Chapter summaries This Could Be Us Kennedy Ryan

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Soledad

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

Summary

Soledad prepares for Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) with her daughters Lupe, Lottie, and Inez, along with her sister Lola. Hendrix arrives with gifts and the women chat while cooking pasteles. Lola reveals she kissed her best friend Olive, leading to a raucous discussion about dating standards. The conversation shifts to Edward’s imprisonment and Soledad’s complicated feelings about Judah. She admits she kissed Judah at the CalPot Christmas party and cares for him deeply, but is committed to self-partnering. After Hendrix leaves, Soledad delivers pasteles and coquito to her friend Cora, who is battling cancer. She meets Cora’s husband Robert, and the emotional encounter brings back grief over her mother’s death. On impulse, Soledad drives to Judah’s house and texts him; he invites her in.

Key Events

  • Soledad’s family and Hendrix gather to cook pasteles and coquito for Nochebuena.
  • Lola tells Soledad and Hendrix she kissed her best friend Olive and reflects on the experience.
  • The women joke about dating mishaps, Hendrix’s high standards, and Lola’s bisexuality.
  • Soledad reveals she kissed Judah at the CalPot Christmas party and admits she likes him a lot.
  • Hendrix and Lola encourage Soledad to allow herself pleasure and not feel guilty about exploring a connection with Judah.
  • Soledad delivers food to Cora’s house and meets Robert, who thanks her for her support.
  • After the emotional drop‑off, Soledad drives to Judah’s home, texts him, and is invited inside.

Character Development

  • Soledad: Shows growth by openly acknowledging her feelings for Judah to her support system. She is learning to set boundaries (self‑partnering) while also recognising her own desires. Her choice to go to Judah’s house marks a step toward trusting herself again.
  • Hendrix: Provides comic relief and blunt wisdom. Her loyalty to Soledad is evident as she pushes her to consider her own happiness without guilt.
  • Lola: Reveals her vulnerability about her relationship with Olive. She supports Soledad’s journey while also sharing her own experiences with love and loss.
  • Judah (off‑page): Though not physically present for most of the chapter, his patient response (“I’ll wait for you”) and immediate invitation show his genuine care and respect for Soledad’s timeline.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Tradition and Family: Nochebuena cooking preserves cultural heritage and connects Soledad to her mother and grandmother. The act of making pasteles becomes a ritual of love and continuity.
  • Self‑Partnering vs. Connection: Soledad’s commitment to dating herself represents her need for independence after Edward’s betrayal. Yet the chapter questions whether self‑partnering must exclude all romantic connection.
  • Caregiving and Grief: Soledad’s visit to Cora mirrors her own experience with her mother’s death. The theme of showing up for others while processing personal pain runs throughout.
  • Community Support: The meal train, book club, and frank conversations among women demonstrate the strength found in chosen family.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens Soledad’s internal conflict between protecting herself and opening her heart. Her confession to Hendrix and Lola that she “really likes” Judah signals emotional growth and vulnerability. The juxtaposition of holiday joy with Cora’s cancer battle and Soledad’s lingering grief adds weight to her decision to reach out to Judah. It sets up a pivotal moment in her romantic arc while reinforcing the novel’s core themes of healing, friendship, and self‑discovery.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why is Soledad hesitant to pursue a relationship with Judah, even though she likes him?
She feels she needs space to rebuild her identity after Edward’s betrayal. She also worries about her daughters, especially Inez, who blames Judah for Edward’s imprisonment. Soledad wants to model strength and self‑reliance for her girls.

2. How does the conversation with Hendrix and Lola help Soledad?
Hendrix and Lola validate her feelings and encourage her to allow herself pleasure without guilt. Their support loosens the pressure Soledad feels to be completely independent, reminding her that setting her own boundaries can include romantic connection on her own terms.

3. What does Soledad’s decision to drive to Judah’s house reveal about her character?
It shows she is willing to take a small, intentional risk for someone she cares about. The act represents a shift from fear‑based self‑protection to a more balanced approach where she can honour both her need for autonomy and her desire for intimacy.

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