A review by lindsaymck
Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young

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.
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