Tuesday 29 January 2013

Review: The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher


The Opportunist (Love Me With Lies, #1)

The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication date: November 14th 2011
My rating: 5 stars

 
 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.


I think that after the first time you give your heart away, you never get it back. The rest of your life is just you pretending that you still have a heart.

After reading a review of The Opportunist, a while back I had planned on staying far away from this story.  It sounded like drama and frustration, and I have little patience for either.  But after my trusted friend Arlene badgered encouraged me to read this, I had to give in.   As I expected there was drama, (lots and lots and lots!) BUT there was very little frustration.  After reading a few pages I was COMPLETELY hooked, and couldn’t put this book down.  The story is riveting, and the writing was amazing!  I’m currently pimping this story to anyone who’ll listen, so I’ll have more victims people to gossip with. 

Olivia and Caleb were together in college and had a horrible breakup.  Actually, horrible is an understatement.  The scars left a permanent mark on both of them, and continue to hurt even now.  Olivia runs into Caleb years later and finds that he’s lost his memory.  Initially, Olivia plans on just walking away and leaving things well enough alone, but she runs into Caleb a second time, and he wants to see her.  Unable to resist the draw, Olivia starts seeing him again, all the while keeping the past a secret.  She knows her days are numbered, because Caleb will eventually get his memory back, but she loves Caleb so much she’s willing to take what she can get. 

I have to say this story utterly consumed and HAUNTED me.  If I had to use one word to describe this story, it would be INTENSE.  We get this story in Olivia’s POV, and she is one passionate and obsessive character when it comes to life, but especially when it comes to Caleb. 

He was my crack. I could never get enough, and when I had him I was already thinking about when I could have him next.

Caleb was like a hurricane that swept through my life, stirring up things inside of me that I never knew existed.  He’s a longing I will never cure.

Not that she lets many people see that.  She has a wall as thick as Fort Knox around her heart, she’s so guarded.  Even though you’re not in Caleb’s head you can tell he feels exactly the same about her.  These two so desperately love and need each other, yet their manipulations and lies completely sabotage everything!!  Normally this type of behavior would completely frustrate me and I’d want to chuck my Kindle across the room.  This story was the exception.  Tarryn Fisher so skillfully makes you empathize and feel for the characters, you can see why they do the things they do. 

Most of the time I find that alternating from the present to the past continually, annoys me.  It didn’t here.  I can’t gush enough about the brilliant way things were slowly revealed, ratcheting up the story a little more each chapter until the tension is about to kill you.  My stomach hurt reading this, because I kept wondering when the bottom would fall out. 

My heart and head still hurt, and even though it’s days past since I’ve read it, I continually think about this story.  I read Dirty Red, the sequel the next day, in one sitting.  As I said in the outset, my friend Arlene convinced me to read this.  We attended a book convention this last weekend, and all we did the whole time was gossip and theorize about this series! We convinced my husband to read this, too and he was right along with us in our obsession.   I still can’t get this story out of my head.  It was heart pounding, stomach clenching INTENSE, and I loved it!!! 

Right now this story is a steal of a deal for .99 cents on Amazon.





35 comments:

Megan @ Reading Books Like a Boss said...

I completely agree! I am so obsessed with this series. I am going to the Boston Author Event in March. I can't wait to meet Tarryn!! Although, Book 3 is making me nervous. If Caleb & Olivia don't get a HEA, I will shun Tarry forever!!

Megan
readingbookslikeaboss.blogspot.com

Shirley said...

Rachel, you've convinced me to buy this book; in fact I'm buying it right after I type out this comment! I'm a sucker for intense stories like this, but I just hope my heart is able to take it! I actually quite enjoy books that alternate between the past and present (the build up sometimes kills me though!) so I have a feeling I'll enjoy this immensely<3 Thanks for the fantastic review Rachel :)

Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

Like you, I'd never have picked this up on my own because it just sounds so angsty, and I don't deal well with angst. It's why I avoid contemporary romance as a general rule. However, I must admit that this sounds amazing, at least you made it sound fabulous, and I'm willing to give it a shot. Plus, .99 for this book is just ridiculous.
*off to buy a copy*

Unknown said...

What a fantastic review!
I'm so happy you gave this one a try! :D
Next book---> Caleeeeeb.

Lynn K. said...

Yes, intense is the word! The whole story was just so..wow!
I totally wouldn't have picked this amazing book up if it were for my friend Zemmmy.

More people need to know about this series!! I'm so glad you reviewed it.

Unknown said...

Wow. You had me, now I'm gonna go download it...i will get back to you! (*bookmarking this page*)

Suzanne (Parabooklover) said...

Oh I can't make up my mind about this one. When I read the blurb, I felt I couldn't read this, I'd want to kill Olivia lol, but then I felt sorry for her when she said she loved him so much. But books that switch between the present and the past frustrate me and I always find myself skimming through the past to get back to the future and see what happens next. And yet it sounds so good.......Awesome review Rachel.

Anonymous said...

Wow! How come I've never heard of this book before? I love a good INTENSE book and this seems exactly like that. Caleb and Olivia sound like two very broken and flawed characters. You've made me want to read this book really bad now, Rachel! Plus, you convinced your husband to obsess about this book along with you! :)
Brilliant review, Rachel! :)

Unknown said...

Thanks, Rachel. This sounds amazing. Adding it to my pile.

Unknown said...

Ohmygosh, Rachel! I've read several reviews for this series, but yours is the first that has convinced me to read it. I tend to avoid highly dramatic and dysfunctional books, mostly. But I really trust you on this. And I love that your husband read it too. My husband has started reading a lot of books I suggest and we love talking about them. I'm off to buy The Opportunist now!

Eunice said...

"After reading a review of The Opportunist, a while back I had planned on staying far away from this story." - My exact same thought after seeing a review too. I was running fast right away! Haha! But thanks to your wonderful review, Rachel. I'm glad to hear that even though this book is loaded with drama it isn't really that frustrating. I will have to get a copy of this book, fast! And the second book too! :)

Jenny said...

Wow Rachel, I think I need this book immediately! I love it when you turn into a book pimp, I always ending up running to Amazon and downloading the book onto my Kindle that same day. And only $.99 for book crack? SOLD! I think I might need an email from you telling me what happens though, I need to know there's some happiness at the end at some point, even if it's not a huge flowery HEA.

Also, I loved that you got your husband to read it! WIN!

Special Needs Mom said...

Yeah, the book was very drama filled. I haven't read the sequel yet but I'm going too. I didn't know there was going to be a 3rd book.

Sarah Elizabeth said...

Wow! This does sound totally intense and crazy and messed up, but you've sold me on it! Think I might have to read this just so that I can see what it's like for myself! :) Great review hon :)

Jess said...

Oh Rachel this was a brilliant review! I'd seen this one about but wasn't too bothered about it and now I HAVE to add it to my wishlist. I'm on a book buying ban at the minute but with this amazing review, it being so cheap, and on my Kindle I might just have to cave. I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY MRS! ;)

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

Alright for $.99 and that review you convinced me. IT haunted you...that is an incredible way to describe a book. Lovely review!

Livvy said...

This definitely sounds so compelling and it's only 77p here! Even cheaper. And addictive and all these things you say... I have one issue her name. I am so edgy about reading books with my name, for some reason it weird me out. However because you simply adore this book so much and are selecting victims, I mean people to convince to read this, then I shall definitely have to get this on my kindle.

Especially when the books you recommend never fail to disappoint me.

Fabulous review, Rachel! :)

Unknown said...

Rachel! I'm getting back to you. Just finished reading The Opportunist. And My eyes are so swollen, and I haven't slept. But before I do, I was just reporting to you first. Thanks for sharing this very emotional book with us! :)

Sam (Realm of Fiction) said...

A lot of what you mentioned sounds like things that would frustrate me too, but if it worked for you and Arlene, I'm willing to consider it! :) There is something about the premise here that is already drawing me in, despite how angsty is clearly is. Hmm... Great review, Rachel! :)

Jen (Books and Other Happy Ever Afters) said...

HELLO DRAMA. Rach, you have pretty much COMPLETELY persuaded me to read this book! Hopefully I'll find time to pick it up soon. I LOVE LOVE LOVE drama-filled reads and this one sounds like the perfect book for me. I'm quite curious to see HOW Caleb has memory loss and how their relationship will fall back together. The concept definitely sounds unique! I'm really excited for this book now, lovely review, Rachel! <3

Rachel said...

Oh wow!! That was quick, Jenna! Isn't it addictive? You MUST read book two now. I have to figure out how
to contact you to send a message to find out what you thought. Yay! Another victim, lol. :)

Aneeqah said...

Wow, I am normally not a self-published person, but seriously, this sounds awesome. Not gonna lie, I was feeling kind of iffy after reading the synopsis for this one- it sounded like one big heck of a cat-fight. But even though there is drama, I'm glad there's no frustration. And this romance? It seems swoon-worthy with a big ol' capital S. I'm so intrigued by this one now, and I think I'll snag it for only 99 cents. Because c'mon, it's less than a dollar! ;)

Fabulous review, Rachel, thanks for bringing this one to my attention!

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

It seems like there's a lot of drama going on in the story. Olivia sounds so desperate and broken. I wonder if the stolen moments that she has with Caleb would help her heal. Maybe I'll give this book a try. Thanks for sharing, Rachel :)

Keertana said...

Dang, I need to read this ASAP! I love that you mentioned how so many issues you thought you'd have with this book never emerged, especially since I have the same qualms and am extremely intrigued and excited to see them done well in this novel. I've had this book on my list for awhile, but you've utterly convinced me to read it soon. Amazing review, Rachel! I can't wait to see what you thought of Dirty Red! ;)

Amber said...

Great review, Rachel! I haven't heard of this one. Sounds really interesting. I'll be adding it to my overflowing pile LOL!

Krazzyme(Young Readers) said...

WOAH WANT! and it's less than a dollar?? Runs off to amazon

Tanja - Tanychy said...

Ah girl you really know how to pick a quote! The first quote is one of my fave from the book:) I love The Opportunist and I'm so happy to see that you do to! :) Unfortunately Dirty Red wasn't so good for me. Still great review Rachel :)

brandileigh2003 said...

Love that quote and the sound of a story that haunts and consumes.
]
Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog

Megan @ Reading Books Like a Boss said...

YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!! I read the book last May and I'm still thinking about it!!

Megan @ Reading Books Like a Boss said...

Jenna, you need to read it NOW!!

the Wise One said...

This is a great review for one of my faves!

I did not think this was 'my kind' of book either, but I was drawn to the characters instantly.
My family was neglected.


Haven't loved a book so much since Raymond Benson's The Black Stiletto.

Book Passion for Life said...

AWESOME review hun! This has been on my TBR forever. I just haven't gotten around to it yet. So glad you liked it! =)

Wendy Darling said...

Whoa, "utterly consumed and haunted" you? Plus you read the sequel the next day? Sold. Great review, Rachel!

Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

Renae @ Respiring Thoughts said...

Okay first off, I love the premise for this one! I would totally read this based off of the blurb. After reading your review? Ahh, I must get my hands on this!

Jennifer said...

A wall as thick as Fort Knox around her heart, lol.

This seriously sounds so good from your review. Had not heard of it before. I always feel so much for guarded characters. It's terribly sad when someone has to be like that. Dying to read this one. Amazing review and thanks for sharing. Added to my tbr :)

Jennifer @ Dream Reads

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