A review by keytheelibrarian
Equivalent Exchange by Christina C. Jones

challenging emotional funny 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

3.75

tw domestic violence, deceased sibling, death of a parent 

this book...this book was...so long 😭! i don't know, i loved the plot, loved the characters, but it felt like it was going and going and GOING! with that being said, it was good enough for me to finish and that says a lot because y'all KNOW i will dnf a book with swiftness. 

laken and keris (love their names) are some of the weirdest, most broken, stubborn characters i've ever read, but i think that's another layer of their compatibility. laken is still recovering from the emotional toll his brother's untimely death left on him while building his own brand and trying to step out of his family's shadow. keris is forced to go into the next stage of her life after a failed relationship leads her back to her childhood home and jobless. when i say these two are broken? i really mean it, but watching them put their pieces back together was so enjoyable. 

i loved the side characters (sans walter 😒)! natasha, lark, the kimble parents, and cal shine throughout this book especially. kind of disappointed we won't get to see cal and natasha's relationship, but i'll live. i can't even talk to y'all about mama and daddy kimble, i CAN'T! it's too much i fear. just read it. you will not regret it! 3.8 ⭐️s