About the 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.

Find out more, at:
KennedyRyanWrites.com
Facebook.com/KennedyRyanAuthor
Bluesky: @kennedyryan.bsky.social
Instagram: @KennedyRyan1
TikTok: @KennedyRyanAuthor

Reviews

"Before I Let Go takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster." TIME Magazine 50 Best Romance Novels to Read Right now--TIME Magazine

"Ryan masterfully builds complex female characters and she does it again here, crafting a lead who's as invested in her own personal journey as she is her romantic one."
--USA Today

"Kennedy Ryan is frequently compared to bestselling author Colleen Hoover, and for good reason. She writes heart-wrenching romances that are sexy and modern."--Men's Health

"Kennedy Ryan captures so many topics in this book from grief, loss, community, and friendship to learning how to forgive yourself, speak your truth, and ask for what you want. It's a book where you can easily find glimpses of yourself among the pages."--Conde Nast Traveler

"I am a sucker for high-stakes, once-in-a-lifetime soulmate love-and Before I Let Go hits every spot! Yasmen and Josiah's story is emotional, raw, real, grown-up, and it perfectly crystalizes the idea that real, lasting love is an imperfect journey of patience. Forgiveness. Healing. And, of course, wildly hot, steamy sex! Kennedy Ryan has gifted us with yet another addictively delicious read."--TIA WILLIAMS, New York Times bestselling author

"Before I Let Go is a masterpiece, and one of those books that you finish reading and just know you'll go back to many, many times. A beautifully honest portrayal of love in its many forms, and the most raw, poignant, and romantic journey of healing I've read in a long time. Kennedy Ryan has a fan for life."--Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of Love on the Brain

"Before I Let Go is pure magic. Kennedy poured herself in this raw, real, second-chance love story that will reach out and touch you to your soul. I read this story with my heart in my throat, enraptured by every word. A stunning, stellar, must read." --A.L. Jackson, NYT & USA Today bestselling author

"Devastating, thought provoking, and so hopeful, this deeply romantic second-chance love story brought out all my emotions. This book is stunningly beautiful."--Farah Heron, author of Kamila Knows Best

"This novel of rediscovered love is highly recommended." --Library Journal, starred review

"Ryan is a fantastic storyteller and superb writer."--NPR

"A must read for lovers of It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover and Seven Days in June by Tia Williams."--ZibbyMag

"A story of resilience, redemption and second chances; it's heavy but hopeful. With meticulously detailed prose, Ryan creates characters who are deeply relatable, so compelling and lushly drawn that they feel like old friends."--BookPage

"A stunning look at the nuances of grief, healing, marriage, and love."--Women's Health

"Ryan always manages to ring her heavy stories with an aura of hope and a propulsive narrative that makes them impossible to put down. Grade: A"--Entertainment Weekly

"Ryan crafts a heroine who is empowered, inspiring the men in her world to do whatever it takes to keep that connection alive."--Ebony

"BEFORE I LET GO is the kind of beautiful, heart-felt love story that stays with you. The only thing that rivals Kennedy Ryan's stunning prose is Yasmen's journey itself--raw and moving and relatable. This book is a must read!"--Lexi Ryan, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

"Kennedy writes these gripping, touching, romantic, transporting books every single time."--Denise Williams, Author of How to Fail At Flirting

"The queen of hard-hitting romance books."--The Culturess

"A knockout."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Fans of Colleen Hoover will love this beautiful, unforgettable, oh-so-real second-chance romance whose characters will stay in your heart long after reading. Kennedy Ryan is a brilliant storyteller who can make you cry one moment and snort-laugh the next."--Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author

"Kennedy Ryan is one of the most talented writers writing today, and Before I Let Go is another showcase of that talent. This book is challenging, bracing, so evocative, and so REAL."--Kate Clayborn, author of Love Lettering

"Kennedy Ryan pours her whole soul into everything she writes, and it makes for books that are heart-searing, sensual, and life affirming. We are lucky to be living in a world where she writes."--EMILY HENRY, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Kennedy Ryan writes modern romance with such emotion and beauty. Her stories are guaranteed to break your heart and then they heal it, each and every time."--Kylie Scott, New York Times bestselling author

"SPECTACULAR! Kennedy is doing something no one else in romance is doing right now. If you love angst with the most satisfying payoff, Before I Let Go is for you."--Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author

"Breathtaking, gut-wrenching, viscerally romantic. I want to curl up and live in this book."--Talia Hibbert, New York Times bestselling author

"A gorgeously poignant story of healing, family, and love. Kennedy Ryan is a true artist."--Helen Hoang, New York Times bestselling author

"Kennedy Ryan crafts characters and stories that stay with you long after you've turned the last page. Before I Let Go is a beautifully told story full of hope, sorrow, and healing, a true testament to the power of love, family, community, and soul food. I smiled, pined along with Yasmen and Josiah, and rooted for their reunion. A great read."--Alexandria House, bestselling author of Let Me Love You

"Kennedy Ryan has written the type of romance you want to slowly savor, yet can't help but devour. Every page is perfection."--Farrah Rochon, USA Today Bestselling author of The Hookup Plan

"Real. Raw. Magnificent!"--Colleen Hoover, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Ryan is a powerhouse of a writer."--USA Today