Score - Kennedy Ryan 🌸 5/19
Release Date: May 19, 2026
You never forget your first love. Isn't that what they say? Verity Hill knows this truth intimately. She didn't simply miss Wright "Monk" Bellamy when they parted ways in college. She's haunted by his touch. Every kiss, any lover since—it's a shadow of what they had.
Time heals all wounds. Isn't that what they say? Monk doesn't believe that for a second. He wasn't simply betrayed when he and Verity split. He was devastated, with parts of him left behind in the ruins of all that was destroyed.
More than a decade after their disastrous breakup, Verity and Monk must work together on the set of an epic Harlem Renaissance biopic. With Monk, now a world-class musician, creating the score, and Verity, an award-winning screenwriter, penning the script, there's Oscar buzz before shooting even begins. This once-in-a-lifetime project could catapult them both to new heights, but can they can put the past behind them for the sake of the film … for the sake of something more?
Reading "Score" truly resonated with me, especially the way Kennedy Ryan captures the complexity of first love and the scars it leaves behind. The story's backdrop—a Harlem Renaissance biopic—adds such a rich cultural depth that you feel immersed in that era's art and music scene. Monk's journey from heartbreak to becoming a world-class musician felt authentic, and pairing that with Verity's screenwriting talent gave the story a powerful synergy. I appreciated how the narrative doesn't shy away from the emotional turmoil of a breakup that still haunts both characters decades later. It made their eventual collaboration on the film feel genuinely charged, not just professionally but personally. For anyone fascinated by how art can reflect and heal old wounds, this book offers an insightful look at that dynamic. The mention of the score being a "triumph of art and emotion," as noted by New York Times bestselling author Talia Hibbert, perfectly sums up what readers can expect—an evocative blend of music, history, and romance. If you’re drawn to stories that explore the intersection of creative passion and complicated relationships, this book is a must-read. I found myself rooting for Verity and Monk throughout, hoping they’d find a way to move beyond their past and create something beautiful together, both on and off the set.