Before I Let Go

The first novel in Ryan’s (Queen Move) new “Skyland” series depicts a fractured family’s efforts to find joy in life after a year of heartbreaks. Yasmen and Josiah were the perpetually-in-love couple that everybody envied and were sure would go the distance. After back-to-back losses lead them to divorce, they must now figure out how to coexist with someone who they once thought would be their forever. Not communicating or interacting would be impossible, since they remain tethered by two children, a business, and a community that they love. They make mistakes trying to define their new normal when they realize that their romantic relationship may not be as over as they thought, and it’s not only Josiah and Yasmen whose life trajectories and feelings are on the line. Ryan’s frank discussion of mental health, including some characters’ reluctance to seek out the assistance of mental health professionals, elevates the believability of this family’s journey. A cast of hilarious, flawed, and largely supportive friends and family sets the stage for future books in the series.