I’ve read yet another awesome indie novel. I’m excited to share my thoughts with you on Kinship and Kindness by Kara Jorgensen today.
I actually read this book last summer but I never got around to reviewing it. It was such a delightful read that I’m going to still share my review. I hope you enjoy!
Rating: 5 Stars
Synopsis
Bennett Reynard needs one thing: to speak to the Rougarou about starting a union for shifters in New York City before the delegation arrives. When his dirigible finally lands in Louisiana, he finds the Rougarou is gone and in his stead is his handsome son, Theo, who seems to care for everyone but himself. Hoping he can still petition the Rougarou, Bennett stays only to find he is growing dangerously close to Theo Bisclavret.
Theo Bisclavret thought he had finally come to terms with never being able to take his father’s place as the Rougarou, but with his father stuck in England and a delegation of werewolves arriving in town, Theo’s quiet life is thrown into chaos as he and his sister take over his duties. Assuming his father’s place has salted old wounds, but when a stranger arrives offering to help, Theo knows he can’t say no, even if Mr. Reynard makes him long for things he had sworn off years ago.
As rivals arrive to challenge Theo for power and destroy the life Bennett has built, they know they must face their greatest fears or risk losing all they have fought for. With secrets threatening to topple their worlds, can Theo and Bennett let down their walls before it’s too late?
What I Enjoyed
Jorgensen’s other books (the Ingenious Mechanical Devices series) take place in Victorian England. It was really refreshing to take the story to America. The South, specifically. It was wonderful watching Bennett’s and Theo’s worlds collide and how they figured out how to coincide their wants and existing traditions. The action and pacing as other characters came to challenge Theo’s authority was also riveting. I think I read the book in a day or so because I wanted to resolve all the twists and turns.
I also always love Jorgensen’s way of introducing LGBTQTIA+ characters into stifling societies. I’m not sure how historically accurate her trans character is but It’s wonderful to see this story unfold. She does a good job of telling the stories we really don’t see often. It’s gratifying to see characters know who they are and find ways to be themselves in places where it’s taboo to be your genuine self.
My Final Thoughts
As you might guess, we’ve got great LGBTQTIA+ representation here. We see healthy and positive examples of consent and acceptance. If you’re into shapeshifting characters, then you’ll definitely get a lot more from the story. There is some depictions of violence, so keep that in mind, especially if you’re sensitive to animal-against-animal violence.
Hopefully, I shared enough to pique your curiosity. Want to get reading? If so, I highly recommend you look up Kara Jorgensen on social media:
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