It's been awhile since I have found a book that kept me on the edge of my seat. I became obsessed with every page I flipped. Reading the Reckless Girls, became an obsession I could not control . This novel completely consumed every thought I had, while trying to figure out the ending...This book you will not want to put down! Absolutely loved it and well written! I highly recommend The Reckless Girls and if you have not read Rachel Hawkin’s other book, The Wife Upstairs, I recommend you do so. My mind is completely blown.

RECKLESS GIRLS
BY RACHEL HAWKINS

This was a crackling, seriously, suspenseful thriller that I highly recommend to all fans of this genre. It feels very Gothic and totally unpredictable which is just what folks are expecting when they reach for a thriller. I know from experience that if I feel like I have read the *same* type of plot I feel like it is not worth the time spent reading familiar plots that have been already written before. Not so with this fantastic surprise with Rachel Hawkins new chiller called, "Reckless Girls." I am definitely going to check out her other novels because this one was sooooooooo Great! I loved it so much I am surprised that I have not read her books before.

When I read the first chapter I wasn't feeling like this was going to be my kind of book but was I ever wrong. It took off and it was just the right length with no boring filler. Every word built on every surprising turn of events kept me completely invested in this story. I think that it isn't often that you try a new Author and you are blown away by the fabulous storytelling that you are so invested in the characters and plot and in this case the garden of Eden which is supposed to be a paradise of an Island for its sheer beauty. The Island in this case is cerulean skies with sunshine and ultramarine water that is so inviting to swim in because the water is so clear you can see the sandy bottom and warm enough to feel like you are swimming in a nice warm bath.

This stunning pulse pounding paced thrill ride starts out with a young girl named Lux who just got fired from her job as a chamber maid working in a luxury hotel in Maui, Hawaii. She had taken care of her mother who died of cancer and was smitten by Nico who came from money and she hoped that he felt the same way about her. Their dream was to sail to tropical places on his boat called the Susannah. The boat needed repairs and two college best friend's offered to pay Nico $50,000.00 to sail them on a vacation to Meroe Island which has a dark past. Lux hopes that Nico will invite her along for the adventure and he does.

They sail to Meroe Island and see an Island with aqua water and sandy beaches where they soon find out that there is another nicer boat and there is a young couple named Jake and Eliza. Jake and Eliza have an endless supply of delicious food and plenty of alcohol and they are uncharacteristically friendly and are willing to share their rich bounty with Lux, Nico and Amma and Brittany. Something about Amma seems off and Amma and Brittany are both keeping secrets from each other and from Nico and Lux. Jake and Eliza are the warmest of companions but they are not what they appear which really makes for a tropical paradise that turns out to be a place that seems haunted. Soon little by little the reader unravels the puzzle of revelations that are chilling and creepy. These complex relationships are totally fresh and take the reader on a mysterious thrilling reading experience. It is like the many layers of an onion as each action makes this an Alfred Hitchcock version of Treasure Island a completely and utter edge of your seat roller coaster ride as this story unfolds. I can say that I can't give this unique story enough stars. My only worry is I am not likely to come across such an unforgettable masterpiece of both satisfying complex expertly written unexpected pleasure as this book "Reckless Girls." If you enjoy a mind blowing captivating Gothic thriller I implore you to read this. Just clear your schedule because once you get into the story you will want to keep reading because such an excellent execution of a narrative as perfect as this is--doesn't happen often. In fact, this is the best thriller I have read besides Mirrorland that I can say is flawless for several years. This is impressive and I am sorry I devoured it in just a few hours instead of stretching it out and enjoying it over a longer period of time. I can't wait to read her other books.

Publication Date: January 4, 2022

Thank you to Net Galley, Rachel Hawkins and St. Martin's Press for generously sharing with me this tremendous thriller in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#RecklessGirls #RachelHawkins #StMartin'sPress #NetGalley

This is my second book from Hawkins, and it feels similar in the way the pacing works. You hit the ground running with these, but there is a lull midway through that makes getting to the end a bit of a struggle. When all the pieces came together, it leaves something to be desired. All the pieces get tidied up in such a neat way, that it’s almost unsatisfying to see. You have no questions, no misunderstandings, but it still feels too far-fetched for anyone to get away with what they do.

The book was intriguing enough to binge read, but the ending left me disappointed. The final third of the book is a bit of a journey to even get to, and when you do, everything starts getting cleaned up incredibly quickly. At times, it feels like Hawkins forgot she needed to wrap the book up, so she did it as quickly as possible. I enjoyed the book, but it could have been a little tidier all in all.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Lux and her boyfriend, Nico, aren’t exactly living the life of luxury in Hawaii. In fact, when Lux followed him there from California, she thought they were going to be cruising on his boat, traveling the world via the Pacific and just enjoying each other’s company. Things don’t go according to plan.

Then, one day Nico meets two young women, besties Brittany and Amma, who offer to pay him $50,000 to take them (via boat) to a deserted island in the middle of the Pacific so they can continue their whirlwind vacation. Lux meets the women and immediately bonds with them. She’s going to go on the trip as well, and looks forward to a couple weeks off-grid on the island.

Unfortunately, this group of folks aren’t the only ones who have the idea of inhabiting the island, and they find another couple with a boat already anchored on arrival. Eliza and Jake are an attractive, rich couple. Luckily, the six of them quickly become friends and enjoy wine, delicious food, and plenty of sun and fun.

Everything is groovy until a mysterious and ill-mannered stranger sails to the island...and things start to unravel.

My anticipation for this one was high after reading and loving author Rachel Hawkins’s The Wife Upstairs. This book is very different in tone, but still so good for the most part. There’s an underlying sense of suspense, and it’s hard to pinpoint the sense of unease in the air, but you’ll detect it just as you can feel the suffocating heat of the sun that these characters endure while exploring the island.

The atmospheric and rich writing made this a hard one to put down. I couldn’t wait to see where it was going. Unfortunately, where it was going was when the book fell apart in my opinion. I didn’t buy the direction the plot (and some characters) went in, and I wasn’t thrilled with the ending. It felt a bit silly and lackluster to me. But, maybe it’s just me. Others may enjoy the denouement. 🤷

Overall, this is another solid read from the author, and I savored it for the most part. In the acknowledgements section, Hawkins explains that she has been wanting to write a “boat murder” book since she was 12 years old. I’m thrilled she finally got her wish.

This would be the perfect beach read, and would pair well with a mixed drink and plenty of sunscreen. Expected publication date: 1/4/22 (definitely not beach weather where I live).

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4142592787

The start of the book has an adage “Letting a woman on board a ship was thought to be bad luck back in the day.” Well, there are four women onboard — terrible odds for the three men they interact with.

This was a “I must finish this in one day” book — suspenseful, atmospheric, twisty, and oddly satisfying even as all the characters had flaws.

The book is told from mostly from the POV of Lux, named after a tragic figure in The Virgin Suicides (“what the heck, Mom?). Lux is trying to get her life back on track after overwhelming grief, and meets Nico, agreeing to sail to Maui with him and beyond. Except the “beyond” hasn’t happened because the boat need repairs and is stuck in Maui. Lux is the narrator of “now”. As the book points outs, “there’s always a before and an after; choose to live in the after”. The “before” parts belong to the three other presumably reckless girls.

Lux and Nico have a chance to continue to beyond, but only because a pair of girls with $50,000 want a chance to visit a deserted island and that money can repair the boat. Lux, Nico, Brittany and Amma take off with a boat packed with Spam (and other groceries) only to discover another boat has already moored at their deserted paradise with another couple, definitely no Spam on board types, offering fine wines and incredible meals and other not so savory supplies.

Of course, we know from the outset that the island has a mysterious, haunted past, so paradise gets lost especially when a seventh person (no Spam, in fact, no food at all) crashes the party. As the author weaves the “before” stories of the other women into the “now” of Lux’s uneasy narration, you get caught up in the story, wondering if new ghosts are going to be added to the island’s history. And what will be the “after”?

I loved Rachel Hawkins’ The Woman Upstairs, and this book attests to her talent of weaving together multiple layers to produce a great thriller again. The ending, however, came a bit swiftly, and I was surprised by some of the choices the characters made, but Hawkins’ great talent is that I understood why.

4.5 stars — Thanks for to NetGalley for ARC — this book will be available widely in January 2022 and I expect it to be on a lot of “must read” lists

I had heard about this book and was so happy to receive a copy from #Netgalley.

This is my first read of Rachel Hawkins and now I can't wait to go back and read the others. This book kept me up and finished in 24hrs! The novel follows Lux, a young woman who followed her boyfriend, Nico, to Maui. Nico meets to best friends who want to sail to an island, Nico convinces Lux to join them for a two week getaway on his boat. When they arrive to the isolated island, another boat is there with a young couple, Eliza and Jake. We follow their vacation, intertwined with back stories from each of the 4 females ion the deserted island. Each person has their hidden story/agenda that doesn't all connect until the very end. It kept me guessing the whole time!

Loved it!

This book kept me entertained from start to finish. It kept me guessing and I love the surprise at the very end. It was a great who dun it and I couldn't put this book down. Definitely worth the read.

HAWKINS BACK WITH ANOTHER FIVE STAR!!! IDK how she does it but this author can bring the trill to anything she puts her pen to. Now the ending was not what I expected and that threw me off for a while. But once I stepped back and looked at the book as a whole, it's the best decision.

Reckless Girls is a very uncomfortable read.

From the very first chapter, you know that there’s something off about every character you meet. And you’re right, of course. The problem is that those secrets come to light when our characters are isolated, horribly stressed, and quite possibly in danger. And then it’s just an explosion of secrets guaranteed to ignite emotions – in the worst possible way.

I’m not sure that I liked any of the characters (especially a certain F-Boy character), but I was all in on the drama and danger here.

It’s a good read. Intense, fast moving, and satisfying in a very uncomfortable way.

*ARC via Net Galley

It’s been a while since I read a book in one sitting. It was that good. If you can get your hands on this early, do it. Otherwise, read this as soon as it’s published in January, you won’t regret it.

Nico and his girlfriend, Lux are hired by two young women to sail to a remote island in the South Pacific. Lux recently experienced a family tragedy and sees this trip as a great opportunity to escape from her normal life for a while. As they arrive on Meroe Island, the place is remote and beautiful just like everyone expected it to be. They also connect with a second boat that is docked there and make fast friends with a couple, Jake and Eliza. The six friends are now really enjoying this secluded, exotic island until a seventh stranger shows up. What previously seemed like paradise takes a very dark turn. Will anyone make it off the island alive?

I really enjoyed this thriller from Rachel Hawkins. I thought the spooky island setting made a great theme and made the storyline very unique. I found myself reading fast, trying to solve the mystery as quickly as possible! The character interactions and high level of suspense was great. I can highly recommend this perfectly executed thriller!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

The premise was intriguing and went along at a pretty steady clip. However, I was anticipating some sort of twist at the end, but nope. This was probably 3.5 stars for me.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Lux and her boyfriend Nico have dreams of sailing off into the sunset to explore foreign places without a care or worry. They meet Amma and Brittany who just so happen to be looking for an escape to clear blue water and silky soft beaches. Lux and Nico are in luck when Amma and Brittany make this a reality after offering to charter Nico's boat, the Susannah. In search of an experience and an exotic island many have never heard of, Nico suggests Meroe Island. Upon approach, they realize the island may not be such a secret when they see the Azure Sky docked in the distance. They meet Jake and Eliza and adjust the only way you know how on vacation - make friends and soak up the sun. Things start to take a detour when unexpected visitor Robbie arrives and rubs everyone the wrong way in his pursuit of artifacts from the island's troubled past, not to mention his self-service of their provisions. One night it comes to a head - truths are revealed and nothing is ever the same in paradise. They may not have packed baggage for this adventure, but they each brought their own. With its unsettling rumors, Meroe Island becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy none of them saw coming.

This is the story of a grieving young woman, Lux McAllister, who follows her new boyfriend, Nico, to Hawaii to live a life of carefree sailing. Things don’t go quite according to plan and Lux ends up working a dead end job while Nico hangs out at the marina. One day, Nico gets offered $50 000 to sail 2 young women to a remote island in the South Pacific. He accepts on condition that his girlfriend can travel with them and all 4 set sail to Meroe Island. Upon arrival, they are disappointed to find another boat docked, but the new rich couple quickly welcome them and treat them to lavish meals and wine. All 6 characters are enjoying their island paradise until a stranger arrives…
The story really takes off from here as we learn more about the characters, their back stories, lies and secrets. I thoroughly loved this book up until the conclusion. This is when the author changed direction and I had to keep rereading parts to ensure that I was following the story accurately.
I wasn’t too pleased with the ending, but if you are looking for an un-put-downable, entertaining book, I highly recommend that you choose this one. The suspense and atmosphere were so well developed, you will sense the characters fear and feel the humid heat of the island.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

I received an e-ARC of Reckless Girls from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

This happens to be my third Rachel Hawkins book and second this year! As always the writing was flawless and captivating. The story builds slowly and draws you in and the characters are each more interesting than the last. The writing really brings them to life and I could picture every scene in my mind perfectly.

My favorite part of the book would be the setting. I loved the remote beach island gothic vibe and it gave the story so much depth and drama that I simply could not put it down. I sped through it in a day!

Fun! Fun! Fun! I read this book while on a cruise and it was just the perfect environment to really dive into the story. The plot focuses on a young couple who get caught up in a "job" that takes them to an abandoned island with a savory past. The story was quick moving and super entertaining. I don't know if the title totally matches the storyline but I highly recommend a read!

Five people find thselves visiting an abandoned island used during WW2 with a sordid past called Meroe Island. Lux and Nico charter their boat and bring two female travelers to the island. Soon Jake and Eliza appear on their boat. From there, things begin to take a dramatic and sinister turn. An edgy and creative thriller.

I devoured this novel in less than a day. Lux and Nico agree to use their boat as a charter to the isolated island of Meroe for Brittney and Amma. When they arrive, they find the island inhabited by another boat. Jake and Eliza join the foursome and suddenly things start unraveling. Is it the island or its inhabitants that bring the crazy? Just try to put this one down.

A remote, uninhabited island in the Pacific is the perfect setting for Restless Girls, a deliberately slow moving, suspenseful thriller that will catapult Rachel Hawkins to the top of the best seller list!

Lux McAllister has followed her charismatic boyfriend Nico to Hawaii where they plan to travel around the world on his sailboat Susannah. Needed repairs are funded by Amma and Brittany who want to charter the boat for a two week trip to Meroe Island. There are many stories about things that have happened there, none good. But it is an island paradise and will provide the adventure that all four are looking for. Well, maybe not that one. But an adventure for sure. There is another boat anchored at Meroe and on it are Eliza and Jake, a gorgeous and somewhat mysterious couple. They provide an endless supply of gourmet meals and fine wines and all become instant close friends until another sailboat arrives. Escalating trouble ensues, secrets are revealed and violence is threatened.

You know from the prologue that something bad has happened and Rachel Hawkins keeps the tension building with anecdotes about Meroe and flashbacks that slowly reveal what each character has been hiding. All the characters, especially Lux and Eliza, are well described. The plot is sizzling and the island location is exotic and creepy at the same time. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Rachel Hawkins for this ARC.

"When you let go of the version of yourself that got you here in the first place. You can cling to the before, or you can try to live in the after."

Lux and her boyfriend Nico meet college roommates Amma and Brittany. The roommates offer Nico $50,000 to sail them to Meroe Island, a place that seems like paradise and far from civilization. The foursome head out on Nico's boat. When they arrive there's another couple there, Jake and Eliza and they seem perfect; the golden couple. Everyone is having a great time being off the grid on the exotic island until a seventh person arrives, a creepy lone sailor. Everything starts to go a little crazy after that. Each person harbors their own secrets and nothing appears as it seems. When one person shows up dead and another goes missing it appears the island is closing in on them all, no one can be trusted and they begin to wonder if any of them will make it off the island alive.

Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins is a slow burn story and at the same time full of suspense. What's not to love about a group of strangers on a deserted island that appears to be picking them off one by one? While the story started out a bit slow, I also couldn't put it down (I read it in a day). The story is told in multiple perspectives and dual timelines. I love that Hawkins gives the reader just enough info to get some idea of what is going on. At times I thought the characters made some not so bright decisions but then again they were supposed to be reckless, hence the title. Overall another great novel by Hawkins! Highly recommend it!