May
Today I’m excited to participate in the Blog Tour of ‘Reckless Memories’ by Catherine Cowles. This is a friends-to-lovers romance and the first book in a new series.
After reading two books by Catherine Cowles in the Sutter Lake series, I knew this was an author I would like to read more from. So when I saw the sign up for ‘Reckless Memories’, the first book in a brand new series, I got super excited and signed up as fast as I could. When I received the ARC a little while later I started reading as fast as possible.
In ‘Reckless Memories’ we read the story of Bell and Ford. Bell and Ford grew up together as best friends. Bell was two years younger, but she always loved Ford even when he didn’t love her. When Bell’s life got hard, Ford was always there for her. But one day, a terrible accident happens and Ford disappears from Bell life without saying goodbye. Now, more than a decade later, Ford walks back into her life. But some things can never be forgiven.
I didn’t really know what to expect when I started reading this book, besides that I was probably going to enjoy it. What I definitely didn’t expect was the amount of emotions this book was going to make me feel. I mean.. wow! This story definitely was definitely a roller coaster and I loved every minute of it.
Bell’s and Ford’s story is definitely unique in a very good way. I loved getting to know these two. Growing up as best friends, they definitely had a connection that couldn’t be denied. And Bell has always been in love with Ford. But that wasn’t the case with Ford, and Bell could easily life with that if it meant she had Ford in her life. Unfortunately something happened that changed their life for good, and they lost each other. And I loved reading how they slowly found there way back to each other.
Next to some intense romance, this book also had a little suspense going on. And it definitely kept me sitting on the edge of my seat. I honestly couldn’t put this book down. I did wish for even more moments between Bell and Ford, but that isn’t really a bad thing.
The setting in this book was right up my alley. A small town, great friendships, families.. Catherine really did a great job with this books setting.
What I also really enjoyed in this book, where the little bits we got to read about Bell’s best ‘girlfriends’. I had a feeling those girls needed to have a book of their own. So I’m beyond excited to read the next book is about one those girls at least. And I can’t wait to read it.
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“You need to come home.”
My blood turned to ice. “Dad?” My voice grew hoarse on the single word. Memories of the call I’d gotten from my hysterical mother, telling me that my father had suffered a stroke, flooded me.
“He’s okay. The same. But I need you to help out at the bar.”
I eased back in the chair, my gut souring. “I can float the bar some money to hire more permanent help.”
“What the fuck is wrong with you, Ford? This is your family’s legacy. The Catch has been run by a Hardy for generations. We don’t need your fancy Hollywood money, we need you. Or are you too good for your family now, too?”
I gripped the arm of my chair, the sleek metal frame biting into my palm. “You know that’s not why I left.”
Hunter blew out a long breath. “You were never going to be able to avoid this place forever. Mom and Dad miss you, and I can’t keep covering for your ass.”
“I see Mom and Dad plenty.” It was true. I regularly flew them out to LA or some other place they’d been dying to visit, but I hadn’t set foot on the island in years. Shit, it had been over a decade now, eleven years. At first, my parents hadn’t minded. They’d understood. And they’d gotten a kick out of seeing new and exciting places. But over the years, I’d seen the sadness, the disappointment.
“They need their sons. Both of us. I’ve been trying to run the bar and my construction business at the same time, and I just can’t do it anymore. They’re both suffering. It’s time for you to step up.”
A vise tightened around my rib cage. “I can’t.”
Hunter was silent for a few moments. “If you don’t come home, we’re going to have to sell.”
His words seemed to slice at my chest. I hadn’t seen the bar in what felt like forever, but somehow, the idea of losing it, letting go of something else that felt like it was a part of me, was more than I could take. “Okay.”
“Okay?” There was shock in my brother’s voice. Maybe he’d expected me to tell them to sell, but I couldn’t. Because he was right. The Catch was our family’s legacy. I wasn’t going to let them down because I couldn’t deal with the ghosts of my past.
“Yeah, okay. I need a couple of days to close up shop here and get a manager in place at my LA bars. But I’ll be there soon.”
Hunter cleared his throat. “Thanks, man.”
The words seemed to be dragged out of him. And didn’t that make me feel like an asshole? When had things gotten so strained with my brother that thanking me was akin to pulling teeth? “Thank you for all you’ve been doing. I’m sorry I haven’t been pulling my weight.”
“You covered all the medical bills, that helped a lot.”
I heard the unspoken words, “but you haven’t been here.” God, I was a selfish prick. Sure, I’d spent a month in Seattle with my parents when my dad was in the hospital and then a rehab clinic, but as soon as they’d returned to the island, I’d run straight back to LA like the coward I was. I couldn’t pull that this time. I’d just have to hope that I could get the bar back on its feet quickly.
“I won’t leave the hands-on stuff to you anymore, Hunt.” I’d get the pieces we needed in place before I came back to LA so there wasn’t such a heavy load on my brother’s shoulders.
“It’d be a nice change,” he grumbled.
Shit. I had a lot to make up for with my brother. “I’ll see you in a few days.”
“In a few days.”
Hunter hung up without a goodbye, and I let my phone clatter to my desk. A few days. Seventy-two hours to wrap up my life in LA. Four thousand, three hundred, and twenty minutes before I had to face a daily reminder of the cruelest truth. I’d killed the one person I should’ve protected above all others.
Check out my other reviews by Catherine Cowles:
This Blog Tour was organized by Social Butterfly PR.
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Maureen is a mom, wife, nurse, and Ravenclaw living in the Netherlands. She spends her days juggling mom-life, reading, blogging, planning date nights with her husband and working as a nurse. Maureen also is a big Anglophile, loves cooking, Gilmore Girls, Bridgerton and Harry Potter.. Always! Facebook | Instagram
I have yet to read anything by Cowles although I now own two by her. I just adore friends to lovers so this one sounds right up my alley. It seems like a wonderful start to the new series!
I really recommend Catherine Cowles. These books I read by her so far, where really awesome.
Thanks for stopping by!
She is new to me, however, the story sounds like one I would enjoy.
You really should try one of her books. I love her writing.
Thanks for stopping by! 😉
This looks emotional and good. I’ll have to add this one to my GR list and look this author up.
You really should. 😉 It’s a great read.