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By Degrees
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B00ECBS5OQ
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Elle Casey, brings readers the New Adult Romance By Degrees.
Celebrities all suffer from the same disease. I call it the create-your-own-reality disease. Most of them start out normal, like you and me, but somewhere along the way they lose sight of up and down, left and right, and then eventually right and wrong. It's my job to fix that.
Who hires me, Scarlett Barnes, otherwise known as ‘The Normalizer’? Agents usually. Producers sometimes. They know they can trust me to be professional, discreet, and above all, not personally involved with my clients. I come in, I take over their lives, and I get them back on track. Help them remember what it's like to be an average Joe.
My latest job acquisition? His friends call him Tear-It-Up Kilgour, but I just call him Tarin - lead singer and guitarist for the band By Degrees. I have thirty days to get his butt back on planet earth before he loses his record deal, his movie contract, and possibly even his life. I've never failed so far, and I don't plan on failing this time either, even if Tarin has other ideas.
Content Warning: This is a New Adult Romance, perhaps not suitable for younger readers due to foul language, sexual situations, drug use, and obnoxious rock-n-roll musicians.
A message from Elle about this book: Every time I read another story about a Hollywood star or famous musician going off the deep end, I wonder how they got there. How it was that all the people around them weren’t able to or willing to stop it from happening. It must be easy when a person has more money than he or she can ever spend and people hanging around are leeches, for a person’s view of reality to get really skewed; and that’s a real shame for these talented people who have so much to share with the world. For years I’ve imagined this great job I could have where I’d hang out with celebrities who’ve lost track of the real world (the place where my readers and I live) and get them re-oriented, re-focused on what matters … clean the garbage out of their heads and their lives. Then of course, I couldn’t get that thought out of my head until I wrote a book about it, so here it is! By Degrees. The title of the book is actually the slogan of the Scottish clan Kilgour, something I learned on a trip I made there in the year this book was written.
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Elle Casey, brings readers the New Adult Romance By Degrees.
Celebrities all suffer from the same disease. I call it the create-your-own-reality disease. Most of them start out normal, like you and me, but somewhere along the way they lose sight of up and down, left and right, and then eventually right and wrong. It's my job to fix that.
Who hires me, Scarlett Barnes, otherwise known as ‘The Normalizer’? Agents usually. Producers sometimes. They know they can trust me to be professional, discreet, and above all, not personally involved with my clients. I come in, I take over their lives, and I get them back on track. Help them remember what it's like to be an average Joe.
My latest job acquisition? His friends call him Tear-It-Up Kilgour, but I just call him Tarin - lead singer and guitarist for the band By Degrees. I have thirty days to get his butt back on planet earth before he loses his record deal, his movie contract, and possibly even his life. I've never failed so far, and I don't plan on failing this time either, even if Tarin has other ideas.
Content Warning: This is a New Adult Romance, perhaps not suitable for younger readers due to foul language, sexual situations, drug use, and obnoxious rock-n-roll musicians.
A message from Elle about this book: Every time I read another story about a Hollywood star or famous musician going off the deep end, I wonder how they got there. How it was that all the people around them weren’t able to or willing to stop it from happening. It must be easy when a person has more money than he or she can ever spend and people hanging around are leeches, for a person’s view of reality to get really skewed; and that’s a real shame for these talented people who have so much to share with the world. For years I’ve imagined this great job I could have where I’d hang out with celebrities who’ve lost track of the real world (the place where my readers and I live) and get them re-oriented, re-focused on what matters … clean the garbage out of their heads and their lives. Then of course, I couldn’t get that thought out of my head until I wrote a book about it, so here it is! By Degrees. The title of the book is actually the slogan of the Scottish clan Kilgour, something I learned on a trip I made there in the year this book was written.
350 pages, ebook
First published August 4, 2013
483 people are currently reading
2341 people want to read
About the author
Elle Casey
87 books4,432 followersElle Casey, a former attorney and teacher, is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling American author who lives in France with her husband, the youngest of her three kids, and several horses, dogs, and cats. She has written more than 40 novels in less than 5 years and likes to say she offers fiction in several flavors. These flavors include romance, science fiction, urban fantasy, action adventure, suspense, and paranormal.
BOOKS BY ELLE CASEY (by genre):
ROMANCE
By Degrees
Rebel Wheels (3-book series)
Just One Night (romantic serial)
Just One Week
Love in New York (3-book series)
Shine Not Burn (2-book series), also available as an Audiobook
Bourbon Street Boys (3-book series), also available as an Audiobook
Desperate Measures
Mismatched
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
All the Glory: How Jason Bradley Went from Hero to Zero in Ten Seconds Flat
Don’t Make Me Beautiful
Wrecked (2-book series), Book 1 also available as an Audiobook
CONTEMPORARY URBAN FANTASY
War of the Fae (10-book series)
*Book 1, The Changelings, is a free ebook at most retailers*
Ten Things You Should Know About Dragons (short story, The Dragon Chronicles)
My Vampire Summer
Aces High
SCIENCE FICTION
Drifters’ Alliance (3-book series +)
Winner Takes All (short story prequel to Drifters’ Alliance, Dark Beyond the Stars Anthology)
The Ivory Tower (short story standalone, Beyond the Stars: A Planet Too Far. A Space Opera Anthology)
DYSTOPIAN
Apocalypsis (4-book series) *Book 1, Kahayatle, is a FREE ebook at most retailers*
PARANORMAL
Duality (2-book series)
Monkey Business (short story)
Dreampath (short story, The Telepath Chronicles)
Pocket Full of Sunshine (short story & screenplay)
A personal note from Elle ...
If you've enjoyed any of my books, please take a moment to leave a review on the site where you bought the book, here on Goodreads, or on any book blogs you participate in, and tell your friends! I love interacting with my readers, so if you feel like shooting the breeze or talking about books or your family or pets, please visit me. You can find me at:
www.ElleCasey.com
www.Facebook.com/ellecaseytheauthor
www.Twitter.com/ellecasey
www.Instagram.com/Ellecaseyauthor
Want to get an email when my next book is released? Sign up here: www.E
BOOKS BY ELLE CASEY (by genre):
ROMANCE
By Degrees
Rebel Wheels (3-book series)
Just One Night (romantic serial)
Just One Week
Love in New York (3-book series)
Shine Not Burn (2-book series), also available as an Audiobook
Bourbon Street Boys (3-book series), also available as an Audiobook
Desperate Measures
Mismatched
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
All the Glory: How Jason Bradley Went from Hero to Zero in Ten Seconds Flat
Don’t Make Me Beautiful
Wrecked (2-book series), Book 1 also available as an Audiobook
CONTEMPORARY URBAN FANTASY
War of the Fae (10-book series)
*Book 1, The Changelings, is a free ebook at most retailers*
Ten Things You Should Know About Dragons (short story, The Dragon Chronicles)
My Vampire Summer
Aces High
SCIENCE FICTION
Drifters’ Alliance (3-book series +)
Winner Takes All (short story prequel to Drifters’ Alliance, Dark Beyond the Stars Anthology)
The Ivory Tower (short story standalone, Beyond the Stars: A Planet Too Far. A Space Opera Anthology)
DYSTOPIAN
Apocalypsis (4-book series) *Book 1, Kahayatle, is a FREE ebook at most retailers*
PARANORMAL
Duality (2-book series)
Monkey Business (short story)
Dreampath (short story, The Telepath Chronicles)
Pocket Full of Sunshine (short story & screenplay)
A personal note from Elle ...
If you've enjoyed any of my books, please take a moment to leave a review on the site where you bought the book, here on Goodreads, or on any book blogs you participate in, and tell your friends! I love interacting with my readers, so if you feel like shooting the breeze or talking about books or your family or pets, please visit me. You can find me at:
www.ElleCasey.com
www.Facebook.com/ellecaseytheauthor
www.Twitter.com/ellecasey
www.Instagram.com/Ellecaseyauthor
Want to get an email when my next book is released? Sign up here: www.E
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
August 6, 2013
3.5 stars...
BR with my BBB JAnne!
I was really enjoying this one up until the ending, like 80ish%.....I laughed, I cried, it got a little cheesy at times, then towards the end there was a total twist of events and I thought:
I mean don't get me wrong its nice that it wasn't predictable but
you made that happen? And then
Here is my Tarin:
Here is my Scarlett:
[image error]
BR with my BBB JAnne!
I was really enjoying this one up until the ending, like 80ish%.....I laughed, I cried, it got a little cheesy at times, then towards the end there was a total twist of events and I thought:
I mean don't get me wrong its nice that it wasn't predictable but
you made that happen? And then
Here is my Tarin:
Here is my Scarlett:
[image error]
December 4, 2013
5 STARS FOR MY NEW FAVE AUTHOR!
Totally loved this awesome romance.
In the beginning, we are introduced to professional ball-buster Scarlett Barnes. Her reputation precedes her. She's dubbed 'The Normalizer', a consultant to the stars, the ones that have gone off the rails that is. Agents, managers, friends, family, contact her and hire her to take care of these out of control Hollywood Celebrities. She's hard hitting, straight forward, informative and intelligent. She performs almost military style operations, taking over the clients lives and rehabilitating them into normalcy.
'I hit strong and I hit quick, but then I pull away and let things settle out. Eventually, he'll figure it out for himself. Hopefully, he'll do it before his client ends up dead.'
Her new client is Tarin Kilgour, lead singer and guitarist for the band By Degrees. He's aggressive, confrontational, drugged up, whoring... and in general, fucked up. And Scarlett has 30 days to kick his ass into gear.
Scarlett spent the best years of her young life loving Austin, when he became a A-list rock star, he soon started doing drugs, acting up, getting drunk, much like Tarin is now. She's still grieving over Austin, feeling guilty that she never helped him get himself back on track.
'There were so many signs I ignored. Or maybe I felt powerless to control them. Either way, it was no secret Austin was in trouble and I didn't do anything to stop the train wreck from happening. I was too weak and afraid. But not anymore. Now I am in complete control. I will not let Tarin down.'
Scarlett's ball-buster exterior just about covers her broken insides, she cannot talk about Austin without breaking down, her heart has been shattered, she watched him destroy himself and she didn't act. Tarin brings back all those feelings, he's also incredibly hot, and she's finds it very hard to work with him.
'He looks sexy. Lost. Tragic, but on the edge of greatness again. I want to take a picture of just him like this and save it in my head forever. An energy hums out from him that inspires me to do whatever I need to do so he can be all he is again.'
I loved this book, Scarlett was interesting, there was a lot of sides to her, she's fiesty and tough, but also very sad and funny. She really made this book for me, her and the side characters were great, there's lots of witty dialogue between her and Austin's younger brother Scott, who's almost like her side-kick. Tarin is a typical cocky tortured rock star, but through the book we see is real person shining through. The end was tragic and wonderful. I'd really love to see a book about Scott.
Writing style: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Romance: 8/10
Hotness: 9/10
Ending: 9/10
My star ratings:
1* Complete trash
2* Waste of time really, but I carried on for some reason
3* Half decent, sometimes down to personal preferences
4* Could read this again, only a little thing is missing, maybe more humour or romance etc...
5* Would read this again and again, unique story, adore this author
August 12, 2016
Got tissue? Lea Michele sings, "I've got a new beginning, I will fly, like a cannonball."
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H-KhJmh074A
Freedom
I let go of fear and the peace came quickly
Freedom
I was in the dark and then it hit me
I chose suffering and pain in the falling rain
I know, I gotta get out into the world again
This book was perfect timing for me.
When I was feeling disenchanted with reading..this was my lifesaver.
To feel the magic of a hot sweet musician, wanting to just linger and re-read the sex scenes.
The sad awful truth that fame is a torture device, too much for beautiful young people.
And God, the beautiful ending. I was so prepared to hate it, but I adored it. Perfect closure for these two, great continuity, subtle yet all there.
Total lady hard-on for Elle Casey.
And I don't even care what anybody thinks, I loved Tarin....even if his name looks like Train.
He's got a bit of Kellan's magic with boyishness and dark intensity mixed in and sexy, just yep. Yep.
Whatever this woman puts in her coffee, I dig it.
I've got a few favorite inked rockers, mix these two together to make the perfect Tarin;
August 7, 2013
By Degrees by Elle Casey has a great premise, featuring a strong female protagonist and the celebrity rock star lifestyle setting that has become very popular this year. I was riveted for the first 1/4 of this story, but then I started seeing cracks in the plot, including the characters’ motivations. First of all, I don’t understand why this is a New Adult. It’s isn’t. It’s a contemporary romance because the heroine who’s 25, runs her own company and doesn’t have any traits that a New Adult heroine embodies. Just because a main character is 25, doesn’t mean it’s a New Adult. I honestly think Elle categorized By Degrees as a New Adult in order to grab readers who enjoy reading this sub-genre. Sorry, readers, this isn’t a New Adult, and you’ll be very disappointed. But if you like contemporary romance, and can suspend your disbelief, then Be Degrees may be the book for you.
The heroine Scarlett acts much older than her age. I really feel this story would be much better if she, and the rock star hero Tarin were aged by a few years because many things here don’t add up with them. Scarlett is called in to fixed celebrities who are out of control and on a path to destruction that could lead to their career ending, or their death. The reason she does this is because the love of her life, her rock star boyfriend she knew since she was a kid, who died from a drug overdose two years prior to the event here, makes her want to help others who are close to ending up like him. In less than two years Scarlett becomes this very skilled professional, aka a fixer, everyone in the music industry, and I guess Hollywood, look to for help. It doesn’t come across as believable at all. Perhaps if Scarlett was older and had a few more years of experience, it would be believable, but in this case it ‘s implausible. Also we’re not given any real insight on Scarlett as a whole, regarding her past and why she is the way she is. Why and how does she get this amazing professional experience? Nothing is explained. It’s all told and not shown. I did like her strong personality, but when all is said and done, she comes across as too one-dimensional.
Tarin was more rounded, but the way he’s portrayed doesn’t make the reader sympathize with him or want him and Scarlett to get together. Tarin is a man slut lost in a drunken and drugged out world for no real reason. In less than two weeks, Scarlett falls for Tarin, faults and all (and he has many, unattractive faults), because he reminds her of her deceased rock star boyfriend. This doesn’t endear me to their relationship or their chemistry Elle tries hard to show. It fails on the whole. I don’t see why Scarlett would break her one rule- don’t get sexually or emotionally involved with a client like she does with Tarin. A past client of hers, Jack, another rock star hottie shows up, who she has much better chemistry with her. Tarin and Scarlett together were DOA from the moment they locked eyes, and all their gushy lusty feelings exploding between them was bland.
More than half way through, this dragged to the point I almost DNFed. The ending is too pat and ridiculous because a major obstacle was removed, a death of a character, so Tarin and Scarlett can have their HEA.
By Degrees had a lot of promise but failed in so many ways. It’s a forgettable read with too many head scratching moments for me that fail.
A pass.
The heroine Scarlett acts much older than her age. I really feel this story would be much better if she, and the rock star hero Tarin were aged by a few years because many things here don’t add up with them. Scarlett is called in to fixed celebrities who are out of control and on a path to destruction that could lead to their career ending, or their death. The reason she does this is because the love of her life, her rock star boyfriend she knew since she was a kid, who died from a drug overdose two years prior to the event here, makes her want to help others who are close to ending up like him. In less than two years Scarlett becomes this very skilled professional, aka a fixer, everyone in the music industry, and I guess Hollywood, look to for help. It doesn’t come across as believable at all. Perhaps if Scarlett was older and had a few more years of experience, it would be believable, but in this case it ‘s implausible. Also we’re not given any real insight on Scarlett as a whole, regarding her past and why she is the way she is. Why and how does she get this amazing professional experience? Nothing is explained. It’s all told and not shown. I did like her strong personality, but when all is said and done, she comes across as too one-dimensional.
Tarin was more rounded, but the way he’s portrayed doesn’t make the reader sympathize with him or want him and Scarlett to get together. Tarin is a man slut lost in a drunken and drugged out world for no real reason. In less than two weeks, Scarlett falls for Tarin, faults and all (and he has many, unattractive faults), because he reminds her of her deceased rock star boyfriend. This doesn’t endear me to their relationship or their chemistry Elle tries hard to show. It fails on the whole. I don’t see why Scarlett would break her one rule- don’t get sexually or emotionally involved with a client like she does with Tarin. A past client of hers, Jack, another rock star hottie shows up, who she has much better chemistry with her. Tarin and Scarlett together were DOA from the moment they locked eyes, and all their gushy lusty feelings exploding between them was bland.
More than half way through, this dragged to the point I almost DNFed. The ending is too pat and ridiculous because a major obstacle was removed, a death of a character, so Tarin and Scarlett can have their HEA.
By Degrees had a lot of promise but failed in so many ways. It’s a forgettable read with too many head scratching moments for me that fail.
A pass.
August 6, 2013
BR with my BBB Jessica!!!
This was my second Elle Casey book, the first being Shine Not Burn--which I loved. So for me, this one was not quite as good. But I did like it. I think the thing I like most about Elle Casey's books is that the storyline is unique and different. I hate to compare it to Shine Not Burn because they are two completely different books but I did find myself missing elements from Shine in By Degrees--such as the humor.
Shine had such great banter amongst the characters. I unfortunately found a lot of the dialogue in By Degrees to be a bit on the cheesy side. I also thought the story developed a bit on the slow side only to have so much happen in the end. I loved the premise, I thought it had great potential...just for me the execution wasn't quite there.
Scarlett lost her long time love, Austin (who was a musician), to drugs. As a result, she has made it her mission to help other musicians who have found themselves having the same problems. Her latest client is rockstar Tarin Kilgour. In the process of helping Tarin, Scarlett discovers that he is connected to her past and to Austin. She is drawn to Tarin and she's not sure if it's as a result of his connection to Austin or for other reasons.
Over time, Tarin and Scarlett develop feelings for each other. But when the connection between Tarin and Austin is discovered it stops things before they can even get started. There are a whole boat-load of other obstacles preventing them from being together as well--a tour, loads of guilt, crazy stalkers, old clients, exes.
Tarin and Scarlett eventually decide to give a relationsip a go--but it has to be long distance because Tarin goes on tour. Towards the end of the tour, the story takes a crazy turn (at about the 92% mark) and I really didn't care for the direction it went. I definitely wasn't expecting it. I really thought Tarin and Scarlett had enough going against them up to this point that it was almost overkill. Before they can overcome one obstacle they were thrown another one.
And for such a major thing to happen before they really even have a chance to have a real relationship--one where they actually in the same town, not doing it long distance. I just didn't feel like their relationship was developed enough to warrant them suddenly becoming . I would have liked to have seen more of the relationship development. After they've both worked through their issues. Not have them thrown in to this extreme situation.
Overall, this one just didn't really work for me. I am a fan of this author though and will definitely continue to check out her future books. This was a standalone with a HEA.
This was my second Elle Casey book, the first being Shine Not Burn--which I loved. So for me, this one was not quite as good. But I did like it. I think the thing I like most about Elle Casey's books is that the storyline is unique and different. I hate to compare it to Shine Not Burn because they are two completely different books but I did find myself missing elements from Shine in By Degrees--such as the humor.
Shine had such great banter amongst the characters. I unfortunately found a lot of the dialogue in By Degrees to be a bit on the cheesy side. I also thought the story developed a bit on the slow side only to have so much happen in the end. I loved the premise, I thought it had great potential...just for me the execution wasn't quite there.
Scarlett lost her long time love, Austin (who was a musician), to drugs. As a result, she has made it her mission to help other musicians who have found themselves having the same problems. Her latest client is rockstar Tarin Kilgour. In the process of helping Tarin, Scarlett discovers that he is connected to her past and to Austin. She is drawn to Tarin and she's not sure if it's as a result of his connection to Austin or for other reasons.
Over time, Tarin and Scarlett develop feelings for each other. But when the connection between Tarin and Austin is discovered it stops things before they can even get started. There are a whole boat-load of other obstacles preventing them from being together as well--a tour, loads of guilt, crazy stalkers, old clients, exes.
Tarin and Scarlett eventually decide to give a relationsip a go--but it has to be long distance because Tarin goes on tour. Towards the end of the tour, the story takes a crazy turn (at about the 92% mark) and I really didn't care for the direction it went. I definitely wasn't expecting it. I really thought Tarin and Scarlett had enough going against them up to this point that it was almost overkill. Before they can overcome one obstacle they were thrown another one.
And for such a major thing to happen before they really even have a chance to have a real relationship--one where they actually in the same town, not doing it long distance. I just didn't feel like their relationship was developed enough to warrant them suddenly becoming . I would have liked to have seen more of the relationship development. After they've both worked through their issues. Not have them thrown in to this extreme situation.
Overall, this one just didn't really work for me. I am a fan of this author though and will definitely continue to check out her future books. This was a standalone with a HEA.
April 21, 2014
This was 5-star for me until the ending. I really liked Tarin and Scarlett. But I'm sorry, after all they went through he ditches her for days without a word because he instead chooses to go and play dad to his dead druggie ex-girlfriend's baby? Just no.
Call me a bitch, but once he found out he wasn't the child's father, I don't understand why he would willingly financially support a woman who would say she was pregnant with his baby when she knows he might not be the father cause she's a groupie skank that sleeps around and wants to bag herself a rock star. And he agrees to sign on as the father on the birth certificate? No.
Yes, I get that children are innocent and all that jazz. But the minute he found out he wasn't the father he should have been peace out. If any of us normal folk had a guy friend in Tarin's position, we would call him an idiot for doing anything other than that.
Call me a bitch, but once he found out he wasn't the child's father, I don't understand why he would willingly financially support a woman who would say she was pregnant with his baby when she knows he might not be the father cause she's a groupie skank that sleeps around and wants to bag herself a rock star. And he agrees to sign on as the father on the birth certificate? No.
Yes, I get that children are innocent and all that jazz. But the minute he found out he wasn't the father he should have been peace out. If any of us normal folk had a guy friend in Tarin's position, we would call him an idiot for doing anything other than that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2013
No. When I started this book, I was really excited because it sounded like
it was so totally my thing. There were parts of this book that were GREAT. I loved
Tarin and all of his messed up ways. I really liked Scarlett and her relationship with
Scott. Scarlett seemed to be really together, she was mature and knew what she wanted, I
like that in my female characters. And then, WTF....
SPOILERS:...
So I am supposed to believe and embrace that Tarin basically abandons Scarlett with
no contact, no voicemail, no texts, NOTHING. For weeks. Then he has her taken to
a location where he drops the bomb on her that he is going to raise his dead ex-girlfriend's
baby. And oh, he also had her put his name on the birth certificate because he didn't want
the child to not have a "father" on the certificate. He basically told her hey, I know I
haven't spoken to you about this and did not consult you with ANY of this eventhough
we were planning our lives together, but if you want me I am a package deal...with
my dead girlfriends baby. Then this strong, independent woman says sure! and they
ride off into the sunset strolling the baby.
This just did NOT work for me, and I hate it. Because like I said it had moments of
greatness. The ending was not believable and very rushed.
it was so totally my thing. There were parts of this book that were GREAT. I loved
Tarin and all of his messed up ways. I really liked Scarlett and her relationship with
Scott. Scarlett seemed to be really together, she was mature and knew what she wanted, I
like that in my female characters. And then, WTF....
SPOILERS:...
So I am supposed to believe and embrace that Tarin basically abandons Scarlett with
no contact, no voicemail, no texts, NOTHING. For weeks. Then he has her taken to
a location where he drops the bomb on her that he is going to raise his dead ex-girlfriend's
baby. And oh, he also had her put his name on the birth certificate because he didn't want
the child to not have a "father" on the certificate. He basically told her hey, I know I
haven't spoken to you about this and did not consult you with ANY of this eventhough
we were planning our lives together, but if you want me I am a package deal...with
my dead girlfriends baby. Then this strong, independent woman says sure! and they
ride off into the sunset strolling the baby.
This just did NOT work for me, and I hate it. Because like I said it had moments of
greatness. The ending was not believable and very rushed.
May 17, 2017
4.5-5 star read right until the end. Terrible, TERRIBLE ending. I feel cheated. Horrible ending to an otherwise great story. I understand wanting to do things differently, but please let it make sense at least. I may also be shocked when you run me over with a truck, but also most likely dead. Like this story. Shocking? Yes. Fun? No.
It sucks even more because the rest of the book was really good. Oh well. At least I enjoyed most of it.
It sucks even more because the rest of the book was really good. Oh well. At least I enjoyed most of it.
November 22, 2017
Warning
This was pretty harsh reality on what people go through with death. Sounds morbid I know, but Scarlett took two years to get over her guilty of Austin death. She finds the connections with people that have the same guilt over Austin. Tear jerker read, fair warning.
This was pretty harsh reality on what people go through with death. Sounds morbid I know, but Scarlett took two years to get over her guilty of Austin death. She finds the connections with people that have the same guilt over Austin. Tear jerker read, fair warning.
April 19, 2019
Rock star romance
September 4, 2019
4.5 stars
August 10, 2013
"By degrees is a way to get past any obstacle. It's also the way things can change in your life and you can become something you would never imagine for yourself. By degrees...little by little."
I honestly don't know if it's just me or if the NA books I've been recently reading just don't really have what it takes to blow me away and captivate me. This was a book by the same author who wrote Shine Not Burn, which I completely devoured and so this was an auto-read for me. So straight to the point: I liked the story but it just didn't pull me in as much as I wanted it to.
This was definitely a different kind of rocker romance. For one, it got me so emotional because a huge aspect of this story was so close to what happened with Cory Monteith and all those who have lost their way because of drugs and just never came back. Scarlett Barnes is known as The Normalizer because she's someone who successfully normalizes a celebrity whose life has almost gone to ruins because of booze, drugs, women, excess partying, and everything in between. Tarin Kilgour is her latest "project" and is someone who closely resembles and reminds her of the one man she wasn't able to save.
The story went quite as expected and the author did deliver on writing in a very addicting way. I loved the small moments in between when Tarin would shed his cocky and asshole-ish demeanor and go soft and more human once in a while in front of Scarlett. The supporting characters were also quite endearing, especially Scott, Jack, and Tarin's bodyguards. But of course, no one really gets an easy happy ever after in their world and both Scarlett and Tarin are rocked by toxic people around them as well as the secrets they've buried deep inside.
Thank God though that neither Tarin nor Scarlett ended up being so annoying because everything that happened even the angsty part of the story were well justified and well constructed within the story. I wasn't really expecting that ending and surprisingly, I was actually okay with it. It was unconventional but living in the crazy world of fame, fortune, and rock 'n roll... there's really no such thing as normal, right? Needless to say, this was a nice enough story and a different kind of rocker romance for all the rocker romance junkies like me.
I honestly don't know if it's just me or if the NA books I've been recently reading just don't really have what it takes to blow me away and captivate me. This was a book by the same author who wrote Shine Not Burn, which I completely devoured and so this was an auto-read for me. So straight to the point: I liked the story but it just didn't pull me in as much as I wanted it to.
This was definitely a different kind of rocker romance. For one, it got me so emotional because a huge aspect of this story was so close to what happened with Cory Monteith and all those who have lost their way because of drugs and just never came back. Scarlett Barnes is known as The Normalizer because she's someone who successfully normalizes a celebrity whose life has almost gone to ruins because of booze, drugs, women, excess partying, and everything in between. Tarin Kilgour is her latest "project" and is someone who closely resembles and reminds her of the one man she wasn't able to save.
The story went quite as expected and the author did deliver on writing in a very addicting way. I loved the small moments in between when Tarin would shed his cocky and asshole-ish demeanor and go soft and more human once in a while in front of Scarlett. The supporting characters were also quite endearing, especially Scott, Jack, and Tarin's bodyguards. But of course, no one really gets an easy happy ever after in their world and both Scarlett and Tarin are rocked by toxic people around them as well as the secrets they've buried deep inside.
Thank God though that neither Tarin nor Scarlett ended up being so annoying because everything that happened even the angsty part of the story were well justified and well constructed within the story. I wasn't really expecting that ending and surprisingly, I was actually okay with it. It was unconventional but living in the crazy world of fame, fortune, and rock 'n roll... there's really no such thing as normal, right? Needless to say, this was a nice enough story and a different kind of rocker romance for all the rocker romance junkies like me.
August 8, 2013
4.5 Hilarious and Entertaining Stars****
Having loved Shine not Burned soooo freaking much, I was very excited to read another book by the talented Elle Casey, and once again she delivered. By Degress is a funy, sexy and smart read that now has a place on my favorite books shelf.
The story plot was interesting and unique; I mean I've never heard of anybody with a job title as the Normalizer, so that was enough to get my attention from the start, all the characters were funny and extremely lovable ( specially Scott, he was my second fave) and this book was true to its title as the story was building the excitement By Degrees.
Tarin was the total Rock Star package, he was every bit of bad boy, tattooed, sexy and very passionate musician and our heroine Scarlett was incredible. Having lost her Rock Star boyfriend from a drug overdose two years prior; Scarlett now works as the Normalizer, which basically means fixing the lives of those musicians who are drowning due to high fame. She gets hired by Agents or/and Record Labels to help artists quit drugs and alcohol, get rid of all the bad influence people in their lives and get them back on the right track, and Tarin Kilgour is her next project.
The book stared a little slow for me but once it started to pick up after a few chapters it was one hell of a fun ride, I was laughing and swooning like if it was on sale, and then out of the blue almost at the end it got so intense and dramatic that my heart was racing and I loved it!
I highly recommend it! This is one of those books I know I'll re-read in the future when looking for something romantic, funny and uplifting...
I'll Love you 4eva Tarin Kilgour (yep! I'm totally his groupie)
Having loved Shine not Burned soooo freaking much, I was very excited to read another book by the talented Elle Casey, and once again she delivered. By Degress is a funy, sexy and smart read that now has a place on my favorite books shelf.
The story plot was interesting and unique; I mean I've never heard of anybody with a job title as the Normalizer, so that was enough to get my attention from the start, all the characters were funny and extremely lovable ( specially Scott, he was my second fave) and this book was true to its title as the story was building the excitement By Degrees.
Tarin was the total Rock Star package, he was every bit of bad boy, tattooed, sexy and very passionate musician and our heroine Scarlett was incredible. Having lost her Rock Star boyfriend from a drug overdose two years prior; Scarlett now works as the Normalizer, which basically means fixing the lives of those musicians who are drowning due to high fame. She gets hired by Agents or/and Record Labels to help artists quit drugs and alcohol, get rid of all the bad influence people in their lives and get them back on the right track, and Tarin Kilgour is her next project.
The book stared a little slow for me but once it started to pick up after a few chapters it was one hell of a fun ride, I was laughing and swooning like if it was on sale, and then out of the blue almost at the end it got so intense and dramatic that my heart was racing and I loved it!
I highly recommend it! This is one of those books I know I'll re-read in the future when looking for something romantic, funny and uplifting...
I'll Love you 4eva Tarin Kilgour (yep! I'm totally his groupie)
considering
August 8, 2013I LOVE Elle, yes, I'm on a first name basis with her, we are best buds and by best buds, I mean, I stalk her. LOL Anyhow, I love Shine Not Burn and I need to read this ASAP!!! I'm always in a mood for a good laugh.
Scarlett Barnes has another name she goes by sometimes. People call her The Normalizer when they need her to take care of a certain kind of problem. A certain kind of Hollywood problem.
Celebrities all suffer from the same disease. I call it the create-your-own-reality disease. Most of them start out normal, like you and me, but somewhere along the way they lose sight of up and down, left and right, and then eventually right and wrong. It's my job to fix that. Who hires me? Agents usually. Producers sometimes. Occasionally a spouse or other concerned family member (although I'm usually skeptical of those calls, but that's another story). They know they can trust me to be professional, discrete, and above all, not personally involved with my clients. I come in, I take over their lives, and I get them back on track. Help them remember what it's like to be an average Joe. I attribute my success to my take-no-prisoner's attitude. I don't have time for games or playing around. I've closed down every job in thirty days or less, and no one, not even the most outrageous celebrity screw-up will ever change that, hard as they might try. Case in point, my latest job acquisition: his friends call him Tear-It-Up Kilgour, but I just call him Tarin - lead singer and guitarist for the band By Degrees. I have thirty days to get his butt back on planet earth before he loses his record deal, his movie contract, and possibly even his life. I've never failed so far, and I don't plan on failing this time either, even if Tarin has other ideas.
Scarlett Barnes has another name she goes by sometimes. People call her The Normalizer when they need her to take care of a certain kind of problem. A certain kind of Hollywood problem.
Celebrities all suffer from the same disease. I call it the create-your-own-reality disease. Most of them start out normal, like you and me, but somewhere along the way they lose sight of up and down, left and right, and then eventually right and wrong. It's my job to fix that. Who hires me? Agents usually. Producers sometimes. Occasionally a spouse or other concerned family member (although I'm usually skeptical of those calls, but that's another story). They know they can trust me to be professional, discrete, and above all, not personally involved with my clients. I come in, I take over their lives, and I get them back on track. Help them remember what it's like to be an average Joe. I attribute my success to my take-no-prisoner's attitude. I don't have time for games or playing around. I've closed down every job in thirty days or less, and no one, not even the most outrageous celebrity screw-up will ever change that, hard as they might try. Case in point, my latest job acquisition: his friends call him Tear-It-Up Kilgour, but I just call him Tarin - lead singer and guitarist for the band By Degrees. I have thirty days to get his butt back on planet earth before he loses his record deal, his movie contract, and possibly even his life. I've never failed so far, and I don't plan on failing this time either, even if Tarin has other ideas.
January 5, 2016
I thought I was going to love this. I love rock stars stories, but this one did not work for me. The ending...and the way Tarin reacted and treated the heroine. No thank you.
To be honest from the beginning, things felt off. I was never fully connected. I kept reading hoping to feel that "feeling" you get when you read a great story. I think the characters, the actual plot, and the writing always fell a little flat for me.
To be honest from the beginning, things felt off. I was never fully connected. I kept reading hoping to feel that "feeling" you get when you read a great story. I think the characters, the actual plot, and the writing always fell a little flat for me.
August 8, 2013
Loved this! I must try to review it later
Want to read
August 6, 2013Woop woop! It's live.
March 15, 2020
I didn't exactly like it before the ending, but at least most of it made some kind of sense. Then it went off the rails in spectacular fashion.
I have a lot of problems with the main body of the story, ranging from the silly to the serious.
1. What is up with the constantly overused term "bimbot?" Why not just use "bimbo" like a normal person would? Or am I supposed to think the women referred to that way are actually robots designed to look like attractive women? If I am, that insult gets the point across, but there's no sci-fi flavor to Scarlett or literally anything else in the story, so it's wildly out of place and it irritated me every single time, which was often, because it's Scarlett's go-to word for Tarin's groupies.
2. Where is Tarin's personality? Scarlett gets a ton of time being built up to be this business badass in the beginning (which story totally falls down on when she is consistently unprofessional as the romance progresses, by the way) but Tarin is such a standard bad-boy rock star, and even later when he's growing as a person because he wants to turn his life around, we're told he's learning to cook from the chef on Scarlett's team, we're told he's taken up photography as a hobby, but a) we don't see him doing those things in real time to see him learning, and b) they don't seem to have any effect on him elsewhere in changing his attitudes (not that I think a few cooking lessons or photographs would have that profound an effect that quickly, but then what's the point?) Also, related to this, when they're separated near the end for four months, Tarin's physical muscle growth is apparently stupendous enough that it has Scarlett in raptures, but that's just not realistic for anyone who isn't devoting their entire life to bodybuilding. Visible musculature change is a slow process and while I can accept he could look a little more buff, I don't accept that his biceps are "half again as big" as they were before. Ridiculous.
3. Scarlett's inconsistency about the groupies. One minute Jelly and Posey are the bimbot idiots and the lowest creatures to ever walk the earth, but then when someone else (ie, a man) insults them, she turns around and defends them, or at least makes excuses for them. "They don't know any better," "they're caught up in the fame," "they're still people, you can't treat them that way," even though in her head she's said far worse things about them. It would be a small thing in a different story, this sort of hypocrisy, but since Jelly and Posey are, at different times, both major plot obstacles to the romance, I don't think I can give Scarlett (or the author) a pass on this. Posey gets arrested and Jelly dies so that Scarlett and Tarin can be together. So are bimbot groupies the worst, or are they just misguided women? What am I supposed to think of them? You can't have it both ways.
4. That ending. God, it's terrible. "We've slept together twice but I want you to marry me because the second time we had sex I decided you're my forever girl, but also I'm dedicated to raising a dead ex-lover's baby who isn't mine biologically but is mine legally because I put my name on the birth certificate, so if you want me you're it's mother now." Like, who's the real father? Does he get a say? Maybe he wouldn't want the kid, sure, the types of guys Jelly was sleeping with it's a fair bet he wouldn't, but shouldn't you find out? And talk about rushed! On one level, I can commend Tarin for being committed to fatherhood and not offering to throw the baby away to have Scarlett, but that would be stronger if I understood why he's decided to raise Jelly's baby at all, because there's no real reason given. And as a twist, it comes out of nowhere, because Tarin's issues are not father issues, we know basically nothing about his family. All his tragic backstory is based around his guilt for not preventing another rock star's death, nothing to do with his daddy. So why is he suddenly campaigning for Father of the Year?
I have a lot of problems with the main body of the story, ranging from the silly to the serious.
1. What is up with the constantly overused term "bimbot?" Why not just use "bimbo" like a normal person would? Or am I supposed to think the women referred to that way are actually robots designed to look like attractive women? If I am, that insult gets the point across, but there's no sci-fi flavor to Scarlett or literally anything else in the story, so it's wildly out of place and it irritated me every single time, which was often, because it's Scarlett's go-to word for Tarin's groupies.
2. Where is Tarin's personality? Scarlett gets a ton of time being built up to be this business badass in the beginning (which story totally falls down on when she is consistently unprofessional as the romance progresses, by the way) but Tarin is such a standard bad-boy rock star, and even later when he's growing as a person because he wants to turn his life around, we're told he's learning to cook from the chef on Scarlett's team, we're told he's taken up photography as a hobby, but a) we don't see him doing those things in real time to see him learning, and b) they don't seem to have any effect on him elsewhere in changing his attitudes (not that I think a few cooking lessons or photographs would have that profound an effect that quickly, but then what's the point?) Also, related to this, when they're separated near the end for four months, Tarin's physical muscle growth is apparently stupendous enough that it has Scarlett in raptures, but that's just not realistic for anyone who isn't devoting their entire life to bodybuilding. Visible musculature change is a slow process and while I can accept he could look a little more buff, I don't accept that his biceps are "half again as big" as they were before. Ridiculous.
3. Scarlett's inconsistency about the groupies. One minute Jelly and Posey are the bimbot idiots and the lowest creatures to ever walk the earth, but then when someone else (ie, a man) insults them, she turns around and defends them, or at least makes excuses for them. "They don't know any better," "they're caught up in the fame," "they're still people, you can't treat them that way," even though in her head she's said far worse things about them. It would be a small thing in a different story, this sort of hypocrisy, but since Jelly and Posey are, at different times, both major plot obstacles to the romance, I don't think I can give Scarlett (or the author) a pass on this. Posey gets arrested and Jelly dies so that Scarlett and Tarin can be together. So are bimbot groupies the worst, or are they just misguided women? What am I supposed to think of them? You can't have it both ways.
4. That ending. God, it's terrible. "We've slept together twice but I want you to marry me because the second time we had sex I decided you're my forever girl, but also I'm dedicated to raising a dead ex-lover's baby who isn't mine biologically but is mine legally because I put my name on the birth certificate, so if you want me you're it's mother now." Like, who's the real father? Does he get a say? Maybe he wouldn't want the kid, sure, the types of guys Jelly was sleeping with it's a fair bet he wouldn't, but shouldn't you find out? And talk about rushed! On one level, I can commend Tarin for being committed to fatherhood and not offering to throw the baby away to have Scarlett, but that would be stronger if I understood why he's decided to raise Jelly's baby at all, because there's no real reason given. And as a twist, it comes out of nowhere, because Tarin's issues are not father issues, we know basically nothing about his family. All his tragic backstory is based around his guilt for not preventing another rock star's death, nothing to do with his daddy. So why is he suddenly campaigning for Father of the Year?
December 27, 2017
Amid the world of spoiled young rock stars, Scarlett is called “The Normalizer” as her job is to bring their sky high lives back to normal.
If that means kicking some butt and firing anyone who stands in the way of her plans, so be it!
It’s always fun to read an Elle Casey book because she brings a sense of humor to her characters.
I found myself snickering over a muttered phrase here and there, and liking the support characters (loved Scott and Jack!!) even more at times than the main lead Tarin!
This is definitely a HEA love story with dips and turns that reveal the often tragic and sad truths behind fame and fortune.
If that means kicking some butt and firing anyone who stands in the way of her plans, so be it!
It’s always fun to read an Elle Casey book because she brings a sense of humor to her characters.
I found myself snickering over a muttered phrase here and there, and liking the support characters (loved Scott and Jack!!) even more at times than the main lead Tarin!
This is definitely a HEA love story with dips and turns that reveal the often tragic and sad truths behind fame and fortune.
December 6, 2017
A Very Good Story!
I really liked the premise of this book. I liked the characters, all of them, including secondary ones. The flow and writing was very good. I really enjoyed this book!
I really liked the premise of this book. I liked the characters, all of them, including secondary ones. The flow and writing was very good. I really enjoyed this book!
December 12, 2017
This book was a roller coaster ride for me - I liked it, I didn't, I liked it again, I didn't. But by the end of the book I understood it more. As much as I liked Tarin by the end of the story, I started liking Scarlett a little less, again roller coaster. The premise was an interesting one and I kinda wish the kick-ass wonder woman I saw in the first chapter kept that up, but that didn't happen and while it was explained in a totally believable way, it wasn't the book I wanted to read. Ms Casey should you decide to write about Scott or Jack, I will be on board.
September 19, 2018
2.75 ***
I wanted to like it, but there were too many inconsistencies. And I hated the way it ended.
I wanted to like it, but there were too many inconsistencies. And I hated the way it ended.
August 13, 2013
3.5 stars
Different, funny and somewhat dark at times.
The meaning of “By Degrees” given in this book is something to think about. Watch out for it when you get there.
This book that touches very real, very deep issues about guilt and anger and all the wrong ways to deal with them, and leads us through the difficult process of rectifying a life can’t afford to take any more wrong turns glosses over something that I felt were important.
I wish we’ve gotten more back story to main characters Tarin and Scarlet. Their lives previous to the story were barely described as was their actual relationship which seems to have passed from client-service provider to fallen in love-marry me in just a couple of days.
Scarlet’s (the heroine) inner monologues are so winded sometimes that I had to go back a few pages to remember what made her go to la-la land in the first place and even at the end her character was a bit self-centered so I wasn’t her biggest fan.
Tarin is “warm and tender one minute, dark and dangerous the next.” He’s also funny and playful when the occasion arises, and in the end he makes the necessary changes to straighten his life and live it fully and happily.
The supporting characters are great. I loved Scott (Scarlet’s somewhat adopted younger brother). He’s funny most of the time, but serious and honest when need be with “his stupid attack of the truthies.”
Jack is also what I like to call a great story advancer. He’s a secondary character that helps the plot move along by helping Scarlet and is at the same time hot, sexy and funny and all around amazing. I would love to read more about him!
Different, funny and somewhat dark at times.
The meaning of “By Degrees” given in this book is something to think about. Watch out for it when you get there.
This book that touches very real, very deep issues about guilt and anger and all the wrong ways to deal with them, and leads us through the difficult process of rectifying a life can’t afford to take any more wrong turns glosses over something that I felt were important.
I wish we’ve gotten more back story to main characters Tarin and Scarlet. Their lives previous to the story were barely described as was their actual relationship which seems to have passed from client-service provider to fallen in love-marry me in just a couple of days.
Scarlet’s (the heroine) inner monologues are so winded sometimes that I had to go back a few pages to remember what made her go to la-la land in the first place and even at the end her character was a bit self-centered so I wasn’t her biggest fan.
Tarin is “warm and tender one minute, dark and dangerous the next.” He’s also funny and playful when the occasion arises, and in the end he makes the necessary changes to straighten his life and live it fully and happily.
“An ode to the hot dog…”
“She looked at meee… and she said to meee… oh Tarin pleeeeasse … would you let me seeeee … your hot dog…”
by Tarin Kilgour
The supporting characters are great. I loved Scott (Scarlet’s somewhat adopted younger brother). He’s funny most of the time, but serious and honest when need be with “his stupid attack of the truthies.”
Jack is also what I like to call a great story advancer. He’s a secondary character that helps the plot move along by helping Scarlet and is at the same time hot, sexy and funny and all around amazing. I would love to read more about him!
“You could have your pick of ten thousand women five minutes after walking out that door.”
“He turns his head to look at me over his arm. ‘The only problem is that you’re one in a million. Ten thousand options isn’t going to cut it.’” (exchange between Scarlet and Jack)
“Stop fighting me, you wild banshee. I’m just hugging you.”
Want to read
August 6, 2013 Ooooh new book from the author of Shine Not Burn !! YAY!
Scarlett Barnes has another name she goes by sometimes. People call her The Normalizer when they need her to take care of a certain kind of problem. A certain kind of Hollywood problem.
Celebrities all suffer from the same disease. I call it the create-your-own-reality disease. Most of them start out normal, like you and me, but somewhere along the way they lose sight of up and down, left and right, and then eventually right and wrong. It's my job to fix that. Who hires me? Agents usually. Producers sometimes. Occasionally a spouse or other concerned family member (although I'm usually skeptical of those calls, but that's another story). They know they can trust me to be professional, discrete, and above all, not personally involved with my clients. I come in, I take over their lives, and I get them back on track. Help them remember what it's like to be an average Joe. I attribute my success to my take-no-prisoner's attitude. I don't have time for games or playing around. I've closed down every job in thirty days or less, and no one, not even the most outrageous celebrity screw-up will ever change that, hard as they might try.
Case in point, my latest job acquisition: his friends call him Tear-It-Up Kilgour, but I just call him Tarin - lead singer and guitarist for the band By Degrees. I have thirty days to get his butt back on planet earth before he loses his record deal, his movie contract, and possibly even his life. I've never failed so far, and I don't plan on failing this time either, even if Tarin has other ideas.
CONTENT WARNING: This is a New Adult Romance, perhaps not suitable for younger readers due to foul language, sexual situations, drug use, and obnoxious rock-n-roll musicians.
Scarlett Barnes has another name she goes by sometimes. People call her The Normalizer when they need her to take care of a certain kind of problem. A certain kind of Hollywood problem.
Celebrities all suffer from the same disease. I call it the create-your-own-reality disease. Most of them start out normal, like you and me, but somewhere along the way they lose sight of up and down, left and right, and then eventually right and wrong. It's my job to fix that. Who hires me? Agents usually. Producers sometimes. Occasionally a spouse or other concerned family member (although I'm usually skeptical of those calls, but that's another story). They know they can trust me to be professional, discrete, and above all, not personally involved with my clients. I come in, I take over their lives, and I get them back on track. Help them remember what it's like to be an average Joe. I attribute my success to my take-no-prisoner's attitude. I don't have time for games or playing around. I've closed down every job in thirty days or less, and no one, not even the most outrageous celebrity screw-up will ever change that, hard as they might try.
Case in point, my latest job acquisition: his friends call him Tear-It-Up Kilgour, but I just call him Tarin - lead singer and guitarist for the band By Degrees. I have thirty days to get his butt back on planet earth before he loses his record deal, his movie contract, and possibly even his life. I've never failed so far, and I don't plan on failing this time either, even if Tarin has other ideas.
CONTENT WARNING: This is a New Adult Romance, perhaps not suitable for younger readers due to foul language, sexual situations, drug use, and obnoxious rock-n-roll musicians.
December 20, 2015
By Degrees is the story of a young woman who lost her one true love to fame and has now made it her mission to save others from the same fate.
When Scarlett is hired to rein in out of control superstar Tarin, she gets more than she bargained for. I loved Scarlett's no nonsense approach to her clients. Her hard exterior was fun to read -- especially when it started to crack from Tarin's advances. As much as she tried to stay all business, Tarin began to creep into her personal life.
Tarin was exactly what you would expect from out of control rock star with a guilty conscience. I would have been just as annoyed as Scarlett dealing with him, but he made for a very interesting story. I loved the way he relentlessly pursued her and pushed her buttons.
Tarin may have been a jerk on a path of destruction, but Scarlett quickly discoved there's more to the man than she thought. Their lives were connected in ways she never imagined. Some of those ways were good and others would change Scarlett's perspective forever. It would be up to Scarlett to decide if she can let go of the past and have a future with Tarin.
By Degrees captured my interest from the Prologue and never once lost it. This fast-paced love story made me laugh so many times. Even when the characters were self-destructing, it was fun to read. I absolutely loved By Degrees. I would highly suggest it to New Adult romance readers.
When Scarlett is hired to rein in out of control superstar Tarin, she gets more than she bargained for. I loved Scarlett's no nonsense approach to her clients. Her hard exterior was fun to read -- especially when it started to crack from Tarin's advances. As much as she tried to stay all business, Tarin began to creep into her personal life.
Tarin was exactly what you would expect from out of control rock star with a guilty conscience. I would have been just as annoyed as Scarlett dealing with him, but he made for a very interesting story. I loved the way he relentlessly pursued her and pushed her buttons.
Tarin may have been a jerk on a path of destruction, but Scarlett quickly discoved there's more to the man than she thought. Their lives were connected in ways she never imagined. Some of those ways were good and others would change Scarlett's perspective forever. It would be up to Scarlett to decide if she can let go of the past and have a future with Tarin.
By Degrees captured my interest from the Prologue and never once lost it. This fast-paced love story made me laugh so many times. Even when the characters were self-destructing, it was fun to read. I absolutely loved By Degrees. I would highly suggest it to New Adult romance readers.
January 16, 2014
Seriously? How do these books get such high reviews?? its beyond me..
I was semi - interested in the beginning. but it all got old and boring and drug on and on, so I ended up skipping most of it.
This book was sub-par. All of the characters had the same tone of voice and sounded like the same person. I think that's a lack of talent/experience on the author's part.
Tarin was annoying and as a book boyfriend, he'd never cut it. He was spoiled and threw more tantrums than my 3 year old nephew... He drove me nuts.
Scarlett was a decent character however. though she wasn't relatable.
It annoyed me that the first time they touch, Scarlett is already talking about the spark she feels and the connection. I hate this shit in books! and how they NEVER seem to feel it with anyone else. bullshit! its called attraction and everyone feels that. Let's be a little more realistic and a little less creepy.
The end of the book was even worse.. SPOILER ALERT!!
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The fact that Tarin adopts Jellys baby is stupid as hell and the fact that he wants Scarlett to play house and marry him is a joke! They slept together twice and then he was out of the country on tour for 4 months, comes back and bam, they're just gonna get married?! This ruined it for me.
I was semi - interested in the beginning. but it all got old and boring and drug on and on, so I ended up skipping most of it.
This book was sub-par. All of the characters had the same tone of voice and sounded like the same person. I think that's a lack of talent/experience on the author's part.
Tarin was annoying and as a book boyfriend, he'd never cut it. He was spoiled and threw more tantrums than my 3 year old nephew... He drove me nuts.
Scarlett was a decent character however. though she wasn't relatable.
It annoyed me that the first time they touch, Scarlett is already talking about the spark she feels and the connection. I hate this shit in books! and how they NEVER seem to feel it with anyone else. bullshit! its called attraction and everyone feels that. Let's be a little more realistic and a little less creepy.
The end of the book was even worse.. SPOILER ALERT!!
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The fact that Tarin adopts Jellys baby is stupid as hell and the fact that he wants Scarlett to play house and marry him is a joke! They slept together twice and then he was out of the country on tour for 4 months, comes back and bam, they're just gonna get married?! This ruined it for me.
October 1, 2016
I both really liked this book (especially the last 10%) but I found certain parts of it to be kind of clichéd and not up to par for the author, Elle Casey. This is the story of a woman who gets hired by various management companies to try to lead on the edge of destruction celebrities back to a healthy lifestyle and career. She chose this profession because the love of her life was a rock star that destroyed himself and she feels guilty because she didn't see it coming and didn't save him.
Her current "save" is another rock star who reminds her very much of the one who died and she develops some deep feelings for him. The story is her helping him, sorting out her feelings and trying to separate the guilt she felt over her old lover and the attraction she feels for the new rock star. It's a bumpy road full of groupies, bad influences, secrets and buried feelings.
But its a good story and hard to put down.
Her current "save" is another rock star who reminds her very much of the one who died and she develops some deep feelings for him. The story is her helping him, sorting out her feelings and trying to separate the guilt she felt over her old lover and the attraction she feels for the new rock star. It's a bumpy road full of groupies, bad influences, secrets and buried feelings.
But its a good story and hard to put down.
August 6, 2013
After losing her childhood boyfriend/musician to an overdose, Scarlett has became known in the entertainment world as The Normalizer. She promises in 30 days that she will have their life turned around. Scarlett feels guilty that she didn't save her ex, so she makes it her life's mission to rescue other male.musicians who have hit rock bottom. Her latest client is the sexy lead singer, Tarin, from By Degrees. (I love the meaning behind the band name) She refuses to get involved with her clients, but is instantly attracted to Tarin. This book had just the right amount of humor mixed in! I seriously loved Scott and Jack...They need their own books :)
By Degrees is told in Scarlett's point of view and is a stand alone. This is the second book I have read by Elle and am really enjoying her writing. Can't wait to read more from her!
By Degrees is told in Scarlett's point of view and is a stand alone. This is the second book I have read by Elle and am really enjoying her writing. Can't wait to read more from her!
September 4, 2013
I wanted to give this book a 5 star, but it lost a star because of the last chapters. Those felt as if they were written in a rush. Such a pity...It broke the pace of an excellent writing.
The first chapter was WOW. Very freaky, very captivating and you just want more. I couldn't put it down. Reading on, I found the storyline well elaborated.The author took her time to describe the main characters with just enough hiatus on their history to keep it interesting.
I highlighted many sentences, which means a lot to me. Things to remember, and to think about.
And so the last chapters made it a bit less. However, this is a must read. A book with depth. I enjoyed every bit of it. I recommend it.
The first chapter was WOW. Very freaky, very captivating and you just want more. I couldn't put it down. Reading on, I found the storyline well elaborated.The author took her time to describe the main characters with just enough hiatus on their history to keep it interesting.
I highlighted many sentences, which means a lot to me. Things to remember, and to think about.
And so the last chapters made it a bit less. However, this is a must read. A book with depth. I enjoyed every bit of it. I recommend it.
August 7, 2013
I'm impressed every time I read a new book by Elle Casey. She is consistently hilarious, crafts believable and lovable characters, and takes me into a world that I want to inhabit. I love the dynamics between her characters, and the situations they end up in. There's always tons of exciting drama, and heart-wrenching emotion. By Degrees was a twist on the rock star romance, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to Elle Casey's next book. And the next, and the next, and the next...I'm hooked.
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