ARC Review: The Lovely Return by Carian Cole

The Lovely Return is one of the best books I've read this year. This book was truly unique and different from anything I've ever read before. I always love everything that Carian Cole writes, but this book was very special. From the very first page, I knew that this book was going to be one I'd fall in love with. 

Alex and Penny's story is one that spans years and goes beyond what we know of time. These two are drawn to one another in a way that they cannot fight or explain. Penny is thought to be an odd child, often times having unexplainable dreams and memories that no one can explain. Despite the age difference between them, Alex and Penny continue to grow closer over time, forming a friendship that feels right to both of them. 

I won't ruin the story here, but this one was such a joy to read. The Lovely Return was beautiful from start to finish, filled with words that only Carian could put together in such a heartbreaking and heartwarming manner. This story is not only beautiful, but one that is emotional and captivating. I didn't want to put this one down, anxious for these characters that I was falling in love with throughout this entire story. If you are a fan of romance and don't mind a bit of reimagining what we all think to be true of time and death, this book is an absolute must read. Trust me and go in blind with this one as this book is one that should just be experienced with no spoilers if possible. Carian Cole never disappoints and this book is one I know I'll never forget. 

**ARC Provided by Give Me Books**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle |

ARC Review: No Tomorrow by Carian Cole

 

I am a huge fan of Carian Cole's. Everything I have read from her I have loved. This book was no easy story to read though, and I love that Carian Cole isn't afraid to push her readers as well as her characters. There are a lot of rough topics here that she handled really well and I honestly cannot wait for more from her. 

Blue and Piper met while he was homeless and despite all the reasons they shouldn't work, they did. But several years later, they are no longer together though neither one can get the other off their mind. Now he is a star, loved by the world for his talent, but Piper has always just loved him for being Blue. Blue has never been stable though, and with a wake of destruction left behind everywhere he goes, Piper hopes that maybe this time things will be different for their future. 

I loved both Piper and Blue. I will say there were times I was frustrated with each, but honestly I couldn't get enough of them. Their love and chemistry was clear right from the start. Their circumstances and obstacles were what kept them from having an easy road, but their feelings were never something I questioned. Blue was a beautiful soul, but he had so much going on with him and my heart broke for him. I just wanted him to get sorted out so that things would be better for everyone, including him. Piper was great. Loving and supportive, she was great with Blue. My heart broke for her as well with everything she went through. I cannot even imagine the strength it took to go through what she did and to never give up. These two were everything, and it was always clear that they were made for one another. 

This book wasn't an easy story to read, it was emotional and heartbreaking. But it was also beautiful and totally worth it in the end. I loved it as I've loved everything I've read from Carian Cole and I honestly can't wait for more from her. This one was one of the best books I've read all year long and it really changed the way I look at things. 

 **ARC Provided by L. Woods PR**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | 

Review: Torn by Carian Cole

Torn is the first book that I have read from Carian Cole, and I absolutely loved it! I was first drawn to this book by the sexy cover and the taboo blurb, but this book was so much more than I expected. It was one I couldn't put down, and I cannot wait to read more from Carian Cole after finishing this one. Torn is the first book in the Devil's Wolves series of standalones and from what I have seen this series is also a spin-off of Carian's Ashes & Embers series as well. I can't wait to go back and read all of those as well. 

Kenzi's parents were only 15 when they had her, and with dreams of music careers they needed all the help they could get in raising her. Right from the start, their best friend Tor forms a special relationship with Kenzi. He has always been her protector and the first one she ran to for whatever she needed. As she grew older though that relationship turned into a friendship unlike any either of them had experienced before. But when that friendship starts to grow into more, they both know that the odds are against them. Tor knows that Kenzi is the one for him, but can he get over the fact that she is his best friend's daughter? Can Kenzie show him that what they have is once in a lifetime and worth fighting for? 

I loved these characters so much! I know that a lot of people will have issues with the age difference and the circumstances of their relationship. Let me tell you though that there is no underage sex and things happen naturally. Tor and Kenzi had a truly one of a kind connection that was there right from the start. But they grew and evolved and that connection and bond between them did as well. They knew each other inside and out and understood each other in ways that no one else did. There was nothing that they wouldn't do for each other and I couldn't get enough of them. They were sweet and sexy, but more than that they were just meant to be together in a way that is rare and special. 

Overall, this book was so good and I really loved this world that Carian Cole has created. The characters were interesting and I loved the friendship and loyalty between them all. I honestly loved them all and couldn't wait to go get all the books in the Ashes & Embers series after seeing glimpses of them here. I also can't wait to get to know some of Tor's siblings better as well as the Devil's Wolves series continues. This book is so much more than just a huge age gap and forbidden romance, and I think it is definitely worth the read. If you are on the fence about this one, I recommend giving it a chance as I really do believe that romance readers are going to love this one just as much as I did.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N | iTunes | 

ARC Review: Tied by Carian Cole

Tied is the second book in Carian Cole's Devil's Wolves series, a series of standalones and spin-off of her Ashes & Embers series. I was really excited to read this book after reading Tied, the first book in the series and it was such a good story. This book definitely had a different feel to it than the first one did, and yet it had me captivated from start to finish just the same as Torn did. Carian Cole is quickly becoming a favorite of mine with her emotional and unique stories. 

Holly and Tyler are both broken and damaged in different ways. Tyler lives in the woods, in self-imposed isolation after what happened in his past. But when he saves Holly from a monster that stole her childhood, he finds himself unable to stay away from her. Holly knows that she should be scared of him, but he is the only one that has ever made her feel anything. Holly is determined to move forward with her life and she wants nothing more than to make Tyler smile and feel like he has done for her. But can they let go of their pasts and have a future together, or will there be too much damage from their pasts for them to overcome? 

I really liked these two for one another. Tyler was a character that had intrigued me from Torn, and I really wanted to know what had happened to him. My heart really went out to both him and Holly here for all that they had been through. These two needed one another, and no one understood them like they did each other. I was so glad that they had one another and that they were able to find their own future. It might not have been what most people would go for, and yet everything that they wanted and shared was so perfectly them. I loved that this one was a slow burn, with everything that had happened this truly felt genuine and real. They both had a lot of growing and healing to do here, and I loved getting to see all the progress they made. Their connection was there from the start, but seeing it strengthen over the course of this book was something I really enjoyed. 

Overall, this was a great story and I liked the characters a lot. I am loving this world and getting to know each of these characters as the series continues. I honestly can't wait for more, especially when it comes to Tanner and Tesla. Tyler, Tor and their siblings are some of my favorites that I have read about and I am so excited to get more of them as we get more Devil's Wolves books. Carian Cole is relatively new to me, but her books are ones I definitely recommend and I am really looking forward to more from her in the future. If you haven't read anything by her yet, I highly recommend the Devil's Wolves series.

**ARC Provided by Give Me Books**

Purchase: | Amazon |