A review by sydneyglickman
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

challenging emotional hopeful informative 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

4.0

This book is a beautiful story of Yasmen and Josiah who fell in love in college (master's I believe), got married, had kids, and started a restaurant business together. Two years ago, they divorced, and throughout the book, we learn why.
Ryan gracefully navigates loss and grief, and you can tell she cares so much for her characters. Although this is fiction, all of the characters felt so real, something that I oftentimes don't find in your "typical" romance novel (no hate here! I absolutely devour romance books, but this felt next level!) Ryan portrayed every character wonderfully, from their traumas, to their resentments, struggles, and pain.
The reason for the slightly lower rating is actually because, warning controversial, I felt that the explicit scenes between Yasmen and Josiah took away from the stunning story of family reconnection. These scenes were in no way poorly written, and I understand the author's choice to add them. However, I felt it altered the rhythm of the novel (including some of the internal comments sprinkled throughout), and, again, breaking the rhythm.
The Skyland companion series seems to follow Yasmen, Soledad, and Hendrix, three badass women with three completely different personalities and lifes. I can't wait to read "This Could Be Us" about Soledad, as well as Hendrix's story!
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