Still (Grip, #3)

by Kennedy Ryan

[Linda]

Just when I thought life might settle down a little bit for Grip and Bristol, Kennedy made sure I realised that while this is fiction, it's still realistic fiction!
Heartfelt all through, this story broke my heart into tiny little slivers, and I'm not even sure what to write here. I loved that even when life was so hard it felt impossible, Grip and Bristol somehow found their way - but it sure wasn't easy.
They still had to fight people about the fact that their relationship was mixed - and they both caught just as much grief for that, both of them heard things that nobody should hear about who they love.
I felt like both Bristol and Grip continued to grow, and they were always open to listen to each other when the hard truths needed to be shared.
The writing is so beautiful I know I'm going to read this again.
Also, I really enjoyed the fact that Kennedy let Bristol ask the questions that can be so difficult to ask. I want to understand better - I do realise my white privilege, but I may not be doing enough to make it easier for those who do not have that. And sometimes, it's not easy to ask the hard questions - for fear of saying things in such a clumsy way that they may offend. Or that my ignorance is even bigger than I think it is (but at least my questions, and me expanding my horizons in all the ways I know how help me being a little less ignorant). And I hope that I can make some of the differences in society smaller. Through little, daily actions and affirmations. And for speaking up when necessary.
That I could get all this from a series in my favorite genre astounds me! Don't get me wrong - in a lot of my romance novels, I walk away feeling like I've learned something. But with this series, I have been schooled. And I want that to continue!
Kennedy's writing is beautiful, and she manages to bring a lot of important questions and differences to the front of the story without ever making me feel so uncomfortable I don't want to continue. She made me think a lot, and that is awesome. On top of that, I got one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever read, so she really does deserve ALL the stars for this series.