K. Larsen

ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review for SMI Bookclub.

I will be the first to admit that I wasn’t sure that to think coming into this book. I read the blurb, and while it intrigued me, I wasn’t hooked. Whew…..was I ever wrong! Imagine this. You are just sitting there, moseying along, minding your own business, then WHAM! Total book punch. Take all your expectations and throw them right out the window. Grab your preconceived notions and prepare to be rocked. This show more book had depth, ridiculous amounts of swoon, slightly screwed yet stable friendships, and an eight year old you will want to adopt. This was my first book from this author, to say I was blown away is a severe understatement.

Why does this man smell so delicious and why does he make my blood boil?

If ever a book so fully encompassed its’ title, this would be it. Tug of War is the story of Clara and Sawyer, Clara and Sawyer and Allie, Clara and Allie, and Clara and Dom. Sound confusing? You will find yourself switching teams, screaming at Clara, wanting to hug her, hell, wanting to hug them all. There is so much back story into these characters, but it really needs to be read in succession to do it justice.

“I want more than just your body and I’m willing to wait until you’ll give it.”

Dom. Oh Dom
“I’m not a cheap lay Clara. I don’t want one night, I want all of them.”

Words just simply flow out of this man’s mouth, that were you not there to witness, you would never expect it. I won’t lie and say that he is perfect, in fact, he is far from it! There are things that happen towards the end that I am not happy with. Not on a storyline level, but the character himself. Were I to come face to face with him, you know, if he were real, I would slap him. Then jump his bones. Then slap him again. That’s just how I roll. But he would deserve it, and he would know why. Through all the passion, love, and friendship in this book, one of the main themes is miscommunication. Ugh….. Assumptions, insecurity, fear, and distrust all rule emotions in this book. It is portrayed so deliciously and real that you will find yourself simultaneously furiously turning the page and at the same time not wanting it to be over. This is how well K. Larsen weaves this tale. You don’t know whether you are coming or going, you just know you don’t want to stop!

“Trust me, when I woke up today, I had plans to be awesome, but…shit happens.”

I highly recommend this book and it is a definite 5 star read for me! show less

Sometimes we come across books that make us question our own sanity. Books that make us question others' sanity. Books that make us question the world and its norms in general. This book made me question everything. My thoughts, my limits, my mores.

I am a big fan of dark and twisted. I am also a fan of non-traditional heros. I don't need a handsome, well-built, rich hero in my books. They tend to be too cliche' for me. The hero in this book isn't even male, which made me very happy. The show more women in this story. They are everything. They are the heros. They are the victims. They are the very being of this story.

I can't begin to understand Nora's connection to Holden. Her story gives you all the reasons she hates, loves, and fears him at the same time. Her need to run from and to him is believable and unbelievable at the same time.

I was hooked to on this book from start to finish. The magnetic pull and the connections between the characters in this story had me turning the page waiting for the next shoe to drop. show less

*I was provided an ARC for an honest review*
This book goes on my top reads of 2015 list. It was truly a beautiful, twisted masterpiece! Romance? Yes! Suspense? Yes! Mind F*? ABSOLUTELY.

With one page, I was addicted. The story quickly became my drug of choice. I think it's safe to say that this one is an epic read. It had that addictive feel that pulls a reader in and stays with them long after the last page. It was a story that was filled with characters that you love to hate. I was so show more conflicted on who to trust and what would happen in the end... The whole time I knew to expect something huge, but in all reality, the twist was MASSIVE. I'm talking jaw on the floor, eyes bulging HUGE! My ideas and thoughts were somewhat on track, but then again, so far away. I will tell you now... Everything you think you know will be tossed out the window with those last pages. It was one heck of an ending!

Looking back, I see how well crafted the book really was... It flowed flawlessly and kept you interested to the point of no skimming. Each and every word played an intricate role and I loved every bit of it... From the sweet romance, to the beautiful friendship. From the angst to the ultimate mind f*. It all filled my heart and made a happy reader.

I highly recommend this read to everyone that loves their books rich in thought with tons of depth. show less

This is my second book of Larsen's, and I couldn't be more on board with her writing and storytelling! She gives me just enough dark and just enough light to keep me turning page after page after page.

This is definitely not your typing revenge to love story. Sure, it is an element to the story, but it's not the usual and most certainly not the whole story. The complexities of this story are abundant.

If you read The Tutor and are expecting that same kind of dark, don't. Although this book is show more an extension of that book, they are two totally different books. They have a whole different level of dark and plot.

Nora and Liam's story is unconventional. Nora and Liam's story isn't straight-laced. It isn't instant. It isn't sweet. It isn't unicorns and rainbows. Their stories reflect them. They are complex and broken. Their story is complex and broken. Their story could either heal or break them. In some ways, this story does both.

If you haven't read The Tutor, I do suggest reading it first. It isn't completely necessary, but I highly suggest it. You will miss a lot of the backstory to these characters. The impact of these characters and their personalities won't really hit without reading The Tutor first. show less