Unforgettable

An Alessi Brother #1

by Sonia Stanizzo

Harper

Nine years ago, I ended a relationship with the love of my life, Finn Alessi, to marry another man, for all the wrong reasons.
And now my husband is dead and I’m free.
But I expected my freedom to taste a lot sweeter; right now it smells like landfill with a hint of hotdogs.
Homeless, jobless, and penniless, I’m desperate. Which is how I ended up working at Alessi Fashion with Finn as my boss.
I have nine years of lies to explain; I long for us to go back to the way we were and for a while I think we have a chance.
But lies have sharp edges and right now they are threatening to destroy our happiness.

Finn

Nine years ago the love of my life left me, but I’m over it. I mean, I didn’t run to London, so I can avoid bumping into her; I left for work. And I don’t actively seek out women who look just like her; that’s just a coincidence.
But now I’m back in New York and I’m sure I’ve just seen someone who looks like her in my building, but she wouldn’t dare apply for a job in the fashion house I run. Would she?
Harper Madden is unforgettable, but I can’t forget the lies—no matter how hard I tried. And what I can’t forgive is that those lies keep coming.
When I let the past cloud my decisions, I lose the woman I love again , leaving me wondering if her love for me was ever real or if I have just made the biggest mistake of my life.

Genres: Second Chance, Romance, Workplace Romance

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 19, 2023

About the author

Sonia Stanizzo is a contemporary romance writer who lives in the beautiful South Coast of New South Wales with her childhood sweetheart/husband and their three children. When she’s not dreaming up stories about couples and their road to finding love, sometimes bumpy but always a lot of fun, she can be found taking pole dancing lessons, reading, and writing.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harper and Finn have a history and lots of angst—betrayal that goes one way and then the other. Whiffs of way-too-powerful men and their hench-persons add texture to the mix.

But I just loved them both, despite their somewhat unreal (even for romance) situation. She crushed him, and now she's back? No wonder he is resentful and angry and confused and still in love. She lands with nothing at his company after her roommate doctors her resume, still in love and scared of him and his family. She knows things but can't tell. Classic for an abused woman who has been isolated for years--she has been afraid of everything. But fate and love always win in the end--the hope that romance gives us all is there.

I received an advance review copy for free and left this review voluntarily.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

if bare minimum were a guy it’d be Finn Alessi

I felt no swoon nor tingle. Says he trusted her then accuses her of an affair. Finn lowkey kinda of inherited his despicable father’s qualities having slept with a “dozens” women while proclaiming so-called “love” for one person. Hard to believe in whatever live he had to give at that point.

Also the excessive use of exclamation points in Harper’s point of view chapters really portrayed her out to be like a teenager instead of a fully grown adult. Which by the speedy rate of her taking back Finn kinda of goes to show how naive and desperate she is. Her love was bought back (via the purchase of her family cabin) so in a way Finn’s dad was kinda right in his assumption she was with him for his money.

[Cinta · Rating 4 out of 5]

UNFORGETTABLE – SONIA STANIZZO

ARC REVIEW

After Harper's old husband died, she and Finn finally meet after 9 years appart. When they collide to each other, the sparks between them still didn't fade. Beacuse both of them can not move on from their unforgettable past.

I really enjoyed this book, it was easy read, the plot is fast and summarized without beating around the bush.

There is betrayal trope that make this story more angsty. This book is about how to deal with your past life and start a new begining and trusting someone you love. Harper is a tough woman, she love everyone around her easily even though she’s still overshadowed by her past relationship.

I could understand Finn’s feeling for having trust issue but sometimes I don’t like his behaviour. And there's a part where one of the characters disappears without explanation in the middle of the dialogue but that’s not a problem. It’s relaxing to read this story. Also the plot twist was unexpected, and the epilog was so beautiful.

4,3 / 5 ⭐
3/5 🌶 (the spice shockingly so good!)


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amanda Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC, this is my first time reading this author, but it won’t be the last.

This is a solid second chance romance story. It’s well written and a quick read. I enjoyed the chemistry between Finn and Harper as the story progressed and their spice was exactly right. I did find myself drawn more to the side characters than the main and I’m excited to see Alyssa’s story. Juliette was also dynamic and interesting which helped build the story.

The only thing that kept it from being a five star read for me was believability. The FMC character traits didn’t fit with someone who has her background. The lack of life skills, no networking, no contacts. The way she can’t handle Bianca when she came from a world of wealthy greedy women gave me pause. I also don’t particularly like the jump to conclusions trope myself so having it happen three times in the same novel was not my personal favorite.

Aside from those minor things, I truly enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading the next in the series.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finn and Harper, what a battle these two had to get together. Ms. Stanizzo writes a great story and this one was epic. Together when they were younger, Finn and Harper believed they'd be together forever, but circumstances took her unwillingly in another direction. Nine years later and desperate for a job, Harper ends up employed at Finn's company and thrust back into his life. Her love for him has never dimmed but the hate and anger he confronts her with may never be overcome.
What follows is a hard to put down tale of two people who long to be together but find trust hard to give and receive. Getting them to their happy ending was a roller coaster of emotions, the lows of the mistrusting of perceived wrongdoings and betrayals, the highs of steamy hot love scenes as the chemistry between them sparked off the pages, but overall, an enjoyable story about a great couple who should always have been together.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unputdownable.

The story of Harper and Finn is maddening at times, but equally fulfilling and sweet. They’ve both been hurt and, as always, the past is a difficult foe; however, time and time again they end up together.

I have to admit to being a little frustrated initially. This story begins slowly and almost reads like a diary. But when Harper begins working at Alessi Fashion, things heat up quickly. The drama! Although Finn questioning Harper is frustrating, it is absolutely understandable. Meanwhile, her desire to just start over is naive, but endearing.

I really enjoyed this book. In fact, it is now 3:30 am and I have been sitting in the same chair reading for hours. Definitely unputdownable and the uplifting read I needed!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Claire Blanche · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not have enough words for this book!!
honestly within the first few pages I had the biggest rush of emotions. I  instantly connected  with Harper, her story was soo heartbreaking and I just wanted help her.
when we meet Finn it's clear that  he was hurt by his past with Harper, this story takes a few twists and turns and  a few  times I wondered if these two would ever get a chance at happiness.. The connection  between Harper and Finn was undeniable  and I was completely lost to thier story. I could not put this book down !
this is a beautiful  second chance romance I think it has some triggers some themes are a bit darker so just be aware going in. it was packed with some very smexy spice .
and left me with all the feels and super excited for the next book from Sonia.

[Terri Zumbrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give me a second chance love story that follows years of tormented longing while our couple is apart, and I am happy.

UNFORGETTABLE brings the story a step further by taking place in the world of high fashion. Secrets, lies, jealousy, betrayal and misplaced trust make this story a page turner. I also liked that while Finn and Harper had many times of passion, we get our steamy encounters, but not all of them had to have all the details.

I really enjoyed the book and the extended epilogue that sets up the next story with one of Finn’s brothers.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Is a beautiful beach read or weekend escape. There's really nothing particularly earth shattering here. The story is as old as writing. I suppose you could sum it all up with "failure to communicate." She leaves the man she loves and marries a man she hates because she is being blackmailed. When he does, she's practically penniless with nowhere to turn. Of course, the man she really loves is still in love with her,but he doesn't trust her because he doesn't know why she did what she did. So the story is one of communication and trust and wondering if those can be restored.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! love Harper and Finn.. this is their story.. a fast paced heartbreaking drama... can you forgive yourself ,if you broke not only your heart but , the love of your life's heart ? do you deserve a second chance to make it right ? can you forgive yourself for believing those lies and losing the love of your life ? not once but , twice ? and not trying to to get back together ? it all comes down to lies... they are so believable and yet... this is their story... full of longing and heart break... if this doesn't make you cry ? I don't know what will !!! so good !!!
received this on an ARC, my honest review...

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Alessi Brothers series. I thought the premise was a unique take and I liked how it was set up. I appreciated the FMC’s story. This book did a great job building excitement for the rest of the series.

I found the MMC to be one dimensional and unmoving. I also thought the 3rd act drama was bizarre and out of left field when there was clear progression for drama. It definitely threw me off and achieved some suspense. I thought it wrapped up too quickly and didn’t have the depth I was hoping for.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 in Stanizzo's new series An Alessi Brother novel and our main characters are Harper and Finn. Broken by the past these two find it's hard to overcome past hurts. A bit slow to start for me but once it grabbed me, I couldn't stop. A great escape into these characters lives with secrets and betrayals. Great chemistry and emotions. Great growth and development - a well written romance with a smooth flowing, easy to follow storyline. Such a great escape and I'm definitely looking forward to more!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[…Welcome to My World &#x1f30e.. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book! Finn and Harper have been through so much together..because of huge misunderstandings, rotten people and obstacles thrown in their path, they aren’t able to be together. They reunite when Harper ends up working at his company. When secrets are revealed eyes are opened and hearts are healed and broken at the same time. This book was filled with laughter, steam, angst and so much more. I definitely recommend this book.

I received an ARC copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unforgettable by Sonia Stanizzo is a good, and enjoyable first love second chance enemies to lovers romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. This is an entertaining read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lisa Cortez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

A book about a girl who Is blackmailed into marrying a man she doesn't love only to leave her real love behind. 9 years later he dies and leaves her nothing. She gets a job where her ex is owner because she has no choice but when he sees her sparks are still there. Will they fall in love again

[Kirstie Ibrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great second chance story. It flowed so well making it an easy and enjoyable read. I loved the characters and the fashion scene along with the traumatic background that Finn will learn about Harper. Sometimes things are not as they seem.

[Kendall Rubel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt the book was very moving and it brought tears in my eyes and i enjoyed it very much even though it took time for me to read it but i wanted to read it slowly and very much to understand what the author was expressing through her words in the characters. So overall, liked it.

[Liana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a rollercoaster, they were so near yet so far to many secrets between them. Can Finn forgive her or will he listen to everyone else and keep her at arms length. Great book couldn’t put it down

[Elizabeth Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original review can be found at: http://www.nerdprobs.com/books/book-r...

**A copy of this book was provided free from the author in exchange for an honest review.**

When the author approached me to read the next book that she has written I squealed. I always love when she writes new things because I know that they will be amazing and just what I need. So I couldn’t contain my excitement and read it before some of the other books that I should be reading first.

Harper was trapped in a loveless marriage. She is over the moon over as she is burying her husband. He blackmailed her into marrying her. Even though she was in a loving and happy relationship. She married him to save her family and her true love. Now that he is gone and her controlling lifestyle. She gets a bombshell dropped on her at the will reading and is forced to go back into the workforce for the first time since her marriage. Her job however is at her true-loves fashion house. Sparks fly when they meet for the first time in years. Oh man when this book was steamy it was steamy. I finished it at work and was like I swear people know what I am reading without me even saying anything, I am sure I was getting hot around the collar. I loved the easy way the two main characters fell into their easy banter so quickly even when they were well he was angry at her.

I thought that this book even in a romance brought attention to spousal abuse even though it didn’t seem to be physical it was still verbally and mentally abusive. It is often not something that is frequently talked about or if it is not in many of the books that I read. Only, thing that irked me and it wasn’t even an irk that she moved on so quickly. I understand that her relationship was one of blackmail and stuff, and I know she had her entire marriage to come to terms with everything but it still seemed like wham bam thank you and she was moving on. I know that I can’t speak because I have never been in that situation. I loved the main male character, Finn. He was handed an interesting thing and handled it with aplomb and seemed to believe her and didn’t require proof. I just hate how he almost ruined their true love twice with his hot head. I can’t wait to read more books, I hope we get the next two brothers’ books because it seems like they need their own. hint hint wink wink

[lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would read again.