Lydia Ellis has had enough of heartbreak. After years of trusting the wrong people and being left to pick up the pieces, she’s shut the door on love for good. Her focus is singular: turning Fusion Weekly into the most successful magazine in the city. No distractions, especially not in the form of a brooding ice rink owner with a chip on his shoulder and eyes that see right through her.
Landon Boone doesn’t have time for nonsense, and certainly not for a headstrong journalist with opinions as loud as her heels. Since his father left, Landon has spent most of his life taking care of everyone else—his brothers and now his own ice rink. He’s gruff, guarded, and perfectly fine with being alone. That is, until Lydia walks into his rink and disrupts everything he thought he knew about himself. She thinks he’s rude. He thinks she’s infuriating.
They clash from the start—too different, too stubborn, too set in their ways. Cold stares soften into stolen moments, and sarcastic jabs turn into something more. As old wounds resurface and long-held fears get in the way, Lydia and Landon are forced to ask themselves: is love worth the risk? Or are some hearts better off guarded?
This may just be my favorite girl gang read ever. When I say this book takes the top prize in the found family category, I truly mean it. I have never felt more wrapped up in a group of friends than I did while reading Kenadee Bryant’s upcoming release, Fear of Love.
There were so many moments when I caught myself wishing they’d just adopt me as the honorary fifth member of their gang. Honestly, I’d take whatever role they’d give me. Their love and loyalty to each other radiated off the page. One moment I was laughing out loud at their ridiculous antics (and there were plenty), and the next I was tearing up during those gut-punching, emotional scenes that called for hugs and wine. They were always there for each other. They’re the kind of true found family that feels rare and precious to stumble across in a book, and I never wanted to leave their circle.
At its heart, this story belongs to Landon and Lydia, two stubborn, boneheaded enemies who act like they can’t stand each other. She thinks he’s infuriating. He swears she’s impossible. But when their clash of wills turns into a spark? Oh, it burns.
“Because I’m pretty sure I fell for you when you called me an asshole the first time we met.”
As the oldest Boone brother, Landon carried the weight of putting everyone else first, often at the expense of his own dreams. When their dad walked out, he stepped into the role of father figure for his younger brothers and became the steady presence his mother could rely on. He never asked for praise, never sought recognition. He simply gave what he had, pouring himself into their care. In doing so, he quietly traded pieces of his own future to make sure theirs was brighter, knowing deep down there was no going back to the person he could have been.
Meanwhile, Lydia’s never truly had anyone in her corner. Growing up in foster care meant her basic needs were met, but there was no real sense of family—no love freely given, no sacrifice made on her behalf, no deep emotional connection to hold onto. She learned early on to rely only on herself, stepping into independence the moment she turned 18. She doesn’t wallow in what she missed, but there’s an ache beneath the surface; an awareness that her life could have looked so different if she’d only been given the chance.
They fall into the same circle group and what starts as icy stares quickly turns into sharp one-liners, quick wit, and banter that sizzles just under the surface. They dance around each other, trading barbs and pretending not to care, while everyone else can see exactly where it’s headed. The real question is, who’s going to cave first? Because once that tension finally snaps, their spark turns into full-on fireworks. Their banter is pure combustion, and when it explodes into passion, you’ll be grinning, fanning yourself, and cheering them on.
“What began as tension, even hate, had slowly transformed into something deeper…an all-consuming, earth-quaking feeling that took over my whole body. That was love.”
What really takes this story to the next level is the friend group. Josie, Tasha, Mia, and Lydia had me laughing out loud with the situations they managed to stumble into, often with a little “help” (or mischief) from Wyatt and Landon’s mom, Evelyn, who was usually the one egging them on.
For example, Evelyn invites the girl gang to what sounds like an innocent wine-and-paint night…conveniently forgetting to mention that the “model” they’ll be painting is a very naked man. Hilarity and chaos ensue.
“With no other option, I dipped my brush into water. Here I thought I’d be painting flowers or a sunset, but instead I was getting ready to paint a dick.”
“Pretty sure mine looks like a horse.”
“A horse with abs above it.”
“At least it doesn’t look like a penis a middle schooler drew in the bathroom.”
“I’m not a painter!”
And if the wine-and-paint fiasco wasn’t enough, fast-forward to Josie’s bachelorette celebration. The girls trade canvases for cocktails and head to a Magic Mike–style show that’s anything but innocent. What starts as a wild night of fun takes a turn when they stop at a bar afterward, and let’s just say, things get messy fast. By the end of the night, a few of them are nursing more than just hangovers…there are actual injuries involved.
“How mad will the boys be?” Mila asked…
“For what? Going to a strip show, going to a bar, or getting arrested?” Josie asked, eyes hooded.
“Maybe all three,” a new voice said. Our heads slowly moved to look through the bars of our cell. Standing there was Wyatt, Trevor, Bryton and Landon. All four with their arms crossed, legs spread, and glares on their faces.
Fear of Love isn’t just a romance; it’s a celebration of friendship, loyalty, and the messy, beautiful ways we find family. Landon and Lydia’s journey from enemies to lovers delivers all the slow-burn tension and swoony payoff you could want, but it’s the vibrant, chaotic, and big-hearted girl gang (and the mischief they drag each other into) that makes this story unforgettable. Funny, tender, and full of heart, this book left me smiling long after I turned the last page. If you love found family, banter that crackles, and romance that feels both fiery and heartfelt, Kenadee Bryant’s latest is one you won’t want to miss.
Release Date: September 18th, 2025
Thank you to Kenadee Bryant and Naughty Nook PR for the ARC Read!