After reading Before I Let Go last year, this quickly became one of my most anticipated reads of 2024, and it certainly did not disappoint.

🩷 Self Love/ Healing
🦋 Parenting
🩷 Friendship/ Sisterhood
🦋 Autism Rep
🩷 Slow Burn Romance

Now if you were expecting to be a puddle on the floor (like we all were with Before I Let Go), expect a different vibe from this one. This is at first a bit messy and dramatic. Then we transition into a healing story of regrowth, strength, and female empowerment. Basically screaming, “YES MAMA GET IT” a thousand times. All the while watching a romance blossom between two single parents who have given so much to their families, and not nearly enough to themselves.

Soledad is THE QUEEN. The growth that she has in this was insane, and I loved going on the self partnering journey with her. I always have a soft spot for a woman scorned and rebuilding herself into a fiercer self independent woman, who will take nothing less than PERFECTION.

And well speaking of perfection...JUDAH CROSS 🥰. That man is the BLUEPRINT. Patient, compassionate, understanding, and is not afraid to stand behind a powerful woman and let her ✨shine✨. His compassion for his children, and his role as a caregiver to his two autistic children really struck a cord with me.

The line that hit the hardest for me was in reference to Aaron (Judah's 15 yr old son) where it's said, “That boy. There’s a whole world in his head he keeps to himself.” I have been saying almost that exact phrase about my autistic nephew for years. He's very similar to Aaron where a lot of people write him off and consider him less than for not speaking much. But that's not the case. He's not less than because of his lack of communication, he's just different. I'm glad that was highlighted here.

The compassion, care, research, and time that Kennedy put into this book (& let's be real all of her books), is so evident in the writing. For instance, Soledad's family and her Puerto Rican background on her mother's side was written in so fluidly, steeped with rich culture, tradition, and may I say MOUTHWATERING cuisine. Like alright if your gonna make such tasty treats Soledad maybe SHARE WITH THE CLASS 🤤

Also Soledad's influencer status, and even Judah's damn Chevy truck and the detailed list of things he spits out about it was SO DETAILED that I was like alright Kennedy when did you have time to research THAT 😅

Overall, this was a beautiful story about rebirth and growth. Yes there was a love story within these pages, but this was more so a story about finding yourself. A story about the strength of friendship, the power of being a woman, and the unyielding love of a parent. I enjoyed every bit of it, and I think all of you will too 🤗

Thank you to net galley for an arc of this in exchange for my honest review 🩷

This was a beautifully written story. I really enjoyed this book! The autism representation was written with such thoughtfulness, care, and respect. And the way the Puerto Rican representation was done so well too. I totally recommend!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“When you hurt the way we women sometimes have to, when you lose so much, when the world ends over and over and over again, we are no longer butterflies. Those wings are much too fragile to carry us on and through. I’m a hornet. I can love. And I can sting.”

Soledad is an absolute bad ass woman and one of my favorite fmcs ever. Her story of self-love and healing was heart wretchjng and inspiring. Soledad & Judah’s love story is absolutely beautiful— but I loved the sisters’ relationship, the incredible friendship, and the way Soledad’s mother was wrapped into it all.

…but seriously, I will simply never recover from what she whispered in Edward’s ear 😏👏🏻 epic.

I had a feeling this would be 5⭐️ from chapter 3…and I loved when I’m right.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pub Date: March 5, 2024

Thank you, NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Elle Cosimano for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this book.

This is a 4.2 ⭐️'s for me.

Let's start of by saying Soledad's husband ain't ish and is lucky she didn't go full Angela Bassett and burn everything to the ground on his a$$. That man deserved way more bad things happen to him for all the things he put my girl Soledad through.

But moving on from my him, Judah is the definition of "My Man My Man My Man". He so supportive, patient, respectful of Soledad's boundaries and to top it off he was an amazing father. In addition, not once was there a question about how bad he wanted to be with Soledad, he was so down bad for her. I also loved how much of a family man he was, and how well him and his ex-wife coparented. They were the definition of a true blended family.

After all Soledad been through, you truly got to see her strength and resilience because baby if it was me, I would have been in jail.

In the end, I was happy to see her grow individually by finding herself first and gaining her independence #datingmyselfchallenge. And when she finally fully allowed Judah in was just the icing on the cake. The power of woman hood really shined through in this book because her girls really showed up for her.

Can't wait for the next book.

Kennedy Ryan’s “This Could Be Us” takes readers on a captivating journey of resilience, love, and self-discovery. Soledad Barnes, a woman accustomed to planning and fixing everything in her life, finds herself facing betrayal and disillusionment when her seemingly perfect world crumbles. Forced to rebuild from the ashes, Soledad embarks on a journey of rediscovery, strength, and unexpected attraction. This is the second book in the author’s Skyland series but can be read as a standalone.

Ryan’s prose effortlessly draws readers into Soledad’s world, showcasing her strength and vulnerability with remarkable depth. Despite the odds stacked against them, the undeniable chemistry between Soledad and Judah leaps off the pages, immersing readers in their tumultuous yet magnetic relationship.

While the steamy moments may not be for everyone, Ryan’s skillful storytelling ensures that the emotional core of the narrative remains compelling throughout. Additionally, the author’s personal connection to the subject matter, particularly through her portrayal of Judah’s sons on the spectrum, adds authenticity and depth to the story, shedding light on important issues with sensitivity and respect.

One of the book’s standout features is its portrayal of strong, resilient women navigating contemporary challenges. Soledad’s determination to provide for her daughters while embracing new opportunities resonates powerfully, offering readers a refreshing and empowering perspective.

Furthermore, Ryan skillfully addresses themes of forgiveness, family dynamics, and the complexities of modern relationships, ensuring that “This Could Be Us” is not merely a romance but a multifaceted exploration of the human experience.

In conclusion, “This Could Be Us” is a poignant and thought-provoking read that will leave readers captivated from beginning to end. With its well-developed characters, engaging plot, and heartfelt themes, it is sure to appeal to fans of romance and women’s fiction alike. Kennedy Ryan once again proves herself as a master storyteller, delivering a compelling narrative that lingers long after the final page.

I received a DRC of this book from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

4.5 stars (rounded up to 5)

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️

HAPPY PUB DAY TO THE QUEEN @kennedyryan1 and thank you @readforeverpub & @netgalley for the eARC of This Could Be Us! 🧡

I was so anxious to read TCBU after finishing Before I Let Go and let me tell you… Soledad & Judah are everything!

TCBU is dramatic and I was hooked from the beginning. HOOKED. I read at least 25% of this book in one sitting just needing to know what happens next.

However, as the story developed it really became an anthem for self love and the inherent strength that women are forced to display. The personal growth, acceptance, and perseverance Soledad demonstrates in this story is astounding. She’s the embodiment of #momgoals. But I loved how strong female friendships were crucial in Soledad navigating all the changes and challenges she faced.

Just like in Before I Let Go, I loved the complex Black and Afro-Latin characters that Ryan developed. Soledad and Judah are layered and getting to know them was a delight. Judah is the quiet, strong, intelligent man of everyone’s dreams and another amazing, positive depiction of Black fatherhood. Their chemistry was spicy and the slow burn was so worth it!

The only downside? I wanted a little more interaction between Judah and Soledad. A lot of time was spent with their internal monologues and not actually building their relationship by interacting with each other.

Overall, Kennedy Ryan did it again and I cannot wait for the third book in the Skyland series next year!

LIKES:
💞 Mother/Daughter relationships
🤎 Complex, Black MCs
💫 Autism Representation
👑 Strong female friendships
🎭 Dramatic plot
📝 Funny, yet powerful writing
❣️ Positive depiction of Black fatherhood
🌶️ Spicy

My first time reading from this author and thoroughly enjoyed the book…Soledad and Judah was a chef kiss in my eyes. Now I need to go back and read this author’s other books.

One thing for sure, two things for certain, Kennedy Ryan was given to us purely to make us all cry, okay!!

This is such a beautiful book about LOVE in its many forms. Big romantic love, but also deep self love, platonic soulmate kind of love you can only experience in friendship, the soul crushing love of being a daughter (and having your own children). This book showcases it all.

This Could Be Us follows Soledad, who after having her life turned upside down by her FELON of a husband, shows us what real self love and compassion looks like. We see her relationships with her family and friends during this journey, and her path back to trusting herself. We get to see her and (absolutely king!!) Judah as they fall in love and learn how to be together.

This is the second book in the Skyland series, but can be read as a stand alone (although I very much recommend book 1!!) Kennedy Ryan doesn’t miss, and lucky for you this book is out TODAY!

“You got this Sol!” That’s how I was cheering on Soledad the entire time I was reading this book. This Could Be Us follows the story of Soledad Barnes in the fallout of a messy divorce from her aint-ish husband, Edward, and her healing journey back to self and new love. And Judah, an uber sexy accountant bae who for all intents and purposes should be the last person Soledad needs to fall for (you have to read to see how Judah is a part of aforementioned messy divorce).

This Could Be Us is a fantastic follow-up for the Skyland series, and Kennedy Ryan continues to be at the top of her game when it comes to blending slow-burn romance with weighty issues such as divorce, betrayal, and parenting special needs children. I also love the care and research that you can tell goes into her writing of such complex and nuanced topics. But my favorite theme from this book was the exploration of love,and not just romantic love, but love in all it’s forms - friendship, familial, and most importantly, self-love.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the e-ARC. Pub date March 5, 2024.

This second book in the Skyland series follows Soledad and Judah. He’s an accountant and she’s a new influencer. Both are parents. He’s divorced and co-parenting two sons on the spectrum. She’s raising three daughters and her marriage is complicated 🙃

Kennedy always reels me in from the first chapter and this time was no different. I was fully invested and hating Soledad’s husband. He’s been distant from her and their daughters claiming to have “late night work sessions”. Something’s been bugging Soledad about this whole situation and to top it off he’s acting nothing like the person she married. When catastrophe strikes, Sol will need to get creative to keep a roof over their heads.

Loved every moment of this story🥰 The angst, the mystery, the drama, the journey to love yourself, the backstabbing, Judah’s Costco pack, the stalking, the man cave destruction 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻, the he falls first moments, and the forbidden love that blooms between the main characters. Beyond the friends to lovers sweet slow burn romance, it is a story of learning to love oneself and realizing that you don’t need to be alone during the process.

Adored how Judah would support Soledad any chance he could and waited for her. Their banter and text exchanges were everything 🫶 Loved her friends and the Yas cameo too. Excited for Hen’s story next!

I went in blind with this read and highly recommend it!! Releases tomorrow. Thanks for the e-ARC!

Kennedy Ryan has done it again! I loved this book. It was so much more than I was expecting.

Soledad's strength is inspiring. But what I really appreciated was seeing her vulnerability as she grew into her power. We follow Soledad through some challenging moments, watch her create a life on her terms, heal, and then open herself up to love.

While I don't feel like this is the typical romance story, I do think it's a beautifully crafted story of the various types of love - self, friendship, family, and romantic.

Ryan has such a gift for grabbing the reader's attention and making them care deeply about the characters. I felt Soledad's pain and celebrated with her in happy moments!

I think readers should be advised that this is a SLOW BURN. The first half of this book almost feels closer to women's fiction than romance. But I believe it was necessary for the storyline. When the romance fully came into the picture, it was well worth the wait!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

What can I say, once again, Kennedy Ryan knows how to tell a story that will break your heart, make it whole again, all while making you believe in a real love again.
Soledad and Judah were real people to me.
We watch Soledad rise from such a difficult situation as she comes to terms with what her relationship actually is. With self love and the support of her sisters and amazing friends, she gets to realize what she deserves and can do without relying on any man. As a mother, you sympathize with the sacrifices she must make for herself and her daughters who are looking at her with fresh eyes now.
As for Judah, I appreciated his dynamic with Tremaine. It showed that co parenting can be hard but is not impossible.
Both Judah and Soledad felt so authentic and each in their own way offer inspiration.
Yasmin, Soledad and Hendrix are the ultimate friend group. The way they hold each other up!

What do I actually want to say about this book? Me: closing my eyes and pressing the book to my heart while breathing in deeply…”Wow. I needed all of that.”

Before I Let Go is one of my favorite books of all time so I was a bit nervous going into this one.
Want to know who wasn’t nervous? Kennedy Freaking Ryan because she knows what she’s doing and it hits every. Single. Time.
The plot, the drama, the growth. It was all perfection.
I will forever be rereading these books!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is out now, go read!

I really enjoyed this story, the second in Kennedy Ryan's Skyline series. We get Soledad's story this time and what a story she has! I don't want to say too much, go in not reading a synopsis and enjoy the ride.

Kennedy Ryan has a way of writing romance that feels like real life, like hearing a story from a friend. Paired with strong female leads, this series can't be missed. I'm excited for the third installment!

“𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒅𝒈𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒊𝒕—𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇. 𝑵𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝑰 𝒅𝒐. 𝑵𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒎𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇.”

WOW. This book really surprised me. I thought I knew what I was getting into with my first Kennedy Ryan book, but I most definitely did not. This book touched my heart in places, that I was not expecting. Soledad and her strength was so beautiful. It is a strength that I think most women will read and resonate with. Despite the fact that her husband completely derails the lives of her and their children, she is beautiful in holding everything together. Edward is a master manipulator, narcissist, and gaslighter. I loved the way that Soledad decided to love herself first and foremost.

Judah, was an absolutely brilliant MMC. I loved the way he was supportive of Soledad finding herself. He wanted her to be happy and healthy, and was willing to take a backseat to make sure she got that chance. The way Judah cares for his boys, his ex-wife, and Soledad was so nice to read. Judah isn’t perfect, but he shows up and does the hard work. He and his ex-wife have a beautiful friendship and co-parenting relationship.

This book was so much more than I bargained for. It was a story of self-discovery, strength, resilience, and so much love. Love for your family, friends, lover. This one got me in all the best ways!

My rating: 4.5 stars

I loved Before I Let Go so I knew I’d be hooked with Soledad’s story, and I wasn’t disappointed. This Could Be Us is a story about a second chance at love, after undergoing a bitter betrayal. I love Soledad: her strength to persevere after her marriage implodes is inspiring. It was fun watching her explore her “new me” attitude while finding things that made her happy. Judah Cross just happened to be one of them. With his work savvy, charm, and handsome physique, how could Soledad not be tempted? The chemistry between the two was palpable. I will say, I’d hoped for just a smidge more spicy scenes, although the scenes themselves were steamy. That said, this slow burn in the Skyland series is original, entertaining, and a great comeback story you don’t want to miss. I can’t wait for Hendrix’s story, 2025 can’t come soon enough.  Thank you Netgalley, and Kennedy Ryan for this amazing ARC in addition for a review.

I haven't been able to really find the words to describe this book. It didn't emotionally run me through like Before I Let Go, but I still loved it. It felt like a women's fiction with a sprinkle of romance.

I loved that Soledad got to experience growth and self-love and got to rediscover herself in the process. I loved how she handled the conversations surrounding the divorce with her kids. I loved that she left space for them to still love their father and interact with him on their own terms.

I was here for all of Judah's obsessive thoughts about Soledad. I absolutely loved him. Especially as a father and a partner. He was the most patient and loving character.

I loved the autism representation. It was very eye-opening, and the complexity in which it was explored was very well done.

As for Edward, he deserved a "This Christmas," "Madea's Family Reunion," and "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" type of beating. He was the epitome of trifling. Every time he showed up or opened his mouth, shit got worse.

Happy Publication Day! Thank you, Netgalley, and Read Forever for this ARC!

I've waited with bated breath for this second book to release and I was not disappointed. Soledad Charles may have been devastated by the things her husband did, but she picked up the pieces with grace in her moves and fire in her heart. Not only did she have three daughters to care for and support, she had to find a way to make a living. With best friends Yasmen (Before I Let Go) and Hendrix in her corner, she was able to make a living doing the things she loves. The bumps in her road stemmed from her daughters' reluctance to believe their father did something wrong, her attraction to the very man who discovered her husband's wrongdoing, and her mother-in=law's unwillingness to accept them as they were.

For a long time, Judah Cross's name said with disgust in Soledad's home. His job as a forensic accountant led him to be not well-liked. But there was something about Soledad that drew him to her. From buying her groceries to supporting her money-making endeavors, Judah was the complete opposite of her ex-husband. Judah had his own sons to raise, which he did amicably with his ex-wife and her husband. Both sons had autism. The author depicted the boys and their uniqueness so realistically and relatable. Judah was willing to wait for Soledad to come to terms with her new way of life, to settle in as a single parent, to figure out what she wanted and needed. After all, he's been single since his divorce and didn't believe in casual flings.

I loved how the author didn't throw Judah and Soledad into a relationship right away. They both needed some grieve and heal, time to process how life would be together as a couple with their children. This book was well-written and made me feel so much. I was an emotional wreck while reading but by the time I got to the end, my heart was pieced back together.

I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.

I absolutely devour everything kennedy ryan writes!!! she crafts the most heart-wrenching, tear-jerking romances that make the readers THINK and I couldn’t recommend her stories more 🥹🩷

the first half of this story was WILD y’all, featuring FBI investigations, betrayals, and a headstrong woman putting her life back together after everything falls apart 🥲 as I typically go in blind to books, I was not expecting any of this in the slightest and found myself gasping at every turn!!

the second half of the story definitely dragged more - but it spent more time focusing on soledad and judah and their individual journeys through rough times 🥹 which honestly was super inspiring!!

soledad’s journey to find self-love and discovery was so beautiful to read about! I loved how she finally prioritized herself in her life with leaning on support from her friends and family - and can we talk about her growing business by investing in herself? so poetic

while I didn’t love this one quite as much as BEFORE I LET GO, the beautiful themes still resonated with me so much 🥹🥹 so many tears!!

thank you forever to my friends at forever and grand central for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! happy pub day!

rating: 5 stars
wine pairing: south african pinotage

This Could Be Us was a great representation of what it means to “dust yourself off and try again.” I feel that KR penned a beautiful story of redemption and taking back ownership of your life. And Soledad’s story was a highly anticipated one and I was pleased with the outcome. I think the best thing about this story was the character development. Soledad had reached rock bottom when her husband was arrested and sentenced to jail. But fret not, her friends were there supporting, uplifting, and encouraging her that she could manage her household and raise her daughters without that man she called a husband. On the contrary, Judah and Tremaine were the poster child for what healthy coparenting looks like. I loved how they worked cohesively and seamlessly to provide the best situation for their sons. I don’t think Judah was a villain at all; he was about his business and being on the right side of the law. I truly loved everything about his character. It was clear early on that Judah wanted more with Soledad. However, I wholeheartedly agree that she had to relearn and get to know the new version of herself before she committed to a new relationship.

As with many KR stories, we were able to see things from the children’s perspective in this one, as well. I think the response from Soledad’s daughters was realistic. I enjoyed seeing Soledad come into her own. The healthy friendships and banter was much appreciated and brought a good balance to the story. I felt at times the story was moving at a slower pace. However, I loved the chemistry and tension between Judah and Soledad. He truly showed what being loved the “right way” means. I enjoyed this one.