This is one of those books where everyone is making bad decisions from the get go so you KNOW it won’t end well. I kind of wanted a stronger ending for Lux but if the goal was for me to be stressed and curious the whole time. It worked!!

I value the opportunity I was given to read this in advance, but it has been three years and I still haven't read this. With so many books ahead of me, I cannot return to this title.

This book wasn’t quite for me. The premise and setting initially pulled me in—it had all the makings of a great, atmospheric read—but I didn’t enjoy the whole journey.

One thing that stood out was the frequent use of the f-word. Oddly enough, I can watch movies where it’s used, but reading it feels unnecessary and always takes me out of the story. Timing might have been a factor as well, but when I realized I wasn’t feeling it, I decided to move on. While I can see how this could work for fans of slow-burning suspense and isolated settings, it just wasn’t the right fit for me.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

A fun and crazy travel thriller set in a tropical island. Dual timeline, multiple POVs. It kept me on my toes and had a crazy ending. Some stuff was predictable, but it was still a fun beach read thriller!

I really love Rachel Hawkins, and I also loved this novel, Reckless Girls. While the novel had a lot going on (shady characters, questionable relationships and friendships, etc., I found myself not truly liking or rooting for any of the characters, which is why this novel wasn't my favorite of her works. Overall, a fun, solid, and fast read. I look forward to reading more novels by Hawkins in the future.

Reckless Girls* is a gripping, atmospheric thriller that takes readers on a dark and suspenseful adventure, blending tropical escapism with mounting tension. Set on a remote Pacific island, this novel weaves together mystery, psychological drama, and secrets.

The island itself feels alive with its eerie beauty and dangerous allure, amplifying the suspense and the characters’ growing unease. The tension is palpable as the group's relationships begin to fray, and secrets—both about the island and the people on it—slowly come to light. While the characters are intriguing and the interactions between the characters are taut with tension, the drama is a slow burn.

If you are a fan of island-set mysteries. Rachel Hawkins delivers a sharp story with deceit, and danger for readers who enjoy stories about paradise gone wrong.

Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins is a sun-soaked thriller that drops readers into a seemingly idyllic tropical paradise before unraveling into a sinister, suspenseful ride. The novel follows Lux and her boyfriend, Nico, who are hired to sail two glamorous young women to the remote and mysterious Meroe Island. What begins as a carefree getaway soon becomes a psychological game of secrets, lies, and danger.

The slow burn of the first half is engaging, but the second half, where the real action unfolds, sometimes feels rushed and predictable. Some twists don’t quite land with the impact they could have, as particular character motivations feel underdeveloped or too convenient.

That said, Reckless Girls still delivers an enjoyable, escapist read for fans of beachy thrillers with darker undertones. It’s a fun and atmospheric ride, even if it doesn’t quite stick the landing. If you’re looking for a quick, twisty read with glamorous characters and a creepy island setting, this book offers plenty to satisfy.

It reminded me in some ways (island setting; thriller; young beautiful characters) of One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware, which I also recently read.

I cannot read anything else about rich people behaving badly. It’s just not a trope that works for me.

Rachel Hawkins is such a great writer! I really enjoyed this thriller! Lots of great twists, but also lots of trigger warnings so check those if needed.

Very meh and forgettable. Nothing that stands out from this one. Not a compelling read- I skimmed a lot of it. The ending was also a little unbelievable. Bleh.

Archived prior to being able to read the book. Lost interest in trying to pick it up. I was originally interested but as it sat in my library, I did not feel the summary grabbed my attention anymore.

In RECKLESS GIRLS, Rachel Hawkins has developed a small island into a playground for those looking to escape their everyday lives and problems. The island becomes a character in the story as these young adults didn't realize they asked for an escape and they got one. No phones, no email, no outside connections at all. Then Hawkins begins to stir the back stories of the characters to keep the story twisting to the point that the reader has no chance of fihuring out the killer. The story quickly moves from a party atmosphere to a fight for survival. As it races to a conclusion that will leave you speechless......well, you need to read the book!

Thank you so much for this ARC! I've picked up this book a few times and was never able to get through it. Not sure if it was the setting or the slow start. However, two years after its release date, I just finished listening to the audio book and it was great! The story captured me right away and was laugh out loud funny at some parts. The accents were fun and the characters were interesting. I would not say this is my favorite of Hawkins, but it was an enjoyable listen. A bit predictable with a slower build up, but the ending was fun and left it interesting.

I am a huge fan of Rachel Hawkins. I love her thrillers.

Reckless Girls did not disappoint. I loved the setting; being in a boat out in the middle of the open water is scary! I also loved the island vibes.

Although this wasn't as good as The Wife Uostairs, it was still a fun thriller!

I absolutely adored this book! I love it. Definitely 10/10. The writing was easy to follow. The story was paced great it kept me wanting to continue reading.
Lux and Nico live in Hawaii and they can’t to sail the ocean. Two girls Brittany and Amma ask Nico to sail them to a deserted island and pay him for it. While they are there 2 more people show up Jack and Eliza. What will happen on the island?

Rachel Hawkins has really become a thriller writer to watch and I love that her books manage to be character focused yet really suspenseful at the same time.

Probably my least favorite of Hawkins' thrillers, but enjoyable nonetheless. I found the setting and story to be unique, but the twists were predictable and the overall journey wasn't as action-packed or satisfying as Hawkins' other works.

I have read Hawkins YA books and throughly enjoyed this adult novel. It was just the right amount of "then and now" in timeline and twisty revealing of information to keep you guessing at what all the twists were.

For the most part entertaining, but a thriller is a thriller and Hawkins books are starting to feel repeptitive. Fun enough as a beach read!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this ebook!
Reckless Girls was one of my favorite summer thriller reads with its perfect remote island setting and friendly strangers who didn’t quite seem to be what they projected! You will have no trouble bingeing this fast-paced thriller!