This was a little slow at first but there was plenty of action later on in the story. Anne Shelley was determined not to marry the Earl of Harcourt and willingly fell in with the pan of Ellis Maitland. This brought her into contact with Rook Maitland. Rook has deep regrets about his past life and in some ways his connection to Ellis. Rook seems to be keeping something about his past to himself. On their journey together, Anne and Room come to a deeper unselfish each other but are aware that they belong in different worlds. Anne has always been the triplet to do as she wanted. However, she was concerned about the affect her disappearance had on her sisters. Some things are resolved in this book but not all and I’m assuming that will happen in the next book. There are dangers and passion in this story and I’m looking forward to the next. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Anne Shelley ran away from her arranged marriage. She picked the man who she believed was the lesser of two evils, Ellis “Handsome” Maitland. While Ellis abandoned her with his cousin, Rook, within hours, Rook became a third choice she never knew she had. While Anne gets to know Rook’s life on his own Scottish island, she learns he has little in common with his smarmy cousin. Once Anne realizes Ellis isn’t coming back anytime soon, she and Rook are forced to take the long way around to get her home.

As the tale of the Shelley triplets continues, we are taken on a road trip of love while danger lurks in the shadows. While Anne did appear in the first book of the series, she knows little of what happened when she left her unwanted fiancé, the Earl of Harcourt, who went on to marry her sister, Thomasina. This story takes place parallel to the first novel and goes a bit beyond and, oh boy, do we get a big surprise twist to the ongoing mystery.

Michaels always writes compelling characters with fantastic stories to tell. I couldn’t wait to get my eyes on this one, so I read the first one more than once in preparation. Rook was only hinted at in the first book so he was a blank slate that Michaels filled with a compassionate former criminal trying to start over by isolating himself. He wasn’t looking for Anne and she certainly wasn’t looking for him. Over the course of the novel, Michaels created characters who were more than their families, more than anyone ever thought they could be.

A Reckless Runaway is another 5 Star read for me. I highly recommend reading the first story, A Reluctant Bride, before this to understand why Anne ran away. Plus, it is a magnificent read and it will give you hours of enjoyment before the third Shelly Sisters book, A Counterfeit Courtesan, releases March 3rd, 2020.

I received A Reckless Runaway for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A Reckless Runaway by Jess Michaels is book 2 in The Shelly Sisters Series. This is the story of Anne Shelley and Constantine 'Rook' Maitland. I have read the previous book which added to my enjoyment and understanding of this one, but you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. As we learned in the last book Anne is part of the Shelley triplets sisters. Anne was to marry Jasper Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt but she didn't want to do so. Anne ends up going off with Ellis Maitland to Scotland and he takes her to his cousin Rook. Rook leaves on a isolated island in Scotland and has turned his back on the town. But he does agree to take Anne to help his cousin and she is only suppose to be there a few days. But weeks past and she asked Rook for his help getting back home.
During their time Rook and Anne are drawn to each other but Rook is trying to resist her charms but he finally gives in. Then he learns the true story of his cousin and he knows he has to enter into society again. Enjoyed their steamy read.

A Reckless Runaway (The Shelley Sisters Book 2) by Jess Michaels is an intriguing Historical Romance. Book 2, but can be read as a stand alone.
Anne Shelley, the eldest sibling of the Shelly triplets, and considered the wild and reckless one. Jasper Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt, Anne's unwanted fiance.
Anne runs away with Ellis Maitland. Ellis takes her to Scotland, not to marry her but to drop her off on his cousin,
Constantine (Rook) Maitland, in Scotland. A fun story with a multitude of characters, and yes, a villain or two. Opposites do attract, especially, in A RECKLESS RUNAWAY.
Anne and Rook's journey to their HEA is fraught with danger, mystery, some fun moments included, intrigue and romance, all the time staying one step ahead of the villain.
Well written and well excuted. The cast of characters keeps you turning pages, add in the intrigue, mystery, and romance, makes for entertaining reading.
An enticing family story told in three parts, Anne, Thomasina, and Julianna, the Shelley triplets. Strongly recommended for fans of historical romance, adventure, mystery, fun moments, and steamy scenes. Well worth the time to read, you will not be disappointed. A superb story!

#NetGalley, #AReluctantRunnaway,#JessMichaels


"I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however,  these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review."

Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Steamy
Reviewer: AprilR

Anne is the wild triplet of the infamous Shelley triplets and runs away from her engagement expecting to go to Gretna Green. She ends up dumped off on an island with Rook the cousin of her fiancé. As she and Rook spend time together, sparks begin to fly. Will her fiancé come for her or will she find her own way home? Fast-paced read with steamy chemistry, lots of drama and great characters. I loved this historical read.

I really enjoyed this one, frivolous and flighty triplet Anne, decides she feels nothing for her fiancé the Earl of Harcourt, and convinces her sister Thomasina to take her place at her own betrothal ball. She runs away with the exciting if enigmatic Ellis Maitland, who very quickly dumps her on his reclusive cousin Rook. Anne digs deep and finds that she is tougher and more resourceful than she or anyone else gave her credit for, Rook squirrels the beautiful and brave Anne on his remote island, and against his will is fascinated by her. He falls do her despite their differences in station, and his past as a criminal.

When she has worked through her fear and disappointment at being abandoned by Ellis, she realises how much she has hurt her family and compromised Thomasina who was trying to help her. As he helps her to go back an salvage epwhat she can from the mess she has made, can they find a way to be happy and together.

I loved this because of Rook, who was a n excellent hero. He was already tormented by his actions in the past, and had exiled himself on his Scottish island to keep away from Ellis and his criminal connections. He didn’t feel he was worthy of Anne, and respected her fortitude and bravery. He was also super hot!

Recommended. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

Also posted on Goodreads

Anne's father has arranged a marriage for her. But the man she is to marry, doesn't seem to care for her at all or be able to tell her apart from her sisters. So when a stranger starts to pay attention to her, she is intrigued. They continue to meet and right before her wedding, she sneaks off with him to get married at Gretna Green. But instead of getting married, she find herself being dropped off with a stranger and taken to a remote island. While scared at first, she come to realize that the man means her know harm. In fact, the more she gets to know him the more she wants to know more about him.

Rook has stopped being a part of his cousin's schemes a year ago and never wanted to be apart of them again, but he couldn't leave Anne to fend for herself. He gives her time to become acclimated to her circumstances, but once she starts to open up to him, he can't deny the attraction. Knowing that his cousin won't be back to claim Anne, they decide to get back to Anne's family. But their time together just brings them that much closer.

Can this grand adventure lead to their HEA?

I really enjoyed Anne and Rook's story. Having read the first book in the series, I knew that Anne had runaway and was with Rook, but it left me wondering what had happened during that time. Michaels did not disappoint! I loved watching these two get to know one another without anyone else around to interfere. I excited to see how this series ends!!

Anne Shelley is one of the Shelley triplets, known as the “wild one” by her sisters and the one her father chose to marry Jasper Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt.

Anne cannot think of a worse fate than to become Lady Harcourt, so when she met Ellis Maitland and he suggested running away, it seemed like the answer to her prayers, but quickly she learned that Ellis is not who or what he pretended to be and she finds herself thrust upon his cousin “Rook”.

Constantine “Rook” Maitland has lived alone on his little island in Scotland for about a year, content to be alone and happy to have left the “game” behind. He has no desire to be sucked back in, but he feels he owes Ellis a debt and agrees to let Anne stay with him for “a few days”. At first Anne is terrified of Rook, but soon learns that he is a smart, quiet, caring man and slowly she begins to admire him. When a couple of weeks pass and Ellis has not returned, Anne gets anxious and asks Rook to take her home.

He agrees to take her to Gretna Green, where she should be able to find safe transportation. Anne is the first to admit that she has lead a sheltered and privileged life and doesn’t know the first thing about doing for herself, but during her time with Rook, she begins to broaden her horizons and learn to take care of herself. She also grows more attached and attracted to Rook. When it is clear they will be soon parting ways, she is finally able to break through his objections and they surrender to the passion that has been simmering for weeks. But Rook feels unworthy of Anne and repeatedly tells her he is no good and refuses to consider anything beyond a stolen night together. Anne wants to change his mind and is set to do so when she hears a shocking revelation, Harcourt married one of her sisters in her place. Anne is devastated and needs to get back to Harcourt – but now that Rook knows who she was going to marry before Ellis interfered, he knows that Anne and her sisters are in danger and as much as he hates the idea, he will have to rejoin the game to save the woman he has fallen hopelessly in love with.

I thought this was a very good story, part of the story runs concurrent with the previous book until the sisters are reunited, so I would recommend reading the books in order. Rook and Anne are a great couple with oodles of chemistry and passion to spare. I enjoyed the ongoing mystery of the “treasure” and learning a bit more of why Ellis is involved. I am really looking forward to the conclusion of the book and can’t wait to see how Ms. Michaels manages to redeem Ellis! This is the second book in the series and I strongly recommend reading the books in order for maximum enjoyment.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

A Reckless Runaway is the second book in the Jess Michaels series The Shelley Sisters. I really enjoyed her Scandal Sheet series of novellas, but I was very excited that this new series consisted of full-length books. The more Jess Michaels the better! The first book, A Reluctant Bride, was great...but this book? This book was AWESOME! Yes, in all caps.

We met Anne Shelley in A Reluctant Bride. She is known as the "wild" triplet. Not willing to be in a loveless marriage to the Earl of Harcourt, she plotted to escape. Asking her sister Thomasina to pretend to be her for an evening at a ball, she took off with Ellis Maitland, the handsome man she was being wooed by on the sly. She thought they were going to Gretna Green to be married, but Ellis instead dropped her off to stay with his grouchy cousin Rook Maitland. Ellis ordered her to stay there until he came back for her; he was no longer the charming man she believed him to be. Staying in Rook's small home on a remote Scottish island, the two began to be drawn to each other, despite learning of his criminal past with Ellis. Realizing that Ellis is not coming back for her, she convinces Rook to return her to her sisters. The two cannot control their yearning for each other on the trip, and they don't realize they're heading into danger.

I wasn't crazy about Anne in the previous book, as she came across as self-centered and frivolous. However, as I got to know her, I understood her feelings much better and began to adore her. She was devastated to be dumped off by Ellis, but once she stopped hiding in her room and adjusted to her new situation, she surprised me and bloomed. She got excited to dig for clams and learned to throw knives, so different from her life of excitement and parties in London. Then there's Rook....~Sigh~ I fell in love with him. A gruff man trying to escape his criminal past, he couldn't believe that he was any good for Anne. But I knew better! The chemistry between them was just unbelievable. Ms. Michaels is in the top tier of writing erotic scenes. It's not just a matter of who puts what where; she has longing and emotion mixed with the physical which makes those love scenes sublime. Ellis seems to be the unlikely hero in the next book. I'm sure if anyone can make such an unlikable man a hero, it will be Ms. Michaels. I can barely wait!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Second book in the series and another great story. This is Anne and Rook story. How they appear at the end of the first book, is all explained. I'll recommend to read the first book to have a continuaty with the story. Bring on book 3.
ARC provided through Netgalley. The opinions are all mine.

Jess Michaels is one of my favorite authors and this book doesn't disappoint. Anne is engaged to be married to a boreish man, who while young, doesn't excite Anne. He can't even tell the difference between her and her sisters; although they are triplets; Anne imagines the man she marries to be so in love with her that he can tell the slight differences. But she is set on doing her father's bidding until she runs into Ellis. He is everything she thinks she wants. She agrees to meet him, thinking they are going to Greta green to be married. But he is nothing like the man she met; he is borderline mean. He commands her to go on the boat with his cousin, Rook, until he comes back for her and they will still marry. Rook is nothing like his cousin and is no longer partners with Ellis, but just doing this one last favor. Rook doesn't know what to do with Anne, and like always finds himself cleaning up Ellis's mess. He knows Ellis won't be back and so he agrees to take Anne back to England. Their journey back gives them time to get to know each other; and their slow descent into love was believable. I really enjoyed this book, but the beginning was rough. As a reader you can tell Ellis is not a hero from the beginning and I almost put it down when Anne agreed to meet him. So glad I stuck with it as a beautiful love story unfolded.

A Reckless Runaway by Jess Michaels is the second book in the Shelley Sisters series.The Shelly sisters are triplets, which is extremely rare in this time period. Their father is all about getting them married off and gaining more prestige from them. Despite the fact, the triplets look so much alike, they are really quite different in temperament. This particular book focuses on Anne. She is impetuous, headstrong, and a bit wild.

Anne ran away from her newly engaged fiance, Jasper Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt. He needed money and she was the price he had to pay for the money. However he's not her cup of tea and she is desperate to get out of the arrangement. A pretty man keeps showing up around the house laughing at her jokes and acting like she is the only woman. Anne runs away with him thinking they were eloping with him. He really is a con artist and she is left with his cousin Rook, as he goes back to get what he wants from Jasper Kincaid.

This is the second book I have read in the Shelly sister series. I really liked the previous book, A Reluctant Bride with the characters of Jasper and Thomasina. I was not as enthralled with the character of Anne, I found that she was self-centered. However it's always good when a character has room to grow and Anne had lots of room to grow. A Reckless Runaway by Jess Michaels a pretty good read.

I don't know how author Jess Michaels does it. Every book she writes is unique and can stand on its own even when part of a series. Her latest A Reckless Runaway is book 2 in the Shelley Sisters series and follows the exploits of the "wild" Shelley sister, Anne. A Reckless Runaway is not only well written but features likeable primary characters, loads of hot and steamy scenes and just the right amount of mystery. I literally could not put this book down. Thank you NetGalley.

LOVE LOVE LOVED this one!

Rook and Anne’s story is even more heartfelt than book one. I am a softie for a reformed bad guy & Rook definitely fits the bill. Slow burn chemistry, sweet moments and a good dose of action made this a fantastic read. Definitely recommend and looking forward to Juliana’s book!

Anne Shelley has always been known as the “wild” one of the infamous Shelley triplets and never has that been truer than when she ran away from her engagement with Ellis Maitland, a scandalous man. She expects to be taken to Gretna Green for a hasty marriage, but instead she is dumped off on a remote island in Scotland with his grouchy cousin, Rook Maitland. Rook knows his cousin’s game and he has serious doubts he’ll ever return for the fetching Anne, fool that he is. After all, the woman is fascinating and the more time they spend together, she proves to be irresistible. When she asks him to help her get back to her family, time alone on the road will lead to passions that can no longer be denied.
This is the second in the series & whilst it could be read on its own it does closely link with the first book & things are not truly resolved at the end of it, so I’d highly recommend reading the series in order to fully appreciate it. I must admit I didn’t have a high opinion of Anne in the first book so was agreeably surprised by how much I grew to like her, she's feisty & selfish but the more she's out of her comfort zone the more she grows. I loved Rook from the start & how he’d tried to forge a new & better life for himself. The chemistry between the pair is electric & only grows. An enthralling page turner that I devoured, the pace is very good & the climax had me breathless, I can’t wait for Juliana’s story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The Reluctant Bride gave a glimpse into the match between Anne Shelley and Rook Maitland. I had high hopes for their own story but I never fully understood Constantine's background and his strong ties to his cousin. I believe the next book in the series will provide those answers but it did take away from the depth the previous book offered. With that being said, I can't wait to see what becomes of Juliana and Handsome. In the end, this felt more of a bridge between two epic romances. Not a miss but not a hit either.

I was really taken with Rook. I thought he was the perfect gentleman. A little rough around the edges, but kind and loving and has a huge heart. His demeanor is definitely something to write home about and he was “swoon”. Anne has to learn to take care of herself and in the way that she goes about it is realistic as she became more comfortable in the island life with Rook. These two characters pulled me into their story. A great story. The mystery just keeps getting more mysterious. Yes, we find out what Ellis is looking for but did Ellis fall for the last Shelley triplet?

Out of the frying pan and into the fire!

Anne is so disconcerted by her impending marriage to the Earl of Harcourt that she fairly jumps at the chance to run off with the exciting Ellis. Little does she realize that she's just a pawn in another man's game. Ellis quickly hands her off to his trusted cousin, Rook, a man who knows exactly who Ellis is and tries his best to protect Anne until he can get her safely back home.

It's a wonderful, action and romance-packed adventure story, as Anne and Rook travel across Scotland to reunite her with her family. The writing is so vibrant, you can almost feel the rain and see the fog that permeates their travels. Anne's exposure to the world beyond her privileged upbringing is eye-opening, and she can't help but recognize the hidden honor and dignity that Rook tries to deny he has.

There's so much emotional depth and growth with these two characters. I didn't think I'd like Anne from the first book, but I was happy to be wrong. She may be a bit headstrong, but her heart is true and she's a wonderful heroine in her own right. I loved Rook's quiet power, his unwavering determination to protect Anne from every threat including himself, and especially his soft, squishy heart that hands itself over to Anne almost from the moment they met. I loved the use of the game of chess to explain his relationship with Ellis, and how they grew up together.

The reunion that was hinted at in the last pages of A Reluctant Bride was everything that I'd hope for, and more. Sizzling tension, joyous hugging and crying, heartfelt confessions, and a new understanding all culminate in the showdown with the nefarious villain. This, of course, leads us right into the next book, as the events surrounding the death of the previous Earl of Harcourt are further explained and we are finally able to understand what the real threat is.

Like the previous book, this couple gets their HEA but the overarching storyline continues. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

4.5 road trip hook-up stars

This is the second book in the Shelley Sisters trilogy; while the author provides enough background to give the reader the information needed from the first book to read this one as a standalone, I would recommend reading book 1 before jumping into Anne's story.

Anne Shelley is the eldest of the Shelley Triplets. As multiple births rarely result in the survival of the children and the mother, and the vast majority of them are twins, the triplets are an anomaly in their time, and they are often alienated as a result. Most people, their father included, cannot tell them apart, but they have very distinctly separate personalities, and Anne is known to be the wild and reckless one. That is probably why her father decided she should be the first of the girls to be married off to an earl whose impoverished estate needed the dowry Anne's father could provide, and Anne's father coveted the title he would be linked to. But no one asked Anne what she wanted, and she certainly does not want a boring life with a man, who while a younger earl than most, does not excite her in the least. Anne feels trapped... until a mysterious, very handsome man shows up at her engagement announcement ball and offers her what she feels she has always wanted: adventure and passion. Over the next several weeks, she sneaks away to meet Ellis Maitland - a man who listens to her and laughs at her quips... and most importantly, offers her an escape from what she knows will be a miserable life. But how...?

As was revealed in book 1, Anne convinces Thomasina (the youngest triplet who is secretly infatuated with her sister's finance) to swap places with her just for one night... exactly 1 week before the wedding. Anne claims she just needs a night off from all of the hoopla to refresh herself and start coming to terms with her looming marriage. But when Thomasina agrees, Anne slips out into the night and meets Ellis who is supposed to whisk her away to Gretna Green where they will be wed; then Anne will return home and deal with whatever consequences she faces knowing she has controlled her own fate. When Anne wakes up after taking a nap, they are near the sea... nowhere close to Greta Green, and suddenly Ellis's personality takes a 180 - he is short with her and tells her to do what he says. Though she refuses to allow him to treat her as chattel, she has little choice but to agree to his demand that she go with his cousin who will watch over her until he can come to get her and take her to Gretna Green as promised. And while Anne is very upset with this change in plans, she knows she is stranded without means to go anywhere else, so she boards the boat with Rook Maitland, the cousin Ellis has roped into helping him one last time.

Rook Maitland is furious with his cousin Ellis, though he should have known better than to agree to help him "just one more time." He knew Ellis was desperate, but he never agreed to a plan involving a lady... and certainly not such a beautiful and spirited one at that. Rook knows that Ellis is unlikely to come back for Anne, and he is angry with his cousin for putting him in this position. But once he and Anne are alone together on his island with no other inhabitants, they get to know each other better and realize there is more to the other than they originally thought. When Rook agrees to take Anne back to England, he knows that means a lot of time on the road and in inns along the way where they will have to pose as a married couple. And the more time they spend together, the greater the attraction becomes... and the more both wish they were what they pretend to be. But they are from different worlds - Rook's mother was a prostitute who died when he was young which was when his cousin Ellis "saved" him by taking him in and teaching him the ways of living on the street: stealing, cheating, lying, and manipulating to get by. There is no chance for a future together.. right? And when Ellis's latest scam brings danger right to them, will they survive long enough to find out if they could possibly find a way?

What I liked:
--- Very likeable main characters, even though Anne came across as selfish at first, she "grew" on me as her story unfolded
--- Rook.. the name alone is a little panty-melting, and the description.... yes please! Good guy underneath the boy that had to survive on the streets
--- The plot was fast-moving and kept me flipping the pages well into the night
--- STEAMY GOODNESS

What I didn't like as much:
--- There was some angst I could have done without - the "I think he/she thinks this, so I am going to act this way..." - don't assume and communicate, y'all! :)
--- I am not sure how I am going to find Ellis sympathetic - he has been set up to be the H for the final triplet, and even though he redeemed himself a little in this book, his scale is heavily tipped on the douchebag side right now

Overall, I enjoyed Anne and Rook's adventure immensely! They were the classic opposites attract who find out they have more in common than they could ever realize. Excellent chemistry between the two, a quick moving story line, some mystery and intrigue plus a dash of danger.... Good stuff! I am looking forward to reading Juliana's story to wrap up the trilogy!

Plot --- 4.5/5
Main Characters --- 4.25/5
Supporting Cast --- 4.5/5
Steam Level* --- 4/5
Violence --- nothing graphic
Language --- not egregious
POV --- 3rd

*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild; 2/5 - sensual but nothing descriptive; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere; 4/5 - yes please! ; 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all

Oh my, I love these Shelley triplets. Tomasina got her HEA in book 1. This book is Anne’s stor.
******
Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Kindle unlimited: No
******
This book took the suspense to a whole new level and I am so confused as to who I am rooting for. Rook is Ellis Maitland’s cousin. Ellis is on a mission to retrieve the “treasure” that Solomon (Harcourt’s brother) stole.

Ellis was the evil 👿 character that lured Anne to runaway from Harcourt in book 1. We learn that he just dumped Anne off with his cousin Rook. There is so much going on in this book and the plot is thickening. We watch Anne grow and learn how to take care of herself and we see her struggle when she finally meets the one, Rook. She no longer trusts her judgement.

Rook doesn’t believe he deserves Anne, or really anyone. He has made some bad choices in order to survive. He has to let go of his demons and let Anne in. Rook and Anne have to go through so much to find their way back to Harcourt’s estate and each other.

If you want a historical suspenseful romance. This is your book. Want some steam...✅ want characters that will draw you in ✅ want to be on the edge of your seat ✅ want a book you won’t be able to put down ✅

Basically I am saying grab this series! Even though this is Anne’s book, I would recommend you read Tomasina’s book first. There is an underlying story plot that is crossing into each book and based ion the ending of this book...Juliana’s book is going to be awesome!!! Everything is coming to a head and I can’t wait!!! Totally in love with this series!!! This is a big ole recommend for me!!!