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Calculated Regrets
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There's a fine line between social and sociopath.
26-year-old Alex Aberdeen has a few small issues: lying, cheating, manipulating, homewrecking, blackmailing, extorting, meddling and generally lacks the ability to control her impulses. Oh, and she loves to drink.
Alex’s unique skills are put to the test when an old flame crosses paths with her work-in-progress life, which casually involves destroying her boss’ life and maliciously competing with the overachieving ‘new girl.’ Everyone’s about to learn just how far she’s willing to go in the name of sabotage.
Calculated Regrets is the fascinating journey into the head of a brilliant disaster waiting to happen.
There's a fine line between social and sociopath.
26-year-old Alex Aberdeen has a few small issues: lying, cheating, manipulating, homewrecking, blackmailing, extorting, meddling and generally lacks the ability to control her impulses. Oh, and she loves to drink.
Alex’s unique skills are put to the test when an old flame crosses paths with her work-in-progress life, which casually involves destroying her boss’ life and maliciously competing with the overachieving ‘new girl.’ Everyone’s about to learn just how far she’s willing to go in the name of sabotage.
Calculated Regrets is the fascinating journey into the head of a brilliant disaster waiting to happen.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2015
352 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Jast
5 books35 followersThomas Jast is a Canadian writer that takes the world around us and turns it into something more. A darker, funnier, more colourful version of reality where nothing is quite what it seems. His eclectic collection of characters always feel like people you already know... and those you wish you had never met! With a unique approach to narrative techniques and dialogue that jumps off the page, Jast's books will never be confused for someone else's.
His primary genres are split between pop-culture-soaked comedic dramas and women's fiction with a splash of dark humour.
His primary genres are split between pop-culture-soaked comedic dramas and women's fiction with a splash of dark humour.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 30, 2015
Where do you draw the line between social and sociopath?
That’s exactly what author, Thomas Jast, takes a look at in his fantastic (and often-times hilarious!) novel, Calculated Regrets! Thinking, “hey, I love psychology!” I couldn’t wait to dig into this book after being contacted to review it. What I wasn’t prepared for though, was to become to attached to the characters that by the end I felt like I could jump in and save the day myself.
That’s half the fun of reading, right?
Main character Alex Aberdeen, a spunky girl working in HR finds herself with enough “beef” on her coworkers to basically have them in the palm of her hand. Does she use this power for good? Does she use it to get what she wants? I promise, you’ll be so anxious to find out what she does that you won’t be able to put this book down. Lying, cheating, manipulating, home wrecking, blackmailing, extorting, meddling…yep, this one has it all.
But what happens when emotions get involved? That’s where things really get interesting. We have all, at some point in our life, been faced with the urge to sabotage or get back at something, but most likely didn’t follow through on those feelings. Grab on and see what happens when you take things maybe a bit TOO far to get back at those you once thought were friends.
It’s up to you to decide – where do you draw that line between social and sociopath?
This book is wonderfully written and is the perfect read for anyone looking for an easy, fast-paced page turner. I promise, you will only be disappointed that it had to come to an end so soon!
That’s exactly what author, Thomas Jast, takes a look at in his fantastic (and often-times hilarious!) novel, Calculated Regrets! Thinking, “hey, I love psychology!” I couldn’t wait to dig into this book after being contacted to review it. What I wasn’t prepared for though, was to become to attached to the characters that by the end I felt like I could jump in and save the day myself.
That’s half the fun of reading, right?
Main character Alex Aberdeen, a spunky girl working in HR finds herself with enough “beef” on her coworkers to basically have them in the palm of her hand. Does she use this power for good? Does she use it to get what she wants? I promise, you’ll be so anxious to find out what she does that you won’t be able to put this book down. Lying, cheating, manipulating, home wrecking, blackmailing, extorting, meddling…yep, this one has it all.
But what happens when emotions get involved? That’s where things really get interesting. We have all, at some point in our life, been faced with the urge to sabotage or get back at something, but most likely didn’t follow through on those feelings. Grab on and see what happens when you take things maybe a bit TOO far to get back at those you once thought were friends.
It’s up to you to decide – where do you draw that line between social and sociopath?
This book is wonderfully written and is the perfect read for anyone looking for an easy, fast-paced page turner. I promise, you will only be disappointed that it had to come to an end so soon!
February 3, 2016
So, poor Alex Aberdeen. She's in HR which explains a lot. You have to feel sorry for her just for that. She gives you lots of reasons to dislike her, but she's funnier than hell. She's heartbreakingly vile and you want to bitch-slap her and give her a hug at the same time. Calculated Regrets was well written and a quick read. I laughed out loud at a lot of different sections and even had someone at my work ask to borrow it because I was laughing so hard. I would definitely recommend it to others. And I think she would make a good workout buddy. You couldn't slack off with her around.
September 6, 2016
I wasn't sure what to think when I started this book, but I loved the book and every crazy aspect of Alex Aberdeen by the end of it. Alex Aberdeen is one of the first characters I have ever felt guilty for liking and rooting for (she truly is despicable in all of her sociopathic ways) while simultaneously wanting to punch her in the face. The only negative thing I can say is some of her traits are almost hyperbolic (mainly because the portrayal of alcoholism was unrealistic), but this is a fantastic debut novel. I can't wait to see what is next from Mr. Thomas Jast.
July 9, 2016
A well written book and a page turner. As in all suspense books, the moment that you find out what happened then you feel a bit disappointed because it's over. An aspiring writer that I think will bring great new books to this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2020
Jast's "Calculated Regrets" is thrilling, humorous, and simply a treat to read. Once I began the story, I was immediately captured by Alex Aberdeen's character. So volatile, cynical and selfish... yet somehow relatable? The relationship dynamics in this novel are also refreshing - I think it's that Alex's enigmatic personality draws the best and worst out of her peers.
In short reading breaks from the book, you still continue to think about the plot and its sudden changes in pace. Upon finishing the book, I still find myself thinking about Alex's intriguing character. I recommend this to anybody who is looking for an enthralling story to immerse themselves in.
In short reading breaks from the book, you still continue to think about the plot and its sudden changes in pace. Upon finishing the book, I still find myself thinking about Alex's intriguing character. I recommend this to anybody who is looking for an enthralling story to immerse themselves in.
October 15, 2017
26-year-old Alex Aberdeen has a few small issues: lying, cheating, manipulating, homewrecking, blackmailing, extorting, meddling and generally lacks the ability to control her impulses. Oh, and she loves to drink. In short, a pretty interesting lead for a fun little book :-)
To me, Calculated Regrets is a fascinating journey into the head of a brilliant disaster waiting to happen. Definitely worth reading.
To me, Calculated Regrets is a fascinating journey into the head of a brilliant disaster waiting to happen. Definitely worth reading.
May 26, 2016
This is a brilliant piece of fiction. The main character is so incredibly screwed up, I seriously started to worry about the author. This kind of insanity cannot possibly flow from a stable mind. The humor in this book is incredibly smart and low-key. A couple examples:
"...beach dates always mean something serious. Well, at least in Canada they do."
"The way they put mayo above and below the lettuce was a stroke of genius. It would probably lead to a stroke, too, but that was a medical concern and not a culinary one."
What I hope you get from those are that we spend the entire book inside the head of someone whose perception of the world around her is decidedly off. At one point I started to wonder if she was autism spectrum.
She's the sociopathic chick from Gone Girl, with the self control of Frank from Shameless, working in The Office.
The plot of the book is irrelevant. It doesn't really matter what happens. You just want to spend time rooting around in the heroine's crazy brain and see what bizarre thing she'll do next. It was tremendous fun, and as soon as I'm done posting this review, I'm buying the sequel.
"...beach dates always mean something serious. Well, at least in Canada they do."
"The way they put mayo above and below the lettuce was a stroke of genius. It would probably lead to a stroke, too, but that was a medical concern and not a culinary one."
What I hope you get from those are that we spend the entire book inside the head of someone whose perception of the world around her is decidedly off. At one point I started to wonder if she was autism spectrum.
She's the sociopathic chick from Gone Girl, with the self control of Frank from Shameless, working in The Office.
The plot of the book is irrelevant. It doesn't really matter what happens. You just want to spend time rooting around in the heroine's crazy brain and see what bizarre thing she'll do next. It was tremendous fun, and as soon as I'm done posting this review, I'm buying the sequel.
January 5, 2016
Calculated Regrets is the story of Alex Aberdeen, a pretty, 26 yr old who doesn't relate well with people but who chooses to go into human resources. It is a yo-yo relationship with this character throughout the book. In fact, you can say that for just about all of the characters. At first you like Alex, then you hate her and think she is insane. Then you find yourself liking her again. Alex's boss Liz is such a mean bitch but then you feel for her also. Her co-worker Kaylee is a character that you find endearing. She's just an all around nice person, who befriends Alex, but does she have another motive. Then there is Tom, who is the catalyst as to what happens in this story. Can Alex trust her heart to him?
Calculated Regrets is a fast moving read that will leave the reader breathless from the emotional roller coaster they just got off. I found myself laughing out loud at some parts and feeling angry at others. I found myself wondering what Alex was doing now?
Do yourself a favor and read Calculated Regrets by Thomas Jast. You won't be disappointed and you'll be thankful I recommended it to you!
Calculated Regrets is a fast moving read that will leave the reader breathless from the emotional roller coaster they just got off. I found myself laughing out loud at some parts and feeling angry at others. I found myself wondering what Alex was doing now?
Do yourself a favor and read Calculated Regrets by Thomas Jast. You won't be disappointed and you'll be thankful I recommended it to you!
January 31, 2016
Alex Aberdeen. She's not your typical 26 year old, but she is exactly what you would expect to find in a psychology student's case study.
So, what happens when a precocious, bordering on psycho, scary-brilliant girl lands herself a job in HR? She wreaks havoc on all the lives around her, obviously.
Thomas Jast tells the story in such a way that you will not be able to put it down. It's his unique mastery of storytelling that will have you rooting for all the awful things Alex has in store.
The book is a delight to read, the plot thickens at an amazing pace, and culminates in a way that will have you on the edge of your seat!
So, what happens when a precocious, bordering on psycho, scary-brilliant girl lands herself a job in HR? She wreaks havoc on all the lives around her, obviously.
Thomas Jast tells the story in such a way that you will not be able to put it down. It's his unique mastery of storytelling that will have you rooting for all the awful things Alex has in store.
The book is a delight to read, the plot thickens at an amazing pace, and culminates in a way that will have you on the edge of your seat!
January 6, 2016
What a rush!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews