This is a ridiculously silly thing to be excited about, but there are recipes at the end of this book! We get to read about all this great food and then, we can make it ourselves. I loved this book and it made me cry and laugh and ache, but then I got to the end, and those recipes are like my own personal happily ever after. This is one of the best depictions of food as love and healing that I’ve read.

Before I Let Go is a second chance romance between a divorced couple who are still running a business and raising kids together. When Yasmen and Josiah’s marriage ended, they chose to focus on being good co-parents to their two kids and good co-owners of their upscale soul fusion restaurant in Atlanta. After being divorced for two years, they’ve mostly found their rhythm.

The biggest challenge of a second chance romance is convincing the reader that the couple had good reason to break up and that enough has changed that the things that broke up the couple before won’t break them up again. The losses the couple suffered in a short period of time would challenge any couple. Yasmen has spent the two years prior to the book healing herself, learning to take care of her own emotional wellbeing, and rebuilding her life. Josiah is still trying to power through, feeling like taking care of his family’s need for financial stability is enough.

Kennedy Ryan is a master of her craft. At the beginning of the book, no matter how much love and attraction there might be between Josiah and Yasmen, it’s clear that they are not ready to be together again. There’s still too much unresolved grief and anger. Ryan gives the story time to breath and evolve without ever feeling like there are unnecessary pieces. She makes some lovely choices in showing how Yasmen and Josiah are continuing to grow as people (which relates directly to the recipes at the end of the book). Ryan is equally compassionate and tender with her characters’ fragilities and strengths. As someone who has explode their life during bouts of depression, I really appreciated the way she advocates for her characters to forgive themselves.

Before I Let Go is an angsty book, but also warm and filled with humor. I’m excited that this is the first of a series and I do hope that in addition to Yasmen’s friends getting their own books, we also see Vashti get her happily ever after. I could write all day about everything that’s right with this book, but I want you to have the joy of discovering it yourselves.

CW: grief, death of parents and parental figure off page, pregnancy loss, depression, past thoughts of self harm, therapy, trauma, divorce.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Forever and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

You don't just read a Kennedy Ryan book, you feel every page and every word. Before I Let You Go is all the emotions, feels, vibes, plus the steam in the most beautiful prose. This story is chicken soup for the mind, body, and soul. Kennedy broke my heart into a million pieces, then stitched it back up with the happily ever after that I needed.

Thank you, NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.

Sometimes life deals us such a bad hand, we are paralyzed by the hurt. We are fearful to move on yet scared to stay stuck. Enter Josiah and Yasmin who are magical together even after divorce. They work together in all things family and work. They co-parent and run a dream business together but the real magic happens when they work through their hurts, stereotypes, and miscommunication to remember why they fell in love. Before You Let Go by Kennedy Ryan is a beautiful example of learning to forgive so you can love again and be loved!

I will be revisiting this story when its released on audio on 11/15/22.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you @netgally and @Forever -Grand Central Publishing for an ebook copy!!

4.5 stars.

This was a wonderfully written second chance romance about a married couple who faced unimaginable difficulties and ultimately end up divorced. To their credit, they successfully co-manage a restaurant and do their best to effectively co-parent. Still, there seems to be this lingering spark between them, and it becomes increasingly difficult to ignore... Will they find their way back to each other? Or is the damage irreparable?

What I loved: The emphasis on mental health and value of therapy in working through personal and familial strife. The vulnerability of these characters was also fantastic. Kennedy developed these characters with such thought and care-- I really felt that I knew who they were. Also, I absolutely loved the family dynamic. She captured the difficulties of having children with their own struggles and how children of divorce cope. Fans of romances with substance will absolutely love this one.

Before I Let Go has left my heart full of hope and love.

Josiah and Yasmen are fictional characters but they are so real! I related to their story on all the levels.

They are divorced, living separate lives while still maintaining a business together. Each are trying to move on from the hurt and pain of their past but sometimes fate takes things into their own hands.

Such a great book. I would definitely recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Let's set the scene here... Yasmen and Josiah fell in love in back in college. Josiah realizes how much he's in love with Yasmen down to the exact moment he fell in love with her. He proposes & they start a business together and eventually, a family. They have a love that runs deep and build a beautiful life together in Atlanta. Literally started from having nothing and now fast forward several years later, they have 2 kids a prospering restaurant but are divorced after suffering two major losses in the same year - how can they recover?
Yasmen is on a journey to rediscover herself, her joy, rebuild her family and the love she still has for her ex-husband. Josiah must cope with this new life and try to move on. But he doesn't know if he will be able to trust Yasmen again.

This is a beautifully written story about love, loss and finding yourself through all that life throws at you. Kennedy Ryan does a great job of providing detail that sets each scene. The language is relatable and I love that it's not too descriptive of how black people normally talk. Lastly, the sex scenes have GREAT detail. The angst and build up makes for an intensely burning fire that you can't wait to feel.

This was my first book by Kennedy Ryan and won't be my last. I'm looking forward to the series!

TW: depression, miscarriage/stillbirth, suicidal ideation

4.5 ⭐️

Co-parents to their two children and business partners for their up and coming restaurant, Yasmen and Josiah work through their grief and loss of family and their marriage with therapy. Feelings, however, have never faded. Yasmen and Josiah’s hearts still beat for each other, the missing half to their whole. Will they have their second chance at love, life, and family?

My first Kennedy Ryan, y’all! It was an emotional romance, sprinkled with some rom-com vibes, that dealt with serious topics of death of a baby and depression, but also how therapy was the characters’ saving grace. The angst was killer though! For the first half of the book, it was a slow build. With the dual POV, I knew Yasmen’s and Josiah’s mutual feelings, but damn! Just talk already! Overall, a read that could’ve probably be shortened, but I enjoyed nonetheless because it was beautifully written.

Kennedy Ryan is one of the best storytellers of our time, and Before I Let Go is no exception. It’s a gripping and emotional love story between a divorced couple who very much still love each other and work to find their way back to each other, despite the odds.

Yasmen and Josiah were once madly, desperately in love, when a series of devastating losses broke apart their family, but when the dust settles and the healing begins, is that brokenness irrevocable?

It’s a raw and beautiful story, filled with the gorgeous writing only Kennedy Ryan can provide. It does not pull any punches about the reality of depression, grief, and loss, but at the same time will make you laugh and cheer.

There’s a great cast of secondary characters, their kids were great and as realistically flawed as their parents. Yasmen’s friends were hilarious and I assume the next books in the series will be about them, which I look forward to.

Is it a romance? I’m not sure. It’s a love story with an HEA for sure, but I felt like it was more about mental health, therapy, finding and healing yourself before you heal your relationship. Though Josiah and Yasmen’s relationship was the obvious prize at the end of the journey, I felt this was a bit more about the journey than the destination, and I loved every moment.

Excellent!! Josiah & Yasmen the power "it" couple who everyone said had that once in a lifetime love, great marriage, kids and thriving business. Now divorce, co-parenting and business partners. The pain of grief and loss and how they both handled it drove them apart. The hurt is raw and devasting. The love is evident with heart an soul even after 2 years of divorce and dating other people. Depression is real in this second chance story.

I want to thank @netgalley and @kennedyryan1 for this amazing ARC. It was such an honor to read. This is my first time reading a book by this author and i am in love with her writing style. This book was soo amazing and it keeps your attention start to finish! Who doesnt love second chance romances? Josiah and Yasmen’s relationship was so real and so relatable. When reading, I felt EVERY single emotion that Josiah and Yasmen felt. It was almost as if i was watching a movie. Sometimes just being in love isnt enough in relationships/marriages; you need more than that. Ive never had couple goals in books, but Josiah and Yasmen take the cake. Seeing how much pain they both endured with life but was still able to find grounds to co-parent and run their business together was just everything. Wheww! Yasmens daughter, Deja reminds me so much of myself when i was younger. It made my heart smile to see the relationship she ended up having with her mom.

My favorite quote from the book:
“Whats that for, I ask, my voice emerging like gravel. He nods to my face with a faint smile. “For the tears”
(Once you read this book, you’ll know why i chose this specific quote)

Please go get this book. You wont be disappointed!!! My favorite book of 2022!!

This is the first book I have read by Kennedy Ryan & Ms. Ryan, you have made a fan out of me!!

This book was heartbreakingly beautiful and so raw. I was brought to tears by the journey of self-love, forgiveness, and healing both MCs went through. I connected with this book on such a deep level, and although I have not been through the things Yasmin has, I felt her to my core, and that is because of the immaculate writing of this book. I also loved how it discusses therapy in such a positive light and provides positive examples for people who might connect with Josiah.

I just can’t say enough about this beautiful second chance romance other than GO PREORDER!!

As soon as I finished reading, I went and preordered the book myself, because I NEED the physical copy and will be rereading it many times to come.

This book….this book!!! Loved this book and these characters from start to finish!

Kennedy Ryan writes characters who you know; flawed, imperfect, and full of heart which made this book the perfect combination of heart and soul, family, loss, and love. I felt for this family and all they had been through, I rooted for every single character. This author is a master of her craft!

“There’s only one letter of difference between love and lose”

Before I Let Go is a beautiful story of love, loss, grief, friendship and second chances. Josiah and Yasmine are a powerhouse couple who promised each other forever, or “until the wheels come off”, until life delivered them a devastating blow. In a failed attempt at grieving, they wind up divorced and coparenting their two children while also managing their restaurant. Now, two years later, they’ve started to heal their emotional wounds and have a hand at a second chance romance. Will they decide to love or lose?

Before I Let Go is emotional and raw but it is so powerful. This book will stick with me for awhile. There are some definite content warnings regarding loss of a child, depression, and suicidal ideation.

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This title releases November 15, 2022.

Many thanks to Kennedy Ryan, the publisher and to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so hesitant going into this one. I was warned that one of the main storylines was centered around a stillbirth. I almost didn’t read it because I wasn’t sure if my heart could handle it. But I’m so happy I did! Though that is a trigger warning you need to be cautious of, the romance was much more of a focus.

Yasmen and Josiah have been divorced for two years. They co-own a restaurant and co-parent their two children and seemingly appear to be thriving at their new status. But they both have to face and come to turns with their past.

The characters were so raw and real. They jumped off the pages and felt like authentic people. Their struggles were realistic. Though this book was quite steamier than I prefer, it didn’t take away from the depth of love and the plot of the story.

Highly recommend if you’re looking for an emotional impactful romance

All the stars!! If you loved Seven Days in June and The Heart Principle, Before I Let Go is a MUST READ.

It's a second chance romance for grown folks. And honestly, it's everything you could want from a second chance romance, especially one about a divorced couple with two kids who still run a restaurant together. It's real, it's sexy, it's emotional, it's unafraid. It takes on depression and loss and grief from two very different perspectives and delivers character growth that a lot of us can only aspire to in real life.

Will it wreck you? Quite possibly, so get the Kleenex ready. But Before I Let Go is a book you'll want to savor and rip through at the same time. It's a book that celebrates Black love in all its facets and serves up great female friendships, too. Hendrix is my favorite, so we'll keep our fingers crossed she gets her own book.

Don't sleep on this one.

CW: Death of a close parental figure, stillbirth, depression, grief, mother/daughter (teen) tension, varying attitudes about the value of therapy

This is what happens when you pick a book without checking the CWs (or reading other reviews) beforehand.
I was drawn to the premise of a second-chance romance between two MCs who were married and are now divorced and co-parenting their 2 children. The story focuses a lot of infertility, loss of a child in birth and these topics are a hard limit for me.
The proper content warnings are listed on NG page for the book and it's all my fault for not reading them.

First off, thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

This book was so amazingly raw, beautiful, heartbreaking & warming. I urge you to look up the TW for this book before reading, as it does have some heavier topics in it.

Some notable tropes:
Second Chance Romance/Marriage Reconcilation
Forced Proximity
Workplace Romance

I absolutely loved reading about Yasmen & Josiah’s second chance at love. How with loss came individual healing before repairing their relationship. They were both just the sweetest parents, trying to make their lives work together as seamlessly as they could after their divorce. I loved the friendships in this book, and how it tackled more than just the romantic relationship between the FMC & MMC.

This was my first Kennedy Ryan book & it did not disappoint! I look forward to the other ones in this series :)

Kennedy Ryan is one of my favorite authors and her books always blow me away this one was no different, I loved this book so much! Def one of my faves of this year.

Kennedy Ryan continues to give you all the feels with every book she writes and this one is no different. I laughed. I cried. I swooned.

I appreciated the way she wrote grief and depression with so much compassion and realness. Grief is not one size fits all. It is different for everyone. Yasmen and Josiah had to grieve and deal with their losses separately before fixing themselves as a couple.


The chemistry between Yasmen and Josiah simmers throughout which made the steamy scenes even hotter.

I loved the friendships because every one was supportive but real with each other.
I can't wait for the series to continue.

TW: Stillbirth
Grandparent death
Parental death
Talk of suicide

This book will pull you in, break your heart, and put it back together again, all in 400 pages. Kennedy Ryan's writing style pulls you in and makes you feel attached to these characters and their stories. Yasmen and Josiah are co-parenting after two traumatic events that lead to their divorce. The depiction of co-parenting was so honest and accurate to see two people just come together to support their kids as best they can. I found it so refreshing to see since I haven't seen that often done in books. Seeing how Yasmen and Josiah worked on healing and recovering from their trauma and the discussion of mental health was just so important.

Make sure you check the content warnings before starting this book.

All I can say is go pick this one up when it comes out on November 15th, and I'm going to need to catch up on Kennedy Ryan's backlog.

Thank you to Forever Books and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.