*** A USA TODAY BESTSELLER ***Tori… want to be tempted by that rugged rancher. By his chiseled muscles or southern charm or the way he snuggles his kids at bedtime. Ethan Carter won’t get the key to my heart, no matter how much I want him.
Ethan…
Between us, she’s the last thing I need as I finalize my hellish divorce.
What sane man trying to rebuild his life wants a hot nanny with long, sexy hair, curves for miles, and a smart mouth? A perfectly kissable, pouty mouth that I shouldn’t notice.
My focus is on my kids and my ranch, not the insufferable siren who sleeps in the room next to mine. It doesn’t matter that she wins over my kids in a heartbeat or runs my life better than I do. Tori Duran is the one woman I can’t have and shouldn’t want, no matter how much I crave her.
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I fell in love with these characters straight away. Awesome book to read!
My first book by Lex Martin and I’m already a fan.
Tori is looking to make something of herself, Her parents don’t agree much about her decisions and methods.. She had a bad relationship that left her hurt and broken. She is only trying to survive and make a new life.. but sooner or later life will bring her something more stable that will make her world change and will make everything better again.
Ethan is now living as a “single parent” he has too much in his plate, trying to make the ranch work and also taking care of his kids and his siblings. After such a bad experience he’s not ready for anything, not love or a relationship, he only wants to focus on his family and business but not everything works as we planned.. life has mysterious ways of bringing people together, no matter all the walls he tried to build, she has the right tools to bring them down.
Ethan and Tori’s story was very emotional but at the same time very funny and lovable. there’re so many great moments between them but also as well as with the kids Mila and Cody, they’re awesome and bring so much to the story as well as Ethan’s brother and mother both really supporting so much the main characters.
There’re so many other great characters that bring pain and happiness to Ethan and Tori.
Overall it was a great book with the right amount of feelings and emotions to make you fall in love with Lex writing..
Sassy, down on her luck Tori takes a nanny job with hot single-dad Ethan and the sparks fly! This was a sexy, fun, roller coaster of a romance with great characters and an “omg, I did not see that coming!” twist. This was my first book by author Lex Martin and also narrators Savannah Peachwood & Stephen Dexter on the audiobook. Excellent story & storytelling- look forward to more works by both the author & narrators.
Oh I love these two. Ethan is just a true book boyfriend. Tori is a dream heroine.
Reckless by Lex Martin is an emotional, contemporary, single parent romance told in dual POV. It is a standalone, companion novel to Shameless, and though it’s not necessary to read Shameless first, you won’t be disappointed if you do because it’s a great story.
To be near her pregnant sister, Tori reluctantly agrees to interview for a summer nanny job at the ranch down the road. Formerly a party girl, she’s made some mistakes and wants to get her life back on track. And after experiencing heartbreak and betrayal, Tori is also on a self-imposed man-free diet. Too bad her new boss is not only broody but sexy as hell.
Ethan is having a hard time keeping up with all the responsibilities of running his ranch while taking care of his children and negotiating the terms of his divorce. He needs help and reluctantly interviews Tori for a nanny position after his brother, Logan, basically forces him into it causing them to get off to a rocky start. He acts like a jerk, and she tells him off.
Despite bad first impressions, Ethan offers Tori the position and she accepts. She fits right in and does a great job caring for Mila and Cody who both love her right from the start. As Tori and Ethan get to know each other and become friends, they have a difficult time denying their chemistry and mutual attraction. When Ethan’s soon to be ex-wife, Allison, finds out about Tori she sets out to separate them and makes things very difficult. How low will Allison stoop to keep them apart? You’ll have to read to find out.
I really enjoyed this story! As a fan of Lex Martin’s previous books, this one did not disappoint. I loved the way Ethan and Tori’s relationship grew and progressed from that initial spark of lust to a genuine friendship to eventually falling for each other. The story was sweet, spicy, heartfelt, and humorous. I highly recommend it.
Oh my gosh! I didn’t think it was possible to love Lex’s writing more, but this book was amazing! I loved Shameless, and I loved this book more than that one. Definitely 5 out of 5 stars! Thanks to Give Me Books Promotions for providing me a copy in exchange for a honest review.
So I wasn’t too sure how I’d feel about Tori’s book; we saw her a little in Shameless, and she was a teen at the time, so a little moody/bratty. But I loved her in this book! She’s grown up some, and she’s just such a good person. Like this entire book felt like her redemption after her small snippets in the previous book.
Mila and Cody were beyond adorable. And I loved seeing more of Brady, Kat, and Izzy. I also liked Logan a lot. Lex…please, please, please do a book about him?!? And the newest addition to my book boyfriend list is Ethan. He is freaking perfection! A funny, sweet, über hot single dad who is the actual best with his kids. Single dad romance might be my newest favorite trope.
The chemistry between Tori and Ethan was great, and it felt natural to me. I couldn’t get enough of these two, and that epilogue had me swooning. I finished this book in pretty much a day. I started this Friday evening around 6-7 PM (reading for several hours before bed), and finished Saturday around 6 PM. It was that good! Read this (and maybe Shameless beforehand) if you love romance!
Ethan Carter is a soon to be single father of two young children trying to manage their care and his ranch near Austin, Texas. His mother is helping out with his children but the demands of a toddler and a 4-year old is proving too much. Tori Duran needs a job since she detonated her life a year ago after a relationship that soured in the worst way. When her brother-in-law recommends her to be the nanny to his friend Ethan’s children, she reluctantly pursues it as it will put her near her very pregnant sister. However, Ethan is also reluctant once he takes a look at the very appealing Tori.
This is such a great story. After a very rocky start, Ethan and Tori work well together as a team in the care and nurturing of the children. It’s not long before their relationship evolves and that care and nurturing extends to each other. Both have recently emerged from bad unions and are wary of moving into another too quickly but these two really are well suited. There’s lots of humor, family drama and romantic moments, so very well written and delivered. The pacing is flawless as the story moves from one scene to another with ease. I adored Tori who has a big heart, a quick wit and a propensity for getting into trouble, unintentionally of course. Ethan is honorable to a fault and is a devoted father, working tirelessly to keep everything together. You just couldn’t help liking each of them individually and rooting for them as a couple.
I’m thrilled that I agreed to listen to this story as both narrators seem to capture the essence of Ethan and Tori’s personalities while effectively managing the other characters nicely. I especially liked how Tori was portrayed, delivering her self-deprecating lines in a way that endeared me even more to the character. This was a wonderful reading experience and now I need to go back and listen to the first connected story, Shameless.
(I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review)
This is definitely one of my favorite books so far this year! I’ve never read anything by Lex Martin and it makes me so sad I waited so long!!
I love the story of Tori and how she’s trying to turn her life around. And then we have Ethan, who just wants a new normal for his family. Really it was just so perfect the two of them!! I love how great Tori is with her his kids, she’s just so natural. She knows just when not help them and how. I was also so surprised at Ethan, how much he really wanted Tori to be a part of their every day lives. And then we have Logan, oh how I love Logan. He’s the PIA brother who sometimes helps and sometimes makes things worse. He’s just the best. There were so many good twists in this story. Allison as an ex was someone who I was so frustrated with, and Jamie was just ridiculous. These two really made the story so much more interesting and really kept us on our toes.
Then we have the end of this book. It is just so amazing and really complete. That’s the best part about a good epilogue! I love when we really feel like the story is complete. Of course I feel like almost every book can go on, but this one had a pretty amazing ending! I’m sure there’s so much more I can say, but I don’t want to give it away =]
Wonderful read!
This is the first book I have read from this author and I loved it. This is Tori and Ethan’s story. Even though this is a Standalone Tori is Katherine’s sister from Shameless (which I need to read) and you get a little sneak into their future. Once I started reading this I was hooked. I loved the banter between these two that started right from the beginning. I am in love with these two and adding Ethan as one of my BBF. The stamina he must have with everything on his plate. Loved the storyline. Once these two get together it is beautiful and explosive. Then you get towards the end and OMG all the drama that unfolds at once is unbelievable and the way Tori stands up for herself I just love her more. Then the situation with Tori and her sister is heartwarming.
Lots of emotions going on through this story. Can’t wait to read Katherine and Brady’s story and hope Logan Ethan’s brother gets a story.
I received an ARC and volunteered to leave a review.
This is the first single dad story that I read and I loved it! I was a little skeptical at first because of it being a single dad story but I’m so glad I didn’t let that stop me from reading it. It was so sweet and endearing while still having those hot & steamy moments we love in romance novels. I saw an ad for the book on Facebook that said, “I thought country boys were all about seducing women with their big trucks and Southern Charm.” “You looking to test out my stick shift?” “If you think you can handle my speed” I’m pretty sure we aren’t talking about my Ford.
This ad alone made me want to read this book and I’m so glad I ran across it. The amount of sass Tori, the heroine has, is amazing and makes for some great moments throughout the book. I love how her sass gets her into flirty, sexy moments and awkward situations alike. The way Lex Martin balances the country life, sweet innocent moments with the kids, and steamy romance is amazing and I’d highly recommend this book! I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
From the Epigraph to the Epilogue, this book was phenomenal!
This story of Ethan and Tori is what a perfect romantic comedy should be.
Tori has had craptacular luck in her past and even though she has had it hard, she still holds onto her humor, feistiness and truthfulness which makes her my hero! Some of Tori’s comments and thoughts made me laugh out loud (getting some strange looks from my family) while I was reading. I love a story that does that!
Ethan, oh Mylanta is this man fabulous! I think the quote that made me fully swoon was “…you have occupied most of my thoughts, half of my dreams and at least two-thirds of my future plans…” Wowza, I needed a cold shower after that, and it’s just one of the many swoon worthy things he says and does that makes me melt! Fantastically done Lex! He is the quintessential gentleman cowboy. Trust me, once you read this you will want an “Ethan” for yourself!
The secondary characters are fantastic! They really add to the story and I hope that we get to see a book about Logan soon! (Pretty please?)
The dialogue is quick, funny and oh so steamy that it makes you really want to keep reading until the end.
Thank you for your fantastic stories Lex! Never stop writing!!
I loved Ethan, the man respects Tori and just is sweet with her, “just meant to kiss you, honey.” Clearing my throat, I slide her leg down and fix her skirt. Even though I really want to acquaint myself with what she has going on under that particular clothing item. As gracefully as I can, I rearrange my hard-on. “Doesn’t mean I don’t want to get you all kinds of naked, but not tonight. Not if you’ve been drinking.” Tori is just impressed with her man at times, “it rappelled down onto me like a goddarn ninja.” Shivering, she smacks at her arms. I let out a chuckle, one she obviously doesn’t find amusing. “Don’t laugh, Ethan! How would you feel if a spider tried to terrorize you when you were wet and naked?” I adored this book, Ethan was everything, his kiddos Mila and Cody were the cutest things amd Tori just brightened up their lives.
One of my favorite tropes in contemporary books is the single parent one, so this was the main reason for me to choose this story. I will be honest; I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. It was phenomenally emotional and shot right through my heart.
I know that Reckless is the second book in the series; still this was my first read form Lex Martin. I don’t think that you necessarily need to read the first book to enjoy and understand the events of this one. The writing style is really clean, smooth and engaging. It was pretty easy to read and get into the story. The emotion come trough beautifully, they practically seep off the pages.
There was one thing that actually scared me at the beginning and it was the scary amount of inner monologues and musings about the characters feelings and such. I personally prefer it more when there is a healthy balance between the inner thoughts and the action, when they act upon their feelings instead of overanalyzing every little detail. However in this case this structure kind of worked at least in my opinion.
The storyline is clear and maybe a bit predictable still there were quite a few surprising twist in it as well with a touch of drama. I enjoyed the pace and the dynamism of it. The romance maybe forms in a slower timeline than I usually prefer but it felt so genuine and natural that I didn’t mind it one bit. The book has a lot of cute and sweet moments as well as some quite dramatic and painfully emotional. It was a really great mix of things.
Tori is a bit of a mess, she has no direction or passion, she let herself go with the flow of things. However with the events of the first chapter her pain and her loneliness just simply won me over. I was a bit broken inside but outward she was a feisty and big mouthed force of nature. I kinda could relate to her in the way of her aimlessness regarding her carrier. Anyway I liked how she interacted with the other characters, especially with the kids. In a way she was pretty patient and caring.
On the other hand there was Ethan, who was still reeling from the events of the last year and the end of his marriage. He didn’t understand the reasons behind it and he buries himself under his work. He was a bit reluctant to open up to a new person in his life but with good reasons. He gave up a lot of his dreams for his family so the whole divorce thing was an extra whiplash for him. Still he loves his kids and his job, he was so genuine and caring all the way along. I just loved it. The dynamic between him and Tori was playful and magnetic. I liked them together.
The little kids only added to the cuteness of the book.
This book was sweet and emotional and hit right where it intended to. I really enjoyed it and I actually bought every other book from the author because I loved the lightness of the writing style.
First of all I have to say that I love Lex’s covers. They are so classic, beautiful, romantic and sexy at the same time.
This story caught me from the first moment. You can feel the connection between the characters but everything is going at a good pace, the right one to leave you stuck reading.
I love the main couple. They are the perfect complement to each other, you can “feel” the chemistry between them. And Ethan …. oh! He stole my heart. He’s so sweet! And it’s a plus to see him with his children. How does that not melt your heart?
What always attracts me about Lex’s books is that I have some well-balanced characters, without falling into cliches and her stories are flowing slowly without feeling stuck or rushed. Also, her books always have beautiful covers.
I recommend this story so much. It will for sure steal your heart!
“Without you, everything hurts.”
Holy goodness! This book was exactly what I needed! There was sweetness! There was drama! There was a few hot as hell scenes! There was a crazy ex-wife! And yes I did shed a few tears. Tori was the underdog that I was constantly rooting for! She wants to get her life together, but now other things just seem to keep getting in her way. Ethan is the hot single dad that needed to hire a nanny to help out with the kids while his mother leaves town. So of coarse these 2 people living together would cause sparks to fly! Honestly they only had a couple misunderstandings, nothing too major. But then comes the psycho ex-wife. Without spoiling …. I have to say that when “the big drama” happened…. I literally felt the bile rising in my throat! I absolutely LOVED everything about this book. It gave me the feels! (and yes I did cry…. being the sappy person that I am). I think everyone needs to read this book…. right now!
Reckless will definitely be one of my all-time favorite single dad stories. Absolutely loved Ethan, as he was an amazing dad, who did whatever it took to provide for his children. Navigating a messy divorce with two young children couldn’t have been easy, but he did the best he could given the circumstances. Tori – she was awesome. Such a free-spirit in so many ways, yet she could easily be broken due to things from her past. The relationship that developed between Ethan and Tori seemed so natural…..starting as friends before gradually moving into something more.
This will definitely go on my favorites list for the year…..and I agree with other readers when I say that we need a book for Logan!!
I’m a mixture of feelings right now! I’m going to miss spending my nights with Ethan & Tori! Lex, if you read this, I want more of Ethan & Tori! I admire Tori so much! I couldn’t be happier for the two of them! I can’t wait for Logan’s Book!! I loved this book so much! Towards the end was quite the roller coaster! #ToriandEthanCarterForever Ethan is truly an incredible guy & one of my favorite book boyfriends! I love how sweet he is with his kids! I also loved how good Tori was with them!