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rubisbooknook's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Kennedy Ryan just tore my whole heart out with this book and then put it back together again! And I thank her for it. This book was a beautiful and emotional look into what happens to a couple when they face unexpected loss. I loved Josiah and Yasmen’s love and the journey it took as they healed and found their way back to each other.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Child death, Death of parent, and Blood
whatnataliereadss's review against another edition
4.0
BEAUTIFUL writing, STUNNING character exploration & meaningful storyline but unfortunately character driven books and I, just don’t seem to get along.
However, I can appreciate a well written book when I read one & I know so many people will resonate with & adore this book. I can’t justify giving it less than 4 ⭐️ because it was definitely a ‘me’ issue as to why I didn’t enjoy it.
For transparency - I DNF’d this book at around the 75% mark
However, I can appreciate a well written book when I read one & I know so many people will resonate with & adore this book. I can’t justify giving it less than 4 ⭐️ because it was definitely a ‘me’ issue as to why I didn’t enjoy it.
For transparency - I DNF’d this book at around the 75% mark
booksnkay's review against another edition
5.0
holy hell. this book. favorite book of 2023 so far. raw, relatable characters in an emotional love story. if they're the one they really ARE the one. not much more i can say for myself without spoiling something. LOVE.
deziree16's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-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
wiznee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
in_joybooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was amazing.
jensabot's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
conpierre's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
Thank you Kennedy Ryan for taking me on this wonderful journey. I devoured the entire story in just one day. I don’t think I’ve loved a couple more than I loved Yasmen and Josiah. Throughout the book, I went through a rollercoaster of emotions – I cried, laughed, swooned, yearned, and cheered for them. Josiah and Yasmen were deeply in love and then a tragic accident happened that tore their family apart. Despite getting divorced, they still run a restaurant together two years later. It’s obvious that they both still love each other but grief and resentment play a huge part in keeping them apart.
What I loved: Ryan’s ability to create such authentic and relatable characters. The book beautifully portrays the challenges of marriage, second chances, forgiveness, and healing. It goes beyond a simple love story and delves into the complexities of dealing with loss, mental health, the stigma of therapy in the black community, and the impact of tragedy on an entire family. Ryan did such an amazing job with the characters that I loved both Yasmen and Josiah and understood both their perspectives. The angst between them felt so real and it stopped feeling like a fictional couple after a bit and felt like we were reading personal diaries of the couple. The inclusion of therapy as a crucial aspect of the story was particularly well-executed. I also appreciated how the book addressed the effects of the tragedy and divorce on the couple’s children. Yasmen’s friends added humor and depth to the narrative, and I’m looking forward to reading their stories in the future.
“Before I Let Go” is the perfect book if you are seeking an emotional, hopeful, and healing story about Black love, as well as a raw and honest portrayal of life after divorce and tragedy. This is a book I would a million percent recommend to readers consider it one of my favorites of 2024.
What I loved: Ryan’s ability to create such authentic and relatable characters. The book beautifully portrays the challenges of marriage, second chances, forgiveness, and healing. It goes beyond a simple love story and delves into the complexities of dealing with loss, mental health, the stigma of therapy in the black community, and the impact of tragedy on an entire family. Ryan did such an amazing job with the characters that I loved both Yasmen and Josiah and understood both their perspectives. The angst between them felt so real and it stopped feeling like a fictional couple after a bit and felt like we were reading personal diaries of the couple. The inclusion of therapy as a crucial aspect of the story was particularly well-executed. I also appreciated how the book addressed the effects of the tragedy and divorce on the couple’s children. Yasmen’s friends added humor and depth to the narrative, and I’m looking forward to reading their stories in the future.
“Before I Let Go” is the perfect book if you are seeking an emotional, hopeful, and healing story about Black love, as well as a raw and honest portrayal of life after divorce and tragedy. This is a book I would a million percent recommend to readers consider it one of my favorites of 2024.
peterparker's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
I've never read a second chance romance book before so I wasn't really sure what to expect. The ending really saved this book for me. It was very satisfying.
The talk about therapy was really intriguing in this book for me. There are some really tough things that happen in this book so I'm glad therapy is talked about as a positive.
If you don't like miscommunication I wouldn't read this book. Most of it is just poor communication and misunderstandings. The core of this book is the family aspect of it. Dealing with a divorce is tough enough, dealing with a divorce, running a restaurant, and trying to raise two kids sounds so hard.
I'm excited to read the sequel!
The talk about therapy was really intriguing in this book for me. There are some really tough things that happen in this book so I'm glad therapy is talked about as a positive.
If you don't like miscommunication I wouldn't read this book. Most of it is just poor communication and misunderstandings. The core of this book is the family aspect of it. Dealing with a divorce is tough enough, dealing with a divorce, running a restaurant, and trying to raise two kids sounds so hard.
I'm excited to read the sequel!