Score by Kennedy Ryan

Rating: 3 of 5 stars 

Pages: 384 pages
Published: May 2026

I read Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan in 2023, and while many readers adored it and the subsequent books in the series, her writing style didn’t resonate with me. So, when one of my book club friends suggested I try Score, I was hesitant but made a genuine effort to approach it with an open mind. Unfortunately, I found more of the same: serious themes paired with superficial character development and a heavy reliance on open-door sex scenes that overshadowed the emotional core of the story. 

The story centers on Verity Hill and Wright “Monk” Bellamy, who meet in college and fall into what some might call love, but felt more like lust. Their relationship implodes after Verity experiences a life-changing event she never fully explains, and the two go their separate ways without another word. Fast forward 20 years and we find Verity, a successful screenwriter, and Monk, a celebrated musician who score films. Fate brings them back together on a major project in Los Angeles, and for the sake of their careers, they agree to work together amicably. As old feelings resurface, they must confront the possibility of rekindling their relationship, yet both are still withholding the truth. Verity has never been honest about what happened in college, and Monk can’t fully acknowledge his lingering feelings or the broken trust between them. 

I really wanted to like this book. Like the earlier book I read, this one attempts to explore mental health, identity, and emotional healing – all topics I find compelling. But what could have been a deeper, more nuanced examination of these issues was overshadowed by explicit scenes and limited relational development. By the end, I didn’t believe Verity and Monk’s connection was rooted in love. Their bond made sense in their young college years, but not in their later 30s. I never understood how either character knew the other was “the one” when most of their interactions centered on physical attraction rather than meaningful emotional intimacy. 

My other challenge with the book was the open-door sex scenes. It’s simply not my jam. I think it’s quite possible to craft an emotionally-resonant romance novel without giving the play-by-play of what happens behind closed doors. This is not something I enjoy reading, and I honestly don’t think it adds value to any story, especially when there were so many other facets that could have been explored more deeply in this novel: mental health and its stigma in the Black community. death, grief, healing, forgiveness, just to name a few. At times, it felt like the novel was trying to do too much. You can write a thoughtful, emotionally-rich story, or you can write smut. But trying to merge the two and present it as cerebral didn’t work for me.

Recommendation: I promised I would go into this story with an open mind and give Kennedy Ryan a fair chance. After finishing Score, I think the verdict is that her style of writing just isn’t my cup of tea. And that’s OK. She’s a prolific author with a huge and devoted following, so losing me as a reader isn’t going to make a dent in her success. Not every book is for everyone, and this one was not for me. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Second Tide's the Charm by Chandra Blumberg

Rating: 4 of 5 stars 

Pages: 336 pages
Published: August 2024

I first heard about Second Tide's the Charm by Chandra Blumberg via the Modern Mrs. Darcy virtual book club's annual Summer Reading Guide publication in 2024. A couple of months later, I picked up a copy of the romcom at my local Barnes & Noble bookstore, but I didn't get around to reading it until about a year later. I read this as a sort of buddy read with my long distance reading friend who resides in New York. I consumed my copy while making annotations on the page as she did the same with The Love Simulation by Etta Easton, then we swapped books. (More to come on The Love Simulation later!) Thanks to the bookstagram community for the fun activity! 

My chosen novel follows the fictional lives of Hope Evans and Adrian Hollis-Parker who were both colleagues in the field of shark research and committed romantic partners until life got in the way causing them to call it quits. An opportunity in the summer allows Hope to relocate from Michigan to Florida to get her professional life back on track. When Adrian realizes that Hope will be working with him, tension ensues and the reader is given a front row seat to former lovers turned friends navigating the waters in hopes of finding themselves again. 

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were realistic, and the representation of Black professionals in a S.T.E.M. field was refreshing. I also enjoyed the references to nearby Chicago (one of my favorite cities) when the novel opes and Hope is living up north. Overall, this is your traditional romance-comedy mash-up. It's light, somewhat predictable, and injected with humor. However, there are some heavy topics that are addressed in a relevant and sensitive manner, which I fully appreciated. The plot is captivating and intertwines themes of resilience and self-discovery. The author does a great job of crafting a narrative that explores the complexities of interpersonal relationships, but also writing in such a way that draws the reader into the emotional plot while creating a smooth chain of events. My only criticism of this novel is that some scenes seemed to drag on just a bit too long, often lasting several pages and even an entire chapter. I would have appreciated a little faster paced novel. 

Recommendation: Second Tide's the Charm is a beautifully-written exploration of romantic persistence, proving that love has transformative power. Readers of contemporary fiction are sure to love Blumberg's work. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Bookshop Sisterhood by Michelle Lindo-Rice

Rating: 4 of 5 stars 

Pages: 359 pages
Published: July 202

Full confession, sometimes I do judge a book by its cover, and I found the cover of The Bookshop Sisterhood by Michelle Lindo-Rice to be completely regal. In the opening of this contemporary women's fiction novel, we meet four long-time girlfriends who are on the verge of opening the bookstore of their dreams. But before the literary haven they've planned for the community can open, each character encounters a crisis that independently seems insurmountable. When they realize they are stronger together, the result is an engaging read about the power of women, community, friendships, and books! 

While I may have judged the book by its cover, I found the premise promising. The story was equally interesting, heartwarming, and emotional. The group of four was diverse, and I loved how each character was distinct. Through her lyrical prose and well-developed characters, Lindo-Rice brought me into her world, and I soon found myself wanting to be part of the fictional sisterhood portrayed in her novel. My only critique is I think the book could have been a bit shorter with some strategic editing. 

Recommendation: Overall, I found The Bookshop Sisterhood to be a delightful and uplifting read that resonated with me as a contemporary woman who adores all things literary. I recommend this book as the perfect choice for someone looking for a feel-good story. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

Rating: 3 of 5 stars 

Pages: 400 pages
Published: November 2022

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan is a romance novel, but it’s not your typical romance novel. Yes, there are some steamy, blush-worthy scenes (that I didn’t necessarily have to read), but the book is so much more than a couple of romps in the hay. The story is about an affluent Black couple living in an Atlanta suburb who experience devastating loss that tests their relationship as lovers, spouses, and parents. One loss leads to another which fractures their marriage, but just when they think all hope is lost a night of passion makes them both question the major decisions made in the midst of grief. 

I enjoyed a lot of things about this book. I enjoyed the characters and the way most of them were presented - as just a normal family trying to live out their dreams. I appreciated the academic success that was attributed to the son. I admired the entrepreneurial spirit of the leading couple. Overall, I felt as though I could relate to these characters. They could be my neighbors or people in my circle. 

Having said that, this is not my favorite read of the year. It took me forever to get through this book. It was the only novel I was able to complete in March because I just couldn’t sit down and knock it out. I do wonder if the author purposefully wrote the book this way to help the reader experience the lengthy feeling and waves of grief or if she could have benefitted from some heavier editing. Additionally, I was a bit disappointed in the physical or “romance” aspect of the book. It seems like the main characters were more concerned about having sex than truly working through their issues with each other. I also didn’t understand the Biblical scripture added in at the last chapter when the none of the characters were presented as religious. It just seemed like a careless, incongruent afterthought. Lastly, I found the relationship between the mother and daughter to be wholly unrealistic. 

The bright spot in this book is the emphasis on mental health and continually seeking professional help until you find the right counselor for you. I think this “character” (mental health) is an important aspect, especially because the main characters are African American and oftentimes seeing a therapist is deemed unnecessary in our community. 

This is the first book in a series featuring the neighborhood, Skyland, that the couple lives in. I am hopeful in future books the author will explore more relationship development between the couple and further character development of some of the secondary characters (e.g., children, girlfriend circle, etc.) 

Recommendation: If I said it once, I’ve said it 100 times; not every book is for everyone. This one was just ‘eh’ for me. I am glad I read it. I am glad I participated in the author talk with my online book club, but I don’t think I’ll be picking up the remaining books in the series. After attending the Zoom-based author talk, I find her quite delightful and wish her the best in her voracious writing career!  

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Read More