Only Theirs - Kennedy Mitchell

Juno moves to Anchor Bay trying to escape her past, and from the very beginning you can tell she’s carrying more than just a suitcase. Her low self-esteem broke my heart, but watching her slowly find her place in the community was incredibly satisfying. You can see glimpses of the woman she could be if she just believed she deserved more.

Langston being outwardly rude to Juno was harsh at first. But once you realize he doesn’t trust her and is “gathering intel,” you quickly learn that’s just code for stalking her. It’s very much his brand of protection, even if it comes off rough and territorial. West is the softer presence between the two. He’s kind to Juno from the start, steady and patient, though he definitely has his own quieter version of keeping tabs on her.

Beyond Juno’s reasons for arriving in Anchor Bay, there’s also a separate mystery unfolding between Anchor Bay and Anchorage. That added a whole new layer of tension and made the need to protect Juno feel even more urgent. Watching West and Langston spiral into full protective mode was everything.

What I loved most was how the story handled Juno’s past and the roots of her low self-worth. Every time she pushed back against those negative thoughts or situations, it felt like a small victory. This book really leans into the idea that healing isn’t linear and that sometimes you need other people to help you see your value. And it wasn’t just Juno confronting her past. West and Langston have their own demons to work through, which made the dynamic between all three of them feel balanced and layered. I received this book as an ARC and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

I always had the need to protect those who I loved, but this was different. It was more.