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Writer's picturePayton Tilley

'Never Forgotten' Book Review

Hey all! I'm so excited to be celebrating the release day of Hannah Linder's new book 'Never Forgotten'. Check out my full review below!



‘Never Forgotten’ by Hannah Linder was the perfect fall read to nestle up with at night under the moon, at a hearthside, or in the crisp lazy afternoon chill. Linder always ensures her plots are layered and the suspense sewn in like perfect gems; she also will leave you guessing till the last second. Her newest novel, I feel, has unveiled a new depth to her writing within her characters emotions and layered relationship, drawing out their individual struggle and making me connect with each on a deep level. The familial struggle is also presented nicely for both our leading characters, as well as the dynamics that greet us all within struggles abroad and within.


Here is the blurb below: 


Georgina Whitmore, not accustomed to any man being unaffected by her charms, is plagued with the disappearance and rejection of Simon Fancourt. Twelve years later, Mr. Fancourt returns to British society with two children and a mad hunger for justice. Racing against time, Simon works to uncover the men responsible for his wife's horrific murder, protect his children, and fulfill his father's unexpected will by marrying Georgina--the last thing in the world he wants to do. Though her heart throbs to accept, she would rather lose him again than have his name without his love. She denies his proposal of matrimony, knowing it will cost them both. But as tragedies unravel and secret enemies narrow their sights on Simon, Georgina risks her life--and her reputation--to protect him and the children. Will the danger scorch them alive? Or will it, for the first time, open his heart to her? 



I adore how even though this is regency suspense (or gothic), there is just enough romance and mystery as to where one flavor does not overpower the other in Linder’s storytelling. I could have read on and on about Simon as he struggled in his relationship with his father, and navigating the new one with his mother as he returns home. His zeal to also avenge his murdered wife is one of bravery, determination, and courage as he whisks his children back to England. 


Georgina’s character dealt with a lot of confusion and abandonment by those she loved, even as she always tried to stay true and loyal to those she had. Part of the beauty of their relationship was seeing how their circumstances aided the other in becoming a better person and more loyal to those they had, even if they only ‘had’ each other in the end. The highlights of sacrifice also stunned me in this novel, as that is the most prolific form of love for one to experience, view, and read of. Further, Linder’s side characters enhanced the novel and did not feel as if they were squished into the constant ‘typical quirky’ or  ‘plot device’ interloper that plagues books of romance and mystery.




Now, for Hannah’s charm in the suspense department. (Not sure if ‘charm is the adequate word when describing her ability to twist and create unease, danger, and mysteries so tantalizing that one HAS to keep reading at night.) This one was all twisted up and I held my hat at many people  as Simon raced to uncover the plot of released criminals that had murdered his wife, and Georgina had to face the real happenstance of her father’s death years before by a stalker’s dead roses reawakening her fears. And it never fails to stun me how Linder dips us into Regency England (or in this book’s case, too, part of North Carolina) Historical accuracy is a love of mine, and I know when picking up one of her books that it is sure to stun me


Pick it Up If  You Like:


-unrequited love

-family entanglements 

-angst of family

-deep character arcs

-she falls first but he falls harder

-youngest son returning home with children

-suspense/mystery

-balance between romance and mystery 

-atmospheric books

-societal issues

-unreliable side characters 

-slow burn 

-seeing God is involved within our paths



Quotes:


“We are all vulnerable, more often than not, Mr. Fancourt. Love does not prey on vulnerability, but emboldens it.”


“I love you.” Perhaps she should not say the words so often. She never had to anyone else. But they throbbed through her, all day long, every day, until she could not help but speak them.




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