The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher
Olivia Kaspen is a sharp tongued manipulator used to always getting what she wants. With just one exception-Caleb Drake, the one she foolishly let slip away. After a chance encounter brings Caleb back into her life, Olivia finds herself wanting a second chance with her first love, and asking herself how far she is willing to go to get him back. Her only problem is a red head named Leah, Caleb's new love. Olivia must fight for what was once hers, and in the process discover that sometimes love falls short of redemption.
Kindle Edition, 278 pages
Published November 14th 2011
Current Goodreads Rating: 4.22 Stars
I would like to write a novel that every, single person loves, but not even J.K. Rowling could do that. Instead, I try to write stories that pull on people's emotions. I believe that sadness is the most powerful emotion, and swirled with regret the two become a dominating force. I love villains. Three of my favorites are Mother Gothel, Gaston and the Evil Queen who all suffered from a pretty wicked case of vanity (like me). I like to make these personality types the center of my stories.
I love rain, Coke, Starbucks and sarcasm. I hate bad adjectives and the word "smolder". If you read my book-I love you. If you hate my book-I still love you, but please don't be mean to me; I'm half badass, half cry baby.
After reading this I was hesitant in my review, so I decided to continue the series and then come back to make my final opinion. I will recommend this series is an all or nothing read, or even just guarantee the first two read together. There were characters in this one that were introduced then left hanging, that I didn't get the point of, but were later integral parts in the story line. Anyways coming back to the beginning, I obsessed over the premise of this story. I thought it was brilliant because it could pivot at anytime and go in any direction. This is not your stereotypical romance, it was gasoline and a match, and you better prepare to be burned. I usually steer clear of romance and the cliches they present, but something about Tarryn has me enamored. She pours her soul into her books and I've never felt as vulnerable and close to an author just by reading their books. She holds nothing back and it's hard to review the exact details from a book I felt I was a part of and that left more than a story, but a feeling behind. Another thing I noticed and loved going through this series was the little Easter eggs intentional or not. I have never heard the phrase "knew it down to my marrow" before and knowing I had just purchased her book Marrow, I was flabbergasted. I love that all her stories must have been so organic for her that they were already subconsciously presenting themselves in prior books. Lastly, at first I wanted to review this book in quotes alone because Tarryn's writing is poetic and powerful. She has countless phrasings that made me pause to soak in the beauty. Here are a few below:
“You'll be surprised what someone is able to handle given no other choice.” "You are worthless because you make yourself that way."
"You will remember me every day for the rest of your life because I was the one and you threw me away.” “Caleb was like a hurricane that swept through my life, stirring up things inside of me that I never knew existed. He is a longing I will never cure.” And last but not least, “I know bippity, boppity, bullshit when I see it.”