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A review by courtneyhollyy
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
The yearning in this book was just unmatched. It broke my heart and then put it back together again and I loved it. The deep dive into grief and its manifestations was so sensitively done.
I have so many thoughts. This book was mature, deeply emotional and so beautifully written. I listened to the audiobook and I so enjoyed the narration from both narrators. It just elevated the story for me.
Yasmen just had my entire heart as a character - she’s a mother who’s lost so much and had to deal with a lot, and she’s rebuilding her life and herself through the book in such a graceful way. She makes mistakes and holds her hands up to them. Her relationship with her daughter broke my heart so much, and the way it changed through the story hit me in the feels.
Josiah slowly became one of my fave romance male MCs to date. He wasn’t afraid to admit when he was wrong and his development as a character was excellent.
Also shoutout to Yasmen and Josiah’s son bc he was adorable 😭
I just really enjoyed how the main characters in this book actually came across as the age they were supposed to be! So often in romance you have twenty/thirty year olds acting like teenagers, and it’s so annoying, so it was wonderful to see what a rekindling between two mature adults could look like. And the therapy rep!! Yes!
Also also I loved Yasmen’s friendship group and the support she had from her girls. Just pure serotonin to read.
My only real gripe with this book is that I thought it was a bit too long. Everything else I really enjoyed. Really gorgeous book!!
I have so many thoughts. This book was mature, deeply emotional and so beautifully written. I listened to the audiobook and I so enjoyed the narration from both narrators. It just elevated the story for me.
Yasmen just had my entire heart as a character - she’s a mother who’s lost so much and had to deal with a lot, and she’s rebuilding her life and herself through the book in such a graceful way. She makes mistakes and holds her hands up to them. Her relationship with her daughter broke my heart so much, and the way it changed through the story hit me in the feels.
Josiah slowly became one of my fave romance male MCs to date. He wasn’t afraid to admit when he was wrong and his development as a character was excellent.
Also shoutout to Yasmen and Josiah’s son bc he was adorable 😭
I just really enjoyed how the main characters in this book actually came across as the age they were supposed to be! So often in romance you have twenty/thirty year olds acting like teenagers, and it’s so annoying, so it was wonderful to see what a rekindling between two mature adults could look like. And the therapy rep!! Yes!
Also also I loved Yasmen’s friendship group and the support she had from her girls. Just pure serotonin to read.
My only real gripe with this book is that I thought it was a bit too long. Everything else I really enjoyed. Really gorgeous book!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Death and Suicidal thoughts