Forgive Not Forget

Nunswick Abbey #3

by Emily Banting

Join Anna and Katherine as Nunswick Abbey opens for the spring amidst building work, archaeological excavations, and vandalism.
When an old school friend returns to the village with her family, Anna begins to question her long held vision of her future.
Old wounds are reopened for Katherine when she’s presented with an opportunity to face her past head on. Can Anna convince her to take it and finally confront her fears?
With Anna dreaming of the future and Katherine consumed by the past, can they get on the same page and decide what life they want to build together?

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, LGBT, Lesbian Romance, Contemporary, Femme Femme, Queer

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2022

About the author

Emily Banting is an award-winning and bestselling author of contemporary sapphic romance featuring LGBTQ+ characters and plenty of British humour. History obsessed, she throws her sapphic leading ladies into historic buildings and environments at every opportunity, and believes strongly in representing women over forty in literature.

Broken Beyond Repair received the following awards:

GOLDIE WINNER 2024: AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR (ANGELA DAWE)
GOLDIE WINNER 2023: THE ANN BANNON POPULAR CHOICE BRONZE AWARD
WINNER OF THE LESFIC BARD AWARD 2022: ROMANCE
WINNER OF THE LESFIC BARD AWARD 2022: COVER DESIGN
WINNER OF THE QUEER INDIE AWARDS 2022: CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

And a 2023 GCLS Goldie finalist in
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE LONG NOVEL

The second book in the South Downs Romance Series was a 2024 GCLS Goldie finalist in CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE LONG NOVEL 2024

Join her Readers’ Club and receive a free sapphic novella www.emilybanting.co.uk/freebook

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Reviews

[Conny B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a huge fan of this series and Emily Banting’s writing, I was so excited for another book in this series. And once again I didn’t get disappointed. This book contains so many things. First of all it‘s definitely never boring at the abbey. So many things are happening there, be it archeologists funds or unwanted graffitis. It seems like Anna and Katherine are not able to catch a full breath ever. Lol

For Katherine all these happenings are actually not that unwelcoming. Because it means she doesn’t have to deal with her feelings and process anything that happened in her past. And planning a wedding seems to be far away as well for her. But of course that’s not how it works. Especially not when Anna realises, after meeting her childhood friend and her kids, that her wish for kids never left her. At some point decisions have to be made by both of them. They have to see how they wanna continue their life and if the past can be put to rest.

I don’t wanna spoil anything because as usual I believe everyone should read a story and experience the important parts all by themselves. What I can promise you is that this story is totally worth it Toben read. What follows are so many emotions, I laughed and also cried hard. Some scenes there were just wow and totally got to me. It’s when the title of the book makes all the sense in the world and when we learn once more that if you really want to heal you need to forgive. Not for others but for yourself.

There are several other things I loved. For example one chat Anna and Rebecca have together. It’s like Anna finally stands up for herself and maybe also a bit for Katherine and their relationship. Not that Rebecca isn’t still intimidating her in some way. Lol

Then there is Anna’s childhood friend Laura and her kids Abi and Tom. Laura is wonderful and somehow I’m hoping a little bit that we will get to see her again in the future. For me she deserves to find her own happiness. Both kids are amazing too in their own way. Personally Abi was my favourite side character. She is so sweet and a wanting to know everything girl. Just perfect. Don’t let Virginia (the cat) hear I said that. I mean in her eyes she is the most important character ever and should be mentioned more than once. I think Emily definitely gave her the spotlight she deserved. I won’t reveal what she did, but a little wonderful surprise is waiting at the end of the book. 😊

When I got to the end I was once more so happy. Even if it seems like this could be the end of the series, I hope that we get to see these characters again. Be it with Katherine and Anna again as the MCs or with other protagonists like Laura and then Anna & Katherine showing up as side characters. there is definitely some potential left. ☺️ but whatever Emily Banting will come up next, I will definitely check it out and recommend that others do that as well. 😊

[Laure · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like those MCs so much !!
It was good to meet Katherine & Anna again ...
And I'm pretty found of Harry, without forgetting the fact I do love Virginia 😍😻 Sooooo, I surely hope this one isn't the last book in the series ...

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

The first third of the book was pretty mundane but it got better thereafter with issues that Katherine and Anna have to deal with.

[L A Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the series. Anna and Kat are getting settled in. There are new characters added. Anna's childhood friend Laura. Laura and her 2 children move to the village after the death of her husband. Her daughter Abi is adorable and really connects with Anna. Tom is a handful, but Kat steps in to help. Anna's father is doing well and making new friends. I really enjoy Emily's writing. It seems Iike she is writing about real people. There are ups and downs. But Kat and Anna have a strong love. Kat has some tough history to go through. But Anna is there for her. It is just an enjoyable read. There will be laughter, love and crying. Will there be a wedding?
Will they catch the vandals? Will Virginia provide? Highly recommend.

[Kexx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the first two so went for the third. Slow, twee, nothing to get the emotions flowing, romantic wallpaper.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this series just doesn't live up to Broken Beyond Repair. I guess not all books from the same author can be quite as good.

This is just a tad boring for my liking. Mostly because I can't connect with the characters and don't see their chemistry. Never thought I'd say this: I think these books were in desperate need of a sex scene and some big drama. Not all the low-key stuff and fade-to-black. It all falls a little flat.

The best thing about is book is the writing, it's easy and just flows really well. Oh, not to forget the final chapter, the cat’s perspective, which was the most entertaining part of the book, maybe the series

[Vita L. Licari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! What a tough time Anna and Katherine (Kat) have. Love though, is a strong bond. This is a great end to the series! As with the 1st 2 books, 5 stars!

[Lorraine Rusnack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was at the edge of my seat to see if Katherine and Anna could make it past s many hurdles as this part of their story threw at them. Katherine needed to face a hard truth if she wants to live a HEA with Anna. Anna's friend Laura and the kids added more excitement to the story as well. I love that Virginia got the final say in the book it really suits her character. A wonderful series and I enjoyed each story thoroughly.

I voluntarily received a ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Lady Olenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last book of the series was much more emotionally involved compared to the earlier ones. It felt like this book was were the overall climax of the three books combined. The earlier ones had mini climax moments but this book held the mother load.

The scene where one of the characters was facing her demons head on, it felt like I was with her in the room witnessing and absorbing all the hurt and pain. That was powerful. Emily Banting curated the this book so very well in terms of the effects of trauma, interpersonal relationships and love. Masterfully crafted with every dialogue.

The ending was such just fitting. It was very enjoyable and heartwarming to read.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was wonderful. There are many things going on in the village and the abbey. This is more about Katherine than about Anna, in my opinion since that’s what stands out for me, although both have their time on the page. A childhood friend of Anna returns to the village with two young children which adds another dimension to Katherine and Anna’s lives. Some interesting stuff happens at the abbey as well. Meanwhile, Katherine is still dealing with her previous loss. This engrosing novel hit a lot of emotions.

[Looby Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book as much as the first two. Anna and Kat are now ready to start planning their wedding. The words ‘does anyone know why these two should not wed’ will find the ghosts of Kat’s past standing up and saying we do unless she can deal with them and let them go once and for all.
I feel sad that this is the last in the trilogy. But I’ve enjoyed every second of their journey.

[Alex Lfr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful ending to a nice story! And the Virginia’s POV at the very end was simply fantastic

[Gaby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m obsessed with Katherine, but I feel like there wasn’t enough happening at the beginning and then all of a sudden a bunch of things happened.

[Fran Sappharc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the previous books and I loved this. Since this is the third book there are some new characters and some new non romance worries for the mains. I love some of the phrases the writer puts together and also the way she shows in a subtle way details that will fully out later. One of the new characters is an eight year old. Again the conversation and honesty of observation is spot on.
I found parts I read with a smile on my face and others with tears in my eye. I really was moved by whole sections. So well balanced. Highly recommended.

[Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 in the Nunswick Abbey Series sees Anna and Katherine fighting to build a life together. Another well written story with a good plot and strong leading characters. A really good read.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written examination of guilt, grief and moving on. The best of the Nunswick Abbey books, so far … I so hope there will be more! I want to join Katherine and Anna's journey into parenthood and weep with Anna when she finally loses Harry. Although this can certainly be read as a stand alone, I very much recommend reading the first two, in order, before this one. You'll get a better feeling for the characters that way.

[cloverxheart · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm so disappointed...
I loved the first book, the second was fine but this one...wasn't good.

I just didn't care for majority of what was going on and I didn't really like the characters anymore.
I already started kinda disliking Katherine in the second book but in this one I really didn't like her.

It also took me 2 weeks to finish this since I didn't have the motivation to pick it back up but I also didn't want to DNF it.
I honestly just skimmed 80% of the book.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sorry, but I got a bit carried away.

Their story only got better, IMHO. First book was nice enough, but not as much as the 2nd, I liked it more and now the 3rd one, my favourite so far. It ran deeper, we got to see more development to their relationship.

So I really liked it, I wasn't expecting the whole crying I was doing by the ending, though. Oooof, the feels. Quite an emotional reading, if I say so myself.

« Keep reading on your own risk, I don't think it's spoiler, but it's a bit more revealing »

But Imma say... I didn't like people pressing Katherine to meet the person who killed her family. It wasn't often, but the few times that happened, I didn't love. No matter their reasoning. Give her time.

And I'll tell you more, I think a person who drinks and choose to drive is ACTIVELY choosing to put other people's life in danger, it's not black ice on the road, someone worried and not paying attention, an animal jumping on your bonnet, these are fatalities. Driving being drunk is not. So...to each their own, but I'm not sure restorative justice would be really that helpful to me if something like this happened. With other type of crimes I think it makes a lot more sense.

In any case, people should respect the time of the grieving person, if they want to go forward and meet, like Katherine did, it should be in their time, not when people think it's right. Although I think counselling would probably give more of a closure, peace of mind, to the ones left behind than facing the culprit who stole their dearest.

But don't get me wrong, I agree it was about time Katherine truly started to move on, for her own sake. And Anna was just the champion. She has her own woes, but still stood firmly by Katherine's side.

All things considered, I really liked the story and the outcome. Anna and Katherine have yet a long way to go in their relationship, but with every book they get a bit closer of a healing point and their HEA.

I would love to see more of them, I love stories with established couples having (or not) to face 3rd parties conflicts, problems.

[karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh girl this went from 0 to 100 so quickly.

anywho! i LOVE ANNA AND KATHERINE SM I WILL PROTECT THEM WITH MY LIFE

[Alicia Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

* Forgive Not Forget
* Emily Banting



I love this series I have to start there! I have been waiting for book 3, super excited to share my thoughts.


The story was a breath of fresh air. I love Katherine and Anna’s story. Laura and two children really bring a new light to the story.

Katherine was still in pain from her past. That really comes through in the writing. I was sad for a moment thinking the story would go left.

Laura,Tom and Abigail made this book a true delight. Abigail was a sweet and smart little girl.

Anna truly loved Katherine. That’s reflected in her kindness in regards to Katherine’s past.
Anna was willing to love her through her painful memories.

Katherine was able to make peace and finally have true love.

This is one my favorite series! Banting did a wonderful job giving all the characters a happy ending! I hope we can have more books, maybe with Laura and her children. One more Book Please ! I highly recommend this book 5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[MissAlice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A blast from the past in so many respects. There's an effortlessness to reading the Nunswick Series that really cuddles into your heart and makes you miss the people and places in this work of fiction after you read the final page of each book. The kitty epilogue? Priceless.

A beautiful culmination of moments lead to the HEA I was holding my breath for. I needed these two wonderfully strong and emotionally wrought MC's to find their happy ending. My heart fluttered the last few chapters and my smile would've made the Cheshire Cat envious. Grief, love, forgiveness, turmoil, stress, happiness, just every day feelings we have take a life of their own in each chapter making a fabulous read to regenerate the soul.

[Ambre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a sweet culmination to the series. Everything was neatly tied up: Anna and Kat are finally together without any major issues in their way, Kat has finally started to heal from her tragic past, Harry is settled and happy again, all their friends surround them, and the Abbey is doing well.

I thought the little bit from Virginia's perspective was cute.

[Gina L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such A Special Nunswick Abbey Continuation!

Great job! This was such a special chapter in both Katherine and Anna’s lives. A coming together of honesty, fear, love and forgiveness. At the heart of the story is Love. Emily Banting has shown herself and her commitment to the Nunswick Series to be extraordinary.

[Doug Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third installment in the Nunswick Abbey series follows Katherine and Anna as their lives are complicated by work stress, long standing grief, PTSD, parental dementia, and an undetonated bomb. Eventually their relationship is strengthened but it is a difficult journey and a good read. Final thoughts are provided by Virginia the cat.

[Carolyn G. Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

Anna and Kat are having some struggles. An old friend of Anna’s has returned to the village and Kat is invited to participate in a prison resolution program with the man who killed her wife and child. Can they find their way through all their trouble and unite forever? A sweet romance.

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series.

[Juniper L.H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna and Katherine are back for the third and final time, to face new challenges and resolve old issues. Katherine faces her old demons that she has been avoiding. Anna looks forward as she reflects on what she wants for her life. Together, they face challenges at the abbey and their own lives.

The third and final installment of the Nunswick Abbey series was consistent with the previous two; this was a well written and enjoyable novel that I liked, even though I wasn’t particularly blown away. This novel was very emotional and tackled some heavy issues including grief and trauma. It also contained lighthearted moments and a sweet-yet-complicated romance between the main characters. The novel seemed like it was driven more by somewhat random external events as opposed to internally from the characters, which I would have liked better. Overall I enjoyed this novel and the entire trilogy.

Highlights:
-This novel was action packed (not really action, but activity) with a lot going on and the author juggled a lot of different plotlines very well.
-The characters are excellent, as already established in the first novels. Getting to spend three novels with these characters allowed the reader to really get to know them. I love the little town that these books are set in as well.
-Reading the novel, you are able to really feel for the characters (particularly Kat) and how they are being worn down and never able to fully get their feet under them. I think this is what a lot of people feel like in real life and would be able to empathize with the characters in a way that hits home.
-This is a deep novel. It covers some very serious and complex topics and does a great job handling them. I wouldn’t be surprised if readers get emotional at one point or another and I always consider that a mark of a good novel.
-Being part of a series, I liked the resolutions that we got for some of the ongoing plotlines from the other novels. The follow-up on some past plotlines was also a nice touch.

Gripes:
-The novel just somehow fell flat for me, similar to the other two. I am having difficulty explaining it better than that; it was good but it simply didn’t grab onto me or blow me away. Bantings later novels (Broken Beyond Repair and Reality in Check) are some of my favorites so I know they are capable of more; it may just be that this was an earlier novel in their career and they got better between this one and the next. Part of me wonders if I had read this one before Broken Beyond Repair if I would have liked it more; I was expecting more going into this novel and found myself disappointed by comparison.
-The few mysteries in this novel were incredibly obvious. It was partially a case of a limited cast to choose from, and the few signs all pointed to the same person (or an unknown stranger but that’s uncommon).
-Kind of slow? A lot happens and its fast paced, yet it also somehow drags at times.
-A lot of things happened in the plot and to the characters, but it felt somewhat like random things as opposed to a coherent flowing plotline. I suppose this might reflect how things happen in the real world. Reading the novel I felt like I was simply being carried along by the flow of events; this was less engaging than a more coherently connected plotline however I think it reflected how the characters would have felt with so many things constantly happening and piling up.

[Nia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review about the audiobook!

Kat must relive her trauma to finally find closure.
Anna and Kathrine are such a sweet and beautiful couple. Everyone is happy for the two of them and that they are getting married.
Life and the Abbey still present a few hurdles for her to take this step! There are friends, new or old, who are back in Nunswick and make a wish.
The Nunswick Abbey gives them a lot of trouble with several attacks and then there's the letter.
The moment when everything comes back with full force for Katharine and she doubts everything she has achieved with Anna. Her past has never left her.
All I can say is that this part of the trilogy brought me to tears several times!
Until now it was often Harry and his illness, but now there are so many heartbreaking moments and experiences that have touched me very much.
There is a wonderful happy ending, but until then there is a lot of heartache.
The speaker did a fantastic job again. I love her calm and deep voice! It was a pleasure!
Thanks to Emily Banting for the audiobook!

[Tara Cruzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series. This is the 3rd (presumably the last??). I read her other series and loved that as well. I was almost turned off of the 1st book by reading a review on Amazon but so glad I persisted. The review criticized the lack of intimate (spice) scenes. I admittedly like a little spice in my romance when the emotion is well written, so I almost held off on this series. While I would have appreciated the spice, the lack of it didn’t take away from the books or the characters intimacy with each other. They are so well written and their love is expressed beautifully. I recommend this series wholeheartedly

[Emily Banting]

Lost in Love, the first book in the Nunswick Abbey Series, is available to buy from Amazon.
https://www.books2read.com/lostinlove

Book two, Trust in Truth.
https://www.books2read.com/trustintruth

Book three, Forgive not Forget.
https://www.books2read.com/forgivenot...

The series is available on ebook, paperback and Kindle Unlimited

I hope you enjoy reading about Anna and Katherine's journey together.

If you would like a copy of my free sapphic novella, The Third Act, please visit my website https://www.emilybanting.co.uk