Review: STILL by Kennedy Ryan

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

STILL by Kennedy Ryan
Published by Amazon Digital Services LLC on September 24, 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Love & Romance, Multicultural & Interracial, Romance
Pages: 434
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four-half-stars

**STILL is the conclusion of Grip & Bristol's emotional journey. You must read FLOW, the prequel, and GRIP, book 1 before beginning STILL**

I'll be there.
Through thick and thin.
Ride or die.
You can count on me.

The promises people make.
The vows we take.
Assumptions of the heart.
Emotion tells us how we feel, but life...life has a way of plunging us in boiling water, burning away our illusions, testing our faith, trying our convictions.
Love floating is a butterfly, but love tested is an anchor.

For Grip and Bristol,
Love started at the top of the world
On a Ferris wheel under the stars
But when that love is tested, will they fly or fall?

Two immediate thoughts after reading Kennedy Ryan’s latest novel, STILL:

I cannot get Tamia’s Still out of my head. It’s been on repeat for a few days now after reading this novel.
There are times that Grip and Bristol remind me of Grey’s Anatomy April and Jackson (in their better days).

I am not typically a fan of novel sequels when the first book ends with a certain finality. That is how GRIP ended and I honestly didn’t think that a follow-up book was needed. And while it wasn’t necessarily needed, STILL was very appreciated. This was a follow-up book done well.

STILL took place over the course of maybe 2-3 years (the timeline wasn’t as clear as I would have liked) and shows the evolution of Grip and Bristol’s relationship. It’s the story about the beloved couple that readers didn’t know we needed. Without giving too much of the storyline away, I will say this: STILL was super emotional. Grip and Bristol laid a strong foundation in GRIP and STILL tests that very foundation and the core of who they are together. These two have to decide if their love is strong enough to survive turmoil and if their relationship is really worth fighting for.

Fair warning: this book is intense. Ryan puts these two through the ringer but their story is grounded in a reality that I can appreciate, and it was such that I could realistically SEE these two navigating the world. GRIP was my first book by Ryan and what I loved was that she kept it authentic, and she continues that with this latest release. It’s what drew me to these characters and kept me invested in what’s next.

STILL is honest, vulnerable and, at times, gut-wrenching. At the heart of this book, is the love that fans have come to know and rely upon.

Grip and Bristol have been on a journey, and fans of this series will love and appreciate this novel. If you are new to this series and Ryan’s work, I would highly recommend these series. Start with FLOW, the prequel, which is free on Amazon.

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Natalya

Natalya is an Account Manager by day and an editor and author's assistant to passionate creatives by night. When she is not adding to her enormous book collection or stationery supply, she is catching up on her favorite television shows.

Natalya is the author of All The Things I Never Said, a soul-stirring collection of short stories, prose and love letters for the soulful wanderers, the brokenhearted and the hopeless romantics.

You can follow her rantings and occasional sparks of brilliance on Twitter @NatalyaMuncuff.