Reviews tagging 'Death'

Torn by Carian Cole

1 review

samalamav's review

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challenging medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
I saw this book when I was strolling through Barnes & Noble and did a double take after reading the synopsis because I could not believe what I read. And I think the majority of us could understand why (at least the sane girlies). Because what do you mean the man who helped raised you is now the object of your affections? I was going to give zero stars immediately but I was urged by my peers to read before I rate anything. In hindsight, I should've just gave it the zero stars (which unfortunately doesn't exist on here) instead of spending three days inducing brain rot.

Toren, who raised our main character (and should be in jail) mirrors the same thoughts, but also doesn't listen to them. He defines the situation perfectly at some point saying,

"She’s so damn perfect for me. And maybe I made her that way by spending too much time with her over the years. I meshed her into every part of my life, and now she’s grown into someone who cares as much about the things that are important to me as I do." 

Homeboy is declaring, shouting from the rooftops about how he groomed her. Hello? Anyone home??

Main plot aside, the story is a bit messy. To start, I didn't feel like the author set the scene right. There is really no depth to the characters. Kenzi, the child, has no dreams. At 17 years old, she's like, "Ah, I'm so different from all the kids my age...I just want a family." Meanwhile, she has the resources to do literally anything. I don't even want to save anyone.

The author leaves us with a note stating, 

"I hope you enjoyed their love story. My goal for every book I write is to showcase an unconventional romance that will leave the reader closing the book believing in all kinds of happily-ever-afters." 

I don't think this a battle we should be fighting for, truly. I did not finish this with a lighter heart. Actually, my heart is heavy. Reading this book was an experience. To read how the characters are rationalizing the situation was unsettling. To mention she's a legal adult? As if any law dictates when a person can make a rational choice and avoid manipulation? It is more than the age gap. It is the fact that he raised her and she hasn't experienced life outside of that small town bubble.

The way every chapter starts with a flashback? It somehow made the story worse. Why would I want to know how their relationship was at 5 years old and 20 years old? I don't even want to know what's going on at 18 and 33. The bouts of jealousy throughout the years when Kenzi is younger regarding Toren and his partners is beyond weird. Incomprehensible. And when Toren meets Kenzi for the first time, it gives Jacob imprinting on Renesmee. Actually, speaking of the supernatural, that is what this book gave. They are not humans with brains. They are just controlled by urges. Be so fr.

I think the timing is also very off. The day Kenzi turns 18, they're essentially texting sexy pics to each other??? and he downloads them onto his computer to wank? and then within a month or two of her turning 18, they have unprotected xxx where she could've been pregnant if she wasn't on the pill? cause he did in fact nut and it was her first time??? I couldn't enjoy the sexy parts because it just felt so wrong. In so many ways. Someone call the feds, please.

And then Kenzi's father finds out about them pretty late in the story, but also the end of the story is just a whole lot of whiplash that's not worth talking about. Anyway, they marry and have a baby, Kenzi's dream.

All in all, I would not recommend this to anyone. I could not relate to any character because Kenzi is a child and Toren, the adult, acted like a child as well. It gave pick me. It gave no one else understands me like you. It gave loneliness and they found solace in each other when in actuality Kenzi should've had a euro summer or something. Literally anything. She had the funds.

I could keep going, but I would love to put this story to rest and never think about it again. But before I do, I would love to share a wish of mine (like Kenzi and Toren do throughout the story).

I hope every girl in this world experiences many things in life! Live their life to the fullest! Grow into the best version of themself! Kiss many people! Love many people! And do many things that spark joy! Before making someone else in their life happy their life's purpose.
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