🎧ARC Review: Unforgivable by Natalie Barelli

My review: 4.5⭐

There was so much going on my head was spinning. I went from having it all figured out, to being clueless, back and forth and all over the place with my thoughts. An abundance of twists and turns that kept the story flowing along at a delightfully engaging and quick pace.

Our main characters are:
Laura ~ engaged to Jack, already acts as a stepmom to Charlie
Jack ~ father to Charlie, engaged to Laura
Bronwyn ~ absentee mother to Charlie, ex-wife of Jack, childhood friend of Laura

Bronwyn is back in town after living in Italy and she wants back in Charlie’s life. Jack has no choice but to allow it, but did he really think it would be a good idea to allow his ex-wife to stay in his home. Crazy talk! and why would Laura be okay with it? I mean it’s her house too and she’s the only one paying the bills right now as Jack takes an awfully long time looking for a new job while he drinks up a storm.
Side note ~ I was very frustrated with how much money they continued to spend when they were obviously getting their selves further and further into debt.

There were times I both loved and hated each character ~ except for the adorable, Charlie, she was always lovable. I did not like what Laura asked Summer to do ~ in what world was this a good idea? No world, that’s where.

Jennifer Jill Araya did a wonderful job narrating for 9 hours and 38 minutes. She really gave proper emotion to each characters voice. To the frantic, at times, voice of Laura, to the condescending voice of Bronwyn and everyone in between ~ it was just perfect.

I believe I’ve read similar plots, but this was on a different level of thrillingness.

This is my second time reading Natalie’s work (the first was Missing Molly, I tagged it as 4.5⭐, but wasn’t writing reviews at that time). I will for sure put her on my list to read again and again.

*Thanks to Dreamscape Media, Natalie Barelli and NetGalley for the advance audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*

⬇Purchase link⬇

Book blurb: Release date ~ July 26, 2022

Your ex-wife didn’t leave you because of me. She didn’t abandon her little girl because of a couple of love notes in your jeans pocket. She left because she’s twisted, and she wanted to punish you. And she’s not finished yet. You have to believe me. If you don’t, there’s no knowing what she’ll do next…

Becoming a stepmother is the best thing that ever happened to me. My favorite part of every day is picking Charlie up from school, watching her little rucksack bounce behind her as she skips over for a hug. I love the feel of those thin freckled arms around my waist. After a few rocky months of panic attacks when her mother deserted her, Charlie is flourishing. But the day Charlie’s mother Bronwyn returns without warning—showering Charlie with gifts and making promises she can’t keep—fear ripples through me.

When I raise my concerns, no one wants to listen. I know I sound like the jealous new wife, but nothing is more important to me than Charlie’s safety. Me and Bronwyn have history. We both have dark secrets in our past, and I know the dangerous lengths she will go to get what she wants.

But Bronwyn doesn’t know me as well as I know her.

She doesn’t know just how far I will go to protect that little girl…

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