Kennedy Ryan’s latest contemporary romance, Before I Let Go, is dedicated to the “strong girls . . . hustlers . . . [and] superwomen,” all of which could be used to describe heroine Yasmen Wade. Yasmen built a charmed and idyllic life with Josiah, her college sweetheart-turned-husband. Partners in life and in business, the two ran a successful restaurant together. But their happiness came to a screeching halt when their third child was stillborn, which was only the start of a series of heartbreaks. In the emotional aftermath, Yasmen’s grief became paralyzing. She sought mental health counseling, but Josiah was unwilling to seek therapy with her. Yasmen had to battle the darkness alone, which created a rift between her and her husband. Rather than taking refuge in each other, as “Team Wade” had done for nearly two decades, they divorced. However, their hearts never truly let go. A gorgeously poignant story of healing, family, and love. Kennedy Ryan is a true artist." - Helen Hoang

Josiah has just started dating again, something that has shaken Yasmen up a little. Is she willing to watch the former love of her life marry someone else? Can these two give love another try? (Uh… YES!) For a second, Yasmen looked distressed, but then, despite feeling like someone dragged me over hot coals and needles, I laughed. Then she laughed and I wondered if this—finding someone you can laugh with when everything hurts—was the stuff happily ever afters were made of. Not the sugarcoated kisses and hot-air balloon rides and romantic walks under a full moon. My whole body throbbed with whatever plague infected me, but that day Yasmen made me happy. In the midst of a raging flu, she made me laugh. I don’t read a lot of romance, so I haven’t read anything by Kennedy Ryan, but she’s written a lot of books. The the Grip series (2017), the Hoops series (2018-2019), The Kingmaker in 2019, Queen Move (2020) , and Reel (2021). Do you have a favorite? Tell me in comments!Every time I think Kennedy Ryan can't possibly raise the bar any further, she proves me wrong in the most delightful way possible." - Katee Robert I tipped over from wildly attracted and more-than-slightly pussy-whipped into the real thing. Into love. That moment is soldered into my memory. It’s one I’ll never forget. Your story is raw and real, you absolutely know Yasmen and Josiah are inevitable and they will find each other again. The weight of their past cannot separate the two. The way his children play a role in the story, his friends, his restaurant, an overnight trip together (with only 1 bed!) to explore the location of a new restaurant, his family, the Great Dane Otis , family time, food, platter. scene (I was out of breath!), and my god, all the love.

Thank goodness. A romance for grown folks—and a poignant, steamy one at that! Before I Let Go is an emotional look at a marriage burned to the ground and two people determined to rise from the ashes to find happiness again. Yasmen and Josiah have the enduring type of love that would make anyone jealous. Theirs is not a connection based solely on physical attraction; although, there is some seriously hot magnetism between them. They share a mutual respect, despite the pain they inflicted on one another. I respected both of them tremendously. Love is hard. And when trauma is added to the mix, the partner you adore can struggle to be the partner you need.Before I Let Go BOOK WAS EVERYTHING!!! I love second chance romance and I never thought that one with a divorced couple would be my problem. Kennedy Ryan proved me wrong with this book. SPECTACULAR! Kennedy is doing something no one else in romance is doing right now. If you love angst with the most satisfying payoff, Before I Let Go is for you." - Christina Lauren 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).