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Unforgotten
Even though Bethanne Hostetler has found some peace eight years after an attempted assault and the accidental death of Peter Miller, she is still haunted by the memory. When her Englisher cousin, Candace--who has just been crowned Miss Crittenden County--reveals that she has a stalker, all of Bethanne's old fears come rushing back.Jay Raber had once been Peter's best friend, and the fact that he did not protect Bethanne that fateful night has haunted him ever since. To make matters worse, she continues to avoid him--even as he continues to love her. Jay can only hope and pray that one day Bethanne will see the person he is today and not the boy he used to be. As Candace's stalker becomes bolder, Officer Ryan Mulany becomes her escort to various events. He knows he should only think of Candace as a job, but the more time they spend together, the harder it gets to maintain professional distance. And when everyone's worst fears are realized, all four must work together to prevent another tragedy before time runs out and another innocent person is hurt. From New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray comes this emotionally taut story of learning to forgive, trust, and love despite the pain of the past.
304 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2024
About the author
Shelley Shepard Gray
134 books2,365 followersLibrarian Note: AKA Shelley Gray (Western Romance).
Shelley Shepard Gray has published over seventy novels. She currently writes Amish romances for Harper Collins, Kensington, and Simon & Schuster and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing.
Her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists. Shelley’s novels have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.
Her novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations.
Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She currently lives in Colorado Springs and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two young adults, and always has a dachshund by her side. She is an active member of her church, on Facebook and on Twitter. She also has a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
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Shelley Shepard Gray has published over seventy novels. She currently writes Amish romances for Harper Collins, Kensington, and Simon & Schuster and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing.
Her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists. Shelley’s novels have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.
Her novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations.
Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She currently lives in Colorado Springs and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two young adults, and always has a dachshund by her side. She is an active member of her church, on Facebook and on Twitter. She also has a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
November 1, 2024
Unforgotten is about two cousins, Bethanne, is Amish and Candance, is English. The girls' moms are sisters born in a Mennonite family with one marrying an English man and one marrying an Amish man. The families remain close as do the cousins. We heard about Bethanne in Unforgiven. She was the victim of an abusive boyfriend and has been homebound because of her fear. Now she is coming out of shell with a chance of getting reacquainted with Jay, a young Amish man, whom she knew before. Candance is a local beauty contest winner with a stalker and needs police protection. As the stalker closes in, things get scary and Candance depends more on Ryan, the police officer, on her protection detail. Romance, faith, suspense, and action with great characters make this book a good read.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review.
April 1, 2026
Bethanne Hostetler, an Amish girl, is finally regaining enough courage to go outside her home without someone accompanying her. Her boyfriend Peter had attacked her seven years before, but a neighbor had rescued her and spent a few years in prison for Peter's accidental death. Now she attends the Miss Crittenden County Beauty Queen Contest to see her cousin Candace, an Englisher, crowned Miss Crittenden County.
Although Candace is excited about winning the beauty contest, the number of speaking engagements surprises her, as does the stalker who follows her about. The local police don't take her fears seriously at first, but as the stalker becomes bolder, they assign young Officer Ryan Mulaney to accompany her during her appearances. The attraction between the two ignites the jealousy of her stalker, whose actions endanger her and Bethanne.
Although I don't read that many Amish stories, this one contained a good amount of suspense, so that it held my interest. In fact, I found it hard to put down. I had some questions about the behavior of the Amish in the story, but I know that different bishops and orders allow varying types of behavior. It is hard for me to imagine the Amish in our area attending a beauty contest.
The contrasts between Bethanne and Candace are interesting. Although they love each other deeply, they bicker from time to time. Their unique personalities come through strongly, yet their affection for each other seems believable--Bethanne the introvert in part because of the assault, Candace the popular, outgoing public speaker. If you like Amish fiction or suspense, I believe you'll enjoy Unforgotten.
Although Candace is excited about winning the beauty contest, the number of speaking engagements surprises her, as does the stalker who follows her about. The local police don't take her fears seriously at first, but as the stalker becomes bolder, they assign young Officer Ryan Mulaney to accompany her during her appearances. The attraction between the two ignites the jealousy of her stalker, whose actions endanger her and Bethanne.
Although I don't read that many Amish stories, this one contained a good amount of suspense, so that it held my interest. In fact, I found it hard to put down. I had some questions about the behavior of the Amish in the story, but I know that different bishops and orders allow varying types of behavior. It is hard for me to imagine the Amish in our area attending a beauty contest.
The contrasts between Bethanne and Candace are interesting. Although they love each other deeply, they bicker from time to time. Their unique personalities come through strongly, yet their affection for each other seems believable--Bethanne the introvert in part because of the assault, Candace the popular, outgoing public speaker. If you like Amish fiction or suspense, I believe you'll enjoy Unforgotten.
November 4, 2024
This book tells the story of two cousins who are dealing with relationship issues. Bethanne has a fear of being around people, and she is just coming out of her shell after an assault by her former boyfriend. She is still not totally comfortable in public, but she is getting better. Her cousin Candace competed for and won the Miss Crittenden County Contest. But Candace’s issue is that she has a stalker, so a new deputy named Ryan Milanese appoints himself to be her chaperone and body guard to all of her events. The two cousins are making progress with trusting others when the unthinkable happens. This is an Amish romance with a lot of suspense included in the story. The suspense is compelling and the characters are realistically portrayed and very easy to empathize with. I enjoyed the pace of the story, which I considered moderate until the big conflict. Then, the pace raced at a breakneck speed to the conclusion. The author does a good job of pointing out the differences between Bethanne’s lifestyle and Candace’s since Candace was not raised Amish but Bethanne was. I really enjoyed the way the girls leaned on each other and learned how to accept help from others. The story is engaging, the characters are dynamic and I highly recommend this book for those looking for Amish romantic suspense that is definitely Christian fiction without graphic details.
I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
November 5, 2024
Shelley Shepard Gray's Unforgotten weaves a tale of Amish and Englisch relatives, centering on Candace, a beauty queen, and Bethy, her Amish cousin, whose romance stories are intertwined with suspense and thrills from a stalker. I loved the characters and the nail-biting suspense. I think any reader who enjoys romantic suspense would enjoy this book.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, and this is my honest opinion.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, and this is my honest opinion.
December 28, 2024
This second in the series was just as enjoyable as the first. There are dual stories with cousins Bethanne (Amish) and Candace (English). They are both going through a difficult time. There is a bit of a mystery and romance as well. I look forward to the next in the series.
November 26, 2024
Unforgotten follows the stories of two couples as they find their way to their happily ever afters while navigating some serious issues. I like that in this book there is an Amish couple and an English couple who are falling in love.
Unforgotten is connected to and comes after the story, Unforgiven, and has a few characters who make appearances in this book. The past attempted assault that Bethanne is working to heal from emotionally is a backstory for both of these novels. However, you can pick up Unforgotten and read it without having read Unforgiven. If you enjoy both of these stories, then you might also like to know that Unforgiven follows a character who appears in the Rumors in Ross County series, too.
I thought Bethanne showed a lot of growth in this book and I adored Jay. He truly loved Bethanne and had for years. He was so patient with her for so long, but I do like that he began to really share his feelings with her in this story.
Candace and Ryan were also enjoyable characters to read about. They had great chemistry and I liked seeing them fall for each other. I thought it was good that Candace and Ryan seemed to take the stalking threat seriously, still, I was surprised with a few decisions that Candace made that illustrated that she didn’t understand the full extent of the danger she was in.
This story has a good mix of romance and suspense. I liked returning to this community of characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Unforgotten is connected to and comes after the story, Unforgiven, and has a few characters who make appearances in this book. The past attempted assault that Bethanne is working to heal from emotionally is a backstory for both of these novels. However, you can pick up Unforgotten and read it without having read Unforgiven. If you enjoy both of these stories, then you might also like to know that Unforgiven follows a character who appears in the Rumors in Ross County series, too.
I thought Bethanne showed a lot of growth in this book and I adored Jay. He truly loved Bethanne and had for years. He was so patient with her for so long, but I do like that he began to really share his feelings with her in this story.
Candace and Ryan were also enjoyable characters to read about. They had great chemistry and I liked seeing them fall for each other. I thought it was good that Candace and Ryan seemed to take the stalking threat seriously, still, I was surprised with a few decisions that Candace made that illustrated that she didn’t understand the full extent of the danger she was in.
This story has a good mix of romance and suspense. I liked returning to this community of characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
January 25, 2026
That first chapter had me nervous. I knew this series included people in the fabulous Rumors in Ross County series, and was super eager to read it. But it had an awkward start for me. Glad I kept going past that first chapter because it became a great story.
Gray did a fabulous job of showing how trauma can both break a person and make him or her stronger. Or both. Eager to keep reading.
A solid 4.5 stars
Gray did a fabulous job of showing how trauma can both break a person and make him or her stronger. Or both. Eager to keep reading.
A solid 4.5 stars
October 24, 2024
This is another good book by Shelley Shepard Gray and the 2nd book in this series. Bethanne suffered an attack and attempted rape 7 years ago that has left her traumatized and housebound. Her friend Jay defended her which resulted in the accidental death of her attacker. Jay served time in prison but is out now. His love for Bethanne never diminished. He has hopes that they will one day become husband and wife. Bethanne's Englisher cousin, Candace, has entered a beauty pageant for Crittendon County. She wins the title and travels for different appearances in the surrounding areas. As a precaution, Officer Ryan accompanies her to these events. They become closer as time goes on. Strange things begin to happen to Candace. Candace is afraid that she is being stalked. As the stalking increases, Candace and Bethanne are in fear of their lives. Will Officer Ryan and their friends be able to determine who the stalker is before it's too late and someone else loses their life? This book is about second chances, love, faith and overcoming fear. I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review. #netgalley #revell
November 9, 2024
Unforgotten
by Shelley Shepard Gray
Pub DateNov 05 2024
Revell
Christian| Mystery & Thrillers| Romance
Revell and Netgalley provided me with a copy of Unforgotten to review:
Seven years after an attempted assault and the accidental death of Peter Miller, Bethanne Hostetler is still haunted by the memory. Candace, Bethanne's English cousin who has just been crowned Miss Crittenden County, reveals that she has a stalker, bringing back all of her old fears.
The fact that Jay Byler did not protect Bethanne that fateful night has haunted him ever since. Further complicating matters, she continues to avoid him, even though he still loves her. The only thing Jay can hope for is that Bethanne will one day see the person he has become instead of the boy he used to be.
Officer Ryan Mulany becomes Candace's escort as her stalker becomes more aggressive. The more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to maintain professional distance from Candace. When everyone's worst fears are realized, the four must work together to prevent another tragedy before time runs out and another innocent person is hurt.
I give Unforgotten five out of five stars!!!
Happy Reading!
by Shelley Shepard Gray
Pub DateNov 05 2024
Revell
Christian| Mystery & Thrillers| Romance
Revell and Netgalley provided me with a copy of Unforgotten to review:
Seven years after an attempted assault and the accidental death of Peter Miller, Bethanne Hostetler is still haunted by the memory. Candace, Bethanne's English cousin who has just been crowned Miss Crittenden County, reveals that she has a stalker, bringing back all of her old fears.
The fact that Jay Byler did not protect Bethanne that fateful night has haunted him ever since. Further complicating matters, she continues to avoid him, even though he still loves her. The only thing Jay can hope for is that Bethanne will one day see the person he has become instead of the boy he used to be.
Officer Ryan Mulany becomes Candace's escort as her stalker becomes more aggressive. The more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to maintain professional distance from Candace. When everyone's worst fears are realized, the four must work together to prevent another tragedy before time runs out and another innocent person is hurt.
I give Unforgotten five out of five stars!!!
Happy Reading!
November 25, 2024
While technically a standalone, Unforgotten is set in the same community as a few other novels by Shelley Shepard Gray and there are a few familiar Amish faces. There are two major storylines and four points of view. Bethann Hostetler is ready to move on with her life after nearly being raped years ago. Although she is looking forward, she has a hard time looking at Jay because he used to be friends with the man that tried to force himself on her. It's really a shame though, because Jay is a good man and has never had eyes for anyone else. Bethann's Englisher (non-Amish) cousin, Candace has just been crowned Miss Crittenden County, and is enjoying traveling around the county as an ambassador and inspiring young girls. The only problem is that someone is starting to stalk her and won't leave her alone online. The police send their newest recruit, Officer Ryan Murphy to escort Candace to her events. Ryan really admires Candace and soon he's catching feelings for her. Two besotted men, two women with trouble in their lives. What on earth could happen? Love that's what. Predictable and wholesome in the best ways.
June 26, 2025
This was a quick read. I needed that after the last couple of books. I felt that the story read like a Hallmark movie, not a bad thing. The story did have some suspense and emphasized the capacity of the human spirit to recover from challenges.
October 17, 2024
Unforgotten by Shelly Shepherd Gray is a wonderful story of friendship, courage and love. Ms. Gray has a special way of telling a story, even about tough subjects that pull you into the story.
This is a realistic honestly told story concerning several difficult storylines; attempted rape, stalking, and kidnapping. All topics usually not explored in Amish story.
The storyline was extremely good. Gray handles each topic with professionalism and understanding of each character’s involvement.
Although the story focuses mainly on Bethanne Hostetler, her cousin, Candace is an important main character in this story. Though their eyes, we can truly see situations from the victim’s perspective. Trauma can definitely affect anyone at any time.
If you love, a suspenseful tale, you will love this book I give it a five star rating all the way. I was given an advance copy of the book by the publisher through NetGalley, but was not required to give a positive review. Release Day is November 5, 2024.
This is a realistic honestly told story concerning several difficult storylines; attempted rape, stalking, and kidnapping. All topics usually not explored in Amish story.
The storyline was extremely good. Gray handles each topic with professionalism and understanding of each character’s involvement.
Although the story focuses mainly on Bethanne Hostetler, her cousin, Candace is an important main character in this story. Though their eyes, we can truly see situations from the victim’s perspective. Trauma can definitely affect anyone at any time.
If you love, a suspenseful tale, you will love this book I give it a five star rating all the way. I was given an advance copy of the book by the publisher through NetGalley, but was not required to give a positive review. Release Day is November 5, 2024.
October 17, 2024
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Unforgotten

Wow. That's the reaction I had as I read this powerful story of an Amish girl and her English cousin. Both girls were dealing with issues that are difficult to forget.
Fear can stop you in your tracks. Bethanne spent years allowing fear to control her life. She was traumatized by a past event. Her Amish family did the best they could to support her.
Candace was living her life with no apparent worries. And then everything changed. She tried to handle her problem on her own. But it was only getting worse. Who could she turn to?
We all have experienced fear of some kind or another. Fear can motivate. Fear can immobilize. Fear can destroy. Fear can be conquered.
The cousins found themselves in a situation where they had to rely on each other to battle evil. This gave them the extra strength they didn't know they had.
I won't forget this book any time soon.
Unforgotten

Wow. That's the reaction I had as I read this powerful story of an Amish girl and her English cousin. Both girls were dealing with issues that are difficult to forget.
Fear can stop you in your tracks. Bethanne spent years allowing fear to control her life. She was traumatized by a past event. Her Amish family did the best they could to support her.
Candace was living her life with no apparent worries. And then everything changed. She tried to handle her problem on her own. But it was only getting worse. Who could she turn to?
We all have experienced fear of some kind or another. Fear can motivate. Fear can immobilize. Fear can destroy. Fear can be conquered.
The cousins found themselves in a situation where they had to rely on each other to battle evil. This gave them the extra strength they didn't know they had.
I won't forget this book any time soon.
December 17, 2024
4.5 stars
Hold on to your bonnet – or tiara, depending on which heroine in Unforgotten you most relate to – because Shelley Shepard Gray delivers a stalkery suspense novel that kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end, with two sweet romances for the price of one as well!
We met Bethanne Hostetler in Unforgiven as her story is very closely tied to Seth’s, the hero of that book. And while Unforgotten isn’t purely a sequel and can be read as a standalone, you will likely understand the deeper layers of her character more if you’ve read Unforgiven first. I enjoyed getting more acquainted with Bethanne – after all, she has my dream job (and likely one of yours as well), and she’s exactly the kind of winsome that I love to find in new friends. Not only do we come to appreciate her warm personality on these pages, we also get to watch her courageously face her fears and find healing from the trauma she experienced in the past… and what’s not to love about that? Jay … oh goodness, he had my heart melting with his patience and steady love for Bethanne. I loved his gentle but persistent pursuit of her, especially when he tells her that she’s worth it. Ahhhhh that makes me all twitterpated!
Bethanne’s cousin Candace is another sweet character who touched my heart with her care for and friendship with Bethanne over the past few years. Despite the fact that Bethanne is Amish and Candace isn’t, these two have a great relationship, and I had fun watching them together and reading their banter – even when they’re dealing with a pretty terrifying situation. I loved how they had each other’s backs no matter what, something that’s always refreshing to see whether in fiction or in real life. Ryan makes a very swoony police escort for the newly crowned Miss Crittenden County (aka Candace), and that first kiss – wowza!! But always lurking around the corner with these two, even as I was fanning myself over that aforementioned kiss, is the chilling shadow of Candace’s stalker. Gray does a good job of making this creep daring but cowardly all at the same time, and I must confess to jumping nearly out of my recliner when he gets too close at one point.
Bottom Line: Unforgotten by Shelley Shepard Gray combines the sweetness of two wholesome romances with the shiver-inducing instability of a stalker who’s about to snap, and I couldn’t put it down. Gray’s consistently warm and engaging writing voice always pulls me immediately into the story and its characters, and this book was no exception. Bethanne and Jay’s well-worth-the-wait romance had my heart in a little puddle of mush, and Ryan and Candace’s swoony-insta-attraction left me reaching for my fan. Both couples are edifying #relationshipgoals as far as mutual respect, honor, and friendship, and I loved getting to know all four characters. The suspense is well-crafted and builds naturally across the novel until it culminates in a final showdown that will steal your breath, twist your heart, and have you rooting for good to triumph – and quickly. Another charming and captivating visit to Amish country with Shelley Shepard Gray!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Hold on to your bonnet – or tiara, depending on which heroine in Unforgotten you most relate to – because Shelley Shepard Gray delivers a stalkery suspense novel that kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end, with two sweet romances for the price of one as well!
We met Bethanne Hostetler in Unforgiven as her story is very closely tied to Seth’s, the hero of that book. And while Unforgotten isn’t purely a sequel and can be read as a standalone, you will likely understand the deeper layers of her character more if you’ve read Unforgiven first. I enjoyed getting more acquainted with Bethanne – after all, she has my dream job (and likely one of yours as well), and she’s exactly the kind of winsome that I love to find in new friends. Not only do we come to appreciate her warm personality on these pages, we also get to watch her courageously face her fears and find healing from the trauma she experienced in the past… and what’s not to love about that? Jay … oh goodness, he had my heart melting with his patience and steady love for Bethanne. I loved his gentle but persistent pursuit of her, especially when he tells her that she’s worth it. Ahhhhh that makes me all twitterpated!
Bethanne’s cousin Candace is another sweet character who touched my heart with her care for and friendship with Bethanne over the past few years. Despite the fact that Bethanne is Amish and Candace isn’t, these two have a great relationship, and I had fun watching them together and reading their banter – even when they’re dealing with a pretty terrifying situation. I loved how they had each other’s backs no matter what, something that’s always refreshing to see whether in fiction or in real life. Ryan makes a very swoony police escort for the newly crowned Miss Crittenden County (aka Candace), and that first kiss – wowza!! But always lurking around the corner with these two, even as I was fanning myself over that aforementioned kiss, is the chilling shadow of Candace’s stalker. Gray does a good job of making this creep daring but cowardly all at the same time, and I must confess to jumping nearly out of my recliner when he gets too close at one point.
Bottom Line: Unforgotten by Shelley Shepard Gray combines the sweetness of two wholesome romances with the shiver-inducing instability of a stalker who’s about to snap, and I couldn’t put it down. Gray’s consistently warm and engaging writing voice always pulls me immediately into the story and its characters, and this book was no exception. Bethanne and Jay’s well-worth-the-wait romance had my heart in a little puddle of mush, and Ryan and Candace’s swoony-insta-attraction left me reaching for my fan. Both couples are edifying #relationshipgoals as far as mutual respect, honor, and friendship, and I loved getting to know all four characters. The suspense is well-crafted and builds naturally across the novel until it culminates in a final showdown that will steal your breath, twist your heart, and have you rooting for good to triumph – and quickly. Another charming and captivating visit to Amish country with Shelley Shepard Gray!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
November 6, 2024
Shelley Shepard Gray has really upped her game with Unforgotten! Unforgotten is half mystery, half love story that centers around cousins Bethanne and Candace. Bethanne and Candace could not be more different, but their differences have only helped them to forge an unbreakable bond that has weathered many storms that life has thrown their way. Bethanne has been living in her Amish community learning how to deal and live life after a traumatic event. Candace, being raised Englisch, has lovingly been there for Bethanne, while trying to walk her own path God has given her and pursue a college degree. While making her way through College, Candace enters the Miss Crittenden County Pageant to get the scholarship money and wins. After Candace wins, the Stalker that has been following her escalates his tactics forcing Candace to report it to the police. The Police assign Candace an officer named Ryan to accompany her to Miss Crittenden County events. Officer Ryan and Candace soon develop a special friendship. While Candace is dealing with her Stalker, Bethanne intends to live life more fully and strikes up a friendship with Jay, a man with close ties to Bethanne’s traumatic event. Things seem to be looking up for Bethanne and Candace in their respective lives and with love, but will a run-in with Candace’s Stalker put it to an abrupt end?
I cannot say enough about how much I love Shelley Shephard Gray’s Unforgotten! I was surprised at the places Ms. Gray took Unforgotten, because they are untypical of the books I have read by her. I’m ecstatic that Unforgotten went to the places it did! Unforgotten’s grittier themes reminded me of something that I would find in a book by Nancy Mehl, Cynthia Hickey, or Mary Alford. It’s awesome to see how God is stretching Ms. Gray as a writer! I felt that the characters and situations portrayed were authentic and showed realism that will resonate with readers. I love getting to know Bethanne better after being introduced to her in Ms. Gray’s Unforgiven. I understood what Bethanne went through and appreciated what she went through in her healing journey. I believe those parts of Bethanne’s story were written realistically and showed Hope through the Brokenness. I also really love that Bethanne reviews books for a living! I love that Candace continued to do what was right and took necessary steps to keep herself safe while still doing life. I love the characters of Jay and Ryan. I liked that Ryan came to Crittenden County as part of a special police program. I thought it was an interesting twist to have Jay closely associated with the person who caused Bethanne’s traumatic event. To me, it was monumental that Bethanne was able to strike up a friendship with Jay because of that. I thought Ryan was a perfect fit for Candace and that Jay (ironically) was perfect for Bethanne. Unforgotten may not be your typical Shelley Shepard Gray book, but it’s one of the best books Ms. Gray has ever written and one of the best I have ever read. I highly recommend Unforgotten by Shelley Shepard Gray! I cannot wait to see what Ms. Gray creates next!
Have you read Unforgotten? What did you think of the book?
Thank you to Jean for giving me a copy of Unforgotten via NetGalley and the Publisher to review, letting me be on Shelley’s Street Team, and for giving me the information I needed for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
My review is also on Amazon and my blog Leslie's Library Escape.
I cannot say enough about how much I love Shelley Shephard Gray’s Unforgotten! I was surprised at the places Ms. Gray took Unforgotten, because they are untypical of the books I have read by her. I’m ecstatic that Unforgotten went to the places it did! Unforgotten’s grittier themes reminded me of something that I would find in a book by Nancy Mehl, Cynthia Hickey, or Mary Alford. It’s awesome to see how God is stretching Ms. Gray as a writer! I felt that the characters and situations portrayed were authentic and showed realism that will resonate with readers. I love getting to know Bethanne better after being introduced to her in Ms. Gray’s Unforgiven. I understood what Bethanne went through and appreciated what she went through in her healing journey. I believe those parts of Bethanne’s story were written realistically and showed Hope through the Brokenness. I also really love that Bethanne reviews books for a living! I love that Candace continued to do what was right and took necessary steps to keep herself safe while still doing life. I love the characters of Jay and Ryan. I liked that Ryan came to Crittenden County as part of a special police program. I thought it was an interesting twist to have Jay closely associated with the person who caused Bethanne’s traumatic event. To me, it was monumental that Bethanne was able to strike up a friendship with Jay because of that. I thought Ryan was a perfect fit for Candace and that Jay (ironically) was perfect for Bethanne. Unforgotten may not be your typical Shelley Shepard Gray book, but it’s one of the best books Ms. Gray has ever written and one of the best I have ever read. I highly recommend Unforgotten by Shelley Shepard Gray! I cannot wait to see what Ms. Gray creates next!
Have you read Unforgotten? What did you think of the book?
Thank you to Jean for giving me a copy of Unforgotten via NetGalley and the Publisher to review, letting me be on Shelley’s Street Team, and for giving me the information I needed for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
My review is also on Amazon and my blog Leslie's Library Escape.
October 20, 2024
Rating: 2 stars ~ Genre: Amish Mystery ~ Pages: 294 ~ Publish Date: 5 Nov 2024
So disappointed. I had looked forward to this book. So before I write more, please know this review contains spoilers. No spoilers as far as giving the plot away. Just spoilers — aptly named -- that ruined the book for me.
Immediately on page one, I was scratching my head. Bethanne Hostetler is in the stands hoping her cousin Candace will win the beauty pageant. Hun? Even though this is supposed to be an Amish story — this had Bethanne on one end and 180 degrees in the opposite direction, Candace. It didn’t make sense. Page 2, Bethanne’s brother joins her and gives Candace a wolf whistle. Hun? What!
Then the introduction of Bethanne’s panic attacks due to an event where Peter Miller was killed. If I was a Beta reader, I would have strongly urged that this as well as a fleshing out of Bethanne’s character needed to come first. AND make it easy for the reader to believe she would actually attend a public beauty pageant. Jay’s character is also introduced almost at the same time and is lost because the reader is grabbling with an Amish woman with panic attacks at a beauty pageant.
There is a mystery and not a bad one. But I felt like this was a second or third draft that still needed editing out repetitious parts and a rewrite of some sections. I flat did not like this book. The bad taste I got in my mouth on page one never left. And I was thankful when I got to the end of the DRC (digital review copy).
What surprises me is Shelley Shepard Gray is the author. I’ve reviewed some of her other books with the lowest rating being four stars. I have some in my personal Kindle library. I just feel like this book was rushed. The writing was interrupted. Some parts were good. Interesting and then some “thing” whether a person or action would just jar me. I found errors; i.e., the number of cards missing from the secretary’s desk.
I do not recommend this book. Rating: 2 stars.
I received a complimentary DRC (digital review copy) of “Unforgotten” via NetGalley from the publisher, Revell. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Rating: 2 stars
Cover: Good — conveys the book title.
Pages: 297
Publish Date: 5 November 2024
#Unforgotten #NetGalley
So disappointed. I had looked forward to this book. So before I write more, please know this review contains spoilers. No spoilers as far as giving the plot away. Just spoilers — aptly named -- that ruined the book for me.
Immediately on page one, I was scratching my head. Bethanne Hostetler is in the stands hoping her cousin Candace will win the beauty pageant. Hun? Even though this is supposed to be an Amish story — this had Bethanne on one end and 180 degrees in the opposite direction, Candace. It didn’t make sense. Page 2, Bethanne’s brother joins her and gives Candace a wolf whistle. Hun? What!
Then the introduction of Bethanne’s panic attacks due to an event where Peter Miller was killed. If I was a Beta reader, I would have strongly urged that this as well as a fleshing out of Bethanne’s character needed to come first. AND make it easy for the reader to believe she would actually attend a public beauty pageant. Jay’s character is also introduced almost at the same time and is lost because the reader is grabbling with an Amish woman with panic attacks at a beauty pageant.
There is a mystery and not a bad one. But I felt like this was a second or third draft that still needed editing out repetitious parts and a rewrite of some sections. I flat did not like this book. The bad taste I got in my mouth on page one never left. And I was thankful when I got to the end of the DRC (digital review copy).
What surprises me is Shelley Shepard Gray is the author. I’ve reviewed some of her other books with the lowest rating being four stars. I have some in my personal Kindle library. I just feel like this book was rushed. The writing was interrupted. Some parts were good. Interesting and then some “thing” whether a person or action would just jar me. I found errors; i.e., the number of cards missing from the secretary’s desk.
I do not recommend this book. Rating: 2 stars.
I received a complimentary DRC (digital review copy) of “Unforgotten” via NetGalley from the publisher, Revell. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Rating: 2 stars
Cover: Good — conveys the book title.
Pages: 297
Publish Date: 5 November 2024
#Unforgotten #NetGalley
November 3, 2024
Unforgotten is an Amish romance with a lot of suspense. It was a quick read and I enjoyed the suspense parts of the book more than the romances. We knew right from the beginning that both couples would have their happily ever after despite the problems that they were both having. I did find the characters in the story very interesting. Bethanne and Candace are cousins and are very close despite the fact that Bethanne is Amish and her cousin isn't. Their mothers grew up in a Mennonite household and one married an Amish man and the other sister did not.
Bethanne is the Amish cousin. Eight years earlier, she was assaulted by her boyfriend and he was accidently killed by another man. Bethanne is still haunted by this and has been unable to move ahead in her life. She has panic attacks and has problems going out around other people but she has been making progress. Jay, who was her boyfriend's best friend, is in love with Bethanne - and has been for years - but she refuses to have anything to do with him because seeing him brings back memories of the assault. He continues to try to break down her resistance and wants to spend the rest of his life with her.
Candace has just been crowned Miss Crittenden County at the county fair but instead of being excited about it, she is fearful because she realizes that she has a stalker. A new police officer in their small town, has been given the job of escorting Candace to events all over the county. His constant presence with Candace enrages the stalker who decides to take his obsession with Candace to a new dangerous level. During their time together, Ryan and Candace have fallen in love and he vows to protect her from the stalker.
The parts of the book that were about the stalker are very suspenseful and the last half of the book is real page turner as the reader hopes for a good outcome for both of the cousins. I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting because I had to see how it ended.
This is a book about family and love, romance and learning to forgive, trust, and love despite the pain of the past.
Bethanne is the Amish cousin. Eight years earlier, she was assaulted by her boyfriend and he was accidently killed by another man. Bethanne is still haunted by this and has been unable to move ahead in her life. She has panic attacks and has problems going out around other people but she has been making progress. Jay, who was her boyfriend's best friend, is in love with Bethanne - and has been for years - but she refuses to have anything to do with him because seeing him brings back memories of the assault. He continues to try to break down her resistance and wants to spend the rest of his life with her.
Candace has just been crowned Miss Crittenden County at the county fair but instead of being excited about it, she is fearful because she realizes that she has a stalker. A new police officer in their small town, has been given the job of escorting Candace to events all over the county. His constant presence with Candace enrages the stalker who decides to take his obsession with Candace to a new dangerous level. During their time together, Ryan and Candace have fallen in love and he vows to protect her from the stalker.
The parts of the book that were about the stalker are very suspenseful and the last half of the book is real page turner as the reader hopes for a good outcome for both of the cousins. I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting because I had to see how it ended.
This is a book about family and love, romance and learning to forgive, trust, and love despite the pain of the past.
October 14, 2024
Unforgotten
Shelly Shepard Gray
Eight years ago, Bethanne Hostetler faced a woman’s worst nightmare. Peter Miller, a man she thought was a friend attempted to rape her. The memory has taken over her life. She barely leaves the house; she has panic attacks. Her parents and younger brother watch her closely. Jay was attracted to Bethy, but Peter was his best friend, so he hesitated to approach her. Neither did he try to stop Peter, he struggles with his feelings of guilt. The man that came to Bethy’s rescue was arrested and sent to prison. Bethanne knows she should have testified in his defense but at the time she was broken.
Bethanne watched as her cousin was crowned Miss Crittenden County. When Jay sat down next to her, she tried to brush him off, but he refused to leave. She came to realize it was time to start living again; she wanted Jay to be part of her life.
A man is stalking Candace; he’s getting more brazen. The local police new temporary officer in the police department, Ryan, the duty of escorting Candace from event to event. He is trying to keep a professional stance, but he is attracted to Candace. Both Candace and Bethanne are in danger.
When a woman is assaulted it affects not only her physical body but also her emotional psyche. It affects how her family and friends see her. In Unforgotten, Bethanne’s family want to protect her, and yet they know she must get on with her life.
This book stands well alone however it would have been better to read the first book. The characters are well fleshed out. Bethanne and Candace are both naive, charming and modest. Jay and Ryan are strong male leads. The secondary characters add depth to this tale. The setting is Crittendon County in Kentucky. I watch for books set in Kentucky, too often people tend to stereotype Kentuckians deeming seeing citizens as red necks and hillbillies. I guess I’m proud to be both.
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review purposes. My reviews are my own opinions.
November 30, 2024
About the Book:
Even though Bethanne Hostetler has found some peace eight years after an attempted assault and the accidental death of Peter Miller, she is still haunted by the memory. When her Englisher cousin, Candace--who has just been crowned Miss Crittenden County--reveals that she has a stalker, all of Bethanne's old fears come rushing back.Jay Raber had once been Peter's best friend, and the fact that he did not protect Bethanne that fateful night has haunted him ever since. To make matters worse, she continues to avoid him--even as he continues to love her. Jay can only hope and pray that one day Bethanne will see the person he is today and not the boy he used to be. As Candace's stalker becomes bolder, Officer Ryan Mulany becomes her escort to various events. He knows he should only think of Candace as a job, but the more time they spend together, the harder it gets to maintain professional distance. And when everyone's worst fears are realized, all four must work together to prevent another tragedy before time runs out and another innocent person is hurt. From New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray comes this emotionally taut story of learning to forgive, trust, and love despite the pain of the past.
My Review:
Throughout the whole book I focused more on the dynamic between Candace and Ryan. I really liked their attraction and eventual relationship. I think they belong together and I think Ryan is the sweetest. I hope the next book touches more on that dynamic. Other than their relationship in the book the other story of Bethanne has a had a rough go of it.
This is a suspense Amish fiction story. It is full of suspense and intrigue and is a keeper for sure!
**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher.
Even though Bethanne Hostetler has found some peace eight years after an attempted assault and the accidental death of Peter Miller, she is still haunted by the memory. When her Englisher cousin, Candace--who has just been crowned Miss Crittenden County--reveals that she has a stalker, all of Bethanne's old fears come rushing back.Jay Raber had once been Peter's best friend, and the fact that he did not protect Bethanne that fateful night has haunted him ever since. To make matters worse, she continues to avoid him--even as he continues to love her. Jay can only hope and pray that one day Bethanne will see the person he is today and not the boy he used to be. As Candace's stalker becomes bolder, Officer Ryan Mulany becomes her escort to various events. He knows he should only think of Candace as a job, but the more time they spend together, the harder it gets to maintain professional distance. And when everyone's worst fears are realized, all four must work together to prevent another tragedy before time runs out and another innocent person is hurt. From New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray comes this emotionally taut story of learning to forgive, trust, and love despite the pain of the past.
My Review:
Throughout the whole book I focused more on the dynamic between Candace and Ryan. I really liked their attraction and eventual relationship. I think they belong together and I think Ryan is the sweetest. I hope the next book touches more on that dynamic. Other than their relationship in the book the other story of Bethanne has a had a rough go of it.
This is a suspense Amish fiction story. It is full of suspense and intrigue and is a keeper for sure!
**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher.
October 3, 2024
Prepare yourself for an emotional roller coaster as Bethanne and Candace face their worst fears. Even though they will never forget, they must learn to forgive, or they will miss out on all the good things life still has to offer. It is a challenge to not let fear win no matter how bad things become. But with trust in God, it is possible to get through it.
This was a very hard book to put down. It is heart-pounding, fast-paced, and I finished in 24 hours. The story flowed well, although, as I am a very visual reader, some minor things tripped me up. For example, I would picture the characters already sitting, but then it said they sat down. I thought it was just me missing something, but it happened multiple times. It did not deter me, however. The characters are realistic, and the text carried me along to the very end. I appreciate an author that can tackle difficult subjects in a thoughtful way. I also liked that the ending was satisfying enough without tying everything up in a neat bow. Recovery takes time, but there is hope.
I was initially confused about whether or not this is a sequel to Unforgiven. These books are not promoted as a series, but I would definitely say they are. Unforgotten can easily be read as a stand-alone novel, although I highly recommend reading both. I appreciated the reappearance of familiar characters and learning a bit more about what happens to them. I would definitely welcome a third installment.
If you enjoy clean Amish fiction, a good mystery, or anything else by Shelley Shepard Gray, then you will not want to miss this one. It is now one of my favorites by this author.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book courtesy of Revell Publishing through Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a very hard book to put down. It is heart-pounding, fast-paced, and I finished in 24 hours. The story flowed well, although, as I am a very visual reader, some minor things tripped me up. For example, I would picture the characters already sitting, but then it said they sat down. I thought it was just me missing something, but it happened multiple times. It did not deter me, however. The characters are realistic, and the text carried me along to the very end. I appreciate an author that can tackle difficult subjects in a thoughtful way. I also liked that the ending was satisfying enough without tying everything up in a neat bow. Recovery takes time, but there is hope.
I was initially confused about whether or not this is a sequel to Unforgiven. These books are not promoted as a series, but I would definitely say they are. Unforgotten can easily be read as a stand-alone novel, although I highly recommend reading both. I appreciated the reappearance of familiar characters and learning a bit more about what happens to them. I would definitely welcome a third installment.
If you enjoy clean Amish fiction, a good mystery, or anything else by Shelley Shepard Gray, then you will not want to miss this one. It is now one of my favorites by this author.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book courtesy of Revell Publishing through Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 15, 2024
Unforgotten by Shelley Shepard Gray is an inspiring tale of courage and faith that will keep the reader engaged until the wee hours of the morning.
Although not a sequel to Unforgiven, the characters from that book are in this one. While this book can be read as a standalone, the first book provides a lot of backstory that you don’t want to miss. One of the main characters of this story, Bethanne Hostetler, was saved from being raped by Seth Zimmerman, who was in Unforgiven.
In Unforgotten we follow Bethanne as she deals with the trauma of that incident and the death of Peter Miller, the man who tried to rape her.
While Bethanne tries to find life again after an attempted rape, her cousin Candace has been crowned Miss Crittenden County. Unfortunately, she has a stalker, and he is becoming bolder and dangerous.
The author has done an incredible job of getting into the minds of her characters and the trauma they were going through. I loved how Bethanne gradually opened up to considering love again. While I found Officer Ryan to be a little unprofessional, his romance with Candace was necessary to the storyline. I enjoyed their relationship so much that I found the ending to be too abrupt and wished there had been an epilogue to discover what happened after everything was said and done.
A word of warning for those who have had any sort of trauma related to rape or stalking, this book may be a trigger for you. However, the author has also made God a central figure in this drama, in that He is always with us, even during the most harrowing times.
If you love Amish fiction, mystery and suspense, you will love Unforgotten! I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through NetGalley for my honest review.
Although not a sequel to Unforgiven, the characters from that book are in this one. While this book can be read as a standalone, the first book provides a lot of backstory that you don’t want to miss. One of the main characters of this story, Bethanne Hostetler, was saved from being raped by Seth Zimmerman, who was in Unforgiven.
In Unforgotten we follow Bethanne as she deals with the trauma of that incident and the death of Peter Miller, the man who tried to rape her.
While Bethanne tries to find life again after an attempted rape, her cousin Candace has been crowned Miss Crittenden County. Unfortunately, she has a stalker, and he is becoming bolder and dangerous.
The author has done an incredible job of getting into the minds of her characters and the trauma they were going through. I loved how Bethanne gradually opened up to considering love again. While I found Officer Ryan to be a little unprofessional, his romance with Candace was necessary to the storyline. I enjoyed their relationship so much that I found the ending to be too abrupt and wished there had been an epilogue to discover what happened after everything was said and done.
A word of warning for those who have had any sort of trauma related to rape or stalking, this book may be a trigger for you. However, the author has also made God a central figure in this drama, in that He is always with us, even during the most harrowing times.
If you love Amish fiction, mystery and suspense, you will love Unforgotten! I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through NetGalley for my honest review.
March 6, 2025
Unforgotten by Shelley Shepard Gray is a powerful Christian Amish contemporary suspense that I thoroughly enjoyed.
There are the hard hitting and difficult themes of stalking and abuse. We learn that a character has been a victim of an attack in the past, and it has affected her whole life. She feels guilty as if the attack was her fault. It wasn’t and “she needed to forgive herself.” We are never responsible for the actions of another. We need to be kind to ourselves, always offering grace and forgiveness to the face in the mirror.
Throughout the novel there is a very creepy character who watches from the shadows. There are some very dark scenes at night which heightens the suspense, raising the tension. The action mirrors the conditions.
We witness the bond between cousins. They are very close-knit, supporting each other. Life means that they are equally strong for the other but at different stages.
Sometimes in life, life makes no sense. We cannot see where we are going but God sees. She “didn’t have any idea what was going to happen next, but God did.” God knows our end from our beginning and we can trust Him.
At times it feels like God is far away. “She prayed… for God not to forget her.” God never forgets any one of us. Our names are engraved on His heart.
Prayer connects us with God. “Maybe God really was listening.” God always listens and always answers but not always in the way we expect.
There are some caring, nurturing hearts within the novel that cherish those they love. In contrast to a black, warped heart.
I thoroughly enjoyed Unforgotten. It was a superb suspense that saw my heart and pulse rate rise. I read it in just two sittings.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
There are the hard hitting and difficult themes of stalking and abuse. We learn that a character has been a victim of an attack in the past, and it has affected her whole life. She feels guilty as if the attack was her fault. It wasn’t and “she needed to forgive herself.” We are never responsible for the actions of another. We need to be kind to ourselves, always offering grace and forgiveness to the face in the mirror.
Throughout the novel there is a very creepy character who watches from the shadows. There are some very dark scenes at night which heightens the suspense, raising the tension. The action mirrors the conditions.
We witness the bond between cousins. They are very close-knit, supporting each other. Life means that they are equally strong for the other but at different stages.
Sometimes in life, life makes no sense. We cannot see where we are going but God sees. She “didn’t have any idea what was going to happen next, but God did.” God knows our end from our beginning and we can trust Him.
At times it feels like God is far away. “She prayed… for God not to forget her.” God never forgets any one of us. Our names are engraved on His heart.
Prayer connects us with God. “Maybe God really was listening.” God always listens and always answers but not always in the way we expect.
There are some caring, nurturing hearts within the novel that cherish those they love. In contrast to a black, warped heart.
I thoroughly enjoyed Unforgotten. It was a superb suspense that saw my heart and pulse rate rise. I read it in just two sittings.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
April 10, 2025
This classic Shelley Shepard Gray novel delivered on all my expectations. She has a distinctive storytelling style that I find so easy to lose myself in. Opening one of her books feels so welcoming and familiar. I think it’s the way she builds a community and fills it with solid secondary characters who play important roles in the over all story.
Love the way the author weaves two romances around a common theme while delivering a compelling suspense full of stalkerish vibes. Candace and Bethanne are cousins – one English, one Amish – both women facing challenging situations.
For Bethanne, the struggle to come back from an assault years ago has been a long, emotional battle. For Candace, her recent popularity after being crowned Miss Crittenden County has emboldened a stalker to take action. Their stories overlap especially as the suspense amps up. Brilliant pacing kept me on edge as I switched back and forth between Candace and Bethanne’s POVs, along with their dedicated heroes.
Sweet romance with emotional depth, a gentle but significant faith message and the thrill of suspense kept me engaged (literally read in one sitting) from start to end.
Of note: This is the second book in a series though I can’t find a series title. But the first book is ‘Unforgiven’ and there are some common characters shared in both ‘Unforgiven’ and ‘Unforgotten’. I also have a feeling that the first book might have introduced some of Bethanne’s back story. Having said that, I haven’t read ‘Unforgiven’ and had no issues picking up this book. I’ll definitely be backtracking and also keeping an eye out for the third book, ‘Unshaken’ after reading the brief sneak peek at the end of this one.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/04/10/u...
Love the way the author weaves two romances around a common theme while delivering a compelling suspense full of stalkerish vibes. Candace and Bethanne are cousins – one English, one Amish – both women facing challenging situations.
For Bethanne, the struggle to come back from an assault years ago has been a long, emotional battle. For Candace, her recent popularity after being crowned Miss Crittenden County has emboldened a stalker to take action. Their stories overlap especially as the suspense amps up. Brilliant pacing kept me on edge as I switched back and forth between Candace and Bethanne’s POVs, along with their dedicated heroes.
Sweet romance with emotional depth, a gentle but significant faith message and the thrill of suspense kept me engaged (literally read in one sitting) from start to end.
Of note: This is the second book in a series though I can’t find a series title. But the first book is ‘Unforgiven’ and there are some common characters shared in both ‘Unforgiven’ and ‘Unforgotten’. I also have a feeling that the first book might have introduced some of Bethanne’s back story. Having said that, I haven’t read ‘Unforgiven’ and had no issues picking up this book. I’ll definitely be backtracking and also keeping an eye out for the third book, ‘Unshaken’ after reading the brief sneak peek at the end of this one.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/04/10/u...
November 8, 2024
Unforgotten, an Amish romance with a lot of suspense, by Shelley Shepard Gray, will keep you turning the pages long into the night. Even though this heart-pounding story can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading Unforgiven first as it provides a lot of backstories of the characters whose story continues in Unforgotten.
Gray has a unique ability to write about issues not covered by most authors who write Amish suspense romances, giving her readers a story that they will not soon forget. Even though this may be hard to read, her dynamic character’s growth will inspire those who have had life-changing experiences written about in this book. Unforgotten and Unforgiven are a break from her usual Amish romance stories, and her best thus far!
Unforgotten is a realistic story told through the eyes of Bethanne Hostetler, and her English cousin, Candace, as they deal with attempted rape, stalking, and kidnapping. Bethanne and Candace each have a knight-in-shining armor, who, with their unique abilities, helps to navigate them through the ordeals they are facing. With their trust in God, Bethanne, Jay, Candace, and Ryan, learn to forgive and overcome their fears.
I highly recommend reading both Unforgiven and Unforgotten in the order that they were written to truly grasp the character’s state of mind. Since Unforgotten did not have an epilogue, I hope the author is planning a third book that will tie up loose ends.
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.
Gray has a unique ability to write about issues not covered by most authors who write Amish suspense romances, giving her readers a story that they will not soon forget. Even though this may be hard to read, her dynamic character’s growth will inspire those who have had life-changing experiences written about in this book. Unforgotten and Unforgiven are a break from her usual Amish romance stories, and her best thus far!
Unforgotten is a realistic story told through the eyes of Bethanne Hostetler, and her English cousin, Candace, as they deal with attempted rape, stalking, and kidnapping. Bethanne and Candace each have a knight-in-shining armor, who, with their unique abilities, helps to navigate them through the ordeals they are facing. With their trust in God, Bethanne, Jay, Candace, and Ryan, learn to forgive and overcome their fears.
I highly recommend reading both Unforgiven and Unforgotten in the order that they were written to truly grasp the character’s state of mind. Since Unforgotten did not have an epilogue, I hope the author is planning a third book that will tie up loose ends.
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.
November 30, 2024
Bethanne and her cousin Candace have plenty in common even though one is Amish, and the other is an Englisher. They are close, and I was glad to see the strong familial bonds. One very unfortunate thing they have in common is the evil that man can inflict on innocents. Bethanne especially knows that firsthand as she is just now coming out of her shell years after an attack by a boy that she thought loved her. What resulted was his death and a prison sentence for another Amish boy. Putting that dark period behind her has been difficult. Especially since the attacker's one-time best friend is pursuing her for more than friendship.
Jay knows what Peter did to Bethanne was wrong. He only wants to protect her from now on out, since he has been carrying a torch for her for so long. But will she let go of her fears and forgive him for whatever she is blaming him for?
Candace has a stalker. He is very creepy. Due to him getting bolder, she has been assigned a police officer bodyguard since she is now Miss Crittendown County. Trouble is, she is having a hard time getting people to listen to her. Ryan, her bodyguard, knows he should just be doing his job, but the more he is around Candace and gets to know her, the more he falls, and hard.
This story was an Amish story, but a pretty intense suspense thriller as well. Throw in a romantic thread with two couples and this reader kept turning those pages.
I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.
https://pausefortales.blogspot.com/20...
Jay knows what Peter did to Bethanne was wrong. He only wants to protect her from now on out, since he has been carrying a torch for her for so long. But will she let go of her fears and forgive him for whatever she is blaming him for?
Candace has a stalker. He is very creepy. Due to him getting bolder, she has been assigned a police officer bodyguard since she is now Miss Crittendown County. Trouble is, she is having a hard time getting people to listen to her. Ryan, her bodyguard, knows he should just be doing his job, but the more he is around Candace and gets to know her, the more he falls, and hard.
This story was an Amish story, but a pretty intense suspense thriller as well. Throw in a romantic thread with two couples and this reader kept turning those pages.
I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.
https://pausefortales.blogspot.com/20...
December 1, 2024
Amish fiction with lots of romance and characters that will pull at the heart strings of readers.
Bethanne Hostetler has lived in the Amish community all her life and even after seven years she is haunted by memories of her past and the death of Peter Miller. Bethanne’s cousin, Candace comes back into her life with a stalker on her tail and Bethanne is thrust back into the past trauma she faced. Jay Byler was Peter’s best friend and still hates what happened, especially with Bethanne and wants her to see him in a better light one day. All of them get tied up in the danger with Candace’s stalker and Officer Ryan Mulany is assigned to protect Candace, but when the job becomes more than that keeping a professional distance becomes almost impossible.
Unforgotten is the type of book that will appeal to readers that enjoy Amish fiction, but not necessarily other readers. If you do not want to read about Amish life and happenings then this is not the book for you. The story has a nice flow until the ending, which felt a little rushed. Bethanne is a good protagonist that will have readers wanting to see her come out safe by the end of the story. There wasn’t much to this story that stuck out to me as remarkable, making it good, not great. I do think the story had potential; it just fell flat for me. Readers that are fans of Amish Fiction will enjoy this one as a good clean read.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
Bethanne Hostetler has lived in the Amish community all her life and even after seven years she is haunted by memories of her past and the death of Peter Miller. Bethanne’s cousin, Candace comes back into her life with a stalker on her tail and Bethanne is thrust back into the past trauma she faced. Jay Byler was Peter’s best friend and still hates what happened, especially with Bethanne and wants her to see him in a better light one day. All of them get tied up in the danger with Candace’s stalker and Officer Ryan Mulany is assigned to protect Candace, but when the job becomes more than that keeping a professional distance becomes almost impossible.
Unforgotten is the type of book that will appeal to readers that enjoy Amish fiction, but not necessarily other readers. If you do not want to read about Amish life and happenings then this is not the book for you. The story has a nice flow until the ending, which felt a little rushed. Bethanne is a good protagonist that will have readers wanting to see her come out safe by the end of the story. There wasn’t much to this story that stuck out to me as remarkable, making it good, not great. I do think the story had potential; it just fell flat for me. Readers that are fans of Amish Fiction will enjoy this one as a good clean read.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
November 11, 2024
I read the first book in this series, ‘Unforgiven’, and absolutely loved it. When I saw that Bethanne was getting her own book, I knew I had to read it. ‘Unforgotten’ starts off at a slower pace to help reintroduce you to past characters and storylines. Even if you haven’t read ‘Unforgiven’ you’ll be able to pick up this book and know what is going on. I still recommend reading ‘Unforgiven’ though. It’s definitely my favorite of the series so far.
Part of the story focuses on Bethanne and Jay’s relationship. Bethanne is still healing years after Jay’s best friend Peter attacked her. Bethanne wanted nothing to do with Jay at the start of this book. It took some convincing on his part for her to realize that he isn’t anything like Peter.
The story also focuses on Candace and Ryan’s relationship. Candace’s stalker is getting bolder and Ryan is the officer assigned to escort her to her events. Ryan was hesitant to act on his feeling towards Candace at first, but his reasonings don’t seem as important when he realizes he might lose her.
I loved how the ending played out. Bethanne and Candace really got to prove how strong and resilient they both are. The romances are also really sweet. Candace and Ryan’s first kiss sure packed the heat.
‘Unforgotten’ is perfect for those who love romantic suspense books full of romance and second chances.
*I was sent a complimentary copy with no expectations for a favorable review.
Part of the story focuses on Bethanne and Jay’s relationship. Bethanne is still healing years after Jay’s best friend Peter attacked her. Bethanne wanted nothing to do with Jay at the start of this book. It took some convincing on his part for her to realize that he isn’t anything like Peter.
The story also focuses on Candace and Ryan’s relationship. Candace’s stalker is getting bolder and Ryan is the officer assigned to escort her to her events. Ryan was hesitant to act on his feeling towards Candace at first, but his reasonings don’t seem as important when he realizes he might lose her.
I loved how the ending played out. Bethanne and Candace really got to prove how strong and resilient they both are. The romances are also really sweet. Candace and Ryan’s first kiss sure packed the heat.
‘Unforgotten’ is perfect for those who love romantic suspense books full of romance and second chances.
*I was sent a complimentary copy with no expectations for a favorable review.
November 5, 2024
Unforgotten by Shelley Shepard Gray
Crittenden County #2 (series not named yet)
7h 38m narrated by Leah Horowitz, 304 pages
Genre: Amish Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Christian Romance; Christian Fiction
Featuring: July, Crittenden County, Kentucky; County Fair, Dark Past Trope, Anxiety, Amish Country, Multiple POVs, Beauty Queen, Forgiveness Trope, Self-Actualization, Stalker Trope, Englischer Relatives, Newcomer, Previous Book Semi Recap, Police Officer, Social Media, Book Reviewer; Connecticuter Accent, Assault
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult content including violence
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟😍👑👸🏼👮🏼♂️
My thoughts: 📱5% 24:27 Chapter 3 - For a moment I thought, did I already read this? The events with Seth sounded like a book I read, then I remembered this book is the follow-up to Unforgiven, that's where I read that plot. This continues that story with the same characters. But it's still not listed as a series yet.
This was very good. I figured it out before the reveal, but it wasn't way before so it felt like a good mystery, ignoring the obvious choice without connections. I think the series is great and I'm looking forward to book 3 next year.
Recommend to others?: Yes. You certainly want to read these books in order, they are great.
Crittenden County (Unofficial)
1. Unforgiven (2024)
2. Unforgotten (2024)
3. Unshaken (2025)
Crittenden County #2 (series not named yet)
7h 38m narrated by Leah Horowitz, 304 pages
Genre: Amish Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Christian Romance; Christian Fiction
Featuring: July, Crittenden County, Kentucky; County Fair, Dark Past Trope, Anxiety, Amish Country, Multiple POVs, Beauty Queen, Forgiveness Trope, Self-Actualization, Stalker Trope, Englischer Relatives, Newcomer, Previous Book Semi Recap, Police Officer, Social Media, Book Reviewer; Connecticuter Accent, Assault
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult content including violence
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟😍👑👸🏼👮🏼♂️
My thoughts: 📱5% 24:27 Chapter 3 - For a moment I thought, did I already read this? The events with Seth sounded like a book I read, then I remembered this book is the follow-up to Unforgiven, that's where I read that plot. This continues that story with the same characters. But it's still not listed as a series yet.
This was very good. I figured it out before the reveal, but it wasn't way before so it felt like a good mystery, ignoring the obvious choice without connections. I think the series is great and I'm looking forward to book 3 next year.
Recommend to others?: Yes. You certainly want to read these books in order, they are great.
Crittenden County (Unofficial)
1. Unforgiven (2024)
2. Unforgotten (2024)
3. Unshaken (2025)
November 17, 2024
I really enjoyed Bethanne's story and that characters from Unforgiven were carried over into this novel as well. Bethanne is starting to venture out more and do more things on her own. It has been seven years since the attack, but it is not easy to be comfortable and trust again. Her parents still are very worried about her wellbeing but Bethanne feels ready to start doing more on her own. When her cousin is crowned Miss Crittenden County, she realizes how strong Candace is and all that she is achieving in her life. The two have always been close and in a way Bethanne is proud of Candace and wishes she could be a little more outgoing like her. But Candace is also hiding her fear and worries about a stalker who has been appearing at all of her events. So when a newer office has offered to drive her around the county, she feels a little at ease to have someone with her. But when Bethanne and Candace go missing after a birthday party everyone is in fear of what happened to them, who could have done this and how will Bethanne and Candace survive. I loved the slow build up to the event and then it was an edge of your seat through the rest of the story. I really enjoyed how this one all played out and the strength of the characters. Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to the Revell Blogger Program for the invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.
October 24, 2024
This review may have spoilers.
I'm such a huge fan of Shelley's . I haven't found a book I didn't like until, unforgotten. I am sad that I am writing this review. But I am required to write my honest opinion. This book is based on a story About cousins Candace and Bethanne. Candance is a beauty queen and Bethanne is Amish. Candance has a guy that has been stalking her, taking pictures and following her. Candance goes to the police with her concerns. She doesn't seem to know or remember who this guy could be. Eventually candance and officer/detective Ryan start to build a relationship that becomes serious. One night after Candace's uncles party her and Bethanne are kidnapped after Bethanne insist on walking with Candace to her car. They're drug through the woods and the guy locks them up in a shed.
The story just seem so rushed and unfinished. I'm even more disappointed on how it ends. It just seems unfinished. This book could be a great read if it was written better. It just disappointed me sadly so I'm giving it a 3⭐️ review.
I recieved a complimentary digital copy of the book on NetGalley for my honest opinion. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. This review is of my own honest opinion.
I'm such a huge fan of Shelley's . I haven't found a book I didn't like until, unforgotten. I am sad that I am writing this review. But I am required to write my honest opinion. This book is based on a story About cousins Candace and Bethanne. Candance is a beauty queen and Bethanne is Amish. Candance has a guy that has been stalking her, taking pictures and following her. Candance goes to the police with her concerns. She doesn't seem to know or remember who this guy could be. Eventually candance and officer/detective Ryan start to build a relationship that becomes serious. One night after Candace's uncles party her and Bethanne are kidnapped after Bethanne insist on walking with Candace to her car. They're drug through the woods and the guy locks them up in a shed.
The story just seem so rushed and unfinished. I'm even more disappointed on how it ends. It just seems unfinished. This book could be a great read if it was written better. It just disappointed me sadly so I'm giving it a 3⭐️ review.
I recieved a complimentary digital copy of the book on NetGalley for my honest opinion. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. This review is of my own honest opinion.
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