I’m calling it - Before I Let Go is my book of the year.

I’m not sure I have the words to do any justice telling you how amazing this book is. It’s just that good. I can’t think of any other book I have felt this deep in my soul.

There are parts that absolutely tore my heart in two. There are points I bawled (I rarely cry reading). There were points I was filled with joy. Every single character is this story I was invested in and was just trying to do their best.

I don’t want to spoil anything, so I will leave it at this. If you are a big CoHo fan, this book is for you. Even if you’re not, this book is for you. It’s so, so good and again reinforces why I tell everyone to read Kennedy Ryan’s books. Chefs kiss!

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Forever for the opportunity to read this book. The review expresses my own personal opinions.

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

First in a new series but stands alone. Romance/Women’s Fiction/Divorce Fiction.

Before I Let Go was supplied by Net Galley for an honest review.

Let me start by saying that Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan will end up on my all-time favorites list. There was a one-day window to get the ARC of this book and I grabbed it because the cover is absolutely gorgeous and Kennedy Ryan has wowed me in the past. I didn’t read the blurb. I had no idea it would parallel my life so much and force me to make some much-needed changes.

“Depression,” she goes on, “is a liar. If it will tell you no one loves you, that you’re not good enough, that you’re a burden or, in the most extreme cases, better off dead, then it can certainly convince you that you’re better off without the man you love, and that, ultimately, he’s better off without you.”

Yasmin and Josiah were the perfect couple living a charmed life in the Atlanta suburbs. You were able to feel the love and sensuality they brought to the story, until one tragedy after another hit and they both handled their grief differently. Yasmin finally insisted on a divorce over Josiah’s objections.

They still had two kids, a restaurant business together, and they live 2 blocks apart. And they were still secretly very much attracted to each other and very much in love. But they had to move on, didn’t they?

Yasmin has spent the last two years in therapy. She has an amazing friend group. She is healed and whole again. But Josiah holds everything in and doesn’t believe in therapy. Until his son is having problems and he promises to go to set a good example for him.

My ex-husband is bi-polar and won’t go to therapy. We were married for 29 years, many of them happy, but I had filed for divorce twice before. We divorced right before the pandemic, but because of our kids we were in the same bubble and kind of clung to each other—now he is still coming over every Saturday night. We also went through a very similar loss, so Before I Let Go hits me in some very personal ways. It also pushed me to seek out a therapist for myself.

“And I think I’m most grateful for time, which doesn’t always heal all wounds, but teaches us how to be happy again even with our scars.”

Likes:
•A book about mature adults.
•The absolutely gorgeous cover.
•The 100% REAL characters.
•It made me cry so much but they were good tears.
•One of the most relatable books I have read.
•Made me finally reach out for a therapist for myself. This book was actually therapy.
•Written so beautifully yet so real and raw.
•Yas’s friend group.
•They are both great parents.
•The sex scenes were totally HOT but beautiful at the same time.
•The therapy was normalized and on the page.
•No silly plot devices or fake angst.

Dislikes:
•Only one small thing: there was a beautiful, touching scene with their daughter, Deja, and I felt like it was a missed opportunity to discuss mental illness with her.

The Down & Dirty:
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan is mature, emotional, so sexy, and so raw. It deals with family, love, kids, divorce, loss, healing, therapy, friendship and so much more. I couldn’t stop reading, yet I wanted to slow down so it wouldn’t end. It’s been a really long time since a book made me feel like this. It made me think and reevaluate a lot in my life and convinced me to seek therapy for myself. But beyond that, Before I let Go is an unputdownable story that you can’t help but love. This will not only top my best of 2022 list, but my all-time favorite list as well. As soon as the audible releases, I will be grabbing it for a re-read that way.

Rating: 5++++ Stars, 4 Heat

A second chance romance for the ages. Their family life is such a fun addition. So often I read SCR that is two people who dated and then separated. To see a full family with business and intertwined lives struggle with the reality of separation was refreshing. I highly recommend this book!

I finished this book weeks ago and I’m still processing. It’s soooooooo ridiculously amazing! You absolutely have to pick this book up. Kennedy Ryan, thank you so much for giving us phenomenal stories and characters with so much depth!

I love Kennedy Ryan, but this book was 100% not for me. Second chance romance is my least favorite trope. Especially divorced second chance! This is like asking me to revisit every awkward moment in my life. I was deeply uncomfortable reading this book. The first half is a visceral portrayal of the grief, stress, and struggle this family is experiencing. I think it's a testament to the author that I was so deeply impacted. It's very realistic, but not an enjoyable read for me which I recognize is a me thing, not a book thing.

This book is a beautiful and heartbreaking story of redemptive love that is so real, it practically leaves the page.

This was my first Kennedy Ryan book and oh man, does this book have all the feels.

Yasmen and Josiah were married with two kids when their life came crumbling apart. Both of them handled their grief differently, but worse, they handled it separately which drove a wedge between them. Now divorced, Josiah lives just a short walk from Yasmen and their two kids and is intimately involved in their lives and the business they share together. While they aren't married any longer, the attraction and pull towards each other is still there. Small moments of giving into the attraction, leads to more and more before they are forced to evaluate their past, how the feel in the present, and what they want for the future.

It is so completely fitting that Colleen Hoover is the one who blurbed this book on the cover because the only author who has ever emotionally wrecked me like this book did was Colleen. This book is an emotional rollercoaster but I could not put it down. What's the saying? It hurt so good? ha ha.

These characters are memorizing. The whole family and their friend circles are written in such an authentic and real way that I felt like I knew these people and was invested in what happened to them. Despite the fact that my hear broke for them all a million times over I wanted to keep reading and sacrificed sleep to do it.

I will most definitely be going back through Ryan's back list after having read this one. This is a beautiful and poignant story about loss and grief and how everyone experiences things differently.

**I would STRONGLY encourage you to read the CW before diving into this one. There are some very heavy topics that could be triggering for some readers.**

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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 everything.

It couldn’t save their marriage.

Yasmen wasn’t prepared for how her life fell apart. Yasmen and Josiah have found a new rhythm, co-parenting their two kids and running a thriving business together.

Soon, one stolen kiss leads to another…and then more. This book is raw, beautiful, spice, realistic and shows second chances Can change everything. This book took me a while to process my emotions from how riveting it was. If you love Kennedy Ryan this is a new side to her writings. It was beautifully done and deserves a 10 out of 10.

“Healing and Reconciliation”

🧡 Mental health is crucial to survival. Free your mind and live your best life. 🧡

I am usually 50/50 about reading second chance romance. I tend to be drawn more to all the “firsts” of a developing relationship. But Kennedy Ryan’s Before I Let Go is not your ordinary second chance romance. It is an extraordinary example of a second chance at life after tragedy.

BILG is told from the dual POV of divorced couple Yasmen and Josiah Wade. Their family was dealt back-to-back blows and the relationship shattered. But through the collapse, they were able to co-parent their two children and continue to run their thriving restaurant business.

Through a moving narrative of the present and the past, we learn what led to the destruction of the Wade family. This couple had a passion that burned as bright as a thousand suns and unbearable grief turned it into ash. The love between Yasmen and Josiah is apparent from start to finish. It is in the way they think, the way they move, the way they speak. It’s in their eyes. The pining in this book is off the chain. I swear I never wanted two people to get back together so bad. They are both so vibrant in all of their Black beauty. Yasmen keeps it thick and fit with a fro that just won’t quit. Josiah walks around in all of his Denzel glory, dropping jaws wherever he goes. And let me tell you… homie can put it down! The love scenes are phat with fire! I love the way he thinks about Yasmen. For him, she is a queen on her throne and a fine wine that only gets better with time. They are a match made in Black heaven and it so divine to see their likeness in this book. And this book cover! I love it with my whole heart! Ms. Ryan, I praise you in the name of Black Jesus. Hallelujah and Amen!

BUT, sometimes that surface beauty can’t compete with the ugly underneath. Life can be a real killjoy. Mental health is a central theme of BILG and it is executed spectacularly. We see what happens when the mind rules without reason and when the heart beats without rhythm. The exhibition of the pressures of being with someone during tragedy is so real in this book. It’s raw and it’s gritty. Ms. Ryan so potently captured that feeling of drowning when you can’t even help yourself, much less deal with someone else’s grief. It calls your character into question and self-doubt is something we all can relate to.

The stigma of mental illness in the Black community and among men is also prevalent in the story. Josiah is a prime example. This man was so hardheaded. I was all up in my feelings, wanting him to open up to heal up. Therapy is not a disease. Mental Illness is. BILG addresses that and the difficulties that sometimes come with getting help. Do you need therapy? Is your therapist the right fit? Is medication necessary? What other forms of help are there?

“And sometimes I don’t handle harder well.”

This quote resonated so much with me. Yasmen is so strong. To be able to seek help and let go of someone she loves because he doesn’t want to do the same requires courage and the strength of a warrior. Chapter 13 will rip you to shreds! We also see her continued battle to own up to her mistakes, how she handled the task of facing the consequences of her actions or inactions while drowning in the depths of despair, and the little moments of happy that exist amid the pain.

Before I Let Go is the balm to my tortured soul. I could go on and on about how much this book is my jam. But I’ll wrap it up by saying BILG is the BOOK OF THE YEAR. It’s got heart, heat, hurt, and healing. It is must read, don’t miss, reread, book bliss.
I received an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.

Read if you’re down with:
*Second Chance
*Black Love
*Mental Health
*Pining
*That Juicy Good-Good
*Profoundly Rare Storytelling

This destroyed me in the best possible way. Yasmen and Josiah are done, moving on and trying to put themselves back together. You see how they fell apart, how they're coping and learning, and then they so carefully start to explore what they've missed... listen, this is one of those books that I just can't go into detail about because it would spoil it. But I cried while reading it, I cried while telling other people about it - I highly, highly recommend it but have the tissues ready!

Thoughts also shared in "Read in 2022" highlight on my Instagram.

This book is beautifully written, heartbreaking and hopeful. Each character stirred an emotional response, each situations hit home. This is what second chance romances are all about. I was enthralled with Josiah and Yasmen and found myself longing for them to get it together. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a relatable raw and all encompassing novel full of love and heartbreak. And yes a little steamy chemistry.

Before I Let Go is another fantastic story by Kennedy Ryan that not only tells the passionate love story of Yasmen and Josiah but highlights one woman's incredible journey in finding herself after experiencing a profound trauma in her life. I loved the writing, raw emotions and how I was obsessed from the very first page. I loved this story so much! It was nothing short of magnificent!

Let's be real: Kennedy Ryan knows how to write books that will put your heart and soul through the wringer. But even more so, Ryan writes with such powerful and raw emotion that eventually heals you and makes you stronger. I loved every word of Josiah and Yasmen's journey back to one another. It was real, raw and emotional. This story will surely embed itself into your heart and memories and stay with you forever. Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula 

** I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review **

How gorgeous is this cover and why have I not read any Kennedy Ryan books before?! 😍 Oh and look who gave accolades on the cover of the book!
“Raw, Real, Magnificent!” - Colleen Hoover

Before I Let Go is an emotional and entertaining second chance romance between two divorcees. The writing is so smooth, it flowed seamlessly. I could not put it down! The main characters were loveable including the two teenage children even with their teenage attitudes. Kennedy Ryan did such a great job making the story realistic and believable.

There’s a little bit of everything in this novel including:
✔️best friends
✔️mouthwatering food
✔️a family tragedy
✔️grief
✔️divorce
✔️humor
✔️second chance romance

Well done @kennedyryan1 👏🏻

It appears that this is the first book in the Skyland series. I will definitely be following up with the next book! 🥰

Thank you to @grandcentralpub and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by Kennedy Ryan and I can’t wait to read more from her. The writing is absolutely beautiful and there are SO many things I loved about this book! The close knit female friendships, foodie references, the spice, and I truly loved all of the characters. Kennedy touched on some pretty complex topics and situations. I appreciated the representation of Black love, Black families, and the importance of asking for help through therapy. Ryan portrayed a story that was real, raw, about second chances, love, forgiving yourself and accepting someone despite their flaws.

Kennedy Ryan does it again, not typically one for second chance romances, this book made me love them again. Well written, steamy but at the same time featuring something deep and meaningful. I can never read a Ryan book and not want more instantly. I am excited to see where this series also goes in the future!

Kennedy Ryan is fantastic. I loved this second chance romance and rooted for Si and Yasmin from the beginning. I love books where food and restaurants play a role in the story and here, it was a nice bonus.

I really appreciated the mental health rep and how counseling and therapy were discussed. I cried a few times but not in the spaces I thought I would which shows you how Ryan can pull emotions out at unexpected times. The family dynamics were an important part of the story and I enjoyed the kids’ storylines.

I loved the side characters and friendship groups and cannot wait to read more in the series. I’m waiting for Hendrix to fall in love.

Absolutely incredible. I’ve never read a romance quite like this one. A raw, honest portrayal of marriage and grief with a second chance at love. This book digs deep into your heart and won’t let go. This will stick with me for a long time

I can’t even articulate how much I loved this brilliance! I’ll circle back soon with a more articulate review. For now, I’ll just leave these thoughts that ran through my head as I read Before I Let Go:
Beautiful
Poignant
Raw
Flawless
Powerful

It’s no secret that Kennedy Ryan is a powerhouse. Her writing is some of the best prose I’ve ever read, yet this book transcends even my most favorite of her books. It’s so raw. These characters evoke a multitude of emotions. I cried my eyes out and loved every moment of it.

This book is the definition of romance with heart and soul. It’s an experience I won’t soon forget.

This book was absolutely stunning!! Before I Let Go follows Josiah and Yasmen two years after their divorce. We see them try to navigate this new relationship that they have not only as parents to their two children but also as co-owners of a restaurant, while also trying their best to move on from their marriage that broke down in such a painful way. Despite that though they both still have love for each other, the question is, is it to late?

This book is made for the lovers of second chance romance!! This is a book that will make you feel all the feelings, everything that Josiah and Yasmen go through felt so real and I was rooting for them so hard! I loved seeing the amazing team that they were and how undeniable their love and attraction to each other was! I also loved the focus on therapy and what an important tool it can be for everyone regardless of age. The discussions surrounding depression and grief were so real and I really appreciated seeing those conversations play out throughout the story even when they were tough! There is so much pain and grieving in this book but so so much joy and healing that cannot be overshadowed. I found myself laughing a ton (Hendrix I’m looking at you babes 😂) and squealing with joy whenever the romance was romancing 😂

I absolutely loved every character in this book from the kids, to Soledad and Hendrix who are the ultimate ride or die besties, to Yasmen and Josiah who are 100% soulmates. I didn’t wanna say goodbye to any of them and so I’m hoping we’ll see them again in the future 👀

Also shout out to Kennedy Ryan for creating the DILF to end all DILFs 😮‍💨 cause Josiah is too fine! I’m trying to go to a PTA meeting with him 🥵

Read if you like:
- second chance romance
- one bed trope
- open door romance
- grown folks romance

CW: Death of a loved one (off page), stillbirth, depression, suicidal ideation (no attempts)

I still have a lump in my throat from crying/trying not to. This book was so good.
So raw. So emotional. Literally cried throughout.
I absolutely adore Yasmin and Josiah and their kids.
Such a powerful read. Written so beautifully with so much heart.
Loved loved it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an eARC.