with her. Will totally keep your attention from start to end 😊
Read on behalf of
Fay’s Corner
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