A review by bribreez
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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

4.75

*Check Trigger Warnings before reading.

4.75⭐️/ 3🌶️

Kennedy Ryan has become one of those authors I get more and more excited reading her books. Between breaking my heart, being emotionally invested, and falling in love with both the characters and stories, there’s nothing Kennedy Ryan can’t do. This was another book of hers I had heard a lot of great things about, and I finally got the chance to pick up this gem. This story followed, Yasmen and Josiah Wade. Once happily married with their two kids, running a thriving business together, but now divorced. Through some unknown details hinted at in the beginning, this story opened up the highs and lows of Yasmen and Josiah’s relationship as they navigated co-parenting, and dealt with lingering feelings from their past.

For some reason, before reading this book, I got the feeling that I was going to be emotionally wrecked, and it ended up being true. This wasn’t a lighthearted story, this story was one that delved into Yasmen and Josiah’s lives as they juggled their business, being parents, and learning to be themselves as opposed to what they once were. I’m an anxious girlie, so even within the first few chapters, I quickly caught on to part of the reason of Yasmen and Josiah getting a divorce. Also, with the authors note before the start, I was able to know beforehand what the story was going to talk about so I wasn’t completely shocked when I was able to put the pieces together of what happened in Yasmen and Josiah’s marriage. I’m glad I read the note before, otherwise it would have been shocking to find out for myself. Goes to show trigger warnings are there for a reason and I would urge you to always check. 

Anyways, I could see Yasmen and Josiah trying their best to manage all their responsibilities, but there was still that lingering pain that was in the background of everything. Not to mention, despite being divorced for two years, it was still something Yasmen, Josiah, and their two kids had to adjust to as their new “normal”. I felt bad when I saw Yasmen and Josiah had minor disagreements whether it was about their kids, their lives, or even remembering what led to their divorce. I can’t imagine the pain both Yasmen and Josiah went through, but even having moved on, some of that pain was still present. 

Even being divorced, I was holding out hope for Josiah and Yasmen to somehow find their way back to each other, but apparently it wasn’t an easy way back. I get that Yasmen and Josiah were both single and able to date whoever they wanted, but seeing Josiah date someone after having been married to Yasmen was a sucker punch to my stomach. Yasmen wasn’t the only one feeling the mixed emotions at seeing her former husband with a new woman by his side.

I went into this book equal parts nervous, and intrigued. Josiah and Yasmen’s relationship was a mix up of seeing the highs and lows of co-parenting and still dealing with the residual grief that lingered. I really loved how Kennedy wrote this story from highlighting the significance of therapy especially with Josiah initially thinking therapy wasn’t “real”, to seeing Josiah taking the tools he learned in therapy to better himself and work through his grief, etc. Yasmen’s struggle with depression was raw, and eye opening especially taking into consideration how much she opened up about all that she felt during the lowest point of her life. Like most of Kennedy’s books, this was a beautifully written story with so much depth, lovable characters, and moments that made me sad and a bit emotional. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, Kennedy Ryan once again crafted such a riveting story that held my attention and made care about Yasmen and Josiah. Alongside the main characters, I also came to adore Hendrix and Soledad (Yasmen’s best friends). I’m really looking forward to future books especially with Soledad’s!! The kids in this book were endearing but also sassy (courtesy of Deja haha). Seeing the way that Yasmen and Josiah found their way back to each other wasn’t easy, but it was so satisfying seeing them once again find that connection that never went away. The love between Yasmen and Josiah was ever growing, beautiful, and meaningful. By the end, I was happy with the way Yasmen and Josiah’s story ended especially with that heartwarming moment in the epilogue. Highly recommend reading this book and any book Kennedy Ryan has written! 
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