A review by alfiereadsss
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
5.0
This book was truly phenomenal. I’m a sucker for second chance romance, and honestly, this was done so well. First, I just wanted to say how much I love Yasmen. I relate to her in so many ways. Her personality, how she handles her emotions, everything. I am also grieving and reading how she copes/coped with her grief makes me feel okay. I hate using the word strong for black women, but her being so vulnerable, admitting to be fragile and weak—that’s how I see strength. Being raw and uncut about your feelings. Hurting out loud and not feeling bad about it. Yasmen’s growth was amazing to read. She’s a wonderful mother, as well. Even after everything she’s been through, her kids were never second.
The relationship she has with the characters, such as her best friends, Hendrix and Soledad, ugh I love it. That’s a sisterhood I love. They were always there to support her and they pushed for her happiness. Her friends allowed her to feel and go through everything without any judgment (as they should).
Going on to Josiah.
*sighs*
Let me tell you something. Okay, first, overall I love Josiah, but whew—he worked me a few times. I understand we all have our way of grieving, but how he tried to force Yasmen to grieve was not my cup of tea. However, he did take some accountability later on, so he’s good with me. Black men’s mental health is important and for so long he was against going to therapy, but when he finally tried, I was happy. And seeing his growth in his sessions was heartwarming. He kept opening up the more he went.
Josiah is a good man and father. I love how even after him and Yasmen divorced, he never let anyone talk crazy about her. Not only because she’s the mother of his kids, but because he’ll always love and care for her. He’s also wonderful with his kids. Josiah’s friendships were shown as much, but I didn’t mind because he’s not known for opening up, so it wasn’t much to show. How he interacts with the other characters in the story was still good.
The chemistry, dynamic, the TENSION between Yasmen and Josiah? Gosh, I was balling my fist in my mouth. Kennedy, girl you definitely did your thing with this one. I just love that type of love where everyone knows they’re supposed to be together. Yasmen and Josiah were meant to be and no one can tell me otherwise. Every interaction they had, no matter long or short, shows their unresolved feelings. They feel so right—no natural. Their love is beautiful.
The sex? Whew. My goodness. If Josiah was giving it to me like that? You know what, let me keep this PG lol. It was good. How it was written was well. Even the build up. Not too much. Not too little. Just enough. I love how this story was oversaturated with sex either, and even while they did, I felt the love.
I highly recommend you read this book. Grief, depression, love, death, sex, friendships, etc. was written perfectly. Everything was balanced well. This was my first book I read from Kennedy Ryan, and trust I have more of her books in my cart. Her next book is coming in 2024, and I cannot wait! My book challenge is 20 this year and another five star read is starting well.
The relationship she has with the characters, such as her best friends, Hendrix and Soledad, ugh I love it. That’s a sisterhood I love. They were always there to support her and they pushed for her happiness. Her friends allowed her to feel and go through everything without any judgment (as they should).
Going on to Josiah.
*sighs*
Let me tell you something. Okay, first, overall I love Josiah, but whew—he worked me a few times. I understand we all have our way of grieving, but how he tried to force Yasmen to grieve was not my cup of tea. However, he did take some accountability later on, so he’s good with me. Black men’s mental health is important and for so long he was against going to therapy, but when he finally tried, I was happy. And seeing his growth in his sessions was heartwarming. He kept opening up the more he went.
Josiah is a good man and father. I love how even after him and Yasmen divorced, he never let anyone talk crazy about her. Not only because she’s the mother of his kids, but because he’ll always love and care for her. He’s also wonderful with his kids. Josiah’s friendships were shown as much, but I didn’t mind because he’s not known for opening up, so it wasn’t much to show. How he interacts with the other characters in the story was still good.
The chemistry, dynamic, the TENSION between Yasmen and Josiah? Gosh, I was balling my fist in my mouth. Kennedy, girl you definitely did your thing with this one. I just love that type of love where everyone knows they’re supposed to be together. Yasmen and Josiah were meant to be and no one can tell me otherwise. Every interaction they had, no matter long or short, shows their unresolved feelings. They feel so right—no natural. Their love is beautiful.
The sex? Whew. My goodness. If Josiah was giving it to me like that? You know what, let me keep this PG lol. It was good. How it was written was well. Even the build up. Not too much. Not too little. Just enough. I love how this story was oversaturated with sex either, and even while they did, I felt the love.
I highly recommend you read this book. Grief, depression, love, death, sex, friendships, etc. was written perfectly. Everything was balanced well. This was my first book I read from Kennedy Ryan, and trust I have more of her books in my cart. Her next book is coming in 2024, and I cannot wait! My book challenge is 20 this year and another five star read is starting well.