Finished Forgotten by Catherine McKenzie. I received a copy from the publisher on Edelweiss.
After her mom dies, Emma decides to fulfill her mom’s life’s dream: she’s going to go to Africa. She takes a month’s off work and says goodbye to her best friend and her boyfriend, as well as her demanding job as a lawyer.
Six months later (following a serious illness and an earthquake in Africa), she heads home…to learn that everyone thought she had died in the earthquake. (Said earthquake knocked out all communication from the village.)
So now Emma has a do-over, one that she’s not even entirely sure she wants. The only question is, what will she do with it?
I am so in love with Catherine McKenzie’s books! Thanks to Harper Collins, I’ve read all three of her books this year which means that I now have a while to wait for her fourth book. I love the way she takes a concept that could go really, really badly and be horrible and trite, but make it completely fresh and interesting and, most importantly, plausible.
And even better than that, they’re fun. Yes, they make me think and yes, there are valuable lessons but her books are never preachy.
But since we are here to discuss Forgotten in particular and not her awesome books in general, let’s get to it. I absolutely love Emma. I love that she’s willing to go to Africa—a place that she never particularly wanted to go—because it was her mom’s dream. And I love that she’s even willing to put her potential partnership at the law firm on hold for a year, even if it was done in a fit of pique (as in, tell me I can’t go? I AM SO GOING!). And I love her meet cute with Dominic, even though the two of them fight it so hard. :) And I love her best friend Stephanie, because we all need a best friend like that.
Forgotten is such an amazing book and I can’t wait to read the next Catherine McKenzie novel. I hope it’s not too long a wait…although honestly, even a release next week would feel too far away. (I have a problem with delaying gratification.) Bold statement of the week: Catherine McKenzie is one of the best writers working today and I hope you discover her yourself if you haven’t already. Yes, bold—but true.
Oh wow! This one sounds fantastic! And the best friend named Stephanie? So awesome!
Sent from my iPad
Wow! Thank you! – Catherine McKenzie
Great review! It’s on my to-be-read list and I can’t wait to devour!
Thanks! Have you read either of her others? They’re all really good (and fun).