This Could Be Us (Skyland, 2)

A Beautiful Story of Healing, Love, and Knowing Your WorthThis Could Be Us was absolutely amazing. Kennedy Ryan has done it again.Soledad’s story was heartbreaking and emotional from beginning to end. There were moments that genuinely made me want to cry. Watching everything she endured, especially the way her husband Edward treated her, was incredibly frustrating. He was selfish, manipulative, and completely took her love and loyalty for granted.Then came Judah Cross.I loved every moment of their journey together. Judah showed Soledad what it truly means to be respected, valued, and loved. He saw her for who she was and never tried to rush her healing. Even though he wanted to be with her, he honored her boundaries, gave her the time she needed, and allowed their relationship to develop naturally. That patience and respect made me love his character even more.Kennedy Ryan has a beautiful way of writing characters that feel real. You don’t just read their stories—you experience their pain, growth, hope, and healing right alongside them.This book was emotional, inspiring, and beautifully written. I couldn’t put it down, and I can’t wait to continue the Skyland series.

Wow, this book was awesome. We have Soledad Hermosa Barnes aka Beautifully Confident. Soledad Barnes was married to Edward Barnes who works for one of the biggest cookware companies in the world. He handles their money and has little oversight. Then enters Judah Cross a Forensic accountant who is called in to see if the money is going where it is supposed to and or if their something fishy going on with the accounts in the company. Judah Cross, who was once married to Tremaine has two sons who are both autistic and are on different levels on the autism spectrum. Adam and Aaron are twins and are both autistic. Adam is academically gifted and talks more than his brother Aaron. Aaron hardly has any speech. Aaron has this device with pictures and words that speak for him. They are different but brilliant in their own way. So, Judah has the boys during the day because Aaron needs to be near his father and Tremaine their mother has them on the weekends. As this story opens this is three years later than we found out about Judah and his sons, and it happens to be Christmas holiday. We find Soledad who is best friends with Yasmen who we met in the first book of the Skyland series and their friend Hendrix. Soledad is married to Edward Barnes who is an accountant for a worldwide bakeware business. Her husband and her seem to be not on the same page. She wants her husband's attention, and he has excuses for not wanting to touch for even kiss her. She is led to believe that he is so worried about a project he is working on with his assistant Amber and even called her name in his sleep. That should have been a big flag that something is wrong in her marriage, but she is so worried about all her children that she is just beginning to think that maybe there is something wrong with her marriage. Soledad and her husband Edward have three daughters, Lupe, Inez and Lottie. Soledad is part Puerto Rican and part African American, and her husband is Caucasian. So, the daughters all look different. Inez the middle child looks more like her father than Lupe and Lottie. When Edward and Soledad go to the party, he leaves her to go check with Amber on a project they are working on, so he says. At the company Christmas party is where Soledad and Judah Cross find their selves drawn to one another. Edward gets jealous when he sees his wife and Judah talking but we find out why that is so important is because Edward is a cheat and a liar and is embezzling funds from the company that he works for. Judah does not like him, and Edward doesn't like him. We find out later that Judah is a good upstanding man and Edward is a liar and a cheat and his betrayal to his wife and family have reverberating effect on his family. Edward wanted to blame Judah Cross for what happens to him, but we all know that when you lie and cheat eventually it will come to light. So this is the story of Judah Cross a good man who is doing his best to care for two autistic twin sons and Soledad dealing with three girls who lose their father because of the deceit that he has done and she has to find a way to keep them in Skyland in a house and in the private school they go to and how she figures out a way to take care of her own with the things she has done in her family as an influencer. She became an influencer and shared what she does online and even one of her products a dressing for salad went viral, in fact it is called the viral dressing. This book is the development of the relationship between Judah Cross and now Soledad Charles because she has divorced her husband and taken her maiden name back. This book was really awesome. Once I learned that it was in my Kindle, I hurried to read it because Kennedy Ryan is such an amazing writer. This book was well worth the purchase and as I have done with her other books, I will probably be purchasing the paperback version of the book. We found out that a person can have the companionship of another person even though they have been betrayed by another as long as ..."they first love their self. She found out that her mother who had children by two different men had enough love in her to love two different men one who had passion and the other was safe, but she couldn't have done that unless she loved herself first. Then we have the cast of characters from Before I let Go the first book in the Skyland series, Yasmen and Josiah and their daughter Deja and then there is Soledad and Hendrix and Yasmen are all a part of the Skyland community in Atlanta. Loved, loved this book. Highly recommend this book and it was an awesome read, a book that makes you go back and read again like Reel, Before I Let Go and most of Kennedy Ryan's books.

Could Be Us was an enjoyable read with characters I found easy to root for. One of my favorite parts was the connection between Judah and Soledad. Their chemistry felt genuine, and I appreciated the patience, respect, and passion they shared as their relationship developed.What stood out to me most, though, was Soledad’s journey of self discovery. Her story wasn’t just about finding love with someone else, it was about realizing that loving yourself is just as important. She came to understand that you can’t pour into everyone around you while continuously neglecting your own needs, and I thought that message was beautifully woven throughout the book.The story balanced romance with personal growth in a way that felt meaningful. While there were a few moments that moved a bit slower than I would have liked, the emotional payoff made it worth it. Overall, it’s a heartfelt story about healing, second chances, and learning that the healthiest relationships begin with valuing yourself first. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys romance with emotional depth and strong character development.

This book had me emotionally invested from beginning to end. The chemistry, tension, and character development were SO good, and I loved how real and layered the story felt. Kennedy Ryan has a way of writing romance that still carries depth, healing, and important life themes without feeling forced. I laughed, got frustrated, and definitely got emotional reading this one. If you love romance books that feel mature, passionate, and beautifully written, this is absolutely worth the read. Definitely a 5-star for me!

Judah and Soledad’s story was so beautiful. It felt so real and raw and I’m so sad it ended because it was truly such a warm escape reading this book. I love when two families can come together and have a healthy relationship. Both Judah and Soledad were such great parents and I believe they are also the best partners for each other. Loved this book down!!! Kennedy you will forever have my coin anytime you drop!

This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan is more than a romance — it’s a masterfully told story of resilience, rediscovery, and redemption. As someone who hasn’t read a romance novel in a while, this book reminded me why I fell in love with the genre to begin with. Kennedy Ryan creates characters that feel so real, you root for them like family.Soledad’s journey as a stay-at-home mother was beautifully depicted. Her role in holding her family together, often without recognition or appreciation, reflects the real labor that so many women experience. Kennedy does an incredible job showing how motherhood is work — emotional, physical, and spiritual. Soledad sacrifices her own dreams to support her husband’s career, only to be betrayed in the most devastating ways: emotional neglect, infidelity, financial scandal, and ultimately abandonment.Yet, through all the loss, this is a story about becoming.Enter Judah Cross — a father, co-parent, and deeply intentional man who contrasts everything Soledad’s husband failed to be. His slow, supportive love is gentle but unwavering. He doesn’t try to save Soledad; he simply sees her. Their connection unfolds with a tension that feels honest, patient, and deeply earned. It’s the kind of romance that builds trust instead of burning fast and fading.By the end, Soledad reclaims her voice — not just through love, but through purpose. Watching her rise as a creative entrepreneur and finally prioritize herself was so rewarding. The friendship she shares with Yasmen and Hendrix (whose story is next!) adds even more richness and makes you want to stay in the Skyland universe forever.Kennedy Ryan writes with warmth, complexity, and intention. She brings emotional intelligence to the page in a way few authors do. This Could Be Us is tender, real, and unforgettable.I’m officially a fan.

From the first word to the last, I was immersed in the novel. I enjoyed reading it so much, I only read a few pages every night because I didn't want to finish it. The story was layered, the characters complex, and their worlds intricately played out, so I couldn't help delving into it.I look forward to reading more by this magnificent writer!

In this second book of the series, I really enjoyed the growth of Soledad after betrayal and trauma. The portrayal of autism was authentic and refreshing. And the loyalty of Judah was like a fantasy that most women dream of. I look forward to reading more from the author.

I love all of Kennedy Ryansthis one is my favorite thus far. How Soledad fought for herself, her girls. I felt that. And Judah just OMG. The love he gives is just like a beautiful fairy tale.

This was such a great read. Had me hooked from chapter 1. Kennedy outdid herself with this one.

Kennedy Ryan has a way of taking my heart, breaking it, and piecing it back together in the most beautiful way possible. This Could Be Us is no exception. It's not just a story—it’s an emotional experience.This novel follows two deeply flawed yet profoundly lovable characters as they navigate love, heartbreak, and second chances. Ryan’s writing doesn’t shy away from the messiness of relationships—the fights, the misunderstandings, and the moments where love isn’t enough… or so it seems. Every page is drenched with raw, real emotion that made me laugh, cry, and hold my breath all at once.What truly sets this book apart is its unflinching portrayal of healing. The characters are layered and complex, carrying burdens that feel heartbreakingly real. Their struggles are not magically fixed but are addressed with honesty and care. You feel every moment of their journey, rooting for them even when the odds seem impossible.Ryan’s prose is nothing short of poetic. There were lines I had to stop and reread because they were so beautiful and full of truth. The romantic tension? Off the charts. The chemistry between the characters is electric—equal parts fiery and tender, leaving you desperate for them to find their way back to each other.This book isn’t just a romance; it’s a story of resilience, forgiveness ( forgive yourself), and choosing love (love yourself) even when it’s hard. It’s about fighting for what truly matters and finding the courage to open your heart again.If you’re looking for a love story that will wreck you in the best possible way and leave you clutching your chest by the final page, This Could Be Us is a must-read. Kennedy Ryan has delivered yet another masterpiece that I won’t stop thinking about anytime soon.✨ Rating: 5/5 stars📚 For fans of: Emotional, character-driven romances with second chances and unforgettable love stories

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story of Judah and Soledad is so well written, and I loved the complexity of their lives and children.

This is book 2/3 in the Skyland series, and I was most excited for its release. I absolutely loved Soledad, and I love how the author writes characters with such depth, emotion and raw real life. This book is written from a place of personal experience and it shows through the pages. The information provided about Autism, how to support someone who is autistic, and how individuals differ is excellent. It serves as good education for the masses reading this book. I wasn’t aware this was in the book, and I’m so glad it was. If you enjoy contemporary romance and haven’t read this series- then get straight into it!