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jillmlong's review against another edition
2.0
This book wasn't for me. I was looking for a light fluffy romance and this was to heavy. Also, I am not interested in the music industry so at times I wanted to skip ahaead.
andrea_author's review against another edition
5.0
Burned out from her hard-rocking life, Hannah has gone into hiding and taken on a new identity. She's also raising her 12-year-old half sister. But when a young fan recognizes her and slips her a demo, she worries that her precarious life is about to crash down. She approaches the boy's guardian to offer a payoff in return for their silence—only to discover that the guardian is Johnny, an old hookup from her pop-star diva days. And what he wants from her is something money can't buy.
This is a deeply emotional book with complex characters scarred by their pasts. Hannah is so broken, she doesn't believe she deserves happiness. But Johnny helps her to find the beauty inside herself and to feel worthy of love. This is the first book I've read in the series, and it works as a standalone. Still, I felt like some things weren't developed, like how Hannah got custody of her sister. I don't know whether that was covered in previous books.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This is a deeply emotional book with complex characters scarred by their pasts. Hannah is so broken, she doesn't believe she deserves happiness. But Johnny helps her to find the beauty inside herself and to feel worthy of love. This is the first book I've read in the series, and it works as a standalone. Still, I felt like some things weren't developed, like how Hannah got custody of her sister. I don't know whether that was covered in previous books.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
barbrattybooks's review against another edition
1.0
Closed door isn't my jam. Also I think the author tried to do too much.
edensgrief's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
4.25
brandece1's review
2.0
I picked up this book after reading the first two books in this series, and to say that this book was a rollercoaster of a read would be an understatement; and not in a good way. So I will say that when this book started I was really liking it. I was excited that Hannah was kind of an unlikable heroine, I love that she was taking care of her sister, and I would be lying if I said I haven't slightly picked up her motto of "all I can do is all I can do" or whatever it was. I know that this book is in the same "universe" as the others, but written by different authors but it just felt almost as if it flow well with the others. I will say after reading all of the books that are currently out that you do not need to read these books in order at all. I love the premise of this book, but I just don't think that it was executed well at all. One of the things that threw me off was the fact that this book is closed door (when the rest in the series are open), there is a lot of talk of sex and the heroine does have a STI, so honestly I thought with all that said it would be open door, and there would be positive conversations had, but in the end even though I can't speak for the rep it just felt icky to me. Hannah in my opinion has a lot of internalized issues with it, the way she speaks about it to Johnny and then the way she thinks of herself don't add up. Speaking of representation Johnny (the hero and his brother, and cousin) are Mexican, and again I can't speak for the rep, but it felt even more icky to me than the STI storyline. There is a storyline with Johnny's brother and a racist teacher, and I just don't think it was done well. Honestly I don't think it needed to be included at all, it didn't add to the story between MC's at all. I have tried to seek out reviews of people who are in the community (both communities) , and I couldn't find anything. It may be a me thing, but I didn't care for it at all. With all of that said I can't say I'm in a huge hurry to read more from this author. Also I did see that there are two more books coming out in this series and I'm not sure if I will read them or not.
blahlicia's review
5.0
It's been awhile since I read a book that I was genuinely upset when it ended. I want more! I want to know what Hannah, Johnny, Piper, and Shawn are up to.
Anyways, this book was so sweet and lovely. I love a female character that is feisty and brave. Hannah was such a great character to follow. Her constant quest to be a better person for herself and those around her. And then when she told off the people who deserved it - DELICIOUS. Yeah, she wasn't "nice" but she was kind and I think kindness is better than nice any day.
Johnny was delightful as well, a man who cared about his family and with a strong moral code. The fact that it never even occurred to him to give up Hannah's secret.
I also liked that this is a book without a "time to break these characters up at the 75% point" moment. Instead the issues they face are internal and they work through it together and also internally. Lots of being brave and vulnerable.
I'm about to be reading all of Heidi Hutchinson's books.
Anyways, this book was so sweet and lovely. I love a female character that is feisty and brave. Hannah was such a great character to follow. Her constant quest to be a better person for herself and those around her. And then when she told off the people who deserved it - DELICIOUS. Yeah, she wasn't "nice" but she was kind and I think kindness is better than nice any day.
Johnny was delightful as well, a man who cared about his family and with a strong moral code. The fact that it never even occurred to him to give up Hannah's secret.
I also liked that this is a book without a "time to break these characters up at the 75% point" moment. Instead the issues they face are internal and they work through it together and also internally. Lots of being brave and vulnerable.
I'm about to be reading all of Heidi Hutchinson's books.
profromance's review
5.0
Overall Grade: 4.5 ⭐️
Heidi Hutchinson’s Key Change is a surprisingly beautiful story about learning to love yourself even if you don’t feel like you’re worthy of it. Going into it, I had no experience reading Hutchinson’s brand of romance, and if I must be honest, I wouldn’t necessarily call Key Change a romance. Instead, it seems more like women’s fiction with a side of romance. There are some aspects of it that you should know before going into it:
It’s a slow burn. I loved it as its present pacing because the heroine of the story, Hannah, is striving to live a better life after decades of living as a self-important, mean girl. Even though the story begins with the more reformed version of herself, it takes most of Key Change for her to like herself. This is accomplished through her relationship with Johnny, but it also involves self-reflection and mindfulness on her part. In fact, that is probably my favorite part of this story: Hannah is intentional in her actions and thinking. When her thinking begins to spin out, she seeks out counseling to help her. Key Change is a book about living intentionally.
This story is more fade-to-black than explicit. And I have never been so happy for it in a story. I loved the progression of Johnny and Hannah’s relationship. Hutchinson is incredibly careful with them, and given their background, it shows smart storytelling. If you’re looking for blatant $ex scenes, there is the hint of one in a flashback, but the book is more about Hannah learning to love herself in all of her iterations.
This story is situated in the Knitting in the City and Cipher Security Systems world. Therefore, Quinn, Alex, and Damon make appearances. While they aren’t central to the story, these characters act as the wizened assistance that Hannah requires.
While Johnny is a key component of Key Change, honestly, Hannah’s journey feels more important. As such, Johnny’s characterization is a bit flat. He is the type of hero whom you love to love because he acts heroically by stepping in to raise his younger brother, agreeing to work with Hannah with the shadow of their past covering him, and forgiving Hannah when he realizes the complications of her past. There is much that is complicated about him other than the disdain he has initially for his attraction to Hannah. Once he absolves himself of it, he exists in the story to love Hannah. It’s really that simple.
Again, I was surprised at how much I loved Heidi Hutchinson’s Key Change. Hannah and Johnny’s evolution acts to show that the hero and heroine don’t need to be perfect specimens for a story. They simply need to love and be loved, and that is definitely the case with this newer book to the SmartyPants Romance.
Heidi Hutchinson’s Key Change is a surprisingly beautiful story about learning to love yourself even if you don’t feel like you’re worthy of it. Going into it, I had no experience reading Hutchinson’s brand of romance, and if I must be honest, I wouldn’t necessarily call Key Change a romance. Instead, it seems more like women’s fiction with a side of romance. There are some aspects of it that you should know before going into it:
It’s a slow burn. I loved it as its present pacing because the heroine of the story, Hannah, is striving to live a better life after decades of living as a self-important, mean girl. Even though the story begins with the more reformed version of herself, it takes most of Key Change for her to like herself. This is accomplished through her relationship with Johnny, but it also involves self-reflection and mindfulness on her part. In fact, that is probably my favorite part of this story: Hannah is intentional in her actions and thinking. When her thinking begins to spin out, she seeks out counseling to help her. Key Change is a book about living intentionally.
This story is more fade-to-black than explicit. And I have never been so happy for it in a story. I loved the progression of Johnny and Hannah’s relationship. Hutchinson is incredibly careful with them, and given their background, it shows smart storytelling. If you’re looking for blatant $ex scenes, there is the hint of one in a flashback, but the book is more about Hannah learning to love herself in all of her iterations.
This story is situated in the Knitting in the City and Cipher Security Systems world. Therefore, Quinn, Alex, and Damon make appearances. While they aren’t central to the story, these characters act as the wizened assistance that Hannah requires.
While Johnny is a key component of Key Change, honestly, Hannah’s journey feels more important. As such, Johnny’s characterization is a bit flat. He is the type of hero whom you love to love because he acts heroically by stepping in to raise his younger brother, agreeing to work with Hannah with the shadow of their past covering him, and forgiving Hannah when he realizes the complications of her past. There is much that is complicated about him other than the disdain he has initially for his attraction to Hannah. Once he absolves himself of it, he exists in the story to love Hannah. It’s really that simple.
Again, I was surprised at how much I loved Heidi Hutchinson’s Key Change. Hannah and Johnny’s evolution acts to show that the hero and heroine don’t need to be perfect specimens for a story. They simply need to love and be loved, and that is definitely the case with this newer book to the SmartyPants Romance.
mooncricketjp's review
3.0
Hmmm…
So, I started this in audio and was really uncertain about it. I felt there were too many coincidences and, despite this being fiction, I wanted to story to be more realistic giving that it was a contemporary. Once I started reading it (about 30% into the story), I liked it so much more. I could feel the the connection between the characters (side characters as well) and enjoyed that aspect of the story. However, I do feel we were left with some unexplained plot holes.
So, I started this in audio and was really uncertain about it. I felt there were too many coincidences and, despite this being fiction, I wanted to story to be more realistic giving that it was a contemporary. Once I started reading it (about 30% into the story), I liked it so much more. I could feel the the connection between the characters (side characters as well) and enjoyed that aspect of the story. However, I do feel we were left with some unexplained plot holes.
ginnikin's review against another edition
5.0
This was a lot more than I expected, in really good ways. The MC is a recovering addict, no relapse, and she's 2 years sober.
hijinx_abound's review
4.0
Slow burn, closed door, enemies to lovers. This book was so good.
Hannah gave up her life when she acknowledged that she was not a nice person. Addiction, public outbursts, and annihilating people for fun make her recovery difficult. She is raising her sister and has the most boring job even in the world. She lives in a secure building and has security that keeps an eye on the I trendy to make sure no one knows where she is. No music ever again.
Johnny is also raising his sibling. He was badly hurt by Hannah a long time ago and wishes to never see her again. His brother, an aspiring musician, finds her and gives her a demo tape, their worlds collide.
Hannah is trying so hard to live a different life. Watching her struggle and persevere was so satisfying. It’s not easy but she keeps going forward.
Johnny has to forgive. He would rather just kick her out if his studio.
The book is so well written. All of the characters are well developed. I don’t usually read closed door romance but this was really good.
Hannah gave up her life when she acknowledged that she was not a nice person. Addiction, public outbursts, and annihilating people for fun make her recovery difficult. She is raising her sister and has the most boring job even in the world. She lives in a secure building and has security that keeps an eye on the I trendy to make sure no one knows where she is. No music ever again.
Johnny is also raising his sibling. He was badly hurt by Hannah a long time ago and wishes to never see her again. His brother, an aspiring musician, finds her and gives her a demo tape, their worlds collide.
Hannah is trying so hard to live a different life. Watching her struggle and persevere was so satisfying. It’s not easy but she keeps going forward.
Johnny has to forgive. He would rather just kick her out if his studio.
The book is so well written. All of the characters are well developed. I don’t usually read closed door romance but this was really good.