Reckless

Wrecked #2

by Elle Casey

NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, ELLE CASEY brings readers RECKLESS, the much anticipated sequel to the High Seas and High Adventure novel WRECKED.

RECKLESS is the story of four teenagers from different ends of the social spectrum who were castaway on an island together before finally making it back home ... only to be thrown back into high school life with completely different perspectives than they had before. Will they fall into the same traps or forge new paths for themselves? Follow Kevin, Candi, Sarah, and Jonathan as they move into their future - always hopeful, often uncertain, and sometimes even ... RECKLESS.

Content Warning: Contains some foul language and non-explicit sex scenes between older teens. May not be appropriate for younger, middle-grade teens.

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Survival, Fiction, Contemporary, Adventure, Suspense

350 pages, ebook

First published December 31, 2012

About the author

Elle Casey, a former attorney and teacher, is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling American author who lives in France with her husband, the youngest of her three kids, and several horses, dogs, and cats. She has written more than 40 novels in less than 5 years and likes to say she offers fiction in several flavors. These flavors include romance, science fiction, urban fantasy, action adventure, suspense, and paranormal.

BOOKS BY ELLE CASEY
 (by genre):

ROMANCE 

By Degrees

Rebel Wheels (3-book series)
Just One Night (romantic serial)
Just One Week
Love in New York (3-book series)
Shine Not Burn (2-book series), also available as an Audiobook
Bourbon Street Boys (3-book series), also available as an Audiobook
Desperate Measures
Mismatched

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE 

All the Glory: How Jason Bradley Went from Hero to Zero in Ten Seconds Flat
Don’t Make Me Beautiful
Wrecked (2-book series), Book 1 also available as an Audiobook


 CONTEMPORARY URBAN FANTASY

 

War of the Fae (10-book series)
*Book 1, The Changelings, is a free ebook at most retailers*
Ten Things You Should Know About Dragons (short story, The Dragon Chronicles)
My Vampire Summer

Aces High



 SCIENCE FICTION
 

Drifters’ Alliance (3-book series +)
Winner Takes All (short story prequel to Drifters’ Alliance, Dark Beyond the Stars Anthology)
The Ivory Tower (short story standalone, Beyond the Stars: A Planet Too Far. A Space Opera Anthology)


 DYSTOPIAN

 

Apocalypsis (4-book series) *Book 1, Kahayatle, is a FREE ebook at most retailers*


 PARANORMAL
 

Duality (2-book series)
Monkey Business (short story)
Dreampath (short story, The Telepath Chronicles)
Pocket Full of Sunshine (short story & screenplay)

A personal note from Elle ...
If you've enjoyed any of my books, please take a moment to leave a review on the site where you bought the book, here on Goodreads, or on any book blogs you participate in, and tell your friends! I love interacting with my readers, so if you feel like shooting the breeze or talking about books or your family or pets, please visit me. You can find me at:
www.ElleCasey.com
www.Facebook.com/ellecaseytheauthor
www.Twitter.com/ellecasey
www.Instagram.com/Ellecaseyauthor

Want to get an email when my next book is released?
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Reviews

[Delores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book seriously tugged on my heart strings. I was terrified,happy, angry, and sad I almost cried. All throughout this book. Elle Casey is a brilliant author. Well done!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reckless is the much anticipated (for me anyways) continuation of Wrecked. I loved that book, so I had high expectations for this one. For the most part, this lived up to my expectations. We see our 4 favorite teens start off the book going to prom, and we all know they deserve some normalcy after their recent crazy island journey. But things go wrong at prom, and they eventually end up on the run in another isolated location for a period of time. We see how the relationships between the siblings/couples/family have grown, and continue to get stronger through even more adversity. All of this was great, and full of laughs. I busted out laughing several times while reading this :). Overall, it's a very solid, very good book. But...
I figured from very early on what would eventually happen to Sarah. I'm not advocating teen parenthood, but it seems like most authors that write teen pregnancy into their stories use this same "out", and I was sad to see it here too. I appreciated how it was ultimately dealt with, but would it have been so terrible for Sarah and Jonathon to have the baby they so clearly wanted? I had hopes that we would see a glimpse of that kind of future for them and their little peanut. But that was a big nope. Too bad.
I almost wonder if there is a possibility for more from these 4? I would love to keep reading their stories. Hint Hint!

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elle Casey has done it again! This is a fun read with a great plot, great execution and that moves at lightening speed! I loved finding out what happened to the four kids stranded on a remote island 'after the fact!!!' (Wrecked, book 1) Elle writes characters that you love, love to believe in and want to know!

Reckless picks up after Jonathan, Sarah, Candi and Kevin have been rescued from their island and get back to living in the 'normal' world. The only problem is, things they saw on the island are coming back to not only haunt them, but possibly kill them!

These improbable heroes go on the run, hide out and attempt to exist off the grid! Their grit and sense of survival is well-honed, often humorously presented.

I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed this book! The entertainment value is priceless and the characters are larger than life!

Sarah, the mouthy, bossy little rich girl is a force to be reckoned with, and probably my favorite character! Jonathan, the Geek, who thinks reciting the elemental tables and calculating all odds is relaxing, is adorable. He has grown up so much, gotten very alpha, (except where Sarah is concerned). Candi, Jonathan's sister, has come out of her cocoon, like a beautiful butterfly, but still has problems with being able to lie, unless its life or death. Kevin, Sarah's twin brother is the quintessential jock turned almost adult, daring and light-hearted.

I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed this book! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

[Bel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reckless is part of a series. Also, it is the second and final part of the Wrecked series.

This book in 5 words: Boring. Repetitive. Unrealistic. Predictable. Anticlimatic

Rating: 0 out of 5

Summary: This book starts of where the first book left off. The four main characters, Kevin, Sarah, Jonathan, and Candi are dealing with their return to society and repercussions from their encounter with drug dealers on Peanut Island.

Analysis: Overall, this story is in similar plot to the first book, where all four need to work together to survive. Unlike the first book, this one seemed less realistic (teen pregnancy so easily accepted by parents, a group of dead FBI agents by one killer, finding a bag of money and Costco card, adopting dogs while on the run, teen pregnancy easily resolved).

Recommendation: Read at your own discretion.

[Mariena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wh do I remember these being so much longer but anyway I can’t believe I finished it I am srsly so depressed like one of the best books ever deadsss. Thank u Rama for introducing this idek wat to call it cuz it was that good. BRB gonna enter another depressive eipisode for finishing another fine piece of literature 😔

[Marjaan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so unrealistic, cliche and boring. It had the same storyline as the first book except with different situations. Honestly such a downgrade from the first book.
same plot, different font.

[Patricia Abrams · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I had a seriously difficult time putting this book down and spent several nights getting very little sleep because I didn't want to stop! The first book, Wrecked, was another great book I could not put down and was very excited when I heard about this sequel coming out.

Elle Casey did a truly fantastic job writing this book. After Wrecked, I wondered what happened to the kids. This book is their second big adventure and is full of action, mystery and intrigue. Just when you think you've realized there was a mistake in the plan, you're either proven wrong, or just flung into another curveball. I laughed, I cried, I gulped in fear for the kids...Of course to fully understand it all, you have to read the first book beforehand.

[Alexis]

DNF @ 46%

In my review of the first book, I talked about reading this author again for nostalgia. I experience no such feeling for this one. The first book was not good lol but this second one invokes no feeling except for second-hand embarrassment. There are just too many more books to read to spend more time on this.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect sequel to Wrecked. I could not put this book down from the moment I saw it was available and bought it until the time I finished it. I have to say as much as I love all of Elle's writing I think this would be my favorite series from her. I hope there is more to come!!

[Amanda Nemec · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boo. I loved the first book and this book... tried so hard. Too hard. It was a snoozefest and spent a lot of time with nothing happening. And the ending? *sigh* I skipped through a ton of this book just to get to ANY interesting plot point.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed both of Elle Casey books Wrecked and Restless. The story of Kevin, Candi, Jonathan, and Sarah.. It's a great book for YA and adults

[Jeanna Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know why I did this. I didn't love the first book, but I decided to give the second one a try. Mostly I think because I hate leaving things unfinished and that's what they first book felt like. I wished I listened to myself and let it go. I can say I hated the second book but I didn't really like it either. I found it funnier which was good. But there was no character development for me. The kids were thrust into another life of death situation but I found I just didn't really care. They are just kids and it seemed a little ridiculous. Kind of like the cop in the town that kept hounding them is it me or was that just weird. It didn't help that the kids (Candy and Sarah really) just didn't seem to know how to act normally around anyone. Drove me crazy. I don't know if there will be another book but I wont' be reading it.

[Kara Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very great!

More of Jonathan, Sarah, Candi, and Kevin, more if their adventures and intrigue. Such a great story. This one takes off where the first one ends and takes them to a small secluded cabin, instead of a deserted island. This book pulls in a few other supporting characters, James and Xena. They are small characters but, oh so fierce! There were shocks at the end but it was also satisfying. Loved this series!

[Christi M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhh! These four - Kevin, Candi, Jonathan, and Sarah - I just want to follow their lives forever! Honestly can't get enough of their adventures, love, everything! GREAT read! Just totally wish there were more books in this series!! <3

[Charlene Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

What a fabulous follow-up to Wrecked. Loved the addition of James and Xena to the family. It doesn't matter how far fetched it got, it just mattered that it was such good reading. Thank you for the adventure.

[Dave T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good sequel to Wrecked. This was incredibly fast paced and much more suspenseful than the first book but still had a very satisfying ending. I'm glad that she decided to write this book because the first one left some issues open.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as good as Wrecked! I'm a little disappointed it's not a trilogy, as I've really enjoyed seeing the characters develop and grow. I'm definitely checking out other books by Elle.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

Please write more about this group
Loved learning about them. And the descriptions about the surroundings wonderful. Felt like i could see it

[Marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really do enjoy Elle Casey's writing. I should probably look into her other work (i've already read the Apocalypsis series and loved it).

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it!

[Megan Baker · Rating 1 out of 5]

The second half was better than the first half. But this was so cheesy I had to skim it to get through it.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feeling a little Reckless and need some adventure? Then this is the book for you. During Wrecked: Jonathan, Sarah, Candi and Kevin were shipwrecked on a seemingly deserted island and learned how to live in the wild while learning a lot about themselves. Each character matured and grew on each other while growing on us the readers. Finally they pretty much rescued themselves and ended up coming home. Each of them changed in various ways. Jonathans endless bank of knowledge became very useful, Candi slowly came out of her shell realizing she was not only beautiful but brave and smart. Kevin became the person he was on the inside and learned to allow others to see his true self and Sarah learned to let others past the wall she had built around herself. So now in Reckless they should be home, safe and sound right? Wrong! I was afraid that after being stranded on an island that there really wouldn't be much action in this book compared to the first one and I was way wrong.

Once again the characters are very well fleshed out and they have to work as a team to stay alive and help each other. I love how Jonathan, Sarah, Kevin and Candi fit so well together and how they've realized as a family they can accomplish so much more than by themselves. What began as a fun adventure in Wrecked becomes a defining moment in this group of young adults lives that will forever change them. I really enjoyed watching everyone mature in so many different ways and how their self training on the island aided them in this book. There was a person in the first book that I so hated and I was very happy to see their personal problems resolved in this one. There were a lot of very fun moments, my favorite being when Sarah was trying to lay down in a hammock but there was also a lot of tense moments also. I was very sad towards the end but can't really say much without giving it away so I'll just let you'll know that I was very pleased with the ending. Actually I think I can say the ending was perfect. If you love a good action book with deep characters who you can relate to then give Reckless a try (make sure you read Wrecked first though) and then check out War of the Fae, Clash of the Otherworlds and Apocalypsis. They're all awesome series. I'm only sad that I read it all in one sitting instead of savoring it but it's impossible to slow down with Elle Casey's books. Oh, I almost forgot I really liked Xena and James too, poor Xena and Sarah have so much in common. I'm going to miss these characters but you never know, maybe one day we'll see them again. Reckless is just another reason why Elle Casey is my favorite author. Thank you.

[Terri Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I waited a long time (for Elle Casey standards) for this book, and it was definitely worth the wait! I would have devoured the book in a matter of hours had it not been for that irritating real life thing that I have to do sometimes. After reading Wrecked, I was really hoping there would be a sequel because I grew to love those kids. In fact, I have a 19 year old son named Jonathan that I could swear was the Jonathan in this book, with the brainiac stats and physics spouting.

I wasn't sure exactly how Elle was going to make the second book as exciting and soul-searching as the first one, but she blew any expectations I had out of the water... literally! These four characters have really grown into wonderful, smart, incredibly decent young adults. It's really nice to see young characters grow without all of the typical drama in YA books. This drama was far more real and dangerous than petty high school stuff, and made for a much better story! After their rescue from the drug dealers on the island in the book Wrecked, they face a new threat from the organization when waiting to testify. That's all I really want to say because I don't want to give away any spoilers!

I experienced the entire gamut of emotion in this book, from heart-warming, to laughter, to fear, to gut wrenching sadness. This is a great story (and series) for everyone to read, from teenagers to adult! I will be recommending this book and Wrecked to every bookworm I know! (as I usually do with Elle's books)

My personal message to Elle: You're batting a thousand woman!!! Oh, and the shout out to mullet head at the end of the book gave me a chuckle, too!

[Sereenah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I just say MY HEART!!! I finished Wrecked and immediately bought Reckless. I was not disappointed at all, the first couple chapters had the book up and swinging with excitement that physically forces you to keep reading. In my review for Wrecked I said how much I loved the character development, but can I just say in Reckless it shows the development of the characters and how much they've grown so beautifully. I loved seeing them grow stronger and braver together and always having each other's backs. They became family and that made me extremely happy. The ending made me cry so much. Perfect ending to this amazing story. I couldn't have picked a better summer read. Thank you so much Elle Casey for writing this beautiful, heartbreaking, page turning, story. Its definitely made it to my favorites. Definitely recommend!!!
-Sereenah

[Stone Rouffignac · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book one star less than the previous book in the series – Wrecked – simply because the storyline felt a little too far-fetched. I can’t say too much because I don’t want to give the plot away, but some characteristics of the escape seem seriously unlikely, while later beneficial events just seem too much of a coincidence to be believable. It’s a bit like films, where the first one comes out and everyone thinks “Wow!” and can’t wait for the sequel, and then the sequel disappoints. I wonder if this book was written to a deadline, perhaps. Since the author is independent, and presumably not tied to a particular publisher, it seems unlikely, but the book still has that feel to it.

Apart from that though, I still found it an enjoyable read and finished it in just two sessions.

[Samantha Fairhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reckless was a well-written piece of literature that both intrigued and horrified me. The detail was specific, the story foolproof. The way that this book started confused me a bit but after reading over it I understoo what it was saying. To be honest, I never tire of Jonathan's factoids and Sarah's assertiveness, Candi's adorableness, Kevin's masculinity. They are all the perfect characters for not being perfect.

It did make me cry when **** came into the picture... but I found all emotions planted in my head for this book. A fabulous second piece of the 'Wrecked' series. Please continue!!!

[Keith Beasley-Topliffe · Rating 2 out of 5]

After enjoying Wrecked, I was disappointed with Reckless. The four teens who were so clever and capable in the first book go into full panic mode in this one and decide no one in the world is trustable. They visit libraries and supposedly have tv access, but never look at a newspaper or watch tv news or even listen to newsradio in their (stolen) car. They do well enough in a moment of crisis to survive, then panic afterward. In the climax, their distrust of adults is justified, leading to the ultimate takeaway of the book: kids better watchout for themselves, because no grownups can be counted on for help or safety. Best be armed and paranoid.

[Amanda Nissen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one, but still an excellent read. I really enjoyed finding out what happened when they returned to the "real world" and this book definitely answered those questions! :)

I enjoyed the story, but at times felt that it was not all that realistic...I know, an odd comment since the first book was them stranded on a deserted island. Apparently, I find that more realistic that on the run in the USA!

Definitely enjoyable, glad I read it, and will continue to read books by Elle Casey...just not quite as good as the first!

[Stephanie Villere · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book!

Although this book is not the usual genre that I prefer, it was a really good book. It was action packed and unpredictable from beginning to end. I couldn't stop with just Wrecked, I HAD to read Reckless too. I became so invested in the story with part one that there was no way I could stop without finding out what happened once the teens had made it back to civilization. Elle Casey is quite the versatile author. I'm glad I gave this series a chance. Start reading it and you will be too!

[Michael Hobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant follow up

I hoped that Elle Casey would match the first book Wrecked with this follow up., and I was not disappointed. The characters are the same four you grow to know and like in the first book. The story is a brilliant follow on from the first, as much a page turner as the first was. I was hooked from the first few pages and didn't stop reading until I had finished it. Not even for the FA cup replay on TV. Which for me shows how much I loved this book. I'm going to look into getting more books from Elle Casey.