Book Review: This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t read the book yet and don’t want any surprises spoiled, stop reading here.

As I read This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan, one of my very first thoughts was how deeply grateful I am for my husband. This book is a powerful reminder that you never truly know what someone’s marriage looks like behind closed doors. A life that appears perfect on social media can be completely fractured once the phones are down and the cameras are off. That realization reinforced something I already believe strongly: the importance of focusing on your own marriage and choosing your partner every single day.

What I especially appreciated about this book was the reading guide at the end—a feature I love when authors include it. Many of my reflections are inspired by those prompts.

1. Collaborative Co-Parenting

One of the most powerful aspects of the story is the way Judah and Tremaine show up as co-parents. Their commitment to doing whatever it takes to be great parents—particularly while navigating their twins’ autism diagnosis—was deeply moving.

As a parent myself, my children always come first. That has always been true in my marriage, and I believe it’s even more critical in co-parenting relationships. High levels of communication, respect, and trust are non-negotiable if co-parenting is going to work in a healthy way.

Judah and Tremaine exemplified this beautifully. Even after deciding to end their marriage amicably, they consistently put their children first. For many years, they set aside their own wants and needs for the betterment of their family.

I truly believe it’s neglectful to choose to have children and then fail to work collaboratively with the other parent—regardless of relationship status—to provide a safe, nurturing environment. Too often, bitterness or unresolved anger delays or damages a child’s relationship with one parent. At the end of the day, parenting should always be about the child. Many co-parents could take more than a few pages from Judah and Tremaine’s parenting book.

2. The Stigma of Being a Homemaker

Soledad’s character resonated with me deeply, particularly her pride in being a homemaker. She found fulfillment in cooking, cleaning, and managing her family’s schedules—work that is often undervalued or dismissed.

I love being home with my small children, and I truly believe that cooking, cleaning, and mothering build character. There is real vocational validity in that work.

The role of a homemaker is a blessing because it sets the tone for how a family shows up in the world. As a wife and mother, I find it one of my greatest joys to be intentional about my family’s spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Creating an environment where my family can thrive is deeply meaningful to me, and serving my family in ways that please God brings me immense fulfillment.

I also firmly believe that you can be ambitious and be a stay-at-home mom. The two are not mutually exclusive.

3. To Marry (Again) or Not to Marry: Soledad’s Choice

Soledad’s hesitation about marriage was completely understandable given her past with her ex-husband, Edward, embezzlement, betrayal, infidelity, lies, and broken trust. I appreciated her honesty with Judah about not wanting to remarry and being unsure if she would ever change her mind.

Judah, having been married and divorced himself, seemed less concerned with the institution of marriage and more focused on honesty, passion, and mutual support. When both people are clear about what they want and communicate that openly, it allows for a healthier relationship, whatever form that relationship takes.

Personally, I always knew I wanted to get married, and so did my husband. We discussed our non-negotiables long before becoming exclusive, which I believe everyone should do while dating. Clear communication around values, marriage, and expectations strengthened our relationship and continues to strengthen our marriage today. Above all, we keep God at the center, and that foundation guides everything else.

Final Thoughts

This Could Be Us was beautifully written. As a romance lover, I truly appreciated the book's storyline and emotional depth. I’d been hearing recommendations to read Kennedy Ryan for over a year, and after seeing a friend recently reading Reel, I finally decided it was time. I’m so glad I did.

I’m officially a fan and can’t wait to read more of her work.

Now that you know I love romance novels, I’d love your recommendations! I’m also drawn to books on self-improvement—health, mindset, career growth, and finances—and I’m open to exploring other genres as well.

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