In a split-second, a car crash killed almost everything between them. Ten years later, can one accidental ride fix tattered spirits, uncertain futures, and broken hearts?Lily Grantham has always done what she’s been told. The daughter of a senator, she grew up as the good girl of Fawn Hill, and carried that torch right on through to adulthood. Her only wild streak? Bowen Nash. She loved that boy … loved that boy since the day they laid eyes on each other, and it nearly ended them both. A decade later, and Lily still can’t move on. Even if Bowen has made it clear he doesn’t love her anymore.
Bowen Nash never wanted the life he’s trapped in. Destined for baseball fame and the love of his high-school sweetheart, that existence vanished in the flip of an old pickup. Now, he’s stuck in the town that produced his worst nightmare. Pretending to hate Lily Grantham guts him day in and day out. But to protect her from the ultimate secret, it’s necessary to break his own heart each time they pass on the street.
They’ve been fighting fate for as long as it’s been chasing them. And now, time is up.
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When an author starts a series of interconnected books, I always wonder if I will continue to fall in love with each book and their characters. You get glimpses of familiar faces and secondary characters move to the forefront. Forgiven is no exception and I fell in love with Lily and Bowen.
Lily and Bowen were high school sweethearts with Bowen working his way to receive a baseball scholarship when a car wreck derailed their plans and relationship. 10 years later, Lily still doesn’t know what went wrong and Bowen harbors a secret he cannot share with her.
In Forgiven, you see how small time life still affects these two former sweethearts as their friends and family intertwine. I hope you enjoy Bowen and Lily as much as I did!
Forgiven was an emotional second chance romance that had me hooked in an instant. The way Carrie Aarons was able to bring a story with so much pain, angst, and love was beautiful to read. She once again created characters, Nash and Lily, that were able to grow throughout the book.
When I received an ARC for Forgiven I was so excited. I loved Fleeting, the first book in the Nash Brothers series, so I was anxious to read Nash’s story. The opening sequence was tragic and striking. A memory of a car accident that changed everything. One moment these characters were in love and in the next minute they were struggling to stay alive. The great thing about this story was there was so much more than just surviving an accident. They had to deal with the aftermath… secrets and lies that would keep them apart.
I thought Nash and Lily’s story was great and I enjoyed getting to know them through Carrie’s writing. Nash was a heartthrob. He was the star baseball player in high school and he knew how to treat a girl right. Lily was a senators daughter. She was always expected to be on her best behavior. But she found a way to be herself when she met Nash. They brought out the best in each other and were so in love. It all changed in a single moment.
10 years later and they aren’t the lovebirds most people expected of them. They have seen each other no more than 5 times in the span of 10 years. insert sad face. When they are forced to play nice for a wedding, feelings are brought back to the surface. Can they take a chance on love on more time? Will the truth ever come out?
I give Forgiven 5 stars. It was an amazing second chance romance that will have you on an emotional rollercoaster with ups and downs that lead to the ultimate thrill of a HEA. Tears are a high possibility so have some tissues handy.Carrie Aarons Forgiven (Nash Brothers, #2)
This book is a tell all that hits you right in the all the feels. It’s got romance, wit, betrayal and much more. Simply put, this book is just everything.
Forgiven is a friends to lovers, intriguing and a beautiful heartbreaking story! What was so beautiful about it is that Lily was so raw, so open and unafraid to show her emotions. I thought I was in love with Book 1 but I have to say that Book 2 won my heart. Just the pure raw emotions in this story is something I absolutely love. This story definitely pulls at the heart strings, and will also make you fall in love with Bowen. A complex character and somewhat of an enigma in Fleeting, but here all is revealed and you will find out why he is the way he is.
5 amazing stars for this one. Carrie nailed all the feels with her beautiful words. I am just loving this series! Such sweet romances, yet filled with struggles that are relatable and true to life. I can’t wait to see the next Nash brother story.
I was left curious about Bowen and Lily’s relationship in Fleeting, so I was thrilled that I didn’t have to wait long to find out all about them in Forgiven. Their story was one I am still trying to get over.
From the first time we met Bowen Nash, we knew he carried a burden that he would never forgive himself for. But his secret would be one that he would take to his grave even if it means sacrificing and hurting the one woman who is his happily ever after.
Lily Grantham has ever only loved one man her whole life. She doesn’t remember a lot of what happened on that tragic night, but she knows her love has never ceased for Bowen. Together they were perfect, reckless and hopelessly in love, but she’s been shut out of Bowen’s life since that life changing accident. No reason, no explanation, just abandoned.
Forgiven is about finding closure when you can’t move on from the love that was supposed to last forever. Their heartbreak and heartache are felt in every page. Their love will leave an imprint on your heart. Their story is unforgettable.
Out of all of Carrie Aarons books, Forgiven has far surpassed all the other books and is now my favorite. While reading the first book in the Nash brothers series, I was so curious about what happened between Bowen and Lily, and I was so happy when we finally found out. Even if it meant broken hearts at first. There were multiple times during the book when I was frustrated at both characters, especially when it came to dealing with their past and what kept them apart for ten years. Not only was I frustrated at Bowen and Lily, I was also frustrated at those who were supposed to love and protect them.
I don’t know what it was, but I instantly fell in love with Bowen Nash. He has easily become my favorite male character that Carrie has written about. I could just tell from the first few chapters that he was someone who was going to capture my attention and not let go, and he did just that.
I also really loved Lily. I felt like I could feel her pain she was experiencing when it came to loving Bowen and wanting to know why he was ignoring her. I’m not going to lie, there were times I wanted to shake her when it came to her dealing with her parents, but in the end she turned out to be the strong woman Bowen Nash needed.
Overall, this book gave me all the feels. I loved it from cover to cover and read it in one sitting and it did not disappoint. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for the remaining two Nash brothers.
Move over Keaton Nash, Bowen has taken the lead as the favorite Nash brother to beat in Carrie Aaron’s new release, Forgiven, Book two in the Nash Brothers series. Now, you don’t have to have read about head of the family and small town vet, Keaton in Fleeting to focus on our newest Nash brother, Bowen in Forgiven.
In Forgiven, Aaron focuses on the quiet, middle Nash brother Bowen. If you read book one, you’ll remember Bowen as a not so nice guy when it comes to small town Librarian, Lily. Lily and Bowen have H-I-S-T-O-R-Y! And while, Aaron’s doesn’t take you on trips down memory lane between the two with flashbacks, she does cover the history of their relationship quite well with the sexual tension and longing between Lily and Bowen. These two are the definition of star crossed lovers. Aaron leads you on an overwhelming journey of will they or won’t they reunite after ten long years of loving from afar.
While I wasn’t the biggest Bowen fan after reading Fleeting, I will say Aaron’s really changed my mind about this brother. Although he was harsh, rough around the edges, his biggest weakness was Lily. When Bowen finally opened up, it was like an all new book boyfriend that you couldn’t resist. His adoration of Lily was pure perfection. But still, he wasn’t my favorite in this novel. My favorite was the tiny spitfire he fell in love with. Lily is quiet, reserved, a true politicians daughter. In a lot of ways, I identified with her. But when she had Bowen in her grasp after all those years, it was truly amazing to read this small quiet girl go after the love of her life. I found Lily absolutely endearing and a fascinating character. I did not want her story to end.
Carrie Aaron’s shows so much promise with this small town series featuring all these delicious Nash Brothers. While, it seems Forrest, one of the twins, may be next in line for his happily ever after, I still can’t wait to get my hands on Fletcher’s. Either way, this series will be absolute perfection and I highly recommend you catch up with these brothers now and enjoy the ride.
The glimpses that we got of Lily and Bowen in Fleeting (Nash Brothers #1) were enough breadcrumbs to work me up into a frenzy about reading Forgiven. They both still clearly loved one another, so what happened that night 10 years ago when they got into a car accident that pulled them apart the way that it did? Why couldn’t they work things out?
Forgiven is full of all the best angsty goodness. It’s a wonderful second-chance romance with a forbidden twist. When Keaton and Presley (from Fleeting) ask their brother and best friend, respectively, to be the best man and maid of honor in their upcoming wedding, Bowen and Lily are forced into each other’s orbits after avoiding one another for a decade. As much as it pains Bow to be around her, he just can’t hide how miserable he is. Unfortunately, Lily takes that as him hating her, and she has no idea why.
Our love had been destroyed in the car crash, and it was floating somewhere between the curve in the road, the place Bowen had swerved to avoid a deer, and the dashboard my head had slammed into.
If she only knew. Little by little, the walls that Bowen has surrounding himself break down, and he can’t help himself when it comes to her. He still loves her, has always loved her. And her him. But is it enough to risk a secret that would ruin the both of them a second time?
I must admit, once the reason why Bowen had stayed away from Lily all this time was revealed, I kind of wanted to smack him. I get why he did what he did as a scared 18 year old, but he could have saved them both all kinds of emotional turmoil had he just come clean with Lily once they were both grown adults. But once the ugly truth is all out in the open, and a little time goes by for healing, Bowen and Lily rise above the hurt and anger, and forge their own way. They may have lost 10 years together, but there is no lack of love, support and understanding between them.
This book was the best kind of second-chance romance. I can’t wait to see what Carrie Aarons brings to the twins next! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
Bowen and Lily caught my interest when we caught glimpses of them in book 1 and I could not wait to get my hands on it. Carrie did an amazing job with their story and I did not want to put it down.
A horrible accident ripped apart Bowen and Lily who were meant to be together. After avoiding her for ten years, how will he handle forced to be around her? Lily has so many unanswered questions and is determined to get answers. Will the survive when their past issues comes to light?
This a a great book and is a must read!!!
4.5 stars
After reading Fleeting i wanted to know the story behind Lily and Bowen.
And this book is their love story full of everything you want from a great second chance at love and the power of forgiveness and what real love means for two souls that are meant to be together.
After some unfortunate events, Bowen gets away from Lily without a word and leaving her doubting always why he left it like that and why he doesn’t want to be with her again. Their story was full of heartbreak and angst and i loved what the author has created and how they finally overpast everything and put their heart out for the other one to take care of it and give it the same love as they deserve.
Can’t wait for the next books in the series.
OMG!! I love Carrie’s books and this didn’t disappoint in the slightest!!
I love Bowen! I love him so much! Lily and Bowen have history, too much history. Too much baggage. Bowen refuses to look at Lily until one night they are forced to interact.
Lily breaks down and Bowen happens to come upon her. The flame was never out with these two. Bowen has to learn how to interact with her again, and how to be friend with her again. After the car accident years ago, that Bowen hid a secret from everyone about, they weren’t even friends.
Lily is beside herself that Bowen doesn’t want anything to do with her, but after that night he picked her up, she’s determined to be at least friends with him.
Bowen’s brother Keaton is getting married to Lily’s best friend Presley, and they are the maid of honour and the best man. Duty Calls!!
They are yet again thrust in each others company for the next couple of weeks while the wedding prep is happening.
Can Bowen open up to Lily about the secret he’s been hiding for all of those years, and how will Lily react when she finds out her Dad caused it?
And Penelope cracks me up so much! I hope her story is next!
Some of my fave quotes:
1. Someone probably needs to get an ambulance over here and check my pulse. Because I’m pretty sure I’m flatlining. – LOL!!!!
2. You know you’d love some good attention south of the border. – Penelope!
3. I scoff. “There is no such thing as too much cheese. Put more in.” – SO TRUE!!!
I loved this story so much and can’t wait for more with this series!! Keep em coming Carrie!
At the first book, we saw Bowen as a bitter and salty man. Aarons did an amazing job foreshadowing Bowen’s character, making us want to know more and peel back his layers. And layers there were! After 10 years apart, we saw so many changes in Bowen as he became a shadow of his former self. After the accident, we initially assume it’s because of the accident itself. However, we soon find out there is a secret which is the festering wound in the aftermath of the accident. But what could it be? That’s where I tell you that you have to read the book. I can’t spoil it for you, but I can certainly tell you more about Bowen, Lily, and why I enjoyed this book.
Most times when you find love at a young age, it rarely lasts because it doesn’t have the depth or ability to mature. For those lucky few, they are able to grow together. I would firmly place Bowen and Lily in the slim few who had what it takes. Because even though they were taken from each other in the most horrid of circumstances and suffer terrible emotional and physical blows, the sincerity and purity of their love never diminished. Ten years apart and they loved each other in a parallel fashion – never able to find joy the arms or face of the one they loved, but the love sustained regardless. I think that was my favorite part of this book. Sometimes love doesn’t conquer all, but it can give you the strength to fight.
Bowen and Lily were both fighters. Surly Bowen fought for his family and for Lily to have a good life. Lily was a shadow fighter; she seemed so sweet, delicate, and docile at first glance. But when she peeled back her own layers, that’s when she found the gumption to fight for herself and what her heart has always wanted. So while these two may not appear to be a matching set, make no mistake…not only are they the real deal, but they are also in it to win it. The beauty of their love story is the journey it takes from inception to total actualization.
I love these Nash brothers and can’t wait to see what Aarons has in store for us next!
Everything about Lily and Bowen had me gripping the edges of my kindle with bated breath. I needed to know what happened more than anything and what Carrie Aarons gave us was so much more than I had ever hoped for.
After an accident that changed both of their lives, Lily and Bowen have pined for one another across their small town. Without knowing why, Lily has always wanted to know what has kept Bowen away for 10 years. Bowen, having held onto this secret, has kept his distance living a half-life away from his heart.
In a series of fate stepping in and rectifying some things, Lily and Bowen find themselves in each others path and having to face some old demons. Bowen, finally breaking under some of the pressure and Lily, finally having enough of not knowing what was keeping him away, make amends and attempt to try whatever it was that they had 10 years prior again. Only this time – it is so much more explosive.
Such a fabulous book!!!! I’ve been dying to know what happen to break apart high school sweethearts Lily and Bowen since Fleeting…and their book is perfect!! Second chance, angst, even a bit of laughter, this book had it all! I can’t even imagine still being in love with my ex ten years after he broke up with me…and still in the same town…still seeing him. And Bowen…such an alpha thinking he is taking care of Lily by doing what he did. Perfect book!!!
After reading Fleeting, Book 1 in The Nash Brothers series, you’d be crazy not to want to read this one, not to want to find out more about Bowen Nash and the secrets he’s keeping and why he and Lily aren’t together! Fleeting was a great start to this series, but Forgiven has stolen my heart and my breath…if they keep getting better each time, we’re in for some epic romances!
Once high school sweethearts, madly in love and destined to marry, Bowen and Lily are now nothing more than strangers. Ten years ago, there was a bad car accident and lives were irrecoverably changed…Bowen’s future baseball career ended along with his relationship with Lily, but the details are a mystery.
I wanted to cry for Lily, yell at Bowen and scream at the unfairness of the situation! Oh, my heart hurt…their story is so full of secrets, I was frustrated for them and all those wasted years. An undying love, heartbreak, heartache, foregiveness and an ending that makes all the pain bearable.
So Good!!!! You get an idea of the angst between Bowen and Lily in the first of this series but you really don’t need read that first. Bowen and Lily are high school sweethearts that have a tragedy happen to them. They are forced apart by people beyond their control. For ten years they have avoided each other for different reasons but have they fallen out of love or realized that what they had was puppy love? Bowen has been protecting Lilly for all these years. She has been the one that got away and the one he can never have again. As far as Lily is concerned, Bowen is the one she lost with no explinaton. She’s been surviving for the last ten years with the guilt from the accident. When they are the honor attendants at a wedding, they are put in each others way. Talking is not Bowen’s strong suit but Lily wont take his silence any more. I loved Lily. She has serious decisions to make and may alter her life. I cannot wait for the next.
These two finally got their HEA. Lily and Bowen were high school sweethearts that hadn’t spoken to each other in 10 years after a terrible accident that almost killed her. They were both clearly still in love with each other but unbeknown to Lily Bowen made a promise to stay away. Ten years later and one weak moment all is forgotten and they try. It took nearly half of the Book for these two to suck it up and give it a shot again. It was mostly Bowen trying to stay away but Lily wasn’t having it. When the truth comes out her world is shattered and you see a side of her that wasn’t expected. Makes you really proud of her. And Bowen poor Bowen finally can breathe since the secret is out. Their epilogue was really beautiful.
This is the second book in this Nash Brothers Series and I have been looking forward to Lilly and Bowen’s story.
Lily and Bowen were high school sweethearts, soul-mates until a tragic accident tears them apart. They have been broken for the last 10 years, trying desperately to move on but unable to. Living in a small town has made the healing hard when they stand a chance at bumping into each other.
Lily’s best friend is marrying Bowen’s brother so they are thrown together more as part of the wedding party. Been so close more often is challenging their restraint and making it harder to pretend the feelings aren’t still there.
There is so much I want to say about this book but I can’t as I don’t want to give it away and spoil your enjoyment as once you start this book you will be completely hooked.
Carrie has outdone herself with this story. Its so beautifully written, its filled with emotion, passion, red hot chemistry but also filled with secrets and lies. This was such an emotional roller-coaster, I felt so much reading this. I didn’t want it to end and I can’t wait to read more from these Nash brothers.
I’m so glad we finally have Bowen & Lily’s story!! When we met them in Keaton & Presley’s book my curiosity as piqued, wondering what happened to this couple to make them stop talking for 10 years.
I love that we finally got to learn what happened and see what they did to get past it and get their happily ever after!
I really love the Nash brothers and I can’t wait to see what happens next!!
10 years apart because someone believes that they are always right and deserves to be listened too, even if that is the wrong thing to do. I was really hoping this second chance love story was going to turn out how I was hoping and it did. But for a little while there they author had me on pins and needles.
This story brings us back to the small town of Fawn Hill to follow the second oldest Nash brother Bowen and his estranged high school sweetheart Lily Grantham still try to mend their broken hearts ten years later.
I adored Lily and her good nature and general sweet disposition being the dutiful Senators daughter hasn’t done her any favors. She loves long and deep. She’s a keeper! Bowen is carrying a secret and it’s eating him up and made him a grump. Life hasn’t turned out how either of them planned and it’s time to set things right. With a gentle nudge from his brother Keaton and fiancé Presley the couple are thrown together as Best Man and Maid of Honor and BOOM!
Secrets rarely stay buried and that’s a good thing in this case. I enjoyed this story very much. Watching as they stepped lightly around each other and then charged in head long was awesome! I’m really enjoying the town of Fawn Hill and the Nash brothers.