Tuesday 14 May 2013

True by Erin McCarthy

True
True by Erin McCarthy
Publisher: Penguin Group/Intermix
Publication date: May 7th 2013
My rating:  4 stars



When Rory Macintosh’s roommates find out that their studious and shy friend has never been with a guy, they decide that, as an act of kindness they’ll help her lose her virginity by hiring confident, tattooed bad boy Tyler Mann to do the job…unbeknownst to Rory.

Tyler knows he’s not good enough for Rory. She’s smart, doctor smart, while he’s barely scraping by at his EMT program, hoping to pull his younger brothers out of the hell their druggy mother has left them in. But he can’t resist taking up her roommates on an opportunity to get to know her better. There’s something about her honesty that keeps him coming back when he knows he shouldn’t…

Torn between common sense and desire, the two find themselves caught up in a passionate relationship. But when Tyler’s broken family threatens to destroy his future, and hers, Rory will need to decide whether to cut her ties to his risky world or follow her heart, no matter what the cost…


True ended up being more of a deep story that the blurb implies.  I have to admit the first paragraph of the description had me cringing, but reading on I thought this story might have potential.   Seeing Jenny’s excellent review @SupernaturalSnark spurned me on to pick this up sooner rather than later, and I’m so happy I did!

Rory is a smart, logical, socially inept girl used to keeping people at arm’s length.  She’s more comfortable with a book than with a living, breathing person.  That’s until she goes to college and meets Jessica and Kylie, her fun loving, big-hearted, outgoing roommates, who love and include her in everything they do.  When these girls find out that Rory is still a virgin they arrange for, and pay off their friend, Tyler, to seduce and take her virginity; unbeknownst to her, at first.  

Tyler ended up being and all around nice guy, and genuinely interested in Rory.  Instead of doing a “hit and run” (yes, I did actually type that, lol!) he pursues Rory, trying to get to know her.  Rory was truly interested in Tyler, he has a way of melting her insides, but after finding out about the “arrangement” she thinks the only reason Tyler showed any interest is because he was being paid to do it.  She’s rightly suspicious of Tyler and initially rebuffs his interest.   Tyler is persistent and as she lets him in, Rory realizes that he has his own insecurities.  Coming from a mess of a family, he feels Rory is too good for someone like him. 

As a protagonist, Rory was refreshing to read about, because she used logic to make her decisions, and even when she was emotionally compromised, she managed to see the “forest for the trees,” grasping  the big picture.  Seeing her come out of her shell and gain confidence around others was a pleasure to read.  Tyler was also lovely.  He was responsible beyond his years, being forced to grow up and look after his younger brothers as a result of crappy parents.  The first scene where we meet his mother made me want to cry for him.  He’s so noble, trying to do what’s right. 

I had a couple of snags with this story, but they were pretty minor and didn’t take up much of the story.  The first one was the whole idea of Rory’s friends buying off a guy to seduce her.  I didn’t care for the idea, and I can’t say that I bought it.  I really don’t see this happening with the way they seemed to care for Rory throughout the story, unless they were incredibly stupid.  If you care about someone, you’re going to pay off some guy to take her virginity?!!  Isn’t that supposed to be important to most people? But like I said: small portion of the story.  The second snag I had was in regards to Jessica (one of Rory’s friends) and Tyler’s relationship in the beginning.  I won’t elaborate too much but it just grated on me.  I was quickly emailing Jenny as soon as it came up which was somewhere at the 4% mark, and fortunately she assured me this did not have a major impact on the story.  Thanks, Jenny!!  I really love your “hand-holding” (you should’ve seen our emails about Iced!)!  I guess at 4% I should’ve been a little more patient, lol!

I was really happy to find out at the end of this story there’s a companion novel centering on Rory’s friend, Jessica.  There's no title yet, but it's supposed to be out November of this year. I was totally happy to get a little glimpse of Rory and Tyler in the future with the excerpt I read!

In the end, True was more than just a romance between the “awkward girl” and the “popular hot guy.”  This was a story about finding a true connection and love in the midst real and messy lives.  







22 comments:

RaeAbigael said...

The story seems interesting! :))

xoxo,
Rae
http://raellarina.blogspot.com/

Tanja - Tanychy said...

I've seen Jenny's review and now yours so I guess that I had a wrong impression. I though that this book was just typical NA book. I'll hopefully give it a try. Great review Rachel :)

brandileigh2003 said...

I think that I would connect with Rory, because I too can keep people at arm's length.
Great review and glad to hear about a new powerful, deep read

Unknown said...

Not normally a book I would probably read, but you sucked me in! I'm glad for the warning of the first paragraph and for Jessica. I can't see how I would be sold on the friends paying someone to take away their friend's virginity (WHO DOES THAT?) but it still sounds like a cute adventure! Great review :)

Jenny said...

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY RACHEL!!!! I'm so glad you ended up enjoying this one, I was all nervous that you were going to be all WTH Jenny? And having someone there to run to as you discover things (*cough* Jo and Ryodan *cough*) and have them listen and respond with as much enthusiasm (or anger, or whatever the emotion is at the time) as you have is the best thing ever. I think we should just read all our books together Rachel hand in hand :)

Jess said...

I've been hearing some good things about this book so I'll be adding it to the wishlist! I think I'm going to get along with Rory!

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I am working on Iced right now and it has its moments but I am being patient. I have this for review and I am hoping for a good read. I totally don't like that whole thing about paying someone to seduce Rory that is just wrong, but I am willing to give it a go. Thanks for the heads up!

Keertana said...

Like you, Rachel, my interest for this was piqued by Jenny's review and now your positive review has me scrambling to get this. A solid romance may be just what I need at the moment.

Lauren @ Love is not a triangle said...

I am definitely turned off by the "I'm a loser until I lose my V-card" plot lines, but I'm glad that it wasn't the MC who initiated it. Also, I was worried when reading your review that the climax of the book would center around Rory finding out about the fact that Tyler was initially paid to be with her. I'm glad that wasn't the case here. This one actually sounds really great, thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Suzanne (Parabooklover) said...

Aw this sounds lovely Rachel. The romance sounds like one I would totally enjoy. Great review dear, I'll add this one to my tbr and hopefully get around to picking it up soon :)

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

Tyler seems like a good guy and I think I can connect with Rory. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Rachel!

Wendy Darling said...

"Deeper than it appears" convinced me, Rachel. On the surface, this sounds like a set-up we've seen before, but if you praise it so highly I know it's worth reading.

Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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

Hooray! I love seeing the positive reviews for this book. I'm glad that this New Adult was deeper than it took on, I love myself a good, heart-warming and thought-provoking read! Rory seems like a strong character that I would be able to connect with well, since I'm honestly more comfortable around books than humans, too. ;) Aw, I can't wait to meet Tyler! I'm glad you persisted after 4% because it looks like you truly enjoyed this one. I'll have to pick it up very soon! Lovely review, Rachel!

Kim (YA Asylum) said...

This book sounds so much better now that I've read this review. Before, I didn't think that the blurb was all too interesting -- and I was worried there could be a "hit and run" factor, as you so elegantly put it. I have an eARC of this one and now I'll actually look forward to reading it! I love that Tyler sounds like a really nice guy. I'm a little tired of the bad boys. Great review :)

Unknown said...

I have True, but I've been a little worried that it is too similar to Losing It. True seems to be it's own story, though, and I look forward to reading it.
Glad you overcame the bits that worried you. Great review, Rachel!

Book Passion for Life said...

I've not heard of this one before but it sounds interesting; even though you had a few problems with it, I think I might pick it up. Lovely review hun x

Tirta said...

The formula of good girl & bad/popular guy is totally my favourite lol. And from what you wrote True seems to be really good. I'll definitely read this soon.
Nice review, Rachel! :)


Tirta @ I Prefer Reading

Sarah Elizabeth said...

I liked this one too. It kinda reminded me of beautiful disaster though.

Nomes said...

this has me tempted to check this out -- especially as you say it is deeper than the blurb implies

Carina Olsen said...

Aw, awesome review. <3 Sigh, I must admit that you kind of made me want to read this book :) Tyler sounds amazing. Would love to get to know him. But oh. Those two things that bothered you.. those would bother me too, so, so much. Sigh. I might not read this book, but maybe one day :) Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Glad you loved it :)

Sam (Realm of Fiction) said...

The premise for this makes me laugh, but I think I could have a lot of fun with this! I've yet to really get into the NA genre, but Jenny managed to get me to consider this one, and you've more than convinced me to add it to the list. I'll give it a try later this summer. :) Fantastic review, Rachel!

Born Bookish said...

The first paragraph of the synopsis made me cringe too! I normally wouldn't pick up this type of book but now this is the second review I've read from someone who had the same reservations as me but still really enjoyed it. I'm now convinced to give it a try =)

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