Reckless Memories

The Wrecked Series, Book 1

By: Catherine Cowles

Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Joe Arden

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

I loved him before I knew what the word meant. 

From skinned knees to first dates and everything in between. 

But he was never mine to love. 

I settled for friendship, even though I always wanted more. 

That was before. 

Before he ripped my world apart and didn’t bother sticking around to help me pick up the pieces. 

I knit every last shred back together all on my own. 

And I’ve all but forgotten his name. 

Now, he’s back, and everything is torn apart once more. 

But he’s not the only one doing the tearing this time. 

And there might be no stopping the person who has it out for us both.

©2020 The PageSmith LLC (P)2020 The PageSmith LLC

Reckless Memories

Healing this book is all about healing. I haven’t listened or read this author before. I am glad it was this book that got me hooked. These characters are full and enjoyable to learn about. They have so much hurt in their past and they find their way to heal separately but there was something missing for both of them. When Ford comes back it was like healing that last stitch.

Friends to lovers are always one of my favorite stories to read because we get such a full and round story. We get the past and the future and all the fun in between. It isn’t always easy and that is ok but it always is worth it in the end.

I loved the small town feel and how you know your neighbors and it’s personal to them when something happens to one of their own. I thought Ford and Belle did a great job at keeping it real and not inciting more noisiness. I also thought how they interacted together showed you that those feelings ran deeper than either of them wanted or expected. It was a beautiful story and I hope the rest of the series is going to be made into audiobooks.

The narration was perfect, Andi & Joe are two of my top listened to narrators because they just bring books to life. I love that you feel the emotion in their voices.

So Many Feelings

This book, oh... so many feelings. Like all of them. As teens, Ford, Belle and Violet are in a car accident, Violet is killed. Leaving behind her boyfriend and sister.

FF many years later and Ford comes back home. And it all blows up from there.

This is a story of grief and healing ultimately. The grief and guilt that Ford felt just tore me up. Not only did he feel that Violet's death was his fault (it was totally an accident, unavoidable, not his fault), but he also didn't think his best friend Belle ever wanted to see him again.

Belle loses her sister, works her butt off to keep the business going, and oh, her best friend just up and left her alone to deal with all of this.

That's a lot to work through. It's done beautifully. These two have and are still being manipulated by forces around them, her parents, and a mystery person who is stalking them, and harming them.

When it all comes out, to me, the biggest revelation was all Violet.

But again - if you like to feel all the feelings, have some crying, and feel the lose right along the characters you will enjoy this book. You definitely need to be in the right head space for the heaviness of it, but when you are. It is TOTALLY worth it.

Beautiful Small Town Romance!

“I’d loved him forever, and the price I’d have to pay now was the guilt. Guilt and knowing I’d never have the one thing my heart wanted above all others. Him.”

Talk about ripping my heart right out of my chest in the prologue, the story opens with a heartbreaking event that left me in tears. I was immediately emotionally invested and wanted to see how the story of love would unfold between Belle and Ford. Falling for your sister’s boyfriend is not ideal, especially when he is also your best friend and is fiercely protective of your heart even if he never sees you as more. Not only is this a beautiful slow burn, small town, second chance romance, it has the unexpected element of the mystery surrounding Belle and Ford and the person out to seek revenge on them.

The narrators for this story were just outstanding as well, Joe Arden is perfect for Ford, that man’s voice is just swoon worthy and he embodies the protectiveness and loyalty so well. Andi gives strength and heart to Belle’s character, making me admire her ability to rise above the hurt and pain so much more.

“You don’t have to choose. You’re allowed to love us both.”

Reigniting a friendship after years of hurt and anger is not an easy thing for Belle or Ford, especially when Ford left Anchor Island without looking back for 11 years. Grief has a way of clouding our judgement and I was happy to see Ford wise up once he realized the hurt and pain he had caused. I especially loved that even though Belle had been hurt by so many people who should have cared for and protected her, she was not afraid to love again and build her own family who would always be there for her. Together they find forgiveness, redemption and love, proving even through tragedy there is always a way of healing broken hearts.

Amazing book

I recommend this book , it amazing and wonderful exciting and the narrators are amazing. Loved all the characters on the book

Wonderful start to a new series!

A brand-new series from one of my favorite authors is always an exciting thing! Reckless Memories is book one of The Wrecked Series. If you've read Further to Fall, you'll recognize Ford but it's not necessary to read that prior to this one.

First of all, I'll admit, I was a little worried going into this one. Whenever there is a deceased spouse/significant other in a story, I always worry that the current love interest will somehow feel second best--like a consolation prize. I am very happy to say that this was NOT the case here AT ALL, so if you're like me and that's an issue for you, I feel like you will be very pleased with how the author handled this.

This is a beautiful story of forgiveness, redemption, and following your heart. Ford and Bell were just perfection together. I loved watching them come into their feelings. They both had a lot of fear and regret to get through to make it to the other side of this story and it was not an easy road, but in the end, it was worth it. This second-chance romance was an emotional ride with a good dose of suspense. I was drawn in immediately and finished it in one day. I listened to the audiobook and Andi Arndt and Joe Arden did a phenomenal job with their narration. I just loved it and can't wait for the next one.

Perfect Narration for this book

I loved this book and when given the opportunity by Catherine Cowles to listen to the audio I jumped at the chance and I am so very glad I did.

Joe Arden and Andi Arndt did an amazing job bringing to life this beautiful, emotional story and all the incredible characters created by Catherine. It brought the book to a whole new level which really is the purpose of an audio book. If I could give it more than five stars I would!

This is definitely a must listen to audio book.

**I was provided with a copy of this audio book by the author in exchange for any fair and honest review**

Second Chance Perfection

I typical know I will enjoy Catherine Cowles' books but this one gripped me from the prologue. I knew I was in for a treat. Ford and Belle's journey through heartbreak and healing will have you cheering them on the whole way. I am not a fan of what I call the "Three's Company Misunderstanding" so I am so happy that one of the things that tore them apart was not dragged out the entire book and their healing and relationship was allowed to start and grow while we tagged along for the ride. Andi Arndt is by far my favorite female narrator and she did not disappoint in Reckless Memories. Her ability to do both female and male voices make listening easy while the timbre and emotion of her voice allow the listener to FEEL the story as well as hear it. Joe Arden is fairly new to me but quickly becoming one of my favorites as well. I could not have picked two better narrators to tell this magnificent story of love, loss, rebirth and happiness.

A must listen!

Catherine Cowles at her best and perfectly read by Andi Arndt and Joe Arden. Reckless Memories is a beautiful roller coaster of a ride that will take you through all the feels. I was wrecked and put back together in this story that had me holding my breath and cheering Ford and Bell toward their happy ending. I’ve been waiting for Ford’s story since he appeared Further to Fall and Catherine delivered more than I dreamt possible. Thank you, Catherine, for bringing Ford to life and telling his amazing love story. This will be a book I listen to again and again!

Guilt and Grief

I like the romantic suspense Catherine Cowles brings. I’ve read a handful of her books, which all have a similar plot. The only difference is the likeability of the characters.

I wasn't a fan of Isabelle, aka Bell and Ford. They lacked basic communication, and Bell had understandable trust issues. The end of chapter 47 had me shaking my head! There is no OW drama, but the number of times her dead sister and his ex, Violet, came up, she might as well be.

I ate this story up!!!

OMG! Listen I know some people have a problem with the storyline of sister is in love with dead sister’s boyfriend. Ya know what, I think the story was so well written. I think the author did an amazing job showing from the beginning there was a connection between Ford and Isabella.

This book hit me in ALL the feels! I was sad, I was mad, worried, scared, sad again and happy.

HOWEVER! I was so mad at the end! Her dad should have told them long ago what Violet did and said. It would have saved so much heartache. But I get it. It’s a story.

But it was a lovely story. Very well written. Well narrated. Definitely need to read the next one. I feel like Kenna and Crosby will be a hoot!

Every emotion!

When a book can both break your heart and put it back together, you know it is a good one! Catherine Cowles has written an amazing story that does just this! Reckless Memories is a story of loss, pain, redemption and love and brings everything full circle. Ford, Violet and Bell are a childhood trio until the unthinkable happens. Now years later, Ford returns to town to help his family's bar from going out of business and finds Bell there. Their bond from childhood still in place despite the circumstances cannot be extinguished and now there is the possibility of more. Or is there? This complex story has so many twists and turn, and emotional pulls that I could not stop listening. I was intrigued by Bell. She is not only pretty, but she is smart and talented! Ford carries a lot of weight on his shoulders, but we can see the man he is and chooses to be. Add in a little suspense and a twist that makes you cringe and worry, and this story has it all! It's original and I absolutely loved it.

Andi Arndt and Joe Arden are magnificent in their narration of this story. These consummate professionals make Ford and Bell real. They have our hearts with and pull us into the story with all the emotions and all the love. This team does an incredible job and creates a world for us to escape in!

Captivating from the beginning

This book was captivating from the beginning til the end!
The story is amazing and interesting. The narrators did a great job.

It's full of love and second chances, with thrill too.

I can recommend it to all who like small town lovestories and second chances!

Super slow burn.

Super slow burn, friends to lovers small town contemporary romance. Emotional with a bit of suspense.
I loved the setting of this story the most. The characters are great but don’t stand out for me. As emotional as this story was I missed feeling that little bit more that I needed to make me free fall and truly feel it all.

Amazing!

I loved this book. It was a very touching story about forgiveness, overcoming the past, and healing. It's beautifully written and I look forward to more books by this author. Andi Arndt and Joe Arden were perfect for this audio they brought the story to life.

Loved it! My first Catherin Cowles book

Great story. Solid writing. I loved the characters. Neither were making stupid mistakes, just coming at their situation from different angles. I enjoyed this story, my first Catherine Cowles. I'm looking forward to more in the series!

I was provided an audio review copy by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Fabulous Story & Audible Listen🎧 Captivating & Hea

I loved everything about this book, from Catherine Cowles’ wonderful writing style to the fabulous story and characters she created to the perfectly casted and performed narration. This is my first Catherine Cowles book and it definitely will not be my last. The storylines she created are interesting and original, they captured my attention right from the start and held it straight to the end. The characters are complex and well developed, they are realistic, likable and easy to relate to. I adored the two leads Isabelle aka Bell and Ford, Ford dated her older sister, Violet and even though she was a few years younger than him they shared a great bond, she felt he was the only one who really understood her. Violet did not really get Isabelle but she accepted her the way she was, she wishes her parents did too but her parents only wanted her to be more like Violet, whom they had placed on a pedestal. Tragedy tears the three apart and life was not the same. Years later Ford is a successful owner of several bars in L.A. he hasn’t had the heart to return home since the tragedy. But when his brother, Hunter, calls to tell him he needs to come home to help with “The Catch” the family’s bar he agrees to go. He did not know “Bell” worked there and she did not know he was coming home. Their first meeting did not go so well, there is a lot of angst between them and they need to work it out. I love how everything plays out in this book, the small town vibe, the great camaraderie amongst friends, how Bell deals with her bitter mother and most of all Ford and Bell opening up to each other, she has issues trusting him to not leave does not come easy, also there is someone out to get her and/or Hunter. The story is beautifully plotted and there is never a dull moment with plenty of drama, angst, a twist leading to some thrilling and suspenseful moments, some great heartfelt moments and wonderful romance. Thank you Catherine Cowles for this beautiful story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

Andi Arndt and Joe Arden are awesome, they are talented narrators and voice artists. They do an amazing job portraying the characters, bringing them to life giving each their own voice and personality. You could hear how much heart they put into their work as they capture and project the characters emotions into their performance. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another fabulous listen🎧

Loved this audio version

This was a fabulous book to read and a fantastic audiobook. Both Andi and Joe bring Ford and Bell to life.


Gahhh I just love Catherine’s books.

I’ve been wanting Ford’s book since we met him in Further to Fall, we always knew there was a story, and Catherine did not disappoint.

This one started with a bang, before you could take a breath we were off running.

Bell and Ford both devastated by the events which unfold. This one pulls on the heart strings. Plenty of twists and turns along the way.

Loved all the new characters, can’t wait for what’s still to come.

Sweet, Swoony and oh so Angsty!

Reckless Memories is a sweet, super emotional, super angsty story. It is a tale full of hope for second chances and redemption.

Bell lost her sister and her best friend on the same day. She remained in her hometown and is now years later getting her life on track when Ford suddenly shows up.

Ford still needs to deal with and bury ghosts of the past that he shares with Isabelle, but will he be too late to protect Bell when past meets present?

I listened to this story on audiobook and the narration was great. I couldn’t shut it off and listened all in one day!
-4.5 Stars!-

Amazing

Oh wow. What an emotional journey this is! Ms Cowles is known for her amazing stories but she’s exceptional at putting you through the emotional wringer too! From the first page to the last your heart hurts for these characters. Even tho by the end it’s smiling the pain lingers with you for days after. I couldn’t write this review straight away I had to recover first! That said the book has some amazing moments that make you smile as well. It’s just the depth of emotion that this book evokes that makes it so memorable. You’ll fall in love with these new characters, well we met Ford in Ms Cowles first ever book Further To Fall. But this is his story and wow did he hide his past well before. When Ford comes home after being away for years his best friend Bell is devastated but with time, happy to see him. But someone else had other ideas. What follows is a tale of intrigue, drama and suspense with a heavy dose of heartbreak. This is well written and I couldn’t put it down. A great book I highly recommend. Cannot wait for the next book! Listening to the story as well was even better. I love nothing more than to switch off and just feel a book. This narration is perfect for that. So well done. I know I’ll listen to it again when I can bring myself to reread. Awesome