What a fantastic read! Insightful and enlightening...this book is an education on how it feels to be homeless (rough sleepers) as their called in England. The main character takes center stage. With the help of counselors and friends and even other rough sleepers she sees her way clear of her "character flaw"...alcoholism. I was astounded with the author's ability to delve into her emotional world. And the ending...very surprising! I even think my eyes grew wider for a minute. Thanks for for the opportunity to read this book.

Emma has been away from home for two years and in that time her problems have spiralled out of control. Having sought help she feels the time has come for her to return home to the family farm and face the mess she left behind when she fled on a whim one evening, leaving everyone and everything she knew behind.

She may have changed, but it’s clear on her return that not only her family but the local villagers can’t bring themselves to believe her. To them Emma is still the same liar and thief that left a trail of destruction her wake and it’s going to take more than a simple “sorry” for them to change their mind. Emma thinks that because she has changed her life she would be welcomed back into the fold like nothing has happened, sadly for her it’s not that simple, life has continued without her. She needs to rake back over the past in order to move forward and learn to forgive herself in the process with the only hope her family and friends will do the same.

This book joins Emma as she is en-route home to visit family and it’s not immediately clear what has happened to her since the last time she was there. The story flits between past and present gradually building a picture of Emma’s relationship with alcohol and the descent she found herself experiencing which lead to her living on the streets in Manchester. Once she hits her rock bottom we are taken on a journey, walking alongside her as she seeks help to change her life. Emma’s situation is so real for so many people and it’s impossible not to warm to her, she was my favourite character and I was rooting for her throughout.

Forgive Me Not pulls no punches, it’s a hard-hitting, gritty read that tells it like it is. Dealing with real, serious issues including homelessness, miscarriage and alcoholism, it’s a world away from Samantha’s previous novel One Summer In Rome. Despite being in stark contrast to her previous work, I absolutely adored this book, it had me in tears – always a sign of a good read – and Samantha’s writing style has the knack of drawing me in making it her books extremely difficult to put it down. The storyline of this novel is both gripping and thought provoking and really gave me plenty of food for thought about both giving and receiving forgiveness.

This is absolutely brilliant. I just feel like the more I read by Samantha Tonge, the better her books get! This was lovely and heartwarming and I couldn't put it down. It was mesmerising and I was so eager to find out what had driven our main character Emma away from her hometown a couple of years ago.

It's a beautifully written novel about family, forgiveness and learning to let go of the past. Emma tries her hardest to put things right after the mistakes she made but is it enough? Will those closest to her forgive and forget?

It's a gripping story and one I really enjoyed. There are twists and turns but this just makes it an even better read. I wasn't so sure on the novel at first when I saw the cover, as it's not the type of cover I usually get drawn to, but I've read novels by Samantha Tonge before and I enjoyed the blurb so was really pleased that I decided to give it a go. Unsure now as to why I had any doubts in the first place!

Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read this novel via Netgalley which I have reviewed honestly.

Not what I was expecting when I picked-up a Samantha Tonge book.

It was good, just a bit heavier than the happy RomCom/Chick Lit I was expecting.

After a bit of research I found she is no longer writing RomCom so I guess I should have expected it.

This book made me think deeply about the concept of forgiveness. Because we are sorry, does that mean we should be forgiven? Is it more important that we forgive ourselves? Can we judge other's actions and find forgiveness for them without necessarily confronting them. When do we accept that forgiveness might no be possible? These are the issues that the main character Emma deals with during her journey to find peace with her past and stay on the right side of sobriety while paving a new future. I liked how the character of Emma was slowly painted as the author toggled between her past and present. The reader was able to fully fathom Emma's almost unimaginable decline to her gradual recovery. The secondary characters became beloved friends as Emma gradually wore them down with her newfound resourcefulness and optimism. I do not wish to give any spoilers but the ending gave the story unexpected new depth. I would love to read further about Emma as she continues to navigate her journey.

I really enjoyed reading this book. A story about forgiveness and taking responsibility.
Emma has returned to the village she lived in, as a recovering alcoholic. She is seeking forgiveness for her behaviour whilst drinking heavily. She soon realises this will not be as easy as she hoped. Emma might have changed, but she has a long way to go to prove it.
The novel goes backwards and forwards between the time she returns to the period that she was away living on the streets and going through rehab.
A truly though provoking story, which made me think about forgiveness from both sides.

This is the first Samantha Tonge book I have read and it certainly did not disappoint... it was an excellent read... I just could not put it down, reading way into the night where my eyes could no longer stay open.

It's a story about forgiveness, self awareness, addiction, self-discovery and how hard it all can be, but continuing to move forward for a better future despite the constant pull to go back to your old ways.
The characters were really believable and you can feel a connection with them... I found myself routing for the main character Emma from the get go... but I had learnt about the previous five years of her life beforehand I may not have liked her so much... the story has a few twists and turns.
I don't like to give too much away as I think it would really spoil it knowing too much... but that last chapter... WOW!!!

I would really recommend this book... it certainly got me thinking about my life and the paths I've taken.
I would definitely give this more than 5 stars if allowed as it would be well deserved!!!

Easily one of the best books I have read this year, and its a story and its message that will stay with me for long after I've finished it.

This is an eye opening read as it deals with issues that people don't think about too much (or at least I'm ashamed to say I don't), and just goes to show that even after reaching rock bottom, there is a chance to improve your life.

It is a story of self awareness, self discovery and learning to live with your past, as well as trying to forge a better future for yourself.

This is a book that from the first few pages had completely enthralled me and I found myself reading far later into the small hours of the morning than intended, and then the following day read the majority of the book in one sitting, completely oblivious to the outside world.

I was hooked on discovering everything about Emma, from the year or so before she returned to Foxglove Farm, to how she is trying to make amends. I was enthralled by her life, which doesn't make for easy light hearted reading, and focuses on a gritty reality.

The characters, especially Emma were completely believable, and I found myself really warming to her, despite had we learnt about aspects of her past first, you may not have been as keen.

I have been a fan of Samantha Tonge's previous books for years, but whereas they were generally romantic comedies this is full deep and meaningful women's fiction, a marked change of direction, but if this is what she is capable of long may it continue.

I will say that depending on your own circumstances some of the issues tackled in this book which is clearly well researched, could be upsetting or disturbing, but yet to name them I feel would be a spoiler, and also potentially give you pre-conceptions about the book that it doesn't deserve.

Forgive Me Not is a book best read without too much prior information, just sit down for a few hours, and allow yourself to be drawn into Emma's story. I could barely tear myself away.

I am completely thrilled that I had a chance to read this book, it truly is something special.

Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This is an excellent book and all about forgiveness and how it can be hard to do but how you have to to move forward. It's a book you just don't want to put down as so well written and shows how you can run away from problems but you are always pulled to go back and having to forgive people you love. Great characters and story plot is so believable.
Emma fled from home after making so many mistakes and letting down so many people down and hurting so many. Two years later she wants to go home to face her past at fox grove farm. Is she making the right decision she doesn't tell anyone she's coming but when she arrives it causes more problems than she dreamt of. Sadly the people she hurt aren't ready to forgive her and her mother is ill and doesn't even recognise her she struggles with this. Emma slowly starts to build the trust but then she finds a secret about her family and it changes everything she also tells then a crime she thinks she did in the past so can she settle back down or not is sorry simply not good enough.
Worth far more than the five stars I have given it just didn't want to put it down.