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Forgive Me
In this fast-paced sequel to the novel Dream Girl Awakened , five characters come to grips with their pasts amidst broken friendships, infidelity, grief, and loss.
Aruba Dixon has hit rock bottom. After two years of marriage, her second husband has died of Lou Gehrig’s disease, and she finds herself wanting to end it all. A botched suicide attempt makes her parents reach out to her ex-husband, James, for assistance. Up until that late-night phone call, James is living the golden life of success and wealth, but now everything is about to spin out of control.
Meanwhile, Tawatha Gibson is grateful for the chance to be free again. After serving five years in prison, she is released on a technicality. Though shunned from those she loves most, Tawatha clings to the dream that she will be given another chance to start anew. But when her daughter, Aunjanue, learns about her release from prison, she’s not sure she can celebrate her mother’s freedom, let alone forgive her.
Then there’s Victoria Faulk, who struggles with forgiving and forgetting. After a messy divorce, she wrestles with feelings of inadequacy and doubt. When her new beau, Emory Wilkerson, proposes in front of family and friends, she knows she’ll never be happy until she forgives the one person who hurt her—her old “friend” Aruba Dixon.
As the events unfold around the lives of these women, they face the challenge of letting go of the past and building new bonds. Will they come full circle and learn to move on, or will their past mistakes follow them forever?
Aruba Dixon has hit rock bottom. After two years of marriage, her second husband has died of Lou Gehrig’s disease, and she finds herself wanting to end it all. A botched suicide attempt makes her parents reach out to her ex-husband, James, for assistance. Up until that late-night phone call, James is living the golden life of success and wealth, but now everything is about to spin out of control.
Meanwhile, Tawatha Gibson is grateful for the chance to be free again. After serving five years in prison, she is released on a technicality. Though shunned from those she loves most, Tawatha clings to the dream that she will be given another chance to start anew. But when her daughter, Aunjanue, learns about her release from prison, she’s not sure she can celebrate her mother’s freedom, let alone forgive her.
Then there’s Victoria Faulk, who struggles with forgiving and forgetting. After a messy divorce, she wrestles with feelings of inadequacy and doubt. When her new beau, Emory Wilkerson, proposes in front of family and friends, she knows she’ll never be happy until she forgives the one person who hurt her—her old “friend” Aruba Dixon.
As the events unfold around the lives of these women, they face the challenge of letting go of the past and building new bonds. Will they come full circle and learn to move on, or will their past mistakes follow them forever?
336 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2014
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80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 3, 2016
Years have passed and so much has changed in the lives of Aruba, James, Victoria, Winston, Tawatha and their friends.
Aruba is on the mend after tragedy has struck too close to home for comfort. Knowing that she’d need more familial support than her life in California could offer, she makes her way back to Georgia. A once flourishing, thriving, beautiful, successful woman, Aruba has been reduced to being a tenant in the dark world of depression.
After losing his family and hitting financial rock bottom, James has finally manned up and become the person Aruba always knew he could be. Too bad he was a day late and a dollar short. He has everything a man could ever want, except the woman who holds his heartstrings.
On a technicality, Tawatha has been released from prison for the horrendous murder of her children. Now is the time to show her estranged family, friends and herself just how far she’s come at making changes in her life.
Victoria is a whole new woman. Changed in ways that only deep hurt can bring, she’s nothing like the selfish, narcissistic, mean woman of yesteryear. Now if she can only lay the past to rest and allow the demons to rest once and for all, she just may find a second chance at happiness.
Aunjanue has grown up to be a beautiful, intelligent, gifted young lady, despite all the trauma she’s lived through in her young age. All is going well for when her mother is released from prison. This sends her entire life spiraling.
There was so much going on in this story in a very good way. I love the depth of the characters, their growth, their frailties and humanness. I love that Stacy Campbell is not afraid to delve into deep issues in her writing and allows her characters to mature. This was a much more emotional story than the first to me, because even in the midst of life going well, sometimes curveballs still spring up to blindside us, reminding us that we are all only human, doing the very best we can at any given time. Characters that had me giving a virtual side eye in book one have garnered my empathy and support in the sequel. Campbell’s characters are so real, they feel like people we see every day. She understands the importance of adding the little details, nuances, thoughts of the characters, and visuals that transports a reader right into the heart of the story, making one feel as if they are walking along story inside the pages of the book. Well done!
Aruba is on the mend after tragedy has struck too close to home for comfort. Knowing that she’d need more familial support than her life in California could offer, she makes her way back to Georgia. A once flourishing, thriving, beautiful, successful woman, Aruba has been reduced to being a tenant in the dark world of depression.
After losing his family and hitting financial rock bottom, James has finally manned up and become the person Aruba always knew he could be. Too bad he was a day late and a dollar short. He has everything a man could ever want, except the woman who holds his heartstrings.
On a technicality, Tawatha has been released from prison for the horrendous murder of her children. Now is the time to show her estranged family, friends and herself just how far she’s come at making changes in her life.
Victoria is a whole new woman. Changed in ways that only deep hurt can bring, she’s nothing like the selfish, narcissistic, mean woman of yesteryear. Now if she can only lay the past to rest and allow the demons to rest once and for all, she just may find a second chance at happiness.
Aunjanue has grown up to be a beautiful, intelligent, gifted young lady, despite all the trauma she’s lived through in her young age. All is going well for when her mother is released from prison. This sends her entire life spiraling.
There was so much going on in this story in a very good way. I love the depth of the characters, their growth, their frailties and humanness. I love that Stacy Campbell is not afraid to delve into deep issues in her writing and allows her characters to mature. This was a much more emotional story than the first to me, because even in the midst of life going well, sometimes curveballs still spring up to blindside us, reminding us that we are all only human, doing the very best we can at any given time. Characters that had me giving a virtual side eye in book one have garnered my empathy and support in the sequel. Campbell’s characters are so real, they feel like people we see every day. She understands the importance of adding the little details, nuances, thoughts of the characters, and visuals that transports a reader right into the heart of the story, making one feel as if they are walking along story inside the pages of the book. Well done!
May 30, 2017
Once again Stacy Campbell has shown when life gives you lemons you can make lemonade, a cake and some cookies! This read really took in a lot of life choices and showed the consequences. We all have to be accountable for our actions, but for the grace we can all overcome our obstacles! Thank you Stacy Campbell for this inspiring read! Everybody please check out Dream Girl Awakened and Forgive Me. You won't be disappointed!!
January 27, 2020
Worse book I’ve ever read. To many characters to keep up with all the names they keep throwing at you. The back and forth between his story her story I hated but I kept reading hoping that this book would get better and it didn’t. What a waste of time....
September 3, 2016
Forgive Me by Stacy Campbell
Years have passed and so much has changed in the lives of Aruba, James, Victoria, Winston, Tawatha and their friends.
Aruba is on the mend after tragedy has struck too close to home for comfort. Knowing that she’d need more familial support than her life in California could offer, she makes her way back to Georgia. A once flourishing, thriving, beautiful, successful woman, Aruba has been reduced to being a tenant in the dark world of depression.
After losing his family and hitting financial rock bottom, James has finally manned up and become the person Aruba always knew he could be. Too bad he was a day late and a dollar short. He has everything a man could ever want, except the woman who holds his heartstrings.
On a technicality, Tawatha has been released from prison for the horrendous murder of her children. Now is the time to show her estranged family, friends and herself just how far she’s come at making changes in her life.
Victoria is a whole new woman. Changed in ways that only deep hurt can bring, she’s nothing like the selfish, narcissistic, mean woman of yesteryear. Now if she can only lay the past to rest and allow the demons to rest once and for all, she just may find a second chance at happiness.
Aunjanue has grown up to be a beautiful, intelligent, gifted young lady, despite all the trauma she’s lived through in her young age. All is going well for when her mother is released from prison. This sends her entire life spiraling.
There was so much going on in this story in a very good way. I love the depth of the characters, their growth, their frailties and humanness. I love that Stacy Campbell is not afraid to delve into deep issues in her writing and allows her characters to mature. This was a much more emotional story than the first to me, because even in the midst of life going well, sometimes curveballs still spring up to blindside us, reminding us that we are all only human, doing the very best we can at any given time. Characters that had me giving a virtual side eye in book one have garnered my empathy and support in the sequel. Campbell’s characters are so real, they feel like people we see every day. She understands the importance of adding the little details, nuances, thoughts of the characters, and visuals that transports a reader right into the heart of the story, making one feel as if they are walking along story inside the pages of the book. Well done!
5 star
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Reviewed by, Tumika Patrice Cain
Years have passed and so much has changed in the lives of Aruba, James, Victoria, Winston, Tawatha and their friends.
Aruba is on the mend after tragedy has struck too close to home for comfort. Knowing that she’d need more familial support than her life in California could offer, she makes her way back to Georgia. A once flourishing, thriving, beautiful, successful woman, Aruba has been reduced to being a tenant in the dark world of depression.
After losing his family and hitting financial rock bottom, James has finally manned up and become the person Aruba always knew he could be. Too bad he was a day late and a dollar short. He has everything a man could ever want, except the woman who holds his heartstrings.
On a technicality, Tawatha has been released from prison for the horrendous murder of her children. Now is the time to show her estranged family, friends and herself just how far she’s come at making changes in her life.
Victoria is a whole new woman. Changed in ways that only deep hurt can bring, she’s nothing like the selfish, narcissistic, mean woman of yesteryear. Now if she can only lay the past to rest and allow the demons to rest once and for all, she just may find a second chance at happiness.
Aunjanue has grown up to be a beautiful, intelligent, gifted young lady, despite all the trauma she’s lived through in her young age. All is going well for when her mother is released from prison. This sends her entire life spiraling.
There was so much going on in this story in a very good way. I love the depth of the characters, their growth, their frailties and humanness. I love that Stacy Campbell is not afraid to delve into deep issues in her writing and allows her characters to mature. This was a much more emotional story than the first to me, because even in the midst of life going well, sometimes curveballs still spring up to blindside us, reminding us that we are all only human, doing the very best we can at any given time. Characters that had me giving a virtual side eye in book one have garnered my empathy and support in the sequel. Campbell’s characters are so real, they feel like people we see every day. She understands the importance of adding the little details, nuances, thoughts of the characters, and visuals that transports a reader right into the heart of the story, making one feel as if they are walking along story inside the pages of the book. Well done!
5 star
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Reviewed by, Tumika Patrice Cain
February 12, 2014
Well...in the last book...just before the end, I'd made up in my mind that Aruba was a "villain" of sorts and I didn't want to cheer for her. Well, in this one, poor thing...she feels like her life is over and decides that she wants to end it. Her parents are doing all they can but when she tries to take her life, they reluctantly reach out to her ex -- James. I thought it was best for Jeremiah too and I was a little miffed at Aurba's mom, Darnella, for being so mean about it!
James has gotten himself together and is successfully running a dream business venture. He's still seeing Shandy...but he wonders if he is really into it. He figures that out with a quickness though once Aruba's dad calls.
Then...we have Tawatha...you remember Tawatha....Onnie's mom? The one who burned down her house with three of her kids inside? Well...Tawatha gets released from prison after five years on a technicality. Now...I get that folks deserve a second chance and Tawatha had been overwhelmed by life and poor choices which lead her to doing what she did...but I swear, I didn't think she'd ever see the light of day again. As I have no heaven nor hell to put her in...well...she got out...I have to admit, I can't understand why the folks who let her out didn't require her to go to some therapy....(maybe they did and I just don't remember...) but she still seemed to have some issues she needs to deal with. For starters...she STILL wants and is determined to get James...and of course, she wants to reconcile with Onnie...who is now living with LaSheera and her new husband.
There's so much going on...it's fast paced...so you've gotta keep up! LaSheera's got some things going on...Onnie learns a valuable lesson...Victoria's back...and just like Tawatha, Aruba and James...she has an important lesson to learn...can they be forgiven? Will they learn to forgive? Well..you just need to tune in to this book and find out. You'll wonder about them all long after you turn the last page.
James has gotten himself together and is successfully running a dream business venture. He's still seeing Shandy...but he wonders if he is really into it. He figures that out with a quickness though once Aruba's dad calls.
Then...we have Tawatha...you remember Tawatha....Onnie's mom? The one who burned down her house with three of her kids inside? Well...Tawatha gets released from prison after five years on a technicality. Now...I get that folks deserve a second chance and Tawatha had been overwhelmed by life and poor choices which lead her to doing what she did...but I swear, I didn't think she'd ever see the light of day again. As I have no heaven nor hell to put her in...well...she got out...I have to admit, I can't understand why the folks who let her out didn't require her to go to some therapy....(maybe they did and I just don't remember...) but she still seemed to have some issues she needs to deal with. For starters...she STILL wants and is determined to get James...and of course, she wants to reconcile with Onnie...who is now living with LaSheera and her new husband.
There's so much going on...it's fast paced...so you've gotta keep up! LaSheera's got some things going on...Onnie learns a valuable lesson...Victoria's back...and just like Tawatha, Aruba and James...she has an important lesson to learn...can they be forgiven? Will they learn to forgive? Well..you just need to tune in to this book and find out. You'll wonder about them all long after you turn the last page.
March 11, 2014
In this sequel, Forgive Me by Stacy Campbell Aruba, James, Tawatha, Victoria and Emory deal with the pains of their past. Tawatha Gipson has been released from prison and wants to get her family back. Tawatha soon realizes that it won’t be as easy as he thinks.
Victoria Faulk continues to have problems forgetting what her ex-husband did to her. Victoria also has a hard time forgiving her friend whom she believed would never betray her. When Victoria starts dating Emory Wilkerson her relationship is at a standstill because she cannot let go of the past.
James is living a successful life. He is a well-known businessman with a loving woman but something is missing. James does not know what it is until he gets a call regarding his ex-wife and everything in his life changes.
After her husband of two years dies, Aruba gives up. Aruba tries to commit suicide but does not prevail. Aruba’s parents are worried and decide to a call in reinforcements. When Aruba’s knight-in-shining armor appears, will she turn him away?
What I Did Not Like: There is nothing to not like about these characters and the story line.
What I Did Like: This sequel picks up from the last book with readers getting to know a little more about the characters. This book had drama, suspense and the twist and turns were unsuspected. This authors writing style is a sure thing and I look forward to reading more of her work. I recommend Forgive Me to others.
This book was provided by the author for review purposes.
Teresa Beasley
A&RBC Reviews
5 Stars=Non Stop Page Turner
Victoria Faulk continues to have problems forgetting what her ex-husband did to her. Victoria also has a hard time forgiving her friend whom she believed would never betray her. When Victoria starts dating Emory Wilkerson her relationship is at a standstill because she cannot let go of the past.
James is living a successful life. He is a well-known businessman with a loving woman but something is missing. James does not know what it is until he gets a call regarding his ex-wife and everything in his life changes.
After her husband of two years dies, Aruba gives up. Aruba tries to commit suicide but does not prevail. Aruba’s parents are worried and decide to a call in reinforcements. When Aruba’s knight-in-shining armor appears, will she turn him away?
What I Did Not Like: There is nothing to not like about these characters and the story line.
What I Did Like: This sequel picks up from the last book with readers getting to know a little more about the characters. This book had drama, suspense and the twist and turns were unsuspected. This authors writing style is a sure thing and I look forward to reading more of her work. I recommend Forgive Me to others.
This book was provided by the author for review purposes.
Teresa Beasley
A&RBC Reviews
5 Stars=Non Stop Page Turner
February 6, 2014
After losing her second husband to Lou Gehrig’s disease, Aruba Dixon has hit rock bottom. When she ends up in the hospital from a failed suicide attempt her parents feel its time to call for help. Her ex husband James.
Finally James is able to live the life he always wanted After making his dream come true of owing his own hair salons he feel his life is still incomplete but can he keep it all together before it spins out of control?
Twatha Gipson is finally free after serving 5 years in prison. She works on getting her life together so day she can reunite withe her only daughter. Once her daughter finds out her mother is free will she open her with open arms?
Struggling with letting the past go Victoria Faulk is learning how to deal with her new life. Along the way she meets Emory who is ready to make her his but she know she wont be able to be happy until she faces her past. Will she be able to reopen old wounds in order to heal.
In this follow up sequel we will learn how in order to live in the present we must forgive the past.
Good read. I liked how everything came together. Although I felt some parts dragged on. I'm glad i stuck with it.
Finally James is able to live the life he always wanted After making his dream come true of owing his own hair salons he feel his life is still incomplete but can he keep it all together before it spins out of control?
Twatha Gipson is finally free after serving 5 years in prison. She works on getting her life together so day she can reunite withe her only daughter. Once her daughter finds out her mother is free will she open her with open arms?
Struggling with letting the past go Victoria Faulk is learning how to deal with her new life. Along the way she meets Emory who is ready to make her his but she know she wont be able to be happy until she faces her past. Will she be able to reopen old wounds in order to heal.
In this follow up sequel we will learn how in order to live in the present we must forgive the past.
Good read. I liked how everything came together. Although I felt some parts dragged on. I'm glad i stuck with it.
February 4, 2014
It is always nice when I pick up a sequel and I don’t have to fill in the gaps from whatever time may have lapsed from the previous one in the series. Forgive Me does an excellent job of continuing the story from Dream Girl Awakened. It is hard to write this one without giving spoilers so I will focus on the author’s writing style.
The tone throughout the entire book was to my liking. It flowed perfectly and somehow in spite of some major personality flaws I was able to feel personally connected to each character. I don’t know if there was ever a title that fit more appropriately to the content within the book then Forgive Me. This book is all about forgiveness and what it entails to reach not only the point to forgive but to accept forgiveness from others. Stacy’s debut novel, Dream Girl Awakened was one of my favorite books of 2013 and it brings me such great joy to know that she avoided the sophomore slump with Forgive Me!!! I highly recommend this book!!!
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
The tone throughout the entire book was to my liking. It flowed perfectly and somehow in spite of some major personality flaws I was able to feel personally connected to each character. I don’t know if there was ever a title that fit more appropriately to the content within the book then Forgive Me. This book is all about forgiveness and what it entails to reach not only the point to forgive but to accept forgiveness from others. Stacy’s debut novel, Dream Girl Awakened was one of my favorite books of 2013 and it brings me such great joy to know that she avoided the sophomore slump with Forgive Me!!! I highly recommend this book!!!
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2014
Although this book was well written regarding sentence and paragraph structure, punctuation, grammar and dialogue, there was just too much drama, too many characters and too many implausible situations for me to fully enjoy this book. The chapters are short and move quickly and it was nice reading about locations in the city I live in; it was surprisingly clean for a Zane book, but the almost all of the adults in the book have committed adultery (which I don't like reading about) and one of the main characters killed three of her children (don't like to read about that either) to get a man who didn't want her. For all the drama and multiple plot lines, everyone has reconciled by the end of the book which really didn't seem realistic, considering the book timeline covered a 9-month time period.
August 11, 2014
I was not surprised when I began to read this book and found myself immediately engaged and engrossed in the story line. I've come to expect the best from the best, and let me tell you, Stacy Campbell is one of the best writers ever to dare to pick up a pen. This book was storytelling at its finest. If you read her debut, you are in for a treat with this one. Ms. Campbell did not disappoint and when I finished reading this book, my only question was: Where is this woman's award? Believe me, she deserves one.
Thank you, Stacy Campbell, for penning such an excellent, gripping story. I can't wait to see what you come up with next!!
Adrienne Thompson
Author of The Been So Long Series
Thank you, Stacy Campbell, for penning such an excellent, gripping story. I can't wait to see what you come up with next!!
Adrienne Thompson
Author of The Been So Long Series
January 27, 2014
Stacey Campbell does a great job of picking up where the original left off. Aruba Dixon is on a downhill spiral and her ex, James jumps in to save the day. His love for Aruba is so apparent that it is breathtaking. he will do anything for her and he sticks right by her side to prove it.
Tawanda, Lasheera, Anj and Victoria have their own hurdles to overcome. None of them will be able to move on until they comes to grip with the past, acknowledge the hurt and learn to forgive.
Great storyline and superb character development as this book teaches all of us a lesson on moving on.
*** An ARC was given in exchange of an honest review ***
Tawanda, Lasheera, Anj and Victoria have their own hurdles to overcome. None of them will be able to move on until they comes to grip with the past, acknowledge the hurt and learn to forgive.
Great storyline and superb character development as this book teaches all of us a lesson on moving on.
*** An ARC was given in exchange of an honest review ***
February 2, 2015
In My Twisted Life
“Forgive Me,” Stacy Campbell’s sequel to “Dream Girl Awakened,” continues with the tales of Twantha, Aruba, and Victoria. The Divas are back! Campbell provides some insight into the returning characters while continuing on where things concluded.
“Forgive Me” quenched my passion for reading. Stacy Campbell sure has a talent for writing. I loved the way she incorporated bits and pieces of “Dream Girl Awakened” to avoid any gaps for readers yet provided a new story. I so look forward to more novels in the near future by Stacy Campbell. I highly recommend this novel. It’s a must read.
Reviewed by: Tekisha
“Forgive Me,” Stacy Campbell’s sequel to “Dream Girl Awakened,” continues with the tales of Twantha, Aruba, and Victoria. The Divas are back! Campbell provides some insight into the returning characters while continuing on where things concluded.
“Forgive Me” quenched my passion for reading. Stacy Campbell sure has a talent for writing. I loved the way she incorporated bits and pieces of “Dream Girl Awakened” to avoid any gaps for readers yet provided a new story. I so look forward to more novels in the near future by Stacy Campbell. I highly recommend this novel. It’s a must read.
Reviewed by: Tekisha
May 30, 2014
OMG....Stacy Campbell did that with this this follow-up novel to Dream Girl Awakened! Stacy showed remarkable growth from the 1st novel to this novel. You would think she has 15-20 novels under her belt. From the very first page to the last page, I'm on the edge of my seat wanting to know what will happen next. Stacy gives us a lesson in the power of forgiveness! I would definitely recommend this book to everyone! Add to your bookshelf.
August 31, 2015
Excellent sequel! I really enjoyed this novel & a lot was resolved in all the main characters in the first book. I loved the message of forgiveness displayed in this book. a few grammatical errors but truly a 5 star novel. There was great character development and a great climax. Great job Stacy Campbell, keep up the good work!
March 30, 2014
This follow up to Dream Girl Awakened is the circle closing. You definitely see the growth of the characters. This book was not as dramatic as the first but demonstrates how all the characters evolve.
May 15, 2016
Forgive Me the sequel to Dream Girl Awakened was awesome. Aruba, Victoria, and Tawatha are dealing with the crazy things that happened in their past. We all have a past but it’s important to move from the past and forgive. Forgiveness is a must if one wants to be happy in life…
March 29, 2014
Maybe I should have read the first one, but I liked this one as well. Poor Aruba.
June 25, 2014
Wasn't as good as Dream Girl Awakened, but it was still good enough to hold my attention. The story also flowed smoothly
October 15, 2014
What a great follow-up to Dream Girl Awakening, so many life's lessons are peppered throughout. I love Stacy Campbell's writing style.
April 22, 2014
Read April 2014
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