Review: One Tiny Lie by K.A. Tucker

One Tiny Lie by K.A. Tucker
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication date: June 11th 2013
My rating: 4 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.

My Thoughts:
I was surprised to find out how much I really loved One Tiny Lie. I had started reading it with a lot of apprehension because I found out there was cheating in the story, and I HATE cheating stories. It almost always ruins the story for me.  Why did I start reading when I knew this? Well, first of all I requested this title before I knew about the cheating.  Second, I was assured that the story was really good in spite of the hated subject.  I have to agree with that.

Livie Cleary is the sister who was very much overlooked in the previous book because her sister Kacey was such a train wreck.  Kacey was in the accident that killed their parents and left her in rehab for a year, so Livie had to be strong because her sister was not.  Now that most of Kacey’s demons have been dealt with, all eyes turn to Livie because no one can be that perfect and not crack at some point. Dr. Stayner, Kacey’s very unconventional therapist, basically forces his guidance on Livie. Not even letting up when Livie leaves Miami for Princeton.  He keeps trying to get Livie to look at her life, make sure all the decisions she’s making is because she wants them and not because she is leading the life she thinks her parents would’ve expected her to.  So with the advice to make some mistakes, and to loosen way-the-heck-up, Livie starts college.

Enter Ashton.  He’s beautiful, and Livie’s drunk at her first college party, and they can’t keep their hands or their mouths off each other!  Livie finds out that Ashton has a girlfriend and resolves to stay away from him, writing him off as a man-whore jerk.  Life has other plans when she strikes up a friendship with his best friend, Connor.  Connor is everything her parents would approve of.  He’s a steady guy, serious student, and comes from a solid family.  He’s good looking as well, but there’s no spark. However, because Livie feels this is the type of guy she should be with, she doesn’t say no when he asks her to date. Being that Connor and Ashton live in the same house and are best friends their paths cross, often….

So yes, this sounds like a recipe for disaster if you hate cheating, right? Well, here is why I think it worked for me: I think the author did a wonderful job conveying Livie’s naiveté, as well as showing how very young she is for her age.  She makes mistakes, stupid mistakes, but they are realistic “being young” mistakes, AND they are not done with malicious intent. Livie fully intends to stay away from Ashton, and Ashton away from Livie, BUT they end up together and their chemistry and connection make short work of their resolve.  Have you ever been with someone that you just click with intensely, you’re drawn to them like a magnet?  This is Ashton and Livie.  Plus, the whole Connor relationship is one that just sort of happens to Livie, he just keeps making the next date, and she doesn’t say no.  I know, messed up.  Another reason I was able to stomach this is because there were hints that all wasn’t as it seemed with Ashton and his girlfriend, or his life. 

I’m not saying that I agree or even condone what happened, but I don’t always have to like the actions or behavior of characters to enjoy the story.  If I can understand the motivations and reasons for their transgressions, I can look past them.  I did with Livie and Ashton. They just clicked for me and I wanted everything to work out for them.  They clearly cared so much for each other, they just needed to sort their shit baggage out!

I have ten pages worth of highlights showing how much I loved this story.  Here’s one of my favorites that had me totally laughing:

When pressed to come up with some redeeming qualities, this is Ashton’s note to Livie while in English class:

1. I'm brilliant

2. I'm charming

3. I'm hung like a thoroughbred

4. I've stopped 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 do with them.*

One Tiny Lie was captivating story of two people finding the strength to live the life they want and chose to, instead of a life decided by guilt or expectation.  I’m so happy I read One Tiny Lie in spite of my reservations, because I ended up really loving it. 

*Quote taken from an uncorrected proof and may change in the final copy.