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kerrythefire 's review for:
Can't Get Enough
by Kennedy Ryan
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
I liked Hendrix from the very first book - loved her fierce independence but how much she was there for her friends and in her role as Aunt Hen. She knew herself, what she wanted out of life, and she was unapologetic in her success. I also loved that she was childless by choice - and how that was a big, consistent part of this story. I also liked how Kennedy Ryan treated it as a valid and, frankly, marginalized and judged position for a woman... and allowed Hendrix to defend and fully embody it while still being a caregiver and honoring that part of herself. They are not mutually exclusive.
I wasn't sure what the conflict was going to be for Hendrix's story before I started reading. The challenges of her mother experiencing alzheimers was heartbreaking in a different way from either of the conflicts Yasmin and Solidad faced, which were so anchored in their romantic relationships (or ex romantic relationships), as well as their own healing. In Hendrix's story, it was about her vulnerability and her willingness to show it and ask for help.
I'm happy for her and Mav, but man did I not the "forbidden" aspect of their relationship... and Zaire, ugh. Was she believable? Yes. Did she still frustrate me? Absolutely. I get it, because people have feelings and no one wants to hurt them... but I do not and will never be on board with "girl code" or "guy code". Standing in the way of your friend's potential happiness "on [some sort of stupid] principle" is just selfish and the real unkind thing.
But gosh Hendrix and Zaire did everything right. Every single move they made, I was cheering them on. And every time Zaire reacted the was she did, I felt Hendrix and Mav's responses were always in the right. Hendrix holding herself in confidence and dignity every time she spoke to Zaire was my favorite thing.
The bullshit with Hendrix's venture capital grants to Black women business owners was infuriating, because it was so real (literally, see the author's note at the end). It made me angry and sad for a whole other set of nonfictional reasons. But that is something Kennedy Ryan does well - she makes everything about her stories feel authentic and deeply human.
Fun to see the brief cameos of Kenan and mention of August (and Iris) from Hoops series too. Sneaky little crossover.
All in all, this was a solid end to this Skyland series. And the scene at the end with Hendrix, Solidad and Yasmin was a nice little celebration of these women and their chosen family friendship.
*And these two narrators are two of the best! Wesleigh Siobhan is unmatched.
I wasn't sure what the conflict was going to be for Hendrix's story before I started reading. The challenges of her mother experiencing alzheimers was heartbreaking in a different way from either of the conflicts Yasmin and Solidad faced, which were so anchored in their romantic relationships (or ex romantic relationships), as well as their own healing. In Hendrix's story, it was about her vulnerability and her willingness to show it and ask for help.
I'm happy for her and Mav, but man did I not the "forbidden" aspect of their relationship... and Zaire, ugh. Was she believable? Yes. Did she still frustrate me? Absolutely. I get it, because people have feelings and no one wants to hurt them... but I do not and will never be on board with "girl code" or "guy code". Standing in the way of your friend's potential happiness "on [some sort of stupid] principle" is just selfish and the real unkind thing.
But gosh Hendrix and Zaire did everything right. Every single move they made, I was cheering them on. And every time Zaire reacted the was she did, I felt Hendrix and Mav's responses were always in the right. Hendrix holding herself in confidence and dignity every time she spoke to Zaire was my favorite thing.
The bullshit with Hendrix's venture capital grants to Black women business owners was infuriating, because it was so real (literally, see the author's note at the end). It made me angry and sad for a whole other set of nonfictional reasons. But that is something Kennedy Ryan does well - she makes everything about her stories feel authentic and deeply human.
Fun to see the brief cameos of Kenan and mention of August (and Iris) from Hoops series too. Sneaky little crossover.
All in all, this was a solid end to this Skyland series. And the scene at the end with Hendrix, Solidad and Yasmin was a nice little celebration of these women and their chosen family friendship.
*And these two narrators are two of the best! Wesleigh Siobhan is unmatched.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Dementia, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Vomit