A beautifully devastating and heartwarming read. This second chance romance made me rethink my definition of soul mates, true love, and happily ever afters. It left me with hope that the big love all of us are seeking is out there. That love can be found or rekindled with the one you’re with, even after dealing with the losses that inevitably come with partnership and life, so long as you choose to put in the work.

Kennedy Ryan deserves every bit of praise for this incredible story. Her writing is like a warm, comforting hug that keeps you lingering and yearning for more.

Thank you to Kennedy Ryan, Forever Pub and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I cannot express how I feel about this books not even with word or face gestures, because the book is just so amazing and powerful. Kennedy Ryan has a way with words that I cant shake the feeling, she makes you feel a lot. and I love that. the book is just a lot of things that is hard to describe because the reaction between Yas and Si, Is amazing. they are just njfnvnirnkenkc together and separated I love them so much and I wish I could go inside the book and hug them so bad, because they deserve it. My parents. the only thing I can say it is, preorder, buy it go meet Kennedy on tour of this books for me, and enjoy it you will not be disappointed, because it is just sooo good.

I NEED MORE <3

“The only thing we never anticipated was losing each other in the process of gaining everything else.” – Yasmen

​Before I Let Go was a highly anticipated book and it exceeded my expectations. A story of triumph, second chances, internal healing, and a love that can withstand the test of time. It definitely brought some unexpected feelings within me. My heart ached for the couple and their children.

Yasmen and Josiah’s story was so realistic. It showed how even the strongest individuals and/or couples are impacted when death comes knocking. The entire read, I kept thinking this could happen to any couple, on any given day. For me, I put myself in Yasmen’s shoes. It brought back memories on how I responded to my cancer diagnosis and how something so traumatic affected my husband and myself. BILG showed that everyone grieves and handles things so differently. For Yasmen, she went into a severe state of depression and Josiah kept busy- essentially avoiding. It was painful at times but so necessary, especially the flashback scenes.

The character development was superb! Yasmen and Josiah grew so much throughout the story. They learned to communicate and face tough discussions without chastising each other. It took a while but they got there! Additionally, goodness, the buildup and sexual tension was so evident; it was oozing off the pages- I was waiting for the moment!

In my eyes, Yasmen could do no wrong; she made a tough decision in order to find herself again. I respected her so much, as it is not easy to let go and let yourself heal. Josiah grew on me; we were not friends in the beginning but his hard demeanor was for good reason. I thought it was a great that KR showed the impact the divorce had on Deja and Kassim.

I loved how KR tackles therapy and mental health in such a gentle but necessary way. She shined light on the importance and even the myths surrounding the topic. In addition, she shows readers that it is okay to be nervous and anxious about therapy. In addition to a strong theme of healing, there was great emphasis on genuine friendships and family. I loved that the characters had a positive outlet and non-judgmental friendships.

This is a story that I will not forget. Kennedy Ryan did an amazing job and continually amazes me with her storytelling. I would not be me if I did not ask for a story on Soledad and Edward, please!

I received an ARC from netgalley & the publisher, ReadForever Pub, in exchange for an honest review.

Tropes/Themes:
-MF contemporary romance
-Second chance (divorced couple)
-Grieving couple
-Forced proximity
-Coparenting
-Fantastic female friendships
-Own voices
-Dual POV
-Standalone

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Be sure to check trigger warnings before diving into this book, as it deals with a lot of heavy content and themes that you may not be in a place to read about. I’ve included the content warnings that stuck out to me at the bottom of this review.

I don’t think any review I write could possibly do this book justice. This was an absolute masterpiece, and I’m not sure how to best describe just how achingly beautiful and heart wrenching this book was. This is a new all time favorite romance for me and I’m already itching to pick it up and re-experience it all over again. Don’t get me wrong…this was an incredibly painful read. Kennedy Ryan was somehow able to make you feel sorrow, grief, bone deep heartache, connection, and love in such an artful and masterful way.

This story follows Josiah and Yasmen, a couple that once thought they would be together until the wheels fell off but instead are now adjusting to life post divorce. They’ve slowly gotten the hang of coparenting their two incredible children Deja (13) and Kassim (10) and are co-owners of their dream restaurant Grits. On the outside, they seem like “divorced couple goals”. Seemingly able to divorce and not only remain cordial but continue working and raising children together. However, Yasmen and Josiah are still coming to terms with the trauma and consequences that both lead to their divorce and that continue to follow them in the years after. The romance between Josiah and Yasmin was absolutely beautiful and truly meant to be. I haven’t read many books like this, but this truly felt like a timeless love story between two soulmates. The journey to their HEA was not an easy one by any means, but these two deserved the absolute world and worked hard for every bit of their happiness. I also loved that this book really encapsulated the idea that you don’t move on from grief, but you move forward with grief (and are that much stronger for it).

I was so happy to finally pick up a book that normalizes going to therapy!!!! This was the most honest and raw representation of therapy and mental health treatment I’ve read in a long time. As a therapist myself, I felt like Kennedy Ryan was incredible tactful in the ways in which she included therapy in the story and every inclusion of it felt intentional and impactful. While it was included as an essential part of the story, I never felt like the mental illness or therapist was minimized/tokenized whatsoever. I loved how Josiah decided to model the behavior of going to therapy for Kassim, despite him having his own reservations about the institution. I also loved how Yasmen made sure to talk about the importance of mental health with their children, and ensuring that her kids understand that getting help doesn’t mean you’re broken or defective. Everyone in the Wade family had such difference experiences in how they were impacted by their shared grief/loss/trauma, and it really allowed for the family to grow and heal together in their own time. Speaking of the mental health representation, I related so much to some of Kennedy Ryan’s descriptions of depressions. People often underestimate the physical toll that depression can have on the body, in addition to the mental/emotional strain.

I loved the inclusion of the fantastic adult friendships, both for Josiah and Yasmen. They were all so incredibly loving and support, while still being able to call them out when they needed it. It really showed how impactful having a solid support group can be while going through life’s trials and tribulations.

I’ve dabbled with Kennedy Ryan in the past, having previously read Long Shot and The King Maker, but now I have the compulsive need to go burn through her entire backlist. If you’re in the right headspace for it, I highly recommend picking this one up!
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CWs for divorce, loss of a loved one, loss of a full term pregnancy, still birth, suicidal ideation, depression, coparenting, cheating (in conversation; not involving the main couple)

Story: 5/5

Absolutely loved. I couldn’t get enough and didn’t want to put it down. I will for sure be looking out for more from this author.

This story was beautiful and gut-wrenching. The process of grief and healing was so well written about, it brought tears to my eyes. Learning to forgive yourself and the people who have hurt you was such a central theme in this story, between Yasmen and Josaiah, between Yasmen and her daughter and even between the characters and the tragedy that struck them. This is a beautiful second-chance, marriage reconciliation story but it's so much more than that. This is only my second novel by Kennedy Ryan that I've read, but I know I'll be making it a priority to read everything.

Thank you #netgalley for an early read of #BeforeILetGo in exchange for my honest review

I cant believe this is my first Kennedy Ryan. What exactly was I waiting for? I’m not sure but I’m here for all the reads now lol.

What to expect:
-second chance
-co-parenting
-business partners
-divorcee’s
-marriage reconciliation
-mental health/therapy rep

I feel like this book took me through so many emotions and brought me back again. I was so glad to have the opportunity to read this as a ARC and even happier than I decided to get myself a paperback copy. This is most certainly a book that I will read a few times as if I’ve never read it before. Granted there are some heavy topics in this book however I felt it was needed and didn’t take away from anything. Grab this book!! You wont be disappointed…

If you like the parent trap vibes of rekindling the love that once was lost this book is for you! I absolutely love Kennedy's ability to touch vulnerable topics trigger warnings include the loss of a child, divorce, and depression. Although these topics are in the book in such an eloquent way. This book has the smut you want as well! I always enjoy descriptive steamy scenes Josiah is like all men protecting his family but unknowingly Harming his own mental health to do it. A great opener for Black men to see why therapy is useful. Go into this book with kleenex I thank Net galley for allowing me to review this book. This book was so good I also bought my own copy to support the author I love her that much

ooph, this one packs an emotional punch.

josiah and yasmen were in love love. the kind of love that everyone thinks is unshakeable and makes cynics believe that true love exists. they got married and had two kids but when tragedy strikes, grief drives them apart and yas asks for a divorce. two years later, they're still running their business together, co-parenting, and trying to navigate their new normal but the love and passion they always had, never left.

i loved this book so much. it's really a story of the reality of love - how it's messy and you can lose your way but if it's still there and you're willing to work for it, you can find your way back to each other.

josiah and yas are the definition of passion - i loved them so much even though i wanted to strangle both of them at different moments. this book is emotional, moving, frustrating, spicy, sweet, and a little bit of everything.

josiah's a great hero - he's obsessed with yas, a little jealous at times, a great father, and has an amazing character development. i loved yas and she's a better woman than me because i would have dropkicked vashti and sent deja to boarding school, with peace and love <3

highly recommend for my kennedy ryan fans, or my lovers of emotional/angsty books! hea of course and no cheating.

This is a hit me in the feels kind of book. The writing is beautiful. The pacing is perfect. The story is hopeful and raw and real and honest. I think the setting is so good. Kennedy Ryan pulled all of the emotions out of me and then tied them up in a bow that just about made heart burst. I appreciated so much how their miscommunication was resolved and how she used therapy as a tool to help them work through their conflicts and struggles instead of turning things quickly. It was hard on all of us but the work paid off.

sensational. gritty. honest. these are just a few words that describe this absolutely exceptional book. it was such a good read that i’m almost speechless. almost. i don’t think i’ve ever read something so real, so raw and heart wrenching. this book is powerful; it is equal parts excruciating and uplifting in the best way.

the characters were so deeply human in their trials, tribulations, and trauma. the love yasmen and josiah shared was enduring and everlasting. it may not have been as unyielding as they had initially thought, but through everything they experienced and had to endure i think they were as graceful as they could have possibly been. the courage it took for each character to embrace the harsh and brutal reality of their experiences was positively inspirational. having to face their truth and lay themselves bare for one another with so much unrestrained passion was intense for them, but also completely necessary.

i have fallen in love with this book, the characters, and everything in-between. it was definitely one of my best reads of the year. this is a book that will stick with me in my heart and one i will always come back to. i already can’t wait to reread it.

WARNING: this book is for mature audiences (18+) and has explicit sexual content. there is also depression, loss of a family member (off page), grief, talk of suicide, and stillbirth.

5⭐️!!!

Wow, wow, WOW! This book is INCREDIBLE! I was so invested! Once I started, I didn’t want to stop!

I have a lot of emotions after reading this. It was unbelievably relatable for me and so many of Yasmen’s feelings/experiences are mine. I cried. It was hard not to when you feel like you’re reading a story so similar to yours.
So many quotes I highlighted are thoughts I’ve had and still do.

“You learn to live with it, ya know?”

“And there are some days when memories feel more real than those who remain, than the joys of this world.”

The chemistry between Yasmen and Josiah was insane! Even being divorced, you could still feel the love. This was a slow burn but when it hit, it was good! 🔥🙌🏻

What to expect:
• divorced couple
• second chance
• marriage reconciliation
• co-parenting
• business partners
• mental health/therapy rep

There are very heavy topics in this book. If you are someone with triggers, I recommend reading the content warning before proceeding.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Kennedy Ryan for such a beautiful story! 💜

This is grown folks literature.

What an emotional and beautiful journey Kennedy Ryan takes us on in Before I Let Go. This second chance romance is achingly sad, but beautifully hopeful. Ryan has a lyrical way of writing where even the hardest scenes are beautiful to read. The story of Yasmen and Josiah Wade finding their way back to each other after tragedy is a story of losing yourself, rediscovering yourself, and accepting who you are in all its ways. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the pretty.

I love that this story revolves around a successful black family, Yasmen and Josiah Wade, who have built their success from the ground up that doesn’t involve illegal means, which seems to be a favorite to depict on tv and film. Yasmen and Josiah came from nothing, put in the sweat, tears, and time to build the life and family they’ve dreamed of. Most importantly this life is built on a once in a lifetime love that had me envious while reading. But the nice neighborhood with the custom built home, thriving restaurant business, and once in a lifetime love doesn’t mean their lives are indestructible. Yasmen and Josiah deal with two great losses back to back that’s a wrecking ball to their foundation. That foundation crumbles under severe depression, avoidance, and hostility, which leads to a divorce. Those left to deal with the fallout are not only Yasmen and Josiah, but their children Deja and Kassim.

Before I Let Go is story about family, the one we are born into and friends who become family. It’s about the gift of therapy and how it can change and save lives. It’s about learning to love yourself again, and loving yourself in order to better and fully love others. It’s about the importance of communication and self accountability. It’s about being vulnerable while bravely going after your second chance at happiness.

It demolishes the old generational belief that black people just need to go to church, pray, and give it to God in order to come out of depression. Yes, do those things but also go see a therapist and get medication if you need to. It demolishes the idea that black men don’t hurt, don’t need therapy to get through difficult times. I love the growth we see in Josiah when it comes to therapy and getting in touch with his feelings. I love the path of healing and forgiveness we see with Yasmen. Once they heal as individuals they are able to find their way back to each other. I really enjoyed the dual point of view in the story so we fully understand not only their pain and mindsets (and how it slowly changes over the story), but how even during this difficult chapter of separation the attraction, longing, desire, and love still burns molten hot between them. Yasmen and Josiah are truly soulmates.

I really loved going on this journey with the Wades. The supporting characters were wonderful and made me long to live in Skyland and have a girl’s night with Hendrix and Soledad. I am so thankful to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read Before I Let Go. This book deserves to be developed into a TV mini series. Kennedy Ryan has crafted an exceptional story and I look forward to reading more of her works.

Y'all I loved this book. I saw someone in another review after I finished the book say this was a "Grown" romance and I couldn't agree more. This is not love at first sight but a couple who has been through some real life shit and like anyone else, is just trying to navigate life. Both Josiah and Yasmen are flawed (who isn't) but you spend the whole book hoping they can work things out. This book will easily be one of my favorite romances for the year. Its about grief, loss, healing, growth, love and above all hope.

This is such a beautiful story, rich in deep relationships between family and friends, full of hope and healing. Yasmen and Josiah have such a real and genuine love story. They went through so much loss, and it’s completely okay for even the strongest people to crumble sometimes and make mistakes. It’s so brave to admit that sometimes you need to seek help to be the best you can be and to never give up hope.
Throughout all of their struggles, I really admire how Yasmen and Josiah were always respectful of one another and always did the best they could for their kids. Before I Let Go is a powerful, inspiring read, with such important messages wrapped up in an incredible love story! I highly recommend everyone read this one when in releases next week on November 15th!

Special thanks to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for sharing an ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan is going to become a #1 read for most people this year. This author always blows me away with her writing. You go into this book knowing there will be emotions and she delivers on all the feels! This is such a beautiful, heartbreaking, and emotional second chance romance that will literally rip your heart out.. If you are looking for a phenomenal, book of the year read, this is it!

Just wow just wow…all I can say is just wow oh my gosh this is my first time reading Kennedy Ryan and I’m just shook. This was such a phenomenal body of work. It just had everything ie spice second chance romance, which is my ****, finding onself back in love in the mist of grief, like unfathomable, life-changing earth, shattering grief, and to be able to bounce back from that and find each other just wow, and I just loved how normalized therapy, especially for a black man for a black woman for black children for a black, beautiful family. Chefs kiss…I just love this and I needed more of it. I just did not want to finish the story..Yasmin and Josiah had me hooked: complex well fleshed out characters, who have experienced so much pain, and to lose each other and find themselves back together. This was such a humane real and beautifully well written that is a reflection of so many people who have lost them self to grief, and found themselves back together. This was just amazing and I love the writing, the sisterhood between Yasmin and her girls just yes I loved it and just the mature conversations that were had for real I needed more therapy don’t get me wrong cause I love that shit but everything else this was just a five out of five body of work highly recommend highly enjoyable, and I cannot wait to dive into more body of works by Miss Kennedy Ryan. Just wow.


Thank you to net galley for this arc for an honest review this was truly an enjoyable, heartfelt novel. Just wow amazing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is such a beautiful, heartbreaking, and emotional second chance romance that will literally rip your heart out. Kennedy Ryan put so much thought in creating such a real and raw love story. This was my first Kennedy Ryan book but will definitely not be my last!

The characters make it so easy to be invested in and the progression of the storyline make it impossible to put this book down. There is so much growth that happens in the book and it is amazing to see Yasmen and Josiah heal separately but find forgiveness within their hearts. Yasmen is such a strong relatable character and Kennedy Ryan does a great job of representing depression. You could feel all the pain and heartbreak the family went through.

This book will have you feel every emotion as the characters navigate grief and loss and how to cope. The big emphasis of therapy in this book is amazing to see especially as the characters process major life events. It just makes me so happy to see characters learn that therapy is a good thing!

The chemistry, passion, and connection is so palpable and you cannot deny that Yasmen and Josiah are made for each other. The amount of love they have for each other is incredible!

I feel so blessed and honored to have been able to read this and I cannot wait for it come out on November 15th!

this book is a masterpiece
five star read
* slow burn
* second chance romance
* the dual pov adds so much more perspective
* i loved how this book touches on mental health & encourages therapy. especially for black men.
* this book brought me through so many emotions. it made me sad, happy, enraged, and laugh.
* it is honestly the best romance i’ve ever read. it’s so realistic & raw.
* I CANNOT WAIT FOR MORE IN THE SERIES
* check trigger warnings.

Before I Let Go is officially one of my favorite reads this year! When it comes to Kennedy Ryan I know the book is gonna be emotional with the best angst! These characters are so captivating and I loved reading their story. This book has a lot of my favorite tropes, including second chance. These type of books easily capture you and with Kennedy’s writing you never want to stop reading.

Overall this book is a MUST READ if you love books with angst and characters whose story not only break you but also put you back together. I can’t wait for everyone to read this one!!