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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel like often times with Mia Sheridan books I never really know what to expect, and while in the midst of reading the story I find myself intrigued and fascinated by the storyline. “Kyland” was the kind of story that once again made my heart go out to the main characters based off of their personal experiences and trauma they went through. Kyland and Tenleigh were two teenagers trying to get out of their small town and win the coveted scholarship that would not only pay the full tuition for their college, but also give them the chance at a better life for themselves.
In the beginning, Kyland and Tenleigh were aware of each other, but never really spoke, until Kyland started talking to Tenleigh on the way home. Since this book was Dual P.O.V. We get to see both perspectives, and learn things like Kyland already having a crush on Tenleigh before they started hanging out. Despite Kyland finding Tenleigh attractive and finding her fascinating, he was adamant on trying to avoid any connection since he didn’t want anything distracting him from winning the scholarship and getting out of town. Tenleigh on the other hand, also couldn’t help feeling attracted to Kyland, but due to his behavior of pushing her away and then going back to her, Tenleigh was often left confused and hurt by Kyland’s actions.
The story was emotional, like most of Mia’s stories, but expanded upon the main characters struggles and their dreams. Both Kyland and Tenleigh wanted more for themselves, and hoped to do great things instead of living in their small town. I admired their drive and determination. While both Kyland and Tenleigh were determined to win the scholarship, over the course of the story their relationship was blossoming and becoming stronger.
As much as I love Mia Sheridan’s books, I felt like I didn’t feel a strong connection to Kyland and Tenleigh. Personally I didn’t feel that certain spark or connection I usually feel when reading about Mia’s characters in her books. Kyland and Tenleigh’s chemistry was alright and since it wasn’t a long book, the way they got together was a bit more quicker compared to other stories I’ve read from Mia. Despite that, I still found the book interesting and anything by Mia Sheridan, I always want to read.
I would say this story was more grounded in emotional trauma, personal struggles, and first love. Tenleigh and Kyland found solace and peace with each other, and definitely (in my opinion) experienced the feelings of first love, genuine connection with each other that they had never felt before. Kyland was a bit more experienced than Tenleigh, but even being more experienced, he was understanding to Tenleigh and made sure she felt fine at every step of the way in their relationship. I did enjoy the tender sweet moments they shared like when they were cuddling and just talking to each other about themselves, etc. Those moments really highlighted their chemistry for me.
Overall the story was good, I liked the epilogue seeing how Tenleigh and Kyland ended up and the message at the end of the book was a great way to wrap up the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Rape, Death of parent
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
beautiful, heart warming story of survival, and heart wrenching poverty!
kyland made me appreciate everything I have in life
kyland made me appreciate everything I have in life
I have mixed feelings with this book. I know that I´d have loved “Kyland” a couple of years ago - when I was a hopeless romantic-, but now I had some issues with the plot, specially in the end. I´m the one to blame, since I knew from the beginning what was going to happen, and I still read it.
However, I was hoping that Mia Sheridan made up for the clichés, and she did. I enjoyed a lot the first two hundred pages. The characters are well written, although I didn´t connect with them as much as I did in Archer´s Voice -the other Mia Sheridan´s book I´ve read-. But I think it was because they were teenagers going to high school so they were a bit younger for me.
Then, I get to the major cliché and it was worse that I thought in the beginning.
- I knew Kyland was going to give the scholarship to Tenleight. It was clear in the synopsis. But it was necessary to add the deal he made?
- I expected Kyland to be a lot different after spending FOUR years working in a mine, since he was claustrophobic and he was always having nightmares about it since his brother and father died there.
- I love when the characters fight to be together, and I was so angry that Kyland sacrifices all his life instead of fighting. I could think of a lot of things they could have done instead of giving up. And I would have loved to see Ten sacrificing too. Because her “sacrifice” was that she did her exams badly, but the first one in the list was Kyland, so there were no differences whether she did great or not.
Anyway, I have to say that I did enjoy the book, otherwise I wouldn´t be so angry with the characters for doing what they did in the end.(I´ve just read the book so I didn´t cool down yet) .But if you are a hopeless romantic and don´t mind the clichés, I really recommend this one to you.
However, I was hoping that Mia Sheridan made up for the clichés, and she did. I enjoyed a lot the first two hundred pages. The characters are well written, although I didn´t connect with them as much as I did in Archer´s Voice -the other Mia Sheridan´s book I´ve read-. But I think it was because they were teenagers going to high school so they were a bit younger for me.
Then, I get to the major cliché and it was worse that I thought in the beginning.
Spoiler
So, basically, my problems are:- I knew Kyland was going to give the scholarship to Tenleight. It was clear in the synopsis. But it was necessary to add the deal he made?
- I expected Kyland to be a lot different after spending FOUR years working in a mine, since he was claustrophobic and he was always having nightmares about it since his brother and father died there.
- I love when the characters fight to be together, and I was so angry that Kyland sacrifices all his life instead of fighting. I could think of a lot of things they could have done instead of giving up. And I would have loved to see Ten sacrificing too. Because her “sacrifice” was that she did her exams badly, but the first one in the list was Kyland, so there were no differences whether she did great or not.
Anyway, I have to say that I did enjoy the book, otherwise I wouldn´t be so angry with the characters for doing what they did in the end.(I´ve just read the book so I didn´t cool down yet) .But if you are a hopeless romantic and don´t mind the clichés, I really recommend this one to you.
This love story is heart-wrenching and deep. I love the sheer grit of the main characters who refuse to crumble under the weight of life’s struggles. mia Sheridan’s ability to create depth of character in her novels and love stories that stay with the reader long after they close the last page is wonderful. Strongly recommend her books.
5 "oh the angst!" stars
Well, this one sucked me in. I'll be honest that I was worried when I read the synopsis. Didn't quite sound like my cup of tea. But, I love Mia Sheridan. She writes strong characters and good romance. This one was more angst-y than I usually like but I thoroughly devoured this book in a day. Read it!
Well, this one sucked me in. I'll be honest that I was worried when I read the synopsis. Didn't quite sound like my cup of tea. But, I love Mia Sheridan. She writes strong characters and good romance. This one was more angst-y than I usually like but I thoroughly devoured this book in a day. Read it!