The Reckless Oath We Made has all the hallmarks of a Bryn Greenwood novel: messed up families, memorable characters, and glimpses of hope and humor in dark places. Through the story of independent but loyal Zee and chivalrous Gentry, Greenwood explores whether an oath is always worth keeping.

The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood is the second book that I've read by her. I absolutely loved All The Ugly and Wonderful Things.
This book is about Zee, a woman who is struggling to get her life together after a motorcycle accident and a sister who was kidnapped. Zee meets Gentry during physical therapy and he becomes her champion. Gentry is autistic and schizophrenia and talks like he is in the Middle Ages. However, he might just be exactly who Zee needs.
This is a difficult, raw book that I absolutely loved. The characters are flawed and real and Greenwood does an amazing job of making them come to life.

This has to be one of the most fascinating, unusual novels I have ever read! As with her first novel, the author has created fascinating and unusual characters who somehow reach in and touch our hearts and minds, no matter how flawed they are. I particularly enjoyed watching Zee’s character develop through the course of the story, from a powerless self-deprecating person dependent on her sister, to a strong, powerful (although still flawed) woman set in motion to rescue her sister.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Zhorzha Trego’s life has never been easy - not as long as she remembers, anyway. Her father Marcus went to prison when she was just a child, and died there, leaving her mother to fill the holes in her heart with objects and food. Her mother’s grief affected both her and her older sister, LaReigne, who volunteers at the local prison, leaving her with the burden of financial support for the family - on a waitress income. To add to her personal issues, an accident left her with chronic pain in her hip along with a stack of mounting medical bills. When Zhorzha, Zee, learns that LaReigne, along with another woman, has been taken hostage by two escaped convicts, she is riding the train with her nephew, five-year-old Marcus, carrying weed that she intends to sell to help pay the bills – not exactly how she had planned things would be.

The news of LaReigne’s abduction brings with it, of course, additional interest by the press and the attention of the police, which ends up with Zee losing her job, her apartment and her car one after another.

Leaving physical therapy two months after her accident, still on crutches, when Zee’s ride doesn’t show up after she’s waited hours, she leaves the lobby for the parking lot, she sees a man waiting by his truck who bows to her, and says: “My lady. Thy servant.” From then on, Gentry would become her champion – he believes he has been tasked with this mission by voices only he can hear. Gentry Frank is on the spectrum, but he is also a knight who speaks only in early modern English, and who works as “a vassal of the Duke of Bombardier,” riveting wings on Learjets.

There are nine narrators in this story, but the main one is Zee, with 37 of the 63 brief chapters being narrated by her, Gentry has eleven, with the remainder including Marcus, and a Deputy. Rather than being confusing, each character seemed to bring more light to this tale.

I loved this story, which has so much more to it beyond this brief review. There’s an element of a somewhat unconventional romance, but in a gritty-fairy-tale-ish way that takes many twists and turns - some of them dark, but not gruesome- and, like the best of stories, leaves you wanting to share your joy with everyone you know.



Pub Date: 20 Aug 2019


Many thanks for the ARC provided by PENGUIN GROUP Putnam

Wow! Bryn Greenwood's writing just completely blows me away. Her characters are always so complex and fully developed, flawed, yet 100% relatable. Her stories are unconventional and multilayered; they draw you in from the first word and don't let you go until you've reached the last page.

The Reckless Oath We Made is different from All The Ugly And Wonderful Things (which I loved to the point of obsession), but it is every bit as good. Zee (Lady Zhorzha), a weed-dealing waitress from a dysfunctional family, and Gentry Frank, an autistic k-night who hears voices and speaks Middle English, have nothing in common but together they make sense in Greenwood's fictional world. The end result is an unforgettable journey of honor, loyalty and love.

Thank you to G.P Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this book.

What a fabulously delicious book. This book has a fantastic story line, excellent characters and is just unputdownable. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and I enjoyed it immensely.

Much like All the Ugly and Wonderful things, this book is complicated. What I like about Greenwood's characters is that they are messy and flawed humans but you somehow root for them anyway, even when they fuck up. I hung around for two hours after I was supposed to leave for the shore to finish this. Then I thought about it the whole 1.5 hour car ride. Then I didn't start another book until the morning because I was still thinking about this. Books that make me think are the very tops in my book. Free e-copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars.
Again, I was pulled in by Greenwood’s writing. Her writing is authentic,real,raw,beautiful. You’re going to feel love,pain,sadness,happiness and all the feels when reading one of her stories. This book was no different.
This is one of the most unique story lines I’ve ever read. Zee(the heroine) was very flawed and real yet you felt for her and rooted for her. Now Gentry is another story....I rooted for him the whole time. I loved his POV! Overall a very awesome read. Addictive and entertaining!!

I’m sorry but one of the characters thinks he’s a medieval knight which is fine but he also narrates his chapters like a medieval knight and I just can’t read a whole book like that. If you love Middle English give it a try because it seems like there’s an interesting story here and Greenwood’s first novel was amazing!

I am a big fan of how the author takes two opposite characters, and finds a way for them to come together as part of the story. It makes for a beautiful, fluid story.

Another beautiful story by this author! Could not book this book down! I will read anything she writes!

5+++ stars

Review copy provided by publisher via NetGalley. Thank you!

Ok, where to start???

First, I’ll say that ATUAWT is outstanding and one of my very favorite books. I’ve read it many times. Very controversial, but a must read, in my opinion. I see some reviewers comparing these two books (both by the same author)….I won’t be doing that. I loved them both for different reasons.

Zhorzha (Zee), was difficult for me to like at times. She was strong-willed, but weak in practice. Some of her decisions were questionable, especially toward the end. I was screaming at her through my Kindle, I was so frustrated! Her love for her nephew Marcus was very sweet and my heart cried for him.

GENTRY – one of the best written characters of this type EVER! Since it’s mentioned in the blurb, I’m not giving anything away by saying he’s on the Autism spectrum. He’s k-nightly, loyal, brave. A true champion for Lady Zhorzha. Bryn does a wonderful job of not only giving us his dialogue, but his POV gives us an inside view of what’s troubling him. I very much enjoyed the use of Middle English, though difficult to read and comprehend at times, it got easier as the book went on. This was so unique and made this book special. From about 75% on, I was a nervous wreck. That feeling when you just know all hell is going to break loose, and it does and you can’t do anything but keep reading. I felt ALL the feelings here.

The author has a way of writing multiple POVs that run flawlessly. Here we get many, Charlene, Uncle Alva (who I surprising loved), and a few others. I love this look into what other characters are thinking and feeling.
This will go on my list of all-time favorites and I’m sure I’ll read it many times in the future.

4.5 Stars

Waaaaaaaaay back in 2016 I scored a NetGalley ARC of a little book by an unknown author. (Basically, the mere mention of the word “meth” gets me all grabby hands.) To say All the Ugly and Wonderful Things blew my socks off is probably the understatement of the decade. I barfed my feelings out all over the intertubes about the sleeper that would become one of my favorite stories of all time. Due to our proximity, Greenwood even (unknowingly) persuaded me to do something I never do – leave my house. I was lucky enough to be present for her book launch while my family shoveled as many tacos in their faces as they could within an hour courtesy of an establishment known as Fuzzy's..

I officially became a superfan and stalker (luckily of the slothlike, social media looking only variety rather than the Annie Wilkes sort). Last November I was asked if I would like an ARC of Greenwood’s upcoming release to which I responded . . . . YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! And immediately went and downloaded a copy of Last Will to tide me over (and to kind of make sure Greenwood wasn’t a one hit wonder). I didn’t bother reading the blurb for The Reckless Oath We Made until my copy arrived. When I saw “Zee may not be a princess, but Gentry is an actual knight, complete with sword, armor, and a code of honor"????? Oh lort, so scurrrrrrrrrrred. Plus this had like A LOT of pages so if I hated it, I would really be suffering through. I put it on the backburner for a week or so and got myself mentally prepared to be a turtle sucking wrongreader. When I finally did open the book on a quiet Saturday morning, I saw the following note from the author . . . . .

“I ask readers to suspend their judgment, hold their breath, and trust me to get them safely to the other side.”

So I did. What did I find on that other side? Well, to begin with, our fair damsel is a bit feisty redhead a la Disney's Brave, but with a lil’ extra summin summin right up Kelly and Mitchell’s alley. And while Gentry was a “knight,” he certainly wasn’t what most of my fellow smutseekers would picture like that which can be found by looking at Jamie Lannister, but instead a more realistic flyover country version who most certainly spoke in Middle English, but did so in the most delightful way. I know you’re not supposed to put quotes in a review of an ARC, so just keep this on the downlow, ‘kay?

“Weren we elsewhere, somewhere safe, I would grind thee as a millstone grindeth grain to flour, but not here.”

Oh my.

You don’t get anything else. I’m simply going to reiterate Greenwood’s words. Hold on tight and rest assured she will get you to the other side. If you are the judgey, offended by everything, looks for something to piss you off type – realize her books probably aren’t for you. The rest of you, enjoy.

ARC provided by G.P. Putnam’s Sons in exchange for an honest review.

Once again, Bryn Greenwood brings a couple of outcasts together in an emotional, satisfying way that I’ll remember for a long time. The lines between right and wrong are a little more demarcated in this book, which might make it easier to read than her previous book. I’m going to recommend this to anyone who is looking to open their mind and try something new—I think it will be well worth it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Penguin Group for gifting me with an ARC of Bryan Greenwood’s newest novel. In exchange I offer my honest opinion.

All The Ugly and Wonderful Things was one of my favorite recent reads, so I was beyond ecstatic to receive an advanced copy of Greenwood’s newest story, The Reckless Oaths We Made. While there are certain elements in both stories that are similar her newest story is still very fresh and original. I am not certain the character of Gentry will work with every reader, as I found his unique voice somewhat distracting from the story. I applaud the creativity and fantasy aspect to this unconventional romance/ thriller but a part of the novel felt gimmicky. I am still a fan of Bryn Greenwood and I will continue to read whatever she writes.

This is not a book that I clutched to my chest after finishing. When I was done, I put the book down, slow blinked, and wondered what just happened. The characters are multi dimensional, flawed, very real, and very gritty. They make you think and they challenge your preconceived notions. The story focuses on Zee and Gentry and is told with multiple points of view which I loved. Zee is working-poor woman struggling to get by and keep her mother, sister, and nephew afloat. She does what she needs to do. Gentry is a sweet and devoted autistic man who speaks in old English and has chosen Zee as the woman he must protect. The old English is distracting at first but you get used to it. It also provides for a lot of the lighter moments in the book. The plot centers largely around something that happens to Zee’s sister and the aftermath. I didn’t love the sister storyline and there are parts where the book felt too long and the story dragged on. Takeaway: while I didn’t love this book, I’m glad I read I read it and I think it will stay with me for a long time. This is a book that makes you a more empathetic person. Also worth noting, all romantic scenes take place between consenting adults.

I love grit lit so I was dancing when I got an ARC of The Reckless Oath We Made, and started it at 10:10 pm. It could not wait. I stayed up hours past my bedtime willing myself to love it, keep an open mind and enjoy the ride. But I just couldn’t. I could not reconcile grit lit and medieval fantasy, the chasm was too wide.

What’s crazy is I loved it and hated it simultaneously. I loved Zee. I loved Gentry. The two concepts together just......

This book simply wasn’t for me. I’m clearly in the minority. But that’s okay.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for and ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After reading All the Ugly and Wonderful Things I knew when I heard that Bryn Greenwood was about to release another book my face started doing this right here.........


I loved that book. Hard.
But now? I'm having a hard time choosing a favorite between that book and this one.

I have a problem though. I can rant for hours when I hate a book...but when I love it? I turn into a big old hot mess and can't word for nothing.


Here goes my rambling though. (And it's not really a synopsis of the book. You can read that yourself.)

I'm going to just tell you all the ways I'm in love with this book.
1. Bryn Greenwood's writing. This woman is one of the very few authors I read that just comes up with completely fresh new ideas. She has this gift of not falling for the usual tropes and I LOVE that. She writes real world to me...the endings aren't cookie cutter. Shit happens. You deal. You learn or you don't.
She also doesn't write perfect, gorgeous characters either. Her characters have flaws. They are not the typical book characters with wonderfully perfect bodies and easy lives.
Which leads me to number 2.

2. The female main character in this book. Zee aka my favorite female character in a book in years. This character is so real. She comes from a childhood where her dad spent almost a lifetime in prison and her mom is a hoarder who finally filled the house to the point to where Zee was left no option but to make it on her own. She isn't beautiful in the traditional sense. She even sells and partakes of few drugs. Her choices are not always the best. She does love her family though. I could be this girl. In fact I am in so many ways that we won't discuss on this review because I blab too much anyways.
The fact that I connected so well with this character totally brought this book to life in my head.
*sigh*

3. The main male character. I'm gonna admit..the first chapter from Gentry's viewpoint had me wondering how this book was going to vibe with me. He speaks old king's English...has voices that talks to him and thinks he is a k-night.
I should learn to just shut the fuck up and read because I loved this guy.

4. The whole storyline. I saw every single bit of this book inside my head. Does that make me crazy? Probably. Do I care? Not. It's rare when I can completely lose myself in a book and it happened here. I'm just so mad that I'm done reading it and I don't have any more pages in which to spend with these people.

Now for the wrap up. Is everyone going to love this book? Probably not. It's alright though...I love it enough for 342 people.

Booksource: Received a copy from the publisher. I would have and will buy a copy.

Greenwood is a gifted author who doesn’t shy away from hard topics. This is on par with her first book. Just so good.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

One thing I know for certain after finishing The Reckless Oath We Made, I absolutely love how Bryn takes two unlikely people and always brings them together. In some way or another, they bond and attract and I love the way she does this. It never ceases to amaze me. It’s beautiful.

As with All the Ugly and Wonderful Things— I love all of the POVs in this story. Bryn is so incredibly talented when it comes to this. Keeping a story going through multiple and continuous POVs. Strategically placed. It is wonderful. I think with having this, the characters become much stronger and three dimensional. We are able to see how they are coping with situations, what they’re thinking, etc. I love that!

But I’m just going to say it: I struggled with the medieval talk. I did. Not my cup of tea. I could not stand it. Nope. (If you do like it, I’m in no way knocking you. Nor would I ever.) I just didn’t like it. Plain and simple. I thought it took away from the story. I was spending way too much trying to decipher what Gentry was saying and meaning that I couldn’t focus on the plot/story on hand.

It took me way longer to get through this than I had originally anticipated. Especially since I zoomed through ATUAWT. But with The Reckless Oath We Made, you take this wild ride that you just don’t expect. Bryn has this magnificent talent of telling stories that get you lost in the world you’re reading about and I think the multiple POVs help with that aspect.