Unapologetically Yours

by Bitsy Yates

Isla longs for a life beyond the real-estate business that her father runs. But career security is tempting. When she turns to her high-school sweetheart, Sayer, for advice, all he wants is for Isla to be happy. The answer to her longing involves leaving Sayer behind in their New England sailboat town of Marblehead, Massachusetts, to pursue her future. With a heavy heart, Isla moves on from her past. But a stressful job in real estate, a broken marriage, and a family death leads her back to her childhood town, and to Sayer. Now Isla questions who she has become and who she wants to be, and if there was a place for Sayer all along.

Genres: Fiction

164 pages, Paperback

Published December 6, 2021

About the author

Bitsy Yates graduated with a bachelor's degree in English from Radford University in 2012. After establishing her love of teaching, Bitsy attended Christopher Newport University and graduated with her master of arts in teaching degree in 2014. Bitsy has been an educator for the past seven years, teaching sixth-grade English in Hampton Roads, Virginia. She resides in Suffolk with her husband and young daughter, Peighton.

Reviews

[Nicole reading_with_nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unforeseen circumstances lead Isla back to her childhood hometown, upon returning she is confronted with emotions and feelings she does not know how to handle, one being what is to become if anything of her and Sayer her high school sweetheart.. ⁣
The story is written well, there is a clear picture as to what the characters are feeling which completely gives you an instant connection to them…
I also had a very vivid picture of Marblehead Massachusetts it was written in great detail..
Romance lovers in need of a new read, check this one out!

[Rachel Amaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from start to finish. The story is reminiscent of the Notebook, and is certain to catapult you back in time to the adrenaline-washed experiences of your own first love. It follows Isla, Sayer, and the parental influences in their lives that shape them during their most pivotal coming-of-age years (in both positive and negative ways). The story is told simply but beautifully, and I loved that as a reader we had insight into what each of our main characters was thinking and feeling throughout. Also, I’ve never been to Marblehead Massachusetts, but the writer described the beauty of the town so vividly it is a new addition on my list of places to visit!

[CIsaacs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad but something was missing.

This wasn’t a bad story. High school sweethearts who break up as she heads off to college and even a marriage but eventually finds their way back to each other. I must say I didn’t like the many flash backs. There were many. Even for the secondary characters. Some of the flashbacks I believe took away from the story of the main characters, Isla and Sayer’s second chance at love. It was a quick built up to their 2nd chance. I also felt like the book was rushed especially at the end. I felt like the story of the husband (ex) wasn’t resolved. Especially since he appears to be such an evil person who was plotting to take the h money but this wasn’t explained or expanded on. It did not feel great leaving that storyline there. Also, who walks away from a very successful family business? I also couldn’t see Isla’s mom letting the ex take the business since she would have some shares in it I assume.

[Nancy's Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the love story was not bad, it got repetitive and MC Isla was so wishy-washy. MC Sayer was her person but she broke up with him before she left for college because she wanted to date others; someone else may be out there and she might miss him, then quit insisting that Sayer is your person.

There are time jumps that I usually don't mind but some come without a set-up. Then the time jumps that are labeled are confusing. Isla graduates from college in 2014 and then a few pages, it's 2018 and she had just graduated from college. She marries Walker in 2015 but goes out on her fist date with him in 2018. She leaves him in January 2019 and returns to her hometown but has only been there a few days in March 2020. She still has bruises weeks after she was with her abusive husband. ???????? I was lost through most of the book but hope that it would get better. It just got okay.

[Veronica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think the idea of this book is cute. It’s a cheesy romance novel which at times is what I really want. This story was so repetitive, I felt like I read all of the drama with her mom about 20 times. I feel like it could have been shorter in some areas and longer in others. I feel Isla and Sayers relationship at the end was a bit rushed. I know he loved her but she went off and married someone else just, how did he regain trust after all that. I feel like I wanted that part to be longer and maybe we could see into Sayers perspective. I also feel like the part with John being his father was a little forced and unnecessary. This is about Isla and Sayer we shouldn’t really be focusing or really caring about John as much as we did. It was an interesting side story nonetheless.

[Marra · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was almost a DNF for me but being that it was 225 pages, I finished it anyways. And Ooof. The dialogue was robotic, clunky and like a middle schooler wrote it. I just couldn’t get into it or any of the characters. And I had some
issues with the timeline, mostly that of John and Gaila. But also with Walker and Isla in New York. Why did it say 1976 that she was pregnant if Sayer was born in 1990? I’m so confused. Was there a sibling I missed? Sayer and her came together too quickly again, and how was everything resolved with Walker, or did I miss it because I skimmed sections? I don’t know, not great at all.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, short and sweet read. I loved how the story jumped around between years to explain the background of events. It kept the story interesting, and kept me turning the pages. Such a lovely story of first loves and returning to your true self. There were a few hiccups with dates (how was Gaila pregnant with Sayer in 1976 but his birthday is 1990) but still a fabulous first novel from Bitsy Yates.

[C B · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the way the characters came full circle. But the book was so back and forth. I felt it would have been better understood if it went a year or section at a time rather than weaving within time frames.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unapologetically Yours is a sweet story set in Marblehead Mass, filled with believable dialogue, and characters who will have you rooting for a happy ending!

5-stars!

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick little cute book! I liked it as a simple read! :) Sayer is a sweetie :)