The Best Kennedy Ryan Books, Ranked—From 'Before I Let Go' to 'Grip'
Our take
The resurgence of romance as a literary force, particularly the elevation of authors like Kennedy Ryan, speaks volumes about a shift in cultural desires. For too long, romance has been unfairly relegated to a genre of ‘lesser’ literature, despite its demonstrable popularity and emotional resonance. This article’s ranking of Ryan’s works underscores a growing recognition of the depth and complexity that can be found within the genre, moving beyond simplistic tropes to explore nuanced characters and compelling narratives. It’s a welcome counterpoint to the often-overstated seriousness of literary fiction, acknowledging that emotional storytelling holds its own vital power. The acknowledgement of Ryan as the “Queen of Hugs,” a moniker earned through her empathetic connection with readers at book signings, highlights the community and solace that romance novels can provide – a feeling wonderfully echoed in Oliver Peoples’ Summer Eyewear Is Pure LA Energy, which similarly evokes a sense of warmth and belonging. Moreover, the current cultural conversation surrounding vulnerability and emotional honesty, as exemplified by Princess Kate Says Cancer "Changes How You Think and Feel" and Reveals That She's Trying to "Explore Life Beyond Diagnosis" in Personal Message, finds fertile ground in the genre's exploration of intimate relationships and human connection.
Ryan’s success isn’t simply about crafting enjoyable love stories; it’s about creating narratives that resonate with a generation seeking authenticity and emotional intelligence. Her focus on emotionally-driven storytelling, as the article notes, taps into a deeper need for connection and understanding, particularly in a world often characterized by superficiality and curated online personas. This resonates with the broader trend we’ve observed in luxury and lifestyle – a move away from overt displays of wealth and towards quiet, understated elegance and self-awareness. It’s the same principle at play in appreciating brands that prioritize quality and craftsmanship over fleeting trends, an ethos captured perfectly in the Oliver Peoples eyewear campaign. The appeal of a “hug” in the literary sense—a sense of comfort, understanding, and validation—is a powerful antidote to the anxieties of modern life, and Ryan delivers this in abundance. The fact that she writes under a pen name adds a layer of mystique and artistic freedom, allowing her to focus solely on crafting compelling stories, undisturbed by external pressures or expectations.
The broader significance of this development lies in its potential to reshape the literary landscape and challenge long-held prejudices about genre fiction. As more authors like Ryan gain recognition, and as readers increasingly demand narratives that prioritize emotional depth and authentic representation, the lines between "literary" and "genre" fiction will continue to blur. This isn't about diminishing the value of other forms of storytelling; it’s about expanding the definition of what constitutes meaningful literature. The willingness to embrace vulnerability, as Princess Kate so bravely demonstrates, is a crucial element of this shift, and romance novels, with their inherent focus on relationships and emotional journeys, are uniquely positioned to lead the way. Reader engagement—the direct connection Ryan fosters with her audience—is a powerful indicator of the genre's cultural relevance and its ability to provide a safe space for exploring complex emotions.
Looking ahead, it will be fascinating to see how authors continue to push the boundaries of the romance genre, incorporating diverse perspectives and challenging traditional narratives. Will we see a further blurring of lines between romance and other genres, such as mystery or fantasy? Can the emphasis on emotional honesty within romance inspire new forms of storytelling across the literary spectrum? The continued success of authors like Kennedy Ryan suggests that the answer is a resounding yes, and that the future of literature is one that embraces both intellectual rigor and heartfelt emotion, proving that a good story, well told, can be both substantial and deeply comforting.
Whoever said romance novels have no substance was, first of all, wrong—but certainly hasn't read Kennedy Ryan. Though the novelist, who writes under a pen name, has been dubbed the “Queen of Hugs” by her fans for her welcoming embraces at book signings, Ryan’s emotion-driven books are anything but fluff, tackling deeper issues such as mental health and neurodivergence, social injustices, and climate change.
Ryan told Elle that the more profound subject matter she infuses into her traditionally light-hearted genre reflects the writing she wants to see out in the world. “I want to see people who are usually on the periphery—those identities, communities, and experiences—moved to the center,” she said. “I want to see marginalized voices represented. Once I had that level of intentionality, it formed a blueprint for my writing that I think started right around Long Shot. And that’s been the blueprint ever since.”
The formula has certainly landed with readers. She’s amassed more than half a million followers on TikTok, claimed several spots on The New York Times Best Sellers lists, and landed a “first-look” deal at Universal that will not only enable her to develop one of her own steamy works for the small screen but also develop various projects for others.
Before she expands her universe, however, we're paying homage to her journey thus far: Ryan has more than 20 titles to her name, and we’ve taken the liberty of ranking the top 10. Below are the best Kennedy Ryan books—including some of her steamiest reads.
The Best Books by Kennedy Ryan, Ranked
Queen Move is a standalone novel and the third book in Ryan’s All the King’s Men series. This tale of yearning between two childhood friends who reconnect as adults rounds out the list. It's a lower entry, largely because the novel’s twist left a bit to be desired for some, who found it too painful for the female lead, Kimba, to endure. Still, the deep emotions of Ryan’s well-developed characters make it worth a read.
A beach read, this is not. The second book in Ryan's Grip series explores everything from socioeconomic injustice and police brutality to the intricacies of interracial relationships. But if you’re looking for a romance with a little more grit, the love story that develops between Marlon “Grip” James, a rapper whose career is skyrocketing, and his powerhouse manager, Bristol, is a passionate one.
Still continues Grip and Bristol’s story after they’ve gotten together. Rather than being humdrum, however, many have found the path their love takes after their HEA even more compelling than the lead-up to it. It’s also a perspective-changer, with more than one reader calling Ryan’s peek inside their relationship “thought-provoking.” It does have moments of incredible sadness, however, so steer clear if you’re not in the emotional headspace.
Like most of Ryan’s novels, there’s more here than the basic enemies-to-lovers plot at its heart. Lennix Hunter is an indigenous activist fighting for her family’s ancestral lands against the oil company that’s out to get them, while Maxim Cade is the heir to the company's throne. It’s a tale of environmentalism, culture, and corporate greed, so it's found a home with readers who prefer their romance with a little more substance.
The Skyland series concludes with the story of Hendrix Barry, a high-powered businesswoman who is thrust into the role of caretaker for her ailing mother with Alzheimer’s. She’s not exactly looking for love, but it comes calling anyway in the form of Maverick Bell. While readers still adore the threads of female friendship woven throughout, this one doesn’t rank as high as the other two novels in the series. Some find this couple’s powerhouse dynamic refreshing, but others find their wealthy privilege tiresome.
The leads in 2019’s Hook Shot, Lotus DuPree and Kenan Ross, won fans over both together and as separate people. Kenan is a single father recovering from the heartbreak of infidelity, while Lotus is a fashion professional working to overcome the sexual assault she survived in her youth. Hook Shot may have its repetitive moments, but the heartfelt connection that develops between these two deeply wounded individuals overshadows them all.
Sometimes, like in Skyland book No. 1, a flame is rekindled where it once was. And sometimes, like in this second edition of the series, it’s not the flame that matters, but what rises from the ashes. That’s the reality for Soledad Barnes, who just found out her husband and longtime love Edward has been embezzling money and cheating on her. While there’s still plenty of opportunity for spice as Soledad navigates life as a single woman, the relationship she develops with herself is the one that had hearts aflutter.
Despite its ultra-heavy material—Long Shot explores themes of domestic violence that prompt serious trigger warnings—the first book in Ryan’s Hoop series ranks relatively high on her list of novels. Praised by her fanbase for the elegance and sensitivity with which she tackles its sensitive subject matter, Ryan’s biggest love affair is the one that develops between Long Shot’s readers and its courageous FMC Iris. Is it any wonder it won the prestigious RITA Award, considered the highest honor in romance fiction?
2022’s Before I Left Go has all the hallmarks of a great Ryan book: emotionally complex characters, a focus on Black love, and dual points of view. Its biggest draw, however, just might be its realism. None of the situations Yasmen and her ex-husband Josiah, who share two children and a business, find themselves in feel forced, from the fact that their marriage ended regardless of love to the depressive episodes Yasmen experiences—something readers truly value. As Ryan perhaps put it best: “Sometimes, love shines brightest when it’s tested.”
Before I Let Go may be the book that ropes Ryan readers in, but it’s Reel that makes them stay. This self-published novel about a Broadway understudy living with lupus who gets her big break when a major film director catches her act completely blew readers away. One called it “a love letter to art.” Another said that rating it with just 5 stars would be “inadequate.” Another still called it “deeply anguishing.” And the critics? They called it the winner of the 2022 Audie Award, making Ryan the first Black author to ever win in the romance department.
What is Kennedy Ryan's most popular book?
Ryan’s most famous book is the first novel in her Skyland series, Before I Let Go. Upon its debut, the book found a devoted following on #BookTok as much as it became a critical darling, landing on year end lists.
The author herself has spoken about the book's resonance and how its success catapulted her career to the next level. IIn an interview with Bookpage, she explained what inspired her to write it. "Before I Let Go was the third book I wrote during the pandemic," she said. "I had my annual check-up right before COVID hit, and my doctor expressed concern that I had several early indicators for depression. I never understood how debilitating depression and neglecting your mental health could be until I couldn’t get out of bed. Until I couldn’t make it through a day, sometimes through an hour, without crying. Until I was having panic attacks regularly. There was no room for creativity because I honestly was just trying to survive."
Once Ryan found her footing ("It took finding the right therapist…and the right medication for me to start feeling better"), she channeled that experience into the novel’s protagonist, Yasmen Wade, who struggles with her own depression in the wake of a stillbirth and the death of a loved one. "With Yasmen's journey, I wanted to convey the importance of putting yourself first. Women—moms and wives especially—often put everyone before themselves. I wanted this to be about a woman who esteems her personal, emotional and mental well-being above all else," Ryan said. "Choosing herself becomes a matter of survival."
What order should I read Kennedy Ryan's books in?
Ryan’s books can be read in several different ways. With seven different series to choose from—All the King's Men, The Bennetts, Grip, Hollywood Renaissance, Hoops, Skyland, and Soul—you can choose the character arcs and worlds that best align with your interests.
The series for which Ryan is most-known, the Skyland series, is about Yasmen, Soledad, and Hendrix, a close-knit trio of Black women who lean on each other for support while juggling high-stakes careers, romantic reconciliations, and family struggles. It kicks off with Ryan’s most famous book, Before I Let Go, and is followed by This Could Be Us and Can’t Get Enough.
Ryan’s most recent series, the Hollywood Renaissance series consists of Reel, The Close-Up, and Score and was inspired by the Harlem Renaissance. True to the series title, its characters are all navigating the entertainment industry (and their love lives) in various ways—Reel’s Neevah Saint is a Broadway understudy, for instance, while Score’s Verity Hill is a screenwriter. “It felt like a natural era to explore when I was examining overlooked accomplishments by Black creatives,” Ryan told The New York Times of the trilogy.
The All the King’s Men series, meanwhile, features The Kingmaker, The Rebel King, and Queen Move deals with social justice. The third entry is a standalone novel, but the first two books focus on Lennix Hunter's fight for the rights to her people's ancestral land against the nefarious Cade Oil company. The only problem? She’s gone and fallen for the company’s heir—A.K.A. the source of her people’s pain.
If sports romances are more your bag, you’ll want to skip straight to the Hoop series, which includes three interconnected standalone novels (Long Shot, Block Shot, and Hook Shot), a special edition book called Hoops Holiday (to be read after Block Shot, per Ryan’s website) and a novella (Hoops Shorts) that ties them all together.
The Grip series (Flow, Grip, and Still) also focuses on the entertainment industry, but with a more modern feel: The Black rapper/poet at its center, Marlon “Grip” James, is building a musical empire while navigating a romance plagued by socioeconomic challenges with his White manager.
Those with a penchant for music will appreciate the aptly-named Soul series—a three part chronicle of the blossoming love between Kai Pearson, a Georgia native on a mission to make it as a singer/songwriter, and rock star Rhyson Gray. (Start with My Soul To Keep before picking up Down To My Soul and Refrain.)
Last but not least, there’s Ryan’s first-ever series, The Bennetts. Ryan’s tetralogy may not be Austen-related, but the characters in When You Were Mine, Loving You Always, Be Mine Forever, and Until I’m Yours, are dealing with just as many interpersonal intricacies as those in Pride and Prejudice, if not more. The couple at its center, Kerris Moreton and her fiancé’s BFF Walsh Bennett, are in a tricky position, indeed.
Are any of Kennedy Ryan's books being adapted into movies or TV shows?
At least one of Ryan's novels, Before I Let Go, is being adapted into a TV series on Peacock, per Variety—and more of the author's projects may follow suit. The outlet reported in April 26 that Ryan has landed a “first-look” deal with Universal Studio Group that will enable her to develop various projects. “What I am most excited about is the opportunity to identify other authors’ work, especially marginalized authors, and to shepherd those projects from book to screen,” Ryan told the New York Times. “We are seeing an explosion in romance adaptations right now, and I want to see more Black, brown and queer authors.”
In addition to Ryan, who is co-writing and executive producing the script for the Before I Let Go series, Malcolm D. Lee (The Best Man, Girls Trip) is set to direct and executive produce. John Legend and Debra M. Chase (Sparkle, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2) are also onboard as an executive producers.
A release date has yet to be announced and the series is still in the early development phase, which gives you more than enough to dive into the book—and her other novels—if you haven't already.
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