Another great book by Shelley Shepard Gray. Such an exceptional writer, she definitely draws you in from page 1. Written around messages of faith, forgiveness and second chances, it is a subtle reminder to us all that God is always willing to forgive even though as humans, we struggle with this daily-especially if we are hurt by ones we love. I always look forward to reading Shelley’s book and you will enjoy this one for sure. I highly recommend it.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. All words are my own.

Amazing read…Shelly Shepard Gray has done it again. I was so drawn it this story I couldn’t put it down. Will the characters over come there past to find a future together.

Unforgiven by Shelley Shepard Gray is the story of two former Amish outcasts. Seth Zimmerman spent two years in prison for fighting with a man who was going to rape a girl, accidentally causing his death. Tabitha Yoder divorced her abusive husband after landing in the hospital and is afraid to go out of her house. As Seth continues to do things to help Tabitha out, Tabitha begins coming out of her shell, and a fragile friendship is formed. But when signs of Tabitha's ex-husband being nearby begin to show up, will Tabitha continue to trust Seth?

I very much enjoyed this story. There are definitely some edge-of-your-seat moments in it, as well as tender scenes. If you like a good Amish read with some romance and mystery in it, this is the book for you!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Revell for an advanced e-pub of this book.

All opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.

#Unforgiven #NetGalley

Unforgiven was an emotional and compelling story that I did not want to set down! The author dealt with some heavy topics, including domestic abuse. It was hard to read about what happened to Tabitha with all that she went through and all that she lost, yet the author handled the subject well.

The two main characters in this story, Tabitha and Seth, are what you could call Amish adjacent, I suppose. They are both formerly Amish. They both still live near their Amish community yet are not Amish anymore and both live under a cloud of judgment from their former friends and family.

I thought that the author did a wonderful job of showing the internal struggles that both of these characters had faced over the years since the events that changed their lives. The reality was that even though there were things they regretted from their pasts, they both realized that despite their community’s judgment, they knew that they were forgiven by God and that certain actions they took were necessary, no matter what the community thought.

I loved seeing the way Seth and Tabitha connected and the way she grew to trust him. Seth was such a good man and I loved getting to read his story. This is the first book in a brand new series and you don’t have to read any books before it to understand the story. However, if you do want to read a couple of books that have Seth as a side character, you could pick up the Rumors in Ross County series and get a few more scenes with this formerly Amish ex-con.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I love reading a book cover to cover. When reading the authors notes for this book, (this time I read them ahead of time), she talked about how Seth’s story was a continuation of The Rumors in Ross County series. Because I loved this book so much, I am now reading that series as well. I originally picked up this book because of the back cover blurb but I could not put it down because I entered into the lives of Tabitha, Seth, Melonie, and Lott. I could see the characters points of view from both the parents of the young adults as well as the young adults feelings. The author did a great job of letting us see into the hearts of all generations and the tough decisions that had to be made, whether or not their hearts agreed. I absolutely loved Seths initial conversation with Lott. Oh to be able to speak truth in love that way. Not my gift but one I admire. The author did a great job of showing the vulnerability of the characters while also showcasing their strengths. Excellent book. I hope this is not a standalone but that there will be more to this community and these families.

I was given this book as a complimentary copy but was not required to write a review.

Readers who enjoy Amish fiction will love this story. Trust and forgiveness is a major part of this heartfelt story set in Kentucky. Both Tabitha and Seth has had a hard life. Tabitha, abused by her ex husband to the point of almost death and ignored by her Amish community because of the divorce has a hard time trusting. Seth, after accidentally killing a man caught forcing himself on a woman, finds it hard to forgive himself. Together will they find the path to trust and forgiveness? Highly recommended! Looking forward to the next in the series.

What a satisfyingly wonderful book this is. I live in Amish country and have always been fascinated with the culture. The divide between the devout Amish and others is interesting and this book shows we are all people, all flawed, and all worth God’s grace.

Seth is a person you can’t help loving. He may be an ex con but he’s kind, generous, and humble. He’s taken a bad experience and turned it to the good. I felt his love for Tabitha, and others through his actions. He was pivotal to the story.

Seth’s interactions with each person in the book encouraged me to be a better person. Despite his troubles, his past, his own insecurities, his focus was not on self, but rather others and God. He was a well thought out character.

This book is one I highly recommend. I was given a copy courtesy of Revell through NetGalley and Interviews and Reviews. This is my honest opinion of the book.

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I really enjoyed this book. It was a sweet romance story along with some suspense. What I do enjoy about this author as that she can have a main character in a story and bring other people's lives into it without making it confusing and it all comes together nicely. I am looking forward to the next book in this series to continue to hear about all of their lives

I was really hoping that Seth would get his story. I really liked his character in the other books. I was glad to understand the reason he went to prison. I liked the story but I didn't love it. I don't know if I can really put a finger on it why. I think Seth was way nicer than anyone I know. If you like this author, you will enjoy this book. I have loved some and not loved some. This one was good. It is worth the read, especially if you have read the books in the Rumors in Ross County series.

Unforgiven is a story that pulls on the heartstrings, a story of two wounded people who are outcasts from the Amish community. Tabitha Yoder was the victim of spousal abuse. She did the unthinkable of the Amish and divorced her husband. Seth Zimmerman defended a young Amish woman against an attack of another Amish man. In the fight, the man fell, hit his head on a rock and died. Seth went to prison for saving her. Seth has had a crush on Tabitha since she taught school as a seventeen-year-old. Tabitha won't leave her home and Seth does small things for her., like cuts firewood, brings her food, and she watches from her window. Seth is avoided by the community and even his parents won't have much to do with him. But God sees them and loves them. Theirs is a tender relationship that develops slowly and cautiously. It takes a tragic event for others to see them as they should. Sometimes, we need to forgive ourselves even if others do and both have to accept grace already given. Lovely and heartwarming story. A side story is one with Seth's sister and her special young man as they become close.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.

Shelley Shepard Gray never disappoints. Gray's books give us real life characters and completely realistic scenarios. The difference between Gray's book and other stories from the same genre is I feel like I'm constantly holding my breath while reading one of her books. She has the gift of anticipation and normalcy all in one scene. Unforgiven isn't just the title. It is what the story is about. From domestic abuse to unfair conviction that results in a prison sentence, Unforgiven has some storylines that are upsetting. But, within the larger parts of the story, Shepard also reminds the reader that family and friends need to be forgiven and to forgive. I think what I'm trying to convey is that Shepherd makes me feel like if we go through life unforgiven and unforgiving we will have a difficult time finding happiness. The story she weaves in Unforgiven dramatizes how a simple life can be changed by forgiveness.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from Netgalley.

A cozy, suspense read by Shelley Shepard Gray. We meet Seth in another series so it was interesting to see how his life has gone. He is an ex-con and the FMC is DV Victim. Overall, an enjoyable cozy read.

While I enjoy reading the typical Amish romance, I love reading one that is different. Neither Tabitha nor Seth are shunned but they also are not accepted by the Amish community. Seth is an ex-con who served time for accidently killing a man while protecting a woman. Tabitha lives a very isolated life and doesn't easily trust people anymore.. While she has observed Seth quietly helping around her house, she only peeked through the curtains when he was there. Her gratitude and her curiosity help her open the door one day. I received a free copy of this ebook through the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I love how Seth is so giving to Tabitha and able to start gaining her trust and help her build her self-confidence. I enjoy seeing their relationship develop. I also like how Seth tried to protect her from the growing threat of her ex-husband. I found Tabitha very sweet and very capable in taking care of herself. It's a wonderful story.

Unforgiven
by Shelley Shephard Gray
Pub Date: May 21, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
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.
Two innocent outcasts find each other, well it is more like reunite! A teacher and a student, but now they are adults and really only three years apart in age.

Certain rules are not to be broken and these outcasts did, but what would we do under the same circumstances?

I enjoyed how this story played out and recommend it for readers who enjoy amish fiction/suspense.

5 stars

“Unforgiven” by Shelley Shepard Gray
Forgiveness Heals (the forgiver)
Amazingly for me this was an easy read although dealing with serious divisive events. Oh, I empathized with the those caught in the aftermath of … Oh, I just don’t know how to word this so as to reflect just how I felt while reading this story (and still feel) without possibly leaving behind a spoiler or two or three. If you let it; this story will give opportunities to some serious contemplation of how you, honestly, would handle being in the shoes of each of the characters. Sometimes being unforgiving is all too easy. I think this would make a good book club selection. I am looking forward to reading more stories set in this community. A Worthy Read ! Happy Reading ! !
Note: This review expresses my honest opinion.

This is a really good book by Shelley Shepard Gray. This story is about forgiveness, love, second chances and God's grace. Seth and Tabitha have both had struggles in their lives that eventually bring them together. Forgiveness comes in many ways, but the ultimate forgiveness is being able to forgive yourself. That's the hardest thing for most people to do. God tells us to love ourselves. God gives us grace everyday and always forgives us if we ask Him to. We are not "Unforgiven". We are forgiven. I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

I forgiven is a well written Amish romance. I throughly enjoyed the plot and the character dynamics. Ms. Gray has written another fantastic book. My thanks to Netgalley for my advance book. This is my unbiased review.

This is a powerful book about the choices we make and the consequences that come. I really enjoyed a lot of the characters in this book especially Seth and Tabitha. They both have been through so much in life but continue to press on. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

Heart-wrenching

Although Unforgiven is totally heart-wrenching, it also includes deep messages of love, faith, forgiveness, healing, and second chances. There is so much that drew me in from the start and did not let me go until the very last page. Author Shelley Shepard Gray has masterfully written a story that includes some delicate subjects, which deeply touched my heart. She also describes the characters in a special way that connects the reader to them and makes you feel as if you know them personally.

Tabitha had been through a very difficult situation, which made her close herself off and become a complete recluse. Seth had also been through some very tough times. But instead of making him a recluse, it made him seek ways to help the vulnerable, which included Tabitha. 
Eventually, a friendship slowly began developing between the two. Situations that had put both of them somewhat as outsiders in the community, in a sense, helped their friendship grow. As it did, doubts came in as well as an unexpected return from the past. How Tabitha and Seth worked through it all kept me on the edge of my seat and turning pages as fast as I could. And in the end, I was left saying, "Wow! That was awesome!"

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy. All comments and opinions are voluntary and completely my own.

Unforgiven by Shelley Shepard Gray is a story that draws you in. It starts off slow, but it arouses your curiosity about Seth Zimmerman and Tabitha Yoder. The story is well-written. The characters are developed and realistic. The secondary characters add additional depth to the story. Seth’s sister, Melonie added humor. She is a nosy parker. Unforgiven is an emotional tale (have a box of tissues nearby). Seth and Tabitha have both faced challenges. Tabitha is on edge wondering if the danger from her past has found her. The main themes in Unforgiven are trust, guilt, and forgiveness. It is hard to trust after you have been severely hurt. Time and patience are required by both parties. It is hard to forgive someone that has wronged you (I struggle with this one myself) and it is even more challenging to forgive yourself. Of course, God is always ready to forgive us (we just have to ask). The story reminds us that that God is always with us (we are not alone). Unforgiven is one of those stories that will linger with you long after you finish it.