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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
domi_francois's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75
Oh my…fellow bookish peeps…THIS BOOK…it literally just like, ripped my heart out, stomped on it, then picked up the delicate pieces and stitched it back together and then it only became stronger after all that. I loved Soledad and Judah’s journeys both separate and together. I loved their love story. Now, there are some elements where I was like okay, I don’t happen to agree with that, but overall, the story just pulled me in, kept me hooked from beginning to end. Kennedy Ryan’s treatment of certain heavy issues was tender and full of grace which I appreciated very much, even though the situation with Edward and Edward’s character were at certain points a little too overdone. No subtlety, little finesse, only because of the main plot, which was the love story but I do think that Edward could have been a bit more developed. Overall, This Could Be Us is bingeable and full of heart and soul.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Grief, Sexual content, Death of parent, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Cancer
Mentions of divorce, co-parenting, and dealing with Autismthis_momma_is_booked's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? No
5.0
Kennedy Ryan can do no wrong. She once again hit it out of the park with this book! Soledad's journey was heartbreaking at times but incredibly inspiring. I love that this book explored motherhood and the ways in which mothers shrink themselves to give space for their family to grow. I appreciated Soledad finding herself again, finding love again, and providing that example for her daughters.
AND JUDAH CROSS, THE MAN YOU ARE.
AND JUDAH CROSS, THE MAN YOU ARE.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Minor: Ableism
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
4.5
The romance in this book was amazing, but the true beauty of this book was autism representation. I absolutely scored how Adam and Aaron were written. As a teacher it was beautiful to see these boys shine in their own ways. I loved how unique they were. I also loved how often Judah admitted to some of the same tendencies as his boys. I loved how he ran with them, how he sacrificed so much for them, and how he coparented them.
I loved Sol too. Her tenacity was impressive. I found myself cheering for her and even though she had some understandably emotional reactions in the book she was one of the most level headed moms ever. I loved her sacrifices for her kids too. But I also respected the things that she did for herself to heal. Very impressive.
I really appreciated the timeline of the romance in this book. I loved that it wasn't rushed into. I loved that Judah and Sol found happiness without sacrificing their relationships with their kids.
I highly recommend this book but do appreciate the author's warning that there is past mention of death of a parent to cancer. I didn't lose my mom to cancer but it was a prolonged illness so I appreciated the warning.
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
I loved Sol too. Her tenacity was impressive. I found myself cheering for her and even though she had some understandably emotional reactions in the book she was one of the most level headed moms ever. I loved her sacrifices for her kids too. But I also respected the things that she did for herself to heal. Very impressive.
I really appreciated the timeline of the romance in this book. I loved that it wasn't rushed into. I loved that Judah and Sol found happiness without sacrificing their relationships with their kids.
I highly recommend this book but do appreciate the author's warning that there is past mention of death of a parent to cancer. I didn't lose my mom to cancer but it was a prolonged illness so I appreciated the warning.
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Abandonment, Cursing, Terminal illness, Cancer, Chronic illness, Grief, and Sexual content
Minor: Blood, Cancer, and Emotional abuse
rachelschloneger's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cancer
shlymiller's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, Body shaming, Infidelity, and Death of parent
Minor: Forced institutionalization and Pregnancy
bookfulthoughts's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
✨Inspirational and full of love✨🩵
“When are we ever done working on ourselves? I believe wholeness is not a destination, but a lifetime process. Something that instead of waiting for, you could be living for.”
I loved Soledad and Judah’s story! This book had me through the wringer with emotions. I was all over the place at the beginning of the book I got whiplash! The plot with Edward and Soledad had me sitting on the edge of my seat! It grounded me to my spot and I was flying through pages. The complexity of all of the characters and their families ran DEEP in this book. I have so much appreciation for the way Ms. Kennedy can write well-rounded characters. Soledad’s journey of self-love was a beautiful thing to read about. The way she was expressing her wants and concerns and proactively making choices to move in the direction of growth was admirable. Her fealty to her family and determination to hustle and make things happen had me cheering on from the sidelines. This book wasn’t just about the typical romance between partners; it was about the love and affection one can have with themselves. The ever-lasting love you cherish with your tribe of friends.
Judah is a beautiful soul who cherished people whom he held dear, who loved hard and unconditionally, and who feels with every fiber of his being unwavering. The relationship shown with his sons was so breathtakingly beautiful. I’m so happy that Soledad got someone like Judah and vice versa. The only reason I took off points was for the plain fact that I wanted to see the aftermath of Edward leaving prison. The mess of it all was just so good in the beginning that I just wanted a juicy ending as well. I’m not going to lie I did feel slightly disappointed for this reason. I believe that would put this book on top. I loved it either way and I can’t WAIT for Hendrix's book 🩵.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Abandonment, Body shaming, Cancer, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Grief
Minor: Death, Stalking, Ableism, Domestic abuse, and Racism
allysonw_'s review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I adored This Could Be Us! It was a great follow-up to Before I Let Go (although I liked that novel a teensy bit more). I love how Kennedy Ryan writes complex love stories that are rooted in community. Resiliency seemed to be a major theme of this book, and Soledad is probably one of the most resilient characters I've come across. I appreciate how Ryan showed that Soledad went through the stages of grief in the lead-up to her divorce (it's f*** Edward over here!!) and didn't shy away from the sadness and anger that comes with betrayal. Also, the representation in this book in terms of race, blended families, and autism was done very well. You can tell Ryan took her time creating these characters and her stories. Another big plus for me was of course, Judah. I LOVE how Ryan writes Black men. She never portrays them as being one thing, which I feel a lot of writers are susceptible to doing. Judah's tender love for his sons Aaron and Adam was so refreshing to read and the respect he had for his ex-wife and their approach to co-parenting made me treasure this book even more. Like I said, I may like Before I Let Go a smidge more but This Could Be Us is an absolute gem I'll be sure to recommend to others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse
caitmayi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer
cassiereadsbooks_'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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Gaslighting