Common Kindred


Fiction - Drama
321 Pages
Reviewed on 07/02/2021
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Grace Masso for Readers' Favorite

Common Kindred by Isaac M. Lawton is a character-driven story that explores the importance of a supportive community in personal growth and strong themes like purpose, finding meaning, friendship, family, and love. When Joe decides to do what he really wants, he is unaware that the future he has built will quickly slip away. He had a career-launching job, a beautiful girlfriend, and a good apartment to start with. Now unable to find a job, he accepts one as a waiter, and he believes it will only be temporary as he looks for something better. His girlfriend Emily, the woman who has stood by him all along, leaves him. Getting a new job isn’t easy, but something wonderful is also happening as Joe works as a waiter, taking the opportunity to rethink his life. The work environment is great and the company values the employees. Here new friendships burgeon and bloom, colleagues are supportive, and as he begins to connect with characters from diverse backgrounds, he begins to discover his self-worth and potential. And this group of kindred hearts will help him see the leader that he is.

I loved this book, and while the story is entertaining, it offers reflections on social consciousness and what people go through when they have to do what they are not passionate about, driven by pressure from outside and from others. It will be interesting for readers to notice the transformation in Joe as he gradually liberates himself from within, choosing to be himself, thanks to the support he receives from his coworkers. Isaac M. Lawton presents characters from diverse backgrounds, including a refugee, an attorney, an activist, and many others. The characters are well-developed and fleshed out, and I loved the way the author writes about the relationships and Joe’s journey to wholeness, to being able to connect most intimately with himself while building meaningful relationships with others. The writing in this book is gorgeous, and I enjoyed the descriptions. At the lowest point in Joe’s life, he is described as someone who “never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity.” Common Kindred is a novel that will help readers reflect on their choices and on the impact that others have on their lives. Most importantly, it explores the importance of finding one’s truth and how it can help in both personal and career growth.