This Could Be Us (Skyland, 2)

An instant New York Times and USA Today bestseller, featured on The Today Show and CBS Mornings.

From the bestselling author of Before I Let Go, an empowering and sizzling novel about two single parents navigating the balance between sacrifice and their own happiness--perfect for readers of Tia Williams and Colleen Hoover.

"Heart-searing, sensual, and life affirming." ―Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author

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?

"One of the finest romance writers of our age." ―Entertainment Weekly

"A gorgeously grown-up romance and a story about self-love and reinvention ... a great novel for readers who appreciate multilayered romantic fiction with elements of domestic drama, scandal, and inspiration." ―NPR

Glamour: Best Books for Book Clubs

BUY THE BOOK

Published Mar 5, 2024

416 pages

Average rating: 8.78

570 RATINGS

|

These clubs recently read this book...

The Social Book Club

Women that are most often Double Booked, yet Ready Readers. 😉

ALL BOOKED OUT 📚

All Booked Out is a vibrant and inclusive book club that brings together book lovers from all walks of life. We are passionate about exploring the world of literature and fostering a community of avid readers.

Brown Book Babes

Brown Book Babes is a community-driven book club focused on empowering and connecting Black women through a shared love of reading.

Community Reviews

What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say Kennedy Ryan’s *This Could Be Us* is a beautifully written, emotionally rich story about resilience, self-love, and healing after heartbre...

Takayenna
Aug 13, 2024
10/10 stars
I think I loved Soledad’s story even more than Yasmeen’s. This was a great read. I loved the journey of Soledad rebuilding herself and learning to love herself, recognizing her strength, her capabilities, her worth, what she deserved and going for it all!!!! Great read.
Shat
May 07, 2024
9/10 stars
Soledad was an inspiration to women who have been married for a long time and start to lose sight of who they were and are. I really enjoyed this book and the fact that being 40 doesn't mean you still cant rekindle your marriage or love life.
tiannanatay
Jan 02, 2026
10/10 stars
Great book.
TheBookishOne
Dec 27, 2025
9/10 stars
I loved every part of this book and can't wait for Book #3.
Neen
Dec 18, 2025
7/10 stars
I enjoyed the storyline. It was cute to see it all unfold and I was satisfied with the outcome for the most part. However, some of the writing honestly made me cringe. lol Not the spicy parts, but more of the parts that were there to seemnigly be relatable to the reader. For instance using phrases like "Yasss queen" , or "We outside energy". We outside energy doesnt even make sense to me lol A few spicy parts but the language wasn't unbearably graphic. Overall a cute story and if nothing else definitely brings on the hope that true love still exists.

See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.