Monday, January 20, 2014

TRUE (True Believers #1) by Erin McCarthy {Review}

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: May 7th 2013
Series: True Believers #1
Pages: 222
Format: Kindle
Source: Provided by NetGalley 



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…





My Review:

I have been wanting to read TRUE for a year and it has been sitting on my TBR shelf for just as long. I totally forgot I had gotten this approved by NetGalley so when I found it the other day I dove right in....and couldn't stop! TRUE cornered the market with the whole "Opposites Attract" story. A completely intriguing, sweet and emotional story about a shy and smart girl with intimacy issues and  a tattooed, pierced smoker from the wrong side of the tracks. 

Rory Macintosh is not your average college woman. She's the aloof, shy, quiet and closed off girl who likes to study. Plus she's incredibly smart. During a night of hanging out with friends when a guy she doesn't know tries to force her into something she doesn't want to do she meets Tyler Mann. Coming to her rescue and making sure she gets home safe Tyler is the first guy to show interest in her and it peaks her curiosity. The two strike up a friendship and after a while something deeper blooms for both of them. That is until their different backgrounds threaten to overshadow the bond they've forged.

I really enjoy stories where two different people who you wouldn't think in a million years could ever fit together find love. Rory and Tyler are on very different ends of the spectrum and at first I wasn't too excited about about them getting together. When Rory meets Tyler he's her roommate Jessica's current play thing and I found it entirely icky that she would give him the time of day. Sweet, shy Rory has never even had a boyfriend much less had any kind of intimate experience and poor Tyler has his fair share...daily. Losing her mother at a young age left Rory closed off and unable to get close to anyone. She spends most of her time with her nose in a book trying to finish school so she can be a coroner. Not the kind of profession most young girls dream of going into but that was the beauty of Rory's quirkiness. She was different yet refreshing to me and I loved her. She had a tendency to be a bit too dramatic at times but with her lack of experience I could understand and she always managed to think clearly, true to her logical thought process.

Tyler's character was a total surprise to me. Granted I did like him from the start I was still icked out by the fact that he was sleeping with Rory's roommate at one point and I am just not one of those people who likes to go after my friends exes. Tyler is the obviously bad, bad boy but the surprise came in how sweet and thoughtful he was. He took care of Rory several times and genuinely cared about her well being. He's had his own share of hard times with a junkie for a mother and two brother's to care for. It may have taken me a while to warm up to Tyler because I didn't trust him at first but once I saw him with his family, one brother with down syndrome and the other unwanted I was done for. He's trying to do better for his family by going to school to become an EMT so he can give his brothers a better life than what they have had and it killed me a little when things took a turn for the worst. Tyler was a character I could relate to because he never seemed to catch a break. He finally found something that brought him happiness and something comes along to ruin it and his well laid plans. It became abundantly clear that Tyler wasn't what I thought and I started to feel bad for judging him like I did and he's just fictional guy! I love it when a character can change my already preconceived opinion about them without much effort.

One of the things I admire about a strong couple is their ability to overcome whatever is thrown at them. I almost started to think that these two wouldn't be able to handle everything they faced. My heart broke several times throughout for both characters and I almost gave up hope. Tyler faces something life changing and seeing Rory want to step up and be there for him showed tremendous growth of her character. While Tyler seemed to retreat into himself and make choices that hurt them both. I understood his reasoning for it but I just wish he would have had a little more faith in himself. Jessica, Kylie, Easton and Riley were hilarious, fun and sweet supporting characters that added so much more to the story. Rory's roommates Jessica and Kylie were the comic relief especially if they had been drinking. I found myself laughing several times unexpectedly. When Tyler's brother Riley came into the picture the electricity I felt between him and Jessica was instant and I can't wait to see if that goes anywhere. 

One of my favorite things about this book aside from the romance aspect was Tyler's brother Jayden. Even though he had down syndrome Jayden was an absolute scene stealer. His adorably honest remarks had me laughing and a little teary eyed. He was so innocent and it made me angry on his behalf that he had the kind of life he did with his mother. The relationship between him and Rory was one of the highlights of this book for me. She was so understanding with him and cared genuinely about not just him but Easton, Tyler's other brother too. I would have liked to see thing from Tyler's perspective in certain parts of the story but I can see judging by the next in the series that the author has a method to her madness. TRUE was not the hottest NA romance I have read but it was definitely unique and a very enjoyable read. I may have started reading this questioning whether I would like it but it quickly had me absorbed in the writing, characters and the beautiful romance. TRUE was everything I love in a good book and nothing I expected! TRUE had me so absorbed it didn't take me long to finish it. If you enjoy a good story that flows and makes you forget you're reading you should check this one out. 



Quotes:

There was no way Tyler Mann was interested in me. He wasn't. He wouldn't be. He might be curious about who the mute brunette was, but in the same way that you're curious as to why Donald Trump has a chinchilla on his head. NetGalley/Kindle 11%


I wanted to explain to him that some stories were loud, and some were quiet. His was filled with verbal arguments, slammed doors, heavy metal, and bad mufflers. Mine was one of hushed hospital hallways, the soft breath of a dying mother, whispered words of sympathy, and an achingly empty house where the most noticeable voice, the one of laughter and encouragement and cheerfulness, had been silenced. NetGalley/Kindle 46%


"You know why we get along, Rory?"
 "Why?" 
this could be very, very interesting. Or it could be nothing. I sat, tense, waiting to hear his thoughts. 
"Because we both see beyond what other people see about us. We both know that sometimes the best things are below the surface. When I look at you, I see this amazingly smart, funny, generous, and beautiful girl. Did you know that?"
 "No,"
 I whispered, my heart swelling. NetGalley/Kindle 58%


About The Author:





USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author Erin McCarthy sold her first book in 2002 and has since written almost fifty novels and novellas in teen fiction, new adult, and adult romance. Erin has a special weakness for New Orleans, tattoos, high-heeled boots, beaches and martinis. She lives in Ohio with her family, two grumpy cats and a socially awkward dog.

Links:

3 comments:

  1. I really want to try this series. I need more time!

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  2. EEP...I'm reading this soon! YAY

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  3. I'm glad you've read this series. I like it and Believe was great! Love Phoenix. MINE

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