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A review by spicycronereads
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
WARNING: This book will definitely make you feel things! The narrative centers on Yasmen and Josiah, two years post-divorce as they try to navigate co-parenting and moving on with their lives. They are both still dealing with the trauma of the divorce and the circumstances that led to it (be sure to check content warnings!).
The weight of their grief is so heavy at times, I wasn’t sure I could continue reading. Now, if you are a well-adjusted person who has their head on straight, this probably won’t affect you. But I am going through some things, and so I found it a little harder to bear. I cried a lot while reading this. But I also laughed. And I swooned. And I squirmed in my seat. It unexpectedly had one of my favorite tropes, done with a twist. 💕🥵
Both MCs are smart and likable. They demonstrate strength in different ways. The family dynamics feel familiar yet unique to them. The secondary characters of Soledad and Hendrix are the most well developed - I suspect they will be the subject of subsequent books.
The spice in this one - it is a slow burn. But you burn right alongside them. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The MCs are affluent Black business owners, and the community that surrounds them in the Atlanta suburbs is quite diverse - lots of BIPOC characters, and a queer couple next door. I feel like Hendrix could be bi, but that may just be my wishful thinking. 😂 But even without that, there is a fair amount of racial diversity and some queer representation.
About 2/3 of the way into this book, I wasn’t sure I could give it a star rating. It’s so different from what I normally read. And it had my emotions in a chokehold, which made it hard to think about in terms of stars. But with the last third, the character transformations, and just all the feelings the story evoked, I decided it’s a five star read. Just keep your box of tissues nearby!
The weight of their grief is so heavy at times, I wasn’t sure I could continue reading. Now, if you are a well-adjusted person who has their head on straight, this probably won’t affect you. But I am going through some things, and so I found it a little harder to bear. I cried a lot while reading this. But I also laughed. And I swooned. And I squirmed in my seat. It unexpectedly had one of my favorite tropes, done with a twist. 💕🥵
Both MCs are smart and likable. They demonstrate strength in different ways. The family dynamics feel familiar yet unique to them. The secondary characters of Soledad and Hendrix are the most well developed - I suspect they will be the subject of subsequent books.
The spice in this one - it is a slow burn. But you burn right alongside them. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The MCs are affluent Black business owners, and the community that surrounds them in the Atlanta suburbs is quite diverse - lots of BIPOC characters, and a queer couple next door. I feel like Hendrix could be bi, but that may just be my wishful thinking. 😂 But even without that, there is a fair amount of racial diversity and some queer representation.
About 2/3 of the way into this book, I wasn’t sure I could give it a star rating. It’s so different from what I normally read. And it had my emotions in a chokehold, which made it hard to think about in terms of stars. But with the last third, the character transformations, and just all the feelings the story evoked, I decided it’s a five star read. Just keep your box of tissues nearby!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Child death, Death of parent, and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Pregnancy
Minor: Car accident
Pregnancy loss; depression;stillbirth