A Reckless Runaway by Jess Michaels
The Shelley Sisters #2

It was wonderful catching up with Anne and finding out what happened after she left with Ellis Maitland – a runaway bride long ago. She was definitely in for a huge surprise as she is dumped with Rook rather than taken to Gretna Green by Ellis.

What I liked:
* Anne – a bit selfish but only looking out for her own happiness. She is a woman to be reckoned with and begins to really see who she is and what she wants as she gets to know Rook better
* Rook – A good man with a horrible past. I really liked him in more ways than one.
* The slow burn and then the sizzling heat between Anne and Rook
* The unveiling of what is really behind what Ellis has been doing
* The knife throwing scene
* Just about everything except…

What I didn’t like:
* The father of the Shelley triplets
* Ellis’s poor treatment of Anne
* Winston Leonard – major baddie
* Having to wait for book three to see how it will all play out

Thank you to NetGalley and The Passionate Pen for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

This is my fair and honest review, given voluntarily, in my own words. So i started reading this and my first thought was "i have read this" but it's an ARC, so how can that be. I went back through all my ARCs and all my jess michaels books and it wasn't there. So I thought, oh well, its jess michaels so always worth rereading. After the initial chapter i realized that this was a continuation of the earlier book. It is the second in a series of what these triplets get into due to an unwanted marriage. Very cleverly told!

Anne’s story is finally here! We met all of the Shelley sisters in the first book, A Reluctant Bride, and, well, I couldn’t decide if I liked Anne or not. That was probably because she was the catalyst for the featured romance, but not the feature of the story. The Shelley sisters are triplets – identical to everyone – and everyone tends to treat them as one entity. Yet, they are very different. Anne is the wild one, the ‘free spirit’ who acts first and thinks later. Juliana is the calm, even-keeled, responsible ‘fixer’, who runs the household. Thomasina is the pleaser, the one who brings peace and comfort to others – even at the cost of her own. Their father is a real piece-of-work who could care less about his daughters other than to consider how they can best benefit him.

This book begins at the same time and place as the first book in the series, but while that book followed Thomasina and Jasper, this one follows Anne and Rook. At the beginning of the first book, Anne runs away with Ellis Maitland – but, then she seems to disappear with another man. Now, we learn what happened when she ran away, why she ran away, and what has happened to her since.

Ellis Maitland is a desperate man – and when he gets desperate, he gets reckless and bad things tend to happen. A very, very, very bad man, Winston Leonard, wants the property that Ellis and his friend, Jasper’s late brother Solomon, stole from him. The thing is, Ellis has absolutely no idea where it is or how to find it. Ellis decided to use Anne in order to put pressure on Jasper – after all, if she was important to Jasper, he’d meet Ellis’ demands. The trouble was, Jasper had no clue what Ellis was talking about and Anne wasn’t all that important to him. If she wanted to run away with someone else, she could.

When Ellis hands Anne off into a rowboat with someone named Rook, she is frightened, but resigned – then frightened again when she finds out where they are going. Anne has never really been physically attracted to anyone before, but something about the dark and attractive man makes her skin warm and her stomach flutter.

Constantine (Rook) Maitland broke ties with his cousin Ellis over a year ago and hasn’t had anything to do with him since then. The break was caused by an awful set of circumstances Ellis became involved in that crossed all of the lines for Rook. Ellis had always been Rook’s hero – he’d save him when he was a young child. Ellis took him in and taught him how to survive – but – now…

Rook and Anne are each attracted to the other, but neither will act on it and they are fairly cool and stand-offish with each other. When Anne finally comes to the realization that Ellis will not be coming for her, nor will he marry her, she asks Rook to see that she gets home. Their journey to their HEA is fraught with danger – after all, there is still a villain out there. The action really picks up at the end of their journey with everything happening fast and furious. Will Anne survive? Will Rook admit that he loves her? Will her sisters forgive her? Will Jasper forgive her? Will Rook and Ellis reconcile? Will they finally thwart the villain? You’ll just have to read this fun book to find out all of that and more!

I assume that the next book is going to feature Ellis and Juliana and I have to say, I think this author is going to have to go some to rehabilitate Ellis in my mind. There have been things to make him more sympathetic, but – well – we can only wait for the next exciting installment!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

Very enjoyable read full of angst, love , pain and joy.

The second triplet Ann ,Stars in this story of her journey to happiness and love with the perfect partner.
A passionate tale that hooks you and keeps you engaged.

I must say it’s slightly slower than the first book in the series but that doesn’t detract from the enjoyable experience.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

So, I ended up losing all track of time and read this book in one night. It is a fun quick read. It starts with Anne wanting to not be married to a life of boredom, takes a turn at betrayal, zigs to passionate love scenes and ends with a scurry of action. Oh, and lest I forget to mention... a whole lot of steam.

A fun weekend read, I would add this to your "curl up by the fire with a good book for the afternoon" stack. Thank you to NetGalley and Jess Michaels for the advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

After Thomasina and Jasper, it was natural that one waits to know more about the Shelly sisters and Jess Michael does not disappoint as we know the story of Anne; why she ran away; where she ran away and much much more. Also reading some more of past characters and setting the ‘stage’ for the third of the triplets.

Rook Maitland was sweetest and toughest hero you could ever read about living up to the intrigue laid out for him in the last book. That one glimpse of him last time, was enough of a precursor to the entire package that he turned out to be.

Anne Shelly was a sweet funky heroine who redeemed her actions of book 1 and now we wait for story 3 which I can already imagine from the short epilogue.

How long is the wait for book3?

4.5 stars

The Second book in the Shelley sisters series. I have read and enjoyed the first one about Thomasina. They are all linked so at the end of the first book you knew that Anne was running away with Ellis Maitland and that Ellis dumped her on his cousin Rook. This then is what happens next. How Anne learns about Rook and realises that Ellis is not interested in her and because Thomasina has had to marry Anne's fiance she must return. It's obvious in book 1 that Ellis isn't wholly a villain and we learn more about the main baddy and how it all fits together. The passion is good and the descriptions sexy and well written. There was a cliff hanger at the end of this book that makes me eager to find out about Juliana and Ellis's story. I think you will really love this series and heartily recommend this and the previous book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What another wonderful story from this amazing author!
Book #2 in The Shelly Sisters series is about Anne Shelly a runaway bride that doesn't realise what kind of danger she has put herself in, that is until she is left in the care of Rook. He is a bit of a bad boy that's trying to go straight and distance himself from his cousin Ellis Maitland. Anne and Rook start out on a very strange journey of getting to know each other whilst waiting for Ellis to return for her.
Rook turns out to be a gentleman even though he is a little rough around the edges, and he cares for Anne and comes to her need right from the very start. He is a swoon worthy hero that you just can't help but love. Anne although desperate at the start when she first runs away, came across as a bit of a naive and easily mislead girl but as the story moved along she soon becomes a strong and likable character that I really started to warm to. They have a great connection and it made their story a pleasure to read.
This was a wonderful romantic read, with plenty of action, adventure and romance.

When a woman tricked to run away from her upcoming wedding encounters love on her path ...

This book can be read as a standalone but will be better appreciated if you read the first one as it gives Anna’s sister point of view and story.

I didn’t know if I would like Anna as she appeared too reckless and very selfish in the previous installment, yet her own circumstances could excuse her rash actions.

Funnily, not long ago there was in a group a discussion about the redeeming of female characters instead of the male counterparts, it was said it was more difficult to excuse a woman’s personality than a man, as they were often nasty naughty egoistical persons, hard to like even a bit.
So while I was far from fond of Anna in Thomasina’s story, her recklessness offered her sister the opportunity to marry the man she loved. And despite all her misguided and regardless actions, she faces her errors head held high, and accepts the price she might have to pay for leaving her sheltered life behind.
She does mature a lot along her return road, when she reaches her epiphany and comprehends what ever her father had put her through she had an easy life, her every need always provided.
From there she betters herself, not an easy task as she knows nothing but never she complains and while she discovers her self-worth, she also learns to peer outside her own wall, to open her heart to someone else.
Rook has lived the opposite life than Anna, with even less choice on the path to follow, it was survival or perdition. He endured a harsh life where petty crimes and robbery were his only way out. Whatever hardships he endured, he stayed a good man inside, he felt honor-bound to his cousin for saving him all those years ago, still he knew when he could not stand anymore to watch him sinking so low.
He thought he left this life behind until he is dragged in again with Anna as collateral damage. He felt so unworthy of her, he fights his attraction from the very beginning.
Yet, even knowing nothing can come from their little adventure out of time, she is a lady, he is an outlaw, he will still do anything to protect the woman he has come to care more than his own life, even if it is from afar.
He wants the best for her, and does not think he deserves her. It is his mantra during their journey, and the wall Anna will meet at every turn.

Mrs Jess Michaels succeeds here in shifting the picture I had of Anna, showing her errors are not an end but the beginning of the a new more affected Anna.
5 stars

Now I am very eager to see how the hero of the next book will find his light.

I was granted an advance copy by the author through Netgalley and preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

I've been super psyched about about this trilogy (Longer Jess Michaels novels! Mystery! Triplets! A chance for puns in triplicate!), and while I had a few quibbles about Book #1, I didn't see those repeated here—the mystery was stronger and while I didn't dislike the characters in the first book, I liked the characterization of both the main and side characters better here. In the first book, you see some of the characters in only one perspective or a certain manner and the sequel did a great job of adding another view and depth without necessarily contradicting the first book.

✔s: awesome chemistry, I loved the main characters an amazing amount (admittedly, I'm a sucker for what I refer to as my Jessica Wakefield archetype and as far as Rook goes, [Spoiler on Goodreads]), the side characters also received some snazzy dressing, the individual book mystery held up much better here, and the overall series mystery continues to intrigue.

±s: Overall, I do think reading all three books will work better together versus reading one book or reading them out of order, especially since some of the events ran concurrently to book #1, but would've spoiled you or made less sense. However, this book did stand better alone than the first book did.

✘s: The latter part of beginning is a little slow.

tl;dr: I really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to the third book of the series* and rereading the whole thing together.

* Even though... [Spoiler on Goodreads]

Disclaimer: Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for the free ARC, with no incentive or coercion on your parts.

Anne Shelley has lived up to her reputation as the wildest of the Shelley triplets by eloping with a scandalous man to avoid her unwanted engagement. But rather than Gretna Green, her intended takes her to his cousin, Rook Maitland, and leaves her with him on a remote Scottish island. Rook knows his cousin well enough to doubt he'll ever return for Anne. As Rook and Anne spend more time together they each find themselves increasingly attracted to the other. When Anne asks Rook to help her get back to her family, the forced proximity of travel ignites the spark between them, but his cousin's scheming means Anne and her family are now in more danger than any of them could've guessed.

I really enjoyed this book. Anne and her impulsiveness annoyed me a bit in the previous book, but less so in this one as I came to understand her better. I loved Rook as the gruff, bad boy hero with a gentle soul and a dark past. I thought these two were so sweet together and this was surprisingly emotional. I can't wait for Juliana's story now.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The second triplet gets her love in this second book in this series.
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 a scandalous man. She expects to be.
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.

But Rook’s cousin has an ulterior motive for everything he’s done. And the danger that will be brought down on their heads could destroy the love they’re beginning to develop and end their future before it has time to begin. ow there is one to go but you can now tell her apart from the other two because she has obtained a distinctive scar on her face.
What will become of this last young lady whose only difference is her scar?
This book gets 4.5 of 5.0 stars for plot, story line and characterization.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

We finally find out what happened to Anne during the first book of the series. After running away with Ellis Maitland, he hands her over to his cousin, Rook, until he returns. Rook has walked away from the criminal life and lives alone on a little Scottish island.

Eventually, they travel to return to England, giving up on Ellis’ return and give in to their attraction,

The romance is steamy as always and their is mystery and intrigue as well. We finally learn what the treasure is Ellis is seeking and everything is set up for the final book. Can’t wait for Juliana’s story.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

beautiful book. this series is becoming a fast favorite of mine. The Shelley sisters are something to behold. They are a take charge lot and fight for what they believe in and the love they deserve.

This was a fun and unique historical romance romp - I loved the fact that Anne, Thomasina and Juliana were all treated very much like individual characters (most multiples are treated as add-one by a lot of authors).
I didn’t realize that this is #2 in a series and now I get to read the first one! Yay!

After reading the first book in Michael’s Shelley Triplets series, I couldn't wait for the next book to come out. The further tales of the Shelley sisters did not disappoint. Yet again I found myself up way too late because I was enjoying reading too much.

This book used two of my favorite romance tropes: going on a journey and the classic “only one bed.” Michaels uses these skillfully and presents a tale of travel, adventure and romance replete with humor, thrill and a solid happily ever after. The hints at upcoming adventure for the third Shelley triplet have me anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.

I’m so happy this book wad much better than the first! I was getting worried there. Anne definitely has more personality and both her and Rook have a better romance that doesn’t feel so flat. Even Thomasina has a backbone in this one that I didn’t see in the first book. Overall, the chemistry and plot was just an improvement for me. I can’t wait for Juliana’s story with her unexpected love interest.

Anne Shelley does not want to marry the Earl of Harcourt so she makes the impulsive decision to runaway with the scoundrel, Ellis Maitland. Except Ellis has no intention of marrying Anne. He's using her as a pawn to get a treasure. When Ellis drops off Anne with his cousin Rook Maitland, Anne's life is about to change. Rook regrets his decision to help his cousin Ellis one last time, but the more time he spends with Anne, the more he realizes that she is the one he is destined to love. Can she overlook his criminal past or is Rook destined for a broken heart?

This is the second book in the series and now I know there is a cliff hanger at the end of the book unlike being surprised by it in the first book. I loved Anne's and Rook's story. Anne learns how to live simply and Rook, ever the gentleman, takes great pride in her accomplishments. These two are perfect for each other and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm look forward to reading about Julianna's story next!

Rook.....sigh!!! What a hero! This was such a great story, I really had a hard time putting it down so I was even reading it while cooking:) I had read the first book in the series in which we learn that Anne, one of the triplet Shelley Sisters, had gone missing so it was great to now read her story.

Anne does not want to marry the man that her father has chosen for her and when she gets an offer to run away and get married to another man who says he loves her, she risks everything to go with him. Unfortunately, he has other plans and before she knows it, she's been dumped on his cousin, Rook, who takes her to his island. It's been a year since Rook has had anything to do with his cousin and refuses to "work" with him, stealing and cheating. Passions flare between Anne and Rook but he doesn't think he's good enough for her because of his past and promises to bring her back to her home. Adventure abounds on their journey and Anne is in for a surprise when she does get home!!

I'm really enjoying this series and now can't wait to read Juliana's story. I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Knowing that, A Reckless Runaway, would end in a cliffhanger I was able to enjoy the book a little bit more than the last one. I was looking forward to Anne's story. I was not disappointed. I really liked Rooks character.