Oh wow this was so good! Kennedy Ryan just does not miss with her books and this one was no exception.

I absolutely loved Soledad's journey rediscovering herself and building her self-worth back up after heartbreak and I just love her so much! she is resilient and selfless and so hard working, I will protect her at all costs! and Judah Cross is THE man, he's incredible, patient and so understanding (and hot, omg).

But my favorite thing about this book was the friendship between Soledad, Yasmen and Hendrix. they are all-in besties and there for each other at any turn. You can feel the friendship between these women and I think Kennedy Ryan put so much love and care into this friendship and it was so beautiful to see <3

I will say though, this was more of a fiction with romance because the romance sometimes took a backseat to Soledad and Judah's personal journeys, but with good reason! It was so important to see them be parents and their journeys were filled with heartwarming moments and self-discovery which was so nice to read about. Soledad and Judah are both single parents and I think Kennedy Ryan so beautifully displayed parenthood in these pages unlike another single parent romances out there. She did not shy away from tough conversations and made these characters feel so real to me. She is the queen of creating vivid characters with actual lives outside of their relationships.

Overall, this was so freaking good and I'm so excited for Hendrix's book to come out!!!

Thank you Grand Central/Forever Pub and NetGalley for this ARC, it comes out 3/5

This Could Be Us gets off to a surprising start that immediately captured my full attention. In the previous Skyland book, Before I Let Go, there were already hints that Soledad’s husband Edward wasn’t being fully open with her or good to her. Was he cheating on her? Did their relationship simply go south? But early on here, it’s evident that things are much worse, and Edward’s mistreatment of Soledad isn’t good. When the FBI shows up at their home to arrest Edward, the whole mess is suddenly clear to Soledad, and it’s become public throughout her community. Clearly she needs to divorce this man she apparently didn’t really know anymore. How can Soledad move on from this? How can she take on the role of a single parent to her three daughters?

A big part of This Could Be Us is about Soledad’s personal transformation. It’s not just going from a stay-at-home mom to a successful influencer able to keep her daughters in their extracurricular activities and private schools. More than that, it’s about Soledad learning to love herself and trust herself. She’s guided by bell hooks’s book, All About Love: New Visions, and by her late mother’s diary entries. Soledad gets comfortable dating herself and feeling whole on her own. I loved seeing this journey and how it helps her gain confidence in herself.

However, the romance with Judah Cross is still something worth rooting for, even if it needs to wait until Soledad is ready. Their relationship won’t be easy: Judah is the one who discovered Edward’s crimes, after all. Dating the man who put your ex in prison? Awkward! But it also underscores how different Judah is from Edward. Unlike the ex, Judah is honest, caring, kind, patient, generous… all the good qualities you could want in a partner. He always treats Soledad well, respects her choices, and supports her in everything she does. Such a welcome turnaround from that rat Edward!

Beyond Soledad’s personal journey and her slow burn romance with Judah, family and friendship both play vital roles in This Could Be Us. Soledad is a mother to three daughters, navigating the tricky situation with their father with grace. Judah co-parents his two teenage sons with his ex-wife, still a close friend to him. Their twin boys are autistic, which adds another wonderful layer to this novel. Their experiences with autism are handled with great care and sensitivity. On top of child relationships, the book also highlights relationships between adult siblings, between close friends, and with parents.

There are so many layers woven throughout This Could Be Us, making for a rich and complete look at a rapidly changing family unit. With some authors, juggling so many themes in one story would end up muddled, overwhelming, or just unfocused. But Kennedy Ryan has such an incredible handle on her characters and story that it all fits together perfectly. Instead of feeling like too much, this novel feels full in the best way. It’s an honest look at a mother, her daughters, her tentative romance, and the many people in their lives affected by all these changes. This novel is a masterclass in depicting a cast of characters as having full, complicated lives while making it cohesive and enjoyable for the readers.

This Could Be Us is a superb novel that balances love, family drama, and self-discovery. It’s a mixture of genres, principally romance and women’s fiction, highlighting slightly older characters (around the age of 40) than usually shown in romances. The Skyland series has been utterly perfect so far, and I can’t wait to see Hendrix’s love story in book #3, due out in 2025. In the meantime, I will be reading more from Kennedy Ryan! Her novels are transcendent.

This book is kind of a masterpiece. Everything I didn't even know I wanted in a contemporary romance novel. I loved the first Skyland book, but I think this one has replaced it as my favorite. I'm in awe with Kennedy Ryan's writing, the way she crafts such a beautiful story with amazing characters you root for from page 1. The premise of this book is so unique and a little bit bonkers--Soledad must pick up the pieces when her husband is sent to prison for embezzlement, leaving her and her three daughters with almost nothing. What happens after is a gorgeous book focused mainly on self-love and realizing your true potential and who you are with a dash of romance thrown in. Did I mention that Soledad and the man who is partially responsible for putting her husband in prison can't keep their eyes off each other?

There is just SO much in this book. Soledad is the main pov but Judah gets his own POV and he has his own unique story. I loved his co-parenting relationship with his ex and how much he cares for his autistic twin sons. Ryan has an author's note at the beginning of the book about how personal this story is to her and she handles it with such care. Judah is a top tier book boyfriend and the way he is so patient and wonderful with Soledad??? I can't handle it.

I adored this book so much. I can't wait for Hendrix's book and to see what else Ryan has in store for Skyland.

Thank you so much to Forever and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Highlights
🌸 dual POV
🏵 slow burn
🌸 self discovery
🏵 BIPOC & ASD rep
🌸 strong female friendships
🏵 emotional rollercoaster

I'm not being dramatic when I say that I stared blankly at the wall for 10 minutes after finishing this book last night. I knew it would most likely send me into an emotional spiral, thanks to Before I Let Go (her first stand alone book in this series), but This Could Be Us really blew me away. Soledad and Judah's stories were incredible on their own, and I loved that their love story didn't overshadow their personal growth.

Don't mistake The Skyland series to be just another contemporary romance. These books go against the traditional romantic formula of what a happily ever after looks like, and instead showcases the brilliantly devastating realities of love, loss, family, and friendship.

My goodness, Kennedy Ryan does it again in a way that's so intrinsically unique that I'm utterly floored. The book features quite a few triggers (one that's especially triggering for me), but in the hands of another author, I'm not sure I would've been able to stomach it. This Could Be Us is a beautifully warm and deeply memorable story highlighting many significant turning points for women and children. It's an all-around love letter to families, friendships, and romantic partnerships, with each beat handled with nuance and care. It's early in the year, but it's undoubtedly one of the best romance novels of 2024.

FULL REVIEW: https://marvelousgeeksmedia.com/2024/03/04/this-could-be-us-by-kennedy-ryan-review/

Kennedy Ryan can do no wrong. First of all, lets look at this cover. STUNNING.

This is the second book following another companion book, and as excited as I was for Soledad's story, I was equally excited to be back in this world! The books that Ryan writes really encompass powerhouses of women. This series, feels more like women's fiction with a subplot of romance, so that would be the only thing that I would tell you if you are interested in this and you are thinking that you were going to get a heavy romance.

Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for my early e-arc!

This Could Be Us is likely going to be one of the best books I read in 2024 and it is only March. Kennedy Ryan has a gift and I am so thankful that she chooses to share it with all of us. This book is emotional, poignant, and it had me invested from the very first page.

The journey that Soledad went on throughout this book was amazing. She's strong, caring, resilient, hard-working, and she's an incredible mother. There were times I couldn't help but feel for her, yet I was also cheering for her as she really found out who she was.

Judah was also an amazing character. I loved how Ryan wrote him. He was not your typical hero and I loved that. He sacrificed things that many men wouldn't because he wanted to be there for his autistic sons and he also wanted his ex-wife to succeed in her profession as well. Judah was a gem!

The friend group of Soledad's, and her daughters, along with Judah's sons, ex-wife and her new husband really shaped how this story unfolded. They all played their parts and helped when it was their turn to encourage Soledad and Judah. The support and encouragement from this group was wonderful.

While this book deals with heavy, real-life topics at times, that's what makes it so great. It's what separates Kennedy Ryan from so many other author's. She has a way of writing that tells these very complex and difficult stories in a way that end up so beautifully done. I highly, highly recommend this book and I can't wait for the next one!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

This book had me in my feelings. It is so well written (as I've come to expect from Kennedy Ryan). I put her up there with Abby Jimenez as my favorite writers who can really break through and make me feel something with their stories. Nothing feels gratuitous in this book, everything feels grounded and real, from the emotion to the sex. Soledad is so real to me that I feel like she could just walk off the page. Her tribe of sisters and best friends being so supportive and connected is enviable. I really appreciate how KR navigated the complex issues of family, love, self sufficiency, spectrum disorders, friendship, and motherhood. We're not given any easy answers, but the depth makes everything richer. This is a book that I would recommend to anyone, regardless of whether they typically read romance. It's THAT GOOD. I actually haven't read the 1st book in this series yet, but after meeting this incredible tribe of women, you can bet that's about to change.

Kennedy Ryan can do no wrong! The second book in the Skyland series didn't disappoint. The depth of characters dealing with real life situations and falling in love in the process make this series so relatable and so comforting. I loved Sol's strength in this one and the bond of her girls. I cannot get enough and I'm so excited for Hen's book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Grant Central Publishing for the eARC.

I really, really enjoyed the story in this novel. I was so obsessed with finding out what was going to happen with Edward and wanted Soledad to have only the best. Judah was a wonderful surprise. I cannot wait to read Hendrix's story next!

4 stars.

What a great book. I love how Kennedy Ryan in the research in Hispanic culture for Soledad background.
I really like how the story shows us that a bad partner may try to break you - you make bend but never break and can hustle your way to your place. Also how not all guys are duchess.

"This Could Be Us" is a heartwarming romance that will sweep readers off their feet and leave them with a therapy bill but would it be Kennedy Ryan if it didn't?

At its core, "This Could Be Us" is a story about the power of love to heal old wounds. The author deftly explores the complexities of relationships, weaving together themes of forgiveness, redemption, and self-discovery in a way that feels both authentic and deeply moving.

If there is any doubt that Kennedy Ryan is one of the best authors of our time, you have only to read This Could Be Us to see just how good she is. Kennedy's writing has a way of drawing you in emotionally from the first word on the first page. This Could Be Us is no different. Meeting both Judah and Soledad at different points in their lives and respective marriages and taking that journey to their happily ever after is a masterclass in romance writing.
The chemistry between Soledad and Judah is hot, and their slow burn is one of the best I've ever read. But beyond the romance, this is a story of discovering who you are after losing so much of the things you thought you needed and valued. It showcases resiliency, friendship and sisterhood, and familial love through both adolescents and adults. There is also autism representation through Judah's boys that is written with the care only someone familiar with someone on the spectrum could write so well.
My only disappointment with this book is that it ended.
This Could Be Us is another beautiful story from Kennedy Ryan that will break your heart and then expertly put it back together. Another 5 star read from a 5 star author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

i’ve probably tried picking this book at least 3 times but i’ve never been able to get very far due to how slowly it moves and that’s just for me one of the worst things in a contemporary book bc i do get easily bored.

i’m sure if you like kennedy’s writing in general you’ll like this but it simply wasn’t for me unfortunately.

So, when I first found out that the next installment in the Skyland series wasn’t going to be about Hendrix, I was a bit disappointed. However, I LOVED this book and Soledad’s growth and strength 😍 Oof and the first closet scene with Edward made me want to get the machete myself 😡 He was the epitome of a narcissistic user and I’m so glad Judah stepped into the picture! I mean, what a MAN ❤️‍🔥 Their chemistry dripped off the pageeee 👏🏻 Overall, this was captivating, heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time, and I enjoyed every second of it. Completely devoured it in 24 hours! The autism rep and diversity discussion is just beyond and discussed so well. Every side character is perfectly suited for the book. Do yourself a favor and pick this up and any other Kennedy Ryan book that you can get your hands on!

This Could Be Us is an incredible story about a woman whose world is shattered one day when the police arrive at her door and arrest her husband for embezzlement. She quickly has to come to terms with her husband's crimes, his infidelity, and the reality that she now has to provide for herself and her daughters. There is a romance, but the couple does not even kiss until well past the 60% point. The real heart of the story is Soledad finding herself and her purpose again. The story's brilliance is in how realistic and from the heart this story is. To me, that is the magic in Kennedy Ryan's writing. She truly understands her female characters and the world that she builds around them.

4.5/5 stars.

Soledad Barnes is an excellent planner. She’s also excellent at fixing problems, can host a party with her eyes closed, she’s the one with all the answers, and she has a recipe for the perfect summer salad vinaigrette. When catastrophe strikes, Soledad’s many talents are unable to save her. The man whom she built a life and family with, who was supposed to be her forever, has disappeared in a cloud of betrayal. There’s no time for her to wallow in her misery though because she needs to keep a roof over her and her daughters’ heads as well as food on the table. While saving her family, Soledad learns to save herself. When an unlikely man enters the picture, Soledad has to decide whether she can trust him and whether she can trust herself.

THIS COULD BE US is the second book I’ve read by Kennedy Ryan and I absolutely adored it. Kennedy had me in a chokehold within the first quarter of the book and I couldn’t get enough. This story is told in dual POV and I think this was the BEST decision for these characters.

Kennedy Ryan is a talented author, she has created a plot and characters who are so well developed and engrossing. Soledad is a phenomenal main character for this story - she is relatable, down-to-earth, resilient, and caring. She gets dealt an awful hand and instead of dwelling in her unhappy circumstances, she rebuilds. I loved following along as she embarked upon her #datingmyself journey - she’s truly such an inspiration (to me) and to the other women in her surroundings. What Kennedy also does extremely well here is the supportive women in this community and excellent female relationships within these pages. Yasmen, Hendrix, and Soledad are so supportive of one another (we also see this in Before I Let Go where these three women rally amongst each other in a different set of circumstances) and of other women in their community who need a helping hand. I also loved seeing how close Soledad is with her two sisters and how Soledad’s daughters are the same. It’s truly so beautiful.

While still on the topic of characters, Judah Cross cannot be forgotten. He is one of the best male leads I have read in a while. Judah is presented as a man who doesn’t truly fit societies’ norms but he is an amazing man just the same. He is so dedicated to his family and those he loves, his love and support knows no bounds, and he’s just an all-around good guy. The love he exudes for his boys is palpable. I loved his dynamic with Soledad - it was so heartwarming to see how loving and supportive he was of her, even in the smallest of gestures.

Of note, I thought Kennedy Ryan did a great job with the autism representation, really highlighting the variability of presentation within the spectrum. Another important note, the showcasing of a healthy coparenting - incredibly mature and well done. I also really enjoyed the cultural aspects infused into this story. I think it’s so neat that some of the more iconic recipes Soledad shares within her story are included in the back of the book.

There is romance within this book and I really feel it is a subplot as there is so much else going on here. I’d say it is more of a slow burn romance with some open door spice scenes that are impeccably written.

I am so excited to read Hendrix’ story in 2025 and will most definitely be looking into Kennedy’s backlist!

<i>I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Forever Publishing, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.</i>

Soledad's world has fallen apart. Her husband, Edward, has been embezzling from his company. She sensed something was wrong but never imagined this. She has to secure the necessary funds to reimburse the company and figure out how to maintain a sense of normalcy for their 3 daughters.

Soledad was a stay at home Mom. With the support of her friends, Yasmen and Hendrix, Soledad goes on a journey of self discovery. She uncovers her many talents and is able to turn things around for her family.

Has she also found love in the least likely place?

This is the first book by Kennedy Ryan I have read. It was compelling, hard to put down read.

I loved this book even more than the first one! I was not expecting to love Soledad so much. But she was incredible. She is so resilient, strong and determined.

This Could Be Us follows Soledad in the aftermath of some family drama and betrayal (that shocked me and had me seething at her husband). This is a love story- but it isn’t just romantic love. As she rebuilds her life and picks up the pieces to take care of her daughters, Soledad also starts a journey of self love. She leans on her friends and her sisters for platonic love. And while all of this is happening, she falls for the person she “shouldn’t” that shows her what romantic love should be.

This book was so beautiful and real. I loved the female friendships and the strength these women showed for each other. I do wish that we had more Judah. I loved him as a father and how caring her was to Soledad, but I feel like we didn’t get enough of his personality outside of that.

I thought this would definitely be a five-star read for me. It started out so strong. Soledad's husband, Edward, has been doing some shady stuff at work and is arrested, leaving her and their three children to fend for themselves.

Soledad learns how strong she can be when put to the test. I love that about her. But I also felt that her self-discovery/self-love overshadowed her romance with Judah Cross. I would have liked to see more Judah and Soledad scenes.

Judah, a divorced father of two autistic sons is also the accountant who discovered that Edward was a thief. Judah and Soledad were attracted to each other from the moment they met. He is a patient man and was waiting for her to be ready to date again. Because of this, the plot dragged at times in part two of the book. It felt too long, and I felt that some of the scenes (non Judah/Soledad together) could have been eliminated. I still really liked it, just not enough for five stars.

Thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.