A review by ramonamead
Forget You Know Me by Jessica Strawser

3.0

I've had this happen to me with several books recently: The genre label for marketing the book is inaccurate, which resulted in my expectations of the book not being met, and therefore I give the book a lower rating than it probably deserves. This novel is labeled as mystery and thriller, and it's by no means a typical example of those genres. The writing here is solid, much closer to literary fiction. And while there's definitely a mystery and occasional suspense, it's a character driven novel about human nature and relationships, about secrets, loyalty, and reaching various life stages.

There are three main characters: Molly, her husband, and her best friend. Each of those characters are strongly connected to the others, and they all have their own side angles that bring in side characters and additional drama. I liked all the characters, even when they weren't on their best behavior. Their lives are realistic, and I appreciate the way their marriages and friendships take priority eventually.

This is an enjoyable read, if you go into it with the proper mindset. It's isn't a "gripping page turner" in the thriller sense, yet it's a compelling and satisfying read.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for my advanced copy of this book.