The sequel and conclusion of Unforgiven.
In Unforgiven, Darren and Bailey proved forgiveness is possible even after a painful past, but absolution isn’t the end of their story. Trust has to be rebuilt, faith restored, and the strength of their bond tested.
They may have stopped battling each other, but that doesn’t mean the fight is over. And life has a way of packing the biggest punch—the most painful…
When life throws a curve ball, the future they fought so hard for is at risk. And when Bailey’s resolve is weakened, Darren has to carry them both. She may be his world, but is he strong enough to shoulder the weight of that responsibility? Her trust in him is critical, but has forgiveness given her enough peace to put her every hope and dream in his hands?
A woman forgiven… A man redeemed… A love unforgettable…
If you’re willing to fight for something… the sky’s the limit.
I adore Elizabeth Finn’s writing, and Unforgiven was one of my very favorite books by her. It was such an emotionally gripping, poignant and unforgettable story of loss and forgiveness. Darren was a hero that I loved to hate and just plain loved. My heart broke for him and and for Bailey. After everything that they went through in their book, I was so excited to see that the author had a second book in store for them. Unforgiven ripped my heart to shreds, and I needed a follow up on their story to put things to right for me. Perhaps it was that expectation of mine that somewhat diminished my enjoyment of this book? So let me preface this by saying that Unforgettable was an incredibly well written, emotional, and touching story about forgiveness and healing. Just because I’m rating this 3 stars doesn’t mean I didn’t like it. I did. There were just a few issues I had with it that kept it from being the 5 stars that Unforgiven was for me.
It was clear that even when Bailey and Darren got their HEA in the previous book, they still had a long road ahead of them. Forgiveness may be a choice, but it is never an easy one. Both of them still struggle with the choices they made; Bailey will the guilt of the past and her fear of getting hurt by Darren, and Darren’s fear of ever hurting Bailey the same way again. I have to say that as much of an asshole as Darren was in the last book, he more than makes up for it in this one.
She nodded subtly.
“God, I was so wrong.”
He tries so hard to atone for his callous treatment of Bailey from the past. I was swooning so hard over him in this book. His love for her is so evident and beautiful to read. I couldn’t get enough of it.
I found myself falling in love with this couple all over again. Unfortunately somewhere around the 30% mark, I also found my interest in them beginning to wane a little. I’m not sure why, but it felt too drawn out for me. I understand that they needed this time for healing, but I’m not sure if I like the amount of time that it was. It almost felt like a filler. An emotionally charged and well written filler, but filler nonetheless.
I think my biggest quibble has to be the tone of the book. For everything that they went through in the last one, I wanted more happy times for them in this one. And that just didn’t happen. It was another emotional and heartbreaking struggle, and it was just too much for me. After everything that this couple has already survived, for them to go through even more was just depressing.
It may just be my expectations working against me, since I would have rather gotten a HEA epilogue type novella for them. While it was great to get that insight into their therapy and healing, I though it could have also been at least half the length. There was a lot of internal monologue, and even the sex read like a filler at times as well.
After the 30% mark I found myself getting a little bored. But then Elizabeth Finns hit me upside the head with such a crazy case of the feels at the 60% mark, I didn’t know what to do with myself. It was gut wrenching. I was an emotional mess. And at the same time I almost hated that they had to go through even MORE than what they have already been through.
I did love that they finally got the MUCH needed HEA and epilogue that they so dearly deserved. I just wish their road to it wasn’t quite as depressing and emotional as it was. But the ending was absolutely beautiful.
If you loved Unforgiven, I highly recommend reading this book as it will give you the closure that you need for this couple. Just be prepared. This is not sunshine and rainbows and unicorns. It may not have been as emotionally devastating as the first book, but it will still hit you right in the feels.
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