Review: Baby Yours by Kennedy Fox

Kennedy Fox
Publication date: May 23, 2019
Series: Hunter & Lennon #2 | Roommate Duet #2
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audio
Source: Hoopla
4 Stars

*SPOILER ALERT FOR BOOK ONE* The worst day of my life happened when my boyfriend died. As I grieve my loss, I learn that I’m carrying his baby. If my world wasn’t already crashing down, now it’s burning up in flames. 

My religious parents will never accept a pregnancy out of wedlock and telling them means I risk losing them completely. 

To avoid disappointing my family, Hunter offers to be my fake husband. The lines become so blurred that neither of us want to admit we’re no longer pretending. 

The guilt of what we’re doing eats at me as I struggle to deal with my emotions. Just as I come to terms with our new situation, I learn Hunter’s been keeping secrets. And I’m left to make the hardest decision of my life—follow my heart or walk away from him.

Fair warning: This review contains spoilers for the first book in the duet, which has to be read before this one. If you plan to read Baby Mine, come back after that one has wrecked you. :)

Baby Mine ended on quite the cliffhanger so I was more than ready to dive right into Baby Yours. (Thank goodness for Hoopla!) After all that happened in the first book, Hunter and Lennon had formed an incredible bond. While their friends and Sophie’s sisters were supportive, they uniquely understood each other’s pain and loss. That, along with Hunter’s utter devotion to Lennon, created an intimacy between them that was so touching. I loved his selflessness and the way he was committed to being there for anything Sophie needed – partly because of his loyalty for Brandon and partly because of his feelings for Sophie.  

Lennon continued to be such a strong character and one that I admired. She had been dealt some hard blows and no one would have blamed her for crawling into bed and refusing to ever come out. But she showed such strength and even when she was deceiving her parents, I could understand her reasoning. It went against her nature to lie, but the thought of being shut out by her parents when they learned of her pregnancy (which seemed like a very real possibility considering their ultra-conservative religious views) had her making decisions that, while not ideal, seemed the best way to keep the peace and avoid yet another loss in her life. Even though I was desperate for she and Hunter to (finally!) be together, I appreciated the way she didn’t jump headfirst into a relationship and proceeded cautiously and respectfully.

The plot line with Hunter’s previous hook-up showing up pregnant with claims he was the father made me all kinds of ragey. Jenna was cruel (and maybe borderline unhinged) and I was so happy to see Lennon lay down the law and give Jenna a heaping dose of reality. I understood Hunter’s reasons for not wanting to share how he knew he wasn’t the father, but it would have resolved the drama a whole lot sooner if he had. (And I wish Lennon had continued to doubt that fact even after he told her the truth.)

Hunter has a place in the Book Boyfriend Hall of Fame. Thoughtful, devoted, affectionate, and so willing to be whatever Lennon needed. My heart hurt for him as he swallowed his true feelings time and time again. He gave Lennon the time and space she needed and even though he was in an impossible situation, his love for her kept him cemented to her side, being whatever she needed. Even his friends and Lennon’s sisters could plainly see he was in love with her, and yet he was patient enough to let Lennon work through things in her own time.

Hunter and Lennon’s story was an emotional journey that had me swooning, shedding some tears, and then swooning some more.  Kennedy Fox put these characters through the wringer but watching as they discovered they were stronger together than apart… priceless. And, in typical Kennedy Fox fashion, it ended with another cliffhanger that had my jaw dropping and scrambling to start the next book. 



HAVE YOU READ THE ROOMMATE DUET?

Review: Baby Mine by Kennedy Fox

Kennedy Fox
Publication date: April 23, 2019
Series: Hunter & Lennon #1 | Roommate Duet #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audio
Source: Hoopla
4 Stars

I saw her first.
Blonde. Gorgeous. Feisty.
I was captivated.
But it didn’t matter because when she walks out of my best friend’s bedroom half naked, I know I’ve lost my chance.

Now we’re roommates and constantly fighting about our living arrangements. Though we argue about everything, I can’t stop thinking about her in all the wrong ways. I should move out so I can finally get over her, but the selfish part of me can’t let go.

When tragedy strikes, we’re left to deal with it together. Instead of pushing her away, I pull her closer.

Just as we come to terms with our new reality, she reveals a life changing event that affects us both.
And I’m left to make the hardest decision of my life—remain friends or confess my feelings and risk it all.

I read the prequel novella to this series, Forever Mine, last year and enjoyed it enough to know I would continue the series at some point. I decided to make that happen this month and I’m so glad I did. Between Kennedy Fox’s knack with creating realistic characters dealing with emotional situations, and the narration of Maxine Mitchell and Aiden Snow, I was hooked.

Hunter and Lennon meet one night at a bar while Hunter is bartending. They have an interaction, share a connection, and Hunter wants to pursue it. But by the end of the night, Lennon was gone. Lennon felt the connection, too, but as she watched Hunter she saw how women flocked to him, how he easily flirted back, and she made the assumption that he was a player and out of her league. That same night, she met Brandon, a gorgeous guy who was also a sweetheart, and she ended up going home with him. You can guess what happens the next morning: Lennon and Hunter have an awkward meeting in the kitchen. Because Hunter and Brandon are roommates and best friends.

Fast forward two years and Lennon is now living with Brandon (and Hunter) and the tension is off the charts. Hunter is still pining for her (hardcore) and the only way he can deal with it is by behaving like an ass to keep her at a distance. His reasoning: if he can make her hate him, maybe that will stifle his feelings for her. So the two of them are constantly at odds. Lennon doesn’t understand why Hunter is so horrible to her, but she’s crazy in love with Brandon and tries to keep the peace.

Then the unthinkable happens. In a single moment, life changes for both of them and Hunter is there for Lennon – by her side, providing support, there for her every need. And before they can even adjust to their new normal, Lennon is blindsided again. As they grow closer and closer and lines are crossed, they are both fighting feelings that could either bring them together or tear them apart.

So, let me just say that a large part of the premise depends on the reader buying into the fact that Hunter fell so hard for Lennon after that one interaction that he was still pining for her two years later. And I did struggle with that for a bit, but I was completely won over by these characters and so invested in their outcomes that I did get past it. Yes, this was angsty but it never dipped into melodrama and Fox kept it all grounded in realism. Between the unrequited love and the sacrifice on Hunter’s part, and all the conflicted feelings on Lennon’s part, my heart was feeling bruised and battered. Then that ending… talk about a cliffhanger! Not the rage-inducing, how-dare-you kind, but the OMG-I-need-the-next-book-now kind. (And yes, I started the next audiobook immediately.)

If you enjoy your contemporary romance on the emotional side, and don’t mind a healthy helping of angst, I so recommend this one. Baby Mine was equal parts sweet, sexy, funny, heartbreaking, and hopeful. The friendships were strong and the bond between Lennon and her sisters was rock solid. All I could think when I finished was: I need more!



HAVE YOU READ ANYTHING FROM KENNEDY FOX?

Review: Fresh by Margot Wood

FRESH

Margot Wood
Publication date: August 3, 2021
Genres: Young Adult/New Adult, LGBTQ+, Contemporary
Format: eARC
Source: Amulet Books and Netgalley
4 Stars

Some students enter their freshman year of college knowing exactly what they want to do with their lives. Elliot McHugh is not one of those people. But picking a major is the last thing on Elliot's mind when she's too busy experiencing all that college has to offer--from dancing all night at off-campus parties, to testing her RA Rose's patience, to making new friends, to having the best sex one can have on a twin-sized dorm room bed. But she may not be ready for the fallout when reality hits. When the sex she's having isn't that great. When finals creep up and smack her right in the face. Or when her roommate's boyfriend turns out to be the biggest a-hole. Elliot may make epic mistakes, but if she's honest with herself (and with you, dear reader), she may just find the person she wants to be. And maybe even fall in love in the process . . . Well, maybe.

Fresh was lively, quirky and fun and had me feeling happy that I picked it up and gave it a try. Eighteen-year-old Elliott is a college freshman who has shown up at Emerson College ready to spread her wings and take on the world, or at least her dorm in the Little Building. What ensues is a whole lot of hook-ups, parties, new friends, and new experiences. What doesn’t happen is attention to classes, studying, and an appreciation for her place at the private university. At times Elliott has a shocking lack of self-awareness, which makes her a perfectly flawed narrator, and completely believable as a young woman straddling that no man’s land between teenager and adult.

While Fresh was full of razor-sharp humor and laugh out loud dialogue, the sex-positive story also dealt with topics like misogyny, shaming, intimacy, sexual assault, and the ups and downs of friendship. Elliott was often a hot mess – sometimes immature, sometimes downright reckless – but she learns, and she grows, and her journey was well worth the ride. My only complaint (and it’s a minor one) would be the footnotes. There are ninety of them throughout the novel and I think it’s going to be a love-‘em-or-hate-‘em aspect for readers. I found them to be overdone and a distraction, particularly in the digital version.

Anyone who remembers Margot Wood from the old Epic Reads Tea Time videos will read this while hearing her voice, seeing her facial expressions, and her wild gestures. This coming of age story is funny and heartfelt and, like me, after reading it you’ll never be able to think about tender chicken again. If you know, you know. :) 


Disclosure: I received a complimentary advance copy of this book for review. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.


FRESH RIS AVAILABLE ON AUGUST 3, 2021

FIND IT HERE:


The Sunday Post #255 | July 25, 2021

      

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
It's a chance to share news: a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books,
 and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead. 
So 40% of all new COVID cases are coming from three states: Florida (my state), Missouri, Texas. And Florida alone accounts for 20% of all new cases nationwide. And yet our moronic governor is loudly proclaiming that it's just a "seasonal thing" (what?), there will be no lockdowns in Florida, and that children in Florida schools will not be "muzzled" (aka be required to wear a mask). It's hard to even understand someone who rejects science, facts - and even common sense - with everything he does. It boggles the mind.

We've had two new COVID cases at the office. Neither are in my building but it's still concerning. Someone made the decision to come to work sick. And - surprise - they tested positive so now everyone they had contact with has to quarantine. The company is now offering $$ to those who get vaccinated. I guess if that's what it takes, so be it. But why can't people just do the right thing to keep themselves and everyone else safe and end this thing? *beats head against wall*

We had an intense storm come through Thursday night. Booming thunder and more lightning than I've seen in a long time. The Husband was attending an event at the baseball park downtown and they finally covered the field and called off the game after several delays. He ran into the storm on the way home and several areas were without power (businesses dark and traffic lights were out). Thankfully we never lost power but that was one wild storm.

This week's 80's music fix is An American Dream by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Anyone remember this one? :) It might have been released in late 1979 but I think it hit the charts in 1980 so it's just squeaking in there as one of my 80's picks. I forgot that it had a bit of a country sound for a pop song.



Tuesday, July 20

Thursday, July 22

WHAT I COMPLETED IN THE LAST WEEK


WHAT I'M CURRENTLY READING


LISTENING:
KINDLE BOOKS:
  

I'm so excited to read this one. Travis wasn't such a great guy in Archer's Voice and I love when an author can make me change my mind about a character.






How was your week? Any new books? Any news to share?
I'd love to hear about it!