A review by discarded_dust_jacket
Reel, by Kennedy Ryan

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I’m going to be so honest; if I had read only the synopsis of this book and not the reviews, I probably wouldn’t have given it a chance. I didn’t think the premise sounded all that appealing, but SO MANY people were raving about it so I thought “ok I’ll see what all the fuss is about,” and BOY am I glad I did.

This is both a beautifully-crafted love story and a love letter to the Black artists who have shaped culture time and time again only to be excluded from the pages of history written by and for white people.
SpoilerAs someone with lupus nephritis, it was both validating and gutting to witness Neevah’s onset and rapid progression of symptoms, especially since they so closely mirrored my own. Lupus is such a misunderstood and under-represented disease, so I really appreciated that that story was told.

Not to mention the dynamic between Neevah and Canon while Neevah navigated her diagnosis at the beginning stages of a new relationship. I so intimately understand the fear that your partner will leave because they didn’t “sign up for this,” and wanting to push them away or not let them see you at your worst. That could not have hit any closer to home for me.
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