In Kennedy Ryan’s beautiful novel, “Before I Let Go,” readers are taken on a heart-wrenching journey of love, loss, forgiveness, and hope. Ryan weaves a captivating tale of two souls torn apart after a tragedy but who refuse to let go of the love they once shared.

Yasmen and Josiah Wade had chemistry the moment they met. They fell in love, got married, and had two kids. They opened a restaurant together, and everything seemed perfect until one day, a tragedy took their fairy tale romance and flipped their happy ending on its head.

Now, Yasmen and Josiah have divorced but have managed to stay cordial, co-parenting their children and continuing to run their thriving business together. As they try to move forward and date others, old feelings resurface, further complicating things, and when a stolen kiss reignites old passions, it also opens old wounds. The connection may still be strong, but is getting back together a good idea? Are they better apart, or could things be better a second time around? As the couple navigates the complexities of their broken marriage, readers are taken on a rollercoaster of emotions, rooting for their reunion while also understanding the pain they have endured and what might keep them apart.

This is the first book I’ve read by Kennedy Ryan, and it won’t be my last. In fact, I ordered the second book in this series about halfway into this one. One of the strongest elements of this book is how good Ryan is at painting vivid pictures of Yasmen and Josiah’s turbulent relationship and the challenges they face. From the tender moments of rediscovering their connection to the heated passion of their illicit encounters, every scene is crafted with care and attention to detail.

This is not just a tale of rekindled love but also a powerful exploration of grief, forgiveness, healing, and self-discovery. As Yasmen and Josiah confront their past traumas and insecurities, readers are taken on an emotional journey right alongside them. The book tackles themes of grief, loss, and depression in an honest but respectful way. I also loved how the author tackles therapy and how helpful it can be – especially in situations such as those faced by our lead characters.

The characters in the novel are all very well-developed and relatable; I felt like I knew them personally. Yasmen is a resilient and determined woman, struggling to move on from her pain and find happiness once again. Josiah is a complex and conflicted man, torn between his love for Yasmen and healing from his own trauma that he’s never fully processed. Their dynamic and chemistry leap off the pages, making their journey all the more compelling and heartwarming. I loved how the book alternated between both character’s points of view. We were able to know what each character was feeling but not saying to the other, which ups the tension in a realistic way.

The side characters were also great. I especially loved Yasmen’s friendship with Soledad and Hendrix. I was excited to see that the next book focuses on Soledad, and I really hope we get a third that focuses on Hendrix because she was a hoot!

In the end, “Before I Let Go” is a testament to the power of love, forgiveness, and second chances. It is a beautiful and thought-provoking novel that will linger in your heart and mind long after you’ve finished it. This one has a great blend of romance, spice, humor, and heart, and it might even make you tear up here and there. It’s an emotional read, and I can’t wait to check out more by this author.