I received a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Yasmen’s life completely fell apart. She had some major losses in her life, including her marriage, and she was drowning in grief. Finally, she feels like she’s coming out of the darkness to live and enjoy life again. But it looks like her ex-husband has found joy as well, with a new woman. Josiah has never stopped being pulled to Yasmen, but it’s been 2 years since the divorce Yasmen asked for. He needs to move on, doesn’t he? So, he starts dating a wonderful woman. But it doesn’t feel the same, it doesn’t feel like… home. Can they find their way back to each other? Can Yasmen and Josiah heal the wounds to their relationship?

I generally make it a rule not to read marriage-in-crisis books. Due to my only person history and experience, they’re just not a good fit for me.  As a result, it has taken me a very long time to pick up this book, despite Kennedy Ryan being one of my all-time favorite authors. But once I picked this one up, I was hooked. Kennedy Ryan writes magic, every single time. Their love (and lust) was palpable, the reasoning behind their divorce made complete sense. This wasn’t a case of one person not wanting it to work, not trying to make it work, it was a matter of it not being able to work at that time. As always, there is a painful, traumatic tale woven into the story so masterfully that I could feel the hurt on the pages in my heart. Ryan always handles these situations with such care and respect, it is one of the aspects of her writing that makes it so powerful. TW for still birth off and death of a guardian, both off page. I would recommend this to fans of any of Kennedy Ryan’s previous books, fans of second chance, Black romance, and love after loss.

Josiah and Yasmen romance had me in its clutches! I love a second chance romance, and this book topped off my love for these types of angsty reads! They're a divorced couple who coparent wonderfully, but are both missing physical and emotional connection in their personal lives.

In this book, the hero had to grow on me. I was Team Yasmen from the start. Before I Let Go is very much a slow burn, and it teeters on the edge of being women's fiction. However, as she always does, this author gets us there. This book has such high emotional investment. I found myself rooting so hard for these two to figure it out! The OW/OM drama was a good addition for me because it really brought up that angst factor.

From the first word, I knew this book would be a home run. Kennedy Ryan is a safe space for me. Her books hit on me on such an emotional level that I'm often left in a slump afterwards. No regrets 🤍

Yas and Si were everything and more. I truly appreciated reading a second chance romance for grown folks, as Kennedy described it. The level of maturity and emotional intelligence was refreshing.

We follow Yas and Si, who are currently divorced and trying to navigate their lives after a deep tragedy. They co-parent two children and both still work as partners at their restaurant. Kennedy took great care in showing us how each family member was processing their feelings and emotions. Their son and daughter both using different methods to cope, opening up important conversation pieces in this story. The struggle with mental health was written in the most raw and honest way.

My feels tank was about to blow near the end of this book. The side characters were absolutely sublime. I loved how Yas had a powerful circle of girlfriends. Strong women also trying to blaze their own life path. I cannot wait to read their stories (fingers crossed). Second chance romances are my absolute favorite. Such a god tier trope.

This is hands down one of my top reads of 2022. Special thanks to Kennedy Ryan and NetGalley for this ARC.

AMAZING. kennedy can do no wrong!!!! this story had everything! love, humor, mental health, communication, grief. it really took me for such a ride. i can’t wait for the next one!

kennedy ryan continues to outshine herself. this was beyond incredible. when reading her writing i get immersed into her worlds and leave reality.

What can I say? Honestly! What can I say? 😩 When I finished this book, I literally sighed out loud. I didn’t want this story to end! I immediately wanted to turn to the first page and reread the book!

There’s nothing I dislike about how this book was written, how the characters were presented 🤌🏾 or how certain important issues were dealt with, so what I will share is everything I love about this story:

•The dialogue is impeccable❗️It’s so real, I could picture myself having these conversations. They’re not forced and they don’t make you think ‘no one talks like this’.
•I felt ALL the characters’ emotions (Chapter 13 in particular was so raw and had me in all my feels!) Omg! I laughed, I cringed, I was angry, I felt sadness for and with some these characters and that’s what I want from a reading experience.
•Talk about PLOT❗️We get the steam 🌶 but we also get the depth. The author tackles very important issues such as divorce, loss, forgiveness and reconciliation, among others, and these issues were dealt with so smoothly.
•I absolutely love the representation of a healthy and happy black father and daughter relationship and mother and son relationship as well. I ADORED Josiah’s relationship with his daughter.
•I love love love the exploration of non-traditional family/spousal commitments like common-law unions and adoptions. I’m here for it all! Not everybody’s story will go down the same in history and this book reinforces that that’s Ok.
•This was romance!

Finally, let me just say, Kennedy Ryan has officially become an auto-buy author for me! 😩

I must thank NetGalley and the ReadForeverPub for sending me an eARC.

I’m convinced that no one is writing romance like Kennedy Ryan. I don’t have all the words to describe how fantastic Yasmen & Josiah’s second chance romance was. Can’t wait to read Soledad’s book!

**thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review**

Before I let Go is the type of love story that everyone who ever needed a reminder that they can and will find the type of ordinary yet extraordinary love that can only be envisioned from a gifted writer such as Kennedy Ryan. I expected nothing but the best from my favourite emotional terrorist.

From the start, as a long time fan of Kennedy, I knew this story would be incredibly emotional and within the first few pages, my heart remained in my throat and tears welled in my eyes. I'm not the biggest fan of second chance tropes but I still devoured this book within 24 hours after being approved for a digital arc.

I was deeply invested in the trials and tribulations of Yas and the mental struggle that Si had to overcome in navigating how to be present for the love of his life while she embarked on a journey to become her own greatest soulmate first. These are the love stories that simmer to a boil until you catch yourself googling up ways to build a machine that allows you to turn into your favourite characters, if only to experience that level of love. There is no words to express how profoundly this book changed me. By the time I finished this story, I alright brought a round ticket to New York City from Toronto in order to attend one of several book tour dates Kennedy was at. It was THAT good.

One of my very few 5 star reads of the year. I hardly rate things really high, mainly because I feel like nothing is perfect, except this book. Absolutely gut wrenching, heart stopping, emotionally damaging, beautiful perfection. I'm already not much of a crier, but this book brought me right to the brink of tears especially since I was reading and listening at the same time. The pain, sadness and grief and then a switch to love, passion and yearning. I could feel it all from the incredible voice actors. I literally could not put this down and I'm optimistic that the sequel will be just as great!

It’s nice to read contemporary romance that are set in the real world with realistic problems. Reading about a divorced couple still working together and raising kids together is refreshing.

It’s nice to see characters grow and change together, because that’s what happens in real marriage.

I really connected with the characters and their situation, we all go through tough times is our marriages.

As much as I love the billionaire romances, this was hit home for me.

I loved this book! Kennedy Ryan did it again! It was a beautiful combination of loss, family, and love.

This book explores heavy themes of loss, grief, family, and love. Yasmeen and Josiah will have you rooting for them and their family from beginning to end. When I picked up this book I thought that it would be a romance book but Kennedy managed to do so much more than that. She delved into black womanhood through Yasmeen and her group of friends in a beautiful and nuanced manner. I especially liked how she made both Josiah and Yasmeen imperfect characters, allowing us to see their individual journeys and the role that they played in their relationship.

Overall it was a wonderful read and I would definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for a deep, meaningful story of love and family!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was just as good as everyone said it was going to be. I’m mad that I put it off for so long but it was worth the wait

This story was so beautifully sad but also inspiring. Watching two people fall apart from tragedy and them coming back to together made me bawl like a baby

It’s a story about loss, grief, love, pain, family. Everything in between.

Josiah and Yasmen were seemingly perfect together, but when they were tested by the unexpectedness of life they fell apart. I LOVED their story. It just felt so real. Love alone doesn’t fix everything. They loved each other completely but needed to fix themselves first to be able to work. And being able to read them come to terms with this was just so good

Both yasmen and Josiah are so strong in their own ways. I can’t even imagine the pain yasmen suffered through and I get teary just thinking about it. She was strong and reading her struggles really HURT. And Josiah did what he thought was necessary when their lives came apart, staying strong for his family even when that meant suppressing and avoiding feelings.

By the end, this couple and family found their happy ending, and the ride and journey was beautiful

This was the most beautiful and raw book ever written. I love her, and can't wait to read the next in the Skyland series.

Kennedy Ryan's "Before I Let Go" is a powerful tale of resilience, love, and the unyielding strength of the human spirit. The novel follows Yasmin and Josiah's journey back to each other as they navigate the aftermath of one of life's hardest moments.

Ryan's storytelling kept me hooked until the very last word. The author effortlessly captures the essence of each characters, making them relatable - adding a layer of authenticity to the novel. However, a desire for more character development to delve into deeper emotions is a sentiment worth noting. While Yasmin and Josiah's backstories remain true to the narrative, a more extensive exploration of their emotional landscapes could have further enriched the reader's connection to the characters. One of the novel's strengths lies in Ryan's ability to explore the complexities of second chances in love. Yasmin and Josiah's story serves as a testament to the idea that, in some cases, love can indeed conquer all - illustrating that the path to reconciliation is not always easy but can be incredibly rewarding.

"Before I Let Go" is my first foray into Kennedy Ryan's literary world, and it certainly won't be my last. While a desire for more extensive character development lingers, Ryan's ability to craft emotionally charged narratives and breathe life into her characters is commendable.

In conclusion, "Before I Let Go" is a triumph of love over adversity, a poignant exploration of second chances, and a testament to Kennedy Ryan's talent as a storyteller. If you're a fan of light, heartfelt romance with a touch of realism, this book is a must-read.

I cannot even begin to put into words how phenomenal this book is. I’ve had the ARC copy sitting in my Kindle for a while now and just kept putting off reading it, and all I can say is I regret waiting so long to finally read this book! When I finally picked it up, I FLEW through it and read it in two days.

This book is second chance romance at it’s finest. We have a divorced couple who went through some of the hardest things a person can go through, who are now trying to find a way to co-parent their two kids and run a business together. The level of yearning and regret, mixed with lack of trust and fear is tangible. The entire time I was reading, my heart was in my throat. It felt like my insides were in a vice grip and I was physically manifesting all of their grief and heartache. Ryan did an amazing job of writing characters and a story that sucks you in and holds on tight.

Yas and Josiah had amazing chemistry throughout the book. Even when they were fighting and trying to find ways to move on, you could feel the pull that they had for each other. I love how the story unraveled, with us finding them in their post-divorce period and learning about the events that led to this bit by bit. Having the story told through dual POV was brilliant as it allowed us to understand both of their sides and what their interpretation of events was. They had both endured so much trauma and their responses to the trauma is what ultimately leads them to splitting up in the first place. But luckily for the reader, this is a romance and we are able to watch their journey through growth and healing and finding each other again. It just takes a lot of tears (from the reader and the characters) first.

Not only do we see the characters struggling with their relationship with each other, but we also see them dealing with the fall out for their family. Their daughter is a teenager who is taking the divorce hard and lashing out. Their son has a new fear of death and abandonment. Those relationships were so real and raw and heartbreaking as well. Ryan handled these characters and their relationships with honesty and grace, and I loved the journey we saw with their family as well.

This book also set up a beautiful story of mental health and mental healthcare. Therapy was utilized often and we saw multiple characters’ relationship and journey through counseling. Joshua’s experience with therapy was so impactful. We saw a character who was resistant the process, and put up a lot of walls at first, and witnessed him grow and heal tremendously. I just love that this book wasn’t just about them finding each other again, but about them finding themselves first and be able to become the person the other partner needs.

Before I Let Go is such an outstanding novel. While the book covers heavy topics, it was handled with care and such a beautiful, touching story. I highly recommend to those who’ve not yet picked up this book!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Second Chance love story always does something to me don't ask me why I find this just beautiful, it's not just about the forgiveness it's everything and doing it better

Kennedy Ryan my queen, she delivers and I read that all. She did it again. let me tell you if Yasmen wasn't petty I was it for her and trying to bad mouth our man. I can't stop laughing thinking about this. But still, that's why I like her, and her daughter man this kid was something else my blood pressure.

"I said I hated you, but I don't. Not yet, but if we keep on like this, I will, Si. And you'll hate me"

Chapter Thirteen but not just this one, the entire book breaks something to put it back together. The second chance can be hurtful but so beautiful.

This took me a while to get into because of the trigger, but j was able to read it and I understand the hype. I ended up listening to the audiobook and loved the narration! This is definitely a heavy story at times, but Ryan’s writing is so good! Josiah and Yasmen have so much history. There were moments that made me want to sob for them and all they’ve gone through. As a parent, their loss of Henry shattered my heart. Yasmen’s relationship with her daughter was so relatable. I also really loved her relationship with her friends. I loved the portrayal of therapy , especially men going to therapy. I will definitely check out more books by Kennedy Ryan.

I really enjoyed this book! Kennedy Ryan never disappoints. A beautiful full circle tale about loss and love and second chances. Making us believe that second chances can be even better than the first even when all hope is lost.

This is a wonderful book that deals with family, loss, friendship and a second chance romance. The family is relatable and the friendships feel authentic. Throughout the book, I just really wanted the family to find their way back to each other. They did and their story was very enjoyable.

I received an advanced copy of Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan from the publisher Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What It’s About: Yasmen and Josiah were always the couple everyone wanted to be, they were meant to last forever and their love was supposed to conquer all. But when they are faced with a tragedy, their marriage falls apart. Now, two years later, Yasmen and Josiah are doing a great job balancing co-parenting their two kids and their business and keeping it friendly. But they cannot ignore the pull of attraction, are they ready to find their way back to each other?

What I Loved: Gosh, Kennedy Ryan is just an amazing writer. The writing is beautiful and this is such a well crafted story. This book is not easy, but it is also not constantly sad. This book handles real trauma and how we all process it in different way and the real impacts of depression and not processing grief. This book is so pro-mental health and really celebrates the healing power of therapy. I truly appreciate how we get to see how devastating mental health challenges can be but also that there is hope. I love just all of the themes of this novel. There is so much love and healing in this book that it is just beautiful. This book is really an amazing second chance story that feels earned and also where we don’t hold it against either character that it fell apart before.

What I Didn’t Like: The chemistry was a little off for me at times, but I think that’s a me thing, I really loved this book.

Who Should Read It: People who love a good second chance book that plays with grief and healing.

Summary: A marriage destroyed by grief and the healing that leads them back to one another.