💔💕🙏🏻 “Unforgiven” (2024) 🙏🏻💕💔 – Book Review

 

MY REVIEW 

 

 

Paperback: 292 pages 
Publisher: Revell (May 21, 2024) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1681902125 
ISBN-13: 978-1681902128 
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information 

 

“Ex-con Seth Zimmerman has spent the last three years making amends by helping the vulnerable in his former Amish community. Lately, this mission includes calling on Tabitha Yoder, whose divorce from her abusive husband has isolated her from the community. Even though she never comes out of her house to talk to him, Seth knows she watches him from the window while he chops wood, clears her driveway, and drops off food.  

 

An uneasy friendship is just starting to take hold between them when small gifts begin to appear at Tabitha's home--gifts that can only be from her ex-husband. Seth might be Tabitha's only hope at maintaining her hard-won freedom from the man whose violent outbursts had almost cost her life. But coming to her rescue might mean he ends up behind bars once again.  

 

Get swept up in this emotional story of two outcasts who may be each other's only hope for happiness and redemption from New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray.” 

 

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell Books (a division of Baker Books), for providing a complimentary review copy through their Revell Reads blogger program. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own. 

 

I got introduced to the author’s writing when I won the first book in her #SeasonsinPinecraft book, as an ARC from Library Thing. I then won the second book (ARC), and the third book (finished copy) from them as well.

 

I still need to read books #2 & #3.

 

That said …

 

This looked and sounded like a suspense kind of read. But, it is actually Contemporary Fiction. Though Amazon has it (and the second book) listed as an “Amish Romantic Suspense Story”. So, I could’ve been right. The intense, dark, and almost sinister cover does tend more to suspense.

 

Moving on …

 

Gray introduces readers to:

 

🧺 Tabitha

👒 Mary (Tabitha’s sister)

🧰 Seth

👒 Bethanne

🧰 Lott (Bethanne’s younger brother)

👒 Melonie (Seth’s younger sister)

🔵 Wayne (Seth and Melonie’s mother)

👒 Anna (Seth and Melonie’s father)

⛔ Leon

🔵 Lorne (Seth and Melonie’s annoying cousin)

 

I did notice that some of the characters did not have traditional Amish first names as I’ve seen in some books: Zeke, Eli, Amos, Mary, Sarah, or Naomi to name some. I found quite interesting.

 

This is told from three POVs: Seth, Tabitha, Lott, Melonie.

 

These does have some “dark” themes to it:

 

👼🏻 Miscarriage (2 characters prior to the novel)

🔪 Domestic Violence (referenced to before and some in the book)

💔 Divorce

❌ Attempted Rape (Bethanne’s backstory, prior to this novel)

🏛️ Involuntary Manslaughter (Reason why Seth is an ex-con, accidental killing of the man who attacked Bethanne)

 

These themes might be harsh for some readers.

 

There are a few story arcs going on:

 

💕 Tabitha’s “friendship”/“relationship” with Seth

💕 Lott trying to court Melonie

👀 Leon stalking Tabitha

 

The author wastes no time in getting to Tabitha’s story, or even Seth’s. What readers learn is that at 17, Tabitha was Seth’s teacher and only three (3) years older than him. He knew what was going on and felt powerless to stop it.

 

A few years later, he came upon Bethanne was being attacked. In a scuffle and to prevent further injury to Bethanne, Seth pushes her attacker off her. This results in the death of the attacker (Peter). As a result, Seth is arrested, convicted, and sent to prison. He serves two (2) years and is out. As he was never baptized into the Amish faith, he can’t be shunned. But, his parents aren’t too welcoming of him either. As a result, he’s adopted more of an Englisch lifestyle. He has a truck, dresses in jeans, and has electricity.

 

For the past few years, since his release, he’s been working at Porter Construction. He’s also been chopping wood for Tabitha.

 

She isn’t shunned per se, but is a community outcast. It is the result from her divorcing Leon who beat her repeatedly. The “last” time landed her in the hospital and caused her to lose her baby. Bethanne lost hers as well stemming from her own attack.

 

Tabitha’s sister, Mary is only permitted by her husband to see Tabitha every few weeks. Mary and her boys bring Tabitha groceries. She also picks up Tabitha’s baskets to sell.  

 

For the most part, Tabitha has remained inside, having been made too afraid to go out. Yet, one day, she opens the door to Seth. They slowly began talking and their “friendship” is rekindled.

 

As their friendship is being rekindled, Seth’s sister Melonie isn’t sure if she is in love with Lott or not. She does know that the suitor her mother has in mind isn’t suitable.

 

Tabitha and Seth have both been hurt, and seemingly removed from their Amish family. Seth knows he doesn’t want to cause Tabitha any more pain, but he knows he is falling in love with her.

 

Tabitha is wondering if she can trust again. She knows Seth wouldn’t hurt her. And, she almost thinks she can come out of hiding, that is until gifts from Leon arrive.

 

Tabitha isn’t weak, but she doesn’t want anyone else hurt, even though it’s clear Seth can take care of himself.

 

The author does a great job of keeping the story going without looking like it’s being rushed along. At times that is a slight problem.

 

The “stalking” (Leon) doesn’t come around until about 60% into the book. It starts off with a not-so-subtle note, then another. As a result of the escalation, there will be some injury to Tabitha, though not severe. I was disappointed because that arc was only about 23% of the book. And, without spoiling it, the threat to Seth didn’t materialize. The lack of suspense with Leon and the “oomph” needed for a climax was less than anticipated. The reference to her baby was all but forgotten as the story went on.

 

I enjoyed the multiple arcs, which both helped and somewhat hindered the main story. I’m still on the fence with them. I do have to admit, the introduction of Lorne (cousin of the Zimmermans) was interesting, and it had some potential to be more. While I didn’t like the character and wished he’d have fallen in a well, there was potential to drag it out a bit.

 

I was also wanting to see some “on-page” resolutions to some of the family dynamics.

 

Some of these dropped a potential 5-star read down to a 3-star read.

 

What really raised this book up to the 4-star bracket was the unconventional way the story went and ended, along with the author’s “disposition” of the characters. If y’all read it, you’ll know what I am referring to. I absolutely loved that about it. Too many are cliché, and this definitely had that “oh, that was interesting, I didn’t expect that” reaction to it.

 

The sweetest moment was Tabitha finding a dog and calling it Chance. And, I believe the dog and Seth were good for her.

 

The title came from how she’d felt due to what had happened. She felt unforgiven, though she was.

 

Despite the “issues”, this book did draw me in and I was able to read it in about a 48-hour period despite other things going on.

 

Bethanne’s resolution with what happened between Peter and Seth has a “she has/hasn’t” forgiven herself type of resolution. That’s why I am eager to read the next book, Unforgotten, which is her story. I do recommend reading this book (Unforgiven) first. Bethanne’s back story is established in this book, and is quite relevant to part of this plot.

 

Because of some gift cards I received, I pre-ordered it along with a few other Revell and Bethany House books. I’m definitely eager to read it.

 

I’m also wondering if there will be any more books past Bethanne’s story.

 

This is from a primarily Christian publisher, and set among some Amish people, so there will be themes of faith in it. It isn’t overwhelming, but common to the community. The main themes of the story are forgiveness and second chances.

 

 

RATING:  

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads  

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub  

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html) 

 

 

 

Next Book:

 

Paperback: 304pages

Publisher: Revell (November 5, 2024)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0800746031

ISBN-13: 978-0800746032

Click Photo for Pre-Order Information ⬆️

 

“Even though Bethanne Hostetler has found some peace seven years after an attempted assault and the accidental death of Peter Miller, she is still haunted by the memory. When her Englisher cousin, Candace--who has just been crowned Miss Crittenden County--reveals that she has a stalker, all of Bethanne's old fears come rushing back.
 
 Jay Byler had once been Peter's best friend, and the fact that he did not protect Bethanne that fateful night has haunted him ever since. To make matters worse, she continues to avoid him--even as he continues to love her. Jay can only hope and pray that one day Bethanne will see the person he is today and not the boy he used to be.
 
 As Candace's stalker becomes bolder, Officer Ryan Mulany becomes her escort to various events. He knows he should only think of Candace as a job, but the more time they spend together, the harder it gets to maintain professional distance. And when everyone's worst fears are realized, all four must work together to prevent another tragedy before time runs out and another innocent person is hurt.
 
 From New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray comes this emotionally taut story of learning to forgive, trust, and love despite the pain of the past.”

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books, including Her Heart's Desire, Her Only Wish, and Her Secret Hope.  Two-time winner of the HOLT Medallion and a Carol Award finalist, Gray lives in Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail. Learn more at www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
 

 

She can also be found on the following social media sites:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShelleyShepardGray

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelley.s.gray

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShelleySGray

 

 

 

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