Reckless & Real Books in Order

Reckless & Real is an adult contemporary romance duet about Liz Thompson and Samuel Bradshaw, two people with history, chemistry, and a serious problem with trusting each other. Unlike a series of separate couples, these books tell one continuing story, so they work best when read in order.

The story begins with the prequel novella Something Wild, which shows Liz's first pull toward Sam. He has a reputation that should make him an obvious bad decision, but Liz is not looking for forever or for anyone to fix her. What starts as a night of attraction becomes the groundwork for a connection neither of them manages to leave behind.

Then the secrets get involved.

In Something Reckless, Liz joins an unusual dating service that prevents users from sharing names and photos until they reach certain milestones. She falls for an anonymous man through messages and conversations, while wondering if he may be Sam, the former lover she cannot quite forget. Sam, meanwhile, has his own reasons for being on the service and for keeping control of every situation. Their anonymity creates space for honesty, but it also sets up a collision when real identities and past betrayals come to light.

Something Real continues directly after the fallout. Liz and Sam are brought together again when political work puts them in the same orbit, and neither can pretend their attraction disappeared. But passion is not enough to solve what has happened between them. They have to deal with the damage from old decisions, their conflicting goals, and the people whose secrets have shaped their relationship.

The series is set within the interconnected New Hope universe, and familiar characters appear as friends, relatives, and complications. Still, the heart of the duet is Liz and Sam. Liz wants to be seen as more than the easygoing version of herself that people expect. Sam has to reckon with how often he has used charm, secrecy, and control to avoid being hurt.

Expect an emotional, steamy romance with anonymous online attraction, reunion tension, family scandal, and a plot that continues across both main books. It is not designed for dipping into at random, because the second novel resolves conflicts set in motion by the first.

Start with Something Wild if you want the full beginning, then read Something Reckless and Something Real. Something Beautiful offers a later bonus epilogue for readers who want extra time with the couple.