Kennedy Ryan was a new-to-me author, and with this series she has carved a special spot in my bookshelves. I finished this series in 4 days- and although I wasn't planning on reading them back-to-back, I could not have stopped even if I wanted to- which I didn't. Not even close.
For lack of a better word, I am floored by this series. Overwhelmed. Emotional. Unable to move on. Although I read a lot- and have some favorite books where I LOVE the characters- this was on a different level. Grip and Bristol. Just.. we should all be lucky to have a love like Grip and Bristol.
This is why I waited to write a review. Even two days later I am still incoherent. Sigh.
So here are just SOME of the things I loved about this series. The writing was flawless. It was just so well written and just so SMARTLY written. This author made us a part of the story. And side note. HIS LYRICS. HOLY CRAP. I just bow down to this author who not only wrote a beautiful book, a beautiful series, but she's also a poet. And that's not the same kind of skill. Bruise is the kind of song that should be real. And his vows. And Still. And his words at THAT moment. And there are just numerous other times where Grip's words play integral parts to the story. And they were so so well written.
And her characters were really well developed. They were not stereotypical. They were not shallow. They were just so very real. Their reactions made sense because they were exactly what people would do in real life. Their thoughts made sense. In a lot of romances the "villain of the story" is another person. This is not a knock on them because who doesn't like to see our hero or heroine rise above "the other person" and be victorious. But it makes the story about someone else in part. But that's not the point of this story- this story is all Grip and Bristol. Always. And I love that so much.
But what I loved the MOST about this book, so much so it deserves its own mention, is the weaving of social commentary throughout the story. Simply put, this book makes you think. In the best of ways. We are all flawed. We all have biases. We are all naive to others struggles. (And Iz statement on being naive to something not being the problem- its what you do after- this is one of my favorite quotes). It takes a special kind of someone to be able to write a story, that not only shows everyones flaws, but does so in a way that does not put us on the defensive (oh I would NEVER do that. I would NEVER think that) or make us judge from a moral high horse. It simply makes you think and RELATE. What does bias mean? What does finding commonality mean? Can you really step into someone else's shoes? How do these things play out in real life experiences.
Which takes me to our main characters. I don't think I've ever loved a couple so much. These two. Just from the start they stole my heart. And it was a surprise because I honestly didn't expect to love them (or this story) so much (what can I say- I'm ALWAYS skeptical of books that get a lot of buzz). And yet I do. SO much. SO much. Their love for each other- ALWAYS- is just magical. It's why I read romance. They are the definition of soulmates. Their souls are MADE for each other- regardless of their background, race or what anyone else thinks about them.
And because each book deserves it's own recognition here are just a few more incoherent thoughts on the individual books.
FLOW
Flow was a free prequel. It showed how the two of them met- and gave a little background on where they came from. Bristol's story is more prevalent in this story. And I really felt for her. I will say if you've read some of Kennedy Ryan's other books you probably know her back story- but as this was my first book by her I had no idea what I was getting into. This book may be short- but it packed a punch. I was already invested by, like, page 3. I wanted to see these characters interact and get to know each other. And by the end of the book there was no way I wasn't going to immediately start Grip.
GRIP
So this story picks up where Flow left off. And I have to say I loved it. I was hooked on their interactions, both professionally and personally. I was rooting for them to sort their issues. I felt for both of them. That is something I should mention too- the POV switching. So good. Seeing inside these characters heads. There is truly not a villain in this story. Because even those characters you love to hate- when you start thinking about their experiences and WHY they are acting the way they are- even if you don't love them- you can understand. And I should mention that is one of the most amazing things about Kennedy Ryan's writing. She is such a SMART writer she is able to weave all these issues flawlessly into the story- and she's able to show everything to a point where you would think every single thing that happened was something she personally experienced- that WE personally experienced... because we kind of did. And while we know that isn't really true- you could believe it was because honestly it doesn't matter if she was writing from his (gender) view or her (gender) view- whether it was from his family's perspective or hers-it was all relatable.
This was just an epic love story. It is not a case where they resolve everything ASAP and then have a whole bunch of misunderstandings. No. Kennedy took her time and she stayed true to her characters and to her story. And we are lucky for it. Because it was such a beautiful story. So much so that if everything ended with Grip... I would have been happy. But I had no idea what I was getting myself into with Still.
STILL
This book GUTTED me. There is no getting around it and no other way to put it. And I will stop here and say it is without a doubt my favorite book of the three. Even with how much it hurt. I was not expecting it. But the thing is, once again every situation her characters find themselves in- they are all things that happen in real life. Even now. And that they're happening to our Grip and Bristol (because at this point there's no way you aren't possessive over these two characters) it's just brutal. As I'm writing this two of my book buddies who were behind me in reading are both messaging me. Because they just got to THAT part. And I'm experiencing it all over again. And I have to say it just hurts. But it's also beautiful. That Kennedy can write so many emotions- that she can evoke so many emotions from us. And in the end, after we don't think we will ever breathe again, we can take a deep breath and just "dwell in the possibilities."
People ask often whats your favorite series is- and I have very diverse reading habits- but when I start listing mine (because who can really just pick one) there is no doubt this one will be high on my list. I think it is the type of book you are lucky to experience. That everyone should read it. Every word was beautiful. Every step was worth it. Even those difficult ones. This is the kind of book you don't get over. It stays with you. It makes you think. It hurts. But it also makes you smile. It's the kind of book where you wish your book buddies lived nearby so you could demand hugs (seriously guys please get on that- k thanks bye). And not have your husband sitting next to you on the couch looking at you like you're crazy (not even a little sorry). And that kind of book is rare and should be appreciated and enjoyed. So I am just so so happy. And so not ready to move on or let them go. So for now I'm just going to live vicariously through my book buddies. But I'll definitely be rereading them... and without a doubt going back to read her other books. I cannot wait to go back and read Kai and Rhyson's books.
"And when the years have passed,
and we have watched a thousand sunsets, and we are bent,
our bodies crooked with age
ask me again.
In the twilight,
in the shadow of the life we have shared,
ask me if I love you,
and my heart will answer before my lips can part.
My love, my life,
my heart never left your hands.
Always,
evermore,
even after.
Still."
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Still: Grip, Book 3
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Positively beautiful conclusion to Grip and Bristol’s story.
I’m finding it hard to convey my feelings for Still. How do you write a good review when you just loved a book so much? Like, loved it... Still is the conclusion of Grip and Bristol’s story. You must read Flow and Grip before as it is not a standalone. ”I wish everyone could taste this, could have this. That’s when you know you’re far gone – when you start wishing everyone else had what you have. We enter the story as Grip and Bristol are solid in their relationship. They’re perfectly in love and nothing can stop them. Grip needs to move for college and Bristol doesn’t bat an eyelash, she’s ready to move with him. She loves him that much. ”I’m as sure of her as I am that every night the moon will show up, the stars I’ll shine down, and hours later, the sun will rise again.” Still takes place over a few years which I absolutely loved. I love reading the evolution of relationships, especially since Grip and Bristol denied themselves this love for so many years. I had no idea how fragile joy is, that in a moment with just a few words, everything can capsize. Still gives us heat, heart, love, so much love, and heartache. Kennedy Ryan pulled out all the stops with this story and I can’t imagine reading anything else. As much as I wish certain events didn’t happen, it molds and cements Grip and Bristol’s love for each other and it is sheer perfection. Once again, Kennedy gives us more insight on Grip’s passion of social injustice and the sensitive subject matter or racism is written so perfectly. In 2017, we wish this stuff didn’t need to be written, but it does and she writes it spectacularly. I can’t express my love for this book adequately aside from the fact that it needs to be read.
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- Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2018
- Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2017
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ChristinSReviewed in Germany on September 24, 2017
10+++ stars to Gripstol and Kennedy Ryan will never be enough!
