This book was actually super suspenseful, and above that it was just an emotional journey!
Starting off we have Holly, who has lost her innocence and pretty much all her teen years. She’s rescued, and that’s when she starts a journey of healing and falling in love.
And let me tell you, this book is not an easy read by any means! It is super dark and has many triggers, but it made the HEA that much more sweeter!

This book was so sad. Sad as in “shed tears, my heart aches, I just want to hug the main characters and apologize for the world being a horrible place” type sad. The end made me happy as Holly and Tyler got what they have always wanted- a happily ever after. The book was well written and the plot was very different from what I’m used to reading. I do wish there was a trigger warning at the beginning as I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started reading. I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes darker (almost true crime) romances and those that want to read a tear jerker.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this book. I loved this book so much. I really enjoyed the romance.

Thank you @readforeverpub for copy of this beautiful story with Holly and Tyler. We saw a little bit of Tyler in Torn and I was curious about him. Both Tyler and Holly had a shared past and are both so broken. I love how they helped each other heal and grow. The story is hopeful and seeing their journey was so beautiful.

This book sucked me in from page one. Tyler and hollys stories broke your heart while also making you smile. Tyler is the perfect damaged hero and Holly is the sweetest heroine I’ve ever read. The dynamic between the two was electric. I only wished the story was about 200 pages longer

Holly and Tyler’s story is just amazing! They are perfect for each other and helped each other grow and heal. Their story was as unique as they are and they are each other’s soulmate. What a beautifully written book.

I loved this books and definitely recommend it. It’s a slow burn, but you really get their love story. I loved their happily ever after and this book will contain a bonus scene.

Tied is the second book in Cole’s All Torn Up series, but it can be read alone.

I’ve read a few of the authors books and I’ll be honest, they’ve been hit and miss for me. Tied is an agnsty, emotional read with some beauty and the beast fairytale themes. There are some heavy topics as both characters have been deeply hurt in the past, but it makes you root for them to get their HEA.

Tied is book two in the All Torn Up series and if you haven’t grabbed the first book yet. You’re missing out!🔥 I always love a book that can make me cry and this book did that and more!!!

“He didn’t frighten me the day he saved me. Not even a little. I was transfixed by him, grateful to him. Curious about him. And I still am.”

From two broken souls. This book was full of emotions, loss, and trauma that turned into the most beautiful love story.

At the young age of five, Holly was taken and hidden for eleven years. Then, one day her prince came to her rescue.

Being outcasted, miserable, and lonely, Tyler is wandering the woods like he always does. When he hears a sound and discovers a young girl and her dog.

When Holly returns home things are not easy to return to normal. With her parents having a new replacement daughter, her father is very distant and the only supportive family is her grandmother, brother, and his girlfriend.

She wonders where her prince has gone and if she will ever see him again. Two years later, Holly stumbles across where he lives away from the town and everyone else.

Watching these two characters grow and support each other through their traumatic experiences. It was beautiful to see how sometimes even if a person may seem broken. All they need is someone else to relate to them.

I can’t wait to check out more books by this author!

Thank you, Carian Cole and Netgalley for this EARC! As always, my review is my opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared on my Instagram @Alexandriavwilliams_ shortly.

WOAH- I did not anticipate to be as engrossed and as moved by this story- I just happened upon it in my book recommendation, was new to the author, and the blurb and cover caught my eye.

Holly, our heroine, was kidnapped as a child- mentally and physically tortured and assulated, isolated, and forever traumatized- she remained the prey of her kidnapper for 10 years, trapped in a room with only a dog that her kidnapper used to coerce her. Our hero- scarred (physically and emotionally) and traumatized by his own past, both being the victims of others and his own wrongdoing, has lived isolated by choice. He hides away in the woods in his cabin- away from the rest of the world with his pet fox (yes, FOX!), helping his family rescue animals but barely even seeing them. One day, by fate or chance, he happens upon a dirty, terrified, and scrawny teenage girl and her dog in the ground- Holly. He rescues her from her captivity- she sees him as her prince charming, the man from the fairy tale books her capture allowed her to read. He sees himself as a monster, and he goes back into his isolation.

Our story then jumps forward- a smart move since it would be unrealistic after all this time for Holly to be ready to engage in any sort of relationship with a male- so in the interim she’s spent time reacclimating with a world as a young woman when she’s not been socialized or educated beyond early childhood. She’s made some progress, but she lacks trust, has few relationships, and can’t figure out how she fits into her family’s life who have somehow replaced her with a baby sister and have no interest in reintegrating her into their home or day to day. She’s not sure how to function- or who she even is and what her place is. She misses her dog (that she believed ran away), and she longs to find her prince charming.

A chance encounter brings these two back together- Holly feels a sense of safety and belonging with Tyler, and she feels like she can be herself- a confused girl trying to figure things out. She doesn’t feel like an outsider or lost- she can just be. Tyler feels drawn to her but unsure- she has so much baggage and requires so much care- he’s not sure he can be the friend she needs.But, they share an unbreakable bond- not only her rescue but the fact that they are both individuals who have been shattered by their pasts, judged and shunned by others and living on the periphery, their differences and backgrounds making other unsure, uncomfortable, and even afraid of them- when all they want is to be less lost and find some inner peace. Through this, an intense emotional bond develops- that slowly makes its way to a romantic one. This is done with tender care and is far more believable than other romance tropes- so this is more of a slow burn in terms of the physical aspect.

Both of these characters are both beautiful and heartbreaking. Tyler is scarred in many ways, and he believes he is undeserving of care or love- he’s been punishing himself. But, he’s chivalrous and kind, incredibly empathetic and giving underneath his pain- someone yearning for connection and forgiveness. Someone scared of rejection. Holly, despite her trauma, is naive and open minded- looking at the world with wonderment for the first time. She’s somehow secure in her own skin but tentative, hopeful but lost. The connection between them is deeply emotional, a cathartic experience for them and us as readers. Holly figures out who she is, Ty learns how to forgive himself. Both learn through love that their scars don’t limit them but actual can empower them- that love can liberate them from the cages they find themselves in.

Since reading this, I’ve come to realize Carian has a unique gift when it comes to stories like this- relationships with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, incredible emotional connections and resonance, and deeply painful histories. (This can be read as a standalone ( I read this before I read Torn)- the characters in the first book make a minor appearance but you don’t need more context than what you get in this book.)

All of Carian Cole's books are essentially fated mate books, with a fairytale theme, in often a dark setting.

Tied was most likely the darkest book I've read (which isn't saying much since I don't tend to enjoy books that make me upset or sad). But it was also a beautiful story of two people that deserved love and were able to find it together.

In Tied, taking place in small town New Hampshire, Tyler Grace is walking in the woods when he hears something and is able to save Holly Daniels, who had been kidnapped at the age of 5.

Tyler had his own demons, beginning with being burned in a fire as a teenager, and having a major motorcycle accident, both affecting his appearance and how the people around him treated them.

It is a difficult read to hear about Holly's story (it is discussed in the past tense, and not very graphically) but the relationship that develops between her and Tyler (her "prince") make slogging through it worth the struggle.

Cole tells their story in probably the best way possible, only giving background in order to further the story, and focusing on the romance between two tortured souls.

Because of the dark content I also want to emphasize that there is a happy ending for both of them.

I received a promotional copy and am giving an honest review.

This story is one of the more unique ones I’ve ever read. We meet the MMC, Tyler, in Carian’s previous book, Torn. He’s a recluse, doesn’t speak (by choice), and keeps to himself in a cabin in the woods. One night he happens upon an eleven year old girl, Holly, and her puppy trapped in a cell in the woods by a pedophile. After saving them both, he’s labeled by his small town as an outcast, a murderer, a freak, and a monster despite the truth.

Years pass and Holly never forgets about her Prince that saved her. After all the trauma she’s endured, she also seeks refuge in the woods to heal. And there, her and Tyler reconnect in a beautiful love story. There is an age gap, but like all of Carian’s books, it’s irrelevant to the story because she writes age-gap flawlessly.

This story has all the hallmarks of a Carian Cole book: heartache, angst, animal rescue, a sassy and hilarious grandma and an HEA. I absolutely adored this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Pub for the ARC

"You're not lost baby, I just found you and you're right where you belong." SAY LESS DADDY 🥵🥵
Once again devoured this delicious romance. Excuse me while I go read Carian Coles backlist

Wow, this was a ride. Both Holly and Tyler were put through the wringer and just when you think things are at the worst, the author takes us one more step down. Tyler acted a bit like an ass when he didn't need to, but he's a guy so I guess I can see why. I enjoyed this story a lot.

Tied by Carian Cole
Netgalley review
5 star

This is book two in the “All torn up” series but can be read as a stand alone and PLEASE I beg of you, give this series a chance. I cannot attest to the first but you bet I am going to be reading it.

This is a story about Grace who was kidnapped as a child and kept captive by a sick man. She only had her fairy tale books about princesses rescued by princes to keep her sane until one day she is found in the woods by a recluse and he kills her abductor.

This romance is a story of healing for both of the characters and is so special. They both have their demons to fight and the more you learn about Tyler the more you feel for him. He was just a stupid teenager doing stupid teenager things when tragedy strikes him twice and ruins his life and his voice.

If you liked Archer’s voice by Mia Sheridan and enjoy darker romances then this will fit you like a puzzle piece. This is a book that once you finish it you CRAVE more of this story.

#tied #cariancole #teidcariancole #netgalley #darkromance #darkromancebook #darkpast #healingtogether #fairytaleromance

I need more! I could not put this book down. I was obsessed with their love story from the start. I am getting into dark romance novels and I love the good girl bad boy trope. I just want more of Tyler and Holly. I will go back and read Torn after reading this one.

Another amazing read that had me hooked. Tyler omg another character that will not be forgotten. Tyler and Holly’s story will definitely give you all the feels. Another unputdownable read.

Phenomenal Writing!!!!

This is another fantastic book from Carian Cole! This book was EPIC and gave me all the feels! Holly and Ty’s story is compelling and superbly written!

The character development was perfect! I was thinking about this book when I was not reading it. You know you are hooked when that happens!

I absolutely LOVE this authors writing style! Oh the feels! I read this book in two days because I could not stop reading!

This is one of the best of 2023 thus far! A masterpiece that kept me engaged the entire time!

Tied is Epic!

No spoilers with my review! This is a must read for 2023!

If I could give more than 5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ I would!

Loved it!
This book was part two of the torn series was so worth the red. The love story Tyler and Holly. Two people with history and tough paths found each other nd decided that life isn't exciting without each other. A great read! I loved this series!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is book 2 in the series and while it can be read as a stand alone, it's best read as book 2 as Tyler is mentioned in book 1 with respect to his relationship with his brother Tor.

Tyler and Holly meet in unimaginable circumstances. Tyler is out for a walk when he hears a noise, and finds a door in the woods. Inside is Holly, malnourished and in poor health with a debarked dog keeping her company. Holly was kidnapped 11 years ago and held captive by a seemingly normal man. Tyler saves her and in the process kills her captor.

Holly dreams of Tyler for years after her rescue wondering what happened to him and thinks of him as her Prince. When their paths finally cross again they become friends and bond over their messed up histories.

I loved this one and how Tyler and Holly found each other and connected through their unusual circumstances.

I absolutely loved this book! It was sooooo different from the first book in the series (Torn). It follows Tyler (Tor’s brother from book) and Holly, who both have incredibly tragic pasts. Tyler finds a girl in a hole who was kidnapped, held captive and tortured for years. It’s a story of new beginnings, learning to trust again, and finding love when you’ve given up all hope.

This book is incredibly sad at times, but it’s also such a beautiful story. I wish the ending was a little bit longer - that part felt a tad rushed to me. I hope we see them again in another book! I was not ready for their story to end.