“Age doesn’t mean shit.” ― Torn
| Romantic Subgenre(s) | Contemporary Romance |
| Spice Level | 3 Chili Peppers |
| Open or Closed Door? | Props door open |
| Notable Tropes | Age gap, guardian/ward, friends to lovers, forbidden lovers, virgin, motorcycle club |
| Similar Books | Saving 6 by Chloe Walsh Corrupt Union by Tracy Lorraine Speed by B.B. Easton |
Summary – Includes spoilers! Open at your own risk.
After graduating from high school, Kenzie is trying to figure out what is next. Home with her dad for the summer, Kenzie at least knows what she does not want – college immature men (boys) are top of the list.
Tor, her dad’s best friend, is over shallow relationships and is ready to settle down with the woman who will see past his shy, (hot), moody exterior to the caring, thoughtful, romantic, family man he is on the inside.
Kenzie has known Tor for her entire life. In fact, he was there the day she was born.
Torn is a book about coming of age, finding love with your best friend, and fighting for what your heart wants.
What did the book do well?
This book directly takes on the challenges of a romantic age gap and taboo relationships, authentically navigating the angst and difficulty of navigating romantic and familial relationships.
What are your nitpicks?
Kenzie and Tor deserved so much better of a reunion scene 😭 fiiiixxxx iiiitttt.
What was the Candy Mountain (highlight) of the book?
The highlight of the book has to be the genuine love and deep connection that Tor and Kenzie have for and with one another. At its core, this book is about waiting to find your soulmate.
That, and the adult conversations. After reading so many books where plot points depend on mis- or non-communication between the two main characters (looking at you romantasy 👀), it was refreshing to read a book where the main characters communicated and worked through their problems together vis-a-vis a real-life functioning relationship. Except for that one fist fight. But who’s perfect?
What was the dungeon (worst part) of the book?
Ember’s coma. It’s unnecessary, and it’s misleading. At first the author makes it sound like Ember maybe chose to leave Asher and Kenzie (?), but over the course of the book we learn she is in a coma as the result of an accident. *shrugs*. The plot would not have been different had Ember been well and present.
Who would you cast as the main characters for a Torn movie?
Think Sons of Anarchy! Dark haired Charlie Hunum (*swoons*) and a young Blake Lively.
What is a better title for the book?
Found
What season is this book?
This book is a summer or fall read. Even though their romance is young, Tor and Kenzie have a lifelong friendship and care for one another that feels a little like coming home.
Disagree? Read it and let us know!
Final Recommendation:
Highly recommend.
This was my first age gap romance. This book does a wonderful job of exploring the complexity of emotions of an age gap and pseudo family relationship. Throughout the book I felt the excitement, the angst…and the deep contentment of genuine love and commitment. The characters, their joys and their challenges, came across as authentic and real.
fisher was *chef’s kiss.
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