Reviews

Can't Let Her Go by Kianna Alexander

gem_reads_too's review

Go to review page

emotional reflective 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

4.5

kjgrogan's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional lighthearted 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

3.5

smalltownbookmom's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

This was a fun friends to lovers, dual POV, STEAMY butch/femme lesbian romance between Jamie and Peaches, two strong BIPOC characters figuring out life and love in Texas. A quick read that I devoured in one sitting, this is perfect for fans of authors like Adriana Herrara or Anna P.

briaraq's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

It didn’t flow naturally to me.

malaciaaa's review

Go to review page

emotional funny reflective 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

3.5

alohabooksandbujos's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

If you love the friends to lovers tropes, strong BIPOC leading characters, that family like bond amongst friends, and a whole lot of family drama and tough dynamics- this is a read for you!

Kianna Alexander has crafted two incredibly strong and successful female leads that are struggling with boundaries and dynamics within their family circles. I especially related to Peaches with the 'older sister syndrome' and while my experience was no wear near as suffocating, I can certainly see how easy it is to get lost in it. The friends of these ladies left me with FOMO as they are described in such a dream circle of supporters, not a single secondary character in the group didn't stick with me.

Overall, I wasn't committed to the relationship between Jamie and Peaches. I don't know what exactly felt off to me but this felt more of a short term fling between friends, they just don't feel like a good match for the long run. It was a quick and fun read and I loved the representation throughout paired with some complex topics.

jwelchreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

donttellmomwhatimreading's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I was so happy to see these two get their HEA, however, the constant back and fourth was not enjoyable. I’m not big on angst in my romances so that is a huge factor for me. Not to mention the maturity Peaches shows the whole time is constantly dismissed by Jamie which I am never a fan of.

dominiq_ec's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

Typically, the worse the book, the longer my review, but I am so upset with reading a bad book so early in the year that I don't want to waste the energy. Like their friend group, it's good vibes only for January. 

baymax96's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

This book was recommended in a cute bookstore in Georgetown Texas called Lark and Owl. I love that it is a lesbian story with black character including a stud with maternal sides and a non binary character. All these things drew me in and the start of this story is great.

The prose is written how one would write and not necessarily how one would speak and so the conversations between characters sometimes fell short. Aiko and Peaches relationship was the only relationship I truly believed and felt like when I was reading their conversations, I was sat with two best friends/chosen family members. The friendship group as a whole didn’t feel like a group of people who knew each other well and hung out often.

Peaches and Jamie seem like two people who would get along and the sexual chemistry on that first trip is great, very believable yet the unnecessary bickering and initial fights they have just scream red flags and was something that turned me off to their relationship.

The sex scenes were raunchy and beautifully written, and I loved the moment of Jamie having to pause to protect her hair before the shower sex scene as moments like these are always skipped over in films or other books. That representation was a key moment.

I enjoyed this book but I really wanted to love it more then I actually did.