Book Review | Flow (Grip Series, #0.5) by Kennedy Ryan

Flow
By: Kennedy Ryan

Series: Grip
Book #: 0.5 (Prequel)
Format: Kindle Unlimited

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Multicultural Relationship
Trope: Angst, Brother’s Best Friend, Music, Rap Music, Opposites attract
Publisher: Indie
Publication Date: February 22, 2017
My Rating: 5 Stars

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.

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“We just tiptoe around things, afraid we’ll offend or look ignorant, be misunderstood. Honesty is a risk few are willing to take.”

I’ve read several Kennedy Ryan books in the past, and loved them all! Which leads me to questioning my sanity on why the Grip series has sat on my tbr for this long?! After reading the blurb once again, I am intrigued! After reading Flow, I’m slightly happy I waited until now to dive into this whole series! If I learned one thing from reading Flow it’s there is no turning back now, I’m invested!

In My Own Words:

Bristol is determined to get her family back together, even if it means putting her heart on the line. It’s been five years since she last saw and spoke to her twin brother, and she’ll be damned if she lets this go on any longer. Spring Break is as good a time as any to hop on a flight and settle the shit between her twin and her parents… hopefully.

That’s how Grip finds himself at the airport picking up his best friend’s long lost twin sister. When a bombshell of a woman steps in his line of sight, there is no going back, she’s a beauty and for a moment, he wants to make her his. And then fate steps in, the woman he’s drooling over is the same woman he’s here to pick up…. For his best friend.

“I like the color of smart, the shade of funny, and sexy is my favorite hue.”

My Thoughts:

I’m so glad I read this prequel before I dove into Grip. If you haven’t had the chance to read the Grip series yet, and are thinking of skipping the prequel and diving into the full length, I highly recommend you read the prequel before starting Grip. This book opened my eyes to the friendship that was starting between Grip and Bristol. This book introduced me to the extinguishable chemistry between the two. This book is the path to their story, it shouldn’t be missed. 

I’ve read so many novels involving musicians, but NEVER have I read a novel incorporating rap into the mix! I loved the vibe and the Flow throughout this novel. I loved getting a taste of something different within the romance book world. After I finish this series, you can bet your ass I’ll be searching for more novels with a rap theme! I loved it!!

Bristol and Grip couldn’t be any more opposite if they tried, but as I dove deeper into their story I found these two are also rather similar. On the outside, you see Bristol grew up in New York with prestige and privilege. She had everything money could buy within her reach…. But if you dig fairly shallow beneath the surface, you’ll see money can’t buy you everything. It can’t buy you the love of a parent, the many years she spent alone while her parents gallivanting her brother around the world, and it certainly can’t bring back the time you missed because of the greed money influences. This woman spent her years desperate for her parents to notice her. She spent years with her heart on her sleeve, and she still ended up forgotten. She’s had enough of the bullshit and now she’s finally doing something about it. Even if it kills her.

Now on the other side of the United States, Grip was growing up in Compton witnessing things no child, or person for that matter, should have to witness. He spent his years walking a fine line that should never have to be walked. He spent his years toeing the fine line between dirty cops and the people he loved and cherished. He knew one day he was going to be somebody and make something of himself, he just needed to push to get him there. 

“He’s lightning in a beautiful bottle, just waiting to strike. A pending storm. He’s hypnotizing. Intoxicating. I’m as buzzed off him as I am off my Grey Goose.”

You see, Bristol and Grip both needed someone to push them out of their comfort zones. One of my favorite moments in Flow happened after Grip picked Bristol up at the airport. They go to this restaurant to grab a bite to eat, and I’m telling you, the conversation between these two really opened my eyes. I loved the curiosity and the honesty and the willingness to open up and try to understand each point of view. There’s no doubt about it, it was the raw truth that kept me coming back for more. I loved how Grip and Bristol became fast friends, there was an understanding between them, and the more they uncovered about one another, the deeper that understanding took. Given how emotionally connected I feel to these two characters, in such a short time, I think it’s safe to say this series is about to mangle my heart to shreds. I’m ready for their journey…. I think…. Okay, I lied. Given the ending to Flow, I really don’t think my heart is ready for the rest of their story!

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Amazon: https://amzn.to/3suCzR9
Amazon World: http://viewbook.at/FlowKR

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Peace Love and Happy Reading,

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