Reckless Girls Book Review: A Thriller by Rachel Hawkins
If you’re looking for a fun thriller read that takes place on a deserted island, look no further than Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins. While at first it seems like the story of new friends exploring an isolated pacific island on a sailboat, it becomes so much more when other characters enter the scene. Keep reading my Reckless Girls book review to find out more about this exciting story on a remote island.
What is the book Reckless Girls about?
Reckless Girls tells the story of a young woman named Lux McAllister. After experience some traumatic situations in her life, she’s ready for a change. So when she meets a handsome guy who invites her to sail to Hawaii with him, how could she say no? Their new lifestyle isn’t easy and Lux works a dead-end job as a resort housekeeper, but she has Nico so it isn’t all bad.
Nico’s a seasoned sailor. But part of the reason why he and Lux are stuck in Hawaii is that their sailboat is in need of some major repairs and they don’t have the money for it.
One day at the dock Brittany and Amma approach him. They’re two college aged girls who are looking for adventure. They offer him a large sum of money to charter a sailboat for them so that they can visit Meroe Island, a deserted island in the middle of the pacific ocean. Lux isn’t so sure when he invites her to come with along with them, but it’s not like she has any other choice.
As it turns out, fellow free spirits Brittany and Amma are the perfect pair of companions for the trip. They have money and they do as they’re told. But when the foursome arrives at the deserted island with a mysterious history of shipwrecks, the stumble upon two other travelers. Jake and Eliza have a well-stocked bar in their sleek catamaran and the six adventurers quickly become friends. Meroe’s sandy beaches are the perfect destination for them to laugh and drink and have fun.
But then comes the arrival of a skeevy stranger to the exotic island. He disrupts the flow and brings a darker vibe with his strange behavior. Lux feels less connected to Nico. Jake and Eliza start acting different as the rocky history of their relationship comes to light. What started out as a free-spirited journey soon becomes a nightmare as the balance of the group dissolves and people start dying.
About Rachel Hawkins
Rachel Hawkins has become one of my favorite thriller/suspense authors! Although my favorite book of hers is The Villa, she’s published quite a few other great books. She’s known as the author of The Wife Upstairs, but some of her other books are:
I find that her thriller/suspense novels are very exciting because they feature evocative prose with a gothic sensibility. I suggest reading her books in the order that she’s published them because they keep getting better and better!
My Thoughts
I think that some people might have a hard time getting into this book because it’s slow at first, but once everyone arrives at the remote Meroe Island, it really picks up. Because while at first Meroe Island seems like an idyllic beach vacation, the desolate spot soon proves to be a location for secluded chaos.
Although some of them were more likable than others, I did enjoy all of the characters. There’s Lux and her boyfriend Nico, who seemingly love each other and yet as a reader, you can tell they aren’t a good fit. And then there’s Brittany and Ama, who seem to be nice if not also secretive. And finally Jake and Eliza. They seem like the true golden couple, living the perfect life of exploring the world on their sailboat.
The setting of Meroe Island was very fascinating. When I found out the dark history of the island I was immediately intrigued. Brittany and Amma were fascinated by the island and the rumors of murder, but I was surprised that wanted to stay there, even as dark currents started appearing in more ways than one on the island.
This is a great tale of suspense about a seductive island that won’t let it’s visitors go, even after they learn the truth about it. It’s a spine-tingling reimagining of an Agatha Christie Classic, so if you’re a fan of mysteries you’ll definitely want to check this one out. I myself haven’t read And Then There Were None yet but I will definitely be adding it to my to be read list after this.
How was the Suspense in Reckless Girls?
I really enjoyed the suspense in this story. Reckless Girls is a claustrophic page-turner and as the story unfolded, I kept waiting for the characters to try to leave the island but they never did. WTF. The story picks up a darker tone as it continues and there’s a gothic sense of foreboding with each passing page. This story has plenty of dark secrets. It’s a delicious thriller that I would definitely recommend for fans of the genre.
Frequently Ask Questions about Reckless Girls
Is Reckless Girls a sequel to The Wife Upstairs?
No, Reckless Girls is not a sequel to The Wife Upstairs. While both novels are by the author Rachel Hawkins, they are two complete different stories that are not related to each other. You do not need to read one in order to enjoy the other.
Who are The Main Characters in Reckless Girls?
The main characters in Reckless Girls are:
- Lux – Our protagonist. She agrees to accompany her boyfriend Nico on a journey
- Nico – Nico is Lux’s boyfriend. He’s a struggling sailor, but he has a rich family who he refuses to ask for help.
- Ama – Ama is one of the girl’s that approached Nico to charter a trip to Meroe Island on Nico’s boat.
- Brittany – Brittany is another of the adventurous twenty-somethings who approaches Nico to charter their journey to the south pacific island.
- Jake – One of the new friends that Lux and Nico meet on Meroe island. He has a much nicer boat than Nico.
- Eliza – Eliza is Jake’s girlfriend. She’s nice and friendly and immediately befriends Lux.
Is Meroe Island Real Reckless Girls?
No, Meroe Island (the deserted island featured in Rachel Hawkin’s thriller novel Reckless Girls) is not a real place.
In Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed today’s book review. Reckless Girls is a fun novel about characters with different interpersonal drama between them. Some of the characters are looking to relax and others are in pursuit of a darker kind of good time. Reckless Girls is filled with a slew of outrageous twists and it’s the perfect read if you’re looking to escape into a scary and sexy suspense novel.
xo Marian
But wait, there’s more!
If you’re looking for more thriller recommendations, you can read more of my reviews here.
