Reviews

Unforgiven by Rebecca Zanetti

busy_reader's review

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adventurous emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This series continues with the story of Jethro Hanson. If you loved the Deep Ops series, you will love this one too. All the other characters reappear. Working as a team, they help Jethro to face the challenges caused by his unhinged and violent brother, Fletcher. The plot develops quickly and there is a lot of action along the way. There is also the romance between Jethro and Gemma which unfolds beautifully. Another well written romantic suspense book!

jbarr5's review

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5.0

Unforgiven by Rebecca Zanetti
Story starts out with Gemma and she's just relocated to a new town, taking over for a professor. She tends to her daughter when she can, leaving her in schools day care during her working hours.
She is disguised and has gone through many name changes in the years. You learn of why she has had to do this.
Story also follows Jethro who is a professor at the college also. He has a brother Fletcher who is back in US. They both come from England and have an accent.
His brother is killing others leaving a note for his brother. He soon learns his team is behind him and they also do back ground check on Gamma cuz things don't add up.
Love all the team spirit of one for all, learning how Fletcher is tracking her and how, what things team do to stay safe. Love that the team also includes the female spouses of the members, so intuitive.
Scary parts and loving parts and so much action and mystery. Story goes back in time so you learn what happened prior to the present day.
So realistic and I can see this happening, would love to see this as a movie.
Such a great read, can't wait to read more from this author. Have read some of her other works and need to fill in the books I’ve yet to read. This can also be read as a stand alone book.

emily_loves_2_read's review

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4.0

Unforgiven
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 6/7/22
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Pages: 344
Goodreads Rating: 4.58

Thank you to NetGalley and Lyrical Press for providing a copy of the book for me to read in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: Run:
Gemma Falls never expected to use her game theory expertise to outrun a killer. But for years, that skill is all that kept her one step ahead of a deadly stalker. When Gemma gets the chance to teach at D.C. University, she hopes she and her young daughter have found a safe harbor. The only flaw is the arrogant philosophy professor who’s always underfoot giving unwanted advice—in his sexy British accent . . .

My Thoughts: While this is book number 5 in a series, it can be read as a standalone, which I did and had no issues keeping up. Even though this book is classified as a thriller, it has a bit of romantic suspense in it. The story is narrated by Jethro and Gemma, switching between the two, providing the story from their POV. The book starts out as a slow burn but heats up. The characters were well developed, learning a little more from Jethro, who has appeared in other series. This author does a really good job of capturing a little of everything, romance, suspense, uneasiness, a little humor, action, and cute adorable moments. I really enjoyed this author’s writing style and how she pulls this couple tougher. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will go back to read the other books in the series, eventually.
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kaitlin_durante's review

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4.0

[I received a digital arc for an honest review]

Unforgiven by Rebecca Zanetti is the fifth book in the Deep Ops series. Jethro Hanson is trying to rebuild his life in the US by pondering good vs. evil instead of fighting it. He doesn’t expect the visiting professor Gemma Falls to immediately entrance him but he finds himself trying to help her in any way he can even when she fights him every step of the way. Unfortunately Jethro’s past is catching up with him and causes a collision course between his and Gemma’s life. While trying to protect her daughter and her newest location from her dangerous ex, Gemma can’t help but fall for the dashing Brit and his collection of dangerous yet protective family members. With the past closing in on both of them Gemma and Jethro are forced to decide if they run or if they fight for a new future together.

Jethro Hanson is a super spy warrior hiding beneath his uptight professor exterior. He finds himself shocked at his immediate and overwhelming need to protect Gemma and Trudy even at the expense of his own safety. He is surrounded by his found family of the past when the twins come to town to help and his deep ops family, especially his unexpected best friend Wolfe. The past is rearing its ugly head and the only way Jethro can find safety again is to put it down for good. He struggles with the violence he saw and administered in the past but finds solace that Gemma, Trudy and the rest of his family is able to see the man he is now beyond the danger and secrets.

He was everything and more than she could ever want. Smart, sexy, and kind. Plus, a total 007 badass with a mind for game theory.

Gemma Falls has been running for years to protect her daughter from the violence she endured at the hands of her ex. She only stays for short periods of time anywhere but wants to try at DC University, standing in for Serena. She fights Jethro from the start because she knows there’s more to him than meets the eye and is wary from past experiences. When she finally lets him into her life, the security and comfort he brings with his family is more than she ever expected to have. She has not allowed herself to even consider a romantic relationship but Jethro proves to be exactly what she needed.

He ducked his head and lightly rasped down her neck to nip her collarbone.
“I knew. The first time you smiled at me, really smiled, I knew you’d be perfect.”
The words dug deep into her heart and took root.


The Deep Ops family has their work cut out for them with both Jethro and Gemma’s pasts coming back to try and ruin their futures. I will not go into too much detail about both pasts because seeing them unveil keeps the action and intensity up. This story is exactly what I’ve come to expect from Zanetti’s suspenseful romances.

4 stars for Jethro and Gemma putting the past to rest for a future together.

jeannethinks's review

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4.0

Unforgiven is the fifth book in the Deep Ops series. Although this one could technically be read as a stand alone you are going to have a bunch of spoilers to the previous books, so I recommend you read them in order.
Jethro Hanson is former MI6, but he's left that life behind for the academic pursuits. As a Professor of Philosophy he's working to answer that she is question, good vs evil. Can you atone for acts done for Queen and country? And now his past is determined to wreck havoc on his carefully constructed life once bodies start appearing with cryptic notes. It's not long before the HHD team decide its time for them to claim Jethro as their own and provide backup when he needs it most.
Gemma Falls is trying to find a place she feels safe and teaching is a quick opportunity for her to make some money before she might have to run again. This time it's different she meets Jethro with an instant spark and she wants to grab on for more. She has to consider more than just her safety, her daughter whose never known fear is her number one priority and making the wrong choice could expose them. But danger comes from more than one source and now the games are potentially deadly.

leabookjoy's review

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5.0

French & English reviews

*Cette chronique est basée sur un NetGalley ARC en échange d'un avis neutre et honnête*

Ohhhhh j'avais TELLEMENT hâte de lire ce livre et quand j'ai vu qu'il était sur Netgalley, je n'ai pas pu résister à le demander
(et maintenant, je regrette de l'avoir lu aussi vite xD)

Ce que j'ai particulièrement aimé :
- l'univers bien sûr ! Pour moi, c'est une nouvelle page qui se tourne dans la série parce que les personnages du départ ont tous eu leur propre livre (que j'ai d'ailleurs tous relu dans la foulée xD) et donc maintenant, on a de nouveaux personnages qui font leur apparition mais aussi un univers en expansion ce que j'ai beaucoup aimé ! Ici on a moins été centré sur le HDD et plus sur l'université et le MI6 mais j'ai beaucoup apprécié cet aperçu =) J'ai hâte de voir ce que ça va donner pour la suite, surtout les nouvelles relations avec le HDD =D
- l'écriture qui est toujours aussi agréable : fluide avec autant d'humour que de passion mais aussi des descriptions très réalistes et des intrigues bien ficelées !
- les intrigues qui m'ont passionnée du début à la fin ! Autant l'histoire avec "Fletcher" (j'avoue j'ai adoré en apprendre plus sur Jet et son passé ! Et cette scène avec Gemma dans le café à 24% !! J'étais folle ><) que l'histoire avec l'ex copain de Gemma (ce psychopathe !!)
- les personnages principaux que j'ai adoré <3 Jethro qu'on connaissait déjà un peu des précédents livres qui m'avait beaucoup intriguée et que j'ai adoré revoir plus en détails ici (un côté James Bond mais aussi un côté tendre et avec de l'humour (en fait il m'a plus fait penser au James Bond du dernier film pour ceux qui l'ont vu =))) et Gemma bien sûr que l'on découvre ici (une héroïne très humaine avec qui on s'identifie facilement et que j'ai beaucoup aimé suivre !)
- les personnages secondaires qui ont une place toute spéciale dans ce livre, les nouveaux (ohhh ce que j'ai pu aimer les jumeaux =D) comme les anciens (Wolfe qui reste mon chouchou mais j'avoue certains personnages secondaires comme Scott, Millie ou Tate m'ont donné envie d'en savoir plus =D)
- la romance qui était PARFAITE : pas trop rapide ni trop lente avec de l'humour et de la passion et des scènes de sexe ... <3

Bref, encore un coup de cœur pour cette romance qui se dévore en un rien de temps ! Si vous êtes fans de romance à suspense ou tout simplement de romance avec de la passion et de l'humour, je recommande TOUTE la série =D

PS1 : je ne sais pas si j'aimerais que le prochain tome soit avec Millie (je la verrais très bien avec Scott l'avocat mais aussi ex-Marine =D) ou Serena ou avec un des deux amis de Jethro ou encore avec Tate et sa coéquipière =D

PS2 : to the publisher and Netgalley, thank you so much for the ARC =D


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


* This review is based on an NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion. *

Ohhhhh I was SO excited to read this book and when I saw it was on Netgalley I couldn't resist asking for it
(and now I regret reading it so fast xD)

What I particularly liked :
- the universe of course ! For me, it's a new chapter in the series because the "first" characters all had their own book (which I all reread by the way after this one xD) and so now we have new characters that make their appearance but also an expanding universe which I really liked ! Here we were less focused on the HDD and more on the university and the MI6 but I really appreciated this preview =) I can't wait to see how it will be in the future, especially the new relationship with the HDD =D
- the writing which is always so pleasant : fluid with as much humor as passion but also very realistic descriptions and well-crafted plots !
- the plots that fascinated me from beginning to end ! Both the story with "Fletcher" (I must admit I loved learning more about Jet and his past ! And that scene with Gemma in the cafe at 24% !! I was crazy ><) as the story with Gemma's ex-boyfriend (that psychopath !!)
- the main characters that I loved <3 Jethro, whom we already knew a little about from the previous books, who had intrigued me a lot and whom I loved to see again in more detail here (a James Bond side but also with tenderness and humor (in fact it made me think more of the James Bond of the last movie for those who saw it =))) and Gemma of course that we discover here (a very human heroine with whom we easily identified and that I really enjoyed following !)
- the secondary characters who have a very special place in this book, the new ones (ohhh how I liked the twins =D) and the old ones (Wolfe who remains my favorite but I must admit certain secondary characters like Scott, Millie or Tate made me want to know more about them =D)
- the romance that was PERFECT : not too fast or too slow with humor and passion and sex scenes ... <3

In short, another favorite for this romance that I devoured in no time ! If you are a fan of suspense romance or just romance with passion and humor, I recommend the WHOLE series =D

PS1 : I don't know if I would like the next book to be with Millie (I would see her very well with Scott the lawyer but also ex-Marine =D) or Serena or with one of Jethro's two friends or with Tate and his partner =D

PS2 : to the publisher and Netgalley, thank you so much for the ARC =D

hookedbythatbook's review

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5.0



Look no further for drama, intrigue, hot ex-spies, and edge-of-your-seat danger.

Gemma Falls and her daughter, Trudy, are hiding from her ex. Her latest refuge is at DC University where she is temporarily taking the place of a good friend. Serena is also friends with Jethro, the sexy British professor who shares Gemma’s love for game theory. Jethro has his own vengeful stalker, but Gemma is a mystery he itches to solve, and soon her troubles also become his troubles.

Gemma and Jethro did not hit it off at first. She did her best to keep him at a distance and that just drew him in even more. Both are complex characters with haunting pasts that have finally caught up to them. The chemistry between them was sizzling and I loved how they worked together, even if it took a while to get there.

Jethro is trying to figure Gemma out, keep her safe, and fight off the authorities. Luckily, he has the Deep Ops team 110% behind him. Those are just the best people to have at your back and they adopted Jethro into their self-made family, whether he liked it or not. Jethro himself has some mad skills and between him and the MI6 twins, Wolf, and the other Deep Ops members, the action is fast-moving and nail-biting. And of course, Roscoe, who steals all the scenes.

It is a great story from start to finish and I can definitely recommend it if you like romantic suspense. This is book 5 in the Deep Ops series. Each one can be read on its own, although I think you’ll get more value from the series if you read them in order.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

lindaunconventionalbookworms's review

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5.0

*I received a free copy of Unforgiven. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review which is honest and unbiased.*

Zanetti definitely knows how to write a very tight, creepy psychological thriller that still manages to include extremely hot romance! Jethro and Gemma were both fantastic characters to get to know, and it was also so good to be back with Angus Force and the team. The fact that Gemma had a little girl just made the suspense aspects even stronger.

katekate_reads_'s review

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4.0

Love binging a romantic suspense in one sitting! Gemma has just taken on a new job as a professor that a friend helped set her up with. No one knows but she’s actually on the run and in hiding from her ex - he has almost tracked her down a few times and she’s determined to keep herself and her daughter safe. She’s definitely not looking for love or complications.

Jethro is the British philosophy professor who she meets right away and who may make things more complicated. Jethro is trying to give up work on the deep ops team but gets called in when a body is found that has a note written specifically to him.

I really enjoyed the multiple layered stories happening in this one and it’s always fun to see couples from previous stories as you get later into a series.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.

marysebcalderon's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5