Scan barcode
overthinkereading's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity and Racism
ourxstorybegins's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
5.0
Yo why did I not know this book was going to be sad??? I cried a non-zero number of times while listening to this audiobook and I was not prepared for that. The love story between Neevah and Canon is just...beautiful? It was such a good balance of serious and lighthearted scenes. We had a solid romantic storyline, but the plot regarding filming the movie as well as Neevah’s relationship with her mom and sister were also so stinkin good? This was longer than what I’m used to in a romance novel, but there also wasn’t a moment in the book where I felt like something should’ve been cut out. The hype makes SO much sense for this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Racism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity and Death of parent
cielosiluminado's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
there was so many emotions when reading this. this was heavy, well, heavier than i expected. the representation of chronic illness, diversity of characters and their experiences, and most importantly, the significance of the successes and cruel challenges black americans had to deal with – and still do – was woven so intricately and meaningfully in this story.
i adored the first half of this book. the way the story was introduced and told was done very well. the forbidden romance and will-they-won’t-they tension between neevah and canon from the moment they meet was *chefs kiss*
the way this was written is something i’ve never seen before and i really enjoyed it. it’s basically two life stories told into one: neevah and canon’s love story (present) and of the wonderful life of dessi blue (past); dessi’s life being told in a movie script format. any time we were transported from past to present, i could vividly picture both eras and their stories’ impact.
ok so this is a me thing, and the reason this is not a 5 star rating for me is because i am of the opinion that not every character deserves a shot at redemption. i’m too petty for that and didn’t feel like that character truly earned it in the end. i would’ve preferred if they were never forgiven, especially after the betrayal and ostracism the main character had to endure because of what that character did to them. not only that, but non-ending ending was sort of anti-climactic but, oh well. that doesn’t negate the fact that i still had a good time.
i adored the first half of this book. the way the story was introduced and told was done very well. the forbidden romance and will-they-won’t-they tension between neevah and canon from the moment they meet was *chefs kiss*
the way this was written is something i’ve never seen before and i really enjoyed it. it’s basically two life stories told into one: neevah and canon’s love story (present) and of the wonderful life of dessi blue (past); dessi’s life being told in a movie script format. any time we were transported from past to present, i could vividly picture both eras and their stories’ impact.
ok so this is a me thing, and the reason this is not a 5 star rating for me is because i am of the opinion that not every character deserves a shot at redemption. i’m too petty for that and didn’t feel like that character truly earned it in the end. i would’ve preferred if they were never forgiven, especially after the betrayal and ostracism the main character had to endure because of what that character did to them. not only that, but non-ending ending was sort of anti-climactic but, oh well. that doesn’t negate the fact that i still had a good time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
felicey123's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
thekrujue's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
michelle_my_belle's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
This audiobook was phenomenal! On top of a beautifully written story, the voice performances were so well done. Kennedy Ryan never fails to develop fully fleshed our characters who you can root for. Her attention to detail and research really part of in creating a story that Carrie’s the reader through a multitude of human experiences and emotions. Neevah and Canon navigated so much in this book and came through stronger. Three book covers themes of estranged family, Black experience in the entertainment industry, chronic illness, racism, betrayal, self esteem/body image, and of course, love. This is a story I will definitely revisit in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Moderate: Biphobia
Minor: Abortion
caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Cursing, Sexual content, Vomit, and Medical content
Moderate: Infidelity, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia and Racism
searchingforhappilyeverafter's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Reel by Kennedy Ryan is a love letter to Black art history. The book's unique narrative brought to life the impact of generational racism and the struggle of Black artists through its beautiful and richly layered story. The romance and Black history are outstandingly well-written and highlight the struggle marginalized people have gone through in the past and still go through today in order to get the recognition they deserve.
I haven’t read many books written like this one, where we have a dual timeline with Neevah and Canon’s romance and the story of the biopic they are producing. I was completely captivated by this unique way of storytelling and Ryan’s poignant and emotional writing style.
There was one aspect that I wasn’t completely thrilled with. And that is the resolution with Neevah’s sister. It felt really unsatisfying to me. I can’t say more without going in to spoilers, but I really disliked the sister mainly for how she reacted when they reunited for the first time.
Having said all of that, I still think this book deserves all the stars and would read it over and over again. That is how powerful Ryan’s writing is. Neevah and Canon’s journey is just so hearttouching. And the things Canon would do and say practically had me melting into a puddle.
It’s difficult for me to read with my eyes or ears only. Most of the time I need both the audio and print or ebook going at the same time. So the quality of the audiobook and performance of the narrators is extremely important to me. Eboni Flowers, Jakobi Diem, and Nicole Small did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life. I especially enjoyed the musical elements that the production team brought to this story.
I haven’t read many books written like this one, where we have a dual timeline with Neevah and Canon’s romance and the story of the biopic they are producing. I was completely captivated by this unique way of storytelling and Ryan’s poignant and emotional writing style.
There was one aspect that I wasn’t completely thrilled with. And that is the resolution with Neevah’s sister. It felt really unsatisfying to me. I can’t say more without going in to spoilers, but I really disliked the sister mainly for how she reacted when they reunited for the first time.
Having said all of that, I still think this book deserves all the stars and would read it over and over again. That is how powerful Ryan’s writing is. Neevah and Canon’s journey is just so hearttouching. And the things Canon would do and say practically had me melting into a puddle.
It’s difficult for me to read with my eyes or ears only. Most of the time I need both the audio and print or ebook going at the same time. So the quality of the audiobook and performance of the narrators is extremely important to me. Eboni Flowers, Jakobi Diem, and Nicole Small did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life. I especially enjoyed the musical elements that the production team brought to this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, Vomit, Grief, and Medical trauma
The infidelity is not by the main charactersyourbookishbff's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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? No
5.0
Reel is a love letter to Black creatives overlooked by fame and history. In Reel, we are navigating the modern-day love story of performer Neevah Saint and her director Canon Holt, and our story-within-a-story biopic on the fictional performer Dessi Blue. Through these nested narratives, we see how Black artists across generations have been constrained by racism in its many forms: socioeconomic oppression, legal persecution, day-to-day violence and disproportionately poor health outcomes. While our biopic star Dessi is launching a career in the early years of the Civil Rights movement, our modern-day protagonist, Neevah, is launching a career as she battles lupus, a disease that disproportionately impacts women and, specifically, women of color. We learn through Neevah that more than 90% of people living with lupus are women, and that it is 2-3x more prevalent among women of color.
And this is where it is both brilliant and stressful (particularly for those who’ve experienced medical trauma, as a patient or as a caregiver - Neevah and Canon’s experiences give us perspective on both). Neevah’s experience of chronic illness shows us the highs and lows - the days she feels well and capable and strong, and the days her immune system escalates attacks on her organs, threatening her ability to work and forcing her to reevaluate her priorities in all spheres of her life. Canon cycles through fear and anger, denial and hyperfixation, rest and action, balancing his love for Neevah with his fear for her health. Readers can rest easy that this is a low-conflict love story, in that the real conflict is the battle both protagonists must wage to keep Neevah well and define their love for each other.
I listened to this on audio, and the dual narration includes musical numbers and dialogue from Dessi Blue - I HIGHLY recommend audio if you can get it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual content, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Infidelity, Vomit, and Death of parent
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism
Hygienic language used during STI discussion - briefdanaslitlist's review
emotional
funny
informative
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? No
5.0
It's the maturity and understanding between the characters for me!
My first Kennedy Ryan book and it will certainly not be my last! This was such a rollercoaster of emotions and I enjoyed every moment. The way that Ryan writes chronic illness was perfection and really relatable to me and it was wonderful to see great representation in a romance novel where the illness was not disgusting or used to infantilize the individual dealing with it.
My first Kennedy Ryan book and it will certainly not be my last! This was such a rollercoaster of emotions and I enjoyed every moment. The way that Ryan writes chronic illness was perfection and really relatable to me and it was wonderful to see great representation in a romance novel where the illness was not disgusting or used to infantilize the individual dealing with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Infidelity, and Sexual content