Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young

17 reviews

nakole's review against another edition

4.0

𝓝𝓮𝔁𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓚𝓲𝓷  

Next Book 1 

By: Hannah Bonam-Young 

Contemporary Romance 

Paperback 

 

𝒪𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓁𝓁: 4/5 

𝒮𝓅𝒾𝒸𝑒: 2/5 

 

𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌: This book has reinspired me to pick up learning ASL again, I have taken a couple classes but since I graduated I've been slacking so I'm going to get myself to focus on it again. 

 

It's very different concept than any other contemporary romances I have read recently which is really nice. I enjoyed that Chloe, Warren, and Luke do not just have any easy time, because while I have never been nor have I had someone I've been close to been part of the foster/adoption system, I do know that it is a process that takes it's toll and Hannah shows it in this book. How Chloe struggles with her adoptive parents and birth mother, the anxiety that Chloe experiences when she seens it's CPS calling her, Warren's anger issues, Luke being a people pleaser. And those are just a couple of examples and it is really nice to see characters learning to heal rather then meet a partner and everything being fine and dandy right away. 

 

𝒜 𝐹𝒶𝓋𝑜𝓇𝒾𝓉𝑒 𝒬𝓊𝑜𝓉𝑒: "I told him that you made it impossible to stay away. That everything about you is pulling me in. I may have refered to you as a whirlpool...as cheesy as that may be. I could resist, try to swim out, try to avoid it-but it would be easier to float. And, for the first time, I'm not scared to." 

 

𝒯𝓇𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓈: Disability Rep; Slow Burn; Forced Proximity; Roommates To Lovers; Grumpy Sunshine; Banter; Foster Guardians; Single POV; Roommates; Deaf Rep 

 

𝒯𝓇𝒾𝑔𝑔𝑒𝓇 𝒲𝒶𝓇𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈: Foster Care & Adoption; Past Parental Neglect & Abandonment; Past Death of Parent (Drug Overdose); Drug & Alcohol Consumption; Sexual Content (Consensual); Anxiety, PTSD, & Anger Management Issues; Medically Fragile Infant in NICU (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome); Ableism; Toxic Relationships (Not MCs); Cursing 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective

• 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

The story behind how the characters come together is unique and I really liked the concept. The main characters each had their struggles and though that can somehow make things feel forced, it felt natural in how they supported each other and showed their vulnerabilities. I felt the relationship came together naturally. The found family aspect was a nice touch. The writing was accessible, but did lack some depth in places where it was "telling, not showing" I wish there weren't time jumps, I think the gaps left were important ones to fill. I appreciate that the conflict wasn't the typical normally seen in romances. I think dual POV would have also added great depth. It was a heartwarming read that touched on healing, forgiveness and acceptance.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Grief, and Abandonment

Moderate: Addiction, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

Minor: Ableism, Child abuse, Cursing, Mental illness, Gaslighting, and Classism

0live_tr33's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Death of parent

mpaigewilliams's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

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

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Sexual content, and Abandonment

Minor: Ableism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Alcohol

marinajonesreads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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? Yes

4.0

This was a nice read. She worked with sensitivity readers and it landed well. The dedication is what drew me in (something like “For anyone who thought Jess was Rory’s best boyfriend.”) and I’m glad I tried it. The characters were lovable, the scenario felt real, and I just love a read where the communication isn’t just awful. They were actually pretty open considering the situation. Would indeed recommend for a quick, lovely book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Grief, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders

readwithsophsx's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol

mels_reading_log's review

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-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

 Such a good romance. Having a hot, tough guy take care of a baby and do housework, really is the sexiest thing ever! I love their story of found family!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Abandonment

amanda_reads13's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Chloe’s life takes an unexpected turn when she tries to get custody of her newborn sister. In order to gain custody, she has to team up with another young foster parent, Warren, who has fought to gain custody of his teen brother. 

This was a sweet and cute contemporary romance. This book deals with some very serious topics (foster care, anger issues, adoption, abandonment, and neglect), but it doesn't feel heavy. I think each topic was tackled with respect and understanding. 

I really loved the progression of each of these characters and their relationship. Both had a similar beginning, but Chloe was adopted, whereas Warren ended up in the system. Though they both see pretty content to keep distance between them, but the trauma of their past and the reality of their current situation draws them together. They very quickly form an emotional bond as they begin to lean on and depend on each other. As that emotional bond and trust grows, it turns into deep feelings for one another. 

I really liked them together. Some parts of the book were pretty cheesy (that song...), but they balanced and complimented each other well. I loved how quickly and deeply they formed a bond with each other's siblings and were always there to fight for and support them. 

I liked that they discussed that Warren was dealing with his anger issues, but I wish more time had been spent on addressing it after his blow up. It seemed to be just brushed under the rug. 

Tropes: forced proximity, found family, sibling guardianship, slow burn, grumpy/sunshine 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Abandonment

Moderate: Death of parent

headinthepages's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

casually_literate's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

This was such a good book! The characters and story feel natural and the emotional beats don't feel forced. Often times traumatic or complicated backstories can feel contrived, but the author does a great job conveying the facts in an honest way that allows the depth of emotions to gradually be revealed through her storytelling.

It's such a heartwarming story about healing and finding your place in the world. I stayed up all night reading it even when it had me sobbing at 3am.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Abandonment

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent