Forgotten Review

Forgotten

-       Cat Patrick

Publisher: Egmont Books

 I can see the future in flashes, like memories. But my past is a blank. I remember what I'll wear tomorrow, and an argument that won't happen until this afternoon. But I don't know what I ate for dinner last night. I get by with the help of notes, my mom and my best friend Jamie, and the system works ...Until now. Everything's falling apart. Jamie's going of the rails. My mom is lying to me. And I can't see the boy I adore in my future. But today, I love him. And I never want to forget how much ...

London can’t remember yesterday but she can remember tomorrow. Today is as much of a mystery to her as yesterday. Only her best friend, Jamie and her Mum are aware of London’s unique situation – and it certainly makes dating the new boy at school interesting – especially as he’s the one thing London can’t see in the future. The hardest part of this story is trying to get your head around how it works. I’m not sure it ever makes real sense but that’s not really the point of the book. It’s this intriguing premise that provides the jumping off point for an exploration of human nature.

At its core Forgotten is a book about growing up and taking responsibility for your own actions. It’s about how your actions can affect others – as London shows when she tries to change the future she remembers to save her friends from heartbreak. Do we choose our own fate or is it pre-determined? But if that makes it sound heavy, don’t worry it’s really not!

The writing was simple but very effective and I really felt connected to London even if I don’t always agree with her actions. She acted exactly like a 16 year old girl would when faced with tough decisions. And there is the mystery about why London’s memory works the way it does. At the same time there is a really sweet romance between London and Luke – the boy she can’t remember but meets for the first time each day. Carrying on a romance with a boy you can’t remember leaves a lot of trust in London’s notes of the past.

This a wonderfully uplifting story, told with a deft hand and a tug on the old heartstrings. A great summer read! J

Recommended for fans of Jeri Smith-Ready and Gayle Forman. 8 out of 10.