Review: Scarlett Undone by Tasha Gold

A riveting book club novel of secrets, redemption, and unexpected connection. Perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid, Kristin Hannah, and Jojo Moyes.

Her father died in prison. She’s hidden her identity for most of her life. Until now.

Scarlett vowed she’d never step foot in Brackson prison again. Yet here she is, back in her hometown, dragging disgruntled dogs into the hell her father once called home.

The Pups in Prison rehabilitation program is her uncle’s passion, but his recent heart attack means he’s laid up and she’s filling in. She’s surrounded by inked necks and barbed wire…and awful memories she can’t shake. She knows she’s the reason her marriage is falling apart. She’s been running from that knowledge like she runs from the surname that links her to her father’s crimes.

She didn’t expect to find solace in an unexpected prisoner.

Emery is intense yet kind. Strangely intuitive. She shouldn’t look forward to their dog-training sessions, even if this alluring inmate shines a light on parts of herself she thought she hated.

But when she discovers why he was incarcerated and violence hits too close to home, Scarlett’s forced to face that forgiveness is more than spoken words and that coming undone is the first step to stitching yourself back together.

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What I thought about Scarlett Undone 

 Scarlett Undone is a story that can connect with others. What do you do when you reach the end of your rope? When all of the past traumas build to the point of breaking? How do you go on?

Scarlett's father is a criminal, her mother is absent, and her marriage is in jeopardy, At thirty years old, Scarlett doesn't want to deal with any of it. So she runs away to an uncle she hasn't seen in years and puts herself right in the clutches of an environment she is trying to forget. That doesn't work of course. 

This story is very much about this quest for self and at the same time, community.  Even though Scarlett's traumas are significant, this story is more about how she goes about recovering her life from her past to position herself for the future.  If you think that is deep, it is. There''s a lot to unpack and discuss in this story and that is why it is promoted as a book club book. This is the kind of book you want to read with a friend so you can discuss.  

Overall, this was a solid story from this author.