Customer Reviews

Unforsaken

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

She had me at the prologue. Lisa Higdon's latest novel, which takes place in the Reconstructionist South, is not to be missed.

Olivia Chandler rushes to the train station to wait for her beloved fiance Matt to emerge from the passenger car. He has been away fighting in the Civil War and now, at long last, he is scheduled to come home. Olivia has been in love with Matt all of her life and cannot bear to wait even another moment to marry him. Giddy with excitement to be reunited, she rushes toward him the moment she spots him, holding out her hands to welcome him. Matt does not reach back. A moment later, when a very pregnant woman steps off the train and sidles up next to him, Olivia realizes why. Matt is married to someone else. Heartbroken, she runs from the depot, never once looking back...

Matthew Bowen is stunned to see Olivia at the train station. He's always loved her and curses the fates that kept him from receiving the letter she'd sent to him, announcing the death of her father, a wealthy, mean-spirited man who wouldn't let Matt within a foot of his daughter. Thinking he'd never be permitted to have Olivia's hand in marriage, Matt had gone out and done something stupid while at war, seeking solace in another woman's arms for a night. That night had resulted in the conception of his daughter, leaving him no alternative but to do the honorable thing. Still, he knew he'd always love Olivia Chandler...

A few years later, Matt's wife dies and he is faced with the daunting task of raising his young daughter Sarah alone while singlehandedly working his fields. Olivia's aunt Eula sees this as the perfect opportunity to bring the couple back together again, so she offers to take care of Sarah for Matt while he works, then pushes the task onto her less than willing niece. Aunt Eula hopes her plan will work, for it will take nothing short of a miracle to melt the ice around Olivia's cool facade and turn her back into the hopeful young girl she had been before her dreams had been shattered and she evolved into a bitter, hard-hearted woman...

-full review originally published in "The Romance Reader"

Absolutely one of the best books I read this summer. The story will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next. Strong characters that have a love for one another that never died. What will it take to bring them back together again. You just can't put the book down. I read it in a day and hated to see it end. Now though I can look forward to whatever Lisa Higdon's next book will be. With each book she has only gotten better. If you've never read anything by her, this is the one to start with. You'll have yourself another favorite author!!

"Unforsaken" was a book I could not put down! I read the first chapter and I knew I was hooked! I completed this book in one afternoon. I have read one other book by Ms. Higdon in the past and this one really shows how much she has grown as an author. I typically am not a romance novel fan, however, after having read this book I can hardly wait for her next one to arrive. The story pulls you into it and you actually feel what the characters are experiencing. I am anxiously awaiting her next work.

I really enjoyed this book. It kept my attention through the whole book. I really liked Olivia and Matthew. Aunt Eula kept me laughing too. It was one of those books that will make you laugh and make you cry. I thought it was extremely good. If you are looking for a good book to read chose this one.

This book was outstanding. The strong characters and versatile story line made the book unable to put down. Ms. Higdon is an outstanding author and I look forward to her next book.

I purchased this book based on the reviews, mostly 5 stars. Unlike another reviewer who claimed she could not put the book down after the first chapter, I barely made it past the first chapter. This book has all the negatives imaginable, a plain, boring heroine, a totally unsympathetic "hero" and a lackluster story. There is virtually no romance and there cetainly is not any kind of romantic emotion between the couple. If you want to read this, get it at your library, don't waste your money.

I read this book in a few hours.Olivia was a great heroine. I liked the way she stood up to the bigots in the town refusing to let them intimidate her by word or deed,some of her snappy comebacks to them had me laughing my head off.I liked Matt too but the book focused more on Olivia.She is the town's wealthiest resident,owning the mill which buys all their cotton.All the residents hate her because she also owns the deeds to their property.She had only bought to prevent the town from being destroyed like other Southern towns after the war.She allowed everyone to think that she was greedy and grasping when she was actually doing alot to help them.My only problems with the book are,Matt's role was "supporting actor" role,Olivia was bitter over his betrayal for a really long time without seeking to find out why he had married another,she allowed Rodger to take advantage of her and trusted him far too much.

From the first page, I could not put the book down. I had to see what Olivia was going to do next. I felt drawn to the time period and characters. I loved the way the author used dry wit and humor, I could not read fast enough to finish each chapter. What can I say, I loved the book ...

This is a wonderful story about two people in love but seperated. Olivia and Matthew are strong believable characters and I enjoyed them. I could not put the book down. It will make you laugh, make you cry and simply keep you reading. Take the time to read it and you'll be glad you did.