This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan – Complete Book Guide & Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Quick Facts

Short Summary

After her husband Edward’s embezzlement and infidelity are exposed, stay‑at‑home mother Soledad Barnes must rebuild her life from scratch. She embarks on a journey of self‑partnering—dating herself and learning to love herself before trusting another person again. Meanwhile, forensic accountant Judah Cross, who investigated Edward’s crimes, finds himself drawn to Soledad while raising his autistic twin sons. As Soledad builds a content‑creation career and reclaims her independence, she and Judah navigate a cautious, deeply emotional relationship. The novel explores betrayal, healing, neurodiversity, and the power of self‑love, culminating in a blended family and a hard‑won second chance at love.

Full Summary

This Could Be Us opens with a Prologue from Judah’s perspective, set three years before the main story. Judah and his ex‑wife Tremaine work out a custody plan for their autistic twin sons, Adam (level 1) and Aaron (level 3). Aaron uses his communication device to ask to stay with Judah, and Tremaine selflessly offers Judah primary custody.

The narrative then shifts to Chapter One, introducing Soledad Barnes on the night of a Christmas party at her husband Edward’s company. Edward has been emotionally distant, body‑shaming Soledad, and suspicious of a new colleague, Judah Cross. At the party, Soledad meets Judah and shares a warm moment, but Edward’s hostility is clear. Later, Soledad finds Judah’s son Aaron playing with a Rubik’s Cube and joins him. The evening ends with Soledad feeling her marriage is unraveling.

In Chapter Two, Edward erupts in jealous anger when Soledad defends Judah. An FBI raid at their home results in Edward’s arrest for embezzling six million dollars from CalPot (Chapter Three). Soledad’s assets are frozen, and she becomes a suspect. Judah warns her about the investigation and later sends her groceries—a gesture of kindness she views with suspicion (Chapter Four).

Judah’s chapters reveal his life as a single father of autistic twins and his growing attraction to Soledad, despite the professional conflict (Chapter Five). Soledad visits Edward in prison (Chapter Six), where he admits to stealing the money, shows no remorse, and expects her to move in with his racist mother. She returns home to open her deceased mother’s chest, finding a machete, a Puerto Rican flag, and other heirlooms.

A doctor’s call delivers the crushing news: Soledad has chlamydia, proving Edward’s infidelity (Chapter Eight). She confronts him in prison (Chapter Nine), where he admits the affair, threatens custody, and gaslights her. Returning home, Soledad uses a family machete to destroy Edward’s belongings, cutting her hand in the process. She discovers a flash drive hidden in a jersey—evidence of the embezzlement (Chapter Ten).

Soledad negotiates with CalPot, offering the drive in exchange for unfrozen accounts and the return of her house (Chapter Eleven). Supported by friends Hendrix and Yasmen, she decides to become a content creator, leveraging her domestic skills (Chapter Twelve). Eight months later, she is financially desperate, but a viral vinaigrette video brings hope (Chapter Thirteen).

Judah continues to navigate his sons’ needs. After a meltdown in a store, he calmly de‑escalates using breathing and weighted toys (Chapter Fourteen). Soledad starts a focaccia delivery business; when she delivers to Judah, the romantic tension is palpable (Chapter Fifteen). She commits to a self‑partnering journey, dining alone at a restaurant she had booked for her anniversary (Chapters Sixteen–Eighteen).

Judah arranges for Soledad to cater the CalPot Christmas party (Chapters Nineteen–Twenty‑Two). Their chemistry intensifies. Soledad reveals her scar from the machete incident, and they share a kiss (Chapter Twenty‑Three). Celebrating Nochebuena with her family, Soledad delivers pasteles to her friend Cora, who has cancer, and later visits Judah with homemade food (Chapters Twenty‑Four–Twenty‑Five). They discuss his “Me List”—a list of things he wants to do for himself—and he shows her his workshop (Chapter Twenty‑Six).

On Christmas Eve, Soledad and Judah become intimate for the first time; she feels healed and reclaims her sexuality (Chapter Twenty‑Seven). Afterward, she discovers Judah has a copy of All About Love by bell hooks and a grocery list he saved from the day he first met her (Chapter Twenty‑Eight).

On New Year’s Day, Soledad takes her daughters to visit Edward in prison. He becomes hostile when she mentions Judah. Outside, Soledad sees Edward’s mistress Amber holding Edward’s baby—confirmation of a secret child (Chapter Twenty‑Nine). Distraught, she visits Judah and proposes a one‑time physical encounter on her terms, which he accepts (Chapter Thirty). They consummate their relationship, and Soledad feels empowered (Chapter Thirty‑One).

A seizure lands Adam in the hospital, and Soledad rushes to support Judah, realizing she loves him (Chapters Thirty‑Two–Forty‑Four). Inez, Soledad’s eldest daughter, catches them together and accuses Judah of destroying her father. Soledad defends Judah and asserts her parental authority (Chapter Forty). Judah declares his love, and they agree to move forward without traditional marriage.

Soledad reads her mother’s journal and finds the hornet metaphor—“I am the love of my own life”—which inspires her to fully embrace self‑love (Chapter Forty‑One). When Adam is hospitalized again, Soledad shows up, and she and Judah reconcile (Chapter Forty‑Two). The blended‑family dinner goes well; Inez bonds with Aaron over a Rubik’s Cube (Chapter Forty‑Three). Judah surprises Soledad with a purple motorcycle from his Me List, and she tells him she loves him. She also learns Edward will be released early and has a son with Amber; she resolves to tell her daughters herself (Chapter Forty‑Five).

The Epilogue, set about a year later, finds Soledad and Judah vacationing in Morocco. Judah reveals that Edward fled the country with Amber and their baby after violating probation; Judah deliberately let him go to protect Soledad and her daughters. Soledad feels relief and reflects on how her journey of self‑love enabled her to love Judah completely. She is content, committed to an uncertain but hopeful future.

Main Characters

• Soledad Barnes – The protagonist, a former stay‑at‑home mother who rebuilds her identity after her husband’s betrayal. Her self‑partnering journey drives the plot.
• Judah Cross – A forensic accountant and devoted single father of autistic twins. He falls for Soledad while investigating Edward’s crimes.
• Edward Barnes – Soledad’s ex‑husband, an embezzler and serial cheater who fathers a child with his mistress.
• Inez Barnes – Soledad’s eldest daughter, who struggles with her father’s crimes and initially resents Judah.
• Lupe Barnes – The middle daughter, supportive of Soledad’s new career.
• Lottie Barnes – The youngest daughter, a lighter presence in the family.
• Tremaine Cross – Judah’s ex‑wife, co‑parent of their autistic twins, supportive of Judah’s relationship with Soledad.
• Adam and Aaron Cross – Judah’s autistic twin sons (Adam, level 1; Aaron, level 3), central to the neurodiversity theme.
• Hendrix and Yasmen – Soledad’s closest friends, who provide emotional and financial support.

Themes

• Self‑partnering and self‑love – Soledad commits to dating herself, learning to love herself before trusting another.
• Betrayal and trust – Edward’s embezzlement, infidelity, and hidden child shatter Soledad’s trust; she cautiously rebuilds it with Judah.
• Neurodiversity and parenting – Judah’s parenting of autistic twins is portrayed with honesty, including meltdowns, communication devices, and daily care.
• Motherhood and family – Soledad’s protection of her daughters, her mother’s legacy, and blended‑family dinners explore maternal love.
• Healing and second chances – Both Soledad and Judah recover from failed marriages, learning that new love requires patience and vulnerability.

Symbols

• Machete – Soledad uses a family machete to destroy Edward’s belongings, symbolizing rage and the violent break from her old life.
• Rubik’s Cube – Soledad bonds with Aaron over a Rubik’s Cube; it represents the complexity of family and connection.
• Purple motorcycle – Judah buys a purple motorcycle from his Me List, symbolizing freedom, joy, and Soledad’s new life.
• Pilón and Puerto Rican flag – Items from Soledad’s mother’s chest that represent cultural heritage and Soledad reclaiming her roots.

Chapter‑by‑Chapter Overview

Ending Explained

In the Epilogue, set one year after the main events, Soledad and Judah are vacationing in Morocco. Judah reveals that Edward has fled the country with Amber and their baby after violating probation; Judah deliberately chose not to report him to protect Soledad and her daughters from further trauma. Soledad feels relief rather than rage, recognizing that Edward’s absence allows her to move forward completely. She reflects on her mother’s journal and the lesson that loving herself first enabled her to love Judah wholly. The ending shows Soledad at peace, no longer needing marriage but committed to Judah, embracing an uncertain but hopeful future. The final image reinforces the theme of self‑love as the foundation for a healthy relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is This Could Be Us about?
   After her husband’s embezzlement and infidelity are exposed, Soledad Barnes rebuilds her life through self‑partnering while falling for the forensic accountant who investigated his crimes.

2. Who are the main characters?
   Soledad Barnes, Judah Cross, Edward Barnes, Soledad’s three daughters (Inez, Lupe, Lottie), Judah’s ex‑wife Tremaine, and his autistic twin sons Adam and Aaron.

3. What is the “self‑partnering” theme?
   Soledad commits to dating herself, learning to love herself before she can trust another person, which frames her entire journey.

4. What is the significance of the machete?
   Soledad uses a family machete to destroy Edward’s belongings after learning of his infidelity, symbolizing her rage and the violent break from her old life.

5. Does Soledad end up with Judah?
   Yes. After a cautious, emotionally deep relationship, they commit to a life together without traditional marriage. The Epilogue shows them happy in Morocco.

6. How does the book portray neurodiversity?
   Judah’s sons Adam and Aaron are autistic (levels 1 and 3). The story honestly depicts meltdowns, communication devices, sensory issues, and the daily realities of autism care, based on the author’s lived experience as a parent.

7. What happens to Edward in the end?
   Edward flees the country with his mistress Amber and their baby after violating probation. Judah deliberately lets him escape to protect Soledad and her daughters.

8. What is the “Me List” mentioned in the story?
   Judah creates a “Me List” inspired by Soledad—similar to a bucket list but focused on things he wants to do for himself, like buying a purple motorcycle.

Deeper Dives

• Characters: Soledad Barnes, Judah Cross, Edward Barnes, Inez Barnes, Lupe Barnes, Lottie Barnes
• Themes: Self‑partnering and self‑love, Betrayal and trust, Neurodiversity and parenting, Motherhood and family, Healing and second chances
• Symbols: Machete, Rubik’s Cube, Purple motorcycle, Pilón and Puerto Rican flag
• Further reading: Ending explained, Questions and answers, Quiz, Essay prompts