I loved him before I knew what the word meant. From skinned knees to first dates and everything in between. But he was never mine to love. I settled for friendship, even though I always wanted more. That was before. Before he ripped my world apart and didn’t bother sticking around to help me pick up the pieces. I knit every last shred back together all on my own. And I’ve all but forgotten his …
And I’ve all but forgotten his name.
Now, he’s back, and everything is torn apart once more.
But he’s not the only one doing the tearing this time.
And there might be no stopping the person who has it out for us both.
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Reckless Memories is the first book in a brand new series by Catherine Cowles. She writes such beautiful love stories that are packed with all the feels along with an element of suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat. This story is a compelling and deeply emotional romance that held my attention from start to finish.
Isabelle “Bell” Kipton has lived on Anchor Island pretty much her whole life. Her relationship with her parents is strained because she wouldn’t conform to their ways. The Hardy’s, who run the restaurant & bar where she works, have become more of a family to her than her family ever was. More than a decade earlier, when she was just sixteen, tragedy struck and turned her whole world upside down. What she needed was her best friend but because he was hurting too, he left town and never looked back.
The memories and the pain were simply too much for Ford Hardy, so he left Anchor Island at the age of eighteen. He now lives in Los Angeles where he owns and runs several successful bars. When he wants to see his family he flies them to his home or some other location other than Anchor Island. That is not a place that he ever wants to step foot in again. But years later, he is forced to return home to help save his family’s restaurant & bar from going under.
Bell is upset to learn that Ford is back in town, but not for the reason he thinks. Since the two of them are forced to work together, they decide to start over as friends. Once the truth of everything comes out, their friendship strengthens and develops into so much more. But not everyone is happy to see Ford’s returns and the relationship blooming between them. This person begins terrorizing them, each action bolder than the one before.
I absolutely loved this beautiful romance. I was impressed by not only the depth, but by the way the story unfolded with an almost aching intensity. It was riveting, seamless, and it flowed well from beginning to end. Catherine is one of those authors that I want to read forever. I am literally obsessed with her writing, her characters and her stories. I simply can’t get enough. All of the stars and more for Bell, Ford and Reckless Memories!
I‘m a huge fan of Catherine‘s books. I don‘t know how she does it, but I can‘t put her books down easily. You just get so sucked into the world she creates and the characters you come to love in the first few chapters. Also it really doesn‘t help that her covers are always gorgeous!
Bell struggles with the pressure of her family to be more like her perfect sister Violet. Only Violet‘s boyfriend Ford sees Bell for who she is. A tragic accident changes all there lifes drastically. Violet dies, Ford leaves and Bell is all alone and feels betrayed by the one person she could always count on.
Of course on the other side Ford struggles with the guilt of causing the accident and later leaving Bell even when it wasn‘t his choice. Over a decade later he finally returns to Anchor and so much has changed.
I‘m in awe how flawless Catherine could transition this story from a romance novel to a slight thriller feeling book. Throughout the book alot of mysterious things happen and you‘ll guess who‘s responsible but I assure you! It will cross your mind so much but in the end you‘ll be surprised. And I liked that aspect of the book.
5
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
This was so emotional!
Ford and Bell were wrecked by what happened from the accident ten years ago that resulted to him losing his first love and Bell losing her sister. But Ford’s the one who suffered the effect of it. He couldn’t even go into town without having people whispering and stare at him – he couldn’t help but think the accident was his fault. He left town and never came back until his brother called him to resurrect their family bar.
What he didn’t realise was that he left Bell when she needed him the most. It wasn’t just him who suffered from the accident. She lost her sister, then she lost Ford too when he left. Now they are reunited and all the pain and heartache of the past resurface. Bell’s not a kid anymore, the feelings they had before had shifted into something entirely different. There’s just a lot of people who didn’t like their reunion though
4.5 troubled cupcake stars!
Catherine Cowles is one of my top go to authors. She has an incredible way with words. Her characters always make me fall head over heels. The secondary characters wrap you around their fingers until you’re dying for their story as well.
She wraps heat, love, sadness & suspense so perfectly into this novel to where you are dying to go back.
Incredible start to yet another series I’m sure I’ll be recommending for the rest of my life!
This book deserves all the stars in the world. Heartbreaking emotion, powerful romance, the beauty of healing, and epic suspense with surprises around every corner. I’ll warn you now you’ll need to grab the tissues immediately with this one. Catherine’s writing has a way of really bringing characters to life and making you fall in love rapidly and she does not hold in this book.
Right from the prologue you will be whisked away into the devastating beauty that is Ford and Bell’s story. This book just comes out swinging and doesn’t stop until you’ve reached the very end. You will not be able to put it down. I don’t want to give even the tiniest of details away here because their journey is one that everyone needs to experience.
What a beautiful story of friendship, tragedy, forgiveness, acceptance and love.
Isabelle was the little sister who didn’t fit in with the family, Ford the boyfriend of her older, perfect in their parents eyes, sister. Isabelle and Ford had a great relationship but everything changes when an accident takes her sister. Ford for many reasons leaves town for years, When family obligations calls him home only to find Isabelle working for his family.
I couldn’t put this book down, the strength of Isabelle was amazing, Ford coming to many realizations, all this have you rooting for both of them. Though there’s someone angry at the couple putting Isabelle and Ford at risk, you’ll be turning the pages to figure it all out.
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Catherine Cowles always keeps you engaged in her stories, she’s always on my one click author list.
Reckless Memories gets you right from the start. From tragic beginnings to unlikely reunions to knock you on your @%$ revelations, this book has it all! The beginning of the Reckless series will pull you in to its beautiful world of love, deception and mystery.
Tragedy at a young age can leave the deepest marks leaving chaos and hurt in its wake. Friendships are ripped apart, families are broken and you’re left wondering why. After years of silence, Ford returns to find the friend he left behind has transformed into a beautiful, strong woman willing to do what she can for the make-shift family who stood by her side. Emotions run wild and reunions are messy but through utter determination Ford will stop at nothing to have Belle in his life. But will someone from their past rip away their future?
An amazing story with many twists and turns, a classical Catherine Cowels novel <3 Isabella and Ford's story is a beautiful friends to lovers/enemy to lovers romance you will not want to put down.
Catherine Cowles’ books put me under some kind of spell. Once I start reading I can’t stop until I reach the last page.
Reckless Memories is a beautiful story of overcoming tragedy and second chances. I loved Ford and Bell, I loved seeing Ford overcome his demons and allow himself to love. Bell’s outlook on life after surviving a tragedy is just amazing. I loved how she dealt with her grief! These two were so special, and I loved their story so much!!
Catherine has written another beautifully romantic love story with suspense that made my heart race!
I can not wait to read the rest of this series and get to know all the new characters from Anchor Island!
Bloody hell this book throws your heart over a cliff and then mends it before throwing it back over the cliff but thankful end up healing it again. Offta this book will bring you to tears over and over again! I couldn’t stop reading this one- its so good (Make sure to block out a night or afternoon for this wonderful book). Cowles is becoming my bar for romance suspense!
Ford and Bell have so much history and so many years of not talking. This is the ultimate second chance love story! You will fall in love with Bell- she is the sassy little sister, helper of friends, sticks to her morals, and learns to love and grow again. Ford is the cool older BFF, stop running, learns to forgive and let go of guilt, and to talk about his feelings!
Overall, 4.5 stars and 3.5 steam
4.5
I’ve been a devoted fan of this author from the very beginning and I have fallen in love with every story she has written. I was sad to see her last series come to an end but this book brings us back to Ford, a character from “Further To Fall”, this author’s first book. My excitement was at an all time high by the time this book landed on my kindle. This was the perfect start to her new “Wrecked” series.
One thing I definitely admire about Cowles is her seemingly effortless ability to create the perfect small town atmosphere with all the different characters you would expect. This takes place on a small island named Anchor off the coast of Washington state. Before I was at 50% of the book, I felt like I was actually living there.
Ford and Bell quickly became another favorite couple for me. They always had a unique and close friendship even though he was always in a relationship with her older sister, Violet. All of that changes on a rainy afternoon. Ford then leaves for college and then LA to become a very successful club owner. He is called back by his brother to help save the family bar/restaurant.
Bell is a truly inspiring character. Her family was in the upper class but she never cared. She lived her life as she felt was right. This brings her in constant opposition to her parents, especially her mother. After Ford leaves, she creates her own family that doesn’t include blood relatives. She is incredibly talented and truly unique. She lives every aspect of her life on the basis that we only get one life and we need to live our lives with that knowledge at the forefront of our minds. Every story this author writes has this thankful mindset embedded throughout. I love the gentle reminder.
When Ford and Bell meet again, it isn’t on the best of terms. Bell is still hurting after feeling abandoned and Ford is still letting guilt rule his actions. Second chance romances are my favorite trope but I have one pet peeve when it comes to a character being forgiven too easily. This story was just right which made me very happy.
Angst is always something I always look for in a potential read. The angst in this book wasn’t at the same heart-pounding level as her previous books which was the only reason I didn’t give 5 stars.
Once Bell realized that her feelings for Ford were much more than friendship and he quickly realized she was no longer in the “little sister” category, the story really got good. Add in the unknown character who was fueled by anger and was determined there would be no HEA for the couple and I was in story heaven. I loved the suspense that is always present. I can’t wait for the next book! I loved all of the side characters and really look forward to spending more time getting to know them. Catherine Cowles’ talent only grows with each book.
Reckless Memories gets you right from the start. From tragic beginnings to unlikely reunions to knock you on your @%$ revelations, this book has it all! The beginning of the Reckless series will pull you in to its beautiful world of love, deception and mystery.
Tragedy at a young age can leave the deepest marks leaving chaos and hurt in its wake. Friendships are ripped apart, families are broken and you’re left wondering why. After years of silence, Ford returns to find the friend he left behind has transformed into a beautiful, strong woman willing to do what she can for the make-shift family who stood by her side. Emotions run wild and reunions are messy but through utter determination Ford will stop at nothing to have Belle in his life. But will someone from their past rip away their future?
An amazing story with many twists and turns, a classical Catherine Cowels novel <3 Isabella and Ford's story is a beautiful friends to lovers/enemy to lovers romance you will not want to put down.
Reckless Memories had me glued to the pages from the very first chapter. I immediately loved the bond between Bell and Ford, and it was wonderful to see how the dynamic changed with time.
What a beautiful story about how tragedy alters lives, rips them apart, and yet brings them back together.
This was my first read by Catherine Cowles, and I’m ready to read her entire backlist.
I knew from while reading the prologue that Reckless Memories would be epic. Ford, Vi & Bell broke my heart and Catherine put it back together in the best way:) Some bonds can never be broken and I’m glad that Ford & Bell realized that…when Bruce said Bell’s name that was everything!
Reckless Memories is the first book in the all-new Wrecked Series from Catherine Cowles. Let me start by saying I love this author’s books because I feel like I am probably going to get slayed for this review. I’ve been following Catherine from the beginning, and I have always loved her writing.
Now saying that I liked Reckless Memories, I liked it a lot. Catherine has a way of writing a story that pulls you and in and keeps you interested. I just wasn’t a fan of the dead sister’s boyfriend storyline. It’s not because I judge people in relationships that happen from tragedy. I’ve decided maybe my brain just wasn’t in the right mindset, so I’m going to tag the book and do a reread later.
Would I recommend this book? ABSOLUTELY! Catherine’s writing is phenomenal, and Reckless Memories is no different. I have no doubt readers will fall in love with Bell and Ford’s story.
I am completely blown away! I have been a fan of Cowles for a while now and have love everything I have read from her so far but this one is, in my opinion, her best so far. It is a raw emotional read that will hit you right in the feels.
Ford and Bell have complicated past but their chemistry will jump right of the page and you won’t be able to put their story down. I was captivated right from the start and it didn’t let me go. I mean it, even now days later, I am still thinking about this one.
I absolutely loved this one and I highly recommend picking this one up. You won’t be sorry!
This was such a touching, emotional book. I loved it, beginning to end. The pain both Bell and Ford had to live through at such a young age, is nothing to be wished on anyone. Catherine Cowles did an awesome job of bringing the characters to life, showing their emotions and challenges throughout the book. My review can’t do the book justice. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
I am brand new to this author’s work, but it’s certainly not going to stop here. This book completely blew me away. The angst, the emotion, drew me in from the very beginning and held me in thrall until the closing pages. The spine-tingling suspense kept me anxiously flipping pages, desperate to find out if any of my pet theories were correct. FYI: none of them were. The chemistry between Bell and Ford arcs from the page; to the point that I’m a little surprised my reader didn’t short out because of it. I adored watching this pair find healing in one another. And now, I can’t wait to see the author do it again.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.
I have started and restarted this review more times than I want to admit and I still can not find the exact words to describe just how much I loved Reckless Memories. Catherine Cowles should have her own genre simply called Cowles Romance because she puts a little bit of everything in each and every one of her books to were it is impossible to categorize it as suspense, comedy, friends to lovers, second chance, or any other troupe of romance you can think of. Catherine has such a beautiful way of writing a story to make you feel like you are right there with the characters. I could feel the heartbreak and love Ford and Bell experienced coming off the pages. There was just enough suspense to keep me guessing until the very end and when I got to the last page I kept trying to turn the page because I did not want it to end. This was book 1 in a brand new series by Catherine Cowles and I can not wait to see what else she has in store for us and the little island of Anchor. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up now!
Catherine Cowles never ceases to amaze me! I was so excited to start this book (and series) and of course it did not disappoint! Reckless Memories takes place on Anchor Island off the coast near Seattle. Small town life at its finest and the feelings while reading this novel were very real!
We first met Ford Hardy in Further to Fall. He is a very good friend of Austin’s. When circunstances bring him back to Anchor Island, can he break through the small town walls and get back to feeling welcome in his own hometown? Ford has many personal issues that he works through throughout this story.
Bell works at The Catch a long-standing bar and restaurant in town. She has been working there for years helping the Hardy family when they became her family as a teenager. Taking care of and keeping the bar afloat has been her everything for a long time. When her tragic past rolls into town, can she continue moving forward?
I adored this story. As always, I didnt want to put it down and everything about it was moving. Spectacular writing Cathering Cowles! Thank you for another great novel and, I suspect, series! I cannot wait for more!
5 She’s a True Survivor Stars!!!
AHHHHHH This book is EVERYTHING!!!!! Ms. Cowles has given us a story that is haunting with its pain and beautiful with it’s healing. Ford and Bell weren’t supposed to be together because Ford is in love with her older sister Violet…until everything changes one night that shifts the trajectory of their lives.
Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions. My heart literally was broken for Bell. Not only was her life irreparably changed, the one person she thought she could count on left her to heal on her own which is a journey of pain unlike she’s ever known, finding her new normal and dealing with consequences she had no control of.
Ford is a man that I really wanted hate at the beginning of this book because of what he put Bell through. But the more I read, the more I changed my thoughts about him. He was hurting in his own way and like most men, he didn’t necessarily want to face the aftermath of that one fateful night. But when he’s forced to come back to Anchor, he begins to heal both his mind and heart. It’s definitely not an easy journey for this man…he’s facing so many stumbling blocks…the least of which is Bell herself.
Ms. Cowles doesn’t hold anything back with this book and these characters who are damaged in one or another. These people have been interwoven their entire lives. They’ve laughed, loved and cried together. And there are moments in this book that literally had me gasping out loud…I never expected a specific turn of events and my heart almost beat out of its chest!! This is one of the things I’ve come to love about Ms. Cowles writing, she throws us a curveball and how this changes her story is thrilling. It deepens the story in ways that are almost indescribable but fills it with beauty at the same time.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series because it’s going to another wild ride of emotions!!