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Torn
She’s running. He’s ready to catch her.
City girl Jenny thought she had it all figured out. Her job as a war correspondent gave her purpose. She didn’t need love. Didn’t want a family. And it didn’t matter how little time she spent back home in London. But that was before everything fell apart. Before she watched her best friend die in her arms. Now, not only had her world been shattered, so had her heart. That’s how she found herself running—straight into a tall, dark and handsome distraction.
In small-town Texas, local construction worker, Jackson stopped believing in happy endings a long time ago. That is until a beautiful stranger literally crashes into his life and manages to land a few punches for good measure. She’s trouble. Chaos. Heartbreak waiting to happen. But no matter how hard he tries, he can’t stay away.
Torn is a steamy, slow-burn small-town romance where enemies at first sight go from friends to lovers, with a guaranteed HEA.
City girl Jenny thought she had it all figured out. Her job as a war correspondent gave her purpose. She didn’t need love. Didn’t want a family. And it didn’t matter how little time she spent back home in London. But that was before everything fell apart. Before she watched her best friend die in her arms. Now, not only had her world been shattered, so had her heart. That’s how she found herself running—straight into a tall, dark and handsome distraction.
In small-town Texas, local construction worker, Jackson stopped believing in happy endings a long time ago. That is until a beautiful stranger literally crashes into his life and manages to land a few punches for good measure. She’s trouble. Chaos. Heartbreak waiting to happen. But no matter how hard he tries, he can’t stay away.
Torn is a steamy, slow-burn small-town romance where enemies at first sight go from friends to lovers, with a guaranteed HEA.
- GenresSmall Town Romance
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2021
27 people are currently reading
688 people want to read
About the author
Isobel Reed
14 books175 followersIsobel was born and raised in London. While she’s a city girl at heart, she loves daydreaming about running away to a charming small town—though she’s not entirely sure her husband and son would share her enthusiasm for the move. When she’s not writing small-town romantic comedies or growing unhealthily attached to the characters in her books, you can find her reading, chasing after her very active toddler, or attempting to channel her inner domestic goddess in the kitchen (with varying degrees of success).
Known for her witty dialogue and swoon-worthy small-town heroes, Isobel signed with Inkspell Publishing in 2021. The following year, she released Love Tools, the first book in her four-book Bluestone Series. In early 2024, she launched Toasted, the debut novel of her seven-book Love Burns Series, which will roll out over the next year.
Known for her witty dialogue and swoon-worthy small-town heroes, Isobel signed with Inkspell Publishing in 2021. The following year, she released Love Tools, the first book in her four-book Bluestone Series. In early 2024, she launched Toasted, the debut novel of her seven-book Love Burns Series, which will roll out over the next year.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 25, 2022
Mistaken identity starts two off on the wrong foot for romance
War correspondent Jenny suffered a trauma when her best friend died in her arms and now she can’t bring herself to go back into the field. So she books a house for six months in her friend’s childhood home, Portamaine, Texas. He bragged about its beauty, quiet, and friendly people. Just the place to recuperate and write a book, she thinks. The house is all she expected and hoped for—until she wakes up to a noise in the night. Armed with a tennis racket, she attacks the would-be thief only to finds out he’s the homeowner’s nephew who was checking on the house while his aunt was away. Oops!
Despite their first meeting, Jackson and Jenny soon become friends and then more. When Jenny meets Todd, her friend’s cousin who she’d first met at his funeral, she’s attracted to him, too, though just as a friend. Jackson gets territorial, but Jenny is forthright in letting him know she considers him her boyfriend. At the end of her time in Texas, she’s going back to London and her job, right? Is this a short-term romance or something lasting?
I liked this romance. It did seem a bit short on conflict, though, sometimes substituting jealousy on Jackson’s part. Conflict but not the right kind. His jumping to conclusions and becoming jealous was somewhat irritating. Jenny, on the other hand, was a more mature character. She’d been in the world, whereas Jackson hadn’t. I actually liked Todd better as a love interest, but that’s just me. Good writing and a good plot pulled this book through. Though not the greatest romance I’ve read, it was still enjoyable and I’m glad I chose to read it. I would read more of this author’s work. Recommended.
War correspondent Jenny suffered a trauma when her best friend died in her arms and now she can’t bring herself to go back into the field. So she books a house for six months in her friend’s childhood home, Portamaine, Texas. He bragged about its beauty, quiet, and friendly people. Just the place to recuperate and write a book, she thinks. The house is all she expected and hoped for—until she wakes up to a noise in the night. Armed with a tennis racket, she attacks the would-be thief only to finds out he’s the homeowner’s nephew who was checking on the house while his aunt was away. Oops!
Despite their first meeting, Jackson and Jenny soon become friends and then more. When Jenny meets Todd, her friend’s cousin who she’d first met at his funeral, she’s attracted to him, too, though just as a friend. Jackson gets territorial, but Jenny is forthright in letting him know she considers him her boyfriend. At the end of her time in Texas, she’s going back to London and her job, right? Is this a short-term romance or something lasting?
I liked this romance. It did seem a bit short on conflict, though, sometimes substituting jealousy on Jackson’s part. Conflict but not the right kind. His jumping to conclusions and becoming jealous was somewhat irritating. Jenny, on the other hand, was a more mature character. She’d been in the world, whereas Jackson hadn’t. I actually liked Todd better as a love interest, but that’s just me. Good writing and a good plot pulled this book through. Though not the greatest romance I’ve read, it was still enjoyable and I’m glad I chose to read it. I would read more of this author’s work. Recommended.
December 28, 2021
I received this book as part of a giveaway. I’m torn between two and three stars. This book was a cute story in general but it felt like a draft instead of a completed story or like the ideas for a television show.
The idea was good in general and I think the writer was trying to break the romance novel formula, but it didn’t work so well. The idea that Jenny was choosing between two people was interesting. Jenny being a war correspondent was also a super interesting thing.
There were two random chapters written from Jackson’s perspective, one of them when he was with Jenny, so it made no sense that it was written from his perspective and it didn’t provide some special insight into his point of view. Jackson’s jealousy was also a big problem for Jenny, until it wasn’t. Jenny didn’t tell Jackson that she was quitting her job, as a test? I’m not really sure why.
I would love to encourage this writer to continue with their journey and hope that the next one is a little more developed.
The idea was good in general and I think the writer was trying to break the romance novel formula, but it didn’t work so well. The idea that Jenny was choosing between two people was interesting. Jenny being a war correspondent was also a super interesting thing.
There were two random chapters written from Jackson’s perspective, one of them when he was with Jenny, so it made no sense that it was written from his perspective and it didn’t provide some special insight into his point of view. Jackson’s jealousy was also a big problem for Jenny, until it wasn’t. Jenny didn’t tell Jackson that she was quitting her job, as a test? I’m not really sure why.
I would love to encourage this writer to continue with their journey and hope that the next one is a little more developed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2021
I enjoyed this heart-warming love story between Jenny and Jackson who undergo challenges in their relationship and live worlds apart. She lives in London and he lives in a small country town in the United States. I found the plotline interesting, the characters authentic and likable, and the descriptions of the countryside enthralling. I got annoyed by the way Jenny could have communicated what she truly felt instead of taking drastic action. Even Jackson struggled to communicate what he felt, but that is the bread of butter of romance; conflict and drama. It is what keeps the pages turning. This story is well worth the read.
February 27, 2022
A truly beautiful book.
I was captivated by this slow-burn, small town romance and thoroughly enjoyed the author's refreshing voice. A stunning blend of humour, emotion, steam and relatability. I highly recommend!
I was captivated by this slow-burn, small town romance and thoroughly enjoyed the author's refreshing voice. A stunning blend of humour, emotion, steam and relatability. I highly recommend!
March 26, 2022
What a great book! Wasn't sure how much I would actually enjoy it... But I loved it! Highly recommended!
June 16, 2022
Great story that made me feel all warm and cozy inside 🤍
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews