I liked this one so much more than the first book, which I found creepy. This one was emotionally raw and I really liked the authors writing style! I'm glad we got their story after the first book.

Tied by Carian Cole is a deeply emotional, slow-burn romance that took me by surprise in the best way possible. The story follows a complex, dark, and intense love between two characters who have to face their own personal demons while navigating their deep, undeniable connection. Cole’s writing is raw and evocative, making the emotional weight of the characters’ journey feel real and impactful.

This was such a dark and emotional ride. Watching our characters interact after Holly's crazy adolescence was honestly healing. At first, when I read this book, I thought it was going to continue to be a really dark and tragic epic. However, I was pleasantly surprised when Ty and Holly got their happy ending! I cried a lot while reading this, and watching them both heal and open up about their tragedies was really heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.

This was a little darker than the first book in the series, but I still enjoyed it. The book does cover some sensitive topics, but I think the author handled them with care. I love how the characters were able to work through the difficult things they had been through and find love and happiness with each other.

I'm not usually one for slow burn, but the couple in this book needed to take their time and I love that it was written in a way that truly respected that. I really felt for both Tyler and Holly in their individual plights and can't imagine being in their shoes. The author did a great job of making that feel very palpable and emotional without it feeling overly dramatic or cheap. I loved Feather, Zac & Anna too but if I ever meet Holly's parents in the streets, I'm throwing hands, I gotta say.

Review scheduled to be posted on Instagram on 4/12/24 at 4 PM ET.

Edit: Updated IG review link below.
Edit: Added Amazon link

I read the first book so i already knew a little bit about Tyler and Holly's background. They both had been through so many terrible things in life but they come together and they create one of the best fairytale romances I've ever read. i absolutely loved this one as much as book 1. excellent.

I had been curious yet apprehensive about Tyler's story with reading Torn, however I was not prepared for the devastation that was Holly. Then the twist realization at the end with the full circle moment connecting both of their traumas through the same villain OMG heart shattered and put back together because of how deeply they both fought for and loved each other. Love the care that was taken with the very sensitive and triggering topics and how the journey of recovery for both of our main characters.

This story follows Holly who was kidnapped at a young age and was saved by the town’s outcase, Tyler. Both have twisted paths that they work through together. I read the first book which follows a different coulple and really enjoyed Cole’s writing style. You don’t have to read book 1 since this one follows a different cast but her writing stayed the same which I really liked. The storyline was powerful with so much character development and healing. The pacing was perfect and I liked the small town setting. This book is told from both Holly and Tyler’s pov.

Holly is the FMC and we mainly get her pov. I loved her character because she is strong and fierce after all she went through. Especially when the real world was also hard on her.I loved seeing her grow no matter how much people around her would push her down. Then we have Tyler who hides away in the woods because of his scars until he connects with Holly. At first, I wasn’t seeing much development of his character but then I remember that not everyone heals in an instant. I believe that Cole wanted to showcase that. I loved his story and seeing how he helped Holly achieve her dreams. There are many side characters and I hope one day we get the other brother’s stories. The romances if fated mates, friends to lovers, and age gap which was very well done.

The ending was great and the epilogue was very unexpected. I don’t believe we will get more books with the characters but we will see. I really enjoyed this book and recommend that you pick this book up!

Ended up trying to give Carian Cole a second try with fresh eyes. Unfortunately this still didn't work for me. :(
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

What an incredible story line! This book engaged me from the beginning and I was immersed in the story of Tyler Grace and Holly. Readers that are out to find an angsty book need to look no further. This book can also be read as a standalone and not with the first.

This book was definitely better than the first book.... bay far. The history between the love interests was kinda off. This book is on the lower end idc I where to ever recommend if he person liked want to be dark and edgy romance.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I DNF the first book based on the "uncle" love and won't be reading this continued title.

This was… something. A bit dark right off the bat and lots of TRIGGER talk of SA. The entire dynamic between the two main characters felt off to me and I just couldn’t get behind them together. AND THEN THE TWIST … made me feel even weirder.

I don’t know, this one wasn’t for me, but I appreciate the work the author put into it.

(Thank you, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

I. Love. This. World. Beyond thrilled to read whatever comes next from this author. It's unexpected. It's emotional. It's relatable. I didn't want it to end.

I read All Torn Up #1 and I felt questionable the ENTIRE time, this made me come into reading book #2 with apprehension and when I tell you that I was put into a chokehold by this book and that it kept me up until 3AM to finish it, I am NOT lying. That's when I know I'm in love with the book. Carian Cole did a wonderful job of showing growth, and struggle with sexual abuse, post-traumatic stress, trauma, and dealing with the inner turmoil of vanity and a massive change from high school to adult life. I also loved the difference from most novels to Carian's on how Holly's parents treated her which was unique on its own. Being able to read Holly's inner thoughts in the middle of scenes, and seeing her thinking grow from childish, to adult was beautiful and in and of its own accord healing to an extent. It can be so hard to understand enjoying sex post SA, and seeing someone wrap their head around it was somewhat beautiful.

DNF’d book one at 15%
so I will not be reading this book.
I unfortunately could not get past the “uncle” dynamic, i've read similar stories and was fine with it
but this one seemed to be just a bit..."more"

Torn was my first Carian Cole book and I'm so grateful that I was able to read Tied so soon after. The author dishes out a sweet tale of 2 broken people who are helping each other heal, interlaced with trauma and some dark themes. This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride!

- Dual POV
- Pet fox
- Rescuer to friend to lover
- Abducted FMC
- Tortured and protective MMC
- Spicy
- It was always you
- Beauty and the Beast vibes (but add tattoos and spice)

Thank you Forever Publishing for my advance review copy!

At first I wasn’t sure I would like this book because I tried Book 1 and ended up DNFing because the tropes just weren’t for me, but I decided to still give this one a chance and I’m really glad I did! Despite the tragic events that happen to them Tyler and Holly’s romance was so sweet and wholesome. It was beautiful seeing them heal themselves and each other.

It did feel like the story could have dug a little deeper especially in regards with dealing with their trauma. And the last chapter felt a bit rushed. But I loved the full circle of their story together and it was a great romance overall!

I couldn't get enough of this one! the MMC was dreamy and quickly became my new book boyfriend. honestly I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I thought I would. im excited to read the next one!

I really liked this one as well! It was so sad but also such a beautiful story about two broken people who are helping each other heal. Throughout the healing process, they become soulmates. All the feels with this book. I didn’t love it as much as the first book but I still really enjoyed it. The fact that they have a fox as a pet🥹 it gave me fox and the hound vibes. This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I love her writing style. Thank you NetGalley for my ARC!