In Before I Let Go, Kennedy Ryan delivers a daringly honest exploration of love unmoored by tragedy, and the difficult, messy journey back to self—and maybe, to each other. This isn’t a feel-good romance with quick fixes and tidy resolutions. It’s a story about brokenness, survival, and second chances that don’t feel like fairy tales, but earned lifelines.
As the opening novel in the Skyland series, it introduces not only Yasmen and Josiah Wade, but an entire ecosystem of community, chosen family, and legacy. With a narrative that is both sensual and sobering, Ryan pens one of her most emotionally intelligent books to date.
A Love Story Written in Scars
Yasmen and Josiah are ex-spouses—but their story doesn’t begin or end with divorce. When we meet them, they are already navigating the aftermath of unimaginable loss: the stillbirth of their son, compounded by other life-altering griefs, fractured their marriage beyond repair. Or so it seemed.
Yet life keeps them tangled—co-parents, co-owners of a thriving restaurant, and two people whose history refuses to settle quietly into the past.
Their story is one of proximity, restraint, and the slow, cautious reawakening of desire. Ryan builds this romantic tension with a precision rarely seen in contemporary fiction, allowing readers to witness every falter and flicker of hope without rushing toward reconciliation. You feel the weight of their pain, but also the depth of their passion.
Yasmen: A Wounded Woman Relearning Her Worth
One of the most memorable elements of Before I Let Go is Yasmen herself. She is not just a romantic lead; she is a mother, a businesswoman, a survivor. Her postpartum depression and ongoing mental health struggles are treated not as side plots, but central themes. Through her therapy sessions, her strained relationships, and her complicated co-parenting dynamic, we witness the rawest parts of her come back to life.
Ryan’s rendering of Yasmen’s inner world is astonishing in its empathy and detail. She does not shy away from the ugliest thoughts, the social stigma, or the quiet shame that often accompanies mental illness. Instead, she allows Yasmen to take up space—and in doing so, gives voice to many readers who have longed to see this kind of emotional honesty on the page.
Josiah: Strength, Silence, and Softening
Josiah Wade could have easily been a static figure—stoic, supportive, emotionally distant. But Ryan doesn’t reduce him to a trope. His silence is not just masculinity gone rigid; it’s grief that hasn’t found language. His journey, though less vocal than Yasmen’s, is deeply affecting.
Watching Josiah begin to prioritize emotional openness, especially for the sake of his children, is a testament to the quiet evolution of character that Ryan writes so well. He’s not a perfect partner, but he is one trying—flawed, confused, but rooted in deep love.
Heat, Heart, and Hesitation: A Romance That Breathes
The romance in Before I Let Go doesn’t blaze in overnight declarations or impulsive reunions. It smolders. One moment, one kiss, one lingering look at a time. The sensuality is palpable, yet never gratuitous. Ryan’s skill in balancing physical intimacy with emotional stakes is on full display here.
What makes the romantic arc so powerful is that it isn’t just about reigniting desire. It’s about reestablishing trust. Can Yasmen and Josiah love again—not just each other, but themselves—as they are now, not as they once were?
What Sets This Book Apart
Ryan’s writing has always been evocative, but Before I Let Go is perhaps her most emotionally layered novel yet. It doesn’t rely on dramatic twists or shocking reveals. The drama is internal. The stakes are psychological. The impact, however, is no less seismic.
Some highlights that elevate this book:
- Authentic mental health representation – Yasmen’s depression is written with nuance and accuracy, never glamorized or dismissed.
- Therapy depicted positively – Sessions are shown as necessary and humanizing, not as shortcuts to healing.
- Richly drawn side characters – Friends like Soledad and Hendrix aren’t just supporting roles; they offer grounding, humor, and glimpses of future stories.
- A strong sense of place – The Skyland community and the restaurant Grits create a tactile backdrop where culture, ambition, and heart converge.
A Few Imperfections
While the emotional resonance is undeniable, the novel’s pacing can feel indulgent at times. Some moments—especially in the middle stretch—loop back on themselves, reinforcing emotional dilemmas already well established. This could test the patience of readers who prefer forward momentum in plot-heavy romance.
Additionally, the subplot involving Josiah’s brief dating life post-divorce, while realistic, might feel under-explored or under-resolved for some.
But these are minor quibbles in a book so rooted in character truth.
Beyond the First Book: The Skyland Series
Before I Let Go plants seeds that blossom beautifully in the next two books of the Skyland series:
- This Could Be Us (2024) – Soledad’s story brings more laughter, spice, and insight as she learns to balance motherhood, self-love, and romance after a messy divorce.
- Can’t Get Enough (2025) – Hendrix, the fiercely private friend and protector, finally lets someone in—and the result is electric.
While each book stands on its own, reading them in order enriches the emotional tapestry. These characters appear, grow, and ripple through one another’s lives, creating a universe that feels as interconnected as any found family should.
Read This If You Loved…
- Seven Days in June by Tia Williams – for the intensity of a rekindled love born from shared scars.
- The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez – for the emotional nuance in balancing grief with romantic possibility.
- Real by Kennedy Ryan – another powerful work from the author, filled with depth, cultural resonance, and passion.
Why Kennedy Ryan Continues to Lead the Genre
Ryan is more than a romance author—she’s a storyteller who uses the genre to unpack generational trauma, mental health, motherhood, systemic expectations, and the power of community. She does it with beautiful prose, ethical sensitivity, and a commitment to reflecting the lived experiences of marginalized voices.
In Before I Let Go, she takes an emotionally scarred couple and doesn’t just give them a second chance at love. She gives them—and her readers—a roadmap through grief, a reclamation of joy, and the possibility of wholeness after being shattered.
Final Verdict:
This book doesn’t just tug at your heartstrings—it strums a full symphony of grief, growth, and grounded passion. If you want a romance that feels lived-in, therapeutic, and achingly tender, Kennedy Ryan’s Before I Let Go is required reading.
