Adam Collins has come home to Walkers Ford, South Dakota, after 12 years away in the Marines. He's not the same boy who left the town at barely 18; and he's not sure how he fits back in his old life. He left his first love Marissa; because he knew he couldn't stay, and had nothing to offer her. During one of his rare visits home, he enters a relationship with town rich girl Delaney Walker, which he later suddenly and inexplicably breaks off. For better or for worse, however, Adam is back at the only real home he's ever known, and he is about to serve as best man in Delaney's wedding to his best friend Keith; an event which puts him in an awkward position, for more than one reason.

Marissa Brooks is a town girl, never travelled anywhere, but she doesn't really belong in Walkers Ford either. She is determined to restore 'Brookhaven', the mansion and property that has been owned by her family for generations; but which fell into serious disrepair after her family's fortunes plummeted. After Adam left for the Marines, she married a local bad boy; who taught her about construction and home repair before dying in a car crash. Now, she simply exists. She spends her days working either as a handyman around town, or restoring Brookhaven; while harboring a secret obsession with sailing and dreams of personal freedom.

When Adam and Marissa meet again, their chemistry is combustible. Marissa doesn't want to get involved with Adam again after all these years. She doesn't feel that Adam really belongs in Walkers Ford anymore, and will leave again; but Adam is persistent. He's pulling her out of her staid existence, and out of her comfort zone; even taking her on a whirlwind sailing trip to Chicago. While at home, he spends his time helping her with her work. Adam has never had time for relationships while in the Marines, but he knows what he wants now; he wants Marissa.

This is very much the character driven story, a story-telling device which Anne Calhoun excels in. This is also an author who really knows how to write characterizations and relationships about fragile, broken souls with demons to exorcise. There are no extraneous scenes or subplots in the story; everything firmly revolves around Adam and Marissa, and 'the dance' of their burgeoning relationship. The reader is shown and feels what they are feeling are feeling at all times. The love scenes are intense and emotional; as well as leisurely, tender, and sensual.

UNFORGIVEN is an excellent relationship study as well as a love story, quiet but intense. Everything just flows along, sucking the reader in, and carrying them along for the ride. It all feels so real to the reader. The last quarter of the novel is exhilarating and evocative. UNFORGIVEN is a real relationship story about real people, and leaves readers with a sigh of happiness at the end.