This Could Be Us – Book Review

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?

This is the second book of the Skyland series. This book revolves around the life of Soledad Barnes, who is one of the friends of the trio Yasmen and Hendrix. The first book, Before I Let You Go, which was based on Yasmen was so good that I wanted to keep reading the series. And I feel this book is so much better than the first one.

Soledad has it all–her life has been planned out for her and she is perfect in many ways. But then a catastrophe strikes in her life, causing all her well planned life to crumble down. Her husband, Edward was accused embezzling money from the company he was working. As Soledad is dealing with the crisis, she meets the accountant, Judah Cross, who is actually responsible for Edward’s fall. Soledad needs to rebuild her life and at the same time, she couldn’t stop her feelings towards Judah Cross.

This book is packed with emotions, heartbreaks as well as friendship, support, laughter and kindness. The story is told in the POVs of Judah and Soledad and I actually did like the chemistry between the two. Judah was divorced with two autistic sons and Soledad is dealing crisis in her marriage. The whole book was well written, engaged and really inspiring–”focus on your girls. focus on yourself, but when you do think about this relationship, don’t compare it to anything else, to anyone else. Draw a picture in your mind of what a future could look like and really believe this could be us. And whenever you’re ready, I’m right here.”— I thought this quote was really inspiring to people who are struggling with their own lives. The author manages to show that women are powerful and courageous.

I also like the characters–Judah Cross is one of my favorite characters. He is supportive, protective, a contrast to Soledad’s ex-husband Edward who is nothing but a scumbag. Women can really wish for a future husband like Judah Cross.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read Hendrik’s chapter next! Worth five stars.