Soledad Barnes: From Domestic Goddess to Self‑Partnered Survivor

Overview and Plot Role

Soledad Barnes is the protagonist of Kennedy Ryan’s This Could Be Us. Introduced as a meticulous homemaker and mother of three daughters, she spends the novel rebuilding every aspect of her life after her husband Edward’s arrest for embezzling six million dollars and his subsequent revelation of infidelity. Her arc transforms her from a woman who defined herself through her marriage into a self‑partnered entrepreneur who reclaims her identity, career, and capacity for trust. While she initially appears as the betrayed spouse, Soledad quickly becomes the story’s emotional core, driving the narrative through her choices to seek independence, confront hard truths, and open her heart to Judah Cross.

Motivations and Core Traits

Everything Soledad does is rooted in two primary motivations: protecting her daughters and rediscovering her own worth. The evidence shows she shields her girls from Edward’s crimes (chapter 12: “I won’t shield them from who you really are”—but she also delays telling them about his baby with Amber until she feels ready). Her core traits include fierce resilience, a capacity for deep love, and a practical creativity that she channels into her cooking business. She also grapples with people‑pleasing and self‑doubt inherited from her marriage. A key turning point comes when she realizes she cannot take responsibility for Edward’s bad character (chapter 27), shifting her internal question from “Can I trust him?” to “Can I trust myself?”

Character Arc Through the Novel

Soledad’s chronological arc follows a clear three‑phase trajectory. Phase One: Shock and survival (chapters 1‑10). After Edward’s arrest, she learns of his affair and the STI he gave her, then destroys his man cave with her mother’s machete—a cathartic act that symbolically severs ties to him. Phase Two: Self‑partnering and rebuilding (chapters 15‑27). She launches the Fall Focaccia business, creates her “Me List,” and begins the #datingmyselfchallenge. In chapter 24, she live‑streams demolition of the man cave, reads All About Love by bell hooks, and discovers the phrase “soledad hermosa” (beautiful solitude), which becomes her personal mantra. She also keeps a solo anniversary dinner reservation, asserting her ability to enjoy her own company. Phase Three: Opening to love (chapters 28‑49). She cautiously begins a relationship with Judah, establishing boundaries that prioritize her self‑discovery. By the epilogue, she has fully integrated self‑love with partnership, embracing an uncertain but hopeful future.

Key Relationships

Soledad’s relationships evolve as she does. With Edward Barnes, she moves from wounded wife to defiant survivor, ultimately feeling relief when he flees the country (epilogue). With Judah Cross, she progresses from suspicion to friendship to deep emotional and physical intimacy, all while maintaining her autonomy. Her bond with her three daughters—Inez, Lupe, and Lottie—becomes a mirror of her growth; she repairs the strained relationship with Inez through honest conversations and shared work (chapter 15). The friendship circle of Yasmen and Hendrix provides a support system that normalizes her process of healing.

Pivotal Decisions and Their Consequences

The novel hinges on several decisive moments. Depositing Oneida’s check (chapter 27): Soledad swallows her pride to accept $5,000 for tuition, prioritizing her daughters’ needs over her ego. Keeping the Spiros reservation (chapter 16): A small act that signals her commitment to enjoying life alone, which later fuels her self‑partnering practice. Choosing not to rush into a relationship with Judah (chapters 28, 36): She repeatedly sets physical and emotional boundaries, insisting on her own timeline. Each decision reinforces her agency, and the consequences are cumulative: she builds a successful catering business, regains her daughters’ trust, and ultimately feels free enough to love Judah without losing herself.

Themes and Symbolism

Soledad embodies the novel’s central themes: self‑partnering and self‑love, betrayal and trust, neurodiversity and parenting, motherhood and family, and healing and second chances. The she shed (formerly Edward’s man cave) symbolizes her reclamation of space and self. The machete she uses to destroy his belongings represents inherited strength from her mother. The All About Love book and the phrase “soledad hermosa” explicitly link her name to her journey: she learns that solitude can be beautiful, not lonely. The Me List—items she does solely for her own enjoyment—becomes a practical tool for rebuilding identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Soledad destroy Edward’s man cave with a machete?

After learning Edward gave her chlamydia through his ongoing affair, Soledad channels her rage into destroying symbols of his presence. The act is cathartic and marks a turning point: she embraces anger as a tool to reclaim agency (chapter 10). The machete, inherited from her mother, connects her to matriarchal resilience.

What is the “soledad hermosa” moment, and why is it significant?

While reading bell hooks’s All About Love in bed, Soledad comes across the Spanish phrase “soledad hermosa” (beautiful solitude). She interprets it as a personal sign that her solo journey is valid and meaningful. She lays the book on Edward’s pillow and dreams of a future she will shape herself (chapter 24). This moment crystallizes her commitment to self‑partnering.

How does Soledad’s relationship with Judah Cross develop?

Soledad meets Judah at a Christmas party before Edward’s arrest (chapter 1). Initially suspicious of him as the accountant investigating Edward, she grows to trust him through small acts of care—like groceries delivered anonymously. She sets firm boundaries (chapter 28) and only fully commits after she has fortified her own sense of self (epilogue). Their relationship becomes a testament to love that does not require losing independence.

What is the “Me List”?

The Me List is a list of activities Soledad creates solely for her own enjoyment, not for her job, children, friends, or family. It includes renovating the she shed, pole dancing, and a solo trip. It becomes a practical tool for self‑discovery and is central to the #datingmyselfchallenge she shares with followers (chapter 24).

How does Soledad change by the end of the novel?

By the epilogue, Soledad has fully integrated self‑love with partnership. She feels relief rather than rage when Edward flees the country. She tells Judah she loves him because she first loves herself. She embraces an uncertain future, knowing her core is secure. The novel’s final message is that you can risk loving completely when you completely love yourself.