[CW: stillbirth and death] It’s taken three years, but Yasmen is finally starting to feel like herself and is out of the grips of the deep depression that claimed her following the stillbirth of her third child and the death of a beloved mother figure. When she finally looks around, she realizes that Josiah, the husband she divorced in the midst of her lowest point, still draws her like no one else but also that he’s now ready to move on. Yasmen’s guilt over what has become of her family and Josiah’s belief that he could never trust Yasmen again keep them apart but they just can’t stick to it.

I love a marriage in trouble book and what’s more in trouble than already divorced? This book was hard to read and full of angst but so very beautiful. You know that visceral feeling that some books can give you? Yeah, it was that. Two very wounded people who handle things in very different ways trying to understand one another and trust again. The handling of the issue of therapy was excellent—Yasmen is fully cognizant of the fact that therapy absolutely saved her life while Josiah is skeptical of the whole concept and knows that it is definitely not for him. Fortunately both of them have great support systems (especially Yasmen, whose two best friends are absolutely wonderful and fiercely loving of Yasmen). It may take a while to recover from this book, but it will be totally worth it. Thanks to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the eARC. Available today.

Before I Let Go is an engaging, heartfelt story about marriage, grief, life, and moving forward. I found Yasmen relatable and well developed. I felt for Josiah. I loved the growth he showed and how he was able to see his role and examine the events of the past that were shaping his future. The pages are filled with relationships that add value and substance to the story.

While the plot is predictable the messages are handled with grace and care.

Before I Let Go is a wonderful picture of the realities of marriage and loss but also of hope and love. Yasmen and Josiah experience two big losses in a row, causing their marriage to fall apart. They're clearly still meant for each other as they process and work through their grief. Life isn't always pleasant and positive, and marriage and intimacy are also made for experiencing the depths of grief together. I love the cast of characters and am excited to see that it's listed as the first in a series!

CW: Talk of depression, grief, loss of a loved one.

I have put off writing this review for a few days because I genuinely did not know how to begin. There is one word that comes to mind when thinking about this book: raw. It shows an unfiltered love story, a couple who loves each other fiercely, and more importantly, the way depression changes your view of life. This story was one of love, yes. But it was also one of grief, self-discovery, and reinvention. I cannot imagine dealing with what our main characters had to go through (which I won’t say in an effort to not spoil the book as much), but I will say I have had experiences with the outlook on life where it feels like there is nothing that can give you enough energy to even get out of bed.

It was heartbreaking to read the moments in which Yasmen recalls the days before recognizing she needed help and asked for it. I cried reading her lows, I got angry when I couldn’t understand how other characters did not seem to get how affected she really was, I held the kindle to my chest when her and Josiah were reaching a point of understanding. I think these characters really show what resilience and compromise is. Their love for each other and for their kids was big enough to overcome the hardest challenges. It was both painful and beautiful to see them go from where they were at the beginning of the book to slowly understanding the mistakes they had made and the way each of them dealt with loss in a different way. And accepting that.

I’ve seen some people recommending this book as a love story first and foremost, talking about the cute aspects of it; while that is true, I also want anyone to go into this book knowing it does address heavy topics and goes deep into how much of an impact grief and depression can have in your life. Having said this, I would love for more people to read about Yasmen and Josiah’s journey, it is raw and painful at times but it is also beautiful and inspiring. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting with an advanced copy of this book. This was my first book from this author and now I cannot wait to check out more of her work.

Queue the tissues!

I never knew I needed to read a book so much until I read Before I Let Go.

This book is just as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. A book about soul crushing love, loss, mental health, and the ties that bind a family…even in the form of an adorable Great Dane, Otis.

I cannot say enough great things about this book! Tears were shed, laughs were had, spicy scenes were etched into my brain to live rent free forever, and endless hand to heart moments occurred. I am absolutely adding this to my shelf, and will highly recommend that you read it!

**thank you @netgalley and @readforeverpub for a eARC in exchange for my honest review**

This book inside is every bit as gorgeous as the cover is on the outside—and this is one of the most beautiful covers I've seen in a long, long time. Before I Let Go is everything (and more) that one could hope for. It sounds so trite to say, but it's JUST. SO. REAL. I don't know any other way to describe it. When you read Yasmen and Josiah's story, you feel like this is something that is happening to your friends. You hurt for what they've been through and just hope deep in your heart that they're going to find their way back together.

Kennedy is a master storyteller and her writing is absolutely next level. Anyone who's read her before knows what a treat they're in for and Kennedy is a one-click author for not only other readers, but for authors alike. Savor this one—it's a special one.

Second Chance • Slow Burn • Emotional

The latest from the Powerhouse of Talent, the Queen Bee Kennedy, is a soul tearing, visceral account of loss and grief that plagues a married couple. Human nature to survive generally sweeps uncomfortable and tragic incidents under the rug, never to be seen again or locks them in a safe and tucks it on the highest shelf in the attic.
What Ryan does is bravely opens the box and lets the contents spill out.
She holds your hand to guide you through the tunnel of depression till you see the light.
That's what it's all about.
A lesson in perseverance and continuance. Never letting go of the hope that you'll find your way back when all seems dismal. Of holding back when standing on the bridge, not repenting after you make the jump.

"I’m one person made of two strands. The things from my past that continue to shape me, and the person I’m slowly becoming."

This raw and hopelessly-hopeful story is a therapy of sorts, both for the characters Josiah & Yasmen Wade, & also a how to guide for all the married couples that have had the misfortune of suffering some kind of loss that shattered their dream life.
The most powerful sentiment that Kennedy showcases here is Bravery. The need to embrace the necessity of finding joy and heal for thyself. And it starts.......

“Today,” I say. “Write down ‘today.’”

As is always when I dive into one of Kennedys books, I am ready to surrender myself to her compassionate prose, but I never expected to embrace this story so compehensively, to find it to be so riveting and unique, that I'm still thinking about it. I'm not yet ready to let go of these fabulous people.
A flawless tale of passion and love, second chances and irreversible outcomes. I'm consumed and subsumed, honored and moved beyond words.
As I sit here with tears streaming down my face, reading THE END to this magnificent story written with organic honesty, I can't help but wonder —where would we be without the guiding light of these impassioned and persuasive authors?
I hope I never find out...ever!!
5 stars and may our pain become champagne!

“It was an inescapable cycle that left me looking up at my life from the bottom of a well, the walls slippery, and seeing no way out.”

Happy Publication Day, Kennedy Ryan! Thank you Kennedy Ryan, Forever, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Their love was supposed to last forever. But when life delivered blow after devastating blow, Yasmen and Josiah Wade found that love alone couldn’t solve or save anything. It couldn’t save their marriage. Yasmen wasn’t prepared for how her life fell apart, but she’s finally starting to find joy again. She and Josiah have found a new rhythm, co-parenting their two kids and running a thriving business together. Yet like magnets, they’re always drawn back to each other, and now they’re beginning to wonder if they’re truly ready to let go of everything they once had. Soon one stolen kiss leads to another and then more. It’s all good- until old wounds are opened. Is it too late for them to have forever? Or could they be even better, the second time around?

*Slight Spoiler ahead and tw for mentioned pregnancy loss*

“Before I Let Go” is a raw, emotional second chance romance with dual POVs and flashbacks to the past. To say this book was everything I could have wanted and more would be an understatement. I resonated with Yasmen in a way that I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. As someone who has suffered through several pregnancy losses and has experienced that devastating kind of grief, I know exactly what it feels like to be drowning in an ocean of grief, barely able to keep your head above the water. I can’t even begin to explain how much it meant to me to see that grief articulated in such a beautiful way. I cried with and for Yasmen as we learn more about what happened to lead up to the Wades’ divorce. I can honestly say that this is my favorite book of the year and I can’t wait to read the rest of the Skyland series. I gave “Before I Let Go” 5 ⭐️‘s, though I would rate it higher if I could, and I cannot recommend this book enough. Please give this book a read!

Kennedy Ryan is a must read for me and this is one of my favorites
This second chance romance has you rooting for Yas & Josiah from the start. This black powerful couple with love to make you weak own a popular restaurant in Atlanta and help foster the community they live in. Life isn’t easy for this rags to riches couple and their kids.
Lots of difficult losses and how they cope truly test them.

Kennedy builds her character’s so deeply& visually , you feel like you’re watching a movie. As always 🔥🔥🔥🔥sex scenes scattered throughout the story.

CW: This book deals heavily in death and in therapy, but woven so well into the storyline. Minor mentions of dementia and infidelity.

Looking forward to Skyland #2 and which character will be drawn out.

Received an ARC of this book from Forever Books and NetGalley -Thank You.

Wow. What a powerful book. Guys, this is a romance that packs a punch. It is a love story about ADULTS, who have lived a life, faced trouble, survived trauma and lived to tell about it. I love a good swoon worthy romance about young love, but this story, it has some meat behind it, and the impact is richer because of it. I think this is my new favorite romance of 2022!

Bonus points for …
- pro-therapy
- body positivity
- trauma recovery
- girlfriends who lift each other up

Extra credit for …
- French 75’s (my favorite cocktail)
- the food descriptions (I was literally getting hungry while I read)

I also really appreciated the resolution to the conflict in this story. It took more than a simple sorry for the couple to move forward. They both did some real work to make sure that their relationship was right and that they were going to do right by it, and I appreciated that we got to go on that journey with them.

There are certainly some triggers here so if that’s something you’re concerned about, definitely check that out. But for me, I was so moved by this story of triumphant love, overcoming loss and the exploration of living with grief.

It’s also an open door romance and it brings the spice. 🥵🥵

This was my first book by @kennedyryan1, but I definitely plan to check out her backlist now!

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
Phoebs: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

𝘈 𝘱𝘰𝘦𝘮 𝘣𝘺 𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘴:
𝘒𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘥𝘺 𝘙𝘺𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦.
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦.
𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘢 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴.

I will not be getting over this book anytime soon.

Yasmin and Josiah’s love story is epic and 𝘙𝘈𝘞 navigating a journey strewn with loss, angst, growth and passion. While the pages are heavy with weighted content, they are composed with thoughtfulness, intention, care and grace.

Kennedy immediately grips your heart, her hold only tightening throughout and squeezing still long after you’ve finished reading. Many times throughout this book I found tears streaming down my face, helpless to the emotions this story was ringing out of me. Kennedy approaches mental health from the perspective of individual healing and the immense, intense work dedicated to mending your mind. I absolutely loved the impact of therapy on this family.

Every character is beautifully brought to life with complexity of thought, genuine emotions, dynamic personalities and relatable relationships. I truly believe everyone needs a Hendrix and Soledad in their life — friends who feel like the sisters of the heart. They artfully added a perfect layer of light and levity.

Kennedy, thank you for writing this beautiful story and elegant reminder to be kinder to myself. This novel really landed on my heart.

𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺, 𝘒𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘥𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 (𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭)𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.

**Post to Instagram @FriendsReads coming this week!

I’m such a huge fan of Kennedy Ryan and once again she delivers ✨magic✨ in her phenomenal new release, Before I Let Go. She is such an unbelievably gifted storyteller and her writing never ceases to amaze me and leave a lasting impression. Her words are powerful, raw, poetic, heartfelt, emotional, and full of depth.

Before I Let Go is the heart wrenching yet epic second chance love story of Yasmen and Josiah who are navigating co-parenting and running a restaurant together after their divorce. Their story will tug at so many emotions as you get a first hand look at why their marriage crumbled but it’s also beautiful and powerful to watch them find their way back to each other and reconstruct their relationship. Their chemistry is explosive and Kennedy delivers all the pining, sexual tension, and steam. This story is more than just Yasmen and Josiah’s love story…it’s also a story of grief, self-love, healing, strong friendships, and parenting. Throughout the story, Kennedy navigates tough subjects so realistically and with such care and creates a story filled with exquisite details, humor, angst, emotion, beautiful messages, and lots of amazing food. You’re definitely going to want to pick this one up!

✨marriage reconciliation
✨second chance
✨co-parents
✨business partners
✨trauma, grief, hope, and healing
✨mental health rep
✨all the chemistry, sexual tension, & steam

“Could it be that what I thought were ashes were actually embers, waiting to be rekindled?”

I have read Kennedy Ryan before so I knew to expect the brilliance in her writing and that it was going to be a very emotional story - both things that proved to be true! Yasmen and Josiah’s story is an extreme emotional roller coaster, so just be prepared and make sure that you yourself are in the right emotional state when you pick this up. It’s a story of strong love, difficult loss, and a family trying to struggle to get through it all.

I only really understood when I picked up this ARC that it was going to be a very heavy read… it was so heavy that I had to take a few breaks just to process my own feelings from the characters (mark of great storytelling to immerse the reader so deep).

The reason I have given 4 stars is that it was so much longer with so many things written in that just didn’t need to be there - it could have been told much quicker and to the point and still given us the same feelings and emotions and been just as brilliant. It’s also actually my least favorite trope … marriage in crisis is the trope I hate. Even though this is a divorced couple two years after the fact, they’re behaving like a couple that has just separated but trying to work things out. Not one that I would normally pick up on my own, but I really enjoyed my first read of hers recently and wanted more! For anyone that does enjoy the trope, she did a great job with the story so you should pick it up!

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and this is my honest review and feedback.

Raw and honest are the best ways to describe this book. Ryan doesn't hold back on the issues faced within the Wade family. The way they dealt grief with was so beautiful and I loved the focus on therapy. I wasn't expecting full-on happy times, but I didn't expect full-on sad ones. The book was good at dealing with everything both Yasmen and Josiah had going on and showing how they came out of it stronger and willing to try again. I loved Josiah & Yasmen's relationship and the way they grew with the kids. It was heartwarming, and their development, after both going to therapy, was healthy.

I especially loved the friendship between Soledad, Hendrix, and Yasmen. These girls have each other's backs and try to make time for each other when they can. They are the definition of "this is what friends are for." I assume they'll have books in the Skyland series, and can't wait to read them.

Five Huge Stars for one of the best and most emotional books I've read in a while! Ms. Ryan always reaches in and grabs my emotions with both hands and tugs. She writes flawlessly and with such innate sensitivity that it's hard to imagine she can be in touch with so many topics. But yet she is.

Yasmen and Josiah are the perfect couple. They tackle life with enthusiasm and joy until tragedy strikes and they can't navigate it. Yasmen is suffering such intense depression that she can barely get out of bed to care for the children, leaving Josiah to manage their restaurant and deal with all the other business issues. They can't find common ground in dealing with their losses and instead of pulling closer together, it tears them apart and they end up divorcing. But even though their marriage has ended, their love is still very much alive even if they don't trust it.

Ms. Kennedy deals honestly and brutally with grief, depression and loss. She shows a no holds bar view of life as a mother struggling to perform the basic daily functions. The emotions depicted in this book are so powerful and raw and they feel tangible and real. Kudos to Kennedy Ryan for not shying away from tough topics. I truly appreciate the way she tackled this subject matter and showed the evolution of a family in agony to one of healing. It was painful and yet beautiful. It was a masterpiece.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Such a beautiful book!

Yasmen and Josiah were married, built a business, they are devoted parents. But life dealt them some difficult cards that they didn’t process well and they divorced. Individually and for different reasons, they both started therapy and learned healthier ways of handling things.

I loved the mental health representation.
I loved that this book showed the hard work of marriage.
I loved that this book acknowledges that “the pain and the grief and the sorrows forged us together as much as the joys”.
I love the way these people parent.
I love the way these people love each other.

This book felt real and believable and honest and raw and true. I really just can’t say enough, but if you like steam and you want a unique take on a romance novel with great mental health representation—read this!

I love romance novels about new relationships but there really is something to special about characters who have been through sh*t together and find ways to fall deeper in love.

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan is a truly remarkable book. I was hooked from the first chapter and could not wait to watch Yasmen & Josiah’s story unfold. The layers and depth of their characters made them and their story feel so real. Kennedy Ryan does it again!

Holy wow. Talk about emotionally wrecked in the best way. Yasmen and Josiah have such a growth journey and it made me completely invested in everything they went through and them getting their HEA. The healing and forgiveness help these two find each other again in this second chance romance. Do keep in mind, this is heavy on realistic mental health struggles and healing, which is beautiful, but may be triggering for some readers. This one will crush you, but you'll love every moment!

A HUGE Thank you to Kennedy Ryan and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing me with this e-ARC via NetGalley!

Honestly, before you even read this review, just go order this damn book.

In the simplest of terms, 𝙱𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝙸 𝙻𝚎𝚝 𝙶𝚘 is a devastatingly beautiful novel about a divorced couple navigating life while co parenting their two children, running a thriving business together and healing from past traumas… in addition to trying to piece together the complicated remnants of their past relationship. I know that doesn’t sound simple at all but this story is soooo much more than that and I wouldn’t be doing this masterpiece justice by leaving you with such a bare-bones description.

If you think this is just a book about love you are in for a rude awakening! Yasmen and Josiah Wade are the vessels through which we explore facets of GROWTH. Growth after loss, grief, and trauma. Growth after heartbreak and divorce. Growth through therapy and mindfulness. Growth through Black joy, community and family.

𝙱𝙸𝙻𝙶 is the perfect blend of “hope and healing” with a healthy dash of passionate love. The romance is *chef’s kiss* You could literally feel Yasmen and Josiah’s chemistry radiating off each page. Their love is so raw & vulnerable, how could you not root for them??!

I should’ve reviewed this days ago but I really needed time to reflect. I felt so moved and challenged by what I read and I’m only 24 with 0 kids and a mound of unsuccessful relationships under my belt 😭 Even so, I feel renewed by the lessons Yasmen, Josiah, and the rest of their clan taught me. MISS RYAN MAAM YOU DID THAT!

I CANNOT believe this is my first Kennedy Ryan read! I’ve clearly been missing out!

Possible triggers: divorce, loss of parents/loved ones, stillbirth, PTSD, depression, suicidal ideation

Rating: 5/5

*All opinions in this review are 100% my own.*

Pub day: TOMORROW! November 15, 2022. I know y’all got those card numbers memorized so why you even thinking about it?! Just order it!

Genre: Romance
Tropes: Second chance, divorce, angsty

WOW! I am not sure I have the words to say how mucch I loved this book. I am a divorced mom of two and I was nervous going into this emotionally beautiful second chance love story. Kennedy Ryan’s writing made me feel all the angst, pain and love Si and Yas felt. The writing is absolutely perfect! Kennedy Ryan makes you feel like you are standing with these characters going through their pain with them.

Si and Yas are divorced with two kids and a business they run together. As you read this book you find out the events that lead up to their divorce and the feelings and love they have for each other. I found myself thinking about this book when I was not reading it.

I loved the love that Si and Yas have between them no matter what life brings them. I loved the friends that surrounded this family and the love they gave each other. This is one of my top reads of the year and I highly recommend it! It is an amazing, emotional ride that I am happy I went on.