#Review: One Tiny Lie by K.A. Tucker #NA #Contemporary #Romance

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Ten Tiny Breaths #2

NA / Contemp Romance

by K.A. Tucker

Livie has always been the stable one of the two Cleary sisters, handling her parents' tragic death and Kacey's self-destructive phase with strength and maturity. But underneath that exterior is a little girl hanging onto the last words her father ever spoke to her. “Make me proud,” he had said. She promised she would...and she’s done her best over the past seven years with every choice, with every word, with every action.

Livie walks into Princeton with a solid plan, and she’s dead set on delivering on it: Rock her classes, set herself up for medical school, and meet a good, respectable guy that she’s going to someday marry. What isn’t part of her plan are Jell-O shots, a lovable, party animal roommate she can’t say ‘no’ to, and Ashton, the gorgeous captain of the men’s rowing team. Definitely him. He’s an arrogant ass who makes Livie’s usually non-existent temper flare and everything she doesn’t want in a guy. Worse, he’s best friends and roommates with Connor, who happens to fits Livie’s criteria perfectly. So why does she keep thinking about Ashton?

As Livie finds herself facing mediocre grades, career aspirations she no longer thinks she can handle, and feelings for Ashton that she shouldn’t have, she’s forced to let go of her last promise to her father and, with it, the only identity that she knows.

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My Review:

I was excited to read this book for a few reasons. 

#1 Ten Tiny Breaths was the first NA contemporary book I ever read. Looking back now after having familiarizing myself a bit more with the genre, I realize TTB deserved more than the barely 4* I gave it. I felt it was too over the top - too much emotion - but I hadn't known about the raw, gritty new NA genre craze. Having become a fan of said genre ...

#2 K.A. Tucker is an excellent story teller. She knows how to build a slow arc in a character's life, one you don't even really see until BAM everything falls into place and you're swept away. 

#3 I had no idea of how Livie, the goodie two shoes, could possibly have a story revolve around her life. Couldn't wait to see what Ms. Tucker did with her.

Which leads me into my true review.

Yummies:  Ashton. He is one of the most tormented, yet have-my-sh&%-together character I've ever read about. Although he's a tortured soul with baggage galore AND a man whore, I couldn't help but fall in love. New book boyfriend folks! Yes. He turns out to be THAT incredible.

Livie. It's revealed that she really did need help - therapy from having lost both her parents at an early age. Unlike her crazy sister, though, Livie's growth takes her in the opposite extreme. Turns out #3 from above was delivered & then some!

Supporting cast & the setting was well fleshed out. The college parties, the pals, dorm life ... they were all perfect. My senses lacked for nothing.  Speaking of which, between Ashton's hurt, how well it was portrayed, and Livie's reactions to him ... I balled. 'Course, I AM  prego and prone to doing so, but honest tears, folks. Yup.

Yuckies:  Last night when I finished (long after my family all crashed), I wanted more. I really felt the book was too short. But this morning, I realize Livie & Ashtons story was finished. Nothing more could have been added. 

Guess that's not really a yucky even worth mentioning. Oh well. 

So no. No yuckies.

Recommend: Yes. And for myself, I'm recommending another read of TTB. Now that I am enlightened upon the NA genre, I expect I'll be swept up in Kacey's tale in a whole new way.