by A.L. Jackson
Series: Closer to You #3
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
His heart was turned off… Until she turned him on…Christopher Moore gave up on the idea of love years ago. Now, his life is an endless string of parties and an even longer string of girls. Enjoying the physical perks with none of the emotional mess, hes convinced everyone that hes satisfied—everyone but himself. Samantha Schultz has moved on with her life. Finishing her student teaching and living with her boyfriend, shes deluded herself into believing shes content. But there is one boy she never forgot—her first love—and she keeps the memory of him locked up tight. She will never allow any man to break her the way Christopher did. When Christopher's sister and her family move into a new neighborhood, Christopher is completely unprepared to find Samantha living at the end of the street. Memories and unspent desires send them on collision course of sex, lies, and lust. But when guilt and fear send Samantha running, Christopher will have to fight for what has always been his
Come to Me Recklessly is the third book in the Closer to You series by A. L. Jackson and while it will work as a standalone. I recommend reading them in order. Jackson has taken us on quite the ride and I was anxious for Christopher Moore’s story. It has been obvious throughout the series that Christopher is avoiding painful issues of the heart and in Come to Me Recklessly, his past meets his present. The tale was emotional, heartwarming and bittersweet. Despite a personal hurdle for me, I enjoyed Come to Me Recklessly and all of its feels.
Caffeinated Aspects:
- Jackson has centered the tale on three childhood friends Aly, her brother Christopher and their neighbor Jared. In the first two books, we deal with Aly and Jared. This time around, we see the impact an event in their teen years had on Christopher and met his first love Samantha Schultz. At its heart, this story is a second chance romance.
- Jackson brings us up close and personal with both Christopher and Samantha using dual points of view. I love this perspective especially when there is a shared history. We get to see how both felt and reacted to the past events that ripped them apart and get their current perspectives as well.
- Come to Me Recklessly picks up almost seven years after their relationship ended, when Aly and Jared bump into Samantha at the supermarket. A dinner party and an unexpected visit from Christopher have the two meeting again and we feel their emotions from seeing each other to dealing with the scars from long ago. It is at times messy and others are simply beautiful. Jackson gives us flashbacks from their youth giving us a sense of their feelings, mindset and revealing miscommunications.
- Besides weaving in beloved characters Jackson also shares a wonderful bittersweet tale about Samantha’s little brother that will have you giggling and shedding a tear. It was a beautiful thread that served to remind us to live each moment.
- Updates from secondary characters and Jackson’s ability to make you understand each character whether you agree or disagree with their behavior makes her one of my favorite authors in this genre.
Decaffeinated Aspects:
- When Samantha and Christopher encounter each other, Samantha has a live in boyfriend and while it is a very complicated situation, I struggled when the lines blurred. Since both have unresolved issues I agree, they needed to work things out, clear the air and heal but beyond that I had very little patience when a third party is involved. Samantha should have lived on her own for a bit to sort shit out. However with age comes wisdom and I realize not everything is black and white. Did Jackson change my mind? Nope. I still say leave and figure your stuff out.
Come to Me Recklessly was beautiful, complicated and bittersweet. I recommend the Closer to You series for fans of Colleen Hoover, Jamie McGuire and Jessica Sorensen.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Liz
I absolutely love this series, and I can’t wait to read Christopher’s story 🙂 Jared and Aly were so intense for me, I expect this one will be right up there too.
Blessie (Mischievous Reads)
I love second chance romances! I’ve seen this author around on blogs, but I’ve never picked up a book by her. I better pick up this series soon. Wonderful review!
Sharon
It’s been a while since I’ve read AL Jackson, who’s books I’ve enjoyed in the past and so I might need to give this series a try.
Lauren
I have problems with book that deal with those blurred lines on cheating as well. I have added Come to Me Quietly to my TBR list.
Oh – what plugin do you use to add your twitter handle?
benish
I’ve seen this book around the blogosphere but I’m not sure if it’s my cup of tea. I enjoyed reading your review though.
Stacy (StacyHgg)
I completely agree! I really think Samantha should have left her boyfriend, I thought she was a wishy-washy kinda weak character. Besides that I really liked it, because like you said it had many “caffeinated” aspects 🙂
sharon - Obsession with Books
I don’t think this one would be for me, blurred lines and complications drive me batty!
A great review!
Bookworm Brandee
Nice review, Kimba. I’ve been looking forward to Come to Me Recklessly as I enjoyed Aly and Jared’s books. You’re so right about Jackson being able to make you feel and understand her characters…whether you agree with their actions or not. I do understand your issue with Samantha’s actions and I have to admit I agree. But like you said, not everything is black and white. I hope I get to read this soon! 🙂
Brandi Breathes Books
The friendship focus sound nice and a pretty cover
Angela Adams
Welcome back from vacation! Thanks for the post!!
Sophia Rose
I read a novella by this author a while back, but never picked up one of her full-length books. I’ll definitely heed advice and take these in order if I choose this series.
Debbie Haupt
Great review Kim
Tika
I’m actually really excited to read this! A blogger friend of mine recommended the first book to me yesterday, so I went ahead and picked it up. Hopefully I’ll be able to knock out all the books back to back, but we all know that never happens lol. This sounds like something that’s actually right up my alley, so I will be starting this series soon. Love your review 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
Hm… I love that it reads as a standalone, but yes, you have me curious about the whole series. I do think parts of this one might bother me, but on the whole, if you could get past them, I probably can as well. Will check out the series.
Sarah
Oh, brother, I’m not sure I would like this one- I’m not a big fan of cheating or quasi-cheating, even if the characters don’t make a move until they out of a relationship. Still, I do love a second chance romance. Maybe I’ll try book one and see how it goes. 🙂
Katherine
There’s so much about this that sounds really great and I love that it’s dual narrator. However, I don’t like the live in boyfriend part of it. I know in real life stuff like that happens but I like my fictional characters to have their shit sorted out or at least be in the process of it!
Candace
This might be a little more drama filled than I like but it might be a series worth looking at!
MIchelle
I have this one waiting on my TBR for me. but I don’t have the first two and since you recommend reading this in order I think I will wait on this one. Glad you liked it Kimba
Great Review!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Lorna
I read Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover recently and loved it-there definitely was some line blurring in that book. But I don’t always like that in a book, of course. I think I am going to pass on this though. Great thoughtful review!
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
1st what a lovely cover:) 2nd that decaffeinated aspect has me a little worried. I hate situations that are complicated in that way.
Ramona
I love your review, especially the decaffeinated aspect – for obvious reasons. Third parties, especially in a setting like this, test my patience too. I haven’t read this series, and I’m on the fence about picking it up… I guess will see. Beautiful review, Kimba.
Quinn's Book Nook
I’m not sure I would enjoy this one. I definitely don’t like the whole live in boyfriend aspect.
Jenny
“Since both have unresolved issues I agree, they needed to work things out, clear the air and heal but beyond that I had very little patience when a third party is involved.”
Same here Kim! Like you said, I understand that real life is messy and complicated and not as easy to sort when you’re in the middle of it as it is when you’re a more detached observer, but still:) Everything else about this story sounds great though, and I’m looking forward to starting at the beginning!
kindlemom1
I keep meaning to pick this author up and try her work. I am so glad this was a good read for you Kim.
Nick
While I like the idea of second chance romances, I don’t think I would like the blurring of lines. That would make me extremely uncomfortable. I can’t handle 3rd parties in romances either. I’m glad you enjoyed this overall though, Kim!
Lovely review!
blodeuedd
I do not think this one is for me
Jeann
This one surely does sound really emotional Kimba, with the second chance romance which sounds really sweet and with lots of emotions involved. Great review!