Member Reviews
This Could Be us is a powerful story about getting back up once life knocks you down, and learning the importance of self love.
Soledad’s main focus had always been her family. Taking care of her kids and husband was her full time job. She was unhappy in her marriage but she was willing to make sacrifices. She did not want to unsettle the life that she had built until she learned that her husband was not the same man that she thought he was.
“Soledad Hermosa. Beautiful Solitude.” This quote sums up the story in a beautiful manner. It speaks volumes about the emotional journey that our girl had to embark to regain her footing after her world was flipped upside down.
This book will pull at your heart strings. The MMC was patient, and caring with Soledad while she handled her business. I couldn’t help but fall in love with him and the spice 😳🙌🏾
The queen did her thing with this book, I can’t wait for you to be able to read it and fall in love with Soledad.
At this point, Kennedy Ryan I will buy any of your books. This was my second Kennedy Ryan book that I have read and I enjoyed every moment of it. The characters are believable and the situations while extreme at times are believable and relatable.
I felt like I was on a healing journey myself while reading this book. The struggle was real but the self-healing was even better. So excited for this to officially be released in March 2024!
Wow…I’m not okay. This might be one of my new favorite books. Like this might be my new Roman Empire… and I won’t stop thinking about it until I find a Judah….
We saw glimpses of Soledad’s life in Before I Let Go, but truly meeting her and reading her story was so much more than I could have hoped for. The care, compassion, and love poured into this narrative are undeniable.
One of the aspects that stood out to me was the thoughtful representation in the book. From the portrayal of Afro-Latina identity to a nuanced exploration of autism. Also, the discussions on caring for loved ones long after you're gone resonated with me.
At its core, this is a story about a journey of self love, complex family dynamics, coparenting, and of course unbreakable friendship. Can I give a shoutout to all the Rich Aunties? Spending more time with the Skyland characters was EVERYTHING!!!
Reading this made me feel seen and heard… and the way I couldn’t put this down, I didn’t want the story to end.
I loved every second.
*I received this book through Netgalley* Kennedy Ryan doesn’t miss! This was a beautiful book about self love and knowing that it’s never too late to do the work to love yourself first. Each of her books represent pivotal points in women’s lives and I cannot wait to read her book on Hendrix!
Flawless. Another multifaceted romance masterwork from Kennedy Ryan. A 2024 must read.
This Could Be Us reinforces the notion that to find someone worthy of your love, you've gotta love yourself first.
All the signs were there in the first book in the Skyland series: Edward is not a great husband. But in This Could Be Us, you find out what kind of trifling ass MF'er he is. It's the springboard for Soledad to reclaim herself, her happiness and what it means to truly partner in a relationship.
What sets this book apart isn't its focus on mental health/self-worth or the support network female friendships form in our lives, it's that this is a romance between two grown adults dealing with complex family lives while making room for them to find love. It's such a relief to have a 40 year old FMC who just has no choice but to get on with it. And an MMC who redefines sexy with the emotional wherewithal to support and create space without pushing away. With these two, there's no time for winging about adulting when you're trying to hold onto a house and keep the ship steady for your girls even when everything feels like it's falling apart.
Bravo, bravo, bravo!!
Content (notes, not warnings): healthy co-parenting with an ex, children with autism, white collar crime, influencer culture
5 Stars! The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.
****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****
Okay, Whew. Let me take a breath and gather my thoughts to give you the best review that isn’t too long and spoiler free. This book by Kennedy Ryan just gave me life. Just when I thought I could not love another book more than the previous, she proved me wrong. This is the story of the a very strong woman name Soledad who was thrown one of the biggest curve balls in life and had her world turned upside down emotionally, financially, and psychologically. She has to find a way by any means necessary to take care of her family and in doing so she has to do some things she never thought she would do. She has the best support from her family and best friends, but knows she has to do the hard part herself and she’s up for that challenge. She goes on a mission to learn self love (which I think is awesome). In finding herself, she forms a relationship with a very intelligent strong single father (Judah) that is 100% sure of what he wants all the time and putting his twin boys comes first. He is handsomely smart, very driven, and so patient. I think of him like a quiet summer storm. (It comes in when you least expect it; but it is so refreshing while you’re in it that you forget what else is going on around you.) This story puts you right in there with these characters. Soledad is my friend I want to fight for, she is my neighbor I will help, she is my sister I want to cry with and in her I saw some of myself. I can empathize with some of her struggles, with how hard she loves, and that feeling of defeat that overwhelms you sometimes. This book also reminds you that the picturesque life we see in others (even our own family) is just that, the picture they want us to see. Everyone has a battle to go through, but it’s up to you how you’re going to come out in the end. I just scratched the surface with this review because I don’t want to give away not one single thing, but just know it’s sooooooo worth reading. It hits you and makes you cry, but picks you up and pushes your forward again. Kennedy, this book was Amazing and I just don’t know how you keep doing this! I can’t wait to get my pre-ordered hard copy in March!
Oh my gosh. Kennedy does it again! I love this book. The way that Kennedy is able to make me HATE a fictional man in just a few chapters — like DESPISE! Lol. And the incredible independent woman, loving yourself message (and admitting to need the help of AMAZING friends to do so), absolutely amazing. Go read this!
I recieved this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. This book is probably one of the best books Ive read all year (Dec 2023). Kennedy Ryan does not miss with this. We have BIPOC representation! Neurodivergent representation! MC's in their late 30s/early 40s! Communication device normalization! No miscommunication trope here. We watch two adults struggle with their attraction to one another after the MMC discovers the FMC's husband has been hiding a few things...
Go read.this book!
Thank you, net galley and Kennedy Ryan, for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
If you’ve been following me, you must know that Kennedy Ryan is a top three fave author for me. So, I naturally SQUEALED with happiness when I was able to get my hands on this one early.
I adored Before I Let Go, and this one was just as amazing. The way Kennedy develops her characters makes you feel like you actually know them, and makes it very easy to love them and root for them. I couldn’t put this one down, and as per usual, the STEAM 🥵 was top tier.
All of this aside, my favorite thing about Kennedy Ryan is that every story brings awareness to different important topics. This one brings awareness to what it is like loving someone with special needs, and it completely pulled on my heart strings. All of her books are so inclusive- and I love it.
Needless to say, I will continue to shout her name from the rooftops. If you haven’t read any of her books.. stop what you are reading now and do it!
I'm not much of a romance reader, but anything and everything Kennedy Ryan writes I HAVE to read. Her writing always makes me feel and reflect, and This Could Be Us was no different. It was such a great second book to the skyland series, and it's a must read for the mamas out there! Especially stay at home mamas!! I 10 for 10 recommend this book
This book was everything I wanted for Soledad. I knew going into this story, from Before I Let Go, that I was going to hate Edward even more and be sad that Soledad spent so many years with a man that didn't know her worth. The journey of Soledad finding her way back to herself, learning to love herself, and realizing what she deserves was beautiful (even though she was torturing me with Judah). I can't wait for Hendrix story!
PS. I hope Edward gets the life he deserves.
PPS. Kennedy Ryan, can we get a final book or novella with all of the happily boo'd up friends?
DNF at 72%
This book was sadly not for me. I think other readers will find it enjoyable if they're looking for an uplifting women's fiction read about healing after betrayal. I went into this book looking for a capital R Romance novel and this wasn't it.
Kennedy Ryan has done it again! She is absolutely a master of her craft and is a stellar author in the romance category. This Could Be Us was a warm hug I didn't know I needed. Soledad story is for the grown folks and I loved that because many contemporary romances tend to fall on the younger side or the more immature side. TCBU explores a journey of self love, rebuilding from the ashes, and learning to stand on your own two feet.
I love the care Ryan takes in her depiction of children with autism and their parents, as well as a family with a cancer patient. It's clear that not only there was research done but also some aspects pulled from Ryan's own personal life. There were so many times in this book when I shed a tear because Soledad's story deeply resonated with me. I can't wait to reread this in March when it is officially released to the world.
Really enjoyed this book. It was a lighthearted read with a slow simmer between Soledad and Judah. Highly recommend!
This book is a literal masterpiece. Don't change a thing about it or take anything out. I read this book in one day and immediately after finishing it wished I could forget it all so that I could read it again. I cried, laughed, kicked my feet from giggling, and repeated this throughout the book. I had to consistently remind myself that Edward was a fictional character bc of the way he made my blood boil. Overall one of the best books I read this year and can't wait to make all my friends read it when the book officially comes out in March. I don't know how I'm going to survive till Hendrix's book. (Obviously, I'm going to read the first two books again to hold me over.)
Trust in Kennedy! I have read every single book Kennedy has written and have even had the honor of beta reading some of them. Her gift of writing is on a whole different level, she always amazes me and creates characters that stick with me long after I have turned the last page.
This Could Be Us is another masterpiece on Ms. Ryan's incredible roster!
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh my gosh. 😭🥹 She’s done it again!!!! Kennedy Ryan can do no wrong! She writes from her soul, and you can truly feel it on every page. Her writing is so beautiful, and coated in so much honesty and life experience. Literally even the author’s note in the beginning of the book had me on the verge of tears!
This story was beautiful from start to finish, and covered so many themes of womanhood, motherhood, friendship, love, grieving, healing, and SO much more. I absolutely LOVED being back in Skyland with Soledad, Yasmen , and Hendrix. They are such a powerful and amazing group of friends. and don’t even get me started on Judah Cross. 😍 An amazing man, father, and lover, with a true heart of gold. I loved seeing these characters grow and develop; from learning to love themselves and navigate being alone, to healing their hearts and the families and finding love again. This story was inspiring and moving- it had me giggling and kicking my feet, and then sobbing in the next chapter. I can’t get enough of the Skyland series, and was so excited to see that Hen will have her own story soon too!
I highly recommend this book for all the lovers of “Before I Let Go”, and for any and all women on a self-love journey.
5 stars. What could I say that others havent. The book is a homage to a women finally putting herself first. As an aunt to two nephews on the spectrum I loved the care shown to the everyday stuggles. I will definitely be rereading This could be us.
I took my time reading this on purpose because I didn’t want it to end. Kennedy Ryan always writes with so much care it’s insane!!! Allll the feels!!
Soledad on her journey to self love & picking up the pieces of her life after a horrible marriage to Edward had me rooting for her since the first book.
Judah Ohhh Judah 🥰 He is definitely a true black king. That man stood on business since DAY ONE. The way Sol was running from this man was getting on my last nerves. Girl get yo man & be happy.
This is definitely a SLOW burn but it literally needed to be!
I loved the little updates on Yasmin & Josiah !!!!
I will probably read this again when I Receive my physical book. 🥲
Thank you NetGalley for the Arc!!!