Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan Summary

Before I Let Go tells the story of Yasmen and Josiah Wade, a divorced couple navigating co-parenting and running a restaurant together after their marriage collapsed following devastating losses. When Yasmen lost their baby and Josiah's aunt, depression tore them apart. Now, as they rebuild their lives separately, stolen kisses and lingering feelings force them to question whether they're ready to truly let go—or if love deserves a second chance.

Kennedy Ryan is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who made history as the first Black author to win both the RITA Award in 2019 for "Long Shot" and the Audie Award in 2022 for "Reel." She's co-founder of LiFT 4 Autism, which has raised over $500,000 for autism awareness. Her Skyland series is currently in development at Peacock, where she serves as executive producer.

Before I Let Go is ideal for readers who enjoy emotionally complex second-chance romances grounded in realism. It resonates particularly with those interested in stories about mental health recovery, co-parenting dynamics, and relationship reconciliation after trauma. Fans of contemporary romance that tackles depression, grief, therapy, and personal growth will find this book deeply moving and authentic, rather than a fairytale escape.

Before I Let Go is worth reading for its raw, honest portrayal of marriage, divorce, and mental health recovery. TIME listed it among the Top 50 Romance Novels, and Amazon named its sequel "This Could Be Us" Best Romance Novel of 2024. Kennedy Ryan's masterful balance of steamy romance with genuine emotional depth creates a tearjerker that's simultaneously hopeful, sexy, and healing—perfect for readers seeking substance alongside their happily ever after.

Before I Let Go explores mental health and depression recovery as Yasmen navigates grief and therapy, second-chance romance between divorced partners, and co-parenting after divorce. The novel normalizes therapy and emotional maturity while examining how trauma impacts relationships. Additional themes include forgiveness—both of oneself and others—resilience through loss, and the importance of communication in rebuilding trust and intimacy after devastating life events.

Yasmen and Josiah Wade's marriage shatters after Yasmen loses their baby and Josiah's beloved aunt—who was like a second mother to her. Yasmen falls into deep depression while Josiah struggles to reach her. After divorcing, they maintain an awkward rhythm as co-parents to daughter Deja and son Kassim while running their restaurant together. When they each begin dating others, jealousy and lingering feelings surface, leading to stolen kisses that force them to confront whether their love story truly ended.

Before I Let Go offers an exceptionally realistic portrayal of depression through Yasmen's journey. Kennedy Ryan shows depression isn't a character flaw but a medical condition requiring therapy and coping mechanisms. Yasmen's therapist guides her through forgiveness and healing, with a powerful scene where she chooses "today" as the date to forgive herself. The novel normalizes seeking professional help, demonstrates that recovery isn't linear, and emphasizes it's okay not to be okay all the time.

Before I Let Go transcends typical romance tropes by centering emotional realism over fairytale fantasy. Kennedy Ryan depicts the anatomy of marriage breakdown through trauma, showing how love alone can't solve everything. The divorced couple must heal individually before reuniting, with therapy playing a crucial role. The novel balances steamy romance with frank discussions of grief, depression, misogynoir, and complicated family dynamics—creating what Entertainment Weekly calls work from "one of the finest romance writers of our age."

The Skyland series by Kennedy Ryan consists of interconnected contemporary romance novels set in the same universe.

• Before I Let Go (Book 1) focuses on Yasmen and Josiah Wade's second-chance romance.
• This Could Be Us (Book 2), Amazon's Best Romance of 2024, follows another couple's story.
• Can't Get Enough (Book 3) releases May 13, 2025.

Universal Television has optioned the series for development at Peacock, with Ryan serving as executive producer.

Co-parenting is central to Before I Let Go's emotional landscape. Yasmen and Josiah navigate shared custody of daughter Deja—who views her mother with scorn after the divorce—and son Kassim, who seems burdened beyond his years. They perform an "awkward two-step" during pickups and dropoffs, balancing memories of intimacy against divorce reality. Their commitment to stabilizing their children's lives despite personal pain demonstrates mature parenting, though the tension between their business partnership and romantic feelings complicates boundaries.

Before I Let Go portrays forgiveness as an active choice requiring intentional work. Yasmen's therapist asks her to set a date for self-forgiveness, and after reflection, she declares "Today." This powerful moment demonstrates that healing doesn't require perfection—just the decision to start. Kennedy Ryan shows forgiveness must extend to oneself before rebuilding relationships with others. The novel emphasizes that growth happens through therapy, vulnerability, emotional maturity, and willingness to feel deep emotions rather than suppressing pain.

Readers praise Before I Let Go for its emotional authenticity and realistic portrayal of grief. Many report crying repeatedly while reading, moved by the "pure honesty of dialogues" and the "unbreakable love between Si and Yas." Reviewers appreciate how Kennedy Ryan normalizes therapy and mental health struggles without romanticizing depression. Yasmen's character progression—showing both vulnerabilities and strengths—resonates deeply. Readers describe it as "poignant," "angsty," and "highly introspective," celebrating that it feels like real life rather than fantasy.