Kennedy Ryan Explains Why Black Women Deserve Joy in Romance

New York Times bestselling author Kennedy Ryan joins Tanya Acker for a powerful conversation about love, depression, representation, creativity, and the real-life experiences behind her bestselling romance novels. Kennedy opens up about writing during the pandemic, caring for her autistic son, navigating depression, finding the right therapist, and how one of the lowest moments of her life helped shape Before I Let Go — the book that transformed her career and helped launch the beloved Skyland series, now in development for television at Peacock. Tanya and Kennedy also discuss why romance is more than escapism, why Black women and marginalized communities deserve joy on the page, how writers can create with integrity, and why accuracy and sensitivity readers matter when depicting lived experiences. Kennedy’s latest novel, Can’t Get Enough, is the third installment in the Skyland trilogy. Watch as Tanya Acker sits down with Kennedy Ryan for an honest, moving, and inspiring conversation about love stories, healing, and writing through the hardest seasons of life.