Today, I'm super excited to be hosting my stop for the Things I Can't Forget blog tour and I would like to take this chance to thank Giselle at Xpresso Book Tours for letting me take part! For my stop today I have a review of the book and an international giveaway for a grab bag of Miranda's favourite books for you all to enter. To follow the rest of the tour, click HERE.
Name: Things I Can't Forget (Hundred Oaks #3)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Name: Things I Can't Forget (Hundred Oaks #3)
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: 1st March 2013
Pages: 320, e-ARC
Source: For review (from publisher/blog tour)\
Rating: 4 stars
Things I Can't Forget was one of those books I just knew I had to read and I had heard endless praise for Miranda Kenneally's other contemporaries. I had high expectations and Things I Can't Forget didn't disappoint, balancing serious issues and self-discovery and romance in one delightful, thought-provoking concoction.
Kate Kelly really stood out to me as a character. She wasn't afraid to let her thoughts be heard and she stood very strongly by her beliefs - something I really admired in her. I can see why this can be bad in some situations and I understand why some bloggers really loathed her in the beginning but I really took a liking to her. I must admit the religious element of the book took me by surprise as I wasn't expecting it but I enjoyed reading from Kate's perspective.
What I loved most was the way Kate developed as the book progressed. Although I'm not religious, I could immediately relate to her in that as you grow up, you begin to question your beliefs and the world around you. Kenneally portrayed this superbly and provided lots of space for Kate to grow and understand that in having your own beliefs, you must accept others' too. I always love character development and it was spot on in Things I Can't Forget - something which makes it all the more memorable.
Other than the weighty issues like pregnancy and teenage sex, there's a nice romance weaved in. Matt was incredibly cute and I adored him. He also attended church but was not as firm as Kate in his beliefs and more accepting that not everyone has the same opinions as him. I loved the way Kate could learn from him and how he wasn't pushy for the physical side of the relationship. He was a true gentleman and it was refreshing to read about a relationship which wasn't too physical. He many not have completely won me over, but he was a very strong contender.
Overall, Things I Can't Forget was a thought-provoking read which dealt with interesting issues. The main characters were a delight to read about, with wonderful support from the secondary characters and the romance was sweet and sure to be a hit with readers. Miranda Kenneally's prose is neither fancy nor flowery, yet still succeeds in conveying the message that everyone's beliefs matter.
And here is the giveaway to win a Grab Bag of Miranda's Favourite Books. Don't forget that it's open internationally! Good luck!
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…
Beverley's Review
Things I Can't Forget was one of those books I just knew I had to read and I had heard endless praise for Miranda Kenneally's other contemporaries. I had high expectations and Things I Can't Forget didn't disappoint, balancing serious issues and self-discovery and romance in one delightful, thought-provoking concoction.
Kate Kelly really stood out to me as a character. She wasn't afraid to let her thoughts be heard and she stood very strongly by her beliefs - something I really admired in her. I can see why this can be bad in some situations and I understand why some bloggers really loathed her in the beginning but I really took a liking to her. I must admit the religious element of the book took me by surprise as I wasn't expecting it but I enjoyed reading from Kate's perspective.
What I loved most was the way Kate developed as the book progressed. Although I'm not religious, I could immediately relate to her in that as you grow up, you begin to question your beliefs and the world around you. Kenneally portrayed this superbly and provided lots of space for Kate to grow and understand that in having your own beliefs, you must accept others' too. I always love character development and it was spot on in Things I Can't Forget - something which makes it all the more memorable.
Other than the weighty issues like pregnancy and teenage sex, there's a nice romance weaved in. Matt was incredibly cute and I adored him. He also attended church but was not as firm as Kate in his beliefs and more accepting that not everyone has the same opinions as him. I loved the way Kate could learn from him and how he wasn't pushy for the physical side of the relationship. He was a true gentleman and it was refreshing to read about a relationship which wasn't too physical. He many not have completely won me over, but he was a very strong contender.
Overall, Things I Can't Forget was a thought-provoking read which dealt with interesting issues. The main characters were a delight to read about, with wonderful support from the secondary characters and the romance was sweet and sure to be a hit with readers. Miranda Kenneally's prose is neither fancy nor flowery, yet still succeeds in conveying the message that everyone's beliefs matter.
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| 4 Teacups for Things I Can't Forget! |
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So, has my review given you that extra nudge to read the book? I hope so... Get buying!:
And here is the giveaway to win a Grab Bag of Miranda's Favourite Books. Don't forget that it's open internationally! Good luck!
Happy reading,
Beverley x
Posts
Hmmm probably Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell! I absolutely adored that book! Thanks for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteI still need to read these author's books some day. They sound awesome. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI loved this book and I'm so glad that you enjoyed it too!! Have you read the other books in this series? Well the other companion books!!
ReplyDeleteAS much as I love her previous books in the series, I think this one won't be the one for me. I'm having easily problems with too churchy subjects and this one seems like right into it..
ReplyDeleteYay for loving this book too Beverley! I'm glad you were able to connect with Kate's character straight away, it took me a while to warm up to her character, but like you I loved her character progression over the course of this book! Lovely review Beverley! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway! I have Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker on my kindle, so I must definitely get Things I Can't Forget soon! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Beverley! I haven't read anything by this author but I have heard so many great things about her. I'm glad that you enjoyed it - Matt sounds adorable! :D I'll look out for this series, thanks for sharing :) <3
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you really enjoyed this one, Bev! I have yet to read any of this author's books, but I've heard SUCH good things and your review is making me really want to pick this one up. Even with the slight religious themes, I think I'd really enjoy the MC and her character growth. And yay for the romance not being purely physical!
ReplyDeleteLovely review, Bev, I'm totally going to have to check this one out. <3
A Season of Eden by Jennifer Laurens ;3 have been craving for the book for so long now lol
ReplyDeleteIt would be The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards! :))
ReplyDeleteMy first book in my favourites grab bag would probably be The Look by Sophia Bennett. Great review! Xx
ReplyDeleteMine would be Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
I have to pick this up again. I had to put it down to finish another review book and just never have had a chance to read it since. I'm glad you connected with Kate because she was getting on my nerves a bit with her judgmental attitude. I was hoping for some character growth which is seems like we get. Wonderful review Bev. :)
ReplyDeleteThis one was really good, but I was and am really conflicted about it. I had a lot of issues with Kate's character, but it's awesome that you enjoyed her so much. I did like that we saw some growth from her over the course of the novel. And yes, Matt was a sweetheart!
ReplyDeleteMolli | Once Upon a Prologue
I love Miranda's books, and can't WAIT for this one! Hope I win :)
ReplyDelete