Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

277 reviews

zemily83's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense 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

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

marnienicole's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Beautiful writing and definitely a diverse read but completely not for me. I was expecting a love story and technically this is one but this is really a book about overcoming groef and fixing mental health and navigating family dynamics and love when you’ve loss something which is an important conversation to have but that aside; I didn’t have any connection to them as a couple and none in them getting back together, also the spicy scenes were mid at best. 

I cried way too much for this to feel like a great romance. And I definitely feel for the characters but this book definitely needs trigger warnings and a new marketing campaign.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

abbyrose333's review against another edition

Go to review page

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. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

jemms's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

3.25

3.25 ⭐️, 3 🌶️

Characters: 0.75
Plot: 0.5
Pacing: 0.5
Writing style: 0.5
Vibes: 1

I really liked this book, though the contemporary romances and the writing style are not my favorite. The portrayal of loss, grief, depression, and the love two people can have for each other was raw and real, and I even got a little verklempt in a few spots. It was truly refreshing to read a story where the man not only did the emotional work but outwardly respected his female partner for being the first to do hers. Definitely mind the warnings for grief, depression, and miscarriages because this book does not shy away from the characters' journey with all of these (and it does so beautifully).

Spice: 3 🌶️
The handful of spicy scenes were HOT even if they were tame kink-wise (though there were some shenanigans in public places 😈) because the characters' passion for the other made was just so strong.
Tropes: second chance, only one bed, no strings attached

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

teacherjones's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.75

Read this book in 4 days! LOOOOVED IT! So good! So well written! The characters in this book were so human and relatable! Kennedy really did some WRITING on this one!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

gabi_715's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful 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


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ali1311's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective
  • 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

I am usually more a fan of a romcom than anything, but this really exceeded my expectations for a dramatic romance. I don't know how you can write a book where every word seems exactly in its right place and intense topics are handled with such grace, but Kennedy Ryan nailed it. I devoured this book, and I loved all the characters. I think this may be the first romance book I've read where the characters have children and have such high stakes with their love--and it was so good. The chemistry and the passion was so well done. It was such an insightful book that really interrogated love in its many forms (self, friendship, parent, romance), and did all of it masterfully.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

mamasuereads's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This is a beautiful story of how a marriage fell apart after a traumatic event.  It's also about friendship and renewal.  Very well done.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bribreez's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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

*Check Trigger Warnings before reading.

4.75⭐️/ 3🌶️

Kennedy Ryan has become one of those authors I get more and more excited reading her books. Between breaking my heart, being emotionally invested, and falling in love with both the characters and stories, there’s nothing Kennedy Ryan can’t do. This was another book of hers I had heard a lot of great things about, and I finally got the chance to pick up this gem. This story followed, Yasmen and Josiah Wade. Once happily married with their two kids, running a thriving business together, but now divorced. Through some unknown details hinted at in the beginning, this story opened up the highs and lows of Yasmen and Josiah’s relationship as they navigated co-parenting, and dealt with lingering feelings from their past.

For some reason, before reading this book, I got the feeling that I was going to be emotionally wrecked, and it ended up being true. This wasn’t a lighthearted story, this story was one that delved into Yasmen and Josiah’s lives as they juggled their business, being parents, and learning to be themselves as opposed to what they once were. I’m an anxious girlie, so even within the first few chapters, I quickly caught on to part of the reason of Yasmen and Josiah getting a divorce. Also, with the authors note before the start, I was able to know beforehand what the story was going to talk about so I wasn’t completely shocked when I was able to put the pieces together of what happened in Yasmen and Josiah’s marriage. I’m glad I read the note before, otherwise it would have been shocking to find out for myself. Goes to show trigger warnings are there for a reason and I would urge you to always check. 

Anyways, I could see Yasmen and Josiah trying their best to manage all their responsibilities, but there was still that lingering pain that was in the background of everything. Not to mention, despite being divorced for two years, it was still something Yasmen, Josiah, and their two kids had to adjust to as their new “normal”. I felt bad when I saw Yasmen and Josiah had minor disagreements whether it was about their kids, their lives, or even remembering what led to their divorce. I can’t imagine the pain both Yasmen and Josiah went through, but even having moved on, some of that pain was still present. 

Even being divorced, I was holding out hope for Josiah and Yasmen to somehow find their way back to each other, but apparently it wasn’t an easy way back. I get that Yasmen and Josiah were both single and able to date whoever they wanted, but seeing Josiah date someone after having been married to Yasmen was a sucker punch to my stomach. Yasmen wasn’t the only one feeling the mixed emotions at seeing her former husband with a new woman by his side.

I went into this book equal parts nervous, and intrigued. Josiah and Yasmen’s relationship was a mix up of seeing the highs and lows of co-parenting and still dealing with the residual grief that lingered. I really loved how Kennedy wrote this story from highlighting the significance of therapy especially with Josiah initially thinking therapy wasn’t “real”, to seeing Josiah taking the tools he learned in therapy to better himself and work through his grief, etc. Yasmen’s struggle with depression was raw, and eye opening especially taking into consideration how much she opened up about all that she felt during the lowest point of her life. Like most of Kennedy’s books, this was a beautifully written story with so much depth, lovable characters, and moments that made me sad and a bit emotional. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, Kennedy Ryan once again crafted such a riveting story that held my attention and made care about Yasmen and Josiah. Alongside the main characters, I also came to adore Hendrix and Soledad (Yasmen’s best friends). I’m really looking forward to future books especially with Soledad’s!! The kids in this book were endearing but also sassy (courtesy of Deja haha). Seeing the way that Yasmen and Josiah found their way back to each other wasn’t easy, but it was so satisfying seeing them once again find that connection that never went away. The love between Yasmen and Josiah was ever growing, beautiful, and meaningful. By the end, I was happy with the way Yasmen and Josiah’s story ended especially with that heartwarming moment in the epilogue. Highly recommend reading this book and any book Kennedy Ryan has written! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ealemayehu's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

I'm not good at reviews.….but Yes!! Love it, sad, funny, romantic, happy, hopeful….just yes 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings