This Could Be Us
Skyland
Romance Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Woman's Fiction
Forever
March 5, 2024
Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
416
“Heart-searing, sensual, and life affirming.” ―EMILY HENRY, #1 New York Times bestselling author
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?
For fans of Tia Williams and Colleen Hoover comes a deeply moving and personal novel about sacrifice, self-reliance, and finding true happiness from “one of the finest romance writers of our age.” ―Entertainment Weekly
This Could Be Us takes us back to Skyland to discover Soledad’s story
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan is the second book in the Skyland series. Set in Atlanta, the series tells the story of three friends, Yasmen, Soledad & Hendrix. With Before I Let Go, we saw a story of second chances. This Could Be Us is a story of liberation.
After a series of betrayals, Soledad is done with her husband, who is now headed to federal prison and has left her to pick up the pieces of his selfishness. With a crushed sense of self-worth, three kids, limited funds, and no job, she has to find her way one step at a time while also trying to control the pull she feels toward Judah, the man who uncovered her husband’s embezzlement.
Yes, this story is messy, messy.
Some spoilers ahead…
I wanted to love this book. I was excited to read Soledad’s love story, especially because she’s a fellow Puerto Rican. And I enjoyed parts of this book. There is a scene where Soledad justifiably decides to pull out her mom’s machete and take some action. Her moments with the machete were one of my all-time favorite book moments. It was WILD to read it. I loved feeling her passion, hurt, and rage and how Ryan used the machete, a symbol of rebellion in Puerto Rican culture, to represent it. Unfortunately, this was one of the few moments that made sense to me.
Ultimately, I found it hard to understand her pull toward Judah (the only human in the world with no flaws) who was a catalyst to her girls losing their father. Her daughters’ ultimate acceptance of him felt forced and unnecessary. I get it, her husband is the only one responsible for his actions, but is it fair to put her daughters in that position?
Also, I wasn’t much of a fan of Soledad’s self-partnering phase. It’s not that I don’t support the message or her process, I just couldn’t get in to it.
When I read Before I Let Go, I was living the story. Completely lost in it. Rooting for Yasmen and Josiah. In This Could Be Us, I was so aware that I was on the outside looking in. Trying to make sense of the rushed relationship and the multiple subplots.
“She loves an undeserving man. It’s a sorrow most women experience at some point in their lives, whether it’s a father who neglects or a son who forgets or a husband who betrays. These men let us down and we pull ourselves back up, hopefully with the help of other women who love us in ways that heal.”
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
That said, Kennedy Ryan’s insights into women’s lives are worth it. Even if I couldn’t connect with this story, I connected with Kennedy Ryan’s mastery in understanding the world we live in and the struggles we face as women, mothers, friends, wifes, lovers. Worth it.
Darienne was 15 when her aunt gave her a copy of Princess by Jean Sasson, and she has been hooked on books ever since. Originally from Puerto Rico and now living in Maryland, she’s always looking to visit new coffee shops and bookstores. Her favorite genres include YA, spicy romcoms, and women’s fiction. Thanks to the Bees, she’s also now obsessed with romantasy series. Other loves include lavender lattes, sassy coffee mugs, sunrises, sleeping in, small-town charm, and big city lights. One day, she’ll write that book that lives in her head.
