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Reckless: If you risk nothing, you risk everything
You think you'll stay the same – you won't. Infidelity will change you forever. There can be no going back.
Kirsten Calloway knows she should be grateful. She has a stable marriage, decent job, and a wonderful teenage daughter. But she also has a raging libido that won't shut up, and a husband who'd rather go on a bike ride.
She bumps into an old friend at a school reunion who faces a similar problem. Dianne, though, has found the answer: a discreet agency which arranges casual sex for people just like them, people who want to keep their marriages but also scratch that itch.
Enter Zac: younger, handsome and everything Kirsten could hope for in bed. For a while, they seem to have it all. Kirsten even finds herself becoming a better wife and mother. But Zac wants more – a lot more, and he'll stop at nothing to get it.
Sexually charged, shocking and relatable, Reckless is a profound exploration of marriage, motherhood and desire.
Kirsten Calloway knows she should be grateful. She has a stable marriage, decent job, and a wonderful teenage daughter. But she also has a raging libido that won't shut up, and a husband who'd rather go on a bike ride.
She bumps into an old friend at a school reunion who faces a similar problem. Dianne, though, has found the answer: a discreet agency which arranges casual sex for people just like them, people who want to keep their marriages but also scratch that itch.
Enter Zac: younger, handsome and everything Kirsten could hope for in bed. For a while, they seem to have it all. Kirsten even finds herself becoming a better wife and mother. But Zac wants more – a lot more, and he'll stop at nothing to get it.
Sexually charged, shocking and relatable, Reckless is a profound exploration of marriage, motherhood and desire.
393 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 22, 2022
10 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
November 7, 2021
The title of the book is pretty much bang on. A woman chooses to be reckless with her life and willfully cheats on her husband but doesn’t want to break up her marriage or family. Good luck right?
The thing is her character though flawed is likeable. She knows she is wrong but finds ways to justify her actions. Her life is busy with challengers in her job, her marriage, her daughter, her mom. You feel her tiring juggling act.
The writing is very good, personable, entertaining, and the story has good pace.
I would say 90% of story kept my full attention. For me the ending kinda fell off from the level of the rest of the book.
August 2, 2021
Kirsten has been married for years, has a good job and a happy family, there's just one thing missing - she hasn't slept with her husband in over a year. After finding out about a discreet agency who can set her up with one night stands, no string attached, she enters a world offering more than she could ever dream of. But nothing good lasts forever, Zack isn't happy to be a side piece anymore.... and he's willing to go to extreme lengths to get Kirsten all to himself....forever...
I loved how this story played out. Kristen slowly finding herself, learning lessons along the way, it was really realistic and shows how brutal affairs can be. I did not see the ending coming, I had to reread that final page in shock. Fantastic story!
I loved how this story played out. Kristen slowly finding herself, learning lessons along the way, it was really realistic and shows how brutal affairs can be. I did not see the ending coming, I had to reread that final page in shock. Fantastic story!
July 28, 2021
Sheesh! I got a little hot under the collar reading this one! Kirsten is in her 40s, married to Mark and their passion is long gone, not for want of Kirsten trying though. Her daughter, Jess, is almost seventeen and slipping away from her. Kirsten can’t seem to say or do the right thing with her and she gets no support from Mark. Her career plans never materialised and she’s in a job that she settled for, instead of following her dreams. Essentially Kirsten has hit middle age and is watching life pass her by; unfulfilled, bored and knowing there’s something missing from her life but she’s unsure what. When her sister, Helen, drags her along to a school reunion she meets up with Diane, her old school friend who throws her a morsel of excitement and danger which Kirsten knows will inevitably take her down the wrong road.. Will Kirsten take it further and risk everything? Decisions decisions!
I loved this book from the first few pages. You know when you see a book with a certain writing style and know that it’s for you? That was me here. Kirsten’s honesty and frankness meant that I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Even if some of the decisions she made were ill-judged, I could see why she made them. To be fair, with a husband like Mark I might have made them myself! Very interestingly, this is a book about a female protagonist written by a man. I read about the author’s nervousness about doing this but honestly, he nailed it. I had no idea RJ McBrien was male until I read the acknowledgments.
This book has a fair bit of passion in it, but interspersed with that is an incredibly strong plot which twists and turns in more ways that one. I had no idea where it was taking me and found it to be a brilliant and clever read which completely absorbed me. It’s the closest I’ll come to having an affair, that’s for sure!
Thank you to Sophie Ransom, Midas PR & Welbeck Publishing for my ARC. All views my own.
I loved this book from the first few pages. You know when you see a book with a certain writing style and know that it’s for you? That was me here. Kirsten’s honesty and frankness meant that I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Even if some of the decisions she made were ill-judged, I could see why she made them. To be fair, with a husband like Mark I might have made them myself! Very interestingly, this is a book about a female protagonist written by a man. I read about the author’s nervousness about doing this but honestly, he nailed it. I had no idea RJ McBrien was male until I read the acknowledgments.
This book has a fair bit of passion in it, but interspersed with that is an incredibly strong plot which twists and turns in more ways that one. I had no idea where it was taking me and found it to be a brilliant and clever read which completely absorbed me. It’s the closest I’ll come to having an affair, that’s for sure!
Thank you to Sophie Ransom, Midas PR & Welbeck Publishing for my ARC. All views my own.
October 18, 2021
If you are a middle aged woman with grown up kids, in the midst of menopause wondering where the past twenty or so years have gone and if this is IT now, then Reckless will probably tickle your fancy, especially if nothing else is tickling it right now!.
This story opens with an extract from a British Transport Police report on the discovery of the body of an unidentified man at a railway cutting. Who is he and how did he die? Those are the immediate questions you ask yourself, but when we are introduced to Kirsten, who is the main narrator and the focus of the police investigators lots of other questions start to emerge.
Kirsten is a fabulous character, relatable, likeable, bloody hysterical at times, searingly honest and believable as a middle aged, seemingly happily married, working mother with 1 teenage daughter with whom she has a difficult relationship with. Tired of her current life, squabbling with the daughter, being ignored sexually by the husband, feeling invisible as a wife and mother, Kirsten starts to question herself and try to bring that spark back to the bedroom.
Unfortunately for Kirsten the only spark her husband is interested in is in the kitchen under the hob. So when she goes to a school reunion and accidentally sees a “happily married” old school friend being serviced on the hood of a car by someone who is definitely NOT her husband she starts to consider having a “no strings attached” affair.
Obviously the fact there is a body in the story, means that not everything goes to plan and the reader is taken on a journey back and forth from the moment Kirsten’s life changes to the discovery of a body.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, learnt so much and laughed a lot too. The section on FIGGING made me laugh out loud and now I can’t look at a plate of sushi without thinking of where that ginger might have been.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story opens with an extract from a British Transport Police report on the discovery of the body of an unidentified man at a railway cutting. Who is he and how did he die? Those are the immediate questions you ask yourself, but when we are introduced to Kirsten, who is the main narrator and the focus of the police investigators lots of other questions start to emerge.
Kirsten is a fabulous character, relatable, likeable, bloody hysterical at times, searingly honest and believable as a middle aged, seemingly happily married, working mother with 1 teenage daughter with whom she has a difficult relationship with. Tired of her current life, squabbling with the daughter, being ignored sexually by the husband, feeling invisible as a wife and mother, Kirsten starts to question herself and try to bring that spark back to the bedroom.
Unfortunately for Kirsten the only spark her husband is interested in is in the kitchen under the hob. So when she goes to a school reunion and accidentally sees a “happily married” old school friend being serviced on the hood of a car by someone who is definitely NOT her husband she starts to consider having a “no strings attached” affair.
Obviously the fact there is a body in the story, means that not everything goes to plan and the reader is taken on a journey back and forth from the moment Kirsten’s life changes to the discovery of a body.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, learnt so much and laughed a lot too. The section on FIGGING made me laugh out loud and now I can’t look at a plate of sushi without thinking of where that ginger might have been.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
October 8, 2021
1 STAR
I’ll be honest, waste of time. I should have DNF’d as soon as I started to get bored.
There is absolutely zero reason for this book to be as long as it is. It doesn’t get to the point (the infidelity agency) until about half way through and there is a lot of things that don’t need to be in it at all, never mind in as much detail as they are - the Khanda? Completely irrelevant.
The blurb straight up doesn’t portray what the book is, I expected a creepy/stalkery thriller - no mention of the dead guy, yet it’s page 1 so not exactly a secret?
The book I wanted to read started on page 313 and even then it was disappointing.
And after ALL that, it was accidental? I knew Kirsten wouldn’t have done it. I thought maybe Mark but he seemed clueless and then I thought Jess because she seemed clued in. But nope just an accident, could have been any random man, a complete coincidence it’s the man her mum’s being having an affair with.
And then she gets out of prison and continues the agency??? SIGH
I’ll be honest, waste of time. I should have DNF’d as soon as I started to get bored.
There is absolutely zero reason for this book to be as long as it is. It doesn’t get to the point (the infidelity agency) until about half way through and there is a lot of things that don’t need to be in it at all, never mind in as much detail as they are - the Khanda? Completely irrelevant.
The blurb straight up doesn’t portray what the book is, I expected a creepy/stalkery thriller - no mention of the dead guy, yet it’s page 1 so not exactly a secret?
The book I wanted to read started on page 313 and even then it was disappointing.
And after ALL that, it was accidental? I knew Kirsten wouldn’t have done it. I thought maybe Mark but he seemed clueless and then I thought Jess because she seemed clued in. But nope just an accident, could have been any random man, a complete coincidence it’s the man her mum’s being having an affair with.
And then she gets out of prison and continues the agency??? SIGH
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2025
Parts of this were good but it felt like it needed to be darker considering it was predominantly an affair/stalking plot!
November 14, 2022
I picked this book on a whim for a long train journey, intrigued by the cover and synopsis. I am SO glad I did!
The plot follows Kirsten Calloway, a woman who seemingly has it all - a nice home, married for twenty years, a teenaged daughter and thriving career. Except that her husband is a sanctimonious prig who won't touch her, her daughter Jess is slipping further away, her sister is a mess and her job is never enough to please her critical, Dementia-addled mother. Kirsten knows she should be grateful for what she has, yet she knows there's something missing.
That's when she meets Dianne, an old school friend who introduces Kirsten to an exclusive dating app for people looking for a thrill while keeping their marriage intact. She then meets Zac, a younger lover who is everything Kirsten wants - but he wants more than she is prepared to give and isn't willing to let it go...
R.J McBrien does something clever here, because for the first two-hundred pages of the book, we don't even meet Zac. Instead we're taken through Kirsten's life, from her vivid first sexual encounter that still haunts her, her sister's marriage breaking down and leading to her drinking problems, how she somehow ended up with her boring, self-righteous and sexually frigid husband Mark and her relationship with her infuriatingly perfect daughter, we're brought right into Kirsten's world and given a keen understanding of the insecurities that still plague her as a forty-something woman and the temptation of the dark, forbidden world of infidelity. Kirsten really comes to life in a way that not a look of book protagonist's I've read recently could ever hope to - she's a bit judgemental and has something of a temper and lets her husband, sister and parents boss her around, yet her frustrations, bitingly sarcastic inner commentary and her emotions are all excellently crafted and despite her mistakes and lies I was cheering her on the entire way. When we first get to meet Zac, it's just as thrilling for us as it is for Kirsten because we're finally getting to The Good Stuff.
Kirsten's change from a bored middle-aged woman with a thankless job and family that take her for granted was entertaining to read about, with the lies piling on top of each other in a dangerous Jenga pile, the sexually charged moments together with Zac that contrast greatly with the banality and irritations of everyday life, with a sprinkling of social commentary and examination on the way women over a certain age are overlooked by others and treated more like a utility than people with their own desires and flaws. Whenever Kirsten broke the rules and defied the constant demands other people had on her, I was rooting for her a hundred percent. We know it's all going to go badly wrong, of course, nothing ever stays a secret in a book, but watching the entire thing from beginning to end makes for an engaging domestic thriller. It's hard to believe that this is R.J McBrien's first novel, there were even a few twists in the book that I genuinely didn't see coming, and I tend to guess the outcome in thrillers before they happen, so that's always a pleasant surprise.
The one criticism I have for this book is that Zac's descent from her fun, attractive lover to desperate stalker happens quite abruptly and I feel like if it had happened earlier in the book and the suspense been drawn out longer, it would have made it a much more tense read, but this wasn't such a glaring flaw that it ruined my enjoyment of the book.
I was also pleased with the ending, it wrapped up all the loose ends nicely and had a satisfying conclusion for Kirsten that I felt was a perfect end to both her book and the character, and I can't wait to see what R.J McBrien comes out with next.
The plot follows Kirsten Calloway, a woman who seemingly has it all - a nice home, married for twenty years, a teenaged daughter and thriving career. Except that her husband is a sanctimonious prig who won't touch her, her daughter Jess is slipping further away, her sister is a mess and her job is never enough to please her critical, Dementia-addled mother. Kirsten knows she should be grateful for what she has, yet she knows there's something missing.
That's when she meets Dianne, an old school friend who introduces Kirsten to an exclusive dating app for people looking for a thrill while keeping their marriage intact. She then meets Zac, a younger lover who is everything Kirsten wants - but he wants more than she is prepared to give and isn't willing to let it go...
R.J McBrien does something clever here, because for the first two-hundred pages of the book, we don't even meet Zac. Instead we're taken through Kirsten's life, from her vivid first sexual encounter that still haunts her, her sister's marriage breaking down and leading to her drinking problems, how she somehow ended up with her boring, self-righteous and sexually frigid husband Mark and her relationship with her infuriatingly perfect daughter, we're brought right into Kirsten's world and given a keen understanding of the insecurities that still plague her as a forty-something woman and the temptation of the dark, forbidden world of infidelity. Kirsten really comes to life in a way that not a look of book protagonist's I've read recently could ever hope to - she's a bit judgemental and has something of a temper and lets her husband, sister and parents boss her around, yet her frustrations, bitingly sarcastic inner commentary and her emotions are all excellently crafted and despite her mistakes and lies I was cheering her on the entire way. When we first get to meet Zac, it's just as thrilling for us as it is for Kirsten because we're finally getting to The Good Stuff.
Kirsten's change from a bored middle-aged woman with a thankless job and family that take her for granted was entertaining to read about, with the lies piling on top of each other in a dangerous Jenga pile, the sexually charged moments together with Zac that contrast greatly with the banality and irritations of everyday life, with a sprinkling of social commentary and examination on the way women over a certain age are overlooked by others and treated more like a utility than people with their own desires and flaws. Whenever Kirsten broke the rules and defied the constant demands other people had on her, I was rooting for her a hundred percent. We know it's all going to go badly wrong, of course, nothing ever stays a secret in a book, but watching the entire thing from beginning to end makes for an engaging domestic thriller. It's hard to believe that this is R.J McBrien's first novel, there were even a few twists in the book that I genuinely didn't see coming, and I tend to guess the outcome in thrillers before they happen, so that's always a pleasant surprise.
The one criticism I have for this book is that Zac's descent from her fun, attractive lover to desperate stalker happens quite abruptly and I feel like if it had happened earlier in the book and the suspense been drawn out longer, it would have made it a much more tense read, but this wasn't such a glaring flaw that it ruined my enjoyment of the book.
I was also pleased with the ending, it wrapped up all the loose ends nicely and had a satisfying conclusion for Kirsten that I felt was a perfect end to both her book and the character, and I can't wait to see what R.J McBrien comes out with next.
July 29, 2021
Reckless opens with an extract from a British Transport Police Officer's report about the discovery of a man's body at a railway cutting. His identity at this juncture is unknown but it immediately sets a foreboding tone for this psychological thriller.
The narrative is written in the first person from Kirsten Calloway's perspective and I found it fascinating that although her behaviour is undoubtedly reckless (the book's title is absolutely fitting!), it's difficult to entirely condemn her. Her sexual frustration is almost palpable and although she loves her husband and doesn't want her marriage to end, she wants to feel desired and to have her needs fulfilled. Mark is a strange one; he is clearly a steadfast, reliable man and yet he has made little effort to work with her to discuss and potentially rectify his diminished libido. Their teenage daughter, Jess is perhaps the most sympathetic of the three but I couldn't help feeling that even though there are times where Kirsten needs to recognise that Jess is now an adult and must be allowed to make her own choices and mistakes, Mark has a tendency to undermine her and seems to want to ensure that he's the popular parent.
However, their flaws and foibles are what make them believable characters and I was quickly drawn into this compelling moral quagmire. When Kirsten signs up to an exclusive, clandestine dating agency for married people wanting sex without emotional ties, it's obvious that at some point things will go terribly wrong. The tension is allowed to build almost imperceptibly as R.J. McBrien also examines issues which are commonly experienced by middle-aged couples - a child about to leave home for the first time, an ageing, increasingly frail parent, the pressures of work, and a relationship which is comfortable but is missing the spark of youth and newness.
Throughout the novel there are further police witness reports which gradually reveal more about the identity of the deceased man and what it means for Kirsten and her family. Before discovering more about the circumstances of his death, however, the storyline follows Kirsten from her initial, tentative enquiries regarding the agency, to her first experience with a man she meets up with, and eventually the intense relationship that develops between her and Zac. For a book that's so openly concerned with passionate sex, this isn't a particularly explicit novel but it is clear that the passion between them is mutual and addictive.
Eventually, of course, events take a darker turn but despite this, humour also runs throughout the book and Kirsten is a candid, witty narrator. R. J. McBrien is a screenwriter and it shows, Reckless is a descriptive, visual novel with excellent pacing from start to finish. The clever, engaging plot leads inexorably to the inevitable tragedy and the subsequent repercussions but there are surprises in store too and an unexpected conclusion that I really enjoyed.
I read Reckless in a day; it's a compulsive domestic thriller with authentic characters and is an intriguing, intimate exploration of ethical and emotional choices within a long-term marriage. R. J. McBrien's debut marks him as an author to watch, I look forward to more.
The narrative is written in the first person from Kirsten Calloway's perspective and I found it fascinating that although her behaviour is undoubtedly reckless (the book's title is absolutely fitting!), it's difficult to entirely condemn her. Her sexual frustration is almost palpable and although she loves her husband and doesn't want her marriage to end, she wants to feel desired and to have her needs fulfilled. Mark is a strange one; he is clearly a steadfast, reliable man and yet he has made little effort to work with her to discuss and potentially rectify his diminished libido. Their teenage daughter, Jess is perhaps the most sympathetic of the three but I couldn't help feeling that even though there are times where Kirsten needs to recognise that Jess is now an adult and must be allowed to make her own choices and mistakes, Mark has a tendency to undermine her and seems to want to ensure that he's the popular parent.
However, their flaws and foibles are what make them believable characters and I was quickly drawn into this compelling moral quagmire. When Kirsten signs up to an exclusive, clandestine dating agency for married people wanting sex without emotional ties, it's obvious that at some point things will go terribly wrong. The tension is allowed to build almost imperceptibly as R.J. McBrien also examines issues which are commonly experienced by middle-aged couples - a child about to leave home for the first time, an ageing, increasingly frail parent, the pressures of work, and a relationship which is comfortable but is missing the spark of youth and newness.
Throughout the novel there are further police witness reports which gradually reveal more about the identity of the deceased man and what it means for Kirsten and her family. Before discovering more about the circumstances of his death, however, the storyline follows Kirsten from her initial, tentative enquiries regarding the agency, to her first experience with a man she meets up with, and eventually the intense relationship that develops between her and Zac. For a book that's so openly concerned with passionate sex, this isn't a particularly explicit novel but it is clear that the passion between them is mutual and addictive.
Eventually, of course, events take a darker turn but despite this, humour also runs throughout the book and Kirsten is a candid, witty narrator. R. J. McBrien is a screenwriter and it shows, Reckless is a descriptive, visual novel with excellent pacing from start to finish. The clever, engaging plot leads inexorably to the inevitable tragedy and the subsequent repercussions but there are surprises in store too and an unexpected conclusion that I really enjoyed.
I read Reckless in a day; it's a compulsive domestic thriller with authentic characters and is an intriguing, intimate exploration of ethical and emotional choices within a long-term marriage. R. J. McBrien's debut marks him as an author to watch, I look forward to more.
July 16, 2021
Content warnings: infidelity, sex, sexual assault, death, mentions of suicide, dementia.
In my opinion, this is a very strong example of what a thriller should be. Gripping? Yes. Fast paced? Yes. A strong twist at the end? YES. Bloody hell, I did not see that ending coming.
I don't think I can say that I liked any of the main characters as such, but despite this I had such a burning urge to find out what was going to happen to them. Maybe not liking any of the characters is what the book fell short of? But then again, are you meant to like characters in a thriller? Who knows! However, the character development was good. I liked how I was always second guessing everyone's intentions and the role they played in agency, constantly torn between ideas in my head.
One thing in particular that I loved was how each part of the book started with extract from the police reports. I don't know what it was about them but it definitely adding something to the book!
I believe this is the authors debut? And it's a very strong one at that! I can't wait to see what R.J. McBrien comes up with next!
Thank you so much to Maddie at Wellbeck Publishing for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
In my opinion, this is a very strong example of what a thriller should be. Gripping? Yes. Fast paced? Yes. A strong twist at the end? YES. Bloody hell, I did not see that ending coming.
I don't think I can say that I liked any of the main characters as such, but despite this I had such a burning urge to find out what was going to happen to them. Maybe not liking any of the characters is what the book fell short of? But then again, are you meant to like characters in a thriller? Who knows! However, the character development was good. I liked how I was always second guessing everyone's intentions and the role they played in agency, constantly torn between ideas in my head.
One thing in particular that I loved was how each part of the book started with extract from the police reports. I don't know what it was about them but it definitely adding something to the book!
I believe this is the authors debut? And it's a very strong one at that! I can't wait to see what R.J. McBrien comes up with next!
Thank you so much to Maddie at Wellbeck Publishing for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
June 23, 2022
literally have no bad things to say about this book. it was SO good, the mix of romance + crime i absolutely loved it. despite this being the authors debut novel, it was amazing and i am so impressed, I hope he writes more!!!!! the blurb drew me in instantly and can’t deny the cover did too 🙈
the smut in this book is the barely smut so don’t expect anything spicy + the romance was light, nothing to make you go “awww”. this novel is mostly crime + mystery
this book had a good pace, interesting plot, it flowed SO nicely i didn’t feel bored ONCE whilst reading this. i love how at the beginning of each part, there was a police statement to read; it really made the story feel more immersive.
kirsten was such a great character, although she was middle-aged and i had nothing to relate to her with, i still felt a good connection to her character. I enjoyed the funny moments, the major plot twist towards the end I DID NOT EXPECT THAT???!!! and also adore how this book is based in london so I felt even more connected to the novel knowing all the places described 🫶
the whole story really stayed true to the title of the book, this woman was indeed reckless
the smut in this book is the barely smut so don’t expect anything spicy + the romance was light, nothing to make you go “awww”. this novel is mostly crime + mystery
this book had a good pace, interesting plot, it flowed SO nicely i didn’t feel bored ONCE whilst reading this. i love how at the beginning of each part, there was a police statement to read; it really made the story feel more immersive.
kirsten was such a great character, although she was middle-aged and i had nothing to relate to her with, i still felt a good connection to her character. I enjoyed the funny moments, the major plot twist towards the end I DID NOT EXPECT THAT???!!! and also adore how this book is based in london so I felt even more connected to the novel knowing all the places described 🫶
the whole story really stayed true to the title of the book, this woman was indeed reckless
August 26, 2021
A brilliant book that I couldn’t put down. I certainly was not expecting that ending. Recommend reading.
July 12, 2021
Kirsten seems like your typical married woman. Mid forties, seemingly happily married, with a child that is old enough not to need so much parental support.
Unfortunately for Kirsten this sort of life no longer seems enough for her - especially after discovering her husband has been secretly watching porn whilst their sex life dwindles to nothing. Stuck in a rut I'd guess you'd say, she seeks some sort of gratification, a feeling of excitement and desire maybe?
After a chance meeting with an old friend at a school reunion, Kirsten steps into a slightly darker world, one where she happily cheats on her husband.
Appearing to have her cake and to be eating it too, her world comes crashing down around her when a body is discovered dead on the railway tracks and police have reason to suspect foul play (and Kirsten's involvement).
What transpires from this is quite literally explosive.
There is a sexual undercurrent throughout the tale, and it was cleverly used. Showing that there is a darker, less moral side to relationships.
What I loved about this story was the feeling that I couldn't actually trust anybody.
All of the characters had their own part to play, their own unrevealed skeletons in closets. They were all indeed reckless in their own ways.
With each chapter, the pace of the novel speeds up.
I felt a real sense of urgency and panic as more details were revealed.
Who knew infidelity could lead to death!
Something that the author did which really made the story unique was the use of police reports. Every few chapters snippets of the investigation were revealed and I felt as though I was becoming a detective myself, were these clues to help me discover what really happened?
And another thing to note.
For me, none of the case were particularly likeable, I wasn't hoping for any particular outcome which weirdly made reading it more exciting.
THEN THE TWIST
I know it gets said often, but I truly didn't see it coming. Along with the ending that actually even though I wouldn't have gone in the direction the author chose, was rather satisfying.
Reckless is a brilliant debut novel. The story captured my attention immediately and didn't disappoint. Turbulent, tense and twisty, highly recommended.
Unfortunately for Kirsten this sort of life no longer seems enough for her - especially after discovering her husband has been secretly watching porn whilst their sex life dwindles to nothing. Stuck in a rut I'd guess you'd say, she seeks some sort of gratification, a feeling of excitement and desire maybe?
After a chance meeting with an old friend at a school reunion, Kirsten steps into a slightly darker world, one where she happily cheats on her husband.
Appearing to have her cake and to be eating it too, her world comes crashing down around her when a body is discovered dead on the railway tracks and police have reason to suspect foul play (and Kirsten's involvement).
What transpires from this is quite literally explosive.
There is a sexual undercurrent throughout the tale, and it was cleverly used. Showing that there is a darker, less moral side to relationships.
What I loved about this story was the feeling that I couldn't actually trust anybody.
All of the characters had their own part to play, their own unrevealed skeletons in closets. They were all indeed reckless in their own ways.
With each chapter, the pace of the novel speeds up.
I felt a real sense of urgency and panic as more details were revealed.
Who knew infidelity could lead to death!
Something that the author did which really made the story unique was the use of police reports. Every few chapters snippets of the investigation were revealed and I felt as though I was becoming a detective myself, were these clues to help me discover what really happened?
And another thing to note.
For me, none of the case were particularly likeable, I wasn't hoping for any particular outcome which weirdly made reading it more exciting.
THEN THE TWIST
I know it gets said often, but I truly didn't see it coming. Along with the ending that actually even though I wouldn't have gone in the direction the author chose, was rather satisfying.
Reckless is a brilliant debut novel. The story captured my attention immediately and didn't disappoint. Turbulent, tense and twisty, highly recommended.
August 2, 2021
Reckless sounded like something a little different to what I would usually read but it just happens to be the title of my favourite album so I couldn't resist. I was worried that it would have more than a foot in the erotica camp but my fears were unfounded as it barely dips a toe in that genre, being more of a suspenseful mystery thriller.
Kirsten's marriage seems to have stagnated so she is considering cheating on her husband. Obviously talking to him about it would be the obvious choice but that would have resulted in a very short book! The mysterious agency she uses to find a hook-up is very cloak and dagger and this adds an extra layer of suspense to the illicit nature of the plot. With flashbacks to her past, Kirsten appears to be trying to re-experience the feelings of her first love and 'Zac' seems to do the trick. That is until Zac gets more serious and wants more from Kirsten but that's definitely not what she has signed up for.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Reckless and I actually said out loud when I finished it that 'I really rather enjoyed that!' R. J. McBrien's writing is very accomplished and the plotting is so intricately constructed that it left me breathless. I loved the inclusion of police reports and witness statements that made me feel part of the investigation and added a police procedural slant to the novel. The mystery is very well played and I didn't see it coming at all.
Reckless is a suspenseful page-turner and an absolutely stunning debut. Adding the fizz of sexual tension to an already tense novel makes it a real firecracker and it's a well deserved rating of 4.5 stars from me. I definitely recommend it.
I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Kirsten's marriage seems to have stagnated so she is considering cheating on her husband. Obviously talking to him about it would be the obvious choice but that would have resulted in a very short book! The mysterious agency she uses to find a hook-up is very cloak and dagger and this adds an extra layer of suspense to the illicit nature of the plot. With flashbacks to her past, Kirsten appears to be trying to re-experience the feelings of her first love and 'Zac' seems to do the trick. That is until Zac gets more serious and wants more from Kirsten but that's definitely not what she has signed up for.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Reckless and I actually said out loud when I finished it that 'I really rather enjoyed that!' R. J. McBrien's writing is very accomplished and the plotting is so intricately constructed that it left me breathless. I loved the inclusion of police reports and witness statements that made me feel part of the investigation and added a police procedural slant to the novel. The mystery is very well played and I didn't see it coming at all.
Reckless is a suspenseful page-turner and an absolutely stunning debut. Adding the fizz of sexual tension to an already tense novel makes it a real firecracker and it's a well deserved rating of 4.5 stars from me. I definitely recommend it.
I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
November 19, 2021
"Infidelity changes people. They're no longer the person they thought they were, and that can be unsettling" (p.148).
Hmm. So, I think a little bit like a mysterious lover, this book has lied to me a bit. Because this book is not really what I thought it was going to be. "Reckless" has been marketed as a sexy thriller with an illicit affair at its heart. Well, it does have an affair within the tale, but in the end it wasn't all that sexy, unless you find a middle-aged woman moaning about her lack of sex at all sexy.
The premise of this book sounded OK; Kirsten has been with Mark for well over 20 years. Although Kirsten loves him, and doesn't want to leave him, she is also hungering for a rekindling of their physical relationship. Age, children, jobs, family commitments have all seemingly contributed to that side of their relationship declining. So, after a chance encounter with an old school friend, she comes across the solution: she can join a group, who only meet up for 'no-strings' sex. This way, it is claimed, her marriage can be saved. The only problem, the man that she ends up fulfilling this need with wants more than she does.
This book had a lot of potential. Sadly, like Kirsten's attempts to seduce her husband again, it all is a little disappointing; more of a half-hearted fumbling than a climatic encounter. Despite the subject matter, there isn't a lot of sex in this book (so if you come to it for that, you will be disappointed). This means that the affair goes from being the occasional meeting, to the man going all freaky, seemingly in the space of a few minutes, rather than there being a build up of tension as Zac's true colours finally come to light. Kirsten really frustrated me, to be honest. She is an intelligent woman, with a lot to lose both in her personal life, and in her professional life, but she disregards all the advice that she is given from the very beginning. And, because we don't get to see the affair really explode into something, the reasons why she would break these rules and let her guard down just doesn't make any sense. This, along with the lack of proper tension building, meant that I found this read to only ever be OK at best. Things were resolved just far too quickly, and the ending came across as a little bit too twee.
Hmm. So, I think a little bit like a mysterious lover, this book has lied to me a bit. Because this book is not really what I thought it was going to be. "Reckless" has been marketed as a sexy thriller with an illicit affair at its heart. Well, it does have an affair within the tale, but in the end it wasn't all that sexy, unless you find a middle-aged woman moaning about her lack of sex at all sexy.
The premise of this book sounded OK; Kirsten has been with Mark for well over 20 years. Although Kirsten loves him, and doesn't want to leave him, she is also hungering for a rekindling of their physical relationship. Age, children, jobs, family commitments have all seemingly contributed to that side of their relationship declining. So, after a chance encounter with an old school friend, she comes across the solution: she can join a group, who only meet up for 'no-strings' sex. This way, it is claimed, her marriage can be saved. The only problem, the man that she ends up fulfilling this need with wants more than she does.
This book had a lot of potential. Sadly, like Kirsten's attempts to seduce her husband again, it all is a little disappointing; more of a half-hearted fumbling than a climatic encounter. Despite the subject matter, there isn't a lot of sex in this book (so if you come to it for that, you will be disappointed). This means that the affair goes from being the occasional meeting, to the man going all freaky, seemingly in the space of a few minutes, rather than there being a build up of tension as Zac's true colours finally come to light. Kirsten really frustrated me, to be honest. She is an intelligent woman, with a lot to lose both in her personal life, and in her professional life, but she disregards all the advice that she is given from the very beginning. And, because we don't get to see the affair really explode into something, the reasons why she would break these rules and let her guard down just doesn't make any sense. This, along with the lack of proper tension building, meant that I found this read to only ever be OK at best. Things were resolved just far too quickly, and the ending came across as a little bit too twee.
July 21, 2021
When I first read the synopsis of this I thought it would maybe be a bit steamier, which it wasn't really at all, so if you also expect that you might be disappointed.
However I was not disappointed by the book overall. As it was actually a really suspense filled thriller and I was desperate to find out everything and got really invested. Also I always love a book that plays around with time lines and think it was done very cleverly in this one.
However I was not disappointed by the book overall. As it was actually a really suspense filled thriller and I was desperate to find out everything and got really invested. Also I always love a book that plays around with time lines and think it was done very cleverly in this one.
August 23, 2021
I liked this, the premise was good expected abit more and was under the impression by reviews it was quite raunchy, but wasn't.
June 16, 2025
Firstly I want to say I enjoyed this one. It pulled me in early and kept me hooked, I was invested in the characters, and didn't see the twist coming. I had my theories which turned out to be wrong, so well done R.J. McBrien.
However, I do have 1 negative point which pushed the story down to a 2 out of 5 for me.
I found Mr McBrien used unnecessary words in places to try and add a higher standard of literature where it wasn't needed. The story would have flowed perfectly without them.
Moan aside, it was a good book, and I'm surprised he's not written anything else since.
However, I do have 1 negative point which pushed the story down to a 2 out of 5 for me.
I found Mr McBrien used unnecessary words in places to try and add a higher standard of literature where it wasn't needed. The story would have flowed perfectly without them.
Moan aside, it was a good book, and I'm surprised he's not written anything else since.
July 31, 2021
This book really surprised me, I came back to write the review after finishing and would have sworn that RJ McBrien was a woman-the main protagonist, Kirsten, is such a truthful and authentic female voice that I was very close to punching the air quite a few times during my read. Check this out, it happens when Kirsten mistakenly thinks she has been wolf whistled at and turns to berate the construction worker, only to find he is ogling the young woman behind her -
''One of the perks of reaching a certain age :not having to put up with that crap any more. Hit your forties,and you become invisible.These days I could walk in public without every man sliding his eyes all over me.Which had to be a plus, didn't it?''
As a woman in my mid forties I felt her rage, her emotions always on the boil, her reduction as a by stander in her own life now that her eminently sensible husband no longer saw her a sex object, neither does her daughter need her to keep boundaries for her. As her daughter, Jess, is becoming a sexual being, Kirsten wants to tighten the reins and it is this disconnect between being a mother and a woman and a wife which causes her anguish.
Does it lead to her being complacent and, indeed, reckless?
Or is she aiming for visibility in a world which passes her by now that her biological function has been fulfilled?
This is a stunningly woven and intricate plot which could have gone awry and played the whole 'woman know your place!' trope for all that it was worth.
Instead, Kirsten attends(albeit reluctantly) a school reunion where she hopes to reconnect with a boy she used to go to school with, Khanda, and it leads to a place of deception, wantonness, seduction and empowerment....and murder.
The story zips back and forth to establish a timeline where Kirsten has become this woman who is unsatisfied, on multiple levels, and realises that she may have settled for the safest options in her life rather than fight for an alternative. Interspersed with this are police reports about the discovery of an unidentified man's body at the side of a railroad track, one who lands Kirsten squarely in the frame for having committed this crime.
Whether she has, or not, the reader is given time to get to know her and her frame of mind, her background, and to draw a conclusion of sorts about her relative innocence or guilt. The two stories dovetail together beautifully as this novel transcends thriller, or dark romance, or genre classification-it is, essentially, about a woman who wants to, and needs to be, out of control for the first time in her life.
Or is she, in fact, more in control than ever?
I absolutely devoured this delicious slice of noir whole with a dessert of extreme satisfaction. Highly recommended, this is a writer to watch out for, I have a feeling he is going places...
''One of the perks of reaching a certain age :not having to put up with that crap any more. Hit your forties,and you become invisible.These days I could walk in public without every man sliding his eyes all over me.Which had to be a plus, didn't it?''
As a woman in my mid forties I felt her rage, her emotions always on the boil, her reduction as a by stander in her own life now that her eminently sensible husband no longer saw her a sex object, neither does her daughter need her to keep boundaries for her. As her daughter, Jess, is becoming a sexual being, Kirsten wants to tighten the reins and it is this disconnect between being a mother and a woman and a wife which causes her anguish.
Does it lead to her being complacent and, indeed, reckless?
Or is she aiming for visibility in a world which passes her by now that her biological function has been fulfilled?
This is a stunningly woven and intricate plot which could have gone awry and played the whole 'woman know your place!' trope for all that it was worth.
Instead, Kirsten attends(albeit reluctantly) a school reunion where she hopes to reconnect with a boy she used to go to school with, Khanda, and it leads to a place of deception, wantonness, seduction and empowerment....and murder.
The story zips back and forth to establish a timeline where Kirsten has become this woman who is unsatisfied, on multiple levels, and realises that she may have settled for the safest options in her life rather than fight for an alternative. Interspersed with this are police reports about the discovery of an unidentified man's body at the side of a railroad track, one who lands Kirsten squarely in the frame for having committed this crime.
Whether she has, or not, the reader is given time to get to know her and her frame of mind, her background, and to draw a conclusion of sorts about her relative innocence or guilt. The two stories dovetail together beautifully as this novel transcends thriller, or dark romance, or genre classification-it is, essentially, about a woman who wants to, and needs to be, out of control for the first time in her life.
Or is she, in fact, more in control than ever?
I absolutely devoured this delicious slice of noir whole with a dessert of extreme satisfaction. Highly recommended, this is a writer to watch out for, I have a feeling he is going places...
August 2, 2021
Kirsten Calloway is an occupational therapist. She and her husband Mark have one daughter, teenager Jess. Neither rich nor poor, they live a reasonably decent life in suburbia. Kirsten has one sister, who has recently gone through a bitter divorce leaving her to bring up her two young children and their mother is beginning to show the first signs of frailty in old age.
They are, then, a pretty standard couple. Mark keeps fit by riding his bicycle and Kirsten enjoys her job at the local hospital. And just like many married couples who have become set in their ways, sex is pretty much off in the background; seldom rearing its head. Mark doesn’t mind, really. Kirsten, on the other hand, misses both the excitement of sexual relations and the intimacy it brings. Not enough to change things, but enough for it to be an ache that never really goes away. ‘Is this all there is?’ seems to be her constant refrain.
She allows herself to be dragged by her sister to a school reunion on the promise of seeing an old heartthrob – the one who got away – but what she sees there opens up a world of possibility if only she can be brave enough to step into the unknown.
R.J. McBrien’s book is a first person narrative told from Kirsten’s perspective, but from the beginning the reader is treated to extracts from police reports in which it is clear that someone has died. Who that person is and what their connection to Kirsten might be we do not know. But we do know that there is a connection.
Utilising a dual timeline – the present day with flashbacks to the recent past, McBrien rolls out the story keeping the reader engaged with the police element whilst trying to work out how Kirsten has become involved. This makes for a tense read as we watch Kirsten take the first tentative steps into what we know is going to become a nightmare scenario.
Reckless is one of those books where you want to shout at the protagonist for making the wrong decisions, but at the same time, you don’t really blame Kirsten for wanting something that should not be beyond her experience.
How she goes after it is rather more the issue. R.J.McBrien has created an interesting an unusual plotline which brings an element of spice into this mystery. Short chapters and fast pacing give this thriller tension and the mystery of the unknown adds intrigue into the mix. I enjoyed the way the plot unfurled and found the ending worked well for the situation.
Verdict: Reckless is a great fast-paced read with some neat twists that is perfect summer beach reading material.
They are, then, a pretty standard couple. Mark keeps fit by riding his bicycle and Kirsten enjoys her job at the local hospital. And just like many married couples who have become set in their ways, sex is pretty much off in the background; seldom rearing its head. Mark doesn’t mind, really. Kirsten, on the other hand, misses both the excitement of sexual relations and the intimacy it brings. Not enough to change things, but enough for it to be an ache that never really goes away. ‘Is this all there is?’ seems to be her constant refrain.
She allows herself to be dragged by her sister to a school reunion on the promise of seeing an old heartthrob – the one who got away – but what she sees there opens up a world of possibility if only she can be brave enough to step into the unknown.
R.J. McBrien’s book is a first person narrative told from Kirsten’s perspective, but from the beginning the reader is treated to extracts from police reports in which it is clear that someone has died. Who that person is and what their connection to Kirsten might be we do not know. But we do know that there is a connection.
Utilising a dual timeline – the present day with flashbacks to the recent past, McBrien rolls out the story keeping the reader engaged with the police element whilst trying to work out how Kirsten has become involved. This makes for a tense read as we watch Kirsten take the first tentative steps into what we know is going to become a nightmare scenario.
Reckless is one of those books where you want to shout at the protagonist for making the wrong decisions, but at the same time, you don’t really blame Kirsten for wanting something that should not be beyond her experience.
How she goes after it is rather more the issue. R.J.McBrien has created an interesting an unusual plotline which brings an element of spice into this mystery. Short chapters and fast pacing give this thriller tension and the mystery of the unknown adds intrigue into the mix. I enjoyed the way the plot unfurled and found the ending worked well for the situation.
Verdict: Reckless is a great fast-paced read with some neat twists that is perfect summer beach reading material.
July 26, 2021
Having lived in South East London for the majority of my life, I was thrilled to find that the setting of this book was in familiar locations to me, making it feel even more realistic and completely drawing me in. I loved the police reports and interview updates that were scattered throughout the novel. This added a uniqueness to the book and allowed the reader to find out snippets of what was to come, whetting your appetite and intriguing you further.
The opening pages: a body has been found deceased on the railway line with no identification or distinguishing features. Then we meet Kirsten, a mother to a teenage daughter and wife to Mark. Their lives are stuck in a rut. Mark enjoys keeping fit and cooking but has little time or energy to spend intimate time with Kirsten, which is getting her down. Kirsten is dragged to a school reunion and meets Dianne, an old school friend. Dianne introduces Kirsten to an agency for people who are happily married and don't want to leave their partners but are looking for casual sex. This is where Kirsten meets Zac.
Kirsten's world is brightened immediately by her secret meetings with Zac and everything is going well until Zac's starts to show up unannounced, breaking the rules that were stipulated by the agency. With Zac's appearances occurring more frequently and the threat of being exposed Kisten has no choice but to end her relationship with Zac. Then Zac's body is found on the railway and the police are questioning her about this man. How much longer can she keep her relationship with Zac a secret and how did Zac end up dead? Suicide or murder?
Kirsten is a very interesting character and one who I couldn't help but feel for. Her life has never quite gone the way she planned and now in her forties is left with a gaping hole where something is missing. Her infidelity is out of character for her and although she has regrets about cheating on her long-term partner is actually enjoying life more, is more fulfilled. However, nothing last forever and she is aware she is on borrowed time before her whole world comes crashing down and she loses the things she holds dear to her - her family. The tension races through the book and builds as Zac's behaviour becomes more sporadic and unpredictable. The police reports and interviews with Kirsten creates an intensensity to the novel that left me holding my breath at times. I never could predict what would happen next which kept me fully engrossed and invested in the storyline. Reckless would make for one epic tv series.
A truly fascinating read; racy, intriguing and unputdownable.
The opening pages: a body has been found deceased on the railway line with no identification or distinguishing features. Then we meet Kirsten, a mother to a teenage daughter and wife to Mark. Their lives are stuck in a rut. Mark enjoys keeping fit and cooking but has little time or energy to spend intimate time with Kirsten, which is getting her down. Kirsten is dragged to a school reunion and meets Dianne, an old school friend. Dianne introduces Kirsten to an agency for people who are happily married and don't want to leave their partners but are looking for casual sex. This is where Kirsten meets Zac.
Kirsten's world is brightened immediately by her secret meetings with Zac and everything is going well until Zac's starts to show up unannounced, breaking the rules that were stipulated by the agency. With Zac's appearances occurring more frequently and the threat of being exposed Kisten has no choice but to end her relationship with Zac. Then Zac's body is found on the railway and the police are questioning her about this man. How much longer can she keep her relationship with Zac a secret and how did Zac end up dead? Suicide or murder?
Kirsten is a very interesting character and one who I couldn't help but feel for. Her life has never quite gone the way she planned and now in her forties is left with a gaping hole where something is missing. Her infidelity is out of character for her and although she has regrets about cheating on her long-term partner is actually enjoying life more, is more fulfilled. However, nothing last forever and she is aware she is on borrowed time before her whole world comes crashing down and she loses the things she holds dear to her - her family. The tension races through the book and builds as Zac's behaviour becomes more sporadic and unpredictable. The police reports and interviews with Kirsten creates an intensensity to the novel that left me holding my breath at times. I never could predict what would happen next which kept me fully engrossed and invested in the storyline. Reckless would make for one epic tv series.
A truly fascinating read; racy, intriguing and unputdownable.
July 7, 2021
Reckless - R.J.McBrien
Kirsten is married, mid forties, in a rut. She is fed up with her life, craving something new and has a raging libido. She wants to be and feel desired.
Her husband is watching porn, her daughter is sneaking her boyfriend into the house and she is reminiscing over a one night stand as an eighteen year old.
Then she goes to a reunion, meets Dianne and things change. She goes to an introductions agency and meets Zac, she is suddenly in a almost hedonistic whirl, feeling better than she has in years, getting what she wants and can’t stop thinking about it.
There are flashes to police reports of a body found on a railway and hints that Kirsten knows more than she is saying. I found her an intriguing character and I certainly didn’t like her at first. She is an unreliable narrator and I found my perception of her changing through the course of the book. I certainly recognised aspects of her as a mid forties woman myself but I’m not sure how realistic her behaviour actually is, although obviously this is fiction! I did find it interesting having the woman having the affair but would you really just set off on this course because someone you hardly knew from years ago told you to?
That aside I did however love this story, my stomach was churning as I read. Zac is creepy, I didn’t trust him and although I didn’t like Kirsten for a large part of the story I really wanted to know what was going to happen! There is sizzling tension in this book, knowing from the start that there is a body found makes you want to keep reading. I spent a lot of time just thinking she would get found out, how would it happen.
I felt like this novel sped up as I read, becoming more tense and racking up the risk, there was a lot of recklessness in this one! It’s about desire, risk, marriage, betrayal and consequences and I thought I’d nailed what happened only to be surprised and surprised again! Really well done and I loved the outcome.
✩✩✩✩✰
[AD-PR PRODUCT]
Thanks to RJ McBrien, Sophie Ransom, Welbeck Publishing and Midas PR for my copy of this book and space on the tour
Kirsten is married, mid forties, in a rut. She is fed up with her life, craving something new and has a raging libido. She wants to be and feel desired.
Her husband is watching porn, her daughter is sneaking her boyfriend into the house and she is reminiscing over a one night stand as an eighteen year old.
Then she goes to a reunion, meets Dianne and things change. She goes to an introductions agency and meets Zac, she is suddenly in a almost hedonistic whirl, feeling better than she has in years, getting what she wants and can’t stop thinking about it.
There are flashes to police reports of a body found on a railway and hints that Kirsten knows more than she is saying. I found her an intriguing character and I certainly didn’t like her at first. She is an unreliable narrator and I found my perception of her changing through the course of the book. I certainly recognised aspects of her as a mid forties woman myself but I’m not sure how realistic her behaviour actually is, although obviously this is fiction! I did find it interesting having the woman having the affair but would you really just set off on this course because someone you hardly knew from years ago told you to?
That aside I did however love this story, my stomach was churning as I read. Zac is creepy, I didn’t trust him and although I didn’t like Kirsten for a large part of the story I really wanted to know what was going to happen! There is sizzling tension in this book, knowing from the start that there is a body found makes you want to keep reading. I spent a lot of time just thinking she would get found out, how would it happen.
I felt like this novel sped up as I read, becoming more tense and racking up the risk, there was a lot of recklessness in this one! It’s about desire, risk, marriage, betrayal and consequences and I thought I’d nailed what happened only to be surprised and surprised again! Really well done and I loved the outcome.
✩✩✩✩✰
[AD-PR PRODUCT]
Thanks to RJ McBrien, Sophie Ransom, Welbeck Publishing and Midas PR for my copy of this book and space on the tour
July 27, 2021
I was drawn to Reckless by the comparisons to AppleTree Yard and Girl On A Train as I’ve loved both of those books. And Reckless certainly lived up to those comparisons for me as it delivered everything I want from my preferred genre of psychological thrillers-shocking twists, an unreliable female narrator and a very dark, seductive storyline. Reading this book became an addiction for me and once started, I struggled to put it down.
The infidelity aspect of this debut novel is handled perfectly and although I understood why Kirsten did what she did, I still wanted to shake some sense into her when she made some very questionable decisions! For a male author to bring a female character to life so perfectly is a huge achievement as Kirsten felt relatable and authentic in her actions and emotions, even though (as I’ve said before!) I didn’t completely agree with some of her judgments. But I found her a compelling character study as she took the route she obviously felt she had no choice but to follow…
It’s apparent very early on though that something has gone very wrong for Kristen. The narrative opens with a police report that states a body has been found but how does this relate to Kirsten and the extra marital affair she goes on to start. As the storyline develops, each new part starts with a crime report relating to the death of a young man and I loved the extra detail that this added to the book. It’s obvious that R.J. McBrien writes for tv and screenplays as his words manage to create a visual feel to the story, bringing characters and settings to life with his descriptive prose. He pulls his readers deeply into his fictional world and the family home that Kirsten returns to after her exploits with Zac, and this means that they became quite heavily invested in the whole family-I know I did!
This has been one of my favourite books so far this year-it’s an intelligent, alluring and gripping read with some shocking revelations. I absolutely loved it!
The infidelity aspect of this debut novel is handled perfectly and although I understood why Kirsten did what she did, I still wanted to shake some sense into her when she made some very questionable decisions! For a male author to bring a female character to life so perfectly is a huge achievement as Kirsten felt relatable and authentic in her actions and emotions, even though (as I’ve said before!) I didn’t completely agree with some of her judgments. But I found her a compelling character study as she took the route she obviously felt she had no choice but to follow…
It’s apparent very early on though that something has gone very wrong for Kristen. The narrative opens with a police report that states a body has been found but how does this relate to Kirsten and the extra marital affair she goes on to start. As the storyline develops, each new part starts with a crime report relating to the death of a young man and I loved the extra detail that this added to the book. It’s obvious that R.J. McBrien writes for tv and screenplays as his words manage to create a visual feel to the story, bringing characters and settings to life with his descriptive prose. He pulls his readers deeply into his fictional world and the family home that Kirsten returns to after her exploits with Zac, and this means that they became quite heavily invested in the whole family-I know I did!
This has been one of my favourite books so far this year-it’s an intelligent, alluring and gripping read with some shocking revelations. I absolutely loved it!
July 23, 2021
Kirsten Calloway is happily married to Mark with a teenage daughter who seems to have her head screwed on. She works in Occupational Therapy at the local hospital and her life is stable. Or boring? The one big problem is that Kirsten wants physicality in her marriage and Mark really ain't that bothered. After meeting with an old school friend, Kirsten takes the rather drastic step of joining an agency that hooks people up with each other for sex which seems like the perfect solution to Kirsten. Of course, it's not the perfect solution and the guy that Kirsten hooks up with, Zac, wants rather more than she has to offer.
This is one of those books where I felt like screaming out loud to Kirsten: "what the hell are you doing?!". She really does live up to the title of the book and is completely reckless in her actions at times. I could see her getting deeper and deeper into a mess and wondering how she was going to get herself out of it. This is a thriller but it's also a domestic noir looking at middle-age and that feeling of being overlooked and that the best years may in fact be behind you. I must admit I was expecting something with a bit more raunchiness in it but this book is more about the consequences than the actual acts.
I thought Reckless was a great debut novel. I found it easy to read but also tense. I raced through it towards the really clever conclusion via an unexpected turn of events. The plotting is tight and exciting, and whilst I didn't particularly take to any the characters I found them interesting and I wanted to keep reading about them. There are also some nice bits of humour that I enjoyed sniggering at. All in all, an excellent read.
This is one of those books where I felt like screaming out loud to Kirsten: "what the hell are you doing?!". She really does live up to the title of the book and is completely reckless in her actions at times. I could see her getting deeper and deeper into a mess and wondering how she was going to get herself out of it. This is a thriller but it's also a domestic noir looking at middle-age and that feeling of being overlooked and that the best years may in fact be behind you. I must admit I was expecting something with a bit more raunchiness in it but this book is more about the consequences than the actual acts.
I thought Reckless was a great debut novel. I found it easy to read but also tense. I raced through it towards the really clever conclusion via an unexpected turn of events. The plotting is tight and exciting, and whilst I didn't particularly take to any the characters I found them interesting and I wanted to keep reading about them. There are also some nice bits of humour that I enjoyed sniggering at. All in all, an excellent read.
September 24, 2021
Kirsten Calloway knows she should be grateful, with a stable marriage (24 years and counting to Mark), decent job (as an occupational therapist with the NHS), and a wonderful teenage daughter called Jess. But she also has a raging libido that won’t shut up and Mark’s no help, prefering to go on a bike ride. At a school reunion, she bumps into her old friend Dianne who had a similar problem and scratched the itch using a discreet agency which arranges casual sex for people who want to keep their marriages together. When Zac, younger and handsome, enters the picture, Kirsten seems to have it all but Zac wants more than she’s willing to give and will stop at nothing to get it.
A debut novel (from an established screenwriter), this is being touted as “this year's most sexually charged and shocking thriller” and while I don’t deny it has a raunchy premise, it’s hardly shocking and the sex scenes are no more graphic than you’d find in any other novel. Having said that, it’s told well and Kirsten is a great lead character, even if I did spend a lot of time thinking “no, seriously, don’t do that”. All of the characters, in fact, are well realised as is the family dynamic with Kirsten, Mark & Jess and London is used well as a location, all sidestreets, lanes and parks. The plot runs well, the story is decently paced and while the climax wasn’t entirely a surprise, it did take a couple of turns I didn’t see coming, though it does kind of wrap itself in knots to have a final twist. Well written, entertaining and believable, I’d very much recommend this.
A debut novel (from an established screenwriter), this is being touted as “this year's most sexually charged and shocking thriller” and while I don’t deny it has a raunchy premise, it’s hardly shocking and the sex scenes are no more graphic than you’d find in any other novel. Having said that, it’s told well and Kirsten is a great lead character, even if I did spend a lot of time thinking “no, seriously, don’t do that”. All of the characters, in fact, are well realised as is the family dynamic with Kirsten, Mark & Jess and London is used well as a location, all sidestreets, lanes and parks. The plot runs well, the story is decently paced and while the climax wasn’t entirely a surprise, it did take a couple of turns I didn’t see coming, though it does kind of wrap itself in knots to have a final twist. Well written, entertaining and believable, I’d very much recommend this.
June 15, 2021
Reckless is an explosive, sexually charged thriller that kept me on my toes.
Kirsten Calloway knows she should be grateful. She has a stable marriage, a decent job, and a wonderful teenage daughter. But she also has a raging libido that won't shut up and a husband who'd instead go on a bike ride.
She bumps into an old friend at a school reunion who faces a similar problem. However, Dianne has found the answer: a discreet agency that arranges casual sex for people just like them, who want to keep their marriages and scratch that itch.
What seems to be a quick fix soon turns into a nightmarish stalking story full of secrets.
I believe that Reckless is a perfect definition of what a thriller should be: Fast-paced? Check. Intriguing? Check. Morally confused characters? Also, check. I have finished it in almost a single sitting and was left completely satisfied. I especially liked that book was not trying to pretend to be something that it isn't - just a genuinely good and enjoyable read.
At one point, it made me a little upset where it almost looked like the book was trying to justify infidelity, but it was all cleared up in the end. Talking about the latter was very well done, and the twist was genuinely unexpected and satisfying. Also, I would pick up on small plot holes, but they are minor and do not cause eye-rolling.
If you are in for an exciting, a tiny bit erotic adventure for the summer - look no further.
AD-gifted
Thank you @welbeckpublish for gifted book
Follow us on Instagram: @boozy_bookaholics
Kirsten Calloway knows she should be grateful. She has a stable marriage, a decent job, and a wonderful teenage daughter. But she also has a raging libido that won't shut up and a husband who'd instead go on a bike ride.
She bumps into an old friend at a school reunion who faces a similar problem. However, Dianne has found the answer: a discreet agency that arranges casual sex for people just like them, who want to keep their marriages and scratch that itch.
What seems to be a quick fix soon turns into a nightmarish stalking story full of secrets.
I believe that Reckless is a perfect definition of what a thriller should be: Fast-paced? Check. Intriguing? Check. Morally confused characters? Also, check. I have finished it in almost a single sitting and was left completely satisfied. I especially liked that book was not trying to pretend to be something that it isn't - just a genuinely good and enjoyable read.
At one point, it made me a little upset where it almost looked like the book was trying to justify infidelity, but it was all cleared up in the end. Talking about the latter was very well done, and the twist was genuinely unexpected and satisfying. Also, I would pick up on small plot holes, but they are minor and do not cause eye-rolling.
If you are in for an exciting, a tiny bit erotic adventure for the summer - look no further.
AD-gifted
Thank you @welbeckpublish for gifted book
Follow us on Instagram: @boozy_bookaholics
July 26, 2021
𝕀𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕣𝕚𝕤𝕜 ℕ𝕆𝕋ℍ𝕀ℕ𝔾, 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕣𝕚𝕤𝕜 𝔼𝕍𝔼ℝ𝕐𝕋ℍ𝕀ℕ𝔾
Reckless
By R.J.McBrien
Kristen Calloway has it all, a respectful job, a teenage daughter, a beautiful home and a husband who would rather go on a bike ride than fulfil her sexual desires.
No matter what she does to rekindle the spark it just doesn't ignite!
Kristen bumps in to an old friend who has an answer to her needs, a discreet agency which arranges casual sex for people just like Kirsten who wants to keep her marriage in tact!
Think Tinder only with a secret safety disclosure and a huge entry fee!!
You think you'll stay the same - you won't.
Infidelity will change you forever.
There can be no going back.
🍓🍒🍓🍒🍓🍒🍓🍒🍓🍒🍓🍒🍓
The story was good and I thought it was going to be a gripping read at first but as I delved deeper in to the book it was an interesting plot but there were a few things that let it down for me!
I would have liked to have got to know the relationship between Kirsten and her husband a little more first to establish the breakdown of their physical attraction. There were elements of this but not really enough.
Also the end of the story seemed very rushed, it wrapped up all the characters and their final outcomes too quickly for me!
⭐⭐⭐ from me!🤓
Reckless
By R.J.McBrien
Kristen Calloway has it all, a respectful job, a teenage daughter, a beautiful home and a husband who would rather go on a bike ride than fulfil her sexual desires.
No matter what she does to rekindle the spark it just doesn't ignite!
Kristen bumps in to an old friend who has an answer to her needs, a discreet agency which arranges casual sex for people just like Kirsten who wants to keep her marriage in tact!
Think Tinder only with a secret safety disclosure and a huge entry fee!!
You think you'll stay the same - you won't.
Infidelity will change you forever.
There can be no going back.
🍓🍒🍓🍒🍓🍒🍓🍒🍓🍒🍓🍒🍓
The story was good and I thought it was going to be a gripping read at first but as I delved deeper in to the book it was an interesting plot but there were a few things that let it down for me!
I would have liked to have got to know the relationship between Kirsten and her husband a little more first to establish the breakdown of their physical attraction. There were elements of this but not really enough.
Also the end of the story seemed very rushed, it wrapped up all the characters and their final outcomes too quickly for me!
⭐⭐⭐ from me!🤓
July 22, 2021
Gripping and absorbing from the first pages of a police case file, I was drawn into this instantly. The writing style makes this intriguing and exciting and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the action. It was slow coming, but when it did - Oh My! This is the ideal book for anyone who likes a rollercoaster ride of a thriller. Featuring infidelity, crime and a small dose of lustful adventure.
My one and only criticism of this book would be that it is advertised as being “most sexually charged” but I have to disagree. This was tame on the erotica side of things for my personal preferences, however what it lacks in sexy time, it makes up for in drama and anticipation.
Recommended reading to any thriller fan.
Thank you Welbeck Publishing and Medias Publication Relations for a copy of this book, in exchange for a honest and voluntary review.
My one and only criticism of this book would be that it is advertised as being “most sexually charged” but I have to disagree. This was tame on the erotica side of things for my personal preferences, however what it lacks in sexy time, it makes up for in drama and anticipation.
Recommended reading to any thriller fan.
Thank you Welbeck Publishing and Medias Publication Relations for a copy of this book, in exchange for a honest and voluntary review.
September 13, 2021
So Close....
There's much to love about this book; it's a well-written page turner that had me lurking in my bathtub long after bubbles had buggered off and the water turned cold. I loved the premise of the story, Kirsten's inner battle as she juggled 'normal life' between having an affair, along with all the other threads which made this book a fabulous read.
BUT...I just didn't get along with the ending. And found myself saying, 'REALLY?' a number of times.
Particularly when discovering how Kirsten 'now' spends her time...
Others will doubtless love the way things panned out; I guess it's a difficult beast - trying to produce an ending that satisfies every reader.
That said, I will eagerly scoop up the next offering from this author. Great writing. Great story.
I'll be back...
4.5 stars
There's much to love about this book; it's a well-written page turner that had me lurking in my bathtub long after bubbles had buggered off and the water turned cold. I loved the premise of the story, Kirsten's inner battle as she juggled 'normal life' between having an affair, along with all the other threads which made this book a fabulous read.
BUT...I just didn't get along with the ending. And found myself saying, 'REALLY?' a number of times.
Particularly when discovering how Kirsten 'now' spends her time...
Others will doubtless love the way things panned out; I guess it's a difficult beast - trying to produce an ending that satisfies every reader.
That said, I will eagerly scoop up the next offering from this author. Great writing. Great story.
I'll be back...
4.5 stars
July 27, 2021
I thought I had an idea where this story was going to go after reading the synopsis but instead this book took me on a completely unexpected journey which I loved!
It immediately draws you in with a police report and these are scattered throughout the book. From the outset you know something bad has happened and from there it takes the reader back to how it all began.
As you learn more about Kirsten and her marriage you start to understand why she makes some of the decisions she does. I actually found her to be a pretty ruthless character, even though she claimed she felt guilty, especially near the end she really comes into her own and (no spoilers) but the ending really shone a light on this and I really enjoyed how the author ended it, I thought it fit perfectly.
It is a little slow paced at times but it really added to the tension as everything starts to unravel and I would say the last third of the book is when it really picks up pace as secrets and twists are revealed.
Overall this was an addictive story full of suspense and secrets which will have you eager to discover just what is going on. Whilst it does have thriller elements I would say it’s a toned down thriller, for me anyway, but despite this it was still highly enjoyable and definitely worth a read if you love books full of suspense and secrets.
It immediately draws you in with a police report and these are scattered throughout the book. From the outset you know something bad has happened and from there it takes the reader back to how it all began.
As you learn more about Kirsten and her marriage you start to understand why she makes some of the decisions she does. I actually found her to be a pretty ruthless character, even though she claimed she felt guilty, especially near the end she really comes into her own and (no spoilers) but the ending really shone a light on this and I really enjoyed how the author ended it, I thought it fit perfectly.
It is a little slow paced at times but it really added to the tension as everything starts to unravel and I would say the last third of the book is when it really picks up pace as secrets and twists are revealed.
Overall this was an addictive story full of suspense and secrets which will have you eager to discover just what is going on. Whilst it does have thriller elements I would say it’s a toned down thriller, for me anyway, but despite this it was still highly enjoyable and definitely worth a read if you love books full of suspense and secrets.
September 1, 2021
This is marketed as an erotic thriller but it's not. I should have known I'd be disappointed because most books these days are mis-marketed, I expect to get them in the bestsellers charts, which of course worked. However it has a great premise and the story was compelling. The excitement tapered off towards the end though and became predictable, but the conclusion was tied up neatly.
All in all its a good psychological thriller which definitely reminded me of Apple Tree Yard, not.si much the Girl on The Train though. I'm not sure why it was boasted to. It's a good read and I'd like to see what the author comes up with next. But if, like I was, you're looking for a thrilling sex-fest. This isn't the book for you.
All in all its a good psychological thriller which definitely reminded me of Apple Tree Yard, not.si much the Girl on The Train though. I'm not sure why it was boasted to. It's a good read and I'd like to see what the author comes up with next. But if, like I was, you're looking for a thrilling sex-fest. This isn't the book for you.
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