A review by tyras_bookshelf
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Wasn’t super impressed but it was a good read. 

Realistic, distinct characters, with strong arcs for the main characters and thought provoking ideals about grief and depression.

I did have to come back to this book though since the beginning starts so slow and I only got excited because I flipped to the last third to give me some motivation to read it.

*spoilers*

The whole time I was reading Yasmin’s POV I was like “Girl, leave that man alone!” I couldn’t decide if I was rooting for her or for Vashti because clearly Josiah is hot & great so why wouldn’t they be together, especially when Yasmen was slow-playing. I think Josiah needed more flaws though or something. He’s a great dad, husband and businessman. He  finally goes to therapy to support his son but even that was too easy a decision. 

Most of his struggle was off-page or in memories so I didn’t feel the tension build up. We did see him have to come to terms with trusting Yasmin and opening himself up again so I guess that was enough. 

Yasmin’s growth was pretty clear though as she struggled to accept that she wanted her husband back. 

Also, keeping their relationship a secret when they finally got back together had no stakes. There was some emotional turmoil and Yasmin and Josiah finally had a full conversation which was nice for their character development.  However, we knew they would end up together so there wasn’t much mystery around that. 
 
I wasn’t a fan of the inner monologue reading like the characters were talking to me the whole time. They were explaining things that they already knew like it was narration. Also, the dialogue often felt like it was trying too hard and read unnaturally.

The story is beautiful, and sad, but also redemptive. It was probably one of the most mature romances I’ve ever read not just in subject matter, but with how in-depth Ryan writes about loss. Not my favorite and I love I would it but it’s worth giving it a try. 
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