Flow

Read for Bookoplathon 2021 - 48 hour round

For being so short this novella was packed with content. I loved everything about it. From the characters to the racial commentary to the sexual tension to the estranged sibling relationship. This book set up the rest of the series so well and I'm honestly itching to continue on!

So I need to give you a little background so you can fully understand how cross I am at myself right now. I've had this book on my TBR/ TBL for quite some time. You know how it is, so many books, not enough time. I figured I'd get to it eventually. Then, a couple of days ago, I was scrolling Facebook and a post caught my eye, someone in Kennedy Ryan's group had posted a few screenshots of a scene in Grip, and being curious, I read them. I read them and was hit in the gut. I was reading marching up and down my room with tears in my eyes. The screenshots ended and it was like an evil cliffhanger, so I decided the time was now, especially considering the scene and the relevance of what it happening in the world right now.

Obviously, I wanted to start at the beginning, so Flow was queued up. Holy heck, batman! I am kicking myself for not moving this up my queue sooner. I don't think, scratch that, I know, I have never been so affected by a prequel.

So many thing were dealt with in this novella that it actually made me sit in awe that somebody could write so beautifully and move between such subjects with ease and fluidity. Kennedy Ryan is a word goddess, I know that isn't news to those that already read her, but to me, it's such a pleasure to find out.

These characters are freaking awesome. Grip, oh man, I love him, I'll take a taste of his chocolate any day! And Bristol, this woman, I ADORE her! She takes no prisoners, I'm picky AF when it comes to heroines, and Bris? She's my girl. Let's just call them my book couple. The chemistry and sexual tension between them was off the freaking charts, Yet they could have meaningful and profound conversations, it was beautiful to experience.

And the end, that bloody ending, I knew it, I just knew as soon as the scene set up, but I thought, surely not, Kennedy wouldn't play me like this? She wouldn't make me ship this couple this hard to throw it in my face. You know what? She would!

I didn't doubt that I'd enjoy Kennedy's words, she has such an amazing vibe to her that I knew I'd love it, but I never expected to fall this in love with the characters and storytelling. I need more, which of course, after that ending gives side-eye I was glad I'd already downloaded Grip. Pressing play on that baby in the morning.

The narration was great. Jakobi Diem was fabulous as Grip, and I really enjoyed the cadence of his voice and the inflections he used to express the emotions of the scene and character. His female voice is wonderful, but Grip, swoon. I could listen to it all day. I had moments were I really enjoyed Maxine Mitchell's performance, and then there were times when I wasn't sure if it was for me. Perhaps, I just need to listen to more of her work. I did think the emotional scene were fantastic, and she has a great male voice. It's definitely a me not you situation, so don't let that deter you from listening to this fantastic book.

I think I've never given a novella 5 stars. But this one made me feel things and I just loved it so so much