Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - Before I Let Go

4.5 - such a lovely story of loss, grief, and second chances. There were a few things that felt like a stretch to me, or maybe I’m just jaded because my marriage crumbled in much the same way…without the happier ending.
Beautifully written though, and I’m excited for Soledad’s story next!

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abbyrose333's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

This was a phenomenal story! I loved every second and there is nothing I would change. The characters were written with such depth it felt like I was right there with them navigating each of their emotions and experiences. This wasn’t just a love story about a couple it was about love for yourself, family, friends and everyone in between.

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kerrythefire's review against another edition

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challenging emotional medium-paced

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

It took me a long time to pick up this book because I knew it'd be a lot of emotion. It was. A lot of brutal stuff in here, but really beautifully written around rich, complex characters you can't help but root for. Yas and Josiah felt like real, believable people and Kennedy Ryan took such care with them and their story. The narrators also did a wonderful job with the audiobook.

Second chance romance is not my trope of choice, and I know it's a bias I have in real life that I am skeptical of couples who break up and get back together. But I was all in on this story because it felt so authentic and, tbh, will probably make me more open to the idea of it happening in real life.

This book was also a love letter to therapy which I will always be here for.

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stuffshayreads's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

A beautifully written and realistic story of love, life, and friendships (and their complications) after loss. I love the representation of POC’s in this book, though it didn’t seem to be a focus. When I say it’s beautifully written, I truly mean it. The imagery that Kennedy Ryan is able to incorporate, invoked emotions to life events that I have never even come close to. I will definitely be reading more of her works.

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ayodougie's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Strong character development? Yes

4.0

This one was for sure a slow burn. Writing was great! I loved that she tells her story so well and it felt real. This was real and some touchy subjects were discussed. Grief and loss and how we all cope differently and sometimes these things disrupt our whole lives. Yasmen and Josiah and their second chance and how it is all unpacked. I could most definitely relate and that is what kept me afloat during this slow burn second chance romance. Sometimes you need way more than just love during the hard times but whew when they spoke on their love I felt it in my gut. This book was therapy in a nutshell shell and I loved its positive take on therapy in black families because this is constantly overlooked in the community. Even the tough take on parenthood because it is hard with these little humans and they can pull at your heart in the worse way, it is not always great no matter how good you are to them. The dynamic they had after divorce was great because most just explode and break families up because of hurt but Josiah kept going through his hurt I get his hesitation and respect on his behalf. Well done I am not much of a romance reader but I loved the authors writing style.

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