Reviews

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

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sammyb's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective

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

4.5

Content Warnings

exquisite_tragedy's review against another edition

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5.0

Tropes/Themes:
-MF contemporary romance
-Second chance (divorced couple)
-Grieving couple
-Forced proximity
-Coparenting
-Fantastic female friendships
-Own voices
-Dual POV
-Standalone

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Be sure to check trigger warnings before diving into this book, as it deals with a lot of heavy content and themes that you may not be in a place to read about. I’ve included the content warnings that stuck out to me at the bottom of this review.

I don’t think any review I write could possibly do this book justice. This was an absolute masterpiece, and I’m not sure how to best describe just how achingly beautiful and heart wrenching this book was. This is a new all time favorite romance for me and I’m already itching to pick it up and re-experience it all over again. Don’t get me wrong…this was an incredibly painful read. Kennedy Ryan was somehow able to make you feel sorrow, grief, bone deep heartache, connection, and love in such an artful and masterful way.

This story follows Josiah and Yasmen, a couple that once thought they would be together until the wheels fell off but instead are now adjusting to life post divorce. They’ve slowly gotten the hang of coparenting their two incredible children Deja (13) and Kassim (10) and are co-owners of their dream restaurant Grits. On the outside, they seem like “divorced couple goals”. Seemingly able to divorce and not only remain cordial but continue working and raising children together. However, Yasmen and Josiah are still coming to terms with the trauma and consequences that both lead to their divorce and that continue to follow them in the years after. The romance between Josiah and Yasmin was absolutely beautiful and truly meant to be. I haven’t read many books like this, but this truly felt like a timeless love story between two soulmates. The journey to their HEA was not an easy one by any means, but these two deserved the absolute world and worked hard for every bit of their happiness. I also loved that this book really encapsulated the idea that you don’t move on from grief, but you move forward with grief (and are that much stronger for it).

I was so happy to finally pick up a book that normalizes going to therapy!!!! This was the most honest and raw representation of therapy and mental health treatment I’ve read in a long time. As a therapist myself, I felt like Kennedy Ryan was incredible tactful in the ways in which she included therapy in the story and every inclusion of it felt intentional and impactful. While it was included as an essential part of the story, I never felt like the mental illness or therapist was minimized/tokenized whatsoever. I loved how Josiah decided to model the behavior of going to therapy for Kassim, despite him having his own reservations about the institution. I also loved how Yasmen made sure to talk about the importance of mental health with their children, and ensuring that her kids understand that getting help doesn’t mean you’re broken or defective. Everyone in the Wade family had such difference experiences in how they were impacted by their shared grief/loss/trauma, and it really allowed for the family to grow and heal together in their own time. Speaking of the mental health representation, I related so much to some of Kennedy Ryan’s descriptions of depressions. People often underestimate the physical toll that depression can have on the body, in addition to the mental/emotional strain.

I loved the inclusion of the fantastic adult friendships, both for Josiah and Yasmen. They were all so incredibly loving and support, while still being able to call them out when they needed it. It really showed how impactful having a solid support group can be while going through life’s trials and tribulations.

I’ve dabbled with Kennedy Ryan in the past, having previously read Long Shot and The King Maker, but now I have the compulsive need to go burn through her entire backlist. If you’re in the right headspace for it, I highly recommend picking this one up!
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CWs for divorce, loss of a loved one, loss of a full term pregnancy, still birth, suicidal ideation, depression, coparenting, cheating (in conversation; not involving the main couple)

Story: 5/5