THINGS LEFT UNSAID by COURTNEY WALSH is a heartwarming romance novel with a good Christian message. One cannot help getting attached to the characters as they struggle to come to terms with Cassie's death at eighteen in a boating accident. We see how Elle, Lyndie and Tucker hide their brokenness behind a wall, and it is only when they come to terms with their guilt and learn to forgive themselves as well as others for past mistakes, and actually talk about things, that relationships are mended.
We see how Cassie's death has affected her parents' relationship, and it is when Tucker comes home for a few days to be best man at Elle and Travis' wedding, together with Lyndie and Elle, who were Cassie's best friends and practically lived at the Jacobs' house, that things start to improve.
We really feel what the characters are going through. It is a story of second chances, unconditional love, forgiveness and redemption.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Waterfall Press. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

This book took me places personally. It challenged me. It was emotional. I have to say it will definitely be in the top ten reads of the year for me. Did I have the same struggles the characters did, no. Yet somehow God used the author and her words to work within me and minister to me. The book was so well written and had me in tears at the story itself. These characters were struggling so much with the past and it had affected their lives profoundly. They could not forgive. Forgiveness is a beautiful thing. Letting go is a freeing gift. I implore you to read this book and hope you are taken on a journey beyond just a great story.

This is the most powerful book I've read all year! Walsh writes such authentic characters dealing with such realistic issues that you can see yourself or someone close to you in at least one of the characters and/or situations. I don't think I've ever read a book where I felt so much empathy for so many characters while at the same time seeing glimpses into my own life and the lives of some of my close friends.

This book will make you examine your own life and how you've chosen to accept, deny, or questions God's grace in your life. It will also remind you that forgiveness can be given immediately but isn't always felt as quickly deep down inside.

There are so many relatable characters in this story - which is really a combination of many people's stories that intertwine - that I truly believe this book will be a great connection for anyone. I really loved the vast cast that included married and single, older and younger, and strong Christians and those growing in their faith. The diversity in so many areas led me to lots of soul searching about both my past and present.

Usually, when I'm reading a book I can figure out what will happen because books tend to be predictable. This book was truly anything but predictable. I loved how more than once Walsh surprised me with a different scene than I was expecting. Multiple times she completely shocked me with what happened next in the story. But these moments were the most powerful in the whole book. And she included so many without ever making me feel like the book was overwhelmingly full of big moments. Everything just worked so well among all the characters and all their stories.

I cried twice in this book. It was simply so beautiful, powerful, and honestly gut-wrenching at times. It truly spoke to me about the importance of time with God in prayer, treasuring family and friendships, and being honest with yourself and those you love.

This book will definitely be on my top reads of 2018 list!

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This is a wonderfully written book. Courtney Walsh has a way of writing that makes you feel like you are there and you can feel all of the emotions of the people in the book. This is a bittersweet story full of pain, regrets from the past and forgiveness. This is a story that will stay with you long after you've read the last page. I highly recommend this book, just make sure you have a tissue handy. Thank you Waterfall Press via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. This is my honest opinion of this book and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Good book that centers on forgiveness. I didn’t realize it was part of a series but can definitely be read as a stand-alone. Will recommend it to the library patrons.

nooooooo..

I should have looked closer. This is just like the time I read "The Wedding Dress" expecting a historical drama about a dress and instead found myself reading a G-rated romance with God in every other chapter.

This is a book about friend and family and one woman's spiritual journey. I'm sure it will do well in church book clubs.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

'She was sitting in the deepest sorrow of her life and she was sinking.'

Things Left Unsaid is one of the most powerful books I have ever read. This one will definitely be in my top ten books of 2018. Courtney Walsh has crafted a novel that pulls at your heart in a way that you won't even begin to imagine.

Lyndie St. James is invited to be her once best friend Elle's maid of honor but she must travel back to Sweethaven to do so, a place she never wants to see again, a place that is the site of incredible hurt for her. She and Elle and Cassie were best friends there each summer, but Cassie died 10 years ago and her parents are planning a celebration of life evening during the wedding week. Lyndie so doesn't want to be there and dredge up all the pain of her last few days there ten years earlier. She is absolutely unprepared for this visit.

Cassie's parents and brother, Tucker, have all been keeping secrets, the parents drifting apart for years, not sure if they can even survive as a couple. Tucker turned to alcohol and moved as far away as he could get. He doesn't want to come back, either, but he is following the advice of his pastor to get the hurt out in the open and try to heal.

The bride, Elle, also struggles with so many secrets, afraid that if she speaks them out, she will forever be unloved and unwanted.

Each of these characters are hiding their secrets, hoping they can some day be free, but so afraid to speak them out and seek forgiveness. But secrets destroy, secrets cripple and secrets tend to be buried by those who bear them.

Courtney Walsh has written a very powerful novel. My own heart hurt for these people. I wept through passages as I saw how God moved in the lives of His children. It is not His desire to see His children carry such heavy loads. He wants to relieve us of the pain we carry, but, and it's a big but, will we allow Him to take that load off our backs? These characters will have to reach that point and decide if they truly can have the courage to shed the secrets and allow God to minister to their hearts.

I was so blown away by the incredible amount of emotion in this book! Walsh is at her finest here. Highly recommended.

*I was given a preview copy of this novel by Net Galley. My opinions here are entirely my own.

Courtney Walsh is one of my all time favorite authors. When I was given the opportunity to review her newest book, Things Left Unsaid, I jumped on it. Her writing is always thought provoking, thoroughly entertaining, and heart rendering. I have never left a Courtney Walsh book disappointed – except for wishing she'd write another one faster!
As I reflect on this book, several descriptors come to mind: poignant, memorable, nostalgic, romantic, challenging, and soul searching. When you enter into the depths of this book, you enter a world that is multifaceted, accosting your senses from every direction. Walsh's dialogue, descriptions, plot and character development, and message are absolutely wonderful. I was entirely engulfed in this story, captured until the very end.
Highly encourage you to pick up this book. You will enjoy every page.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions in this review are my own.

I love Courtney Walsh’s books! They always seem to relay some truth that I need to read at just the right time. As always, this book is fantastic and does not disappoint! This book is about forgiveness, of yourself and others, and second chances. Many times we are our biggest critics and are hardest on ourselves. Ms. Walsh provides the reader with a story of how wrong we are to do this and how to let God’s forgiveness, mercy, and love save us. In this book, Lyndie returns to Sweethaven for her friend’s wedding. While she is there, she discovers that not only does she still struggle after her friend’s death, but so do others. Together, will they all discover forgiveness for the things they feel they did wrong and can they mend their relationships with each other? I highly recommend this book along with all of her other books!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, I have purchased her books before.

Have you even been in the mood for a movie or book that you know is going to make you cry? Just a feel-good, emotional story about relationships or friendships and the joys and sorrows that can come with them? Well, friends, Things Left Unsaid hit the spot for me and I enjoyed it so incredibly much. 

I'll be totally honest, I was expecting this to be a whole lot lighter of a read, but it was full of depth and emotions and the hard things of life. Trigger warnings abound, so be warned. But despite all of that, I still walked away from this novel with that feel-good feeling. Let me be clear, there wasn't a tidy little bow wrapping up the issues and brushing them under a HEA rug. Rather, once things are out in the open, there was an acknowledgement, a sort of "Here's what happened, here's where we are, let's find a way to move forward now." As a reader, that left me feeling so much better (and more respected) than a story book ending would have left me. 

Walsh's writing was gorgeous, and her characters felt real and relatable. My heart broke over and over again for each one as I read. I wasn't aware when I started this that it was Christian-themed, but it was not pushy or in-your-face. And my favorite thing about this book was that it was so hard for me to put down! Overall, this was a wonderful, heartfelt book--I'd highly recommend pre-ordering this one: it comes out October 30th! 

**Please note: I received a complementary copy of this work through NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a beautiful, beautiful piece of writing! Tender, heart wrenching. I suspect this concept of keeping the difficult things to ourselves is something everyone could relate to. Such an array of complex characters. I've never read any of the Sweethaven books, so perhaps there is more to all of these people, that I just don’t know about? I’m intrigued. There are so many characters in this story and each one of them play a pivotal role. Well done to Courtney for writing them each so intricately. This book is described as an emotional novel, of which it most certainly is. Tragedy ten years earlier has impacted every single one of them. The best friends. The immediate family. Family friends. There's so much pain, stemming from the grief they still feel. No one wants to come back 'home' to their summer cottages by the lake. The place where it happened. They are back in Sweethaven and it's time to face up to everything they've been running from. Such an eye opener into the process of healing. Spiritual renewal. Finding lasting love, based on selflessness and kindness. Such a great read that will inspire & uplift.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. This is my honest review.

While it took quite a few chapters to get into this book, I gradually grew to like and care for the characters. In the early pages some situations seemed stilted and I don't know why almost every character had to have secrets and unresolved issues, but I would recommend the title to others as another good read from Courtney Walsh.

Courtney Walsh has outdone herself in the wonderful novel. This may be her best yet. Her characters are multilayered and complex, but she has woven the characters' secrets flawlessly through the story. She reveals each one at separate times keeping the story engaging and moving.
The guilt that the characters carry all revolves around a common event that happened ten years ago.
Being in Sweethaven for their friends' wedding brings it all to the surface..The story is full of pain and regrets but also friendship, forgiveness and love.
I recommend this book wholeheartedly. .I was given a copy to read by Netgalley (thank you) but the opinions are entirely my own.

Sorry but this book wasn't for me, couldn't get into the storyline and ended up doing a lot of skim reading.

I loved this novel. I couldn't put it down since I got the mobi. I have never read anything from Walsh, so I didn't know what to expect. The cover and the title is what I was drawn to, and I wasn't disappointed. In fact, it'll be difficult to pick up another book quickly due to the book hangover I'll have with these character I just spent the day with.

Each character has his or her own secrets, but Walsh does a wonderful job keeping the secrets straight with the characters and then revealing them at the perfect times. I think if it were to happen differently, or when I wanted to while I was reading I would've been disappointed in the ending.

It was a light, good feeling novel even though the story line revolves around the disappearance and death of a friend, daughter, sister. Religion does play a pretty big role throughout, but in just the right way.

It was a wonderfully written novel about friendships, family, forgiveness and love that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. It will definitely be a topic of conversation for a while. I cannot wait to spread the message along. Definitely recommended and worth the read.