This was an incredibly beautiful book, but I have to say I disliked it at the beginning and severely disliked the ending. The middle 80% was the really magical bit in my mind. Let me explain.
Before getting into the main body of work I browsed the table of contents for the book. There were about twice the number of chapters I'm normally used to, and each were only identifiable via what seemed to be a character's name. Seeing that, I was nervous about having too many potential POV switches with no context on chapter content. I found myself feeling lost initially. The gradual introduction to the characters was apparently not rounded enough for me to feel grounded within the first three chapters. By the fourth, however, I started to feel comfortable with the book and really began to enjoy it. Around that point is when we start getting a fuller picture of Gentry.
Initially introduced as a 'stalker,' Gentry in fact turns out to be a very endearing character I loved for the remainder of the book. A young man on the autism spectrum with symptoms of auditory hallucinations, he sports an old Middle English accent and an obsession with knightly culture. Pure and chivalrous, Gentry is a memorable character. My only nit is wishing there was slightly more character development in his story, but I understand the focus was on the primary driving plot. He did make strives in growing close to Zee, which is a notable change through the book. For these bits I'm torn. I wanted more sincere slow-burn romance and less detailed intimacy, but another part of me felt those parts were done pretty well. Ultimately I'm left with very few complaints with Gentry as a character, only minor crits wishing for more build-up. He was the perfect foil to Zee.
Coming around to Zee (or Zhorzha), I had trouble connecting with her story simply due to her personality and background. From a troubled family with a history of mental/physical health issues, prison, and hoarding, she attempts to provide for her family via whatever means necessary. Given her rough background it's no wonder her outlook and projection are a bit abrasive. In fact the writing style complemented this perfectly, with its unembellished and easy to read approach. Zee grew on me through the book (certainly with the help of Gentry's role), but towards the end her actions led me to absolutely hate her. I never managed to resolve that feeling and ended the story with severely negative feelings towards her character contrasted with extremely positive feelings towards Gentry. If this was the author's intention (which it very likely was), it's a testament to how well the characters were conveyed that such strong connections were formed. It's been a while since I've had this kind of reaction to a story.
I read this book in two sittings while traveling, delayed only because I was nervous about how the plot would resolve. It turned out my intuition was right and I didn't love the ending, but I have to admit it made some sense given the context. (If anyone reads this please let me know what you think!) Overall I found this to be a beautiful book with themes of acceptance, fidelity, trust, and forgiveness. Gentry was a stand-out character that really shined, and the plot cadence was paced well for a relaxing but engaging read.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved it! 💕
So before I start I just want to say that I loved ATUAWT! Loved it and couldn’t put it down! I still think about that book and the great writing.
This story is also about families/people with lots of issues. There is hoarding, drugs, prisons, kidnapping, foster care and Autism. Wow! What’s not to love?
I know that some people are uncomfortable with some of these issues but I myself come from a family with addiction and hoarding. My mother is still in addiction and my husband was in prison for over 17 years. So it felt like she was talking about my family at times.
I loved that this story was “raw” and “real” life. I’ve read more than a few books with Autism and this one was really good. It did make me crazy at times but it’s my favorite realistic fiction of the year!
Just a side note about the “old English” in some of the chapters, it was sort of hard to read when I started and I almost stopped reading at first but became accustomed to it and was so glad I did. It’s worth the read!
What I loved:
• Gentry
• His Foster Family
• Leon the dog.

Bryn Greenwood writes stories about broken, screwed up people and the the ugly stuff they get caught up in.
Life is messy, get over it and see how God is using it to help you grow.

This was a NETGALLEY gift and all opinions are my own.

While this has some notes of Greenwood's ATUAWT, it stands alone completely. Both have a beautifully complicated relatioship but a lot of readers may feel more comfortable with this one. All that being said...
I loved this. Between the language Gentry uses to the rough and tumble nature of Zee, a truly wonderful thing emerges from a very dark time in their lives. The story is catching and the characters are worth rooting for. I needed desperately to know how they were goung to survive - either together or apart.
Loved it!

I never know quite what to do with Ms. Greenwood’s work Just like “All the Ugly and Wonderful Things” I simultaneously adored and loathed this. There is love and hope here, but also hurt, regret, and betrayal.

The writing is incredible, and the characters well-developed and engaging. I read this in one sitting because I found it so easy to keep turning pages. BUT this is also a heartbreakingly tragic story with irrevocable consequences.

Did I love it? Did I hate it? I can’t tell! (No I can, I loved it, but my heart hurts). Bryn Greenwood is impossible to rate!!!!

I’m struggling here on how to review this. I loved the author’s first novel and I try not to compare books. I didn’t particularly warm up to Zee. I get that she had a rough life, yet I couldn’t get her. Gentry, yes unusual with all the Middle English speaking, and his belief he’s a knight. His character I somehow could connect with. I get that that love comes in all forms, but this relationship just felt too bizarre. I do feel that there was character development here, and Zee’s growth felt genuine. The ending worked to show how two broken people can become whole.

After reading All the Ugly and Wonderful Things, I knew I would read anything Bryn Greenwood would write. When I read the summary for The Reckless Oath We Made, I will admit that I was skeptical. I am not one to pick up a book written in old english or about men living their lives as if it is a medieval reenactment. BUT, this book was excellent. Yes, it is different and yes, the old english is difficult to read but there are only a handful of chapters written from Gentry's perspective and it really is endearing. Gentry is so lovable and kind. He is autistic and just prefers to speak in old english. This book is not much of a romance but more of a suspenseful adventure novel. Zee is the daughter of a felon and a hoarder mother that does not leave the house. Her sister manages to find herself kindnapped during her time volunteering at the prison and Zee and Gentry set off to find her. One of the reasons I love Bryn's books so much is that she writes outside of the lines. She doesn't create cookie cutter perfect characters. She writes about people with flaws that nonetheless are some of the most honorable, genuine people.

I love how she writes perfectly flawed, perfectly human characters. They are messy and real and terrible and wonderful all at the same time, and the way she is able to connect them together is amazing. As is her writing. I liked the way this book blended the crime with the relationships, heavy on the relationships. The plot left some open holes I wanted filled but overall, it was an fantastic book.

I have to say every time I read a book by Bryn Greenwood, it doesn't matter how messed up the situations are I want to be apart of it. I want to be right there with the characters experiencing it. I want to be their best friends. I want to be them. Is that weird? Probably.

I don't think you will ever see a cookie cutter character from Bryn and it's great. All their personalities are weird and true and beautifully written. I enjoyed the romance, the intense relationship between Zee and her family. The loyalty.

I was a little worried when I read Gentry's first chapter because he speaks Middle English and I didn't know if I was going to be able to adjust to that but it ended up being easier than I thought. Also my first time reading a story with Middle English and it was a fun experience.

I would recommend this book and I will read anything by Bryn Greenwood.

At first all I could think was,“what on earth am I reading?”but Greenwood really managed to draw me in with her vivid depictions of completely unexpected characters caught up in situations I could never imagine facing. I have never met anyone like Zee but reading this I felt as if I truly knew her and couldn’t judge her choices the way I usually might. I was happy she was able to find someone matching her strength and loyalty even if wrapped in an unconventional package but I am still surprised about how many people are classifying this book as a romance. To me the most compelling of this story is Zee's journey with her family and how her role in it determines the value she puts on herself and her other relationships. Gentry plays a huge part in that journey but this book about so much more than their relationship.


I received a copy of this book in exchsnge for an honest review.

This one didn't blow me away like her previous novel, but it was still a great story. I love how Greenwood brings together two very unlikely people in a way that just makes sense. I really enjoyed the story. A little bit of romance, a little bit of crime/thriller action happening. The use of so much Middle English from the character Gentry was a little odd but I quickly got used to it and it never diminished the story for me at all. If anything, it added something extra to the story.

Y'all my skin is clear (it looks like hell), my crops are pleantful, and this book was f**kin' amazing! Oh my Gentry! He is to good for anybody or thing and gets all the medieval swords he wants!!! I'm not going to spoil this at all so, keep your hats on. If you didn't like All the Ugly and Beautiful Things by Greenwood then your defiantly going to love this. You follow down on luck Zhorzha (rhymes with Borgia) and Gentry, her champion who is on the autism spectrum. I would say Gentry is on the higher functioning side, like Asperger's but i won't go into more detail because SPOILERS!
You basically follow a manhunt that goes through my part of U.S. of A. Good old south western part of the Midwest. I could practically here the banjo's playing in this book at certain parts (I think it was even mention by character). Full disclaimer warning: you are going to be reading about A LOT of white trash. So if you have sensitivity to really foul language and racial slurs, you have been warned.
Most of the book is like having a hole in your canoe going up Schitt* creek without a paddle and a angry skunk in said boat. But the journey reading this book was so wonderful. The characters are very believable and some of them pull at heart things and others just make you want to punch their teeth in.
If you like The Girl He Used to Know and a splash of mystery thriller, then this book is for you.

I loved Bryn Greenwood's novel, "All the Ugly and Wonderful Things" so I was really excited to start this book. I loved Greenwood's storytelling and the multiple points of view she uses. This book was unlike any I have ever read before. I really enjoyed the eclectic cast of characters that felt real. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that's looking for something different.

"All The Ugly and Wonderful Things" is one of my favorite books of all time, so I was very excited when I saw that Bryn Greenwood was coming out with a new book. I didn't like this novel as much, but it was still a 4 star read. It is a nice mixture of crime drama and romance. Greenwood does such a good job of writing believable characters with all of their humanity on display. Zee is a character that you can't help but root for. I can see how Gentry's use of Middle English could be off-putting for some readers, but it's clearly an integral part of his character and an important part of the story, so it isn't a deal breaker. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

Bryn Greenwood is an amazing writer who writes detailed plotlines and multifaceted characters. All The Ugly and Wonderful Things was not an easy read but I connected so much with her storytelling. The Reckless Oath We Made was definitely a highly anticipated book for me as a reader.

Unfortunately, I had a hard time connecting with these characters and the pacing of this storyline. I struggled with some of the dialogue and the medieval vibe that the character Gentry used and I found it distracted me more than helping me relate to the characters and events.

I think I am definitely in the minority with my feelings about this book so it just might not have been a great fit for me as a reader. I do appreciate that Greenwood never shies away from difficult topics and that her characters are real and raw.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for an advanced copy of this book.

4.5 stars! I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book, but the further I read, the more I loved it. While Zee didn’t have the most conventional family, I found her to be a relatable and down to earth character. She might’ve had few hiccups here and there throughout her life, but there was no question that she loved her family fiercely. So much so that she was determined to find her sister who had been taken hostage by two escaped convicts. But it was not an endeavor she could handle on her own.

Gentry seemed to appear in the right place at the right time. He and Zee met at physical therapy, and though he came across a little strange, Zee treated him like an any other person (which I loved about her). He spoke in Middle English and claimed to be her “champion”, a bit of a knight in shining armor if you will. But just how far was he willing to go for her?

Overall, I really liked this book. The characters were unique and the story was engaging. I would love to read more of Zee and Gentry’s story!

Now that I’ve read three of Bryn Greenwood’s books and have different opinions of each, I have to say, I don’t see any consistency with her style of writing. I don’t know if that is a good or a bad thing though. I think it shows that she is a dynamic writer, and not just in content, but one thing that draws me back to reading more books by an author is my desire to read more of that style of writing. I do hope to read more from Ms. Greenwood and look forward to seeing how her style of writing compares to previous novels.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2641822757

Crazy good!!! This is one of those books that some people will hate because it is really fuckin weird, but weird in the very best way. Greenwood crafted another vivid portrayal of a white trash world that I found fascinating. Think car wreck, you won’t look away!
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things is one of my all time favorite novels and while this one isn’t on that level it’s really creative and I highly recommend to all adventurous readers.

Wow this book had it all- medieval, autism, hoarders, paganism, jail, the KKK, and unlikely romances! I absolutely loved how the relationship of Gentry and Zee developed. This was a great follow-up to Greenwood's first book "All the ugly and wonderful things". The Middle English was a little hard to get into, but the story was so good you just got used to it. Definitely recommend.

I'm sad to say this, because I loved "All The Ugly And Wonderful Things' but this newest novel by Bryn Greenwood is not very good. I got about 2/3 of the way in before giving up based on how repetitive, slow, and annoying to read this book was. This book follows Zee whose sister has been taken hostage at a prison. Instead of focusing on that we follow Zee's struggles with her mother, uncle and boyfriend who talks like a 16th century knight the entire novel. Most of the time is spent with the boyfriend and all scenes with him either bored or annoyed me. The pacing is terrible throughout the book and the story is underdeveloped. I didn't really understand any of her characters either. I gave it 2 stars because I did at least get through 2/3s of the book.

I was looking forward to another book by Bryn Greenwood and happy to get an ARC from Netgalley. I have already preordered the book and glad I did!

Like her last book, the characters are quite flawed and real. The plot doesn’t go quite where you think it will and things aren’t cookie cutter.

I enjoyed this book. Like that this author writes these characters that I haven’t seen in other books I’ve read. I read so many books where the story is on the east or the west coast and you just get sick of that. This is refreshing to have a story set in Kansas, I can’t say the last time I read one set in the plains.

A strange love story that may not be for everyone.

SUCH a unique book! When I got to the first chapter Gentry narrates, I was so confused, had no idea what was happening, but a modern adult man speaking Middle English was intriguing, so I kept going. And then a couple chapters in, and I LOVED GENTRY SO MUCH!!! I guess Zee is lovable in her own way and honestly, I shouldn't be mad about what she did in Chapter 43 because it's her background, her upbringing, her fight-or-flight response that has been ingrained and she knows no other way, so if we're being realistic in this book, it makes sense that she did what she did (I realize this is super vague, I'm just trying to not have to hide because of spoilers), but it just made me hate her a little. A lot. Maybe it's supposed to. Either way, the book has a wonderful, sweet ending, and I'm so glad I discovered Bryn Greenwood. Both books I've read of hers are 5 stars for me! I'm officially a fan.