The Forgotten Heart by Kate Hewitt is an intense and emotionally charged story with underlying themes of love, friendship, guilt, regret, hope and turning over a new leaf. Running in two timelines with intertwined stories, the story combines a lighthearted contemporary romance with a heart-breaking world war two historical fiction. As the present day characters Abby and Simon come together to embark on a quest to unravel the mystery of the past of their ancestors, they are forced to come to terms with their own troubled pasts and emotional baggage.

While the present day story of Abby and Simon is a story of friendship and healing, the story of Sophie, Lily, Tom and Matthew is one of a beautiful romance and bravery amidst the horrors of the war. Both the stories flow seamlessly, gently unfolding the secrets of the past as Simon and Abby grow closer. Both the characters and the story are extremely real - there are no big revelations, life-changing moments or sudden changes. Rather, there is a hope of new beginnings, a small step in the right direction, an attempt at mending relationships.

The writing is full of emotion and beautifully portrays the emotional upheaval that accompanied the predominantly reticent protagonists. The WWII timeline is especially heart-wrenching and engaging, and I could not help but love Lily and Matthew and root for them hopelessly! The second half of the book is an absolute page-turner, and I read my eyes out for the better part of the night. The timeline and story is quite different from any other WWII book that I've read. The only thing which a bit of a let-down for me was the ending; The big secret that was being nursed by Abby's father did not end up being worth the hype for me. But I kind of "foresaw" this halfway through the book, so I made my peace with it by the time I reached the end. Nevertheless, The Forgotten Heart was a highly enjoyable read, and I definitely recommend you check it out when it comes out

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the Kindle version of this book in exchange for an honest review.

omgosh this book had me really sucked in. I love fiction book. and this book had all I expect from a historical fiction book. history, love, romance. but it was also about healing, letting go of The past. and learning to let go of regret and start living again. a must Read book. Thank you to netgalley for this e arc in exchange for an honest review

With thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review. Outstandingly beautiful and Intriguing.
A truly inspirational author the time slip worked perfectly and seamlessly nothing was lost in the past and present I really loved this journey of love loss and understanding
I can't praise it enough.
Thank you.

I've been excited about this book since I first heard about it, and it did not disappoint. The characters sucked you into the story and the story kept you turning pages as fast as you could. I devoured it in a day. I loved it.

The Forgotten Heart is emotional story that grabbed me immediately! The story jumps between present day to the mid 1940’s, Kate Hewitt does a fantastic job telling two storylines that are brilliantly woven together. I found the characters engaging and lovely! The storyline is thought out and so, so original—loved that! The Forgotten Heart is a 5 star novel that I highly recommend!

The Forgotten Heart is a story of love and bravery and human nature. In present day Wisconsin, Abby lives with her father in an idyllic setting, the apple farm her grandfather bought eighty years earlier. Abby harbours survivors guilt over the deaths of her mother and brother fifteen years earlier and has made the apple farm her life. Until she meets Englishman Simon, who, burdened with his own regrets, arrives bearing a purple heart his grandmother had asked him to return to her grandfather, an honour that Abbey never knew he was awarded and which her father doesn’t want to discuss. As Abby and Simon investigate how the purple heart came to be in Simon's grandmothers possession, the story of their affair in wartime London unfolds in tandem with the relationship between Simon and Abby.
This is a lovely story, at times heart wrenching. The scenes depicting Wisconsin make me want to go there. I loved the characters of Abby and Simon, both carrying emotional baggage, and the gentle unfolding of their relationship. The details of life in London during the war are excellent, and the scenes in Europe put you there, with the soldiers. I would heartily recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advance copy in return for an unbiased review.
#TheForgottenHeart #NetGalley #Bookouture

Wow, Kate Hewitt has done it once again! The Forgotten Heart is emotional story that grabbed me immediately! Time hopping between present day to the mid 1940’s, Kate Hewitt does a fantastic job telling two storylines that are masterfully melded together. I found the characters captivating and endearing and I enjoyed the fact that even the supporting characters are so well developed! The storyline is thought out and so, so original—loved that! The Forgotten Heart is a 5 star novel that I highly recommend! Kate Hewitt is one of my “must read” authors and I am excited to read more from her soon!

Historical fiction mixed with some mystery and romance. Told in two timelines, the mystery of how Simon’s grandmother came to hold the Purple Heart that Abby’s grandfather was awarded unfolds in both timelines with unexpected twists that kept me guessing.

Initially I liked the modern timeline better, but by the middle of the book the WWII timeline was gripping! I learned about a military role in WWII that I hadn’t really known about before and the details about life in England were incredible.

I am often annoyed with books that build up some big secret, but keep not telling you what it is. This book did a great job of slowly releasing information in a way that kept you wanting more.

The characters have complexity and depth and even in their poor decisions, you can see their humanity. Overall, a good WWII book.

Two people are drawn together through the love and tragedy of their ancestors. The past can hide but cannot be erased. Sometimes it can exonerate its heartaches and tragic mistakes in the souls that come after.

I've read many WW2 books but this one takes the cake in terms of details. The book bounces between modern-day and the early 1940s/end of the war and between several character's points of view.

I'll start with the 1940s characters - I found all of them fascinating and well written. Each of the 4 (main) characters were thought out and likable in their own way. I found Lily to be the most likable female character in the book and found myself reading quickly to get to her parts.

The modern-day characters were fine, but nothing special. They filled a role that was needed and I can appreciate that.

In terms of the plot, the WW2 descriptions & stories were out of this world. It's a side of the war I haven't read much on and really enjoyed it. I found the battle and concentration camp sections hard to read (naturally) but at the same time, I have to remember that it was a reality. I loved the little side stories and felt like the author made it flow well.

I found myself picking the book up any chance I could get about 1/2 way through. The first half was good but the second half was a page-turner. I felt connected and concerned for the WW2 characters and slightly cheering for the modern-day ones. I could have done without the side stories for the modern-day characters BUT they in no way took away from the overall book. I highly recommend this book.

The title of this book could refer to the Purple Heart hidden away for decades or the heart of one or more of the protagonists. The story has two threads as a meeting in present day America leads to the investigation of events in war-torn Europe. Does love survive war and danger? Will history repeat itself as English and American characters from the same families meet and get to know each other. A satisfying tale of love, hate, secrets and shame.

The Forgotten Heart is a very intense and heartbreaking story that will stay with you long after it ends. A dramatic, unforgettable story that starts with a quest to find information about the mystery of a Purple Heart that is found. The authors brings to light intense WW2 history while intertwining romances of Lily and her sister, Sophie.
What a heartbreaking love story full of broken promises, friendships and courage.
A must read that I highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGallery, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and give my honest review about this book.

When Simon’s grandmother asks him, while on her death bed, to give a World War II purple heart medal back to its rightful owner, Simon travels to Wisconsin and meets Abby. Abby is the granddaughter of Tom, the Purple Heart recipient who knew Simon’s grandmother during the war.

As Simon and Abby grow closer and learn more about their grandparents’ connection, they uncover some dark secrets from the past. How did Sophie and Tom know each other? Who is Matthew, and why is he so secretive? Why does Sophie (Simon’s grandmother) want Tom’s forgiveness after all these years? Together, Simon and Abby unravel the secrets of the past while facing their own hidden demons.

The story is told in present-day America with flashbacks to Tom and Sophie’s story. It is an interesting juxtaposition when you compare the ever-changing and intense war-time setting to the stagnant yet tranquil farm life of the present. Simon and Abby’s story progresses at a slower pace than Tom and Sophie’s further stressing the influence one’s setting has on life.

Throughout the story, there are hints that Abby’s past haunts her and hinders her from moving on and truly living her life. She is trapped in a devastating vortex of survivor’s guilt after the death of two family members fifteen years ago. Watching her deal with the pain of the past, seeing her face her father and everything that has been left unsaid, and witnessing her strength is a highlight of the book.

Simon has his own guilt and regrets, and he and Abby support and understand each other well. I love their easy banter and their innate ability to accept each other, faults and all. They have a unique connection that is a pleasure to watch deepen, and I found myself rooting for this couple.

That being said, I found myself more fascinated in Lily’s (Sophie’s more reserved sister) story, and her budding relationship with Matthew, than any other in the book, which makes sense as the flashbacks focus more on Lily.

Though Lily and Sophie are sisters, they are very different. Lily is much more serious and cautious, and Sophie is more impulsive and carefree. Lily reminds me a bit of Abby in their gentle personalities, their sensitivity, and their selflessness. As their stories unfold, shocking truths are revealed that explain their connections to Tom and the mysterious Matthew.

As Sophie and Tom become closer, Lily connects with Tom’s friend Matthew. He is quiet and precise, sincere and a little mysterious. Lily switches between fascination and suspicion until she learns the devastating truth of Matthew’s past. Matthew also holds an important role in what happened to Tom and Sophie.

This is a well-developed, immersive story that explores different times and different circumstances. It focuses on family responsibility, the need to feel purposeful, finding one’s identity, dealing with one’s choices, and living through tragedy. Messages of hope, perseverance, and love are also at the forefront of the novel.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Book reminds me of the film Well meet again such a lovely book. If you love war books and romance this is definitely for you