Kennedy Ryan, a truly beautiful storyteller, has once again released an incredible romance.

This Could Be Us is a complex and emotional journey of self-discovery, parenting, friendship, and love. With flawed and resilient characters, the story of Jonah and Sol was something to marvel.

The sincerity, growth, and empowerment within Sol as she rediscovered how to love herself again was precious, refreshing, and impactful. I have yet to become a mother myself, but this felt like a realistic insight into the beauty yet challenges of motherhood. I also adored the female friendships within this romance – adding a textured layer of hilarity and strength.

Jonah. You could feel his desire for Sol with each page. He was loving and patient. Family was a strong element of this novel, and I loved reading each genuine moment Jonah had with his ex-wife and two children. This book is a strong reminder of why Kennedy Ryan is an all-time favorite author of mine.

Highly recommend reading this gem. 🫶

Thank you NetGalley for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

The second book in the Skyland series, we get the story of Soledad, who we saw in Before I Let Go, her marriage was rocky, but oh boy do we get into it. Edward is not a good guy and his actions throws Soledad and her girls into a tailspin and Soledad has to pull up her bootstraps and learn to pivot in order to survive.

Soledad goes through all the stages of grief and takes the reader on a journey of self love and discovery of strength amid devastating news. We also meet Judah Cross, an accountant who is co-parenting two autistic teenage boys, and I love the contrast we get in seeing what healthy parenting and relationships look like compared to what Edward gives Soledad and the girls. The relationship that develops between Soledad and Judah is one of wonder and belief that good things can come.

Highly recommend, this is an emotionally charged book, so please check the triggers. And once again there are recipes at the end of the book, and I will be making those brownies.

On my first trip to the Skyland neighborhood in Before I Let Go, I cried. A lot. On my return trip in This Could Be Us (​​Forever) by Kennedy Ryan, I’m more shocked by the scandal and intrigued by slow-burn, forbidden romance between Judah and Soledad, but I still thoroughly enjoyed my visit.

We briefly met Soledad in Before I Let Go, Book One of the Skyland series, and like her friend Hendrix in that book, I rolled my eyes. I thought this naïve housewife is going to get duped. And even though Soledad does indeed get duped, I no longer roll my eyes at her (maybe some side eye, but doesn’t everyone have their side-eye moments?). Instead, I respect her for her comeback and her strong survival mode.

Complicated History and a Conflict of Interest
Soledad Barnes has been dealt a humiliating blow: her once prominent husband Edward has been carted off to jail on suspicion of embezzlement, leaving her to fend for herself and her three daughters. With their assets frozen, and no job herself, Soledad has to hustle to keep the family not only together but in their Skyland home and the kids in their private school. Her pension for being a stellar homemaker and cook works to her advantage, as she makes a living as a social media influencer to keep the bills paid.

So how did Soledad get here? Seems Edward’s archnemesis at work, Judah Cross is to blame for their predicament (at least in Edward’s eyes), since he’s the one who reported the embezzlement to the company’s CEO. Forensic accountant Judah Cross is singular in his focus, dedicated to his family, and honest to a fault. He’s ended a lackluster marriage with his wife Tremaine and cares for his twin boys who are on the spectrum.

When he spots Soledad at a company Christmas party, he’s immediately struck by how his nonverbal son connects with her, and then there’s the fact that he’s unable to take his eyes off her. Unfortunately, when he learns she’s the wife of the co-worker he’s been investigating, she becomes off-limits to him.

These two may burn slowly, but are hot when ignited. Kennedy Ryan’s steamy love scenes are always full of emotion and here is no different. These two may have a forbidden romance, but it’s one that they can’t turn away from. Their bodies and their souls were meant to be together.

Functional Families Who Live with Dysfunction
In the prologue, Judah mentions that his twin boys Aaron and Adam have some of the same mannerisms he does, and later, he notes that he sees a lot of himself in the way his boys interact with the world around them. These all lead the reader to conclude that Judah is also on the spectrum. Because all three of these characters have some form of autism, Ms. Ryan gives readers varied and authentic portrayals of individuals who live with autism, essentially mapping out how wide the spectrum can be and how much care, sympathy and support those who don’t have autism should show. Just because someone may be socially functional does not mean their lives are free from complications of the condition.

It amazes me how naturally the scenes in This Could Be Us play out between estranged spouses and parents and children. Soledad and her children dealing with something that most of us will never have to face (a patriarch being hauled off to jail for white-collar high crimes) could have come across as unrealistic and phony, but Soledad’s outrage and sorrow, the children’s confusion and blunt questions, and how each daughter processes their father’s transgressions in their own way shows the depth that Ms. Ryan has given to not only the main characters but to many of the secondary characters as well.

The same is true for divorced parents Judah and Tremaine and their boys. They relate to each other with familiarity and cordiality but without intimacy. They put their children first and competently handle their sons’ complications, but not without showing the fragility and helplessness that I’m sure most parents in their situation would feel.

And there are still school career days, bake sales, and community festivals to be had, which give readers ample reason to smile while being immersed in the scene. The author makes us feel as if we are indeed in the fictional Skyland neighborhood.

If you’re a Kennedy Ryan fan, you’re used to one of her books figuratively tearing out your heart. This one will tug at your emotions in a different way but still give you that satisfying HEA at the end and keep you rooting for Soledad and Judah page after page, despite all the odds against them.

Kennedy is an author who writes incredibly real characters and the journeys they go through to find love and healing in their lives. She creates a world of powerful women who find themselves again through resilience and self love, and as a twenty something out here discovering the world for myself, these are the types of stories I love to see. It shows that there’s beauty in learning, and grace in the process.

This was a story that focused tremendously on Soledad’s personal journey of growth and I really loved that. The diverse representation, from the inclusion of autism rep, to the cultural representation of Judah and Soledad’s backgrounds as people of color, was beautiful to me as well. Stories like theirs matters because it shows that love will find you again in life, in hard times and good times, when you least expect it.

4.5 ⭐️
i was immediately intrigued, roped in and gripped by this story! right from the start i knew this story would be monumental and emotional. these are my favorite characters to read— people who are so real and raw they resonate with the deepest parts of you.
soledad is the ultimate girl boss and judah is the blueprint for what men should be! they’re both complex characters with so much depth! i love that soledad is a mother of 3 daughters and judah is a father of 2 boys. this is the first time i read two single parents and it was so beautiful because they just get each other on another level! their attraction to each other is immediate and the chemistry between them is so effortless right off the bat! i loved every bit of their romance because it felt so natural and meant to be!
some of my favorite parts were seeing sol and judah with their kids! their interactions were so beautiful and wholesome but also honest and unembellished. the representation in this book was expertly done- you can tell the heavier themes in this book were handled with the utmost care and written from experience.
i loved this story so much! the plot was equally as enveloping as the romance and i can’t wait to read what comes next in this series.

Thank Forever for providing an ARC of this book, this is the second book in the Skyland series, which can be read as a standalone as there really isn’t much cross over between the two books.

As the story opens, we find Soledad navigating a tumultuous period in her life. She and her husband Edward are preparing to attend a holiday party hosted by their office. Edward expresses his discontent with the dress Soledad has chosen, urging her to wear something else. This incident is symptomatic of a deeper rift between them, marked by a growing emotional distance. Soledad feels increasingly alienated from Edward, perceiving his rejection and obsessive focus on work as barriers to their intimacy. Her suspicions about Edward's fidelity and integrity are soon confirmed, revealing his betrayal of their family on multiple fronts.
In a parallel narrative, we meet Judah, who is navigating the aftermath of his separation from his wife. Despite the challenges, they establish a new dynamic to co-parent their sons, Aaron and Adam.

The novel unfolds from both Soledad's and Judah's perspectives, highlighting their interconnected struggles. Judah, a colleague of Edward's, uncovers Edward's embezzlement of a significant sum from their company, adding another layer of complexity to the narrative.
Soledad is confronted with the devastating impact of Edward's deceit, as she and her daughters bear the consequences of his actions. Her journey towards self-discovery and empowerment is a compelling aspect of the story. While I found Soledad's evolution and her venture into a career as an influencer engaging, I believe the latter's portrayal as a lucrative pursuit may not fully capture the challenges of monetizing such a career, which stood out to me as a critique.

Overall, the book offers a gripping exploration of personal growth, resilience, and the quest for authenticity. Soledad's story, in particular, resonates with themes of self-love and renewal amidst adversity. I am eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

This Could Be Us is the second book in Kennedy Ryan’s Skyland series. Before I Let Go was one of my favorite reads back in 2022 and I could not wait to get Soledad’s story.

This was an absolutely phenomenal read! I loved Soledad even more than I hoped I would. She’s so strong, resilient, and she just inspired me every step of the way as she works to get back on her feet after her despicable husband leaves her and their three daughters in the lurch.

What I love the most about Kennedy Ryan’s books is that they are emotional reads full of depth, and those emotions just feel so raw and real. Soledad’s anguish and anger as she learns of her husband’s betrayal is palpable, and you can’t help but feel invested in seeing her come out on top. I also really appreciated the realistic portrayal of Soledad trying to protect her girls from the worst of what their dad had done simply because he’s their dad. I think a lot of readers will find that very relatable. There’s also a wonderful sense of sisterhood and community support that Soledad is able to lean into when she needs it. Those were some of my favorite moments, just watching everyone come together like one big family.

The romance is also beautifully done as well. I think I fell just as hard for Judah as Soledad did, haha. Judah is smart, sexy, and an amazing dad. He has two autistic sons and I loved that he and his ex maintained a healthy relationship and made those boys their absolute priority. My favorite part about Judah though was his respect for Soledad’s need to make her own way and get back on her feet even though he wanted her so badly he could barely stand it. Their romance was a slow burn, but it was a delicious one and well worth the wait!

As much as I loved Before I Let Go, I loved this book even more and can’t wait to read Hendrix’s story in the next book!

This was a good book. It felt more like women’s fiction and self help than a romance. Kennedy Ryan know how to write a good book but I don’t feel like I’m her target audience with this piece.

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed Sol's story. After her husband is found guilty of embezzling a ton of money from his company. Sol's life and her daughters lives change. Enter Judah the forensic accountant that helped put Sol's ex husband in prison.

There's instant attraction between Sol and Judah. I loved how they came into eachother's lives unexpectedly. I enjoyed seeing Sol navigate through this new chapter. I loved her journey to self discovery, falling again with herself and finally finding true love and happiness with Judah.

I loved Judah. A father of autistic children. I loved how his relationship with his kids were portrayed in the most realist sense. He was so patient, kind, caring and made Sol feel seen for the first time. He gave her the once of a lifetime kind of love she deserved and I was here for it. Loved it!

After reading Before I Let Go, I was dying to get my hands on the books for the other women in Yasmine's circle of friends. I absolutely LOVE Kennedy's writing. She just has a way with words that make you care about the characters.

This is technically book 2 in the series but there are only slight overlaps from book 1. (But seriously, still read book 1.)

The books starts with Soledad trying to navigate a failing marriage. (This isn't a spoiler. You know going in that her husband is trash.) However, Kennedy Ryan didn't have this be the focus on this book. Instead the focus was on getting reconnected with your relationships with yourself, your friends, and your family. As Soledad is experiencing all these life changing events and decisions, you are living it with her. I was so invested in Soledad's journey.

This story had me tearing up and grinning like a little girl. I wish I could read it again for the first time.

Kennedy Ryan can do no wrong. I'm convinced she is pure perfection. Her characters are flawed,original and easy to feel connected to. i devoured this book in a day. it was incredible. powerful. poignant. breathtakingly beautiful. I love Soledad and Judah with everything in me. I was invested in their romance that I felt like a friend of theirs. That's just how Kennedy writes. Its just so relatable.

THIS BOOK!! Kennedy Ryan, I love you. What a fabulous story of love, loss, deception, twist and turns, and more. It was so fun getting to know the characters in book 1 of this series, "Before I Let Go," and seeing how they grow within book 2. Soledad is such a strong, determined, and well-rounded mother and it shines so bright throughout this book. This was beautifully written and I will be recommending this to everyone I know.

Congrats to @kennedyryan1 on her instant #NYT Bestseller, This Could Be Us! Not only is gorgeous on the outside, but the contents are beautiful as well.

Many women can relate to questioning their readiness to move on after being betrayed by a partner. Soledad felt familiar and relatable without being triggering. There was so much love not just from the MMC but also her friends, her sisters, and her daughters who helped her along in this journey of self-discovery. It reminds me of the talks I have with my married/ mommy friends. You are more than the title you bare. Don't forget to take care of yourself. A little selfishness is good for the soul.


But I can't lie the revenge was my favorite part 🤭 . Can't wait for the next book.
🌟🌟🌟🌟

- There are so many great quotes in this book and it would be the best pick for a book club!! The plot was so unique and I loved the autism representation that you don’t see often in books. I love that their story spanned over a year and that it was dual pov because the reader really gets to see them build a friendship that turns into something more.
- I love a man that can be soft when he needs to be and take charge when he needs to do that too. Judah was perfect!! The garage scene.. whew!!
- This book felt like the romance was almost more of a subplot which I normally wouldn’t enjoy, but I LOVED the way it was written in this story. You could really see that Soledad was putting herself first! It’s so easy for us to put anything and everything above our own healing journey, but this book really focused so much on solo dating and finding who you are while falling in love. I already can’t wait to read it again!

Kennedy Ryan did it again. I enjoyed Soledad story. And it was nice to see the gang back together again. You could feel the emotions. I laughed. I cried. You just want Sol to get her HEA. She deserves it.

Definitely an improvement from the first book of this series.

The main characters actually had chemistry that wasn’t super focused on sex this time. Soledad was fine once she stopped be willingly dense and gained a backbone but Judah Cross though?

He’s the reason why I’m here. lol Loving, caring, respects boundaries and stood on business. While Soledad was still in her denial era, every moment he didn’t hold back on exactly how he felt about Soledad’s ex to her face gave me inner peace. 😂 She needed the reality check. The extra star is for him and him alone.

Also, like the previous book, This Could Be Us shows the dynamic of blended families but it’s even better here. Adults actually communicating and being understanding to each other to be a team for their kids. Besides Judah himself (and not being basically sex obsessed like Josiah was—oop!🤣🤷🏾‍♀️) , this is my favorite part of the whole story.

I do think the story could’ve benefited with maybe two or three more chapters towards the end about the ex situation though. It felt a little unfinished.


Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing a copy for an honest review.

"I’m wide awake, reborn, rebirthed through my own fire and pain and work and wisdom."

More than a love story between two people, this is a story of self love. Not just the kind of self love that encourages you to treat yourself - but the kind of self love that delves even deeper: knowing yourself, without judgment or condition; loving yourself enough for love to overflow; being content with who you are; and going on a continuous journey of growth 🪴

The journey Soledad went through was astounding. From being manipulated and gaslighted to be dependent on her husband, to being successful, resilient and strong enough to stand on her own two feet. I really admired her strength and resolve, especially for her daughters. Soledad, YOU GO GURL.

There's a wonderful sense of family and friendship here too, especially between Soledad and her sisters, her besties Yasmen and Hendrix, and her daughters. So. Many. Strong. Women. 👏🏼

Judah was such an amazing human being. He's so focused, patient, consistent and loving. To Soledad, his sons, his ex-wife (who he has an awesome coparenting relationship with), his parents. I loved the way he takes care of his sons with autism.

The autism representation is really good! I learned a lot about what people with autism go through, and how to treat them with love, care and respect.

The romance did leave me a bit wanting though it was both patient and passionate. I thought the timings were done incredibly well, and the issues that came up were discussed in a satisfying way. I loved that they both tended the relationship so that it can grow between them, and definied it in a way that is just theirs.

Here's to strong women 🥂
May we be them.

Thank you to Netgalley, Forever, and the author for this complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Read if you like:
💖 Self-love and growth
💪🏼 Women empowerment
🔥 Hard-fought HEA
🍲 Mouth-watering descriptions of food
🎤 BIPOC own voices

Other details and mild spoilers:
Open door
Dual first-person POV
CW: cheating, gaslighting, racism

Kennedy Ryan has such a gift for writing emotional, layered romances and I thought this one definitely hit that same mark. In This Could Be Us, Soledad is thrown a big curveball in life, causing her to lose trust in the man she’s been married to for years and leaving her alone to raise her 3 daughters and figure out how to keep their lives as stable as possible. She finds support in a surprising place - the man who in some ways was the catalyst behind these big changes for her family.

One of my favorite things about Kennedy Ryan’s writing is the way she writes her female characters, including Soledad. Soledad had such a great mix of strength and vulnerability and I loved reading about her resilience and journey in self-discovery. You see her in so many different roles - wife, mother, business woman, friend, sister, lover - and every single one added a facet to her character that made me fall in love with her more! I loved Judah too, mostly for how caring and perceptive he was as a father. I think I expected a smidge more romance from this one and it didn’t quiiiiite pull at my heartstrings as much as Before I Let Go, but I loved it nonetheless!

Thank you to @netgalley and publisher Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was super close to a perfect 5 star for me but it is more of 4.75. I was hooked on this book. I could not put it down! The plot was so interesting and I loved Judah and Soledad’s journey to finding each other. The reason for 4.75, though, is I needed just a little bit more of an emotional connection and more time for it to develop. Some of the things at the end happened a little too quickly and I needed it to be developed a little better. I just needed more time and interactions with Soledad and Judah and probably a little less of Soledad’s alone time. But overall, I was so obsessed with this book and was thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it.

I highly recommend this book from us influencer/reader standpoint. This book had me hooked from the first page. I was invested in the characters and I was really impressed with the story, and I am grateful that it is one of my top five books.