Upheaval by Rita Potter is the first book in Potter’s dystopian romance series, As We Know It, that shows love can find you in even the most dire of situations.
Dillon Mitchell has built an extremely successful construction firm, the third largest in L.A. in fact. Since the tragic death of her wife, she has poured everything she has left into her work. However, regardless of her success, her passion for her work is gone. She pines for the early days when she was making dreams come true by building homes for families. More importantly, she yearns for her wife. She feels empty inside and has sequestered herself from her friends, burying herself in work she no longer loves.
She has become so ensconced in her reclusiveness that when she receives an ostentatious gold embossed envelope from none other than L.A.’s most spoiled socialite Tiffany Daniels, she is tempted to toss it in the trash without even opening it. But her best friend CJ insists she will want to see what’s inside. The envelope contains an invitation to Tiffany’s thirty-fifth birthday party which is to be held at the illustrious Whitaker Estate. Once owned by a wealthy and eccentric survivalist, it features an elaborate underground shelter and has been an obsession of Dillon’s for years. This is just the push she needs to get out and start her living her life again.
Skylar Lange is a month away from graduating nursing school and will finally be able to quit bartending for good. Life has been hard, but she is harder, and ever so close to reaching her goal. When she is invited to bartend Tiffany’s party, she jumps at the chance to earn enough money to help start her new life.
The party is as lavish as expected and filled with successful women. But when Dillon and Skylar meet, there is an instant, undeniable attraction. However, before they have a chance to explore their feelings, the party is interrupted by a terrified scream. Something horrific has happened outside the compound. Cut off from the rest of the world the women need to work together to find out how far the devastation stretches and how many people are affected.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
Dystopian books are my jam. Ok one of several of my jams. But I do love reading about the capable heroine that helps save humanity, the different ways society can fall apart but manages to rebuild, and how disparate people can come together and help one another in times of crises. While we don’t yet know what caused the disaster, it is still a great ride watching the group dynamics play out and the different ways people react to a life threatening situation.
Dillon and Skylar are both intelligent, strong, and honourable women who have suffered deep emotional trauma. Theirs is somewhat of an insta-love situation, but the relationship is believable in its progression. I loved how open and honest they were able to be (though sometimes it took a minute or two) and how they talked to each other to work things out.
Cons And Heads Up
The plot slows occasionally and unfortunately, I found some of the characters to be a little too one dimensional in this book. It is the beginning of a series though, so hopefully we see more development and growth as the story continues.
In terms of content warnings, there is a lot of death, including that of children (though not discussed in too much detail), classism, and some sexual violence (groping, leering, debasing).
The Conclusion
Without giving away too much of the plot, I can say this is a quick read with a humdinger of cliffhanger ending that will leave you needing to know what happens next. I look forward to the next installment in the series to not only find out what the heck happened, but also see how Dillon, Skylar and the rest of the group are going deal with it.
Excerpt from Upheaval by Rita Potter
“Hello?”
“Are ya goin’?”
“Hello?”
“Are you going?” The impatient voice repeated.
Dillon Mitchell looked down at her phone and contemplated her response but was interrupted before she could speak.
“Oh for God’s sake, Dillon, just answer the damned question.”
“You know there’s something known as phone etiquette. Maybe try saying hello and identify yourself,” Dillon said.
“Isn’t that what caller ID’s for?” Dillon remained silent, a grin parting her lips. “Fine. Hi, it’s CJ. Are you going?”
“Do you think you could pretend to be human for a change?” Dillon asked.
“It’s not efficient. Would you just answer me?”
“Care to clue me in on where it is I might be going?” Dillon said, genuinely confused.
“Didn’t you get an invitation in the mail today?”
“An invitation for what?”
“For Tiffany Daniels’ party.” It was clear CJ could barely contain her growing impatience.
“You mean that gaudy, ostentatious, dripping in privilege, gold plated envelope? Yeah I got it a couple of days ago. it’s buried somewhere here on my desk,” Dillon lied. She ran her finger over the engravings. How much did an invitation like this cost? The seal gleamed, and knowing Tiffany, it was 14k gold.
“A couple of days ago? And you didn’t call me? This is, like, the biggest event of the year, probably the biggest on ever.”
“A little melodramatic, aren’t you? So the princess is having a party. What’s the big deal?”
“Are you kidding me? Did you read the invitation?”
“Not after I saw who sent it.”
“Well look at it. I’ll wait.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously. Once you open it, I bet you won’t be so smug.”
“Fine.” Dillon slid her pen under the flap, unevenly ripping the gaudy envelope. She smirked at the jagged edges, proud of her careless disregard for Tiffany’s wealth. A brochure fell out onto her desk when she pulled out the invitation.
She stared at the familiar picture on the front and ran her finger over it. Damn, not the Whitaker Estate. She closed her eyes, transported back to her college days. Her mentor had been obsessed by the Whitaker Estate, and in turn, had gotten Dillon enthralled as well. While the architectural design was impressive, the elaborate underground shelter captivated her. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Nope, Daddy is pulling out all the stops for Tiffany’s thirty-fifth birthday party…Now’s your chance to see it for yourself. What do you say?”
“I need to think about it.” Dillon already knew what her answer would be, but she couldn’t give in so easily.
“Karen said she really wants to see you.”
“I’m sure she doesn’t want a third wheel along. You guys could make it a romantic getaway.”
“I didn’t say I wanted to room with you.” CJ laughed. “Come on, it’ll be fun, and it’s about time you get out.”
“We’re not going there.”
“Sleep on it then.”
“Fine, I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow it is.” The smile was evident in CJ’s voice.
Her back protested when she stood. She bent backwards, trying to stretch out her tight muscles. While walking across her office, she continue to stretch her back, trying to work out the kink. She went to the last file cabinet in the line and opened the bottom drawer. Shinier files were meticulously organized, she easily located the folder marked Whitaker Estate. A smile parted her lips when she extracted it. Once back at her desk, she poured over the yellowing notes and drawings, cringing at the obvious mistakes she’s made in the design. She pulled out a pencil and started sketching on a blank sheet of paper. Fifteen minutes later, she dropped her pencil and shook her head. What am I doing? She could redesign all she wanted, but unless she went to Tiffany’s party, she may never find out what Legacy Construction did with the inside of the mansion.
Dillon picked up the phone, knowing CJ would be asleep by now, but not caring. Waking CJ would give her a small sense of satisfaction, since she knew she would have to listen to CJ gloat the next several weeks.
“Hello,” the groggy voice said.
“You win,” Dillon said.
“Really,” CJ said, sounding fully awake. “Cool.”
“Goodnight.”
“Dillon, wait.”
Dillon disconnected.
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Series
Upheaval
Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 9781952270383
Publisher: Sapphire Books Publishing
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