When We Were Reckless: Lost Stars, Book 3

WHY THE HECK HAVE I BEEN SLEEPING ON THIS AUTHOR? Oh my age-gap loving heart- this story was everything I wanted. Longing, romantic tension, a chemistry that can not be suppressed or denied, and an emotional sincerity and complexity that brought both the story and the characters depth. I am pretty much obsessed with this story- from start to finish I was enthralled.The architecture has a delicious forbidden flair- best-friends sister AND an age gap. But, there’s so much more substance here. Our heroine Quinn is enjoying her final summer before she goes to college- moving away from her super protective older brothers for the first time in her life. For the first time, she’s doing something on her own- something that inspires her to sink into her untapped boldness. A boldness that inspires her to pursue her long-time, unrequited love for her brother’s best friend- discarded motorcross star Jesse, a man nine her senior and a man recovering from a pretty toxic romantic situation that has his heart locked up tight. A man who only now is starting to see her as more than a pseudo-kid sister.And while their story is certainly steamy and engrossing, it is also really beautiful. A reminder of the power of sincere and heartfelt recklessness it takes when it comes to giving someone your heart- the reckless bravery it takes to heal and trust another, even when love comes in the most unexpected, or even inconvenient, of times and places. Watching these two evolve from a kid crush into a soulmate connection from the most unlikely of connections is a thing of beauty.The chemistry between Jesse and Quinn is magnetic - together they are mesmerizing and layered. The perfect push-pull longing. Jesse may be rough around the edges given his wounded soul- but he’s charming, thoughtful, caring, and hard working. His dreams and heart have both been battered, so he’s a man in emotional recovery-struggling with his own repressed emotions, residual anger, and a deepest fear. He’s moody, withdrawn, and lost. Others recognize he’s not his full self- the man who was one a vivacious star. But no one sees him like Quinn sees him- and his carefully guarded vulnerability only makes her love him more. She shows up for him in the way only she can- with an open heart and with unconditional love. A love that Jesse isn’t ready for- but one that reminds him just who he was….and even more so, who he can be. And Emery makes him so easy to love- she lets us see so deeply into his heart that we understand and root for him. We see the worst of him, but we also see the best- and his heart is so charming and swoony.And Quinn- I could not adore her more. She’s so brave and honest. There’s a strength in her authenticity- even though so many around her worry she is weak because of her past struggles. But she’s the strongest, most self-actualized character in this whole story. And while Jesse’s story is about coming back to himself, as he finds Quinn, Quinn’s story is find her own confidence to take the risk on herself- on her own dreams. She’s young, but she’s incredibly mature. I loved her vitality and hopefulness that is contagious- and so compelling. You can’t help but fall in love with her- and I love how she fights for her and Jesse even when Jesse isn’t ready to fight himself. She’s the star of this story- it’s heart and soul.I cant wait to read the rest of the stories about Jesse’s family, and I’m hoping we get stories about all of Quinn’s brothers- they are just as delicious and interesting. If you’re like me, stop sleeping on Emery Rose- strong writing, meaningful story-telling, emotional resonance, and fantastic characters. There's a profound emotional quality to this story- an intimacy that I felt through every word. It's the kind of writing that is oft imitated but rarely perfected- this is writing that has FEELING. Just a beautifully told story. I’ll be one-clicking her from now on!

Emery Rose is making a name for herself when it comes to strong, sassy heroines and the alpha male, possessive heroes who unexpectedly fall for them. I am beyond ecstatic to be along for the sweet, sometimes angsty, ride.Summary:Quinn Cavanaugh has loved Jesse McCallister for as long as she can remember. It started before he was a motocross legend, and before he was the reckless heartbreaker he became. Quinn sees through to the heart of Jesse like no one else, but he doesn’t see her. The closest she has gotten to a relationship with him is being his best friend’s little sister. But one incident changes everything. Quinn’s eighteenth birthday opened up new doors and she’s not about to miss her chance. But Jesse isn’t in a good place. Beaten and battered by love and the loss of his dreams, he’s struggling with who he is. He may be seeing Quinn in a new light, but he can’t can’t let himself go there. Can he? Wanting her makes him feel guilty, but he can’t stand to see her with anyone else either. Can stolen glances, forbidden kisses and a young girl’s hopeful heart guide them to something deeper and more meaningful? Or will all of the obstacles succeed in ending a love that has barely started?Quinn and Jesse were a bit of a surprise for me. After reading Jude and Lila’s story and then Brody and Shiloh’s story, I think I was expecting something along the same lines. While Quinn and Jesse’s story was complex like When the Stars Fall and When the Storm Breaks, I still felt differently reading it from when I read the previous two stories. Quinn was a fantastic heroine. She was young, but that didn’t mean she didn’t know exactly what she wanted. She did, and her focus and determination never wavered from making her dreams come true. I loved that about her. She was not only bold and brave, but supportive and encouraging, too. She had been through a lot already at only eighteen, but she was a bright light in personality and action, and I loved getting to know her as she started her journey into adulthood. Jesse was exactly what I’ve come to expect from a McCallister, protective, possessive, and with a pile of demons he can’t fight on his own, Looking back on the Jesse we’ve seen in previous books, I don’t think I expected him to be so deep and to trigger the emotional response in me he did. He was still charming, but with a lot more on his mind and heart than we’d seen previously after having his heart and dreams trampled. As a couple, Quinn and Jesse were sweet and sexy with a bit of zing from the forbidden aspect. I loved getting the snippets of childhood memories between them, and seeing them build on that as they fell in love. It may have been a love that Jesse wasn’t ready for, but it was also inevitable with the chemistry and history between them. It was only right that Quinn was the person to see through to the heart of him, helping him to see himself and who he could be, too. Overall, I adored this story and every one of the characters in it. I fell in deep with Jude and Lila’s story, only to fall deeper with Brody and Shiloh’s story, and it made my heart happy to catch up with them again. Did I feel like my anticipation, angst and adrenaline were a little less with this story? Yes, but that didn’t take away from what a beautiful love story it was. The evolution of love from childhood crush to forbidden desire to a soulmate kind of love was the absolute best. I’m impatiently waiting for the next book in this series, which I hope is Ridge’s. That bad boy McCallister is sure to keep me on the edge of my seat with what I’ve seen so far. I’m also hoping and praying that Emery decides to write about Mason, Holden and Declan because wowza! They are just as yummy as any of the McCallister men. Fantastic job Emery, I cannot wait to read what you give us next. ♡

I’m blown away! Anyone can tell a story. Emery Rose drags your heart deep into the story, breaks it, then fixes it back up again. It’s rare I can find a book that does this and this is the third time in a row she’s done it! Highly recommend this series!Jesse and Quinn are amazing. The age gap isn’t as big as some stories and personally I think it’s more brothers best friend falls in love with little sister next door, but, it’s just my opinion. I still love this series.

I read the book in two days. Loved the story and cant wait to read more books from Emery Rose

If I hear the name Alessia one more time I am going to snap. Three stars because the ex was a strong point when it shouldn’t be, and I just wish that the book was more sweet. I felt like Jesse was only truly invested in Quinn in the epilogue.

I loved this book, an absolute keeper, definitely recommend this book, i will be reading it again,So rooting for Jesse and Quinn through this whole book, loved all the characters, beautiful story line

Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve read a book this good! Everything was perfect! Amazing character development! Love how the relationship seemed so real and the chemistry was off the charts 🔥 can’t wait to read more books by this author!

Such a good and thrilling read. I loved that external issues that presented themselves within their live story! Totally recommend