I enjoyed reading this book, Kind by Lily Llewellyn. It was a page turner and very griping story. I really like the characters as well.

Thank you so much to Matador Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for my review!

This sounded like a very interesting read to me... the creepy controlling guy who gets the attention of a sweet girl and turns her life into a living nightmare. It sounded like an interesting thriller with a supposedly charming guy that turns into love gone wrong. Which in a way it was, it just lacked a lot for me to actually enjoy it.

The writing style left a lot to be desired and I honestly thought a child wrote it for a while. Also, I feel like this book should have came with a lot of trigger warnings as it touched on dominance and abuse with lots of dark scenes that readers should be prepared for.

I didn’t really care for the characters either. Isla was so shy and timid and pretty much went along with everything her controller Richard made her do and say. Then she decides to withhold information from the police about Richard and that’s when I really lost it. I’ve never been able to sympathize with girls (or guys) that get knocked around and controlled and then do absolutely nothing about it and still paint their abuser as a good person. I understand that’s usually from their abuser wearing them down mentally so that they think what they’re doing isn’t wrong but it still drives me nuts and I didn’t enjoy reading it.

KIND was, for me, a difficult read, but also an extremely fascinating one.

The book captured my attention from the start and I was completely absorbed by the story. The author, Lily Llewellyn dealt with some very sensitive subject matters which was brave in a début novel. The story came across as extremely realistic and I felt as though I was present, watching everything unfold and desperately wanting to warn Isla, the main character. I thought that Lily Llewellyn revealed great talent and I loved her style of writing. I cannot wait to read more from this author in the future.

I shall be following Isla's journey in the second instalment, 'In the Best Interests of the Child,'

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Troubador Publishing/Matador via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

This book was pretty good. It had its ups and down moments, nothing too crazy to write about. I read the authors second book too, and I wasn’t that impressed.

I want to start by saying that, I don't know how the story ends because I had to DNF this. I did however read the majority of this. Normally I will not review a book I have not finished, but feel that what I have to say is very important.

I do not agree with how abusive relationships are portrayed in this story. Hear me out, I love these kinds of stories, I identify with them. I have been in too many, and I find a kindship in knowing I'm not alone. I feel understood. But this book...THIS book has the worst portrayal of an abusive relationship that I've ever seen. I am shocked this is being published. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that no abusive relationship is ever like this. At least far, FAR, from any "typical" abuse story ever known to occur (I HATE that I just had to call abuse 'typical').

Let me break this story down for you:
Our main character joins a dating site and, instantly, is matched with a guy who is essentially described to look like the face of a criminal's mug shot. The kind with lifeless eyes that hold no empathy, and who looks like hes staring into your soul..disappointed with you because he just had to murder somebody. He messages her "you better respect me". She agrees to go on a date with him, of course, and from the very start there are red flags shooting up everywhere. I'm talking, waving red flags like a fan dancer before they even officially "put it on FB they are together". The abuser has no "redeeming" qualities, no charm or benifits that make the victims want to stay. There is absolutely no chemistry between these characters. Not once do they say they love each other, not once do they even have a fully "happy" date or day together. If I remember correctly its the first date where its insinuated that he has gotten her black out drunk and raped her. If its not the first date, it is most definitely one of the first few. Right off the bat he belittles her, makes her uncomfortable, beats her until she is bruised and bleeding, and attempts to control her life... Without there being an ounce of sweet to her other than a forhead kiss her or there. What keeps a victim with her abuser is the fact that they have many wonderful days together, they attempt to grovel after a beating, they win you over, they wooh you enough that you think you are crazy for having an issue with them. You start to think that the abuse is worth it, because this person provides you with so much more than just that abuse. You can handle the terrible moments because of the good you have. LITERALLY there is no woohing. He never attempts to apologize. She starts to chain smoke and drinks heavily any time he is around, she starts having panic attacks. All which were not an issue for her before the relationship. Now, another reason victims stay with an abuser is because they feel its unsafe for them to leave, or they couldnt survive on their own. Ie: because the abuser makes more money, because they are high up on the food chain and no one would believe the victim, threats to kill them or harm others they love.. You get the picture. There is also none of this. She pays for everything even though she doesn't have a job, and hasnt in months after quiting because of a health issue she developed. They dont even live in the same town, she could literally call the cops and she would never see this guy again. Everyone he comes across is very unfomfortable in his presence, and thinks there is something off about him. No one would ever take his side. I can not think of one reason for why she is with him, even before the beatings started. She doesnt have a severe self esteem issues where she thinks no one could ever be with her because she is so awful to be around.. She has had other sucsessful, healthy relationships.. There utterly no reason for this relation to have ever started to begin with, let alone continue. This is highly unrealistic.

Dont even get me started about how this book feels like someone is narrating a fuzzy video, or trying to piece together a story from photographs. Its written in first person, but it reads like some bizarre 4th person who is trying to retell a story like its happening in the past yet somehow feels like they are confused as to if it should sound present tense? I could totally get over this disconnected writing if the relationship was even semi plausible.

Overall I feel like the author is just trying to portray victims as being dumb people who stay in controling abusing situations for absolutely no reason.

Honestly I feel bad about writing this review, but it would be unfair to sweep its problems under the rug and pretend its representation is okay.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book. Unfortunately it just didn't work out.

The warning signs of abuse can often be clearly seen from the outside but incredibly difficult to acknowledge when you're living it. “Kind” provides an insight into how easy it is to be hoodwinked by a mean and moody, manipulative man. What a vile specimen Richard is! This is a worthwhile read for anyone who has experienced domestic violence - you are not alone! - and by means of illustration for those who haven't.

Love and dating. Finding perfection? Finding a mate? Finding someone that is just after the same things? A good dating book with twists and humour.

I really, REALLY wanted to like this book.  When I read the synopsis, it sounded promising enough, buy sadly, once I started reading, it just didn’t live up to my expectations. 

Isla starts online dating and immediately finds a man who is someone right out of a nightmare...

You know that saying 'when someone shows you who they are believe them,' well the MC sure doesn't.  Isla is gullible, and basically ignores every red flag Richard throws her way.  I found it difficult to relate to her, and at times found her so irritating I wanted to scream.  Due to this I abandoned it, I just couldn't anymore.

I have to say, I really, really wanted to like this book. When I read the synopsis, it sounded promising enough. But sadly, once I started reading, it just didn’t live up to my expectation.
Isla starts online dating and soon finds a man who is someone right out of a nightmare...
I found Isla gullible and I couldn’t relate to her much. Daniel wasn’t likeable at all (obviously) and at times I just wanted to scream at Isla. It took me a long time to finish this book and if it wouldn’t have been a free copy to read and review, I have to say I probably would have abandoned it.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publishers for my free copy to read and review!

I did not know what to expect when I started reading this book but it definitely wasn’t this. It was a hard read, quite an in depth story about abuse and domestic violence. I agree with other reviewers maybe it went into an abusive relationship too early in the story (obviously so the plot could move forward quicker), which made it a bit less ‘real’. However due to how alone and emotionally unstable Isla (the MC) was, you could believe she could have just been a vulnerable woman who got into something she couldn’t stop.

I found myself thinking she did act a lot more like someone in their early twenties than their mid thirties, but maybe that’s because I’m in my early twenties myself.

As the book went on it got harder to read due to the content and I would advise people to read with caution if abusive relationships, self harm etc is a trigger. I didn’t realise how realistic it would be.

It was an eye opening read and I feel maybe other readers should have a bit more compassion (as this is why many victims of abuse are too scared to talk out).

I was annoyed to find out there’s a sequel as I am not sure I’m personally able to carry on reading. However that’s only due to my personal issues and maybe one day I will try and pick up the next novel because I do want to know what happens next.

A powerful, thought provoking story that speaks in explicit detail about dominance and abuse and how easy it is to manipulate and control someone. 

Books of this calibre should really come with a warning label. A big flashing light that warns you that once you start this book you will be sucked right into the issues it addresses. It was such a dark and complicated story, one that focuses on health, abuse, grooming and obsession. All exposed in such a gripping tale. 

I think that’s what made the narrative so thought provoking. The author was able to introduce a fictitious tale that worked well but also voice an opinion on an issue that is so serious and happens every single day. For this I would give ‘Kind’ all the stars it deserves. 

However, I think perhaps the FMC could have done with a slight personality check to become a little more realistic. I found myself getting exasperated with her lack of common sense and obedience and I know women are subjected to such treatment, but this was instant. There was no gradual build up, no ‘grooming’ just immediate obedience. 

I wasn’t aware either at the time of starting this book that it was part of a sequel. I would have been happy for the story to have concluded and some form of resolution acquired. My need for the story to be done with was so great that I personally think a sequel would just not work. I haven’t read the sequel and I don’t think I will purchase it either. It may work and if anyone has read it I would love to hear your thoughts. 

Overall, it was an ok read. Not ground-breaking but still tackled serious issues. It deserves a first time read. 

I would like to thank Netgalley, Troubador and Matadaor Publishing and Lily Llewellyn for a copy of ‘Kind’ in exchange for an honest review.
🌟🌟🌟

Zubs 💛💋

Very good read. Controlling man and a woman who he controls like she is his property. This grabs and does not let go. This book took me through a variety of emotions. Very well written. I will be looking for more of this author. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

KIND
by Lily Llewellyn
Description
Tell us a bit about yourself ….. Hi, I'm Isla a 30 something lady looking for friendship and maybe more. I'm arty, fun loving and a wee bit quirky, in a good way of course! I love music, painting, yoga, art exhibitions, good food, excellent wine, fabulous company, and candlelight! What are you looking for? Someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously. A kind, honest and genuine guy hopefully with similar interests to share all the good things that life has to offer. Let's just see what happens, I thought, a new sense of self-worth and optimism growing inside. I clicked submit... Nothing could have prepared Isla for what lay ahead…

Thank you, NetGalley for the advance copy for a review.
Isla is a hard one to connect with. She just continued to eat things not usually someone with Ulcerative Colitis could touch.
Domestic violence, and such from Daniel wore me down. Isla saw it and just meddle right in. the mess.
I didn't much care for anyone.

I wanted to love this book but the writing style left me wanting something else to read. I felt like one of my 5th grade students wrote it. Richard is controlling, angry, and hateful. Isla is timid, kind, and desperate for love. Her fight with ulcerative colitis seemed like a desperate way to make her appear helpless. I feel she knew what she was getting involved with from the first time Richard was controlling over her. When Isla decided to withhold information about the physical abuse from authorities I lost what little sympathy I had for her. She was out and safe by then.

Wow - what to say? I have mixed feelings about this story. First of all, I have Ulcerative Colitis and I do not eat half of the things Isla does. No wonder she has flare-ups. I did not have to quit my job. I had to get better, too, and still work. Isla does not have too much sympathy from me.

Secondly, I could not fathom how LONG it took Isla to realize that Richard was the abuser - not his wife? I would have checked her profile out before a 2nd or 3rd date! Of course, Daniel, Richard's son, was scared, too

Third, WHY didn't Isla leave Richard? She has (had) friends, parents...

Lastly, Lily, you are fantastic! I have been clenching my fists the entire time! Though I only liked Louise and Daniel, the characters were well thought-out and real. Thanks for the book!!!

Many thanks to both the Publisher and NetGalley for a wildly intense read!

This book was very disturbing as it was a very accurate portrayal of someone who disappears under emotional and physical abuse. I was just glad she put her and her daughter's needs first and left the situation. Tough read.

I didn't really feel like I ever got invested in this story at all. The characters and plot were a bit underdeveloped for me, There didn't seem to be a reason why Isla would have been drawn into a relationship with Richard, who reveals his abusive personality right from the start without counterbalancing it with any charm. There were some parts that described the reasons why some people stay in abusive relationships, but not really why this one would have ever been born.

Tell us a bit about yourself ….. Hi, I'm Isla a 30 something lady looking for friendship and maybe more. I'm arty, fun loving and a wee bit quirky, in a good way of course! I love music, painting, yoga, art exhibitions, good food, excellent wine, fabulous company and candlelight! What are you looking for? Someone who doesn't take themself too seriously. A kind, honest and genuine guy hopefully with similar interests to share all the good things that life has to offer. Let's just see what happens, I thought, a new sense of self worth and optimism growing inside. I clicked submit.... Nothing could have prepared Isla for what lay ahead….

The book was well written and had characters that demanded attention. It was a twisted plot that I really enjoyed. The only thing I didn't like about "Kind" was the main character, Isla.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of #Kind
Pub Date: 19 Oct 2018

I really enjoyed the fast pace and how easy it was to read. It was engaging and relatable. The characters were easy to follow. The cover art is very well posed and well suited yet enticing.

‘Kind’ is a convincing tale of domestic control, violence and coercive behaviour. Gripping, and written in a style that made me uncomfortable, much in keeping with the theme of the book.

I found Isla tricky to ‘get on’ with - yes I rooted for her throughout, but I feel the biggest flaw in Isla’s character is that we know little about her history, and therefore I’m not sure what drives her to meet a guy who says she ‘better respect him’ in only their second communication. I mean, talk about alarm bells!

The book was well written with characters that demanded attention. For me, though, the tale of a, ‘shy, nervous young girl meets older abusive man’ is a little overworked, and this book didn’t offer anything outside of this now standard trope. I did enjoy the final third of the book - especially the interactions with the lawyers, police and charities who support Isla through her escape, and I think these scenes show great promise for the next book.