Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Grip by Kennedy Ryan

17 reviews

caroiline's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Racism, Sexual violence, and Police brutality

Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Gun violence

courtneyvbooks'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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Police brutality, and Racism

Moderate: Alcoholism, Gun violence, and Sexual assault

Minor: Drug use and Rape

passionatereader78's review

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

4.0

Marlon and Bristol have been in love with each other since they met eight years ago. Eight years is more than enough time for them to figure out that they belong together. Now, they just need to convenience their family and friends. This was great storytelling. I enjoyed the tension in this book. The romance was on fire! I can't wait to read the next book in this series!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Police brutality, Racism, and Violence

Moderate: Child abuse

Minor: Pregnancy and Sexual assault

porshuhhhh's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Racism and Rape

hannahmichele5's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

Stayed up WAYYYY to late too late finishing this. I was not prepared for this to be truly one of the slowest burns ever. Kennedy Ryan is a romance GEM and this book has such amazing tension and chemistry while also touching on so many difficult social issues. Can't wait to read the sequel! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Racism, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, and Gun violence

Minor: Alcoholism and Vomit

sarahsbookstacks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, Racial slurs, Drug use, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Police brutality, and Gun violence

monicasabi's review

emotional informative inspiring reflective tense

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Racism, Police brutality, and Sexual assault

milymily22's review

challenging emotional inspiring 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Gun violence

nbreezy17's review

emotional funny inspiring 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Racism

Minor: Drug use and Racial slurs

this_momma_is_booked's review

emotional inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

I'm sure the day will come when a Kennedy Ryan book doesn't live up to expectations. Today is not that day. 

I loved this book so much. I love how Kennedy masterfully weaves in social justice issues with romance and then ties it all together with steam. There is nuance to her writing and she is so good at drawing the reader in and making them fall in love with her characters and their growth. I adored the tension between Grip and Bristol, the myriad ways in which they ebbed and flowed. Eight years is a long time to pine for someone but damn if Grip doesn't make it seem effortless. 

Most important in this book, though, is the underlying discussion of race, racism, police brutality, and white privilege. Through their relationship, the reader is able to enter Grip's world as he sees it, lives it, experiences it, thrives in it, struggles in it. As he's trying to teach Bristol, he is also teaching readers who may not be familiar with this lifestyle. Bristol is forced to not only confront her privileges but also admit that she needs to do something about them. The scene where Grip is stopped by police and he's guiding Bristol on how to behave? Powerful. His entire "Bruise" song? POETRY. This story is impactful, engaging, thought-provoking, and so damn sexy. It's a must-read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Police brutality

Moderate: Gun violence, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse