Four years ago, Sherry lost everything. Her house. Her parents. And Hunter, the love of her life. She left the small town she’d called home and tried not to look back. He’s gone. Move on. Don’t think of him. But when she learns Hunter is alive, she’s forced to question that awful night when everything was ripped away from her. Four years ago, Hunter lost Sherry. She was his home, his family, and … family, and the love of his life. He abandoned the town that held so many painful memories, but he couldn’t stop himself from looking back. Where was she? How was she? Did she think of him, too? But when his father’s death brings both of them back home, he must deal with the fallout from his choice all those years ago.
Hunter and Sherry were childhood friends, high school sweethearts, and everything in between. Hunter always told her…
Ours is a love people write stories about.
But will it be a fairy tale or a tragedy?
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What a book. If you like friends to lovers or second chance romances, you will adore this book. If you like books told in alternating POV, you’ll love this book. If you like books that make you feel to your bones (and cry- let’s not forget the sniffles), then you will cherish this book. I can’t delve too much into the story because, to be honest, I don’t want to give anything away. Though it is the third book in the Unveiling series, it stands alone without a problem. In fact, Sherry was an extremely guarded character that you didn’t get to know very well in the previous books. Ms. Allison shows how Sherry got to be this way, and boy is it heartbreaking.
Sherry and her childhood sweetheart, Hunter, went through more than any person should have to endure at any age, let alone by the young age of 25. The story of their relationship is equal parts beautiful and painful. By swapping between the past and the present and Hunter’s and Sherry’s POV, Ms. Allison effectively pulls you through the book like a fish on a line. I was up until 3:00 AM reading this because I was *that* emotionally invested in the characters. I will admit that the first flashback portion of the book both surprised and annoyed me a bit (Yes, I cursed. The author does this each time that the story is about to take a turn or reach a climax. Tease!). However, Ms. Allison wrote each character’s flashback chapters (which covered ages 10-18) at an appropriate maturity level (meaning that a 10 year old didn’t talk or think like a 20 year old). This occasional oscillation (by section of the book- there were maybe 4-5 sections) between the past and the present greatly enriched the book and made me want to greedily read faster. I’m already an extremely fast reader, so this is saying something.
I was already a fan of this author. She covers rough, painful, underrepresented topics with grace, class, and a gentle hand. This is, by far, my favorite book of hers that she has written so far. The next standalone in the series releases October 26. I may (totally will) beg her for an ARC if she has any spares. I’m not sure that I can wait that long.
*** 4.5 Stars ***
Unveiling Ghosts (Unveiling Series Book 3) by Jeannine Allison is a contemporary, new adult, small town, coming of age, friends to lovers, second chance romance told in dual POV and moving back and forth between scenes from the present and the past. Although it is the third book in a series and follows Sherry, who we met in the previous books, it can be read as a standalone.
Sherry and Hunter met when they were ten years old. They quickly became best friends, growing up together and eventually falling in love with each other. Tragic events separate them and Sherry goes away to college as planned. As the years pass without any contact, Sherry remains in emotional limbo as she continues to search for Hunter, not knowing if he’s dead or alive.
After four years without any news, she learns that Hunter has returned to their hometown for his father’s funeral. Sherry decides to go there to confront him and get some answers. Will she be able to forgive him for staying away? Can they move beyond the past to have a future together?
I really enjoyed Sherry and Hunter’s story. I liked them both as characters but has some difficulty understanding Hunter’s point of view and the reasoning behind the choices he made. The author does a great job handling difficult subjects such as physical abuse and grieving the loss of family. A beautiful story about soul mates, survival, hope, and healing.
Sherry’s story! Her character in the last couple books have her as a keep to herself person.
Now we know why! Hunter! Sherry met him when she was ten! Not a lot of people meet their soul mate at age ten. Going back in time and reading how they came to be was so sweet, sad and sometimes heartbreaking.
I absolutely loved their story with all the ups and downs!
My favorite quote-“Ours is a love people write stories about “
Unveiling Ghosts was another great read in this series of standalone books. I enjoyed Sherry and Hunter’s story a lot. I loved the childhood best friends to lovers aspect and the chemistry between them was undeniable. My heart absolutely broke for Hunter in his childhood years, but I loved how Sherry parents accepted him as part of their family. The only reason this book was not a five star read for me because at times I thought the flow of the story was slow. However, with that being said it was still a great story with a HEA that readers will enjoy. This story will leave you with a smile on your face. I definitely look forward to reading the next book in this series to get Ellie and Grayson’s story.
Unveiling Ghosts, book 3 in the Unveiling Series, starts out completely different from the two previous books, immediately jumping into heartache and suspense. Floating between past and present, their history is heartbreaking. The reality of it tough to read. Hunter Monroe and Sherry Hughes meet as 10 year olds from completely different backgrounds. But their connection is strong. Their relationship evolving as the years pass. The writing smooth and evokes the emotions. The maturity and no-nonsense drama of the characters and story is refreshing. Their group of friends are people you want to know and be a part of. Unveiling Ghosts is a sweet, friends-to-lovers, second chance romance with a touch of angst that had me smiling. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend starting from the beginning. It’s a series worth investing in.
Ok! Soooo….. I was very “Switzerland” about Sherry in the previous books. Hadn’t really clicked with her, wasn’t overly curious about where she was headed, didn’t mind if there was a story about her or not. So when I realised that book #3 was about her, I was a little worried how I would go.
Enter the genius writing of Jeannine Allison and it didn’t matter one iota that I hadn’t clicked with Sherry yet – because I was clicking with her now!
“Unveiling Ghosts” is such a beautiful story that has so much love and heartbreak, I actually clutched at my chest a few times.
Hunter and Sherry have loved each other before they even knew what it was. He introduced her to a world where pain existed and she introduced him to a world where love existed. Both a foreign world to the world they each knew. Hunter made Sherry see there are real live monsters amongst us, while Sherry made Hunter see that we do have a soul. That such a thing as kindness and peace is real.
This story has been written in sections of past/present/future and it is gorgeous! It is such a special way to read where these characters started, where they are now and where they are going. It never once felt rushed to get through their story. It broke my heart and healed it at the same time. I felt such sorrow and joy at the hands of Sherry and Hunter. Jeannine elicited such emotion where I wanted to throw my Kindle at the wall if it meant I couldn’t climb inside and punch someone.
Three books ago – I had never heard of Jeannine Allison. I am so ashamed that I didn’t know who she was. And I am forever grateful to another author – Autumn Grey – who introduced me to Jeannine.
If you are a fan of the romance genre then you need to make certain that you have Jeannine Allison on your TBR list. You are doing yourself an injustice if you don’t ever read any of her work.
My only issue now is that I have to wait for the next instalments in this series….. damn you woman!!
I knew Sherry had secrets, and I knew they would be heartbreaking. Hunter is everything we all would want in a man, yes he made a mistake but he was still a kid. This story plays on every emotion and will leave you hoping to find a love such as this.
Unveiling Ghosts was an enjoyable second chance romance! I’m glad we finally got to know Sherry’s story, learning exactly why she was how she was. I absolutely loved her relationship with Hunter from the beginning, as from the first moment they saw each other….she could tell he was special and just wanted to know who he was. They developed such an amazing friendship over the years, which ultimately turned into more. I just really enjoyed the early parts of their love story more than the reunion….maybe because I just don’t know if I was Sherry if I could forgive Hunter for staying away all those years so easily and quickly.
Love the little hints about Derek at the end…..hmm, I wonder who he could be with?
4.7 stars
This might be my favorite of the series. This writer weaves a story in such a beautiful and intricate way that as a reader I adore. Time ceases to exist when I’m reading her work. Sherry. My goodness, this girl went through so much loss. Hunter, this sweet boy and then man experienced what no child should ever experience and yet somehow he became better for it. Together, they proved that their story was indeed one that would be written about.
I hope that Derek gets a book.
I can honestly say that Unveiling Ghosts is Jeannine Allison’s best work yet! I loved her two previous books in this series but Unveiling Ghosts has everything I love in a story. First the characters Sherry and Hunter are deep, multi layered characters and their story is very well developed with so much heart, love and intensity. This is a story about true love. An epic love story.
Their relationship isn’t an insta-love. No, it’s a love that grows and evolves through time, over years. Sherry and Hunter have so much history and that’s also why their love hit me so hard and right in my heart. I grew and fell right along with them as they did for one another.
Sherry and Hunter are two equally strong people who finds each other at the right time. At ten years old. Sherry has lost her brother and Hunter just wants to escape from his parents. How their story progress from there is truly a roller coaster ride of a journey filled with so many emotions.
I loved how their friendship bloomed into so much more. Into an all consuming love even though it wasn’t easy and they had their struggles, they proved how strong and how far they both were willing to go for that love. For one another.
The story switches between their present and their past. From start to finish the story feels cohesive and the pace of the story flows effortlessly. I’m invested and connected to Sherry and Hunter. Also the secondary characters plays a huge role. Especially Sherry’s parents. The other characters from Unveiling Sky and Chaos also make an appearance and just shows why I love this series so much.
Jeannine Allison has delivered an intense and heartbreaking story about soulmates and true love. Her writing and prose are stronger than ever. Simply magnificent. I know there’s two more books in the Unveiling series and after finishing Unveiling Ghosts I can hardly wait.
Another heart wrenchingly beautiful story from Jeannine Allison! Beautiful writing and a profound story. She has hit every emotion there is. I laughed and cried. Sometimes both. One of the things I love about Jeannine’s books is thrashed not afraid to bring real life problems in today’s society to light. And she does it BEAUTIFULLY. I am thoroughly enjoying this series and am excited for the next one! I HIGHLY recommend this one!
This book is a story of young love. It’s romantic, it’s intense, it’s sad, and it’s tragic. Jeannine writes a story of young love surviving tragedy. Can hard choices be forgotten and forgiven? This is book 3 and again it’s another great read. I’m so invested in this series and all it’s characters. Unveiling Ghosts well worth five stars.
I really enjoyed this YA book. It was a beautiful read. Second chance romance but much, much more. So much heartbreak (needed my tissues at times) but so well handled it didn’t become dramatic. Definitely some difficult subject matter. Excellent dialogue and I really, really loved the epilogue. Will definitely be seeking out more books from this author.