In celebration of the paperback releases of Connected and Torn, author Kim Karr is hosting an event called LOVEFEST! Here on the blog, I have a review for Connected, which I really enjoyed, and there’s also a giveaway!
Book 1
Connected by Kim Karr
Series: Connections #1 (full reading order below)
Release Date: March 22nd 2013
What if a “Once in a Lifetime” could happen twice?
In Dahlia London’s world, happily ever after is a far cry from reality. Her soul has been left completely shattered by tragedy. But a surprising reunion with someone from her past is about to give her a reason to love again…
When rock star River Wilde comes back into Dahlia’s life, their super-charged connection runs deeper than either of them ever expected. The more time they spend together, the more intense their relationship becomes, and Dahlia believes at last she has found her soul mate.
But as old bonds fade and Dahlia’s grief begins to lift, her guilt and confusion remain. River desperately wants to be the one who mends what’s been broken—but with a past that refuses to stay buried, is it possible for their future to begin?
Buy Links:
Paperback: Amazon • Barnes & Noble
Ebook: Amazon
I’ve just finished Connected, and HOLY CRAP, what. an. ending! Now that is the way to end a book with a bang. I already knew there would be a dreaded cliffhanger at the end of Connected, but it still blew me away! Loved that ending, and I’m dying to read Torn right away, but for now, my review!
Dahlia London has a great life–she’s got a loving boyfriend, she’s doing what she loves–and she never thought she could have wanted anything different until she meets River Wilde. Gorgeous, rock star River Wilde. As soon as their eyes meet, they form a connection, something deep and real… but Dahlia has a boyfriend. Their chance encounter seemed like a once in a lifetime thing. Dahlia walked away from River before anything could happen between them, but five years would pass before they ever saw each other again. During those five years, Dahlia’s life is shattered the day her boyfriend Ben is killed in front of her.
Connected was a bit hard to get into in the beginning. I couldn’t relate much with Dahlia and the story didn’t grip me until the scene where Ben is killed. From here, the book picks up and pretty quickly I was immersed in Dahlia’s story. She’s been dealt such a hard hand in life–she’s lost everyone she loves: her parents and now her boyfriend. She’s broken and torn up about Ben’s death, and it’s a long time before she goes back to reality. And one reason why she’s getting back up on her feet is River. Dahlia never thought she’d see River again, the man who awakened things in her that were never awakened before, not even by Ben. But now Dahlia has an opportunity to see River again, and she takes it.
“I feel like fate has brought us together again. I also believe that one night, so long ago, just wasn’t the right time for us. But tonight is.”
River and Dahlia’s reunion is so sweet. It’s so obvious that they adore each other, and it was as if the past five years never even passed. They still have that fierce connection between them, and it’s so easy for them to fall into conversations and relate with one another. Music is a huge part of the book, and not just because River’s a rock star. Music is also a part of Dahlia, and I loved reading about their connection over it. And soon, Dahlia and River fall head over heels in love with one another. Dahlia still can’t forget Ben, but she’s moving on–Ben will always have a piece of her heart, but she’s making room for River in it.
Oh my goodness–River is just the sweetest man ever! I thought he was the kindest person ever (who more than occasionally is dirty) for not trying to replace Ben. He knows how important Ben is to Dahlia, and instead of trying to take over who Ben was to Dahlia, he supports her in everything and helps her move on. River is the first to fall for Dahlia, since he has no reservations, unlike Dahlia. His words and actions are so heartwarming–River is really just the SWEETEST!
“I never imagined I could feel so connected to anyone as much as I feel connected to you. I knew I loved you from the moment I saw you. How could I not? Loving you is as easy as breathing.”
Most of the book is told through Dahlia’s POV, but then for the last maybe 30%, we’re treated with River’s POV, which I loved! I connected with him much better than I did with Dahlia. I just overall liked River more–Dahlia I’m on the fence about. I didn’t love her but I didn’t hate her either. But *sigh* River is just completely swoonworthy!
“Just know you’ll always be my once in a lifetime.”
Connected is a wonderful love story filled with passion and a little heartbreak. I didn’t LOVE it as much as I wanted to, but I had a fantastic time reading. And oh my god, that ending! Even though the book is a 3.5 for me, that ending is definitely worthy of a 5.
3.5 hearts!
Book 2
Torn by Kim Karr
Series: Connections #2 (full reading order below)
Release Date: October 1st 2013
Rock star River Wilde brought Dahlia London back from the brink of hopelessness with his unwavering love and devotion. But their entangled history is about to test the strength of their relationship…
Dahlia was certain she had found true love and met her ‘Once in a Lifetime’ when she reconnected with River. But Dahlia’s world comes crashing down when someone from her past resurfaces, and all of River’s carefully hidden secrets are exposed.
River wants to show Dahlia that life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass—it’s about dancing in the rain. But how many times can one broken heart be mended? Will River and Dahlia be able to stay together or will they be torn apart?
Buy Links:
Paperback: Amazon • Barnes & Noble
Ebook: Amazon
Reading Order: Connections series
#1 ~ Connected: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Torn: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2.5 ~ Dazed: My Review • Ebook • Goodreads
#3 ~ Mended: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Blurred: Ebook • Goodreads
#4 ~ Frayed: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#5 ~ Flawed: Goodreads (2015)
#6 ~ Perfected: Goodreads (2015)
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.
Kim Karr is giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card, 5 Signed Book Plates and 10 Paperbacks of CONNECTED (to be mailed directly from Penguin).
Booklovers For Life 
I really should read the first book in this series. It’s been sitting on my kindle waiting for me to read for ever. :p
Thank you for the review! 🙂 ~ Kim xoxo
You’re welcome! 🙂
Great review and glad you enjoyed for the most part. I think I might give this one a miss though.. unlike other romaces this one didn’t really seem to peak my interest and I don’t think the insta-love/lust thing helps either but I do love the covers!