Set in Crittenden County, Kentucky, this emotional Amish romantic suspense story features two people scarred by their pasts struggling to navigate life and love in the environment of an “unforgiving” Amish community and unaccepting family members. The beautifully crafted characters are realistic and memorable. I love Seth and Tabitha and came to care about them as individuals and as a couple. Their story kept me turning the pages to see what and who they would encounter next and what the repercussions would be. Secondary characters, Melonie and Lott, add depth and interest to the story with their touching side story romance. I like the way difficult subjects—domestic abuse, assault, divorce, imprisonment—are treated sensitively and thoughtfully. I appreciate the strong faith thread with themes of trust and forgiveness, with emphasis on self-forgiveness. This heartwarming and at times heartbreaking story is not your typical Amish fare, and I think that even readers who are not Amish fiction fans will enjoy it.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )

Friendship, forgiveness and faith shine through this character driven story set in an Amish community.
"...a person can ask others for forgiveness but the hardest person to grant absolution to is oneself."

Two people shunned by their Amish community find renewed friendship and encouragement in learning to forgiving themselves and move on from past traumas. The author skillfully addresses difficult topics like domestic violence within a tight knit community where misjudgment and gossip have done their damage. A tender romance between the main characters grows from an awkward friendship and is lovely as it blooms into something more. A redemptive theme adds hope and grace to their struggles. The writing flows well and is easy to read. I enjoyed the last half of the story more as the pace picked up and the tension builds with some peril. There are some brief mentions of violence and a past assault, but nothing too detailed.
A satisfying read overall. A set up for the next book looks promising. 4 stars

(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.) ( )

Seeking a story steeped in faith and forgiveness? Shelley Shepard Gray's Unforgiven is a captivating novel that explores the depths of faith, God’s grace, forgiveness, and the blessed, Divine gift and power of human connection, offering a balm for the soul.

We meet Tabitha Yoder, a woman ostracized from her Amish community after escaping an abusive marriage. Haunted by her past, she lives in seclusion, her spirit as fragile as the walls she's built around herself. Enter Seth Zimmerman, an ex-con burdened by a tragic accident. Both ostracized, they find a tentative solace in each other's company.

Gray's masterful storytelling is infused with a deep understanding of Christian faith. The characters' journeys of healing mirror the redemptive power of God's grace. Each step towards forgiveness, whether for oneself or others, feels earned and deeply moving. Unlike some Amish fiction, Unforgiven doesn't shy away from the brutal realities of domestic violence. It tackles these sensitive topics with grace, offering a glimmer of hope through the unwavering strength of Tabitha's spirit and the unwavering compassion of her newfound community.

The suspense rises like a simmering pot as Tabitha's past resurfaces in the form of her abusive ex-husband. This external threat mirrors the internal battles they both face, forging a bond that strengthens with each shared burden. The supporting characters, particularly Melonie and Lott, add depth and warmth to the narrative. Their blossoming romance provides a delightful counterpoint to the central couple's struggles, reminding us that even amidst darkness, love finds a way to bloom.

Unforgiven is a gripping read; it's a transformative experience. With the precision of a season craftsman, it intricately weaves together, through the lens of Christian faith, the threads of faith, grace, and forgiveness into a narrative that penetrates the depths of the soul. Through its pages, the essence of God’s boundless, redeeming love is palpable and redemption and reconciliation unfolds beautifully.

This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys Amish fiction with a deeper touch. It's a story that will resonate with those seeking a journey of faith and forgiveness while embracing God’s incredible and endless grace.

God says in Isaiah 1:18 (NLT): Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow.

I received a digital copy of Unforgiven from the publisher, Revell, via NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, the pacing, and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

I requested a review copy of a book I guessed was from a press involved with stories about women by women writers, without realizing it to be one of the definitions of the romance genre.

This book falls into the subgenre of Amish/bonnet! I love it as a niche! Adding in bonnet speaks to the coded cover design and the connection to physical modesty as a Christian value. So, Gray has written sweet and deft romance. It’s no surprise as this is one of more than 100 she has written, including a few in this exact subgenre. However, altho it is set in an Amish community, the issues are very contemporary. Fearful social isolation is one theme that resonates, along with scary news ripped right from our current social media culture. I am feeling the iconic tradwife dealing with an Andrew Tate and falling for a nice healthy, outdoorsy guy who seems legit, but who would not worry that he may be an Andrew Huberman?

Bingo to Gray for a story allowing a connection to triumph. I really enjoyed dipping into both the genre and the Amish culture. I think the book is fully successful as it is, no notes. ( )

This is a prime example of why Shelley Shepard Gray is a best-selling, award-winning author. Unique, fully developed characters you can’t help but love, a strong plot and an honest look at tough issues we may not think affect believers – yet can be found across all North American cultures – including Amish and Catholic or Protestant Christian. What really impressed me was the honest look at how, too often, the victims are blamed as much as those who seek to harm them. Bethanne was judged for nearly being raped. Seth was judged for defending her and accidentally causing the death of her attacker. Tabitha was judged for divorcing her abusive husband after he caused a miscarriage and nearly killed her. Members of the community blamed the victims even more than the abusers, and placed looking good before their community ahead of showing grace, mercy, love and forgiveness.

The book is mostly Seth and Tabitha’s story, but also Lott and Melonie’s, as well as Bethanne’s journeys. We see five characters wrestle with forgiveness, grace, faith and worthiness. It’s a fantastic kick off to a new series based in Crittenden County, Kentucky.

So many “Christian” books I’ve read lately barely mention God or share any truly Christian characteristics. It was refreshing to find faith neatly woven into the fabric of the characters in this story – so much so that the characters would not be believable without their faith. Christians have flaws, they struggle to stay on the straight and narrow, to make God the centre of their lives. This book takes that into consideration and makes the characters more real as a result.

I read it in one sitting. Could not put it down. Well done! Looking forward to book two!