If you’ve been on BookTok or Bookstagram for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard of Kennedy Ryan. She has a way of writing romance that feels like so much more than romance. Her books are emotional, messy, thoughtful, and full of characters that feel like real people.
I’ve read a handful of her books so far, and these are my personal favorites — ranked from “I need everyone to read this” to “still absolutely worth the read.”
🥇 1. Reel
My introduction to Kennedy Ryan — and what a way to start.
Reel was the book that introduced me to Kennedy Ryan, and honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction. I immediately understood why people rave about her writing. The story pulled me in, but what really stuck with me was how much depth there was beyond the romance.
After finishing this one, I knew Kennedy Ryan was an author I needed to keep reading.
My verdict: Start here if you want to understand why I became a Kennedy Ryan fan.
🥈 2. Before I Let Go
The book that turned reading into a group activity.
My entire friend group read Before I Let Go during a one-week trip, which made this book even more memorable for me. Imagine being on vacation and constantly turning to your friends like, “WAIT. Did you get to that part yet?”
This book is emotional, complicated, and beautifully written. It explores love, loss, healing, and what it means to find your way back to someone. I loved having people around me to immediately talk about everything that was happening.
And yes, we definitely had some “girl, WHAT?” conversations over this one.
My verdict: An emotional read that is even better when you have someone to discuss it with.
👉 [Check out Before I Let Go on Amazon]
🥉 3. Score
Beautiful, deep, and had me on the edge of my seat.
Score is one of those books where I kept telling myself I would read “just one more chapter” and then somehow it was way later than I intended.
What I loved most was the depth of the story. Kennedy Ryan doesn’t just give you a romance and call it a day — there are bigger emotions and ideas woven throughout the story that kept me invested.
There were definitely moments where I was sitting there like, “Okay Kennedy, what are you about to do to me?”
My verdict: If you want romance with substance, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.
4. Can’t Get Enough
The second Kennedy Ryan book I ever read.
Can’t Get Enough was my second Kennedy Ryan read, so by this point I already knew I liked her writing — but I still wasn’t prepared for how attached I’d get to the characters.
I especially loved the main characters and the way their relationship developed. There’s something about Kennedy Ryan’s characters that makes them feel like people you could actually know, which makes it so much easier to get invested in their stories.
This one reminded me why I kept coming back for more.
My verdict: Great characters, great chemistry, and another reason to keep reading Kennedy Ryan.
👉 [Check out Can’t Get Enough on Amazon]
5. This Could Be Us
A beautiful story about finding yourself again.
I’ll be honest: I wanted a little more romance from this one. 😂 The romance wasn’t quite as much of the focus as I expected, but I ended up really enjoying the story for a completely different reason.
What stood out to me was the journey of self-discovery. I loved watching the main character navigate life, figure out who she was, and begin to imagine what her next chapter could look like.
Sometimes a book doesn’t give you exactly what you expected, but still gives you something you didn’t know you needed.
My verdict: If you’re looking for a story about rebuilding yourself and finding your way forward, definitely give this one a try.
👉 [Check out This Could Be Us on Amazon]
So… Which Kennedy Ryan Book Should You Read First?
If you’re new to Kennedy Ryan, I’d personally recommend starting with Reel. It’s the book that introduced me to her, and it made me want to immediately read more of her work.
If you’re looking for something emotional and romantic, Before I Let Go is a great place to start.
And if you’re already a Kennedy Ryan fan, honestly… just keep going. 😂
I’m still working my way through her catalog, so this list is definitely subject to change. Who knows — maybe my next read will completely rearrange this ranking.
Until then, happy reading! 📚