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One workaholic CEO. One free-spirit yoga teacher. A thousand miles of temptation.

Crystal Ananda is fed up with her parents’ expectations. She has more to offer their yoga brand than just a pretty face. A wedding in the Adirondacks sounds like the perfect escape. But when a thunderstorm grounds her plane, she’s stuck hitching a ride with the bride’s brother. Bradford T. Huntington is arrogant, controlling, too handsome for his own good, and their rented Mustang is going to be a tight fit, what with all that baggage he’s carrying.

As CEO of the family business, Ford barely has time for other people’s weddings, let alone relationships of his own. But he needs his family to sign off on a make-or-break business deal, and nothing’s going to stand in his way. Not a canceled flight, not painful secrets, and definitely not an unpredictable, stubborn, way-too-flexible yoga teacher.

Crystal and Ford just want to get to the wedding and part ways. However, a speeding ticket, a bar fight, a karaoke contest, and two hot nights later, they’ve come to like each other far too much. It’s a long road to love, and neither one of them has a map. Can two total opposites go the distance?

480 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2018

95 people are currently reading
90 people want to read

About the author

Leigh LaValle

8 books259 followers
Leigh LaValle is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and historical romance. She lives in Montana with her family. When she is not chasing kids, bemoaning the laundry, or carving out time to do yoga, she is sneaking away to write. She would rather read than sleep, and cannot imagine a better job than writing romance. She is also a certified yoga teacher, but is not nearly as flexible as she once was.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for E-Reader Addict.
1,326 reviews46 followers
July 16, 2018
WARNING: do not read this book at night when your significant other is trying to fall asleep. Attempting to snort-laugh silently is painful, and also shakes the bed. 😁

Reckless is a delightful, fun story. Although it started off slowly, things picked up considerably once our hero and heroine, Bradford T. Huntington and Crystal RainWater Ananda, began their journey/adventure from Colorado to his sister’s/her cousin’s wedding in upstate New York. And while their constant bickering could have been annoying (a la two siblings stuck in a backseat on a cross country road trip), instead it was hilarious. Frequently the witty, biting barbs they exchanged had me laughing out loud.

Ford and Crystal couldn’t be more opposite. He’s highly educated, extremely driven, and under extreme pressure to make his failing company succeed businessman. She is street smart/self-taught, laid back, and a hippie-dippy yoga instructor. Things shouldn’t work between them, but it’s almost like they enjoyed the constant verbal sparring.

Crystal came out of a store with a big bag of groceries and a wide grin. She climbed into the car and unpacked a bunch of rabbit food - a bag of carrots, an apple, water, and some nuts.
“Want some nuts?” she asked.
“How about some real food, like bacon?”


So many of the scenes in this book could have crossed over into slapstick, “this is ridiculous” territory, especially when Crystal’s commune living, yoga guru, hippy family shows up at Ford’s rich, stuffy, snobby East Coast family home. But it never did. Instead, I just kept laughing and laughing. The humor in this book is effortless and abundant. Maybe I’ve just been reading things that were too deep lately, but this book was refreshing.

But somewhere around the 65 percent point, the book took a sharp left turn detour from funny and lighthearted into serious and deep as Crystal and Ford grappled with their wounds from childhood. Turns out, maybe deep down they aren’t so opposite after all. Both feel the heavy weight of family expectations, and neither feel they have a choice or the chutzpah to change things.

I love when a book charms me so completely with its humor, but then also makes me feel so much more with the heartfelt things the characters are dealing with. On the surface, this story is about an uptight guy learning to loosen up as he falls for the quirky, free-spirited girl. But it’s so much more than that! This was the perfect summer read, and I look forward to reading more by Leigh LaValle.

* thank you to NetGalley and Heart Bay Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review


Want to see what other books have been feeding my eReader addiction? Visit my blog: E-Reader Addict!
Profile Image for Amy.
1,758 reviews173 followers
September 1, 2018
This was a solid romance that I liked. It didn't blow me away but it was a good opposite attract romance. It had a little bit of everything - humor, emotional depth, and a quite solid HEA. I love the yoga hippie/workaholic interactions that were interwoven into the story. The extreme differences between the heroine and hero really made for an interesting read. Although it's the second in a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. I liked this one but didn't love it. If the opposites attract trope is your thing, you will likely really enjoy it!

NOTE: Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of this book for an honest review.
2,354 reviews14 followers
August 8, 2018
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author. (netgalley) I found this story ok, I didn't really agree with tall the five stars but to each his own. This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone. We also have an opposites attract situation or/and an enemies to lovers story. We have Ford who is a workaholic and trying to save his families empire and the last thing he needs his his attraction to Crystal a yoga hippie. Ford's sister is marrying Crystal's cousin Josh, and they are both asked to come early to deal with their crazy families. Josh's are uptight and Crystal's are a little crazy and hippies. While they both leave to deal with the families their is a storm and they can't fly out so they have to make a trip by car and every obstacle imaginable has come upon them but while they are doing that their chemistry is stronger than ever so they succumb to it and have a fling, only to happen while they are on this trip and then they will go back to normal, but you and I know that will not be the case.
Profile Image for Giselle.
1,006 reviews6,594 followers
Want to read
August 27, 2018
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Profile Image for Sebanti.
101 reviews10 followers
November 20, 2018
Crystal and Ford is so much opposite of each other that even God could not have made such perfect opposite people even if he tried. Crystal is all about inner peace and aura and psyche, yoga loving, anti-materialistic hippie to be precise and Ford is the CEO of a booming (supposedly booming) watch empire. Even their families does not see eye to eye. So when they are thrown together in for the wedding of their cousin and sister they have no other choice but to play along. And that is not something they are happy about needless to say. The fact that Crystal is strikingly beautiful with long legs that could go on forever isn’t helping Ford either and the brooding mysterious presence of Ford is definitely causing a disturbance in Crystal’s inner calm. But as Fates have it they are not only to survive the wedding but also a 900 miles car journey to New York. Will sparks fly between these two seemingly opposite characters or will they both destroy each other due to their volatile attitude. And what is this again about the fact that both Crystal and Ford is hiding their inner personality? Can it be that they are not so different after all?

Author Leigh Lavalle spins a great story of love and family filled with humor and hilarious moments. The characters are very interesting and enjoyable even Ford's uptight mother. And the protagonists are just too hilarious for their own good. I totally enjoyed the continuous banters going on between them all the time. Even their slow blooming romance was portrayed perfectly. Her writing is pure gold. I’ve not read such a humorous love story for a long time. I hope the others will also enjoy this book as much as I have.

If you liked my review then checkout my blog for more like this.
https://ensnaringlibri.blogspot.com/
Profile Image for Aimee.
761 reviews62 followers
January 13, 2019
While I still wish this series involved yoga more, the second book was much better than the first. Where the first lacked the rehabilitation the blurb promised, this one was exactly as described. Kinda. That road trip to the wedding had way more shenanigans than I imagined. But it was fun.

I had kinda hoped to see Crystal more at home with the girls for her story (centered around the yoga studio). She spends all her time on a road trip or at the wedding. The mix of one overly judgemental family (Ford's) and one very hippy and anti tradition and marriage (Crystal's) wasn't as feared as I thought it would have been. It was a huge deal up until they arrived then crisis.

I didn't get the hold out either. Most companies, even family companies, don't try and shoot themselves in the foot that much. Also, the demand on Ford's time was unrealistic (unless he and his family hired incompetent people). While it annoyed me a tiny bit, it is what drove Ford's story.
845 reviews14 followers
July 4, 2018
This was my first read from this author and she has easily been added to my "must read" list of authors! This was everything I love in a contemporary romance with lots of feels, intensity, heart-warming moments and hot, sexy times as well! I loved the slow development of the relationship between Ford and Crystal and the easy, sometimes really hot, banter between these two characters. The supporting characters were just as well thought out and developed and added to the storyline without taking away from the main characters and without being fill-in and fluff--they added to the overall experience. Excellent, enjoyable read! I loved it so much that I purchased the first book in this series immediately and will purchase the rest of the series as well. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.
Profile Image for Paula Pugh.
2,287 reviews11 followers
July 9, 2018
The wedding of two polar families brings foes Crystal Ananda and Bradford T. Huntington face-to-face as they combine efforts to make it to her cousin’s and his sister’s wedding. The forces of nature have forced them to find alternative ways to the venue and inclement weather causes them to spend time together on the road and off. Crystal and Ford are like oil and water: she’s freedom and he’s all business, she’s fluid and he’s uptight. Both are under extreme family pressure to do the right thing. Luckily, their polarity works wonders and somehow love creeps in to make it all work.
Profile Image for poppy.
4,589 reviews28 followers
October 15, 2018
This book had a great storyline and really great characters this is the first book I have read from this series and I will be checking out the first one. It was well written and really funny at times it was a little bit slow at times but once it picked back up it was really good. If you are looking for a fun cute read then give this a go I enjoyed it.
300 reviews4 followers
September 3, 2018
Loved this story. I know nothing about yoga but after reading this story I want to learn! Loved this story of two opposites drawn together after they let their guards down and get to know each other.
Profile Image for SCBookAddict.
645 reviews52 followers
September 19, 2018
This was a good book to read. Even better if you love yoga.
Crystal is a free spirit and Ford is a CEO that only knows how to work. This opposites-attract story is fun and sexy. It also has the important lesson that we are ultimately responsible for our own happiness.
Profile Image for T.
1,028 reviews8 followers
July 29, 2018
Barely 3 stars.

A decent follow up to the first book in the series - but you don’t have to read sequentially as it’s basically a stand alone. However, this one didn’t resonate with me as much as the first did. It also felt like the yoga aspect in this one was really watered down. On top of that, it was about 75-100 pages too long and in desperate need of a decent editing job. Full disclosure, I thought the 1st book could use some trimming as well. All in all, it’s an okay follow up but one with less sympathic characters, almost too much sexy times, and one where I found myself getting bored about 75% in.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a copy of this title for review.
Profile Image for Marcela Sotelo.
109 reviews13 followers
September 29, 2018
Totally in love with this one!!! Makes me want to read all the author's books. I haven't read the first book but I felt like I didn't need to (although I do wanna read it).

This book tells the story of Crystal and Ford, two different people who fall for each other in a road trip to a wedding. Crystal is a yoga instructor who's always positive and trying to help others; Ford is the CEO of his family business, a workaholic who doesn't like to be distracted. There are sparks everywhere when they are together, and also hot scenes to enjoy.

I fall in love with every part of the story, it was funny, vulnerable and lovely. The author gave us great characters with great development and got us characters with a rollercoaster of emotions, that I actually felt pretty close to. Characters I'm sure every reader will enjoy. Even the not main characters like the families were amazingly good written.

Just perfect read. 5 stars isn't enough.

Merged review:

Totally in love with this one!!! Makes me want to read all the author's books. I haven't read the first book but I felt like I didn't need to (although I do wanna read it).

This book tells the story of Crystal and Ford, two different people who fall for each other in a road trip to a wedding. Crystal is a yoga instructor who's always positive and trying to help others; Ford is the CEO of his family business, a workaholic who doesn't like to be distracted. There are sparks everywhere when they are together, and also hot scenes to enjoy.

I fall in love with every part of the story, it was funny, vulnerable and lovely. The author gave us great characters with great development and got us characters with a rollercoaster of emotions, that I actually felt pretty close to. Characters I'm sure every reader will enjoy. Even the not main characters like the families were amazingly good written.

Just perfect read. 5 stars isn't enough.
Profile Image for Ruth.
105 reviews3 followers
October 8, 2018
Reckless was so much fun to read. It was one of the funniest books I have read in a long time. In Reckless, we meet Crystal who is a happy go lucky yoga hippie. Then we meet Ford who is a hot shot CEO with no time for anything else but work. Ford and Crystal couldn’t be anymore different, they are polar opposites. One thing they both did have in common though was the fact they needed to find themselves throughout the book and do what made them happy and not others. I loved their little banters, quirks and blossoming relationship which made their personalities more real and enjoyable. Ford and Crystal helped oneanother grow and see things from a different perspective. I did feel like it was rushed a bit at the end but It had a great ending. Overall if you are looking for a nice little funny sexy weekend read then Reckless is your go to book.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”


Merged review:

Reckless was so much fun to read. It was one of the funniest books I have read in a long time. In Reckless, we meet Crystal who is a happy go lucky yoga hippie. Then we meet Ford who is a hot shot CEO with no time for anything else but work. Ford and Crystal couldn’t be anymore different, they are polar opposites. One thing they both did have in common though was the fact they needed to find themselves throughout the book and do what made them happy and not others. I loved their little banters and quirks which made their personalities more real and enjoyable. Ford and Crystal helped oneanother grow and see things from a different perspective. I did feel like it was rushed a bit at the end but It had a great ending. “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
981 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2018
This is the second of the author’s series about four women who own a yoga studio together. I really enjoyed the book and reading how this unlikely couple came together.

It has a bit of a Pride and Prejudice vibe to it with two very different people from very different backgrounds have to find out that they have more to bind them together than cast them apart. Crystal comes from a very woo-woo family with parents who write books about yoga and sex. She’s tired of taking care of them and being the “face” of their yoga empire while still trying to run her own yoga business.

She is forced to travel together with Ford (these names are quite emblematic of their characters) as they are both traveling from Boulder to upstate New York for his sister’s wedding to her cousin. The first half of the book involves their travel woes as they are delayed by all sorts of travel breakdowns. It becomes a time out of the ordinary for them, rather like the road to Oz as they keep referring to this magical time. They grow to enjoy each other and have fun together. She’s seemingly carefree and sunny and he’s tense and unable to relax.

Then they arrive at the family compound in New York, which sounds like a wonderful place. Crystal might be out of place in this upper-class playground, but she’s such a charismatic person that she shines among the wedding party.

Now Crystal and Ford just have to come to the realization that what they feel for each other is more than a fling.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.
Profile Image for LJT.
1,258 reviews2 followers
July 2, 2018
3.5 Stars!

Besides a wedding on the great lawn; lots of yoga, high-level business, and family dysfunction occur at the Huntington household in Upstate New York. There is also a love story, a few secrets, and an amazing loyalty to family members. So you may want to free up some time and pick-up up a copy of Reckless, the second book from Leigh LaValle's contemporary series, Yoga In The City. This book can be read as a standalone.

Along with a few friends, Crystal Ananda owns a yoga studio in Boulder Colorado. She also spends a great deal of time being the spokesperson for her parents' new book about tantra. As a result, Crystal needs a break from her smiley and hippie persona, so spending time in the Adirondacks to attend her cousin's wedding is the just what the doctor ordered to cleanse her aurora. Due to bad weather, she finds herself traveling with Ford Huntington, the brother of the bride. Ford is the CEO of his family's international watch company, which is on the cusp of introducing a revolutionary new timepiece. He is a control freak and works all the time. Ford and Crystal are like oil and water, but driving cross country and spending time together in the mountains changes all that.

I liked this story, however, I found the pace to be slow at times. Crystal and Ford are interesting, well-thought-out characters that I really enjoyed getting to know. Their stark differences are what made them so appealing, and their sexy times are hot and steamy. Overall a solid read.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Profile Image for Stella Thompson.
487 reviews3 followers
August 21, 2018
This is the second book in Leigh LaValle's Yoga In The City series. This book can be read as a standalone and I hadn’t read the first book, but did not feel I missed anything.

Crystal is the co-owner of a yoga studio in Boulder Colorado. She’s also the spokesperson for her parents' new book about tantra. Crystal is overwhelmed and needs a break to get herself back to peace. Conveniently, she is scheduled to go to the Adirondack’s for her cousin's wedding.

Ford is a workaholic, control freak CEO of his family's international watch company. He feels his company needs to get involved in some smart watch technology, but he needs signatures from other family members to move forward. Ford is also travelling to the Adirondack’s for his sister’s wedding, and he plans to get those signatures there.

Due to bad weather, the flight taking the pair to the wedding is postponed, and the two are forced to find alternative arrangements. The two couldn’t be more different! The “hippy” and the “control freak” spend time together and eventually act on their attraction and chemistry, just while they are going to the wedding. Will it last thereafter?

I enjoyed this story and recommend it as a good read for anyone who likes opposites attract stories.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.
Profile Image for Merissa (Archaeolibrarian).
4,189 reviews119 followers
October 17, 2023
Reckless is the second book in the Yoga in the City series, and this time we focus on Crystal Ananda, one of the partners of the Yoga Studio. She is the one who is always dependable, even if she really doesn't actually want to do it! The reasons for this become clear as the story progresses. And then we have Ford, the workaholic CEO who doesn't spare anyone's feelings in his quest to get the family business back on track. Both their stories - wildly opposite at the start, actually start to show parallels - and Crystal and Ford find something they both want to last.

This was a pleasant story, with laugh-out-loud moments, and lots of quirkiness (usually on Crystal's side of the family) thrown in for good measure. Crystal is too often seen as just a pretty thing, a blonde bimbo, type of character, so it was wonderful to see the author turn this on its head (where needed) and give Crystal her own strengths. Together with Ford, they make a strong team.

With no editing or grammatical errors, this book was a smooth read, with plenty of emotions coming through. The story flowed from one scene to the next, and we even caught up with Hannah and Jake from Breathless. Absolutely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 17, 2018
Profile Image for Terry.
1,499 reviews
June 25, 2018
4 1/2 Sunshine Stars!

Crystal can't seem to say no to her hippie parents, but she's tired of doing things their way. Ford became CEO of the family business when his father died and all he does is work so that his family, and his extended family, can live in the way they have been accustomed to. When Crystal and Ford get stranded in an airport on their way to a family wedding (Crystal's cousin to Ford's sister), they decide to drive the rest of the way. Even though they come from opposite worlds, they can't seem to keep their hands off each other ... so they decide to have a fling until they go back to their normal life after the wedding.

I could just feel the sunshine in Crystal ... always happy and upbeat. And I could also feel the dark brooding Ford ... who hardly ever smiled. There were times I just want to give Ford a swift kick and tell him to open his eyes to the wonderful life he could have with Crystal at his side. Even though they had nothing in common I just wanted their relationship to work because they are so good for each other. There are twists and turns in the story that just came out of nowhere and made my jaw drop to the floor. The chemistry between them is HOT HOT HOT! I recommend this book as Crystal and Ford's journey shouldn't be missed!

I received an ARC courtesy of Heart Bay Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
Profile Image for Johanna Sawyer.
3,473 reviews41 followers
June 28, 2018
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC to read and give my honest opinion.

This is one of those books I found difficult to get into but then it turns amazing. In the beginning, the author introduces Ford as one of those boring, workaholic, CEO types, that have a girl on the side with no real entanglements. The friend with benefits can't attend his sisters wedding with him so he is going it all alone, and it doesn't even bother him enough to care. The author almost tells his tale a little too well because it made me want to put the book down.
Enters....Crystal Ananda...yoga teacher, free thinker, has all her chakras in an order type girl. She is Ford's polar opposite and she carries all the combustible chemistry her body can carry. She is the epitome of exactly what Ford is not which makes her extremely likable. Everyone likes her, and even Ford can't help himself. This character makes the book and even makes Ford likable in the HEA end. I give this book five stars for entertainment because I couldn't put it down! Amazing, and fun read. It had me laughing and enjoying it immensely. I would definitely read from this author again.
16 reviews
August 3, 2018
This right here is a slice of sunshine pie ..................

What happens when a stuffed shirt and a free spirit are forced together? fireworks! That's what. And when their equally "noses in the air" and "I am one with nature" families meet as well? Let's just say a LOT is going on.

This is a happy book. From the great characters, to the backdrop, the author weaves a story around you that just gladdens the heart. This is the first book I've read by Miss LaValle but it wont be my last. If you're looking for a great summer read, look no further.
Profile Image for Melissa.
123 reviews8 followers
July 12, 2018
ARC received from Netgalley.

I really enjoyed the first novel from the Yoga in the City series, so I was excited to read Reckless. Crystal and Ford have great chemistry once they get past the hating each other stage, and all the supporting characters are really entertaining. This would be a 5 star review except for the fact that it's about 40-50 pages too long.
59 reviews
July 17, 2018
I voluntarily read this title in exchange for a review.
A feel good book if ever I saw one.
It’s light hearted, has some truly funny moments, and with out giving too much away, let’s just say the parents are the highlight and steel the show.
214 reviews
November 6, 2018
I liked the premise of this book but not the execution. The heroine was amazing but the hero was an asshole. He never redeemed himself to me. I loved the setting of the Adirondacks but felt like the hero just dragged the story down
Profile Image for Ashley .
1,150 reviews4 followers
November 12, 2018
Thought this was fantastic! I had an absolute blast reading about these two characters and their differences. I do think it was a little slow in moments though. :)

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing.
Profile Image for Katie Hansen.
577 reviews1 follower
October 2, 2018
This was such a good read that I stumbled upon and I am glad that I did. I highly recommend that you read it.
114 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2018
Cute story! A little too slow in the middle but it was funny, cute and sexy. 4 chilli peppers of hotness!
Profile Image for Michelle Harris.
856 reviews78 followers
September 20, 2018
I enjoyed it, a lot. Good characters and decent storyline. Characters are polar opposites and just too good together. Overall, it was really well done! Would recommend.
Profile Image for ♥ Kym.
173 reviews6 followers
November 11, 2018
Unique, unpredictable and uncontrollable!



5stars



I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest book review.



Crystal and Ford, two opposite individuals bound to annoy and get into each other’s nerves. Yoga is her past time, while work is his passion – put them together, they become each others’ distraction and they don’t give a damn single thing being reckless.

I totally LOVE it! You don’t get so bored easily and there are tons of surprises and revelations. A lot of things going on in a chapter that will leave you wanting for more.


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