Author: Kim Karr
Publication Date: July 7, 2015
Publisher: NAL
Genre: Contemporary RomanceAge Recommendation: 18 and up
Rating: 4 Stars
~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~
Book Description:
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!
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!
My Review:
A second chance romance that had me doing something I never do...flipping to the back because I just couldn't handle not knowing. It has all the ingredients for a perfectly angsty love story that will have you shouting out, trying to reign in the desire to throw your book/e-reader, tissue worthy moments, and quite a bit of swoon.
"Jeremy McQueen.
He wasn't just any boy- he was "the boy". The only one I never should have met, and the one I'd never trade meeting for the world." - Phoebe
This quote right here sums up the book nicely. Toxic will pull you in, exasperate you, give you hope then rip it away, and finally leave you feeling satisfied in a way that you would have never expected.
Phoebe St. Claire comes from wealth; she's lived the life of a spoiled teen, torn between loving and hating that existence. The summer of her 21st birthday she's vacationing in the Hamptons with childhood friends, friends who all agree that they can't become their parents continuing a spiral of privilege and snobbery. The night of her birthday Phoebe escapes the party her parents have thrown for her at their county club and stumbles across Jeremy McQueen, bad boy, boy from the wrong side of the tracks, brooding, sexy, a boy with a huge grudge and a chip on his shoulder, the boy that will both steal and then break her heart. Their youthful romance is fast, fierce, and full of (Man I really wanted to go for some alliteration there but just can't use that F word that would fit, haha) steam.
We meet them again 5 years later after Phoebe has broken off her engagement. She may wonder why she can't seem to love her fiancé but we are well aware what her 'hangup' is and HE suddenly pops back up in her life on what would have been her wedding night. I am not going to lie, the back and forth between these two will have you wanting to reach through your e-reader/book to choke someone, but Kim Karr has a way of taking these angst ridden moments and using them perfectly to move the plot along. You might want to smack Phoebe a time or two, but you'll be too busy putting all the pieces together to care for too long.
As I read this story I found myself liking it to Pride and Prejudice. We have two characters with trait flaws that will both bring them together and tear them apart. Jeremy with his prejudice against wealthy society and Phoebe with her pride (aka jealousy), much like Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth if they can not overcome their faults they will never do anything but hurt one another. Truths need to be told, egos brought into check, and trust given.
I loved the plot line, all the suspense, and I really enjoyed all of Phoebe's friends and am hopeful we will get more of their stories in the future because there is SO much going on there. The angst got to me a time or two, but when all is said and done I think that you (like me) will be really happy you kept going with these two characters because even with all the frustration between their back and forth you can't help but root for them! Especially Jeremy, I really liked Jeremy, haha. The back and forth between years takes some getting used to, but I am really glad we got all the insight from their previous relationship as it molded their current one. The only thing I would have liked added is Jeremy's POV...I would LOVE to read this from his point of view, I think it would feel almost lie a completely different story, maybe we will get lucky and Kim Karr will give that to us in the future.
Contemporary Romance and New Adult readers will enjoy this book. There are moments I would call it a fast paced read, but it is also a bit of a slow build-up if that makes sense. If you are an angst fan then you diffidently want this if you aren't all I can say is give it a try and hang in there, it all makes sense in the end.
~ Happy Reading~
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
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
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