Review and Giveaway: Torn

Torn (Connections - Book 2) by Kim Karr

Publication Date: 04/01/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: New American Library
Genre: New Adult
Pages: 352
ISBN-10: 0451468287
ISBN-13: 978-0451468284

(Received for an honest review from New American Library)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound

Kim Karr on the WEB: website, twitter, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series: 

Connections

1. Connected
2. Torn

Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from, Torn, courtesy of the author's website. (There are several teasers from Torn and an epilogue)

Synopsis:

Rock star River Wilde brought Dahlia London back from the brink of hopelessness with his unwavering love and devotion. But their entangled history is about to test the strength of their relationship…

Dahlia was certain she had found true love and met her ‘Once in a Lifetime’ when she reconnected with River. But Dahlia’s world comes crashing down when someone from her past resurfaces, and all of River’s carefully hidden secrets are exposed.
                                                                                                               
River wants to show Dahlia that life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass—it’s about dancing in the rain. But how many times can one broken heart be mended?  Will River and Dahlia be able to stay together or will they be torn apart?

Thoughts:

Kim Karr's second book in the Connections series, Torn will have readers doing everything from crying to throwing tantrums. There is so much passion and emotion in Karr's writing that it is hard for the reader not to become so deeply involved that they lose track of reality a little bit. River and Dahlia are back in Torn, after the cliffhanger ending in Connected. There story continues with unexpected twists, turns and connections that most readers won't see coming. The character development is flawless and Karr's ability to show the deep seeded feelings of her lead characters has only improved. A great addition to the series!

What I liked:

It's no secret that I was a huge fan of the first book in this series, Connected. I hate cliffhanger endings, but Karr made me a believer. There was so much angst and complete surprise at what happened, that I just had to read the second book and I'm sure that's how most readers reacted to it. River and Dahlia made the perfect couple. Rock star meets the girl next door. I'm not often a fan of that kind of theme, but it really worked with this series. At the end of Connected readers were completely shocked with Ben's return. You can't get much further out of the picture than being dead... Yep, Ben is back!

The connection between River and Dahlia was so strong in Connected that I couldn't really understand what could happen that would drive them apart. Karr must have known from the beginning exactly where she wanted to go with this. She knew that no one other than Ben could possibly have a chance. Ben was Dahlia's best friend, her lover, her fiancee. She had a deep connection with him, but it was not the same as her connection to River. Now she is torn about which direction she should go.

I have to give Ben credit. He might have been a class a jerk, but he had a plan. He was determined to get Dahlia back and he never wavered. He didn't give in to self doubt, He just hit the ground running and gave it everything he had. But I'm glad it wasn't enough. The relationship that Dahlia had built with River was beyond just love. River helped her in so many ways that had nothing to do with just him. Dahlia is stronger in this book, more capable. She isn't broken anymore and I loved the fact that River helped her find that within herself. Ben was back, but River was there to stay. 

Karr uses snippets from Ben's journal to fill in the blanks about what happened to him and how he was feeling. He comes across as arrogant and boisterous, but you can't help but like him. Readers will be able to see why Dahlia loved him. They will also be able to see a much different side to the River they found in Connected. River is challenged here. He is perhaps being asked to give up the one thing he has fought so desperately for. He is portrayed as a laid back rock star with enough confidence in himself to front a band. But he is feeling the heat a little bit with Ben's return. He gets a little possessive and down right confrontational. He shows his fierceness and the intensity of his love for her in this one. I loved that side of him.

Bottom Line:

I thought Karr's characters were fully developed before. I was wrong. She shows us more of each of them in Torn. She makes me believe for awhile that Ben might come out on top. She makes me wonder if the book will turn out the way it should. She gives me pause, but I never should have worried. A connection like River and Dahlia's might shake with the tremors of this world, but their souls were solid and there love prevails.

I didn't write a section on what I didn't like, because I liked every word.

Torn is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Kim Karr is the author of the popular Connections series, including Connected and its sequel, Torn. She lives in Florida with her husband and four kids. She’s always had a love for books and recently decided to embrace one of her biggest passions—writing.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Torn by Kim Karr.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, May 14th.

1. Please leave a comment about how a secret changed your life or someone you know.

2. Please fill out the FORM.