A new provocative love story from the New York Times bestselling author of All the Ugly and Wonderful Things. “The story of Zee and Gentry is the reason we read.” —Brunonia Barry Their journey will break them—or save them. A moving and complicated love story for our time, The Reckless Oath We Made redefines what it means to be heroic. Zee has never admitted to needing anybody. But she … redefines what it means to be heroic. Zee has never admitted to needing anybody. But she needs Gentry. Her tough exterior shelters a heart that’s loyal to the point of self-destruction, while autistic Gentry wears his heart on his sleeve, including his desire to protect Zee at all costs. When an abduction tears Zee’s family apart, she turns to Gentry—and sets in motion a journey and a love that will change their lives forever.
“[A] mind-blowing book that has left me scrambling to pick up the pieces of my brain and my shattered heart . . . Prepare to have your mind and heart expanded to their limits.” —The Oklahoman
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4.5 stars
This was my first book from this author and I cannot wait to read the rest of her work. I’m usually a bit skeptical when books have multiple, multiple POV’s but it worked so well for this book. I think that’s mostly because this isn’t just Zee’s story. So many people are affected from her sister’s actions. Not gonna lie, it took me a bit to get used to Gentry’s use of Middle English but once it was explained why he uses it, I didn’t think about it again. I loved the story. Loved that it went somewhere my preconceived notions didn’t think of. My only thought in regards to the ending was that I wanted a bit more things said/discussed/proclaimed between Zee and Gentry other than that it was perfection.
This is the most unique story (with equally unique characters) that I’ve read since Eleanor Oliphant. It had me on the edge of my seat. It broke my heart. It made me examine my own sense of honor and integrity. And it took me far outside my life experience and made me see things through a different lens. For all of those reasons, I highly rate it.
Zee is deeply flawed, and I struggled to relate to her. Truthfully, I got very angry with her at different times throughout the story and am still unsure how I feel about her. But Gentry is so pure, his light and love take up most of your heart. As for the Middle English–it’s like watching a foreign film with subtitles. Very quickly you are so into it, you hardly notice it at all.
I don’t want to say more because I think this book is best met with little expectations or idea of what’s to come…so give it a try!
THE RECKLESS OATH WE MADE is a glorious epic about pain and poverty, mental illness and medieval chivalry, love and redemption. Zee and Sir Gentry, mismatched in every way except for their sense of loyalty and devotion to family, are unforgettable characters. She’s the hot-tempered, drug-dealing daughter of a convict … with a good heart and a shattered hip. He’s a wise, sweet guy on the spectrum … who hears voices, believes he’s her champion, and talks only in Middle English. With a unique cast of secondary characters, they embark on a quest like no other. This novel is one to reread and treasure. I loved every word.