Told in alternating timelines, THE THINGS WE LEAVE UNFINISHED examines the risks we take for love, the scars too deep to heal, and the endings we can’t bring ourselves to see coming. Twenty-eight-year-old Georgia Stanton has to start over after she gave up almost everything in a brutal divorce–the New York house, the friends, and her pride. Now back home at her late great-grandmother’s estate … great-grandmother’s estate in Colorado, she finds herself face-to-face with Noah Harrison, the bestselling author of a million books where the cover is always people nearly kissing. He’s just as arrogant in person as in interviews, and she’ll be damned if the good-looking writer of love stories thinks he’s the one to finish her grandmother’s final novel…even if the publisher swears he’s the perfect fit.
Noah is at the pinnacle of his career. With book and movie deals galore, there isn’t much the “golden boy” of modern fiction hasn’t accomplished. But he can’t walk away from what might be the best book of the century–the one his idol, Scarlett Stanton, left unfinished. Coming up with a fitting ending for the legendary author is one thing, but dealing with her beautiful, stubborn, cynical great-granddaughter, Georgia, is quite another.
But as they read Scarlett’s words in both the manuscript and her box of letters, they start to realize why Scarlett never finished the book–it’s based on her real-life romance with a World War II pilot, and the ending isn’t a happy one. Georgia knows all too well that love never works out, and while the chemistry and connection between her and Noah is undeniable, she’s as determined as ever to learn from her great-grandmother’s mistakes–even if it means destroying Noah’s career.
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A gorgeous, heartfelt story writing which draws you in and doesn’t let go.
No one can pull at your heartstrings like Rebecca Yarros! OMG… don’t miss THE THINGS WE LEAVE UNFINISHED.
We all seem to have some dysfunction in our family but poor Georgia coming out of a divorce and moving back to Colorado into her Gran’s home. Scarlett Stanton is a widely loved romance novelist and Georgia’s grandma.
Her mom, Ava, is the ultimate manipulator and only ever wants money from Georgia. She is already at Gran’s when she arrives in CO so this is a bad start. Throw in that she is pretending to be Georgia, trying to sell the rights to Scarlett’s last book and profit from it.
Georgia can’t say no to her mom. So grudgingly she agrees to have someone else finish Gran’s last book but it happens to be a writer Scarlett hated, because his endings are all sad.
Georgia wants this story, Scarlett’s story to end poignantly, can Noah do that?
Ava goes as far as reaching out to Georgia’s ex to finagle more money out of Scarlett’s last book. It would seem poor Georgia is surrounded by people who only want her for her grandma’s legacy. Scarlett was the only soul that has cared for Georgia with no strings. Heck she raised her when Ava dumped her there in between one of her five marriages.
While Georgia is trying to sort herself out, determine what Scarlett would want and learn why Scarlett never finished her book she is falling for Noah. And Noah is falling for her. In between hikes, picnics, family albums and unsweetened tea they are spending nights together and the sex is amazing but the fling ends when the book is done. Or does it?
So much love and so much mystery tied to Scarlett’s life and then there is Noah. Can Georgia open herself up and trust again? Will they have their happily ever after? This is a page turner and worth ever nail biting minute.
Please read!
I have voluntarily left this review.
My mind is completely and utterly blown right now. There are no words to adequately review this book. I fell so hard into not one but two different love stories. That in itself makes this book special and amazing. Two love stories. My heart fell so hard and fast for both Georgia and Noah, but also Scarlett and Jameson. I got lost between these pages, not in the present and in the past. My heart raced as I read and I devoured these words. And in true Ms. Yarros fashion she leaves you with the most massive book hangover I can imagine. I’m crying as I write this review. I’m so sad to be finished but I can’t get over this story. It’s definitely one I’ll hold near and dear to my heart for years to come. It’s that special!
I feel as if I have been on a journey that has kept me mesmerized, broken my heart, put it back together, and just left me reeling from emotions. This book just became my first six-star read of 2021. It snuck up on me. In the beginning, I will admit, I was struggling a bit with the transitions between the stories of two couples, in two time periods, and dual points of view for each, and the addition of letters. It was a lot at first. But I got more and more sucked in not only into the present story but captivated by the one from the past.
In the present, Georgia Ellsworth Stanton has returned home to Colorado divorced, publicly humiliated, hurt, bitter, and lost. She is the executor of her great-grandmother Scarlett Scanton’s estate and her final unpublished autobiographical manuscript. Noah Harrison is a star in the literary world known for ripping the hearts out of his readers. And he does not let his own heart get invested in relationships. He wants to be the one to finish the work of an author he admired. He is cocky, determined, and a control freak. Georgia is closed-off, untrusting, and stubborn. They fuss and fight and eventually settle in and get to work. But along the way, he is inspiring Georgia to find herself, trust, and take back her own life. And he is realizing just what it means to want something he might not be able to keep.
The other story takes place in WWII Britain. Scarlett, an Assistant Section Officer in the RAF meets an American pilot fighting for the British. Theirs is a true love story in the middle of chaos and riddled with separations, moves, challenges, and danger. The intensity of their connection and the dire circumstances in which they live kept me tense and completely invested.
Throughout the book, we also get letters that add more depth to the story and at times bring questions and at other times provide answers.
So this whole novel builds two love stories, in different countries, in different time periods, with different endings. It is an absolutely epic, emotional, and inspiring story of true love, passion, strength, loss, heartbreak, survival, redemption, and going on despite all odds. There are some secrets and a twist I never saw coming that had me gasping! Totally floored me and made me question everything! I love it when an author can surprise me since I am usually good at teasing out big surprises. Along the way you get hints of some things so you think you know where it is all going and are prepared, but at the same time, you are not really prepared. This book makes you believe in “the one”, fate, and destiny, but also shows the difference between real-life and fairytale happy endings.
I ended up just as enthralled in Jameson, Scarlett, and her sister Constance’s lives in the past as I was with Georgia and Noah in the present. But this is also very much Georgia’s resurrection as she begins to find reasons to let go of the pain from her past, find purpose, being to trust and open her heart, and follow her own lost dreams. But Noah’s happiness, career, and future are directly tied to Georgia’s decisions and if he can truly gain her trust in him.
“Some things you have to fight for Georgia. You can’t just walk away and leave it unfinished when it gets too complicated. If I could fly off and fight the Nazis to win your love, I would. But all I’ve got to battle with are your demons, and they’re kicking my ass.”
It is all about risks, rewards, and choices. And the whole thing is poignant, moving, and mesmerizing. It is a must-read! There are so many layers and so much depth to it. All of the characters and their struggles truly come alive. Each character is well-developed and has such heart, determination, and inner strength. I felt like I was living in the past at times and then switched to a completely different world in the present. My heart hurt for them as if they were real people. But I also felt every little joy that they found along the way. This incredible book truly has a little bit of everything and completely touched my heart in ways I was not expecting. This could make an amazing movie.
All. The. Stars.
There are books that we read that we like. There are books that we read that we love. Then once in a while, there are books that change us in ways that we never expected. This book is that one for me.
The things we leave unfinished is the latest stand-alone novel by Rebecca Yarros. It is, hands down, one of the best books I’ve ever read or ever will read. Two incredible love stories intertwined in ways that had my heart breaking alongside the characters. Yarros weaves a tale that will have tears falling down your face and your heart bursting with happiness all at the same time.
Without giving too much away, Georgia and Noah were incredible characters. Georgia has been put through hell for quite a number of years and returns home to heal. She had no idea what was waiting for her or how much her life is about to change. Noah is the epitome of what a hero should be. Yes he’s a bit arrogant but underneath that arrogance is a good man. A man that will always do the right thing. Both were written beautifully and realistically. Both captured my heart and soul and will never be forgotten.
The things we leave unfinished took me on a journey through so many emotions-Love,loss, friendship, and hope just to name a few. This book changed me. I will never forget it or the way it made me feel. Highly recommend reading it!
TEN STARS and More ***********
Rebecca does it over and over- draws you in with amazing characters, with beautiful works Even if i cry I am ever so happy that i have found another amazing story.
This was a bit different, I don’t read much historical romance, but this duel past and present romance is something you cannot stop reading.
Georgia has arrived at her grandmother’s house after she dies Noah arrives adding to the drama. Georgia finds some writing never published by her grandmother- which takes us back to England when she met her grandfather.
BEAUTIFUL EMOTIONAL Tear-Jerker LOVE LOVE LOVE
Hold the presses! MY Lord is this audible book is excellent in every sense of the word.
From modern day to WWII this incredible love story of the past and present is just too good to pass up. My thanks to Passionpages50 for pointing me in the direction of this incredible story. In a very good way this is “different” than the typical romance with a twist at the end that will have your jaw drop to the floor.
I do not normally do audio versions of books. I must say that Carly Robins’ narration was spot on.
Rebecca Yarros’ writing is beautiful!
‘The Things We Leave Unfinished’ is a story told in two different timelines. We have Scarlett’s timeline in England during World War II, and Georgia’s timeline set in the present in Colorado, US. Their lives couldn’t be more different, and from the very first page of this book I was hooked and desperate to find out what was going to happen with these characters.
The characters in this book are so fun to get to know. First we have Georgia, a newly divorced twenty eight year old who lost almost everything in her divorce. She now realizes her life was a scam. She moves back to her great grandmothers estate in Colorado and meets the arrogant but handsome bestselling author Noah. As an author, Noah hopes to finish Georgia’s great grandmother Scarlett’s latest novel. But Georgia and Noah want very different things. And it was exciting to read about their journey and developing relationship.
And then we have Scarlett, a hardworking woman ahead of her time who meets Jameson, a handsome pilot during World War II. Both Georgia’s and Scarlett’ story hooked me on from the start. They are two different love stories, but both equally beautiful, intense and they both have some toe curling chemistry. And I simple couldn’t get enough. I especially loved how we get to read Scarlett’s story, and read how her great granddaughters life is decades later. It just felt so special.
This book is filled with romance, and a huge twist I for sure didn’t see coming. And it left me feeling super emotional.. but in a good way. I grew up listening to the stories about my great grandfather who died during World War II, and I thought about him a lot while reading this book. It made it all the more special.
‘The Things We Leave Unfinished’ is a book that will stay with me for a long time. It really touched me, and I desperately want to tell my grandma about it. Funny, how some stories can touch you so. I’ll definitely be reading more books by Rebecca Yarros.
Amazing book. Impossible to put down. Loved both the WWII and modern day stories.
There are no words I can find to do justice to this book. I will say it is phenomenal! It is sweeping and exciting. It will drag you into each page and each era flawlessly. It is going to rip your heart out and leave it bleeding for while. Then it will make cry for happy reasons.
You get two amazing love stories and a third in a way. You get romance, joy, fear, and a sense of being there in each scene as Rebecca draws you into each. I wish there were 10 stars because she earned all 10.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Never saw that ending coming!
This was my first read by this author and won’t be my last. I loved her writing style – fresh voice, polished writing, agency of characters, rich historical detail, emotional backstory and development – all of it kept me turning pages (or rather, listening – fabulous job by the narrators with the audiobook). It was a heart-wrenching read toward the end and with a twist (I sort of expected it but appreciated the turn of events nonetheless – have tissues!). I liked Georgia and Noah’s dynamic and arc. Scarlet and Jamieson took a bit more for me to get into, but I did fall into a rhythm with the back and forth of time lines of then and now. The historical research shows. I loved all the side characters as well. So good. Highly recommend. Looking forward to another read from Rebecca Yarros.
Hands down, Rebecca’s best book to date.
I loved this from the first word to the last. This book consumed me while I was reading it.
This story keep you on the edge emotionally while you read and you don’t want to start once you stop. IT is a dual timeline read that leaves you entrapped within its pages, chapter after chapter.
It was like reading two books at once and falling in love with both of them. Just perfection. I loved the characters form both timelines and truly found myself excited as the POV changed time after time.
Brilliantly written.
First off, I’m going to qualify this entire review by saying I do not normally read romance books. When I say I don’t read romance books, I mean I generally dislike romance books.
That being said, it wasn’t too badly written. It seemed to move along at a fairly quick pace. It had a fairly intricate plot and the characters, besides being supernaturally gorgeous, were pretty believable.
I would have to say that if you enjoy Romance Books, you will most likely enjoy this.
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this. All opinions are my own.
This book gives you all the feels. There is a seamless transition from the past to the present as the book is woven between two different timelines. I adored Georgia and her strengths, and Noah is this guy that you think is completely set in his ways, but a little bit lost at the same time. As they navigate their relationship as well as struggle to complete this book left unfinished by Georgia’s great-grandmother we are treated to an amazing work of art that Yarros created. These two characters are destined to be together, and there are moments that occur that you truly never expected. Yarros gives us a wonderfully well written work that needs to be read.
I loved everything about this. The developing relationship between Georgia and Noah was slow burn/enemies to lovers and so well done. It mirrored the relationship between Scarlett and Jameson in some ways and both were super satisfying. I didn’t know what to expect going into this book – especially with the alternating past/present timelines – but both were flawlessly done.
3 Stars!!
This book provides us two stories. Scarlett – Jameson and Georgia – Noah. Both of which were told in two different timelines. I love the idea this book creates, although I must admit that I’m having a hard time connecting emotionally with these characters. Oftentimes, I felt like being told about their love for one another instead of feeling it.
Still, it was a great read about love, and sacrifices
If you read one book this year, you NEED to read THIS book! The Things We Leave Unfinished is Rebecca Yarros BEST to date and is going on my all time favourites list! This story completely captivated me from beginning to end. The characters and setting, between past and present were beautifully transitioned. The story contains two love stories, Georgia and Noah and present day, and Scarlett and Jameson, in the 1940’s during WWII. The way their stories intertwine with one another blew me away. The love, the passion the intensity between both couples is riveting and kept me invested. By the end I was CONSUMED by my emotions. This book is MUST read and the story will stay with me for a long time to come.
Reviewed for A Wanton Book Lover Blog
This is by far my favorite book so far of the year. If you are familiar with Rebecca Yarros’s books, you know you will need a box of tissues as well as mentally prepping yourself before reading (and I mean this in a good way) but still you read her books. The Things We Leave Unfinished was a story within a story. Georgia Stanton has agreed to let Noah Harrison finish her famous romance writer great-grandmother’s and great-grandfather’s love story that took place during World War II. Georgia and Noah agree that he will write two endings-the fairy-tale HEA ending or in Georgia’s opinion, the sad but true ending to her great-grandparents’ love story. After Georgia and Noah start spending time together the two develop a friendship and find themselves attracted to each other deciding to pursue a relationship only for the duration of Noah writing the book. When Noah tells a white-lie to get more time with Georgia, she eventually finds-out and decides they are done. While all this is being told, the story of Scarlett and Jamison Stanton is being told; how they met, how hard at this time it was to have a relationship, tragedy, family, and friendship. It was a moving story to read.
Scarlett’s great-grandparents’ story was moving and emotional. I found myself more than once, crying while I was reading. Yarros is not only a talented story teller, she can pull at your heart-strings also but even knowing this ahead of your time, you know the book journey will be worth it in the end. You definitely don’t want to miss out on the The Things We Leave Unfinished.Rebecca Yarros