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A review by nzlisam
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
4.5.
Josiah and Yasmen Wade were so much in love they thought nothing could ever break their bond. They were wrong!
Because when two separate heartbreaking tragedies struck their family, instead of being able to lean on each other, they were unable to find their way back to one another. It has been a year since their divorce when the novel opens, and both Josiah and Yasmen have made peace with the demise of their relationship, a necessity since they are parents to two children, Deja (13) and Kassim (10) and a dog, Otis, and co-owners of a restaurant, Grits.
But there are still moments between them – sparks of hope. Can Josiah and Yasmen rediscover and rekindle the love they once shared?
Beautifully and poetically written with gorgeous prose, Before I Let Go contained deep themes centred around loss and grief, therapy, forgiveness and healing. Keep those tissues handy because you’re going to need them. A unique second-chance romance involving a divorced couple overcoming pain and relationship mistakes and reconnecting. It was a slow-burn, eventual open-door relationship, and Josiah and Yasmen’s physical attraction was hot and steamy in and out of the bedroom. And their emotional connection was off the charts as well. Other romantic tropes were, destined to be together and forced proximity/sharing a hotel room.
I adored Yasmen’s friends – Hendrix and Soledad – and the sisterly friendship they shared. The author excelled at writing moody teenagers as well. Kids too, I loved Kassim’s sweet, sensitive maturity. And there was also a gorgeous dog. I enjoyed the setting of Skyland – an affluent, trendy, quaint neighbourhood in Atlanta, Georgia. Every character in this book stood out to me. I loved the community spirit, events, small town traditions, and holiday celebrations – Screen on the Green at the park, Food trucks in the square, Thanksgiving dinner at the Grants, and the annual New Years Eve party at Grits. And there were so many descriptions of delicious food – there is even some recipes at the back of the book – yum!
Before I Let Go was the start of a series, and since this book was released in 2022, the second instalment, This Could Be Us, is already out. Yippee! I’ve set my tbr for this month (and so far I’ve been sticking to it) but will definitely add it for February. I’ve perused the book blurb, and it sounds amazing. If you haven’t already, add this contemporary romance series to your bookshelf. You won’t regret it!
Josiah and Yasmen Wade were so much in love they thought nothing could ever break their bond. They were wrong!
Because when two separate heartbreaking tragedies struck their family, instead of being able to lean on each other, they were unable to find their way back to one another. It has been a year since their divorce when the novel opens, and both Josiah and Yasmen have made peace with the demise of their relationship, a necessity since they are parents to two children, Deja (13) and Kassim (10) and a dog, Otis, and co-owners of a restaurant, Grits.
But there are still moments between them – sparks of hope. Can Josiah and Yasmen rediscover and rekindle the love they once shared?
Beautifully and poetically written with gorgeous prose, Before I Let Go contained deep themes centred around loss and grief, therapy, forgiveness and healing. Keep those tissues handy because you’re going to need them. A unique second-chance romance involving a divorced couple overcoming pain and relationship mistakes and reconnecting. It was a slow-burn, eventual open-door relationship, and Josiah and Yasmen’s physical attraction was hot and steamy in and out of the bedroom. And their emotional connection was off the charts as well. Other romantic tropes were, destined to be together and forced proximity/sharing a hotel room.
I adored Yasmen’s friends – Hendrix and Soledad – and the sisterly friendship they shared. The author excelled at writing moody teenagers as well. Kids too, I loved Kassim’s sweet, sensitive maturity. And there was also a gorgeous dog. I enjoyed the setting of Skyland – an affluent, trendy, quaint neighbourhood in Atlanta, Georgia. Every character in this book stood out to me. I loved the community spirit, events, small town traditions, and holiday celebrations – Screen on the Green at the park, Food trucks in the square, Thanksgiving dinner at the Grants, and the annual New Years Eve party at Grits. And there were so many descriptions of delicious food – there is even some recipes at the back of the book – yum!
Before I Let Go was the start of a series, and since this book was released in 2022, the second instalment, This Could Be Us, is already out. Yippee! I’ve set my tbr for this month (and so far I’ve been sticking to it) but will definitely add it for February. I’ve perused the book blurb, and it sounds amazing. If you haven’t already, add this contemporary romance series to your bookshelf. You won’t regret it!