Quick review for a progressive read. My third (maybe fourth) read from Kennedy Ryan and this book knocked it out of the park - I loved it. "Before I Let Go" is a beautifully realistic story of a marriage that fell apart, yet has the two navigating the difficult road of events for possible reconnection. Josiah and Yasmen built a life expecting forever, sharing a restaurant business called "Grits" and showcasing their proposal. But after the time jump in the first chapter - we see that two kids later and a thriving business between them, Josiah and Yasmen have since divorced, and it's hasn't been one without carrying many pains with it.

Please be mindful of the trigger warnings - stillbirth, loss of loved ones, discussion of complicated grief, depression/anxiety, and passive suicidal ideation - that are provided at the beginning of this narrative. My galley copy didn't have them listed, but they're in the audiobook that I was able to pick up, narrated by Jakobi Diem and Wesleigh Siobhan. My galley copy also included recipes for the character's specialty meals contained in the story, which I thought was really cool and cute. I wish the audiobook (Audible) had that attachment to it for readers to be able to use.

I really appreciated how realistic this narrative was showcasing the changes in the relationship between Josiah and Yasmen, it's a bit of a steady unraveling in the story of what caused them to fall apart, complex traumatic events alongside navigating Yas's depression and recovery, alongside Josiah struggling to cope in the loss of their relationship and shared traumas. I definitely felt for both characters having to navigate that while trying to keep themselves afloat in the year following their divorce. It isn't easy on their kids either, as the narrative shows them trying to co-parent in the midst of the changes. I appreciated the lens given to their friendships, family, and themselves trying to keep afloat through it all. What worked for me the most was seeing the two steadily build bridges between each other, the honest reconnection and conversations through a lot of different things. It felt so dimensional and real, made my heart ache for them in many moments through the narrative.

The one thing I would say that kept this from being a 5-star read for me was that in the latter third, it did feel like the narrative dragged its feet a little for some of the conflict in repetition; it felt like it could have been tightened just a little more for progression. I understood how necessary it was to wrap up the arcs of relationships and issues that Yas and Josiah had to come to terms with, though. That alongside showcasing their reconnection. The steamy scenes and sexual tension between them in several moments through the narrative were very much that - piping hot. All of that was fine, alongside showcasing some of the conflict and resolution of things going on with their kids. It feels very attuned to being in the moment for its address of grief, mental health, and coming to terms. I liked also that it had such a solid attention to place (NC, Charlotte).

It's a story that comes full circle in a satisfying way, and I enjoyed this for the ride it took me on. It's not an easy one, but it stuck with me long after finishing the final page, and I would read other novels showcasing some of the other characters featured in respective relationship if indeed they follow this. The main couple and cast of characters collectively in this tugged at my heartstrings and made me feel for them. Strong audiobook narration as well.

Overall score: 4/5 stars.

Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley from the publisher, but I also picked up an audiobook copy for myself from Audible (very much because I figured out who would be narrating it and couldn't resist).

Thank you Forever and NetGalley for the advance review copy; all opinions are my own! This was such an emotionally intense, heart wrenching journey, and Kennedy Ryan deftly guides her reader along the rocky road toward healing and hope, reminding us there's no place too bleak, no battle too bruising to make us incapable of love and forgiveness and happily ever after. I so appreciate Kennedy's commitment to exploring difficult topics, particularly mental health, and her explicit endorsement of therapy as a vital tool in self-care. I think it's so important to affirm therapy's benefit and validity in romance novels, and I'm grateful to Kennedy for being a vocal champion.

I absolutely loved this story! This book is so beautifully written. it captures emotions so eloquently that I really was left gasped by some things. While the relationship between Josiah and Yasmen is the focal point, the adjacent story lines (the children, the friends) are just as good. If this story gets adapted to screen, they will have to work overtime to ensure those same feelings are present (which I think would be too difficult).

Ultimately, this book left me hopeful that the love of my life, my true soulmate does indeed exist. And although we may go through times when we can't be present for one another, true love is worth fighting for.

I don't know how to articulate the remarkableness of Before I Let Go, and I keep having to step away from this review to rein in my feelings. It's never going to be good enough, but nevertheless I'll share some thoughts ...

I'm not surprised one little bit that Kennedy Ryan has once again written an incredibly moving and beautiful story, yet my expectations were so far exceeded. Before I Let Go is one of the most raw, real, and vulnerable books I've ever read. My emotions were heightened beyond throughout the story progression. Yasmen and Josiah own my heart. The brutal heartbreak they both experience and the way they each process their pain is so incredibly moving and gut-wrenching. The emphasis on mental health representation and healing in this story is bold and 100% relevant. All authors out there should take note!

Through the pain, trauma, and personal growth, love shines. Your heart will hurt and then burst with happiness when you read Before I Let Go, one of the most deserving and material books I've ever read.

A beautiful and heartbreaking, this book feels more like a story about love, loss, and redemption than simply a romance. But there's definitely searingly hot romance on the page. I absolutely loved it.

Such a beautiful, poignant love story! Absolutely one of my favorites of this year- not to mention a gorgeous cover!

I am still processing all my feelings about this book so this will be a shorter review until I come to my final conclusions. Before I let go is a beautifully written second chance romance about a couple coming back together after tragedy and divorce. Both Yasmen and Josiah are complex people who are dealing with their own trauma and figuring out how to still be there for their kids and each other despite everything that has gone on.

Check triggers**

Read this book if you like: Dual POV, second chances, mental health representation, coworkers

Divorced couple Yasmen and Josiah Wade found that love alone wasn't enough when devastating continued to happen to them. Yasmen wasn’t prepared for how her life fell apart, but she’s is finally starting to find joy again. She and Josiah have found a new rhythm, co-parenting their two kids and running a thriving restaurant business together. Two years after their divorce they are still drawn back to each other. It's hard to let go of everything they once had. Soon, one stolen kiss leads to another and then more. It's hot. It's illicit. It's good until old wounds reopen.

This book made me bawl. I was supposed to sleep when I was at 30%. Needless to say, I finished it. Wow. Check the triggers for sure on this one. It's raw, it's real, it's beautiful. I loved it. The characters are so well developed and have so much growth. I love Yasmen and Josiah. Their lives are realistic. The conversations and situations feel real. It's so amazing. I will recommend this to anyone and everyone. So great!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Forever for the gifted e-book. ❤️

I have been deprived of Kennedy Ryan's books before now. I will be thinking about Josiah and Yasmen forever. I loved the writing, the characters and their growth. The STEAM - WOO! I love a second chance romance & this one was after a divorce. I just really loved it, and felt like I was there in this world with the characters. Off to make sure I prioritize Ryan's backlist!

Mental health struggles, therapy, depression, grief, stillbirth... IMO, these things were handled with care and authenticity.

This was a spectacular book. It reached right it and tore at my heartstrings. The writing was was gorgeous. Kennedy Ryan made me feel so many feelings. The mental health rep was so good and I love the positive therapy portrayal too.

I had the pleasure of receiving this book as an ARC, and unfortunately life got in the way when I first downloaded it. Since I’ve had some time off work, I figured I had the perfect opportunity to read it and I’m not disappointed.

Before I Let Go is the first book I’ve read by Kennedy Ryan and it really set the stage. Everything about this book was worth it. I cried, laughed, needed a hug, and fell in love with Josiah and Yas. I’m not sure if this book hit so close to home because of grief or being married, but I found myself feeling alongside the characters. This was such a wonderful read that deserves all the flowers!

Looking forward to my next Kennedy Ryan book.

This was a wonderfully written book. I felt the pain and stress of the characters yasmen and Josiah. It had some good spice too!
The book was so good I went and bought a copy for my shelf

Do you want a book that will completely wreck you as it did to me, and leave you in a puddle? Well then say hello to Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan! There is a lot of spice in this book, and even though I would normally shy away from that, it didn't stop me from reading this. Hoover's blurb on the front does not lie, and the emotions from the characters felt so raw and real that I'm tearing up just writing this review. The story alternates between Yasmen's and her ex-husband Josiah's viewpoints and it is this way we not only find out their backstory but how they interact in the present as well. Ryan tackles a large number of tough topics including depression and death, and she was incredibly sensitive when it came to each one. She especially depicted depression and the different sentiments toward therapy in the most accurate light I could have imagined making it all very relatable.

Before I Let Go honestly deserves all the possible stars I could ever give it and the way Ryan knocked every aspect of this story out of the park left me in awe. And in case you are wondering audiobook lovers - the audio of this was fantastic as well. It took me a minute to get used to the narrators, but once I did, I absolutely loved both Wesleigh Siobhan & Jakobi Diem. There was something listening to this that made it even better, but I would recommend it no matter if you read or listen to it. I ended up buying a copy because I knew I was going to love it (which obvi I did), and it is such a gorgeous cover and story that I know I will never get rid of it either. I was excited to see it is the first of the Skyland series and I am anxious to see who (or what) Ryan will focus on next. This a romance with more emotional moments than you can shake a stick at, but it is handled with class, grace, and humor as well. Even if you aren't a fan of romance, I highly recommend picking up Before I Let Go and letting it take you on an emotional rollercoaster. You only live once...

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was such a beautiful and heartbreaking yet heartwarming book that shows how a family deals with the aftermath of divorce and loss. I loved the advocacy for therapy and the importance for Black men to also seek therapy.
I felt for Yasmin and Josiah and knew that had something special on the prologue. Kennedy Ryan always does a wonderful job of making you care about her main characters instantly. The chemistry between the MCs is always strong. I definetly recommend this book for those who love the marriage in trouble trope and a good angsty read with a satisfying ending.

Wow, what an incredible book! I was completely captivated by these characters and their plights, I laughed, I cried, I related on so many levels. Kennedy Ryan is masterful with her writing and this book made me feel like I was living the story right alongside these characters. It was brilliant on every level.

TW: stillbirth, death of loved ones, loss, grief, panic attacks, depression, divorce, suicidal thoughts

“Grief is a grind. It is the work of breathing and waking and rising and moving through a world that feels emptier. A gaping hole that has been torn into your existence, and everyone around you just walks right past it like it’s not even there.”

Before I Let Go is the first book I’ve read by Kennedy Ryan and it certainly won’t be the last. It is a second chance romance about how a divorced couple, whose marriage was torn apart after a devastating loss but who still love each other, navigate co-parenting, co-owning a business and dating other people.

It deals with loss, grief, depression and on-page therapy in such a raw and authentic manner that it is hard not to empathize with Yasmen, Josiah, their kids, and the entire supporting cast of characters.

My favorite part was the emphasis on how important it is to seek therapy for one’s emotional well-being starting at a young age.

I really appreciated the character development of Josiah and how he went from being vehemently opposed to therapy (as so many Black men are due to the stigma around it) to turning to his therapist for help as he navigated difficult moments.

Though there is plenty of steam and the effective use of the one bed trope for romance readers, I would highly recommend it to even non-romance readers as this is a very mature romance with beautiful prose weaved throughout the book that I dare you not to fall in love with Kennedy Ryan’s writing style and these beautiful characters that she created.

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
Contemporary romance. Second chance. Skyland series #1.
Yasmen and Josiah fell in love in college, built a business and a family, but the loss of an unborn child tears them apart. Divorced and trying to move on, they find themselves working through their grief and becoming closer together.

Grief can be isolating. Therapy may help but being ready to heal is key. This story starts after their tragedy and just as they are ready to heal. It’s emotionally gut wrenching and powerful with love at the same time. It’s a curative romance.
I found the children amusing with the reconciliation evidence but it was heartwarming too.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 stars

Emotional, riveting, and thought provoking; this is a love story for the ages.

Despite devastating loss that leads to severe depression, emotional detachment, and subsequent divorce; Yasmen and Josiah continue to successfully co-parent and run a thriving business. But just beneath the surface a fire still burns and attempts at moving on prove futile. Though love still remains can the trust between them be rebuilt and is it worth the risk of being hurt all over again?

Kennedy Ryan has proven to be a powerhouse in the romance world and her latest just may be her best yet.

Thank you to Netgalley, Forever (Grand Central Pub), and the author for this digital advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Before I Let Go was such a deep, emotional story that really took a look at grief and how each of us processes death and trauma differently. How our individual perceptions of a situation leads to different reactions and feelings.

I ached right along with Yasmen and Josiah as I read all they went through and as they navigated divorced life - a life neither of them ever imagined. I rooted for them through the whole story - you could feel their connection, that they were true soulmates. I have gone through a couple of the losses that they endured and I can attest firsthand how hard it is to go on with life, to find yourself again in all the heartbreak. That they found strength to stand again was breathtaking. I also loved the normalizing of therapy and how it has the ability to pull you out of the trenches and truly turn your life around - and the importance of finding the right therapist.

Overall, an amazing story with amazing characters! I would absolutely recommend this to any romance readers! Check trigger warnings ahead though - there are several!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

How do I even begin to describe how beautiful and heartbreaking and healing this book was to read. Kennedy Ryan once again found a way to make me feel so many emotions and had me crying at 3am while reading.

Before I Let Go is a second chance romance that discusses love and loss and mental health and the importance of therapy (especially for those in marginalized communities).

Josiah and Yasmen's relationship is raw and dynamic in a way that made the spice and all the moments in between so incredibly emotionally connected. From start to finish we see each of their emotional journeys both individually and how that then affected their relationship. I cannot get over how real and complex they both felt.

I also loved both of their other relationships. with their kids, their friends, and even their staff. Not a single character felt like cardboard cut outs which made the story all the more enjoyable and real. I cannot wait to read Solidad and Hendrix's stories next!