Didn’t love it as much as I did the first book in this series and that makes me sad. My expectations were probably too high.

Felt like Soledad’s story was handled with kid gloves. Very low stakes and her husband still got a happily ever after which felt just wrong. How does he get to just run off into the sunset with his new family after what he did. I was left feeling unsatisfied. Which probably was the point because people who commit white collar crime all to often get off with a slap on the wrist.

Soledad’s journey to self love felt superficial. Probably because she didn’t need to do any self growth. Nothing was wrong with her. She just needed to drop that dead weight - her husband.

The colorism angle from her mother in law could have been more fleshed out. So little attention was given to it it could have just been left out all together.

Judah was forgettable. The only thing I really remember about him is his love for his twins and his great relationship with his ex wife. His love for Soledad felt lukewarm and didn’t translate for me.

All in all this one just felt like fluff with very low emotional stakes and I was expecting to be more invested and I wasn’t. Felt very much like a middle book in a series.

Still looking forward to Hendrix’s book but hoping it will pull at my heart strings like the first book did.

I loved BEFORE I LET GO, so I was really sad that this book turned out to be a disappointment. The instant attraction, given the circumstances, was just a bit unbelievable for me, and despite Judah being portrayed as super caring and thoughtful, I couldn't get over how he kept insisting on pushing Soledad into a relationship even though she wasn't ready.

I also found the pro-cop through-line a bit off-putting. I get that in this case we're talking about white, privileged white-collar criminals but it was a bit cringe. And a small nitpick but I wish we weren't still italicizing and explaining non-english words in 2023; I find that books always hit harder when they're written to those communities mentioned (e.g. Black and Latine / autistic) as opposed to writing for a white, neurotypical person that needs these explanations. Like c'mon, I think we can figure out what abuela means without the italics.

I've had a hard time with romance recently so acknowledge I may be overly harsh at the moment, but there were a lot of small things that bothered me, which collectively dampened my reading experience.

Thank you to Kennedy Ryan & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for my eARC copy!

I am not unfamiliar with Kennedy Ryan's work, and so far, I have yet to be disappointed. She pulls through every time and tugs at your heartstrings. In her yet-to-be-released work, This Could Be Us (releasing March 5th, 2024), we follow Soledad (one of Yasmen's best friends from Before I Let Go) on her journey as drastic changes uproot her life. Throughout this book, Kennedy Ryan delicately and thoughtfully portrays autism, how it is presented differently in all individuals, and society's vocabulary surrounding the topic. This story is beautifully written and handled with so much care. The dynamics between the families, friends, and community are heartwarming and loving and show how essential it is to have a community to fall back on in times of need. Mrs. Ryan's pen game is lethal when detailing the passion, angst, and slow-burn romances in her books. She always leaves you wanting more. I'll be preordering the final copy and can't wait to see what will be in store for Hendrix in book 3 (2025 release).

Soledad is a planner who has everything organized and checked twice. But life has other ideas.... She has lots of challenges with divorce, raising kids who require extra help...

I love how Kennedy Ryan deals with so many issues with such sensitivity. There are lots of angst, drama, emotions, self-discovery and love.... The love in the story is moving and very emotional. Very beautiful story...

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on this arc from NETGALLEY . This is easiest 5 stars I’ve ever given. This story is so perfectly written. You go through all the emotions with the characters. The diversity as well as the representation of autism was so beautiful to see in this book and it was done well. The side characters weren’t annoying either, they were entertaining and progressed & aided the story. The romance was just so well paced and it had the perfect amount of spice . I have not one complaint about this book! If I could give it 6 stars I would! Everyone needs to run to read this come March! 😭

✔️Dual POV (Judah x Soledad)
✔️Set in an upscale Atlanta suburb
✔️Contemporary romance
✔️Tropes: Second-chance romance (not with their original spouses though!)
✔️Microtrope: "Who did this to you?"

“It’s not an endgame.” I push away from the wall and step close, carefully lift the curls around her hairline away from her face. “It’s a begin game.”

“I’ve come to realize that a woman who wants more and realizes she deserves it is a dangerous thing.”

“When you do think about this relationship, don’t compare it to anything else, to anyone else. Draw a picture in your mind of what a future could look like and really believe this could be us.”

“This Could Be Us” is the Kennedy Ryan’s follow-up to “Before I Let You Go,” which was a 5-star read for me. Needless to say, my expectations were HIGH. I love a romance featuring grown-ups with real lives. This is a perfect series if you’re fed up with the virgin ingénues in every other romance.

Soledad is increasingly frustrated with her loveless marriage and distant husband. At her husband’s corporate Christmas party, she is captivated by a handsome stranger. The man turns out to be Judah Cross, a forensic accountant the company recently hired. Judah is hot on the trail of Soledad’s husband and helps the FBI arrest him for embezzling $6 million. You can’t love a man that put your husband behind bars. Can you? CAN YOU?

Judah is a father to twin autistic boys. Kennedy Ryan has a personal commitment to getting their stories right. In her other books, the author’s signature in-depth research is nearly invisible. In this book, the effort shows just a bit more. There is A LOT of detail about autism in this story to provide fair and accurate representation, but it’s just a touch heavy handed. There’s also a C-plot storyline about a neighborhood mom with cancer that’s needlessly draining to the novel’s energy and optimism.

When Judah and Soledad are on the page together, this story sizzles. They are both impossibly good parents going through some really hard times while secretly falling in love.

Content warnings: Ex-husband is a CHEATER and THIEF!

ARC copy acquired through Net Galley with approval from Forever (Grand Central Publishing).

Kennedy Ryan did not disappoint with Soledad’s story , i devoured this book and couldn’t put it down.
The hero was swoon worthy ( hello are we surprised ? … Also where can i get me one of those 🤤🤤)
This book had humor , self love awakening moments , friendship moments , and a good storyline
What can i say more ….. i can’t wait for HENDRIX’S BOOK
10/10 recommend

WHEW!!!

This 👏 book 👏 was 👏 every 👏 thing 👏 !!! Well written, with just the right amount of angst! Soledad and Judah are amazing parents, but most importantly amazing people who deserve the good in life.

Mrs. Ryan wrote her heart out in these pages. The peek inside the life of a parent with a differently able child was so insight and it taught me a lot about a situation I’ve never had to experience. Thank you for that.

I will be reading this book again, soon. And I can’t wait for the book release so I can buy a copy!

Great job!!

I would like to say that *again* Kennedy Ryan wrote one of my comfort books (no one is surprised). She is an exceptional writer and her romance books always amaze me, but what is truly awesome is the way she gives this space to tell a story about women. Soledad's journey, as well as Yamen's, was always the main focus and I really appreciate that her "re"-self-discovery was kind of the real romance here. I could see so many women I know in Soledad, women who are constantly let down by the men in their families and left alone with their children and their homes. It's very hard to read something this personal actually, but Kennedy is always respectful in the way she writes and I thank her for that.

Another thing I liked about this book, which is also somewhat reflected in the previous one, is the families' dynamic. This is not the typical story where the man's ex is crazy or still in love with him, instead they have a good friendship and they support each other with their boys. And of course, I loved when they welcomed Soledad and her family in theirs. But I would've liked to see more of Sol's daughters and Judah. The ending felt a bit rushed for me because they didn't even talked once, and I get that it was mostly between the girls and their mother, but in my personal opinion, if Judah had spoken to them about his intentions towards Sol it would've felt more natural in a way.

4,5☆

First THANK YOU to Read Forever Pub and Kennedy Ryan for the e-arc,

I know three things for certain is 1) Ms Kennedy knows how to write a romance book that’s gonna have you crying and smiling 2) I will be picking up all about love by bell hooks and 3) I’m manifesting a man like Judah Cross!

This is a beautiful story about healing and finding love again and most importantly loving yourself. I laughed and cried and at the end of Soledads story I was just so happy that she came into her own and finally found peace and man than truly loves her. This book is immaculate and it had me reevaluating my self, my love life and that’s the best part about a Kennedy Ryan book. Her stories will have you reflecting and looking within yourself.

kennedy ryan truly has a chokehold on me i was so happy to see another book set in this universe! her writing is so beautiful !

This was my first read by Kennedy Ryan. In the words of Kevin Hart from his Uncle Richard Jr. when he said “peel this muffin cap back blue”, Kennedy did just that with this book! Ma’am I have had to collectively gather my thoughts and emotions in this book. I was that caught up! I felt I was in the story myself! Soledad’s support system is unmatched! Whew! Her friends and family rallied around her so tough and never switched up on her. Judah, whew what a man! I don’t have children yet, but to see how he was an awesome coparent and all around great individual, he is all right with me! I learned so much about autism, Kennedy thank you for this so much! Soledad and Judah, I loved this love story I was like yes!! I’m so happy for their ending. Now as far as Edward, he can collectively kiss all our behinds and his trifling Mama.
Then you left us with some with a few surprises! Thank you so much! I have enjoyed this read, this is beyond 5 stars! If I could give a million I would!

Getting to meet Kennedy Ryan was one of the highlights of 2023 for me, her books are INCREDIBLE and deserve to be among my favorites ever.

Thanks to Forever Publishing I got to read an early copy of Before I Let Go and I was immediately obsessed. Kennedy’s writing style is full of emotion that is so raw and real, as soon as I finished the first book I could not wait to read book 2.

& the absolute joy didn’t stop there, I am in awe of her each time I hear her speak, she is beautiful, eloquent and such an inspiration. While I am often excited for upcoming releases, THIS COULD BE US was a drop everything and devour it kind of book and I am still pinching myself to have had such early access to a copy.

Ryan’s words will leave you breathless, break your heart and inspire you to BE more all within a single page. I loved Soledad’s determination, how strong she was for her family and that even when she struggled she kept at it, making the best of what she had, her talents, her community, all while many people would have given up. Rarely am I so invested in a character’s well being like I was for hers throughout this book, and I didn’t want it to end, even if it meant she would get her HEA.

Judah was the perfect match for her. I adored the care he took of her feelings, his awareness of the situation with her ex, his own and their families was refreshing, messy and everything I hoped it would be. Life can be chaos, but this book left me feeling hopeful, inspired and wanting MORE.

I’ve preordered my copy already (I HAD to have the special Barnes & Noble edition) & highly recommend snagging this one yourself, it releases March 5, 2024 💕

ARC Review - This Could Be Us

After reading Before I Let Go earlier this year, I was so excited to be back in the Skyland world. The female characters in this series are so supportive and uplifting. Their bond, love, and friendship is inspiring! This Could Be Us focuses on Soledad and how she makes her own happiness and self-love a priority in the aftermath of life-changing family and relationship betrayals.

Kennedy Ryan has a writing style that is so effortless to read. This Could Be Us is so real and honest as it navigates the hardships and sacrifices that come with marriage, divorce, and love. I did think the wrap-up felt a little too rushed and perfect but overall, I really enjoyed this book. I'm already looking forward to Hendrix's story next!

the way i DEVOURED this book! wow wow wow. such a beautiful story about ones journey to self-love and finding yourself. I adore these two characters.

It always feels like a privilege to read a book by Kennedy Ryan, and I wonder how I even lived my life before reading her books! THIS COULD BE US is everything I can hope for out of a romance. It always blows my mind how brilliantly Ryan ties her stories with such emotional depth, intensity, complexity, realness, angst, and awareness of subjects that aren't represented and talked about enough. I know I always need to buckle up before reading one of Ryan's book because by the end of the book you feel like you just got off one crazy emotional rollercoaster ride but am changed for all the better.

The mother of three teenage daughters, Soledad has the rug pulled out from her and wind knocked out of her, and now everything is on her shoulders to keep her family afloat. THIS COULD BE US is a beautiful and empowering story of a woman learning to step into and own her power and trusting that she is fully capable of taking care of and supporting herself - and her kids, while at the same time allowing herself the happiness and love she both desires and deserves.

I love how Soledad and Judah are brought into each other lives, making their relationship that much more sticky, complicated and frankly, hot. Judah's respect, understanding, and admiration for Soledad was real and beautiful... thank goodness for him and his patience (and his glasses) while Soledad needed the time to embrace who she really is. And it also made me respect Judah even more knowing he would rather back away than settle for anything less than what he wanted. I will never get enough of him and his saint-ness. I'm so happy to have witnessed Soledad and Judah's story.

So much gratitude to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

You guys, this went up on Netgalley yesterday, and your girl ran to open an account just so I could read it, because I just could not wait! (Yes, I know, crazy I read so much, but didn’t use Netgalley until now! What can I say? I’m intimidated by apps ok 😂). I’ve finally conquered that fear!

Since I participated in the cover reveal back in October, I’ve been waiting to see when the arc would be available, and as soon as it was, I grabbed it and could not put it down! 🎉

This is another emotional masterpiece by @kennedyryan1, and I declare I will read every single book she ever writes, period, because the girl can write! Go read her stuff!!!!!

Soledad’s story was a powerful one that will resonate with so many: single moms, single dads, divorced coparents, people in diverse families, people within bicultural families, step parents, as well as parents navigating all the complexities and challenges of raising kids in the autism spectrum.

The representation and inclusion in this story was superb. So many amazing points were addressed, so many of the struggles handled with such care. The story was raw, real, and rich in so many ways. Soledad’s strength and courage through the worst times of her life were both inspiring, and admirable, and though her HEA wasn’t conventional, I feel it was the perfect one for her.

I am so super excited to read Hendrix’s story next, and can’t wait for my preorder of this physical copy to get in my hands!

Read if you like:
🥹 Emotional stories
👩‍❤️‍👨 Friends to Lovers
🏋️‍♀️ Strong MFC
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Diverse + bicultural families
🧩 Autism representation
👭 Strong female friendships

⚠️CW: Discussion of parent death due to cancer off the page, discussions relating to autism inclusing clinical classifications, divorce, embesselment crime, cheating.

Thank You @netgalley @readforeverpub and @kennedyryan1 for the opportunity to read this ahead of release day 3-5-24

There aren’t enough words to explain how amazing this book was!! I related to Soledad in far too many ways, finding yourself after heartbreak is such a journey, and Soldedad’s was so well written. I felt like I was back where she was, finding myself again. I cried, I laughed, I rooted her on. Not to mention the impecable romance, Judah is the definition of the perfect book boyfriend. To have so much wrapped in one book could have been difficult, but this was incredibly well done.

Finished this yesterday night and read it in one sitting. I am obsessed and captivated by Kennedy Ryan’s talent to keep writing better and better romances full of incredible characters and dreamy love stories. My love for Kennedy’s work just keeps growing with every book.

thanks so much for the ARC!

this book was soooo good. it wasn't as angsty as BILG but still so good. i was apprehensive about reading this bc i feel like the 2nd book of a series always falls short. happy to say this wasn't the case for This Could Be Us. i love the characters kennedy ryan has created in this book. judah is too good to be true.

soledad's growth was organic and i was rooting for her throughout. her career choice was a little cringe lol. i can't wait to see her appearance (along with her girls') in the next book. i just also love how kennedy's growth as a romance writer is evident over the course of her books.

can't wait for hendrix's book!