FLOW must be read before GRIP“I can’t stop thinking about this book! The story reads like a movie…GRIP has everything I want in a story–dynamic characters, soulful plot, and a lesson at the end that change the way you look at life. 5 massive, gripping stars from me…One of my favorite reads this year. Maybe ever.” — Adriana Locke, USA Today Bestseller“Ryan continues her streak of amazingly … continues her streak of amazingly accessible and authentic romantic fiction. Grip is a bold and unapologetic look at interracial romance and does not shy away from any of the ideals and prejudices that most of us are too polite to acknowledge – head on- amidst one of the sexiest, and provocative true love romances Ryan has penned to date. Break out the fans folks, Grip is aptly titled and sure to make you need a grip! — Sheena, Smexy Books
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?
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This book has introduced characters that I want to read so much more about. Grip and Bristol were so good and then that ending!! Also looking forward to Rhyson and where his music career is headed!
This book shows the kindness of conversations that need to be happening in the world.
“At the top of the world, so close we could almost touch the sky and with only the stars watching, I found out what a kiss should be.” And then within 24 hours Bristol knew that she was right. She always came up short, people either didn’t love her enough or at all.
Flow is an amazing example of how Kennedy Ryan’s words are as close as possible to lyrics in novel form. There always seems to be a musicality to Kennedys words, and then for Flow to be about music, miscommunication, and struggle, I am brought full circle with the beauty of her words, linguistic style, depth of meaning and intent behind them.
At its heart Flow is a love story, but it is so much more than that. One of probably only 3 authors whose books can leave me with note pages full of quotes, I wish I had found Flow, and the relationships in it, years ago. Bristol and Grip are a beautiful couple, not just because they are physically beautiful people, but the conversations between them within hours of meeting each other are thought provoking and inspired. 5 stars for this thought provoking, steamy, sexy AF book!
Sometimes I just want to kick myself for taking so long to read a book that has been sitting on my kindle for ages. Especially when it is from one of my auto click authors. I mean I’ve been hearing about Flow, my need to meet Grip and Bristol for a few years now, and Kennedy Ryan just blew my heart with this book.
I loved how different Grip and Bristol’s worlds were. Their backgrounds couldn’t be more different. But the one thing that spoke the same language, was music. It was the center of both of their worlds and helped them connect on a different level.
Hats off to Kennedy Ryan for talking about sensitive topics. Staring them right in the eye and not blinking. Flow was so smartly written. It made me think and take a look at my own thought processes. I was swept up in the banter and anticipation. The emotions that this little taste of Grip and Bristol evoked in me have me ready for so much more.
‘Flow’ is the first novel I’ve read by Kennedy Ryan, and I was instantly hooked. While this technically a novella and a prequel to ‘Grip,’ I found this foundational story to be enthralling, and it is absolutely necessary reading before you read ‘Grip.’
Grip and Bristol have a palpable connection from the beginning, and I found myself immediately starting ‘Grip’ to see where it goes. I like that Ryan doesn’t shy away from issues about race, social justice, white fragility, and socioeconomic issues, which are all explored in more depth in ‘Grip.’
Audible. A good teaser for the Grip series (and includes characters from the Soul Series as well).
Borrowed via Audible Escape. I’ve been a Maxine Mitchell fan. Jakobi Diem was new to me and I’m glad to have found another narrator I enjoy.
I loved this book! The way Grip and Bristol click and have no boundaries in conversation brings lightness to a world of misconceptions. But even though they seem like a perfect match there’s one little problem….Bristol is Grip’s best friend’s little sister….oh and Grip never broke it off with his ex. No problems going on there…. This book will have you in love and heart broken all in one sitting. Great storyline, awesome characters, and some pretty deep moments that’ll have you re-thinking your thought process on controversial topics.
A GREAT START TO A NEW SERIES…
FLOW is the prequel to the GRIP Series, and Kennedy Ryan always knows how to grab our attention from word one…and hold us until the final page, all while giving us valuable background info for the beginning of the relationship of Grip and Bristol….I love these characters already….Their chemistry is smoking hot….and I can’t wait to read GRIP….
Kennedy Ryan WOW
I was hooked from the start! I will definitely recommend this to my friends and can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the Grip series!!!!!
Flow is a beautiful story, even if there also is a lot for the characters to overcome. Grip and Bristol come from opposite everything. Bristol grew up with a lot of money, but distant parents. Grip grew up with no money, but a lot of love. Bristol is white – and aware of some of the privileges that brings her. Grip is black and aware of all the disadvantages this brings him. However, they are both openminded and ready to learn. How to live together. How it is to be the other.
The writing is even more beautiful than the story, I fell in love with Kennedy’s prose, but she also made me fall in love with her characters.
Hmmmm, I’ve got to give this book 3.5 stars but I really wanted to give it more. I liked it, and I do feel it sets up the next book in the series perfectly as we all want to know what happens next with Grip. I’m just not sure why I don’t have the urge to dive straight in to discover what happens. I will continue on with the series, just not today.
This is my first read by Kennedy Ryan and I have had this series on my kindle for almost 2 years and after a book buddy of mine insisting I need to get it read I finally dove in. Flow is a prequel to the main novels Grip and Still that centre around Grip and Bristol, set 8 years before the first novel in the series it serves as a set up of the backstory for the main protagonists.
Grip is a guy from Compton working his butt of to make it in the music industry, a lover of poetry and hip-hop. When his best friends sister Bristol comes to stay over spring break he doesn’t judge her for being a rich white girl, he is the first person to see her for who she is and their connection is natural and easy.
It took me a while to get into this prequel, I wasn’t really feeling the connection until I got more of Grip POV. I was also more intrigued by the relationship between Rhyson and Bristol, considering they are twin siblings why are they estranged. However by the end of the prequel I liked that the chemistry between Grip and Bristol bridged the seeming contrast between them. That twisty ending though has me wanting to dive right into Book 1 Grip!
This book was just fantastic! I loved Grip he is just a main character that sticks with you. He wants more than he has but he’s willing to work hard for it. He knows in his neighborhood there are two choices gangs or move. He refused to fall into gang life that destroyed his family he respects the cops.
He wants so much more so when he wins an essay contains gets into a school for the arts and meets people that help him groom his talent he knows there is no limit he just has to work hard for it.
His best friend Rhyson was a child prodigy and the pressure was just to much so he divorced his parents and moved across the country with his uncle.
When Rhysons twin decides to come and fix her relationship with him he can’t handle it so he sends Grip to get her. That sets in motion a crazy story that you can’t put down.
This book was everything!!
This is a very powerful prequel. The storyline is engaging and the characters likable. Lots of emotions will have your head spinning and your heart melting.
Kennedy Ryan is one of my favorite authors. Her prose is stunning, her characters feel like people you know (plus they’re SEXY), and she masterfully weaves real-life challenges into her stories in a way that provokes thought and introspection without feeling heavy or preachy. She doesn’t shy away from tough subjects, so definitely go in with your loins girded, lol! I lovingly call her an emotional terrorist, but don’t worry: she always patches you right back up and delivers that HEA. Always.
NO SPOILERS!
Flow was absolutely incredible and I loved it with all of my heart! Even though it was only the prequel to Grip and Bristol’s story, it felt like so much more than that. It made me think and feel, and I absolutely loved it. The storyline and characters were phenomenal, and I loved Kennedy Ryan’s writing style. This prequel was poetic, emotional, and heartbreaking, but it was so much more than I could have hoped for. I felt an instant connection with Grip and Bristol, and I am so freaking excited to continue their journey in Grip and Still. Flow was my first book from Kennedy Ryan, and it definitely won’t be the last. I know in my heart and soul that I have found a new favorite author, and I can’t wait to devour more of Kennedy Ryan’s books, especially the rest of the Grip series!
So this is a prequel to the book, Grip. While overall the story is well written with a couple minor inconsistencies, it just wasn’t a story for me. If the summary had stated the lead male character was a rapper I wouldn’t have bothered. Nothing about rap interests me, I don’t want to read slang (slang is NOT overly focused on). There were some political-esque topics, and in my reading I don’t want to deal with that. I can see why others would enjoy this.
Fantastic series.
This first book in the Grip series hooked me. The chemistry between Grip and Bristol was so real, but even better, was not based just on looks and sex (tho that was hot too!) I was expecting your typical “rocker romance” and got so much more. The series just kept getting better as you go on, so be sure to finish it all!
I’ve been meaning to get started on this series for a while now and only just managed to get to this beauty and OH MY GOD WHAT THE HELL HAVE I BEEN WAITING FOR.
Flow was as amazing as I thought it would be, it’s different and makes your heart ache.
Bristol is trying to mend a relationship with her twin brother after a huge falling out between him and their parents. Feeling like she was abandoned she just wants her brother back and is willing to put her scholarship on the line to do so.
Grip’s best friend asked him a favour to pick up his twin sister form the airport and keep her company but what he isn’t expecting is the woman he ends up with.
Bristol and Grip are amazing characters. Flow gives you an inkling into their past but you just know that there’s a whole lot more to come from them. You can’t help but feel their pain and heartache along with them because these characters hook you in and won’t let you go until you’re done with them.
This is my first read from Kennedy Ryan and certainly not my last, I’m going to need to read the next one in this series because there’s no way in hell I can leave it when that ending just needed, nope, not gonna happen.