Flow by Kennedy Ryan

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

Title: Flow
Author: Kennedy Ryan
Series: Grip #0.5
Published by: Indie
Release Date: February 25, 2017
Format: Kindle Book
Pages: 130
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2018 #LetsReadIndie Challenge, Lenoreo's 2018 New Adult Challenge, Lenoreo's COYER Big Summer Birthday Bash 2018
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ Kobo ✩ IndieBound
My rating:

Blurb:

In 8 years, Marlon James will be one of the brightest rising stars in the music industry. Bristol Gray will be his tough, no-nonsense manager.

But when they first meet, she’s a college student finding her way in the world, and he’s an artist determined to make his way in it. From completely different worlds, all the things that should separate them only draw them closer.

It’s a beautiful beginning, but where will the story end?

FLOW is the prequel chronicling the week of magical days and nights that will haunt Grip & Bristol for years to come. GRIP is the full-length conclusion of their story.

My Review:

4.5 stars — I can’t believe how much I felt for these characters in such a short period of time.  The way Ms. Ryan conveys her character’s emotions is so very effective…it sucker punched me right in the feels.  And what’s more interesting is that I would feel for Bristol, and then she would have a conversation with Grip and I was seeing other sides of the coin while still wanting to wallow in it with Bristol.  I loved the nature of the conversations in this story.  The author really didn’t pull any punches, but went right for the jugular…but did so in such a way as to make me really think without feeling too preachy.

I was worried about how I would feel about Grip.  He’s a very stereotypical guy in parts of this novella…the things he would think or say.  But I kind of loved how he conveyed a more authentic voice of a black man from LA, while at the same time showcasing how much more is going on…to not judge a book by its cover.  I loved the way he challenged Bristol’s preconceived notions and pushed back against her unintentional judgements.

Bristol was a fantastic combination of sweet and sassy, broken and strong.  And I appreciated that when Grip pushed back against her, she took the time to listen and learn, but also challenge him right back.  My heart hurt for her broken relationship with her twin, and I couldn’t help but want Rhys to understand that he wasn’t the only one that was hurt.  We got to see her understand better what happened to him when they were young, but I kind of wanted the reciprocation.

The chemistry between Bris and Grip was fantastic.  I really did feel the ease of their relationship, and how they just “flowed” with one another.  As they were enjoying the conversations with each other, I was enjoying reading them.  I loved that we got to see the different types of attraction — they were instantly physically attracted, but we got to see them become attracted to all the other aspects of their personalities.

I really appreciated the secondary characters we got to meet — from Rhys (though he frustrated me) to Jimmi (who surprised the heck out of me).  They added a little something, and I’m curious to see what their roles will be in the next 2 books.

I had a feeling that this novella wasn’t going to end with an HEA, so it wasn’t a surprise for me.  I was okay with the way the book ended, b/c I know I’m going to get to see what happens in the future.  Hopefully Ms. Ryan doesn’t break my heart too much along the way.