When I met Mrs. Ryan last year she spoke about her son with Autism. I felt even closer to her because of my educational background and would in SPED. So when finding out this book there would be characters on the spectrum I was overjoyed. What was really touching and more important was that she addressed the parents and what they go through. Having a child with special needs takes a toll on an individual let alone a marriage. What I also was happy with is that she talked about types of Autism in depth with the boys, breaking the stigma of people thinking only looks like one thing vs a spectrum.

In the tangled web of unexpected passion, their romance unfolded with an intensity that leapt off the pages. As I delved into the narrative, a craving for more opposition from the main character's husband surfaced, only to realize that life's complexities seldom adhere to neat resolutions. Embracing the messy intricacies, the entangled romance captivated, leaving threads of suspense and raw emotion hanging, mirroring the unpredictability of life's twists and turns.

Absolutely one of my favorites of 2023 as was Before I Let Go in 2022. Ryan Kennedy writes great real like situations. She really brings this home. Very relatable unfortunately be her words are beautiful. Thank you!

5⭐
R🌶️

Kennedy Ryan has figured out how to write the perfect book and make it feel different and special and emotional every single time in this perfect way. This Could Be Us takes the complicated life events that reminded me of the Kingmaker series and combines with this beautiful forty-something mom introduced in Before I Let Go to create a story I completely devoured.

I loved how so much of Soledad's story was figuring out how to love herself and how loving a partner can be included in that love as an addition rather than a distraction. Soledad was strong and beautiful and stood up for herself in ways that had me cheering out loud multiple times. And Judah was absolutely perfect as this kind, sensitive dad whose sole focus was loving his two kids on the autism spectrum and Soledad.

From start to finish, this book was take-your-breath-away incredible. It made me feel everything and I know I will be thinking about it for the rest of the year. If you love romance, you need to be reading all of Kennedy Ryan's books--especially this series!!

Kennedy Ryan honestly always delivers. Ryan does an amazing job of writing strong female characters and emotionally intelligent male characters. This definitely read more Women’s Fiction than traditional Romance but I’m fine with it. Not as emotional as Before I Let Go, but does pull on the heart strings since her ex does put her through the wringer.

🌟🌟🌟and a 1/2

Thank you so much Kennedy Ryan and Forever for this beautiful ARC. This story brought me in so many tears. This story helped me find joy and happiness within myself. I love how Judah was being patient with Soledad while she was trying to love herself after a what went down between her and her ex husband. I also like how Judah gets along with his ex-wife and her husband and not being toxic. Kennedy Ryan knows how to tell a good story and gives a lot of her readers and positive message. Can't wait for Hendrix's story.

Not my typical read, my first from this author. I enjoyed reading both of the mc's journey as individuals and as parents. I didn't enjoy the sexual content or the repeated descriptions of their bodies throughout. That and some of the internal and external dialogue seemed forced.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to review.

I am so happy to have been able to visit Skyland again and this time for Soledad’s story. We see Soledad’s world turned upside down and go along with her on her journey of rediscovering herself. Her bond with best friends Yasmen and Hendrix, her three daughters, and a new budding relationship with Judah all take center stage as she finds her own independence.

Judah, a divorced father of twin boys, is gentle and kind. The co-parenting relationship he has with his ex is totally parenting goals and the autism rep is treated with so much kindness.

I loved how strong Soledad was, and not just when she had to be. Kennedy Ryan writes her FMCs with such strength and grace, it’s absolute perfection. And I love how she writes female relationships in general (amongst female friends and between a mother & her female children). I’m always game for a story with women building each other up instead of trying to tear each other down!

I didn’t think I would love this story as much as I loved Yasmen and Josiah’s story in Before We Let Go, but here we are. I laughed and I shed some tears. I cant wait to see what’s in store for Hendrix!

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own. Pub date March 5, 2024.

A spicy romance that had me hooked from the start! I can sense that this will undoubtedly earn another well-deserved 5-star rating for Kennedy Ryan.

I loved this book. I enjoyed it more than the first book of the series. Miss Kennedy Ryan has done it again! Although there were several reasons/situations why Soledad and Judah shouldn’t have been together what is destined to be will be. I continue to enjoy Miss Ryan’s strong character development and unique storylines. It’s not everyday you read about someone falling in love with the man responsible for putting your husband in prison and flipping your life upside down. As a Social Worker. i enjoy when aspects of my professional life peep into the books I’m reading. The inclusion of Of characters with Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD), was well written and thoughtful to provide incite on how different this disorder can look in individuals with the use of twin boys with the disorder but on opposite ends of spectrum. Looking forward to book 3 of the series in 2025.

Kennedy Ryan! Whew! I am still new to reading your books but when I read Before I Let Go, I knew I had to read this one too. I was going to wait until then NetGalley came in clutch. Where do I start?

Edward…… Jesus Christ. I knew I didn’t like him in Before I Let Go but he really did his big one in this book. What is wrong with you?! He pissed me off in so many ways and it just kept getting worst. Getting the mistress pregnant AND running off with her once you got out. Didn’t even care about his own kids with Sol. SMH.

Soledad. Girl. If she didn’t snatch Judah up, I was going to and run off in the sunset. All I can say is, my girl did dat! She stood on her own two feet and did everything she could to make ends meet. She’s a fantastic mom and I loved her. She’s so sweet but fragile at the same time and I’m so happy that Judah will handle her with care. She was a little indecisive… with good reason but she got there in the end.

Judah. My baby daddy, my man, my book crush, the man of the hour. WOW. So generous, patient, caring, empathetic, understanding, and thorough. Let’s not even talk about how through that man is in bed👀🤣. This man is everything and I’m so happy he loves Sol the way she should be treated. And the way he loves his kids!😮‍💨Chileeee…. The full package!

Yas and Hen. They’re the best friends someone can ever ask for. They came through and help our girl out with it all! Yas with the groceries. Hen with the 10 stacks! The kids included- Even they pulled their weight! Everybody just came together and pitched in. And let’s not forget the coparenting relationship and the level of maturity Tremaine and Judah demonstrate. I loved to see it and how much she genuinely cared about him. This was a beautiful book and I cannot wait to read Hendrix’ story in 2025!!!!

Spicy level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Kennedy Ryan does it AGAIN! If i had to describe what Kennedy’s writing is like for me - is how artists feel about the lyrics in their music. Kennedy captures family, friendship and autism in her story - and I am in awe of her story. Soledad is a fierce mother who loves her daughters so much, devoted to her husband - and never changing who she is. Even when she meets Judah- she continues to be wholeheartedly herself. I love the friendships she portrays in her stories, learning more about autism, family dynamics and chemistry and realness with her and Judah!

…awareness of self is a key pillar from which to build great loves

Our beloved Patron Saint (as dubbed by the unofficial clergy 🤭), writes romance for those who desire a more robust vintage than what the genre may typically offer.

There was continued exploration of themes from the preceding book, Before I Let Go- healing from personal tragedy, breakdown of a marriage, reconciling sense-of-self and roles within the context of the first two. But, it’s the nuance of these themes in this particular story that I really connected with.

Women are often defined by the roles we have in relation to the other things and persons- partner, children, work, etc. At times we become so wrapped up in these roles that the lens we view ourselves with isn’t as clear, or because of seemingly small allowances, the things for self get a little less space. Soledad’s journey to recalibrating her own understanding of self, navigating a new normal for her family and how to make space for new love while healing, had the classic romance ingredients but also served as a soft nudge your bestie might give you. Like a whisper of, “Hey girl, you’re doing all the things but make sure to take care of you.”

Speaking of, friendship was such a core component of the story and it was a treat (laugh-out-loud worthy in some parts) to be able to see glimpses of my own girlies in Soledad’s friend circle. Even this read as another gentle reminder that you don’t always have to be strong if the right people are in your corner to take care of your soft parts. Even better if a new love in your life checks that box and more 😌

I won’t wax poetic about Judah Cross because Sister Kennedy knows how to write a ✨man✨ and she did that and more with this one (if men really wanted an instructional, I mean it is literally right there 🙃).

So as we reflect on the year we’ve had, the year to come and life in both, I wish for you all the things that This Could Be Us reminded me of- it can be you too.

Finally finished this book after completing multiple December-based reads.

Kennedy Ryan was the first author I read after my 5-6 year reading slump and she continues to amaze me! Before I Let Go checked so many boxes for me and This Could Be Us raised the bar even HIGHER! I enjoyed experiencing Soledad's journey through triumphs, grief, heartache, strength, and so much more. I can't wait to purchase this book (unfortunately I missed the B&N special edition sale) and add it to my growing collection of books from Kennedy Ryan.

Sorry but no one’s doing it like Kennedy Ryan!! Soledad is an incredible character and I loved that so much of this was focused on her growth after her life was thrown upside down. Yet somehow the romance was still so poignant?? Kennedy is a master of her craft. I loved the care that was put into the autistic sons, you just know Kennedy is the best mom.

The influencer storyline was a little cringy, as it always is, but if anyone’s gonna do it then it should be Kennedy.

This one is a real love letter to sisters and female friendships that will pull on your heartstrings.

Kennedy. Ryan. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
This book has so many of my favorite things in books & she executed them perfectly!
🏆 mature relationship
🏆 communication
🏆 co-parenting
🏆 autism representation
🏆 female friendships
🏆 mother/daughter relationships
🏆marriage in crisis

Judah is a self-aware, attractive, confident introvert who knows what the hell he wants! Soledad is rebuilding her life & struggling to find herself after tragedy, but she is the strongest FMC! Their mutual respect, attraction and chemistry is off the charts.

I cried in the Author’s Note at the beginning … 3x. Ryan explains her experience with autism through her son & how important it was to accurately represent the autistic community in this book. As an SLP, I have worked with many students who range in abilities and needs across the spectrum. Every mention of Aaron & Adam in the book made my heart pitter patter a little because she illustrated all them so well. So many things that you can only truly understand when you love someone with autism.

This was the book I was waiting on and Ms. Ryan as usual did not disappoint. I was looking forward to Soledad's story since realizing that her husband was trash in Before I let Go and HONEY!!! That man was everything I thought he was but what I want to give Kennedy Ryan the most credit for was she let Sol feel but she also let that woman boss up and become everything she needed not only for the girls but for herself. This was an amazing story about self love and taking your power back. I aint gone lie the slow burn was a little drawn out for my taste but the writing of this story and overall book was amazing.

As always, I love Kennedy Ryan’s writing and this was no exception! While I adored the main characters and their romance (with a glorious male love interest) , I really valued the overall tone and message. I love how Kennedy Ryan wrote their individual character development, and how she emphasized the importance of finding and loving yourself amongst hardship, and never losing yourself in others. I loved how it leaned more into women’s fiction than romance, and I appreciated how she handled sensitive topics.

Kennedy Ryan can do no wrong in my eyes and this was no exception to that.
•
The Autism representation was so freaking well done. The romance was swoon worthy. The steam was STEAMY. The journey of bettering yourself was beautiful. From start to finish I was obsessed. This is going to be a top book of 2024 for me and it’s only the first week!

The standalone sequel in the skyland series. I would argue that there are two romances at play where Soledad is learning to fall in love with herself first, and Judah was the hero to cradle that.

Judah!!!!

He is such a beautiful black man on the page. He is the single yet gracefully co parenting father of two boys with autism, he is intelligent, patient, and caring. The perfect storm of everything she wants to be ready for.

This book was timely, shocking as far as the plot, sensual, and the author's note moved me in regards to the autism rep. I was sitting in the dark for an hour thinking about how to be my own true love. Listen, I wasn’t ready for Judah either.

This book gets all of the stars.