ONE TINY LIE
Ten Tiny Breaths Series #2
by K.A. Tucker
Publisher: Atria Books (June 2013)
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Format: eARC (336 pages)
Source: Free book from publisher (NetGalley) for honest review
Find It: Goodreads | Amazon Print | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
Livie has always been the stable one of the two Cleary sisters, handling her parents’ tragic death and Kacey’s self-destructive phase with strength and maturity. But underneath that exterior is a little girl hanging onto the last words her father ever spoke to her. “Make me proud,” he had said. She promised she would…and she’s done her best over the past seven years with every choice, with every word, with every action.
Livie walks into Princeton with a solid plan, and she’s dead set on delivering on it: Rock her classes, set herself up for medical school, and meet a good, respectable guy that she’s going to someday marry. What isn’t part of her plan are Jell-O shots, a lovable, party animal roommate she can’t say ‘no’ to, and Ashton, the gorgeous captain of the men’s rowing team. Definitely him. He’s an arrogant ass who makes Livie’s usually non-existent temper flare and everything she doesn’t want in a guy. Worse, he’s best friends and roommates with Connor, who happens to fits Livie’s criteria perfectly. So why does she keep thinking about Ashton?
As Livie finds herself facing mediocre grades, career aspirations she no longer thinks she can handle, and feelings for Ashton that she shouldn’t have, she’s forced to let go of her last promise to her father and, with it, the only identity that she knows.
At A Glance
Despite not liking Ashton in the beginning, this was another amazing book by K.A. Tucker. Loved the story and the characters (I even loved Ashton in the end).
The Good
First off, I think I connected with this book so much because Livie and I had so many things in common. Livie is the peacemaker, the one who has to fix everyone else. Me too. Livie has a set path for her future and she wasn’t going to let anything detour her. Me too. Livie has a breakdown when she gets a C- on a test. I spent one Halloween wallowing in self-pity when I got my first B- on a paper. I just relate to Livie so much, so I understood a lot of what she was going through.
In a way, I liked the story of One Tiny Lie better than Ten Tiny Breaths. Not by much, but there was something about this book that just spoke to me more. It had awesome college parties, good friendships, school issues, and, of course, boy troubles. One Tiny Lie is all about Livie finding her true self, and not becoming the person she thinks her parents want her to be. She has one hell of a journey too. There was rarely a dull moment. Especially after this one huge party. A party where Livie comes out the other end completely changed. This book revolves around what happened at this party. And, wow, what a party it was!
Livie was very similar to her younger self in Ten Tiny Breaths. She is still smart, determined, and focused. Then her therapist, Dr. Stayner, messes everything up. He makes Livie do some crazy things, things that she would have never done without a little push. And through those crazy adventures, Livie finds out that her planned out future is not so attractive anymore. She has other needs and wants. And she wants Ashton. Livie never denies that Ashton is bad news. He has so much baggage and problems, but she can’t help but see something “more” in him. I sympathized with Livie as her feelings grew even when she tried to deny them over and over. She knew some of the things she was doing was wrong, but she couldn’t help herself, not when Ashton was involved. I think many of us can relate to once dating that guy that just drove you crazy, made you veer off your path a bit and try new things, even if some of them were naughty. That’s Ashton. I think Livie did the best in her situation. She had her ups and downs, but she always analyzed her choices and made the right decisions.
Ashton was a bundle of naughty and nice. More often than not, he was a huge, cocky asshat. He knows he can get any girl and he knows how to press people’s buttons. He seems so carefree, but deep down he has demons and a troubled past. He hides it well though. He knows he is not good for Livie but he just can’t seem to help himself. He is drawn to her and has to touch, talk, smell her every chance he gets. Though he hurts her a lot more than I preferred, I knew he was a good guy deep down. He just needed to man-up and stop letting other people get in the way of their perfect chemistry.
I could not put this book down. The writing was beautiful like always. The plot held my attention and the drama/fun was never ending. Tucker has a real talent at creating amazing and multi-dimensional characters. I just wish I had the next book in the series right now.
The Bad
The main problem was that I didn’t like Ashton for the longest time. Ashton is painted in a very bad light at one point and we aren’t set right until far into the book. I had to assume that Ashton did these despicable things and I just couldn’t accept it. It was wrong. And how could Livie fall for someone who she thought did these things? I just didn’t get it.
The Snuggly
Thank you, Tucker. We finally get our steamy scenes. Tucker held nothing back this time. The sexual tension melted the words off the pages. And the sexual play was TANTALIZING! We also get sex scenes. WooHoo!
Ashton and Livie don’t seem like the perfect couple at first. They both have issues, but they also have such compassion for each other. They see the special “thing” in each other and want to hold on to it. I love them together.
Final Thoughts
Get this book now! I would recommend that everyone try this series out. It has heart, it has passion, and it has personality. I think any new adult lover could easily fall in love with this series and this book. Highly recommended.
“1. I’m brilliant
2. I’m charming
3. I’m hung like a thoroughbred
4. I’ve stopped all philandering
5. I’m highly skilled, as you’ve learned the other night.
P.S. Stop staring at my hands. I know what you want me to with them.”
“Because you’re not a one-night girl, Irish.” Leaning in to place a kiss on my jawline, he whispers, “You’re my forever girl.”
Texts between Dr. Stayner & Livie(with a little help from Kacey):
“Dr. Stayner: Tell me you did one out-of-character thing last night
Livie: I drank enough Jell-O shots to fill a small pool, and then proceeded to break out every terrible dance move known to mankind. I am now the proud owner of a tattoo and if I didn’t have a video to prove otherwise, I’d believe I had it done in a back alley with hepatitis-laced needles. Satisfied?
Dr. Stayner: That’s a good start. Did you talk to a guy?
Kacey(answering for Livie): Not only did I talk to a guy but I’ve now seen two penises, including the one attached to the naked man in my room this morning when I woke up. I have pictures. Would you like to see one?
Dr. Stayner: Glad you’re making friends. Talk to you on Saturday”
“It’s not funny, Kacey!” I hiss. “That guy forced himself on me!”
She rolls her eyes but then, after a long pause, she sighs. “Yeah, you’re right.” Reaching over, she pinches the guy’s arm without hesitation. “Hey, buddy!”
“You do that to her again and I’ll sneak into your room and rip your balls off while you sleep, capisce?” she warns with a pointed finger. Most times my sister’s threats involve the mutilation of testicles.”
Melanie
I am actually considering to start this series, I feel like some contemp romance of the late–I seem to be hoarding all the contemp romances at my library, yikes! I don’t really like the sound of Ashton so far though…
Lovely review, Jennifer! <33
Jennifer Bielman
I have been on a contemp romance kick right now, not even sure why. I think you would like this series.
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence
Awesome, I’ve heard Ten Tiny Breaths was freaking amazing so I’m glad the follow up is just as good! I had to skim some of your review because I haven’t read Ten Tiny Breaths yet, but I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your thoughts on it Jennifer!
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence
Jennifer Bielman
Oooh, you so need to pick up this series. I really hope you do. So good.
sherry fundin
Nice review, as always. ^_^ Have a great weekend.
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks so much.
Ashley
Great review Jennifer! I was afraid of this book because I heard like one person say they were disappointed.. and that scared me (even though it was only like ONE freaking person). But I think now I might give it a try. What you said about Ashton does make me a little nervous though. Stuff like that can sometimes break a book for me.
Jennifer Bielman
haha, I do that too. Even if one person says it was bad, I’m like “that’s it, no way I am reading that garbage.” Then I get over it. hehe.
Elisa
Those books sound great! I am going to have to get to them at some point. Wonderful review 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks. I hope you do.
emaginette
Okay, it sounds like an awesome read. I’m in. 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Hehe, yaaaaa. Love convincing other readers.
Braine TS
It’s always nice if you connect to the characters on a more personal level, makes their journey extra special and good thing you finally had gratification from Tucker 😀
Jennifer Bielman
I know. Connecting with characters is like the best for me. It makes me love the book and the author even more.
Jaclyn Canada
I’m so glad that you are liking this one as much as you are. I haven’t read any bad reviews for Ten Tiny Breaths yet. It’s fantastic when you can really connect with a character, and just makes the read that mean that much more. Wonderful review! Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks so much. I final know why there are barley any bad reviews for this series. 🙂
Esraa
I really gad u liked the book. I’ve liked it too despite all the negative reviews I’ve read before reading it.