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Silver Springs #5
Unforgettable You
New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak returns to Silver Springs, where no past mistake is so big the heart can’t find a way to fix it.
Jada Brooks couldn’t have known how her life would change when she fell for bad boy Maddox Richardson back in high school. She couldn’t have known his troubled brother would leave hers forever crippled. Or that she’d be forced to shun Maddox completely—only to discover she was carrying his child.
Although Maddox was devastated by the events that transpired that fateful night, losing Jada was the worst of it. He’s back in Silver Springs, ready to make amends and provide the kind of youth outreach that once saved him. If he’d known Jada was in town, too, he would never have come.
Jada has returned to Silver Springs to be with family after her father’s death. But when she sees Maddox, every tough decision she’s made concerning their now twelve-year-old daughter begins to haunt her. Falling for him again is so tempting, but not only does she stand to alienate her family—if he finds out about Maya, she could lose what matters most.
Jada Brooks couldn’t have known how her life would change when she fell for bad boy Maddox Richardson back in high school. She couldn’t have known his troubled brother would leave hers forever crippled. Or that she’d be forced to shun Maddox completely—only to discover she was carrying his child.
Although Maddox was devastated by the events that transpired that fateful night, losing Jada was the worst of it. He’s back in Silver Springs, ready to make amends and provide the kind of youth outreach that once saved him. If he’d known Jada was in town, too, he would never have come.
Jada has returned to Silver Springs to be with family after her father’s death. But when she sees Maddox, every tough decision she’s made concerning their now twelve-year-old daughter begins to haunt her. Falling for him again is so tempting, but not only does she stand to alienate her family—if he finds out about Maya, she could lose what matters most.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published February 26, 2019
869 people are currently reading
3218 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Novak
238 books6,964 followersIt was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak’s bestselling author career.
“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”
However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.
Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.
“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”
Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.
Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.
When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-...
“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”
However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.
Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.
“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”
Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.
Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.
When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 476 reviews
August 26, 2019
Jada Brooks returns to her hometown of Silver Springs, California following her father’s death so she can help out her mother. She left 13 years ago following a tragic event that left her family broken. Maddox Richardson was the love of her 17-year old life but that relationship ended when his younger brother Tobias accidentally shot her young brother Atticus, leaving him a paraplegic. Soon after, Jada discovered she was pregnant, further disappointing her parents who made her hide her condition and later leave town. Maddox doesn’t know he’s the father of 12-year old Maya and he’s just returned to run the new girl’s school at New Horizons Ranch. Tobias is scheduled to be released from prison soon, making this a reunion of epic proportions.
I normally get frustrated with secret baby/children storylines because it rarely feels justified to hide paternity, especially for more than a decade. However, these demands were placed by selfish parents on a 17-year old girl who was consumed by guilt because she took her brother to that party without permission and then turned up pregnant. Jada has spent all these years trying to atone for her errors in judgment with an unforgiving mother who has also created an emotionally crippled brother. Throughout the story, I just wanted someone to hold Susan Brooks accountable for the destruction she wielded upon her family by overlaying her bitterness on all of them. Her unforgiving spirit preventing her son from moving forward meaningfully and kept Jada from making better, more mature decisions regarding her child and herself. This is a cautionary tale, one that powerfully illustrates why forgiveness is so important. It may be hard to do but the alternative can leave you stuck in place and miserable.
The narrator, Veronica Worthington, is fast becoming a favorite as she managed the telling of this story very well, including the voices of the main characters. I flew through it because her pacing was just about perfect.
Novak has a talent for developing multidimensional characters and nuanced storylines. There were a lot of issues associated with revealing the truth so it wasn’t as clear cut as I’d initially believed. I was forced to put myself in Jada’s shoes and they didn’t fit so easily. It’s a simple situation with very complicated edges and I enjoyed every aspect of the story. Nothing is straightforward in this town that is filled with some seemingly very nice people who don’t always behave well (and those who do!). However, they’re familiar as we’ve seen them before in our own communities.
(Thanks to Harlequin Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
I normally get frustrated with secret baby/children storylines because it rarely feels justified to hide paternity, especially for more than a decade. However, these demands were placed by selfish parents on a 17-year old girl who was consumed by guilt because she took her brother to that party without permission and then turned up pregnant. Jada has spent all these years trying to atone for her errors in judgment with an unforgiving mother who has also created an emotionally crippled brother. Throughout the story, I just wanted someone to hold Susan Brooks accountable for the destruction she wielded upon her family by overlaying her bitterness on all of them. Her unforgiving spirit preventing her son from moving forward meaningfully and kept Jada from making better, more mature decisions regarding her child and herself. This is a cautionary tale, one that powerfully illustrates why forgiveness is so important. It may be hard to do but the alternative can leave you stuck in place and miserable.
The narrator, Veronica Worthington, is fast becoming a favorite as she managed the telling of this story very well, including the voices of the main characters. I flew through it because her pacing was just about perfect.
Novak has a talent for developing multidimensional characters and nuanced storylines. There were a lot of issues associated with revealing the truth so it wasn’t as clear cut as I’d initially believed. I was forced to put myself in Jada’s shoes and they didn’t fit so easily. It’s a simple situation with very complicated edges and I enjoyed every aspect of the story. Nothing is straightforward in this town that is filled with some seemingly very nice people who don’t always behave well (and those who do!). However, they’re familiar as we’ve seen them before in our own communities.
(Thanks to Harlequin Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
February 27, 2019
Unforgettable You by Brenda Novak
Oh, so good. Contemporary romance packed with emotional scenes.
Empathy caused tears with this one. In public! Three times!
It’s not a death or anything devastating. Yeah, maybe I’m an easy cryer, but the writing in this really got to me. Happily. Sure, there were a couple of times I was mad at a character and wanted to say “just talk...” but it worked out well in the end. And without spoilers, we know whose story is next and I’m so glad because....
5th book in the series.
Can be read as a standalone.
Author insider reference - if you’ve read the Hanover House series by the same author, you’ll find a paragraph where the owner of the troubled boys school talks about the research that Evelyn Talbot is doing in Alaska. Very cool.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This is an auto buy author for me so also purchased a copy to keep.
Oh, so good. Contemporary romance packed with emotional scenes.
Empathy caused tears with this one. In public! Three times!
It’s not a death or anything devastating. Yeah, maybe I’m an easy cryer, but the writing in this really got to me. Happily. Sure, there were a couple of times I was mad at a character and wanted to say “just talk...” but it worked out well in the end. And without spoilers, we know whose story is next and I’m so glad because....
5th book in the series.
Can be read as a standalone.
Author insider reference - if you’ve read the Hanover House series by the same author, you’ll find a paragraph where the owner of the troubled boys school talks about the research that Evelyn Talbot is doing in Alaska. Very cool.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This is an auto buy author for me so also purchased a copy to keep.
March 9, 2019
Oh, man. I think this is where I stop reading this series. I should've stopped with the last one, which I one-starred, but you know the saying about curiosity and the cat. Anyhoo, bullet pointing will be easier.
Some spoilery stuff below...
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Some spoilery stuff below...
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March 7, 2019
Unforgettable You wasn't bad. I liked the characters. I liked the idea.
For all of that, 3 Stars.
But
I struggled with how it was just one hurdle after another. To me it felt contrived.
I want to get lost in the story, to forget I'm reading. Any author who does that will get 5 Stars from me. With this I could always feel Brenda Novak's hand.
For all of that, 3 Stars.
But
I struggled with how it was just one hurdle after another. To me it felt contrived.
I want to get lost in the story, to forget I'm reading. Any author who does that will get 5 Stars from me. With this I could always feel Brenda Novak's hand.
April 30, 2019
You all know I struggle with second chance romances. Most just feel like a waste of the characters time/lives. This one had the added element of the secret child. I just didn't care for it here. Maybe the heroine had a reasonable excuse at first (she was a wimpy 17 year old who had just suffered through a sort of self induced tragedy and let her parents persuade her to blow off her boyfriend) but after she got away from them and grew up a bit? Nope she should have told the hero before 13 years had passed and she basically had to. The fact that she didn't tell him until the end of the book was lame too.
However, there was a lot more to the story than just this. I liked that the majority of the story was all of them dealing with getting over the events of 13 years ago. Well written as always from BN.
However, there was a lot more to the story than just this. I liked that the majority of the story was all of them dealing with getting over the events of 13 years ago. Well written as always from BN.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2019
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie.com
A deeply emotional second chance romance, Unforgettable You was a small town story where the reunion of two people brought about a chance for healing and redemption, allowing two families to finally come to terms with one devastating night a dozen years ago.
I just know when I sit down with a Brenda Novak book that I’m going to be put through the ringer emotionally–but I also know that it will be so worth it in the end. And Unforgettable You did exactly that. I was so wrapped up in Maddox and Jada’s story: their history together, the fateful night that changed so many lives, the daughter he didn’t know he had, both of them struggling to make their own way and do right by their families. This type of storyline is what I think Novak truly excels at. Read More
A deeply emotional second chance romance, Unforgettable You was a small town story where the reunion of two people brought about a chance for healing and redemption, allowing two families to finally come to terms with one devastating night a dozen years ago.
I just know when I sit down with a Brenda Novak book that I’m going to be put through the ringer emotionally–but I also know that it will be so worth it in the end. And Unforgettable You did exactly that. I was so wrapped up in Maddox and Jada’s story: their history together, the fateful night that changed so many lives, the daughter he didn’t know he had, both of them struggling to make their own way and do right by their families. This type of storyline is what I think Novak truly excels at. Read More
Want to read
March 29, 2019Unforgettable You is the story of Jada and Maddox. These two were high school sweethearts, but tragically, they couldn't stay together. Now, years later, both are back in town for different reasons. Jada has a secret involving Maddox. It's a second chance for love, but will they take it? Are they meant to be or not? It's a well written thoughtful story with heart and charm. Brenda Novak fans will love this new addition. It's everything you would expect and more. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2019
*I received a free copy of Unforgettable you from Harlequin MIRA via NetGalley. This has in no way affected my review which is honest and unbiased*
Unforgettable You brought me right back to the midst of Silver Springs. I really enjoyed Maddox and Jada - they so deserved a second chance. And even now, everything seemed to go against them.
Full review to come.
Unforgettable You brought me right back to the midst of Silver Springs. I really enjoyed Maddox and Jada - they so deserved a second chance. And even now, everything seemed to go against them.
Full review to come.
February 29, 2020
Entretenido. A mí me encantan los “second chance romances”, y en este por lo menos ella no quedó todos los años de separación casi que virgen esperando por su amado 🙄, pero hubo algunas cosas de Jada que no me gustaron: la duración del secreto, la relación entre ella y su familia, la manera de manejar la relación actual con Maddox, entre otras cosas. Por eso no puedo darle más de 2,5 🌟
March 22, 2019
A very well written story with an amazing cast of characters that draw you into the story. A story of family, love, forgiveness and second chances. I enjoyed every minute of it and hated to see it end!
February 24, 2019
Jada Brooks was back in Silver Springs, with her daughter Maya, after her divorce in LA.
There was her family - her mother and brother, Atticus.
Maybe the circumstances were not the best, since her brother was shot and paralyzed from the waist down, and Jada felt responsible for it, having to face her mother's harsh looks and hard words - but there she was willing to rebuild her life.
Maybe this plan was not so good.
She didn't know that Maddox Richardson, her high school sweetheart, was back in town.
Maddox had been a problem boy, with all the bad family dynamics. But he was welcomed by Aiyana Turner and became one of her boys who managed to rebuild his life.
In fact, he became so valuable that Aiyana made sure that he returned to the boys' ranch to be the new principal of the new girls' school.
Maddox had a debt of gratitude to Aiyana, and it would be impossible to refuse her job offer. But even more so, he just accepted because he was sure that Jada was living in LA.
Until the two meet in the city.
There was a lot to be said, too many explanations, and the feelings were still strong.
Accepting Maddox's apologies and making peace with the past would mean for Jada to have to face her mother's wrath.
But Jada had one more reason to want Maddox back.
Could he forgive her this time?
This series is one of my favorite. With each plot, new emotions and dilemmas spout from the pages and make us think about how life can sometimes be cruel, and at the same time gives us the opportunity for redemption.
Get ready to be thrilled with every new revelation of the characters.
5 stars
There was her family - her mother and brother, Atticus.
Maybe the circumstances were not the best, since her brother was shot and paralyzed from the waist down, and Jada felt responsible for it, having to face her mother's harsh looks and hard words - but there she was willing to rebuild her life.
Maybe this plan was not so good.
She didn't know that Maddox Richardson, her high school sweetheart, was back in town.
Maddox had been a problem boy, with all the bad family dynamics. But he was welcomed by Aiyana Turner and became one of her boys who managed to rebuild his life.
In fact, he became so valuable that Aiyana made sure that he returned to the boys' ranch to be the new principal of the new girls' school.
Maddox had a debt of gratitude to Aiyana, and it would be impossible to refuse her job offer. But even more so, he just accepted because he was sure that Jada was living in LA.
Until the two meet in the city.
There was a lot to be said, too many explanations, and the feelings were still strong.
Accepting Maddox's apologies and making peace with the past would mean for Jada to have to face her mother's wrath.
But Jada had one more reason to want Maddox back.
Could he forgive her this time?
This series is one of my favorite. With each plot, new emotions and dilemmas spout from the pages and make us think about how life can sometimes be cruel, and at the same time gives us the opportunity for redemption.
Get ready to be thrilled with every new revelation of the characters.
5 stars
February 23, 2019
Just…wow. When I think about the problems some folks have had to deal with in life, it really puts anything going on in mine in clear prospective. In Unforgettable You, Ms. Novak once again brings us to New Horizons Boys Ranch and we get to read about another young man that Aiyana Turner helped so long ago. This story is about a very grown up Maddox Richardson and his long ago girlfriend, Jada Brooks. Although this is the next book in this series, it is a standalone, although I love revisiting people and places from earlier books.
I won’t go into details as the author does such a wonderful job weaving the story around both Maddox’s and Jada’s families but I will say that the two families have such deep rooted animosity (to use a loose term) towards each other that their suffering will break your heart. Even though I chose my sides early on in the book, it is easy to understand how Jada’s family became so bitter towards the Richardsons. Maddox’s family…my heart broke for his brother and I was firmly in the ‘who does she think she is’ camp for his mother and how he was raised. I really felt all the highs and lows for all of them.
Some of the new characters we meet, Uriah Lamb for instance, is such a wonderful character! I can only hope that someday I run into someone like him if I am ever in need. And Jada’s daughter, Maya, is a sweetie and smart as a whip! Really great characters, even the ones I decided I wouldn’t like to meet, and am looking forward to reading more about this town.
I won’t go into details as the author does such a wonderful job weaving the story around both Maddox’s and Jada’s families but I will say that the two families have such deep rooted animosity (to use a loose term) towards each other that their suffering will break your heart. Even though I chose my sides early on in the book, it is easy to understand how Jada’s family became so bitter towards the Richardsons. Maddox’s family…my heart broke for his brother and I was firmly in the ‘who does she think she is’ camp for his mother and how he was raised. I really felt all the highs and lows for all of them.
Some of the new characters we meet, Uriah Lamb for instance, is such a wonderful character! I can only hope that someday I run into someone like him if I am ever in need. And Jada’s daughter, Maya, is a sweetie and smart as a whip! Really great characters, even the ones I decided I wouldn’t like to meet, and am looking forward to reading more about this town.
July 11, 2024
I enjoy a nice, relaxing romantic drama where I don't have to think and can just be along for the ride. Apparently, Brenda Novak has been my missing puzzle piece in my collection of authors who fit that bill! I always see her books at my local Wal-Mart but I hadn't yet grabbed a book by her yet. Local used book shops are great for finding these kinds of books, so I grabbed this one and decided to jump right in.
Jada returns to her home town with her daughter in tow, and unlucky for her... her lost love who also played a part in her brother becoming disabled, has moved back too. Their unrequited love is something special, since her daughter is his and he doesn't know. Now, we all know this is going to be dramatic... Throw in a private school, a bakery, and lots of smut... It's the package I needed.
Emotional second chance romances are great, especially when it's not SUPER depressing. Sure, there were some sad parts, but I felt like this book was mostly positive. I definitely will be needing the first four books in this series and more books by Brenda STAT. I liked how easy this book was to read. I did think it was a pinch too long, but that's just me.
Four out of five stars.
Jada returns to her home town with her daughter in tow, and unlucky for her... her lost love who also played a part in her brother becoming disabled, has moved back too. Their unrequited love is something special, since her daughter is his and he doesn't know. Now, we all know this is going to be dramatic... Throw in a private school, a bakery, and lots of smut... It's the package I needed.
Emotional second chance romances are great, especially when it's not SUPER depressing. Sure, there were some sad parts, but I felt like this book was mostly positive. I definitely will be needing the first four books in this series and more books by Brenda STAT. I liked how easy this book was to read. I did think it was a pinch too long, but that's just me.
Four out of five stars.
October 25, 2019
I loved this book!! Great story!! Can't wait for the next book in the series to release!! Love this author's books!!
March 5, 2019
Unforgettable you is a book that gave me mixed feelings. On one hand, I liked the pace and how Maddox and Jada found their way back to each other and on the other I kept wishing that Maddox would find out about his daughter before the final chapter, so they could have the time to bond. And that was really bugging me because, in the end, I didn't buy what we got when it came to Maddox and Maya's interactions because I found it too easy. I just wanted to see that pair clicking together and bonding over ice scream and not get the "Maya, I am your father" speech and be done with it. It was the reason it took me a while to finish the book. I couldn't get over Jada's refusal to tell her daughter and the father of her daughter the truth.
The book is about forgiveness and learning to move on past a mistake someone made in the past. I liked that part of the book. I wasn't sure what to make of Tobias and Atticus in the beginning, but both of them won me over and now I want to see them get a happy ending. Tobias' book is next and I am looking forward to getting that book in my hands. I hope that his woman will be Tiffany.
The romantic aspect of Maddox and Jada's story was good and the thing that won me over the most. Their timeline was a good one and things felt natural between them. It's hard to reconnect with someone after 13 years and all that hatred that run on her side of the family and guilt on his. Maddox took the blame for something that he had no power over and I hated Jada's mother for that ,since she was the one with the venom.
It seems like I have an issue with when the author chooses to end some plotlines, which makes me wonder what will bother me when I read book 6. Until then, I would recommend this book.
The book is about forgiveness and learning to move on past a mistake someone made in the past. I liked that part of the book. I wasn't sure what to make of Tobias and Atticus in the beginning, but both of them won me over and now I want to see them get a happy ending. Tobias' book is next and I am looking forward to getting that book in my hands. I hope that his woman will be Tiffany.
The romantic aspect of Maddox and Jada's story was good and the thing that won me over the most. Their timeline was a good one and things felt natural between them. It's hard to reconnect with someone after 13 years and all that hatred that run on her side of the family and guilt on his. Maddox took the blame for something that he had no power over and I hated Jada's mother for that ,since she was the one with the venom.
It seems like I have an issue with when the author chooses to end some plotlines, which makes me wonder what will bother me when I read book 6. Until then, I would recommend this book.
February 25, 2019
Jada and Maddox's story is a difficult one. They were a couple in high school, and choices they both made had devastating consequences for them and their families.
Thirteen years later, they are both back in Silver Springs. They are still in love with each other, but will they be able to forgive each other and put the past behind them? If so, will their families adapt?
I loved this book. Sometimes the bad choices we make when we're teenagers are life-altering, as it certainly was for Jada and Maddox. But a chance at redemption is deserved! Unforgettable You is one of Novak's best books.
Thirteen years later, they are both back in Silver Springs. They are still in love with each other, but will they be able to forgive each other and put the past behind them? If so, will their families adapt?
I loved this book. Sometimes the bad choices we make when we're teenagers are life-altering, as it certainly was for Jada and Maddox. But a chance at redemption is deserved! Unforgettable You is one of Novak's best books.
February 24, 2019
I've enjoyed every book in the Silver Springs series by Brenda Novak and this book is no exception. With characters that are flawed and real your heart can't help but become wrapped up in their stories. That is absolutely true of Jada and Maddox. These two were young lovers who were torn apart by one awful event. Now years later they have a second chance. Will they risk everything for each other or is the past and secrets of the past too much to overcome?
Put this on the must risk list. I highly recommend it.
Put this on the must risk list. I highly recommend it.
March 26, 2019
This is a beautifully written book about love, forgiveness and moving on. Jada and Maddox have loved each other for years but a tragedy tore them apart when they were just teenagers. I loved all of the wonderfully crafted, relatable characters in this book. It is a fast read because you can't put it down. This is a story that could be true. These things do happen. It just goes to show you that true love can survive anything. I absolutely loved this exquisite love story and I know that you will too. Highly recommended read! I absolutely loved it from beginning to end.
February 26, 2019
Unforgettable You is Book 5 in Brenda Novak's Silver Springs series. Even though it's Book 5 and some of the characters in the earlier cameo appearances, it's not a deal breaker if you haven't had a chance to read the earlier stories yet as this stands perfectly fine on its own.
Wow! This story brought out all the feels. Emotional, dramatic, tragic, heartbreaking but oh so good. There were many times throughout I wanted to literally shake a couple of the characters! There was one loose end that wasn't quite 100% tied up yet at the end but I strongly suspect we'll see that resolved in the next story. Can't wait!
Wow! This story brought out all the feels. Emotional, dramatic, tragic, heartbreaking but oh so good. There were many times throughout I wanted to literally shake a couple of the characters! There was one loose end that wasn't quite 100% tied up yet at the end but I strongly suspect we'll see that resolved in the next story. Can't wait!
February 28, 2019
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Library. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
I am always happy to come back to Silver Springs . There is, however, an overall theme of people making some bad choices or being in bad situations and having to live with the consequences. The school is a key part of helping the very young be in a better place and have improved chances in the future. Their part in the community also highlights the role of compassion and even forgiveness.
I found the prejudice in Unforgettable You to be as frustrating and heartbreaking similar to the rest of the series. The unhappiness by those determined to see the worst in others, put them down and hold grudges is difficult for me, especially when those being vilified are children in a bad situation and still children. It's one thing if those making mistakes have no regrets and keep making bad choices. It's another, if there is only one mistake when they were children. A live & let live, and ignore policy, would be more appropriate than an active destroy their life agenda.
Jada was really strong to get through the last years and help her family as much as possible. For a long time, she had to mostly stuff down her own needs and preferences, and make hard decisions. I am so glad she was able to make her own choices and be happy in the end. Maddux was also in a tough spot and I'm proud of him, and his brother, for their current efforts and choices.
The next in the series looks to be a Christmas story with Tobias. I'll look forward to seeing how things are going in Silver Springs.
Narration:
Veronica Worthington did a lovely job with the narration. The primary point of view is Jada, so she is her voice. There seems to be more thoughts than dialogue, so the voices are limited. I'm not sure I could differentiate who is speaking just by the voice. The narration was clear and easy to understand providing comfortable listening at 1.25x speed.
Listen to a clip here:https://soundcloud.com/harperaudio_us...
Review copy was received from Library. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
I am always happy to come back to Silver Springs . There is, however, an overall theme of people making some bad choices or being in bad situations and having to live with the consequences. The school is a key part of helping the very young be in a better place and have improved chances in the future. Their part in the community also highlights the role of compassion and even forgiveness.
I found the prejudice in Unforgettable You to be as frustrating and heartbreaking similar to the rest of the series. The unhappiness by those determined to see the worst in others, put them down and hold grudges is difficult for me, especially when those being vilified are children in a bad situation and still children. It's one thing if those making mistakes have no regrets and keep making bad choices. It's another, if there is only one mistake when they were children. A live & let live, and ignore policy, would be more appropriate than an active destroy their life agenda.
Jada was really strong to get through the last years and help her family as much as possible. For a long time, she had to mostly stuff down her own needs and preferences, and make hard decisions. I am so glad she was able to make her own choices and be happy in the end. Maddux was also in a tough spot and I'm proud of him, and his brother, for their current efforts and choices.
The next in the series looks to be a Christmas story with Tobias. I'll look forward to seeing how things are going in Silver Springs.
Narration:
Veronica Worthington did a lovely job with the narration. The primary point of view is Jada, so she is her voice. There seems to be more thoughts than dialogue, so the voices are limited. I'm not sure I could differentiate who is speaking just by the voice. The narration was clear and easy to understand providing comfortable listening at 1.25x speed.
Listen to a clip here:https://soundcloud.com/harperaudio_us...
April 17, 2019
Beginning is so stinking slow. And I didn’t like how things were presented, felt like the author wanted me to pity that poor heroine who got knocked up by her teenage boyfriend, who had to raise her kid instead of going to college, who was never loved by her mom who thinks she’s partly responsible for that shooting incident that caused her brother’s paralysis....... 🙄
oh please. Don’t lay it on so thick, or do it differently, in a way that won’t make your readers roll their eyes because it’s just too much drama right from the beginning. 🙄 And I’m sorry but I find I have very little empathy for someone who keeps being a doormat, who won’t help herself, lies to her kid about her father (for crying out loud she tells her her dad’s dead 🤦🏻♀️)...
How ridiculous is that scene where the heroine drools after the hero at the bar? The MCs have spoken ONCE since the beginning, they’ve been avoiding each other, but they’re both at the same bar one night... “Their eyes locked and, in that second or two, Jada couldn’t help replaying the first time he’d ever taken off her clothes.” 🙄 🤦🏻♀️Right. Makes total sense.
I give up. 30% in and I can’t take the high drama, the martyr attitude of the heroine, the whole “I’m not going to tell my daughter’s father about the existence of his kid”, the negative emotions. I read for fun. And I had no fun reading this.
oh please. Don’t lay it on so thick, or do it differently, in a way that won’t make your readers roll their eyes because it’s just too much drama right from the beginning. 🙄 And I’m sorry but I find I have very little empathy for someone who keeps being a doormat, who won’t help herself, lies to her kid about her father (for crying out loud she tells her her dad’s dead 🤦🏻♀️)...
How ridiculous is that scene where the heroine drools after the hero at the bar? The MCs have spoken ONCE since the beginning, they’ve been avoiding each other, but they’re both at the same bar one night... “Their eyes locked and, in that second or two, Jada couldn’t help replaying the first time he’d ever taken off her clothes.” 🙄 🤦🏻♀️Right. Makes total sense.
I give up. 30% in and I can’t take the high drama, the martyr attitude of the heroine, the whole “I’m not going to tell my daughter’s father about the existence of his kid”, the negative emotions. I read for fun. And I had no fun reading this.
February 27, 2019
Filled with emotional turmoil and heartfelt redemption! With the next book in her beloved Silver Springs series, Brenda Novak is taking us back to where it all began and bringing Aiyana's school into the forefront again. We meet a couple who were doomed by one impetuous decision that spiraled out of control. He's trying to reconnect and though she wants to as well, she can't figure out how to broach the fact that she's kept such a huge secret for all of these years. It's a very emotionally riveting read and pulls at our heartstrings heavily. Really loved this book and am looking forward to more of Tobias in the next book in the series!
One teenage mistake led to a changed world for Jada Brooks. Her little brother's life changed irrevocably at the hands of another, and she was never let to forget that it was all her fault. She was forced to never speak to the boy she loved ... not even to tell him she was carrying their baby. Now more than a dozen years have passed and Jada is coming home to Silver Springs. Had she known he would turn up in town around the same time, she would have never endangered the secret she holds dear ... their 12 year old daughter Maya.
Maddox Richardson lives with his own regrets, but chances given to him over the years have led him to redeem himself and become the man he always wanted to be. He's thrilled that Aiyana is giving him this opportunity at the new girls school she's starting, and hopes returning to Silver Spring won't come back to bite him. It doesn't take long for news to reach him that she's back. The only girl he ever loved. The one he's never been able to forget. He knows he has to reach out and hope for forgiveness for the wrongs he helped cause, but he doesn't know how hard it will be for them to be so close to each other, but yet so far.
One teenage mistake led to a changed world for Jada Brooks. Her little brother's life changed irrevocably at the hands of another, and she was never let to forget that it was all her fault. She was forced to never speak to the boy she loved ... not even to tell him she was carrying their baby. Now more than a dozen years have passed and Jada is coming home to Silver Springs. Had she known he would turn up in town around the same time, she would have never endangered the secret she holds dear ... their 12 year old daughter Maya.
Maddox Richardson lives with his own regrets, but chances given to him over the years have led him to redeem himself and become the man he always wanted to be. He's thrilled that Aiyana is giving him this opportunity at the new girls school she's starting, and hopes returning to Silver Spring won't come back to bite him. It doesn't take long for news to reach him that she's back. The only girl he ever loved. The one he's never been able to forget. He knows he has to reach out and hope for forgiveness for the wrongs he helped cause, but he doesn't know how hard it will be for them to be so close to each other, but yet so far.
March 25, 2019
Sweet and tragic with a touch of perfect
Another lovely and endearing addition to Brenda Novaks Silver Springs series. A tragedy 13 years ago derailed a lot of lives , even destroying them in some cases. The victims foamy finds it Incredibly hard to move on. Even the one with a secret she has been keeping for all those years. And she did, until the one person she should have told the truth to moves back to town right before she did. Tempers are high and angers is felt by many, except the woman who used to love a boy, before it all went wrong. Feelings that never went away. Deeply emotional and tragic, thus story has it all. But love and forgiveness shine through and make it the perfect addition to this magical town.
Another lovely and endearing addition to Brenda Novaks Silver Springs series. A tragedy 13 years ago derailed a lot of lives , even destroying them in some cases. The victims foamy finds it Incredibly hard to move on. Even the one with a secret she has been keeping for all those years. And she did, until the one person she should have told the truth to moves back to town right before she did. Tempers are high and angers is felt by many, except the woman who used to love a boy, before it all went wrong. Feelings that never went away. Deeply emotional and tragic, thus story has it all. But love and forgiveness shine through and make it the perfect addition to this magical town.
April 8, 2019
2 1/2 rounded up. It was okay.
June 27, 2019
I loved it from beginning to the end.. A great read
February 22, 2019
This is the 5th book in the Silver Springs series, but can be read as a standalone. There are a lot of side characters mentioned throughout the book so if you'd like more info on them it would be a good idea to read the previous books.
If two people ever truly deserved a second chance at love, Jada and Maddox definitely do! After a horrible tragedy occurred 13 years ago, their lives were changed forever - as well as the lives of those they love. Now they are both back in town and fighting the attraction that never left either of them. The only thing standing in their way is her family and his guilt over the tragedy.
This is a emotional, yet heartbreaking story of forgiveness and second chances. I loved this storyline and the characters involved - well, except for a couple of them. You'll understand after you read. Who knows though, they may redeem themselves in future books! I definitely can't wait for the next book after reading whose story it is!
If two people ever truly deserved a second chance at love, Jada and Maddox definitely do! After a horrible tragedy occurred 13 years ago, their lives were changed forever - as well as the lives of those they love. Now they are both back in town and fighting the attraction that never left either of them. The only thing standing in their way is her family and his guilt over the tragedy.
This is a emotional, yet heartbreaking story of forgiveness and second chances. I loved this storyline and the characters involved - well, except for a couple of them. You'll understand after you read. Who knows though, they may redeem themselves in future books! I definitely can't wait for the next book after reading whose story it is!
February 26, 2019
A moving book with so many emotions. Jada Brooks has come back to Silver Springs after her father passed away, along with her daughter. Shes not expecting to see Maddox who she loved a long time ago. Things changed and they went there separate ways one awful night an accident they will forever be forgotten.
Maddox is back in Silver Springs for reasons only some know. It won’t be easy being back, and now seeing Jada with a daughter.
What will happen when his brother gets out of prison? Well only time will tell.
See what happens. Can Jada and Maddox get a second chance at love or not?
Maddox is back in Silver Springs for reasons only some know. It won’t be easy being back, and now seeing Jada with a daughter.
What will happen when his brother gets out of prison? Well only time will tell.
See what happens. Can Jada and Maddox get a second chance at love or not?
April 25, 2024
Loved this book so much I couldn’t put it down! Maddox was just given the short stick in his life but made something of himself anyways. Such a great story about how your past doesn’t define you.
February 19, 2019
Unforgettable You is emotional, heartbreaking, and healing. Brenda Novak developed a cast of diverse characters all looking for a second chance and the opportunity to move past the one night that no one can seemingly forget. Jada is a devoted mom whose return to Silver Springs is as difficult as she expected. Fresh off a divorce and losing her dad, she's trying to keep it all together for her smart daughter, younger brother, and bitter mother. Maddox never planned to return, but he's excited to take on the chance to run the new New Horizons school for girls. Both Jada and Maddox are stuck between a rock and a hard place since their relationship was torn apart as teens and their current situations force them to choose between feelings that are still there and their need to support and be loyal to their respective families. Brenda Novak skillfully draws out the conflict, angst, and drama while developing each character and a rekindled romance.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
February 19, 2019
*3.5 Stars*
I'm always happy to visit with the inhabitants of Silver Springs. Novak has built a cast I truly enjoy. Although I didn't get to spend as much time with characters I already knew, I was glad to meet Jada and Maddox. They'd been through a lot, endured a lot at a young age, and have been estranged for 13 years. But the love they share(d) is strong and despite all they've been through, are still experiencing, and the secrets needing to be exposed, they'll find a way. I do wish Maya, Jada's daughter, had been fleshed out just a bit more and I think the ending - Maddox's reaction - was a little unrealistic. But overall, Unforgettable You is a worthy installment in the series.
I'm always happy to visit with the inhabitants of Silver Springs. Novak has built a cast I truly enjoy. Although I didn't get to spend as much time with characters I already knew, I was glad to meet Jada and Maddox. They'd been through a lot, endured a lot at a young age, and have been estranged for 13 years. But the love they share(d) is strong and despite all they've been through, are still experiencing, and the secrets needing to be exposed, they'll find a way. I do wish Maya, Jada's daughter, had been fleshed out just a bit more and I think the ending - Maddox's reaction - was a little unrealistic. But overall, Unforgettable You is a worthy installment in the series.
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