gabichatslit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My first Kennedy Ryan read and I am forever changed. This is my favorite read of the year. This book was amazing. It was emotional and sad and funny and loving and real and raw. Yas and Josiah, and all their friends and family felt so real. And I absolutely love them and reading their love story. I have never giggled and blushed and kicked my feet and screamed and cried as much as I did reading this book. I don’t remember the last time I read a 300+ book in one day. Like any free moment I had, I was picking this book up. I’m about to go listen to the audiobook while I cook breakfast rn just because I’m not ready to leave these characters and Skyland. I’m so excited for Sol’s story, March can’t come quick enough lol and I’m glad I preordered my copy the other day (before I had even started the book mind you lol)
Ryan is easily one of my favorite authors. She has this way with words that I can’t even put into words. It’s just beautiful and tender and I’m just so glad I picked this book up. I’ll have more thoughts later. But yeah, my number 1 of 2023 for sure.
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
jikuuu08's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
the dialogue of every character was so distinct and though the topics varied through heavy and emotional situations, the lightness and fun sprinkled into the story was delightful.
the narritive comes full circle and in the end is so heartwarming and satisfying.
i learned that love is not how inherently good it is, but it is more how you can fight through the bad and find your way back to eachother when times are tough.
Graphic: Self harm, Car accident, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Death, Miscarriage, and Suicidal thoughts
kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Miscarriage, Child death, Cursing, Grief, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent
michelle_my_belle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Child death
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
Minor: Cursing, Dementia, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
books_withblooms's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Grief, Mental illness, Child death, Death, and Cursing
caseythereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Medical trauma, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Alcohol, Child death, Cursing, and Death
Minor: Dementia
ems_rxlibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Cursing, Grief, Child death, and Pregnancy
Minor: Infidelity and Dementia
wblove's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Before I Let Go is a story about loss and grief and the way it can absolutely ruin relationships but also help heal them when fully acknowledged.
I didn't expect to have my own traumas and insecurities flayed open in the pages of a book by an author I'd never read, but here we are. The FMC was written beautifully as a fully developed character with flaws, but who also was able to recognize where she messed up and did the work to fix it. It also beautifully explores female friendships and why they're so necessary. The MMC for personal reasons made me upset BUT he was also wonderfully written. He was written in a way that many men often aren't, he was allowed to be soft, emotional, an amazing and hands on father who would, and did, do anything to show his kids he cares.
Kennedy Ryan BEAUTIFULLY wrote a story that showcased SO many things we don't often get to see all in one. There was healthy talk of grief, the reactions to it, divorce, child loss, therapy, female friendships where they are there for you and your children, second chances after divorce and so much more. This was my first book by her but it absolutely will not be the last.
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Cursing
Minor: Death and Medical trauma
books_wit_britt's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, and Miscarriage
maggieparedesauthor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Miscarriage, Grief, Infidelity, Sexual content, Cursing, Child death, and Mental illness