Penny Reid's Reviews > This Could Be Us

Kennedy Ryan writes some of my favorite books. Her stories feel real in an extremely visceral way. And when I finish, I suspect these vibrantly alive people she's created have a life after their happily ever after, and their story continues. Soledad and Judah are no exception, but I will say I was so sad when I reached "the end." I wasn't ready to let these two go. :-\

I love that Soledad and Judah's story has (believable) elements of a forbidden romance. There exist very real and compelling reasons they should not be together, but the pull between them had me rushing to finish chapters so I could find out what happens next. I love that Soledad is such a badass, but that doesn't mean she's become hard or jaded (despite what she's gone through). She's capable and pragmatic. She reminds me so much of women I know who've gone through something traumatic but refuse to let others or accidents define who they are. Admittedly, it was her vulnerability that charmed me and made me fall completely in love with her right along with Judah.

LAST THING: I want to call out the fact that Judah has two sons with autism spectrum disorder. As someone on the spectrum and with kids on the spectrum, I am here to assure you that this part of the book was handled authentically. Nothing irks me more than a cartoon-ish representation of what someone *thinks* a mental health disorder is like based on faulty / infantile representations in the media. Judah's sons aren't meant to be representative of each and every person with ASD. Rather, these two boys come across as themselves, true individuals (you know, like a real human) and I adore Kennedy for putting in the work and doing it right. Likewise, Judah's feelings and struggles and successes (as a parent of these two boys) is so spot on and relatable, and only made him more attractive.