Book Review: The Lovely Reckless by Kami Garcia

Summary: I’ve become an expert at avoiding things that could hurt me—which means I will figure out how to stay away from Marco Leone.

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 a public high school in the Downs, where fistfights 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?

Release Date: October 2016
Age Group: YA
Source: Review Copy from Publisher
Reviewed By: Nat

Review:
So I jumped into this one knowing two things, one: I was completely unbiased because I knew absolutely nothing about the story and two: I've never read a Kami Garcia book {*gasp* I know, I have no justification for this}.

New Author + YA  = Could Be Awesome

I was blown away! It has been awhile since I have found a true YA standalone that I couldn't put down. This book took 5 hours, one pee break and two snacks followed by dreams of street racing. I really liked Garcia's style of writing, it was so fluid. I stayed engaged and couldn't predict the story line, I mean I thought I had it figured out then BAM, I was wrong. *I only like to be wrong in terms of fiction. 

The best way to describe the main characters, Frankie and Marco, might be to say they are a Gone in 60 Seconds meets Jacob Black who runs into Romeo & Juliet in Downtown LA.

I really fell for all the characters, they were all fleshed out and relatable. Some I hated and others I just wanted to hug and make them cookies. There are several story lines that are relatable to teens from all different backgrounds and situations-- finding that one teacher that really cares, the "throw-away" kids, what it means to come from the hood, teens of privilege, parents who care versus parents who are there but absent.

Most of the time when I read a YA book the parents are non-existent and I think, where do their parents think they are during all this?! But Garcia did a good job of delivering several types of parental circumstances, it wasn't flat and one dimensional.

Plain & simple, The Lovely Reckless is a must- read for all YA fans. As in, right now, Kindle it up! You will not regret it.

PS: I immediately gave this book to a friend to read and one day later I got this text:

"I am sad it's over!" 

Me to Suz, me too.

{Garcia could easily add to this story from at least three different POV. Novella please. #fingerscrossed}