Rick R. Reed writes a beautiful novel, and while I know to expect it, his words still have the power to leave me breathless. Though it only took a few days, I feel like it took me ages to read Torn, because I savored every aspect of this story. (After all, what could be better than having to stop and reread a passage, just because it is so perfect.) No idea how he does it, but Rick R. Reed just knows how to capture things just so exactly right.

Buckle up and gird your loins before delving into Torn. This is an emotional tale. The way Ricky exposes and shares every action and reaction, in the most intimate and personal way possible, it’s a pretty heavy story. I adored each and every minute of it though, and I promise, it’s 100% worth it!

I also have to mention what an amazing job Rick R. Reed does in capturing the experiences of living in the mid ‘90’s. At the risk of dating myself (I feel so old!), I’ve just shelved this novel about events that took place twenty-five years ago “historical”! Sometimes it doesn’t FEEL like it was that long ago. But considering the changes to how we live, and how we socialize, the past twenty-five years have brought some truly significant changes. Rick R. Reed brings it all back in Torn, and it’s superb.

I honestly don't know what to make of this book. The writing was good but I just didn't care. The characters were realistic but just generally not likable and the story just wasn't that interesting to be honest. There was never really a huge conflict about being torn between the two lovers, and I didn't really care what happened either way.

Sadly this book wasn't for me. I got a few chapters in before deciding to DNF as it just didn't really capture me. I think the fault is more with me than the book itself because the writing was good, I just didn't really feel the desire to read on as romance isn't normally my thing.

So I will start off by confessing that I wanted to review this book solely because of the cover. Seriously, take a gander at that baby. It. Is. Stunning. However letting that beautiful piece of art suck me in was a very, VERY amateur move on my part, but it happened nonetheless. So when I started reading? Yeah I hadn't even read the blurb. 

Now let me say that love triangles are NOT my thing. My anxiety goes through the roof making decisions in my own life, but having to make decisions in my readerly life about which love interest I'm rooting for? No, I just can NOT handle that level of stress. So when my dumb self decided to read the blurb and realized what I was in for? I was sooooo nervous. I wanted to love this book so I very, very cautiously opened the first page and...

No, I didn't fall in love on page one, but as I read through, I fell. And here's the crazy thing about it, I fell in love with the words despite the fact that not only is it a love triangle, but the more I read the more I felt it wasn't a classic romance... and I appreciated that! If you know me at all, you know romance is my happy place, but the relationship between Ricky and his BFF as well as the immense character growth we get to experience with Ricky transformed this, to me, into more of a work of literary fiction.

Don't get me wrong, some key romance points are there from the adorable, awkward initial interactions, to the strong chemistry pulling them together. And as I reader I definitely felt torn, just as the title describes between Walt and Tom, exactly as Ricky was. 

I will say that while I definitely recommend Torn, if you're looking for the typical romance, this isn't it. Brace yourself for a bumpy (and hilarious!) ride that still delivers a satisfying HEA, but breaks some of the romance stereotypes.

Thanks to Ninestar Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

This is the third novel that I've read by Rick R. Reed. After the joys of "Big Love" and "Bigger Love," "Torn was a bit of a letdown. The story follows a young and bright-eyed Ricky going on an adventure abroad to England. He goes to find love and lust at just the right moments. The story does struggle, in the beginning, to take off; he's a character in search of a plot. Things do pick up, yet you do need to be patient through the first few chapters to figure out where this twisty romance is going.

💕Can he choose the right guy or does fate take over?🤔

4.5🌟stars
Once again, author Rick R. Reed had me wrapped up in the story, this time in a nostalgic trip to the 1990's as Ricky goes from hook-up to hook-up, across the pond on vacation and in Boystown Chicago. Apart from the revolving door of men in which he delights, within the space of a summer Ricky meets two men who start him considering his chances for enjoying a continuing relationship. He's torn between Walt and Tom. His best friend Boutros can only watch and stand ready to offer support.

Ricky's exploits with both men and strangers, in the leather bars of Chicago or in London and England's seaside resort towns, fills many of the pages. But Ricky's quest for a man also reveals alot about him, his working class roots, his insecurities and the domestic life he dreams of. I liked this Ricky despite his promiscuous ways.

The whole premise of the story -- who will Ricky choose to give a longer term chance -- seems a foregone conclusion early on but Reed kept the suspense going until the last chapters and then came up with a twist I did not see coming.

I enjoyed this story as I have every one of the dozen or so books by Reed I've read. It's a quick and easy read, the angst is minimal and the heat rolls out of every chapter.

Thanks to publisher NineStar Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.