Member Reviews
Oh my God! Such a breathtakingly beautiful story! I loved the main characters, I laughed, I cried, I fell in love with this love story and Kyland. This story is about hardships, friendships, love, sacrifices. I didn't want to see it end. Highly recommend. I will definitely be adding this to the reread rotation.
Mia Sheridan cannot do any harm in my eyes. And even though I read this one nearly a month ago and forgot to write my review, I know for a fact that I enjoyed this one enough to rate it four stars. I'll update my review soon when I can reread this one and critique it more.
“And maybe she’d been on Heathcliff’s mind too. Maybe she was all Heathcliff ever thought of, all he ever dreamed about.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐|5
🌶️🌶️|5
heads up - this review may contain spoilers!!
GENRE: contemporary romance
TROPES&TAGS: friends to lovers // second chance //
POV: dual
TW&SAFETY: mental illness // loss of loved one // OW drama (view spoiler)
CLIFFHANGER: no
HEA: yes!
I was first introduced to Mia Sheridan when I came across Archer's Voice about five or six years ago. which, IF YOU KNOW ME AT ALL, you know I am always gently bullying and breathing down everyone's neck until they read it because IT IS MY FAVORITE STORY IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD... but I digressssss.
I absolutely LOVE what they're doing with the new covers. I can't wait to buy them all! They're all so pretty 🥺😭😍 The way the lavender plays into this story. I. SIMPLY. CANNOT.
I love Archer, okay? I have made that clear (I really haven't and if you noticed I haven't written a review for AV, no you didn't bye) but Kyland? Can he be a more beautiful, sad soul?
They men that MS writes are truly unapparelled. They are precious and lonely and hurt and broken and wonderful.
Tenleigh and Kyland live in a very small town in the Appalachians. Both come from extreme poverty and both are trying to win a scholarship to get out of their hometown. Tenleigh has such a sad home life. She lives with her older sister, Marlo, and their mom, who has mental illness. Both Marlo and Tenleigh work to try and afford their mom's medication, that she sometimes doesn't even take😫 Kyland's brother and father both died while working in the mines, so he was left with his mother. BUT NOT EVERYTHING IS WHAT IT SEEMS AND THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING.
Their stories are so heartbreaking, but their friendship blossoms into something beautiful. I really enjoyed watching the relationship between Tenleigh and Kyland develop. He was so reluctant because he wanted to leave town with no attachments, but how can you not become attached to the tenacious and lovely Tenleigh? WE ALL DID and so did he. They both fell hard. Then some unfortunate things happened and Tenleigh won the scholarship and left town.
While I understand Kyland's reasons, it still BREAKS MY DAMN HEART that they had separated for the four year time jump. If I had one complaint, I would have liked a bit more of present time with them and less of their past! AND WHAT KY DID WITH THE LAVENDER?!?!!? I WOULD DIE FOR HIM
can I just say I also love same with my whole heart? He was so generous and precious and loved Marlo immediately 😭 he stayed by her for years, even though she was a
some of my favorite moments-
“‘ You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone forever… I have loved none but you,’” I whispered against her skin, quoting the words I knew she’d remember.
Poverty is never a simple problem, but for a few, those flowers had provided hope, and for that, I was proud.
“Go to hell, Kyland,” I hissed.
“I do go to hell. Every day. For you.”
“Those slips of paper,” she said after a few silent moments, “are those for me?”
I looked at a pile of books sitting on the coffee table. “Yes.”
“Why?” she asked. “Why did you write them?”
“Because I missed you. Because I didn’t have anyone else to talk to, and so I kept talking to you, even though you never answered.”
“And you make the darkness go away. You bring me some kind of peace.”
I'd like to thank Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books, Bloom Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I like how it shed light on poverty that and just how an education can take you out of that. Oh, there was some romance mixed in that of course. I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed.
Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and NetGalley for this copy of Kyland!
At first I was very excited to read another Mia Sheridan book, but this one definitely fell short, I had to DNF at 50%. The story was quite bland, I didn't expect them to get together that quickly, the chemistry between the main characters were not that great, I don't see it. However it's still an easy-to-read book, just like the other Mia Sheridan books which I love.
loved, loved, loved this book! Mia Sheridan knows how to write emotional romance books better than most.
This was a great star-crossed lovers book set in Appalachia. A second chance romance with a homecoming. Looking forward to reading more by Mia Sheridan
Mia Sheridan has a way of speaking about heavy topics in a way that is both purposeful yet “light hearted” (this is used very loosely). The blurb sucked me right in and the story thankfully did not disappoint.
While I have heard a lot about Mia Sheridan's books, this is actually the first one I have read. This is a high school age love story with a heavy influence from the setting. Poverty does not seem to cover the hardships of living in this small mining town in Kentucky. The main characters Tenleigh and Kyland live in the mountains with little to no electricity or running water and often go hungry. Both characters strive to be the best in school so they can win themselves the opportunity to escape their town, but their plans for the future start to morph when they become friends and eventually more.
I was hooked throughout the first half of this book. It was written in a way that was easy to read and digest quickly and made me want to read more and more in one sitting. Sadly, I grew frustrated as the story progressed. It felt very predictable and cliche. The main conflict can be boiled down to the infamous miscommunication trope, which I am personally not a fan of.
On a smaller and more personal note, I did not like how much importance virginity was given in this book. It was brought up often and only in reference to the female main character. One specific line in reference to her virginity: "Tenleigh, someday you're going to meet a man who wants to give you a life, a man who wants to give you everything he has to offer. And I'm not going to take the thing that's yours to give him as a gift." I hated this line. In this day and age, we are trying to debunk this societal pressure towards women and it was cringe-worthy just how often it was reiterated in this book. Personal preference but it definitely pulled me out of the story a number of times.
All of this being said, I still enjoyed this book. It was good, not great, but still had fun moments. There were sections where the two characters would talk about different books they read and it gave me a lot of recommendations. I really connected with Tenleigh's journey, it was raw and inspiring, and worth the read despite my criticisms.
Read this if you like small town romance; second chance romance; a strong country setting; character driven stories that may make you emotionally invested; Appalachian Mountains and the folks who live there!
This book was perfect for me as a reader, living right off the AT in Virginia I absolutely loved every bit of these characters and their struggles with living in the coal mining town of Dennville, Kentucky. I think Mia Sheridan did a wonderful job of handling with care the topics of mental health, poverty and sexual assault. In all areas but especially in high poverty country towns there can be unseen struggles that create a sort of vacuum on someone's life causing the circumstances to feel stacked against them with no "out" and this story really worked all those angles well. As a reader you feel the pull for Tenleigh and Kyland to BOTH get out of there to live a better/bigger/more full life with education at their fingertips and potential growth in jobs/careers/etc. and yet you know it can't be the outcome for them both and you want their love to be strong enough to keep them together. It is really a fantastic love story, both of first loves and second chances. Also, who doesn't love a romance story that quotes the classics like Wuthering Heights!!
Highly recommend and can't wait to read more by Sheridan.
As someone that grew up in poverty.this book hit home, I look forward to reading more from this author,
This is a beautiful and heartbreaking novel that shines a light on poverty and the lengths kids will go to try to make a better life for themselves. It is, at times, devastating, and yet it maintains a thread of hope throughout. This is a tough yet ultimately important story that all Americans should read.
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
So, this one was not a new favorite for me sadly. For me, this one spent a little too much time in the past, and the present didn't quite wrap up how I needed. Though I loved the second chance element of it, I felt like there was a little too many things that weren't believable. This book is beautiful in its own way, but not a new favorite for me. I love Sheridan's writing, and that is what kept me going.
The setting was described so well that I could see myself walking in the mountains with Tenleigh.
I enjoyed the dynamic that the mental health issues played on the family relationships. Mia combined a love story with challenging topics like poverty and misunderstanding.
I certainly did NOT expect what we learned about Kyland's mom! Not only were Tenleigh and Kyland likeable, but so were most of their neighbors and community members.
I didn't like how the scholarship award came about, but I also understand why Kyland did what he did. Not many would make the same sacrifice. These characters have stuck with me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kyland is a novel by Mia Sheridan. Rarely have I been this emotionally invested as I was when reading Kyland. I was thrilled when I discovered that this book takes place in Kentucky. I live in a different area of this state; however, I am very familiar with the small, poverty-stricken, coal-mining towns where Kyland takes place.
Both Kyland and Tenleigh are dirt poor and living in untenable family situations. These teenagers have nothing. Having no support, they fight to keep a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs. Both Kyland and Tenleigh dream of a way out of this nightmare of a life. A scholarship is offered for a full ride to the college of the student’s choice. Once strangers, then friends, then lovers, Kyland and Tenleigh are fighting for the same ticket out of an endless life of poverty and no options.
Oh! These characters! Mia Sheridan captured the quiet dignity and fierce stubbornness of the Appalachian people. Kyland and Tenleigh want to break the cycle of their lives by getting the scholarship and never looking back, not even for love. Kyland was proud but vulnerable with Tenleigh. Tenleigh battled her mother’s mental illness while trying to be the breadwinner, a good sister, and an excellent student. The bond Kyland and Tenleigh forge is stronger than the forces trying to tear them apart. What is the truest test of love? This book answers that question perfectly: sacrifice.
It was apparent the hard work and research the author did in every little detail, from the authentic dialogue to the description of the breathtaking scenery. The author captured the fierce pride and indomitable spirit these generational coal miners have. This powerful romance on page one ensnared me. This is a hauntingly beautiful, heart-achingly poignant story of struggle, love, and sacrifice. This is my favorite contemporary book I have read. I beg you to read this book! It tells the story of the overlooked, marginalized, and neglected in a way that’s both vulnerable and fierce. Mia Sheridan captured the heart of Appalachia and I’ll never forget this book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Spicy and emotional, "Kyland" is the kind of work that Mia Sheridan is famous for. Any fan of Colleen Hoover or Lucy Score will love this book.
Kyland has my entire heart. I don’t know how Mia does it but she writes some of the best male main characters and has me falling in love with them so quickly! I can’t even explain it! Another amazing one. She has quickly become one of my top favorite authors!
Kyland by Mia Sheridan was the first book of hers that I had the opportunity of reading. I went into this book completely blind not wanting to know what I was diving into.
From the very first page I knew it was going to be full of angst and goodness I was right. Not only was this book full of angst but it was full of the hope of first love, the reality of being in an impossible financial situation and the deep loneliness that can come from either losing your family or having to watch a parent crumble from an illness. Heartbreaking is putting it lightly and @miasheridanauthor does such an amazing job of tackling subjects that we may not always want to think of.
At the end of this rollercoaster of angst was a beautiful love story about sacrifice and working like hell to to go back to your person and fighting to make it out together.
Read if you like:
🏘️ Books Set in Small Towns
🐎 Books set in Kentucky
♥️ Romances
This story much like Mia’s other stories was so heartwarming! I truly loved the way that she writes her characters with such depth! She truly makes you feel all the emotions in how she writes her characters and their storylines.
This one focuses on two individuals living in extreme poverty while falling in love and the impacts the poverty have on them both.
If you are looking for an emotional romance, I highly recommend this one!
Thank you so much Bloom Books for my ARC! in exchange for my review!
This book started off strong, but I felt that it dragged on for ages and ages before finally getting to the time jump. At the same time, though, I felt like large parts of the story were missing. I found the relationship between Tenleigh (awful name, by the way) and Kyland to be boring and lacklustre. I hated the spice - especially considering they were seventeen in the first 75% of the book. I hate spice involving minors. I liked the characters for the most part, but I hated how much back and forth there was between Tenleigh and Kyland for the first while too. I also really didn't like the conflict that caused them to part ways. I didn't see the plot twist coming, but I also didn't like the way everything happened. This book was about 100 pages too long and yet, their reconnection four years later happened so quickly and barely had any development. There was no chemistry or tension. It was just kind of underwhelming to me.