Kennedy Ryan truly hit it out of the park with this stunning second chance romance. It has all the angst you would expect in a slow burn, especially between a divorced couple, plenty of steam, and alllllllll the heart. More trauma-informed romances please, and thank you!!

This story is told in dual perspective of Josiah and Yasmen--a couple who has survived great grief and absolute devastation in a succession of quick personal deaths, but whose marriage did not survive with them. Si and Yas still circulate around each other like magnets because they run a top of Atlanta soul food restaurant and healthily co-parent their two kids (ages 10 and 13). Watching them hide their true feelings for each other as they tried to move on by dating others made me want to pull my hair out at times, but the slow burn built to some fun tropes:
- only one bed, - "let's just get this out of our systems," - "we're just hooking up no feelings."

This is. a love story of two people who have been through it but choose each other. I have never seen such beautiful depictions of therapy in fiction or genre romance. In an author's note at the end, Kennedy explains that she has struggled with depression in the past. Her lived experience was so well reflected in the deep pain and grief that Yasmen experienced--it was so visceral.

This story is devastating and beautiful--Kennedy has some of the most poetic romance writing around and we are blessed as readers that Forever picked this up.

Please check content warnings cause this one packs a grief punch- death, death of parents, child death, stillbirth, depression, divorce.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Pub/Hachette US for the e-ARC in exchange for a truthful review.

There are so many words that can be used to express how powerful this author and this book is. I don't know if I can even find the words to articulate properly how deeply this book affected me on a very molecular level.

I wrote the above paragraph the night after I finished BILG and I still cannot fully grasp how much this book and the story held between its pages affected me.

I guess all that's left to say is you need to read it ASAP. Go now, go get it and lose yourself in this phenomenal book.

*Received ARC through NetGalley. Voluntarily reviewed *

Wow. I need to start by saying this review will in no way do justice to this beautifully written book. I'm so thankful to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and introducing me to the writing of Kennedy Ryan! 💕 This read, which I finished on my way from Boston to South Carolina to spend my birthday weekend with my parents, was a great way to be welcomed to the South!
Before I Let Go, written in dual POV, tells the story of Yasmen and Josiah, business partners who have been divorced for about two years. They co-parent two children and one dog, inherited when Josiah's aunt who raised him and worked with them passed away a few years earlier. As the story progresses, the reader is exposed to an additional loss that occurred around Aunt Byrd's death, and the trauma that led to their divorce.
The book has excellent mental health representation and emphasizes how helpful therapy (and taking the time to find the right therapist match) can be, even for someone who doubts the efficacy. Family and friendship dynamics are described in such detail that I felt like I knew each person. The mouth-watering food descriptions made me crave Southern cooking - I dare you to read this and not want to try Vashti's ribs and Soledad's vinaigrette (the recipe is included for that one!).
This is a heavier romance than the light romcoms I usually read, but this is so well written that I had trouble putting it down. And while I'm an emotional reader, this book only brought me to tears once. I highly recommend this - but check out the content guidance to be prepared for some of the heavier topics.

CONTENT GUIDANCE: depression, complicated grief, still birth, passive suicidal ideation

Oof my angsty heart. This was so raw, real and beautiful. My heart ached for Yasmen and Josiah.⁣
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A divorced couple, navigating life with two children, a family business and a bucket full of hurt and grief. We follow these two from their start to their end, all of the heart break in between and the work it took to try to find their way back to each other. ⁣
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I loved this so much and I think it was because this portrayed the true struggles in relationships and families. While there is sunshine and rainbows in marriages, there is also hurtful words, losses of loved ones, battles fought with children, miscommunication and also so much love and this showed all the beautiful and ugly things couples endure together and broken. ⁣
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My heart was squeezed and slowly put back together in such a beautiful way. I don’t have the words for how much I felt this in my heart and soul and felt for them as a family. Their friends were also so amazing and supportive. The chemistry between Yasmin and Josiah was 🔥🔥🔥.⁣
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Before I Let Go
By: Kennedy Ryan
Pub date: November 15th

Novel dedication: "To the strong girls, to the hustlers, to the superwomen, tend our hearts with ruthless care.. and rest."

Read if you like:
- Soulmates
- Divorced couple co-parenting
- Divorced couple running a business
- Mental health representation
- Second chance romance
- Swoon, steam, EMOTIONAL

Kennedy Ryan is one of my all time favorite authors. She has written so many beautiful novels, and Before I Let Go is no exception. The epitome of raw, real, emotional and heart heavy second chance romance, featuring a divorced couple - Josiah and Yasmen, as they navigate their hearts and love, all while co-parenting and running a thriving business.

This book was full of emotional angst, an incomparable form of love, and journey to one's soulmate. These characters were beautifully written, and I so enjoyed both the scenes between the love interests, but the incorporation of their children, friends and supportive characters. Ryan doesn't shy away from the hard topics in life, and I so admire that about her writing.

This novel features mental health representation, depression, grief and death of a loved one. I felt each topic was handled with such grace and compassion. This book is truly a must read, and I would absolutely recommend Before I Let Go to readers.

Thank you @netgalley and @readforeverpub for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. This was without a doubt a 5 star read.

Content warnings: Death of a loved one (off page), stillbirth, depression, grief, passive suicidal ideation (no attempts)

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
Rating: 5 stars
Steam: 3 chilis
Pub Date: 11/15

“There is only one letter difference between love and lose, and somewhere along the way, for me they became synonymous.”

I’m not going to be able to put into words how much this book means to me, so bear with me. I truly loved all of it: the friendships, the family, and the love. This second chance romance will stay with me for a long time, and I can already say that this is going on my favorites list for this year.

Let’s get the heavy stuff out of the way. This isn’t a fluffy, happy-go-lucky romance. It’s about love and loss and feeling hopeless. It’s real and raw but also poignant and hopeful. You will laugh and cry right along with Yasmin and Josiah, and I promise that you will be rooting for them right from the start.

Yasmin and Josiah are divorced and trying to navigate co-parenting and co-business ownership together. We see through both of their POVs how the relationship fell apart, and wooooow it is hard to watch. But we also get to experience how they slowly make their way back to each other, and it is an incredible journey.

I loved the mental health progression, the positivity about therapy, and what doing the work to heal yourself emotionally means. What stuck with me the most was that no matter what was going on with Yasmin and Josiah, they always respected each other and put their kids first. These felt like real people struggling with relatable situations and emotions and Ryan’s writing made me feel like I was a part of the story. On top of all the angsty, second chance, will-they-won’t-they vibes, the steam is the kindle-melting kind. Top-notch! Seriously, what’s not to love?!

Unfortunately, I am well acquainted with the complicated emotions that come from infant loss, and I understand too well the different ways people handle grief. That being said…this book did not make me sad, even though I cried through a good chunk of it. It made me feel seen and understood, and that is a beautiful feeling. So thank you so much to Kennedy Ryan for this uplifting and heartfelt story. Big thanks to NetGalley and Forever Pub for the gifted ARC, too. Before I Let Go is out on 11/15.

This was such a beautiful yet heart wrenching story! Kennedy Ryan always brings us all of the emotions.

Yasmen was such an amazing character. She was just so real and so honest. After suffering a tragic loss she finds herself failing at her life. Overall she just feels like she has failed herself, her marriage and just at life in general. She is really just overwhelmed and needed help on navigating all of her feelings and emotions. It was amazing to see her grow and learn to cope with the life that she was dealt. She starts to realize that what she has always needed or wanted has always been right in front of her. She really starts to question her WHY. Why can she not move on? Why is she stuck?

Josiah has always loved Yasmen. He is also trying to navigate his new normal. He tries really hard to move forward, however, realizes he still has strong feelings and does not want to give up. Can he move on from the past? Is it the right thing to do?

Kennedy takes you on such an emotional rollercoaster. This story was so realistic and angsty. It really grips at all the trials and tribulations of marriage and relationships in general.

This is a MUST READ!!

This was my first Kennedy Ryan read and I was not disappointed!

This book was beautifully written and its themes were so carefully explored. Ryan's writing is gorgeous and captivating the entire way through.

Yasmen and Josiah’s chemistry is intense and undeniable, but it is also deeper than just physical attraction. Their story is real, as in, it is not a fairy tale. They are, both individually and together, dealing with trauma, grief, and mental health struggles, while trying to heal, find their joy, and rebuild their trust in each other.

A few other aspects that I enjoyed included the humor, healthy co-parenting, loving friendships, and the advocacy of therapy. This is a second chance romance done so so right, and it's easily one of my favorite romance stories ever.

(Don't forget to check the trigger warnings )

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

Yasmen and Wade are #goals on so many levels - from their killer business and expansion, to their great coworking/coparenting relationship, to the people they surround themselves with... I loved this book and watching their real life play out. This was realistic portrayal of a relationship and aspirational at the same time.

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.