Group Review: Toxic by Kim Karr

Toxic

by Kim Karr

Release Date:
July 7th, 2015

Publisher:
NAL Trade

Source:
Publisher via NetGalley

eARC received in exchange of honest review

Synopsis:

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!

Purchase Links:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

Lindy's Thoughts:

Toxic was one of these books that kept me guessing from the beginning to the very end.  I love books that make me think, and this one had my mind working overtime!  Phoebe St. Claire and Jeremy McQueen shared a young, passionate and whirlwind love affair.  However, things ended abruptly due to mistrust, and a lack of truth.  However, Phoebe never got over Jeremy.  She has never found that type of love, and can't help but compare everyone else to Jeremy.  Several yeas later, Jeremy returns to New York, and reenters Phoebe's life.  Is this their second chance at love, or does Jeremy want revenge?

The pacing of Toxic was really slow for me, and took me some time to get in to, and connect with the characters.  I enjoyed reading about the upper-echelon of society, and seeing how different their lifestyle was from mine.  They had money at their fingertips, power, and the world was their playground.  However, they also had problems in their love lives, loneliness, family issues, and difficult decisions to make.

Phoebe St. Clair was a character that I related to.  She loved all things Aubrey Hepburn, wasn't a snob, wanted a passionate and all consuming love, and was loyal to her friends and family.  Jeremy McQueen was enigmatic, sexy, raw, and powerful.  I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame.  However, I constantly questioned his actions, as did Phoebe.  It looked like he loved her with all of his heart, but then Phoebe would discover something that looked incriminating time and time again.

Toxic had a great theme.  It showed the destructive power that jealousy, mistrust, insecurity, fear, and uncertainty can bring to a relationship.  This was a great life lesson that anyone can learn from.  The plot gave us plenty of raw eroticism, plot twists, unexpected surprises, and food for thought!

Rating:

I give, Toxic, by Kim Karr, 4 Raw Sexuality, Once in a Lifetime Love, and Enigma Filled Stars!

Time Cannot Erase True Love

Toxic is a hit OMG I loved every second of it! Kim Karr is one of my favorite authors. Regardless of what the story is one thing always resonates throughout…love, a soul encompassing all empowering love. Phoebe and Jeremy are no exception the sparks and connection are instant, the love almost as instant but certainly deep and no amount of time could change that. Karr does a wonderful job of keeping the reader engaged. From the uppity friends to the true blue friends everyone played an integral part in the development of these two characters. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun and sexy romance. 

The Story, life as Phoebe knows it is starting to crumble before her. As acting CEO she needs to figure out how to save her hotels. Being a part of an elite circle in New York doesn’t come without a price and her family can no longer afford it. Losing the love of her life nearly destroyed her but he is back and his secrets along with hers begin to unravel, marring their love with the most shocking twists. The pacing was wonderful I could not put it down. Jeremy and Phoebe are absolutely electric no one else stands a chance. There are so many times my heart was in my stomach but everything played out beautifully. I could not be happier.

The Characters, Phoebe and Jeremy met at an awful time though their love was intense had they been honest neither would have stood a chance. These two are tied in a way that is absolutely shocking I nearly had a heart attack when I was left alone with my own conclusions. These two are toxic in different ways but together they are absolute nirvana, if that isn’t reason enough to fight then nothing is. Their development and willingness to fight for each other is one of the things I loved most. Phoebe’s neighbor was an amazing addition to the story providing sound advice when she needed it most. 

The End, once everyones truth is out Phoebe will not go down without a fight. Her entire life has been planned out for her but this love she feels is the only one like it. Both Jeremy and Phoebe made plenty of mistakes when it came to their relationship. Being able to love and forgive was the main reason these two came to their senses. Not to mention the help of key friends and family that weren’t about to sit by and watch these two give up. Through lies and omissions these two were able to let their love speak for them and come together for what is truly important. The happiness these two shared is not something you give up on. I loved the way this ended definitely an HEA Jeremy and Phoebe were absolutely electrifying I could not have asked for a better afternoon read!!

My Rating

4.5 Engagement, Broken, Twenty One, Love Affair, Actual Affair, Parties, Kit-Kat, Hotel, Jet Set, Mother, Condo, Club, Dinner, Connection, James Dean, Page 6, Truman, McQueen, Sales, Entrapment, Dawson, Lost, Hampton House, Tiffany’s, Inexplicable Powerful Love Filled Stars!! 

Mikki's Review:

This was my second time reading a book by Kim Karr. The first book I ever read from her was The 27 Club. My co-bloggers are big fans of her Connections series, but I still did not have a chance to read it. I hope I get to read it very soon since I have heard such amazing things about that series. I enjoyed The 27 Club and I was looking forward to her new standalone novel. I don't think she could have chosen a better name for this book. Phoebe and Jeremy's relationship was toxic indeed!

I love second chance romance book. There is a je-ne-sais-quoi about these romances that give me all the feels. I love seeing how a couple gets a second chance to make things right. Phoebe and Jeremy fell in love when Phoebe was 21. Jeremy was her everything until her world came crashing down. He has always been on her mind. It's been years since she has seen him, but he comes back in her life unexpectedly. Their chemistry is stronger than ever and Phoebe is determined to make things work this time around. As days go by, Phoebe starts discovering secrets and lies from the past that involve Jeremy.  Will these secrets put in jeopardy her new relationship with Jeremy?

Like I always mention in my reviews, my connection to the main characters is very important. I have to admit that I did not connect at all with Phoebe. I just could not understand some of her reactions towards Jeremy. The only thing that Jeremy wanted was a second chance. He worked hard to win back her love, but her insecurities got in the way. Both of them had jealousy issues, but I wanted Phoebe to just thrust Jeremy and give him a chance to explain when things got all mixed up between them.

Jeremy was a great character and I loved his intensity. I could really feel the love that he had for Phoebe. He was a simple and determined guy. He knew what he wanted and would stop at nothing to get it. Even if I had trouble connecting with Phoebe, I have to admit that the chemistry between these two was awesome. There are a few steamy scenes that are very well written. Hot, sexy and passionate! Kim Karr knows how to write some pretty steamy scenes!

I liked the supporting characters in this story. My favorite one was Mr. Bardot. I would love to have a neighbour like her! She's awesome!! This second chance romance was very well written. Kim Karr never fails to captivate with her amazing writing style! If you are a fan of second chance romance you will love Toxic! I loved how Phoebe and Jeremy worked hard to get their relationship to a happy place. It was a journey full of obstacles, but together they made it work.

Rating:

I give Toxic, by Kim Karr, 3.5 enjoyable, second chance at love stars!

About the Author:

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 on their way, 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.

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