Review: The Opportunist

Title: The Opportunist (Love Me With Lies #1)
Author: Tarryn Fisher
Publication Date: November 14, 2011
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Olivia Kaspen has just discovered that her ex-boyfriend, Caleb Drake, has lost his memory. With an already lousy reputation for taking advantage of situations, Olivia must decide how far she is willing to go to get Caleb back. Wrestling to keep her true identity and their sordid past under wraps, Olivia’s greatest obstacle is Caleb’s wicked, new girlfriend; Leah Smith. It is a race to the finish as these two vipers engage in a vicious tug of war to possess a man who no longer remembers them. But, soon enough Olivia must face the consequences of her lies, and in the process discover that sometimes love falls short of redemption.

My Thoughts

*I wrote this a month ago during the week of Bout of Books. :D

I CRY. I am left utterly speechless. I was so afraid to pick up this book, and in all honesty, I don’t know if it was a mistake to pick this up right now. I think I have an innate talent to keep on torturing myself, when I’m still not quite over my feels on Maybe Someday.

I was overwhelmed, to say for the least. There were too much lies, and to much bitchy-ness, and too much selfishness that they just kept on coming at me, and I didn’t know how to stop it. I came to the point that I just want to claw at their faces, or slap at them, and just do something to hurt them.

I am glad for the alternating point of views of the past and the present. It is one of the reasons why I couldn’t just put the book down. As I read through the chapters that revolve around the past, my curiosity grew about what happened to Olivia and Caleb in the past, for them to end up like that in the present. While I get absorbed in the present chapters, I kept on wanting to know how things will end up. There was just this need to finish the book so that I can get all the answers I wanted. At the same time, I wanted to put down the book because the pain and the hurt were just too much. There were so much negativity, and I felt like I WANT TO PUT DOWN THIS BOOK AND GO BACK TO MY HAPPY ENDING. I was in conflict with myself the entire time, and multiple feelings were swarming inside me.

Even though there’s so much negativity here, it made me realize a lot of things, and that hurts me more. I was in Olivia’s story, but I was also in my own story. Memories come rushing back while I read her story, and I find myself within Olivia at times also. The story was also so unpredictable (in a good way,) wherein I thought something like this’d happen, but in fact it went the other way. It was awesome that way because it was like life, y’know, you don’t know what’s going to happen until it’s there.

Simply put, this is just so amazing. There was sweetness and bitterness at the same time. One moment I was goofing off and smiling at Olivia and Caleb, the next moment my heart is crushed into pieces. IT’S JUST LIKE THAT. Not to mention, THAT ENDING. It just hit me straight to the gut, and had me bawling like a baby. I would have thrown tantrums if I was alone at home (Sorry, Mom.)

The Opportunist is simply, drop dead gorgeous. Everything was raw and powerful. It’s a story that revolves around one of the basic things in life: you don’t know what you’ve got until you’ve lost it.

My Rating

{Blog Tour} Review+Giveaway: #Scandal

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Title: #Scandal

Author: Sarah Ockler

Publication Date: June 17, 2014

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance

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Synopsis from Goodreads:

Lucy’s learned some important lessons from tabloid darling Jayla Heart’s all-too-public blunders: Avoid the spotlight, don’t feed the Internet trolls, and keep your secrets secret. The policy has served Lucy well all through high school, so when her best friend Ellie gets sick before prom and begs her to step in as Cole’s date, she accepts with a smile, silencing about ten different reservations. Like the one where she’d rather stay home shredding online zombies. And the one where she hates playing dress-up. And especially the one where she’s been secretly in love with Cole since the dawn of time.

When Cole surprises her at the after party with a kiss under the stars, it’s everything Lucy has ever dreamed of… and the biggest BFF deal-breaker ever. Despite Cole’s lingering sweetness, Lucy knows they’ll have to ’fess up to Ellie. But before they get the chance, Lucy’s own Facebook profile mysteriously explodes with compromising pics of her and Cole, along with tons of other students’ party indiscretions. Tagged. Liked. And furiously viral.

By Monday morning, Lucy’s been branded a slut, a backstabber, and a narc, mired in a tabloid-worthy scandal just weeks before graduation. 

Lucy’s been battling undead masses online long enough to know there’s only one way to survive a disaster of this magnitude: Stand up and fight. Game plan? Uncover and expose the Facebook hacker, win back her best friend’s trust, and graduate with a clean slate.

There’s just one snag—Cole. Turns out Lucy’s not the only one who’s been harboring unrequited love...

My Thoughts

At first glance, I was like, whoa, cyber bullying. I was excited to read on it because just recently I just researched on bullying, so I felt familiar with the topic, like the causes and effects and all those things. However, as I continued reading I felt nothing. I saw the effects like the lowered self esteem and blabla but I really didn't feel connected with Lucy. I felt that the others seemed shallow and I was like YOU'RE HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS. YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT. Or whatever. I thought that Lucy would be feeling more embarrassed and pained and all that, but her feelings didn’t cover my expectations. Not to mention that she does what she thinks other people would think is right, not the one she thinks will defend herself. I got really mad about it, because when you’re bullied, you either:1. Become a pushover.2. Learn how to stand up for yourself.

I guess I was expecting her to learn how to stand up, because this is a novel that tackles about bullying, and I thought that maybe it’d become an inspiration to those getting bullied and all that. But I was wrong. Lucy turned out to be whiney about everything that is happening to her, thinking that it’s all the “karma” for her actions, but really, bullying is not a justification for what she did. No one deserves to be bullied.

I also got annoyed that the teachers and principal (Ms. Zeff) didn’t even do anything for the problem. They did little, to none at all, to help solve bullying, and it was really OHEMGEE. They’re the adults, so they should be responsible in helping Lucy out.

Also, for a novel about bullying, it is a light read, with all the fun banters etc. I guess I just thought it'd be heavier, so I got disappointed. It was fun reading them though, especially with all the Veronica Mars and Sherlock Holmes and all those detective stuff. I was also curious on who posted those pictures and how they did it, so thats a plus point for me, but it did seem kind of obvious on who did it. However, their clues were all over the place, and there were so many mysteries being tackled at the same time, which made the story a little bit confusing.

I love the fact that they were able to find friends even though everything doesnt seem to be going their way. It was nice to know that something good still happens amidst all the bad things. I just love their friendship all together even though they are different. And, this bullying event has made Lucy less judgemental about the other people, most especially e(V)IL, which I really liked.

I liked how Jayla, Lucy’s sister, tried to be a parental figure to Lucy, even though she failed. I like how she helped Lucy through retail therapy, but it’s not enough as an apology to whatever mistake she has done. It was like saying, I’m giving you money, please forgive me. That’s a big no-no for me.I hated how Ellie doesn’t seem to even want to hear the details for Lucy herself. It was annoying. 

Also, why didn’t she just tell Lucy everything from the start, right? I mean, they’re best friends and all that, so I expected differently from her. Although, I love that she stood up for Lucy, even though she’s avoiding Lucy.

I found myself liking the secondary characters more, even if they weren’t properly developed. All of them suddenly came out of nowhere, and they were a lot, so at times, I find myself thinking, who is this again?

As for Cole, he seemed to be coming in and out from the story whenever he felt like it. If he truly loves Lucy, you’d think that he’d be there beside her always, but MEH. Franklin was there for her even more than Cole did. Also, if you’re in love with your girlfriend’s best friend, wouldn’t it be like, best, if you broke up with your girlfriend? Ohmycrappola.

Oh, and I totally didn’t feel the fireworks between Cole and Lucy. I guess maybe it was because right from the start, the two of them were in love with each other. But, I expected that their relationship would grow even more and that they get the chance to know each other, but that just didn’t happen.

WHICH. ENTIRELY. SUCKS.

Overall, even though I had lots of rants and complains, and found myself annoyed lots of times (although that may be just me), it’s still a fun read. #Scandal may not have met my expectations on the issue of bullying, but I definitely liked the other lessons and principles it may have beneath all the bullying.

I may not have super enjoyed reading this one, but I’m sure others will. It’s a great novel that makes you realize a lot of things, particularly about the society we have right now.

Excerpt

#NotEvenClose

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a picture tagged on Miss Demeanor’s Scandal of the Month page is worth about a million. Especially when the story all those words tell is an absolute lie.

Well, mostly a lie.

The part about falling asleep in his arms is sort of true. I don’t remember the details about the horse, or how it got into the living room exactly, but judging from the smell that morning, that part’s true too. And yes, the Harvard-bound debate team captain definitely cannonballed into the pond wearing only tuxedo socks and silver fairy wings. Everyone got shots of that.

But there’s no way the other stuff happened. 

Not like the pictures are saying it did. 

My Rating

I'm not really sure how to rate this, but around 2.5 to 3? 

Borderline 3 anyway, so yeah. :))

About the Author

Website || Goodreads || Twitter || Facebook || Youtube || Tumblr

Sarah Ockler is the bestselling author of novels for teens, including The Book of Broken Hearts, Bittersweet, Fixing Delilah, and the critically acclaimed Twenty Boy Summer, a YALSA Teens' Top Ten nominee and IndieNext List pick. Her latest, #scandal, hits the shelves in June 2014. 

Sarah is a champion cupcake eater, coffee drinker, night person, and bookworm. When she's not writing or reading at home in Colorado, she enjoys taking pictures, hugging trees, and road-tripping through the country with her husband, Alex.

Giveaway

Win a prize pack with 4 Signed HB of Sarah Ockler's books:  (Twenty Boy Summer, Fixing Delilah, Bittersweet, and The Book of Broken Hearts) - US Only

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Blitz+Excerpt+Giveaway: Two Little Lies

Title: Two Little Lies (Edgewood Falls #2)
Author: Rhonda Helms

Publication date: June 9th 2014

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Amazon US || Amazon UK || Nook || iBooks || Kobo

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Natalie Goldsmith has a fabulous life and an equally awesome boyfriend. So what is her best friend Bianca thinking when she says she suspects West is cheating—and confesses that she’s hired a PI to prove it? Totally not cool.

Especially since the cynical PI, Kyle Winslow, is her grade school nemesis. With a smug, know-it-all look on his face, Kyle declares he can smell a cheater from a mile away, and he’s willing to bet it all on West. Well, if he wants to waste his time chasing a lie, more power to him. But just days later, he presents irrefutable evidence of her boyfriend’s unfaithfulness, and Natalie’s enviable life takes a total nosedive.

Determined to not let this ruin her New Year’s Eve, she goes out on the town, dressed to the nines…and ends up having a drunken night of mind-blowing sex with Kyle. Now the guy she hates is the one person she can’t get out of her mind. Even crazier, he seems just as drawn to her too. The more time they spend together, the more she realizes Kyle could be everything she’s been looking for. But should she risk it all on a guy who says he doesn’t believe in love?

Excerpt

“Natalie,” Kyle said. I looked up at his rough voice to see his eyes locked on mine. Everything he was thinking and feeling was right there on his face. The realness, the openness of it stunned me. “You shouldn’t be alone tonight. Not after what you just went through.”

“I’m fine,” I repeated in a low whisper. Strangely enough, being this close to Kyle shoved all thoughts of West out of my brain. I swallowed. Now that I was looking at Kyle, really looking, I could tell that what I’d identified as anger in his eyes was actually worry.

He was concerned? About me?

I sucked my lower lip. His gaze dropped to my mouth then moved down my deep, exposed neckline. My skin tightened like he’d given me a physical caress. I saw his Adam’s apple bob, and a light sigh flew out of my mouth, unbidden.

“That dress is dangerous, you know.” There was a guttural element to his voice that made my sex clench. Holy shit, how had I never realized how potent the guy could sound? His eyes grew heavy-lidded, the right side of his jaw ticking. “I think you should go home.”

All I could do was shake my head in response. My entire body throbbed, and my mouth opened with a sight part of my lips. If I weren’t here right now, I wouldn’t believe I was having this strong of a reaction to Kyle. I knew he could read my desire on my face; I wasn’t sure why, but I wanted him to see what I was feeling.

Wanted to see what he’d do with the open invitation in my eyes.

I wasn’t normally this impulsive, but some earthy, feminine part of me ached to push him into action. Was it the alcohol? My long-denied sexual hunger? Or was something else at play here?

Kyle blinked and looked away to rest his hand on the stall door. Then he muttered a cuss word and took a step toward me, his fingers moving behind his back. The sound of the metal sliding in the door lock made my heart give an excited lurch.

Before I realized what was happening, Kyle tugged me to him then dug his fingers into the bound hair at the nape of my neck. He lowered his head and took my mouth in a hot kiss.

There was no asking for permission, just claiming. 

About the Author

Website || Twitter || Facebook || Goodreads

Rhonda Helms started writing several years ago. She has a Master's degree in English and a Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing. She also edits for Carina Press (an imprint of Harlequin Publishing) and freelance edits.

When she isn't writing, she likes to do amateur photography, dig her toes into the sand, read for hours at a time, and eat scads of cheese. WAY too much cheese.

Rhonda lives in Northeast Ohio with her family.

Giveaway

Enter to win a $10 B&N gift card, an ebook copy of One Broke Girl and an ebook copy of All I Ever Wanted. Open internationally. 

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Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Books I've Read So Far This Year

Meme hosted by Broke and Bookish

In no particular order, these are the top 10 books I've read so far this year. Ohmy, it's so hard to pick! :))

Click on cover to be directed to the reviews I've already posted or to Goodreads.

Review: Origin

Title: Origin (Lux #4)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Aliens

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything. 

But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on? 

And will they even be together?

My Thoughts

In Origin, the fourth book in JLA’s Lux series, Katy starts off in the middle of the secret project that started it all - Daedalus. As expected, Daemon sets off to rescue her, ignoring the dangers that he might have to face. Will he succeed, or will they end up being subjected to the same horrors as Dawson and Beth? Then again, the strength of their bond may just be what Daedalus needs...

Ohh man, this book is great! I can’t even begin to imagine what Kat has to go through in the first half of the book. She’s so strong for being able to live with those memories just like Beth does. Katy and Daemon really solidify their relationship even further in this one, and it’s good to see her and Dee getting close again. I was a little unsure about what to make of Luc when he appeared in Opal, but now I can say that he’s freakin’ awesome! Archer is an interesting new addition, though I find his story quite sad. I admire how selfless all these characters are; they don’t think twice about sacrificing themselves for one another. Sometimes some of them make mistakes, but I guess that happens to even the best people when they’re desperate. I still can’t get over how many of them had to die for their cause.

Everything in this story just kind of pulled me in, especially the last parts. I was already expecting there to be some big twists, but they caught me by surprise nonetheless, especially what happens to Blake. There is a lot more behind Daedalus than I thought, and I’m still very curious about the fate of the origins. And c’mon, yet ANOTHER cliffhanger?! Opposition, please come faster!

If you liked the first three books, you'll definitely love this one! :D

My Rating