A Reckless Heart
by Jennifer Wilck
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GENRE: contemporary romance
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BLURB:
Meg Thurgood, former society girl, took the blame for her friend and paid a steep price. Now all she wants is solitude and a chance to rebuild her life. She thinks she’s found that in an isolated house she rents from a mysterious stranger.
Simon McAlter has hidden in his house on the coast of Maine since a fire left him scarred. A successful landscape architect who conducts his business and teaches his classes remotely, he’s lost his inspiration and is trying to pretend he’s not lonely.
Simon’s new neighbor is more than he bargained for. When he learns Meg’s secret, will he retreat into the shadows or will he learn to see past the surface and trust in Meg’s love?
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Excerpt Three:
Meg walked with Simon on the rocky beach, waves on her right, cliffs on her left, and seagulls overhead. This time, her lungs expanded, her respiration slowed, and she became hyper-aware of him. He took longer strides than she did, but after they’d gone a few feet, he shortened his.
She appreciated the consideration. It only made her more aware of his muscular thighs. Their arms brushed as they walked, and tingles shot up her neck. It was an accident, wasn’t it? He stepped away, but a few strides later the uneven ground pushed them together, and their bodies brushed against each other. She listened to his breath hitch at the contact, and he didn’t move away.
Nervous laughter bubbled in her chest. They’d been close before and held hands. Granted, he’d covered hers on the ladder, but still. It wasn’t the first time they touched. Why was this different? She remembered the sensations when he’d covered her hand on the roof— warmth and roughness and safety. And she wanted it. She bumped her hand against his, on purpose, to feel his skin. It wasn’t smooth like hers. Its texture, unique to him, fascinated her. A moment later, he rubbed his arm against her.
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Peeps this book. I know that I say that about every book that I read but like yesterday’s offering, this book is just wonderful. *Disclaimer…I have read Ms. Wilck before so I’m very familiar with her work* What really sets this apart from some of the contemporaries that I’m reading right now is that both the hero and heroine are somewhat broken and scared. Yes, both of them. Especially Simon. I really wanted to feel sorry for him but I knew that I couldn’t. He had a journey to take and Ms. Wilck spent her time with him. As an individual, not just with Meg.
Meg is one of those characters that you completely understand why she did what she did and I get that. Unfortunately, I really wanted to slap her enablers in the end. She shouldn’t have had to go that long with her secret but I get it. She had to come into her own again. To prove to herself that she was worthy and a good person in the end. I love how Ms. Wilck showed both Meg and Simon that together they were better than apart. People make mistakes and these two make many in their relationship but that’s half the fun with these two.
Ms. Wilck takes her time with them throughout the book. Between the misunderstandings, the feeling like Simon was kinda like the Beast and Meg was his Beauty, and Simon’s friend Claire, I didn’t want this book to end. It had me from the first page and I’m still thinking of Simon and Meg. I’m wondering about the garden that Simon was designing, whether Meg was still at the library and whether or not, the town forgave. More than anything, I’m just wondering about Meg and Simon. *sigh*
I cannot emphasize how much this book got to me. I sighed, cried, wanted to slap some people but in the end, I just had the biggest smile on my face and my heart was full. I just love how Ms. Wilck writes. Her characters are richly written, the Maine setting is perfect and I can’t help but wonder about Ted and the rest of the investment group are up to now. For now, though, I’ll just go back and re-read one of my favorite books of the year. I miss Meg and Simon and you will, too, if you read it. Trust me…you will thank me later.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.
In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.
She writes contemporary romance, many of which feature Jewish characters in non-religious settings (#ownvoices). She’s published with The Wild Rose Press, as well as indie, and all her books are available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Author Links:
Website: http://www.jenniferwilck.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Wilck-201342863240160/
Newsletter: https://www.jenniferwilck.com/contact.html#newsletter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JWilck
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjenniferwilck/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jennifer-wilck
Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Reckless-Heart-Scarred-Hearts-Book-ebook/dp/B08X429BMX/
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:
Jennifer Wilck will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
The house does look very isolated.
I liked the review, thank you.
So did I! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Harlie, thank you so much for hosting me today! I always smile when I see you’re on the list. I’m so glad you liked the book, and I appreciate the time you took to read and review. Thanks again!
I love the cover! The design and colors are great!
Jeanna, thank you! My cover designer did such a great job with it. I was thrilled when I saw it!