Review for Tricked by R.M.T. Jay
Publication Date: June 22, 2021
- Trigger warning & Disturbances: Nil
- Erotic / Sexual Content: 4 /10
- Gore & Dismemberment: Nil
“…
I would normally just run for cover in tears or stay silent and take it, but
then something clicked, a quiet realization: I'm not ready for all the crap
that happened in high school to spill out into my real world. I don't want to
get trampled on and insulted anymore. This isn't ok, It's never been ok, and I
don't have to take it. I don't want to be a pushover and good ol’ invisible
girl forever. And I certainly don't want to be treated like this for a minute
longer.” (p.20)
When
Josephine met Matthew that night, she did not expect him to change after they
arrived in Italy. She only had Natalia for a sister and Pierro to accept her,
while Helena and Laila despised her. Thanks to Casper Love they were stuck together
for a year, but what would happen during that time? When everything was impermanent,
would the fragile feelings remain the same? Only time could tell.
If
you are ambitiously seeking a cozy, evening novel which is tantalizingly saucy
to enjoy over a hot chocolate, then Jay's Tricked will add a tinge of edginess
to your receptive imagination. It is deliciously salivating with Italian
cuisine and cultural interactions, celebrity and elite sideline romances, and stylish,
yet frivolous journalistic antics; but more on a serious note, bullying and self-respect
with a twist of humor and self-discovery.
As
the first installment of The Tricked Trilogy Series this
book can be defined as a short, easy modern read consisting of 27 actively
engaging chapters. Enlightening you as a Young Adult, New Adult genre, it is
packed with stirring desires and adrenaline-driving moments of budding love,
heated passion, green-eyed jealousy, and wretched vengeance that burst with energy.
As
a plot-driven novel written from the first-person perspective Jay uses a
southern, midwest dialect to capture Texas, and everyday Italian to provide a
comfortable sense of Rome. As a debut author she delightfully captures the Italian
culture and cuisine, for example by describing cozy, hideaway pastry shops and
delicious spaghetti bolognese. Jay expresses the life-style of the rich and snobbish
elite: their fashion choices, food, manner and conduct; reminiscent of a Korean
TV series called Full House produced in 2004. The admirable essence in
this read is the realistic situations Jay has tried to capture: the reality of
an invisible child in high school, and the typical moment of subject and career
decision-making before attending higher education. College expenses and
financial issues are situations with which we are all grossly familiar. Due to
the predictability of the narrative at the beginning the excitement dries away,
but picks up as the plot develops. There are amateurish senseless moments at
the beginning which may appear to weaken the plot, for example: why does
Josephine try to extend the olive branch to Matthew's ex who is clearly hostile
toward her?
There
are admirable qualities in Jay's characters; she successfully depicts them as
relatable in their typical nature. They are not complicated nor complex. The
young characters are illustrated with modern youth behavior; her use of
TikTok, Bookstagrammer, and social media browsing entertains the current youth
mindset. Josephine, Jay's star protagonist, is introduced as a farm girl from
Texas who has finished high school. Through her Jay portrays the loving nature
of a sentimental family and proper upbringing. At first Josephine appears to be
naïve. That may burst your bubble at moments causing you to question, ‘what
were you thinking?’ but she improves herself as she gains experience in her
unique situation. Josephine can be viewed as a 22- or 23-year-old who is
self-conscious and kind with a hidden strong personality bubbling with positive
vibes as she flourishes. Through her Jay conveys the importance of standing against
bullying and for what she believes. She experienced moments of self-reflection
and awakening: ‘I do not want to get trampled on or insulted anymore.’ (p.20)
Jay's hero in this story is an uber-rich, handsome, and educated man-turn-gentleman
from Italy named Matthew. Their relationship turned sour and icy which gave us
a recall to Prince Charles and Lady Diana's relationship. Through Matthew, she provides
us the insight that what we see as glamor is not always truly glamorous, and she
emphasizes the importance of recognizing people before judging them; but what
turned out to be disappointing at times is how predictable they can be.
The
title speaks for the novel, and it is impressive to see the voice in the
narrative; when you read it out loud their is a sense of class. Elegance and
eloquence are a key factor in the author's dexterity and passion. There are
minor grammar and punctuation mistakes, but the misuse of ellipses stood out
the most. The ending lands on a satisfactory note, and you certainly can look
forward to reading the upcoming second installment for The Tricked Series
– stay tuned for more hot romances and glittering celebrity high glamour.
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