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The Karen Carter Series #2
Becoming Karen Carter
Jessica Nichols wanted the one thing that eluded her – The distinction of becoming a bestselling author. The only thing standing in her way was a stack of rejection letters. Unable to get her foot in the door, she finds herself destined to spend her life working dead-end jobs. Desperate to make it, and rapidly running out of options, Jessica crosses a line she can never come back from.
102 pages, Paperback
First published November 23, 2018
63 people want to read
About the author
R.E. Sargent
43 books64 followersR.E. Sargent, the author of Relative Terror, One-Star Review and the Fury series, lives in Oregon with his wife, Sandi and their two fur children, Mason, a Bernese Mountain Dog, and Riley, a Chocolate Lab.
Born in California, R.E. spent most of his life living and working in Arizona, where he met his wife. Between them, they raised four sons. Talk about a lot of testosterone in the house!
An avid reader, R.E. fell in love with books when he was a child and the bug never went away. It was his love for the written word--and his admiration for authors such as Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Gregory Mcdonald, Paul Gallico, Donald Westlake and Roald Dahl--that persuaded him to write novels himself. Currently, he is working on the latest novel in the Fury - Scorned series.
When not working or writing, R.E. and his wife enjoy making trips to the coast and taking in the ocean air. Life doesn't get much better than watching the waves crash on the shore as the sun sets below the horizon. Well, maybe one of those drinks with the little umbrellas would make it better. You know what I mean, right?
Born in California, R.E. spent most of his life living and working in Arizona, where he met his wife. Between them, they raised four sons. Talk about a lot of testosterone in the house!
An avid reader, R.E. fell in love with books when he was a child and the bug never went away. It was his love for the written word--and his admiration for authors such as Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Gregory Mcdonald, Paul Gallico, Donald Westlake and Roald Dahl--that persuaded him to write novels himself. Currently, he is working on the latest novel in the Fury - Scorned series.
When not working or writing, R.E. and his wife enjoy making trips to the coast and taking in the ocean air. Life doesn't get much better than watching the waves crash on the shore as the sun sets below the horizon. Well, maybe one of those drinks with the little umbrellas would make it better. You know what I mean, right?
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 1, 2026
Jessica Nichols - aspiring author - has done everything she can. She's written books, edited and re-edited, and pounded the pavement.
"What rocked her to the core was that the person she had idolized was just as screwed up as she was."
And yet, nothing - NOTHING - is working. She can feel herself spiraling ever further down.
"She had no idea how she would catch someone’s attention if they wouldn’t read her work."
A chance encounter with one of her idols - the famous Karen Carter - leads Jessica down a far darker path.
"What she didn’t know is how she would be able to cope with being nothing, now and forever."
Ahhh! That one was so much fun to read!
"Their stories were similar. If Karen Carter could do it, so could she."
We know most of the story from book one - Karen Carter, uber successful writer, finds herself enraged at mean one-star reviews...so she begins to make a...permanent...difference in the world of reviewers.
But at the end of book 1, Jessica Nichols enters into the story and Karen Carter meets an untimely end.
But how does that happen? What was Jessica thinking?
Glad you asked and you came to the right book.
This one focuses on Jessica's descent and what led her to Karen's doorstep - something that I've been curious about ever since book 1.
Jessica's back story was interesting and intriguing. It really rounded out the series for me - filling in plot holes (or at least potential plot holes) with ease.
The writing definitely feels a lot stronger in this one - which overall cinched this series for me.
The characters in this one felt more defined and Jessica, in particular, was the star of this book. I loved getting her perspective and seeing her actions that shaped the first book.
Overall, this was a fun, unique series....and rumor has it...I'm going to be a part of book 3...
O.O
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June 30, 2020
An interesting companion novelette for One-Star Review, filled with envy and obsession🔪🔪 🔪
This book is definitely more of a tie-in, rather than a sequel, and you should absolutely read One-Star Review first!
At only 53 pages, this was a short, quick read, which helped me fill in the blanks from book one! Jessica was just as diabolical as Karen, with her jealousy, ambition and sociopathy, leading to stalking and more!
Will she get away with it?!
I did enjoy book one more personally, because this was just the same story but just from Jessica's POV. It was intriguing seeing the background though, and R.E. Sargent's writing was strong in this eerie little book!
I am looking forward to reading the third installment, featuring the Goodreads member Miranda Reads!
This book is definitely more of a tie-in, rather than a sequel, and you should absolutely read One-Star Review first!
At only 53 pages, this was a short, quick read, which helped me fill in the blanks from book one! Jessica was just as diabolical as Karen, with her jealousy, ambition and sociopathy, leading to stalking and more!
Will she get away with it?!
I did enjoy book one more personally, because this was just the same story but just from Jessica's POV. It was intriguing seeing the background though, and R.E. Sargent's writing was strong in this eerie little book!
I am looking forward to reading the third installment, featuring the Goodreads member Miranda Reads!
February 25, 2021
'Their stories were similar. If Karen Carter could do it, so could she.'
Becoming Karen Carter is less a sequel and more a companion novella to One-Star Review. I would definitely encourage all you beautiful bookworms to read One-Star Review first.
This novella gives us Jessica's point of view. And folks, she's just as diabolical as Lana. Her back story is interesting, and I was happy to finally have some answers regarding her actions in book 1. These are short, quirky, fun stories...and I'm eagerly anticipating diving into book 3 tomorrow.
Keep rocking it, R.E. Sargent!
Becoming Karen Carter is less a sequel and more a companion novella to One-Star Review. I would definitely encourage all you beautiful bookworms to read One-Star Review first.
This novella gives us Jessica's point of view. And folks, she's just as diabolical as Lana. Her back story is interesting, and I was happy to finally have some answers regarding her actions in book 1. These are short, quirky, fun stories...and I'm eagerly anticipating diving into book 3 tomorrow.
Keep rocking it, R.E. Sargent!
December 29, 2019
Sigh. Jessica, Jessica, Jessica.
So this is, as others before me have said, the tie in to the wonderful "One Star Review". I loved it and it answers many a question that I had when reading One Star.
I love books about writers..and with this one we've got Jessica, an ambitious and hungry to be recognized writer in progress. She has not been published..not yet..and the anger is bubbling away at her...
Any fan of mysteries, thrillers, short stories ETC should read this. It is well written and witty but creepy too. You will think twice about writing a one star review I can tell you that!
Start with part one though which is called One Star Review then read this one. There is a third installment which I will be reading in the next day or two and I can't wait. It's a unique and great concept. Wouldn't want to meet Jessica in a dark alley though..
So this is, as others before me have said, the tie in to the wonderful "One Star Review". I loved it and it answers many a question that I had when reading One Star.
I love books about writers..and with this one we've got Jessica, an ambitious and hungry to be recognized writer in progress. She has not been published..not yet..and the anger is bubbling away at her...
Any fan of mysteries, thrillers, short stories ETC should read this. It is well written and witty but creepy too. You will think twice about writing a one star review I can tell you that!
Start with part one though which is called One Star Review then read this one. There is a third installment which I will be reading in the next day or two and I can't wait. It's a unique and great concept. Wouldn't want to meet Jessica in a dark alley though..
September 9, 2019
This novella is the “tie-in” to the novella “One Star Review” and it is a “must read” if you enjoyed that one!
This time the author explores the flip side of the “One Star review”-a fan who becomes OBSESSED and JEALOUS!
Will there be a third installment to let us know what comes next? 🤞🏻
Surely she can’t get away with all of this!!! 🤔
Suspend disbelief and enjoy!
This time the author explores the flip side of the “One Star review”-a fan who becomes OBSESSED and JEALOUS!
Will there be a third installment to let us know what comes next? 🤞🏻
Surely she can’t get away with all of this!!! 🤔
Suspend disbelief and enjoy!
July 3, 2020
This is a companion piece to the novella, “One-Star Review”. First and foremost, I have to say how much I absolutely love the little image of a hand holding a knife 🔪🔪 at the start of each chapter in this series. It is somehow adorable, and I don’t know what that says about me. We can discuss that another time. We already know that Lana Brooks (who writes as Karen Carter) doesn’t like one-star reviews and will do anything in her control to get rid of the reviewer. Jessica Nichols is a huge fan of Lana. She’s money-hungry and desperate to be a published author. This sequel shows us the events leading up to the climax of part 1 from Jessica’s POV.
Although interesting, and with some new perspectives, it doesn’t quite reach the same level of violent charm as part 1. I still enjoyed it.* I think the third installment will be killer 🔪 ...no pun intended!
*I promise I really did enjoy it! R.E. Sargent, please don’t come for me!
Although interesting, and with some new perspectives, it doesn’t quite reach the same level of violent charm as part 1. I still enjoyed it.* I think the third installment will be killer 🔪 ...no pun intended!
*I promise I really did enjoy it! R.E. Sargent, please don’t come for me!
March 20, 2021
I read the Kindle version of this novella but with the paperback cover which I prefer. After an intense book like Girl A, I need something a little more run-of-the-mill ... ha ha! This book explains what led up to the ending of Book 1, One Star Review, and I liked it but not as much as the first book. You should read them in order though and I look forward to reading Book 3.
January 1, 2020
2.5 stars
I didn't enjoy this as much as the first one because it is the same story but from Jessica's point of view.
It was good to fill in some of the blanks but too much repetition for my liking.
I'm hoping the third novella gives me the same exhiliration of the first one!
I didn't enjoy this as much as the first one because it is the same story but from Jessica's point of view.
It was good to fill in some of the blanks but too much repetition for my liking.
I'm hoping the third novella gives me the same exhiliration of the first one!
Want to Read
February 28, 2020🎁 The complete Karen Carter Series (3 book series) is FREE on Amazon today (2/28/2020)! 🎁
November 5, 2019
Paired alongside One Star Review, author R.E. Sargent has brought you a truly eerie tale of envy, anger, and a sprinkling of terror. Highly recommend reading both back to back!
January 23, 2021
This story is set in parallel to the One-Star Review, and in the end both the stories merge. Karen Carter meets her match, another psycopath, Jessica.
This probably is a lesson to anyone who clicks on mails sent by strangers.
And authors particularly, not to write their novels when they are online.
Similar to the book, 1 star review, this requires throwing logic and law out of the window when you read this. Nevertheless, It is an engaging quick read.
This probably is a lesson to anyone who clicks on mails sent by strangers.
And authors particularly, not to write their novels when they are online.
Similar to the book, 1 star review, this requires throwing logic and law out of the window when you read this. Nevertheless, It is an engaging quick read.
August 18, 2019
Becoming Karen Carter was a good quick read by R.E. Sargent. Jessica wants to become a bestselling author even though that is the one thing that has seemed to elude her. Unfortunately for her she has a large stack of rejection letters. She has been running out of options and crosses a line that she will never be able to come back from. I enjoyed reading this quick read that tells the story of how Jessica became Karen.
January 9, 2022
Obsession, stalking, and sociopathy all encompassed in a single character, what's not to like?
It's not unknown for an author to be a little jealous of another's work and success, but Jessica has taken that to a whole new level - not content with just envying the success and literary acclaim of her former idol, she wanted and took literally everything from her. In this instalment, we get to learn more of the backstory to the character we only learnt of towards the end of book one. In many ways, Jessica is not only the equal of Lana in just how far she's willing to go to preserve her own literary status now, but is developing a real taste for it despite a few initial reservations ... they say writing and publishing can be a cut-throat business, but believe me, we see here it's a lot more gruesome than that!
What a cracking story to accompany book one in the series. I wouldn't have thought it possible, but Jessica Nichols proves to be every bit as murderous and calculating as her onetime idol, Lana Brooks aka the former Karen Carter ... obsession, stalking, and sociopathy all encompassed in a single character, what's not to like?
Although this is book two in the series, this is really more a companion to book one, a sort of mirror image told from a different perspective, and in that respect very much reads a stand-alone story - even so, I'd still recommend reading these stories in the correct order.
It's not unknown for an author to be a little jealous of another's work and success, but Jessica has taken that to a whole new level - not content with just envying the success and literary acclaim of her former idol, she wanted and took literally everything from her. In this instalment, we get to learn more of the backstory to the character we only learnt of towards the end of book one. In many ways, Jessica is not only the equal of Lana in just how far she's willing to go to preserve her own literary status now, but is developing a real taste for it despite a few initial reservations ... they say writing and publishing can be a cut-throat business, but believe me, we see here it's a lot more gruesome than that!
What a cracking story to accompany book one in the series. I wouldn't have thought it possible, but Jessica Nichols proves to be every bit as murderous and calculating as her onetime idol, Lana Brooks aka the former Karen Carter ... obsession, stalking, and sociopathy all encompassed in a single character, what's not to like?
Although this is book two in the series, this is really more a companion to book one, a sort of mirror image told from a different perspective, and in that respect very much reads a stand-alone story - even so, I'd still recommend reading these stories in the correct order.
October 13, 2024
This is the sequel to One-Star Review. I will say I'm excited to read the third book. This book focuses on Jessica Nichols, someone who just wanted to live the dream of being a best selling author. R.E. does a great job making the reader feel sorry for her as she has had a tough adulthood with a couple of bad jobs that ended on horrid terms. However, the reader soon stops feeling sorry for her as she will do anything to make her dreams come true, even murder.
Will Jessica get away with her new found life? I can't wait to figure it out, but I have a feeling the answer won't be that simple, hehe.
Will Jessica get away with her new found life? I can't wait to figure it out, but I have a feeling the answer won't be that simple, hehe.
August 4, 2025
Book 2. Follows the story of Jessica, who wants what best selling author Karen Carter has. But just how far is someone willing to go to reach their dream?
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews