Welcome to Story Deep Dive!

In this episode, Rachel and Dana kick off a three-week craft breakdown of Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan—reading as writers, not just readers.

Whether you’re a writer, editor, or storyteller, you’ll gain practical insight into how to build deeply realistic characters, sustain romantic tension in a second-chance setup, and weave heavy topics like grief and therapy into a romance without becoming preachy.

You can also watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube!

Estimate Timestamps

0:00 – Welcome Back + New Series Kickoff

Rachel and Dana welcome listeners back and introduce this month’s book: Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan. They frame it as a major shift from last month’s pick (Mistborn) and set expectations for a love story with rich emotional layers, cultural grounding, and three weeks of discussion ahead.

1:00 – What’s Happening at Danja Tales (Dana’s Update)

Dana shares what’s in motion behind the scenes at Danja Tales: she’s gathering notes for a trilogy draft and revisiting long-standing projects she’s ready to bring back to life. The conversation turns to whether she’ll run another bootcamp—Dana makes it clear she won’t repeat the intense multi-week version again, but she’s considering a tighter plotting-only bootcamp with a clear framework and live demonstration in real time.

10:30 – StoryCypher Update: Sick Week + Academy Hot Seat Win

Rachel talks about getting seriously sick at the start of January and how that slowed her momentum—then shifts into a highlight: StoryCypher’s first Act One hot seat session. A student submitted her first act for group review, and Rachel explains how they assessed stakes, clarity of the central story promise, and investment in the protagonist. The biggest win: the student received both actionable notes and emotional confirmation that readers are genuinely excited about her story.

18:30 – Book Overview: What This Romance Is Really About

Rachel delivers the core setup: Yasmin and Josiah are divorced, but still intertwined through co-parenting and the restaurant they built together. The story isn’t about whether love exists—it’s about whether they’re capable of choosing each other again after grief, avoidance, and years of history. The episode establishes the emotional spine: therapy, parenting, and unresolved pain pulling them back into orbit.

20:00 – The Big Themes for the Next Three Weeks

Dana lays out the discussion pillars they’ll return to throughout the series:

African-American romance and cultural grounding

Mature, realistic romance (characters who feel knowable, not escapist)

A second-chance romance that begins after the marriage ends

Grief and therapy as the foundation of the story

A realistic HEA that feels earned and hopeful rather than fantastical

Rachel adds a key lens: this book is a standout reference for writers who want to craft realistic characters and intimate community casts—especially in contrast to more heightened, quirky, or larger-than-life romance communities.

24:30 – What “African-American Romance” Adds to the Story

Dana explains what makes the book culturally grounded beyond “it’s a Black couple”—the story integrates food, family, music, sisterhood, and the lived reality of an upper middle-class Black family building a business and raising kids intentionally. They also touch on how the story handles therapy and mental health in a way that reflects real cultural tension and generational norms without turning the book into a lecture.

29:30 – Mature Realism: Built Lives, Real Stakes, No Villains

Rachel and Dana break down why the romance feels “mature”: the characters have already built a whole life—kids, business, stability—and the conflict is what happens when something vital breaks inside that structure. Rachel points out that realism changes everything: there aren’t classic villains here, just people trying to survive life. That choice deepens intimacy and makes the emotional lows hit harder—but also makes the relationships feel more precious and true.

34:00 – Second Chance After Divorce: Risking Love Again

They highlight what makes this second-chance story different: the love isn’t missing, but the trust and emotional safety are fractured. Dana points out the emotional weight on both sides—Yasmin initiated the divorce and carries guilt, while Josiah wanted to stay married and had to accept her decision. The central question becomes: can they risk believing again, not just in romance, but in a whole life that includes love?

39:00 – Therapy Done Right (Without the “TED Talk” Effect)

Rachel praises how Kennedy Ryan threads therapy into the narrative without using the therapist as a mouthpiece. The therapists feel like real characters—especially Dr. Mosa—rather than devices delivering lessons. Dana agrees, emphasizing that the book never feels preachy, but readers should be prepared for the emotional lows tied to grief and what caused the marriage to collapse.

44:00 – Realistic HEA + Male Vulnerability (Josiah as a Model Romance Hero)

They discuss why the HEA works even though the couple already had a marriage that ended: the ending feels hopeful because it’s grounded in growth and tools that prepare them for real life continuing to happen. Rachel calls out how well the book portrays male vulnerability—Josiah is deeply emotional and wounded without becoming weak or losing romantic appeal. Dana adds that his strength shows up in how he loves and shows up for Yasmin and the kids, not in macho posturing.

49:00 – Tropes You’ll Recognize (With a Twist)

Rachel points out the fun craft surprise: even with all the realism, familiar romance tropes appear—“let’s get it out of our system,” “no strings attached,” and even a one-bed moment—except they land differently because this couple has history and a shared past. Dana adds forced proximity and notes how Josiah’s emotional unavailability is portrayed as a controlled wall rather than the typical grumpy/jerk archetype.

52:00 – Final Notes: Friendship After Divorce + Children With Real Arcs

Dana highlights two additional layers they’ll explore more later: the book introduces the female protagonist for the rest of the series, and Yasmin’s closest friendships are formed after the divorce—an emotional angle that adds depth and recovery. She also praises the children’s arcs (Kaseem and Deja), noting that the kids have distinct emotional journeys shaped by the residual impact of the divorce, even with two actively involved parents. They close by recommending the audiobook, calling it “acted” rather than simply narrated.

Book Selection

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

Their love was supposed to last forever. But when life delivered blow after devastating blow, Yasmen and Josiah Wade found that love alone couldn’t solve or save everything. It couldn’t save their marriage.

Yasmen wasn’t prepared for how her life fell apart, but she’s finally starting to find joy again. She and Josiah have found a new rhythm, co-parenting their two kids and running a thriving business together. Yet like magnets, they’re always drawn back to each other, and now they’re beginning to wonder if they’re truly ready to let go of everything they once had.

Soon, one stolen kiss leads to another … and then more. It’s hot. It’s illicit. It’s all good—until old wounds reopen.

Is it too late for them to find forever? Or could they be even better, the second time around?

Where to Find the Book

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan is available in several formats. It’s also widely available in libraries and online retailers. Details on his website.

Next Episode:

In the next episode, Rachel and Dana will explore the plot of Before I Let Go—breaking down how the story sustains tension when the couple already has history, how the emotional spine drives structure, and what writers can learn from its pacing and progression. Be sure to tune in!

Join the Conversation:

Like what you heard? Subscribe, leave a review, and share your thoughts.

Follow Story Deep Dive on your favorite podcast platform and on YouTube, and connect with Dana and Rachel to keep the craft conversation going.

Connect with Dana and Rachel on storydeepdive.com to keep the conversation going!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storydeepdive.substack.com