Rachel Hawkins is really diversifying her writing and I love it. Her YA series have all been wonderful and her adult mystery/thrillers have been really intriguing to read as well. I very quickly requested this one when I saw it announced and planned to dive in right away. I wasn't super compelled to read it in the beginning and it took me longer than I expected for a few reasons, but I ended up cranking through the final half very quickly one night.

Lux and her boyfriend Nico are approached with an offer to bring Brittany and Amma, two random girls traveling the world, to this deserted island on their boat. When they agree and arrive at the island of Meroe, they're surprised to find another boat there containing Jake and Eliza. They're a perfect couple, also out exploring the world, and the crew of them quickly form bonds and enjoy their time in the sun, away from society. This book really doesn't read like a thriller for almost its entirety, but there are some creepy elements on the island. Another random guy seeking adventure shows up and gives everyone the creeps.

Things begin to unravel - I won't spoil it but honestly the synopsis gives it away (when it probably shouldn't). There were lots of twists that I, for some reason, didn't see coming, which made it very intriguing for the final 30% of the book. However... that was also kind of an issue, as most of the action and intrigue really didn't even happen until that portion of the book. The rest was just a bunch of people drinking on an island and hooking up.

I definitely enjoyed her previous adult mystery/domestic thriller more than this one and would recommend it. This one was good enough to read and I don't regret reading it at all... but I'd caution folks to probably go in with different expectations. Maybe don't even read the synopsis haha.

Reckless girls had me a little stumped at first. At times, I found it hard to get into and hard to see who I was rooting for. Diving deeper in though so much unravels and unweaves through the storytelling that it's done so masterfully I almost wondered if this was the same book.

I really enjoyed it and loved the story. Though there were a lot of characters it was easy enough to tell them apart and I was unable to guess the ending.

Could definitely see this being a fun vacation or beach read!

While this quick read was definitely a fun one it was also really bizarre. The idea of the deserted island was really fun and I really like how we got backgrounds on all of the players. But a major plot hole still bugs me and I finished this one weeks ago. Why does Eliza not recognize Amma? I really don't understand how that was a thing or why that was a thing but it is and it bugs me. I really love Rachel Hawkin's books and will continue reading them. But this wish fulfillment one is not one of my favorites.

The plot of this book intrigued from the start, and I am happy to report that this mystery did not let me down. I will continue looking forward to Rachel Hawkins mystery/thriller books. The author knows how to write suspense and keep you reading until the last page.
PLOT
Lux and her boyfriend Nico are in pursuit of an adventure, but they have been idling in Hawaii while Nico gets the money together to repair his boat; The Susannah. Enter two young women who are also seeking to go on an adventure, and with enough money to pay Nico to repair his boat. The group then sets out on a sail that will take them to a deserted island that has a dark and creepy history. Upon arriving the group discovers that another couple has docked at this island, and soon all six strangers are sharing this gorgeous paradise. Every member of the group has their own intentions for making the trip, and as the days go by these sinister motives start coming to light. Not all of them will make it out alive.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This author has an ability to grab you right from the start and keep you hooked the whole book while you are just along for the ride, trying to solve the mystery ahead of the main character.

After the death of her mother, Lux is unsure of what life holds for her but then in walks Nico to the cafe she works at and in no time at all, she has accepted his offer to move to his boat and sail wherever they want. They get sidelined in Hawaii when the boat needs work. They take menial jobs to raise the money and are campng out on a mattress with friends that Nico quickly made, Lux wants to get back to their plan, but worries that Nico is comfortable the way things are. Even more frustrating is that Nico is actually rich but estarnged from his family, he could hvae the boat fixed and be back on their way in days if he really wanted to. Nico meets two girls, Brittany and Amma, who want to hire him to take them to a creepy abandonded island and will pay him handsomely to do so, he says he cannot go without Lux; she eventully agrees and the four head out on the open water to Meroe Island.

Brittany and Amma tell people they met in university, but that isn't really how they know one another; they feel that it is easier to tell that story and not have to have people pity them. They have been travelling around together and this is just one more stop, although quite a different one, in their journey. When the four get to the island after a harrowing trip, they are discouraged to see another boat in the bay, this one a fancy yacht but the couple, Jake and Eliza, seem easygoing and welcoming. The four easily become six and start exploring the island and enjoying their time. But there seem to be tensions; now and then Lux will sense that Amma is unhappy and sjhe starts to wonder how much she really knows about any of these people. when another bpat shows up with a lone occupant, tensions rise, Lux doesn't like this guy one bit, she gets an odd feeling from him. This stranger seems to set bad things in motion and this desolate dangerous island starts to live up to what they have heard about it. Is anyone who they seem to be and can Lux count on Nico to be by her side. As the bodies start to add up, Lux wonders if any of them will make it off this island alive.

Great thrill ride. what an enjoyable book and storyline. Will definitely keep my eye out for more books by this author.

I got to about 20% of this book and I could not get into it. The main characters annoyed me. This book may be well liked by others.

Synopsis: Lux McAllister, and her boyfriend, Nico, are working in Hawaii but dream of sailing away in his boat to other islands. Their dream is finally realized when they are hired by Amma and Brittany to take them to the remote Meroe Island. Meroe Island has a tragic history and people have died while on the island. When Lux, Nico and the girls land on the island, they discover they aren’t alone. Already arrived are Jake and Eliza, a couple from Australia who have their own history. As the characters stories are revealed, they realize not everything is as it seems and in order to leave the island, they will have to discover their true selves.
What I liked: This book was a lot of fun! It kept me guessing from the very beginning. It was like putting together a very intricate puzzle. I was trying to figure out how the island was part of the story, how the details provided about the island fit. I was trying to figure out what was the back story of Amma and Brittany, who these girls really were, how they fit together, their back stories, etc. Then there was Eliza and Jake and how and why they were together and what was really going on with them.
What I didn’t like: Some parts of the story were a little slow. There were times they were just hanging out on the beach. And there was so much alcohol and food and I couldn’t figure out where it was coming from because they were on the island for a long time, yet the food and booze was unlimited. Yes, I was also trying to figure out where all the trash was going (guess that’s when the story was going slow for me �).
Overall, this book was just so much fun! It would be a great beach read, or a hanging by the pool book. There are twists I didn’t see coming, and I love that in a book.
Thank you to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for the advanced copy of #recklessgirls..

3 stars. The book was fun and enjoyable. It took awhile for the action to get started but overall it was a good mystery. It wasn't the most original but was a good pallet cleanse and a fun read.

This is the type of book you want to pick up if you're in a slump and you need a fast paced read! It's eye rolling at times, but keeps you entertained the entire time. I did expect WAAAY more murder from reading the synopsis, and I think that would have really spiced up the book. I wish the author went into more details when it came to the ending, because it wrapped up too quickly and really fell short for me. If you want a fun read for your next beach trip, this might be a good choice!

3 stars

The entire synopsis for Reckless GIrls gave me life. It sounded like a solid mix of "A Perfect Getaway" and "Joyride." Where someone is not who they seem and everyone is in danger. Which is my kind of story.

Reckless GIrls had everything that I love in a thriller book, multiple povs, past and current timelines, and close proximity. I LOVE when an author includes these concepts as it gives it a complete picture of what is going on. This is why it's incredibly frustrating that I didn't love this one. It had so much potential.

One issue is the pacing, it didn't make me want to turn the page until the end. I wasn't invested in the story because it was too much story and not enough mystery. But the BIGGEST issue is the ending, it didn't make any sense. I have LOTS of questions.

I just feel so unsatisfied with the ending.

This book started off very promising but I really had a hard time getting into it. The ending was definitely different and unexpected. Thanks for the opportunity to read this.

A good read with lots of tension. Interesting plot points and ideas keep the reader hooked. A close proximity trope with then and now timelines.

I've been a RH fan since THE WIFE UPSTAIRS, and this one didn't disappoint. It almost...ALMOST....made me want to book a boat trip to a tropical island. Such a fun, fast read.

"A sort of madness sets in when one is away from society for too long, when one looks out to the horizon and sees only sea and sky."

Unlikeable characters, illogical decisions and secrets on a deserted and gorgeous island getaway. What could possibly go wrong...or maybe just right?!

Hawkins has an easily addictive writing style that carries you through the tumult each charater brings to the book. The way she slowly releases details and kept me entertained throughout the plot made this a delight to read.

The characters are realistic with their flaws and different life issues. I do think some situations were a little over the top but without those moments of crazy I doubt I would have enjoyed it as much as I did. These characters had a way of coming together and bringing out something raw in each other. This really pushes the storyline to be more than the simplicity it could've been.

The power in taking control of your circumstances and letting the true strength of your inner person come out and play was my favorite aspect of the women in this novel. Hawkins really made it easy to connect to that side of the coin she presented.

I wouldn't say this is a complete keep you on your toes type of novel. There is a good bit of filler, multiple POVs that jump between past and present experiences. Sometimes I was completely immersed and other times it felt a little sluggy. Overall though, it was a fun escape into paradise and its deadly outcomes. I would definitely recommend to those readers who enjoy getaways gone wrong with depth and mayhem.

Thank you @stmartinspress @smpromance for the gifted digital copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review!

I love thrillers that are set on an island and this did not disappoint. I was hooked from the beginning and could not put it down. I really enjoyed this book. I loved the names of the characters and I loved how there was two time lines to the book. I definitely recommend!

Lux and Nico are living in Hawaii while Nico is waiting to get enough money to fix his sailboat, before they head out to sail and travel the world searching for adventure. Lux lost her mom to cancer, and Nico doesn't want to ask his wealthy family for money. They meet Amma and Brittany who ask Nico to charter his boat to Mereo Island, a remote island in the Pacific. Nico agrees and asks Lux to come along. Lux is hesitant but agrees.
While on the island, another boat is there, and they meet Jake and Eliza. The group gets along well at first, but you get the feeling that there is a bit of tension running underneath. Plus, there are side excerpts of how Amma and Brittany met and also a backstory about Jake and Eliza, which give you some insight into what is in store for the group.
This tropical thriller is set in a beautiful place, but the intentions of those on the island are not pure and beautiful. The ending is.a surprise, but not as shocking as I would have liked. It was pretty clearly leading up to that point throughout the story. I could have also done with a bit less of the foul language.
Quick read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own and are freely given.
#NetGalley #RecklessGirls

“Reckless Girls” 🌺by Rachel Hawkins was a novel about one Island, 6 Visitors, Countless Secrets and suspenseful turns of events throughout. Would be a great summer read on the beach but you may be looking over your shoulder the whole time.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#recklessgirls #rachelhawkins #beachread #netgalley #arc #julesbookshelf

An Agatha Christie retelling set on a beautiful but haunting island. The tropical setting make the mystery even more eerie.

If there was ever a book to read on a beach, Reckless Girls is that book. It has it all. It has suspense, betrayal, lies, friendship, murder and of course, a completely gorgeous setting. The only consolation I have for having to read it under a blanket on my couch in January is that Hawkins transported me to that remote Hawaiian Island, if only for a little bit.

Nico and Lux are in love. They're living paycheck to paycheck living in Hawaii, Nico as a bartender and Lux as a hotel maid. They're trying to scrape by while saving enough money to fix up Nico's boat and sail around the world. When Brittany and Amma approach Nico, offering to pay him $50k to take them on his boat to a remote island, Meroe, for two weeks of paradise, he can't refuse. Even better, they like Lux and want her to tag along. Once there, they meet up with Eliza and Jake. While they are at first annoyed there is someone else on the island, it actually works in their favor. Jake is loaded and has enough food, drugs and booze to carry all six of them through the two weeks. It's a never-ending party.

Of course, inevitably, all good things do come to an end. True intentions and true stories come out. There are betrayals, and there are casualties. It's just a delicious read from cover to cover and I highly recommend you check it out.

This was one crazy read. Rachel Hawkins had my undivided attention throughout the entire book. The twists and turns had my imagination running wild as to what could possibly happen next. Great read!