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theferret's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Bullying, and Death
brgntteva's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
fast-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
3.5
I received and ARC of this book (quite some time ago, I'm sorry to say). Thank you Edelweiss and Penguin Publishing Group.
At first I thought it was a romance, then I realised it was more women's fiction, dived into it bearing this thought in mind and it worked.
.
The story unfolds around four adopted brothers, volatile Jesse, intense Damian, protective Lucas and sweet Noah (aka the Harlem Knights), each with his own different origin and personal baggage, all made Strong (in a figurative and literal way) by Mama Joy Strong, who runs a knitting shop in Harlem. A place which has become a shelter for every hurt child in the neighbourhood, Kerry included. When Mama Joy suddenly dies, the brothers have to figure out what to do, and Jesse and Kerry have to deal with their own path towards growing and trust and finding a purpose, and their own happiness.
Now, if I had gone towards it as a full on romance, I would have been slightly disappointed, not for a mere matter of "couple time", but because the novel is packed with family, friendship, working together and finding one's place in the world. And that's what makes it a lovely read.
I especially loved sassy Val, Kerry's best friend (what didn't come out of that mouth, I mostly lol), who always had the right perspective on everything, and I loved the brothers' dynamics, and how the whole neighbourhood was made quite vivid, what with all kids and grannies.
There was a lot of repetitive self-doubt and looping insecurity on Kerry's side and Jesse's, but the way he especially made his way through his feelings and his own skills was very well paced.
Steam level: near close door
I would love to read the stories of all the brothers.
At first I thought it was a romance, then I realised it was more women's fiction, dived into it bearing this thought in mind and it worked.
.
The story unfolds around four adopted brothers, volatile Jesse, intense Damian, protective Lucas and sweet Noah (aka the Harlem Knights), each with his own different origin and personal baggage, all made Strong (in a figurative and literal way) by Mama Joy Strong, who runs a knitting shop in Harlem. A place which has become a shelter for every hurt child in the neighbourhood, Kerry included. When Mama Joy suddenly dies, the brothers have to figure out what to do, and Jesse and Kerry have to deal with their own path towards growing and trust and finding a purpose, and their own happiness.
Now, if I had gone towards it as a full on romance, I would have been slightly disappointed, not for a mere matter of "couple time", but because the novel is packed with family, friendship, working together and finding one's place in the world. And that's what makes it a lovely read.
I especially loved sassy Val, Kerry's best friend (what didn't come out of that mouth, I mostly lol), who always had the right perspective on everything, and I loved the brothers' dynamics, and how the whole neighbourhood was made quite vivid, what with all kids and grannies.
There was a lot of repetitive self-doubt and looping insecurity on Kerry's side and Jesse's, but the way he especially made his way through his feelings and his own skills was very well paced.
Steam level: near close door
I would love to read the stories of all the brothers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Drug abuse, and Grief
colettesjourney's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship