Reckless Curves

Drive Me Wild #1

by Bronwen Evans

A secret baby, best friend’s little sister romance set in Bad Boy Autos. Think Fast and Furious but nothing illegal!

Thomas (Tom) Lorde’s morning couldn’t get any worse. One call changes everything. Apparently he’s a dad. He should be on the phone to his lawyer. He wouldn’t put it past a woman—any woman—to lie to get at his hard earned money. His mother trapped his father into marriage and then left them both for deeper pockets. But when the news is delivered from between the sweet lips of Kendra Black, his best friend’s out of bounds little sister, and his one major ‘fucking’ mistake, he knows he’s screwed and that she’s not lying.

Kendra Black knew contacting Tom would be a mistake. Three years ago, he’d made it very clear he had no feelings for her. He slept with her and then flew to Europe without a backward glance. However, he left more than a broken heart behind. He might not want her, but now that’s he’s back in California, her son, their son, Connor (Con) Black, deserves to know his father. What she hadn’t expected was Tom’s old-fashioned lap of honor. He wants to marry her. Why couldn’t he simply be a weekend dad like her father? She can’t deny the physical attraction is still there. He might be okay with a marriage based on hot, raw, animalistic sex and only sex, but she wants more. She deserves a man who loves her and she refuses to wave the checked flag until he gives her his heart.

Genres: Second Chance, Contemporary, Amazon

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2020

About the author

USA Today bestselling author, Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes. Evans is a three-time winner of the RomCon Readers’ Crown and has been nominated for an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand with her dogs Brandy and Duke.

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Reviews

[Pikolina · Rating 3 out of 5]

La historia está chula, me ha gustado, y el estilo de la autora tambien, pero creo que le desmerece muchísimo la traducción por los errores gramaticales y por la forma de poner los dialogos, ya que no sabes cuando están hablando y cuando sigue contando historia.
Por eso y porque creo que se podía haber desarrollado un poco más la historia para darle un poco más de chicha, solo la valoro con 3*

[BarbarAzza Brioscina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nico russa e io leggo libri sorbetto … beh carino ma arriva a tre stiracchiato

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A romance to touch the heart, this novel had me tearing up, laughing out loud and a whole host of other emotions as Kendra and Tom clamour for middle ground. Having dropped the bomb that her little boy is, in fact, Tom's, Kendra is shocked when Tom's first reaction is that they should get married and become a family. Neither Kendra nor Tom have had a good precedent for marriage, let alone being parents, but they do know all the mistakes to avoid. However, they first have to earn one another's trust and learn to believe in the attraction that has simmered between them for so many years. This novel is well written, emotional, sensuous and romantic. I loved Tom and his willingness to expose his heart. Despite his bad-boy image, he has more kindness and compassion than it at first appears. Kendra displays all the hallmarks of someone that has faced death and lived to tell the tale. Having been disowned by her father when she fell pregnant, she fought through that battle too. She has strength and determination, but she is not without fear. Letting go of her independence takes courage and forgiving is even harder. I was sorry when I came to the last page of this book but I am looking forward to reading more about the Bad Boy Autos crew. I received a copy of this novel as a gift via Booksprout and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone deserves a second chance. Tom is about to get his second chance. Kendra drops a bomb on him and he is immediately sure what he wants. The problem is, Kendra isn't on board with him. He has to get her there. His best friend, her brother, doesn't know their secret and it could tear them apart. Tom's dad is dying and maybe Tom can save him, but does he want to? His father wasn't much of a father. Does he deserve a second chance? Kendra does love Tom and has since she was a teenager, but can she trust him now?

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Tom & Kendra's story. Good characters. This was a bit of an emotional read. And a new author for me. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely romance which starts when Kendra Black is sixteen & recovering from leukaemia, it then moves forward eight years Tom Lorde is part owner of a garage with Kendra’s brother Marcus & Kendra is a single mum struggling to make ends meet. Kendra fell hard for Tom when she was sixteen & has loved him ever since, whilst Tom was attracted to Kendra & wanted to get to know her more he was warned off by Marcus. When Kendra drops the bombshell that their one night together resulted in Tom becoming a father, Tom realises he wants to get to know his son & Kendra. Tom thinks that they should marry but Kendra will only marry for love not just to provide a home for Connor. Both Tom & Kendra’s parents didn’t provide the best examples of parents & they both want to be much better. I loved the chemistry between Tom & Kendra & how their relationship developed & how they overcame their insecurities. It was a lovely mix of some humour & heart wrenching moments, which had me reaching for the hankies.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was well written Tom and Kendra’s characters totally drew me in. The storyline is well written and flowed smoothly.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kendra has always crushed on her brother’s best friend Tom since she was 16. they shared one night together when she was celebrating her 20th birthday and the day before Tom leaves for Europe. Tom has cared for Kendra but felt bound by bro code to not do anything about his feelings. After their night together he disregards Kendra's calls and emails and never discovered the baby is his. Once she confronts him after he has been back for close to a year Tom is shocked but wants to be involved and know his son. Will they be able to find their way back to each other and sort through past hurts to have their happily ever after.

This was a decent read but one I had a hard time really getting into as it moved a little slow. Felt Kendra should have been portrayed as a much stronger character with what all she dealt with in life. She came off whiny to me and the book had a lot of repetition with character's thoughts or how they behaved etc.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisbeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lectura rápida y ligera.

[Lisbeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lectura rápida y ligera.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a second chance, little sister, big brother's best friend romance.

At the tender age of sixteen, Kendra Black had fought the battle against leukemia and won and had been in remission for 6 months. That's when she first laid her eyes on her brother's new friend, Thomas Lorde. From the start, she developed a crush on him, partly because he didn't treat her like she needed to be wrapped in cotton wool. But he was older and there was the bro code.

Four years later, after she had been throwing herself at him, he surrender one night, and believing that the chemo had left her sterile, told him not to worry about the broken condom. She also knew he was leaving the next day for Europe to be with her brother Marcus, a formula one race car driver, as his head mechanic. But surprise, she was pregnant, and he did not respond to any of her phone calls, texts or emails, believing stupidly that he wasn't good enough for her. She refused to tell anyone who the father was and her wealthy parents threw her out of the house. With the help of a friend she supports and her son herself by giving music lessons and selling songs.

Several years later, after Marcus had won a Formula One World Drivers Championship, he was so badly injured in a crash he could no longer race, they came back to LA and opened Bad Boy Autos. Kendra is tired of waiting for him to step up, so finally comes to talk to him. And he is angry at himself for not listening or reading her messages and angry at her for waiting so long to contact him once he was back stateside.

His life experience, a mother who walked out on her sons leaving them with their abusive alcoholic father, left him with the belief that love was fleeting and marriage was doomed to failure. But he immediately falls in love with his son, Connor, and wants him to have the family that neither Kendra or he had had. But although she never stopped loving him, she doesn't trust him. She is not going to give him the chance to break her heart again, unless he can prove that he loves not only Connor, but her too. Will they have a second chance?

I read a Beta ARC supplied by the author. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance

Reckless Curves begins the Drive Me Wild series with a combination second chance romance with that bro code of a best friend’s sister. There is plenty of heat, sexy times, and rough language in Tom and Kendra’s story, so if that bothers you this one might not be for you – that decision is yours alone to make. I was easily hooked with the raw emotions that were felt throughout this story. Trust is a huge issue for them both, believing himself worthy of finding love is an issue for Tom.

Kendra had beaten leukemia as a young child, now years in remission, hopefully for more years to come, she’s now old enough to have a huge crush on her brother’s best friend and business partner. Getting Tom to see her as someone to date or even think about being serious with is an ongoing battle due to that silly bro code. (which to this day boggles my mind)

One night of letting good intentions fly out the window will result in one wee baby on the way, with Tom now out of the country working with Marcus on the racing circuit. Years will pass, events will happen to Kendra that leaves her in a far different situation than when Tom left with no contact since that fateful night.

Now, Tom and Marcus are back on US soil, building their business ‘Bad Boys Auto’ together… and it’s time he knew the truth about that one night. Only Kendra didn’t expect his response, and Tom never realized just how much this woman meant to him. Their marriage might be off the charts hot and sexy, but without love, Kendra didn’t want any part of that idea. It’s now up to Tom to prove himself, his love for both his son and the woman who almost slipped through his fingers.

I enjoyed the emotion and the heat of Reckless Curves very much. It’s always a joy for me to watch two people finally get that second chance to get their love for each other right – and eventually, Tom and Kendra will.

I own a Kindle edition of Reckless Curves.

[Anita Fuhrmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about regrets, trust once lost that has to be regained, forgiveness, and second chances. The story of Kendra and Tom just tugs at your heartstrings and you find yourself rooting for them to make it and get the HEA they want with each other. I have read numerous historical novels written by Bronwen Evans and was pleased that she brought the same wonderful literary style when writing her first contemporary romance novel. Neither Tom or Kendra had much of an example to follow growing up as far as how to be good parents but they definitely knew just what Not to do and they were going to strive to be the best parents they could possibly be. That is of course if Kendra will give Tom a second chance and be able to forgive him for leaving after their one night together which resulted in her becoming pregnant and learn to trust in the power of love to heal all wounds. A very moving story that had me tearing up at times as I read it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this story about Kendra and Tom. Tom is get brother Marcus's best friend, and her crush. He's the only one after she fought leukemia they gave it to her straight and didn't like her. After getting the clean bill of health her and Tom has a one-night fling, Tom left the next morning for the circuit with her brother. Finding out she was pregnant but her disowned by her parents, because she wouldn't tell them who the father was. Fast forward 4 years, Tom and Marcus are back in Town and Kendra is ready to lay down the law. Tom is working as part owner in the Bad Boys Auto and is dumbfounded when Kendra comes and lays into him. After revealing he never read her emails or listen to your voicemails, she explained that he's a father. The story talks about their relationship and how it ended so abruptly and why. Great true love story with HEA in the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kendra Black and Thomas (Tom) Lorde share a past! She's the little sister of his best friend. For years, Tom has kept away from Kendra until her birthday. He finally gives into her and then leaves. Kendra tries to reach out when she has a little "surprise" for him from their one night together. Unfortunately, the break down in communication leads to further alienation, anger, and mistrust. Flash forward, Tom and her brother Marcus are in business together. Marcus has no idea that Tom and Kendra hooked up all those years ago. You know, the Bro code! The story has it's ups and downs, but overall we get the HEA that you're cheering for by the end.

This is the first time I've read anything by Bronwen Evans and I think I'm already hooked. I can't wait until the next book in the series!!

I received this book via an ARC that has allowed me to review the book and leave an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed this book so much that I intend to purchase it when released.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read all of Ms. Evans’ historical romances and loved every one of them. This is the first contemporary romance I have read of hers and it is quite different from her historicals not only in time period but in voice. While I liked the story it moved a little slow for me. There is really no intrigue or mystery or angst. It is just a nice story of a broken relationship being reignited. I did not care for Kendra a lot and the reason is because she whined all of the time. I understand she wanted love and not a marriage of convenience but come on, get past that especially when Tom was so caring and upfront with his feelings. I feel that Tom really wanted the relationship to work out and Kendra was on the fence. If you can get past all of the doubting of Kendra, this story is very sweet and the ending was really great.

I received a complimentary copy from Booksprout.

[JLH · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just want to go on the record to state that once is all it takes. Two people have relations. One storms off and drives off into the wild blue yonder while the other one is left behind with an egg and sperm that has fertilized. Fast forward to slow down depending on how you’re looking at it and surprise! Two characters or two beings must learn how to be parents. Nothing is as they expect it to be but it is as it should be. This couple has evolved and learned about each other we are raising a child. That’s par for the course somebody has to realize that they’re still in love with the other person before all can be well in the world. I wonder who’s the slow one, any hints? Hmmm, sit back and read all the magic happens and what can be determined as a future foe a second time around.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb Diem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reckless Curves is a fantastic contemporary romance by Bronwen Evans. Ms. Evans has produced a well-written book full of amazing characters. Kendra had one night with Tom and then he was off with her brother on the racing circuit. Tom and Marcus are both back and now have a garage for high priced cars. Kendra finally told Tom that her son was his from the single night they shared a few years earlier. Kendra and Tom's story is full of drama, humor and sizzle. I enjoyed reading Reckless Curves and look forward to my next book by Bronwen Evans. This is book 1 of the Drive Me Wild Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliffhanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Vanessa Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom and Conner had been friends for ages and were on the car racing circuit together...Tom, the mechanic and Conner, the driver. They opened a custom auto shop together after they left that scene and things couldn't be better. Until Tom can't keep his hands off Kendra, Connor's sister. He discovers that she has a little boy, his after a one night stand the night before he went back to Europe to race. She has never told anyone the child is his. They still have the hots for each other, but know the bro code...thy shalt not touch one's sister, will cause things to explode. The chemistry is hot and it has a HEA even through all their issues they have to work out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent story of forgiveness and second chances. As a teenager, Kendra fought and won a battle against leukemia. After beating the disease she meets her brother's friend Thomas and develops a major crush on him. After finally giving in to their feelings they hook up only for him to leave for Europe with her brother after. Unknown to Thomas their night left her pregnant. Due to circumstances beyond their control Thomas doesn't learn of his son until years later. Surprising to Kendra after hearing he has a son, Thomas wants them to get married, but Kendra is not of the same opinion. Thomas will have to convince Kendra to give them a chance. Neither have great role models for a happy marriage but Thomas is determined to earn her trust. 5 stars!

[TLynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reckless Curves: Bad Boy Autos is the first book in the new series Drive Me Wild. This was the first contemporary romance book I have read by this author and I loved it! It was well written, perfect pacing, had awesome characters, and was realistic. It was a brother’s best friend troupe with a one-night stand that left behind a “surprise”. There was a lack of miscommunication between Tom and Kendra which lead to Kendra being a single mom for four years. Can they overcome all their fears and have a happy ending?
This was one of those books that once you start you don’t want to put down until you’ve read the entire book! I can’t wait to read Marcus’s story in the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amber Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new to me author, I was drawn to the synopsis of this story. Forbidden romance, best friend’s sister, secret baby, second chance….yeah you get the draw right?! I liked Kendra and Tom, and felt their chemistry as well as their angst. Their adorable boy Connor needed more presence in the story, because he was totally precious! The story had great supporting characters and there was decent story development.
My hang ups with the story had to do with some timeline issues as well as story pacing. I also had some annoyance with language/word choices. I know Ms. Evans is Australian, but she set this story in California but yet she used lots of words/phrases/etc that just aren’t naturally Cali and I found it distracting. I just think that your language needs to pair up with your setting.

[Avid Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story of Kendra and Tom. Tom is best friend's with Kendra's brother Marcus and also his business partner. Kendra survived a bout of cancer while a child and this has shaped her approach to her future. She goes after what she wants and for one night she manages to seduce Tom but that is where it all ends. Fast forward 4 years and the tragic news a friend has been diagnosed as terminal forces Kendra to make some life altering decisions. A beautiful story of love, family, how illness shapes everything and the power of second chances. A roller coaster emotional read with a perfect ending Absolutely loved it.

I was given an advanced copy by the author but my views are my own.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is gripping and emotional. Kendra had battled for her life, then she battled for her crush, Thomas, and won. One night with him. He left the next morning. When she found out that she was pregnant she tried to get a hold of him, but he ignored her. Four years later he back in the states, and she confronts him. Disappointment, guilt and forgiveness are what is needed for them to become a family, and both end up committed to do whatever they need to to make it work. I laughed, I cried and I enjoyed this so much.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Trust Again

This story will grab you from the start and not let go of you! All I wanted to do was keep turning the pages. Tom and Kendra's story was refreshing because it is quite different from other contemporary romances. In this story, the heroine learns to be strong from the beginning because of life, but uncertainty shakes her hard. The hero grows into his emotions because of wanting to do what is right. Witnessing their struggles and going along their journey will touch your emotions. This is definitely became a new favorite to keep in my personal library. This author does not disappoint! I can't wait to read book 2!

[Faith Pilger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. This book has a great story line from start to finish. My only problem was the whiplash you sometimes got between Tom and Kendra. Overall, the characters are relatable. The characters are however thoroughly developed. This book is about fear, love, forgiveness and moving on. Love can be a b**ch, but sometimes it is worth it. Tom and Kendra prove that. It seems like a cliche brothers best friend is warned to stay away from his sister, but there is a much deeper reason.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an emotional story with Kendra and Thomas. Thomas is her brother's friend that she has been crushing on and finally they get together on the eve of when he is going out of the country. She finds out she is pregnant and tries to tell him but he does not respond to her messages fast forward seven years and he comes back and he finds out he has a son but he comes from a bad family and is not sure he can be a good parent. I felt so bad for Kendra and Thomas with the life they were handed but so happy to see them work through their relationship. Well written with great characters.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to warm up to Tom. I am still not his biggest fan, but he has grown on me. Kendra has a heavy past. Tom has his baggage as well. There are a few places that I feel a little lost in the story, but overall this is an interesting story with a unique setting, Auto Repair and Racing, and some good characters. Marcus is a tool but comes around. Stella is fun. Lexie is interesting. Connor takes your heart.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

A nice enough read with enough tugs on the old heartstrings... cancer, alcoholism, unknown kid... bro-code...

But, it didn't go deep enough into it for me. Was there ever a resolution with her parents? Hopefully that she completely disowned them frankly.

The kid was 4... not 2... he would've been a little more aware of his surroundings & the people in his life... yet his very ( too ) easy acceptance of Tom was not believable.

Couple of typo's... 'Tommie' and Tommy' for example.

But an OK read.

[Philleys Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have admired this author's well written Regency historical romances. This is a nice switch to angsty contemporary romances. I really enjoyed Tom and Kendra's storyline, a second chance secret baby affair with a sweet happy ever after my favorite part of any of the books I have read. The supporting characters that surround Kendra and Thomas are intriguing. Am looking forward to reading those stories as well. Nice!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.