ARC Review: Forgotten Sins

Forgotten Sins (Sins Brothers #1)

by Rebecca Zanetti

Blurb:

His Secrets Can Destroy Her

From the moment Josie laid eyes on sexy, mysterious Shane Dean, she was in love. Their desire ignited a passionate affair, and within weeks, Shane had slipped a ring on her finger. It seemed her every fantasy was coming true . . . until her new husband disappeared without a trace. Now, two years and one broken heart later, Josie is shocked by the hospital calls: Shane has been found . . . at a crime scene with no memory of how he got there.

Her Love Can Save Him

Shane can't remember the blue-eyed angel at his bedside—or who he even is—but he knows something isn't right. His hearing is razor sharp, his physical strength incredible, and the urge to protect Josie overwhelming. For powerful enemies are hunting him, and Josie is the key to discovering why. As Shane struggles to unravel his past, dangerous new truths come to light. Can he protect the only woman he's ever loved? And can Josie trust a man she thought she knew—one who carries such a deadly secret?

Review:

For the first in a new series by Author Rebecca Zanetti, Forgotten Sins lives up to all its hype and potential.  If you've ever read a Zanetti novel you might be surprised by the new direction of her work.  No Vampires, Demons, or shapeshifters in sight…not to say it’s the plain old world we all live in, by any stretch of the imagination.  Instead we are given a glimpse into a world of three brothers that at each turn leaves you crying, laughing, and lusting for them.

Josie has been working hard to rebuild her life since her husband abandoned her two years earlier when he is suddenly dropped right back into her life.  A head wound has left Shane with Amnesia and Josie with no way to get the answers she’s been waiting two years to find.  Though she is still insanely attracted to him, she is determined to help him get his memories back and then get him out of her life again.  But the chemistry and unforgotten love is still flowing between them and resisting him is harder and harder as he relearns himself and her.

When Josie is attacked—repeatedly—Shane is sure that something from his past has come back to haunt them and is determined to keep her safe at all costs.   As the lies unravel around them, Josie begins to fear not only for her heart but for her very life. Josie is hurt as she realizes that though she’s loved Shane since he burst into her life, she never really knew him.  The action is constant and I don’t think I would ever want to have the week that Josie did.  But luckily with two brothers and a strangely sweet old cop on their side, they are able to pull themselves out of the fire. Is that enough to bring them back together and convince them that they belong together forever?

I will say that I was afraid my ereader would catch fire as I read this story.  From the second their eyes meet to the very last word in the story the heat leaping between them is so intense it’s almost scary.  Shane may not have his memories, but he certainly feels that Josie is his woman and nothing will keep him away from her…not even Josie herself. Josie is having a very confusing time as truths she’d believed from the beginning are shown to be darker in nature and Shane’s betrayal starts to eat at her confidence in him, herself, and their marriage. It was rough seeing her foundation shaken so often, but allowing her strength to shine was a great way to show that she might be the soft woman Shane always thought her, but soft doesn’t mean weak. 

Getting to meet some of the major characters that will be carryed through the series arc was interesting, though some of the characters were so terrifyingly psychotic and well written that I got shivers a few times.   Meeting Shane’s brothers was interesting and seeing them interacting definitely gives you a greater view into their lives and their inner demons.  The outer demons they’re facing, the commander and psycho doctor, are another story entirely.  I can honestly say I’ve never read two characters that needed to die more than these two.  Cannot wait for their ends.

All in all this was an intriguing and worthy beginning to another great series by Ms. Zanetti.  Seeing a bit of the past, working through the dramas of the present, and seeing glimpses of the possible future plots was an artful interweaving of timelines and plot twists. Shane and Josie were both interesting and deeply flawed individuals that were able to overcome their own inadequacies to be what they needed for each other and themselves.  The love and passion between them was always apparent and getting to experience their rediscovery of that love was a welcome gift. I cannot wait for the next in the series and look forward to finding out more about this strange “family”. Another home run Ms. Zanetti. 

Rating:  4 stars

Rose Rating: 

*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.