Book Rewind Review: The Lovely Reckless by Kami Garcia

Book Rewind is a review for throwback Thursday, featuring backlist titles, because we like to give love and value to books that aren’t just new releases. Today’s review is The Lovely Reckless by Kami Garcia which was released in 2016. Check out my review below!

The Lovely Reckless

by Kami Garcia
Published by: Square Fish
on June 6, 2017
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Bookshop, IndieBound
Goodreads

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia, a contemporary romance full of loss, love and redemption...
Seventeen year-old Frankie Devereux would do anything to forget the past. Haunted by the memory of her boyfriend's death, she lives her life by one dangerous rule: nothing matters. At least, that's what Frankie tells herself after a reckless mistake forces her to leave her privileged life in the Heights to move in with her dad--an undercover cop. She transfers to public school in the Downs, where fistfights in the halls don't faze anyone and illegal street racing is more popular than football.
Marco Leone is the fastest street racer in the Downs. Tough, sexy, and hypnotic, he makes it impossible for Frankie to ignore him...and how he makes her feel. But the risks Marco takes for his family could have devastating consequences for them both. When Frankie discovers his secret, she has to make a choice. Will she let the pain of the past determine her future? Or will she risk what little she has left to follow her heart?
Your own heart will race with each page turn of this heart-stopping star-crossed love story.An Imprint Book

Review

“We grew up together, and Noah was one of my best friends. But he feels so far away…And you’re my right now.”

Frankie witnessed her boyfriend’s murder, which should be enough trauma for anyone. But Frankie also has the burden of not being able to remember the person who murdered him, adding to her pain from the situation. No one seems to understand what’s happening with her, until she makes the mistake of drinking and driving. From there, her life shifts majorly. She is forced to live with her father, who is an undercover cop, change from her private school to a public school, and overall develop who she really is. And of course, she meets Marco, a misunderstood kid from across the tracks.

The first 270 pages build up for the last ~100, which would normally annoy me. But The Lovely Reckless never feels tedious. For me, it was one of those books you don’t want to put down.

A lot of people love YA because the emotional connection is so real and raw. If you’re one of those people, this book is for you. You’ll love watching Frankie figure out her world and navigate through her loss. You’ll be concerned for her. You’ll bite your nails with worry. You won’t want to stop, even when it’s over.

**I received a copy of The Lovely Reckless at a festival. It was on my TBR long before that; how I received the book had no bearing on my opinions here.