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the_love_librarian's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Colliding with Fate was an emotional story that I did not expect. We met Kyrell and Quinn in All I've Wanted, All I've Needed (the heroine's best friends). Kyrell has made it clear he's not interested in relationships, his stance stemming from an abusive past with his mother and a father who traveled for work and was gone too much. On the opposite end, we have Quinn who is constantly being pushed to settle down, but she hasn't found the right one, and she'd rather continue her career as a nurse rather than be a trophy wife. The chemistry between these two was clear, and they had more in common than they thought. It's no surprise their friends with benefits situation turned into more as time went on.
Though this was about Kyrell and Quinn's romance, I do feel at times the book focused heavily on Kyrell and his family drama. A big plot point is that Kyrell finds out his father has terminal cancer, and wants the chance to reconnect with his son before his death (NOTE - his dad had no clue about the abusive mother). Kyrell's level of hurt and resentment is beyond measurement, so it takes him some time to adjust to the idea. I love when authors show heroes who go to therapy and work on processing their past hurts so they can break toxic habits. We do see him and his father reconcile, with Quinn's help, which was beautiful to see given his dad's diagnosis.
This one definitely took me off guard with how emotionally traumatized the hero was, so content warnings would be helpful for readers who prefer to avoid certain topics in this book. That aside, it was another successful read for me from this author.
TROPES: black romance, friends with benefits, hero with emotional trauma, rich hero, reformed player
TRIGGER WARNINGS: parent with terminal illness/cancer (on page), death of a parent (on page), mental health rep (suicidal ideation), parental abuse/neglect
Though this was about Kyrell and Quinn's romance, I do feel at times the book focused heavily on Kyrell and his family drama. A big plot point is that Kyrell finds out his father has terminal cancer, and wants the chance to reconnect with his son before his death (NOTE - his dad had no clue about the abusive mother). Kyrell's level of hurt and resentment is beyond measurement, so it takes him some time to adjust to the idea. I love when authors show heroes who go to therapy and work on processing their past hurts so they can break toxic habits. We do see him and his father reconcile, with Quinn's help, which was beautiful to see given his dad's diagnosis.
This one definitely took me off guard with how emotionally traumatized the hero was, so content warnings would be helpful for readers who prefer to avoid certain topics in this book. That aside, it was another successful read for me from this author.
TROPES: black romance, friends with benefits, hero with emotional trauma, rich hero, reformed player
TRIGGER WARNINGS: parent with terminal illness/cancer (on page), death of a parent (on page), mental health rep (suicidal ideation), parental abuse/neglect
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Cancer, and Suicidal thoughts
taneetraxo's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This story is so beautiful. I definitely shed tears. And enjoyed watching them grow in love and grow as individuals. I freaking love Kyrell’s personality. He was hilarious. And Quinn truly is an angel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Abandonment, Death, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, and Physical abuse
leelovesbooks_'s review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was much heavier than book 1, didn’t expect that but still enjoyed
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Cancer
Minor: Child abuse and Suicidal thoughts
tee_be_reading's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
thesloreader's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I usually rate books 5 stars when I can reread them over and over again, but to give this book less than a 5 doesn't feel right. This book was beautifully written. The emotional roller coaster I was on during this entire book was intense but great.
I loved that it was Kyrell's journey instead of being Quinn focus (I love Quinn! Do not get me wrong! It was just refreshing for me to read it from the male's main point of view instead of the woman's.)
I dont think I can emotionally reread this book again, but damn her pen game was strong.
I loved that it was Kyrell's journey instead of being Quinn focus (I love Quinn! Do not get me wrong! It was just refreshing for me to read it from the male's main point of view instead of the woman's.)
I dont think I can emotionally reread this book again, but damn her pen game was strong.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
bookcookshoprepeat's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug use, and Sexual content
Moderate: Terminal illness and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts
bigbuttandabook's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Child abuse, Mental illness, and Death of parent
ereades23's review
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Pregnancy
Minor: Addiction
scoodle42's review
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Kyrell and Quinn are such a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Y'all know AE Valdez never misses. You already know. And Colliding with Fate is another banger by a truly talented author. Kyrell is trying to forge a relationship with his dying father and balance his own career and sanity with the pain from the past. Quinn, by way of their mutual friend Harlowe stumbles into his life and even though they both want to keep it casual (because Quinn is working through some things too), their absolute addiction to each other makes that impossible.
Let's start with found family. Because these two have a support system like no other and it's evident throughout all the books how much these people love each other. As far as blood family, I was so happy to see both Quinn and Kyrell get where they needed to be with their parents.
I love Kyrell so much. I love how confident he is, how strong, the core honesty he has in him. It backfires slightly when he blurts out the wrong things, but he does what he needs to do to make it right. Quinn is fearless and so inspiring. She's forging a future with her own hands and stepping out on faith. It's no surprise they see something in each other. And they are HOT. I mean, burning up the pages hot. Quinn and Kyrell get it in, okay? No one should be surprised Quinn gets pregnant, lol. I certainly wasn't, lol. But as hot as they are, they're also sweet and gentle with each other. Holding someone's hand through grief is hard and they navigate with bravery, even when they don't always get it right. I was amazed. Loved it.
Let's start with found family. Because these two have a support system like no other and it's evident throughout all the books how much these people love each other. As far as blood family, I was so happy to see both Quinn and Kyrell get where they needed to be with their parents.
I love Kyrell so much. I love how confident he is, how strong, the core honesty he has in him. It backfires slightly when he blurts out the wrong things, but he does what he needs to do to make it right. Quinn is fearless and so inspiring. She's forging a future with her own hands and stepping out on faith. It's no surprise they see something in each other. And they are HOT. I mean, burning up the pages hot. Quinn and Kyrell get it in, okay? No one should be surprised Quinn gets pregnant, lol. I certainly wasn't, lol. But as hot as they are, they're also sweet and gentle with each other. Holding someone's hand through grief is hard and they navigate with bravery, even when they don't always get it right. I was amazed. Loved it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment and Pregnancy
sarah_thebooknerd's review
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
4.5 ⭐️
3.5 🌶️
I really love the banter and way that A E Valdez writes her characters, plot, stories and how they build on one another within this friend group. Her characters have such a vibe. I’m excited to read the next book.
CW: child abuse- in detail, alcoholism of parent, sexual content, medical content, pregnancy and labor/ delivery , cancer, death of a parent
3.5 🌶️
I really love the banter and way that A E Valdez writes her characters, plot, stories and how they build on one another within this friend group. Her characters have such a vibe. I’m excited to read the next book.
CW: child abuse- in detail, alcoholism of parent, sexual content, medical content, pregnancy and labor/ delivery , cancer, death of a parent
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Medical content, Child abuse, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Blood