readerpants's reviews
1893 reviews

That was (shockingly, I know) my first Kennedy Ryan, but there's definitely more on my TBR now! I loved the very real, high emotional stakes, adults doing their best to care for and love themselves and each other in devastating real life situations, and the friendships (big Alexa Martin vibes there). Plus the slow burn overlaid with all the feelings just worked so well... and a good second chance romance is ABSOLUTELY my thing. It was also so clear that the author was handling every one of these hard issues with such tenderness and care. This isn't one I'm likely to come back and reread, but I'll definitely have it in my pocket as one to rec. 

Cute, straight. 

Honestly, I went in with low expectations and ended up loving this? Read for work and didn't expect much beyond a sensationalized hook. But it made me legitimately cry -- cw for parental death and grief, including hospice/dementia. 

The characters felt like authentic teens, it didn't feel dated, and while a lot of reviewers apparently didn't like the pacing, that wasn't a problem for me at all. Loved the theatre teacher and setting. I'm not surprised to learn that the author was a high school English teacher. 

Except for one unsurprising exception*, I think what this book did best was that it had no villains. I love that. It was a group of flawed characters in horrible situations doing their best and managing to find empathy even in the fog of their own hurt. I felt for all of them, and that focus on character development makes this one that I think I'll end up recommending frequently to students. 

Rounding down slightly for the complete lack of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ characters (even among the theatre kids? In this year of our Lord 2024? Bizarre.) 

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*I was convinced pretty early on that Ben had assaulted Emery, maybe while alcohol was in the picture. I was glad that it didn't end up being that.

I don't know how to rate this one. 3.5? I'm baffled by the descriptors in other reviews and blurbs: sparkling, steamy, sweet, humorous, cute. The abusive family and the OTT-toxic girlfriend were just SO much. Esp the family. And I think the hardest to read was the moment when her nurse friend who works at Jake's care facility is like, "yeah, you know [this behavior/attitude] happens," and as a reader knowing that the author is writing from a lived lens re nursing, you realize that's probably just accurate.   Ooof. 

I didn't think it was bad, and I didn't hate it, but I'm left feeling pretty hollow and unsatisfied. Their miscommunications or inability to communicate. might have been realistic? Maybe? But ultimately this book didn't bring me joy. YMMV. 

So far I think the particular flavor of supportive parent in TJ Alexander's romances is deeply satisfying and brings me happiness. 

I loved everything about this book except Eli being kind of the worst. The author's choice not to deadname him at all. His parents! The photo scene 😂😍😭! Zoe was an excellent plot moppet, even. Laurie and Nick's relationship. Nick's dad. Nick! But jeez, Eli, try to not be a dick and pull out your best self sometimes. 

I do have questions, tho. Like ... they broke up after prom, ok. Went to college in different places. But then lost touch completely in some way that was no big deal? After having been attached at the hip best friends and then first loves, without any heartbreak or sense of betrayal? And even though their parents are friends and both spend a reasonable amount of time with their parents (who are DEFINITELY on Facebook) somehow Nick didn't know that Eli transitioned? Logistically this seems like a narrative gap. 

Another plot hole - the Arizona plot line and Nick losing regular access to his beloved daughter with whom he has a healthy and loving relationship  - that feels like way way more of a big deal than it was treated as.

Overall, a sweet and satisfying read, especially if you can get past one of the MCs being pretty much a brat who should know better.

Meh. 

Well, I LOVED THAT. though ngl, coming right on the heels of the nonfiction oral history of the girl groups of 1955-1965 and all the ways they were exploited and screwed over, there were many moments where I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Thank goodness I read book one, albeit forever ago, and knew that Seb wouldn't turn out to be a secret villain. I was honestly so stressed about him and Jordan. I'm still a little concerned: HOW did they pay for the nice van and everything?? I'm trusting that Seb isn't stealing their money and that they're not going to end up like the Ronnettes or the Marvelettes but it's a near thing. (WHY did we learn about the multiple remotes to the bus? I kept thinking it was going to get trashed or something terrible would happen with the extra remote, but ... everything was fine and they just distributed the remotes responsibly as planned I guess?) 

I like a romance where the barriers are emotionally real and characters take care of each other and do their best in difficult situations, and this absolutely hit all my buttons. Found family, fabulous beta hero, complicated characters with no villains on screen (even Candi, you know stuff is going on with all her mess, she's too sad a character to be a villain really). I even appreciated that Ty was so responsible and didn't text while driving. Oh, and the ott fangirling about LA Banks? Baffling but delightful. 

Wholesome and warm and 100% my cup of tea. 

I hope we don't have to wait as long for book 3 to come out, and I'm so curious who it will center on! Lilly + Tiff?? Candi? Cannot wait, will absolutely read immediately.