In book two of the damaged series, Reckless Abandon, we find the conclusion of Everly and Grayson's story, and man is it an adventure.
Both Everly and Grayson have had a lot of growing up to do since the end of Damaged Goods. Choices have been made, some fraught with indecision. Grief looms for both characters over some of these decisions. And lying in wait, is an even larger storm brewing, waiting to tilt thier worlds again.
Everly has loved her life as a member of Autumn Fields, its her passion, its her life, but she's also felt something missing. She craves being with her family, she longs for something she can't quite grasp and when an unexpected tragedy hits, Everly discovers that she might know what's missing from her life, but can she right the wrongs of the past and take hold of her future?
Grayson, meanwhile, has regretted the way things ended with Everly pretty much since they ended. He's struggled with his own issues, with his own love of himself, and feelings of worthlessness. But when he finds out Everly is back in town, and why, he can't stay away. And he finds that maybe, just maybe he's got it in him to explain to Everly why things happened the way they did and attempt to make a go of it again. He knows he loves Everly, he hopes she loves him too.
But things have been hidden, truths have been left unsaid and there are more hurdles to cross over than either Grayson or Everly expect. Are they lying to themselves or can they find a way to let Love win.
Reckless Abandon, I feel, is JC Hannigan's finest work, the growth and changes we see in Everly and Grayson, and the unique way they work together and figure things out shows a lot of about the capacity of JC's writing skills. She takes situations that are hard to explain, hard to describe and/or make right and gives us the other side. She doesn't shush the opposing forces, or make excuses but rather gives us as readers a lesser known side that sort of gives us a deeper understanding.
Everly and Grayson's love has changed, grown, expanded, evolved between these two books, what was once a new love, a first love has become everlasting. These two have weathered storm after storm, climbed the mountain and shouted their victory, but its come at a cost. It was beautiful to watch these two figure out the prices they'd paid for decisions they made, decisions that should have been joint, but were not. They've learned from the past, but can the let go of it?
Reckless Abandon will hit you square in the heart, from emotion to emotion, you will be put through the ringer, but the trip is worth it. This book shows real unconditional love, it shows maturity, it shows character who own their faults, their mistakes, and find a way to love one another in spite of them. I loved their story.