Three girls whose stories are tied by a friendship marked by tragedy.
A mother grieving - for a lost daughter, a passive husband, and a distant son.

They all will have to face each other as the tenth anniversary of this loss comes close - and as one of them is getting married. But this reunion will bring to light more than the memory of a dear friend, daughter, and sister, but of all the mistakes made that day and even before.

Can healing be found? Can love overcome anything? Is steadfastness in hope?

Compassionately and thoughtfully Courtney Walsh weaves together this tale of three women and the strength they need to find amongst darkness. A story to resonate within you for days after you have turned the last page.

This book is not a light read. Courtney did a wonderful job of making each of the characters feelings and struggled feel overwhelmingly real. I felt their sadness, confusion and brokenness.

Secrets don’t do anyone any good. I just wanted everyone to get real with each other and be who God created them to be and stop believing the lies that they should keep things bottled up.

This is a beautiful story, I couldn’t put it down, but as I said not a light story at all. These are real people with real problems.


A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley.com. All opinions are my own.

This book really grabbed me from the start. And then I realized it was set in Sweethaven. I have read several of Courtney Walsh’s other novels set in Sweethaven, and there is something about that little town. I love it. I don’t think I was prepared for the emotional ride that this book took me on. As usual, I didn’t read the book summary. However, sometimes you trust an author enough to just dive in, and such is the case for Courtney’s books. This book reminded me of Courtney Walsh’s previous Sweethaven series in that it followed a group of friends instead of focusing on a hero or heroine specifically. The characters were all very genuine and their story lines kept me interested and trying to piece together events from the past. In all honesty I didn’t love not having the whole story of what happened to their friend Cassie up front. It kind of felt like a secret that everyone knew but me. However, after finishing the book and seeing how different parts of the story affected each of the characters differently, I am glad that the reader is slowly allowed to discover the what happened as it shaped each character in a different way. This book had so many layers to it. There were obvious themes of grief and loss, however the reader soon discovers that there is so much more that the characters have gone through. No spoilers. I’m not gonna do it! I will say that the last several chapters of the book were my favorite. Totally put the entire story into perspective for me, and made me appreciate the story in an entirely new way. And, that’s good writing. Courtney Walsh has a way of dealing with the hard things of life in her books in a genuine and honest way. Her characters are so genuine that they seem real and you really feel their struggles, pain, and loss. I loved that each character had their own moments of redemption or forgiveness that was unique to their situation. And I am going to start campaigning now for more of Lyndie and Tucker’s story! Let’s just make that happen!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thank you Courtney Walsh! I recommend this book to all. The story was very truthful and the characters came alive. I had a hard time putting this down.

4.5 Stars

In Things Left Unsaid, Courtney Walsh returns to her beloved Sweethaven with a new cast of characters and an emotional novel that left me with a bit of a book hangover.

It’s been ten years since Lindie, Elle, and the Jacobs lost a piece of their hearts. Ten years Lindie, Elle, and Tucker have kept silent with guilt, shame, and sorrow. But a wedding week planned around the anniversary of Cassie Jacobs’ death will bring it all boiling up.

Walsh once again expertly pulls at the strings of pain, sorrow, loss, and stunted lives, drawing readers into the lives of each of these once-friends who have gone their separate ways only to be drawn back together. Through the pages of Things Left Unsaid, truths are revealed, forgiveness is offered, and things not seen before by this group of people are exposed.

Healing can be painful but on the other end of the pain is life and joy. And Walsh excels at bringing this truth to light within the pages of this book

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Friends and family return to the resort-town of Sweethaven, Michigan, for a wedding exactly 10 years after an accidental drowning death that profoundly affected them all. They each bring a boatload of secrets, emotional baggage, guilt, and shame along for the ride.

One by one, these uncommunicative souls break free from a painful past by confessing their involvement in the drowning accident and their past transgressions, enabling them to begin to live freely again.

Well-written and with well-developed characters, Courtney Walsh gives you enough hints as to who has done what with and to whom to keep you turning the pages. There's a tender second-chance romance and a peek inside the ailing marriage of a long-married couple, which I particularly enjoyed. Also includes important lessons about giving voice to your sins and forgiveness (of yourself and others).

This book should come with a warning—your heart is going to be wrenched apart! What a rip-roaring emotional roller coaster ride this took me on. Courtney Walsh has created an amazing cast of realistic, multi-layered, and engaging characters and a background that is heart-breaking. The story is written from multiple points of view of people that are affected deeply by the tragedy of the death of Cassie Jacobs ten years earlier. Her friends, Lyndie and Elle, her brother Tucker and his family, and Elle’s fiancé Travis and his family, all come together with their deep wounds and grief, and feelings of guilt and regret. The author slowly unfolds the happenings of that long-ago tragedy and then starts healing broken hearts and lives.

The story is perfectly paced, beautifully written, and vividly shows the efffects of not communicating feelings and heartaches with those we love. I loved the tender messages of forgiveness, mercy, redemption, and grace woven throughout the story.

Things Left Unsaid is gritty and realistic, emotional and heart-wrenching, but it also left me with a feeling of hope and a resolve to show forgiveness of others. I’ve read several of Courtney Walsh’s books, but I feel this is her best yet. It’s definitely one for the keeper shelf.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher/NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

How long can a secret last

Lyndie, Elle and Cassie were all childhood friends until Cassie’s untimely death almost ten years ago. Elle is now getting married and Lyndie is coming back to Sweethaven for the wedding. Lyndie hasn’t been back since that night so long ago.
Cassie’s family has been torn apart by Cassies’s death and are having a celebration of life for her just before the wedding. Cassie’s brother Tucker is also coming home for the wedding and hasn’t been back home in a long time.
Can Cassie, Tucker, Elle and Cassie’s family all face that dreadful night and finally put this tragic event in their past? Can they move on? Will secrets be revealed that have been kept hidden for ten years? Will they be torn apart once again or stitched back together as the family they once were?
I loved this book by Courtney Walsh, she has fast become one of my favorite authors. This book is brilliantly written to take you through all the emotions of loss and renewal.

This is a book that also shows how we can hide our inner fears and struggles for a very long time. These characters are portrayed in a way that is hauntingly real. It made me search within my own self, and allowed me to see how I was like each one of them, in some way or other.

I really was drawn to Lyndie. She's held up, been strong, for so long, she almost doesn't even know how to feel anymore. After all, if she keeps her emotions locked deep down, she can't get hurt again, right?

Then she has to go home. And she is forced to face some of her fears head on.

And there was Elle. And she also had so many secrets. And fears. Including the fear of being loved if she was known for who she really was.

And I can't forget about Travis.

The author has written us another beautiful story, showing us how to find the path to forgiveness and redemption in our own lives.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

I chose to read this book without reading the book summary because it was by Courtney Walsh. She has become one of my go to authors. I knew to expect an emotional journey, but I was still taken by surprise with this one. A particular incident happened 10 years ago that has affected each one of the characters and as the 10th anniversary approaches they are forced to deal with the secrets and emotional impact of the day. The details of this day are revealed slowly through various characters and at the beginning I was so confused. I felt like I was almost half way through before I really knew what had happened. (If I had read the summary beforehand, it probably wouldn’t have taken me so long to get there.)

The cast was a diverse mix of people, married and single characters, younger and older, some strong Christians and some just finding their faith. Each character was well written and I connected with each one in different ways. I felt for Lyndie, she has closed herself off to feelings and this is holding her back in her career. Karen feels like a fraud and fears she is losing her relationship with her husband. Elle has found love but feels like it could come crashing down on her any minute if her secret is revealed. Since avoiding Sweethaven is not an option Tucker decides he will follow his pastor’s advice and try to heal from the hurt by addressing it, this is easier said than done. There is so much pain for each character to deal with but if they can get through the fear of sharing their inner thoughts and pain they can find the healing they need most. The main theme I took from the story was learning to forgive yourself for mistakes made in the past.

I especially loved how each man showed the ladies what true love looks like. Two of my favourite moments were the pivotal moment between Elle and Travis, when he shows her just how much he loves her and the scene with Lyndie and Tucker after the church service once Tucker knew the secret Lyndie had been keeping. I was in tears through both of the scenes feeling the pain of the moment. This story definitely took me on an emotional journey but the ending left me feeling like these characters were going to be okay.

An emotionally charged story

My rating is 4.5 stars

Elle was about to become the wife of a wonderful man who just happened to be a pastor. And the son of the pastor of a huge and thriving ministry. Her mother-in-law-to-be was constantly sharing with her ways she should change and how important it was for her to live up to the standards of a godly Christian woman. Oh, how I was angered by Nora!!

The night Cassie died, the lives of her best friends took a tailspin. For Lyndie, Elle, and Tucker, guilt overpowered them and shadowed their lives. They all had secrets from that night and each felt responsible. If only they. . .

Things Left Unsaid highlights the pain that can result from not communicating. For allowing hidden guilt to grow and fester. The walls that they had erected in an attempt to protect themselves and the fear they carried at the thought that if anyone knew what happened, they would be rejected.

Each character had depth and resonated with me. I wouldn’t have liked Tucker much ten years earlier, but the way that he had changed gave me hope for him. He wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination, yet he had developed a maturity and responsibility that had him headed in the right direction.

Once again, author Courtney Walsh created a story that packs a wallop, bringing her readers through an emotional wringer, yet not leaving them hanging out to dry. The changes that were wrought in that short week before the wedding were monumental, and yet the way they unfolded made sense and didn’t seem at all forced. I love the way that each of these friends saw the reaction to the truth of what happened that night and were set free. And I especially loved the way the story brought out how many of the things that had been assumed to be true were shown in their true light once communication began.


Read with a Preview at AmongTheReads.net


I was given a free copy of this item. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.

A great book with a well written plot and believable characters. I loved this story and highly recommend this book. I received an arc from Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

This is the first book I’ve read by Walsh, and I really enjoyed it. It’s an emotional, thought-provoking story, with themes of friendship, including the joys and heartaches that go along with every relationship, secrets, and forgiveness. The characters have a depth to them I hadn’t expected. I really liked the fact that the author didn’t feel the need to wrap everything up neatly, as that made this more realistic and relatable. The religion aspect wasn’t preachy, though the characters do demonstrate how God can minister to hurting people.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

5 stars
Childhood friends reunite 10 years later for a wedding, bringing with them the tragic memories of a night that went terribly wrong and ended in the death of a beloved friend and sister. Lyndie, Tucker and Elle each believe they are unworthy of love due to what happened the summer they graduated from high school.

Wow, just wow! I LOVED this book. Things Left Unsaid is one of those incredible books that is so compelling, I felt it literally stirring my soul. It is one of those books that is so good, it makes you sad for it to end even though the ending was absolutely perfect. I just immediately identified with and responded to the characters within the pages of this incredible book so profoundly.

Walsh has written a Christian book exploring real people with real problems and whom are not perfect. Far too many Christian fiction books pretend Christians do not have issues, yet Walsh tackles them with sensitivity.
I am astonished that I have never read more from this author! I am now on a quest to purchase and read everything she has ever written.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own. #ThingsLeftUnsaid #NetGalley #WaterfallPress

One horrible accident, one vibrant life cut tragically short. Ten years later, the hole left in the hearts of Cassie Jacobs' mother, father, brother and two best friends, Lyndie St. James and Ellie Porter, still festers. Every one of them feels guilty for one reason or another, and every one of them has stuffed that grief where they believe it harms no one else. Their "unsaid things" are stealing their joy. Pastor Kyle says it best when he tells Tucker to "Push it out into the light and it can't mess with you anymore." As each character's "unsaid things" come to light,
will they collapse under the weight of their guilt, or will they soar, freed of condemnation?

Karen Jacobs, Cassie's mom, embraces her grief. She can't understand how her husband, Davis, can go on living and laughing as if they never lost a daughter. Davis, on the other hand, wonders how Karen can go on grieving as she has been doing. It's almost as if she crawled in their daughter's grave, too. In an effort not to hurt her further, he pretty much stops talking to her. Will Karen's planned "Celebration of Life" for their daughter bring her the closure she seeks, or will it steep her even further in her grief.

Tucker Jacobs has turned his life around since the night Cassie died. He's found and embraced the grace Christ offers to all sinners, but the sin he committed the night his sister died continues to keep him up at night. Can Lyndie ever forgive him when she can't forgive herself? Lyndie is a songwriter, and has the chance of a lifetime to write music for megastar Jalaire Grant, but she has so closed off her heart, that her lyrics have become superficial. When Jalaire asks her to write something real, Lyndie balks. Opening her heart in her music, means she has to feel again and her pain is so deep she can't go there again. Lyndie's world has been dark since her best friend died. Will she ever be able to step back into her faith, and grasp the light of grace and forgiveness?

If you're looking for a light, feel-good story, this book is probably not it. However, if you are looking for a book that tells about the many ways guilt destroys lives, or the way that grief can take hold and suck life from the living, or the freedom that comes from forgiveness, this is DEFINITELY your book. There are four stories intertwined throughout this book, and every one of them is compelling. I could not put this book down, once I started it. (It does start a little slow, but, oh, my heart, does it ever get going!) This is one I will be thinking about for many weeks, as I consider the question, Is there any sin that God's grace cannot cover? Ms. Walsh tenderly explores this question in Things Left Unsaid. I can't recommend this book highly enough!

Thank you to Waterfall Press for the free review copy. All opinions are my own.

This book is so good and powerful. Walsh explores some hard topics in this book, and I loved that. I felt that I could relate to some of the situations that the characters were in. The depth of emotion was amazing. I got so caught up in Lyndie and Elle’s problems and feelings. These characters were so real. I think this book will be relatable to many people that have experienced situations like the ones presented in this book.

I also love the grace and forgiveness present in this book. Walsh knows how to show the love of Christ perfectly. There was never condemnation in this book. Only the goodness and grace of God. The characters did struggle with their faith, which I loved because it made the book feel so much more real.

Things Left Unsaid is a poignant story of terrible tragedies and regret, of love and forgiveness and grace. At first a little slow and confusing, Things Left Unsaid quickly wormed its way into my heart and captured my attention. It’s the perfect book for readers who enjoy touching stories of loss, grief, second chances, romance, family, forgiveness and love.

Lyndie left Sweethaven after the death of her best friend Cassie and vowed to never return. But with her friend Elle’s wedding taking place in the town they once called their summer home and the ten-year anniversary of Cassie’s death coinciding on the same weekend, Lyndie has no choice but return to the place that took so much from her. Returning to Sweethaven also means coming face-to-face with Cassie’s brother Tucker, the man Lyndie has tried so hard to forget.

There are so many stories woven into this one book. There is Lyndie and her story of emotional withdrawal after the events ten years ago. There is Tucker, his grief for the death of his sister, the guilt he feels for everything that happened that night and his desperate attempts to continue living a new life, especially when faced with the ghosts of his past. Elle’s story is multilayered with her secrets and regrets of that night and of her childhood, with her relationship with her fiancé Travis, of the history they both shared with Cassie, of the secrets she still hides and the battles with her overbearing soon-to-be-mother-in-law, all as she faces a week-long string of festivities for a wedding she’s not sure she deserves. Then there is the story of Cassie’s mother, cast adrift after the death of her daughter and the continued absence of her son, as well as the growing distance between herself and her husband. Together, these characters and the character around them slowly share their stories, their grief, hurts and regrets. And together, they slowly find the grace to forgive - each other, but especially themselves.

I’ve never met a group of people so reluctant to talk to each other. Or even just to talk at all. Especially when they are all thinking the same thing. Things Left Unsaid is a complex and deeply layered story. It took me a little while to get truly hooked by the story and the characters. At first, only vague hints about the past and ‘that night’ are shared. It’s not until a little over halfway through the story that the characters, finally, finally start stalking. And that’s when things start to get interesting. As they each begin to unburden themselves and share their pain.

Things Left Unsaid is a story about love - romantic love (there is a wedding in this book after all, as well as a story of second-chance love), and love between friends and family. It’s a touching and encouraging story about forgiveness and learning to live.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Courtney Walsh is a name that keeps popping up among my Goodreads friends and who was on my wish list of authors to try. I'm really glad I finally gave this author a try. This was a story filled with emotional hurting people who had to deal with a tragic event from their past and their own quilt for their part (true or self-assigned).

There was a lot of characters with their own POV, but the voice of each character was unique and separated between chapter that it was never difficult to follow. Each of these characters had to find their own path to healing and overcoming their struggles. My heart ached the most for Lyndie and Elle (and Tucker).

This was a great story about how past mistakes could take a hold on you and how it can affect future decisions (both good and bad), the power of letting go and forgiveness. What I appreciated from this story was that even though the characters did find healing, it was clear that they still had a path to walk in their new found freedom (spiritual growth required).

I'm not sure if the author plans a sequel, if not, I would have liked an epilogue far into the future to see what happened in these characters lives, especially two where I felt that their story is unfinished but left the reader with hope and promise.

Recommended to fans of Christian contemporary fiction.

WOW just wow. I wouldn’t be wrong in saying that I actually loved this book. It is a very raw, real, honest story that flows so well and so beautifully.
It is rare that a book stays with me or that I even want to go back and re read it. But this one I certainly will be doing.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Waterfall Press for my ARC of this book in exchange for my honest unbiased review

I can't say enough good things about this book! Things Left Unsaid is a beautiful story of love and forgiveness. Courtney Walsh delves into the difficult territory of guilt and self-blame. Lyndie's heart has ached for years, taking her on a negative path, far away from the faith she once had. Her trip back to a place she once loved is both difficult and necessary. I absolutely love how Courtney handles the telling of this poignant story. She gets inside the characters' hearts and peals away the layers of years of hurt. After I finished the last chapter, parts of the story replayed in my head for days. If you enjoy well written fiction filled with meaning, read Things Left Unsaid. I guarantee you'll connect to at least one character and their story. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterfall Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.