What do you think?
Rate this book
For Internal Use Only
Chloe Kassidy has just been accepted into one of Manhattan’s most exclusive art exhibits, Love Through Light. However, with her singular dedication to her career, she soon realizes that in sacrificing her personal life, she has never been in love. A hopeless romantic who is terrified of heartbreak, Chloe begins to enlist the help of her circle of friends to learn about love through their very different stories and experiences.
In Chloe’s emotional rollercoaster to having the greatest love story ever told, she’ll learn that like her photography she must use the negatives in life to develop and prove that she’s a strong woman who found her way to love through light.
Inspired by the notion that women grow up with ideas of true love and destiny, For Internal Use Only approaches those ideas with a decidedly twenty-first century viewpoint. A humorous love story with an edgy and dramatic twist, For Internal Use Only is a vastly entertaining novel that gives each of us a new fairy tale to look forward too: our own.
For Internal Use Only: Book Trailer
youtube.com/watch?v=Z4Nvreus5qk
In Chloe’s emotional rollercoaster to having the greatest love story ever told, she’ll learn that like her photography she must use the negatives in life to develop and prove that she’s a strong woman who found her way to love through light.
Inspired by the notion that women grow up with ideas of true love and destiny, For Internal Use Only approaches those ideas with a decidedly twenty-first century viewpoint. A humorous love story with an edgy and dramatic twist, For Internal Use Only is a vastly entertaining novel that gives each of us a new fairy tale to look forward too: our own.
For Internal Use Only: Book Trailer
youtube.com/watch?v=Z4Nvreus5qk
ebook
First published February 14, 2013
11 people are currently reading
560 people want to read
About the author
Cari Kamm
2 books53 followersI have worked in the beauty industry for over a decade, building brands, working behind the scenes, and even selling my own skin care line. I have a master’s in clinical nutrition from New York University. I currently work in corporate social media management with clients in the beauty, fashion, and restaurant industries. Living in New York City with my mutt Schmutz, I love finding inspiration in the most unexpected places, being a novelist, and convincing my husband that ordering takeout and making dinner reservations are equal to cooking. More information can be found at my personal website, CariKamm.com.
Please join me on my page at https://www.facebook.com/CariKamm.Author
Twitter.com/CariKamm
Please join me on my page at https://www.facebook.com/CariKamm.Author
Twitter.com/CariKamm
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 26, 2013
I've read this novel 50 times so I had to give it 5 stars. :-)
January 2, 2022
Found it very slow and boring, if it was about 200 less pages then I believe it could have been a good book.
August 9, 2016
Find more reviews on What She Reads
-
This is a humorous tale of falling for the unexpected. Chloe isn’t looking for love or she says she is not. At the age of thirty Chloe undeniably has a great passion in her life and that is photography. When she is accepted to take part in an exhibition curated by the notorious Grayson Gates her spirits lift.
After spending another evening at a book club with one of her best friends, Emma, who chases after ‘The One’ like a hound to a fox, she is surprised to find an email from a Mary Polt. In this email Mary mentions seeing her at the book club and would love to introduce her to her boss, the Swiss democrat and aspiring author Christoph Kostas. With a reluctant but can do attitude Chloe agrees to swaps emails, thus embarking on a whirlwind of online dating.
~
The story was full of passion, Chloe has known one thing and that is that she wants to be a photographer. With the continuous love expressions mixing with the technicality of photography we are pulled through some romantic notions. For me the love and desire Chloe feels for photography brought me back to when I was fourteen and picked up a camera for the very first time helping me to embark on a career as a photographer. I felt a connection to Chloe right away.
From the get go we can see Chloe is a very loving individual humoring her friends and just altogether enjoying life. When Emma begs Chloe to attend a book club because Emma is determined the host is her one (funnily enough his husband sits next to Chloe on the first night) this picks up a new journey for her. When receiving an email from Mary Polt a secretary of Christoph Kostas expressing she would love to match the two Chloe is a little taken aback, at first she ignores the email thinking someone is pranking her until she receives another one, this time attached is a photograph. Chloe hesitantly agrees to swap email addresses with him.
Within days Christoph introduces himself, being quite the gentleman they both hit it off right away. They exchange numbers. Due to her acceptance of the exhibition Chloe has a rough and laboring time ahead of her creating and then showcasing her concept for the exhibition which is called “Love Through Light”. Through the first few days Christoph is nothing but a doting and caring man reading to her in the evenings, portraying himself as this ideal image of the perfect man. Right away I felt uneasy with Christoph he just appeared to push his feeling out there, but with the building connection between the two and how sweet and loving he has been it’s hard for Chloe to give up and walk away, what if he really is the one?
Christoph is a very manipulative man, when we notice Chloe starts pulling away he encloses on her, being forceful with his thoughts and words. With still not meeting after months of talking, Christoph appears to be wanting too much out of her in such a short space of time. I found him to be quite nasty as he sends her cryptic messages confusing her even more.
I found the relationship very poisonous. It’s clear that Christoph is affecting her more than she comprehended. Chloe’s life and passion has been photography and at this vital time in her career but Christoph’s selfishness messes with her head so much that during the story we see her passion waver causing her to question herself a lot.
This is a truly great and an educational story. There has been such a rise in online dating it is very much a necessity to find a mate, and with stories such as this and TV shows/films such as Catfish we are shown a darker side to online dating. I'll be looking out for more of Kamm's novels in the future.
COVER ART
The cover is quirky and creative, I especially love the heart between the polaroids the only problem is as a whole the cover looks amateurish. I would like to see more of a dark cover, to bring out the sinister vibe of the story, if not that maybe are more graphic cover.
-
This is a humorous tale of falling for the unexpected. Chloe isn’t looking for love or she says she is not. At the age of thirty Chloe undeniably has a great passion in her life and that is photography. When she is accepted to take part in an exhibition curated by the notorious Grayson Gates her spirits lift.
After spending another evening at a book club with one of her best friends, Emma, who chases after ‘The One’ like a hound to a fox, she is surprised to find an email from a Mary Polt. In this email Mary mentions seeing her at the book club and would love to introduce her to her boss, the Swiss democrat and aspiring author Christoph Kostas. With a reluctant but can do attitude Chloe agrees to swaps emails, thus embarking on a whirlwind of online dating.
~
The story was full of passion, Chloe has known one thing and that is that she wants to be a photographer. With the continuous love expressions mixing with the technicality of photography we are pulled through some romantic notions. For me the love and desire Chloe feels for photography brought me back to when I was fourteen and picked up a camera for the very first time helping me to embark on a career as a photographer. I felt a connection to Chloe right away.
"To me, nothing is more productive than finding a gem, and even though it may be tunnel vision and not practical, viewing the final print is the reward. A photographer has the power of choice, to hold within each image what we want other to see."
From the get go we can see Chloe is a very loving individual humoring her friends and just altogether enjoying life. When Emma begs Chloe to attend a book club because Emma is determined the host is her one (funnily enough his husband sits next to Chloe on the first night) this picks up a new journey for her. When receiving an email from Mary Polt a secretary of Christoph Kostas expressing she would love to match the two Chloe is a little taken aback, at first she ignores the email thinking someone is pranking her until she receives another one, this time attached is a photograph. Chloe hesitantly agrees to swap email addresses with him.
"One thing was for sure, whether it was considered rational or irrational, a fictional fairy tale of a daily part of reality, love itself was capable of pulling people out of their depth, making the weak stronger and the strong weaker. Love was an enormous promise."
Within days Christoph introduces himself, being quite the gentleman they both hit it off right away. They exchange numbers. Due to her acceptance of the exhibition Chloe has a rough and laboring time ahead of her creating and then showcasing her concept for the exhibition which is called “Love Through Light”. Through the first few days Christoph is nothing but a doting and caring man reading to her in the evenings, portraying himself as this ideal image of the perfect man. Right away I felt uneasy with Christoph he just appeared to push his feeling out there, but with the building connection between the two and how sweet and loving he has been it’s hard for Chloe to give up and walk away, what if he really is the one?
Christoph is a very manipulative man, when we notice Chloe starts pulling away he encloses on her, being forceful with his thoughts and words. With still not meeting after months of talking, Christoph appears to be wanting too much out of her in such a short space of time. I found him to be quite nasty as he sends her cryptic messages confusing her even more.
"His words made my accusations of him never intending to be here doubt they entirely made sense. Was he this sentimental fool and not a game player? Losing me would have just been part of the game."
I found the relationship very poisonous. It’s clear that Christoph is affecting her more than she comprehended. Chloe’s life and passion has been photography and at this vital time in her career but Christoph’s selfishness messes with her head so much that during the story we see her passion waver causing her to question herself a lot.
This is a truly great and an educational story. There has been such a rise in online dating it is very much a necessity to find a mate, and with stories such as this and TV shows/films such as Catfish we are shown a darker side to online dating. I'll be looking out for more of Kamm's novels in the future.
COVER ART
The cover is quirky and creative, I especially love the heart between the polaroids the only problem is as a whole the cover looks amateurish. I would like to see more of a dark cover, to bring out the sinister vibe of the story, if not that maybe are more graphic cover.
September 30, 2013
Borrowing a line from the book, love is a process and always changing.
The story of Chloe Kassidy, the main character in For Internal Use Only by Cari Kamm, opens in October on the solid footing that this is a story of a young photographer living in New York pursuing her dreams of becoming a respected photographer in the art world. We soon learn through the “lens” (excuse the pun) of a pending art show titled Love Through Light that Chloe has never truly been in love.
Enter Christoph Kostas and their careful courtship filled with emails, texts, and phone calls, but no face-to-face meeting as of yet. By the end of October, Chloe is beginning to have feelings for Christoph and wonders if ‘love at first email’ is even possible. Can you build a bond with someone over words and telephone conversations? This question grabs hold of Chloe and remains with her throughout the book as Christoph repeatedly has “difficulty” facing her in real life.
This is a story about a relationship that develops over time with plenty of triumphs and disappointments for the reader to relish. The hustle and bustle of their personal and professional lives continue to compete for each other’s attention and at times, the reader will wonder if these two will ever work out their differences and get their relationship off the ground.
Chloe is a vulnerable, fearful, idealist; a complex character that readers will enjoy reading. By Chapter 19, Christoph is so frustrated he tells her during an argument, “…I’m tired of you taking one step forward and five steps backwards…” then a few moments later he asks, “…Am I that scary? I don’t deserve someone who doesn’t know what she wants…” Christoph is also a (very) complex character. At one point in the novel, Chloe is so frustrated with him she feels, “The most complicated man in the world can’t even be this complicated.”
Throughout the novel, Chloe struggles to understand what love is and what love means to her. This offers readers rich fodder for examining love in many stages and at some very complicated levels. It also allows for a lot of reflection on the external forces and actions (or lack of action) that prevent people from finding love and connecting with someone else. The concept of love in this novel is drawn at many levels, some basic, others abstract. And what is really wonderful about Cari Kamm’s novel is the juxtaposition of love with photography and the uses of light.
An important character, Reed, who is tasked with helping Cari develop her work for the Love Through Light exhibit, poses an important question to Chloe about trust. He also later tells her, “The hero is in the trying, Chloe.” Another important character, Stephanie, tells Christoph: “…I always said if anyone could see her heart like we do, they would never be able to stop staring at her, and, as back breaking as I’m sure it can be, make her their constant in life.” Also very important to the story for reasons I won’t reveal, a character named Mary and the circumstances behind the fate of someone she loved.
My final thoughts on For Internal Use Only by Cari Kamm? Highly recommended and absolutely wonderful for readers wanting real depth, personal pain, and growth from their characters.
* * * * *
Here’s my FTC Disclaimer (a regulation required by Big Brother, the U.S. Government via the Federal Trade Commission): I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. (Don’t know why that sentence is so important to the government when there are so many other pressing issues in the world to worry about but okay… I don’t want to go to book blogger jail… )
The story of Chloe Kassidy, the main character in For Internal Use Only by Cari Kamm, opens in October on the solid footing that this is a story of a young photographer living in New York pursuing her dreams of becoming a respected photographer in the art world. We soon learn through the “lens” (excuse the pun) of a pending art show titled Love Through Light that Chloe has never truly been in love.
Enter Christoph Kostas and their careful courtship filled with emails, texts, and phone calls, but no face-to-face meeting as of yet. By the end of October, Chloe is beginning to have feelings for Christoph and wonders if ‘love at first email’ is even possible. Can you build a bond with someone over words and telephone conversations? This question grabs hold of Chloe and remains with her throughout the book as Christoph repeatedly has “difficulty” facing her in real life.
This is a story about a relationship that develops over time with plenty of triumphs and disappointments for the reader to relish. The hustle and bustle of their personal and professional lives continue to compete for each other’s attention and at times, the reader will wonder if these two will ever work out their differences and get their relationship off the ground.
Chloe is a vulnerable, fearful, idealist; a complex character that readers will enjoy reading. By Chapter 19, Christoph is so frustrated he tells her during an argument, “…I’m tired of you taking one step forward and five steps backwards…” then a few moments later he asks, “…Am I that scary? I don’t deserve someone who doesn’t know what she wants…” Christoph is also a (very) complex character. At one point in the novel, Chloe is so frustrated with him she feels, “The most complicated man in the world can’t even be this complicated.”
Throughout the novel, Chloe struggles to understand what love is and what love means to her. This offers readers rich fodder for examining love in many stages and at some very complicated levels. It also allows for a lot of reflection on the external forces and actions (or lack of action) that prevent people from finding love and connecting with someone else. The concept of love in this novel is drawn at many levels, some basic, others abstract. And what is really wonderful about Cari Kamm’s novel is the juxtaposition of love with photography and the uses of light.
An important character, Reed, who is tasked with helping Cari develop her work for the Love Through Light exhibit, poses an important question to Chloe about trust. He also later tells her, “The hero is in the trying, Chloe.” Another important character, Stephanie, tells Christoph: “…I always said if anyone could see her heart like we do, they would never be able to stop staring at her, and, as back breaking as I’m sure it can be, make her their constant in life.” Also very important to the story for reasons I won’t reveal, a character named Mary and the circumstances behind the fate of someone she loved.
My final thoughts on For Internal Use Only by Cari Kamm? Highly recommended and absolutely wonderful for readers wanting real depth, personal pain, and growth from their characters.
* * * * *
Here’s my FTC Disclaimer (a regulation required by Big Brother, the U.S. Government via the Federal Trade Commission): I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. (Don’t know why that sentence is so important to the government when there are so many other pressing issues in the world to worry about but okay… I don’t want to go to book blogger jail… )
March 12, 2013
It’s October and Chloe’s friend Emma is perpetually on the hunt for her soul-mate. This is diametrically opposed to Chloe herself with her rational and practical approach to life. Emma drags Chloe along to a new book club of which the host is the next possible soul-mate on her radar.
On the way to meet Emma, we’re introduced to Chloe’s love of photography and that she’s waiting to hear if she’s been accepted at an exclusive gallery to exhibit with the ‘Love through Light’ showcase. Love is something that puts her into a total panic.
After the book club, Chloe receives an email from a woman who says she was at the book club and thought Chloe would be suitable for her friend, Christoph. What follows is an emotional journey for her through this relationship … a relationship that is conducted purely by email, IM, phone and social media (although that isn’t the intention).
The author very cleverly takes this relationship through the stages of a face-to-face intimate relationship from the ‘honeymoon’ period through to Christoph eventually pushing Chloe to the edge, an edge which she needs to experience before she can truly connect within.
One sentence in particular sums up their relationship:
“You’re the most dramatic coffee date I’ve ever not been on a date with.”
Alongside the build-up of this relationship runs Chloe’s hunt for the three photographs she needs to create for the exhibit. With the theme of ‘Love through Light’ they intertwine and either hinder or enhance.
Chloe’s circle of friendships are fabulous and the bonds strong. I loved spending time with them! Emma, Kate and Stephanie are the sort of people we’d love to be a part of our own lives.
Readers will identify with Chloe and her journey of emotions. You all know how I love to see a character become strong and centred and Chloe learns from her experiences and comes through the other side with belief in herself and her place in the world. She is a character that grew on me as the story progressed.
I loved the deeper meaning behind the photographs Chloe chose. Straight from the heart!
The ending? Well, that will make you sigh with satisfaction.
For Internal Use Only is a story that will brighten your heart and restore your faith in the world.
I would like to thank publicist Amy Bromberg for inviting me to review. A Kindle copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
On the way to meet Emma, we’re introduced to Chloe’s love of photography and that she’s waiting to hear if she’s been accepted at an exclusive gallery to exhibit with the ‘Love through Light’ showcase. Love is something that puts her into a total panic.
After the book club, Chloe receives an email from a woman who says she was at the book club and thought Chloe would be suitable for her friend, Christoph. What follows is an emotional journey for her through this relationship … a relationship that is conducted purely by email, IM, phone and social media (although that isn’t the intention).
The author very cleverly takes this relationship through the stages of a face-to-face intimate relationship from the ‘honeymoon’ period through to Christoph eventually pushing Chloe to the edge, an edge which she needs to experience before she can truly connect within.
One sentence in particular sums up their relationship:
“You’re the most dramatic coffee date I’ve ever not been on a date with.”
Alongside the build-up of this relationship runs Chloe’s hunt for the three photographs she needs to create for the exhibit. With the theme of ‘Love through Light’ they intertwine and either hinder or enhance.
Chloe’s circle of friendships are fabulous and the bonds strong. I loved spending time with them! Emma, Kate and Stephanie are the sort of people we’d love to be a part of our own lives.
Readers will identify with Chloe and her journey of emotions. You all know how I love to see a character become strong and centred and Chloe learns from her experiences and comes through the other side with belief in herself and her place in the world. She is a character that grew on me as the story progressed.
I loved the deeper meaning behind the photographs Chloe chose. Straight from the heart!
The ending? Well, that will make you sigh with satisfaction.
For Internal Use Only is a story that will brighten your heart and restore your faith in the world.
I would like to thank publicist Amy Bromberg for inviting me to review. A Kindle copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2013
A woman takes a close look at love through the lens of her camera in Cari Kamm's For Internal Use Only.
Natalie Portman lookalike Chloe Kassidy's life changes the day she receives an invitation to participate in a Manhattan exhibition for up and coming photographers. With the prompt of capturing love with her camera, Chloe gets to work following her dream.
At the same time, she realizes that having never truly been in love her personal life might need some assistance. Despite having a supportive group of friends there, she finds herself opening up to a mysterious new man in the hopes that he can be her happily ever after.
As someone who hangs out with quite a few photographers (they do make up a good chunk of the journalism industry, after all) I found Chloe's drive, focus and passion for her craft similar to what I see in my friends. In actuality, any one with a love for something (writing, movies, baking, etc.) will be able to understand it and also realize how she could so easily put her personal life on hold in the pursuit of it.
Likewise, it was just as real that when the prospect of serious romance suddenly appears it would have major appeal, even if some warnings should have sounded from the get-go. Without giving away details about this main romantic figure in the book, I will say I found myself worrying for her about how much she put into it without knowing his specifics. I wished she would tell her friends more about it, because I couldn't shake the paranoia that something would go wrong and the story would become a cautionary tale. Not that it would have been bad, but like I said, I worried for her.
That's well done on Kamm's part -- creating a character worth worrying about.
And of course, I was all the happier for her when elements of her life went well.
My favorite element of the book was the cast of friends surrounding Chloe. From slightly nutty to stable, all of them are willing to help her out when she needs it and are quick to support her dreams.
Filled with plenty of unexpected turns that led to complications, For Internal Use Only was an entertaining and intriguing read.
Rating: 4 of 5
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Originally posted at www.change-the-word.blogspot.com.
Natalie Portman lookalike Chloe Kassidy's life changes the day she receives an invitation to participate in a Manhattan exhibition for up and coming photographers. With the prompt of capturing love with her camera, Chloe gets to work following her dream.
At the same time, she realizes that having never truly been in love her personal life might need some assistance. Despite having a supportive group of friends there, she finds herself opening up to a mysterious new man in the hopes that he can be her happily ever after.
As someone who hangs out with quite a few photographers (they do make up a good chunk of the journalism industry, after all) I found Chloe's drive, focus and passion for her craft similar to what I see in my friends. In actuality, any one with a love for something (writing, movies, baking, etc.) will be able to understand it and also realize how she could so easily put her personal life on hold in the pursuit of it.
Likewise, it was just as real that when the prospect of serious romance suddenly appears it would have major appeal, even if some warnings should have sounded from the get-go. Without giving away details about this main romantic figure in the book, I will say I found myself worrying for her about how much she put into it without knowing his specifics. I wished she would tell her friends more about it, because I couldn't shake the paranoia that something would go wrong and the story would become a cautionary tale. Not that it would have been bad, but like I said, I worried for her.
That's well done on Kamm's part -- creating a character worth worrying about.
And of course, I was all the happier for her when elements of her life went well.
My favorite element of the book was the cast of friends surrounding Chloe. From slightly nutty to stable, all of them are willing to help her out when she needs it and are quick to support her dreams.
Filled with plenty of unexpected turns that led to complications, For Internal Use Only was an entertaining and intriguing read.
Rating: 4 of 5
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Originally posted at www.change-the-word.blogspot.com.
June 19, 2013
I'm conflicted about this book. I honestly don't know quite how to review it without giving away a pretty big detail, but I'm gonna give it a shot.
For Internal Use Only is the story of Chloe Kassidy's search for the meaning of love - both in her personal life and in her career as a photographer. Her story starts on the day she gets invited to participate in "Love Through Light", an exclusive exhibit at a prestigious gallery. Basically, this is a huge make it or break it event for her and starts her thinking about love and how or even if it truly exists.
Enter her amazing group of friends -- each in a different place in life and love. The happily married couple, the woman scorned, and the impulsive single mom on a perpetual quest for her soul mate".
And then there is Christoph. Swedish diplomat, do-gooder, writer, lover of family, man of beautiful words. But lets just say that their relationship does little to help Chloe find the true definition of love. NOTHING about their relationship is traditional.
Can love even be defined or is it just a product of fairy tales and Disney?
That is what kept me up reading until 2:30 in the morning just so I could finish the book.
First off, the writing in this book is gorgeous. GORGEOUS. The descriptions and the fluidity and the back and forth with Christoph...I highlighted so many beautiful passages that I just had to stop and read over and over again because they were just perfect.
And the emotion -- I totally connected with Chloe. From start to finish. I felt her eagerness and trepidation and hesitation and free-falling. I felt all of her highs and lows, and while she frustrated me at times with some of her decisions, they were realistic decisions.
I do feel like I have to give a warning though -- NOT A SPOILER. There is a twist in this book that I was not expecting. At all. In any way, shape or form. I was happily reading and basking in the swoony words when all of a sudden...huh...maybe...huh...did that...oh. OH! In other words, there was not the traditional fluffy, wrapped up in a perfect red bow HEA I was expecting - though I do classify it as a HEA. It just didn't take the path I was expecting when I started back on page one.
All in all, this was a solid 4 stars for me. Well done, Ms. Kamm.
For Internal Use Only is the story of Chloe Kassidy's search for the meaning of love - both in her personal life and in her career as a photographer. Her story starts on the day she gets invited to participate in "Love Through Light", an exclusive exhibit at a prestigious gallery. Basically, this is a huge make it or break it event for her and starts her thinking about love and how or even if it truly exists.
Enter her amazing group of friends -- each in a different place in life and love. The happily married couple, the woman scorned, and the impulsive single mom on a perpetual quest for her soul mate".
And then there is Christoph. Swedish diplomat, do-gooder, writer, lover of family, man of beautiful words. But lets just say that their relationship does little to help Chloe find the true definition of love. NOTHING about their relationship is traditional.
Can love even be defined or is it just a product of fairy tales and Disney?
That is what kept me up reading until 2:30 in the morning just so I could finish the book.
First off, the writing in this book is gorgeous. GORGEOUS. The descriptions and the fluidity and the back and forth with Christoph...I highlighted so many beautiful passages that I just had to stop and read over and over again because they were just perfect.
And the emotion -- I totally connected with Chloe. From start to finish. I felt her eagerness and trepidation and hesitation and free-falling. I felt all of her highs and lows, and while she frustrated me at times with some of her decisions, they were realistic decisions.
I do feel like I have to give a warning though -- NOT A SPOILER. There is a twist in this book that I was not expecting. At all. In any way, shape or form. I was happily reading and basking in the swoony words when all of a sudden...huh...maybe...huh...did that...oh. OH! In other words, there was not the traditional fluffy, wrapped up in a perfect red bow HEA I was expecting - though I do classify it as a HEA. It just didn't take the path I was expecting when I started back on page one.
All in all, this was a solid 4 stars for me. Well done, Ms. Kamm.
December 4, 2013
Did I enjoy this book: I really didn’t. I found For Internal Use Only to be slow and rather boring and not at all humorous. I guess I was expecting something more akin to chick lit. This is not chick lit, or humorous. It was a bit of a let down from the blurb.
I didn’t like Chloe Kassidy. She wasn’t an engaging character, I didn’t care about her. She was wishwashy. She’s talented in photography but lacks confidence. She’s so focused on her career yet she is falling so hard for Christophe, someone she hasn’t even met yet, that she can’t get her gallery pieces together.
Christophe is a jerk, an ass, one of those “I’m so great, can’t you see how I only make you better” type of guys. He just made me angry from the very first moment we met him. Christophe is abusive. One minute he’s all sweet, the next he is telling Chloe how she can’t see how much he loves her and that he is the best thing that has ever happened to her. And what really irritated me about Christophe (the ending, notwithstanding because that was really bad) was that he kept calling Chloe baby and asking her what she was wearing. Gross.
Chloe’s friends were all very snobbish and condescending. The married couple treated her like a helpless child who couldn’t make decisions for herself. And Chloe let them. I hated Chloe’s one line about how having a meal ruined is like being “robbed of natural childbirth.” That’s ridiculous and one of the many reasons why I disliked this book. I really hated the ending. Just no. No. UGH! I wish I had DNF’d this book.
Would I recommend it: I would not.
Will I read it again: I will not.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2013/12/re...
I didn’t like Chloe Kassidy. She wasn’t an engaging character, I didn’t care about her. She was wishwashy. She’s talented in photography but lacks confidence. She’s so focused on her career yet she is falling so hard for Christophe, someone she hasn’t even met yet, that she can’t get her gallery pieces together.
Christophe is a jerk, an ass, one of those “I’m so great, can’t you see how I only make you better” type of guys. He just made me angry from the very first moment we met him. Christophe is abusive. One minute he’s all sweet, the next he is telling Chloe how she can’t see how much he loves her and that he is the best thing that has ever happened to her. And what really irritated me about Christophe (the ending, notwithstanding because that was really bad) was that he kept calling Chloe baby and asking her what she was wearing. Gross.
Chloe’s friends were all very snobbish and condescending. The married couple treated her like a helpless child who couldn’t make decisions for herself. And Chloe let them. I hated Chloe’s one line about how having a meal ruined is like being “robbed of natural childbirth.” That’s ridiculous and one of the many reasons why I disliked this book. I really hated the ending. Just no. No. UGH! I wish I had DNF’d this book.
Would I recommend it: I would not.
Will I read it again: I will not.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2013/12/re...
July 27, 2013
Received copy of ARC. Review to come in July!
7/27/13: See full review here http://fallinginfall.blogspot.com/201...
I rated For Internal Use Only two and one half leaves. I wanted to love this book; I really did. The synopsis sounded so intriguing; however, the storyline was slow and repetitive, and it was hard for me to connect with the characters for the most part. Granted, I one-hundred percent understood Chloe’s viewpoint on the subject of love. She loves the idea of love, but she is too afraid to take the risk for herself, making her guarded and contributing to her OCD-ness. I loved that she had a tight-knit circle of friends, but she completely shut them out once her “relationship” with Christoph starts developing.
Let’s talk about Christoph. At first, his words made me “aww,” but as the book went on he started to annoy me. He never owned up to anything or reacted right. Then, there’s the small detail that he and Chloe haven’t met yet and spend the majority of the book trying to arrange their first meeting. That is, when they’re not fighting of course. Also, their whole “relationship” derives from texts and phone calls.
If you enjoy photography, you will appreciate this story, because it includes lots of photography details. Cari Kamm was successful in writing how Chloe matures and finally finds herself over the course of a rollercoaster year. The plot twist and the ending are predictable, but happy nevertheless. For Internal Use Only included some sarcastic humor and ridiculous situations that I immensely enjoyed.
7/27/13: See full review here http://fallinginfall.blogspot.com/201...
I rated For Internal Use Only two and one half leaves. I wanted to love this book; I really did. The synopsis sounded so intriguing; however, the storyline was slow and repetitive, and it was hard for me to connect with the characters for the most part. Granted, I one-hundred percent understood Chloe’s viewpoint on the subject of love. She loves the idea of love, but she is too afraid to take the risk for herself, making her guarded and contributing to her OCD-ness. I loved that she had a tight-knit circle of friends, but she completely shut them out once her “relationship” with Christoph starts developing.
Let’s talk about Christoph. At first, his words made me “aww,” but as the book went on he started to annoy me. He never owned up to anything or reacted right. Then, there’s the small detail that he and Chloe haven’t met yet and spend the majority of the book trying to arrange their first meeting. That is, when they’re not fighting of course. Also, their whole “relationship” derives from texts and phone calls.
If you enjoy photography, you will appreciate this story, because it includes lots of photography details. Cari Kamm was successful in writing how Chloe matures and finally finds herself over the course of a rollercoaster year. The plot twist and the ending are predictable, but happy nevertheless. For Internal Use Only included some sarcastic humor and ridiculous situations that I immensely enjoyed.
April 2, 2013
A 5 ***** review for "For Internal Use Only" by Cari Kamm
Chloe Kassidy has just been accepted into one of Manhattan’s most exclusive art exhibits, Love Through Light. However, with her singular dedication to her career, she soon realizes that in sacrificing her personal life, she has never been in love. A hopeless romantic who is terrified of heartbreak, Chloe begins to enlist the help of her circle of friends to learn about love through their very different stories and experiences. In Chloe’s emotional roller coaster to having the greatest love story ever told, she’ll learn that like her photography she must use the negatives in life to develop and prove that she’s a strong woman who found her way to love through light. Inspired by the notion that women grow up with ideas of true love and destiny, "For Internal Use Only" approaches those ideas with a decidedly twenty-first century viewpoint. A humorous love story with an edgy and dramatic twist, "For Internal Use Only" is a vastly entertaining novel that gives each of us a new fairy tale to look forward to: our own.
Dear Readers: Author Cari Kamm has crafted a magnificent novel that will catch you by surprise at every turn of the page! The depth of emotion created by this novel is remarkable and is evoked by each and every character. Pour yourself a glass of wine and get cozy with this book!
Chloe Kassidy has just been accepted into one of Manhattan’s most exclusive art exhibits, Love Through Light. However, with her singular dedication to her career, she soon realizes that in sacrificing her personal life, she has never been in love. A hopeless romantic who is terrified of heartbreak, Chloe begins to enlist the help of her circle of friends to learn about love through their very different stories and experiences. In Chloe’s emotional roller coaster to having the greatest love story ever told, she’ll learn that like her photography she must use the negatives in life to develop and prove that she’s a strong woman who found her way to love through light. Inspired by the notion that women grow up with ideas of true love and destiny, "For Internal Use Only" approaches those ideas with a decidedly twenty-first century viewpoint. A humorous love story with an edgy and dramatic twist, "For Internal Use Only" is a vastly entertaining novel that gives each of us a new fairy tale to look forward to: our own.
Dear Readers: Author Cari Kamm has crafted a magnificent novel that will catch you by surprise at every turn of the page! The depth of emotion created by this novel is remarkable and is evoked by each and every character. Pour yourself a glass of wine and get cozy with this book!
July 2, 2013
Good job making the reader sense the emotions of Chloe throughout her journey. From the heart fluttering realization that someone is falling in love with you to anxiety about trusting others and yourself and the frustration of making bad decisions. I think we have all been there, where you feel guilty for being selfish and pitiful for lacking courage. In the end you realize that acts of selfishness and self preservation are nothing to feel guilty about. You've got to do it to. Self doubt is the bad guy. It is right to be passionate about who you are and what you do. There is certainly a lot to be gained by serving yourself first. All those around you share in your love and success and appreciate you for being who you want to be. Never trust anyone who cannot stand it if you do something for yourself. Don't ever let anyone make think you are letting them down or proving you don't love them, because you choose to go after what makes you happy. Sometimes this book made me very frustrated, but in the end it was a relief to see Chloe finally escape the trap some douche set for her. A web of his own loss, he tried to snare her in. But Harrah, she finally put her foot down and the truth was revealed.
July 15, 2013
This book is written from a 1st person narrative (my most favourite narrative :-) ). Chole Kassidy grew on me throughout the book. I could completely empathise with her during the key events in the book. I was so exicted to learn that she was chosen for the gallery exibition. The amount of pressure she was put under to perform well, is something that I only know too well.
I loved the way the author described the battle of finding true love and/or your soul mate. I especially enjoyed the author’s portrayal of Chloe’s friends. In my opinion, she struck a perfect balance between the friends who are supportive of her pursuit with her “relationship” with Christoph and the others completely against it.
I wasn’t a huge fan of Christoph’s character. During some of his emails, texts and phone calls to Chloe, I thought he came across as very selfish and not too caring at all. I felt like screaming at her “dump him now – he is no good”.
Some parts of the story I found slightly long-winded and thought the author could have sped things along a little. I loved the ending and its truly romantic twist.
I loved the way the author described the battle of finding true love and/or your soul mate. I especially enjoyed the author’s portrayal of Chloe’s friends. In my opinion, she struck a perfect balance between the friends who are supportive of her pursuit with her “relationship” with Christoph and the others completely against it.
I wasn’t a huge fan of Christoph’s character. During some of his emails, texts and phone calls to Chloe, I thought he came across as very selfish and not too caring at all. I felt like screaming at her “dump him now – he is no good”.
Some parts of the story I found slightly long-winded and thought the author could have sped things along a little. I loved the ending and its truly romantic twist.
March 14, 2013
Chloe meets Christoph by email through an intermediary. The relationship is carried out by email, text, and phone calls. Each time they make a date to meet face to face, Christoph always backs away. Chloe doesn’t need all this distraction as her chance for her dream-come-true wish to be a professional photographer who is recognized in the art world depends on her display at an upcoming art show. When the relationship starts to interfere with her concentration, Chloe is torn. She attempts to pressure Christoph into meeting but he becomes irate and unreasonable. Chloe still wants to believe in their love, but her internet searches to find out more about him are fruitless; he doesn’t exist. Is he a stalker? Is he dangerous? Will he destroy her chances for success? Will Chloe herself destroy her opportunity for her life’s dream? Who is this guy?
I was drawn into this story and could not put it down. Throughout the book, I questioned Chloe, Christoph, and where it was all headed. I was not disappointed. I definitely recommend FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY.
I was drawn into this story and could not put it down. Throughout the book, I questioned Chloe, Christoph, and where it was all headed. I was not disappointed. I definitely recommend FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY.
June 11, 2013
Okay, so first I will say this...I was losing my patience with this book! I wanted to poke my eyes out!!! And I mean don't get me wrong, I loved the story and I loved that Chloe was exploring herself and her fears and trying to find the meaning of love to be able to express it into her works of art. I get that. But I went in expecting something different..so I lacked the patience I believe it takes to read this book.
Christoph was SO infuriating, sweet, and hot/cold all in the same sentence that I wanted to hunt him down and ask him what the hell he wanted!!
When Chloe's heart was breaking, mine was too..I was so devastated for her. But she was an excellent heroine, she picked up her own pieces and wrote her own story! I absolutely adored that!
The last thing I want to say about this book, is that you need to be patient with it, it is definitely worth the read...but be patient!! It's a story of self-discovery...of always trying to find that fairy tale in life, in love...totally worth it.
Christoph was SO infuriating, sweet, and hot/cold all in the same sentence that I wanted to hunt him down and ask him what the hell he wanted!!
When Chloe's heart was breaking, mine was too..I was so devastated for her. But she was an excellent heroine, she picked up her own pieces and wrote her own story! I absolutely adored that!
The last thing I want to say about this book, is that you need to be patient with it, it is definitely worth the read...but be patient!! It's a story of self-discovery...of always trying to find that fairy tale in life, in love...totally worth it.
August 11, 2013
An emotional and sometimes humorous story of self-discovery and the search for a "perfect" soulmate. Chloe is a budding artist and is preparing for her first gallery exhibit. If you love reading about the art and photography world, this book is for you. I absolutely loved the author's description of Chloe's passion and drive in pursuing her dream of displaying her first photography exhibit. The story was a bit slow for me, however, in the development of Chloe's budding romance with the mysterious Christopher, who Chloe "meets" online through a mutual acquaintance.
Chloe wants to find the love of her life, and I enjoyed reading about her journey toward self-discovery and possibly, romance. The author also created a very memorable group of supporting characters that are all essential to the story. This is a very well-written book and is perfect for anyone who loves chick-lit with a dramatic twist and a little edge. The ending was a complete surprise but made perfect sense.
(A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.)
Chloe wants to find the love of her life, and I enjoyed reading about her journey toward self-discovery and possibly, romance. The author also created a very memorable group of supporting characters that are all essential to the story. This is a very well-written book and is perfect for anyone who loves chick-lit with a dramatic twist and a little edge. The ending was a complete surprise but made perfect sense.
(A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.)
February 19, 2013
I received a copy of For Internal Use Only by Cari Kamm in exchange for an honest review.
I have reviewed Fake Perfect Me from Cari Kamm and highly enjoyed that novel, so I was looking forward to reading For Internal Use Only. Again I thought there was a strong heroine that can have readers’ emotions all over the board, and it’s always a good thing to feel so much while reading a book. There is a complicated and almost dizzying relationship going on in Chloe’s life that I was constantly trying to figure out even while not reading. There is a lot of drama, questions, confusion, and heartbreak filling up the pages. I enjoyed Chloe’s supporting group of friends, especially in the end of the novel, and her passion for photography was quite interesting to read about. Sometimes I found myself a little lost here and there with the relationship and the oddity surrounding it, but overall I enjoyed this novel and will continue to look forward to reading her novels.
I have reviewed Fake Perfect Me from Cari Kamm and highly enjoyed that novel, so I was looking forward to reading For Internal Use Only. Again I thought there was a strong heroine that can have readers’ emotions all over the board, and it’s always a good thing to feel so much while reading a book. There is a complicated and almost dizzying relationship going on in Chloe’s life that I was constantly trying to figure out even while not reading. There is a lot of drama, questions, confusion, and heartbreak filling up the pages. I enjoyed Chloe’s supporting group of friends, especially in the end of the novel, and her passion for photography was quite interesting to read about. Sometimes I found myself a little lost here and there with the relationship and the oddity surrounding it, but overall I enjoyed this novel and will continue to look forward to reading her novels.
March 13, 2013
"For Internal Use Only" is a captivating novel about love, dreams, and friendships. There are so many twists and turns to Chloe's life that the anticipation alone keeps you from putting this book down. You will love Chloe on one page and be disappointed, or even angry with her, on the next. The depth of emotion created by this novel is remarkable and is evoked by each and every character. You will be pulled in from the beginning to the very end.
April 15, 2013
This book sucked me in from page 1 and I read it in one setting. The attention to details about all the characters made you sense as you knew them all your life. I got so emotionally involved in this book. I was attached to Chole right away and loved all the support she received from her friends. There was lots of drama with questions, confusion and heartbreak. I give this a 5 star rating for a book that has many twists and turns, great romance and suspense.
May 26, 2013
This was such a fun, easy read. Cari Kamm did a great job defining her characters quickly. She immediately got your attention with Cristoph and Chloe. Once I started reading about them I couldn't stop. The allure, the passion, the questions, the heartache and how is this going to end??? You have to read and find out. This is a wonderfully romantic story every woman will enjoy about finding yourself and love.
May 8, 2013
Cari Kamm's book 'For Internal Use Only' captivates you from beginning to end. Beautifully written, the storyline is something everyone can relate to. I love when an ending to a book make you go "Ohhh, I get everything now!", and that is exactly what this book did. Would recommend to all my closest friends.
August 16, 2014
3.5/5.0
Cari Kamm's sophomore effort is an enjoyable, instant punch of earnestness and humor.
Read full review in the 2013 May issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Cari Kamm's sophomore effort is an enjoyable, instant punch of earnestness and humor.
Read full review in the 2013 May issue of InD’tale Magazine.
September 3, 2013
Just okay, the whole relationship with the guy she has yet to meet in person was so drawn out.
July 31, 2013
An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. To view the full review, visit: http://fallinginfall.blogspot.com
I rated For Internal Use Only two and one half leaves. I wanted to love this book; I really did. The synopsis sounded so intriguing; however, the storyline was slow and repetitive, and it was hard for me to connect with the characters for the most part. Granted, I one-hundred percent understood Chloe’s viewpoint on the subject of love. She loves the idea of love, but she is too afraid to take the risk for herself, making her guarded and contributing to her OCD-ness. I loved that she had a tight-knit circle of friends, but she completely shut them out once her “relationship” with Christoph starts developing.
Let’s talk about Christoph. At first, his words made me “aww,” but as the book went on he started to annoy me. He never owned up to anything or reacted right. Then, there’s the small detail that he and Chloe haven’t met yet and spend the majority of the book trying to arrange their first meeting. That is, when they’re not fighting of course. Also, their whole “relationship” derives from texts and phone calls.
If you enjoy photography, you will appreciate this story, because it includes lots of photography details. Cari Kamm was successful in writing how Chloe matures and finally finds herself over the course of a rollercoaster year. The plot twist and the ending are predictable, but happy nevertheless. For Internal Use Only included some sarcastic humor and ridiculous situations that I immensely enjoyed.
I rated For Internal Use Only two and one half leaves. I wanted to love this book; I really did. The synopsis sounded so intriguing; however, the storyline was slow and repetitive, and it was hard for me to connect with the characters for the most part. Granted, I one-hundred percent understood Chloe’s viewpoint on the subject of love. She loves the idea of love, but she is too afraid to take the risk for herself, making her guarded and contributing to her OCD-ness. I loved that she had a tight-knit circle of friends, but she completely shut them out once her “relationship” with Christoph starts developing.
Let’s talk about Christoph. At first, his words made me “aww,” but as the book went on he started to annoy me. He never owned up to anything or reacted right. Then, there’s the small detail that he and Chloe haven’t met yet and spend the majority of the book trying to arrange their first meeting. That is, when they’re not fighting of course. Also, their whole “relationship” derives from texts and phone calls.
If you enjoy photography, you will appreciate this story, because it includes lots of photography details. Cari Kamm was successful in writing how Chloe matures and finally finds herself over the course of a rollercoaster year. The plot twist and the ending are predictable, but happy nevertheless. For Internal Use Only included some sarcastic humor and ridiculous situations that I immensely enjoyed.
July 9, 2013
For Internal Use Only is strong in character dynamics. Chloe and her friends have a strong bond of friendship that remains intact throughout the book. But Chloe is tested. She goes through a myriad of emotions in this story, but it's kept realistic and is easy for a reader to connect with.
Not a photographer myself, I was intrigued at how much thought Chloe put into her pieces - how thought-provoking they were and where they came from her personally. She's looking for love, her soulmate, yet she also is working on three perfect pieces for a gallery exhibit called Love Through Light. Coincidence? I think not - the author ties them both together perfectly.
It was also interesting to see how Chloe's potential love interest played out with social media. With a lot of today's society reliant on social media and technology, it was a relevant and modern idea. If you're looking for a new author with a knack for creating dynamic characters and a modern plot, pick up For Internal Use Only! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Not a photographer myself, I was intrigued at how much thought Chloe put into her pieces - how thought-provoking they were and where they came from her personally. She's looking for love, her soulmate, yet she also is working on three perfect pieces for a gallery exhibit called Love Through Light. Coincidence? I think not - the author ties them both together perfectly.
It was also interesting to see how Chloe's potential love interest played out with social media. With a lot of today's society reliant on social media and technology, it was a relevant and modern idea. If you're looking for a new author with a knack for creating dynamic characters and a modern plot, pick up For Internal Use Only! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
June 18, 2015
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I ended up liking it. The premise was interesting with a love affair that occurs solely through technological means. In this day and age when online dating is so popular and you never really know who you're talking to until you meet them, this seemed like the perfect book for the times. However, it seemed to go a little too long and seemed to devolve into countless arguments about the same thing. While this may reflect real relationships where the same issues and communication problems occur, it does get tiring after awhile in a book. The cast of characters, though, was great and I loved reading about each of them and their own story when it comes to love. It was also great to see the evolution of Chloe and how she goes from being completely sucked into a relationship with Christoph, which is littered with problems, to a self-assured woman who can find real love at the end of the book. All in all, it does seem to run a little long, but it has its rewards at the end.
May 8, 2013
I decided not to post a review on the blog for this one. I gave this one a 3 because the writing was good. I just had a really hard time getting into the story. I read a lot of chick lit/women's literature, so I don't necessarily need heavy romance in my books. With this one, I think I was expecting maybe a bit more romance based on the synopsis. There is a romantic interest, but it was an odd situation that I had trouble getting into. I found the book easy to put down and come back to until around the last 50 pages of the book. At that point, I felt more drawn in. I also want to note that I am a mood reader and perhaps I just wasn't in the right mind set for this one at the time, because as I said, the writing was good, so maybe at a later date I may come back for a re-read.
March 27, 2013
After getting past the boredom of exchanges between Chloe and Christoph, and the screams for Chloe to disconnect this jerk wad, I started to see the underlying meaning for the reasons and the why's that Chloe mostly would behave this way and hang onto something that obviously hurt her. Chloe never knew what love really was, but obviously was fascinated by the idea. Christoph, being the fake that he was anyway, just wanted to pull someone into his own heartbreak. Won't go any further in my analysis of it, so as not to spoil it for anyone. But you will enjoy this book if you give it an honest chance. Good read, and thank you for the free book.
October 31, 2013
I feel like the rating for this book needs to be broken into two categories - one for each half of the book. I *loved* the first half of this book. Then, suddenly, I found myself less-than-loving it.
Pros:
- It was extremely well-written.
- The main character was someone I could identify with and like.
- The plot was unique.
- I adore the cover.
Cons:
- The plot was almost unbelievable.
- The book as presented as a humorous love story. I found that to be incredibly misleading.
I didn't hate this book. I just didn't completely enjoy it. I'm sure there are people out there who loved what it had to say, but it just didn't live up to my expectations.
Pros:
- It was extremely well-written.
- The main character was someone I could identify with and like.
- The plot was unique.
- I adore the cover.
Cons:
- The plot was almost unbelievable.
- The book as presented as a humorous love story. I found that to be incredibly misleading.
I didn't hate this book. I just didn't completely enjoy it. I'm sure there are people out there who loved what it had to say, but it just didn't live up to my expectations.
March 14, 2013
I was so happy to have such a great story to escape with. It really did draw me in with intensity. All the twist and turns of Chloe's life and journey at times made me gasp in disbelief but then had me realizing that this could really happen. A very unique view on a classic and universal desire for a fairytale love. This book takes you places you did not expect...in a great way. Loved it! Would love to see it on the big screen:)!!
September 16, 2013
I'm not really a romance novel fan but I did like the email setup to this novel. The premise intrigued me except that about three quarters through the story I got kind of bored. When would she meet this secretive guy. But the ending kinda redeemed the story, It wasn't the sappy, expected ending. All in all, I liked the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews