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sara_machado's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
<i> Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for providing me an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!</i>
<b>Before I let go</b> by Kennedy Ryan was one of my favorite reads from 2022 and I couldn’t be more excited for having the opportunity to review other book from her.
Unfortunately I believe I’m not the right audience for this story and I didn’t enjoy it as I was expecting.
This book follows the story of Lennix, an Apache descendent, passionate about giving voice to minorities and difficult causes and Maxim, a son of an oil baron, who is fully dedicated to environmental causes and energy transition.
The plot itself was very predictable and I found the love story quite flat. Although the MC have some interests in common, I couldn’t see what was keeping them together besides lust and physical attraction.
It was interesting to learn a bit about the heritage and culture of apaches and I enjoyed the inclusion of serious issues such as colonization impacts.
The information provided regarding the climate crises and USA politics is basic, which per se is not a problem as this is a romance and not a non fiction book. However, I must confess this book left me increasingly worried about the climate. If the information provided is not common knowledge to everyone, we have indeed a long path ahead to protect the planet.
I recommend this book for contemporary romance readers who enjoy:
- insta love
- Alpha heroes
- Age gaps
- Dual POV
Although I did not particularly enjoy the story, I will probably read the next installment as this one ends on a cliffhanger.
Content Warnings
Minor: Stalking, Racism, Misogyny, and Death of parent
sdupont's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
I enjoyed The Kingmaker! Kennedy Ryan is so good at writing emotional connections between love interests. She’s particularly great at second chance romances where she builds a strong foundation, realistic conflict, and then a strong connection when they reunite. I love how strong willed and determined both Lennix and Maxim are. They are so passionate about their causes and each other. I easily found myself rooting for them. And this cliffhanger?! Thank god I can immediately download the next book to my Kindle because I need to know what happens next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Police brutality
Minor: Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Murder
krystalframe's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Sexual content
Moderate: Police brutality, Racism, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Misogyny and Murder
apolen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Misogyny, Racism, and Hate crime
emfass's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
4.75
I mean, I just, I can't....PHEW. Kennedy Ryan has been at the top of my list of Authors I Need to Check Out and my friends, the rumors are fuckin' true. She is writing on another level.
The intense emotionality, the crystal clear characters, the consent--my god, the CONSENT! The way Maxim checks in with Lennix, over and over again, while still making it abundantly clear all the ways he wants her. *fans self*
I was also SO INTO the political discussions in this book, and the awareness raised by making the heroine, Lennix, "a proud member of the Yavapai-Apache Nation."
I loved the way both Maxim and Lennix were uncompromising and ambitious in going after what they wanted for their lives. The way that (small spoiler) Ryan uses time in this story to track a relationship over many years, and the ways people grow and change and come to know themselves and hold onto the memories that matter most was just...UGH. SO GOOD.
That's all the words I have for now. Please note this one ends on about as high stakes a cliffhanger as they come, and you will want to have The Rebel King teed up and ready to go.
The intense emotionality, the crystal clear characters, the consent--my god, the CONSENT! The way Maxim checks in with Lennix, over and over again, while still making it abundantly clear all the ways he wants her. *fans self*
I was also SO INTO the political discussions in this book, and the awareness raised by making the heroine, Lennix, "a proud member of the Yavapai-Apache Nation."
I loved the way both Maxim and Lennix were uncompromising and ambitious in going after what they wanted for their lives. The way that (small spoiler) Ryan uses time in this story to track a relationship over many years, and the ways people grow and change and come to know themselves and hold onto the memories that matter most was just...UGH. SO GOOD.
That's all the words I have for now. Please note this one ends on about as high stakes a cliffhanger as they come, and you will want to have The Rebel King teed up and ready to go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Kidnapping, Police brutality, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence, Misogyny, and Racial slurs
Lots of references to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
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