Unforgiven by Shelley Shepard Gray is a lovely story about two people who believe they aren’t worthy of love and find it with each other. Seth is a former Amish man who went to prison for accidental murder. Tabitha is a former Amish woman who was beaten by her husband to the point of almost death. Still embracing their faith, if not their Amish traditions, they develop a tentative friendship that moves into something more. However, Tabitha’s ex husband is back and looking to harm her. Can Seth help? Beautiful as all of her books are, you won’t want to miss this one!

DNF for the time being.

When I requested this book, I didn't realize it was a spinoff from another series by Gray (which I haven't read so far). From skimming other reviews, it sounds like I could benefit from that--both because it itself is a good series, and to set myself up for success with this read.

I was also a bit confused; the book description noted Seth's _former_ Amish community--and again, not having read the other series, I went in thinking he wasn't involved with it anymore, but he's at least doing things for his former teacher in the community, whom he'd long had a crush on? Of course, once I clued in that she was only 3 years older than he (given the Amish schooling element), that made way more sense...but as a noob reader, I felt that could have been clarified way earlier. Instead, I felt on edge/weirded out about it until clarity came. So that just set me off on the wrong foot!

I may go back and read the other series, then revisit this one. I'll admit I'm not too big on Amish fiction anymore (ODed early on in the Amish-CF market), so we'll see, but Gray is certainly a talented author and I've enjoyed other books she's written.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Unforgiven, by Shelley Shepard Gray, opens with Seth Zimmerman stopping by Tabitha Yoder’s home to assist with some of her chores. Seth is a former student of Tabitha’s; however, after a death in their Amish community has left Seth with the label of ex-con, Tabitha is uneasy with his presence!

Although Tabitha is a mere three years older than Seth, her unease is due to her memories of her abusive ex-husband. After two years of his weekly visits, Seth is surprised when one day Tabitha steps outside to thank him. Soon you will see these two begin to converse like old friends!

When Tabitha’s ex-husband shows up again, you wonder what will happen next. Will Tabitha be able to live in the new freedom she has found or will her ex-husband bring violence back into her world? Hold fast to see how Seth and Tabitha respond to this potential threat!

I appreciated that this book dealt with issues of abuse in an amish community and didn't try to hide how the rules that govern their community can cause harm to a victim. Yet it didn't do it in a way that makes one condemn the amish. It showed the struggle even within one's own family. It dealt with the issue in a sensitive, real way that offered hope.

Seth is a beautiful character. He spends large amounts of time serving Tabitha even when she's too afraid to open her door. He doesn't blame others for the hardships he's encountered. He is wise and caring.

This book was written well and had a good pace to it. It moved along quickly and it was hard to put down. I'd highly recommend it. Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Unforgiven by Shelly Shepard Gray, gives a different view of Amish family life. It's not a simple, perfect life that we might think as we drive by and look at the clothes on the line or the buggy's going down the street. Their private lives can be more like ours then we imagine.

Both main charactors (Seth and Tabitha) have done the unthinkable in the Amish community. Of course many of the community have strong opionions about what has happened and are not so easy to forgive. Even Seth and Tabitha have to learn to forgive...themselves.

This book kept me captivated from beginning to end.
What a great read!

Unforgiven is the latest release by Shelley Shepard Gray. Unforgiven is a spinoff from her Rumors in Ross County series. This is Seth’s story. I have been waiting for his story for a while now and it was good, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I loved that Tabitha is able to overcome so much in this story. Reading Tabitha and Seth’s story was a sweet and uplifting journey. I just thought that Seth’s good friends in the Rumors in Ross County series would have made an appearance in his story. He was always there for them and their significant others, that it is odd that they were not there for him and Tabitha. If I am being honest, it was a bit of a let down for me, at least compared to her Rumors in Ross County series. If you like a sweet and clean romance, then Unforgiven just might be for you.

I find a lot of Amish-based stories to be very cookie cutter mold stories.

Unforgiven was not that!

I enjoyed the pace of it, past the initial little bit. It had some suspense, a lot of self forgiveness and working through past choices. It was also a good look of the interactions between Amish and non-Amish family but also not shunned. I enjoyed that aspect of the book!

There was good character growth and I’m excited to see how the rest of the series ends up!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

The title, Unforgiven, makes you think. Who is unforgiven? For what? Could it be so bad that it could never be forgiven? This is an Amish novel. Don’t the Amish believe in forgiving no matter what?

Unforgiven is the first book in a new series, Rumors in Ross County. And what a beginning. Seth Zimmerman is an ex-con who has worked for three years in his Amish community to make amends. He assists people who need it — the vulnerable. One person he often helps is Tabitha Yoder who did the unthinkable for an Amish woman. She divorced her husband — her abusive husband. She is now shunned. Seth began two years ago. He just appears and does what needs doing.

Tabitha stays in the house. They do not talk but she watches him sometimes from the window. She is a few years older than Seth and was his teacher in the Amish school. Seth has been dropping by and doing various chores for two years and Tabita feels the need to say thank you. And from that thank-you, a friendship begins, an uneasy friendship, but it is what both need whether they know it or not.

And THEN … little gifts begin to be left at Tabitha’s door. After verifying the gifts are not from Seth, the only person it could be is her ex. Tabitha is scared and justifiably so and Seth isn’t about to stand back and let anyone hurt Tabitha. Even if it means he is arrested again.

The beginning is so well-written that I was pulled into Tabitha’s and Seth’s story from the beginning. We meet her sister & husband and their precious boys. And the three people who were intricately involved in Seth’s arrest. The story builds adding pieces of information that confirmed my suspicions.

As happens often when I read Amish-based novels, something reminds me of yesteryears. This time it was putting milk into mason jars, refrigerating them, and waiting for the cream to rise. Growing up we did the same except a mason jar wouldn’t hold enough milk, so a gallon can (well-cleaned) with the top removed was used instead.

When Chance appeared … I’m a sucker for puppy dogs. Chance adopts Tabitha. Dogs have an instinct that tells them when people need them — even when they don’t know they do.

Unforgiven is a wonderful story. I highly recommend it. And I’ll be looking forward to the next book in this series.

I received a complimentary DRC (digital review copy) of Unforgiven via NetGalley from the publisher, Barbour. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Rating: 5 stars
Series: Rumors in Ross County, #1
Cover: Grabbing. Catches the eye.
Pages: 292
Publish Date: 21 May 2024
#Unforgiven #NetGalley #ShelleyShepardGray

Unforgiven by Shelley Shepard Gray pulled me into the story from the first paragraph. I was very interested in learning more about Seth and Tabitha. Their unique stories were very interesting and I needed to keep reading to learn more. As Shelley Shepard Gray introduced more characters and the story of Lott, Melonie and Bethanne are introduced, the story becomes even more interesting. I liked the theme of forgiveness and courage that was woven throughout the story. I could not put this story down. I enjoy all of Shelley Shepard Gray's stories and this one did not disappoint. It was very good!

The two main characters, Seth Zimmerman and Tabitha Yoder, have an unfortunate part of their lives in common. Both live in semi-isolation from the Amish community where they live. Because of their past choices beyond their control, they have not been shunned but neither are they welcomed by the Amish around them. Seth shows up at Tabitha’s house frequently, chopping wood for her, leaving gifts of groceries and helping out around the house as much as he can. Tabitha is a recluse, rarely leaving the confines of her house since her divorce from the abusive Leon, a choice that has led to her isolation from family and friends. Seth is an ex-con who accidentally killed a man who was attacking another woman, so he is not accepted in the Amish society either. The plot is mesmerizing and totally engaging, with the friendship that the two establish gradually developing into mutual respect and finally love. The title of the book is intriguing, especially since I spent a lot of the time I was reading it thinking that the two were “Unforgiven” by the Amish. There is a deeper reason for the title and I won’t spoil it for you by revealing the hidden meaning. The characters are so realistic and relatable, characters who are caught in the challenges of life and end up victims of their circumstances in more ways than one. I enjoyed getting to know Seth’s heart, what led him to be so kind and compassionate to others. I also liked getting to know the quiet and talented Tabitha who weaves baskets so that she can earn money to live on. The story seems realistic and believable with a pace that is perfect for the story being told. There is a lot of spiritual truth built into the story but it doesn’t overwhelm the tale with preachiness. An entire community is affected when these two find themselves combining efforts to keep Tabitha safe from Leon, newly released from prison and determined to possess what is his. I loved the story, the life lessons and the character development. The entire book is brilliantly written, action packed and addictive. A rich story infused with spiritual truth, “Unforgiven” immersed me in the drama of the story with its intricate plot threads and satisfying conclusion.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley as well as a hard copy from Baker Book House. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

I requested to read and review this book through the Revell Reads program. All thoughts are fully my own and freely given.

I chose to review this book because I have enjoyed reading other books by Shelley Shepard Gray. This book was a bit disappointing. It seemed rather shallow to me. The characters were not fully developed and there wasn't much depth to them.

The storyline was fine. It flowed well and it was something that could have happened. The story kept my interest but seemed to end too quickly.

I give this a solid 3 out of 5-star rating and would recommend it to my friends.

Another Amish romance. This is a favorite genre of mine. I found this to move fairly slowly to start. I liked the idea of the ex-con Amish man and the divorced Amish woman who had been abused by her ex husband. There were some good take away messages throughout.

4.5 stars

I love the way Shelley Shepard Gray writes heroes that appear big and tough on the outside but turn into teddy bears with the people they care about, specifically the woman they love … and Seth Zimmerman is one of my favorites! This ex-con has had my attention since I first met him in another series (though he is a slightly different variation of that character here), but he completely stole my heart in Unforgiven. He was exactly what Tabitha Yoder needed, and she in turn was exactly what he needed too. I absolutely loved watching these two fall in love. Seth on a mission – to protect Tabitha, yes, but also to woo her – is incredibly swoony.

Both Seth and Tabitha are former Amish, now isolated from their community (though not shunned) because of choices they made. Seth, for being an ex-con (after accidentally causing the death of someone who was attacking a friend). Tabitha, for daring to divorce her abusive husband after he took one precious life and nearly took hers, too. That’s another thing I love about Gray’s Amish novels – she never tries to portray the Amish as perfect saints who live in a utopia but as flawed human beings just like the rest of us who are touched by the same things we deal with in the ‘Englisch’ world. The tough topics in Unforgiven are handled with an abundance of grace and lots of heart, tempered with sweet romance and moments of wit, too. Seth and Tabitha are truly good characters with compelling backstories, and the Amish they still interact with are as well. Including Seth’s sister and her new beau, whose perspectives I also enjoyed reading.

Bottom Line: Unforgiven is another heartfelt and layered story from Shelley Shepard Gray with absolutely engaging characters you’ll love right away. Along with the charming romance (plus a bonus), there’s an air of underlying danger and fear that lurks around Tabitha, thanks to her ex-husband, that gives the book a dash of suspense to keep tensions high. The perfect excuse for Seth’s teddy bear heroic side to come out, something which certainly put a grin on my face, but for Tabitha to find her own inner strength as well (which also made me smile). This book really does have it all – including an adorable hund – so make sure you’ve added it to your TBR list!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

"It’s always been my belief that a person can ask others for forgiveness, but the hardest person to grant absolution to is oneself.”

I have read many of Ms. Gray's books and have enjoyed them all. However, this story may be my favorite of hers to date. The book is a bit on the gritty side with an ex-con for a hero and a precious heroine who was once a victim of spousal abuse. With that said, this book offered hope and love. Seth showed his love for Tabitha in various ways. He was being the hands and feet of Jesus by chopping wood, leaving food, and just being there for her. I loved Seth! Tabitha is a precious character who showed she was much stronger than she thought! There is a secondary romance as well! I really enjoyed this book!
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Shelley Shepard Gray brings a unique voice to Amish Fiction that does not shy away from the harsh realities that could happen within the Amish Faith and at the same time does not water down how Christ’s Truth can bring healing to a person’s life. Ms. Gray’s latest release Unforgiven centers around the story of a former Amish and “ex-convict” Seth Zimmerman and, Tabitha Yoder, a former Amish school teacher who is out of the Amish Community because she divorced her abusive husband after he caused her to miscarry their child. Seth has always carried a torch for Tabitha, despite Tabitha being 3 years older. After getting out of prison, Seth took it upon himself to doing basic household chores and to buy groceries at times for Tabitha, regardless of Tabitha being too scared to leave her house. Slowly, Tabitha begins to work through her fears and strikes up a friendship with Seth. As the friendship between Seth and Tabitha blossoms, Tabitha’s worst fear comes to pass.

I have never read a Shelley Shepard Gray book that I did not love and Unforgiven is no different! The characters of Seth and Tabitha are vividly written. I appreciated how Ms. Gray wrote Seth and Tabitha’s story lines because I felt it gave the story grit. I also love how the theme of forgiveness was woven throughout. I love how Seth’s and Tabitha’s approach to forgiveness wasn’t sugarcoated, but was something that was worked through and paced in the story. I love how Seth and Tabitha stood up for what was right and didn’t regret it, regardless of the consequences from the Amish Community. I love how Ms. Gray has the capability to craft a suspenseful read and at the same time make it equal parts an enjoyable read. I love how Seth and Tabitha both came to develop and found a loving relationship with God instead of seeing God as judgmental and disappointed in them. I love how Ms. Gray wrote the story in a way that allowed the characters in Unforgiven to have closure and at the same time allows storylines to continue into other books. If you are looking for an Amish read that is suspenseful and yet gives you the feel goods at the same time, while shining Christ’s Truth, then I highly recommend Unforgiven by Shelley Shepard Gray! I’m looking forward to seeing what Ms. Gray creates next!

Have you read Unforgiven? What did you think of the book? What other books of Ms. Gray’s do you like?

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the complementary copy and opportunity to read this book. Special thanks to Jean for letting me be on Shelley’s Street Team for Unforgiven and for helping me get the information I needed for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My review is also on Amazon, Goodreads, and my blog Leslie's Library Escape.

It has been awhile since I read a book in this genre and this story reminded me of why I love them. The characters are complex and wonderful. There's a sweet romance. The right dose of angst and tension. It's heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once. I will definitely read this author again!

I tend to steer away from Amish stories because they seem to follow a format. I really liked this story because it did not, it takes place in an Amish community but there is suspense, humor, love, danger, a focus on what Amish life is like and what the Englisher world is like. Seth Zimmerman, raised Amish, went to prison for accidentally killing a man while protecting a young woman. Tabitha Yoder, grew up Amish and married an Amish man who almost killed her so she divorced him. This story shows the way the Amish community handles both kinds of issues and the way women are treated and expected to behave. I thought the author did a wonderful job of describing the community and customs of the Amish and their interactions with each other and the Englishers. The side characters are enjoyable to read about too. The main focus was on forgiveness not only of those who harm you but also on forgiving yourself so that you can move forward with your life.

I loved that this story was not just a normal Amish romance. I loved that there was romance and some harder problems that the characters face. I loved Seth and Tabitha. I enjoyed getting to know these wonderful characters as they struggle with forgiveness. I could not put this book down. I received a copy of the book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Unforgiven by Shelley Shepard Gray is the most soul-stirring, emotionally-charged, suspenseful Amish Christian Romance I have ever read. Gray with her gripping prose keeps her readers spellbound as they journey with her characters through this hair-raising story.

Tabitha Yoder, a divorce, and Seth Zimmerman, an ex-con, outcasts of the Amish of Crittenden County Kentucky, but not banned, were the main characters. They were surrounded by a cast of equally strong secondary family member characters and one very evil villain. Tabitha was a victim of abuse by the one person who vowed to love and cherish her. She became a recluse partially because of fear, and partially because of family desertion due to their Amish faith. The only one to come to her aid was Seth who chopped firewood and put it on her porch along with food. After many months Tabitha finally opened the door to thank this man for helping her. Slowly a trusting bond formed between them. Will the bond last and become love, or will the villainous ex-husband seek his long promised revenge?

Unforgiven, which I highly recommend, is the first book I have read by Shelley Shepard Gray. Why, I ask myself, when I so enjoy reading Amish Christian literature, and she has been publishing books since 2008? Unfortunately I do not have an answer, except from here on out I will definitely be reading more books by this marvelous author who writes unforgettable stories.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. I was not obligated to write a favorable review, and all opinions are my own.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
If you like Shelley Shepard Gray’s Amish fiction, you will like this new series by her. Tabitha Yoder is an abused Amish woman who becomes friends with an ex-con, Seth Zimmerman. They are both outcasts in their community who work together to overcome their past.
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series! Many thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#Unforgiven #ShelleyShepardGray #BookLove #NetGalley #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks