Toxic by Kim Karr ~ Review & Giveaway

Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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!

 Review...

There are some things that are a given with this author.  Sexy hot chemistry that make you fan yourself, complex plots that feature great characters and unexpected twists, and that page turning need to find the happy at the end.  This book is no exception.

There is just no doubt that Phoebe and Jeremy are soulmates.  Drawn to each other right out of college, both of them are consumed by the other but both make mistakes and the consequence is five years apart.  When they finally reconnect, the chemistry is still there but the relationship takes a lot of work at they figure out what happened before and how it effects their now.

There are a lot of characters in this story.  I'm pretty sure there's got to be a sequel because we meet so many secondary characters.  Phoebe has a group of six friends, including her, that grew up together and each have complex situations.  We learn a lot about each of them.  I may have been lost in some of that at the beginning of the book.  But once the story of Phoebe took off, I was totally on board.

I love Jeremy.  He needs her love but he craves her believe in him.  He makes so many mistakes but he learns things about himself along the way.  I loved his brooding side, his charming side, his nervous side and his sexy side.  I know I believed him.  I never doubted he'd figure it out in the end.

Phoebe is a stubborn girl who needs to listen to her heart more than her head.  She's jealous and doubts a lot but she, too, learns along the way.  She learns to believe in herself, believe in Jeremy and believe in them together.  I learned to love her.

I read this fast and really enjoyed it.  If you love a smokin' HOT romance that shows a lot of character growth, then this one is your next read.

Giveaway...

I have one copy to give away!

US/Canada only 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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 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