One Reckless Summer is the first book I’ve read by Toni Blake and it’s the start of a new series set in Destiny, Ohio. It’s a blend of contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Reminiscent of Robyn Carr’s Virgin River, it made for a pleasant read.
Jenny Tolliver is the quintessential good girl. She’s a respectful daughter, a former cheerleader and homecoming queen. She went out with the “right” boys and eventually married the “right” man, sacrificing her dream of becoming an astronomer in the process. Now she’s recently divorced from her cheating ex-husband, who had the temerity to tell her she was sexually repressed and therefore the cause of his affair.
Jenny is sick of being good. So she quits her sensible teaching job and moves back to her hometown of Destiny. She intends to spend the summer recharging and deciding what to do with the rest of her life. Living in her old house on the lake, she remembers Mick Brody, the town bad boy and object of Jenny’s secret teenage fantasies. The Brody’s lived across the lake and couldn’t have been more different from her family. Jenny’s father is chief of police in Destiny; the Brody’s tended to be on the other side of a jail cell door.
One night, Jenny rows across the lake to have an unimpeded view of the stars. It’s Brody territory but she doesn’t expect to meet anyone as the Brody’s are supposed to be long gone. Consequently, she’s flabbergasted when she encounters none other than Mick Brody himself. Throwing away a lifetime of good intentions, Jenny and Mick have hot sex and she realizes she’s not the staid, repressed person her ex claimed she was. What follows is a summer of secrets and passion, with Mick hiding something which has the potential to destroy their new-found love.
One Reckless Summer is a light read and reminiscent of Susan Wiggs and Robyn Carr’s books. It has a nice cast of characters, a sweet romance, and just enough poignancy to add a bit of depth and prevent it from being forgettable fluff.
Although I liked it quite a bit, I found Jenny exasperating. When Mick asks Jenny to keep his secret, she promises him she’ll do so, but then promptly tells her best friend and later her father. I was annoyed she never confessed to Mick that she broke her promise to him by blabbing to Sue-Ann. She only admits to telling her dad when Mick confronts her about it. The dishonesty bothered me quite a bit as there was no reason for it and it hardly represents a fortuitous start to a serious relationship.
The romantic subplot involving Jenny’s dad and Anita, the bar owner, was nicely done. Mick’s secret was heart-wrenching and added a touch of gravity to an otherwise upbeat book. We get glimpses of potential future couplings and I plan to read the next in the series. If you’re looking for a light summer read, One Reckless Summer could be for you. Grade: B-
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Nice summer book. Can’t complain about the first scene between Jenny and Mick. *fans self*
Definitely read Toni’s past books. They are all enjoyable books.
With the hot summer weather we have here in the Netherlands this seems like a wonderful read! I have this one in process of order, I hope to have it shipped to me soon! Enjoyed your review
and I’m wondering how I will pick up on the dishonestly issue.
I have read Letters To A Secret Lover and was very enthusiastic about it. Tempt Me Tonight is on its way to me and will end up high on the TRP.
@katiebabs Yes, that scene was a good one! I’d definitely be interested in reading more of her books, particularly those set in Destiny. While not a perfect read, ‘One Reckless Summer’ was a light and entertaining summer read.
@Leontine The dishonesty issue was irksome but it was probably realistic in the sense that many women confide in their best friends, even stuff they’re supposed to keep secret.