I am still processing all my feelings about this book so this will be a shorter review until I come to my final conclusions. Before I let go is a beautifully written second chance romance about a couple coming back together after tragedy and divorce. Both Yasmen and Josiah are complex people who are dealing with their own trauma and figuring out how to still be there for their kids and each other despite everything that has gone on.

Check triggers**

Read this book if you like: Dual POV, second chances, mental health representation, coworkers

Divorced couple Yasmen and Josiah Wade found that love alone wasn't enough when devastating continued to happen to them. Yasmen wasn’t prepared for how her life fell apart, but she’s is finally starting to find joy again. She and Josiah have found a new rhythm, co-parenting their two kids and running a thriving restaurant business together. Two years after their divorce they are still drawn back to each other. It's hard to let go of everything they once had. Soon, one stolen kiss leads to another and then more. It's hot. It's illicit. It's good until old wounds reopen.

This book made me bawl. I was supposed to sleep when I was at 30%. Needless to say, I finished it. Wow. Check the triggers for sure on this one. It's raw, it's real, it's beautiful. I loved it. The characters are so well developed and have so much growth. I love Yasmen and Josiah. Their lives are realistic. The conversations and situations feel real. It's so amazing. I will recommend this to anyone and everyone. So great!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Forever for the gifted e-book. ❤️

I have been deprived of Kennedy Ryan's books before now. I will be thinking about Josiah and Yasmen forever. I loved the writing, the characters and their growth. The STEAM - WOO! I love a second chance romance & this one was after a divorce. I just really loved it, and felt like I was there in this world with the characters. Off to make sure I prioritize Ryan's backlist!

Mental health struggles, therapy, depression, grief, stillbirth... IMO, these things were handled with care and authenticity.

This was a spectacular book. It reached right it and tore at my heartstrings. The writing was was gorgeous. Kennedy Ryan made me feel so many feelings. The mental health rep was so good and I love the positive therapy portrayal too.

I had the pleasure of receiving this book as an ARC, and unfortunately life got in the way when I first downloaded it. Since I’ve had some time off work, I figured I had the perfect opportunity to read it and I’m not disappointed.

Before I Let Go is the first book I’ve read by Kennedy Ryan and it really set the stage. Everything about this book was worth it. I cried, laughed, needed a hug, and fell in love with Josiah and Yas. I’m not sure if this book hit so close to home because of grief or being married, but I found myself feeling alongside the characters. This was such a wonderful read that deserves all the flowers!

Looking forward to my next Kennedy Ryan book.

This was a wonderfully written book. I felt the pain and stress of the characters yasmen and Josiah. It had some good spice too!
The book was so good I went and bought a copy for my shelf

Do you want a book that will completely wreck you as it did to me, and leave you in a puddle? Well then say hello to Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan! There is a lot of spice in this book, and even though I would normally shy away from that, it didn't stop me from reading this. Hoover's blurb on the front does not lie, and the emotions from the characters felt so raw and real that I'm tearing up just writing this review. The story alternates between Yasmen's and her ex-husband Josiah's viewpoints and it is this way we not only find out their backstory but how they interact in the present as well. Ryan tackles a large number of tough topics including depression and death, and she was incredibly sensitive when it came to each one. She especially depicted depression and the different sentiments toward therapy in the most accurate light I could have imagined making it all very relatable.

Before I Let Go honestly deserves all the possible stars I could ever give it and the way Ryan knocked every aspect of this story out of the park left me in awe. And in case you are wondering audiobook lovers - the audio of this was fantastic as well. It took me a minute to get used to the narrators, but once I did, I absolutely loved both Wesleigh Siobhan & Jakobi Diem. There was something listening to this that made it even better, but I would recommend it no matter if you read or listen to it. I ended up buying a copy because I knew I was going to love it (which obvi I did), and it is such a gorgeous cover and story that I know I will never get rid of it either. I was excited to see it is the first of the Skyland series and I am anxious to see who (or what) Ryan will focus on next. This a romance with more emotional moments than you can shake a stick at, but it is handled with class, grace, and humor as well. Even if you aren't a fan of romance, I highly recommend picking up Before I Let Go and letting it take you on an emotional rollercoaster. You only live once...

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was such a beautiful and heartbreaking yet heartwarming book that shows how a family deals with the aftermath of divorce and loss. I loved the advocacy for therapy and the importance for Black men to also seek therapy.
I felt for Yasmin and Josiah and knew that had something special on the prologue. Kennedy Ryan always does a wonderful job of making you care about her main characters instantly. The chemistry between the MCs is always strong. I definetly recommend this book for those who love the marriage in trouble trope and a good angsty read with a satisfying ending.

Wow, what an incredible book! I was completely captivated by these characters and their plights, I laughed, I cried, I related on so many levels. Kennedy Ryan is masterful with her writing and this book made me feel like I was living the story right alongside these characters. It was brilliant on every level.

TW: stillbirth, death of loved ones, loss, grief, panic attacks, depression, divorce, suicidal thoughts

“Grief is a grind. It is the work of breathing and waking and rising and moving through a world that feels emptier. A gaping hole that has been torn into your existence, and everyone around you just walks right past it like it’s not even there.”

Before I Let Go is the first book I’ve read by Kennedy Ryan and it certainly won’t be the last. It is a second chance romance about how a divorced couple, whose marriage was torn apart after a devastating loss but who still love each other, navigate co-parenting, co-owning a business and dating other people.

It deals with loss, grief, depression and on-page therapy in such a raw and authentic manner that it is hard not to empathize with Yasmen, Josiah, their kids, and the entire supporting cast of characters.

My favorite part was the emphasis on how important it is to seek therapy for one’s emotional well-being starting at a young age.

I really appreciated the character development of Josiah and how he went from being vehemently opposed to therapy (as so many Black men are due to the stigma around it) to turning to his therapist for help as he navigated difficult moments.

Though there is plenty of steam and the effective use of the one bed trope for romance readers, I would highly recommend it to even non-romance readers as this is a very mature romance with beautiful prose weaved throughout the book that I dare you not to fall in love with Kennedy Ryan’s writing style and these beautiful characters that she created.

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
Contemporary romance. Second chance. Skyland series #1.
Yasmen and Josiah fell in love in college, built a business and a family, but the loss of an unborn child tears them apart. Divorced and trying to move on, they find themselves working through their grief and becoming closer together.

Grief can be isolating. Therapy may help but being ready to heal is key. This story starts after their tragedy and just as they are ready to heal. It’s emotionally gut wrenching and powerful with love at the same time. It’s a curative romance.
I found the children amusing with the reconciliation evidence but it was heartwarming too.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 stars

Emotional, riveting, and thought provoking; this is a love story for the ages.

Despite devastating loss that leads to severe depression, emotional detachment, and subsequent divorce; Yasmen and Josiah continue to successfully co-parent and run a thriving business. But just beneath the surface a fire still burns and attempts at moving on prove futile. Though love still remains can the trust between them be rebuilt and is it worth the risk of being hurt all over again?

Kennedy Ryan has proven to be a powerhouse in the romance world and her latest just may be her best yet.

Thank you to Netgalley, Forever (Grand Central Pub), and the author for this digital advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Before I Let Go was such a deep, emotional story that really took a look at grief and how each of us processes death and trauma differently. How our individual perceptions of a situation leads to different reactions and feelings.

I ached right along with Yasmen and Josiah as I read all they went through and as they navigated divorced life - a life neither of them ever imagined. I rooted for them through the whole story - you could feel their connection, that they were true soulmates. I have gone through a couple of the losses that they endured and I can attest firsthand how hard it is to go on with life, to find yourself again in all the heartbreak. That they found strength to stand again was breathtaking. I also loved the normalizing of therapy and how it has the ability to pull you out of the trenches and truly turn your life around - and the importance of finding the right therapist.

Overall, an amazing story with amazing characters! I would absolutely recommend this to any romance readers! Check trigger warnings ahead though - there are several!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

How do I even begin to describe how beautiful and heartbreaking and healing this book was to read. Kennedy Ryan once again found a way to make me feel so many emotions and had me crying at 3am while reading.

Before I Let Go is a second chance romance that discusses love and loss and mental health and the importance of therapy (especially for those in marginalized communities).

Josiah and Yasmen's relationship is raw and dynamic in a way that made the spice and all the moments in between so incredibly emotionally connected. From start to finish we see each of their emotional journeys both individually and how that then affected their relationship. I cannot get over how real and complex they both felt.

I also loved both of their other relationships. with their kids, their friends, and even their staff. Not a single character felt like cardboard cut outs which made the story all the more enjoyable and real. I cannot wait to read Solidad and Hendrix's stories next!

Ms. Ryan LOVES pulling at my heartstrings!

What a beautifully written story of love, loss, forgiveness and healing. I love that these themes weren't just present for the couple for but the individuals outside of their relationship. Yasmen and Josiah each had their own issues they needed to work on involving forgiving themselves (as well as each other), coming to terms with their own grief and healing from their losses and grief.

I also really appreciated the emphasis on the importance and value of therapy that Kennedy Ryan incorporated into the story.

This was super emotional and Kennedy Ryan wrote it in such a way that you could feel every emotion the characters were experiencing.

Excited for the other (two?) books coming in this series!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book had such glowing reviews that I wanted to love it, I really did. Unfortunately, I found myself just hoping for it to end.

I loooove second chance romance novels so I went into this book with high expectations. Unfortunately, there was very little about the couples first romance so I found that very disappointing. I would have enjoyed alternating chapters between past and present. I would have had an easier time relating to the characters if I had seen them in a different phase of life.

I also thought that there was way too much sex in the novel. The smut detracted from the story and I found myself skipping through it since it happened so frequently.

I thought that the book covered some important topics such as still born births, depression, grief and even suicidal thoughts. The author did a good job of singing the praises of therapy.

Although this story wasn't for me, I can see how it would have been a good book for people in different phases of life than me.

Too much time in the characters heads and no movement of the story plot which lead to boredom. To say I'm disappointed would be an understatement.

All the stars. All of them.

Thank you SO much to Forever and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.
Life comes at us fast. Responsibilities, kids, opportunities - it all rushes at us with projectile force. With all the things flying my way, I've learned to stop and check for dents and bruises. I've been the walking wounded before with disastrous results. Now I always pause just one damn minute to make sure I'm actually okay. Sometimes I gotta have a seat on a toilet, hoarding breaths, surviving between seconds.

I had really high expectations going into this book. And wow did it surpass all of them. I always go into Kennedy Ryan books knowing that my heart will be ripped out and this was no exception. This book is tragic and beautiful and everything I want in a Kennedy Ryan romance.

This book definitely has some heavy content warnings for loss of a child, miscarriage, divorce, and depression. Kennedy Ryan doesn't shy away from the tough stuff and really goes all in on showing the difficult side of marriage, parenting, and mental health.

But despite it being hard hitting, the way the author handles the discussions was expertly done. Everything was handled and addressed with such care. Despite the moments of heartbreak and difficulty, this book never loses its sense and feeling of hope.

These characters felt so real and raw and relatable (despite never having experienced anything similar to what they were going through). And you couldn't help but root for their HEA.

This is a tough read, but one that is absolutely worth every single page. These two go through so much together and getting to witness their happily ever after was fantastic.
I recognize her anger laid out like rug covering her pain.

I cannot say enough amazing things about this book. If you haven't picked it up yet, definitely add it to your list immediately ❤️

Yasmen and Josiah were supposed to be in love forever until tragedy after tragedy tore them apart. Two years after their divorce, Yasmen is finally finding her joy again and getting into a new rhythm with Josiah co-parenting their two children and coowning a business. Yet the ex-couple find themselves drawn back to each other and wondering if their split is the right call. Is the divorce a mistake or an inevitability? How can they believe their love will last the second time around?

LET GO is a raw, emotional, yet beautiful second-chance novel that delivers so much more than just the romance and tension between Yasmen and Josiah. It had me laughing, blushing, and sobbing. Going in, I was apprehensive because second-chance tropes aren't my favorite, but I am pleasantly surprised by and greatly appreciate the emotional depth Ryan put into the book.

LET GO contains many heartbreaking events where readers should check trigger warnings first. That said, Ryan tackles so many vital issues of loss, grief, and mental health that I believe everyone will benefit from this book. Especially on seeking professional help for one's mental health, LET GO does a beautiful job emphasizing the importance of men seeing therapists and showing their vulnerabilities.

Even if you're not a romance reader, I highly recommend LET GO. I was equally intrigued by how the characters process their traumas differently and grow as individuals, as well as the romance between Yasmen and Josiah. LET GO is a fantastic book written with care and empathy that everyone should read.

Wow, this book was gorgeous. Heartbreaking and beautiful, but so gorgeous. I actually had to stop midway through this one because my heart needed a break. Yasmen and Josiah had been through so much and my heart just couldn't handle it, so I had to take a mini-break. But this may be the most beautifully written book I've read all year. Kennedy Ryan makes you feel the grief, but she also makes you feel the triumph and overall the result is breathtaking.