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Thorne Brothers #2
My Reckless Heart
From the award-winning author of "My Steadfast Heart" comes the irresistible second novel in Jo Goodman's powerful trilogy about three brothers, separated by fate, who dare to reclaim their lost legacy. Full-page, full-color ad in "Romantic Times". .
456 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 1998
About the author
Jo Goodman
66 books489 followersTo find characters to illustrate my first family saga, I cut out models from the Sears catalogue. I was in fourth grade, but it was a start. In seventh grade I wrote a melodrama about two orphan sisters, one of whom was pregnant. There was also a story about a runaway girl with the unlikely name of Strawberry and one about mistaken identities and an evil blind date. My supportive, but vaguely concerned parents, sighed with relief when I announced I was going to write children's books. They bought me an electric typewriter and crossed their fingers, but somehow PASSION'S BRIDE came out. No one was really surprised.
I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry and some notion that I would do marine research. Years of competitive swimming didn't help me anticipate seasickness. A career change seemed in order. I began working with adolescents and families, first as a childcare worker and later, after graduating from West Virginia University with a master's degree in counseling, as a therapist. I am currently the executive director of a child caring/mental health agency and find my work and my writing often compliment each other. One grounds me in reality and the other offers a break from it.
I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry and some notion that I would do marine research. Years of competitive swimming didn't help me anticipate seasickness. A career change seemed in order. I began working with adolescents and families, first as a childcare worker and later, after graduating from West Virginia University with a master's degree in counseling, as a therapist. I am currently the executive director of a child caring/mental health agency and find my work and my writing often compliment each other. One grounds me in reality and the other offers a break from it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 20, 2013
goodman continues to disappoint with this series.
this time, second brother, decker thorne, romances jonna remington, owner of the shipping company for which he captains.
the heroine is one of those Rigidly In Control types who Can't Stand Her Body's Reaction to the Hero (*sighhhhhh* not only is this super cliche'ed, but i have little patience for authors who imply that strength in women equals frigidity). lots of immature bickering between the two. and a bizarre and ridiculous series of near-death accidents compels the hero and heroine to constantly be convalescing in bedrooms down the hall from one another; i guess it's the only way goodman could figure out how to keep two people who evidently so hated each other near each other enough long enough to fall in love. ugh.
then, to make matters worse, the heroine, despite goodman's insistence that she's so strong and independent, serially allows herself to be ridonkulously bullied by some asshole who turns out to be a complete psychopath. not only is this totally out of character with everything goodman's told us about the heroine so far, but all of the many, many years she'd spent in this asshole's company up 'til the story opened hadn't clued her in to his psycopathy. credibility fail.
then there are the varied and many ways in which in the name of Fiery Autonomy the heroine's behavior is completely unacceptable within the era. (dude, if you aren't interested in working within the conventions of nineteenth-century american mores, then WRITE A CONTEMPORARY.)
and don't get me started on the whole "i abducted her for her own good" foolishness. usually goodman is pro-agency in her heroines. but she was completely smoking something when she wrote the thorne brothers series.
silly. occasionally offensive. pass.
this time, second brother, decker thorne, romances jonna remington, owner of the shipping company for which he captains.
the heroine is one of those Rigidly In Control types who Can't Stand Her Body's Reaction to the Hero (*sighhhhhh* not only is this super cliche'ed, but i have little patience for authors who imply that strength in women equals frigidity). lots of immature bickering between the two. and a bizarre and ridiculous series of near-death accidents compels the hero and heroine to constantly be convalescing in bedrooms down the hall from one another; i guess it's the only way goodman could figure out how to keep two people who evidently so hated each other near each other enough long enough to fall in love. ugh.
then, to make matters worse, the heroine, despite goodman's insistence that she's so strong and independent, serially allows herself to be ridonkulously bullied by some asshole who turns out to be a complete psychopath. not only is this totally out of character with everything goodman's told us about the heroine so far, but all of the many, many years she'd spent in this asshole's company up 'til the story opened hadn't clued her in to his psycopathy. credibility fail.
then there are the varied and many ways in which in the name of Fiery Autonomy the heroine's behavior is completely unacceptable within the era. (dude, if you aren't interested in working within the conventions of nineteenth-century american mores, then WRITE A CONTEMPORARY.)
and don't get me started on the whole "i abducted her for her own good" foolishness. usually goodman is pro-agency in her heroines. but she was completely smoking something when she wrote the thorne brothers series.
silly. occasionally offensive. pass.
October 29, 2024
I think this book is 3.5 stars, but I’m rounding up to 4. I don’t usually enjoy the ice queen trope, but I didn’t mind as much here, though it still wasn’t my favorite. I loved Decker. He was just so charming, and seemed to have some classic middle child traits, which I appreciated as a middle child. As always with jo Goodman books, I enjoyed the mystery aspect. I think I liked the first book in the series better, but I did enjoy this and I’m excited to read the next book.
June 6, 2010
DNF. The book was good in parts, but I finaly had to conclude that the 2 main characters were totally unbelievable as actual living people. Yes, romance books are supposed to require a fairly large suspension of disbelief, but this one is too far over the top - there was almost nothing in the experiences and lives of the H/H that I could understand or relate to in any way.
The hero is unbelievable for another reason too - supposedly the middle son of English aristocrats who were murdered in a robbery when he was 4 years old, he actually grows up illiterate in a family of pickpockets, which means that he would have spoken with a distinctly lower-class Cockney accent up to time he was restored to his older brother (as an adult). The author would have us believe that he learns to read, write, captain the fastest sailing ship in the world (never having set foot in a ship before this), and speak like an upper-class English gentleman in the space of three (3) years! Sorry, totally impossible, IMHO.
A lot of the major events in the plot just happen without warning, without any lead up into the event, and seem to be totally out of character for the people involved - e.g. the initial seduction scene and the marriage.
The book also seems to require pre-knowledge, i.e. reading the first book in the series, My Steadfast Heart, because a lot of what happens in the book seems to be a continuation of the previous one. I say "seems" because the plot of this book is so jumpy and poorly edited that it's possible that reading the previous book would make no difference.
The hero is unbelievable for another reason too - supposedly the middle son of English aristocrats who were murdered in a robbery when he was 4 years old, he actually grows up illiterate in a family of pickpockets, which means that he would have spoken with a distinctly lower-class Cockney accent up to time he was restored to his older brother (as an adult). The author would have us believe that he learns to read, write, captain the fastest sailing ship in the world (never having set foot in a ship before this), and speak like an upper-class English gentleman in the space of three (3) years! Sorry, totally impossible, IMHO.
A lot of the major events in the plot just happen without warning, without any lead up into the event, and seem to be totally out of character for the people involved - e.g. the initial seduction scene and the marriage.
The book also seems to require pre-knowledge, i.e. reading the first book in the series, My Steadfast Heart, because a lot of what happens in the book seems to be a continuation of the previous one. I say "seems" because the plot of this book is so jumpy and poorly edited that it's possible that reading the previous book would make no difference.
January 10, 2016
I really liked Decker Thorne, he was a layered character and he was interesting to read about.He was someone who experienced pretty heartbreaking things very early in life but in the end he came out on top. I loved his inner strength and his patience. He put up with a lot to get his HEA. I also liked reading about the struggles of those working the Underground Railroad in that time.
What I never really connected with was the h, Jonna. She came off as cold, unfeeling & manipulative. The author tells us over and over again how smart and honest and upfront she is but I just never bought it. She hurts Decker countless times and never gets called out to make amends. I mean she lets him think she's in love with his happily married brother & hints about trying to steal him away. Why? Because of her pride! Yup, that really happens! And that, at least for me, is not heroine material.
The ending was satisfying and Decker really won over all with his singular moments of bone melting sweetness and roguish charm. But overall it wasn't enough to make this a favorite or warrant a re-read (at least not any time soon!)
What I never really connected with was the h, Jonna. She came off as cold, unfeeling & manipulative. The author tells us over and over again how smart and honest and upfront she is but I just never bought it. She hurts Decker countless times and never gets called out to make amends. I mean she lets him think she's in love with his happily married brother & hints about trying to steal him away. Why? Because of her pride! Yup, that really happens! And that, at least for me, is not heroine material.
The ending was satisfying and Decker really won over all with his singular moments of bone melting sweetness and roguish charm. But overall it wasn't enough to make this a favorite or warrant a re-read (at least not any time soon!)
May 25, 2015
The plot thickens. One brother has found one of his brothers. This story is about Decker and his adventures in America. The story is good and has held my interest. However, somewhere in the story the heroine, who made it plain that she was going to remain an independent woman, does an about face. I got a different feel for her character from one page almost within two more pages. I don't think I missed anything in two pages. Let's just say she changed into a completely different person. On one page she was fiercely independent and in two pages she was a woman in love and couldn't do more to cater to our hero. Well, all is well. I am definitely committed to Book 3 when the third brother will be found. Remember there is always a happy ending.
Series Note: setting is during the Pre-American Civil War period. Some of the scenes take place in England and some in America.
Series Note: setting is during the Pre-American Civil War period. Some of the scenes take place in England and some in America.
January 23, 2018
Decker Thorne has been working for Jonna Remington for 3 years on her clipper ships, and becomes captain on his last run. When they dock, Jonna is pushed off the wharf and Decker goes in after her. A series of mishaps start injuring Jonna and her business and Decker forces her to go with him to England to get her away. While there, she propositions him and they marry. All is not bliss and the attacks continue. Decker is really "Falconer" an underground railroad hero. Jonna is a "conductor" but neither know. When a southern contact, Graham Denison comes to Decker wounded and with words of raids on underground stations, things add up and point to Jonna's ex "fiance" and a slave as exposing the railroad. Jonna and Decker work it out and realize, after Graham leaves on a clipper for China that he had the other earring that connected the three Thorne brothers, setting up the sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2014
What Happened?
Decker Thorne worked for Jonna Remington. Jonna is a 24 year old woman who has been running Remington Shipping since she was 15 years old. She has had to be tough and single-minded to keep the business she inherited upon her father's death, profitable. Before Decker came to Remington Shipping, he lived on the streets stealing to eat. He relies on his charm and looks to make his way. No two people could be more different, or are they?
What happened? In "My Steadfast Heart" the action, mystery and romance started immediately and was evenly paced throughout the book. In this book, one had to read 70% through to get to the action, mystery, and romance. Before that there were just two people going through the motions. The sex was soulless and unromantic. There were constant references to secrets, but we were given barely a hint of what they were. The lack of emotion on both the H and the h throughout the first 70% of the book left this reader just bored.
What happened to Decker? In the first book, Decker was portrayed as a devil-may-care, shiftless rogue with a heart of gold, and a teasing sense of humor. I looked forward to Decker's romance, because I thought we would see more of this fun side of Decker. When I read that Jonna was all business and no nonsense, I thought, what a perfect foil for Decker. I expected Decker to tease her out of her single-mindedness. I thought Decker would show her some fun and romance, charming her into loving him. NOT! It turns out that responsibility made Decker boring!
The relationship of the H and h turns out to be all business all the time, with a few sex scenes thrown in. For me, since the love and admiration were missing, the sex scenes missed their mark. The scenes definitely did not move the story along.
This book would have made a great novella. The last 30% of the book was interesting and had a great story, but the first 70% could have been skipped all together.
Decker Thorne worked for Jonna Remington. Jonna is a 24 year old woman who has been running Remington Shipping since she was 15 years old. She has had to be tough and single-minded to keep the business she inherited upon her father's death, profitable. Before Decker came to Remington Shipping, he lived on the streets stealing to eat. He relies on his charm and looks to make his way. No two people could be more different, or are they?
What happened? In "My Steadfast Heart" the action, mystery and romance started immediately and was evenly paced throughout the book. In this book, one had to read 70% through to get to the action, mystery, and romance. Before that there were just two people going through the motions. The sex was soulless and unromantic. There were constant references to secrets, but we were given barely a hint of what they were. The lack of emotion on both the H and the h throughout the first 70% of the book left this reader just bored.
What happened to Decker? In the first book, Decker was portrayed as a devil-may-care, shiftless rogue with a heart of gold, and a teasing sense of humor. I looked forward to Decker's romance, because I thought we would see more of this fun side of Decker. When I read that Jonna was all business and no nonsense, I thought, what a perfect foil for Decker. I expected Decker to tease her out of her single-mindedness. I thought Decker would show her some fun and romance, charming her into loving him. NOT! It turns out that responsibility made Decker boring!
The relationship of the H and h turns out to be all business all the time, with a few sex scenes thrown in. For me, since the love and admiration were missing, the sex scenes missed their mark. The scenes definitely did not move the story along.
This book would have made a great novella. The last 30% of the book was interesting and had a great story, but the first 70% could have been skipped all together.
April 20, 2022
This is the 2nd book in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. Characters from the first book make an appearance. I read this a long time ago & liked it. Copyright is 1998.
Jonna is the CEO & master ship designer of a Boston shipping firm. I guess in 1844 there were no such things as CEOs, but that's what she is.
Decker is Colin's middle brother. Three brothers were separated when very young when highwaymen shot their parents. They were sent to an orphanage. This backstory is told in more detail in book 1.
Decker was 4 years old when he was taken from the orphanage & raised by a couple who turned out NOT to be missionaries, but thieves. He is Jonna's employee.
So, Jonna is cold & stiff. She doesn't sugarcoat the truth. She comes off to the reader as unlikable, but Decker sees her as more. As the book goes on & you figure her out, she becomes more human.
Decker is a handsome, buff scoundrel. He's prime romance novel male. He's also smart enough to take on Jonna.
The last few pages we find out who the 3rd brother is.
The cover is plain, but has a pretty silver/blue heart.
Jonna is the CEO & master ship designer of a Boston shipping firm. I guess in 1844 there were no such things as CEOs, but that's what she is.
Decker is Colin's middle brother. Three brothers were separated when very young when highwaymen shot their parents. They were sent to an orphanage. This backstory is told in more detail in book 1.
Decker was 4 years old when he was taken from the orphanage & raised by a couple who turned out NOT to be missionaries, but thieves. He is Jonna's employee.
So, Jonna is cold & stiff. She doesn't sugarcoat the truth. She comes off to the reader as unlikable, but Decker sees her as more. As the book goes on & you figure her out, she becomes more human.
Decker is a handsome, buff scoundrel. He's prime romance novel male. He's also smart enough to take on Jonna.
The last few pages we find out who the 3rd brother is.
The cover is plain, but has a pretty silver/blue heart.
January 31, 2019
A very complex plot that I loved every minute of. Lots of places where my heart was in my throat. Even when logic told me it had to come about right, I was still holding my breath in places. Love the ending with great closure as the bad guys were dead. It also left me looking forward to the next book in this trilogy.
October 30, 2018
My Reckless Heart
This has been a great series so far. I loved Decker, he was such a charmer, Jonna was a little harder to warm up to but she's like a lot of people, afraid to let people in. I can't wait to read Greydon's story. The Thorne brothers are fun to follow.
This has been a great series so far. I loved Decker, he was such a charmer, Jonna was a little harder to warm up to but she's like a lot of people, afraid to let people in. I can't wait to read Greydon's story. The Thorne brothers are fun to follow.
January 25, 2018
Even violet eyes were not enough to ruin this book for me.
January 27, 2021
DNF because tell me WHY one of the main characters was defending slavery 😭 I hate it here please don’t text and don’t let me read romances published before 2005 ever again
July 17, 2023
Written in 1998, My Reckless Heart is a bit dated by romance standards, and was OK, but as it is on the list of Top 100 Romances compiled by Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, I was a bit disappointed.
September 20, 2023
Same as the last one.
April 27, 2019
This is book two of a trilogy about the Thorne brothers, separated after the death of their parents. This was a soulless book; it was difficult to complete it. Jonna Remmington was a cold, reserved heroine who did not bloom during the story. Her romantic interest, Decker Thorne had enough difficulty making himself interesting that he did little to help her.
Thorne Brothers
1) My Steadfast Heart
**2) My Reckless Heart
3) With All My Heart
Thorne Brothers
1) My Steadfast Heart
**2) My Reckless Heart
3) With All My Heart
July 8, 2023
„Die Verführung der Miss Remington“ von Jo Goodman ist der zweite Band ihrer Reihe Leidenschaftliche Rivalen.
Miss Jonna Remington ist zwar erst 24 Jahre alt, aber sie führt seit dem Tod ihres Vaters vor einigen Jahren ein erfolgreiches Schifffahrts- und Handelsunternehmen in Boston. Ihre direkte und professionelle Art wird von allen respektiert, auch wenn sie eine unverheiratete Frau ist. Von ihrem neuen Captain Decker Thorne und seiner sorglosen und charmanten Art hält Jonna recht wenig. Immer wieder geraten die beiden heftig aneinander. Als Decker aber Jonnas Leben rettet und sie nach weiteren Anschlägen kurzerhand nach England entführt, kommen sich beide jedoch ungeahnt nahe. Trotzdem fällt es Jonna schwer, Decker zu vertrauen, auch wenn sie es gern möchte.
Schon der erste Band um Deckers Bruder Colin hat mir sehr gut gefallen und nun darf man den charmanten Dieb und seine Geschichte hautnah miterleben. Jo Goodman konnte mich auch im zweiten Teil absolut überzeugen und punktet mit Action, Gefühl, Abenteuern und spannenden Wendungen.
Jonna hat bereits mehrere schwere Schicksalsschläge einstecken müssen und hat sich deshalb eine harte und undurchdringliche Schale zugelegt. Ihre Vertrauten kann sie an einer Hand abzählen und so lässt sie auch ihren Lebensretter Decker kaum hinter ihre kühle Fassade blicken.
Decker kennt man als attraktiven und sorglosen Dieb, der sich mit Tricksereien durchs Leben manövriert. Seit dem Vorgängerband sind drei Jahre vergangen und Decker hat sich in der Zwischenzeit eine seriösere Existenz aufgebaut. Trotzdem traut Jonna seinen Motiven nicht, denn ihre bisherigen Erfahrungen haben sie zynisch gemacht. Decker muss Jonna förmlich zu ihrem Glück zwingen, denn eigentlich hat er sein Herz längst an sie verloren und würde auch ihres gerne stehlen.
Es wird auf keinen Fall langweilig, was vor allem an den überaus sympathischen Protagonisten liegt. Ich mag sowohl Decker als auch Jonna total gern und auch die übrige Story ist gefühlvoll und mitreißend zugleich. Jetzt bin ich neugierig auf die Abenteuer des dritten Bruders.
Mein Fazit:
Von mir gibt es sehr gern eine Leseempfehlung!
Miss Jonna Remington ist zwar erst 24 Jahre alt, aber sie führt seit dem Tod ihres Vaters vor einigen Jahren ein erfolgreiches Schifffahrts- und Handelsunternehmen in Boston. Ihre direkte und professionelle Art wird von allen respektiert, auch wenn sie eine unverheiratete Frau ist. Von ihrem neuen Captain Decker Thorne und seiner sorglosen und charmanten Art hält Jonna recht wenig. Immer wieder geraten die beiden heftig aneinander. Als Decker aber Jonnas Leben rettet und sie nach weiteren Anschlägen kurzerhand nach England entführt, kommen sich beide jedoch ungeahnt nahe. Trotzdem fällt es Jonna schwer, Decker zu vertrauen, auch wenn sie es gern möchte.
Schon der erste Band um Deckers Bruder Colin hat mir sehr gut gefallen und nun darf man den charmanten Dieb und seine Geschichte hautnah miterleben. Jo Goodman konnte mich auch im zweiten Teil absolut überzeugen und punktet mit Action, Gefühl, Abenteuern und spannenden Wendungen.
Jonna hat bereits mehrere schwere Schicksalsschläge einstecken müssen und hat sich deshalb eine harte und undurchdringliche Schale zugelegt. Ihre Vertrauten kann sie an einer Hand abzählen und so lässt sie auch ihren Lebensretter Decker kaum hinter ihre kühle Fassade blicken.
Decker kennt man als attraktiven und sorglosen Dieb, der sich mit Tricksereien durchs Leben manövriert. Seit dem Vorgängerband sind drei Jahre vergangen und Decker hat sich in der Zwischenzeit eine seriösere Existenz aufgebaut. Trotzdem traut Jonna seinen Motiven nicht, denn ihre bisherigen Erfahrungen haben sie zynisch gemacht. Decker muss Jonna förmlich zu ihrem Glück zwingen, denn eigentlich hat er sein Herz längst an sie verloren und würde auch ihres gerne stehlen.
Es wird auf keinen Fall langweilig, was vor allem an den überaus sympathischen Protagonisten liegt. Ich mag sowohl Decker als auch Jonna total gern und auch die übrige Story ist gefühlvoll und mitreißend zugleich. Jetzt bin ich neugierig auf die Abenteuer des dritten Bruders.
Mein Fazit:
Von mir gibt es sehr gern eine Leseempfehlung!
January 16, 2016
I liked this book second in a trilogy. A story of a woman shipbuilder and a captain who used to be a thief. It's mixed in with a the Underground Railroad and slavery. The relationship between the hero and heroine seemed a bit awkward with the heroine so stiff and unsure of her feelings. I kept feeling some big secret in her past was going to be revealed but nothing really happened. The villain was a crook and a slaver who tried to kidnap the heroine. It was well written but the plot was a bit convoluted.
May 2, 2012
Pre-civil war America is not a setting I typically read; in fact I thought this was a London pirate story. However, I was quickly caught up in the story and picked it up often, like any of my other romance choices. Starting in the middle partially ruins the first of the series for me, but I fully intend to delve into the other two brothers' stories.
May 3, 2015
A very well smooth written book. I enjoyed the book quite a bit. It is intriguing with twist and turns. It's a book that I read fast to find out what was going to happen and yet hated getting to the end. After reading, I had to go out and buy the next book in the series to see what would happen next. On a side note this book is a complete book, not a cliffhanger.
Read
September 30, 2016This is the second in the series - story of Decker. I enjoyed this every bit as much as the first, thanks so much Nikel for making it available. It is available to go on the ring which My Steadfast Heart has embarked upon, and I have sent it on to Oriane, first in that ring. Now I have just purchased the third and could make that available too,once I read it.
November 27, 2012
Vry gd acct strng ownr Bstn shppg, Jonna also cndctr Undrgrnd Rlrd, thnks Decker 2 carefree bt hes hlpg slvs escp S. When J attkd he spirits hr 2 Englnd, stay w/hs bro & mrry, rtrn hm, fights 2 prtct hr
April 21, 2015
I felt the writing was just not very good on this one. I loved the first in the series but the flow in this one was awful. I enjoyed the plot and the story line, but something was just too jumpy with the writing.
July 21, 2015
I enjoyed the three Thorne brothers books; this is Decker's book. The middle brother, he has grown up under the wing of a American shipbuilder after being separated from his brothers. His only memory is the talisman he has in his possession.
November 21, 2015
The title is what drew me in and as well with not being familiar with the author. I know there is a lot of female readers who gobbled every romance book. For I am a little new to the romance genre, and prefer more well-written romances with crafted characters then the typical run-of the mill.
Read
December 26, 2007guys cud be hard
August 19, 2010
I am partial to Jo Goodman, and I am partial to this book. It might not be perfect, but it holds the top spot on my most beloved pure romance book list.
February 4, 2013
It took me time to warm up to the lead characters but I was quite taken by the end.
November 3, 2014
It wasn't bad but it was kind of boring so I didn't finish it.
May 2, 2015
I was less into this romance than I was the first in the series, but the setting! Pre-Civil War Boston, you guys, complete with abolitionist plots. Also, ships and London, but Boston!
January 3, 2016
I loved it from the start! great read I would recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews