Damn.

“Up in the clouds, God can heal everything... a person got a little more beautiful each day.”

Kin is a beautifully written story about the power of female friendship and the concept of found family. It’s the kind of book that lingers: heartbreaking, reflective, and ultimately an impactful read, which I imagine will stay with me for a long time.

That said, it took me a little while to fully settle into it. The novel carries a solemn tone from the very beginning, with an underlying sense of foreboding that quietly signals that hardship is inevitable. As someone who usually gravitates toward heavier, more emotional reads, I was surprised that I didn’t immediately connect with it. However, around the 40% mark, something shifted for me. I found myself not just engaged, but deeply invested. I was angry, emotionally tethered to the story, and completely unwilling to put it down.

What truly stands out is Tayari Jones’s writing! It feels incredibly grounded and realistic, capturing emotions and relationships in a way that feels honest rather than dramatized.

Overall, while this wasn’t an instant connection for me, it became a powerful and memorable read that I’m glad I stuck with. It’s a moving exploration of love and the bonds that hold us together, even through time, distances, and differences.

Really a 4.75. This was great... but -0.25 for that RIDICULOUS name.