Quick Synopsis

Two bickering strangers trying to foster their younger siblings team up to create a stable home, but the chemistry between them threatens to undo their plans—from the viral TikTok author of Next to You and Out on a Limb.

Publisher’s Synopsis

When people-pleasing Chloe learns that her birth mother has unexpectedly had another baby, she doesn’t hesitate to become a next-of-kin guardian. But when she fails to pass Child Protective Services’ financial evaluation, she is faced with a choice: see her baby sister placed in foster care or participate in CPS’s new initiative, where two prospective guardians join households to qualify.

Enter Warren, a surly mechanic’s apprentice attempting to get custody of his deaf fifteen-year-old brother. From the moment Warren drives up thirty minutes late, blasting music out of his car, Chloe is convinced that this is a very bad idea. The two immediately clash but eventually agree to live together for the sake of their younger siblings.

As their lives intertwine, and Chloe adjusts to caring for her newborn sister, she begins to see a new, softer side of Warren. In fact, they’re far more similar than she could have imagined. What started as forced begins to feel natural—and far less lonely. Chemistry soon intensifies beyond what either of them can stand, but is their mutual attraction worth risking everything they’ve fought for?

Book Review

Next of Kin was re-released last week, and I finally found a chance to read it. Originally, the book was published independently and apparently found much acclaim on TikTok. As a result, Dell/Random House picked it up and re-issued the book.⁣

Next of Kin is a heartwarming, forced proximity romance that brings together Chloe & Warren, who spent time in the child welfare system. Both Chloe & Warren are trying to obtain custody of their siblings in foster care. However, to gain approval, the two of them need to move in together. During this temporary living situation, Chloe & Warren learn to ask for help and reach for each other.⁣
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Next of Kin is a story that will absolutely warm your heart. I appreciated that Chloe & Warren’s feelings for each other grew over time, and there was no instant love to be found. And even better, the romance did not make fools of them. It was very pleasing to read a romance novel where the two MCs did not lose their minds or make poor decisions due to their feelings. It was refreshing and felt like a proper adult romance, despite the protagonists being in their mid-twenties.
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Chloe & Warren are two people with similar backgrounds who really deserve love. They are easy to cheer for, despite Warren’s initial grumpiness. I thought for a debut novel, the characters were well-developed, although I would have liked even a bit more. I also loved Warren’s little brother, Luke, as a character.⁣ Speaking of, I really appreciate the care Bonam-Young put into ensuring the deaf representation was accurate.
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Overall, I really enjoyed Next of Kin as a romance and a story about family – both biological and found. I highly recommend this novel. In fact, I have already bought a copy of the author’s second book⁣, which takes place in the same universe.

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