Thank you to St. Martin's press, Rachel Hawkins, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Previously published at https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/reckless-girls/

“Personality is a person among persons. There is no personality of one man on a desert island.” —Kwame Kilpatrick

What is it about deserted islands? This theme seems to be more apparent lately with books like Stranded by Sarah Goodwin and One Night on the Island by Josie Silver or and the wonderful book The Stalker by Sarah Alderson. Out of all those books, this one turns out a little differently. Prepare yourself to read through the night, as you won’t be able to put this one down.

Lux and Nico have been together six months when Lux meets Amma and Brittany. Nico has been trying to get his boat up and running and they offer to help him with an offer of $50,000 to take them to the deserted island of Meroe, a two-day sail from Hawaii, where they are currently living. She has been working as a maid in Hawaii while Nico has been trying to get the boat fixed. They struggle when she is let go from her job. He is excited about the opportunity, while Lux is more reserved. Ultimately, they decide they will take the girls but once the group disembarks in Meroe; they realize there is another boat there, with the rich and beautiful couple, Jack and Eliza.

Everything is wonderful as a lot of books start out. They love the island, and they have plenty of food and free time to explore. The island is described as white sand and turquoise shores. None of them realize that every single person there is carrying a secret that could endanger them. When a stranger arrives and throws a wrench into their idyll, Lux realizes everything is not as it seems. Robbie tells Lux the island is cursed, and that she thinks she knows the people she is with, but she has no idea. She realizes she may be alone on the island with no way out of paradise.

This book is split into what happens before and their current residence on Meroe. Unfortunately, the back and forth between timelines did not work as well because we are exploring multiple befores, but only one after, and it became confusing. The segments in the past were all backstory for our cast of characters. The book also references the backstory for Meroe, which was scattered through the before. Hawkins did not talk enough about the actual island and what happened there and more about the backstory of the characters. All of it was interesting, but as a reader, I needed more explanation of what happened on the island to call it cursed.

The characters in Reckless Girls are all equally appalling, but it really adds to the beauty of the story. Even Lux, with her naivete, had few redeeming qualities. In the way Rachel Hawkins writes her character, you want to ally with her but struggle to understand her actions. I could not and did not predict the ending. In fact, it was miles away from what I thought it would be. This book, in summary, was so much fun. What I really enjoyed was the descriptions of paradise and the reality of contradicting those images. Reckless Girls is a great story, and I can’t wait to read more of the author.

With the extra ‘baggage’ these friends brought with them, I'm surprised the sailboat stayed afloat!

When backpackers, Amma and Brittany, offer Lux and Nico $50,000 to take them to the deserted Meroe Island, only a 2-day sail from Hawaii, they jump at the chance. Lux has had it with her job as a maid and Nico has almost finished repairs to the boat. It seems like easy money and a chance to continue their dream that got put on hold when the boat needed repairs.

The island is just as they imagined with white sand, azure water…except someone else has had the same idea. They see another boat moored as they arrive. What disappointments they had at not being alone are soon put aside when they discover it’s a wealthy, young, beautiful and fun couple who welcome them as new friends….and then a few days later another boat arrives.

As you probably suspected, all is not as it seems and soon the characters start to see each other for who they really are. A few days in paradise is all it takes to reveal what each had intended to keep hidden. Even the island’s secrets are uncovered.

I was immediately aware of the contrasts between the tropical beauty and the ugliness of human nature and the island’s dark history. Although it was an entire cast of unlikable characters, I was driven to find out more about the history of Meroe Island. Like ‘Lord of the Flies,’ island life separates and reveals. You’ll have to read this character-driven, locked ‘room,’ thriller for yourself to find out what happened on this uninhabited coral atoll.

“How can one mistake–yes, one big mistake, but still just that, an accident, a single bad moment of judgement in a lifetime of good choices–end everything?”

Warning: Language, conversations about sex toys, drugs, hanging and cannibalism.

Publishes January 4, 2021.

I was gifted this advance copy by Rachel Hawkins, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Reckless Girls was a fast-paced thriller, but there was too much going on. storylines were not fully wrapped up and plot twists came out of nowhere. it was entertaining but still missing something that would make it stand out against the numerous thrillers being published now.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book - not quite as much as Hawkin's previous release The Wife Upstairs. One of the best parts of this book was the setting, Hawaii and then a sailboat to a remote island paradise. There are interesting characters and twists with the plot. Overall, 3 solid stars.

Most of this I was waiting for the ball to drop. A steady build that managed to keep me enthralled and reading. The drop was there, the only disappointment is that I had already guessed it. And yet! This book still managed to get 4 stars from me because not only was I entertained, I was attached to the characters and pretty much read this in two sittings. A sure sign I’m into a thriller.

I really loved the sailing scenes. Sailing on the open ocean is both mesmerizing and terrifying for me, making the stormy sequences extra thrilling and exhilarating. Hope that’s not a spoiler but what is a sailing book without at least one storm.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book. This was a perfect getaway to a secluded island and the trip goes awry. The story is with flash backs from Lux and Emma’s past as well as present day. I enjoyed the pacing of the story and wondering what will happen. I got turned off with the story once there was cheating involved and the 2nd half of the story and how it unfolded seemed so far fetched.

I could NOT put this book down!! It fantastically written, utterly gripping, and an incredible ride. I loved all of the flashbacks and actually felt like I was on the island with them. Perfection!

RECKLESS GIRLS BY Rachael Hawkins is the tale of six unrelated individuals whose thirst for escape and adventure brings them together on a deserted Pacific atoll for an idyllic two weeks of exploration and fun in the sun.

Twenty-five year old Lux chronicles the present-tense narrative which is interspersed with non-linear flashbacks that bring to light the circumstances, lies and secrets that have brought each of the other 20-something “islanders” to this juncture in their lives……..and the results of their decisions are harrowing.

Don’t want to give away too much of the story but do prepare to stay up all night having your mind blown while navigating everyone’s personal baggage in this exhilarating, claustrophobic, atmospheric and diabolically unsettling read.

I am thrilled to tell you all that I loved this one! Talk about unputdownable!

Lux has met the man of her dreams in Nico and Nico has just been offered $50,000 to sail two college girls to Meroe Island. Nico, unable to say no to an adventure, asks Lux to join them. Not only that but this money they can use to finally fix their boat, The Susannah, which means after this trip they can finally set sail just the two of them.

Meroe Island is steeped in myth after a shipwreck happened on its shores during WWII and only 8 of the 32 people on board actually survived. Since then many believe the island to be cursed.

Once they arrive to the picturesque island they realize they aren't alone at all. The Azure Sky is anchored there. On deck are Jake and Eliza who seem to welcome them with open arms.

For the next two weeks they luxuriate in the sea and sand all while drinking copious amounts of alcohol. Life couldn't be better. A trip of a lifetime. Or is it?

I'm not sure if it's the frigid temperatures and the fresh snowfall here in Massachusetts that allowed for Rachel Hawkins to transport me so effortlessly to Meroe Island but this baby worked for me 100%. I could almost feel the salty air and sand between my toes. There were so many secrets and lies that I was nearly hanging on every word. I wouldn't say there are any big twists or reveals. The one twist at the end I kind of suspected earlier and I'm thinking others might too but even in saying that I was not at all disappointed in the direction this book went. Others have not enjoyed the ending but I actually loved it and thought it was pretty darn perfect. Needless to say, having enjoyed two books by Hawkins now, I am eagerly awaiting her next book. 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my complimentary copy.

3.5 Stars

So, your hot boyfriend has been commissioned by two college age girls, to sail his boat to a tropical, secluded island which has a dark reputation. Do you jump on as his first mate? Lux does, even though she has some reservations.

First book I’ve read by this author. It kept my attention, but found the storyline to get tiring after a while. Predictable, ending just confirmed where I thought the story line was going. I can’t say I loved the characters; some rich, all good looking and fairly clueless. The writing was descriptive and made me long for crystal blue water, sunny skies and balmy breezes. Will definitely give this author another try. Would recommend this book as a vacation/beach read.

Thanks to Ms. Hawkins, St Martins Press and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

Things I liked: the author did a great job with world building. The island was another character in the book and suspense was built into the setting. I feel like this book will be popular for a spring break beach read! Things I didn't like: the story had a long build up and a fairly abrupt ending compared to the slow build up in the first 3/4s of the story. This felt similar to other books in the genre that I have read: The Sanatorium, One by One, The Guest List.... if you liked those, you will like this. Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book and read it in one sitting! Rachel Hawkins is a master of building slow suspense that creeps up like a frog slowly boiling. In "Reckless Girls" the reader is transported to the most Eden-like island in the world and it's easy to understand why the visitors stay despite the eerie history. The twists and turns keep the reader guessing until the end. The characters are complex and have layers that unfold to the very last page. This is one I'll re-read for sure!

I've been looking forward to this tropical thriller from the author of The Wife Upstairs, and wasn't disappointed.

The story is basically a locked-room mystery set on an isolated island, and that format worked so well. was never quite sure who to root for, even once I was finished. It was fast-paced and suspenseful, and it ended with a bang.It's the perfect vacation thriller to read to escape the current cold weather conditions!

Read this if you liked The Guest List or And Then There Were None.

Are you looking to sail off to a secluded island in the Pacific to your own private island? Doesn’t that just sound perfect right now as we are in the dead of winter? Reckless Girls is the perfect thriller to pick you up and transport you into a tropical world and leave you sitting on the edge of your seat.

Is this a thriller or mystery?

Oh, this is a good thriller! There is a great deal of tension and a sense of unease and anxiety created throughout the course of the story…and a bit of nail biting on my part too. What begins a fin vacation and escape, gradually becomes what nightmares and urban legends are made of.

As you read this story you will have to suspend some sense of logic with the number of coincidences that occur in the story.

Did you read this one or go with the audio?

I read this book but have chatted with others who went with the audio version. They loved the narrator and all the different accents used for each of the characters. One thing to note is that this story has the f-word a lot, and this may end up being more distracting on audio if cursing bothers you.

How was the pace?

This was a quick read that hooked me from the start. If I hadn’t had three buddy reads going on at the same time I would have flown through the book in a day. It was nearly impossible to put down when I had to. I kept wondering what was going to happen next and when the twist would happen.

Do you recommend this book?

Overall, I definitely recommend this book! This is an excellent thriller that will take you on a wild ride!

I would like to thank Rachel Hawkins for the anxiety I felt reading this! The suspense was extremely well written and I felt a lingering uneasiness the entire time I was reading.

Lux and her boyfriend Nico are hired by two women to sail them out to a remote island with a dark history - say no more! I was invested from page one.

The whole time reading this book I was anxious and wondering what the heck was going to happen. I had to take a few breaks here and there because I was nervous about where it was going! The deserted island setting was so atmospheric and creepy.

This book hooked me right from the beginning and I was constantly trying to guess what was going to happen and it was still throwing me for loops until the very end. I felt the ending happened very abruptly but it fit with the chaos that ensued. I had to reread one chapter to get over my shock and really process what had just happened.

Thank you so much to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for this digital advanced copy.

A tropical vacation on a deserted island??? Sounds like the perfect escape from this 20 degree weather we’ve been having.

I loved the concept of this book & I loved how it made me feel like I was actually on the island with them. I’m a huge fan of closed room mysteries & I think the setting of this one made it even more suspenseful. Overall, I really enjoyed the story & all the twists throughout.

3.5-4 stars
Reckless Girls is a great thriller beach read as most the story takes place on an island. It starts out a little slower while introducing the characters but then picks up and leaves you an unexpected ending.

When someone offers you $50k to take them to a deserted island you don’t pass that up, at least Lux and his girlfriend didn’t. After accepting the offer and taking the girls to the island they meet another couple and all ended up clicking. However they weren’t the only people on the island. One goes and one ends up dead and Lux finds himself second guessing everything.


Overall fun read, thank you #netgalley for the ARC.

4-4.5 stars

When Lux and Nico are hired to sail two women to Meroe Island, the timing couldn’t have been better. Lux followed Nico to Hawaii after a family tragedy and since then had been working a dead-end job. She’d been longing to travel more and this was the perfect opportunity to leave behind the remnants of her mundane life.

When they arrived, the island was even more beautiful than they imagined, but they weren’t expecting to see another boat already anchored by the beach. They all seemed to get along well enough, but knew next to nothing about one another. It quickly became apparent that their trip would be anything but smooth-sailing, and it didn’t take long to realize that not everyone had been honest about their pasts. The island has a turbulent past as well, and I was beginning to wonder if the island was affecting them or if some of these individuals were just downright sinister.

Overall, I thought it was a pretty good book. It definitely had plenty of suspenseful moments and dark hidden secrets, and it kept my attention until the very end, but something about the ending didn’t sit well with me. Maybe it was the change I saw in Lux after everything that happened; it was like she did a complete one-eighty and suddenly I wasn’t a fan of her anymore. However, I will say that the ending was quite a surprise, and that made this book worth reading.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4358059042

Usually I don't enjoy stories where I feel like the characters make a lot of unwise decisions. But, with the title of Reckless Girls, what did I expect? In this case, I enjoyed this story of several 20-something women living life on the wild-ish side. It was towards the very end of the novel that the story really goes lopsided, far fetched, and over the top.

Lux's life has been difficult since she had to drop out of college to care for her dying mother. Once her mother died she drifted until she met Nico, a rich guy with his own boat. Lux has always wanted to travel the world and Nico gives her a glimpse of a better life. It's only a year later, when two young women hire Nico to take them to a Meroe Island, that Lux and Nico finally start their adventure, with paying passengers.

Brittany and Amma give Lux a chance of having girlfriends again, even if it's just for the duration of the trip. Lux misses the camaraderie of girlfriends from her college days, girlfriends who all fell to the wayside when Lux had to quit college and care for her mother. But once at the island, there is already an anchored boat. And then days later a very skeevy guy shows up in a another boat. Dynamics go from casual partying to something else, with a boatload of secrets among the group, threatening to erupt.

This story is full of atmosphere, from a couple of days at sea, a dangerous storm, the claustrophobia of four people on a small boat, and then the beauty of an unpopulated atoll, away from jobs, phones, and responsibilities. But into this blissfulness we have bits and pieces of back story of most of the characters and it's obvious that one or more of these people are wearing masks, hiding their true selves. I was so interested in watching where things were going, rushing through the pages entranced, and then things go bonkers, leaving me a bit stunned and wishing I could fill some plot holes with answers. Still, my overall enjoyment of the story left me mostly satisfied but landlocked forever.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

This one took me a few chapters to really get into it, but.I was very glad I stuck with it. I can’t say any of the characters are particularly likable but they are very entertaining. I’ve always liked a good locked room/house mystery so how could I resist a deserted island murder mystery? A group of 20-somethings end up on a deserted island with a sordid past (think cannibalism). The story changes perspectives and gives some of the background to the characters but the background comes slowly. The main character Lux’s life was derailed when her mother got sick with cancer while she was in college and since her mother’s death she has floated. Most recently she has floated to Hawaii with her boyfriend Nico. Nico is hired to bring two young girls to a local island and insists Lux comes. What comes next no one could have predicted, but it’s a bumpy ride!