Torn by Carian Cole

Posted February 21, 2024 in review Tags: 4 stars, age difference, friends to lovers, small town

Torn by Carian Cole
Pages: 480

Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Also by this author: Tied

Goodreads

When I was five years old I told Toren Grace we were going to get married someday. He’d been my best friend, my protector, and my rock since the day I was born. He was my world. In fact, his name was my very first word.

He wasn’t just my favorite person, though.

He was also my dad’s best friend, and my pseudo uncle.

But during my senior year of high school, our relationship slowly changed. Innocent friendship turned to stolen glances. Silly conversations morphed into serious heart-to-hearts. And then one day, an unexpected smoldering kiss changed everything.

While that kiss was everything I’d ever dreamed of, it knocked Tor clear off his axis. He’s one of the good guys—loving and devoted with a strong moral compass . . . which makes it impossible for him to accept our feelings for each other. Because not only are we both the one person the other should never, ever want, I’m eighteen, and Tor is fifteen years older than me.

Despite that, the heart wants what the heart wants, and ours have decided we’re meant to be together no matter what.

But neither one of us can stand to betray or hurt my father, who trusts Tor with everything precious to him. We can’t be in a secret relationship forever, so what will happen when my father finds out his best friend is in love with his daughter?

Will there be a way for us to find our happily ever after? Or we will all be torn apart?

This was my first Carian Cole book! Lots of indie romance readers adore her books, so I am surprised I never got around to reading any of them. Torn is a bit taboo and a lot angsty (but, what taboo romance isn’t angsty??)! Kenzi was born when her parents were 15. Their best friend, Toren, also 15, became Kenzi’s godfather. He cared for her throughout her life. Her parents were rock stars and gone a lot. Toren was always there. After she graduates high school, she starts to see Toren differently. She is 18 and he is in his mid thirties so the age different isn’t THAT shocking. And as weird as I thought it would be to have those feelings for someone who helped raise you, it does make sense. I was kind of annoyed at times that Toren seemed even older-back pain and whatnot. The angst is significant. Once they finally get together, they are hiding it from everyone. Then there is the 3rd act break up. I felt it was unnecessarily long (like I get why it happened, but not the length of time it happened for).

I did like the epistolary aspects that you get at times, especially because you don’t know exactly when the letters were written. I thought Kenzi was very mature, and that was appropriate for the life she had led. Overall, this was a pretty great read! I certainly plan to read more by Cole!