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A review by literaryintersections
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
No one writes like Kennedy. Truly. Her most recent works have just blown me away, not only with her research but with the stories she is writing that center women who are complex, older, dealing with traumatic experiences. Everyone she writes feels multi-dimensional, everyone feels like a complex human with a deep story.
I especially resonated with Soledad because of her experiences as a parent - giving her life for her children so that they can be raised in a loving household. Putting herself and her desires to the side. I loved how Soledad was such a sexual person - it's like folks think people over 40 don't have sex! It's refreshing to see this in romance. Lastly, I just love the friendships that Kennedy has built, especially with Yasmin, Soledad, and Hendrix. Just there for each other, to laugh, drink, plot murder, and tease. I just love them.
Now let's talk Judah. WHEW the swoon. He is just a phenomenal man, supportive, loving his children (which again is so rare to see in romance novels). The relationship with his ex-wife, his focus and attention. I loved his relationship with Soledad and his care with her from the jump (and hers back with him!). Plus the way that she represented autism you could tell was so important to her, her author's note wrecked me. I am not autistic nor do I have an autistic child so I can't speak to the overall rep, but I do love that she made Judah's children whole humans, and not just their disability. They also didn't become foils for challenges in Judah and Soledad's relationship which I appreciated. The middle did get a little redundant and I wanted them to dive in, but I also appreciated that Kennedy had them take their time, build the romance and tension, and let Soledad just LIVE as herself.
I absolutely adore everything Kennedy writes and this is no different.
*Edward can kick rocks. I truly wanted him to die and would've wanted no less. He is a garbage human.
I especially resonated with Soledad because of her experiences as a parent - giving her life for her children so that they can be raised in a loving household. Putting herself and her desires to the side. I loved how Soledad was such a sexual person - it's like folks think people over 40 don't have sex! It's refreshing to see this in romance. Lastly, I just love the friendships that Kennedy has built, especially with Yasmin, Soledad, and Hendrix. Just there for each other, to laugh, drink, plot murder, and tease. I just love them.
Now let's talk Judah. WHEW the swoon. He is just a phenomenal man, supportive, loving his children (which again is so rare to see in romance novels). The relationship with his ex-wife, his focus and attention. I loved his relationship with Soledad and his care with her from the jump (and hers back with him!). Plus the way that she represented autism you could tell was so important to her, her author's note wrecked me. I am not autistic nor do I have an autistic child so I can't speak to the overall rep, but I do love that she made Judah's children whole humans, and not just their disability. They also didn't become foils for challenges in Judah and Soledad's relationship which I appreciated. The middle did get a little redundant and I wanted them to dive in, but I also appreciated that Kennedy had them take their time, build the romance and tension, and let Soledad just LIVE as herself.
I absolutely adore everything Kennedy writes and this is no different.
*Edward can kick rocks. I truly wanted him to die and would've wanted no less. He is a garbage human.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gaslighting