Until I Find You

Kimba Allen is a successful art curator who carefully maintains control over her life and emotions. When Hamilton Barnes, a former NFL player turned artist, enters her professional sphere, their connection forces her to confront both her present desires and wounds from her past. The story moves between their current relationship and Kimba's earlier years, revealing the experiences that shaped her approach to love and trust. Set against the backdrop of the Los Angeles art scene, their interactions challenge the barriers she has built to protect herself. Between professional obligations and personal history, Kimba must decide if allowing genuine vulnerability is worth the risk of potential pain. The narrative examines how past trauma impacts present choices, while exploring the intersection of art, healing, and human connection. This contemporary romance goes beyond simple storytelling to consider themes of emotional survival, the transformative power of art, and the courage required to choose love despite fear. Through Kimba and Hamilton's story, Ryan illustrates how healing often demands both inner strength and the willingness to lean on others.

Readers call this a slow-burn romance with deep emotional impact. Many note the authentic portrayal of grief, healing, and second chances between the main characters. Likes: - Strong character development, especially the male lead's growth - Realistic portrayal of blended families and co-parenting - Writing style that balances heavy themes with hopeful moments - Chemistry between leads feels earned rather than rushed Dislikes: - Pacing drags in the middle sections - Some find the grieving process takes too long before romance develops - A few readers wanted more scenes with the child character - Occasional medical inaccuracies noted by healthcare workers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (18,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (9,000+ ratings) BookBub: 4.6/5 (1,200+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Made me cry but in a good way" appears in hundreds of reviews across platforms. Several reviewers mention needing breaks while reading due to emotional intensity.

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🌟 Kennedy Ryan made history as the first Black author to win a RITA Award (romance writing's highest honor) for her novel "Long Shot" in 2019. 💕 "Until I Find You" features a hero who is a single father, which plays against traditional romance novel tropes where single mothers are more commonly portrayed. 📚 The book tackles themes of childhood trauma and PTSD, with the author conducting extensive research and consulting mental health professionals to ensure accurate representation. 🎭 The main character, Garrick, works as a Broadway actor - Kennedy Ryan drew from her experience in entertainment journalism to create authentic behind-the-scenes details of theater life. 🌺 The novel is part of the author's "Lost Kings MC" world but can be read as a complete standalone story without prior knowledge of the series.