Reviews with content warning for Addiction - Next of Kin

Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young

87 reviews

lindsaymck's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense 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

4.75

“Almost thirty minutes late, parked in a non-parking zone, villain’s cheekbones… this is a disaster.” What an entrance for Warren and a deliciously sour start to the sweetest love story.

Chloe is root-for-able from the jump. Her character is SO well-developed, layered, and lovable. I am absolutely impressed with how well Hannah Bonam-Young describes Chloe’s deeply complicated relationship with her birth mother and her quick (but wholehearted) acceptance of the guardianship of her newborn sister, Willow. Their CPS situation, and that of Warren and Luke, is handled with such care, compassion, and heart. The “Team Up” initiative sets up the perfect tension of forced proximity for Chloe and Warren, two independent people who learn how to rely on and support one another. They are in such similar positions being an older-sibling-turned-parent figure and their first impressions of one another are discarded as time reveals their true natures and undeniable compatibility. The trust they build turning into a healing love is so genuine, you can’t help but celebrate the found family they create together.

Chloe and Warren are both beautifully flawed people who want to do better for their siblings and help each other do just that. Warren invites Chloe to show him her “messy” and that is part of what made this story with such a special plot unbelievably memorable. The way she has never been fully herself in her relationships for fear of being a burden - with her adoptive family and her best friends, Emily and Lane - so clearly stems from the loneliness and heartbreaks of her childhood and having to grow up way too soon. Chloe wanting and working to save her sister (and Warren wanting and working to save his brother) from those same heartbreaks is stunningly and powerfully written. The love they find along the way is chemistry that heals not only the characters, but readers, too.

I read “Next to You” before this book, so I couldn’t appreciate the (re)appearances she and Warren have in that book and would go in order for a reread.

Moments I’m still thinking about:

Warren and Chloe’s first date, which has basically made any other first date underwhelming and mediocre. Romantic dinner, making wishes on glow in the dark golf balls, and an empty theatre with a guitar serenade of his song about her… it could’ve read cliché, but every part was original distinctly *them*
Warren’s nickname for Chloe being “Dove” and the meaning behind it is so moving. I will never settle for “babe” again. 🕊️ Warren is HOME for her the same way she is PEACE for him.

Content Warnings

kristina_in_space's review

Go to review page

emotional funny inspiring reflective 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? Yes

3.0

The best way to describe this is a cozy story about dealing with foster care and CPS. There’s lots of conflict but it’s quickly resolved. The female main character has all the tools at her disposal to resolve any issues that come up so the stakes just never felt very high. The characters were lovable, I stayed to make sure they got their happily ever after. It’s a little spicy but while the characters have great chemistry the way the scenes are written just doesn’t cut it. If you want a cozy romance with a little drama and a little spice this wouldn’t be a bad pick.

Content Warnings

linwood's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful 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

A feel good story about finding family when the one you’re born into didn’t meet your needs in childhood or beyond.

Content Warnings

greysun69's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

4.5⭐️ I loved this!! I don’t have children and don’t plan on adopting any but this book was heartwarming as hell.
The character development was beautiful.
Two people learning to adult while taking on the responsibility of becoming insta-parents. I loved the forgiveness aspect, the anxiety of the main character surrounding forming relationships.
The side characters were likable, even the birth mother I had sympathy for.
The conversations surrounding how the CPS system can function was so good.
The ROMANCE!! Slow burn, reluctant partners, Found family. The delayed gratification and the tension building was soo good. It took like 60% of the book for anything sexual to happen and I was okay with it because I was having a good time. The chemistry burned me up then after all that waiting the sex scenes had the nerve to be AMAZING.
The reverse alphabet? Yas!
Last but not least, NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP!
The thing that cost this book the .5 star was because I wish it spent more time discussing Warren’s outburst. I wanted there to be more recovery story for the mother and the adopted mom. Definitely recommending!!

Content Warnings

libriinks's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-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

Content Warnings

cozy_soul_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Found Family
Adoption
Slow Burn
Sign language
Spice
Unexpected baby (sister)
Trigger Warning: Discussion of child neglect, drug use, and addiction

💓 Favorite Qoutes 💓
"Show me your messy"

"I wanna keep all of you."

"I'm not going anywhere, I'd never do that."

"Dove means peace. For me, you are peace."

"My people were with me the whole time. I just had to let them in."

🥺📖 Overall Thoughts ⬇️⬇️
I fell in love with the found family and geniune compassion between these beautiful characters. I wanted them to out run their family trauma and find peace.

Content Warnings