SYNOPSIS

Yasmen and Josiah built a life together only to experience loss after loss while parenting their two children. Two years after their divorce, Yasmen finds her rhythm again, getting back involved in her business with Josiah and her community, only to discover Josiah has started a new relationship.

What could possibly happen?

RECAP AND REVIEW

Before I Let Go is a second chance, contemporary romance. This is the first book in a standalone interconnected series following Yasmen’s friend group, told in the dual perspective of Yasmen and Josiah.

It’s been a while since a book has made me tear up and even longer since one has made me cry. This one has made me do those at least three times.

The way Kennedy Ryan wrote this book is indescribable. The way she writes about what depression feels like is raw, honest, and realistic. The story was well thought out and executed. The messages touched me. This was my first book by Kennedy Ryan and she deserves all the hype and more. This book is a second chance romance done right.

We meet them when they get engaged and then, again, two years later after their divorce. There was attraction, fantasizing, and pining, but from a distance. For the most part, they get along well for the sake of their restaurant and their kids, though the discovery of Josiah’s new relationship, brings some tension. They have tough conversations they didn’t have before.

The topics discussed in this book aren’t light. The two have real and genuine love for each other, thought they’d be together forever, but coped with multiple losses in a short time frame in different ways. The way they each coped wasn’t compatible, which is why divorce gets brought up and ultimately happens.

It was heartbreaking learning everything that happens and everything that was said. Depression is real and can make both the person experiencing it and the people around them feel lost and helpless. The conversation around depression is nuanced and shows how some people respond to witnessing it.

This book also touches on complicated family dynamics because their daughter is resentful towards one of them. It touches on parenthood in that way too.

This book was hard to read at times, but the story was moving and I was rooting for them so bad. Their love for each other and the family they created was clear. They each took accountability and made some individual changes that make me believe they can work a second time.

It’s a must read, but also check your triggers. It broke my heart, but there were also moments that made me laugh and smile and moments that touched me.

OVERALL

Overall, I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. There are hidden gems in this book and it’s worth all the praise it’s gotten. I’m excited for the adaptation and they better not fuck it up.