This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan: Review

Welcome to my review of This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan! I read the first book in the series last month, and loved it, so I knew I needed to read the next book immediately.

Cover of This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

Title: This Could Be Us
Author: Kennedy Ryan
Genre: Romance
Publisher: Forever
Pub Date: 03/05/24

Description

Soledad Barnes has her life all planned out. Because, of course, she does. She plans everything. She designs everything. She fixes everything. She’s a domestic goddess who’s never met a party she couldn’t host or a charge she couldn’t lead. The one with all the answers and the perfect vinaigrette for that summer salad. But none of her varied talents can save her when catastrophe strikes, and the life she built with the man who was supposed to be her forever, goes poof in a cloud of betrayal and disillusion.

But there is no time to pout or sulk, or even grieve the life she lost. She’s too busy keeping a roof over her daughters’ heads and food on the table. And in the process of saving them all, Soledad rediscovers herself. From the ashes of a life burned to the ground, something bold and new can rise.

But then an unlikely man enters the picture—the forbidden one, the one she shouldn’t want but can’t seem to resist. She’s lost it all before and refuses to repeat her mistakes. Can she trust him? Can she trust herself?

After all she’s lost . . .and found . . .can she be brave enough to make room for what could be?

Review

Soledad’s story was one of strength and community. Her ex-husband diminished her spirit and trust in herself, but she continually found ways to show up for those she loved, and more importantly, for herself. I loved the ‘will they, won’t they’ tension between her and Judah. That man was made for her, and denying herself the pleasure of true love and companionship wasn’t helping anyone. I’m glad she had her friends and family to talk sense into her and help her realize she really can have it all without losing herself in a man again.

I’m very much loving books where the main characters have established lives with children and responsibilities that make the relationship harder to come by. And based on what Judah represented to Soledad’s daughters, it wasn’t easy for her to give herself to a relationship. But the care Soledad and Judah had for their children was beautiful to read. I don’t read a lot of books with autistic characters, but I felt a lot of care was put into showing both the struggles and triumphs of Judah’s family.

Overall, Kennedy Ryan did it again. While I loved Before I Let Go just a tad more than This Could Be Us, this series has grabbed my attention and heart. The only thing I hate about finishing the first two books is that now I have to wait months for Hendrix’s story. And I already know that book is going to be as vivacious as her. I feel like we got to see a deeper look at Yasmen, Soledad, and Hendrix’s friendship in this story as they were there through thick and thin with Soledad, so I can’t wait to see how their friendship continues to blossom in the next book.

Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kennedy Ryan writes for women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. An EBONY Power 100 Honoree, Kennedy and her writings have been featured in NPR, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, Glamour, Cosmo, TIME, and many others. Kennedy is an executive producer for her Skyland series, which is currently in development for television at Peacock. The cofounder of LIFT 4 Autism, an annual charitable book auction, Kennedy has a passion for raising Autism awareness. Dubbed the Queen of Hugs by her readers, she is a wife to her “lifetime lover” and mother to an extraordinary son.