“I loved you then. I love you still. It’s not something that ever stopped. Just something I stopped saying out loud”
This book broke my heart and put it back together again in the best way. Before I Let Go by author Kennedy Ryan is such a beautiful example that not all love stories are perfect and dreamy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get it right the second time around. Whether recommending to a girlfriend, reading over an extended weekend, or reading for book club, this second chance romance novel has so much depth and realness that it will stay with you long after the final page.
This Before I Let Go Book summary and review is as raw and real as their love story. Let’s dive in!
Trigger Warnings and Content Warnings:
- Separation/Divorce
- Struggles with Mental Illness and Mental health issues
- Themes of grief
- Suicidal Ideation
Overall Rating: 4.6
Before I Let Go Book Summary
*Minor Spoilers Included Below*
Summary:
This book follows the main character Yasmen Wade and Josiah Wade who are a recently divorced couple, navigating a new rhythm of normal. Their love started rich and unshakeable. From marriage, to kids, to becoming business partners to a thriving business, they were partners in every sense of the word. Centered in the heart of Atlanta they created a family in a home full of joy and warmth and opened up a flourishing soul food restaurant. They were blissfully in love laughing at every moment until the most unimaginable grief happens and slowly chips away and their foundation piece by piece.
The story begins shortly after Yasmen and Josiah are no longer married and is told in a dual pov where we get to see both Yasmen and Josiah’s perspectives. Still raising their two beautiful kids and running their restaurant business, they are committed to continuing to support each other while carefully side stepping old wounds and deep aches. After the tragic stillbirth of their son, and the sudden loss of Josiah’s Aunt Byrd who was essentially a mother to Yasmen, she falls into a deep depression that love could do little to pull her out of. The story bounces between the present and the past between the happiest moments in their marriage to the tragic events leading up to their end, and the present where we’re seeing their new normal as a formerly married couple. Through stolen glances and hesitant touches we see the tension of love just under the surface still very much alive, but swallowed up by fear and resentment.
Josiah finds himself moving on autopilot, distant in efforts to protect himself from more hurt, so used to holding all together for everyone around him; his family, his business, while dealing with the pain as well. Meanwhile Yasmen is slowly healing from the heartbreak from the loss of a child, and starts to rebuild herself. Both trying to move on, even beginning to date new people, they are faced with the inevitable longing that’s not so easily filled. As their tangled complicated lives continue to unravel we follow the string that begins to lead them closer and closer to each other once again. The inevitable confrontation with their pain is closing in and this time they recognize that they can’t outrun it. The reconciliation isn’t pretty, its painful, raw, and filled with so many unshed tears and unspoken hurt, but necessary to feel the wholeness they once felt with each other.
In the end Josiah and Yasmen choose each other and all that comes with, embracing a new version of what their relationship looks like. Not running from their pain, but embracing it and embarking on mending together rather than of apart.
Book Review:
This was the first Kennedy Ryan book that I’ve read, and it was truly an amazing book. This book dealt with some pretty heavy themes, but Kennedy Ryan made Yasmen and Josiah’s story so relatable by highlighting real hurt and the person you become after it without even realizing it in the most raw way that made you empathize with both of them. This second-chance romance was so original and complex and really focuses on the importance of mental health. Their love felt so bone deep throughout the entire book that you could feel it in every interaction and unspoken word which made their reconnection all the more palpable. I especially enjoyed how we saw the journey of both characters make steps towards their own healing before coming together again.
The character growth took center stage and was done very well. This was a huge bonus for me. While both Josiah and Yasmen battles real struggles, Kennedy Ryan handled it in such a delicate way that while we are on this emotional rollercoaster with Yasmen we are also apart of the journey as she begins to find herself again outside of motherhood, running a successful restaurant, and being a friend. Josiah was the epitome of being a strong pillar for the entire family even as he experienced his own pain. We watch as he builds his guards up and slowly tears them back down, being a beautiful example of black men allowing themselves to vulnerable and having a chance to heal.
Before I Let Go isn’t just a love story, but a story about rediscovering yourself after pain and fighting for a love that grows deeper through life’s hardest seasons. Shining a light on the joys of healing and the hard battles that are worth fighting to get there. Where vulnerability leads to freedom and intimacy. Yasmen and Josiah’s journey is a lovely reminder that love is not always a quick, and simple whirlwind romance that sweeps you off your feet. Sometimes the greatest love stories are the ones that include tiny acts of courage every day to fight for your peace and happiness.
This book makes you feel seen and serves as a reminder that grief does not outshine love, but instead love sits with you and nourishes you in your grief while you get back up again.
This book is great for anyone who loves second-chance romances that are emotionally rich, and deeply human.
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