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caitlaird's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A bit of cutesy / millennial humor and writing, but for the contemporary romance books of today it wasn’t too cheesy, I personally do not enjoy that type of writing but it was rather sparse so It wasn’t too distracting. (I know that is some people’s cup of tea, so all love <3 but I will usually DNF if it’s too bad).
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Abandonment, and Drug abuse
kaitrates's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
And while there are exceptions to this—books like The Rose by Tiffany Reisz feature sex early on followed by so many ups and downs—a lack of tension and/or insta-love tends to severely reduce my enjoyment of a book.
All this is to say, that for the first 60% of Next of Kin I was INVESTED! I couldn't put the book down! There was so much tension between our lead Chloe and Warren and the stakes were SO high—they had to figure their shit out for their siblings' sakes! They were thrust into this uncomfortable ass situation and needed to make the best of it while also managing their growing attraction for one another. I was convinced this would be a new favourite book and 5+ star read.
Then,
Really, though, I think its because Warren's way of keeping his distance was to be a cocky asshole. And though we, alongside Chloe, see hints of more depth and love, he's not really given a chance to grow on page. And while I understand how, based on their backstory, their relationship and love make sense, I didn't enjoy quickness with which they were in love and happy. Especially with both of them having such heavy trauma histories.
Like I said: toxic trait. lol
The pacing of the last 40%, particularly the romance aspect of it, felt both rushed and surface level. This is a deliciously deep book! It tackles the foster and adoption systems as well as ableism in families and the world. I wanted their romance to have that same depth and to just feel like trauma bonding. Similarly, the way the final conflict gets sorted out felt rushed—although I think Bonam-Young did a great job capturing the panic and urgency that comes with such a situation. Just left me with a sense of like "wait that's it? you guys are good again?!"
On the plus side, and unlike Out on a Limb I really enjoyed both epilogues. Getting Warren's POV in the bonus one was such a fun surprise!
I'm still a huge fan of Bonam-Young and excited to read Next to You, own and reread OOAL, and continue to read whatever she puts out. I also think this will absolutely work for others who don't share my toxic trait as it does have a lot of depth and heart.
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse and Drug abuse
felishacb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
This is described as a slow burn, but I think they get together after three months? I say this as the same person who was disappointed it took 70% to get to the open door scene. So. I contain multitudes.
Graphic: Addiction, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Drug use and Pregnancy
knittingceliac's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Moderate: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent, Addiction, Child abuse, and Drug use
sdupont's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Drug abuse
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Death of parent
kiskindle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
this book is SO cute and honestly felt super refreshing to read. the dynamics between all of the characters were adorable and felt very real and natural and it wasn’t rushed. warren and chloe truly focused on willow and luke above everything else and their love was definitely a side effect of them being parents. i loved warren truly caring for willow and chloe truly caring for luke, they were a package rather than individuals which is super important in found family dynamics.
- roommates
- friends to lovers
- single pov
- deaf representation
- single parents
- mild spice 🌶️
- found family
- cute friendships
- great cover!!
also them creating their own last name at the end based on his nickname for her is so fucking cute 🥺
Minor: Alcoholism and Drug abuse
takarakei's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Drug abuse and Addiction
Minor: Domestic violencedianaschmidty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Drug use, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Chronic illness, Classism, and Toxic relationship
hjb_128's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Drug use, Addiction, Abandonment, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Emotional abuse
clareasday's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Drug use, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Addiction, Emotional abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content