What do you think?
Rate this book
Retribution #1
Unrequited Love
True love never fades...
Amelia Hamilton has made a great life for herself over the past decade, and she doesn’t need any reminders of her past—especially not her ex-husband Jack. But her father’s sudden death turns her world upside down. A clause in his will stipulates she spend four weeks at Briarleigh Lodge & Resort, and she finds herself in the snowy hills of Montana to fulfill his last request.
But revenge runs deep in the shadows of Briarleigh, and someone wants Amelia gone—for good. Jack Prescott is stunned when his ex-wife stumbles upon his doorstep, and he can’t help but wonder… Has fate handed him a second chance to resolve this unrequited love?
Torn between past and present, neither could have predicted what the future would bring…
*Unrequited Love is book one of the Frozen in Time trilogy. Books one and two contain a cliffhanger and should be read in order for maximum reading pleasure.
Book One - Unrequited Love
Book Two - Undeniable Love
Book Three - Unbreakable Love
Amelia Hamilton has made a great life for herself over the past decade, and she doesn’t need any reminders of her past—especially not her ex-husband Jack. But her father’s sudden death turns her world upside down. A clause in his will stipulates she spend four weeks at Briarleigh Lodge & Resort, and she finds herself in the snowy hills of Montana to fulfill his last request.
But revenge runs deep in the shadows of Briarleigh, and someone wants Amelia gone—for good. Jack Prescott is stunned when his ex-wife stumbles upon his doorstep, and he can’t help but wonder… Has fate handed him a second chance to resolve this unrequited love?
Torn between past and present, neither could have predicted what the future would bring…
*Unrequited Love is book one of the Frozen in Time trilogy. Books one and two contain a cliffhanger and should be read in order for maximum reading pleasure.
Book One - Unrequited Love
Book Two - Undeniable Love
Book Three - Unbreakable Love
144 pages, ebook
First published December 10, 2019
455 people are currently reading
715 people want to read
About the author
Morgan James
47 books405 followersMorgan James is a USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty romantic suspense novels. She spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book and cut her teeth on the likes of R.L. Stein and Christopher Pike. When not writing, she can be found at her home in Ohio with her husband and two kids.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 26, 2021
I started this book not realising that it was part of a series. That usually doesn't worry me and I look forward to reading the next book in the series but this one just didn't do it for me. I was left disappointed and just didn't want to continue with the story. I felt it moved really slowly and the fact that it wasn't a very long book suggests that the whole story may have been able to be written in one novel.
Want to read
January 24, 2024🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/28/2020)! 🎁
December 8, 2019
Unrequited Love is slow burn second chance romance perfection! The story is filled with heartache, suspense, thrills and the hope for redemption. The story didn’t progress at all how I thought it would, but in a good way. I was only prepared for a second chance romance between main characters Amelia and Jake. However, there are heart stopping thrills and suspense as well. I completely loved the story all around. At first I didn’t think I would like Jake at all, however the alternating POVs between him and Amelia helped me go from disdain to curiosity. I don’t completely forgive him for how his part in their past relationship, yet I’m hopeful that he can redeem himself through actions in the subsequent books. This book does end in a cliffhanger, so be mindful of that if you need the HEA at the end of each book. I anticipate book 2 will be a wonderful read and will definitely be looking to read it as soon as it is released.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2019
Towards the end I think I forgot to breathe! Unrequited love has loss, pain, torment, and an unidentified villain. Amalia spends years not talking to her father only to find out a week later that he passed away. His Will states that she must spend four weeks at Briarleigh lodge in order to get the share holdings of the company. She feels guilty at having held a grudge for so many years and not getting to say bye. Jake, her exhusband, is her fathers partner, unbeknownst to her. All is not as it seems at Briarleigh and someone is trying to kill her.
This book ends in the ultimate cliffhanger that surpasses any I've read. I was not prepared to become so invested that I devoured this in one night. 5 stars!
I recieved an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
This book ends in the ultimate cliffhanger that surpasses any I've read. I was not prepared to become so invested that I devoured this in one night. 5 stars!
I recieved an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
June 18, 2025
Not complete book
Don't buy if you want a complete story. Book was enjoyable until I realized it was a cliffhanger. You have to have the next book or more to find out what happens to the characters. Very annoying and frustrating. Personally I will never purchase the follow-up and contribute to this annoying ploy.
Don't buy if you want a complete story. Book was enjoyable until I realized it was a cliffhanger. You have to have the next book or more to find out what happens to the characters. Very annoying and frustrating. Personally I will never purchase the follow-up and contribute to this annoying ploy.
December 10, 2019
Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love to read new authors. As my profile has grown, authors have reached out to me to consider reading their upcoming releases for an honest review. Morgan James is one such author. The first book I read from her is The Devil You Know. Honestly, I don’t read a lot of romantic suspense, but her book, along with a few others, has shown me that I actually love the sub-genre quite a bit. Now, she has a new romantic suspense, Unrequited Love. It’s part of a trilogy, I believe, and this first book has definitely grabbed my attention.
The story follows Amelia and Jack. As a travel photographer, Amelia has seen many beautiful places and photographed them. However, she realizes that her life isn’t complete. She walked away from a marriage eight years ago to the love of her life when she felt betrayed by a decision he made, and she has struggled to move on relationally since then. She is also estranged from her father because he sided with her husband. The story begins when she finds out her father has died. Feeling as though she missed an opportunity to reconcile with him, Amelia agrees to attend the reading of his will. Her father sets a stipulation in his will that she must live for a time at his forthcoming mountain resort, Briarleigh, in order to inherit her trust. What she doesn’t know is that Jack, her ex-husband, plays a huge part in the building of Briarleigh.
While there, Amelia receives threats from an unknown source. Not wanting to be deterred, she pushes forward until her life becomes endangered. In this first book, Jack and Amelia don’t meet until the end, and it sets off a cliffhanger that will keep you enthralled. Will Jack and Amelia reconcile and realize their undying love for each other, or will they let each other go again? Even more, who is the person endangering Amelia? Will Jack be able to protect her from the threat?
For the most part, Unrequited Love is a background novel for this trilogy. It is here that Monica James sets the story for the rest of the trilogy. She unveils the character of Amelia. In this book, James crafts a heroine who feels a bit stalled in life. She can’t seem to move forward romantically because her heart belongs to her ex, Jack. We see her struggle with her father’s death and the ramifications for not reconciling with him. This guilt drives her decisions, and we see her turmoil at realizing her father is gone. By the end of this book, we have a good idea of her as a character and her journey ahead.
James doesn’t spend as much time developing Jack. We understand his love for Amelia, his relationship to her father, and his struggle with the future. One of the issues I had with Jack was his inability to remedy the issue with Amelia. He tells us multiple times that she’s the “love of his life.” Yet, he never pursues her. James doesn’t reveal why he never chased Amelia. Instead, he seems fine with the status quo, living without Amelia, and that confused me as a reader. His life’s decisions are clearly influenced by his love for her, yet he keeps his distance.
When the book ends, you will find yourself at the edge of your seat because James leaves us with a doozy of a cliffhanger. It comes a bit from out of nowhere, but it will be interesting to read how she remedies the situation she’s created. Additionally, as she did with The Devil You Know, she has a tertiary character, the Watcher, who represents the threat to Amelia. She gives the Watcher chapters, so we understand his or her motivation for wanting to destroy Amelia. This seems to be Morgan James’s signature calling card, after reading this book and The Devil You Know. It’s an interesting stylistic choice and ensures we understand the motivation of the killer. Yet, I hope this isn’t something she does in every book, even if it’s an element of her style.
If you love romantic suspense, then you will enjoy Unrequited Love. I know I am waiting patiently (almost) for the second book as I want more Amelia and Jack. While the chemistry is there, this book doesn’t give it time to build. I imagine it’s going to be a scorching page-turner once it hits.
I love to read new authors. As my profile has grown, authors have reached out to me to consider reading their upcoming releases for an honest review. Morgan James is one such author. The first book I read from her is The Devil You Know. Honestly, I don’t read a lot of romantic suspense, but her book, along with a few others, has shown me that I actually love the sub-genre quite a bit. Now, she has a new romantic suspense, Unrequited Love. It’s part of a trilogy, I believe, and this first book has definitely grabbed my attention.
The story follows Amelia and Jack. As a travel photographer, Amelia has seen many beautiful places and photographed them. However, she realizes that her life isn’t complete. She walked away from a marriage eight years ago to the love of her life when she felt betrayed by a decision he made, and she has struggled to move on relationally since then. She is also estranged from her father because he sided with her husband. The story begins when she finds out her father has died. Feeling as though she missed an opportunity to reconcile with him, Amelia agrees to attend the reading of his will. Her father sets a stipulation in his will that she must live for a time at his forthcoming mountain resort, Briarleigh, in order to inherit her trust. What she doesn’t know is that Jack, her ex-husband, plays a huge part in the building of Briarleigh.
While there, Amelia receives threats from an unknown source. Not wanting to be deterred, she pushes forward until her life becomes endangered. In this first book, Jack and Amelia don’t meet until the end, and it sets off a cliffhanger that will keep you enthralled. Will Jack and Amelia reconcile and realize their undying love for each other, or will they let each other go again? Even more, who is the person endangering Amelia? Will Jack be able to protect her from the threat?
For the most part, Unrequited Love is a background novel for this trilogy. It is here that Monica James sets the story for the rest of the trilogy. She unveils the character of Amelia. In this book, James crafts a heroine who feels a bit stalled in life. She can’t seem to move forward romantically because her heart belongs to her ex, Jack. We see her struggle with her father’s death and the ramifications for not reconciling with him. This guilt drives her decisions, and we see her turmoil at realizing her father is gone. By the end of this book, we have a good idea of her as a character and her journey ahead.
James doesn’t spend as much time developing Jack. We understand his love for Amelia, his relationship to her father, and his struggle with the future. One of the issues I had with Jack was his inability to remedy the issue with Amelia. He tells us multiple times that she’s the “love of his life.” Yet, he never pursues her. James doesn’t reveal why he never chased Amelia. Instead, he seems fine with the status quo, living without Amelia, and that confused me as a reader. His life’s decisions are clearly influenced by his love for her, yet he keeps his distance.
When the book ends, you will find yourself at the edge of your seat because James leaves us with a doozy of a cliffhanger. It comes a bit from out of nowhere, but it will be interesting to read how she remedies the situation she’s created. Additionally, as she did with The Devil You Know, she has a tertiary character, the Watcher, who represents the threat to Amelia. She gives the Watcher chapters, so we understand his or her motivation for wanting to destroy Amelia. This seems to be Morgan James’s signature calling card, after reading this book and The Devil You Know. It’s an interesting stylistic choice and ensures we understand the motivation of the killer. Yet, I hope this isn’t something she does in every book, even if it’s an element of her style.
If you love romantic suspense, then you will enjoy Unrequited Love. I know I am waiting patiently (almost) for the second book as I want more Amelia and Jack. While the chemistry is there, this book doesn’t give it time to build. I imagine it’s going to be a scorching page-turner once it hits.
December 1, 2019
Amelia has distanced herself from her father because she feels he has chosen her ex husband Jack after a dispute .
So she moves away after a decade she is contacted about her father. She learns he has passed away and she needs to attend the reading of his will.
Will everyone like what the will says or is someone trying to take more than they are left. Amelia finds out she has an opportunity to be half owner she just has to fulfill her father's last request .
Will she like her new business partner will she make it or something that she doesn't expect lurking around the corner to hold her down ?
So she moves away after a decade she is contacted about her father. She learns he has passed away and she needs to attend the reading of his will.
Will everyone like what the will says or is someone trying to take more than they are left. Amelia finds out she has an opportunity to be half owner she just has to fulfill her father's last request .
Will she like her new business partner will she make it or something that she doesn't expect lurking around the corner to hold her down ?
November 25, 2024
Totally boring
This book was absolutely totally horribly boring. Paint drying would be a lot more interesting. There is NO way I ever want to read anything more about these two. Run from this book. Shirley
This book was absolutely totally horribly boring. Paint drying would be a lot more interesting. There is NO way I ever want to read anything more about these two. Run from this book. Shirley
December 11, 2019
Unrequited Love by Morgan James is a second chance romance between a successful nature photographer named Amelia and her ex-husband, a sexy former military man named Jack. Amelia’s estranged father dies unexpectedly and leaves behind a surprisingly large amount of ownership of his company’s assets to her. As a stipulation of her father’s will, Amelia must spend a consecutive month at the Briarleigh Lodge, a soon to be opened ski resort. Little does Amelia know, Jack was her father’s silent partner and has controlling interest in this same company. Even Jack is unaware of her new ownership or her arrival at Briarleigh. It seems disaster has settled like a black cloud over Briarleigh - making Jack doubt if they’ll ever open their doors. Someone does not want Briarleigh to open at any & all costs. When Amelia arrives, things kick into overdrive - forcing the darkness to strike out against Amelia in an attempt on her life. Will Amelia & Jack forgive each other in time? Or will Briarleigh fall into the hands of a devil in disguise as their relationship crumbles yet again?
When I started reading this book, I did not know it would end as a cliffhanger. Once I got through 80% of the book, I quickly realized the author either had a lot of explaining to do (said in my best Southern Momma voice 😉) or we were surely headed for a cliffhanger. That being said, I think the author chose a great spot to stop because some questions are answered and new situations are brought to light.
Special thanks to the author for this advanced copy of this book which I have voluntarily and honestly reviewed.
The book:
•129 pages • Contemporary • Cliffhanger • First In A Series • First-Person Narrative • Her POV • His POV • Bad Guy’s POV
BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS
Plot: 5/5 Great plot with several exciting twists!
Main Characters (hero/heroine): 5/5 Jack & Amelia
He is: -Sexy -Former Military -Fit -Secretly still loves her
She is: -Smart -Cute -Still in love with him -Outdoorsy -Nature photographer
The Feels: 5/5 So many feelings!
Pace: 4/5 Well paced
Addictiveness: 4/5
Steam/Hotness/Chemistry: 2/5 Clean romance, lacked physical intimacy between the two main characters during the present but referenced several times to their passionate love in the past.
Theme or Tone: 4/5
Flow (Writing Style): 4/5
World Building: 4/5
Originality: 5/5
Ending: 5/5 - Great but cliffhanger! It’s a good setup for the next book though.
Book Cover: Cute couple
Trope: Second Chance Romance, Enemies(ish) to Lovers
Romance Sub genre: New Adult Romance, Contemporary Romance
Source: Kindle eBook
Would I recommend this book? Yes, but if you don’t like cliffhangers - I’d wait until all three books are out and binge read them!
When I started reading this book, I did not know it would end as a cliffhanger. Once I got through 80% of the book, I quickly realized the author either had a lot of explaining to do (said in my best Southern Momma voice 😉) or we were surely headed for a cliffhanger. That being said, I think the author chose a great spot to stop because some questions are answered and new situations are brought to light.
Special thanks to the author for this advanced copy of this book which I have voluntarily and honestly reviewed.
The book:
•129 pages • Contemporary • Cliffhanger • First In A Series • First-Person Narrative • Her POV • His POV • Bad Guy’s POV
BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS
Plot: 5/5 Great plot with several exciting twists!
Main Characters (hero/heroine): 5/5 Jack & Amelia
He is: -Sexy -Former Military -Fit -Secretly still loves her
She is: -Smart -Cute -Still in love with him -Outdoorsy -Nature photographer
The Feels: 5/5 So many feelings!
Pace: 4/5 Well paced
Addictiveness: 4/5
Steam/Hotness/Chemistry: 2/5 Clean romance, lacked physical intimacy between the two main characters during the present but referenced several times to their passionate love in the past.
Theme or Tone: 4/5
Flow (Writing Style): 4/5
World Building: 4/5
Originality: 5/5
Ending: 5/5 - Great but cliffhanger! It’s a good setup for the next book though.
Book Cover: Cute couple
Trope: Second Chance Romance, Enemies(ish) to Lovers
Romance Sub genre: New Adult Romance, Contemporary Romance
Source: Kindle eBook
Would I recommend this book? Yes, but if you don’t like cliffhangers - I’d wait until all three books are out and binge read them!
January 30, 2020
✨ I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review ✨
Unrequited Love (Frozen in Time #1)
By Morgan James. 3,5/5⭐️
I didn’t have any expectations of this books and I must say that it really surprised me and I mean it in a good way .
James really succeeds to write a well written and enthralling book that keeps your attention to the very last page .
Sometimes I even felt like I was watching a movie .
The main reason why I didn’t give it a higher rate is because I felt like the characters on occasion were overanalysing their feelings and the events that happened in the past . Don’t get me wrong , it’s fundamental for the reader to know of previous events as long as they are well explained and leave it at that , but it was something that came up to often in the story .
But overall it left me wanting to read the sequel.
Unrequited Love (Frozen in Time #1)
By Morgan James. 3,5/5⭐️
I didn’t have any expectations of this books and I must say that it really surprised me and I mean it in a good way .
James really succeeds to write a well written and enthralling book that keeps your attention to the very last page .
Sometimes I even felt like I was watching a movie .
The main reason why I didn’t give it a higher rate is because I felt like the characters on occasion were overanalysing their feelings and the events that happened in the past . Don’t get me wrong , it’s fundamental for the reader to know of previous events as long as they are well explained and leave it at that , but it was something that came up to often in the story .
But overall it left me wanting to read the sequel.
June 21, 2023
Reviews
Mia's father died and they had a falling years ago and she refused to be around him. She feels guilty. She finds out that he and someone built a resort but she had to spend four straight weeks there to get it. Things have been going on at the resort that she didn't know about. Her step brother goes with her. A man threatened her, someone breaks into her cabin, she wrecks her car and has to walk in the snow while it is beginning to storm. She ends up walking to a house and forgets her life. She ends up at her ex husband house. Finds out her ex husband and father was partners. It ends with a Clift hanger on who is trying to kill her and not knowing that an employee is stealing from the company or that her step brother and stepmother would benefit if she walks away
Mia's father died and they had a falling years ago and she refused to be around him. She feels guilty. She finds out that he and someone built a resort but she had to spend four straight weeks there to get it. Things have been going on at the resort that she didn't know about. Her step brother goes with her. A man threatened her, someone breaks into her cabin, she wrecks her car and has to walk in the snow while it is beginning to storm. She ends up walking to a house and forgets her life. She ends up at her ex husband house. Finds out her ex husband and father was partners. It ends with a Clift hanger on who is trying to kill her and not knowing that an employee is stealing from the company or that her step brother and stepmother would benefit if she walks away
July 5, 2023
I thought the book was okay. It felt like it had a lot of unnecessary explanations. Also, for it being a romance, there weren't really any romantic aspects. Other than Jack's memories of their marriage.
The Watcher pov was an interesting addition, and I'm curious about how that plays out in future books.
For the cover having a shirtless man on it, I really thought there was going to be more smut. I believe there was only one scene, and it was a memory of a character's.
The ending is a cliffhanger and encourages you to read the rest of the series.
The Watcher pov was an interesting addition, and I'm curious about how that plays out in future books.
For the cover having a shirtless man on it, I really thought there was going to be more smut. I believe there was only one scene, and it was a memory of a character's.
The ending is a cliffhanger and encourages you to read the rest of the series.
July 10, 2023
This is the first book in this series. Amelia has had a turbulent relationship with her father in years since her divorce. Now her father has died and she had no idea he was even sick. Jack is her ex and her father’s business partner. At the reading of the will, she learns that she will need to spend 4 weeks at the new hotel her father was building. That or give up her part of her father’s estate. Things are about to get interesting. The hotel as been having issues with someone trying to stop the build. Now Amelia is going to another step in that person’s way. Will he/she start going after her now? How will she react when she learns who her father’s partner was? This book was a great read. I can’t wait for the next one in the series. I will warn you that it does end on a cliffhanger, so be prepared for that. It ends with one heck of twist as well. Wonderful job Morgan.
June 29, 2023
There is an idea, but no actual plot to this book. It's not a romance since we never see the 2 "leads" interact. They just both separately think about how they used to be so in love. No context for what their relationship was like, or what ended it. It's not a thriller, since neither of them discover or learn anything. Any scheme that's being planned if off-page and has no tangible mark on their lives except that she gets scared and runs away once. So this book is kind of… nothing?
November 22, 2019
Such an unexpected thrill.
I thought this story was going to be the typical second chance romance, but it is so much more than expected.
This story is full of suspense and makes you constantly wonder what is going to happen. And let me tell you now, it took me on a completely different journey that I am excited for.
I can’t wait to see what happens next in Amelia’s story.
I thought this story was going to be the typical second chance romance, but it is so much more than expected.
This story is full of suspense and makes you constantly wonder what is going to happen. And let me tell you now, it took me on a completely different journey that I am excited for.
I can’t wait to see what happens next in Amelia’s story.
September 8, 2021
This started out one way but then took a big turn. It is so much more than I expected. There's a few intense moments, lots of suspense, twists and turns. Plus an ending you won't see coming. Absolutely loved this book and look forward to the next one.
December 22, 2021
oh oh oh.
I was not expecting this ending. I knew something was gonna happen but not that. Jack and Amelia obviously love each other can they figure this out. I sure hope so. Can’t wait for the next book.
I was not expecting this ending. I knew something was gonna happen but not that. Jack and Amelia obviously love each other can they figure this out. I sure hope so. Can’t wait for the next book.
July 1, 2022
WOW , ABSOLUTE PAGE TURNER
I started this book and finished within 8hours, I just couldn’t stop reading it !! Already in love with the characters and can’t wait to find out who’s the villain, off to the next one !! 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I started this book and finished within 8hours, I just couldn’t stop reading it !! Already in love with the characters and can’t wait to find out who’s the villain, off to the next one !! 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 13, 2020
Such a good start but ugh! Cliffhanger ending.
January 24, 2021
3.5 Stars. This is the beginning section of the Trilogy of Frozen In Time. Full review is under that book.
July 6, 2021
Changes
Such an emotional story. Finding out your dad passed before you can make amends and then be left with stipulations to get your inheritance. So intense. I highly recommend.
Such an emotional story. Finding out your dad passed before you can make amends and then be left with stipulations to get your inheritance. So intense. I highly recommend.
August 15, 2021
This is Jack and Mia’s story. It’s great to get the full story since we learned snippets about them in the Deception duet. I look forward to the next two books to complete their history.
August 6, 2022
Trying to finish thr book series
February 16, 2023
At the start I struggled to get into this but I’m so glad I didn’t give up reading like I normally do because I enjoy it
I like books with snowy cabin forced proximity vibes
I like books with snowy cabin forced proximity vibes
May 20, 2023
Didn’t know it had a cliffhanger.
Was to short and should have been done in in 1 book.
If you take all the repetitive stuff out it could have been 1 book.
Was to short and should have been done in in 1 book.
If you take all the repetitive stuff out it could have been 1 book.
August 22, 2023
I did not expect that ending! Excited to start book 2 in this series!
December 31, 2023
Great read!!!:)
Want to read
March 2, 2024Purchased in epub format from Barnes and Noble for my Nook.
July 10, 2024
it was interesting enough.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews