Sunday 10 February 2013

Review: Dirty Red by Tarryn Fisher

Dirty Red (Love Me With Lies, #2)
Dirty Red by Tarryn Fisher
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication date: December 21st 2012
My rating: 5 stars 

 

Dear Opportunist,

You thought you could take him from me, but you lost. Now, that he's mine I'll do anything to keep him. Do you doubt me? I have everything that was supposed to be yours. In case you were wondering; he doesn't ever think about you anymore. I won't let him go....ever. 


                                            Dirty Red

I was nervous picking up Dirty Red after reading The Opportunist, because frankly, I HATE LEAH!!! With the heat of a thousand suns, kind of hate.  Maybe I’m being a little melodramatic, but this series brings out some pretty powerful feelings in me.  Obsession is probably first and foremost.  The fact that I LOVED Dirty Red as much if not more is a testament to the brilliant writing skills of Tarryn Fisher, because how else could I love a book that’s in the POV of a woman I detest?  


I you haven’t read The Opportunist, you may want to stop reading now.  It’ll spoil some things you learn in that story.

We pick up the story not long after Olivia has left Caleb in Rome after her heartfelt confession.  Exactly how long, is something I’m trying to figure out.  It will tell me something I desperately want to know!  Anyways, Olivia is now married to Noah (I think) and Leah and Caleb are married and bringing their newborn home from the hospital.  If you though Leah was bad in The Opportunist, you will cringe and die reading her thoughts on motherhood and her baby! I’m a mother and I just can’t even fathom the thoughts!! Horrible, hateful woman!  Caleb however, is beyond excited at the prospect of being a father.  It’s something he’s always wanted.  He refuses to let Leah get a full-time nanny, and she’s horrified by the thought of taking care of this “thing” on her own, while he works.  Her devious plans on getting pregnant to get and keep Caleb are about to backfire on her SPECTACULARLY, and I was glued to my kindle seeing how this all played out!

Olivia is in the story, only peripherally and through Leah’s eyes, but she is a huge presence in Leah’s mind.  Leah has always suspected that Caleb isn’t over Olivia, to the point that so many of her actions revolve around that.   Oh what a tangled web we weave.   Unfortunately for Leah, when you scheme and manipulate, more often than not this comes back to haunt you.  

I will say that Leah does have a sad history, but I still couldn’t excuse her intentions and actions.  I really felt no pity for her at all, because people have been treated worse and not turned out like her.  She had a sister who loved her, even if she came in second with her parents.  If she would’ve acted more like a genuine friend to others, she would’ve had more people who care for her.  Plus, if I really felt she actually loved Caleb instead of feeling like he was her rightfully won prize, I might have been able to excuse some of her actions.  That was not the case, IMO.

Through Leah we see so much of Caleb.  It gave me insight on his past with Olivia and how he feels about her now.  I adore Caleb, but he was not without fault either.  But Olivia and Caleb can’t stay away from each other, and it’s just a matter of time.  As Cammie says:

“When they’re together, it’s like putting a hurricane and a tornado in the same room—you can feel the tension.  I didn’t believe in the cliché of soul mates until I saw them together.” 

“There is a possibility that you feel like you’re worth more than being Caleb’s marriage of pity, and if that’s true then you should jump ship now.  It’s only a matter of time before the Caleb/Olivia saga starts up again.”

I can’t wait!

The last 10% of this story my jaw was on the floor with the revelations!  And OH MY GOODNESS that last page, holy heck!!!  Needless to say I’m on pins and needles until the third book, Thief (In Caleb’s POV!!) comes out!  Caleb and Olivia have to end up together.  I CAN’T imagine it any other way.  At this point I’m not above camping out at Tarryn Fisher’s home to speed up the process.  That’s a restraining order I’m willing to brave, lol!  Just kidding.  Well, sort of….
 
 




12 comments:

Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

I haven't actually read past the spoiler alert because I DO intend to read The Opportunist as soon as possible, and how could I not? I'm glad you weren't disappointed, Rachel!

Sam (Realm of Fiction) said...

I haven't picked up The Opportunist yet, but I still read your review because I was curious. And hey, if it wasn't for restraining orders, I'm pretty sure I'd be outside my favourite authors' houses too. ;) Hehe. Great review, Rachel! your enthusiasm for this series is infectious. I really want to check out the first book now, even though it's not something I would normally go for. :)

Unknown said...

Ack! I didnt read the review b/c i havent read The Opportunist. To see that you loved Dirty Red makes me sooo excited to read The Opportunist. I must get started soon. Thanks for the recommendation!

Livvy said...

I had to stop reading, since unfortunately I haven't read The Opportunist yet. However, good news, your excitement is infectious and I went out and bought it for my kindle.

I cannot wait to read it now.

I'll hopefully come back and read your review once I've read The Opportunist! :)

brandileigh2003 said...

Olivia and Caleb sound great. I haven't heard much about this one, but appreciate the review.
Happy reading,
Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog

Tanja - Tanychy said...

I'm so happy that you could enjoy this one so much. i loved Opportunist and I enjoyed this one too, but it wasn't the same. I mean Leah is everything I'm not and I hate her, but I really really do. I'll never forgive her for the things she did to her child. It's still masterly written and everything but some things weren't so pleasing to read. Amazing review :)

Keertana said...

I didn't actually read this because I didn't want to spoil Book 1 for myself, but I am SO GLAD you loved this just as much as The Opportunist! I love the covers for this series, so I'll have to get my hands on the first book soon! :)

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

Leah sounds totally selfish and while I haven't read The Opportunist, I think I could follow the clues of what you're hinting based on what you've shared. I'd love to know Caleb's POV when book three is out. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Rachel!

Maji Bookshelf said...

I haven't read the review, because I haven't read the first book, but im so glad you enjoyed it! Im definitely going to check this series out! and I love the new blog design girls!
- Farah @ MajiBookshelf

Shirley said...

HAHAHAHAHAH I remember how excited you were in your The Opportunist review! I only skimmed your review since I DON'T WANT SPOILERS but SHUAIHDIUSAHDIUAHD LOOKS LIKE IT'S GONA TAKE A WHILE BEFORE OLIVIA AND CALEB END UP TOGETHER!!! You know what? I think I'll hold off reading the first book (and this) until the 3rd book comes out since I REALLY don't think I can stand the wait. IT WILL KILL MEEEEE!!! Anywayyyyy brilliant review as always, Rachel :)

Suzanne (Parabooklover) said...

I'm glad to see you're enjoying this series so much. Not too sure if it's one that I'd really be interested in myself. Great review though and as usual you picked great quotes :)

And I absolutely love the new blog design, it's so pretty :D

Wendy Darling said...

Okay, I am obedient and stopped where you told me to stop! Because of you, I have the first book on my TBR list though, so I will hurry up and read that to see what all the fuss is about. But wow, 5 stars for a self-pubbed sequel--that's amazing.

And ladies! ladies! LADIES. The new blog design is so, so pretty1 I want to twirl around in the pretty pinkness, and I love the images in your header. Congratulations, it's beautiful. :)

Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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