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Truth In Lies #1
This Much Is True
Fate brings them together
Fame & lies keep them apart
One truth remains...
She's become the Paly High girl with the most tragic story...
At 17, Tally Landon just wants to graduate and leave for New York to pursue ballet. Her best friend Marla convinces her to attend one last party-a college party-where she can be among strangers and evade the whisperings about the heartbreaking loss of her twin that follows her everywhere she goes. When Tally meets Lincoln Presley, Stanford's famous baseball wonder, she has a little fun at his expense-when she lies about her age and who she really is-intent on being someone else for the night so she can escape her tragic story.
His only focus is baseball, but he can't forget the girl he saved on Valentine's Day...
At 22, Lincoln Presley's star is on the rise where he's about to finish college at Stanford and expected to be taken early in Major League Baseball's upcoming draft. His cousin's party serves as a welcome distraction, but then, he sees the girl from Valentine's Day that he saved from that horrific car accident and can't quite hide his disappointment when she appears to look right through him and not remember him at all. He vows to learn her name at least before he leaves. What's the harm in getting to know this girl? What's the worst that can happen?
Fate soon tests these star-crossed lovers in all kinds of ways...
And yet, despite the lies being told to protect the other, and the trappings of fame that continually separate them, and in lieu of the deception by those they've come to trust the most; one truth remains.
This much is true.
Fame & lies keep them apart
One truth remains...
She's become the Paly High girl with the most tragic story...
At 17, Tally Landon just wants to graduate and leave for New York to pursue ballet. Her best friend Marla convinces her to attend one last party-a college party-where she can be among strangers and evade the whisperings about the heartbreaking loss of her twin that follows her everywhere she goes. When Tally meets Lincoln Presley, Stanford's famous baseball wonder, she has a little fun at his expense-when she lies about her age and who she really is-intent on being someone else for the night so she can escape her tragic story.
His only focus is baseball, but he can't forget the girl he saved on Valentine's Day...
At 22, Lincoln Presley's star is on the rise where he's about to finish college at Stanford and expected to be taken early in Major League Baseball's upcoming draft. His cousin's party serves as a welcome distraction, but then, he sees the girl from Valentine's Day that he saved from that horrific car accident and can't quite hide his disappointment when she appears to look right through him and not remember him at all. He vows to learn her name at least before he leaves. What's the harm in getting to know this girl? What's the worst that can happen?
Fate soon tests these star-crossed lovers in all kinds of ways...
And yet, despite the lies being told to protect the other, and the trappings of fame that continually separate them, and in lieu of the deception by those they've come to trust the most; one truth remains.
This much is true.
432 pages, ebook
First published August 11, 2013
248 people are currently reading
3642 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Owen
15 books585 followersAuthor of the bestselling Truth In Lies series including This Much Is True, The Truth About Air & Water and Tell Me Something True.
Visit www.katherineowen.net to join Owen's new releases email list/newsletter and never miss an announcement about her newest novel releases or book updates and giveaways. Or, sign up directly at http://bit.ly/KOnewsletter.
Onward...
When asked to describe...
Dark. Edgy. Contemporary. Romantic.
Were we describing me? Or my fiction? Sorry. I drink too much...coffee, not enough water.
I swear too much for God and my mother, and I slip these into my fiction. Sorry.
I'm impatient, a perfectionist, a wordsmith, a dreamer, which ends up being good and bad. I'm always writing, just ask my family.
I've written seven novels: Seeing Julia, Not To Us, When I See You, as well as the Truth In Lies series (new adult fiction) including This Much Is True, The Truth About Air & Water and Tell Me Something True. My latest release is The Image Maker in the Hollywood Hearts series. Just released!
If you love angsty, unpredictable love stories, I'm yours. ♥
I'd love to hear from you here or connect with me on Facebook.
Here are my websites: www.katherineowen.net OR www.katherineowenwrites.com for links to books, reviews, my blog, Tumblr, and Pinterest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 488 reviews
August 13, 2016
4 Devastating, Gut Wrenching, What in the holy masochistic hell possessed me to read this stars!
She seems to have taken my soul. I'm going to have to figure out a way to get it back.
Sweet mother of fucking feels! I mean what in the effing fuck did I just read?!!! I feel like I've been run over by the angst bus, which then backed up and ran me over again for good measure. Then when I was lying there all helpless, the Feels truck ran me the fuck over and left me a whimpering, blubbering, emotional fucking mess in dire need of hard alcohol! I mean OH. MY. GAWD.
To be perfectly honest, I wasn't even sure how to rate this book. I equal parts loved it and hated it at the same time. What an emotional roller coaster. Actually, scratch that. This book is like a horrific train wreck, you just know what you find will be brutal as hell but you can't seem to stop yourself from looking anyway. It is 400+ pages of angst, hearbreak, drama, and gutwrenching moments. I remember hoping, praying, almost promising the devil my soul for just ONE FUCKING HAPPY MOMENT! And you know what? Didn't get it. Nope.
What I did get was a brilliantly written, emotionally gripping and poignant story.
You do not get eased in to the story. Not even close. It starts with a tragedy and grips you from the very beginning, refusing to let go of your heart and emotions until the very end. I was't even sure if I would survive the whole book.
Valentine's Day may be a happy day for most people, but for Tally all that day signifies is loss. It is the day her life forever changed when she lost her twin sister in a horrific car accident. Tally always saw her twin, Holly, as the better half, the sun to her moon. And now that she's gone, there's no more sun in her life. So she focuses on the one constant in her life, ballet
But fate has a different plan when Tally meets the handsome rising baseball star, Lincoln Presley, and everything changes.
I will not give you a sum up, because what you need to know the book synopsis gives you. Anything else would be a spoiler, and this is a book that needs to be experienced fully. What I can tell you is prepare yourself for one gutwrenching, emotional, devastating, tear filled and painful read...
The amount of devastating circumstances and events that Tally experiences it's a wonder to me how she even functions. Just when you think that's it, it can't possibly get any worse...BAM! Some more shit happens.
The story is told through several years starting from when Tally is 17 and spanning to her at 21. It's a story of poor circumstances, unlucky timing, and bad decisions. But beyond all the doom and gloom there's also a story of a one-in-a-lifetime love.
This is not a book for everyone. It was depressing as hell for over 90%. I was equal parts unable to put it down and kicking my own ass for even reading it.
I wouldn't label this as a YA book. The only thing YA about it is Tally's age when it starts. If you're expecting a steamy NA book, well you can take that expectation and shove it where the sun don't shine because you will not be getting that either. And for a self-proclaimed smut addict like me, that was one tough pill to swallow. However, the story itself was enough to keep me turning the pages.
I want to tell you that I absolutely loved it, and a part of me did. But then there's another part of me that was screaming ENOUGH ALREADY! How much more shit can happen to this poor girl? It was almost too much.
If you enjoy emotional and poignant reads that are smut light but will stay with you for a long while, definitely give this book a shot. The writing was some of the best I've read. But is this a book I see myself ever going back to? Hell NO! As a matter of fact, I plan on submersing myself in mindless smut just to try and get my feels right again. And when smut won't do? There's always my other fix all
**ARC given to Dirty Girl Romance blog in exchange for an honest review**
For more reviews visit
She seems to have taken my soul. I'm going to have to figure out a way to get it back.
Sweet mother of fucking feels! I mean what in the effing fuck did I just read?!!! I feel like I've been run over by the angst bus, which then backed up and ran me over again for good measure. Then when I was lying there all helpless, the Feels truck ran me the fuck over and left me a whimpering, blubbering, emotional fucking mess in dire need of hard alcohol! I mean OH. MY. GAWD.
To be perfectly honest, I wasn't even sure how to rate this book. I equal parts loved it and hated it at the same time. What an emotional roller coaster. Actually, scratch that. This book is like a horrific train wreck, you just know what you find will be brutal as hell but you can't seem to stop yourself from looking anyway. It is 400+ pages of angst, hearbreak, drama, and gutwrenching moments. I remember hoping, praying, almost promising the devil my soul for just ONE FUCKING HAPPY MOMENT! And you know what? Didn't get it. Nope.
What I did get was a brilliantly written, emotionally gripping and poignant story.
LIFE CAN CHANGE in as little of fifteen seconds. I know this.
Fifteen seconds.
An SUV clips my car, kills my sister, and changes me and my life forever.
Thirty seconds.
The time it takes for a stranger to lift me up and carry me away and save me from the burning wreckage.
Thirty seconds.
One night.
The time it takes to fall in love with Lincoln Presley and forge promises that neither of us can keep.
One night.
Thirty seconds.
In thirty seconds, a heart can break.
You do not get eased in to the story. Not even close. It starts with a tragedy and grips you from the very beginning, refusing to let go of your heart and emotions until the very end. I was't even sure if I would survive the whole book.
Valentine's Day may be a happy day for most people, but for Tally all that day signifies is loss. It is the day her life forever changed when she lost her twin sister in a horrific car accident. Tally always saw her twin, Holly, as the better half, the sun to her moon. And now that she's gone, there's no more sun in her life. So she focuses on the one constant in her life, ballet
But fate has a different plan when Tally meets the handsome rising baseball star, Lincoln Presley, and everything changes.
I will not give you a sum up, because what you need to know the book synopsis gives you. Anything else would be a spoiler, and this is a book that needs to be experienced fully. What I can tell you is prepare yourself for one gutwrenching, emotional, devastating, tear filled and painful read...
The amount of devastating circumstances and events that Tally experiences it's a wonder to me how she even functions. Just when you think that's it, it can't possibly get any worse...BAM! Some more shit happens.
The story is told through several years starting from when Tally is 17 and spanning to her at 21. It's a story of poor circumstances, unlucky timing, and bad decisions. But beyond all the doom and gloom there's also a story of a one-in-a-lifetime love.
This is not a book for everyone. It was depressing as hell for over 90%. I was equal parts unable to put it down and kicking my own ass for even reading it.
I wouldn't label this as a YA book. The only thing YA about it is Tally's age when it starts. If you're expecting a steamy NA book, well you can take that expectation and shove it where the sun don't shine because you will not be getting that either. And for a self-proclaimed smut addict like me, that was one tough pill to swallow. However, the story itself was enough to keep me turning the pages.
I want to tell you that I absolutely loved it, and a part of me did. But then there's another part of me that was screaming ENOUGH ALREADY! How much more shit can happen to this poor girl? It was almost too much.
If you enjoy emotional and poignant reads that are smut light but will stay with you for a long while, definitely give this book a shot. The writing was some of the best I've read. But is this a book I see myself ever going back to? Hell NO! As a matter of fact, I plan on submersing myself in mindless smut just to try and get my feels right again. And when smut won't do? There's always my other fix all
**ARC given to Dirty Girl Romance blog in exchange for an honest review**
For more reviews visit
August 29, 2013
6 "devastating, overwhelming, cry your eyes out, can't stop the pain" stars
A letter to an author
Dearest Katherine Owen,
I don't know you, but I would like to take a moment of your time, if you've got it. I am feeling so many emotions right now and I need to get them out and I think the only is to yell at you.
You have left me feeling broken, shattered and numb. I feel like I'm in a dark hole, with no light and there is no end to this devastating path that I am on. ( ok well there is a light at the end). You have rendered me speechless. Yes speechless. Me, I always has something to say about everything. But with you and with this book, I'm lost for the words for it.
I wasn't expecting this. I didn't think I would be so wrapped up in this book. But from the very first page I was drawn in and I couldn't put down. You sucker punched me, I feel like you bitch slapped me. Why would you do this to me. Do you find joy in my misery? Tears streamed down my face the entire book. I couldn't stop the ugly crying. All I wanted was for it to stop, but you just kept dealing out the fucking shit. I wanted to scream, pull my hair out, punch the wall, throw my iPad against the wall. I wanted to fucking die. you made me want to fucking jump off a cliff.
Ok, so now that it's out of my system I can tell you I LOVE YOU and your writing. It's a thing of beauty and I'll agree with Mare-BFA and thank you for writing one of the best books I have ever read. Ever!!! It was earth shattering, life changing, should crushing, beautiful. I honestly can say that if I were to ever cross your path, I would probably want to hurt you but end up hugging the fuck out of you.
Your newest reader fan
Shattered but put back together Chelcie
Ok guys, I honestly have no words to describe my utter amazement for this book. I'm in book coma. Don't let my status updates scare you off. I felt every emotion for this book and I felt the hard. Go forth and enter the madness. You will not be disappointed.
June 10, 2016
5 ★'s
♦ WARNING: I've finished all three books before finishing this review and I've decided that I definitely need to start off with a warning...this series is not for the fainthearted! OMG...these books are angst-overload even for a junkie for me. So if you decided to take the plunge, be prepared to have your heart ripped to shreds...because you simply cannot not read them all! ♦
For all you angst lovers out there this is the book for you. For someone like me this book was magic. It had everything I wanted and more. I just couldn't put it down.
Does that mean it was perfect? No, but it was oh-so-good that I didn't even care. Naturally, there were a few things that I didn't care for with the story but I was okay with that.
Tally and Lincoln meet for the second time at a party. She tells him some lies and he eats it all up. They can't get enough of each other but unfortunately they only get that one night.
Later, he finds out about the lies and what all that means. Baseball is his only focus like ballet is hers. There can't be any "us" in that equation.
Drama comes to a head later but as usual Tally keeps everything very deep inside. She's not selfish about this, she's extremely selfless. But it's oh-so-emotional and heart-wrenching. I just hated everything about it.
I really enjoyed both Tally and Linc and I sooo wanted them to be together and make it through all the hurdles. I had to keep reading and I just could not believe all they had to go through!
Their romance is so intense, however, they are both too quick to anger and to judge. There's lots of sex but it's not very detailed and in a way, I'm thankful because I don't know if I could have handled that on top of everything else!
Thank goodness for Tally's best friend, Marla, and I love who she ends up with. But it was sooo wonderful how she was always in Tally's corner.
I went into this book thinking it would just be a love story between a ballerina and a baseball player. No, no, no, that's not all it is...not at all. This book has multiple layers...layers upon layers and yep, you guessed it...layers of heart break with just about every scenario you can imagine. Predictable, a little cheesy and definitely over the top - be careful that it doesn't drag you under its spell but it would be sooo worth it!
(P.S. it ends really well but you won't be able to stop yourself from reading the next book!)
♦ WARNING: I've finished all three books before finishing this review and I've decided that I definitely need to start off with a warning...this series is not for the fainthearted! OMG...these books are angst-overload even for a junkie for me. So if you decided to take the plunge, be prepared to have your heart ripped to shreds...because you simply cannot not read them all! ♦
For all you angst lovers out there this is the book for you. For someone like me this book was magic. It had everything I wanted and more. I just couldn't put it down.
Does that mean it was perfect? No, but it was oh-so-good that I didn't even care. Naturally, there were a few things that I didn't care for with the story but I was okay with that.
Tally and Lincoln meet for the second time at a party. She tells him some lies and he eats it all up. They can't get enough of each other but unfortunately they only get that one night.
Later, he finds out about the lies and what all that means. Baseball is his only focus like ballet is hers. There can't be any "us" in that equation.
Drama comes to a head later but as usual Tally keeps everything very deep inside. She's not selfish about this, she's extremely selfless. But it's oh-so-emotional and heart-wrenching. I just hated everything about it.
I really enjoyed both Tally and Linc and I sooo wanted them to be together and make it through all the hurdles. I had to keep reading and I just could not believe all they had to go through!
Their romance is so intense, however, they are both too quick to anger and to judge. There's lots of sex but it's not very detailed and in a way, I'm thankful because I don't know if I could have handled that on top of everything else!
Thank goodness for Tally's best friend, Marla, and I love who she ends up with. But it was sooo wonderful how she was always in Tally's corner.
I went into this book thinking it would just be a love story between a ballerina and a baseball player. No, no, no, that's not all it is...not at all. This book has multiple layers...layers upon layers and yep, you guessed it...layers of heart break with just about every scenario you can imagine. Predictable, a little cheesy and definitely over the top - be careful that it doesn't drag you under its spell but it would be sooo worth it!
(P.S. it ends really well but you won't be able to stop yourself from reading the next book!)
Want to read
November 12, 2017
FREE on Amazon US today (11/6/2014)
BLURB:
Both on the verge of fame. A ballerina who lies. A baseball player who believes her. Well, the truth changes everything.
Since Valentine's Day, Tally Landon has owned the most tragic story at Paly High. Now, she just wants to graduate, pursue her ballet career in New York, and leave this personal tragedy of hers far behind. Her best friend convinces her to attend one last party--a college party--where she meets Stanford's latest baseball wonder. Tally has a little fun at this guy's expense when she lies about her age and who she really is, intent on being someone else for just one night. After all, what's the harm in a few innocent lies, especially when she's so good at telling them?
Lincoln Presley's future is all mapped out. There is only baseball. With the big leagues circling with a lucrative offer, the star pitcher is solely focused upon securing his future. His cousin's party serves as a welcome distraction but then he sees the girl from Valentine's Day--the one he rescued from the burning wreckage on the 101. He can't quite hide his disappointment when she appears to look right through him, obviously not remembering him at all. Linc vows to learn her name at least. What would be the harm in getting to know this girl? What's the worst that can happen?
Fate brings them together. Fame & lies tear them apart. One truth remains...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E...
September 25, 2013
Wow! Just wow! This book was not at all what I was expecting. It is tagged as New Adult Romance. This book is a romance but the drama is what is front and center on this stage. This is a tragic romance. I felt like I was reading a soap opera. This pair is destined to be together but life is constantly tearing them apart.
The story begins with Tally and her twin sister Holly at the cusp of their senior year in high school. Holly and her boyfriend have an on again off again relationship and she and he have just reconciled. Tally is driving her back home when tragedy strikes. The pair are struck by another car. When Tally is rescued from the wreckage by a mysterious man her life is changed forever.
Tally is a ballet dancer. She is among the elite in her school and she is poised to be a professional dancer. While Holly is the "good" twin, Tally is the trouble maker. Holly has always had a steady boyfriend where Tally jumps from guy to guy. Tally is not into relationships. She gets her needs met and moves on. So when she meets Lincoln Presley, she decides on a quick romp, she is the love 'em and leave 'em kind of girl.
Lincoln Presley is on the verge of hitting the big time in baseball. He playing college baseball and he is poised to be picked up by the majors. Lincoln in so stranger to tragedy, his family has had its share of life altering events. His family and his manager, Kimberly, have his life planned out for him. He is gonna be a star.
Lincoln's cousin Charlie is having a party. Tally's best friend Marla convinces her to go. Tally decides to be let go and be someone entirely different.
What she doesn't plan on is Lincoln Presley.
Lincoln recognizes Tally but she has no clue who he is. He is immediately drawn to her. She lies about her age, her name and many other things. Tally is planning on this being a one time thing. She can't help but be drawn to Lincoln and she ends up breaking several of her own "hook up" rules.
This is where things get interesting, or complicated, depending on how you look at it. Tally is now in New York pursuing her ballet career. Lincoln has been picked up by a major league team on the opposite coast. The lies that Tally has told are catching up with her.
Tally can't stop thinking about Lincoln, and Lincoln can't stop thinking about Tally. But they are star crossed lovers destined to be forever torn apart. They make decision after decision that pushes them further apart.
How can one couple endure so much heartache and pain and still survive?
So many times I just wanted to strangle someone.
I was on pins and freaking needles!
I really could not believe what I was reading. What on earth were they thinking!!
I can't tell you too much without giving away too much. Lets just say that this book will stick with me for a while. I felt like I was reading a Shakespearean tragedy.
Favorite Quotes:
“I stand still for a long time, holding the note, and let it all sink in. Her leaving is almost palpable like a gale-force wind that’s rolled into my life in the span of a single evening and left behind all this incalculable destruction, both inside and out. Yes, the tempest has passed, but the air around me feels different. I can hardly breathe. Nothing is the same without her. As the lone survivor of her particular storm, I begin to wonder just exactly what I’m supposed to do now.”
“The ending is coming. I can feel it. I don’t know if I can take it this time. But then again, I say that every time and yet, every time I take it. And, I come back to her again for more. I will take whatever time I can get with her. I will do that for a lifetime. I will. I know that much about myself. She is my water. I can never get enough of her, and it appears that I will die trying to love her, to keep her, to hold her with me, even though our time together seems to evaporate so swiftly. It slips through our fingers so damn fast that we don’t even have time to savor it when we’re together.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This book appears to be one of those books where you either love it or you hate it. I think perhaps, some people are going into this expecting a simple and sweet love story. If that is what you are looking for...this book is not for you. This is a punch you in the face and leave you hanging tragedy. (You do eventually get your HEA, but it is not what you would expect)
The writing was amazing. We get to see Tally and Lincoln's perspectives with a dual point of view in the writing. The characters are frustrating and annoying but real and you can't help but fall in love with their craziness. The secondary characters are well done as well. This book ends up spanning about four years in time. We see a LOT happen in four years. Every-time something would happen I would put my kindle down and tell my husband, who could care less what was going on. I had to tell someone... this story was just mind blowing!
So if you love a good angst filled dramatic romance...this one is amazing. I give it five stars.
Like this review? Check out my blog:
www.readinghaven.me
August 30, 2013
This was a horrible train wreck that you couldn't stop watching...and I don't mean that in a good way. There were so many times where I wanted to stop reading, but I couldn't because I kept hoping it would get better. The two main characters drive me nuts! The beginning of the book had me excited and fearful for their future. When all of these other characters started to get involved and fate was determined to keep these two apart, I about lost it! And when Tally decided to give away a certain "something" I about threw my kindle out the window because I thought it was such a selfish act, especially since she kept it to herself. This book did not make me feel like this was a romance. I didn't like the fact that Tally was portrayed as a female version of a manwhore. That does not appeal to me. There was so much going on in the book that I did not have any hope for the two main characters. I enjoy a book with emotional intensity but this one did not do it for me. I give this book 2 stars and that's being generous.
August 26, 2017
I don’t even know what to say. This novel that was just over 400 pages left me completely stumped. I am not even sure I can rate it. One star? Five Stars? Who the fuck knows. All I do know is that as beautifully tragic this story was, I hated everyone in this book at some point in time. Some I still hate, in fact Linc is probably the only one that I might have just disliked a bit. I am completely torn because I felt so much but those feelings were not the feelings I wanted to feel.
Part of me feels that this should be a low rating because of how much I did not like the theme of this book, but at that same point - that was the point. The author did an amazing job with that aspect and for that, I almost want to give it five stars. I think in the end I need to stay in the middle-ish with a 3.5. But understand that most of that has to do with my personal response tot his story and the theme. I was so frustrated with the amount of lost time and the decisions these characters made.
In summary this book is a tragic story of love, fate, lies and sacrifice. And Lies. Lots of lies. Did I mention lies? No, yeah this is a book all about lengths and lies.
Tally suffers the greatest lost when her twin sister dies, the man that carried her away from the car before she lost everything would soon become the catalyst for the next three years that will be consumed in half-truths, lies and devastating lost and tragic love.
Tally had a dream. To become the star ballerina. After losing her sister, it was the only thing she could cling to. It was the goal. The focus that allowed her to give an excuse to every poor decision she made. Makes.
For Lincoln, his focus is baseball. His shot at the pros is within his reach. A relationship with Tally would destroy that chance at getting his dream. Some would frown upon the love story of a twenty-two year old rising star falling in love with a seventeen year old girl. And that risk is what sets the next three years into motion. Three years of nothing but these characters trading their lies, bartering away the truth, sacrificing things for one another in a way that can be seen as selfless and selfish at the same time.
I can’t really say much more about this story other than I think I found the one thing in a book that I loathe more than anything else. Lies. This story was like an accident that I couldn’t tear my eyes away from. I don’t know if I loved it or hated it. I was angry through most of it, a seething type of anger that made me wish for just a moment that these characters were real so that I could strangle them. But then I cried at times at the tragic way things played out. Fate was twisted and tainted in a way that I haven’t encountered in a novel before this. Having faith in anything was hard to come by as I read these pages.
So in the end I am left with this feeling that I am not sure if I can forgive these characters for their decisions and their flaws. But it wasn’t just Tally and Lincoln that were at fault. Everyone played their part in this game of deception. The thought of starting book two in this series has me feeling a little sick. I don’t know if I can find a way to get past the way I feel in this moment, not sure if there is any way to change the course of my feelings. Will I read the next book? Yes. Will I read it today? Hell No.
Graphics to be posted at some point.
Part of me feels that this should be a low rating because of how much I did not like the theme of this book, but at that same point - that was the point. The author did an amazing job with that aspect and for that, I almost want to give it five stars. I think in the end I need to stay in the middle-ish with a 3.5. But understand that most of that has to do with my personal response tot his story and the theme. I was so frustrated with the amount of lost time and the decisions these characters made.
In summary this book is a tragic story of love, fate, lies and sacrifice. And Lies. Lots of lies. Did I mention lies? No, yeah this is a book all about lengths and lies.
Tally suffers the greatest lost when her twin sister dies, the man that carried her away from the car before she lost everything would soon become the catalyst for the next three years that will be consumed in half-truths, lies and devastating lost and tragic love.
Tally had a dream. To become the star ballerina. After losing her sister, it was the only thing she could cling to. It was the goal. The focus that allowed her to give an excuse to every poor decision she made. Makes.
For Lincoln, his focus is baseball. His shot at the pros is within his reach. A relationship with Tally would destroy that chance at getting his dream. Some would frown upon the love story of a twenty-two year old rising star falling in love with a seventeen year old girl. And that risk is what sets the next three years into motion. Three years of nothing but these characters trading their lies, bartering away the truth, sacrificing things for one another in a way that can be seen as selfless and selfish at the same time.
I can’t really say much more about this story other than I think I found the one thing in a book that I loathe more than anything else. Lies. This story was like an accident that I couldn’t tear my eyes away from. I don’t know if I loved it or hated it. I was angry through most of it, a seething type of anger that made me wish for just a moment that these characters were real so that I could strangle them. But then I cried at times at the tragic way things played out. Fate was twisted and tainted in a way that I haven’t encountered in a novel before this. Having faith in anything was hard to come by as I read these pages.
So in the end I am left with this feeling that I am not sure if I can forgive these characters for their decisions and their flaws. But it wasn’t just Tally and Lincoln that were at fault. Everyone played their part in this game of deception. The thought of starting book two in this series has me feeling a little sick. I don’t know if I can find a way to get past the way I feel in this moment, not sure if there is any way to change the course of my feelings. Will I read the next book? Yes. Will I read it today? Hell No.
Graphics to be posted at some point.
Read
March 4, 2017A few questions and answers about my latest novel release This Much Is True
Q.This Much Is True handles some pretty heavy subject manner. How did you get into the mindset to handle writing about such controversial stuff?
A. I was inspired to write a novel where fate and circumstances keep two people apart and the innocent telling of lies by one of them leads to an eventual unraveling of the relationship and virtually keeps them apart. I eventually wrote This Much Is True keeping these themes in mind.
Q. There’s a new sub-category out there in the book world called New Adult Fiction. Would you classify This Much Is True in that category?
A. I think This Much Is True can play in this arena, but if you’re looking for the bad boy with numerous tattoos and lots of racy sex scenes, you’ll be disappointed. This story is about two people who find each other, lose each other, and must slowly make their way back to one another. The character arcs for both Tally and Linc are slow in, well, arcing, but they’re there. I’m happy with how the story turned out, but this isn’t your predictable read. New Adult Fiction centers on characters that are coming of age when they first leave home and experience their first loves. I think This Much Is True fits that criteria, but this is a deeper story than most of what I’ve read in the category. Additionally, there are no vampires, no shape shifters, no bad boys, no tattoos; This Much Is True is just a story about love, and loss, and starting over, and how fate intervenes. You know my usual stuff.
Q.This Much Is True handles some pretty heavy subject manner. How did you get into the mindset to handle writing about such controversial stuff?
A. I was inspired to write a novel where fate and circumstances keep two people apart and the innocent telling of lies by one of them leads to an eventual unraveling of the relationship and virtually keeps them apart. I eventually wrote This Much Is True keeping these themes in mind.
Q. There’s a new sub-category out there in the book world called New Adult Fiction. Would you classify This Much Is True in that category?
A. I think This Much Is True can play in this arena, but if you’re looking for the bad boy with numerous tattoos and lots of racy sex scenes, you’ll be disappointed. This story is about two people who find each other, lose each other, and must slowly make their way back to one another. The character arcs for both Tally and Linc are slow in, well, arcing, but they’re there. I’m happy with how the story turned out, but this isn’t your predictable read. New Adult Fiction centers on characters that are coming of age when they first leave home and experience their first loves. I think This Much Is True fits that criteria, but this is a deeper story than most of what I’ve read in the category. Additionally, there are no vampires, no shape shifters, no bad boys, no tattoos; This Much Is True is just a story about love, and loss, and starting over, and how fate intervenes. You know my usual stuff.
October 1, 2013
Hot damn that's a big story. Lots of things happened and I get to the end and no freaking epilogue???? The drama, the angst, betrayal and lies. That's very frustrating. I was drug through the mud face down and I finally get to a conclusion and BAM!! Story's over. I'm kinda pissed. I needed more closure.
Lincoln and Tally had so much drama between them. So much back and forth and indecision. Throw in scheming people and manipulation and this story was crazy.
There were so many times I wanted them to straighten their shit out and talk. Be honest. There was so much time lost for no reason!
I did enjoy this story but there was so much drama! And why did she have to lie so much??
These two will take you for one hell of a ride
Lincoln and Tally had so much drama between them. So much back and forth and indecision. Throw in scheming people and manipulation and this story was crazy.
There were so many times I wanted them to straighten their shit out and talk. Be honest. There was so much time lost for no reason!
I did enjoy this story but there was so much drama! And why did she have to lie so much??
These two will take you for one hell of a ride
September 19, 2013
This book purported to be "different" -- like there was something special distinguishing this book from all the other books in this genre. Frankly, I didn't see it.
There was, however, enough drama in this book to keep me interested until the end. I was almost on the verge of quitting when something OUTOFTHISWORLD happened, and though I couldn't help rolling my eyes, I just HAD to continue. Sadly, this whole book resulted in one too many eye rolls on my part. I just couldn't get past the dramatic events that kept pushing and pulling the two main leads together. Their time together was very brief, and the "grief" that both parties suffered were somewhat muted by all the other subplots and crazy happenings that occurred throughout the book.
Also, the story starts off with Tally & Lincoln in their teens; the first couple of chapters really impressed me. Then, all of a sudden, it SHIFTS into like 5 years later or whatever, which kind of killed it for me. I don't even want to get into the other two love interests, which were all KINDS of wrong.
Take away point: Tally, the heroine, wasn't likable. No, I'm not projecting my own moral standards on her. I actually like heroines who don't fit the cookie-cutter stereotype. Still, the way she acted was just ... UNREAL. I just couldn't get over some of the things that she did. Especially with her dead twin's BF. There were some pretty weird, twisted "love" connections that went down, which just killed the whole thing for me.
I couldn't get past the lies, and I couldn't truly be happy for the couple in the end. Think for yourself. Don't follow the hype. Don't jump on the bandwagon of the "oh-its-so-deep-and-unique" bullcrap just because there's a couple of jaw-dropping, "shockers" thrown in the story-line to keep it "fresh" or "original" or whatever. I don't know. The writing was fantastic, and I really liked the author's writing style. I just didn't like the *content* (that probably doesn't make much sense, but really, that's just how I felt about this one).
*sad face*
There was, however, enough drama in this book to keep me interested until the end. I was almost on the verge of quitting when something OUTOFTHISWORLD happened, and though I couldn't help rolling my eyes, I just HAD to continue. Sadly, this whole book resulted in one too many eye rolls on my part. I just couldn't get past the dramatic events that kept pushing and pulling the two main leads together. Their time together was very brief, and the "grief" that both parties suffered were somewhat muted by all the other subplots and crazy happenings that occurred throughout the book.
Also, the story starts off with Tally & Lincoln in their teens; the first couple of chapters really impressed me. Then, all of a sudden, it SHIFTS into like 5 years later or whatever, which kind of killed it for me. I don't even want to get into the other two love interests, which were all KINDS of wrong.
Take away point: Tally, the heroine, wasn't likable. No, I'm not projecting my own moral standards on her. I actually like heroines who don't fit the cookie-cutter stereotype. Still, the way she acted was just ... UNREAL. I just couldn't get over some of the things that she did. Especially with her dead twin's BF. There were some pretty weird, twisted "love" connections that went down, which just killed the whole thing for me.
I couldn't get past the lies, and I couldn't truly be happy for the couple in the end. Think for yourself. Don't follow the hype. Don't jump on the bandwagon of the "oh-its-so-deep-and-unique" bullcrap just because there's a couple of jaw-dropping, "shockers" thrown in the story-line to keep it "fresh" or "original" or whatever. I don't know. The writing was fantastic, and I really liked the author's writing style. I just didn't like the *content* (that probably doesn't make much sense, but really, that's just how I felt about this one).
*sad face*
February 21, 2014
I have no idea how to write a review for this book. This book had parts that I hated and loved.
And on top of that, my emotions are not in the right place.
Hence, I better not dwell further, one thing for sure, if you want angst, depressing read read, pick this one up!
And no no no don't expect for any good old romance, heart-melting ones here, this one is downright angst!
By the ending, I was even annoyed with their happy ending too!
**ARC provided for tour**
September 4, 2014
***Arc provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
This review is posted on Way Too Hot Books.
"Nobody wants to be the dead twin's sister."
How many opportunities did we miss out, dreams did we crush, desires that we extinguished, because life, our pride or fear of failing got in the way? How many "easier roads" in the labyrinth of life did we walk, because of the fear of unknown and the fear of ending up hurt?
How many "ifs / would-have-beens/ could-have-beens" and loss can a single person handle???
This book is a true masochist read. It literally cut me open with every next page and that's a lot of emotional torture for a book which is around 450 pages long, but like every masochist reader I loved it.
Dark, deeply emotional & touching.
I think that this is one of those stories that you'll either love or hate, because it's full of unexpected twists, painful secrets and lies meant to hurt and shock, some of which not everyone will be comfortable with. For me, of course, that was also what makes it so good and compelling.
The main characters of this book are a 17 year old ballet dancer Tally Landon and a 23 year baseball player Lincoln Presley, both soon-to-be famous in their careers, but the story is told from various povs. Tally & Linc have a lot of things in common- they both are perfectionists in what they do, very familiar with death and loss, very ambitious and career-driven with no room for anything in their lives besides ballet and baseball, especially no room for love, but then, one they, they meet each other and suddenly everything they worked for and believed in is put on the line.
Ballet is all about the mastery of repetition
and a continual quest for perfection.
Somehow, that works for me, even now.
I can take in the air again
as I dance. I can breathe again.
Ballet is my life.
Ballet is what I know.
Ballet is all I have left.
Striving to perfectionism is, both, one of their biggest strengths and biggest flaws, because- as we all know- the world is far from perfect and trying to be perfect in an imperfect world is unrealistic and simply impossible. And no matter how far that characteristic has bhelped them in life, the price for it was too high. Both of them are very complex, unpredictable and flawed characters, who the minute you think you get them in a way, surprise or shock you all over, especially Tally.
Here's the truth:
I am the female version of a heartbreaker,
The one that everyone says is too dedicated
to ballet,
too self-involved to ever care about
anyone else besides herself.
I'm The Rebel.
The Bad Twin.
I'm Tally- The Loner, the party of one.
The love and leave'em prototype.
Heartless. That is me.
I have no time for romance, flowers or relationships.
I like one-night stands with plenty of sex
and no promises of a future.
I like the lies I tell.
I'm comfortable in telling them...most of the time.
This is me.
She made a lot of choices in life which left me, as a woman, shocked or appalled, things that are totally out of my character, but then again trying to look at things from her perspective- I got her in a way. When you are young, you do a lot of stupid things which you later regret, especially if you go through some pretty bad situations Tally has.
I had a love & hate relationship with Linc too.
He frustrated me on a whole different level, because of his insecurities and indecisiveness. Just like the two of them- their love was passionate, imperfect and complicated. There were so many secrets and lies between them, so much pain that from time to time I asked myself how could anything good come from it.
The ending is coming.
I can feel it.
I don't know if I can take it this time.
But then again,
I say that every time and yet,
every time I take it.
And, I come back to her again for more.
I will take whatever time I can get with her.
I will do that for a lifetime.
I will.
I know that much about myself.
She's my water.
I can never get enough of her, and it appears that
I will die trying to love her...
These two drove me crazy through the whole book- one minute I was torn between feeling sorry for them, because of all the fucked-up things life threw their way and already in the next one I hated their guts for some of the things they did or not did, but I must say that sympathy won in the end.
The lies have just built upon one another.
One follows the other like connected dots on a road map;
but this path leads me to him,
and I can't stop now.
I stay with the lie.
I revel in the lie.
She's mine for now, at least.
And, I'm most definitely hers.
This story made me think about life, especially about: how far are people willing to go risk in order to get what they want?
There were some surreal things, things that make me think- yeah, like that could ever happen, some unnecessary drama and also I'm not a fan of insta-love relationship, but if the the story is good and the author has a decent writing style- then, basically, you can make me read anything, even the things that are way out of my comfort zone, and Katherine Owen is definitely one of those authors.
This book is a New Adult novel and it deals with lot of heavy issues, but if you're looking for a sexy and more erotic read- this is not it. There are some sex scenes, but they are very rare and not explicit. The focus is on the story itself.
I would highly recommend this book to every fan of masochist reads out there, especially fans of authors like Tarryn Fisher and Megan Hart- I think you will understand this complex & beautifully flawed story and love it!
This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be the last.
"What are you so afraid of?"
"Falling. Failing. Losing.
Those are the big three.
They are practically interchangeable
and apply to every aspect of my life."
He pulls me tighter into his arms.
"Me, too," he says, breathing the words into my hair.
"Stay with me for awhile. Please.
You make me feel unafraid."
This review is posted on Way Too Hot Books.
"Nobody wants to be the dead twin's sister."
How many opportunities did we miss out, dreams did we crush, desires that we extinguished, because life, our pride or fear of failing got in the way? How many "easier roads" in the labyrinth of life did we walk, because of the fear of unknown and the fear of ending up hurt?
How many "ifs / would-have-beens/ could-have-beens" and loss can a single person handle???
This book is a true masochist read. It literally cut me open with every next page and that's a lot of emotional torture for a book which is around 450 pages long, but like every masochist reader I loved it.
Dark, deeply emotional & touching.
I think that this is one of those stories that you'll either love or hate, because it's full of unexpected twists, painful secrets and lies meant to hurt and shock, some of which not everyone will be comfortable with. For me, of course, that was also what makes it so good and compelling.
The main characters of this book are a 17 year old ballet dancer Tally Landon and a 23 year baseball player Lincoln Presley, both soon-to-be famous in their careers, but the story is told from various povs. Tally & Linc have a lot of things in common- they both are perfectionists in what they do, very familiar with death and loss, very ambitious and career-driven with no room for anything in their lives besides ballet and baseball, especially no room for love, but then, one they, they meet each other and suddenly everything they worked for and believed in is put on the line.
Ballet is all about the mastery of repetition
and a continual quest for perfection.
Somehow, that works for me, even now.
I can take in the air again
as I dance. I can breathe again.
Ballet is my life.
Ballet is what I know.
Ballet is all I have left.
Striving to perfectionism is, both, one of their biggest strengths and biggest flaws, because- as we all know- the world is far from perfect and trying to be perfect in an imperfect world is unrealistic and simply impossible. And no matter how far that characteristic has bhelped them in life, the price for it was too high. Both of them are very complex, unpredictable and flawed characters, who the minute you think you get them in a way, surprise or shock you all over, especially Tally.
Here's the truth:
I am the female version of a heartbreaker,
The one that everyone says is too dedicated
to ballet,
too self-involved to ever care about
anyone else besides herself.
I'm The Rebel.
The Bad Twin.
I'm Tally- The Loner, the party of one.
The love and leave'em prototype.
Heartless. That is me.
I have no time for romance, flowers or relationships.
I like one-night stands with plenty of sex
and no promises of a future.
I like the lies I tell.
I'm comfortable in telling them...most of the time.
This is me.
She made a lot of choices in life which left me, as a woman, shocked or appalled, things that are totally out of my character, but then again trying to look at things from her perspective- I got her in a way. When you are young, you do a lot of stupid things which you later regret, especially if you go through some pretty bad situations Tally has.
I had a love & hate relationship with Linc too.
He frustrated me on a whole different level, because of his insecurities and indecisiveness. Just like the two of them- their love was passionate, imperfect and complicated. There were so many secrets and lies between them, so much pain that from time to time I asked myself how could anything good come from it.
The ending is coming.
I can feel it.
I don't know if I can take it this time.
But then again,
I say that every time and yet,
every time I take it.
And, I come back to her again for more.
I will take whatever time I can get with her.
I will do that for a lifetime.
I will.
I know that much about myself.
She's my water.
I can never get enough of her, and it appears that
I will die trying to love her...
These two drove me crazy through the whole book- one minute I was torn between feeling sorry for them, because of all the fucked-up things life threw their way and already in the next one I hated their guts for some of the things they did or not did, but I must say that sympathy won in the end.
The lies have just built upon one another.
One follows the other like connected dots on a road map;
but this path leads me to him,
and I can't stop now.
I stay with the lie.
I revel in the lie.
She's mine for now, at least.
And, I'm most definitely hers.
This story made me think about life, especially about: how far are people willing to go risk in order to get what they want?
There were some surreal things, things that make me think- yeah, like that could ever happen, some unnecessary drama and also I'm not a fan of insta-love relationship, but if the the story is good and the author has a decent writing style- then, basically, you can make me read anything, even the things that are way out of my comfort zone, and Katherine Owen is definitely one of those authors.
This book is a New Adult novel and it deals with lot of heavy issues, but if you're looking for a sexy and more erotic read- this is not it. There are some sex scenes, but they are very rare and not explicit. The focus is on the story itself.
I would highly recommend this book to every fan of masochist reads out there, especially fans of authors like Tarryn Fisher and Megan Hart- I think you will understand this complex & beautifully flawed story and love it!
This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be the last.
"What are you so afraid of?"
"Falling. Failing. Losing.
Those are the big three.
They are practically interchangeable
and apply to every aspect of my life."
He pulls me tighter into his arms.
"Me, too," he says, breathing the words into my hair.
"Stay with me for awhile. Please.
You make me feel unafraid."
October 11, 2013
***3 Elvis Rockin' Stars!***
I will admit that this book got me torn up. It's like I took a ride on an intense emotional rollercoaster and I am not saying this very lightly. One minute I'm curious and holding my breath, the next I was feeling sad and still holding my breath, and then I got extremely p*ssed off and I wasn't holding my breath anymore but I'm pulling my hair out.
It started slow but not exactly dragging and it held my interest. It was a good read, an exciting and emotional one up until about 50% of the book. After that, it went pretty downhill for me.
I only read the synopsis of this book once before I one-clicked it because I think it was on sale at .99c and it seemed like my kind of book. But I didn't start reading until just a few days ago, weeks after I bought it, and I went in "almost" blind.
This Much Is True sort of reminded me of Crash, Clash, and Crush by Nicole Williams (which I loved!) except this one is heavier, more emotional.
What I loved and enjoyed about this book:
- this is not the usual NA teeny bopper romance novel
- I appreciate the depth of the story and the second-chance romance theme
- the age difference (she's not that young, and he's not that old)
- Marla is such a great friend to have
- Lincoln Presley. Lincoln Presley. Lincoln Presley.
What went wrong in this book for me:
- the first thing that bothered me was the constant mention of Holly's death. It's like every paragraph since it happened, there's a mention of it except until it mellowed down a bit.
- Lincoln was lovely, but it's like they didn't exactly have any love affair to begin with except for the attraction and that "one-night stand"
- their "relationship" was on and off, it's exhausting to read. Like really, really exhausting. Make up your mind, Tal and Elvis!
- with all the dragging of their love story (or lack thereof), the conclusion seemed hurried to me. It's like the author noticed that the story is already getting too long and dragging to read and she hurriedly just put a conclusion to it. I know that is not the case but that was how I felt about it.
I'm not going to dwell on this anymore, I would just like to share my thoughts on this. My status updates below would tell you I how I felt and you'll notice when I started not updating. That was the part when the on and off exhausting part started happening and I couldn't deal with it anymore.
I will admit that this book got me torn up. It's like I took a ride on an intense emotional rollercoaster and I am not saying this very lightly. One minute I'm curious and holding my breath, the next I was feeling sad and still holding my breath, and then I got extremely p*ssed off and I wasn't holding my breath anymore but I'm pulling my hair out.
It started slow but not exactly dragging and it held my interest. It was a good read, an exciting and emotional one up until about 50% of the book. After that, it went pretty downhill for me.
I only read the synopsis of this book once before I one-clicked it because I think it was on sale at .99c and it seemed like my kind of book. But I didn't start reading until just a few days ago, weeks after I bought it, and I went in "almost" blind.
This Much Is True sort of reminded me of Crash, Clash, and Crush by Nicole Williams (which I loved!) except this one is heavier, more emotional.
What I loved and enjoyed about this book:
- this is not the usual NA teeny bopper romance novel
- I appreciate the depth of the story and the second-chance romance theme
- the age difference (she's not that young, and he's not that old)
- Marla is such a great friend to have
- Lincoln Presley. Lincoln Presley. Lincoln Presley.
What went wrong in this book for me:
- the first thing that bothered me was the constant mention of Holly's death. It's like every paragraph since it happened, there's a mention of it except until it mellowed down a bit.
- Lincoln was lovely, but it's like they didn't exactly have any love affair to begin with except for the attraction and that "one-night stand"
- their "relationship" was on and off, it's exhausting to read. Like really, really exhausting. Make up your mind, Tal and Elvis!
- with all the dragging of their love story (or lack thereof), the conclusion seemed hurried to me. It's like the author noticed that the story is already getting too long and dragging to read and she hurriedly just put a conclusion to it. I know that is not the case but that was how I felt about it.
I'm not going to dwell on this anymore, I would just like to share my thoughts on this. My status updates below would tell you I how I felt and you'll notice when I started not updating. That was the part when the on and off exhausting part started happening and I couldn't deal with it anymore.
August 29, 2013
This review was posted on:
http://slitsread.wordpress.com/2013/0...
www.facebook.com/slitsread
Dear Katherine Owen,
I need to tell you what your story has done to me. It has RUINED ME… DEVASTATED ME, KILLED ME, MURDERED ME, MADE ME INSANE WITH GRIEF, MADE ME WITHER IN PAIN, MADE ME NUMB NUMB NUMB
Thank you for 1 of the best reads I HAVE EVER READ! SERIOUSLY!
I don’t know how you did it without crying and crying and hurting and hurting! How did you do it? How did you handle creating that much ANGST for 96% of a book??? Please tell me!
I need a grief counsellor and an insane asylum. I need a stiff 10 drinks and I don’t drink! AT ALL! But you you made me want to be a raving alcoholic. RAVING! My GR updates have SCARED many and I am sorry for that! But I think after they read this review they will take a chance BECAUSE in the END you gave me the sweetest most amazing feeling DEEP DEEP IN MY HEART!
You have a new #1 fan Katherine, you really do.
Thank you, thank you so much for making me grieve with Tally and Linc. The universe is CRAZY! And people will always deny you your happiness for their own selfish needs. You PROVED THIS WITH EVERY SINGLE WORD YOU WROTE.
Thank you for proving that there is light at the end of tunnel, that happy ever afters do exist and that LOVE! LOVE FUCKING CONQUERS ALL!!!!
So Katherine, I bow to you and your words. YOU ARE SUPERIOR
Your newest truest fan,
Mare~BFA Supreme
*******************************************************************************************************************
Words can’t express what this book did to my emotional well being. If my GR updates didn’t show you.. well all I have to say is READ THIS BOOK! Seriously READ THIS BOOK!!! Don’t delay, don’t be hasty, don’t be SCARED. This book is too good for GIFS, for pics of the boys that travelled these pages, for Tally, for Holly … for a family torn, for love that is bound in each and every page and the obstacles that they faced. FUCK the OBSTACLES! OMG these KILLED ME!
My rating~ 50 freaking crack your heart, ugly cries, butterflies, raging anger, raging pain, RAGING LOVE!!!!!!
Mare~BFA SUPREME
http://slitsread.wordpress.com/2013/0...
www.facebook.com/slitsread
Dear Katherine Owen,
I need to tell you what your story has done to me. It has RUINED ME… DEVASTATED ME, KILLED ME, MURDERED ME, MADE ME INSANE WITH GRIEF, MADE ME WITHER IN PAIN, MADE ME NUMB NUMB NUMB
Thank you for 1 of the best reads I HAVE EVER READ! SERIOUSLY!
I don’t know how you did it without crying and crying and hurting and hurting! How did you do it? How did you handle creating that much ANGST for 96% of a book??? Please tell me!
I need a grief counsellor and an insane asylum. I need a stiff 10 drinks and I don’t drink! AT ALL! But you you made me want to be a raving alcoholic. RAVING! My GR updates have SCARED many and I am sorry for that! But I think after they read this review they will take a chance BECAUSE in the END you gave me the sweetest most amazing feeling DEEP DEEP IN MY HEART!
You have a new #1 fan Katherine, you really do.
Thank you, thank you so much for making me grieve with Tally and Linc. The universe is CRAZY! And people will always deny you your happiness for their own selfish needs. You PROVED THIS WITH EVERY SINGLE WORD YOU WROTE.
Thank you for proving that there is light at the end of tunnel, that happy ever afters do exist and that LOVE! LOVE FUCKING CONQUERS ALL!!!!
So Katherine, I bow to you and your words. YOU ARE SUPERIOR
Your newest truest fan,
Mare~BFA Supreme
*******************************************************************************************************************
Words can’t express what this book did to my emotional well being. If my GR updates didn’t show you.. well all I have to say is READ THIS BOOK! Seriously READ THIS BOOK!!! Don’t delay, don’t be hasty, don’t be SCARED. This book is too good for GIFS, for pics of the boys that travelled these pages, for Tally, for Holly … for a family torn, for love that is bound in each and every page and the obstacles that they faced. FUCK the OBSTACLES! OMG these KILLED ME!
My rating~ 50 freaking crack your heart, ugly cries, butterflies, raging anger, raging pain, RAGING LOVE!!!!!!
Mare~BFA SUPREME
December 20, 2015
I’m not sure if I’ll write a proper review, but here are some of my thought on This Much is True:
○ I’m a sucker for tragic love stories! I finished this last night and I really, really liked it! The novel is not flawless, however I’m still giving it a high rating, because I truly enjoyed reading it.
○ It’s different from other NA novels. This is a unique love story; MCs are not even together for the most part.
○ One particular character who may be, dare I say it, my favorite: Rob Thorne; he’s multidimensional, neither good nor bad, it’s difficult to place him, at times you love him, at times you hate him. That’s why he stood out to me, I guess. (And no, he's not the main love interest.)
○ To sum up, the novel was filled with angst, drama & heartache, and it perfectly suited my mood at the moment. If you feel like reading a book that may tear your little heart, This Much is True will be perfect for you!
○ I’d recommend this to fans of: The Opportunist, Nocturne
○ I’m a sucker for tragic love stories! I finished this last night and I really, really liked it! The novel is not flawless, however I’m still giving it a high rating, because I truly enjoyed reading it.
○ It’s different from other NA novels. This is a unique love story; MCs are not even together for the most part.
○ One particular character who may be, dare I say it, my favorite: Rob Thorne; he’s multidimensional, neither good nor bad, it’s difficult to place him, at times you love him, at times you hate him. That’s why he stood out to me, I guess. (And no, he's not the main love interest.)
○ To sum up, the novel was filled with angst, drama & heartache, and it perfectly suited my mood at the moment. If you feel like reading a book that may tear your little heart, This Much is True will be perfect for you!
○ I’d recommend this to fans of: The Opportunist, Nocturne
October 22, 2013
I received a copy of this book from netgalley in return for an honest review.
OK where to start. I actually really struggled with book. I found the text to be extremely long winded more often than not. Even during the sex scenes I felt the author had this annoying need to go off point and go off on a tangent. For instance when Tally and Linc first got together their steamy scene started and then Katherine went off reminiscing about Ms Kenner a past health education teacher, then we go to the part when it was Tally that told her parents about the crash, then onto about her crying earlier. Then 8 pages from the start of him skimming her lingerie they climax together but we've actually hardly read anything about their coupling but a whole pile of not needed text instead.
This happens all the way through and makes this an extremely long read that could be cut in half and pack much more of a meatier punch.
Sadly I just could not connect with the lead characters and I honestly did not enjoy this book which I really am sad about because I really wanted to connect with them. I tried so hard to do just that but it just never happened for me.
OK where to start. I actually really struggled with book. I found the text to be extremely long winded more often than not. Even during the sex scenes I felt the author had this annoying need to go off point and go off on a tangent. For instance when Tally and Linc first got together their steamy scene started and then Katherine went off reminiscing about Ms Kenner a past health education teacher, then we go to the part when it was Tally that told her parents about the crash, then onto about her crying earlier. Then 8 pages from the start of him skimming her lingerie they climax together but we've actually hardly read anything about their coupling but a whole pile of not needed text instead.
This happens all the way through and makes this an extremely long read that could be cut in half and pack much more of a meatier punch.
Sadly I just could not connect with the lead characters and I honestly did not enjoy this book which I really am sad about because I really wanted to connect with them. I tried so hard to do just that but it just never happened for me.
January 2, 2014
"4 This aint wonderland stars"
The thing is...
I think this is the longest story I've read so far its like Wow! The lies .. lies .. lies.. too much drama , complicated situations and self issues. This one hell of a story.
This is all start with one tragic night that changes everything..
Tally London is a rising ballet dancer. At 17 shes the rebel, hearth breaker and the no string attached kind of girl. Being a protegee the important things in her life is ballet and become a prima ballerina and living in New York with her sister and bestfriend. But one tragic night changes everything.. loosing her twin sister, she become hallow living without her half is like a night without her day. She lives in a high expectations from her parents since her twin sister died.
Lincoln Presley At 22 he is the rising baseball star. About to finish at Stanford and expected to be taken early in Major League Baseball. Too much expectation from his father to follow his footsteps in the league thats why his only focus is baseball. But one tragic night changes everything... He save this girl who's face of an angel he cant ever forget.
They need distraction for a while to escape the pressure and drama. One night at a party like faith brings them together and meet again. They shared this incredible night of their life but the lies comes beneath with it.
And yet, despite the lies being told to protect each other, and the trappings of fame that continually separate them, and in lieu of the deception by those they’ve come to trust the most; one truth remains.
The story is beautifully written but there are somethings I get frustrated about..
At some point while reading I want to slap someone
Gah!! The stubbornness of the characters is killing me ..
The lies.. lies.. lies.. damn too much lies eh?
But at the end.... Damn FINALLY!! After all these years.. There is the HAPPY EVER AFTER!!
Like I said the story is amazing and I did enjoy reading it even its a fucking long story. The second characters is also amazing. I definitely recommend this one if you love the angst and drama.
I received a copy provided by The Writing Works Group / Katherine Owen via Netgalley in exchange for honest review.
The thing is...
I think this is the longest story I've read so far its like Wow! The lies .. lies .. lies.. too much drama , complicated situations and self issues. This one hell of a story.
Fate brings them together.Fame & lies keep them apart.One truth remains...
This is all start with one tragic night that changes everything..
Tally London is a rising ballet dancer. At 17 shes the rebel, hearth breaker and the no string attached kind of girl. Being a protegee the important things in her life is ballet and become a prima ballerina and living in New York with her sister and bestfriend. But one tragic night changes everything.. loosing her twin sister, she become hallow living without her half is like a night without her day. She lives in a high expectations from her parents since her twin sister died.
Lincoln Presley At 22 he is the rising baseball star. About to finish at Stanford and expected to be taken early in Major League Baseball. Too much expectation from his father to follow his footsteps in the league thats why his only focus is baseball. But one tragic night changes everything... He save this girl who's face of an angel he cant ever forget.
"So, I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you."
They need distraction for a while to escape the pressure and drama. One night at a party like faith brings them together and meet again. They shared this incredible night of their life but the lies comes beneath with it.
They share this incredible connection, but fate soon tests these star-crossed lovers in all kinds of ways...
And yet, despite the lies being told to protect each other, and the trappings of fame that continually separate them, and in lieu of the deception by those they’ve come to trust the most; one truth remains.
The story is beautifully written but there are somethings I get frustrated about..
At some point while reading I want to slap someone
Gah!! The stubbornness of the characters is killing me ..
The lies.. lies.. lies.. damn too much lies eh?
But at the end.... Damn FINALLY!! After all these years.. There is the HAPPY EVER AFTER!!
Like I said the story is amazing and I did enjoy reading it even its a fucking long story. The second characters is also amazing. I definitely recommend this one if you love the angst and drama.
I received a copy provided by The Writing Works Group / Katherine Owen via Netgalley in exchange for honest review.
August 18, 2013
EMOTIONAL
17 year old Tally Landon and her twin Holly are involved in a car accident. Tally was driving. Holly does not survive the accident, leaving Tally devastated. Tally was rescued at the accident by Lincoln Presley. He tries to find out at the hospital how she is without success.
Tally recovers from her injuries and has to return back to school and the love of her life ballet. Three months have gone by and Tally's friend Mara persuades her to go to a party. It's at this party that Tally meets Linc. Tally doesn't remember him, or the fact that he was her rescuer. But he certainly remembers her. Linc is a 22 year old and attends college. He's the golden boy on the baseball team.
He and Tally hook up at the party, that's the beginning of their story together.
First read for me by this author. I have to say this is a very well written. It is also quite a long read. The author could have quite easily dragged out this story over two or more books, so kudos to her for giving us the whole tale in one book.
As to the premise of this, it's a really emotional read, that keeps the reader guessing. You literally don't know what's going to happen from one page to the next. There's lies and deceit along the way. It's amazing how other people's interference can impact on another's life. That's exactly what happens here. It's a long and bumpy road for the H/h.
Tally's character took me a while to warm up to. But I had to keep in mind her tender years, plus the loss of her twin had on her. As for Linc there were times I just wanted to shout at him. There are a whole cast of other characters as well, not all of them well meaning.
Plenty happens in this story, I don't want to say more and give it away, but this is certainly worth reading. If you like plenty of drama and angst then this is for you.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley.
17 year old Tally Landon and her twin Holly are involved in a car accident. Tally was driving. Holly does not survive the accident, leaving Tally devastated. Tally was rescued at the accident by Lincoln Presley. He tries to find out at the hospital how she is without success.
Tally recovers from her injuries and has to return back to school and the love of her life ballet. Three months have gone by and Tally's friend Mara persuades her to go to a party. It's at this party that Tally meets Linc. Tally doesn't remember him, or the fact that he was her rescuer. But he certainly remembers her. Linc is a 22 year old and attends college. He's the golden boy on the baseball team.
He and Tally hook up at the party, that's the beginning of their story together.
First read for me by this author. I have to say this is a very well written. It is also quite a long read. The author could have quite easily dragged out this story over two or more books, so kudos to her for giving us the whole tale in one book.
As to the premise of this, it's a really emotional read, that keeps the reader guessing. You literally don't know what's going to happen from one page to the next. There's lies and deceit along the way. It's amazing how other people's interference can impact on another's life. That's exactly what happens here. It's a long and bumpy road for the H/h.
Tally's character took me a while to warm up to. But I had to keep in mind her tender years, plus the loss of her twin had on her. As for Linc there were times I just wanted to shout at him. There are a whole cast of other characters as well, not all of them well meaning.
Plenty happens in this story, I don't want to say more and give it away, but this is certainly worth reading. If you like plenty of drama and angst then this is for you.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley.
August 18, 2013
NOBODY holds the human heart in their hands, deconstructs it, and puts it back together like Katherine Owen. Reading This Much is True was a privilege. THANK YOU, Katherine, for writing such a poignant and beautiful story.
September 12, 2013
***POSSIBLE SPOILERS PRESENT WITHIN REVIEW***
You know that a book is going to be fantastic, if the first scene has you crying! And, that’s exactly what author, Katherine Owen, displays to her readers in the opening pages of her fourth novel, This Much Is True. Ms. Owen fills the pages with sadness, drama, love, secrets and unexplicable angst with each and every emotional moment transcended within the constraints of her novel. The characters are likeable and believable even when time after time their heartache is evident with each missed opportunity for lies and secrets to be revealed. Such an agonizing, but yet moving, creation of prose!
Talia Landon has it all; a great family, a promising career, and a best friend that is like a sister. Her perfect life all comes crashing down on her when a horrific accident claims the life of her beloved sister, Holly. The family and surrounding community are devastated along with Holly’s boyfriend, Rob. Thankfully “Tally” is somehow rescued by a male stranger while bearing witness to Holly’s harrowing screams as she is consumed in the vehicle’s heartstopping explosion. Sometime after months of rehabilitation for Tally, as it is apparent that she was the driver during their unfortunate accident, she finally reaches deep inside herself to go on with her life along side best friend, Marla Stone, to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a ballerina in New York City. With only two days before leaving for “The Big Apple”, Marla bugs Tally to go to a college party to meet Marla’s former boyfriend’s cousin, who just happens to be this amazing pitcher for Stanford. Tally has no desire to go to the party especially when there’s only two days left until their New York departure, but when Marla pushes her to the limit, she decides “what the hell”. The party proves to be a hit when unsuspectantly all along she has been in the presence of the highly acclaimed pitcher, Lincoln Presley. But, her future is set and New York City now awaits Tally Landon, and she has no time, nor desire, to get involved in any sort of relationship.
There were so many storylines evident in this novel that the hero and heroine were up against. First, seemed to be their age difference. Then it seemed to be about their stellar careers; having that intense desire to be the best in their chosen livelihood and not settling for anything less. And, of course, most important, the accident that had claimed her twin sister. Unfortunately, Tally tells numerous lies. While Linc just skirts around the truth. In addition to her lies, Tally keeps many secrets as well, while Linc knows that his secrets will reveal themselves in due time. Their relationship is on and off because of their intense reason to believe in what’s best for everyone else – not necessarily themselves.
“Promises made.
Promises kept.
Promises broken.”
“We start out with such good intentions, and then life does the unexpected, and we’re reminded once again how things can change in an instant.” (pg 140)
Both main characters were wonderful! Tally was strong, courageous, beautiful and very talented. But, she was rough around the edges. Damaged. Broken by tragedy. Linc was protective, sweet, hard-working, and gorgeous. He didn’t have an easy life himself what with a tragic loss also in his past and also dealing with the pressure of being a great pitcher that his dad put on him. He was not only mindful of making his career just about himself, but also he was obligated to live up to the “Presley” family name. Both characters were manipulated by people looking to “cash in” on them, while seeming like they were trustworthy. They seemed to be so in love with each other, but their timing always seemed off along with Tally's ability to keep a mind-blowing secret that could have devastating ramifications for all. Will these two lovers infatuated with each other finally find themselves in each other’s arms forever? Or will they be destined to be apart permanently? I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out the answer.
The supporting cast of characters were just as fascinating as the two main ones. They were all entertaining with their attractively alluring personalities.
~ Allaire Trembley (Tally’s dance teacher) – the brash supreme schemer
~ Rob Thorn (Holly’s surviving boyfriend) – a highly successful, but yet, not honest person
~ Marla Stone (Tally’s best friend) – a supportive loyal friend who is also a ballerina
~ Nika Vostrikova (a friend of Linc’s) – a brazen flirtatious former classmate who can’t be trusted
~ Sasha Belmont (Tally’s boss) – an honest and true friend
~ Kimberley Powers (Linc’s Public Relations agent) – never holding back from telling how she really felt, but always had Linc’s best interest at heart
~ Charlie Masterson (Linc’s cousin and Marla’s ex-boyfriend) – a really nice guy, but afraid of commitment
This was an intriguingly intensive novel with outstanding character development. As the years passed, Tally and Linc realized what was most important in their future – how much they couldn’t live without the other. And, if they even stood a chance of being together, they had to take that first step towards commitment no matter what. The ending is superb! No cliffhanger...yay! Just a perfect ending to an amazing novel that I highly recommend!
“With a laugh and what feels like the truest intentions, I adroitly climb in the famous baseball player’s lap, hold his handsome face between my hands, and kiss him long, and hard. And we share this imprint-worthy moment at a seemingly cosmic level because this much is true – Being together is all we ever wanted.” (pg. 410)
Simply beautiful!
You know that a book is going to be fantastic, if the first scene has you crying! And, that’s exactly what author, Katherine Owen, displays to her readers in the opening pages of her fourth novel, This Much Is True. Ms. Owen fills the pages with sadness, drama, love, secrets and unexplicable angst with each and every emotional moment transcended within the constraints of her novel. The characters are likeable and believable even when time after time their heartache is evident with each missed opportunity for lies and secrets to be revealed. Such an agonizing, but yet moving, creation of prose!
Talia Landon has it all; a great family, a promising career, and a best friend that is like a sister. Her perfect life all comes crashing down on her when a horrific accident claims the life of her beloved sister, Holly. The family and surrounding community are devastated along with Holly’s boyfriend, Rob. Thankfully “Tally” is somehow rescued by a male stranger while bearing witness to Holly’s harrowing screams as she is consumed in the vehicle’s heartstopping explosion. Sometime after months of rehabilitation for Tally, as it is apparent that she was the driver during their unfortunate accident, she finally reaches deep inside herself to go on with her life along side best friend, Marla Stone, to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a ballerina in New York City. With only two days before leaving for “The Big Apple”, Marla bugs Tally to go to a college party to meet Marla’s former boyfriend’s cousin, who just happens to be this amazing pitcher for Stanford. Tally has no desire to go to the party especially when there’s only two days left until their New York departure, but when Marla pushes her to the limit, she decides “what the hell”. The party proves to be a hit when unsuspectantly all along she has been in the presence of the highly acclaimed pitcher, Lincoln Presley. But, her future is set and New York City now awaits Tally Landon, and she has no time, nor desire, to get involved in any sort of relationship.
There were so many storylines evident in this novel that the hero and heroine were up against. First, seemed to be their age difference. Then it seemed to be about their stellar careers; having that intense desire to be the best in their chosen livelihood and not settling for anything less. And, of course, most important, the accident that had claimed her twin sister. Unfortunately, Tally tells numerous lies. While Linc just skirts around the truth. In addition to her lies, Tally keeps many secrets as well, while Linc knows that his secrets will reveal themselves in due time. Their relationship is on and off because of their intense reason to believe in what’s best for everyone else – not necessarily themselves.
“Promises made.
Promises kept.
Promises broken.”
“We start out with such good intentions, and then life does the unexpected, and we’re reminded once again how things can change in an instant.” (pg 140)
Both main characters were wonderful! Tally was strong, courageous, beautiful and very talented. But, she was rough around the edges. Damaged. Broken by tragedy. Linc was protective, sweet, hard-working, and gorgeous. He didn’t have an easy life himself what with a tragic loss also in his past and also dealing with the pressure of being a great pitcher that his dad put on him. He was not only mindful of making his career just about himself, but also he was obligated to live up to the “Presley” family name. Both characters were manipulated by people looking to “cash in” on them, while seeming like they were trustworthy. They seemed to be so in love with each other, but their timing always seemed off along with Tally's ability to keep a mind-blowing secret that could have devastating ramifications for all. Will these two lovers infatuated with each other finally find themselves in each other’s arms forever? Or will they be destined to be apart permanently? I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out the answer.
The supporting cast of characters were just as fascinating as the two main ones. They were all entertaining with their attractively alluring personalities.
~ Allaire Trembley (Tally’s dance teacher) – the brash supreme schemer
~ Rob Thorn (Holly’s surviving boyfriend) – a highly successful, but yet, not honest person
~ Marla Stone (Tally’s best friend) – a supportive loyal friend who is also a ballerina
~ Nika Vostrikova (a friend of Linc’s) – a brazen flirtatious former classmate who can’t be trusted
~ Sasha Belmont (Tally’s boss) – an honest and true friend
~ Kimberley Powers (Linc’s Public Relations agent) – never holding back from telling how she really felt, but always had Linc’s best interest at heart
~ Charlie Masterson (Linc’s cousin and Marla’s ex-boyfriend) – a really nice guy, but afraid of commitment
This was an intriguingly intensive novel with outstanding character development. As the years passed, Tally and Linc realized what was most important in their future – how much they couldn’t live without the other. And, if they even stood a chance of being together, they had to take that first step towards commitment no matter what. The ending is superb! No cliffhanger...yay! Just a perfect ending to an amazing novel that I highly recommend!
“With a laugh and what feels like the truest intentions, I adroitly climb in the famous baseball player’s lap, hold his handsome face between my hands, and kiss him long, and hard. And we share this imprint-worthy moment at a seemingly cosmic level because this much is true – Being together is all we ever wanted.” (pg. 410)
Simply beautiful!
January 24, 2025
I enjoyed this story of Tally and Linc. A forbidden love that some might have a problem with but I thought it was pretty well done.
From the beginning, we watch Tally and Linc fight an attraction to one another but circumstances try to intervene. Shes very closed off and he’s a really sweet and open guy. But they both are going down paths that take them in different directions.
We will see more about that in the next book, I presume. A ballet dancer and a baseball player. I really like that and hope we get to see Tally in her zone.
All in all, this was a good start to this Star-crossed lovers story and I’m excited to see how everything unfolds in the next two books.
4/5⭐️
From the beginning, we watch Tally and Linc fight an attraction to one another but circumstances try to intervene. Shes very closed off and he’s a really sweet and open guy. But they both are going down paths that take them in different directions.
We will see more about that in the next book, I presume. A ballet dancer and a baseball player. I really like that and hope we get to see Tally in her zone.
All in all, this was a good start to this Star-crossed lovers story and I’m excited to see how everything unfolds in the next two books.
4/5⭐️
September 29, 2015
5+ Just ripped my heart out STARS
Katherine Owen, what did you set out to do? You squeezed my heart tight, ripped it out, stomped on it, then it would start to mend a smidgin' but then you would just put the actions on repeat!
Talk about an emotional ride holy crap. Tally Landon is a mess after a horrific event. She begins to spiral out of control and she doesn't even have her family to fall back on. Her dream to rise to fame as a ballerina is all she strives for. Nothing else matters. She's a one nighter if you know what I mean, at seventeen! Fantastic right?!
[image error]
Eventually her path crosses Lincoln Presley, a pitcher for Stanford Cardinal baseball team, and oh my vision of this guy, I don't care for sports but he could make me love baseball! Well that path took them straight to the bedroom.
This couple encounters so many obstacles it's heartbreaking to sit back and watch (read). I wanted to smack the shit out of Tally way too many times but I also had to take "things" into consideration.
[image error]
A few times I wanted to smack Lincoln but most of the time I just wanted to play ball. (did I mention I love him?) In fact, I'd play anything he wanted to.
[image error]
The lies, oh the lies I was yelling at my Kindle... mainly Tally, AGAIN! The both of them are living out their dreams worlds apart and Tally has continued to keep a secret, and I wanted to throw my Kindle! This book will Draw you in. Piss you off. Cause Ugly tears. Their is angst galore so if you don't like that. Stay away!
Katherine Owen. I LOVED IT! EXCELLENT STORY! and I regret nothing.
Katherine Owen, what did you set out to do? You squeezed my heart tight, ripped it out, stomped on it, then it would start to mend a smidgin' but then you would just put the actions on repeat!
Talk about an emotional ride holy crap. Tally Landon is a mess after a horrific event. She begins to spiral out of control and she doesn't even have her family to fall back on. Her dream to rise to fame as a ballerina is all she strives for. Nothing else matters. She's a one nighter if you know what I mean, at seventeen! Fantastic right?!
[image error]
Eventually her path crosses Lincoln Presley, a pitcher for Stanford Cardinal baseball team, and oh my vision of this guy, I don't care for sports but he could make me love baseball! Well that path took them straight to the bedroom.
This couple encounters so many obstacles it's heartbreaking to sit back and watch (read). I wanted to smack the shit out of Tally way too many times but I also had to take "things" into consideration.
[image error]
A few times I wanted to smack Lincoln but most of the time I just wanted to play ball. (did I mention I love him?) In fact, I'd play anything he wanted to.
[image error]
The lies, oh the lies I was yelling at my Kindle... mainly Tally, AGAIN! The both of them are living out their dreams worlds apart and Tally has continued to keep a secret, and I wanted to throw my Kindle! This book will Draw you in. Piss you off. Cause Ugly tears. Their is angst galore so if you don't like that. Stay away!
Katherine Owen. I LOVED IT! EXCELLENT STORY! and I regret nothing.
September 14, 2013
Wowza! Talk about full circle circumstances, and talk about this book. What a complete train wreck of gut wrenching emotions, missed communication and off the charts stubbornness. I am exhausted after finishing this book...I honestly was not sure it was going to end...I had an almost panic attack at 90% when there was no HEA in sight.
This book is the emotional ride of 17 yr old Tally who loses her "better half", her twin Holly, in a horrific accident. She is saved by a stranger who never forgets her. She is broken physically and mentally. As she heals from the outside she throws herself into her ballet hoping to catch a one way ticket to a new structured life. Enter her hero from the accident...Lincoln Presley, an all star baseball player. They have amazing chemistry and a lot of common ground, but their time spent together from a chance meeting at a party is based on lies....Tally says she is "Holly" and in college.
So let the games begin...Tally has set the precedent. She is not good, she is not trustworthy, and she lies, all her defense mechanism against being left. The 22 yr old Lincoln is amazingly sweet and patient, but his life is directed by his career and a manager who will not allow him to be with a "17 yr old girl" no matter how much he claims to love her.
These two spend 3 years in true heartache. They never forget one another, but never reconnect. Both have experienced success in their careers, but at what cost? Linc has no backbone and Tally has no self respect. Ugh, when will these two get their shit together?
There are a lot of secondary characters and each one is important, playing a role in Linc and Tally's tragic love story. There are quite a few omg shocking moments and a whole hell of a lot of tears that fell. I honestly cant get into a deep review without giving anything away. You will have to read at your heart's own risk. Warning, Be prepared for severe angst! This is long, it is one tragedy after another, and a lot of frustrating situations but that is what fiction is all about!
This book is the emotional ride of 17 yr old Tally who loses her "better half", her twin Holly, in a horrific accident. She is saved by a stranger who never forgets her. She is broken physically and mentally. As she heals from the outside she throws herself into her ballet hoping to catch a one way ticket to a new structured life. Enter her hero from the accident...Lincoln Presley, an all star baseball player. They have amazing chemistry and a lot of common ground, but their time spent together from a chance meeting at a party is based on lies....Tally says she is "Holly" and in college.
So let the games begin...Tally has set the precedent. She is not good, she is not trustworthy, and she lies, all her defense mechanism against being left. The 22 yr old Lincoln is amazingly sweet and patient, but his life is directed by his career and a manager who will not allow him to be with a "17 yr old girl" no matter how much he claims to love her.
These two spend 3 years in true heartache. They never forget one another, but never reconnect. Both have experienced success in their careers, but at what cost? Linc has no backbone and Tally has no self respect. Ugh, when will these two get their shit together?
There are a lot of secondary characters and each one is important, playing a role in Linc and Tally's tragic love story. There are quite a few omg shocking moments and a whole hell of a lot of tears that fell. I honestly cant get into a deep review without giving anything away. You will have to read at your heart's own risk. Warning, Be prepared for severe angst! This is long, it is one tragedy after another, and a lot of frustrating situations but that is what fiction is all about!
August 10, 2014
4 WTF did I just read stars!
WOW.
WOW. WOW. WOW.
Hmm, still in a bit of emotional turmoil just thinking about this book. Not to sure if its a good thing or a bad thing.
Let's see where this goes.
So right of the bat, about 3% in, we're hit with our first blow in this novel. BAM!
Then by graduation we get our second blow BAM BAM
Then by the end of the year we're hit again BAM.
Then in early February we're crushed again. BOOM
a year or so goes by ...
Then at an event were crushed again. POW
then we're traveling …
and OMG WOW WTF did I just read, and SHE TOLD
and we're back …
But wait we're told something from a bartender. HEART BREAKING
were traveling again …
WHOA power to you, but still not enough
come back, some more months pass …
YOU"VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME happens (kinda happy tho)
some more months pass and we're moving …
THEN BAM!
THE END
Did you get that?
Cause that's the best summary I can give, without giving anything away.
Awesome writing, incredibly long. Like WOW long, and seriously its emotionally taxing,
YOU"VE BEEN WARNED.
So much happens, almost too much
LIke how much can go wrong before you start doubting everything.
Still wow.
This book needs undivided time, and a bottle of wine while reading.
And a second one in the making?!
maybe busting out the vodka for that one!
Definitely reccommend
WOW.
WOW. WOW. WOW.
Hmm, still in a bit of emotional turmoil just thinking about this book. Not to sure if its a good thing or a bad thing.
Let's see where this goes.
So right of the bat, about 3% in, we're hit with our first blow in this novel. BAM!
Then by graduation we get our second blow BAM BAM
Then by the end of the year we're hit again BAM.
Then in early February we're crushed again. BOOM
a year or so goes by ...
Then at an event were crushed again. POW
then we're traveling …
and OMG WOW WTF did I just read, and SHE TOLD
and we're back …
But wait we're told something from a bartender. HEART BREAKING
were traveling again …
WHOA power to you, but still not enough
come back, some more months pass …
YOU"VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME happens (kinda happy tho)
some more months pass and we're moving …
THEN BAM!
THE END
Did you get that?
Cause that's the best summary I can give, without giving anything away.
Awesome writing, incredibly long. Like WOW long, and seriously its emotionally taxing,
YOU"VE BEEN WARNED.
So much happens, almost too much
LIke how much can go wrong before you start doubting everything.
Still wow.
This book needs undivided time, and a bottle of wine while reading.
And a second one in the making?!
maybe busting out the vodka for that one!
Definitely reccommend
September 4, 2013
ARC provided by Netgalley.
Wow this book was such an emotional roller coaster i dont know where to begin. It was a heart wrenching beautiful book.
Tally was a twin until tragedy struck on valentines day and her sister was taken from her in front of her eyes, but that night someone saved her someone she called "Elvis", but she doesn't want to think about that night at all, its been hard to move on so she has basically closed off the world and focused only on dancing. Tallys pain is always very Raw in this book after all she didn't just see her sister die it was her twin and they were very very close. When Marla her best friends convinces her to go to a college party, there she meets Lincoln Presley, Stanfords famous baseball wonder, when she meets him she lies about her age and also her name., trying to escape her reality. When Lincoln sees the girls from valentines day he instantly wants to know her, but she doesn't know that it was him that saved her that night. When they start to spend time together the connection begins but things are never that easy. This book begins with Tally being 17 and Lincoln 22, it progresses through the years and let me tell you its not an easy ride.Even though it is obvious from the start that they are meant to be they have to overcome so many things to get to a happy ending but will they even get to happy ending?? well read it to find out trust me its worth every tear you shed.
I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE. BE PREPARED TO BE TAKEN ON A LONG EMOTIONAL RIDE..
Wow this book was such an emotional roller coaster i dont know where to begin. It was a heart wrenching beautiful book.
Tally was a twin until tragedy struck on valentines day and her sister was taken from her in front of her eyes, but that night someone saved her someone she called "Elvis", but she doesn't want to think about that night at all, its been hard to move on so she has basically closed off the world and focused only on dancing. Tallys pain is always very Raw in this book after all she didn't just see her sister die it was her twin and they were very very close. When Marla her best friends convinces her to go to a college party, there she meets Lincoln Presley, Stanfords famous baseball wonder, when she meets him she lies about her age and also her name., trying to escape her reality. When Lincoln sees the girls from valentines day he instantly wants to know her, but she doesn't know that it was him that saved her that night. When they start to spend time together the connection begins but things are never that easy. This book begins with Tally being 17 and Lincoln 22, it progresses through the years and let me tell you its not an easy ride.Even though it is obvious from the start that they are meant to be they have to overcome so many things to get to a happy ending but will they even get to happy ending?? well read it to find out trust me its worth every tear you shed.
I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE. BE PREPARED TO BE TAKEN ON A LONG EMOTIONAL RIDE..
September 10, 2013
Gah! This book!
It all starts with a devastating accident, a meeting that seals two fates for years to come. He saves her, but she won't remember him... Not really anyways. He searches for her but never learns her name, setting up the lies that will form their future. This book is all about lies, the ones we tell others, the ones we tell ourselves to get by, the ones we tell because we think we are protecting someone......and the ones we tell because frankly, it's just easier. But lies have repercussions. I could not breathe thru most of this book... It was killing me. You will not know how it was going to go until the very end..... And you will be left breathless. I seriously had a pit in my stomachs until the Very. Last. Page.
Easily one of the best books I have read this year!!
It all starts with a devastating accident, a meeting that seals two fates for years to come. He saves her, but she won't remember him... Not really anyways. He searches for her but never learns her name, setting up the lies that will form their future. This book is all about lies, the ones we tell others, the ones we tell ourselves to get by, the ones we tell because we think we are protecting someone......and the ones we tell because frankly, it's just easier. But lies have repercussions. I could not breathe thru most of this book... It was killing me. You will not know how it was going to go until the very end..... And you will be left breathless. I seriously had a pit in my stomachs until the Very. Last. Page.
Easily one of the best books I have read this year!!
March 17, 2015
The first half was good but the rest were a mess of things and incongruent facts.
October 2, 2013
GAAAHHHH this book was frustrating, angsty, tragic, and not your typical romance.
During this whole book, I just shook my head and screamed and needed a bottle of wine after I was at the end!
My poor, poor family had to suffer.
I am pretty sure they wanted to disown me because I was walking around like a raging bitch.. its ok I can fully admit my bitchdom.
My husband thought I was possessed..
I totally was babe, Katherine Owen stole my soul (bitch ;))..
Ok So where do I begin with this book.. Maybe the beginning.. we might be here for a while so hold on, this might be a long one...
While reading this, I just kept thinking about words. Lots of words. Lots of sentences. Lots of paragraphs. Lots of feelings. Lots of constant internal monologues. LOTS (is lots a word? ok maybe I should say A LOT) of everything but with all of these LOTS I was still left feeling a little bereft at the end.
The ending and the constant internal monologues were the only two things I did not like about this book and here is why..
This book was HEAVY, was ANGSTY, and was NOT your typical love story, oh no she puts a warning on her books for a REASON.. Do not let your ego trick you into thinking you will be FINE while reading this because YOU WON'T.
After reading through all the angst, I get to the end, I'm bloody, bruised and not the same person I was when I started it (remember:RAGING BITCH?), and it kind of just ENDS.. As a reader, I got what I wanted but I was left saying, ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME, AFTER ALL WE BEEN THROUGH, YOU END THIS LIKE THAT??? FUUUUCCCKKKK!!
(raging BITCH??)
I need an epilogue I need to know what happens next, TELL ME!!
(*If you have not read this book yet LOOK AWAY RIGHT NOW AND SKIP FURTHER DOWN.. Did Tally's family love Cara? Did Tally make amends with her family? Did Rob break up with that whore? Did Cara ever talk again?? Did Tally seek counseling??Was Tally able to have more babies? GIVE ME SOMETHING!!)
*
*
*
*
*
Ok you may now look.. onto internal monologues...
I love internal monologues but when they are saying pretty much the same thing over and over, it gets a little redundant. I found myself skipping paragraphs because I felt like I just read that and I knew how Tally was feeling, I was feeling it too, so I didn't want it explained to me, again.
Moving on to the GOOD shit
Just because I was a raging bitch, it didn't mean I didn't love this story. It hooked me from the beginning with the opening scene because it was a dozy.
Imagine having to watch your TWIN sister die right next to you and you are able to walk away but unable to save her? Can you imagine it?
Neither could I, it was too painful to even think about but thats what Tally had to live through
She became a different person after that, she was edgier, closed off, scared of losing anyone else. She wants to run away, she thinks running away will let her escape the reality of her life but all that does is cause more pain and does not help her heal.
She needs therapy she needs to DEAL with the pain, it wasn't healthy to keep it buried.
Before her and her best friend, Marla leave for NY, they hit up a party where she meets Linc (for a second time). What she doesn't realize is Linc was there that night of the accident, where her sister died. He was the one to carry her away from the car engulfed in flames before it completely exploded. He was a regular knight in shiny armor.
She doesn't remember him and Linc doesn't tell her either.
But she feels this inexplicable connection to him like they share the same soul. They definitely have similar pasts and they are drawn to one another.
But Fate, see Fate can be the best thing and the worst. She decides to fuck them up some, they have to work hard to be together.. its like they can ALMOST reach one another but can't quite get there... It isn't easy..
Can they get past all the obstacles to get to their happily ever after??
Well, that you have to read and find out for yourself!
So many lies, so much emotion, so much goes wrong in this story and I was so frustrated and annoyed and eagerly turning the pages to figure out what is going to happen (or should I say go wrong) next??
I seriously needed to find my happy place after reading this, I wanted to curl up in a ball and just throw in the towel a few times but I kept with it and I came out on the other side a raging bitch but at least I enjoyed that emotional roller coaster I was put on.
Yeah, I am a masochist.
The story was told amazingly, I didn't want to put it down (ok a few times I did because I couldn't handle much more of it), the characters were well developed and you got a good sense of each character and what type of person they were.
The concept/theme was a little dark and heartbreaking but it was raw and I could BELIEVE what I was reading. It could happen in real life, especially since the main character was so young when all of this happened. She had to deal with adult situations when she wasn't quite an adult herself.
There were some minor errors but it wasn't a big deal (I am not a grammar or spelling nazi so it didn't bother me) no steamy hot sex scenes but the author gives you enough of everything else...
Overall, this book gets 4stars and I recommend it to anyone who likes unconventional love stories with A LOT of angst, gut punching pain, but some sweet/swoon moments to help break up all the craziness!
Great Job on this novel, Katherine Owen, I probably can't read another one of your books for a while but I am definitely looking forward to it when I can get out of this book hangover.
During this whole book, I just shook my head and screamed and needed a bottle of wine after I was at the end!
My poor, poor family had to suffer.
I am pretty sure they wanted to disown me because I was walking around like a raging bitch.. its ok I can fully admit my bitchdom.
My husband thought I was possessed..
I totally was babe, Katherine Owen stole my soul (bitch ;))..
Ok So where do I begin with this book.. Maybe the beginning.. we might be here for a while so hold on, this might be a long one...
While reading this, I just kept thinking about words. Lots of words. Lots of sentences. Lots of paragraphs. Lots of feelings. Lots of constant internal monologues. LOTS (is lots a word? ok maybe I should say A LOT) of everything but with all of these LOTS I was still left feeling a little bereft at the end.
The ending and the constant internal monologues were the only two things I did not like about this book and here is why..
This book was HEAVY, was ANGSTY, and was NOT your typical love story, oh no she puts a warning on her books for a REASON.. Do not let your ego trick you into thinking you will be FINE while reading this because YOU WON'T.
After reading through all the angst, I get to the end, I'm bloody, bruised and not the same person I was when I started it (remember:RAGING BITCH?), and it kind of just ENDS.. As a reader, I got what I wanted but I was left saying, ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME, AFTER ALL WE BEEN THROUGH, YOU END THIS LIKE THAT??? FUUUUCCCKKKK!!
(raging BITCH??)
I need an epilogue I need to know what happens next, TELL ME!!
(*If you have not read this book yet LOOK AWAY RIGHT NOW AND SKIP FURTHER DOWN.. Did Tally's family love Cara? Did Tally make amends with her family? Did Rob break up with that whore? Did Cara ever talk again?? Did Tally seek counseling??Was Tally able to have more babies? GIVE ME SOMETHING!!)
*
*
*
*
*
Ok you may now look.. onto internal monologues...
I love internal monologues but when they are saying pretty much the same thing over and over, it gets a little redundant. I found myself skipping paragraphs because I felt like I just read that and I knew how Tally was feeling, I was feeling it too, so I didn't want it explained to me, again.
Moving on to the GOOD shit
Just because I was a raging bitch, it didn't mean I didn't love this story. It hooked me from the beginning with the opening scene because it was a dozy.
Imagine having to watch your TWIN sister die right next to you and you are able to walk away but unable to save her? Can you imagine it?
Neither could I, it was too painful to even think about but thats what Tally had to live through
She became a different person after that, she was edgier, closed off, scared of losing anyone else. She wants to run away, she thinks running away will let her escape the reality of her life but all that does is cause more pain and does not help her heal.
She needs therapy she needs to DEAL with the pain, it wasn't healthy to keep it buried.
Before her and her best friend, Marla leave for NY, they hit up a party where she meets Linc (for a second time). What she doesn't realize is Linc was there that night of the accident, where her sister died. He was the one to carry her away from the car engulfed in flames before it completely exploded. He was a regular knight in shiny armor.
She doesn't remember him and Linc doesn't tell her either.
But she feels this inexplicable connection to him like they share the same soul. They definitely have similar pasts and they are drawn to one another.
But Fate, see Fate can be the best thing and the worst. She decides to fuck them up some, they have to work hard to be together.. its like they can ALMOST reach one another but can't quite get there... It isn't easy..
Can they get past all the obstacles to get to their happily ever after??
Well, that you have to read and find out for yourself!
So many lies, so much emotion, so much goes wrong in this story and I was so frustrated and annoyed and eagerly turning the pages to figure out what is going to happen (or should I say go wrong) next??
I seriously needed to find my happy place after reading this, I wanted to curl up in a ball and just throw in the towel a few times but I kept with it and I came out on the other side a raging bitch but at least I enjoyed that emotional roller coaster I was put on.
Yeah, I am a masochist.
The story was told amazingly, I didn't want to put it down (ok a few times I did because I couldn't handle much more of it), the characters were well developed and you got a good sense of each character and what type of person they were.
The concept/theme was a little dark and heartbreaking but it was raw and I could BELIEVE what I was reading. It could happen in real life, especially since the main character was so young when all of this happened. She had to deal with adult situations when she wasn't quite an adult herself.
There were some minor errors but it wasn't a big deal (I am not a grammar or spelling nazi so it didn't bother me) no steamy hot sex scenes but the author gives you enough of everything else...
Overall, this book gets 4stars and I recommend it to anyone who likes unconventional love stories with A LOT of angst, gut punching pain, but some sweet/swoon moments to help break up all the craziness!
Great Job on this novel, Katherine Owen, I probably can't read another one of your books for a while but I am definitely looking forward to it when I can get out of this book hangover.
February 12, 2014
4.5 stars
First things first... DON'T judge this book by its cover! The cover is pretty. The story inside is not.
This book is brilliant and unforgettable! This is the exact type of book I'm always searching for with little luck. I like stories where the relationships and characters are real, and they really have to work for it. I like things to get messy and I like my heart to hurt a little. Overall, I really just want to feel the story.
This story is essentially about two very broken and damaged people who find each other during an inconvenient time in their lives, sacrifice their relationship, and then face every obstacle imaginable on their way back to one another. It's raw and real. There are no rainbows or unicorns. There is only life and sometimes life is ugly.
This book reminded me of a mix between a twisted version of Sweet Valley High and Tarryn Fisher's Love Me With Lies series... weird combo, huh? Those who know me know that any comparison to the Love Me With Lies series is a huge compliment from me and one I don't take lightly. I don't even allow other books to touch this series on my bookshelf because I deem no other books worthy. This book is the closest I have found to my beloved series/obsession.
When you open this book, the first thing you are going to notice is that it is long. I groaned a bit when seeing the length. I immediately made the assumption that there was going to be many mind-numbing details that weren't needed (probably similar to this review, ha). I was wrong. Katherine Owen did something that I'm always wishing authors would do. She basically took a trilogy, took out the unneeded cliffhangers and waiting and made it one book.
Often times with books (long or short), I get bored easily and skim because I feel like I've read it all and am not easily surprised. With this book I can honestly say I did NOT skim.. not even one word. I was completely immersed in this story. I was emotionally attached to the characters and the outcome of this book. Aspects of the book were predictable at times, but overall the book was not predictable. Many times during this read I went back and forth wondering if we would get a happy ending or not. There were plenty of times that it seemed that there was no way these two could get a happy ending... at least not with each other, yet there were just as many times when it felt that it was fated for them to end up together.
The characters (all of them) in this book were fantastic. They were flawed, dark, and edgy. I loved them! They took the wrong paths and made mistakes and didn't always learn from them. Our main two characters, Linc and Tally, have not had perfect lives. The only thing that has really defined them is baseball and ballet. They both excel at their talent and as fame enters the picture they sacrifice themselves and each other to follow their passion.
Now, after all my gushing, I will say this book is not without flaws (name a book that isn't), but to be fair I will mention them. There are some editing issues with repetition and incorrect word usage that occasionally disrupts the flow, but in no way would I consider it a mess. There is also insta-love as well as cliches such as "convenient" coincidences as far as the plot was concerned and a serious lack of communication . I'm pretty vocal about not liking insta-love, but the author somehow made it work for me. As far as the "convenient" coincidences, they were usually in the readers favor so I can't really complain. Overall, when it came down to it, the story was so powerful that the above things really didn't hold much weight with me.
This is definitely a must read.. This Much Is True! (yeah I went there)
First things first... DON'T judge this book by its cover! The cover is pretty. The story inside is not.
This book is brilliant and unforgettable! This is the exact type of book I'm always searching for with little luck. I like stories where the relationships and characters are real, and they really have to work for it. I like things to get messy and I like my heart to hurt a little. Overall, I really just want to feel the story.
This story is essentially about two very broken and damaged people who find each other during an inconvenient time in their lives, sacrifice their relationship, and then face every obstacle imaginable on their way back to one another. It's raw and real. There are no rainbows or unicorns. There is only life and sometimes life is ugly.
This book reminded me of a mix between a twisted version of Sweet Valley High and Tarryn Fisher's Love Me With Lies series... weird combo, huh? Those who know me know that any comparison to the Love Me With Lies series is a huge compliment from me and one I don't take lightly. I don't even allow other books to touch this series on my bookshelf because I deem no other books worthy. This book is the closest I have found to my beloved series/obsession.
When you open this book, the first thing you are going to notice is that it is long. I groaned a bit when seeing the length. I immediately made the assumption that there was going to be many mind-numbing details that weren't needed (probably similar to this review, ha). I was wrong. Katherine Owen did something that I'm always wishing authors would do. She basically took a trilogy, took out the unneeded cliffhangers and waiting and made it one book.
Often times with books (long or short), I get bored easily and skim because I feel like I've read it all and am not easily surprised. With this book I can honestly say I did NOT skim.. not even one word. I was completely immersed in this story. I was emotionally attached to the characters and the outcome of this book. Aspects of the book were predictable at times, but overall the book was not predictable. Many times during this read I went back and forth wondering if we would get a happy ending or not. There were plenty of times that it seemed that there was no way these two could get a happy ending... at least not with each other, yet there were just as many times when it felt that it was fated for them to end up together.
The characters (all of them) in this book were fantastic. They were flawed, dark, and edgy. I loved them! They took the wrong paths and made mistakes and didn't always learn from them. Our main two characters, Linc and Tally, have not had perfect lives. The only thing that has really defined them is baseball and ballet. They both excel at their talent and as fame enters the picture they sacrifice themselves and each other to follow their passion.
Now, after all my gushing, I will say this book is not without flaws (name a book that isn't), but to be fair I will mention them. There are some editing issues with repetition and incorrect word usage that occasionally disrupts the flow, but in no way would I consider it a mess. There is also insta-love as well as cliches such as "convenient" coincidences as far as the plot was concerned and a serious lack of communication . I'm pretty vocal about not liking insta-love, but the author somehow made it work for me. As far as the "convenient" coincidences, they were usually in the readers favor so I can't really complain. Overall, when it came down to it, the story was so powerful that the above things really didn't hold much weight with me.
This is definitely a must read.. This Much Is True! (yeah I went there)
September 12, 2013
I received this book on NetGalley. I was intrigued by the blurb, it seemed just my kind of read.
"You can't really hear heartbreak. It is remarkably silent but excruciating all the same."
2 words can sum this up for me. Blown.Away. This much is true.
Right from the start, this book dives in. There's so much grief, emotion, tragedy, hurt, unrequited love. This book makes you FEEL. It makes you want to hug your kindle, throw your kindle and at times maybe just get up and take a minute.
We meet Tally Landon, blunt, beautiful, up and coming ballet star - I just loved her from the start. We meet her right away through tragedy involving a car accident and loss. Deep loss.
"I might add - just know that telling me that Holly lives on in our hearts doesn't resonate as true with me because, in my heart, I can't feel anything. There's nothing there. It's empty. I'm empty."
We meet Lincoln Presley, understated, handsome up and coming baseball star who saves Tally the night of the accident.
For him, it's instant love. He searches 3 hospitals to find her, he's unable to see her because he is not family. She's the girl he can't get off his mind, the one that got away. For Tally, there's no recollection of him.
After the loss, Tally's family crumbles including her. She walks through life numbly, graduating high school, still intent on being the best at ballet that she could ever be.
By some twist of fate, Tally and Linc meet up at a party right after graduation. There's an immediate attraction (though she doesn't know who he is and he doesn't tell her that he knows her and has been desperate to find her). They share a night full of passion, lust, and tons of chemistry, they have a lot in common but Tally immediatly starts them off on a lie. And then one lie becomes two, then three and so on...
Now, I've read books where you go through it and you are like come on already, how much can one person go through. But never and I mean NEVER did that happen with me even once with this book. I felt like the author did a phenomenal job with the timeline and plot. I never once felt like it was too far fetched. These things do happen in real life and I for one believe in fate.
To sum up the book as I feel this is just too good of a book to give away spoilers, Tally's lies, become so big it's hard to find a way out of them, and then there's Linc's lies. How will they ever find a way to each other when they are unable to untangle the web of lies and when there are so many involved who could get hurt? Can love conquer all?
Read this book. You will not be disappointed. This much is true.
"You can't really hear heartbreak. It is remarkably silent but excruciating all the same."
2 words can sum this up for me. Blown.Away. This much is true.
Right from the start, this book dives in. There's so much grief, emotion, tragedy, hurt, unrequited love. This book makes you FEEL. It makes you want to hug your kindle, throw your kindle and at times maybe just get up and take a minute.
We meet Tally Landon, blunt, beautiful, up and coming ballet star - I just loved her from the start. We meet her right away through tragedy involving a car accident and loss. Deep loss.
"I might add - just know that telling me that Holly lives on in our hearts doesn't resonate as true with me because, in my heart, I can't feel anything. There's nothing there. It's empty. I'm empty."
We meet Lincoln Presley, understated, handsome up and coming baseball star who saves Tally the night of the accident.
For him, it's instant love. He searches 3 hospitals to find her, he's unable to see her because he is not family. She's the girl he can't get off his mind, the one that got away. For Tally, there's no recollection of him.
After the loss, Tally's family crumbles including her. She walks through life numbly, graduating high school, still intent on being the best at ballet that she could ever be.
By some twist of fate, Tally and Linc meet up at a party right after graduation. There's an immediate attraction (though she doesn't know who he is and he doesn't tell her that he knows her and has been desperate to find her). They share a night full of passion, lust, and tons of chemistry, they have a lot in common but Tally immediatly starts them off on a lie. And then one lie becomes two, then three and so on...
Now, I've read books where you go through it and you are like come on already, how much can one person go through. But never and I mean NEVER did that happen with me even once with this book. I felt like the author did a phenomenal job with the timeline and plot. I never once felt like it was too far fetched. These things do happen in real life and I for one believe in fate.
To sum up the book as I feel this is just too good of a book to give away spoilers, Tally's lies, become so big it's hard to find a way out of them, and then there's Linc's lies. How will they ever find a way to each other when they are unable to untangle the web of lies and when there are so many involved who could get hurt? Can love conquer all?
Read this book. You will not be disappointed. This much is true.
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