REVIEW: Off the Record (Record #1) – K.A. Linde

Released: March 11th, 2014

Liz Dougherty has no idea a single question is about to change her life.

Her first big reporting assignment for her North Carolina college newspaper has her covering a state senator’s impromptu press conference. Brady Maxwell may have everything it takes to be a politician—a winning pedigree, devastating good looks, a body made to wear suits—but his politics rub Liz the wrong way. When Liz’s hard-hitting question catches the upstart senator off-guard, it impresses Hayden Lane, Liz’s editor who feels she’s headed for a promising career as a reporter.

But Liz is also headed into a secret romance with Brady that could destroy both their ambitions. Though he’s a bachelor, potential voters might frown on Brady cozying up to a reporter. And Liz isn’t sure sneaking around is enough for her—especially when things between her and Hayden might be less platonic than she thought.

Sleek, sexy, and smart, Off the Record ventures into a high-stakes campaign and an even higher-stakes affair to answer the question: When politics and love collide, can there ever be a winner?

"In an endless sea of overindulgence, find time to indulge in something worthwhile and make an informed, educated decision for yourself. What matters to you in here, will matter to you out there."

Although the novel had a rocky beginning, and middle, and close to the end, the ending of the novel was what won me over. Liz and Brady pissed me off throughout the whole thing but the way they matured in the end was absolutely flawless. The character development in the book was shaky but very well ended in the last chapter.

In all honesty, I've only read two of K.A. Linde's books. Although both had such great ideas and great plots, I've never found myself rooting for the main couple. Or hell, for the main character. 

Liz Dougherty is an example of a typical heroine that I would loathe both in the fictional world and in real life. She is weak with no resolution and easily influenced. Although in the beginning she leaves such a strong impression of an independent, intelligent woman, after meeting Brady, all her resolve goes out the window.

I was so angry with her character development. She gave him a question on politics that absolutely stunned him at the start. I thought that, "Holy shit, this girl is my kind of girl." However, how she changed after meeting Brady, was unbelievably shitty.

Brady was her number one priority. Maybe it was supposed to be that way but I wasn't a huge fan of it, especially of the fact that she did not realize herself that she was putting Brady above all else. What pissed me off the most was her lack of willpower. After every argument they have, even though it's Brady's fucking fault, she would apologize. Woman, you do not apologize for something you didn't do.

For example:

Liz: “We aren’t doing what we started out doing anymore. If you want the girl who you met in May, then sorry… she’s long gone.”

Brady: “You’re not leaving, Liz. I don’t want that girl. I want you. Do you hear me? I want you.”

And that was at the end of a chapter. By the next one, on the very first page:

Liz: "[whispers] I want you too."

Brady was similar to Liz. Initially, I admired him because he was this influential political figure and he was well-prepared for his future. He was also very romantic and sweet. 

And then it just went downhill from there. He became overbearing, over-controlling, possessive, sex-crazed douchebag. All he wanted from her was the fucking sex and it was as if she was just some tool. Even though others managed to convince her of his bullshit, I was just thinking: "You actually believe that fuckery?" 

[insert deep sigh here]

But, the good thing was, the ending. The ending just totally nailed it right on the head. Liz finally matures and realizes what she had to do. I fell in love with the ending. It wasn't overdramatic, like her screaming at him and throwing shit at his face, but it was more like a resolution. Yes, it was a cliffy. 

The ending just saved the whole damn book. I am definitely looking forward to the next one but if this problem gets solved in the first few pages - and she fALLS PUTTY INTO HIS HANDS AGAIN, I SWEAR. I hate books that had so much potential for its sequel but it just sucks. Even in this book, there were so many issues and conflicts that could've been developed from their political constraints as well as their inexperience. But it was never done.

So yes, what I'm hoping for in the second book:

• Character development (MUST MUST MUST)
• REAL problems instead of childish arguments
• Plot development too

MY RATING:

3 – 3.25 APPLES!!!!!

✭ BOOK LINKS ✭

 

(Click book cover for Goodreads link)

♕ Off the Record (Record #1) ♕

Amazon | Barnes&Noble

♕ On the Record (Record #2) // pre-order [26 Aug 2014] ♕

Amazon | Barnes&Noble

K.A. Linde graduated with her Masters in political science from the University of Georgia in 2012. She also has a bachelors in political science and philosophy. She wrote her the Avoiding Series while struggling through advanced statistical modeling and writing her thesis. She enjoys dancing and writing novels that keep you guessing until the very end.

She currently resides in Georgia with her boyfriend and two puppies, Lucy and Riker.

Check her out in these sites:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

✻ ✻ ✻

WoW: Take Me for Granted (Take Me #1) – K.A. Linde

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine to spotlight releases that we're looking forward to! Here is my choice this week...

Take Me for Granted

Title: Take Me for Granted

Author: K.A. Linde

Is it a sequel? Book #1 of the Take Me Series

Release Date: April 29th, 2014

Grant

Manwhore. Adrenaline junkie. Lead singer of ContraBand. What you see is what you get. I make no apologies for my actions, and by now no one expects any from me. I live my life the way I want and as long as it pushes the demons back, then I'm solid. I've never needed a chick for more than a good lay. Why would I need just one when I can have a different one every night?

Until she walks into my world.

Aribel

Mouthy. Perfectionist. Princeton student. Chemistry major. Yes, that pretty much describes me. Oh, and virgin. But I'm only nineteen, and have more important things to concern myself with. What really matters is finishing my degree and getting a good job. I’ve worked hard for what I want, and do what’s expected of me. I don’t need anyone to get in my way.

Until he opens up my world.

But if I give you my world, whatever you do…don’t TAKE ME for granted.

My Comments:

Wow, oh wow, this sounds so freakin ggood. Grant sounds absolutely HAWTTTTT and Aribel sound super schmexy and smart. Love that!

What are YOUR choices this week? Let me know in the comments below!

[Review] Avoiding Commitment - K.A. Linde

Released: July 29th, 2013

Jack and Lexi never had a typical relationship. After 2 years without speaking, she receives a phone call that changes everything. He unexpectedly asks her to convince the new girl, Bekah, that he's ready to commit. Jack is calling now after everything they had been through because there is another woman. She can't believe it. Follow Lexi in this heart wrenching drama as she relives her past relationship, or lack thereof, with Jack, and not just in her own mind, but to his fiance-to-be. Throw in Bekah's hot brother who always seems to be in the right place at the right time, a past with more secrets to unravel than you can even imagine, and you get a recipe for disaster. Find out what happens to Lexi as she travels to Atlanta to get the closure she so desperately desires from Jack, and how the bumps of life seem to keep getting in the way.

"You were the only one I saw when I closed my eyes." "Then why wasn't I enough when they were open?"

I was expecting so much from this book because the ratings were good and there are so many terrific reviews on this. So I tried it out. I'm not sure what to say about it other than it was a so-so kind of novel. It was up and down, fast-paced, back and forth. Kind of like jumbled up all over.

Though, I must admit that I absolutely love the way K.A. Linde revolved between Lexi's past and present. It gives us an insight on how she dealt with him in the past, how their relationship was, and compared it to how it was today.

Jack and Lexi have this connection. It's like they're always with the right person at the wrong time. It's either the fact that Jack's in a relationship, or Lexi's the one dating, and maybe even both! They are never at the right place and time. But they have this fire that's been blazing for so long and it's so hard for Lexi to put it out that she becomes so attached to Jack, she can't even stay with one guy long enough. I kind of felt bad for her.

So, Lexi. She's actually this vivacious, attractive and stunning woman. She can capture men's attention in the room and she can have her first pick. She's strong-minded, intelligent and stubborn as hell.

But there's only one teensy little issue. Jack.

"And Lexi had to deal with that fact. She had to deal with knowing that he hadn't chosen her. He didn't want her."

She is so obsessed and in love with Jack that she's blinded by her surroundings. Lexi has so many great friends that care so much for her well-being, especially Chyna. I love Chyna's character because she was rooting for Lexi to get over Jack. She needed to. Lexi still hasn't gotten over him even after all those years and it's bringing her down.

"I did those things because of my lack of control. When you touch me, Jack, I completely succumb to you. I give into your every whim."

I'm guessing that it's because Jack's her first love and all but he's such a fucking idiot. I fucking hated him. I felt so bad for Lexi because she's still so in love with him that she can't see what a true jackass he was. She had to learn how to let him go. But, their whole relationship is a never-ending, torturous cycle. They get together, they're apart, they date other people, end up together again. And repeat.

"She had worked a year to get him out of her life as much as she possibly could. He always had a place in her heart since she had loved him so obsessively for such a long time, but she had been able to extract herself from him to an extent."

Lexi felt like this but she couldn't help it:

I guess Jack would be the other main character in the story as he was the love interest. But, God, I honestly wanted to murder his character. I wish he'd just stop giving Lexi false hope by saying that they'll be together someday, but he needs more time.

Lexi: "I wanted answers." | Jack: "And I don't have any."

What a fucking dick. I mean seriously, all she wanted was closure. She needed him to just make a fucking decision. But he just keeps stringing her along, as if she'd always be there for him to use. He's draining her whole life. She's wasting her time, pining for him every single second. Once she starts to walk away, he says things like this:

"You have always been what I want. I just made mistakes along the way. I told you that I would make it up to you, that I would show you what I could be for you, if you would only let me."

So, after he says these things, they're together. And he leaves again. He just has Lexi for his own convenience, the fucking prick.

I was praying the whole time for Lexi, "JUST DUMP HIS SORRY ASS AND JUMP ON RAMSEY!" Oh Ramsey. At first, I thought he was merely interested in her physically. But by the end of the book, he was really considerate and it was as if he really cared for her. Ugh, I think it may be my new otp since I hate Jack.

I'm not sure if I'm going to read the sequel because I was actually pretty happy with the ending. I would've given this 0.5 less if it wasn't for the ending. The only things that saved this book were the ending, Lexi finally doing the right thing, and the author's writing style. Oh, and Chyna! Love that girl ;)

Minor Faults:

• It was too repetitive. Sure, Lexi was in love with him but it was the same thing over and over.
• Jack's a complete jackass and I want to murder him. But I guess that was part of his character.

MY RATING:

3 AND A HALF APPLES!!!!!

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

About The Author:

K.A. Linde graduated with her Masters in political science from the University of Georgia in 2012. She also has a bachelors in political science and philosophy. She wrote the Avoiding Series while struggling through advanced statistical modeling and writing her thesis. She enjoys dancing and writing novels that keep you guessing until the very end. She currently resides in Georgia with her boyfriend and two puppies, Lucy and Riker.

Check her out in these sites:

Website | Twitter | Facebook