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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
I have loved [a:Andrea Dunlop|5437088|Andrea Dunlop|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1507934612p2/5437088.jpg] ever since I saw her in an author event a few years ago with my friend, so I have zero idea why it took me so incredibly long to get to [b:We Came Here to Forget|42202020|We Came Here to Forget|Andrea Dunlop|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542046405l/42202020._SY75_.jpg|63995661]. This book doesn't just have a beautiful cover, it was surprising and emotional as well. I was immediately sucked into Katie's story, and I listened to the audiobook in only two sittings. It also didn't hurt that the audio is narrated by one of my favorites, Julia Whelan. I really liked the way the book was structured with Katie's present time as 'Liz' in Buenos Aires, as well as chapters from her past. Little by little, we find out what happened in her family and it was not at all what I was expecting.
We Came Here to Forget is a beautiful work of contemporary fiction mixed with a bit of mystery, and there is a darker tone to the story that I was intrigued by. I love the way Dunlop writes and this book has a little bit of everything. There is heartache, joy, romance, sadness and so much more that I couldn't possibly list everything. I really liked Katie as a character, and I ADORED the setting in Buenos Aires. I feel like I learned a lot of things I didn't know about it and I loved the way Dunlop brought it to life through the eyes of Katie. I was expecting more about Katie's Olympic career, but the focus was more on her sister Penny as well as what happens during her time in Buenos Aires. All in all, this was a heartbreaking, but also heartwarming novel and I loved the journey it took me on.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
We Came Here to Forget is a beautiful work of contemporary fiction mixed with a bit of mystery, and there is a darker tone to the story that I was intrigued by. I love the way Dunlop writes and this book has a little bit of everything. There is heartache, joy, romance, sadness and so much more that I couldn't possibly list everything. I really liked Katie as a character, and I ADORED the setting in Buenos Aires. I feel like I learned a lot of things I didn't know about it and I loved the way Dunlop brought it to life through the eyes of Katie. I was expecting more about Katie's Olympic career, but the focus was more on her sister Penny as well as what happens during her time in Buenos Aires. All in all, this was a heartbreaking, but also heartwarming novel and I loved the journey it took me on.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This was a fascinating story. I loved the audiobook with Julian Whelan and I couldn’t stop listening to Liz/Katie’s story. I can’t wait to check out more of Andrea Dunlop’s books!
Audio book review.
An excellent story I didn't know I needed to read! I was swept up in the family drama and investigation, the ski slopes, the foreign adventure of Buenos Aires. I loved the fact you're following along in the head of the loving sister Katie as she watches her childhood best friend and big sister display more and more confusing behavior. One of those stories where you're not sure if you can trust the narrator, her sister, anyone, and are trying desperately to make up your mind the entire time as more and more bad things happen. My soft heart didn't want it to be true, and I really feel for Katie. And I fell in love with Blair and wanted to punch Luke. His character was the most undeserving, and I can't believe she stayed with him as long as she did. Blair's few scenes made me tear up, he's just incredible! Highly recommend to anyone looking for a good family drama/romance with a gorgeous scenic backdrop. Loved it!
An excellent story I didn't know I needed to read! I was swept up in the family drama and investigation, the ski slopes, the foreign adventure of Buenos Aires. I loved the fact you're following along in the head of the loving sister Katie as she watches her childhood best friend and big sister display more and more confusing behavior. One of those stories where you're not sure if you can trust the narrator, her sister, anyone, and are trying desperately to make up your mind the entire time as more and more bad things happen. My soft heart didn't want it to be true, and I really feel for Katie. And I fell in love with Blair and wanted to punch Luke. His character was the most undeserving, and I can't believe she stayed with him as long as she did. Blair's few scenes made me tear up, he's just incredible! Highly recommend to anyone looking for a good family drama/romance with a gorgeous scenic backdrop. Loved it!
Tightly written, really good book. It's a strong look at what it is like to try to re-find yourself in a different place, and also the complicated relationships that can exist within families. I didn't *love* the teasing of what the mystery would be, but I forgive it because the author hit it pretty well.
I was more interested in reading about the main character’s past and what happened with her sister vs the present day tango plot line so I felt myself rushing through those parts and not enjoying the book entirely
Katie is a young Olympic skier until her life falls apart. She runs away to Buenos Aires where she meets a group of expats and friendships quickly grow.
I really enjoyed this book. In full disclosure, I’m at a super intense two weeks of training for my new job, so this book took me a while to read, but I really liked it. My heart broke for Katie and her family, but I also was dying to know what Penny had done.
I really enjoyed this book. In full disclosure, I’m at a super intense two weeks of training for my new job, so this book took me a while to read, but I really liked it. My heart broke for Katie and her family, but I also was dying to know what Penny had done.
3.5 stars actually.
Interesting read and quite painful and intense at times.
Interesting read and quite painful and intense at times.
Katie Cleary has a dark past. A past so tumultuous that she left her snowy mountainside home to travel to Buenos Aires to reinvent herself as Liz Sullivan. Told between then and now, Katie's past was filled with intense ski training and an intense romance with one of her best friend's Luke. Having left home to live with Luke and her friend Blair, in order to train, Katie's relationship with her sister Penny became strained. Time and time again, Penny winds up in the hospital with various illnesses until she is diagnosed with Mauchesen syndrome.
In Buenos Aires years later, Liz becomes entangled in a messy affair with her dance instructor, Gianluca Fortunado. Oftentimes thoughtless and headstrong, Gianluca treats Liz rather poorly while Liz fumbles through her life amongst other ex-pats.
There is to some extent, a lot, while also very little that happens in this book. The teenage romance and Mauchesen are very conflicting plotlines but both somehow feel natural and relatable. I tend to roll my eyes at the classic, friend romance swap but can appreciate a little cheesiness from time to time.
Spoiler
Ultimately, Katie fled her home after Penny killed her daughter in a case of Mauchesen by proxy. Through the trial and not guilty verdict, Penny becomes infamous across the United States.In Buenos Aires years later, Liz becomes entangled in a messy affair with her dance instructor, Gianluca Fortunado. Oftentimes thoughtless and headstrong, Gianluca treats Liz rather poorly while Liz fumbles through her life amongst other ex-pats.
Spoiler
After some carelessness, Liz gets pregnant with Gianluca's baby and one day, her old friend Blair, shows up in Buenos Aires. Then, Blair confesses his love for Liz, which apparently has tormented him ever since Katie dated Luke. While Liz goes through with the pregnancy, she returns Blair's love and the two get together.There is to some extent, a lot, while also very little that happens in this book. The teenage romance and Mauchesen are very conflicting plotlines but both somehow feel natural and relatable. I tend to roll my eyes at the classic, friend romance swap but can appreciate a little cheesiness from time to time.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death
Minor: Toxic relationship