I’m no stranger to Kennedy Ryan (having read The Kingmaker duet), and her latest romance is another example of how well she builds a relationship. This slow burn, second-chance romance between divorced co-parents and co-owners of a restaurant was heart-wrenching, raw, and beautiful. I was hooked on Josiah and Yasmen’s story from The Beginning.💋

This book has some heavy themes surrounding loss, grief, and depression (TWs are addressed at the beginning of the book). But it’s also a story of love, growth, joy, healing and recovery with therapy and mental health as major themes of the story.

Yasmen and Josiah were mature and complex characters. There were times in the present when there could have been a lot more drama, but the maturity with which they handled certain situations was a pleasant surprise, and the communication between them was really good, for the most part, which I always appreciate.

What I found really unique was Josiah’s character arc. When we meet Yasmen in the present, she’s already gone through a great deal of healing. So, instead, we get to see Josiah’s journey—and I loved that and him. 🫶

Kennedy also did a good job of depicting what Josiah and Yasmen each brought to their relationship romantically, professionally, and as parents. They were truly partners in every way which helped add some depth to their connection which was very physical. And while there wasn’t a lot of steam—when there was it was 😮‍💨—it was more in how they spoke about the physical draw they had to each other that provided great tension.

I also have to give a shoutout to Yasmen and Josiah’s kids and the role they played in the story; they had a purpose and were multi-dimensional.

✨| Oтнer Hιɢнlιɢнтѕ:

- Flashbacks for context
- Strong female friends who had their own stories
- Tight family bonds
- Therapy sessions + destigmatizing therapy for kids/teens
- Recipes at the end of the book for dishes featured in the story
- The cover!! 😍

“It begins with a tremor, a realization that love happens in the fragile context of our mortality. That love and life occur just beyond the reach of our control. There is only one letter of difference between love and lose, and somewhere along the way, for me they became synonymous.”

Whew. What a book. I often complain that I’m looking for more substance in a romance and boy does this DELIVER. Make no mistake, a second chance romance is at the center of this book, and yet, it’s so much more than what your typical second chance romances are. This is more like contemporary fiction in that it gives SO much emotional depth, nuance, and character development. I would compare this more on the level of Seven Day in June, than your typical, more fluffier, second chance romances. And ther’e nothing wrong with those fluffier romances, just know going into this, that this is not that. This is heavy, this will rake you over the coals emotionally.

“I couldn’t imagine the hows or whys of life’s irrational cruelty. I can’t go down memory lane. There are stretches of it that hurt too much, yes, but there are miles that felt too good.”

The losses and trauma Josiah and Yasmen go through are depp and while the events and trauma are handled beautifully, respectfully, and authenticaly, there’s just no getting around how hard they are. The author provides TWs right at the beginning so heed those. There is discussion of still birth and child loss, depression, death, suicidal ideation, and more. The way these events and trauma are laid on the page are so honest and you can truly feel the characters’ pain, so tread carefully.

“I know depression deceives, but how this illness warped truth, how it manipulated my emotions and turned my fears on me, takes my breath for a moment. The magnitude of what I’ve lost, what I surrendered, lands on me with the weight and heat of a meteor.”

I loved Yas and Josiah’s love and story. Their road is not easy and even 90% in, they were still working through their divorce and demons. Yes their chemistry is hot, ues their history and intimacy is there, but damn if Kennedy doesn;t really make them work for their love and reunion. It’s a messy, it’s hard, it’s very often one step forward 4 steps back, but I appreciated that this felt so real and authentic. It’s tempting to give them that sweet reunion that we know they deserve and want, but Kennedy doesn;t let us ignore their very real fears and past hurts. She doesn’t undo it, but rather she truly delivers character arcs that show independent growth and growth as a couple that hard won. The 2 years of divorce and months of depression and grief changed Josiah and Yasmen, and Kennedy embraces that instead if trying to revert them back to their pre-grief selves.

“I wonder if that’s true of everything and the truth hides somewhere between what we each remember? Reshaping our memories to be what we thought they should. Did I make it better than it was? Did I ever make it worse?”

If there’s ONE thing I wish was different, it’s in viewing the original divorce as a mistake. Without going into too much context and spoilers, I would have liked to see that decision better reframed as something Yas needed for herself instead of a mistake she let depression talk her in to. I can see how that might be the case, but given where Josiah and she were, I don’t see how anything outside of a divorce would have seen either of them emerge from that season in their lives well.

“<i>We said vows.</i> Those are words, not walls. They don’t defend. They don’t enforce. They don’t protect us from life. From pain. From how things change. And I don’t want to stay in this just because we said we would.”

Overall though, this was absolutely fantastic and one I’ll definitely look to reread. I can’t believe this is my first book by the author, it definitely won’t be my last!

This is a romance book, but it is so much more. The way the author writes about grief, pregnancy loss, depression, therapy, and healing is a punch to the gut in the very best way. The book shows different types of grief and how we can not always heal together.

This book begins two years following Yasmen and Josiah’s divorce following two significant losses. Yasmen is beginning to heal from a crippling depression. This was a relationship that broke apart not because of a lack of love but because they were in so much pain and couldn’t help each other. It was heartbreaking and relatable. They’re trying to raise their two children, run their business together, and test the dating pool waters.

I loved the strong female friendships, the honesty and growth of the characters, and how they navigate parenting, jealousy, and mental health.

Also as I would expect from a book about restaurant owners, there is the perfect amount of spice.

Trigger warnings: late term pregnancy loss (discussed after the fact) and discussions about suicide.

’m going to keep this short because so many others have written much more eloquent reviews than I ever will be able to

The hype is real. Yasmen and Josiah are outstanding and so so loving. Be prepared for the tears. This is a second chance romance that is in an emotional level all on its own.

Kennedy Ryan is incredible! This was my second book of hers that I’ve read and I really need to get to her others!! They are spicy, emotional, and soooo swoon worthy

CW/TW: pregnancy loss, death of family members

Before I let Go is one of the most beautiful romances I've ever read. Kennedy Ryan is truly a master of her craft. She captured grief, depression and anxiety so well and I truly applaud her for going the extra mile to ensure she did it iustice
Josiah and Yasmeen's story is filled with love, heartbreak, growth and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Watching them grow as individuals as well as a couple throughout was heart warming. I laughed, cried, and giggled throughout this book and I can't express how much I love it.

<strong>Stunning</strong>

One of the best books I’ve ever read. Kennedy Ryan you had me boohooing, cackling, and swooning back to back. This book is a tribute to culture, family, growth, and pride. Seeing Black excellence displayed here was so powerful to read, and the romance between Josiah and Yasmen reached into my very soul. I love them. Amazing book, I can’t recommend enough.

I had a really hard time putting this book down once I started. Although this is technically a romance, it had so much more depth.

This is a story about a couple, a family, finding their way after loss and grief broke them apart. Our two main characters, Yasmin and Josiah, are learning to find joy again after their heartbreaking divorce just 2 years earlier. Through co-parenting, running a business together, friendship, and therapy they begin to heal from the events of the past couple years and even start seeing things from each other’s perspective.

I loved the way mental health and therapy played such a big part and was normalized in this novel. And Kennedy Ryan’s writing made me feel like I was right there with the characters. I also really liked the alternation between the point of view of Yasmen and Josiah, so we got both sides of the story equally.

If you’re looking for a romance with some spice, but more depth than your average read, I would highly recommend this luminous novel.


CW: child death, stillbirth, grief, divorce, death of a parent, suicidal ideation, pregnancy, sexual content

Did not get a chance to read this novel possible in the future. I have read her book holiday swing which was quite comically and sweet.

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

Before I Let Go gets raw, deep and dirty. In every way. While it’s marketed as a second chance romance, which it technically is, I’d give it more than a romance and say its a fiction novel at it’s core - dealing with immense grief, loss, depression, and divorce. In saying that, it is also incredibly steamy, with the characters exploding on the page with passion and chemistry.

This book explores grief and how if affects us all in different ways. How the same traumatic event that happens to two people can handle it and be affected so differently. The dual POV of this one really made the book as we were able to properly experience both sides and characters. It was beautiful, heartbreaking, and hopeful and these characters will live with me for a long time.

This book is my favorite Kennedy Ryan book. The vulnerability of grief and mental health was so important and needs to be seen more in fiction. I'm also a sucker for second chances and this book is the manual to how to write them correctly. I'm excited to see how this series continue and thank you Mrs. Ryan for giving us this treasure.

Amazing,beautifully written story of heart break,healing. This book was poetic lyricism at its finest. The writing made me pine to be loved and wanted like these characters wanted each other. A five star read for sure

Kennedy Ryan is amazing and weaving stories of beauty, emotions, and wonder. Her talent is in full force with this gem of a novel.

As usual, Kennedy Ryan does not miss. This was heartbreaking, beautiful, and compulsively readable. I loved the mental health and therapy rep. This second chance romance was perfect in every way.

[Absolutely LOVED it] The writing was phenomenal. The author’s storytelling skills got me completely immersed in these characters lives. And the characters were also fantastic, very well developed. I could 100% see this as a TV series I would be obsessed with. I loved the dual POV and the heavy / emotional topics being highlighted in this book. I cried, I laughed and I blushed (the steam in this book was HOT). The ending was perfect. I loved everything about this book and already planning on re-reading it soon. It was my favourite read of January and it’s sure to make my most loved books of 2023! Highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

A new addition to my favourites ever list - and you will be sure to see this in my top reads of the year.

This has EVERYTHING I love in a book and especially in a romance. My favourite types of characters - flawed, yet realistic. You truly get to know both of these characters, Josiah and Yasmen, SO well with the dual POV. Their family and friends are also fully developed and loveable.

This was such a unique second chance romance - a divorced couple, who went through a truly traumatic time and are slowly realizing they might not be actually done with each other.

Not only is this an extremely emotional book (I sobbed more than once), it is also SO steamy. Spicy in such a passionate way- wow.

I put off reading the last 100 pages of this book because I was not ready to be done with these characters. I already miss them and I will surely be rereading this in the future. Si and Yas will have my heart forever.















⚠️content warnings: stillbirth, miscarriage, grief, depression, divorce, suicidal thoughts, death of a parent/close family member

Gorgeous and heartbreaking story of grief and second chances. Yasmen and Josiah have been divorced now for two years after a time of immense loss. They co-parent and co-own their restaurant successfully, but can they move on from their past together?
I loved this book so much! Kennedy’s storytelling was masterful. I see it’s going to be a series and I’m so excited to see what happens in the Skyland universe next.
Thanks to Forever (Grand Central) Publishing for the advanced reading copy via Netgalley, receipt of which did not impact my review.

Kennedy Ryan is a brilliant author. I was already a huge fan of her work and Before I Let Go is no different. Her writing pulls you in and does not let go. There is an intensity you cannot look away from and takes total hold of your heart. The chemistry is off the charts and I could not help but to feel for Yasmen and Josiah.

Prepare to be torn apart, mended, blush and fall in love with Before I Let Go.

Also go read all her books, they are amazing!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the ARC. Thoughts, feelings and fangirling are all my own!

listen, i’ll read anything from kennedy ryan & it’s because her story telling is SO SUPERIOR . i also have this love love relationship with marriages in crisis. maybe because i’m married ??? i don’t know. this book was perfect.

I love a good second-chance romance and this definitely falls into that category. It’s also a romance that delves pretty deep into mental health and dealing with grief in a raw and realistic way. I did struggle a bit through the middle, it felt like it dragged and I’m not a huge fan of the main characters being with someone else on page, but overall it was a pretty good read, and one I’d recommend other second chance romance fans pick up.

This book broke my heart and put it back togther again. Kennedy Ryan was already on my list of authors to read from but she's instantly become an insta-buy author of mine.

Trope: Second chance/ marriage in crisis