'Before I Let Go' by Kennedy Ryan is a poignant tale of second chances in love and life, revolving around the divorced couple, Yasmin and Josiah Wade, as they navigate grief, loss, and the complexities of mental health. The book delves into themes of therapy, family dynamics, and the impact of tragedy on relationships, all portrayed with authenticity and emotional depth. Through the characters of Yasmin and Josiah, the author explores the struggles of rediscovering oneself after loss and the journey towards healing and finding love again. The writing style is described as tender, powerful, and emotionally gripping, weaving together poetry and prose to convey the characters' inner turmoil and growth.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Yasmen representing strength and resilience, while Josiah embodies love intertwined with personal struggle, alongside their children's experiences shaping the story.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by emotional depth and poetic language, effectively conveying the characters' struggles and growth.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around a divorced couple who navigate their unresolved feelings for each other while addressing the trauma of their past, particularly the loss of a child.

Setting:

The setting reflects a contemporary family life, highlighting themes of co-parenting and personal recovery in a relatable modern context.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow, designed to immerse readers in the emotional journeys of the characters and their healing process.

Her eyes, dark and gold-flecked, clash with mine in the mirror before she sets the phone aside. It’s like staring back at myself. We’re so much alike. Skin as smooth and brown as polished walnut. Her ...

Notes:

The book features a second chance romance between a divorced couple named Yasmen and Josiah.

Yasmen and Josiah have two children and own a business together.

The story deals with heavy themes of grief, depression, and the impact of divorce on family.

Yasmen's journey includes self-love and therapy, which plays a significant role in her character development.

Some readers felt that the 'spicy' scenes detracted from the emotional depth of the story.

Josiah is portrayed as a loving and supportive father, who struggles to express his emotions after loss.

The narrative touches on the importance of communication in relationships, especially post-divorce.

Readers appreciate the realistic portrayal of mental health issues, including therapy and grief.

The book has received both praise for its emotional depth and criticism for pacing and content preference.

Many readers recommend checking trigger warnings due to sensitive topics like child loss and depression.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include stillbirth, depression, grief, and emotional struggles, which are central to the narrative.

Has Romance?

The romance in the book is significant, as it revolves around Yasmen and Josiah rekindling their feelings amidst their struggles.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

"Real, raw, magnificent - Before I Let Go is the beautiful angst I love to read." - Colleen Hoover, #1 New York Times bestselling author

A Good Morning America Book Buzz Pick!

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, 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 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 hot. It's illicit. It's all good-until old wounds reopen. Is it too late for them to find forever? Or could they even be better, the second time around?

Award-winning and bestselling "powerhouse" author Kennedy Ryan is at her absolute best in this compelling, scorching novel about hope and healing, and what it truly means to love for a lifetime ( USA Today).

Book of the Month Club selection

NPR Best Books of 2022

Entertainment Weekly Best Romances of 2022

Washington Post 10 Best Romances of the Year

Women's Health Best Books of the Year

Publishers Weekly Best Romance Books of 2022

Ratings (12)

Incredible (4)
Loved It (8)

Reader Stats (32):

Read It (12)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (16)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (2)

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Before I Let Go

Kennedy Ryan

Book 1 in the series:Skylands