Guest Review: Unforgiven – Anne Calhoun

For as long as he could remember, he wanted her…

Raised by a single mother, Adam Collins resolved to take no chances with a girl’s future—or his own. That’s why, as hard as it was, he resisted everything he felt for Marissa Brooks. Then one night a reckless challenge left a fellow student dead and changed both their lives forever. As penance, Adam took the boy’s place in the Marines, where he could disappear into discipline and duty, and left Marissa behind to struggle with her dreams.

Twelve years later, Adam is back in Walkers Ford to serve as the best man in his friend’s wedding. The years haven’t diminished the electric connection he has with Marissa. But Adam’s mistake continues to haunt him, and Marissa is stumbling under the weight of her family’s legacy. Together they wrestle with demons and dreams, but if there’s any hope for a future together Adam has to not only find a way to forgive himself, but also ask others for forgiveness—especially from the woman whose heart he broke.

Series:
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Berkley
Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Karen
Rating:

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Reviewer’s Thoughts

Anne Calhoun’s book Unforgiven is set in small town Walkers Ford, South Dakota. Adam Collins, a man consumed by guilt because of a tragedy that happened in his past, returns home after serving in the Marines for twelve years.

Adam spends his time with Marissa Brooks, the girl he dated in high school. They had a highly charged, passionate relationship that ended aburptly and even though twelve years have passed, they still have a strong connection. After many years of hard work, Marissa has purchased and almost completly restored Brookhaven, her family home. Marissa has finally achieved her father’s lifelong dream.

At seventeen when Adam was dating Marissa, he was wild, passionate and always testing the limits. After twelve years in the Marines, he is emotionless, controlled, intensely disciplined and having a hard time adapting to civilian life. Adam is a man trapped in his past, not sure how to move forward.

Intertwined in the story are the townspeople of Walkers Ford. Small town life isn’t simple, its complex with its mixture of people and personalities. In this town, everyone passes the time by observing and gossiping about each other.

This is a beautiful love story about two people patiently helping each other deal with all of their issues. It is a wonderfully written, emotional story about real people dealing with life, pain and disappointment. Anne Calhoun does a great job of capturing small town life and tortured soul, Adam Collins. Will Adam learn to let go of the past and be happy?