Never Forgotten is my first Hannah Linder book and it certainly won’t be my last. I was expecting a sweet quiet regency novel, but instead was thrust into mystery and intrigue and I loved it. From the opening lines I was pulled into the story feeling the deep heartache of the main characters. I was on the edge of my seat watching everything play out and wondering who the reader could trust.

Simon and Georgina are bound in marriage in infancy by their parents. By the time the time they come of age, Simon desires something different than the high society he was born into and certainly not a woman he didn’t choose. He heads off to America where he builds a life from his own hands. He marries and starts raising a family. His wife is murdered leaving him with two young children. He returns to England bent on revenge. Georgina has spent years nursing a secret love for Simon and trying to protect her heart from the abandonment of those who claim to love her. Upon Simon’s return they are continually thrown together and Simon starts to see there is character and strength in Georgina he had never noticed before.

I only wish there had been more faith within the story. For it being a Christian fiction novel there didn’t seem to be a whole lot of faith content. But it was clean, full of suspense, and I did thoroughly enjoy the plot. I voluntarily reviewed a copy from NetGalley and Barbour publishing. No positive review was required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Returning to the England and the family he chose to leave 12 years before, Simon Fancourt is now a widower with two young children. While he has always rejected the social restraints that others have lived by, his desire for justice is now an overwhelming force after the murder of his wife .
Once back home, Simon finds that the decisions he made in the past are not one and done, and the choices he makes going forward will affect his family as well as Georgina Whitmore, his former to-be fiancée and the one whom he abandoned the night he left.
While others wait on Simon to see how their futures will be unfolded, Simon pursues answers for his wife’s murder into more and more dangerous territory.
If he doesn’t realize what is at stake soon enough, the choices will be made for him.

“Never Forgotten” has mystery, suspense, and romance in just the right amounts to keep you on the edge of your seat and hoping everything will work out, before you run out of pages to read.
This story does hit a little harder at the beginning with the death of Simon’s wife, but I feel it was necessary in order to grasp everything that is driving Simon’s decisions in the rest of the story.
I love that while this is a romance, Hannah’s stories delve into more complicated situations and topics. Needless to say, this was a book that I’d read again and definitely suggest to others.

I didn't think it was possible to pick a favorite among Hannah Linder's books... But this may be my favorite so far.

Everything about this story was simply incredible. I loved the dynamic Simon brought to the story and how uniquely crafted he was. I loved his perfect blend of strength and stubbornness along with his art and gentleness. He was exactly what Georgina needed. 💙 And Georgina was a beautifully crafted character as well! Her internal conflict hit in all the right ways and her personality made her a delightful character that I could go on reading about forever. These two might just be my favorite couple Hannah Linder has written yet.

And the mystery... ACK! I'd like to say I had it all figured out but the truth is there were so many aspects that it had my head spinning. 😂 I loved it!! I was still guessing up to the end! It was a very satisfying mix of being able to guess some things while being surprised over a lot too. The best combination for a mystery in my opinion.

And Oswald. Oh my gosh. I need more of him!! Can we please have a book just for him?? I need waaaaay more of Alexander Oswald. ACK!!! I loved him the entire time and how unique his character was. He seriously reminded me of Sherlock Holmes and I absolutely adored it. I would preorder a book with him as the main character in a heart beat!!! (I mean, he does need a happily ever after too, right??)

Ten out of ten recommend this book. A million times over. It was superb! Go get yourself a copy right now!!

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

With a heart-wrenching unrequited love, a lovely second chance romance, a quest for justice, compelling mystery, & faith, Never Forgotten took hold & didn’t let go! Hannah Linder’s one of my all time favorite gothic Regency romance writers. She delivers a new page-turning, suspenseful whodunit that spans Regency England & America’s North Carolina.

Simon Fancourt left England after rejecting his father’s stifling demands for him to marry a woman he didn’t love. Now twelve years later, he returns to England from the woods of North Carolina with his two young children to seek justice for his wife who was brutally murdered by an Englishman. His arrival marks bitter revelations of his father’s death & will which requires him to marry Georgina Whitmore, the beautiful woman he rejected once before, in order to receive his inheritance.

Georgina never got over the abrupt departure of Simon. Though she’s had plenty of suitors, she’s still in love with him all these years later. When Simon arrives in England, newly widowed with two adorable children, her hopes begin anew. But, with Simon’s thirst for justice, & his love of his deceased wife, she refuses to accept his proposal without his love. As they both investigate not one but several murders, Georgina puts her life on the line for Simon & his children. Will Simon finally recognize her true character & the love that’s been there all along?

I loved this story so much! Both Georgiana & Simon have suffered terrible tragedies & have some misconceptions about each other. I loved seeing them explore their relationship now with more maturity & a wealth of experience behind them. Their romance was so bitter sweet & I enjoyed every moment they’re together. Simon’s two children John & Mercy were adorable & I loved Georgina’s relationship with them.

The mystery was filled with twists & turns & had me completely on tenterhooks! Just when I thought I had things figured out, I’d be surprised by a new clue. It’s an exciting, thrilling mystery that definitely kept me guessing.

Highly recommend to gothic mystery & romance fans! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author & publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

If you are expecting a quiet subtle regency romance, this is NOT the book for you. However, if you love regency romance with unrequieted love, Persuasion vibes mixed with murder, mystery, intrique, and all sorts of a-typical events that doesn't normally occur in a regency book then pick this up!

Loved the characters and the heartbreak overall! A solid read. I think I found myself with more questions than answers throughout the book which made the story a bit hard to follow at times (a lot of moving pieces).

Definitely pick this one up but expect an adventure!

Thank you to Netgalley and Barbour Fiction for an advanced copy of this!

This book was full of unlikeable characters, including the two main characters. I was not sure I wanted to finish the book, but the mystery drew me in and I wanted to know the outcome. The fact that there was a happily ever after helped as well.

This book is a roller coaster ride from page one. The story begins on the shores of America with the murder of Simon Fancourt’s wife. Luckily, his children were saved from the savage attack. The search for justice leads Simon back to the past and the life he left behind in England. Once he returns to England, he must face the death of his father, his mother, and the woman he left at the alter twelve years ago. The story is high in suspense, and I will say that I did not know who was behind the murders and other crimes until it was revealed. In the background of the book is a bit of romance and wondering what might have been with Georgina Whitmore. If you enjoy Gothic Style Regency stories, this book is for you. It is truly an adventure.

My thanks to the author and publisher for an early copy of this book. The opinions here are entirely my own. I just reviewed Never Forgotten by Hannah Linder #HannahLinderBooks #NetGalley

This was a beautifully written story about a man trying to escape from society's expectations and a woman who has been abandoned by everyone she has loved. When time and circumstances bring them back to the same circle of influence, they have to make difficult choices, including a hard look at themselves.

This was unexpectedly violent in places - some suggested and some spelled out - but life can be violent in a world with evil men. These are characters you will connect with and care about, solidly grounded in the time period.

I really enjoyed this book.

This is Christian fiction so expect prayer and discussions of faith.

Family friendly.

Never Forgotten by Hannah Linder is another wonderful Christian historical romance set during the Regency era. This book was full of suspense and danger and mystery, with plenty of suspects and suspicious characters to keep the reader guessing exactly what was going on and who was guilty of what.

We first meet Simon Fancourt as a young man who is desperate to get away from his strict, seemingly meaningless life in London, England. He makes his way to America, breaking his engagement to Georgina Whitmore against his father’s demands. The next we see him he comes upon his wife being brutally murdered, finding himself suddenly a widower with two children and desperate for vengeance and truth to be revealed, so he heads back to England where he soon discovers that even though he thought he evaded his father’s demands he was sadly mistaken.

Georgina, who has felt abandoned, now finds herself face to face with the man who left her. But after all this time, she has to figure out if she wants him or not.

Decisions need to be made, but can their relationship ever move beyond that of acquaintances? And at the same time, Simon is desperate to solve the mystery of his wife’s murder, bringing danger upon himself and those he cares about. The author has woven a tangled web that the reader is going to need to have unraveled. And there are twists and turns that I did not see coming that left me in suspense.

There were times I cringed due to the violence, some from the bad guys, but also from Simon who is so bent on revenge that he jumps to conclusions and lashes out. I kept thinking, “um, perhaps he needs to remember that the Lord said vengeance belongs to Him.” I admit I was a bit disappointed at the extent of violence he would bestow as someone who was supposed to be a Christian, and the “good guy.”

Quite the emotional book, and one that will keep the reader flipping or swiping pages to see what is going to happen. Definitely a book I highly recommend. And my favorite by this author so far.

I received an e-copy of this book through NetGalley and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

AHHHH! This book! I couldn't get enough of it! I didn't expect this story line to be what it was, and it surprised me in all the best ways. I was eager to get to my evening reading and hated putting the book down to sleep. This is my second book by Linder and loved every bit of it.

What a great story!

This book kept me turning pages wanting to know what was going to happen, and then melted my heart in the end!

Great characters, touching story!

This. Book. Is. So. Good.
Okay, as soon as I started to read this story I literally couldn’t put it down. I had to read it in the car, while making dinner, in the bath, walking around, and in bed with a migraine- I seriously couldn’t stop reading until I finished. It was that good.
Right away, the beginning of the story just grabbed me and didn’t let go. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen in each of the many adventurous parts of this book. There were several moments I almost cried, because wow, the author sure knows how to pull at the heart strings. At more than one point I was very unsure of how this book was going to end up, there were some really good plot twists that leave you gasping, a bit scared, and wondering what in the world was about to happen. The dual point of view was well done and I enjoyed reading from the two main character’s different perspectives. I also liked how realistic the story was time wise, and that the romantic aspect of it wasn’t rushed which could have made it feel shallow. It was good to get to know the characters and see them grow and progress beyond their original flaws into something much deeper which made their stories more meaningful.
This was the first book of Hannah Linder’s that I’ve read but it absolutely won’t be the last. I think I’ve found another favorite author.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.


Cautions: some violence, several people are murdered

Georgina Whitmore is still not married and the one man she wanted to marry refused the proposal set by their parents. Simon Fancourt could never stand up to his father's wants in life. Having left at a young age for the new America, he swore he'd never cross that sea back home but wife was murdered and the trail is leading back to his home country. When he returns, he finds many things have changed and even though his father has passed, his grip is still steadfast on Simon's life. He finds out that new stipulations have been put into place and if he does not abide, he will lose everything for himself and his mother. Georgina can hardly believe that Simon is back and yet once again she has been put in this predicament of marriage to him, but why does he seem to hate her so. She has only always loved him and has always held out hope for him. Simon can hardly think about marriage, his wife just died! But as Simon races against time to find out the truth of who was sent to murder his wife and the scandal that involves, he must face the truth of his mother losing everything because of his decision. Can he love again? Could he even allow another woman into his life and his kid's lives? It seems Georgina is always the one there when he is in need or trust of another. Will the two of them be able to face the past as well as the future, and together? Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to Barbour books for the offer to read this one. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

4.5 stars

Never Forgotten is a fast-paced read that grabs you right from the first page and delivers on both suspense and romance!

I finished this book in two days (and only because I had to put it down for work and sleep 😁). So many mysterious twists and turns in the story. And secrets—so many secrets! Linder did a great job weaving it all together in a way that kept me turning the pages as quick as I could to find out what happened next.

The character development was top-notch and the hurts Georgina and Simon (and Simon’s children) carry are so relatable and raw. The story doesn’t shy away from trauma and tragedy, but Linder handles it with threads of hope and redemption. And a very satisfying, swoony ending—made even more so because there are moments I wasn’t sure the characters would ever get there!

A great book I would recommend to all readers who enjoy romantic suspense, Regency settings, and themes of faith, redemption, and hope.

Woah! The author did an amazing job of grabbing my attention on the first page and not letting go of it until the end of the book.
There were so many twists and turns. So much suspense, action, danger, and some sweet romance. I was constantly guessing what would happen next.
I loved this book!
This is the second book I have read by this author and I definitely want to read more! She writes in such a captivating way. I am able to feel alongside her characters and picture everything so vividly.
I am excited to continue reading more by her!
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts expressed are strictly my own*

Another haunting story by Hannah Linder, that follows Georgina Whitmore and her unrequited love for Simon Fancourt. Twelve years earlier, Georgina and Simon were to wed, an arrangement by their fathers. Yet Simon disappeared, only to return after the horrific death of his wife, Ruth. Returning to his family estate with his two young children, he discovers that his late father’s will requires him to still marry Georgina. Whilst Georgina has never stopped loving Simon, she denies his proposal of marriage as she would rather lose him again than have his indifference. When Simon’s life is threatened, Georgina risks her life and reputation to protect him and his children, only to find herself drawn into the danger. For Simon, Georgina is not the person that he had always believed her to be.
The elegance to this story is apparent from all the thought-provoking quotes that I highlighted as I read. The mixture of mystery with this love story, held me captivated, whilst the suspense had me racing to finish. Whilst both characters had faced tragedy, I loved seeing them drawn to each other. I also found the secondary characters quite fascinating. Linder has cleverly interwoven each character into the plot, such that they are an essential component, yet did not overtake those of Simon and Georgina. The character of Oswald would be one that I would like to see reappear in another book. An amazing read!
This book I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Never Forgotten is a page turning gothic romance set in England and in America during the early 1800s. I absolutely loved the story. The characters are well developed and the children, John and Mercy stole my heart. Simon Fancourt is a man on a mission of revenge, but also a man who loves with all his being. Miss Whitmore with an unrequited love from her teenage years still loves Simon. With mysteries to be solved, and love to be kindled, this book is a 5 star read for me.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, and this is my honest opinion.

Never Forgotten is full of drama and intrigue. I was kept guessing until the end as far as who the villain could be. The story started off with a suspenseful scene, followed by a while of Simon traveling back to England and setting up the story there, but once the suspense started back up, with him closing in on the bad guys, it didn't let up, and I found myself turning pages late into the night. I was glad Simon and Georgina ended up together. Both characters had a good arc, and ended up learning and growing throughout the story.

Romantic suspense set in the Regency Era is Hannah Linder's specialty, and Never Forgotten is a wonderful example of her expertise in this genre. Not only does the story build sympathy for Simon Faircourt and his children for the loss of his wife and their mother, and for Georgina Whitmore and her many losses, but also for Alexander Oswald even when it isn't clear if he is a good guy or a bad guy, something that is not soon revealed. There are several key questions that arise in this story, and the pursuit of an answer will become the reader's passion as Linder tosses one surprise after another at them.

I highly recommend Never Forgotten and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Powerful story! The story not only has a love story, but it has so many secrets that must come out. The characters face themselves, both positives and negatives, and grow from their experiences. Such a powerful, feel good story...