Mundie Moms

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Book Review and Giveaway: Forgotten

Written by: Cat Patrick
Published by: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: June 7, 2011
Source: Bought
5 out of 5 stars - This book is a must-have. In fact, I'm still thinking about it.

Synopsis: Each night at precisely 4:33 am, while sixteen-year-old London Lane is asleep, her memory of that day is erased. In the morning, all she can "remember" are events from her future. London is used to relying on reminder notes and a trusted friend to get through the day, but things get complicated when a new boy at school enters the picture. Luke Henry is not someone you'd easily forget, yet try as she might, London can't find him in her memories of things to come.

When London starts experiencing disturbing flashbacks, or flash-forwards, as the case may be, she realizes it's time to learn about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

I love when friends recommend books. You know, those really good friends who know your taste in plot lines and character development so well that you automatically pick up their recommendation without hesitating? When Stacie over at Whimsical Fic-ery tweeted a rec about Cat Patrick’s Forgotten, I ran to the bookstore and picked it up right away.

And I knew to expect a really well written story. First off, I love a protagonist that is unsure, confused yet determined. Imagine being London for a moment. All you have to rely on, for your memory, is a series of notes left by you from the previous evening. I adored these notes. I couldn’t even imagine not being able to remember the nuances of the little, everyday moments I find so important. Unfortunately, that’s all London has. Well, she also has her best friend, Jamie, and London has the ability to remember things that will happen in the future along with one very dark memory of her past. This link to the past sets up a mystery and I found myself just as curious as London to find out the links between the memory and her present situation.

But in all of this there is a rather pleasant diversion, a romantic subplot featuring a sweet boy named Luke. What Cat does with this subplot is, well, amazing. I can honestly say that I didn’t expect the turns it took. Here’s a sample of Luke and London from early in their relationship (page 75):
   We drive back to school in comfortable silence and walk inside hand in hand. Just before parting ways in the middle of the commons, Luke, turns to face me.
   “Want to go out on Saturday night?”
   “Yes,” I say, maybe before he’s even finished his question. I grin at him and he laughs at me.
   And then he moves closer.
   I hold my breath, considering that Luke might kiss me right here in the middle of the commons. Just as I’m deciding whether or not I can kiss with an audience, Luke, staring intently into my eyes, raises a hand toward my face. Slowy, softly, he rubs his thumb along my jawbone. I’m hypnotized by the most perfect kind of touch. Oddly, it feels even more intimate than a kiss.
   “Talk to you later,” Luke whispers, before breaking the trance and heading off in the direction of his next class.
   “Bye,” I breathe after him.

Okay, see? Luke is THAT boy. Hot and adorable and always there when London needs him.

This book has all the necessary ingredients of a good story – great characters, a plot that evolves naturally and keeps you interested and a narrator who believes she can change her future by knowing more about her past. So, when you see Forgotten on your favorite bookstore’s shelf, pick it up. I have a feeling that you will love putting together the puzzle pieces of London’s life as much as I did.

Now, let me be that friend who not only recommends a book but also insists on giving it to you. The giveaway will go to one lucky winner who will recieve one hardcover copy of Forgotten. Our standard giveaway rules apply. It is open to international entries. The giveaway will close at 11:59 p.m. CST on August 14, 2011. Go and fill out the form, HERE.

In My Mailbox- At The Beach

This week I'm on vacation and won't be posting my real IMM until I get back. In honor of my trip to the beach I googled books by the beach and found this fabulous picture.


I don't know about you, but if I received a suitcase full of books in the mail or happened upon a washed up suitcase at the beach that had books in it, I'd be ecstatic. I know that's totally wishful thinking. I totally love this picture.

Please feel free to leave a comment with your IMM link and I'll comment on it when I get back. I hope you all have a great book week!

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