Review: Toxic

Title:  Toxic
Author: Kim Karr
Published:  July 7, NAL trade
Genre: Contemporary

Blurb

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not...

New York Times bestselling author Kim Karr turns up the heat in a smoking hot, emotionally compelling new novel that takes you into the world of Manhattan’s elite.

In Toxic, Jeremy McQueen, a sexy, intense, sometimes brooding entrepreneur goes after what he wants—the woman he left behind years ago. Phoebe St. Claire, a put together, in control socialite-turned-CEO has been drifting through life searching for something she thought she'd never find again—the right man to share her future.

Our passion was boundless. Our lust untamed. And our desire endless. He was the only man who ever made me feel alive. Then, I betrayed him.

When he reappeared, I didn’t question it. Trust rarely survives the wrecking ball, so when he let me in back in—I didn’t hesitate.

Maybe I should have.

What began as a bid to save my family business, turned into a second chance at love. It felt so romantic. Working together, side by side, with the man I loved. My dream come true.

Nothing is as good as it seems.

We had our issues, but then again, every couple does. It wasn’t jealousy, or our too-hot sex life that I should have been worried about.

It was his darkside.

I never saw the end coming, until it slammed me in the face. The question is—did he? 

Was revenge his plan all along?

****

Sometimes you have to wonder if your life is too good to be true.
Is it real or just an illusion?
Does the man lying beside you really love you like he says he does?
If the answer is yes, you’re meant to live happily ever after.
If the answer is no, you’re living my life, and nothing will ever be the same.

What you do about it—that’s up to you.

Me, I’m in too deep and there’s no getting out.

I’ll take whatever I can get for as long as I can because I know when it’s over…

I’ll never find another man like him.

Ever!

Review

Toxic:  Something caused by a toxin or poison; acting or having the effect of a poison.  

The title is aptly given.   Not only are the two lead characters spirally in toxicity, but the book itself became toxic to read.  It infiltrated my system to the point of needing to take a break and come back to read more.  I couldn’t handle it in larger doses. The author does a fabulous job of letting the reader feel the push pull tension between Phoebe and Jeremy that takes up the bulk of the book.

 Jeremy: “No.  This has to end.  We can’t keep doing this to each other.  You’re right—what we have is toxic.  We’re just not good for each other.”  

Both leads are so full of passion.  They love with unbridled desire.  They flare to anger just as quick.  Past hurts have caused mistrust.  Jealousy threatens to undo them.  The neutralizer to the toxic acid churning around them is….LOVE.  It was painful to watch Jeremy and Phoebe struggle with letting everything go and just believing in love.  They both admit that each holds a part of their hearts.  Each are deep into each other’s souls.  In the end, love always wins.

This was my first book by this author, Kim Karr and I did enjoy her writing style.  There are some super steamy moments in this book.  Jeremy knows exactly how to send Phoebe into orbit!  I thought the friendships with Phoebe and her gang, were well developed.  I would enjoy seeing what happens to Emmy and Lily and Logan.  I was also happy to see that other than the ultimate bad guy in the story,  faults in other characters seemed to have been forgiven.  Family and friendship rings true as balms to the soul.  And true love releases all the poisons from our system.  

About the Author

Please feel free to check out my author page on facebook. 

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKimKarr

You may also contact me at AuthorKimKarr@gmail.com 

I live in Florida with my husband and four kids. I've always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, I wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. I went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise my family. I currently work part-time with my husband and full-time embracing one of my biggest passions—writing. 

I wear a lot of hats! Writer, book-lover, wife, soccer-mom, taxi driver, and the all around go-to person of the family. However, I always find time to read. One of my favorite family outings use to be taking my kids to the bookstore or the library. Today, my oldest child is in college and my twins are juniors so they no longer go with me on these outings. And although I don't need to go to the actual store anymore because I have the greatest device ever invented—a Kindle, I still do. There's nothing like a paperback. So now my four year old and I make dates out of going to the bookstore--it's time I love and cherish.

I like to believe in soulmates, kindred spirits, true friends, and Happily-Ever-Afters. I love to drink champagne, listen to music, and hopes to always stay young at heart. <3