Tied by Carian Cole is book Two in the All Torn Up Series. This is the story of Tyler and Holly. This is a interconnecting series so I do think it adds to your enjoyment if you have read the previous book. Holly had a rough time of it and wanting a hero but thinking she would never find that one. But then Tyler Grace happened and he didn't look like a hero that he turned out to be. I hope to read more from this author.

Ok thought I knew what j was getting myself into after the first book but wow! 😮 This book is FULL to the brim and overflowing with trauma! If that is not your thing walk away now as this will be trigger after trigger for you. But if you like the trauma this one was written for you.

This is one of those books where you stress over the characters because you care so much for them, and you feel all the feel! Very well written 🩷

It's really hard to rate this book. If you have a thing for lots and lots of trauma, then I give this book 4 or 5 stars. If trauma is hard for you, then 3 stars. There were definitely points in the book that I had to take a breather, and there's definitely a twist at the end that connects the characters even more that felt super far-fetched, but maybe is supposed to make me feel better about the emotional rollercoaster I was just on...

Tyler is your average motorcycle-riding bad boy who has had a very irregular descent into violence and anger after his face is burnt in a horrible accident. His girlfriend dumps him, he becomes addicted to drugs, sex, and fighting. But of course, this is a Romance (ish?), so he has a soft spot for Holly. She was kidnapped as a child and kept for years by a "horrible man" who abuses her sexually, physically, and emotionally. Even after Tyler saves her, her transition back into "normal life" is not smooth. Her parents treat her like she's broken, and she has a hard time navigating social situations, Tyler seems to be the only person who understands her and vice versa.

If you are looking to cuddle up with a book that will make you very nervous and worried for the characters, and your jaw drop with the sheer number of unlikely coincidences, then this is the book for you.

All Tyler did was save a girl and his life went to crap. He was already the wild loner, the scarred, and this alienated him even more.
Sweet, kind Holly experienced something no one, especially a child, should have to experience. Kidnapped as a child. Even after she's saved, does she get to have love and warmth in her life? No, poor girl is still alone. All she wants is her hero prince.

This deep slow burn was all about finding your twin flame, and healing. These two were meant for each other in every way. We literally got to read these two go from the worst of themselves, to finding each other again, to friends, to healing, to lovers. The spice was not emphasized here, and it was actually refreshing to have them wait for so long, especially given Holly's trauma. The healing was so integral to them and the story, and we are so glad it wasn't rushed. These two broken souls deserved the entire world and more, and we are so happy they got their happily ever after.

As with alot of Carians books, this story was heartbreaking and tragic. But having two very damaged people come together and heal, it's worth the hurt to get to the beautiful end. And like most fairytales go, in the end Holly does get her prince 🥰

4.5 out of 5 stars!

This book was mysterious and intriguing, and full of angst. Holly was kidnapped and held captive for 11 years. When she escaped, Tyler is the one who found her. You would think that his scarred face would have scared Holly, but nothing was worse than what she suffered in captivity. I was aghast at the dad that her family didn’t seem so welcoming, having her live in a facility and then her own apartment, not wanting much contact. I imagine I held a grudge against her parents for a majority of the book. Then there was finding out how Tyler’s face got scarred and how it was linked to Holly’s kidnapping??? Then Holly spending time with Tyler and their feelings growing? At first I thought Holly felt this connection to Ty because he rescued her. But really they were two lost souls who found each other and learned how to live life together.

I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.

Tied is book two in the All Torn Up series of interconnected standalones. This is Tyson (Toren’s brother from book one) and Holly’s story. And what a beautiful and heartbreaking story it is! This is a story of two broken souls finding each other and learning to love themselves and finding happiness. They both have tragic pasts and had me crying more than once! I absolutely loved both of these characters but Tyson was everything! I loved the way he was with Holly and his pets. He has a kind sole but others don’t want to look past his disability…and his grumpy attitude. But Holly breaks down those walls and wants nothing more than for her prince to be happy and loved. This was one of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever read and one I think everyone should read!

I've loved everything I have read by Carian Cole in the past and have no idea why I never read this one but I am so glad I finally did. If you have read Torn, you know some about Tyler, the brother in the woods who longer connects with people or his family for the most part. Tied is Tyler's story and it is a doozy. We find out what happened to him - why he is so "asshole-ish" and why he chooses to distance himself from his loved ones. His act of heroism thrusts him back into the world in some ways and little does he know how his life is about to change. Everything happens for a reason is a tough pill to swallow for both Holly and Tyler but in this case, the terrible things they have both been through have brought them together in order to finally heal. While difficult to read with certain triggers, it was delicately written by Carian.

4.25/5 stars
2/5 spice

Tropes:
Strangers to friends to lovers
Scarred MCs
Trauma Bonding
Protective hero
Hurt/healing
Dual POV

This one was heart wrenching but still really sweet. I was really frustrated with the side characters and wanted better for Holly. I did enjoy seeing how she grew in her strength and how she started to heal from her trauma.

Overall, this was a tough one to handle mentally and emotionally but was rewarding in the end. Highly recommend checking trigger and content warnings before starting this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever/Grand Central Publishing for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily

Trigger/Content warnings:
Mentions trauma due to child abduction and SA. Memories of SA abuse. Drug abuse, underage drinking, car accident, fire injury details, death of parent, grief, depression, guilt, sexual content, and explicit language

Beauty and the Beast retold for modern times. Both are deeply scarred in this telling. Him because he was horribly burned by being pushed into a bonfire, burned so badly that speech is difficult. Beauty on the other hand is psychologically scarred from being kidnapped at age 6 and kept a large part of the next 11 years in a hole in the ground. Each has difficulty with the world at large, issues of trust and safety loom large. He rescues her from captivity and lives a secluded life deep in the woods away from the world which has rejected him. Slowly, tentatively, they find their way to each other and a pre-ordained HEA.

Wow, I was not expecting this book to be this good. I was so heartbroken for what happened to Holly as a child, and also Tyler. To finally getting his love story was amazing, what he had overcome, and what he gained at the end. I will admit, I teared up a little, because Holly is the sweetest thing ever and Ty was just perfection!!! Protect Ty and Holly at all costs!!!!! This book was a lot different from the first one, so I really liked that.

Tyler and Holly come full circle!

Tied is a book that you will need a box of tissues and a large glass for the wine because there is so much between Tyler Grace and Holly Daniels between when Tyler finds Holly in a covered hole in the ground and the end of the story that comes full circle for Tyler and Holly.

Tyler Grace feels like an outcast after being burned in a bonfire and then crashing his motorcycle through a window resulting in scars but there was connection with Holly because they were both broken. Could they heal each other because they were the only people to actually understand what they went through?

I first thought that Tied would be a dark romance but it’s actually a romance about healing their brokenness together.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ooof this book was tragic!!!! But I adored it. Reading this book gave strong Jennifer Hartmann vibes. And the full circle moment....heartbreaking. I loget how Tyler TRULY saw her!! He didn't look at her as damaged or broken...he saw her as strong, a fighter.. worthy. Holly's relationship with her mom broke my heart but I loved how she had her brother. I would love to see more of Tyler's relationship with his family and even a book about his sister!

This was a tough book to read, but I couldn't put it down. The characters had gone through unbelievable hardship and horror but they found each other. Well first Tyler found Holly and rescued her. Then by the end of the book, she had rescued him right back. I was furious with Holly's parents and how they treated her. She had been held prisoner for 11 years and they acted like it was easier that she wasn't around. Her grandmother though, had had enough of that, and showed Holly how much she was loved, then and now. Holly's brother supported her along with his girlfriend, but any child that had gone through what she had needed her parents. She started walking in the woods around Christmas to see the decorated Christmas trees. There she finds Tyler along with Poppy (a little dog that had been with her when she was held) and a little fox that Tyler had rescued and just kept coming back. The two animals were so cute. I loved all the descriptions of them. The saga of Tyler and Holly was one of hardship, trial and error and love. I would advise anyone to pick up this book and keep reading until the very end. You will not be sorry. It had the best ending of any story I have read. Kudos to the author. Keep writing

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Thank you to Forever for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

Tied is the second in the All Torn Up series from Carian Cole, but it can be read as a stand alone. Although it's still deeply emotional and rightly classified as dark, it was not as steamy or taboo as Torn.

Tied features Tyler Grace, Toran's brother. The timeline overlaps with that of Torn. Tyler finds and rescues Holly, a girl who was kidnapped at five years old. She sees him as her prince, but he sees himself as far too damaged to be anyone's hero.

This is a lovely story of two people struggling who find their safe place together. It is deeply moving. There are so many fantastic scenes and moments that I just found myself getting lost in. And the imagery throughout is amazing. I loved how the two bonded over the idea of things that are "weirdly good." I want everything good in the world for both Holly and Tyler. The ending was even more amazing and magical than I could have ever hoped.

I'll be re-reading this and hoping for more books about the Grace family.

CW: kidnapping, child abuse, many more

rounded up to 5 stars

I'm gonna be the odd one out who just did not enjoy this. It's well written to be sure but it's stressful in an unexpected way. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Wasn't for me so over to others.

Oh, I tried giving this author another chance. I did, but man oh man do I have a lot of issue with their books.

I guess I had to stop reading and didn't care about the ending when it says that she's a virgin and how magical it was to be the first one to have sex with her that isn't raping her. Ya know, it's purity culture for me.

I had so many other issues with this book, but I guess it's not for me.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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.

This is incredible work by Carian Cole. This is definitely a standalone and to me I don't really even consider it in the "series" with Torn.

This covers heavy topics. FMC Holly has been repeatedly SA during her years of capture. She needs to re-learn what the world is like while also working through a ton of trauma. Similarly the MMC has been isolated for years in his own way with his own past to deal with. At first they seem like an unlikely couple but that is where Carian's mastering of the slow burn comes in. I am not usually a fan of slow burns but it makes so much sense for this book.

This is under dark romance but the actual relationship is the bright spot in it all and at the end it is a soft spot to land.

If you are a fan of Jennifer Hartmann this would be a good book for you.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for this eARC! Happy re-release, I love the new covers.

I can't envision not cherishing a Carian Cole book. She simply has this extraordinary talent that generally arrives at the profound openings of my heart. She never neglects to tear it separated before she sorts it back out in the most perfect romantic tales possible.
A blast of stars wouldn't be enough after what I've quite recently perused. You would should be dead inside not to feel a large number of feelings perusing Tied. I just paused my breathing the whole time and wanted for a blissful consummation. A tormented hermit who saves the 'young lady in the opening'. This was a disastrous story at its best. A lot of liquor required...
I needed to be liable for lighting an inclination in a spirit comparably desolate and broken as my own.
Six levels of partition. A little 5-year young lady hijacked, saved by her Ruler 11 years after the fact. But he is similarly as broken she. At the point when Holly is saved from the pits of misery, rather than being greeted wholeheartedly, her folks rush to move to a regulated office. Yet again unfit to adapt to the injury, all things considered, Holly is separated from everyone else. The main thing that keeps her rational is realizing she will be one day rejoined with her sovereign.

Tied by Carian Cole is an emotionally gripping tale that delves into themes of trauma, redemption, and the unbreakable bonds of love. At its core, it's a tragic story of a child abduction, saved by a scarred man who becomes her unlikely savior.

What sets this book apart is its exploration of the complexities of human connection in the face of adversity. Tyler, a man shunned by society due to his own trauma, finds solace and companionship in Holly, a woman unafraid to see beyond his scars. She’s also been dealt a crappy hand in the “thankful found family” market. Their journey together is poignant and powerful, weaving a narrative that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

While Tied falls into the category of dark romance, it distinguishes itself by prioritizing the depth of its characters and storyline over steamy encounters. Tyler and Holly's relationship is built on trust, understanding, and mutual support, making their bond all the more compelling.

As I reflect on the story, I am struck by its beauty and resonance. Cole's masterful storytelling draws readers into a world where love triumphs over darkness, leaving an indelible mark on the heart. Tied is a testament to the enduring power of hope and connection, and a book that I will continue to revisit in my thoughts.

I am grateful to NetGalley for providing the opportunity to delve into this enthralling tale.