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Forgivin' Ain't Forgettin': A Novel
Cassidy Beckett reveals to her husband that as a college student she was forced to abandon her infant son by her then-boyfriend. Not only does Trevor support Cassidy after her confession, but he does some detective work on his own to help her find closure and the son she's never forgotten.
- GenresChristian Fiction
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
1 person is currently reading
130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 14, 2009
Leave The Past Behind
Cassidy is a young strong minded teacher who has had her share of heartache. On the outside she seems to have it all together, she's a saved Christian as well as a good friend. But, the pain of the past continues to torment her.
Trevor is a young father with two young girls that he's raising since the death of his wife, Brenda, who was the delight of his life. Trevor is a business owner, as well as a saved Christian.
Cassidy and Trevor attend the same church and shockingly, their paths have never crossed that is until now. Odessa Vale, Cassidy's aunt took Trevor and his daughters in after a fire destroyed their home.
However, Cassidy does not enjoy sharing her house with this fine, strong man. She is constantly on Trevor's back about things he did or didn't do. She does like his girls and they also like her.
Cassidy notices she has feelings for Trevor a fact that she didn't want to face. Trevor on the other hand knew that Cassidy was indeed a woman that he could see himself spending the remainder of his life with. The church was filled with single sisters who were plotting on ways to get Trevor to the altar. Unfortunately for them, he only has eyes for Cassidy.
Both, Cassidy and Trevor have a ton of baggage that there holding on to. The issues that there hiding seem to place a damper on their relationship. Will they be able to free themselves from past ordeals in order to continue with their present?
Forgivin' Ain't Forgettin' was a good book. I enjoyed how it would tell you about something that was happening without drenching you in too many details. I am left wondering will there be a sequel? I feel as if the author left some things opened.
Cassidy is a young strong minded teacher who has had her share of heartache. On the outside she seems to have it all together, she's a saved Christian as well as a good friend. But, the pain of the past continues to torment her.
Trevor is a young father with two young girls that he's raising since the death of his wife, Brenda, who was the delight of his life. Trevor is a business owner, as well as a saved Christian.
Cassidy and Trevor attend the same church and shockingly, their paths have never crossed that is until now. Odessa Vale, Cassidy's aunt took Trevor and his daughters in after a fire destroyed their home.
However, Cassidy does not enjoy sharing her house with this fine, strong man. She is constantly on Trevor's back about things he did or didn't do. She does like his girls and they also like her.
Cassidy notices she has feelings for Trevor a fact that she didn't want to face. Trevor on the other hand knew that Cassidy was indeed a woman that he could see himself spending the remainder of his life with. The church was filled with single sisters who were plotting on ways to get Trevor to the altar. Unfortunately for them, he only has eyes for Cassidy.
Both, Cassidy and Trevor have a ton of baggage that there holding on to. The issues that there hiding seem to place a damper on their relationship. Will they be able to free themselves from past ordeals in order to continue with their present?
Forgivin' Ain't Forgettin' was a good book. I enjoyed how it would tell you about something that was happening without drenching you in too many details. I am left wondering will there be a sequel? I feel as if the author left some things opened.
January 3, 2009
It's Never Too Late to Forgive,
Cassidy Beckett has been through the storm and back. Having to deal with the trials and tribulations of being an unwanted child, Cassidy has lived with her Aunt Odessa since she was a precocious young girl. After realizing that her Aunt Odessa loves her unconditionally, Cassidy is finally able to lay down her burdens and begin her life as a young woman now in search for a loving mate.
Minister is a third generation minister (hence the name) and will not let anyone and anything get in the way of that. Seeing that Cassidy is still wet behind the ears, he draws her into a life of premarital sex and alcohol. Now faced with a challenge that could plague his reputation, he makes Cassidy decide to do something that she knows one day she will regret and will never forget.
Travis has had his share of disappointments and losses. With two little girls to look after, he must have faith and do what he knows his late wife would expect. One to believe that when one door shuts, another one opens; he sets his eyes and heart on Cassidy. As his heart is going a mile a minute, his mind is saying he needs to slow down. Will this conflict ensure Travis to lose out on a second chance at love? Can Cassidy get over her past and give this caring man a chance?
I love the way Mrs. Elliot mixed drama, love, suspense, and religion into this work. She is a skilled writer whereas you could map this novel into different genres, which a lot of authors are not able to do. She also made you think of how we as women (and men) are always trying to make someone love us and be with us, but ultimately it is God who puts the right person in our path.
Reviewed by: LaDonna
Cassidy Beckett has been through the storm and back. Having to deal with the trials and tribulations of being an unwanted child, Cassidy has lived with her Aunt Odessa since she was a precocious young girl. After realizing that her Aunt Odessa loves her unconditionally, Cassidy is finally able to lay down her burdens and begin her life as a young woman now in search for a loving mate.
Minister is a third generation minister (hence the name) and will not let anyone and anything get in the way of that. Seeing that Cassidy is still wet behind the ears, he draws her into a life of premarital sex and alcohol. Now faced with a challenge that could plague his reputation, he makes Cassidy decide to do something that she knows one day she will regret and will never forget.
Travis has had his share of disappointments and losses. With two little girls to look after, he must have faith and do what he knows his late wife would expect. One to believe that when one door shuts, another one opens; he sets his eyes and heart on Cassidy. As his heart is going a mile a minute, his mind is saying he needs to slow down. Will this conflict ensure Travis to lose out on a second chance at love? Can Cassidy get over her past and give this caring man a chance?
I love the way Mrs. Elliot mixed drama, love, suspense, and religion into this work. She is a skilled writer whereas you could map this novel into different genres, which a lot of authors are not able to do. She also made you think of how we as women (and men) are always trying to make someone love us and be with us, but ultimately it is God who puts the right person in our path.
Reviewed by: LaDonna
March 31, 2013
Cassidy Beckett made a decision to forget the past and move on. She lives a comfortable peaceful life sharing a home with her elderly aunt, Odessa, teaching at the local school, running the reading program at church, and being a faithful member of Charity Community Church. Cassidy is not interested in recently widowed Trevor Monroe to whom Aunt Odessa has invited into their home along with his daughter, Brandi, because of a fire at their house. Just as Cassidy is about to demand that Trevor pack up and leave, tragedy brings them together. Trevor and Brandi help Cassidy through her crisis while she faces the demons that threaten to destroy her. But it will take a lot more than love to knock down the wall around Cassidy's heart and build a bridge between her and Trevor. Their faith is strong and God is a miracle worker.
Mata Elliott has captured the true essence of forgiveness in her debut novel. The love of God can be seen between every line of this incredible story of release, love, and the Spirit of God. The characters jump off the page and into your heart with clearly written descriptions that allow you to feel their pain and suffering. The surprise plot twists will leave your mouth wide open with seeming mistrust in men but in the wonders of God. Elliott is a raising star in the literary arena and an astounding storyteller for the Lord.
Mata Elliott has captured the true essence of forgiveness in her debut novel. The love of God can be seen between every line of this incredible story of release, love, and the Spirit of God. The characters jump off the page and into your heart with clearly written descriptions that allow you to feel their pain and suffering. The surprise plot twists will leave your mouth wide open with seeming mistrust in men but in the wonders of God. Elliott is a raising star in the literary arena and an astounding storyteller for the Lord.
May 20, 2015
Really good story and well written. Need more from this author.
June 4, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It was a very faith driven story and had lots of scripture woven throughout. It was very realistic and relatable in many ways and had great character development. My only complaint was that the ending was a bit vague. It was easy to see what happened, but I wish she would have made it a bit longer to give us a detailed account of Cassidy and Trevor's triumphs. We were able to see how God worked in their lives, but I wanted more of their blessings! Maybe she will write a sequel one day.
September 25, 2023
My first read by the author Mata Elliott, I enjoyed the book/story between Trevor and Cassidy and loved the wisdom from Clement and his wife Vivaca. While the book is beautiful written, the only issue I had was no transition from the end of the plot/section/subject which caused me thinking I missed something. Perhaps it is how the book was written or it’s a library ebook. It would have been easy to follow the context if there’s a short pause before jumping into another section/context of the book. Overall, it was a great read!
August 25, 2025
A 10/10 I definitely recommend and I think it still stands relevant to today’s struggles and traumas.
July 24, 2013
Trevor is grieving over the loss of his wife and dealing with being a single father. Cassidy has been holding on to a mistake in her past that is hindering her present. The two people come together and explore love, forgiveness and healing and growing as both individuals and as a couple in Christ. This book really touched me and I loved the story. However, the reason I don't rate it higher is because I think the author had too many unnecessary characters. There were so many characters introduced that it actually took away from the story. I found myself skimming through parts that added nothing to the overall story. I also feel that the book itself could've been a bit shorter, too. The message is very powerful, but some of its power gets lost in all of the unnecessary characters and details. Still, I enjoyed the parts I didn't skim through.
June 20, 2011
I had no idea this book was going to be a romance cos romances are so cheesy. @ 25% on Kindle, this one doesn't let us down in the cheesy department. This is more like cheese whiz. At 28% - Unimaginative, at best, right down to the "she can't stand him but he'll win her over" routine.
The 2nd half of the book does get better. Jealousy is a big issue dealt with among these pages. Some women will stop at nothing to get the man they want.
The 2nd half of the book does get better. Jealousy is a big issue dealt with among these pages. Some women will stop at nothing to get the man they want.
February 22, 2014
This was one of the absolutely worst books I have ever read. I am sorry to be so blunt, but I have spent a lot of time reading this book because it was so bad I had to read it in small doses. I don't know if the beginning, the middle ( the muddle) or the end was the worst part of the book. I really like, even love Black Christian novels, but this was just a poorly written facsimile of a Harlequin romance novel with characters even more improbable than Harlequin writers could come up with.
December 28, 2014
Yet, another book that I read years ago. I decided to revisit this book! I'm really glad I did. This is definitely a season that I needed to read this gem again!
A beautifully written story of a woman simply learning to let go and let God! I thought that the author definitely deserves 5 stars for this book! It was beautifully written and the storyline flowed to wonderfully. It taught me about patience, faith, forgiveness and love. Really great read!
A beautifully written story of a woman simply learning to let go and let God! I thought that the author definitely deserves 5 stars for this book! It was beautifully written and the storyline flowed to wonderfully. It taught me about patience, faith, forgiveness and love. Really great read!
July 11, 2016
Boring
This book really could have been cut in half. By the time I got to 40%(on kindle) I couldn't take it I jumped to the end and even at 96% I still skipped through the pages, and after all that I still understood what happened. The only reason why I read as much as I did was because of the reviews, but this book was not for me.
This book really could have been cut in half. By the time I got to 40%(on kindle) I couldn't take it I jumped to the end and even at 96% I still skipped through the pages, and after all that I still understood what happened. The only reason why I read as much as I did was because of the reviews, but this book was not for me.
March 22, 2008
Trust in God and He will see you through all things
February 25, 2010
I loved this book, it spoke to my life and my heart. It helped me to let go of some baggage that I carried around for so long. God has been so good to me but I would not allow myself to be thankful!
August 7, 2010
Really enjoyed, fast read.
January 26, 2011
Vulgar and displays decidedly poor attitudes.
January 5, 2012
This book to me was really just Ok.
I hated the way it ended and dont care to read it again.
Dont get me wrong its a good story but its easily forgetable
I hated the way it ended and dont care to read it again.
Dont get me wrong its a good story but its easily forgetable
June 24, 2012
Didn't hold my attention.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews