For readers who crave the raw emotional intensity of Colleen Hoover or the beautifully complex, socially conscious storytelling of Tia Williams, Kennedy Ryan is an absolute force in contemporary romance literature. As a RITA® and RWA Award-winning author, Ryan has redefined modern romance by pairing soul-stirring, passionate love stories with unflinching explorations of real-world issues, personal growth, and healing.
Her characters are deeply flawed, fiercely resilient, and forced to work incredibly hard for their happily ever afters. Because her books feature intersecting characters, spin-offs, and tightly knit companion series, reading them within their dedicated universes ensures you don’t miss a single crossover moment.
The Ultimate Reading Vibe: What to Expect
Before you open her books, here are the core thematic hallmarks that define a Kennedy Ryan novel:
- Emotional Weight & Social Realism: Ryan’s books are never just breezy romances. She tackles massive, heavy themes—ranging from grief and divorce to institutional power struggles and chronic illness—with deep empathy and profound respect.
- The Power of Healing: The romantic relationships in her books serve as mirrors for self-discovery. Her protagonists must learn to love and heal themselves before they can successfully integrate into a partnership.
1. The Skyland Series
This critically acclaimed series functions as a love letter to friendship, self-reinvention, and navigating the complex seasons of adulthood. Centered around a close circle of women in Atlanta, it features some of Ryan’s most mature and emotionally resonant writing.
- Before I Let Go (2022)
Yasmen and Josiah are two years post-divorce, successfully co-parenting their children and co-running a wildly popular Atlanta restaurant. But as old sparks flare and the grief that tore them apart begins to ease, they face the terrifying choice of whether to risk their hearts on a second chance. - This Could Be Us (2024)
Focuses on Soledad Barnes, a woman forced to completely rebuild her life from scratch after her seemingly perfect marriage implodes in a public, devastating fashion. - Can’t Get Enough (2025)
The emotional conclusion to the trilogy tracking Hendrix Barry, everyone’s favorite fiercely independent friend. While managing her career and caring for her mother who has Alzheimer’s, Hendrix’s world is beautifully disrupted by tech mogul Maverick Bell.
2. The Hollywood Renaissance Series
A gorgeous, cinematic series celebrating Black art, legacy, and creatives working behind and in front of the camera in the entertainment industry.
- Reel (2021)
An epic, forbidden workplace romance between a brilliant director and a fiercely talented Broadway understudy who steps into the role of a lifetime in a Harlem Renaissance biopic, while navigating a secret chronic illness battle. - The Close-Up (2021)
An essential crossover novella that bridges the worlds of Hollywood Renaissance and the Hoops series, following the high school connection between Takira and basketball player Nazareth. - Score (2026)
A blistering, high-stakes second-chance romance centering on the biopic’s screenwriter and music director—former college lovers forced back into proximity while working on the film.
3. The Hoops & Grip Universe (Interconnected Sports Romance)
This sprawling, highly popular universe blends the high-stakes pressure of professional basketball with intense, gripping romantic stakes. The Grip series acts as a direct spin-off featuring characters deeply tied to the basketball franchise.
The Hoops Series
- Long Shot (2018) – An unforgettable, emotionally raw story following NBA star August West and Iris, a woman trapped in an abusive relationship with August’s fierce on-court rival.
- Block Shot (2018) – A fierce rivals-to-lovers sports agent romance focusing on former college friends Jared and Banner, who are forced to compete for clients ten years after a bitter misunderstanding split them apart.
- Hook Shot (2019) – A deeply moving healing romance tracking a deeply guarded fashion designer surviving past trauma and a deeply spiritual NBA star who refuses to give up on her.
- Hoops Holiday (2018) / Hoops Shorts (2022) – Companion short stories expanding on the couples’ lives.
The Grip Series
- Flow (2017) – The foundational prequel novella tracing the electric, immediate connection between an ambitious music manager and a rising underground artist.
- Grip (2017) – The full-length installment where Bristol and Grip navigate interracial relationship complexities, familial pushback, and the brutal demands of the music industry.
- Still (2017) – The emotional conclusion tracking Bristol and Grip protecting their hard-won love against intense outside pressures.
4. All the King’s Men Series (Political & Power Romances)
If you love high-stakes ambition, political strategy, and intense, forbidden chemistry, this trilogy delivers an unforgettable, multi-layered journey.
- The Kingmaker (2019)
Maxim Cade, a ruthless corporate raider plotting against his own corrupt father, crosses paths with Lennix Hunter, a brilliant Indigenous activist fighting to protect her people’s land. Their explosive connection sparks a multi-year journey of ambition and forbidden desire. - The Rebel King (2019)
The high-stakes conclusion to Maxim and Lennix’s overarching romance, tracking their battle to balance international power, systemic change, and their unshakeable bond. - Queen Move (2020)
A companion standalone tracking Kimba, a powerhouse political campaigner, and her childhood best friend Ezra, as they try to reclaim a lost connection amidst immense personal and career pressures.
5. Earlier Series: Soul & The Bennetts
For completions who want to explore Kennedy Ryan’s foundational library, these early contemporary romance series laid the blueprint for her signature emotional depth.
The Soul Series
- My Soul to Keep (2015)
- Down to My Soul (2016)
- Refrain (2016)
The Bennetts Series
- When You Were Mine (2014)
- Loving You Always (2014)
- Be Mine Forever (2015)
- Until I’m Yours (2016)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Skyland books be read as standalones?
Yes. Each novel in the Skyland series (Before I Let Go, This Could Be Us, and Can’t Get Enough) focuses on a completely different protagonist and features a self-contained romantic resolution. However, because the main women share an unbreakable bond and their personal lives overlap significantly, reading them in order offers a much richer experience.
What is the connection between the Hoops and Grip series?
Bristol, the heroine of the Grip series, is the sister of Rhyson from the Soul series and is deeply embedded in the sports management world that directly intersects with the characters, draft picks, and agencies highlighted throughout the Hoops books.
Does Kennedy Ryan write clean romance?
No. Kennedy Ryan’s romances are highly emotional and feature open-door, beautifully written, and incredibly high-chemistry physical intimacy. Furthermore, she heavily emphasizes trigger warnings due to her unflinching portrayals of domestic abuse, trauma, and systemic struggles.
Final Thoughts: A Masterclass in Modern Romance
Kennedy Ryan stands out as an elite contemporary storyteller because she refuses to take shortcuts with her characters’ emotional growth. By anchoring her sweeping, passionate love stories in raw human vulnerability and real-world issues, her novels provide an entirely unforgettable reading experience. Grab a copy of Before I Let Go or step into the high-stakes world of Long Shot to begin your journey today.
Know Your Author
Hi, I’m Emon
I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you.
When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.
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