Reckless Heart
Five-Alarm Pepper Warning!
Reckless Heart, book four in the Starlight Cove series by Brighton Walsh, is a Kindle melting journey of intense and seriously steamy interactions, brought together with some wonderful emotional discoveries, great banter, and a lot of fun. The typical angst inherent in a best-friend’s brother romance plays a big part in amping up the tension between main characters Aiden and Avery, while also being enhanced by an added boss-employee dynamic and a meddling family member. It all makes for a fast-paced read I couldn’t put down.
There is so much going on in this story, and it all works perfectly together. Aiden is growly and intense, but has a secret side that not only ratchets up the relationship and makes for a very memorable first encounter with Avery, but brings out some deep emotional roadblocks that he eventually overcomes. Watching those walls crumble for Avery, and his family, is truly beautiful. And Avery is so much more than the carefree drifter readers first meet. She’s introspective, and sensitive, but also so sassy, and she has some serious grit and determination. And yes they’re both flawed and often impulsive, but they’re also passionate, intelligent, and absolutely irresistible. Getting to know these characters was a wild ride—an emotional and fiery journey that made their HEA so much stronger and well-deserved.
The audiobook was absolutely fantastic. Narrators Jason Clarke and Savannah Peachwood brought Aiden and Avery to life in the duet narration with perfect tone, inflection, and tempo. This is definitely one to listen to, but probably not in the carpool line, or at work, or with kids around. When I say it’s seriously steamy, trust me, it is. But it all works perfectly within the storyline. There is so much character development written into those steamy scenes, it’s not gratuitous, but intentional and purposefully placed.
This is my first read by Brighton Walsh, and it definitely reads as a standalone story, but I am absolutely diving into the first three books in the series and anxiously awaiting book five to get more time with the characters. Just from this one book, Starlight Cove has full-on binge vibes. It’s also one of my favorite listens this year, so definitely grab that audiobook.
