A new to me author that I hope to read more books by. Reckless Roses by Sarah A. Bailey. I didn't know what to expect when I started this book. Spicy and likable characters. Read it in one sitting. I would have liked more at the end. A 4 1/2 rating for me. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

The book focuses on a love triangle between August and Zach, two brothers and Elena, a girl who both brothers desire yet she's with Zach initially, despite feeling a pull towards August too.

From first love to forever love it was a story keeping you hooked in the characters lives as they develop and they carve new paths in life.

It had a great twist ending that I was surprised by and didn't see coming in a good unexpected drama way.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Reckless Roses! 🌹 This was a quick, addictive read with such a great build between Zach, August, and Elena. And that ending… I’m still in shock. There has to be another book, right?!

Man, I loved this story and literally read it in a couple of hours. I was hooked and I could not put it down. BUT what the hell was that ending? I kept turning the page back and forth to see if I missed something? I need more! I went into this book knowing it's the third in a series and I had not read the previous books but you bet I'll be going back and reading them asap.

Wonderful story and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you NetGalley and ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op | Page & Vine for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s difficult to process this book. Part of this may be my fault, I did not realize that this is just a prequal to the main characters full story being in the next book. My only complaint with that set up is that book 1 & 2 in this series are not set up that way, so it feels a little off. Overall I did enjoy the book and it definitely leaves you wanting to read the next book so you can finally see the characters happy together. The book was full of tension and toxicity which was addicting. However through the entire book we never get to see the couple happy together. They finally get a shot but it still doesn’t end on a HEA. I was just craving a little bit of happiness for them, they deserved that.

I’m speechless. This is an absolutely beautiful read. August & Elena are the epitome of friends to lovers & soulmates. They are instant friends. August makes Elena feel see and safe. Most of the book this dynamic is the polar opposite of Elena’s relationship with Zach. That relationship was really hard to read. Elena knows it’s not right but doesn’t know how to escape the toxic cycle.

The yearning from August was top tier. Oh how my heart ached for him. He was a loyal nice guy who tried so hard to be a good friend. But there was always something simmering there neither of them were ready to admit. When they finally do it’s amazingly beautiful

The cliffhanger had be sobbing my eyes out.

I absolutely love this book!
Once I started it I could not stop reading it, I devoured it.
I’ve been Team August since Heathen & Honeysuckle and getting to finally read his POV had me loving him and feeling for him even more.
This whole series so far is living in my brain rent free and now I can’t wait for the next book, Vice & Violet.

* I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All thoughts are my own.

3.5 stars

This was an interesting introduction to August and Elena, but i didn’t realize the author decided to split their story into two separate books. I only found out after the fact when I realize this ended on a cliffhanger, and I went and checked out her Instagram page. Otherwise the story was good. It did feel really choppy with having the different years as chapters because you really didn’t get to know the characters very well at all until they were in their final years of the book and then you know them a little bit better but I still don’t feel like I know the characters.

I think this is a good book for people who enjoy the series, definitely do not read this one first if you have not read the series yet. I would recommend starting from the beginning. I will read the next book when it comes out.

I thought I was prepared for August and Elena's story, but Sarah A. Bailey still managed to put me through an emotional rollercoaster! Reckless Roses is a heart-wrenching, yearning-filled, spicy, and sweet novella that I just can't get enough of!

I loved watching August and Elena's friendship grow from childhood to adulthood, but it was also heartbreaking to see Elena stuck in a toxic relationship with August's brother, Zach. August's unrequited love and devotion to Elena had me swooning and crying in equal measure!

That piercings scene? Forever etched in my mind! And the secret tattoos? The smutty glasses? The cliffhanger? I'm still reeling two weeks later!

If you haven't read this series yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! Reckless Roses can be read as a standalone, but trust me, you want to read the whole series!

This was simply everything to me!!! I have been pining after Augustus and Elena (and Zach) since we met them in Heathen and Honeysuckle, and subsequently in Wicked & Wildflower, and I knew that this story would be so angsty and wonderful and I was right!! I could not put this book down. Between the progressive timeline, watching them become friends, fall in love, and witnessing the floundering toxicity of Elena and Zach, learning how everything panned out, I was hooked. I was sobbing by the end, and the last chapter quite literally left my jaw on the floor.

Right now, this is my favorite in the series, and I cannot wait to get my hands on Vice & Violet later this fall because I cannot wait to see how things shift, knowing that Elena returns to Pacific Shores. I really love this universe and the way Sarah Bailey writes heartfelt, emotional stories, while still weaving in moments of hot romance and brevity.

Long story short, I loved it!!!! And am anxiously awaiting the next book!!!

The publisher has categorized and marketed this book as a romance novel. There is one rule for a book to be considered a romance: it MUST end with a happily ever after. If there's no HEA, it's not a romance book. That is non-negotiable based on the parameters and definition of the romance genre. Ergo, THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE NOVEL and to market it as such is completely inappropriate.

Had this been listed as a general fiction or women's fiction, I'd give it four stars. It's a short novella and moves along quickly. There were some pacing issues, namely with the love triangle and toxic relationship dragging on for so long that the ending was abrupt and unresolved. For a description that touts this as a redemption story, I'm confused as to which character was supposed to be redeemed. I thought perhaps this is a duology, but there's no mention of a second book in the description, and the next book the author is publishing is about an entirely different couple. Ultimately although the book was quite readable and I enjoyed Elena's story, I'm confused as to its purpose and irritated by the mischaracterization of its genre.

I appreciate that Page & Vine provided me with an advanced copy of this novella via NetGalley. I hope they will consider adjusting their marketing of this book, as it does a disservice to the writer to make inaccurate claims about its genre.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sarah A. Bailey for sharing with me this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

Ok, first things first, my new book boyfriend is...Pacific Shores Augustus!! 💜
From alpha to omega this book is a masterpiece. Miss Sarah is going to take you on a roller coaster of emotions.
The absolute best Love Triangle story I've read in a long time!!
If y'all don't do anything else, on September 23, 2025, RUN and get this book, I promise y'all won't regret it.
I hands down wholeheartedly recommend this book!!

are you kidding me??? she does it again! loved this story. hes known hes love her since he first saw her...she's known she's loved his older brother since they met. heartbreaking & exactly what I needed to read after a slump.

Thank you to the author, Victory Editing,and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Get the tissues ready because this is one roller coaster of emotions!

There was one line that kept racing through my mind the entire time I read this book:
“Is it really love if he can only love you in the dark? Or is your idea of love blinding you from the light that's shining brightly in front of you?”

Reckless Roses features a messy love triangle between Zach, Elena, and August (brother of Zach and best friend of Elena).

Zach is the definition of gaslighting. Who says this, “Sometimes I have to risk losing you to remember I love you.”

Poor innocent Elena, her naivety has her changing herself for him. At times, I wanted to reach through the pages and shake her!!!!!!

“Zach feels like staring into the sun- but August feels like gazing at the stars!!!!!” - Like girl, you have your answer- please!

Reading this was like watching a train crash and knowing it was coming, but you simply couldn't put the book down because when the train hits and you emotionally detonate - that feeling, that high - it's when you know you’ve found a good book.

“I may not set her life, her heart, or her body on fire the way my brother does, but I can make her feel safe.”- MY SHAYLAAAAAAAAA

Reckless Roses is my first book by this author, and I am absolutely kicking myself for not finding her sooner.

Reckless Roses is the kind of messy that’s gritty, raw, and real and hits you right in the feels.

And the ending………………………….. (cries)

Thank you to the author, Victory Editing,and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.