Aleveria / KarenL

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for an unbiased review.

This is a review of both Unforgiven and [b:Imperfect|35154572|Imperfect (Sins and Secrets Series of Duets #1)|Willow Winters|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1494947309s/35154572.jpg|56292905], as I read them both together.

Once I got into the meat of the story, I couldn't put these books down. They're classified as suspense, but I think I'd go with just a semi-dark romance. There's definitely an element of danger, and some mysteries to be solved, which puts it in that category - but I really like how everything was woven together in one big hot mess of a story.

Let's talk about the characters.

Mason has kept his eye on Julia for most of their lives for myriad reasons. Because her brother Jace had died and couldn't be there for her, because he felt like she needed watching over, and because - this one most of all - he couldn't stand to think of her in trouble, or with some guy that didn't deserve her. What he really wanted to admit to himself was that he didn't want her to be with anyone but him, but that was an entirely different problem.

Julia hated that Mason treated her like a kid. She did NOT need to be watched 24/7. He was ruining her social life, and her life in general. Mostly because when she thought about him, she didn't think of him as a big brother figure, Julia wanted him like a woman wanted a man - and Mason definitely did NOT give off that kind of vibe.

But as things are wont to do, Julia pushed a little too far, and Mason pushed back. They ended up in each other's faces instead of Mason just watching from behind the scenes, and that made Julia very unsettled indeed. With them in such close quarters, their walls began to crumble, and secrets were coming out into the daylight... just the sort of thing that Mason was trying to avoid.

Julia always wanted to fill in the missing gaps in her memory about the day her brother died, but looking into it was very dangerous. Mason knows that for *so* many reasons. Mostly because Mason was there that day too. So who knows the truth? Who wants to keep it from her? Why doesn't she remember what happened? Everything is answered in this book, and so much more.

Yes, there are some situations that seem coincidental, but it's a fantasy - a story, that's what builds the tension and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. I found it utterly compelling, and I wouldn't mind Mason keeping an eye on me for a while...

I give this five "Sensitive Alpha Males" out of five.