The Things We Leave Unfinished

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 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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Published Feb 23, 2021

400 pages

Average rating: 7.94

1,556 RATINGS

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What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *The Things We Leave Unfinished* by Rebecca Yarros is a beautifully written dual-timeline WWII romance with rich emotional depth and a pow...

Karla
Apr 10, 2026
10/10 stars
One of those tragically beautiful romantic books. Makes you feel all the emotions.
So sad but I loved it
Jeanne C
Jan 16, 2024
10/10 stars
I read this in one sitting. It is the epitome of what a great love is. Gets you thinking and feeling like you are right there. But then a twist you don't expect at all. The writing was on point developing the characters and making you believe in love and connection again
SBATTISTONI
May 02, 2026
10/10 stars
It was a really good book and wasnt expecting the ending at all. I heard for a lot of people this book made them cry, but it didnt for me. It certainly is a heartfelt book, but honestly it had more of a cooler and unique storyline then a sad one. I loved the war aspect it had and how it carried out two love stories throughout the book vs. one.
Nora Reads
Apr 24, 2026
10/10 stars
Incredible.

Such a phenomenal and beautiful story.
EchoQ
Apr 20, 2026
10/10 stars
I spent the last 20% of this book bawling my eyes out. And now that its over it feels bittersweet.

I adored Scarlet and Jameson, Yarros did such a great job at creating that spark and intensity between these two. Their story was so beautiful and tragic. Even after I knew what was going to happen, I still find myself hoping that there would be a different ending for them.

I didn't feel as connected to Georgia and Noah and felt myself wanting to go in the past when it was their chapters, but it was okay.

I never saw that twist ending coming though and it just made me cry even more. I'm a jumbled ball of happy sad tears.

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