Thief by Tarryn Fisher: Book Review

God, I'm just glad that I'm finally over with this series. Such burdens are now off my shoulders. I ached so much in this book, now I think Tarryn Fisher has made an emotional masochist out of me. Yes, I gained pleasure with such emotional punishment, the roller-coaster-relationship of Caleb and Olivia. Tarryn Fisher's writing is just out-of-this-world. The way she constructs her sentences makes you feel for the character too.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Tarryn Fisher
Series: Love Me With Lies #3
Size: 222
Date Published: July 20, 2013
Publisher: Self-published
ISBN13: 2940148515012
Edition: eBook

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Note to Self

Love is patient; love is kind.
Love doesn't boast or brag.
There's no arrogance in love;
it's never rude, crude, or indecent-it's not self absorbed.
Love isn't easily upset.
Love doesn't tally wrongs.
Love trusts, hopes, and endures no matter what.
Love will never become obsolete.
I'll fight for her.

Thief

Caleb Drake never got over his first love. Not when he got married. Not when she got married. When life suddenly comes full circle Caleb must decide how how far he is willing to go to get the aloof and alluring Olivia Kaspen back. But for every action in life there is a consequence, and soon Caleb finds out that sometimes love comes at an unbearably high price.[source:goodreads]

Review:

Disclaimer: I'm more of a fan of Noah Stein than Caleb Drake so pardon me for the biases. You can easily guess why this book is entitled thief. It's obviously because Caleb will be stealing somebody else's wife. I don't think the cover justifies Caleb's looks.

Tarryn Fisher is very coherent in this book. You could see how clearly everything revolves in the first book and she doesn't deviate from it. You know what her style is— alternating Present and Past Chapters. Not all authors could pull that off. Some would inadvertently slip— create Deux Ex Machina incident or characters that my country would call a Twist (not your usual plot twist, just the out-of-nowhere kind). And I'm grateful that she never created a twist, only reveal past information that would slap you in the face that you could say that there really is something in everything she writes. If she did create twists, they look so natural shall they happen in real life and they don't overwhelm the story.

She's very consistent with her story which makes her really great. There are about 2 or 3 chapters that are in the perspective of other characters which is the only departure from one. Overall, I don't think of that as a flaw, rather those chapters give way to clarity. The first book is in the perspective of Olivia, the second of Leah and third Caleb— which is this book.

I already pointed out in my review of the first book that the only reason why I read this story of Olivia Kaspen and Caleb Drake is because it reminds me of A Song of Ice and Fire series. And back then, I never expected that there would be a sequel. The first book, The Opportunist promised scheming and lies. Which made me excited. I love darkness in fictional people and I would like to delve in their minds. That's why I expressed my appreciation in the second book which showed insight into the mind of Leah, the pushy bitch that she may be.

And now, we are inside the head of Caleb Drake, to see his share of sorrows and mistakes. And there are so much to take in. Like things I couldn't believe happened on the sides while Olivia's own memories flash on the projector which is the first book.

The entire Love Me with Lies (or LMwL) series is not that different to A Song of Fice and Ice also known as Game of Thrones (or GoT). The whole story is told in the perspective of different people. While GoT is in altering chapter for each character, LMwL is in altering Past & Present Chapters with different protagonist for each book. No one is perfect, everybody is flawed. And you get to see their own shares of wrongdoings and mistakes. You hurt for each one of them and angry with their stupidity if not ill-placed-pride.

In this final installment of Love Me With Lies, Tarryn Fisher gives clarity to unanswered questions in your head. Perhaps like "Did Olivia get pregnant with that deed with Caleb in the orange grove?" or "Why are there times that Caleb just gives up so easily?"

We know that Caleb isn't a perfect man. It's conspicuous that he's the real opportunist in the first book. Really, you didn't see that coming? *Rolls eyes* He's so troubled on what he should do with his life that he resorted on the fail-safe mode. And thus, he played with Leah's and Olivia's emotions. Oh, and have you forgotten the more beautiful one? Jessica whom Olivia connived on getting an abortion on the first book. Everyone is a schemer in the series.

Schemes are like fruit, they require a certain ripening.
—Tyrion Lannister, A Clash of Kings

I have to agree with my friend when she warned me about the author not handling Noah well in this book. If I didn't like Noah on the first book or if I were very judgmental, I would really be disappointed in him. In fact, I would have a validation that he doesn't deserve Olivia and Olivia is better off with Caleb. But I liked him instantly the moment he was introduced in the first book that somehow, I was understanding with him here. Why not give him a chance? He could still change... despite his age... even when he's out of the story (to another woman).

Noah admitted how flawed he was when he was younger. And I was amazed with his maturity in the first book. But expounding on his shortcomings? Well, on my part he never tarnishes. If Olivia can't accept him for who he is, then surely someone else will. The same goes for the other characters. But I'm sure those who aren't fan of Noah will see him as someone so flawed that he's like a dirt in the story which will only validate him as a villain here. (And I refuse to see him that ugly even if I were to compartmentalize my brain as a fan and an outsider)

"I give him a once over. He’s a few inches shorter than I am, but he’s stockier — well built. Dark hair, cut short — there is gray at his temples. I peg him at about thirty-five, though I know from the P.I. I hired that he’s thirty-nine. He’s Jewish, if his look didn’t tell me that, the Star of David around his neck would have. He’s a good-looking guy.

Others are disappointed when age shows in a person. Of course, it's just different when one's at his prime, young and dashing. Those gray hair at his temples? Think Richard Gere, he still looks hot even at 60. What about Pierce Brosnan and Alec Baldwin? I still find them beautiful even though I'm still 23 and I haven't watched that much movies of them. So screw the graying hair of Noah, they would look hot on him in real life!

He throws his ankle across his knee and settles back in his chair. “Did you have me checked out?”

“Background check in three different countries.” I take a sip and curl my tongue around the flavor.

Noah nods like he expected this. “Find anything you didn’t like?”

I shrug. “You married my first love, I already didn’t like you.”

I like how men measure each other up. Like in other series whose protagonists are the men. And each man has his own story for each book. I'd rather think of Noah as a protagonist in a different book. With another woman. Yes, I'm that much of a fan and I refuse to budge.

This book is too emotional for me. I don't think I could handle it in real life. Okay, we have a different scope on things. If I sat on Dirty Red, halfway, I sift on this one slowly that it took me 3 days before I finished reading. As to why? Then I have to agree with Olivia when she said to Caleb that his thoughts are too deep that they depress her. And yes, I'm so depressed with this book too.

Caleb's thoughts are so deep that I couldn't say anything more. If I do, I might spoil you which isn't good. You don't want spoilers especially on revelations, right? This is the last book in the series, so take your journey with this book on your own. I know you will enjoy it.

Okay, I'll give you one spoiler: There's no pulling the punches with Tarryn Fisher's ability to write unfortunate events for the characters without twisting things badly. Everything still looks natural in real life. The ending is simply awesome.

Recommendations:

This book would never stand alone. You must read the first 2 books before proceeding to this one. If you're not the type who likes to ache, then don't even read this series (Love Me with Lies). On the other hand, if you're an emotional masochist, then you're welcome to tear your heart with this. The Call, a song by Regina Spektor helped me with a positive ambience on this book. Coldplay songs are way too cold for me.