Dirty Red (Love Me With Lies Book 2) Kindle Edition

I'm usually pretty bad about reading sequels because I'm both easily distracted and a cheapskate, so sometimes years will go by before I'll say to myself, "You know, I really liked X book, maybe it's time I should read the sequel to X book..." but of course, I never do. Or at least, I usually don't. I read the prequel to this book, THE OPPORTUNIST, just a few days ago, and I've already finished DIRTY RED with my eye on THE THIEF. It's that addictive.While reading, I kept wondering what this series reminded me of, and then it hit me: BIG LITTLE LIES. This Love Me with Lies (see? it even has "lies" in the title) is like a smuttier, trashier version of BIG LITTLE LIES. Maybe if BIG LITTLE lies were written by Jackie Collins instead of Lianne Moriarty.The first book is written from Olivia's POV, in both "past" and "present," and we see all the scheming and conniving Olivia had to do to not just meet Caleb the first time but to steal him back later. This book is written from the "other woman", Leah's, POV, and as with Olivia, we get to see all the scheming and conniving Leah had to do to steal him again and then try to hold onto him. Not an easy task, because as we saw in THE OPPORTUNIST, Caleb's not all sweetness and light, either.It's been a while since I read about a character who was so flawed and repulsive and yet still managed to be interesting. I think the last one was probably one of the women in that 70s potboiler classic, VALLEY OF THE DOLLS. Leah obviously has some sort of personality disorder - she's clingy, needy, manipulative, and cruel. The things she does to Caleb and then, (spoiler) to her own daughter are just awful. And yet you can't help but feel bad for her, because technically (well, not technically - actually) Olivia is the other woman and Leah is just trying to hold onto what's hers. The problem is that she won Caleb's affection through false pretenses, just as Olivia did, and sees him more as a prize to be won and displayed than as an actual person with thoughts and feelings. In many ways, she and Olivia are cut from the same cloth, and you find that out when more of Leah's backstory is revealed in this book and you discover just how messed up of a person she is, as well as her family.Like THE OPPORTUNIST, this story is told in "past" and "present." The writing in this book, however, is a real step up from its prequel. The characterization is excellent, and Leah bursts from the pages in a way that Olivia really didn't - maybe because the author tried too hard to make Oliviafeel like a sympathetic character, whereas Leah just gets to completely be her wretched, awful self. I loved it. How often do you get a truly disgusting antiheroine as a protagonist? It's so rare. I devoured this book in a single day, feeling as giddy as a person working their way through a tub of illicit 2AM ice cream. I know that this is trash, but oh what decadent, glorious trash it is. I want more.4 to 4.5 stars

”That was the absolute worst thing about love; no matter how hard you tried, you could never forget the person who had your heart.” - Dirty Red.SYNOPSIS: Dear Opportunist, You thought you could take him from me, but you lost. Now, that he’s mine I’ll do anything to keep him. Do you doubt me? I have everything that was supposed to be yours. In case you were wondering; he doesn’t ever think about you anymore. I won’t let him go...ever. Dirty Red Leah Smith finally has everything she has ever wanted. Except she doesn’t. Her marriage feels more like a loan than a lifelong commitment, and the image she has worked so hard to build is fraying before her eyes. With a new role and a past full of secrets, Leah must decide how far she is willing to go to keep what she has stolen. - Dirty Red.REVIEW: Dirty, little, malicious Leah. Oh how I loved this book. This is the second book in Tarryn Fisher’s “Love Me With Lies” series and I loved it as much as the first book. At first I was worried that I wouldn’t find it as great, but I was wrong. The plot is amazing and takes place in two different time periods through Leah’s perspective: the time at which the first book occurs, and the present time period after the first book occurs. I liked this style because we not only got to see/ hear Leah’s thoughts and actions from the previous book, but also got to see what she is up to now, and the continuation of the overall story. Needless to say I will once again be continuing the series to the next, and last, book.Since the characters are mainly the same as the first book, they were once again great, if not even more rounded out. I loved being able to learn more about the villainous Leah and her relationship with Caleb. This style of writing makes you feel like a fly on the wall in these characters lives.Overall, I cannot wait to get into the final book and see how this all ends. If you still haven’t picked up this series, DO IT. It is so good.

I'm going to keep this review simple and to the point.When I finished The Opportunist my heart hurt so deeply, and then I realized the next book in the series was Leah's book. To say that I didn't want to read this book would be an understatement, however I am one who has to know where the story is going to go especially one that pulls your heart out of your chest like this one did to me.I won't use the word Hate, because that is just such a strong word and one I try to avoid. Now I couldn't stand Leah. Reading Dirty Red especially the beginning of the book did nothing but confirm how I felt about her. She was downright vile, and the extent of her lies just baffled me. Now I will admit that the more I read I eventually couldn't help but to feel sorry for Leah. Yes she is a terrible person, but as you read you grow to understand her thought process, her childhood and the way she was treated. Not giving her excuses by any means but I definitely was able to have a clearer mind on understanding who she was as a person and the drive behind her obsession with Caleb.I am definitely glad I read this story, because it is needed to understand every aspect of the storyline. The being able to see every angle of this crazy love story gives new light and I love Tarryn's words. She truly does write such beautiful raw stories!!

"A woman should never have to fight so hard to be with a man. He should just want her."What can I possibly say about a book that had me seeing red and spitting nails within the first paragraph? A book whose main character is one of the, if not THE, most disgusting, vile and despicable characters in the literary world.Have I put you off from reading Dirty Red yet? No? Well that is a good thing, because regardless of the fact that Leah is vile, this was an amazing book. There is absolutely no way that anybody who reads the Love Me With Lies series should be skipping this book. Haven't you ever wondered what it would be like in the mind of a self-absorbed narcissist? Yes? Me too."This was perfect. I was about a ten on the poison scale. If he needed venom, I could inject it directly into his neck."So, I guess you get that I hate Leah? There is no beating around the bush here. I hate her. In fact hate is probably too calm of a word to fully express the emotions that I feel when I think of her. However, with all of this said, I am completely fascinated with her. How easily the lies seem to roll off her wicked tongue. How calm she is in the face of hatred. How cool she manages to remain when her insides are slithering around like snakes. I can not name even one redeeming quality for Leah."Maybe the guy loves a good b*tch - but you're treading a thin line between attractively b*tchy and psycho."However, I have to hand it to Tarryn Fisher, there are moments with Leah that I actually felt sorry for her. Of course these moments only lasted for a nanosecond at the most, but it was there. And that just shows how powerful her writing is. Leah is not a character that you are meant to like. She is the enemy. The one to hate, to get rid of, to toss to the side. The fact that even for a few moments I could feel any kind of empathy toward her is amazing."I have done a number of things to keep this man. I have lied and cheated. I have been sexy and meek, fierce and vulnerable. I have been everything but myself."As with The Opportunist, there are plenty of lies told and even more bombshells dropped. It is honestly as if the hits just kept on coming. There was not a chance for me to even consider putting my Kindle down. This was most definitely a one sitting read for me. The story is engaging and completely unputdownable.I have to be honest and say that I can't remember the last time I was this engrossed in a series of books. It is as if they have taken over my entire being. They will completely take over your thoughts and the feelings you develop for the characters are very much real. I can not even describe the love I have for The Opportunist and Dirty Red. And now... on to Thief. An entire book in Caleb's point of view. To say I am excited, is a massive understatement."No! I think. I am not the poisonous snake. Olivia is. Everything that I've had to do is her fault. I am innocent."ChristineRainy Day Reads

WOW!!! What an amazing second book. I have to say when I first started reading it I thought I may not enjoy it as much because Olivia isn't really in it. I was wrong I loved it and I hated Leah even more!! Infact I can honestly say I wanted to jump into my iPad and slap her more than once!!When I read the opportunist I thought that Olivia was a bit unfair at times and not as honest as she could be (understatement!). But I also realised that this was because she was scared a lot of the time. Leah is just a liar, a vicious one at that, I felt that she didn't lie so much to protect herself but to win. Love is not about winning and if you truly love someone you get that. God she made me so mad in this book that I just cannot express it. I know Caleb has lied too but again I don't ever think it was with malicious intent I think he just wanted to do what was righ, in a totally misguided way!!I just totally loved these first 2 books... AMAZING (and thank you BB for pushing me to read them!)Holy Moly what a freakin ending!! I am so glad I have Thief to go straight into today as I need this book!!! So I am off to read the third book

This is the sequel to The Opportunist if you've read that then you have no choice but to continue the journey. I wanted to hate this book but I couldn't after all who doesnt secretly love a villain, I think you'll find a little piece of her insie you even if you deny it she's the alter ego. I wanted to feel sorry for her and at times I did, but not all the time & thats what makes this the perfect sequel in the Love Me With Lies series read it.

Wow wow wow. Tarryn Fisher you are a genius!I went in to this book a little nervous, what with it being Leah's POV. I hated her in The Opportunist and was nervous that I was going to like her after Dirty Red.. oh how wrong I could be. I absolutely despise her now.The book starts off with one of the biggest shocks I could ever have imagined, I NEVER saw that coming. I won't spoil it but let's just say I had to pick my jaw up off the floor.After finishing this book there is no doubt in my mind that I still want Caleb and Olivia to find their HAE. There is no way in hell he belongs with Leah and I can't for the life of me understand how he has lasted that long with her. She is pure poison. It was SO interesting having this book completely from her POV. I knew I already hated her but I wasn't prepared for just how cruel and evil she was, just so she could get her own way in life.I am still curious as to whether or not a certain cheating incident happened in The Opportunist and I'm hoping it will be cleared up in Caleb's book, which by the way, WHEN ARE WE GETTING THAT TARRYN?! :)I feel I have to bow down to Tarryn Fisher. I had no idea ow she would pull it off, being Leah, but she did it perfectly and I couldn't have wished for a better read.

The opportunist really did a number on me and I was scared going into this that Dirty Red would do the same. I was scared that reading from Leah's POV would make me like her, understand her.Thankfully I can say I was wrong on both parts - I can honestly say still hate Leah!!! Although I did see some vulnerabilities from Leah, all I kept thinking was look at what Caleb has done to you, why are you still fighting for essentially nothing? but any tiny bit of pity I may have had for her went with the ending!!I have always wanted a HEA for Caleb and Olivia, but never really thought it possible with all the lies and game playing that went on in TO. I think I held Caleb on a bit of a pedestal and therefore couldnt see it working, however now I actually think that Caleb and Olivia are on the same level and this gives me hope that it will work.Not as good as The Opportunist, but great to see the series told from different points of view, although I would have liked to see more of Olivia in this book. I cant wait for Caleb's side.