I’m honestly glad Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young wasn’t the first book I read by her, because if it had been, I might not have picked up another. After absolutely loving Out on a Limb, I went into this one with high hopes—but it just didn’t land for me.

The premise is so interesting and full of potential, but the execution fell flat. The characters share similar past trauma, and that seems to be the only real reason they’re connected. I didn’t feel the chemistry or believe in the romance for a second—it felt more like trauma bonding than actual love.

While I appreciate the themes it tried to explore, the story itself felt slow and, honestly, kind of boring. It lacked the spark and emotional depth that made Out on a Limb such a standout.

If you’re new to this author, I’d say start somewhere else. She’s clearly talented—but Next of Kin just wasn’t it for me.