FORGET ME NOT by Alyson Derrick is one of the best books I've read in 2022.

The stakes in FORGET ME NOT are so high--and so well established within the first 45 pages of the book. It's extremely clear why Stevie and Nora need to leave the conservative town they are in and this is beautifully demonstrated through the ways the two of them keep their relationship a well-hidden secret. The secrecy is clearly needed, including Stevie keeping her relationship hidden from her so-called "best" friends.

Because these stakes are so clear and so high, Stevie's accident is especially distressing. And it's devastating when she does not remember Nora at all.

As Stevie tries to recover the two-year gap in her memory, she's met with hidden agendas from her so-called friends (who are being horrible) and her mother (who wants to re-establish a close bond with her daughter). Stevie has hidden her secret relationship with Nora so well that it remains hidden from herself.

One thing the author does so well in this book is manage information. We get the back story of Stevie and Nora in small increments, learning along with Nora. This works well because, as a reader, I knew the significance of this relationship and was impatient for Stevie to remember Nora. Feeling this way also matched the impatience Stevie felt to regain her memories. Ir was beautiful to see their relationship unfold--again.

The two things that pulled me out of the story were three under-developed side characters. The worst was Nora's mother, who was one-note mean. Her ultimate act of hatefulness was not surprising. There was a missed opportunity to give her a little depth, to add another side to her. Stevie's two friends--former childhood best friends--also were one-note, especially the night they were at Truck Night. A glimpse of them in flashback as the excellent friends they once were would have gone a long way.

Overall, I can't wait to get the pre-order into my own hands for another read and to share with my students. It's an excellent book and there's so much to learn from it.

MY HEART MY HEART MY HEARTTTTTT

this book is so raw, so honest, and so full of love. i am in love with these characters, and this story as a whole. love is so powerful and beautiful and Derrick has captured this perfectly. I AM OBSESSED

I was not sure what to expect when I started reading this book, and even had to stop about 5% in to breathe because of all the angst and the roller coaster ride, but it gave me a queer 50 first dates vibe and loved the characters!