I gobble up Kennedy Ryan books like thanksgiving dinner but better. I end up taking a break after a few chapters because the story is so good that I don’t want it to end. And this book was no different. Her unique writing style pulled me in, in a way that had me immersed in the lives of the characters and empathizing and relating to them in every way.

Soledad and Judah attraction to each other was so palpable that it was jumping off the page. I really liked the love and care they handled each other with.

I loved how she covered autism. It was handled with so much care.

Judah wanting to learn and understand everything about Soledad so he could be closer to her is so swoony. He really is a great book boyfriend. I loved reading about his relationships with his sons and how he and Tremaine coparent and are still very good friends.

Kennedy Ryan delivers yet another emotionally charged and inspiring story with This Could Be Us. Soledad Barnes’ journey of rediscovery and self-love after betrayal is beautifully woven with themes of resilience, motherhood, and second chances. Soledad’s strength and determination to rebuild her life while raising her daughters make her an inspiring protagonist you can’t help but root for.

Judah, the unlikely and irresistible man who enters Soledad’s life, brings tenderness, patience, and understanding into her world. His role as a father to twin boys with autism adds a touching layer to the story, and the co-parenting dynamics are beautifully portrayed. Their slow-burn relationship is full of mutual respect and care, offering a satisfying balance to Soledad’s personal growth.

Ryan’s writing is as emotionally rich as ever, seamlessly blending romance with women’s fiction. While the romance is integral, the story’s heart lies in Soledad’s journey of self-discovery and healing. This is a story about embracing your worth, loving yourself, and finding the courage to trust again.

If you love romance that’s grounded in real-life struggles and triumphs, This Could Be Us is a must-read. Kennedy Ryan continues to prove why she’s a master of writing powerful, relatable stories that resonate on a deep emotional level.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this book! I can’t wait to read more from Kennedy Ryan! Her writing is amazing! Highly recommend!

I enjoyed a lot of this book, such as the vibrant protagonist that felt realistic. The author seems to really understand the struggles of women. I think some of the dialogue was forced but I have to admit this is not my subculture and I am an outside observer. I would definitely recommend this to a friend.

Absolutely love Soledad’s and Judah’s love story, but I also loved how we got to see more of the friendship between Soledad, Yasmeen and Hendrix. Her girls had her back when her husband did her terrible. You get sisterhood and romance and I absolutely love how Kennedy Ryan highlights friendship in this book.

Absolutely phenomenal read! I wasn't sure anything could be better than Before I let go but WOW!!! Kennedy Ryan is genuinely the queen of Romance Novels that make you so engaged and truly invested in the characters. Her writing is so beautiful that you truly feel as though you are living in the same world and watching these stories unfold.

As everyone knows I absolutely love Kennedy and I love this friend group! The depth at which each character belong to themselves and the way I feel like I know them is amazing!

I can’t wait to get the last book in this series !

Kennedy Ryan knows how to write a book! Soledad's growth was heartwarming, I was rooting for her throughout this book! The emotions I felt throughout reading this book was such a roller-coaster! "We cannot neglect ourselves for the sake of saving others"; we can take care of ourselves first and still find a way to be there for others. We matter too!"

I said that giving Before I Let Go 5 stars was as easy as breathing....and if possible, This Could Be Us was even easier. There is something so effortless about Kennedy's writing. I will never understand how she's able to weave such emotional stories in a way that feels like she's speaking to your soul. Sol's journey to loving herself first and foremost was incredible to witness. Judah's unbridled love and acceptance of not only himself but everyone around him (sans Edward - f*ck him) made me want to give him a hug. And together? Two magnets that drew me in every time they were on the page. Kennedy Ryan will always hurts you but she will always makes sure she puts you back together better than you were before.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever for my advanced copy!

Kennedy Ryan does it again. This is one yet another great read of 2024. Though I loved this book, I wish that it was marketed as a women’s fiction. Unlike the first book in this series, I did not feel like there was too much romance happening. I think that the romance between the two characters may have happened off page because he never really courted her, they somehow just fell in love. The story to me was less a romance and more a women’s fiction. The main character was figured out life after kids and being married to one of the worst husband ever.

Ok, I loved this one! I read This Could Be Us and Before I Let Go back to back and can't get enough of Kennedy Ryan's writing. Soledad's story was heartbreaking, uplifting and inspiring and I loved her journey. She is the definition of a strong single mother, and I adored how she navigated her ex-husband's duplicity and outright bad behavior. She was able to find her way with only a few missteps and a lot of grace, and had a strong support system between her friends and sisters. Soledad is a lovable lead, and this story felt very real. The romance was slow-burn, and it felt like a women's fiction novel until well over halfway through the book. Then the romance hit and it was VERY steamy. I'm a new fan of Kennedy Ryan and can't wait for Hendrix' story next

Before I Let Go, the prequel to this book was my intro to Kennedy Ryan. I pulled an all-nighter while on an adventurous vacation to read the entire book. So, I was nervous and anxious about This Could Be Us maintaining my admiration. Well, I devoured it too in one night. This author ignited my love for reading and this sequel didn’t disappoint. Yasmin and Soledad’s stories, views and change of perspectives were very relatable on more than one occasion. Real life heartache and happiness are in this story! I’m excited to read the upcoming 3rd book in this series!

I love the author’s story telling and then comes the romance. She develops the characters so well with complexities and texture which is so appreciated

The Good: Kennedy Ryan's storytelling really drew me in with its emotionally rich characters and a plot that deeply explores themes of love, resilience, and second chances. I felt the chemistry between the protagonists was palpable, and the dialogue was both realistic and engaging. I also appreciated how Ryan tackled difficult issues with sensitivity and care, which added depth to the romance.

The Bad: I did find that the pacing was uneven at times, especially in the middle where the story seemed to slow down. There were moments when the detailed exploration of the characters' backstories felt a bit lengthy, which occasionally pulled my focus away from the central romance.

Final Thoughts: This Could Be Us is a heartfelt and powerful romance that resonated with me. Despite some pacing issues, I found Kennedy Ryan's narrative to be moving, exploring the complexities of love and healing in a way that's both rewarding and deeply emotional. If you enjoy character-driven stories, this one is definitely worth the read.

Soledad Barnes, a meticulous planner, and domestic goddess, faces devastation when her seemingly perfect life crumbles due to betrayal. Left to provide for her daughters, she rediscovers herself amidst the chaos. Just as she rebuilds, an unexpected man enters her life, challenging her trust and stirring forbidden desires. Despite past losses and newfound strength, she grapples with whether to take a chance on love again. Will she dare to embrace the possibility of a new beginning, or will fear of repeating past mistakes hold her back? Soledad must summon courage to navigate this uncertain path of loss, rediscovery, and potential love.

After reading and loving Before I Let Go last year, I knew I couldn’t wait to dive into the next book in the series, This Could Be Us. The story follows another character in the friend group, Soledad, as she navigates a major upheaval in her life.

There were many things I loved about this book, but I think what I enjoyed most was the focus on self-love and loving yourself first. Soledad goes through quite a journey throughout the book but one of the biggest is with her relationship with herself. She learns to rely on herself and learn how to trust herself first and foremost.

Thank you to @readforeverpub and @Netgalley for the gifted advanced copy! All opinions are my own.

Kennedy Ryan is the only author who consistently brings me to tears with her writing. Her stories have a unique way of touching my heart. The way she portrayed Soledad’s journey toward self-love, along with Judah’s patience with her pace, was beautiful to read. The way blended families and healthy coparenting were shown added a real, genuine touch to the story. I can't wait for Hendrix's book!!

This book grabbed my heart from the beginning. Soledad the heroine has such a kind spirit. As she tries to pickup the pieces of her broken heart and semi broken family she tries to find love unexpectedly. Enters Judah and his two boys. These two souls complete each other. The question is can they navigate their feelings and find love in each other.

The perfect follow up to the first book. Ryan will never not be an auto-buy author for me and this book further solidifies that for me.

I deeply loved Before I Let Go, and was not expecting this new release to become my new favorite. But alas, I could not be more happy to be proven wrong. Kennedy Ryan always crafts stories that have reality so intwined thought them that it is easy to believe that they could happen in real life. And I think that's also what makes them hit so much harder emotionally. This Could Be Us does such a beautiful job at displaying how strong Sol is, and how much care she puts into herself, her life, and her family. Witnessing her come into her own and stand up for what she deserves was incredibly inspiring. It was also so refreshing to see a MMC like Judah who loves and cares for her so much, but doesn't feel the need to take charge of her life. He recognizes when he needs to step in but he also patiently waits on the sidelines, giving Sol the room she needs and waits for her to feel comfortable to come to him. I adored this story and cannot wait to reread on audio!

i have mixed feelings on this one. part of me wanted to dnf the entire time reading (it may have been my reading slump) but I pushed through, while also skimming so keep that in mind when reading my review.

I'll keep it easy with the things I did and didn't like.

things I liked:
Kennedy's writing
Judah
the build up of friendship to love over time
empowering story

things I didn't like:
slow moving and boring at times
very little romance (it was a subplot)
mixed feelings on soledad
judahs personality fell flat for me