This is gonna be a long one (like maybe the longest I've ever written)... so, get comfy ;)
This book was unfreakingbelievably AMAZING ... and that's putting it mildly.
It had everything I could want in a book: engaging characters, one of which is an AWESOME book boyfriend ;), terrific writing, and a well developed plot line. I highlighted so many parts of this book because of all the perfect moments there were. I know this book seems controversial, and if everything is taken out of context, it might seem "creepy." But it's not. It's far freaking from it. I honestly couldn't imagine Tor and Kenzi falling in love with anyone else, they were perfect together <3 And I'm not saying this in the sense that they had chemistry or somehow they just "worked" together. No, this author genuinely crafted a wonderful novel and made it clear that they really were soulmates.
-Kenzi-
Being the daughter of two rockstars made her experience growing up different than most. One of the results is that she is much more mature than most of the people her age. You can tell the difference in how she thinks and even how she interacts with her best friend, Chloe. Growing up is about a lot more than age. Growing up is about the experiences you have, and Kenzi's had a lot. She isn't in that weird place that most teenagers are in where they are struggling to find themselves. Kenzi knows what she wants.
"Is it too fifties to want to get married and have kids?"
I love when women can confidently state that this is something they want. Because no, there's nothing wrong with wanting to stay home and take care of your family. Not at a all, it's a job too and with Kenzi's tender nature and already having experienced a "wild phase" by vicariously living through her parents, it makes a lot of sense.
She doesn't see Tor as someone to love right away, but once she does realize it, she doesn't hold back. Kenzi chases him and never wavers in her feelings. And what proved her maturity even more was her discussions with Tor. She laid out her feelings, and they talked about the problems and what they wanted. It never felt juvenile or like he was pressuring her. In fact, he's pretty torn up about it.
But, at the end of the day, she knows it's Tor she wants and she sees him for what he's always been.
"When I look at you, I don't see my father's friend, or my uncle, or my godfather, or an older man. All I see is the person I've always loved and has always made me happy."
-Tor-
Good God, he was perfect. I feel bad for the next few books I'll read because the bar is pretty damn high right now. He was absolutely incredible and I have many quotes to prove it (and this is the narrowed down list). I mean how can you not swoon at these lines...
"I'm just waiting for the one that makes me feel like forever wouldn't be long enough."
"I just want that magical feeling I wrote about years ago when I used to write the lyrics for the band’s rock ballads. I want crazy f***ing love. I want someone that'll never let me go. I want to wake up to my best friend every day."
"The moment I kissed Kenzi, she became the One. Maybe she always was."
"Young love... first love is so innocent. So pure and trusting. So all encompassing. I shouldn't be on the receiving end of that love from her at my age, but in all honesty, she's my first love, too.
"I think I'm falling in love with her, and I'm powerless to stop it. I can feel it, like a train with no brakes, coming faster and faster, straight for me. Soon, it's going to crash, and it's not going to be pretty."
And then there's this... I freaking LOVE this... he's discussing his celibacy for the past six+ months, and his sister tells him it's "impressive" that he's abstained. His response:
"No, it's love. I only want her. That's it."
Like YES! Why is this a hard concept?! It's not like your dick will fall off if you don't use it every four seconds... I'm tired of reading books where the guy physically can't keep it in his pants.
He was so dedicated to Kenzi. And in regards to the other women in his life, I never really got the feeling he loved them. Tor is simply tired of being overlooked. He had to give up his dreams in order to take care of his family when his father died, watching his friends go on and get famous without him. Then he gets his crush, which is Kenzi's mom, "stolen" from him by Asher, his best friend. I could see some people being bothered by this. But honestly, I didn't feel that he wanted Ember as much as he just didn't want to be second best. I mean, they were 15 years old. And I'm not saying 15 year olds don't know what love is, but I think more often than not, the "love" teenagers feel is often a crush/infatuation. And I think from that point on, Tor just wanted someone he could trust and love, and know that he was this person's number one. When he talks about these things later on, he says,
"I'm not going to be anyone's second choice."
And when Asher takes Ember's attention that first day at 15 years old, Tor thinks,
"I can feel myself slipping into the background."
He's not necessarily just thinking about Ember, he's thinking about himself being overlooked, not being enough.
I felt the same way with Sydni and Lisa (his relationships before Kenzi). Personally, I don't believe Tor loved either of them. Again, he just wanted a connection. Even though Sydni's relationship with him spanned (intermittently) 12 years, I think it was a comfort thing.
But with Kenzi, he knows he's her number one. She's been showing him since she was a little kid, and it's not weird or unsettling. It's all just really beautiful.
*Also, I'm really glad he had relationships during that time. I totally understand the concept of not wanting the hero or heroine to sleep around after meeting the "one," but if the "one" happens to be six years old... yeah... that'd be weird for me. I think if he hadn't had relationships it would have been really strange. And like I said, he didn't love them, so I really didn't mind.
He was all about Kenzi. We get a lot of great flashbacks of Kenzi when she was younger, and we get to see how non-creepy Tor was. It was one hundred percent normal. And while he takes some convincing (because he is a really good guy and doesn't want to betray his friend like that), once their relationship does change, he doesn't shy away. He's with her. Full stop.
"Is it possible that falling in love doesn't always start when we think it might, and sometimes, it starts way before we're ready, and grows slowly over time, allowing two people to truly fall in love with every aspect of each other?"
I loved this theme. I think it's awesome what this author did. It is not a conventional love story, but I felt it so deeply. She took such care with the characters and it seemed like every single word was carefully thought through. It was absolutely breathtaking.
Now about the ending. While I do agree with others, I didn't love how long the separation was (or some of the particulars around the reconciliation) and I wished their HEA was longer, I was able to overlook it. I think it was more realistic to give them that time apart because Asher would not have come around much quicker. And I'm satisfied knowing that Tor and Kenzi will be back in Asher's book and we'll get to see more of their HEA <3 <3
Oh, and can we talk about Asher?! I freaking loved him and his devotion to Ember!
"He thinks he can love her back to life, Tor. That's what he believes."
I can't wait for his story!! :)
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This book is absolutely beautiful! My first book by Carian Cole and my most favorite age gap! Asher and Ember were so very young when they had Kenzi at only 15 years old and their best friend Toren helped raise her. Kenzi always loved Tor and they always had a special bond. When Kenzi grows up things begin to change for the both of them. Feelings become different and that love and connection they share shifts and evolves into something very different. This unputdownable story shows a love really rare that transcends time. The writing is amazing and the story pulls at the heart from start to finish especially with the mini backstories throughout the book.“I love you the most.”~ Kenzi to Tor
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Top reviews from other countries
MW
Readable but the romance is not for me
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 16, 2022
donna wright
Brilliant read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 23, 2020
Mrs W26
Angst, anticipation and tension! I loved it!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 20, 2021
Mrs W26
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 20, 2021
𝘒𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘨.
𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥.
𝘐'𝘮 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘴...𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘴.
𝘐'𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”
𝘛𝘰𝘳𝘯 is an angsty forbidden age gap romance between Toren & Kenzi. Their story is unconventional and delicate, but whilst there are taboo aspects, the story, in its essence, is a beautifully written friends to lovers romance.
Carian’s writing is captivating, no matter what she writes I find myself consumed by the world she’s created. I highly recommend 𝘛𝘰𝘳𝘯 to anyone who loves a taboo/forbidden romance, friends to lovers tropes or just an incredibly romantic read with stacks of angst, anticipation and tension.
(Whilst your at it, read the entire Ashes & Embers series, Tied, No Tomorrow and Don’t Kiss The Bride - so Carian’s entire published works, you won’t regret it!)
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Andrew James
This popped up onto my newsfeed on facebook after a very good friend of mine liked and commented on a post ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 31, 2016Terri T.
Such a remarkable, beautiful book. Not to be missed !!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 30, 2019
