Christy's Reviews > Unforgiven

5 ‘Stay’ Stars!

“You don’t fall in love with the person responsible for your greatest loss. And God help you if you do.”

Oh my... this book. This book made me hurt, made me hot, made me FEEL. I loved it! Now... in Bailey and Darren fashion, lets play a word game: If I had to describe Unforgiven in a few words, they would be Emotional, Heartbreaking, Sensual, Painful and Beautiful. I lost track how many time I cried while reading this one.

One choice. One decision. One mistake. Just that one thing changed both Bailey and Darren’s lives forever.

DARREN


BAILEY


Bailey Trent hasn’t been home for six years. A lot has happened during those six years. She returns to be with her mother. She knows it will be a difficult transition due to her past. Everyone in town knows who Bailey is. They know what she did. One big mistake six years ago that has defined her ever since. She doesn't’ expect others to forgive her, hell- she can’t even forgive herself.

Hatred was a one-way street with them, and it flowed directly from him to her.


Darren Cory hates Bailey Trent. The one big mistake she made directly effected him, changed his life forever. He has been harboring onto this hate for years, never letting it go. He is now working as a doctor at the local hospital. He throws himself into his work. He’s not the same man he once was. The kind, outgoing and sweet man is gone. This Darren is bitter, hateful and angry. He never wanted to be this way. Never wanted to hate Bailey. He had very different feelings for Bailey once. He once loved her. Now everything has changed. Being around her changes everything.

“I never wanted to hate you. Not ever. You did this.”


Bailey has her mom, her friend Michelle, and thats about it. She is unable to find work and is constantly stared at, talked about and harassed. Her mother decides to move for Bailey’s sake. It isn’t fair for her daughter to live like this. It’s so conflicting for Darren... On one hand, how easy would it be for Bailey to walk out of his life? Another, he can’t seem to let her leave. You will be SO CONFLICTED on how you feel about Darren in the beginning of the story. He can be a giant asshole. Just remember: he is hurting, he is broken and he redeems himself.

Bailey isn’t sure what to do. Leaving seems like the obvious choice, but when Darren utters that one word “Stay.” thoughts of leaving leave her head.



Bailey stays and ends up working for Darren, cleaning his house and dog sitting. They spend some time together, it’s a rocky road for these two. Nothing comes easy for them. Every time they seem to make progress, they get knocked back further from where they started.

‘He hurt me. For every step forward he knocked me back two. When I thought we’d passed some hurdle, I was reminded swiftly that those hurdles weren’t going anywhere.’

Forgiveness. That was the main theme of this book. Forgiving others, forgiving yourself, healing and moving on. Forgiveness is easier for some than it is for others. Darren and Bailey both have issues. Darren can’t forgive Bailey, and Bailey can’t forgive herself.



The sexual tension and build up in this book will drive you mad! Darren and Bailey had some intense chemistry. They just didn’t know what to do with it. They didn’t know what to do with the feelings they had for one another.

‘I’m supposed to hate you. Or I’m supposed to forgive you. What I’m not supposed to do is be romantically involved with you.’



There were so many heartbreaking moments in this story. Darren’s inner turmoil and his aggression killed me. It was painful to read at times. He could be so cruel and insensitive to Bailey, but he was in so much pain. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he couldn’t cope. He couldn’t forgive. He couldn’t move on.

I hope someday you can remember us as we were and not what we became.

Staying. Is it an option when someone can’t get over the past? Can’t forgive you? Can’t move on?

She walked away from everything she needed because she was afraid what she needed would end up destroying her in the end.

I don’t do well with goodbyes, and this one gutted me. My favorite scene in the entire book, even though it ripped my heart to shreds:



Will Darren and Bailey ever be able to move on from their past, learn to let go and forgive their selves and one another... or will they remain Unforgiven?


An intense and gripping read. This one pulled me in from the beginning and didn’t let go. The writing was incredible. The story was original. Although it truly did hurt me to read this one, it also had it’s moments where it touched my heart. I loved the emotion. Darren had to find his way out. His way out of grieving. It was ironic that the person who caused him to change and be the way he is, seems to be the only person who can bring him back to his old self. The dual pov’s were great. This is one of those books you want both characters perspectives. Jumping from the past to the present tied the book together nicely. I think this book is incredible. I would recommend it for anyone looking for an emotional and steamy read about second chances, forgiveness and healing.