My Soul to Keep (Soul, #1) in Indie Chicks Rockin' Reader Group

Jul 13, 2015 Kennedy Ryan rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

Shelves: books-i-wrote

MY SOUL TO KEEP is only 99¢ this week!!! Grab it in time for DOWN TO MY SOUL, coming 3/31!!!

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Jul 14, 2015 Shannon rated it it was amazing

Shelves: alternating-pov, angsty, 2016, secrets, sweet, cliff-hanger, contemporary, kindle-book, a-few-tears-were-shed, swoony

Oh my word, this book, these characters!

I’m not sure what I can say about this book that hasn’t already been said. I loved it.
Kennedy Ryan has such an amazing way with words- her writing is lyrical and beautiful, and utterly enchanting. She has a way of holding me captive with her story-telling, pulling me in and keeping me hooked until the very last word.

MSTK is the epitome of a slow burn. This is a true strangers-to-friends-to-lovers tale, with Kai and Rhyson’s relationship building at a pur ...more

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Nov 15, 2015 Stephanie Rose rated it it was amazing

What a fantastic book! It had everything - beautiful writing and the agonizing slow burn of white hot chemistry. I was drawn in immediately and couldn't put it down. Kennedy Ryan has a fan for life in me with Kai and Rhyson's story! ...more

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Nov 16, 2015 Michelle rated it really liked it

Shelves: arcs

4-4.5 stars. Kai is looking for her big break into entertainment. She's got both the vocals and dancing ability to make her shine, but she's been holding herself back for a while because she was caring for her sick mother. But now it's her turn to shine and she's determined to do it on her own. Rhyson is a piano prodigy turned into a rockstar who meets Kai by coincidence. She's a student of a close friend/relative of Rhyson's and he can't help but notice everything about her right away. Kai know 4-4.5 stars. Kai is looking for her big break into entertainment. She's got both the vocals and dancing ability to make her shine, but she's been holding herself back for a while because she was caring for her sick mother. But now it's her turn to shine and she's determined to do it on her own. Rhyson is a piano prodigy turned into a rockstar who meets Kai by coincidence. She's a student of a close friend/relative of Rhyson's and he can't help but notice everything about her right away. Kai knows that Rhyson is a celebrity and if that isn't enough to keep her distance, she is not looking to date anyone, much to Rhyson's discontentment.

Kai is the sort of girl who is independent, stubborn, and reserved. She doesn't want any romantic entanglements to distract her, and being associated with Rhyson would only look like a stepping stone in her climb towards fame or a networking opportunity to take advantage of. While I admired her tenacity because Kai doesn't expect anyone to do anything for her, I could empathize with Rhyson's frustrations whenever he wanted to help her. She isn't purposely trying to play hard to get, Kai is simply hard to get to know, period. She's used to being abandoned and learned firsthand not to lean on other people.

I expected Rhyson to be a jerk, but he was far from it. He's had his fair share of issues with his family and gifted talent growing up that he knows not to take certain things for granted, namely trust. I grew to love Rhyson as the story progressed. He wasn't oblivious to his chemistry with Kai and even if she didn't want more than friendship, Rhyson was willing to be patient and to offer whatever he could to support her. For someone with limited time and unlimited groupies, he never acted like Kai was insignificant to him or made her uncomfortable.

Still, even if Kai and Rhyson could be more than friends, the industry in which they work in is full of secrets, betrayal and manipulation. While Rhyson is already at the height of his career, Kai is just starting out with hers so she's an easy target. Is Kai ready for publicity? Will Rhyson still be at her side when their jobs go in different directions? Can they still have a relationship when all the secrets, including the ugliest parts, come out? Looking forward to the next book to find out the answers.

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review* ...more

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Sep 10, 2015 Elizabeth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contest-adds

4.5 Stars
Friends to lovers is one of my favorite themes in books and in My Soul To Keep, Kennedy Ryan takes the idea to a whole new level.
Kai is a young woman who put her dreams of singing and dancing on hold when her mother became ill. Rhyson is a jaded super star who didn’t have a true childhood. A chance encounter brings these two together and they instantly connect. Kai resists the attraction and insists that they can just be friends.
Ms. Ryan does a fantastic job of pulling you into the st 4.5 Stars
Friends to lovers is one of my favorite themes in books and in My Soul To Keep, Kennedy Ryan takes the idea to a whole new level.
Kai is a young woman who put her dreams of singing and dancing on hold when her mother became ill. Rhyson is a jaded super star who didn’t have a true childhood. A chance encounter brings these two together and they instantly connect. Kai resists the attraction and insists that they can just be friends.
Ms. Ryan does a fantastic job of pulling you into the story of the budding friendship/relationship between Kai and Rhys. There is a sense that both of them know that what they have is much more than a friendship, but that Rhys is working very hard at respecting the boundaries Kai has set up. I got the feeling that part of the reason these two worked as well as they did was due to Kai’s boundaries. The fact that she resisted the initial attraction set her apart for Rhys from the “normal” girl who went after him. The difference made him curious and the curiosity ended up opening him up in ways that he normally wouldn’t. The friendship also served a purpose for Kai in helping her heal some of the wounds grief caused.
Even though we knew where these two were headed, I loved it when they finally managed to get things right and get together. The transition from friends to lovers was rocky for Kai and Rhys, but I loved how they stood together and stood up for each other when things got rough.
My Soul To Keep is an emotional story with roller coasters of highs and lows. Rhys and Kai are both wonderful characters, but they are both also flawed people who make mistakes. Some of those mistakes are whoppers and still need to be dealt with (I can’t wait for the next book!). There is also an interesting supporting cast, some of whom I liked more than others and some of whom I think have a role to play in whether or not our wonderful characters will get things worked out or not.
One of the things I loved about this book is that we actually got to see the building friendship then the transition to a more romantic relationship. Ms. Ryan’s excellent story telling pulls you into the story and makes you invest in what these people are feeling. She has me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next installment of the Soul series.
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Jul 14, 2015 Cassie rated it it was amazing

4.5 Sweet Stars ~ I really enjoyed this book, Kennedy wrote amazing characters that pulled you into their world and made you feel with them. I loved the friendship Kai developed with Rhys, I loved the friendship she had with San and the protectiveness she had from Rhyson's uncle Grady. The story flowed very well and held my interest from the very beginning.

I knew I was going to have a hard time waiting for the next book before I even started reading....
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Jul 20, 2015 Tiffany rated it it was amazing

Another great book by Kennedy! I really hope Kai & Rhys get it together! The roller coaster of emotions with these two is crazy. Just when I think they are going to get their happily ever after another bomb drops. Looking forward to what comes next!

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