Book Review: Forgotten by Cat Patrick.

Product details:
Publisher: Egmont Books Ltd.
Release date: June 6th 2011.
Paperback, 288 pages.
Rating: 4½ out of 5.
Ages: YA
Source: Received from publisher for review.

With the intrigue of "Memento" and the romance of "The Time-Traveller's Wife", "Forgotten" is the perfect YA novel.

Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.


Part psychological drama, part romance, and part mystery, this thought-provoking novel will inspire readers to consider the what-if's in their own lives and recognize the power they have to control their destinies.

Right from the start of this review, I have to let you all know that I have fallen completely and utterly in book love with Forgotten, the debut novel from Cat Patrick. My first impression of Forgotten was that it definitely sounded like my kind of book, but I guess I just didn’t know how utterly addictive and all consuming this book was going to be. Before starting Forgotten, you should cancel all plans so you can read it uninterrupted from start to finish. Yes, it’s that good!

Described as combining the “intrigue of Memento and the romance of The Time-Traveller’s Wife”, Forgotten is an exciting, exhilarating read, with a unique blend of mystery, intrigue, masterful plot twists and a whole lot of romance. This book has something for everyone from fans of contemporary romance who will swoon at the sight of Luke Henry to fans of psychological thrillers who will revel in the exhilarating plot twists that emerge as the plot unfolds and secrets are revealed. There’s also plenty to keep fans of paranormal happenings, mysteries, thrillers and suspense riveted from start to finish.

What really makes Forgotten stand out as a perfect read, besides Patrick’s engaging prose, and intense storyline, is the originality of its concept. It’s safe to say that I’ve never read anything quite like this book before! The story centers around London Lane (love the name!) a sixteen year old girl who is just like every other sixteen year old girl, save for just one thing. London can remember her future, but she can’t remember her past. For reasons unknown to us, and to London, her brain resets each day at 4.33a.m, so while she falls asleep with memories of the day gone by, she wakes up to find her mind is blank. London  deals the best she can with her affliction and gets by with the help of a lot of notes, and the people she trusts the most, her mom and her best friend, Jamie. But now Jamie is not talking to her, and it looks as though her mom has been lying to London about her lost memories for a long time. And then there’s Luke Henry, the new guy at school who London forms an instant connection with, but she can’t see Luke in her future memories, and as she starts falling for him, she needs to find out why Luke plays such a major part in her present, but has disappeared from her future…

I admit I found the plot a little confusing at first as we don’t know anything much about London’s past, and we have to utilize her notes just as she does. As I read further into the story, I became totally engrossed as London uncovers secrets and lies, while Cat Patrick includes some great unpredictable plot twists that lead to a totally unexpected ending.

Fans of mystery – I bet you are intrigued! And fans of romance, let me tell you that the romance in this book is sweet and wonderful and will make you swoon! Luke is everything I love in my book boys (and in my real life guys too!). Thoughtful, romantic and totally hot, Luke doesn’t take himself or his looks too seriously, and he loves London no matter what. Luke and London have a special relationship, but it’s not all smooth sailing, that's for sure!

A refreshingly original debut with major crossover appeal, Forgotten has already been optioned for a movie, and is sure to be a big summer hit. If you are looking for a perfect summer read, then look no further. This one comes highly recommended from me and I have my fingers crossed that we’ll be reading more about the life of London Lane at some point in the future!