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2.92 AVERAGE
2.92 AVERAGE
This book started off great, full of intrigue and suspense. And then....it felt as if this story wasn’t sure what it wanted to be. Part mystery, though those plot points were brought up and abandoned, part romance, part thriller. Liza was, for me, the only relatable character. The rest I just could not identify with. The writing style was good and I would definitely read something by this author again.
I would categorize this books as a domestic suspense/drama. I enjoy Jessica Stawser's writing and find her books easy to read. Unfortunately when I'm reading a domestic drama, I need to feel some connection with the characters and I really didn't here. There is a major plot point that made me just say "No way!". I think I'm learning that this genre doesn't particularly work well for me in many cases.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for a review copy of this book.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for a review copy of this book.
I was really into this book for a hot minute, but then the ending really disappointed me.
This book was a struggle for me. But I got through it. The characters I felt were unrepeatable and the story line was just not for me. It was almost a DNF for me but I powered through.
(Won through a Goodreads giveaway! Thank you to St. Martin's Press for sending me a free copy.)
3.5 stars.
The writing itself is accessible, if heavily populated with short-lived metaphors and sprinkled with contemporary and nostalgic references. It served its purpose in conveying the story, with some sense of place (particularly in the handful of scenes set among nature), but it wasn’t the best I’ve read. Also, other than a single early in-text appearance, I’m not really sure how fitting the title is.
What really made this work was the characters — I particularly enjoyed the wholesome interludes with the kids, but each of the adults is flawed but sympathetic, in over their head despite their genuine best efforts. Their neuroses and worries are realistic without being too melodramatic, and I was genuinely rooting for them to make a happy ending out of their situation.
3.5 stars.
The writing itself is accessible, if heavily populated with short-lived metaphors and sprinkled with contemporary and nostalgic references. It served its purpose in conveying the story, with some sense of place (particularly in the handful of scenes set among nature), but it wasn’t the best I’ve read. Also, other than a single early in-text appearance, I’m not really sure how fitting the title is.
What really made this work was the characters — I particularly enjoyed the wholesome interludes with the kids, but each of the adults is flawed but sympathetic, in over their head despite their genuine best efforts. Their neuroses and worries are realistic without being too melodramatic, and I was genuinely rooting for them to make a happy ending out of their situation.
Forget You Know Me started off well and I was immediately engrossed in the story line. As the book progressed, however, the plot became somewhat convoluted and full of secrets and lies which seemed to be for the benefit of making the plot work, rather than an integral part of the story. The characters seemed to specialise in making poor decisions to which other characters reacted in a somewhat unbelievable way - accepting outrageous suggestions/behaviours and over-reacting to minor irritations. The book interested me sufficiently for me to complete it. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC.
Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley for honest review.
Forget what you've read about Forget You Know Me being a "mystery" or "thriller." The story does start out with a heartpoundingly disconcerting event, but other than the impact it has on the book's characters, the rest of the story isn't really ABOUT that. Instead, it's a captivating story about the weight of secrets in relationships, the impact of hiding parts of yourself from the people that know you best. Liza's story is particularly heartwrenching- what she witnesses on Molly's end of the webcam starts a chain of actions that alters her relationships and her life completely, and she struggles with how to manage her anxiety and new realities after these events.
Forget what you've read about Forget You Know Me being a "mystery" or "thriller." The story does start out with a heartpoundingly disconcerting event, but other than the impact it has on the book's characters, the rest of the story isn't really ABOUT that. Instead, it's a captivating story about the weight of secrets in relationships, the impact of hiding parts of yourself from the people that know you best. Liza's story is particularly heartwrenching- what she witnesses on Molly's end of the webcam starts a chain of actions that alters her relationships and her life completely, and she struggles with how to manage her anxiety and new realities after these events.
This book is NOT a thriller. It's something else, like women's fiction. In addition to that, it's not gripping. It does have a lot of drama that goes on, and on, and on, and on. It's about relationships falling apart. Friends who aren't friends. It's all about Molly and Liza and their messed up friendship and lives. I'm sad to say that well before the end of the book it had become annoying and forgettable. The writing was fair, but the story waned and wondered, missing the mark for me.
My copy came from Net Galley. I wasn't required to leave a positive review. My review is my own, left of my own free will.
My copy came from Net Galley. I wasn't required to leave a positive review. My review is my own, left of my own free will.
This book has one of the best hooks I've read in a while, making me turn the pages for hours into the night. When two old friends are speaking via video chat, Molly steps away to attend to her child for a moment and Liza witnesses a masked intruder breaking into Molly's kitchen. This clever set up sets the runaway train in motion and the train keeps gaining speed right up to the satisfying conclusion. The characters are flawed, and interesting and real. I appreciate the depiction of Molly's battle with chronic illness and Liza's struggle with anxiety. The male characters—Daniel, and Rick, and Max—each have detailed backstories and challenges of their own. Henry is the one character who feels a bit flat, probably because he isn't given too much time on the page. Despite this, I rooted for them all to figure out what happened and get all of their lives back on the right track. Strawser does an incredible job with the plot and structure of this book, and the dialogue is witty, clever and fun to read. She has definitely hit her stride, and I will anxiously await to see what she writes next.