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jikuuu08's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
the dialogue of every character was so distinct and though the topics varied through heavy and emotional situations, the lightness and fun sprinkled into the story was delightful.
the narritive comes full circle and in the end is so heartwarming and satisfying.
i learned that love is not how inherently good it is, but it is more how you can fight through the bad and find your way back to eachother when times are tough.
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent
michelle_my_belle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Dementia, and Alcohol
books_withblooms's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Grief, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
caseythereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Dementia
ems_rxlibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Infidelity and Dementia
wblove's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Before I Let Go is a story about loss and grief and the way it can absolutely ruin relationships but also help heal them when fully acknowledged.
I didn't expect to have my own traumas and insecurities flayed open in the pages of a book by an author I'd never read, but here we are. The FMC was written beautifully as a fully developed character with flaws, but who also was able to recognize where she messed up and did the work to fix it. It also beautifully explores female friendships and why they're so necessary. The MMC for personal reasons made me upset BUT he was also wonderfully written. He was written in a way that many men often aren't, he was allowed to be soft, emotional, an amazing and hands on father who would, and did, do anything to show his kids he cares.
Kennedy Ryan BEAUTIFULLY wrote a story that showcased SO many things we don't often get to see all in one. There was healthy talk of grief, the reactions to it, divorce, child loss, therapy, female friendships where they are there for you and your children, second chances after divorce and so much more. This was my first book by her but it absolutely will not be the last.
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cursing, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
Minor: Death and Medical trauma
books_wit_britt's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Miscarriage, and Suicidal thoughts
maggieparedesauthor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Grief
churrosmom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The star of this book is the depth of its portrayal of the main character, Yasmen's depression and grief. This is probably the most realistic depiction of therapy that I have ever read in a novel. As someone who has been in therapy for almost 7 years and has had a number of therapists, I think that the main character's struggles with depression are so accurate in that it is hard for her to find a therapist who is a good fit, and it takes a combination of medication and long-term therapy with the right therapist to heal. So many books I've read have a magical therapist where the character goes to therapy twice and everything is resolved, and that is not the case here. It's also so realistic that unfortunately her family (husband and daughter) do not understand her depression and blame her for their family falling apart, and it takes themselves going to therapy to understand. I also like that we see the husband, Josiah, perspective on therapy and depression evolve (shoutout to the feelings wheel!!).
I do feel like the romance takes a back seat in this story, for better or for worse. After reading other reviews it does make me realize that we don't actually see much of the couple's love and growth together besides their sexual attraction. There is some minor drama with other characters Yasmen and Josiah date but they were set aside really easily.
Trigger warnings: Depression/mental health, suicidal ideation, death (of parents, parental figures), stillbirth, explicit sexual content.
**Disclaimer: Received an eARC from the publisher on Netgalley.
Graphic: Ableism, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Medical trauma and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Car accident, and Alcohol