e-book, 416
Release Date: March 5. 2024
Published by: Forever
Read from: February 16-29, 2024
Skyland, #2
Source: Netgalley (I received a copy of this e-book from the Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
TW: Infidelity, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Cancer, Death of parent, Body shaming, Physical abuse, Ableism
For Readers Interested In: Women’s Fiction, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Adult, Neurodivergence (Autism in children)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?
*MY THOUGHTS*
Just in case anyone had doubts, here’s another hit by Kennedy Ryan. I don’t know how there can be any doubts at this point, but there are. I really hope this book smashes all records and shows those people that she really is that girl.
Ok so this book is focused on Soledad. I felt a special like relationship with her because she’s a book lover. And not only that, but because she is learning to love herself. That resonated with me. Why? Because I’m in the same boat. Not for the same reasons, but we’re in the sam boat. Watching Sol grow and become all that she was in such a short period of time was so crazy to me. Because loving yourself is no easy journey. It seems a bit fast, but the entire time until the end of the book Sol is working on herself. The thing I loved about this book was the way Ryan doesn’t put Sol’s healing into Judah. Sol likes his company and she knew what she was ready for.
I also really admired Judah. Although my child is not autistic (that I know of) my nephew is and I have seen and been there for the good, the bad, and the ugly. From the author’s note we find out that her child is autistic so this is an Own Voices look into her life. As just an aunt I felt seen in some things, so I can imagine how my sister would feel if she read this. I loved the representation so much and it really felt like I was talking about a real person. Even the mac and cheese thing, was real. I even cried at that part because I was so happy that they had that type of bond already.
The main plot of this book is Sol finding herself, but there is a strong romance subplot and let me tell you I was living for it. Judah is definitely a new book husband. I will ride for him if I have to. Because Lordt, that man. He READ A BOOK BECAUSE IT INTERESTED SOL. I’ve seen what I needed to see. This man took care of everything without Sol having to ask and Acts of Service is my love language, so this was just so sweet to me.
Now for the people I disliked in this story…………….. I haven’t been fighting air this hard since I read the sister in Only for the Week by Natasha Bishop. So now I’m going to have to make a list on characters that had me fighting air lol Every single time Edward’s name came up I was bracing myself because it just got worse and worse. By the end of the book I was shocked that he was still alive. And I can’t lie, I was a bit pissed at the ending. Because he deserves so much worse. Wanting to be rid of him or not, his sentence was too light. Unfortunately, he just doesn’t deserve jail time for the way he treated his family lol
I don’t think there’s a single terrible thing I could say about this book. I will say I thought Sol’s journey of finding herself was a bit fast, BUT even though they got together, she was adamant about not wanting to get married and I really applauded her for that. She was serious about taking the time she needed and did what she wanted when she was ready.
This book was good, but I really can’t wait to see Hendrick’s book. The way she was acting in this book and in Before I Let Go, I look forward to see what nonsense she’s going to get up to lol So basically, don’t mind me, I’m just sitting here on my hands just rocking and waiting until it comes out.
Overall, I give this
