Finding Kyler (The Kennedy Boys #1)
by Siobhan Davis
Rating: 4 stars
Blurb:
Two fractured hearts and a forbidden love they can’t deny.You shouldn’t want what you can’t have…
Faye Donovan has lost everything. After her parent’s tragic death, she’s whisked away from her home in Ireland when an unknown uncle surfaces as her new guardian.
Dropped smack-dab into the All-American dream, Faye should feel grateful. Except living with her wealthy uncle, his fashion-empire-owning wife, and their seven screwed-up sons is quickly turning into a nightmare—especially when certain inappropriate feelings arise.
Kyler Kennedy makes her head hurt and her heart race, but he’s her cousin.
He’s off limits.
And he’s not exactly welcoming—Kyler is ignorant, moody, and downright cruel at times—but Faye sees behind the mask he wears, recognizing a kindred spirit.
Kyler has sworn off girls, yet Faye gets under his skin. The more he pushes her away, the more he’s drawn to her, but acting on those feelings risks a crap-ton of prejudice, and any whiff of scandal could damage the precious Kennedy brand.
Concealing their feelings seems like the only choice.
But when everyone has something to hide, a secret is a very dangerous thing.
******
Full of scandal, dysfunctional families, teen soap-opera-style angst and drama, secrets and lies, mean girls and catfights, lust and love, book one in the unputdownable Kennedy Boys series will have you flipping the pages’ way beyond bedtime!
Only recommended to readers aged 17+ due to mature content and language.
Read an exclusive, advance sample of this book here: http://eepurl.com/cpxkFP
My Review:
I received a free copy of this book and voluntary reviewed it.
When I heard Siobhan Davis was writing a contemporary romance I was immediately curious how she would pull off this genre. After finishing Finding Kyler I can only say she rocks this genre! Finding Kyler is an addictive read that I didn’t want to put down once I started reading. It has the same character and relationship focus, drama, foreshadowing and cliffhanger endings that I am used to from her other books.
I never imagined an author could put just as much foreshadowing, hints, clues and mystery in a contemporary romance as in sci-fi romance, but Siobhan did it. From the beginning I started guessing about backstories and having these theories of what was up with everyone. I loved it! There is a bunch of characters in this book and everyone has something to hide, their own secrets and their own problems. I did manage to guess the big twist at the end and I was quite pleased about that. I don’t think it was too obvious, but you could figure it. The ending is a brilliant cliffhanger ending, that makes me wish the next book was already released.
This book is filled with drama, a lot of the drama is the good type of drama and I enjoyed reading it. But there were also a few instances of miscommunication and lack of communication drama, which I wasn’t a fan of. There are also a few scenes that didn’t sit quite right with me and a few times where I thought Faye went a bit too far with what she said. But even though I rolled my eyes a few times and wanted to shake some sense in the characters.
I liked Faye as a main character, she isn’t afraid to speak her mind and she can take care of herself. Although I did feel that this went a few times into the mean category. She wasn’t afraid to insult someone back or retort to violence to emphasize her point. She was sassy and always had something to say, I liked how she stood up for what she wanted and made things clear to others. I do wish we had seen more of her Irish influences, as while she comes from Ireland and then moves to the US. I didn’t really feel she was Irish except for a few words she used and I also didn’t really feel the US setting came alive. The high school drama almost had a bit of an over the top kind of feel like the kind you see in movies and books.
Besides Faye we have her uncle and his wife and their 7 sons. Yes 7 sons and their names all start with a K. I sure had some trouble keeping the cousins apart, although it did get better as the book progressed. There are some of the cousins we see more of than other, mainly Kyler, Kalvin and Kaeton play a bigger part here. The other cousins we get to know a bit less of, there are scenes with them, but I didn’t get as much of a feel for their personality. Overall I liked the cousins, this family is so messed up and they sure do some stupid things, but I also started to care about them and they are so broken and messed up at times I just wish they all met their match that could steer them in the right direction and have someone to care for. There is a great scene towards the end were they all rally together, but there are also scenes that show how divided they are. These character really are messed up and at the same time I couldn’t help but grow fond of them.
There are also some new friends that Faye makes, like Rosa, Lana and Brad, who all play their part as well. I also liked how even with such a bunch of characters it rarely got confusing, I only had some troubles with the cousins as their names all start with a K.
At first I wasn’t quite sure about the romance and I never fully warmed up to Kyler, although he does show a sweeter side as well. Kyler seems to run hot and cold, being downright mean to Faye and then being super thoughtful the other moment. I felt like he solved his problems in all the wrong ways, but just like the other cousins he also was this messed up and broken boy who could use the love and care from another human. The romance between him and Faye is a bit of a forbidden romance as they are cousins and even though it isn’t illegal, early on it’s obvious there is a lot stacked against them. In true Siobhan style the romance has it’s up and downs, deep pits and then highlights that make me think these two are great for each other after all. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions with the ups and downs. There is potential for a love triangle and knowing Siobhan and her previous books I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes there in the second book.
To summarize: filled with drama, forbidden love, foreshadowing and a great group of characters with all their own problems and secrets, Finding Kyler is the addictive start of Siobhan her new series. I couldn’t put this book down when I started reading. It was very additive and despite some issues that I had, I was hooked. I love how Siobhan manages to even put foreshadowing in this book and quickly I was guessing and forming my own theories about the secrets characters kept and their backstories. I was pleased I managed to predict the big twist at the end, there are enough clues to figure it out, but it still manages to feel like a big surprise for the characters and it wasn’t too obvious. There is a great cliffhanger ending that makes me wish the second book was out already. Faye is a great character who can stand up for herself, she’s sassy and doesn’t hesitate to talk back, although I do think sometimes she went a bit too far with her insults and she retorted to violence sometimes. Faye has 7 cousins and it was a bit difficult to remember who is who at times as their names all start with a K, but by the end I was doing better remembering who was who. This family is so messed up and they all make their share of mistakes, but at the same time I can’t help but grown fond of these characters. The romance is a bit of a forbidden romance, there is some hot and cold behavior from Kyler and I never fully warmed up to him, but there are some very sweet moments as well and by the end I did think these two were good for each other. All in all this was an addictive read filled with drama and a group of memorable characters and I can’t wait for book 2!
Links:
– Goodreads
– Amazon
Finding Kyler is only 0.99$ for a limited time!
It does seem to have the teen soap opera feel though if its on purpose and balanced with other elements that can be a good thing. That would be tough to keep seven brothers straight with all “K” names. The taboo feeling of a cousins romance seems to only one of the many troubles for this pair. Neat that she switched genres and the plot stayed strong and also had some twists and a tone of foreshadowing of what is to come. Appreciate your well-thought review, Lola!
Sophia Rose recently posted…Hard Hitter by Sarina Bowen
Yes teen soap opera feel is a good way to describe it. And the way the drama was handled and balances with other elements made it a good thing for this book. The K names really were confusing at first, although it did got a bit easier later on. I love how she handles foreshadowing, so I was really excited to also see that in this book as well.
This is a cracking review, Lola. Sounds like it’s a well-written page-turner:)
sjhigbee recently posted…While the Morning Stars Sing
Thanks! It was 🙂
It was sounding good up until that cliffhanger ending. I really don’t like cliffhangers.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Happy Raturday!
I don’t mind cliffhanger endings, but I do know some people like to know that in advance, so I usually try and mention it. I thought the cliffhanger was a pretty good one that has me curious about the next book.
Lola recently posted…Review: The Royal Trade by Erin Hayes
The Original Sinners series. I don’t think I’ve read all of them…the first four or five I think?
I don’t typically read forbidden romances, so if I do, the writing has to be pretty damn good, like in the Original Sinners series. This review was awesome, so I am adding this book to my TBR pile.
Tracy Krimmer recently posted…Series: What do you want?
Forbidden romances is one of my favorite tropes, there is just something fun about seeing two people fall for each other even thought they shouldn’t/ aren’t allowed to do so etc. And thanks so much, that means a lot to hear someone ads a book to their to-read pile because of my review.
I’m glad that you enjoyed it! I love backstories and character development. This sounds interesting. Great review. ~Aleen
Lampshade Reader recently posted…ARC Review: Highland Spy by Madeline Martin
I really like how each character had their own background and development.
Oh that sounds fun! I haven’t tried her books. Thinking I need to. I do like a sassy character who can stand up for themselves.
PS I’m reading a book tonight called Finding Kyle. lol
anna @ herding cats & burning soup recently posted…3.5 stars– When All The Girls Have Gone by Jayne Ann Krentz
You might enjoy this one, although it is upper YA. I really like her books and it was fun to see her branch out in contemporary romances.
I recently saw someone else read that book and had to do a double take as the titles were so similar. What a coincidence those titles are so similar.
Oh, this sounds like a great read. Haven’t read her books before but I think this one is going to be my first 😉
Vanessa recently posted…Birthday Goals For 2017
I hope you pick this one up. This book might be her best yet, her writing style fits this genre so well. I have read all her books so far and really enjoyed all of them.
Lola recently posted…Review: Speak No Evil by Jordan Ford
I love that Siobhan writes in so many different genres. <3
S. J. Pajonas recently posted…Sunday Update – January 8, 2016
I think this genre might be the one that best fits her style. I liked how she still managed to put foreshadowing in this book as well. It was so fun trying to guess all the twists and secrets.
Oh this sounds like a fun read. I don’t mind lots of drama when it’s done in an entertaining way and this sounds like it is. Love all the foreshadowing and the idea of all those secrets too. Definitely going on my tbr.
Trish @ Between My Lines recently posted…Boost It Tuesday – Grow your Facebook Page! 10.01.2017
I am the same, I don’t like unnecessary drama, but here most of the drama was done well. I hope you enjoy it when you get the chance to read it. The foreshadowing and secrets was one of the things I enjoyed most about it.
Are they real cousins or like step cousin? Not sure I could read a book that has someone hook up with their cousin.
I am glad you liked it 🙂 Great review Lola!
Michelle @Because Reading recently posted…Finish out Jan to focus on Feb ~ Task It Tuesday!
They are real cousins if I am correct. I always get a bit confused with family terms, but he is the son of her uncle, so that makes them real cousins, right?
It was very well written and I really enjoyed it 🙂
7 kids and more characters, this has a big cast. I’m not familiar with the author, from your discussion about the book this one reminds me of K.A. Tucker. Is it a close comparison?
Braine recently posted…Liked It: Blood Vow by J.R. Ward
I’ve only read the first three books in Tucker her Burying water series, they are more suspense, while this one is higher on the drama. So I wouldn’t say it’s a close comparison, although things like the foreshadowing are in both books
So she’s dating her cousin? I have to admit, I do find that a little strange. But I’m glad it was a good book and that it lived up to the expectations you had from her other books! And that’s cool that she still managed to include a bunch of foreshadowing and mystery and all that. I also love when I’m able to guess the twist, but only if it’s not too obvious. If it’s too obvious, then there’s no excitement. But if there are just the right bits of clues and I manage to piece them together, I feel really proud of myself, haha. The family aspect sounds interesting too, although I can see why you’d be confused with all those K names!
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight recently posted…Book Review: Succubus (The Executioner Book 1) by Brandon Varnell
Yes it was really neat how this book fulfilled the expectations I had from her other books while being a different genre. I really liked the mystery and foreshadowing she managed to add to this book.
I am the same, I like being able to guess the twist, but only when it’s not too obvious or predictable. I thought here there was the right amount of hints, without it being too much. That all their names started with a K did make sense, but it was so confusing at first to keep them all separate.
Lola recently posted…Review: Speak No Evil by Jordan Ford
I’ve never read anything by this author, but sounds like a great book! I love books with drama and forbidden romance so it sounds up my alley for sure. Wonderful review and I’m glad you enjoyed it! 💖
AngelErin recently posted…Little Heaven By: Nick Cutter Review
I really like this author her books, I’ve read all of them so far :). I like a good forbidden romance now and then.