I have always been an adrenaline junkie. I have sought out the thrills and rushes, my latest adventure being on the back of a bull. Anything that gets my blood pumping and my heart pounding. Anything that makes me feel alive.
I had no idea a woman could give me that feeling.
One look at her and my blood starts pumping. My heart starts pounding. I feel alive. She is the ultimate thrill. The ultimate rush.
And I cannot have her. I am not supposed to want her. Even thinking of her is reckless.
She is my brother’s ex-wife.
**Something Reckless is Kipton and Brynn’s story and is book three in the Dirty Southern Secrets Series. It is a standalone full-length novel. It contains adult content, adult language, and sexual content. It is intended for mature readers only.**
I am a happily married mother of three (two boys and one girl). I live in a very small town in Alabama. Never lived anywhere else. I’ve been writing since my early twenties, but I couldn’t seem to finish a book. I’ve started self-publishing with the encouragement from my mom. Without her encouragement, I don’t think I would’ve done it. She always supported me and writing is something I’ve always enjoyed doing. As long as I enjoy it, I’ll continue to do it. I’ve learned already that I can’t please everyone. Not all reviews will be good, not all reviews will be bad. I’m the one that has to be happy with my work.
I get my inspiration from life experiences, movies, television, other authors, and music. Music is definitely a big influence on my writing. I can hear a song and it can inspire an entire book for me. I listen to it while I’m driving or before I start writing and it keeps me inspired. I like to put music in my books, even if it’s just one song the characters listen to or hear at some point. Sometimes music has gotten me through the really tough times in my life and that’s why it inspires me.
I like to write fast-paced, steamy romance reads. I like for my males to be alpha-males and my heroines to be strong, but both need to have one weakness- each other. I am an avid reader. I absolutely love romance books!
Kipton and Brynn are everything that shouldn’t be. No one would approve, yet they can’t keep their hands off each other...
Let me tell you, if you have read this series you already know that Kipton is the brother of the man Brynn has a daughter with and that’s what makes it so impossible for them to ever be considered as a couple!
But that doesn’t mean that the heart doesn’t want what the heart wants!!!! This story is a whirlwind that will keep you captivated and the pages turning!
I had my doubts about Brynn. I have been in her shoes, somewhat, with the PPD. I just didnt leave my family. She definitely had to grow on me thats for sure.
Oh but Kipton, Kipton, Kipton. My heart goes all gooey for him. The way he came back and conquered what he set his mind to. Damn just damn.
Willow is my favorite little girl.
I'm so happy and sad that this was the final book in the Dirty Southern Secrets series. I'm so happy J.L. gave me the opportunity to read an advanced copy.
Something Reckless (Dirty Southern Secrets#3 by J.L. Leslie was well worth the wait and a great way to end this series. This story will pull at your heart from beginning to end as you follow the journey of Kipton and Brynn's story. Kipton is an aspiring rodeo star looking to make it to the pro circuit as a bull rider, but one thing has alluded him the love he has for his ex sister-law Brynn. Brynn, with Kipton's help returns home after leaving her infant daughter who has downs syndrome and husband Kyler to find he married her best friend. Brynn was suffering from post partem depression and could not handle the pressure and thought it best for everyone if she left. Now she is trying to build a relationship with her ex Kyler and be a mother to her daughter and make up for all the years she missed in her life. As she is trying to rebuild a life with her daughter Willow, who despite her condition is a smart resilient child who is loved by all especially by her Uncles Kipton and Tauren , this little girl will pull at your heart through out the story. Will Brynn ever get past all of the gossip that surrounds her as she is trying to overcome the guilt with her decision of leaving? Kipton's family is a tight knit group and Brynn finds it is taking baby steps for her to be accepted again, especially with Kip's mother. The interaction between Kipton and Brynn is full of pent up desire and longing. Brynn's job as a reporter is taking her on the road with Kipton who has made it to the pro circuit. The more time these two are together on the road, emotions between them are about to explode. One night of passion between these two will be the catalyst of things to come as they both confess the feelings that have for each other. Kip and Brynn are trying to hide that fact that they are in love, but with one 8 second moment in Kip's life everything changes as he gets injured when he was thrown from his bull. Will Kipton lose everything he strived for and push everyone away or will Brynn be the only one to show Kipton he can still be the man he once was? With all of the twists and turns in this story you will be on edge as these two will have a tough road ahead of them between his family, his recovery and when Brynn confesses to Kipton she can't have children. Now Kipton will make a life changing decision as he heads towards a new adventure for himself and Brynn. This is a love story that will leave you smiling, well done J.L. Leslie! Dirty Southern Secrets is a must read series.
Small town romances have always been my favorite along with all the drama that comes along with it and Something Reckless did not disappoint.
We met Brynn and Kipton back in book one so if you aren't caught up yet in the series you should definitely consider starting there. All three books are standalones, but if you truly want to understand the family dynamics you need to start at the beginning.
When we first met Brynn she was just attempting to get back into the good graces of the Holt family after taking a five year hiatus from her husband, Kaler, and daughter, Willow's, lives with the help of an unlikely ally, Kalers brother Kipton.
What we did not know is how close they have become over the years; keeping in contact with eachother, until now. This is their story.
One thing I can say about J.L Leslie is that she isn't afraid to tackle the hard topics. She understands that life isnt like it is depicted in many romance novels. Issues arise, hearts will be broken, and only with time, patience, and communication will relationships survive.
She makes you question how far will you go for true love? Even if the whole world is against you and it seems like everything is trying to keep you apart, will you let that break you or fuel you?
J.l will break your heart and leave you to pick up the pieces, but they will go back together. She will make you believe in meant to be's and how fate is beyond your control no matter how hard you try to avoid it.
I absolutely love this couple even though I wanted to tell them to sit down, shut up, and just listen to eachother a few times. 😆 Everything they did was full of passion and sometimes that can cloud your judgement. Sometimes you have to be a little reckless to find your happiness and I loved watching Brynn and Kipton battle through the obstacles thrown their way to just come out stronger in the end.
Another amazing read by J l Leslie! I'm not ready to give up this family just yet!
I knew that Kipton and Brynn’s story wouldn’t be an easy one given their complicated family history but I wasn’t prepared for the angst that trying to put their feelings aside for the sake of others, to protect those they love, would bring.
Initially a slow burn, with lots of push and pull, the author does a wonderful job of prolonging the sexual tension between these two. You can feel the agony of not being able to act on their desires, the longing, the strain of trying to hide their feelings, and eventually Brynn’s guilt of hiding their relationship from those closest to her once they couldn’t resist any longer.
I thought they made a fantastic couple, each giving the other what they needed but if they thought their life was complicated in the beginning, it was nothing compared to the challenges that lay ahead of them. Despite a few wrong turns along the way, these two were made for each other. I was cheering them on and I hoped that eventually they would be able to come together and support each other through the realities of life, both good and bad, and find the happy ending they so deserved.
Although I’m sad to say goodbye to this series, this author’s writing just gets better and better and I’m excited to see what she has in store for us next.
While I love the series, I wasn’t looking forward to this one. Maybe it is because I was a bit judgy of the main female character, Brynn and not her past. My favorite character is and will always be Willow in this series. A part of my motherly instinct kicks in and dislikes Brynn for what she did but only on the level of Angie, Kipton’s mom; some of her worries are mine. To be frank, this wasn’t a “break me” kind of story but one of sad events. Small towns have issues and I even can relate to the “keeping it all in the family” scenarios making it feel relatable to real life. Many of us have been through the other struggles in the book. I suggest reading this series even though this is a stand alone.
Brynn and Kipton's story was frustratingly beautiful. Set in a small town, nothing is secret, especially your faults and failures. Coming back after leaving town and her family behind, Brynn is forced to confront her own life choices and consequences. The ride is sometimes hard to read, but totally worth it. Kipton's unrequited love for his brothers ex was bittersweet and beautiful. The storyline is full of regret, hope, bitterness and sweet. It was sometimes frustrating to read, yet I am so glad I did. J.L. Leslie has brought some really good depth to her characters in this book. I loved and hated the messiness of this couple. I love that it isn't all perfect. Great story.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What an amazing wrap up for the holt family! Kipton’s story might be my favourite (but that’s a though call with the holt boys), his struggle through this story was unexpected and so heartbreaking, watching him rise up and get knocked down had me in tears. Then you have the Brynn side of this and thats a whole other barrel of heartache. But these two fight against each other and for each other so fiercely that there’s nothing that can stop them. Gossip, family drama, jealousy, injury, they tackle it all and even when things look bad they pull through stronger than before. JL Leslie grabbed this bull by the horns and didn’t disappoint, I can’t wait for what she gives us next!
I love this story! It tugs at your heartstrings and it's absolutely delicious. Their love is a forbidden love and because of the past, neither are sure it will ever be accepted. It's a love Kipton knows all too well. The push and pull between these two is undeniable and the chemistry is off the charts. Kipton's adrenaline junkie lifestyle will have your heart skip a beat a few times, while Brynn's will break your heart. Something Reckless is a beautiful journey between two people who take the long way around to get to their HEA.
Loved Kipton from book one and was anxiously awaiting his book. I was not disappointed in his and Brynn’s love story. Her struggles with post partum depression helped me grow to love her and the desire she had to reconnect with Willow. Kipton seeing the amazing person she was made them an amazing couple besides some obstacles they had to face. Her being there from him in a tough time showed she was in it for the love of this amazing man. Willow was the factor that bonded these three Holt men as a family and brought them three amazing women. Wholeheartedly loved this series and the authors writing.
Kipton and Brynn... So we know these two from the previous stories. Kipton being one of the Holt brothers and Brynn being Maker’s baby mama. Ya, that Brynn.
I gotta say, I went into this one not thinking the best of Brynn. (I won’t spoil anything if you haven’t read the previous stories.) BUT, she surprised me. Backstory - Brynn was married and has a daughter with Kipton’s brother. Oh, and her ex-husband is now married to her best friend. AND Kipton and Brynn are in lust with each other when this story begins... Talk about anguish!!! Sweet Story! .
There is no way you won't fall in love with Kipton, he is just like his brothers, just a tad bit more reckless. But of course he had all the qualities we ladies want in a man. Brynn should never of been on his radar, being his brother's ex wife and the mother to his niece. These two have had a crush on eachother for years, finally they can't hide it anymore. The passions these two have, you can definitely feel it thru the pages. Loved when Kipton needed someone the most she stuck around for him, and they made such an amazing team.
This was the first book I have read in this series and I’m sure I’m going to go back and read the rest. This book was about choices... the choice to be happy even if it went against what others considered “right”. I guess you can’t choose who you love... and the heart will always want what the heart wants. Kimpton and Brynn have amazing chemistry together. This forbidden love story kept me reading until the end. Great read.
This is one of those stories where they shouldn't work (in traditional terms) and the world agrees, throwing them curveballs continuously. There are so many obstacles that these two have to overcome to be able to get to their possible happy "ending." But really Kipton and Brynn held in each other what the other person needed so that together they would be able weather any storms that were to come their way. It's quite the emotional rollercoaster but it's worth every second!
Wow.... this book brings out all kinds of emotions. I love Kipton and his search for an adrenaline rush. Brynn is trying to get her life back to normal. Kipton has loved her forever and she realizes that she has fallen in love with him. All kinds of twists and an accident help slowly bring them together.
A sweet story about overcoming obstacles in many forms. Brynn and Kipton have already faced a lot in life including hiding their growing feelings for each other from their friends and family. A recovery from postnatal depression and a return to the Holt family has been hard for Brynn but she has made a life back in her hometown caring for her daughter. The success of Kiptons attempt to break into professional rodeos forces feelings forward and they give into temptation. After a somewhat rocky start they are just about to get the HEA when an accident throws them into turmoil. Overcoming the odds is the only option for love to prevail. A great read.
This is the last book in a series of three, I'm sad to see it end. Kipton and Brynn's story. I had my doubts about them as a couple, but they proved me wrong. I loved watching them fall in love and supporting each other. They had a few obstacles to get around, but they didn't let them get in their way. It was great catching up with everyone from previous books. I love Willow!! This is a must read, get your copy December 8.
Brynn and Kipton's story is angsty and will wreck you. Such great characters and a wonderful story line! I'm struggling to write this review because I don't want to give one single thing away. All I can say is JUST READ IT! You won't regret it. This book is why J.L. Leslie is one of my favorites. I read everything she puts out!
An amazing addition to the Dirty Southern Secrets series. Kipton and Brynn’s story was an emotional one. I loved the chemistry and push and pull between the characters. The ups and downs that Kipton and Brynn go through will make you laugh and cry. I’m sad to see this series end, it’s definitely a must read series.
This book gave me the same thrill as watching a predictable scary movie, one that no matter how much you anticipate what's about to happen, still grabs you by 'surprise' even as you tell yourself not to look, you simply can't turn away. So many feels, such an honest, small town love story that you just have to read! Loved it!
Story of love, hope and perseverance. You think you’ve got it all love a career of your dreams then life happens. Can you find you new normal. This story twists and turns with unexpected situations and challenges for Kip and Brynn to find their way thru while maintaining their love.
I love this story. It is an emotional one. Brynn is struggling and Kipton is the best looking guy for her. But he is the brother of her ex-husband. And there is Willow. She is important to both of them. Kipton is riding the bull’s back. This is a vividly written story and the paste is fast. I loved the setting in a small town community. There is more to this story than you might get out of the blurb. I highly recommend.
Aweee what a beautiful story. I loved it most because it was about love, relationships and real life decisions. This forbidden type of story was realistic, about the heart being in control and the possibility of love conquering all. These just get better and better. Bravo!
Brynn and Kipton's book is emotional and full of family opinions but the story is perfect brings two lost people down a amazing road. If you like drama, family opinions and love this book is perfect for you.
This was the first book of the Dirty Southern Secrets that I have read and I am definitely going to start at the beginning. I need to read the other characters stories, I need more of them. This book was amazing and exciting and too good to put down!
Something Reckless (Dirty Southern Secrets #3) is the final book in the Dirty Southern series by J.L. Leslie. I had not read the other two first, and yet I had no problem jumping right in and falling in love! This book was a wild and emotional journey that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I would recommend this series to everyone, and I will most absolutely now have to read everything!!
What a great conclusion to amazing series.Kipton and Brynn were amazing paired. Their love story wasn't always easy but I love how they conquered everything that got thrown at them.the gentleness of Kipton with brynn was awarding to watch.
This story was basically an emotional roller coaster from start to finish. With the series coming to an end this author definitely goes out with a bang. Ok, so I had my doubts about Brynn and Kipton as a couple but they proved me wrong in a major way. This story is about choices- choose to be happy even if it’s not right? Choosing to be with someone even though it complicates your life? That is what Brynn and Kipton have to deal with and the uphill battle for them to get their HEA.
Oh my I love how this series ending. Kipton and Brynn are the couple most of us want to be but don't think we can ever have. The Love that they have is so pure and amazing. I am so happy to have be able to be part of reading this and I can't wait to read more from you in the future. I give it 5 stars. I voluntarily read this book and I'm giving my honest opinion.