Micah allows himself one night a month to let go, to get out at the under-age night at the club and dance. This is the first time that his friend Jace was not able to come with Micah, and Jace usually acts as his buffer to the hoards of men at the club. There he meets Sebastian, who is too good looking for words. Before the guys can hook up, Micah receives a phone call and rushes off to tend to a family emergency.

Parent and guardian to his paralyzed mother and 14-year-old sister, Micah has to cut his night short when his sister, Alexis, lands in jail where coincidentally Sebastian is cooling his heels after being arrested himself. Somehow Sebastian manages to convince Micah to go on a date that begins awkwardly, improves significantly, and then becomes an epic fail as Sebastian admits that he had been in jail for drinking and driving, the same thing that killed Micah’s father and left his mom a quadriplegic.

How coincidental that Sebastian’s community service happens to be at Carlisle Gardens, the very same nursing home that Micah works at. Gradually, and against his better judgement, Micah starts to fall for Sebastian, but only wants sex, or so he says. Micah can’t resist Sebastian any longer and they have an incredible night, but in the light of day, late for class, to help his mother, and make sure Lexi gets to school, Micah’s insecurities come out in full force and all Sebastian can do is tell Micah to get a cab and get out.

Having lost his twin two years prior, Sebastian copes by acting out and this survivor’s behavior is explored in depth, not only in regards to Sebastian, but also in regards to one of the secondary characters who has the same behavior with different circumstances and the same self-destructive results.

As in the first book, Nobody’s Hero, Bailey has provided us with some great lines and witty dialogue. The subject matter was more emotional and heart-wrenching than I expected it to be, that’s for sure.

I do love me an “opposites attract” storyline, the well off bad boy with the heart of gold and the poor boy with the spirit of steel just does not get old. Bailey crafted not only two likeable, flawed, and complex characters, but also a fair number of key secondary characters that had the right amount of depth and supported the storyline perfectly.

Micah is the ultimate son and brother, giving, self-sacrificing, overwhelmed, and on the edge. We can see this while Micah is doing his best to keep up with the everyday pressures that no 19-year-old should have to endure. It may sound like he is perfect, but that is not the case. Micah demonstrates all of these good attributes, but in the end shows that he is only human and can only handle so much. Sebastian could easily be lumped into the category of “poor little rich kid” based on his early behavior, but if anyone shows significant growth in Reckless Hope, it is Sebastian. We are privy to Sebastian’s thoughts and feelings and I personally enjoyed seeing him grow, all the while keeping the growth organic and realistic; in fact he became my favorite character.

I did have one moment of confusion related to Sebastian driving so soon after being arrested for DUI – I had to ask myself “is this realistic?” There was some talk about how his Grandad’s money could keep him out of serious trouble for the infraction, but would that money include not having at least a license suspension?

This was truly a great story that had all of the elements to mirror life: humor, tragedy, anger, and of course, love. I say that you cannot go wrong with Reckless Hope.

Note: This is the second book in the Letting Go series but can be read as a standalone novel.