A review by momwithareadingproblem
Saving Brad by Siobhan Davis
5.0
I received an eARC of this book from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Oh my heart!!!! Saving Brad by Siobhan Davis is the fifth installment in her The Kennedy Boys which follows one family and their relationships. Seriously these books are so addicting! I may not usually read or enjoy contemporary but Siobhan Davis has written such a compelling, dramatic series full of angst that I just cannot sit down.
As the title suggests, Brad, the other side of the Faye/Ky triangle, is the main focus. I’ll be honest, I really liked Brad at the beginning of the series and may have shipped him with Faye more than once. I felt like his character was so tragic. He lost everything: his best friend, his family, his fortune, even his dreams were at stake. He was just so sad that my heart ached for him throughout the series thus far. Now nearly two years after the end of [b:Keeping Kyler|35173354|Keeping Kyler (The Kennedy Boys, #3)|Siobhan Davis|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1495223501s/35173354.jpg|53578435], Brad has really lost himself. When the book begins, he’s nearly unrecognizable from the character Faye met in [b:Finding Kyler|35173351|Finding Kyler (The Kennedy Boys, #1)|Siobhan Davis|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1495223487s/35173351.jpg|53428748]. He’s unintentionally (and sometimes intentionally) mean, still pining for his best friend’s girl, and drinking his pain away. Not a very attractive side of him.
Then enters Rachel. Of Faye’s two Irish girlfriends, she’s the one that intrigues me the most. Her history is shrouded in mystery. She’s been seriously hurt in the past and has told no one of it. Like Brad, she’s spent most of her teenage years having sex and drinking away her pain. Now with her family’s recent good luck, she’s at a place where she can start over and disappear. Rachel is finding herself, gaining confidence, and showing a little vulnerability. But what endears her to me is how she recognizes Brad’s pain when those that are closest to him seem to ignore it.
The plot of this story really revolves around the growth of both characters and is moved along by the drama that surrounds them. Unlike the other books in this series, I felt like Rachel and Brad’s drama flows naturally with the story. It adds to their characters and helps to understand them better. Like the other books, there are many twists and surprises along the way and I was very surprised by Rachel’s reveal. I had an idea what it was but not the whom. (sorry I know that’s vague, but no spoilers from me)
Overall I loved Saving Brad! I devoured it. I started it before bed one night with the intention of reading one or two chapters, 6 hours later I was teary eyed and finished. I couldn’t sit it down and needed lots of coffee the next morning but it was totally worth it! If you enjoy contemporary romance, filled with angst and drama and surprise twists and turns, I highly recommend you grab a copy of this book. While it can be read as a standalone, I highly suggest reading it after the first three books of the series so you can understand the characters better. Also of note, this is a new adult book and I do not recommend for those under 18. There are some graphic sexual scenes, foul language and some triggers. Be aware before you read!
Oh my heart!!!! Saving Brad by Siobhan Davis is the fifth installment in her The Kennedy Boys which follows one family and their relationships. Seriously these books are so addicting! I may not usually read or enjoy contemporary but Siobhan Davis has written such a compelling, dramatic series full of angst that I just cannot sit down.
As the title suggests, Brad, the other side of the Faye/Ky triangle, is the main focus. I’ll be honest, I really liked Brad at the beginning of the series and may have shipped him with Faye more than once. I felt like his character was so tragic. He lost everything: his best friend, his family, his fortune, even his dreams were at stake. He was just so sad that my heart ached for him throughout the series thus far. Now nearly two years after the end of [b:Keeping Kyler|35173354|Keeping Kyler (The Kennedy Boys, #3)|Siobhan Davis|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1495223501s/35173354.jpg|53578435], Brad has really lost himself. When the book begins, he’s nearly unrecognizable from the character Faye met in [b:Finding Kyler|35173351|Finding Kyler (The Kennedy Boys, #1)|Siobhan Davis|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1495223487s/35173351.jpg|53428748]. He’s unintentionally (and sometimes intentionally) mean, still pining for his best friend’s girl, and drinking his pain away. Not a very attractive side of him.
Then enters Rachel. Of Faye’s two Irish girlfriends, she’s the one that intrigues me the most. Her history is shrouded in mystery. She’s been seriously hurt in the past and has told no one of it. Like Brad, she’s spent most of her teenage years having sex and drinking away her pain. Now with her family’s recent good luck, she’s at a place where she can start over and disappear. Rachel is finding herself, gaining confidence, and showing a little vulnerability. But what endears her to me is how she recognizes Brad’s pain when those that are closest to him seem to ignore it.
The plot of this story really revolves around the growth of both characters and is moved along by the drama that surrounds them. Unlike the other books in this series, I felt like Rachel and Brad’s drama flows naturally with the story. It adds to their characters and helps to understand them better. Like the other books, there are many twists and surprises along the way and I was very surprised by Rachel’s reveal. I had an idea what it was but not the whom. (sorry I know that’s vague, but no spoilers from me)
Overall I loved Saving Brad! I devoured it. I started it before bed one night with the intention of reading one or two chapters, 6 hours later I was teary eyed and finished. I couldn’t sit it down and needed lots of coffee the next morning but it was totally worth it! If you enjoy contemporary romance, filled with angst and drama and surprise twists and turns, I highly recommend you grab a copy of this book. While it can be read as a standalone, I highly suggest reading it after the first three books of the series so you can understand the characters better. Also of note, this is a new adult book and I do not recommend for those under 18. There are some graphic sexual scenes, foul language and some triggers. Be aware before you read!