Kennedy Ryan’s Before I Let Go is not just a second-chance romance—it’s a fully immersive emotional excavation of grief, healing, and the grit it takes to rebuild a life after it’s been leveled. The first book in the Skyland series, this novel sets the tone for a saga that doesn’t shy away from pain but dares to believe in joy after devastation.
With Before I Let Go, Ryan crafts an incredibly honest and layered story centered on Yasmen and Josiah Wade—ex-spouses turned business partners and co-parents—who find themselves questioning whether their once-devastating split might not be the final chapter in their love story. This book pulses with sensuality, sorrow, and soulful introspection.
A Story Anchored in Grief and Grit
From the outset, Ryan places readers deep in the aftermath of Yasmen and Josiah’s divorce. Both still tethered by their children, their restaurant, and a history of intense love and unspeakable loss, their daily interactions are electric with tension and unresolved emotion. The inciting trauma—losing their son Henry to stillbirth and Josiah’s Aunt Byrd soon after—is not a narrative gimmick but a lived-in reality that shapes every beat of their present.
This is not a book where the past is summarized in exposition. Instead, it lingers like fog, a persistent presence that must be navigated and slowly burned away. Ryan’s depiction of grief is masterful: she neither romanticizes nor sensationalizes it. Instead, she explores its complex aftershocks—on Yasmen’s mental health, Josiah’s emotional withdrawal, and the children’s quiet fears of instability.
Characters With Depth, Dialogue That Cuts Deep
Yasmen is a powerhouse of a protagonist. She’s successful, intelligent, and layered with vulnerability. Her journey through depression is tenderly and respectfully rendered. Her internalized guilt over the divorce, her longing for the intimacy she once shared with Josiah, and her slow reclamation of self-worth are written with raw honesty. This is where Ryan excels—not in creating perfect heroines, but in crafting women who are painfully, beautifully human.
Josiah, for his part, is a compellingly restrained counterpart. While he’s emotionally anchored and outwardly stable, the novel gradually reveals the cost of his stoicism. His arc—most notably his reluctant agreement to attend therapy to support their son—is subtle but powerful. He’s a man who loves deeply, but has been hollowed out by loss in ways he doesn’t fully comprehend until forced to confront them.
The children, Deja and Kassim, are written with nuance. Deja’s adolescent friction with her mother feels heartbreakingly real, and Kassim’s fears about his family dissolving form one of the story’s most poignant subplots.
Romance Reimagined: Sexy, Soulful, Slow Burn
The chemistry between Yasmen and Josiah is undeniable. Ryan doesn’t rely on flashback-heavy nostalgia; the present-day tension is enough to make you hold your breath. A single glance, a touch, an unfinished sentence—these moments carry the weight of a shared life and unhealed wounds. The pacing of their physical and emotional reconnection is perfectly modulated. Their intimacy—whether emotional, humorous, or sexual—is never just for spectacle. It’s storytelling.
One of the most unforgettable aspects of the novel is how it portrays sensuality in long-term love, even after separation. The steamy scenes are emotionally rich, built on a foundation of history and trust, not just attraction.
Exploring Mental Health Without Flinching
What truly elevates Before I Let Go is its unflinching exploration of depression, grief, and the ripple effects of trauma on both individuals and families. Yasmen’s therapy journey is tenderly rendered and highlights the societal stigma—especially in Black communities—around mental health. Her sessions are not miracle cures, but waypoints on her path to healing.
Even Josiah’s eventual agreement to seek therapy speaks volumes about masculine vulnerability and the slow dismantling of emotional repression. It’s a powerful moment of growth that Ryan handles with grace.
Secondary Characters and the World of Skyland
The supporting cast is delightful—especially Soledad and Hendrix, Yasmen’s best friends, who provide warmth, humor, and insight. Their distinct personalities anchor Yasmen in moments of uncertainty and offer sharp observations without ever hijacking the story.
The Skyland community itself is richly developed. From the restaurant Grits to the tight-knit neighborhood dynamics, Ryan creates a space that feels lived-in and welcoming. It’s no surprise that this setting continues in the following books: This Could Be Us (2024) and Can’t Get Enough (2025).
Critiques and Minor Stumbles
While Before I Let Go shines in emotional depth and character dynamics, its pacing can lag in places—particularly in the middle third, where some scenes feel slightly repetitive as they dwell in unresolved tension. A few of the secondary character arcs (notably Vashti’s involvement with Josiah) feel a bit underdeveloped and conveniently tidied.
Additionally, some readers might feel that the ending leans slightly into idealism after so much realism. Still, it earns its hopeful tone through the emotional labor the characters undergo.
Final Thoughts: An Emotionally Intelligent, Unapologetically Grown-Up Romance
Kennedy Ryan has never written soft books—they’re sharp-edged, sophisticated, and unapologetically aware. Before I Let Go is no exception. It’s a standout in the genre—not because it reinvents romance tropes, but because it deepens them. This book is about what it means to fall back in love—not just with another person, but with life after loss.
It’s about surviving grief, forgiving yourself, and daring to love again.
If you’re a fan of emotionally rich, character-driven romance in the vein of Tia Williams (Seven Days in June) or Jasmine Guillory (The Proposal), Before I Let Go deserves a top spot on your TBR.
Series Overview: The Skyland Series
- Before I Let Go (2022) – Yasmen and Josiah’s emotional second-chance romance set the stage for a vibrant cast of characters and a community worth revisiting.
- This Could Be Us (2024) – Follows Soledad (from Book 1) and opens up a story of rediscovery and ambition post-divorce.
- Can’t Get Enough (2025) – The final installment in the Skyland trilogy explores Hendrix’s fiercely independent arc, bringing the themes of resilience and romance full circle.