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2.93 AVERAGE
2.93 AVERAGE
When friends Molly and Liza were younger, they were very close. Molly married Daniel, and Liza was welcomed into the family. Liza moved to another city, and the separation affected their friendship. Molly suffers from chronic pain and feels that no one sees the pain she is in. She is constantly in demand to her children, and has become friendly with a single dad and his young daughter.
Molly and Liza have a video call to catch up and rekindle their relationship, Molly is called away, and Liza sees something at Molly's house. When Molly blows it off, Liza becomes concerned, and this begins another phase of the relationship. Many secrets in this one.
I was bored, didn't care for the characters at all.
Molly and Liza have a video call to catch up and rekindle their relationship, Molly is called away, and Liza sees something at Molly's house. When Molly blows it off, Liza becomes concerned, and this begins another phase of the relationship. Many secrets in this one.
I was bored, didn't care for the characters at all.
My first experience reading Jessica Strawser, and I can now understand the buzz in the book community over her work! I found Forget You Know Me to be decadent, raw, and emotionally gratifying. This is a book most women will connect with, especially as we transition out of youth and into adulthood. It touches on friendship, love, marriage, finding yourself, and coping with life in the best ways we can. And it has quite a tangled storyline to draw you in! I’m left feeling so fulfilled by this book—something that I don’t always feel leaving a reading experience. The perfect combination of closure and hope!
Reflection
I had the benefit of the book besties here, letting me know upfront that Jessica Strawser books are truly women’s fiction, though they often are placed in “mystery and thriller” categories. So going in I expected a fantastic domestic fiction novel with elements of suspense, and that is exactly what this book is. Think Sally Hepworth, for those of you who have read her. Or even Liane Moriarty. I make those comparisons purely in the genre, because I think Jessica Strawser’s voice is incredibly unique, and I don’t like to set readers up to expect a specific writer when they have their own characteristics.
Strawser’s writing style is so fluid and beautiful. I highlighted several passages to go back and read again, because there is a very poetic quality to the way she writes. Even the subtlest of reflections a character has on the weather, for instance, carry so much meaning for the story. This is a book to savor and read slowly. There is so much emotion and history and nuance packed into every single paragraph. Strawser is truly brilliant!
Molly and Liza’s friendship felt so familiar—I think so many women will connect to that storyline. As the book begins, both are trying to reconnect without admitting that’s what they are doing. They’ve lost touch. Molly got married and had kids, and Liza moved to Chicago for a job and is on the dating scene. Though they are a 6 hour drive apart, the emotional distance feels so much longer. They are in such different places, and they’ve lost their connection that they’ve had since childhood.
Then there is the relationship between Daniel and Molly, a marriage that is built on so much love, but now feels fraught with resentment. Chronic pain experienced for years by Molly, but not properly acknowledged by Daniel. A feeling from Daniel that Molly has slipped away. That she isn’t the person she was when they met. And that maybe, he is partially to blame for this. They both have secrets from each other, and they are too afraid to tell them. But they also love one another so deeply. They want to fight for each other, but they also don’t know how.
Lisa is lost as well, but in a different way. Liza hasn’t lost who she is the way Molly has, but she’s lost her purpose. She’s fighting a battle for something she isn’t even sure she wants. In the same way Molly retreats when she becomes anxious, Liza pushes even harder.
So when Liza and Molly are on their skype call for “girls night”, and Liza witnesses something she was never meant to see, she panics. She calls the police, and tries to call Molly back. But Molly brushes her off. Liza can’t shake the feeling something is wrong. Driving all night, Liza is worried. But when she arrives at Molly’s house, Molly turns her away. Her message is clear—forget what you saw; forget you know me.
I think more than anything this is a book about what goes unsaid. The things we bottle in until they are almost too much to let out. How we let things spiral out of control, and hide them from the world. How we struggle to acknowledge how bad they’ve gotten to ourselves. How sometimes being honest with those you love most is the hardest thing of all. And ultimately, how every burden is so much easier to carry when you finally do share it.
The entire book was so wonderful for me. I think fans of women’s fiction are going to be blown away by this story. It has just enough suspense to keep my mind whirling, but it really is ultimately about the relationships in the book and the characters. And I truly loved every single character! I can’t wait to read more from Jessica Strawser.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for my copy.
Reflection
I had the benefit of the book besties here, letting me know upfront that Jessica Strawser books are truly women’s fiction, though they often are placed in “mystery and thriller” categories. So going in I expected a fantastic domestic fiction novel with elements of suspense, and that is exactly what this book is. Think Sally Hepworth, for those of you who have read her. Or even Liane Moriarty. I make those comparisons purely in the genre, because I think Jessica Strawser’s voice is incredibly unique, and I don’t like to set readers up to expect a specific writer when they have their own characteristics.
Strawser’s writing style is so fluid and beautiful. I highlighted several passages to go back and read again, because there is a very poetic quality to the way she writes. Even the subtlest of reflections a character has on the weather, for instance, carry so much meaning for the story. This is a book to savor and read slowly. There is so much emotion and history and nuance packed into every single paragraph. Strawser is truly brilliant!
Molly and Liza’s friendship felt so familiar—I think so many women will connect to that storyline. As the book begins, both are trying to reconnect without admitting that’s what they are doing. They’ve lost touch. Molly got married and had kids, and Liza moved to Chicago for a job and is on the dating scene. Though they are a 6 hour drive apart, the emotional distance feels so much longer. They are in such different places, and they’ve lost their connection that they’ve had since childhood.
Then there is the relationship between Daniel and Molly, a marriage that is built on so much love, but now feels fraught with resentment. Chronic pain experienced for years by Molly, but not properly acknowledged by Daniel. A feeling from Daniel that Molly has slipped away. That she isn’t the person she was when they met. And that maybe, he is partially to blame for this. They both have secrets from each other, and they are too afraid to tell them. But they also love one another so deeply. They want to fight for each other, but they also don’t know how.
Lisa is lost as well, but in a different way. Liza hasn’t lost who she is the way Molly has, but she’s lost her purpose. She’s fighting a battle for something she isn’t even sure she wants. In the same way Molly retreats when she becomes anxious, Liza pushes even harder.
So when Liza and Molly are on their skype call for “girls night”, and Liza witnesses something she was never meant to see, she panics. She calls the police, and tries to call Molly back. But Molly brushes her off. Liza can’t shake the feeling something is wrong. Driving all night, Liza is worried. But when she arrives at Molly’s house, Molly turns her away. Her message is clear—forget what you saw; forget you know me.
I think more than anything this is a book about what goes unsaid. The things we bottle in until they are almost too much to let out. How we let things spiral out of control, and hide them from the world. How we struggle to acknowledge how bad they’ve gotten to ourselves. How sometimes being honest with those you love most is the hardest thing of all. And ultimately, how every burden is so much easier to carry when you finally do share it.
The entire book was so wonderful for me. I think fans of women’s fiction are going to be blown away by this story. It has just enough suspense to keep my mind whirling, but it really is ultimately about the relationships in the book and the characters. And I truly loved every single character! I can’t wait to read more from Jessica Strawser.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for my copy.
The summary for this book would lead one to believe this is a thriller.
The genre attached to it on Goodreads would lead one to believe this is a thriller.
A video call between friends captures a shocking incident no one was supposed to see.
The secrets it exposes threaten to change their lives forever.
Sounds thrillerish, right?
This is not a thriller. This is not even remotely close to a thriller. There is no thrill, there is only domestic nonsense about friends growing apart and marriages cracking.
You know what books I don't read?
Domestic nonsense about friends growing apart and marriages cracking.
There was nothing here for me, and I'm honestly pissed off that the summary led me to believe this was going to be something it wasn't.
The genre attached to it on Goodreads would lead one to believe this is a thriller.
A video call between friends captures a shocking incident no one was supposed to see.
The secrets it exposes threaten to change their lives forever.
Sounds thrillerish, right?
This is not a thriller. This is not even remotely close to a thriller. There is no thrill, there is only domestic nonsense about friends growing apart and marriages cracking.
You know what books I don't read?
Domestic nonsense about friends growing apart and marriages cracking.
There was nothing here for me, and I'm honestly pissed off that the summary led me to believe this was going to be something it wasn't.
"Forget You Know Me" by Jessica Strawser is about the dwindling friendship of Molly and Liza, who grew up together, went to school together, but are now feeling the distance of Liza's move to Chicago from Cincinnati where they grew up. In an attempt to rebuild their friendship, they attempt a video call. Molly's husband Daniel is away on business and her kids are in bed, and she and Liza sit down at their respective computers with some wine and awkward conversation. When Molly has to go upstairs to check on one of the kids, Liza witnesses a masked intruder before he notices her and closes Molly's laptop. Liza calls the police, which apparently scares the intruder away, but when Liza tries to talk to Molly about what happened, Molly completely shuts Liza out. When Liza then experiences a near miss of her own and ends up moving back to Cincinnati, what develops is a twisted series of events that makes the reader wonder what actually happened that night and why Molly is being so secretive.
I really struggled with this. It started strong, and even though it's classified as women's fiction, the description really made it sound more like a thriller. Do not make the mistake of thinking this will be more action-packed than it is. You will be disappointed. This book reminded me of a short-lived TV series called "Consequences," in which the main character makes one bad decision after another in an attempt to cover up his previous bad decisions.
I thought Liza's character was believable in her response to her near miss (which I won't give away), and I appreciate her loyalty to her best friend, but I'm not sure Molly was worthy of loyalty. I found her to be completely unsympathetic, and I really disliked her at the end of the book. And don't even get me started on how I felt about Daniel at the end. The number of secrets everyone was keeping was just ridiculous it was like everyone in their circle had something major to hide.
I am a fan of well-written women's fiction with strong characters, and while I think the author writes in a great, realistic voice, her strongest character, in my opinion, was Liza's sister-in-law, who has a secondary story line. I'm sure there are plenty of people who will love this story, but it's not one I would recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This title is scheduled for publication in February 2019.
I really struggled with this. It started strong, and even though it's classified as women's fiction, the description really made it sound more like a thriller. Do not make the mistake of thinking this will be more action-packed than it is. You will be disappointed. This book reminded me of a short-lived TV series called "Consequences," in which the main character makes one bad decision after another in an attempt to cover up his previous bad decisions.
I thought Liza's character was believable in her response to her near miss (which I won't give away), and I appreciate her loyalty to her best friend, but I'm not sure Molly was worthy of loyalty. I found her to be completely unsympathetic, and I really disliked her at the end of the book. And don't even get me started on how I felt about Daniel at the end. The number of secrets everyone was keeping was just ridiculous it was like everyone in their circle had something major to hide.
I am a fan of well-written women's fiction with strong characters, and while I think the author writes in a great, realistic voice, her strongest character, in my opinion, was Liza's sister-in-law, who has a secondary story line. I'm sure there are plenty of people who will love this story, but it's not one I would recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This title is scheduled for publication in February 2019.
Can’t do it. 30% into this book.... I care nothing whatsoever about these main characters. Such a bummer too. A good premise and storyline. Just too much nonsense to get to anything real.
Pretty good book, hooked me right away. However I was disappointed with the end as it didn't seem to tie up all the different issues. There could have been a lot more explanation of how things turned out.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I agree with a bunch of readers that the opening scene was great. It sucked me in and had me on the hook. I was ready to jump in with both feet for the rest of the story. This is where things went downhill for me. Yes, there is something bizarre and mysterious about Molly's attitude. If it was me and my friend had called the cops because they saw an intruder in my house, I would have been unnerved and thankful that nothing happened. Molly was cold towards the situation. Also, the way that her husband reacted was strange as well. First he was suppose to be out of town and then he comes home early. There were some unanswered questions that kept me reading; despite the fact that I shared no connection to any of the characters other than maybe Liza.
Yet, after reading half way into the story and still not getting any closer to the character as well as finding myself re-reading parts, I could no longer stick with this book. I did jump to the last few chapters to see how the story ended. Overall, this book missed the mark with me. This is sad as I do think that there could have been something there if I could have found that connection with the characters. Additionally, I felt like the pacing could have used a boost.
Yet, after reading half way into the story and still not getting any closer to the character as well as finding myself re-reading parts, I could no longer stick with this book. I did jump to the last few chapters to see how the story ended. Overall, this book missed the mark with me. This is sad as I do think that there could have been something there if I could have found that connection with the characters. Additionally, I felt like the pacing could have used a boost.
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Molly and Liza are best friends, the best of friends that they put each other before ANYONE else. When Liza moves away they have a harder time keeping up their relationship. One night, they decide to video chat and what Liza sees when Molly leaves the room will send both of their worlds into a tail spin.
Molly and Liza are best friends, the best of friends that they put each other before ANYONE else. When Liza moves away they have a harder time keeping up their relationship. One night, they decide to video chat and what Liza sees when Molly leaves the room will send both of their worlds into a tail spin.