Dual Review: Toxic by Kim Karr

Toxic Kim Karr

July 7, 2015
368 pages
NAL trade

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?


Laura's Review: 

This book's description really grabbed my attention - I started reading it as soon as I got my hands on the review copy - and it held on to my attention the whole way through. I pretty much read it all in a day. I'm finding that happening less and less often these days, so it's refreshing to capture that feeling again and kudos to Ms. Karr for doing it so effortlessly (and in a standalone format! Yes!)
Sure, it had it's flaws: There was something (or a lot of things) very reminiscent of Judith McNaught's Paradise, which distracted me a little from the story because I kept feeling like I'd read this one before. And I felt like some of the roadblocks thrown in along the way of their relationship (both past and present) seemed a little too convenient, but all of that was forgivable given how much I enjoyed this story piled high with angst and heartbreak. I loved that both Jeremy and Phoebe have made mistakes, and are far from perfect, but it was easy to see and feel the love they once had that never truly went away.
Maybe not quite as original as I had hoped for, but still thoroughly engaging and enjoyable.

Toxic: 4/5 stars


Tanya's Review:
    I truly enjoyed this one. I have been very hard to please lately, there have been a lot of meh books I have been reading and nothing that really grabbed me. This book had me, it has everything I enjoy, angst, a bad boy with a filthy mouth, great dialogue between characters and it made me feel. Just want to say that there is a phone sex scene that I will not be forgetting anytime soon. 
      I have not read Paradise by Judith McNaught, like Laura has so story seemed fresh and new for me. I could not help but root for Jeremy and Phoebe they seemed so in love and life just got in the way. I enjoyed this one and I think its a great summer read for all that love a romance.

Toxic:  4.5/5  Stars
   

Note: a review copy was provided in exchange of an honest review.