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Rumor Has It #4
Through the Layers
Second chances are for suckers.
Micah’s heard that expression before. With his first year of college in the books, catching his girlfriend cheating on him — again — he learns that lesson firsthand. The girl he thought could’ve been his high school sweetheart, turns out to be nothing more than a liar, completely destroying his trust.
No one has ever called Veronica fat. Thick? Okay. Curvy? Sure. However, they’ve never come right out and told her she’s overweight. Not unless you count the kids in third grade who called her roly-poly. Grade school or freshman year of college, it doesn’t matter. Guys usually go for the tall, thin girls. Girls like Micah’s ex.
Despite their hang-ups, and their pasts, Micah and Veronica find something in each other that quells their concerns. But when old faces return, and unsettling truths are revealed, will either of them be able to work through the layers and find one another again?
Through the Layers is part of the Rumor Has It series and can be read as a standalone novel.
Series Note: Starting with Book 4, the Rumor Has It series deals with mature themes and situations.
Micah’s heard that expression before. With his first year of college in the books, catching his girlfriend cheating on him — again — he learns that lesson firsthand. The girl he thought could’ve been his high school sweetheart, turns out to be nothing more than a liar, completely destroying his trust.
No one has ever called Veronica fat. Thick? Okay. Curvy? Sure. However, they’ve never come right out and told her she’s overweight. Not unless you count the kids in third grade who called her roly-poly. Grade school or freshman year of college, it doesn’t matter. Guys usually go for the tall, thin girls. Girls like Micah’s ex.
Despite their hang-ups, and their pasts, Micah and Veronica find something in each other that quells their concerns. But when old faces return, and unsettling truths are revealed, will either of them be able to work through the layers and find one another again?
Through the Layers is part of the Rumor Has It series and can be read as a standalone novel.
Series Note: Starting with Book 4, the Rumor Has It series deals with mature themes and situations.
- GenresRomanceYoung Adult
342 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2018
129 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
About the author
R.H. Tucker
16 books89 followersRH Tucker writes cute & edgy YA romance, and drinks too much caffeine.
I’m a firm believer that Rocky Road is the absolute best flavor of ice cream in the world, although if I must, I will settle for Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
You can sign up for my newsletter and get the FREE short story, One of a Kind, at:
https://www.subscribepage.com/rhtucke...
You can also find me on instagram at: instagram.com/rhtuckerauthor
I’m a firm believer that Rocky Road is the absolute best flavor of ice cream in the world, although if I must, I will settle for Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
You can sign up for my newsletter and get the FREE short story, One of a Kind, at:
https://www.subscribepage.com/rhtucke...
You can also find me on instagram at: instagram.com/rhtuckerauthor
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 27, 2020
This is fourth in a series and the main characters are present and active in the previous books (including Micah's initial relationship with Lana). I recommend reading in order, though consider seriously if you want to continue with this one.
I've made it through a quarter of the story, but I can't bring myself to continue. Most of that is Veronica and anticipation of future events. Veronica could be a lovely character, but her body insecurity is killing me.
I can understand insecurity about your looks if you aren't part of the norm. Since reading is a non-visual medium, and Tucker doesn't provide enough detail to know any better, all we know about her appearance is that literally everybody else (with one exception) tells her over and over that she is beautiful. The cheater ex, Tim, said one thing that indicated that he thinks she's "big" but even he is still sniffing around kind of like he doesn't find her unattractive and was just sore that she wasn't "putting out". So as far as I, the reader, can tell, her insecurity is all in her own head and based on false (because completely unsupported by anything else, at all) comparisons to others. Which says a very important thing about her—that she is very strongly internally focused. In other words, she is self-involved and being down on herself in the face of every indication otherwise is a subtle form of selfishness that has become tiresome in the extreme.
And the story is producing two convergent arcs that intersect extremely badly. On the one hand, we see how very sensitive Micah is to cheating. We get front-row seats to some of it and it isn't unreasonable. That kind of betrayal is brutal and scarring and even if Lana is kind of a caricature and hard to justify as a real person (who does that?!?) I totally sympathize with him vicariously. On the other hand, the execrable Tim is sniffing around Veronica and the only real reason for that to happen is to setup a scenario where Veronica looks like she cheats on Micah (heaven help me if she actually cheats because that'd be both out of character and an utter stupidity). And Micah isn't the kind who will be patient in that scenario. So Veronica is headed for a world of hurt and while I dislike her for her self-involved imperviousness I still don't want to be around for that kind of pain and hate to think how that will react to her stupid self-image issues.
So I'm bailing early. I just have no patience with these characters and see no need to participate in the fallout.
Also not helping is Tucker dodging showing any physical intimacy. The characters are sleeping together at this point (actual overnighters with no actual sex, but apparently "everything but") and for this story, and Veronica's issues, what happens there is vitally important. Not going there is actively withholding information that readers need for these characters in this story. It's an odd choice, though not really a surprise as I haven't seen any explicit sex in any of his other work.
I've made it through a quarter of the story, but I can't bring myself to continue. Most of that is Veronica and anticipation of future events. Veronica could be a lovely character, but her body insecurity is killing me.
I can understand insecurity about your looks if you aren't part of the norm. Since reading is a non-visual medium, and Tucker doesn't provide enough detail to know any better, all we know about her appearance is that literally everybody else (with one exception) tells her over and over that she is beautiful. The cheater ex, Tim, said one thing that indicated that he thinks she's "big" but even he is still sniffing around kind of like he doesn't find her unattractive and was just sore that she wasn't "putting out". So as far as I, the reader, can tell, her insecurity is all in her own head and based on false (because completely unsupported by anything else, at all) comparisons to others. Which says a very important thing about her—that she is very strongly internally focused. In other words, she is self-involved and being down on herself in the face of every indication otherwise is a subtle form of selfishness that has become tiresome in the extreme.
And the story is producing two convergent arcs that intersect extremely badly. On the one hand, we see how very sensitive Micah is to cheating. We get front-row seats to some of it and it isn't unreasonable. That kind of betrayal is brutal and scarring and even if Lana is kind of a caricature and hard to justify as a real person (who does that?!?) I totally sympathize with him vicariously. On the other hand, the execrable Tim is sniffing around Veronica and the only real reason for that to happen is to setup a scenario where Veronica looks like she cheats on Micah (heaven help me if she actually cheats because that'd be both out of character and an utter stupidity). And Micah isn't the kind who will be patient in that scenario. So Veronica is headed for a world of hurt and while I dislike her for her self-involved imperviousness I still don't want to be around for that kind of pain and hate to think how that will react to her stupid self-image issues.
So I'm bailing early. I just have no patience with these characters and see no need to participate in the fallout.
Also not helping is Tucker dodging showing any physical intimacy. The characters are sleeping together at this point (actual overnighters with no actual sex, but apparently "everything but") and for this story, and Veronica's issues, what happens there is vitally important. Not going there is actively withholding information that readers need for these characters in this story. It's an odd choice, though not really a surprise as I haven't seen any explicit sex in any of his other work.
September 18, 2018
Hero had a GF in high school who cheated on him twice. He has issues about that experience so when he meets heroine (who has her own issues of insecurity because she is overweight & thinks not as beautiful as him or his ex) it takes a lot for him to learn to trust again - especially when he finds out .
So this is one of those young college romance stories that we read all the time. Nothing new here. To be honest, this was not my cup of tea and I have no idea why I read it, but oh well.
One of the things that I don't like in any of my romances is Hero taking someone's virginity that is not the heroine (or loosing his to the ex) and being told about it. For me, your first time is special and in fictional romances, if it is not with the heroine, then I don't want to read about it.
However, in this story, not only did Hero take his ex's virginity, but he lost his to her too and then we have the ex giving details about it to heroine. Up until then, I would say it was a solid 3 star but that part totally ruined it for me. It was so unnecessary for the author to insert it because it took away anything special that occurred between Hero & heroine up until then. Especially when the ex told heroine some things that Hero did to her that he also did with heroine.
I did like when Hero said this to his ex:
“You told my girlfriend that you’re better for me because of our past. Let me tell you something, Lana. She’s my future. I may have learned how to fuck with you, but I know what it’s like to make love because of her".
But by then, the Author had killed it for me and I was bored. So would I recommend it? Only if you like this trope and are okay with my pet peeves mentioned above, as well as teenage (or college as this case may be) drama & insecurities .....
So this is one of those young college romance stories that we read all the time. Nothing new here. To be honest, this was not my cup of tea and I have no idea why I read it, but oh well.
One of the things that I don't like in any of my romances is Hero taking someone's virginity that is not the heroine (or loosing his to the ex) and being told about it. For me, your first time is special and in fictional romances, if it is not with the heroine, then I don't want to read about it.
However, in this story, not only did Hero take his ex's virginity, but he lost his to her too and then we have the ex giving details about it to heroine. Up until then, I would say it was a solid 3 star but that part totally ruined it for me. It was so unnecessary for the author to insert it because it took away anything special that occurred between Hero & heroine up until then. Especially when the ex told heroine some things that Hero did to her that he also did with heroine.
I did like when Hero said this to his ex:
“You told my girlfriend that you’re better for me because of our past. Let me tell you something, Lana. She’s my future. I may have learned how to fuck with you, but I know what it’s like to make love because of her".
But by then, the Author had killed it for me and I was bored. So would I recommend it? Only if you like this trope and are okay with my pet peeves mentioned above, as well as teenage (or college as this case may be) drama & insecurities .....
April 6, 2019
That was really intense, the last book I felt this way about was ( one breath apart by Katie Mcgarry ) and it was as intense as this one, this deals with two VERY heavy issues and baggages that but it was approached in a very sweet way
I don't know if it has a positive message but the book did make me think a lot and made me uncomfortable many times, in a good way .. I still believe the relationship could be better but it was nice and really INTENSE, if you are not in the mood for drama avoid this book at all cost
I don't know if it has a positive message but the book did make me think a lot and made me uncomfortable many times, in a good way .. I still believe the relationship could be better but it was nice and really INTENSE, if you are not in the mood for drama avoid this book at all cost
September 17, 2018
☆☆☆
I received ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Through the Layers is a new adult, coming of age, contemporary novel that follows the story of Veronica, a college student struggling through body issues, and Micah, her artsy, ambitious, much HOTTER classmate.
It's a sweet read that takes its slow time burning through, with a mostly steady pace where no severe drama actually takes place until near the end of it, but the book mostly deals with everyday issues like Veronica's insecurities and Micah's relationship with his stalkerish ex. Sometimes a few scenes were added that I didn't think were really necessary and could just be taken out to shorten the book (because it is one lengthy novel, so lengthy I has to skim through some of the chapters to get it over with), but overall, it was very well written, the description was nice and the pages flew by, which is something that only happens rarely, so that's a plus.
What irked me the most during this book was Veronica's unhealthy relationship with her best friend, Cindy, who was so provocative and a pushover and just plain rude. On more than one occasion she embarrasses Veronica to no end with one of her irresponsible, ridiculous acts, not to mention how she constantly keeps reminding Veronica that she's 'fine the way she is', discouraging her from any attempts to follow a healthy lifestyle that would benefit her more than restrict her appetite. She keeps pushing her to have sex, even to the point where she makes up that thing called Plan V (and V here stands for virginity, not Veronica), when she should be looking back on her own toxic relationships first. I just really, really disliked Cindy, and think she's sending a terrible message to all the young girls going through body issues as well.
I received ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Through the Layers is a new adult, coming of age, contemporary novel that follows the story of Veronica, a college student struggling through body issues, and Micah, her artsy, ambitious, much HOTTER classmate.
It's a sweet read that takes its slow time burning through, with a mostly steady pace where no severe drama actually takes place until near the end of it, but the book mostly deals with everyday issues like Veronica's insecurities and Micah's relationship with his stalkerish ex. Sometimes a few scenes were added that I didn't think were really necessary and could just be taken out to shorten the book (because it is one lengthy novel, so lengthy I has to skim through some of the chapters to get it over with), but overall, it was very well written, the description was nice and the pages flew by, which is something that only happens rarely, so that's a plus.
What irked me the most during this book was Veronica's unhealthy relationship with her best friend, Cindy, who was so provocative and a pushover and just plain rude. On more than one occasion she embarrasses Veronica to no end with one of her irresponsible, ridiculous acts, not to mention how she constantly keeps reminding Veronica that she's 'fine the way she is', discouraging her from any attempts to follow a healthy lifestyle that would benefit her more than restrict her appetite. She keeps pushing her to have sex, even to the point where she makes up that thing called Plan V (and V here stands for virginity, not Veronica), when she should be looking back on her own toxic relationships first. I just really, really disliked Cindy, and think she's sending a terrible message to all the young girls going through body issues as well.
November 19, 2018
Definitely had to go through a lot of layers
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2018...
I will say I’m giving this book a 3 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️ because one, Veronica was very annoying and always whining about her weight and her insecurities about herself. I clearly understand what she’s feeling but seriously through the entire book? Like sheesh! To top it off her own best friend didn’t have boobies or was thicker as she. She was never insecure at all. A lot of times those who are thicker think women/girls who are slimmer than them doesn’t have insecurities, but they do. I felt like Micah cared about Veronica he didn’t see anything wrong with her, but in her mind, she thinks negatively about herself. I kept rolling my eyes like girl shut up already sheesh if you so concern about your weight that much to work out. Like um hello your boyfriend and his best friend stayed working out that’s all she could’ve done. Instead of being whiny and complaining 24/7. I knew that Micah had some insecurities too she didn’t realize he had them himself until the end. I hated how her brothers treated Micah towards the end when it was Veronica fought that her brothers had problems with Micah. She kept running away from Micah especially when Lana came around. Normal girls would stay not leave their boyfriend with their ex. She was very dumb for that. Gave me a headache, I was glad when I was DONE with this book.
P.S. I see the next book is about Taylor I wish Taylor and Cynthia would get together but I can tell that’s not the case :( if not I hope there’s a book about her too after Taylor story...
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2018...
I will say I’m giving this book a 3 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️ because one, Veronica was very annoying and always whining about her weight and her insecurities about herself. I clearly understand what she’s feeling but seriously through the entire book? Like sheesh! To top it off her own best friend didn’t have boobies or was thicker as she. She was never insecure at all. A lot of times those who are thicker think women/girls who are slimmer than them doesn’t have insecurities, but they do. I felt like Micah cared about Veronica he didn’t see anything wrong with her, but in her mind, she thinks negatively about herself. I kept rolling my eyes like girl shut up already sheesh if you so concern about your weight that much to work out. Like um hello your boyfriend and his best friend stayed working out that’s all she could’ve done. Instead of being whiny and complaining 24/7. I knew that Micah had some insecurities too she didn’t realize he had them himself until the end. I hated how her brothers treated Micah towards the end when it was Veronica fought that her brothers had problems with Micah. She kept running away from Micah especially when Lana came around. Normal girls would stay not leave their boyfriend with their ex. She was very dumb for that. Gave me a headache, I was glad when I was DONE with this book.
P.S. I see the next book is about Taylor I wish Taylor and Cynthia would get together but I can tell that’s not the case :( if not I hope there’s a book about her too after Taylor story...
December 24, 2019
Just no
Veronica was just so hard to read. No one wants to be around someone who is that insecure, much less read about them. Others may have enjoyed their story, but I just couldn't get past my annoyance with her.
She shuts down and doesn't talk to her boyfriend. What's he supposed to think? That you still want him and not someone else? Because pushing him away isn't going to convey that message. The whole tshirt thing is dumb. And the brothers being macho males, really? All those were just so cringe-worthy. Oh, you protect her? Have you protected her from herself? Because she's the issue. Maybe build her up, encourage a healthier lifestyle, something. That would be protecting her. Not whatever macho manly crap they were parading.
Plus, there wasn't really any resolution with Lana. Are we supposed to believe she just left him alone? And there was no resolution with Micah's parents, who were so out of line. I could understand maybe if Micah was single why they would push him to forgive. Again. But, not when he was dating someone. That's crossing so many lines, and they weren't even sorry.
So much drama, it was so painful to read the mental gymnastics that were going on. I'm still frustrated just thinking about it.
Veronica was just so hard to read. No one wants to be around someone who is that insecure, much less read about them. Others may have enjoyed their story, but I just couldn't get past my annoyance with her.
She shuts down and doesn't talk to her boyfriend. What's he supposed to think? That you still want him and not someone else? Because pushing him away isn't going to convey that message. The whole tshirt thing is dumb. And the brothers being macho males, really? All those were just so cringe-worthy. Oh, you protect her? Have you protected her from herself? Because she's the issue. Maybe build her up, encourage a healthier lifestyle, something. That would be protecting her. Not whatever macho manly crap they were parading.
Plus, there wasn't really any resolution with Lana. Are we supposed to believe she just left him alone? And there was no resolution with Micah's parents, who were so out of line. I could understand maybe if Micah was single why they would push him to forgive. Again. But, not when he was dating someone. That's crossing so many lines, and they weren't even sorry.
So much drama, it was so painful to read the mental gymnastics that were going on. I'm still frustrated just thinking about it.
September 24, 2018
First off, I really like this series...I have read all of these books and have liked them a lot!!! I received this book through an ARC which in no way affects my opinion.
This book was good!!! 😊 Veronica & Micah ❤️
However, I did have some issues with Veronica having a hard time feeling like she is not good enough for Micah...I felt like it was a lot of unnecessary issues when Micah and others gave her so many reasons stating she was...I know the issue was never really about the others thinking badly about her but more about herself, I just felt like some of it was unnecessary.
Also, I didn’t like how much the mom was pushing Lana to Micah even after several times being told by Micah that he liked Veronica now...I get why she did in the end but even with that I don’t think she should have pushed so hard especially knowing he was with Veronica now.
With all that said I still can’t wait for Taylor’s story especially after the little snippet into his life at the end of this one.
This book was good!!! 😊 Veronica & Micah ❤️
However, I did have some issues with Veronica having a hard time feeling like she is not good enough for Micah...I felt like it was a lot of unnecessary issues when Micah and others gave her so many reasons stating she was...I know the issue was never really about the others thinking badly about her but more about herself, I just felt like some of it was unnecessary.
Also, I didn’t like how much the mom was pushing Lana to Micah even after several times being told by Micah that he liked Veronica now...I get why she did in the end but even with that I don’t think she should have pushed so hard especially knowing he was with Veronica now.
With all that said I still can’t wait for Taylor’s story especially after the little snippet into his life at the end of this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2018
Great read!
This was my favorite book of the entire series. I liked it because I like the other books they actually had a relationship throughout the entire book. In others in the series they don’t actuality get together until the very end and then it’s over. However I didn’t like how she was always second guessing everything, she was In her head to much and some of the things she thought was ridiculous!
This was my favorite book of the entire series. I liked it because I like the other books they actually had a relationship throughout the entire book. In others in the series they don’t actuality get together until the very end and then it’s over. However I didn’t like how she was always second guessing everything, she was In her head to much and some of the things she thought was ridiculous!
October 17, 2018
Trust issues meet body image issues
Can people get over the pain others inflict on them? Can people get past the thoughts that bury themselves in doubt? I don’t know if this story answers those questions. But the struggle to come to terms with these issues and still find a way to love one another is heart warming.
Can people get over the pain others inflict on them? Can people get past the thoughts that bury themselves in doubt? I don’t know if this story answers those questions. But the struggle to come to terms with these issues and still find a way to love one another is heart warming.
December 7, 2018
This book sums of the reason of why I hate to read books about bigger women. The whole book is about how fat they are, how no one will love them, how gross they are and no way could the guy actually want to be with them because they are fat. Seriously Vero was so annoying. 2 stars only because the prank on Taylor was funny
October 18, 2019
Keeps getting better
I have to say... each book in the series keeps getting better. I loved that this one started out with the relationship and we got to follow it through the story rather than have to wait until the end. This title deals with a lot of real, common issues and insecurities. I think a lot of people will find it relatable in that way.
I have to say... each book in the series keeps getting better. I loved that this one started out with the relationship and we got to follow it through the story rather than have to wait until the end. This title deals with a lot of real, common issues and insecurities. I think a lot of people will find it relatable in that way.
September 20, 2018
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click on the link above for free awesome giveaway and some excerpts . Also check out the blog for some great reviews!
click on the link above for free awesome giveaway and some excerpts . Also check out the blog for some great reviews!
September 29, 2018
[1.25 star] the author just keep repeating the same shit throughout the book. wanted to give up halfway but stick to it. either way i was dissapointed, the hero's ex finally give up all of a sudden, how i wish the hero will just give her 2 tight slaps.
March 7, 2019
Very sweet
I love how this book addresses the insecurities thick girls like myself have in relationships. Very sweet Male character and veronica is right, we can get hot guys too! I married one :)
I love how this book addresses the insecurities thick girls like myself have in relationships. Very sweet Male character and veronica is right, we can get hot guys too! I married one :)
April 9, 2020
It was extremely difficult to get through this. Veronica is a hard character to identify with because of her insecurities. We all have insecurities, yes. But when it's all you're about it's annoying. We aren't only our insecurities. We have good qualities as well, I just never saw hers.
September 20, 2020
I love Micah! Truly I do but he just didn’t grovel enough for me (after what he said.....I needed him to crawl and beg)
This is still a great read...and something I will no doubt have on my re-read list but it’ll only get 3.5 stars due to the lack of a much needed grovel!
This is still a great read...and something I will no doubt have on my re-read list but it’ll only get 3.5 stars due to the lack of a much needed grovel!
March 13, 2019
Fun read
Pretty good, but Veronica came off as
Super annoying to me. I had a hard time connecting with her character and family.
Pretty good, but Veronica came off as
Super annoying to me. I had a hard time connecting with her character and family.
January 20, 2019
I hated Veronica. She annoyed the fuck out of me.
April 20, 2019
I really liked this book but i felt it had too much adult content for me. No nothing went into detail, but still, it went from cute to just a tad bit dirty.
April 22, 2019
Seriously it gets better and better
There are times I can’t believe I’ve devoted this series so far. I love the emotions of every person and every couple. Don’t miss this
There are times I can’t believe I’ve devoted this series so far. I love the emotions of every person and every couple. Don’t miss this
April 24, 2023
Wow
Words cannot express the love I have for this storyline. I saw so many aspects of my life in this story. As if the idea for this story was taken from a chapter of two of my life. Body image insecurities are a daily struggle and even more so when you feel unworthy of the perfection you are in a relationship with. Perfect telling! ♥♥♥
Words cannot express the love I have for this storyline. I saw so many aspects of my life in this story. As if the idea for this story was taken from a chapter of two of my life. Body image insecurities are a daily struggle and even more so when you feel unworthy of the perfection you are in a relationship with. Perfect telling! ♥♥♥
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews