Hello everyone today I'm ecstatic to be part of the Things I Can't Forget blog tour hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. Miranda Kenneally has quickly become one of my favourite authors, so I couldn't wait to dive into her newest release; Things I Can't Forget. Today I will be sharing a review and giveaway with you. But first here's a bit about the book.
Publication date: March 1st 2013.
My rating: 4 stars
Companion to Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker.
Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…
This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt…with her.
Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy…
"Does being in love mean forgetting everything you know? Or is it about folding that love into your life? Because right now, I have no idea how to balance that"
Things I Can’t Forget touches upon a more of a difficult situation for our protagonist compared to the previous two books. Jordan and Parker both had tough decisions to make too and horrible situations to deal with but I found Kate was hit much harder. Kate had no one to confide in, as she’d isolated herself away from her best friend after believing she’d made the biggest mistake in her life. I found she was always stumbling around, never sure which route to take or how to balance two important things in her life. Kate had always been a devout believer in God; she attended church regularly and followed the beliefs instilled in her by her church. So when at church camp in the summer she ends up falling for Matt, a guy who she shared her first kiss with when she was 11 years old, she doesn’t know what to do. Each time she’s with him she wants something more, but the beliefs she’s always followed by are continually holding her back.
When I first met Kate, she was a protagonist I didn’t like, she was judgemental, abrupt in letting her opinions being known and not one to take into consideration other people’s thoughts. It’s no wonder she found it tough to make friends at camp, when in just the first two minutes she refused to sleep in the same cabin as everyone else and offended Parker. But being around Matt did help change all that. And I liked the progression her character made through the course of the book. Kate tried to make the extra effort to stop and think things through even though she was torn about what she should do.
Matt was the complete opposite. He believed in God too, but wasn’t one to let his church’s beliefs guide his life, he did what he felt was right to do. But most importantly he wasn’t uptight about things, but down to earth, funny, always trying to have a good time, he loved reading and played guitar! *sigh*. He was definitely what Kate needed to loosen her up a bit.
Miranda Kenneally sure knows how to bring a book to life with a lively set of secondary characters. It was great once again getting the chance to be back again with our favourites from her previous books. I love how with Miranda’s books I’m always certain about my favourite characters, but as soon as another book is released, I find myself forming connections with another bunch of characters who instantly become my new favourites. Also getting to know new characters too, the fresh new faces brought a lot of wit, charm, and funny antics into the mix. I enjoyed how even though Things I Can’t Forget was focused on Kate and Matt’s story, we were able to delve into the back story of several other secondary characters too. It allowed my earlier impressions that I had of them to change multiple times over the course of this book.
Things I Can’t Forget focused on a deeper, and serious underlying theme, but I liked the way Kenneally brought this issue to the limelight and worked with it well. Kate had it all to deal with in this book, but with fun, banter and developing friendships along the way, she was able to make the right decision and bring out the better person in herself.
Now for the Giveaway, Miranda has generously offered to giveaway a copy of this fabulous book to one lucky person. The giveaway will be International and all you have to do to enter is fill out the rafflecopter form below. Also make sure you check out the rest of the Things I Can't Forget Blog Tour, there's loads of fantastic posts to look forward to. A full schedule can be found here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
17 comments:
I'm glad to see you ended up enjoying this one so much, Jasprit! I still need to get to writing my review, but since I've had a month to think about the book, I've raised my rating from two stars to three. While I may not have liked Kate at all throughout the entire novel (and the thing she did towards the end other readers have considering growth, whereas I considered it infuriating hypocrisy), Matt was an amazing love interest, the atmosphere was great, and the writing was really good, so I feel it deserves at least five stars. And, like you, I also really liked the secondary characters and how we got a look into each of their lives, too, despite the novel being mainly about Kate and Matt. Great review!
I'm so torn about picking this up since I wasn't a huge fan of Stealing Parker and I feel as if those religious undertones are even more present in this one. I didn't mind them at all, but I felt as if it brought one too many issues to handle for Parker, so hopefully that won't be the same situation here. I did love Catching Jordan, though, so maybe I'll give Miranda another try. Wonderful review, Jasprit! :D
I had a very similar reaction to this book as you, Jasprit. I didn't like Kate very much at first either, but I loved watching her grow throughout the book loosening up with the help of Matt. Gosh, Matt was so swoon-worthy. He is my favorite of Miranda's love interests. The guy seriously gave me butterflies. I loved the secondary characters too!
I'm so happy you loved this, Jasprit! Fabulous review! :)
This book sounds lovely, Jasprit! I can see that it has some serious underlying theme, and I hope that the author can handle it well. Kate doesn't sound like a likable protagonist in the beginning, but then it means more space for character development! x)
Lovely review, Jasprit! Thank you for putting this book into my attention! :)
She's the best at building amazing characters it's the main reasons I've loved all of these books! I agree about Kate I didn't like her at the start but then I begun to understand her and feel bad for her. I disliked how she was but it wasn't her fault too her beliefs made her a snob. I loved Matt though and I adored seeing the good-old characters back! SO happen you enjoyed this one too, Jasprit!
"When I first met Kate, she was a protagonist I didn’t like, she was judgemental, abrupt in letting her opinions being known and not one to take into consideration other people’s thoughts."
I have to admit, that's what I fear most about this book. That I'll struggle with Kate for being so rigid in her beliefs that she judges any and all who don't fall under her religious umbrella. Now, I know that's not entirely fair and not entirely her fault because it's what she was taught, but I know she's going to be a challenge for me. BUT, it sounds like her growth is a major part of this story, and as she comes to see things a bit different, we as readers also come to see things a bit differently. Looking forward to getting in there and seeing what I think Jasprit. Brilliant review:)
Ooh! My favorite will always be Catching Jordan, but I totally drool every time Miranda puts out a new book! Kate seems interesting-- I think that I'll like her, but I don't like the idea that she's uptight. I mean, that totally sucks! But Matt sounds kind of swoony, so I absolutely can't wait to read it! (:
Loves,
Megan@The Book Babe
I really want to get around to reading these books. They all sound so good. And I like the idea of this one being at a camp and having great secondary characters too. Great review Jaspirit and thanks for the giveaway :)
I'm definitely curious about this author and her other book, Catching Jordan so I'm glad she's one you like so much Jasprit.
I love the sound of the progression in characters and Matt sounds like a fabulous guy.
Another awesome giveaway from you guys! Thanks and lovely review! :)
When I first started reading this one, I almost hated Kate. She was so judgmental, and it took her own hormones going in hyperdrive around Matt for her to even try to empathize with people. But she definitely grew on me by the end. So glad you enjoyed this one, I am shocked to say that I ended up loving it too; it might even be my favorite. Fabulous review!
I have read quite a number of reviews talking about Kate but I've been curious about Matt, and thanks to your review, I now know a bit more about him. Sounds like he has a great personality. Thank you, Jasprit!
I just saw a review of this book from another blog and it seems like you all enjoyed this. I have read the first two book of this series and both enjoyed it (although I did have some slight issues in the second book) but I'm still definitely looking forward reading this new installment and more from this author. Thanks for the lovely review and the giveaway, Jasprit! :)
It's great when a character changes in a positive direction like Kate did. I wasn't the biggest fan of Cathing Jordan, but I didn't NOT like it either, and I have Stealing Parker to read very soon.
I know you're a huge fan of this series and I'm happy this didn't disappoint.
Fantastic review, Jasprit!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Jasprit! I've read Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker and I LOVE Miranda's writing. I can't wait to read Things I can't Forget ;)
Awesome review, Jasprit ♥ So glad you enjoyed it!
This book sounds so fantastic! I read Catching Jordan and loved it so much, and I started Stealing Parker. This one sounds just as amazing! Miranda should never stop writing, haha. I hope I like this book as much as you did, Jasprit. Gorgeous review! :)
Funny enough, I used to actually go to bible camp when I was younger. It was called VBS -- Vacation Bible Study. Hahaha. Catching Jordan didn't really work for me, but maybe my younger VBS-going self will connect to something in this story. Great review, Jasprit. I'll keep an eye out for this. I want someone who really loves the series to win the giveaway so I won't enter.
-Maggie
Honestly, I've never read a book from Miranda. After reading this review, I'm very interested and curious. Just hope I'm lucky, and win to get acopy.
Thanks before.
:)
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