Frayed

July 28, 2014
The fourth Connections new adult novel (after Mended) is angst-filled and compulsively readable. Nearly six years after Ben Covington and Bell Wilde shared a night of passion, they run into each other at an awards banquet. Ben wants a relationship. Bell reluctantly acknowledges their fierce sexual chemistry, but insists on a no-strings-attached, friends-with-benefits arrangement or nothing at all. Determined to change her mind, Ben begins a concentrated plan of seduction involving erotic role-playing, romantic dinners, and light domination. But it turns out that Bell is hiding a huge secret that will almost certainly derail their budding relationship. Karr’s world is filled with imperfect yet relatable characters, a familiar but well-written story, and hotter-than-hot sex scenes.

August 1, 2014
Bell Wilde met Ben Covington when she crashed a frat party in college, calling herself S'Belle. As Karr continues her NA romance Connections series (Torn;Mended, both 2014), Ben wins a coveted journalism award, they meet again, and the spark between them is just as hot as it was before. They proceed to dance around each other, one holding onto a secret that should have been shared years before. While they get along sexually, they now make an effort to get to know one another without simply having sex. But it is difficult to understand why flighty, self-doubting Bell wants anything to do with self-centered Ben. Even when the big secret is revealed and Ben reacts badly, hurting the pampered Bell, some readers will find it difficult to embrace this shallow couple. Gratuitous sex scenes, tired romance tropes, and a spotty plot make Karr's latest read like slapdash erotica fan fiction. Those who haven't read previous books in the series will find themselves lost much of the time, but Karr's fans will read on happily.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)