(3.75★)

“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩.”

In the hurt/comfort romance Tied by Carian Cole, Holly Daniels and underground fighter Tyler Grace are the main characters.

I was a fan of Tyler from the start, but as I read more about him, the more I adored him. Despite his grumpy exterior, Tyler loved talking to Holly, and even went out of his way to do things that he would never do for himself, including shopping for things like a car, a blanket, and a phone, because it was all things she needed.

Can we also talked about the fact that he literally WROTE & ILLUSTRATED A BOOK FOR HER since she loves to read those type of books?? My heart legit melted in this scene.

Holly, though, made my heart hurt for her. She was put in such a terrible position and then right after had to stay with a “family” who didn’t truly care for her. But once she met her Prince—Tyler—she began to feel at home.

Their relationship as friends in the beginning was so wholesome, because they were both two souls that had endured so much in life, yet still found solace in each other.

All in all, this book was undoubtedly angsty, but it was perfect for Tyler and Holly.

*Thank you to Netgalley, Forever Publishing and to the author, Carian Cole, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*

The formatting was really off for the kindle version of the book. Leaving 5 stars, although I did not read more than a couple pages.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC.

Thank you Netgalley and Carian Cole for the e-book. I devoured this book. It got Lotus and Archer’s Voice vibes and it was everything I needed. Please read trigger warnings.

Tyler and Holly’s story is so beautiful and moving. They are very open with each other about their trauma. I think one of the most loving things you can do for someone is to listen and give them space to lead their own journey through healing. I so appreciate that neither of them tell each other what to do. Tyler is protective but not domineering like you might expect in a darker romance.

Zac and Anna were the picture of supportive family. Like those two could teach a lot of families how to get it right. I’m glad the author included them because her parents were awful. It’s a weird trigger but I found her parents distance and cold attitude triggering my own anxiety. All I can say is that Holly handles it better than I ever did.

Though the book starts dark it ends the second half had me swooning and grinning like a girl with a crush. The little details like the papers in Tyler’s jar and the magic blankets live rent free in my head. I need more of these two. Bonus chapters please?? I hope this series continues because I’m hooked.

I have NEVER read a book that had me so emotion that I had to put my kindle down and walk away. I ugly cried, I laughed, I smiled, I screamed, but in the end I had happy tears. With heart wrenching characters, a plot with so many twists and turn I felt like I was on a rollercoaster, this book had me on the edge of my seat. It is definitely a must read and overall the best book I have read in 2023. I thought Torn was my favorite...no way...it is now Tied. Carian Cole take a bow, 5 stars are not enough.

Tied talks about some really dark topics, so definitely check trigger warnings before diving in! There were some really beautiful, sweet moments between Holly and Tyler, and I liked them together as a whole. He was very patient and helpful with her healing journey from her past trauma, and she also seemed to give him what he needed by just loving him. But I really would have liked to see HIM accept himself and get past his issues. It seems like so much of his issues are seeded in acceptance from other people, it would have been great to see him get to a point of love and acceptance of himself without the need for reassurance from Holly. There was also a scene where Tyler almost has sex with his sister (YIKES) and then they start talking about his kinks. Double yikes. That just seemed so unrealistic and was cringy to read about. And then when he was talking about his kinks a big thing for him was his need for his partner to experience fear during sex (which seems like something that would be traumatic for Holly). But after he and his sister talk about his need to be open with Holly, he never actually talks about this with her specifically which I feel like would realistically become an issue down the road. The book wrapped with a very sweet, happy ending that they both deserved after the shit storm their life was before, but it did feel a little rushed. Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Tied by Carian Cole is the second book of the All Torn Up duet. Ty and Holly's story is very intense, heavy on the angst, and absolutely beautiful. And the FEELS!!! Highly recommend!!!

Carrian Cole is one of those authors that I fall more in love with after every book she writes. Tyler and Holly’s story will always be a favorite. They are both damaged in different ways (Holly due to an abduction as a child that lastest 11 yrs and Ty was scarred by a fire that lead him down a path of self destruction, even more physical scars and self-imposed isolation from everyone) Tyler was the one who found her and actually saved her, killing her abductor. Two years pass before they see each other again. Slowly open to each other, they become one another’s best friends and their relationship begins to evolve into so much more. This is an ultimate redemption story for them both and their bond is incredible. His grand gesture is one of the sweetest, most favorite things I've read. And their bonus scene/epilogue is perfection. They lived a life I couldn’t have imagined any better. I love them.

After reading this book, I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about it. I’ve read a good handful of taboo, and this is the first book that left me feeling unsure during the first half if I wanted to continue reading. I think overall I would’ve enjoyed the story a lot more had she been in her early 20s rather than the book starting when she 17. I like Torn, however, the fact that he finally gave in to the relationship after just a couple of photos… eh didn’t love that. I enjoyed the writing style, but the story felt predictable.
I will say that the story has definitely made me to want to read the brothers book, Tied.

The perfect modern fairytale!

It's been ages since I devoured a book so hungrily but my oh my, this certainly was delicious. The edition I read has a publication date of 30 April 2024 and I don't think I have ever read an ARC this far in advance. I love the hurt/comfort trope and the synopsis sounded so right up my alley that I just couldn't resist and before I knew it, I'd gobbled up the whole thing.

I do have several issues with the novel such as the unaddressed age gap and many implausibilities. It was also a bit too fast-paced for the characters and their relationship to develop properly.

There was a lack of actual conflict and the ending left me with mixed feelings; I loved it but didn't feel like it was the best or healthiest [(both leads needed distance and time apart to properly heal and find themselves first) (hide spoiler)]. The whole 'love heals everything' theme just felt iffy.

There was also way too much focus on both characters being broken, on virginity and on how damaged loves/deserves damaged. By no means am I dismissing their traumas, but more showing than telling would have helped. Instead, we have cringey phrases such as Tyler saying "abused virgin" and Holly saying "virgin body". Like, ok, we get it!

But in spite of it all, I couldn't tear myself away from this book and enjoyed it immensely. Consider me a new Carian Cole fan...

I absolutely love this book. Tyler and Holly were the best couple. I loved how much they understood each other and were able to navigate each other's traumas.

Holly was such a great character because as naive as she was from being held captive for so long, she was so strong and bold. She was determined to live the life she deserved and she was determined to break through Tyler's brick wall.

Tyler was a tough nut to crack, but when he did he was amazing. He was so sweet and attentive to Holly and let her take her time discovering what she likes. He never held her back and, in most cases, helped her move forward when no one else would.

My heart broke throughout this whole book and there were definitely some moments that were hard to digest. This book was absolutely fantastic and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a break from rom coms and lighthearted books.

After really not liking Torn, I really enjoyed this one. This has a scarred hero who saves the heroine from a man who kidnapped 10 years before. This is one of my favourite tropes ever.
And Carian Cole did a great job weaving storylines together as we find out more and more about both Holly and Tyler’s past.
I liked that this is a slow burn because they are both so broken.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book

a very beautiful story, forbidden nonetheless. if carian cole didn't love the unnecessary angst in her books I would definitely like her books moreq

It was intense, forbidden, sexy, sweet, emotional, and angsty. The chemistry was off the charts hot and palpable. And undoubtedly, this made me feel everything! I can't wait to read more by this author.

I liked this one way more than the first one. Definitely triggering at times but it wasn't done in a distasteful way. This was a journey of healing and I truly loved Tyler. This was a heavy book but I'm glad I read it.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Forever/Grand Central Publishing for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is an emotional read, and could be triggering for some. It is a wild ride, the main characters are damaged by others and doing their best to survive. Ty and Holly are just trying to live and get by, but find happiness together. Her parents were messed up and needed help. Her brother was amazing. Truly great story. 4.5 stars

Soul mates or trauma bond? Twisted coincidence or fate? Who knows but, what I do know is that I ate this book up! Holly was kidnapped as a child, and Tyler is a recluse who saves her. These two have the invisible string that ties them together and their connection is undeniable. If you enjoyed Still Beating and/or Lotus by Jennifer Hartmann, you will LOVE Tied. Tied is a beautiful story of two lost souls who find each other, work through the pain and heal together.

This was a re-read for me and I did enjoy it again. It is a sad, but unique storyline. I thought it was interesting that the parents had a hard time coping with the return of their daughter, that isn't something you normally see in these types of stories. I felt so bad for Holly, she just needed people in her corner and I'm glad she found that in our MMC. I felt the end was a bit rushed and it dived deeper into them creating a life together instead of just jumping into a proposal. Solid though!

I really liked this romance, just not as much as Torn. The main character Holly just read very young and a bit immature, and of course her circumstances made her that way.. it’s just not how I like my heroines to be portrayed. I loved Tyler though!

Holy shit! What a book. If you loved Still Beating, you will love this book. Do yourself a favor and pick it up. You won’t regret it! Easily one of my fave books this year. I liked it even more than Torn!🙊

Thanks so much, NetGalley and Forever, for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Tied is book 2 in Carian Cole’s All Torn Up series. The first book in this series, Torn, is one of my all-time favs. So I was so happy that this book really worked for me too!

This is a very emotional, trauma-filled read. Both the hero and heroine have had awful things happen in their pasts and have a lot to overcome. Their journey together was really well done and so beautiful. It’s slow and tender and just really sweet. This book has an age gap, the hero Tyler is 12 years older than Holly. I enjoyed Holly’s relationship with her brother and his girlfriend and Holly & Tyler’s love for dogs.

Holly was kidnapped when she was 5-years-old and was held captive (being tortured and abused) for 11 years. She escapes and while running/hiding in the woods is when Tyler finds her. He becomes her rescuer but they don’t actually meet again until 2 years later. I really liked the time apart because Holly obviously had a lot to work through and get used to, she spends time at a care home and goes to therapy. Tyler also had something horrible happen in his past, he was pushed into a bonfire as a teenager and badly burned. From the burns and skin grafts he is badly scarred and has become a recluse living on his own in the woods outside of town. After the burning incident, Tyler also heavily abused drugs and alcohol and ended up crashing his motorcycle, which lead to him damaging his vocal chords and having a hard time talking. So these 2 characters have been through SO much when they do meet up and start forming their friendship.

This is a very, very slow romance and it definitely felt right down this way for what these 2 characters were going through. They definitely feel meant to be though and I loved the sweet happiness they find together.