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author2223's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Body shaming and Racism
Minor: Abandonment and Injury/Injury detail
ferengully's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
When you base a lot of a book on bell hooks, add Kennedy Ryan’s pen game, and then tell a love story that focuses on self and on friendship, you really can do no wrong. This will make you angry, heartbroken, hopeful, excited, inspired, all while teaching us what it truly looks like to stand on one’s own. A freaking masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Medical trauma
Minor: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail
bookishkellyn's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Nobody has more audacity than a mediocre white man, and Soledad learns that the hard way after Edward’s multiple betrayals surface. She soon discovers that no matter how heavy you think your baggage is, the right people will be more than willing to help you carry the load. Her slow burn connection with Judah and their paralleled devotion to their respective kids (Lupe, Inez, Lottie; Aaron, Adam) were the highlights of the book. This became a love story not only about finding yourself and becoming your own knight in shining armor but representation of friendship as a community.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Confinement, and Infidelity
Minor: Cancer, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
kiantet's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, and Grief
Minor: Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Cancer
shanaetheflyest's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
4.75
In This Could Be Us (TCBU), book 2 of Kennedy Ryan’s “Skyland Series,” we meet Soledad Barnes, super mom from Before I Let Go (BILG) book 1 of the series.
In TCBU, Soledad goes through a phenomenal change to become a true powerhouse.
Where BILG, is about trusting a past version of yourself to prepare you for your future, TCBU is about creating a new version of yourself to move beyond past versions of yourself and trusting that new version to carry you into your future.
At the heart of it all, TCBU has two great love stories: the FMC’s love of herself and the blossoming relationship between the FMC and MMC.
Diverse and beautifully written, This Could Be Us is hopeful and inspiring and challenging. Kennedy Ryan has done it again.
In TCBU, Soledad goes through a phenomenal change to become a true powerhouse.
Where BILG, is about trusting a past version of yourself to prepare you for your future, TCBU is about creating a new version of yourself to move beyond past versions of yourself and trusting that new version to carry you into your future.
At the heart of it all, TCBU has two great love stories: the FMC’s love of herself and the blossoming relationship between the FMC and MMC.
Diverse and beautifully written, This Could Be Us is hopeful and inspiring and challenging. Kennedy Ryan has done it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Cancer, Confinement, Medical content, Racism, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.75
Title: This Could Be Us
Author: Kennedy Ryan
Series: Skyland #2
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.75
Pub Date: March 5, 2024
I received a complimentary eARC from Forever, a division of Grand Central Publishing, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Empowering • Complex • Steamy
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Soledad Barnes has her life all planned out. Because, of course, she does. She plans everything. She designs everything. She fixes everything. She's a domestic goddess who's never met a party she couldn't host or a charge she couldn't lead. The one with all the answers and the perfect vinaigrette for that summer salad. But none of her varied talents can save her when catastrophe strikes, and the life she built with the man who was supposed to be her forever, goes poof in a cloud of betrayal and disillusion.
But there is no time to pout or sulk, or even grieve the life she lost. She's too busy keeping a roof over her daughters' heads and food on the table. And in the process of saving them all, Soledad rediscovers herself. From the ashes of a life burned to the ground, something bold and new can rise.
But then an unlikely man enters the picture--the forbidden one, the one she shouldn't want but can't seem to resist. She's lost it all before and refuses to repeat her mistakes. Can she trust him? Can she trust herself?
After all she's lost . . .and found . . .can she be brave enough to make room for what could be?
💭 T H O U G H T S
Even before having read Before I Let Go, the second installment in the Skyland series was one of my most anticipated releases of 2024. After reading book one in January, I just couldn't wait to jump into This Could Be Us. I'd be remiss if I also didn't take a moment to acknowledge the absolutely stunning cover art. Just - wow!
I absolutely devoured this book! Exploring self-love and self-discovery, this second chance romance is so much more than that. It has characters who are flawed and well-crafted. Soledad is fiercely independent. Judah is caring and attentive. This combination was pure romance gold. I could feel their chemistry rising off the page. Their relationship is respectful and authentic. And oh boy - the steam is certainly steamy.
Beyond the romance, there's so much depth to this story. There's a fantastic depiction of sisterhood - both biological and found. Soledad is surrounded by strong, supportive women. It really showcases the importance of having those people you can count on through thick and thin. The author also sheds some much needed light on all of the hard work and commitment that goes into being a stay at home parent. Society in general can brush all that they do under the rug, but I know there are people who wouldn't last a day. There is also a healthy example of co-parenting between Judah and his ex-wife and how blended families can really work. These were all reminders that healthy relationships can exist.
The way in which Soledad comes to stand on her two feet again was empowering. There is definitely a touch of privilege, but it didn't overtake the narrative. Influencer storylines don't always work for me, but here it just made sense. The inclusion of some recipes at the end was fantastic because all the food vibes had be salivating with hunger.
Even the side characters are all so wonderful. The kids reactions to the situation with their father. Judah's supportive parents. The ex-wife and her new husband. Sol's sisters. The author also details her personal connection to the book, highlighting how parts of it are what she's been living for the past twenty years. She demonstrates care and thought in crafting two authentic representations of people with autism. She does a good job showing how each individual with autism is different.
This Could Be Us was a definite hit for me! It was such a refreshing romance with depth and maturity. It could easily be read as a standalone, yet for maximum enjoyment I highly recommend starting with Before I Let you first. Now just let me devour Kennedy Ryan's backlist, while I eagerly await Hendrix's story. And also secretly hoping this series may continue beyond her with the introduction of Soledad's sisters...
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Kennedy Ryan devotees
• readers who like mature MCs
• fans of romance with depth
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"All loves aren't created equal. Some spring from the earth and wrap around and twine through our souls like vines. Some are plants that start with tiny seeds in your heart and blossom over time, nurtured by years and commitment."
"You feel the loss of those you loved most acutely at the times when they made you feel so alive."
Author: Kennedy Ryan
Series: Skyland #2
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.75
Pub Date: March 5, 2024
I received a complimentary eARC from Forever, a division of Grand Central Publishing, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Empowering • Complex • Steamy
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Soledad Barnes has her life all planned out. Because, of course, she does. She plans everything. She designs everything. She fixes everything. She's a domestic goddess who's never met a party she couldn't host or a charge she couldn't lead. The one with all the answers and the perfect vinaigrette for that summer salad. But none of her varied talents can save her when catastrophe strikes, and the life she built with the man who was supposed to be her forever, goes poof in a cloud of betrayal and disillusion.
But there is no time to pout or sulk, or even grieve the life she lost. She's too busy keeping a roof over her daughters' heads and food on the table. And in the process of saving them all, Soledad rediscovers herself. From the ashes of a life burned to the ground, something bold and new can rise.
But then an unlikely man enters the picture--the forbidden one, the one she shouldn't want but can't seem to resist. She's lost it all before and refuses to repeat her mistakes. Can she trust him? Can she trust herself?
After all she's lost . . .and found . . .can she be brave enough to make room for what could be?
💭 T H O U G H T S
Even before having read Before I Let Go, the second installment in the Skyland series was one of my most anticipated releases of 2024. After reading book one in January, I just couldn't wait to jump into This Could Be Us. I'd be remiss if I also didn't take a moment to acknowledge the absolutely stunning cover art. Just - wow!
I absolutely devoured this book! Exploring self-love and self-discovery, this second chance romance is so much more than that. It has characters who are flawed and well-crafted. Soledad is fiercely independent. Judah is caring and attentive. This combination was pure romance gold. I could feel their chemistry rising off the page. Their relationship is respectful and authentic. And oh boy - the steam is certainly steamy.
Beyond the romance, there's so much depth to this story. There's a fantastic depiction of sisterhood - both biological and found. Soledad is surrounded by strong, supportive women. It really showcases the importance of having those people you can count on through thick and thin. The author also sheds some much needed light on all of the hard work and commitment that goes into being a stay at home parent. Society in general can brush all that they do under the rug, but I know there are people who wouldn't last a day. There is also a healthy example of co-parenting between Judah and his ex-wife and how blended families can really work. These were all reminders that healthy relationships can exist.
The way in which Soledad comes to stand on her two feet again was empowering. There is definitely a touch of privilege, but it didn't overtake the narrative. Influencer storylines don't always work for me, but here it just made sense. The inclusion of some recipes at the end was fantastic because all the food vibes had be salivating with hunger.
Even the side characters are all so wonderful. The kids reactions to the situation with their father. Judah's supportive parents. The ex-wife and her new husband. Sol's sisters. The author also details her personal connection to the book, highlighting how parts of it are what she's been living for the past twenty years. She demonstrates care and thought in crafting two authentic representations of people with autism. She does a good job showing how each individual with autism is different.
This Could Be Us was a definite hit for me! It was such a refreshing romance with depth and maturity. It could easily be read as a standalone, yet for maximum enjoyment I highly recommend starting with Before I Let you first. Now just let me devour Kennedy Ryan's backlist, while I eagerly await Hendrix's story. And also secretly hoping this series may continue beyond her with the introduction of Soledad's sisters...
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Kennedy Ryan devotees
• readers who like mature MCs
• fans of romance with depth
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"All loves aren't created equal. Some spring from the earth and wrap around and twine through our souls like vines. Some are plants that start with tiny seeds in your heart and blossom over time, nurtured by years and commitment."
"You feel the loss of those you loved most acutely at the times when they made you feel so alive."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
Moderate: Misogyny, Body shaming, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Racism
Minor: Death, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Grief, Cancer, Cursing, and Pregnancy
imprisonment, embezzlementcaprireads215's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? No
5.0
This book is a love story to Women! To the women who feel overwhelmed, overlooked and neglected. To the woman who finds herself wrapped up in taking care of everyone else. It’s about loving who you are, finding your power but allowing your life to flourish naturally !
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
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