Things I Can't Forget

Hundred Oaks #3

by Miranda Kenneally

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...

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult Romance, High School

308 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2013

About the author

Growing up in Tennessee, Miranda Kenneally dreamed of becoming an Atlanta Brave, a country singer (cliché!), or a UN interpreter. Instead she writes, and works for the State Department in Washington, D.C., where George W. Bush once used her shoulder as an armrest. Miranda loves Twitter, Star Trek and her husband.

Note: I don't answer direct messages, but do answer questions on Goodreads and Twitter. Please feel free to check in with me there!

Reviews

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really hoping the main character would be stabbed out of nowhere on the last page.

She wasn't.

I'm upset.

[Giselle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a big fan of Miranda's books since I read and fell in love with Catching Jordan I was only a little weary when I was told this one involved some religion-which I usually quickly turn away from in books. I must say, however, that as usual, Miranda used her magic and turned this into an immensely sweet read, making the religion aspect a simple fact of the story like anything else. Every protagonist has passions and dreams that we get to see as a part of them, this is how religion plays a part in this novel and nothing else. It's not preached or forced, it's just a part of Kate's upbringing. It is what makes her who she is.

As for liking who she is, though, it is not always easy. Kate comes off as a prude and judgmental bitch. She makes it very difficult for others to approach her, let alone understand her. But she does grow a lot throughout the book where she begins to understand her friends a little more--especially her best friend who she's on the outs with--as well and accept that not everyone shares her views. Even though some times I wanted to slap her senseless, I kind of felt bad for her as well; for her closed up personality, the way she shuts herself off from others, using her faith as a shield. Luckily she discovers new friendship and even love that opens her up a bit. She begins to accept that not everyone sees and believes the same way, and that is still ok!

The first of these friendships and main secondary character is Parker from the previous companion, Stealing Parker. While you don't need to have read the others to get the full meaning of this novel, it's great to see our old beloved characters back. Characters that we grew to love, we saw their romance bloom and come to life, are now a super cute couple in this novel. We're also introduced to a new character and love interest, Matt. Matt is in a frat in college, he respects religion but he doesn't get buckled down by his faith like Kate, so the relationship is a little rocky for a while. Like usual in Miranda's books, the chemistry that exists between thees two made my heart soar. They were a perfectly imperfect pair!

Love, friendship, heartbreak, everything a fun summer at camp can bring, Things I Can't Forget has! Even those who are weary of the religion aspect in the mix shouldn't worry. We're made to understand it's meaning in the book, it becomes part of Kate, like any other character trait. These books are a must read for anyone who calls themselves a fan of contemporary reads!

--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.

For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads

[Sashana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a conundrum and pure confusion. The first two books in the series were about spunky girls who played sports so, naturally, I expected Things I Can't Forget to have a similar theme. Imagine my complete shock when instead of reading a sports themed book I got to read about some overly annoying religious girl.

I get the message that the author was trying to make: it's okay to have religious morals and be young. It's a difficult and admirable thing to try to attain for anyone, let alone young adults. However, I think the author missed the opportunity to have the message really sink in by having such an unlikable main character. If I remember correctly' "thou shall not judge," is one of the Ten Commandments in the bible. Ironically, Katy turned out to be one of the most judgmental characters that I have ever read about. She had a problem with EVERYTHING! Trust me, if the wind blew in the wrong direction she would probably label it a sin and proceed to judge it. Even when things were her fault, which they often were, she still managed to make herself a victim. I wish I could say that she became more like able towards the end but she remained as unlikable.

P.S.
Her pastor sounds like a judgemental douchebag.

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay story, but the pace was really slow.

Kate was a little stuck in her ways, and seemed incapable of believing that anything other than her church’s beliefs could possibly be right. I totally got why people called her uptight and judgemental, because she did come across that way!

The storyline in this was about Kate working at a summer camp, and having a crush on a guy called Matt. We also had the storyline about the thing Kate couldn’t forget her best friend had an abortion and she went with her to have it done. But again, she was so stuck on the things she’d been taught by her church that she couldn’t even forgive herself for supporting her best friend!

The ending to this was okay, and things did work out okay, it took a long time for Kate to relax a bit though.



6 out of 10

[Kels · Rating 2 out of 5]

When it comes down to it, I just couldn't connect with the main character. And the story was pretty boring. However, I did like the cute ending, but it just wasn't enough to make up for the lackluster plot.

[Jasprit · Rating 4 out of 5]

"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.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chance to win Things I Can't Forget is happening now on my blog; 2 x winners and it's international. Ends March 28th 2013. http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co...

"He grins, and looks around. "Are you King Crab Kate?" I cover my mouth with a hand. " Oh my gosh - you're Miniature Poodle Matt!"

I adore Miranda's work! Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker were fantastic reads, which I rated 4 stars each, however, Things I Can't Forget gets a massive 5 star rating from me. Third time's the charm right?

Kate is a good girl who always tries to do the right thing. She believes in God and while that's a good thing, it's drummed into her that every decisions she makes she has to remain true to God. But when her best friends has an abortion with Kate's help, she believes she's left herself and God down and now she's trying to make up for her mistakes. However by trying to make up for her mistakes she's missing out on the most important times of her life - being a teenager. So when Matt comes long she realises she has to work out who she really is and how she can live her life to the fullest without jeopardising her beliefs.

"I don't know what makes me feel more guilty: that I love how he touched me when I should hate it, when I should have pushed him away, or how I couldn't heard God's warning because of the way Matt made me feel."

Things I Can't Forget is A-MAZ-ING! I managed to read it within space of a few hours (which if you know me, is not easily done) but once I started reading, I simply couldn't put it down. Everything from the get go was so intense and I have to say, I was worried about the religion in the story. I don't believe in God and sometimes religion can come across quite strong for a non-believer but Miranda Kenneally didn't over do it. She told a story about a girl who has strong beliefs in God and not once was it overwhelming - it was completely enjoyable.

What made it so enjoyable for me was how much chemistry the story has. In Miranda's previous stories, the romance is toned down and it slowly creeps up on you but, with Things I Can't Forget, it's there within the first few chapters. Kate and Matt have so many laugh out loud moments that it was just so easy to love them. And Matt is easily my favourite guy that Miranda has wrote about so far - he's just so much fun and so very dreamy.

"My favourite is when an eight-year-old girl named Lizzie sings "Jesus Loves Me" in the purest voice, and when she gets scared and I think she might run off the stage, Matt sings along with her as he strums his guitar. Leaning against a tree, as bugs chirp around me, as warm wind rustles the branches, that's when I know it for real. I want him."

All in all, Miranda Kenneally's Things I Can't Forget is definitely a story you won't forget. It's a story that will speak to many people. I just love how her stories always send the right message to her readers and I can not wait for Racing Savannah to see what Miranda comes up with next!

A big thank you to Jasprit from The Reader Den for loaning me her copy! You rock girl!

[Limonessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

I'm going to start by stressing that I am not religious. Not at all. For this reason, I tend to be annoyed by books that push religion at me or that in any way promote, display, depict... you got the gist.
So that I rated it so high in itself speaks volumes.

The story is about holier-than-thou Kate, who goes to work as a counselor in a Christian camp during the summer. She's just lost her best friend Emily, who's been kicked out of the house after they discovered she got an abortion. Kate helped her getting it and her sense of guilt, as a friend and as a Christian, is overwhelming. Her beliefs, self righteousness, conception of sin and of what's right or wrong are strong and very much black and white.

For a good part of the book - and for someone maybe for the totality of it - Kate is not a character that one can easily like. She's judgmental, her vision of the world is restricted to her little community, so much so that she got on my nerves almost immediately. Take Parker, take Will, and - le sigh - take Matt. These are likable characters, normal, reasonable, good kids, good at heart not only because they're good Christians (in fact, if you remember Parker from the previous book, you know she messed up quite a lot).

However, what really stands out here and makes this book an almost five star read for me, is the depth of Kate's spiritual growth. There are some big topics tackled in this book and I have to say, they are really well explored. Through Kate's eyes, and with the help of some other characters - her dad's speech, in particular - we see her questioning what she believes and striving to understand what it is that she really believes versus what's been fed to her. Once again, despite me not sharing ANY of the beliefs in this book, I though it was really well made.
Add to that the fact that Kenneally writes some amazing romance and you got yourself a great contemporary YA piece of lit.

Now, I wish the book had ended differently. I wish Kate's spiritual evolution had taken one step further and I wish she's freed herself of all - what I consider - misconceptions, but that probably wouldn't have been in line with Kate's personality and it's just wishful thinking on my part.

I say if you've liked her previous books you really need to read this 'cause it's probably her best book so far.

[bookaholic_kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly admire Miranda Kenneally for writing this book. Religion is a very sensitive subject to everyone’s lives and for Miranda to incorporate it in her writing is brave. Really brave.

I totally enjoyed reading this book because it is relatable. The situations in the book can be seen in our society. And for Christians like me, you would totally love it.

So, the story is about this girl who is a devoted Christian. She does things basing on what is accepted in the Christian world. However, one incident made everything complicated.

This would definitely give you some thoughts to ponder on. :)

The book talks about
1. Beliefs
2. Friendship
3. Love
4. Self-actualization
5. Family

Here are some of my favorite lines in the book.

“I know some people wonder whether Heaven and Hell truly exist, but do those people question whether gravity exists? Or oxygen? You can’t see those with your naked eye, either. I can’t see cologne on a guy’s body, but I can smell it. I may not be able to see Heaven, but deep inside, I can feel it.”


“Why is believing in football different than believing in God? Why is one more socially acceptable than the other?”


“Why is it cool for some people to do what they want to do, but uncool for others? Why is being on the football team considered cool while being on the math team is not?”

A highly recommended book to YA readers.

[Grace (LovingDemBooks) Z. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buy this book on: | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Audible | BookDepository (FREE WORLDWIDESHIPPING) |

3.5 out of 5 stars (Please read my rating system further below). OH GUSHER I read this so long ago and forgot to write my review but this was so cute. I recommend reading this book if you're in need of a quick and easy read or if you just fell into a reading slump! This book will do it for you!!!!

My rating system: (I do use half stars.)
5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect.
4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.)
3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less.
2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it.
1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....

[Susan's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is NO WAY I forgot to write a review for this one, too!!!
I really liked this one! It touched on a very serious choice one of the characters made that forever changed the dynamic of all of their lives.

I would love to give Kenneally's books to my grand nieces but I always believe children/teens should choose their own reading material. I read YA because I had a very sheltered childhood and could only have WISHED to have gotten up to half the stuff these kids were constantly getting away with!

But in this story, there were dire consequences that were treated very respectfully. One of the characters does have faith issues and this was an important dilemma: how to reconcile dogma and religious beliefs with the cold hard facts of life.

I read this quite a while ago, but it still left an impression. I believe this was one of the first Kenneally titles that I read, and although I stopped "labeling" myself long ago, I found that Kenneally's treatment of faith and the realities of life were honest and without judgement. I don't shy away from books with a religious element: I try to stay open-minded, otherwise, that would probably make me a bigot in the other extreme. Better to give everyone a fair hearing, then make up my own mind. (But I'm not a fan of dogma and preaching, so I just let those authors say their piece and then turn the page.)
Kenneally, however, does move away from religion in her more recent novels. I'm so glad I stayed a fan!

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just can't get behind this one. I don't like the main character at all. She was judgmental, hypocritical, naive, and selfish. She wanted everyone to understand her beliefs but felt no obligation to understand or accept theirs. She had no problem spouting her thoughts on sex and relationships and God to others when she believed they had sinned but didn't like it when people called her a Jesus Freak. Her feelings were hurt by them but she couldn't understand how she had affected them. I'm also tired of the 'boys will be boys' idea and that guys are all just waiting around to have sex until some girl says it's ok. You know what? Some guys want to wait. And some girls want to have sex. This whole setup just plays into the 'girls who want sex are sluts, but boys who want sex are just boys' idea. And it really isn't fair to either gender and I'm tired of it. But the author is right about some things. Adult relationships are hard. Crisis of faith are hard. Growing up is hard. The world is a big place full of people who are different from us. You just need to be happy with who you are, trust in what you believe in, and let others do the same. We can love people but don't have to love everything about them. We can all live happily together, we just need a little understanding. I get what the author was trying to do with this book, and I really loved Catching Jordan, but I just wish this had felt a little less judgemental and a little more coming-of-age.

[Christina (A Reader of Fictions) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Miranda's since I read Catching Jordan, and I will definitely read anything that she writes. Still, I must admit that I entered on Things I Can't Forget with a certain amount of trepidation, having heard some talk of the focus on themes of religion and the personality of the main character. I feared I might not like this one much, but, actually, Things I Can't Forget has turned out to be my new favorite of her three books.

There is no doubt that Kate will rub a lot of people the wrong way. She is unforgiving, judgmental, prudish, hypocritical, and often downright rude. She wears her faith like an excuse to look at others and deem them lesser than she is. However, Kate never really bothered me, because I could completely see where she was coming from, especially since I had insight into her church, where her young mind and values were shaped, from Stealing Parker. I pity her for not knowing any better than to believe what she's only been told, for having been stuck with such manipulative, close-minded people during her youth. I feel for Kate, because it's so obvious that she's confused and that she'll be working through these issues.

Flawed as Kate is, annoying as she can be, I identify with her so much more than Jordan or Parker. Despite the rather glaring difference of religious beliefs, I was a lot like Kate in high school. I had a really strict sense of values, stricter I think than even I realized. I judged others based off of that and as a defense mechanism, because I felt so lonely and it's better to reject than be rejected. Like Kate, I put off a vibe of not wanting companionship when there was nothing that I wanted more. When I went to college, I had a lot of the same struggles with my own personality and moral code that she has working at this summer camp before her freshman year. Learning not to hold other people to the standards that work in your own life is one of the most important lessons that I think I learned as I came of age, and Kenneally handles it beautifully.

Kenneally also tackles the subject of sexual relations, and, more specifically, their relation to the Christian faith. Can a "good girl" have sex before marriage? Where's the line between and acceptable physical relationship and sin according to God? Kate's best friend, Emily, had an abortion and was kicked out of her parent's house. Kate helped her, but is now haunted by the thought of what she participated in, and said some very unsupportive things to Emily. Her judgment of Emily's sexual relationship stems from a lack of understanding, and she gains additional insight into just how complicated love and sex are when she begins a relationship with fellow camp counselor Matt. In all of this, Kenneally does not preach for or against sex, but about making careful decisions when ready, not feeling forced by society or a boyfriend.

In Kenneally's prior books, I admired her development of friendships, and she shines with that again, but this time it's a female friendship. Parker of Stealing Parker is a significant character in Things I Can't Forget. Because of Parker's somewhat racy past (according to Kate), the two do not start off well, but, over the course of the summer, they learn to understand one another and become real friends. Both Jordan and Parker struggled to find female friends, and I was so happy to see Parker find that. Their relationship really helps Kate grow and understand things from a viewpoint not her own, since Emily's mindset changed too suddenly for Kate to be able to adapt. By coming to understand and accept Parker's choices, Kate is able to reevaluate her relationship with Emily.

Surprisingly enough, given how touchy I am on the subject, the religion in Things I Can't Forget never irked me. Kate's beliefs are very much her own, and not preached in any way. Other characters put forth their own religious views that do not necessarily match Kate's. The tone is one of self-discovery, tolerance, and respect for the beliefs of others, messages I agree with wholeheartedly. The way Miranda turns the creation of arts and crafts into a metaphor for beliefs and the right way to live life is so subtle and perfect.

The one element I would have liked to see developed a bit more is the supporting cast. Kenneally creates such vibrant characters, and you learn a good deal about the secondary characters as well as the main. However, at the end, the whole plot line with the exacting Megan seemed somewhat unresolved. I really want to know what her motivations are, and if they're really based on some sort of dislike of other women, which is how she came off to me. On top of that, I'd really like to know more about what was going on with Brad. Obviously, I still loved the book, but having these characters a bit more fleshed out would have bumped my rating to the full five stars.

Things I Can't Forget will not be an easy novel for every reader, but it's a very powerful one. Miranda Kenneally has written yet another book with a cast that comes wholly alive to the reader. I don't think Kenneally can write a book I won't like. If you like contemporary fiction and haven't read any of her books, what are you waiting for?

[Trish Doller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an earlier draft, but I'm so looking forward to the final copy because this is my favorite of Miranda's books, so far.

[nick (the infinite limits of love) · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker, Miranda Kenneally is on my auto-buy list. When the opportunity to review her latest title, Things I Can't Forget, came up, I jumped right into it. Although I loved Kenneally's first two novels, I have to say that Things I Can't Forget is my favorite, which is very surprising since I'm not into too much religion in my books.

Kate was a surprisingly intense character that I really enjoyed reading about. I had no idea that I would end up loving her so much because I didn't really connect with her on first instant. Miranda Kenneally did a fabulous job at portraying the inner tumult that Kate went through. Kate has always abidden by the rules of a good Christian, so when she helps her best friend get an abortion, she became plagued by the guilt that she sinned. She didn't let anyone know about what she was going through and slowly let the sin eat her away on the inside. She also failed to understand non-Christians and had a tendency to unknowingly hurt them. I'm not going to lie, she really judged people, but not in the mean girl way. Although that characteristic trait should have really bothered me, it didn't. I felt like Kate's devotion to Christianity made her a very realistic character. Over the course of the book, she meets people are believers, but do not necessarily practice everything that the church asks them. They have their own faith about their religion. Kate began to realize, albeit at a snail pace, that just because somebody doesn't practice the same lifestyle and doesn't have the same mindset as you do it doesn't mean that they are horrible people. I loved watching Kate's growth in Things I Can't Forget because it felt very palpable to me. Her interactions with the secondary characters was also really well done. I loved how each person she met at camp helped her to blossom into this beautiful character, in the process shedding her narrow-mindedness and learning to become a better person according to her own definition and not the Church's.

Miranda Kenneally has this uncanny ability to write fictional love interests that make you swoon over them. If you thought Sam and Will were perfect, wait until you meet Matt. Gorgeous, sweet, charming and very respectful. I loved the guy. He might be one of my favorite book crushes right next to Etienne St Clair, from Anna and the French Kiss, and Lucas from Easy. Matt and Kate's relationship wasn't so easy because of Kate's hesitation to get physically close to him, but it was the kind that gave me butterflies in the stomach. Matt was such a lovable guy. I really liked the fact that he respected Kate's decisions no matter what. He never pushed her to do things she wasn't ready to do. I loved him for that. Their relationship wasn't just about the physical aspects, but it was so much more. It had so much depth and I found myself enjoying them so much together that I was craving for Matt&Kate scenes. And, the most important part, the make-out scenes! *Faints* They had a lot more swoon-factor than Kenneally's previous books and I loved them! Things I Can't Forget was very heavy on the religion, but not in a choking way. I thought Kenneally handled it perfectly. Also, one of my favorite parts of this book were the growing friendships between Kate and the secondary characters. Parker played a very important role in Kate's growth and I was really happy to see her back! This book had a lot going on : religion, friendship, family, first love, first experience with sex and I thought Miranda Kenneally dealt with all of these themes tactfully. Her writing was as elegant as ever and she's extremely skilled at writing dialogues. Honestly, I can't wait to read her next book, Racing Savannah, already!

All in all, although Things I Can't Forget has heavy religious undertones, watching Kate grow as a character and coming to terms with her guilt was worth my time. Miranda Kenneally took me on an emotional adventure along with Kate and the rest of the cast. A wonderfully well-written book with delightful characters and an adorable, but steamy romance, Things I Can't Forget was a brilliant book that deserves a lot more than 5 stars from me.

[Ambur · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Kate was very different from Parker (Stealing Parker) and Jordan (Catching Jordan), I still really liked her! I've already seen reviews that call her judgmental and they say that they didn't like her, and I'll agree that she was definitely judgmental, but it didn't stop me from enjoying her character or her story.

In fact, her being judgmental was one of those character flaws that made me enjoy her more, and while at times it had me wanting to rip my hair out or made me want to shake her, Kate's judgey attitude made me sympathize with her....I sympathized with her because she had people telling her over and over that she was judgmental, but she didn't even realize she was doing it. Her background had instilled certain beliefs that she just assumed were the right ones. That made me want to give her a hug and a nice talking to (note, not a stern one :P). Once she realized she was doing it, and that she wasn't always right, she was open to accepting things that she hadn't before, and I loved that about her. It's always nice when people are willing to change. :)

Along with Kate's amazing growth throughout Things I Can't Forget, I loved the other characters. That was one of the best parts of this book. I loved getting to see characters from the previous to books pop up. Both Jordan and Parker appear in this one, and I really enjoyed their interactions with Kate. It makes me even more exited for future novels in this series where we'll get to see what the previous protagonists are up to! :D

I've already gushed about loving the fact that Parker and Harper are in this one, but I also just loved the friendship in Things I Can't Forget. I loved seeing Kate getting to know people once she gave them a chance, and I really enjoyed her relationship with Matt, both as just a friend and in a more romantic sense. They had amazing banter, and were so adorable together. :D

Brace yourselves...here comes the major gushing! I just thought this book was amazing! I loved every single moment of it. I loved Kate's growth. I loved the romance, the banter, and I really enjoyed the friendships. :) That's one of my favourite aspects of Miranda Kenneally's Hundred Oaks series...it's not just about the boys (although they are pretty great :P), it's about the friendships--both the friendships between the main character and her love interest, and their friendships with others. As I've mentioned before, I'm also absolutely loving that the characters from the earlier books are becoming so important in the newer ones!

Overall, I absolutely loved Things I Can't Forget! I'm excitedly awaiting all future books in the Hundred Oaks series because I absolutely adore Miranda Kenneally's writing style, and with each book I grow to love it (and her characters) more and more! :D

[Dichotomy Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original Review 08/20/2013:

It's funny what personal perspective can do for you. I've read in several reviews that Kate was not a very popular main character. One mentioned hoping she would be stabbed before the last page, another said they wanted to "punch her in the face" for being so judgmental, and yet another found herself constantly rolling her eyes. This kind of shocked me, as I actually felt that some of the other characters were a bit hard on Kate.

I suppose given my background as a former fundamentalist it's natural that Kate's story dredges up a lot of memories and fills me with an almost infinite compassion. I spent 10 years of my adult life in a church very much like "Forrest Sanctuary" (but actually stricter and even more insular). I have been through many things in my 39 years on this earth, but questioning my strict Christian faith, and leaving that worldview (which encompassed every aspect of my life), was the darkest, most painful, most heart-wrenching thing I've ever experienced.

What those who dismissively call Kate "judgmental" and roll their eyes, fail to understand, is how difficult it is to question something that you've been told is true from your earliest memories. Kate wasn't trying to be judgmental, she was trying to be true to everything she had ever been taught to believe. Because ultimately, Kate was what I think of as a "True Believer", she wasn't a hypocrite, she was honestly trying to live according to her belief set.

This book then is really about the cognitive dissonance that she experiences when different aspects of her faith start to contradict each other. i.e. the belief that one should love and support others and help them in their time of need warring with the belief that abortion is wrong and sinful and worthy of God's judgment/punishment

So yes, it is accurate to say that Kate was often judgmental, i.e. that she judged people according to her particular set of values and beliefs (ones that she truly believed in). Because Kate had been taught and honestly believed that certain actions were right or wrong, she was understandably confused that people were taught the same things, didn't believe them (or at the least that their actions did not match their attitudes).

And her expectations are definitely valid in light of the fact that she is being employed by a church camp and not a secular camp. (I don't think that Kate would have expected certain behaviors out of counselors that make no profession of her particular brand of Christianity).

Ultimately I think that those who were not raised in particularly religious homes, or have never lived in the Bible belt, are going to have a hard time connecting with Kate, because the things that she discovers, while amazing revelations to her, will most likely seem obvious and easy to grasp.

[Dilushani Jayalath · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this wan't the best of Miranda Kenneally but nonetheless beautiful.

The story is about Kate and sweet Matt. Their love story isn't the typical one either because we get Kate and her god fearing ways. No, I don't mean it in a bad way. It's just who she is. I'm not a person opposed to people like her or find her a prude cuz in my country almost everyone is brought up that way. But then again people need to understand that the way a person is brought up only reflects their mannerism in the present. So yeah it's better to read this book open minded and not hate Kate for her stupid reasoning. Anyway, I got to say I liked her despite her flaws. I loved how she opened up to Matt as she fell for him and also how she didn't completely change but kept her ways also in the end.

Then we have sweet Matt. He was a cutie. It was joy reading when he was around. I loved his frat and how they totally helped him. I loved how he won her over, slowly but steadily. I actually wanted to go to camp after this :D

Well I got to admit Ms. Kenneally has once again managed to give a sweet and romantic one.

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 Stars!*

This was a lot better than the previous two books.

[Danielle (Love at First Page) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is paired with Racing Savannah and can also be found at Love at First Page.

He grabs my hand and tangles our fingers together, and I remember how this felt on our first date.
Right and perfect, even thought we're anything but right and perfect. But being with him smells better than salt on the breeze first thing in the morning at the beach. It tastes better than homemade vanilla ice cream. It feels better than dragging a paintbrush across canvas.
~Things I Can't Forget

"You are really pretty. . ." He drags a hand through his blond hair. "But you're kind of like a great book. . . you know, you pick up a book at the bookstore because it has a beautiful cover. . . but it's what's inside that pulls you in."
~Racing Savannah

I've been curious about Miranda Kenneally's books for a while now, and many of my blogger friends have had great things to say about her Hundred Oaks series. I finally decided to take the plunge, only I skipped ahead to the third and fourth books in her series. I'm usually not one to start reading in the middle of a series, even if they're companion books, but Things I Can't Forget seems to be a fan favorite, and it promised no love triangles. Of the two, I definitely preferred Things I Can't Forget over Racing Savannah, which surprised me since I felt more drawn to the latter's synopsis. Ultimately I really enjoyed both books - they're very quick, easy reads that deal with relatable topics, offer swoony romances, and remind you all over again what it feels like to begin falling in love. I'm more than pleased that I've found another author who believes in happy endings for her characters, even beyond the pages she writes!


Things I Can't Forget is set shortly after the first two books in the series. Kate has always been the requisite good girl: she's grown up in the church community, has high morals, has a good relationship with her parents and God, and she never gets into trouble. It's the summer after high school graduation, but instead of freedom and excitement, Kate feels guilty and adrift, having helped her best friend recently do something she doesn't morally agree with. Now she's to be a camp counselor, alone and friendless, and having somewhat of a mini-worldview crises. Is God angry with her? Can she find forgiveness? Why does no one seem to share the same faith as her? Fortunately for Kate, a few very important people walk into her life, including Matt, her former crush and first kiss, and Parker, the main character of the second book.

I think there were a lot of readers skeptical about this book because of the heavy religious themes. No one likes to be preached to and no one likes a judgmental character. I have to admit, there were times that I wanted to shake a little sense into Kate. Because she could act exactly how I feared: prickly, prudish, inconsiderate, and, of course, judgmental. It wasn't exactly intentional behavior, but narrow-mindedness is difficult to tolerate, especially if you're reading from that person's viewpoint. However, strangely enough, I never disliked Kate. In fact, I understood her very, very well. Having grown up the way she did, where she did, it makes sense that this is all she's ever known. She's a high school girl who hasn't yet experienced enough of the outside world, the world beyond her bubble, to make her own decisions about the big things in life that may be right or wrong. When she's faced with the most difficult decision of her life, and she feels like she makes the wrong one, of course everything begins to change for her. Miranda Kenneally does such an excellent job with Kate's growth. It's set at the perfect pace. Kate doesn't change her opinions over night or even overtly or completely; instead, there are subtle shifts in her behavior that maybe she's even unaware of, more that her horizons are starting to expand and she along with them. That doesn't mean she throws her faith or her beliefs out the window. She still very much believes in doing what's right in God's eyes, but she begins judging others less for having a different belief system or demonstrating their faith in other ways. Sometimes I did feel like her thoughts were a little too much A + B = C, too simplistic, but I appreciate how thoughtful she is. She honestly wants to be a good person, not in a people-pleasing or even God-pleasing way, but because that's just who she is. How she defines "good" is what changes.

Can I talk about the swoons now? I didn't expect this book to talk about sex so much (or to be so sexy), but it's one of the issues Kate struggles with. She meets (or should I say, re-meets) Matt at summer camp, and immediately these two hit it off. I adored the pureness of their relationship, and I don't mean that in a sexual way. For my husband and I, as soon as we started dating, we made a commitment to be serious. Maybe we wouldn't work out, after all we were only juniors in high school, but neither of us wanted to go through relationship after relationship. We wanted it to last. I got this same vibe from Matt and Kate. Kate has never had a boyfriend before, and Matt has had just one serious girlfriend, and it's obvious they're the type of people who desire that "one and only" love. It could never be casual for either of them. I find that so, so lovely. The boy himself is one of the sweetest love interests to ever grace the pages. Matt is respectful, kind, funny, and entirely devoted to Kate, even when she confuses him. Kate is unsure how far she should go physically with Matt, even though her body knows what it wants, but Matt never pushes her. They are so wonderful together, and I love how much time the book devotes to their relationship.

This being a camp setting, there are other people who come into Kate's life as well. The group dynamic was fun to watch, and I enjoyed all the different personalities. Parker and her boyfriend Will are my favorite of the supporting cast, and they're actually the couple in Stealing Parker. I can't deny that this book definitely makes me want to read theirs. At first, Parker and Kate don't get along because Kate has difficulty relating to her. Although this is a Christian camp, Parker and Will don't behave in ways that Kate expects, and so she has a difficult time reconciling that with her desire to have a female friend. Parker does her best to give the cold shoulder, understandably, but the two girls eventually connect over Kate's art and a beautiful friendship begins to unfold. They are so different, especially since they come from seemingly opposite walks of life, yet their friendship becomes one of the few sturdy presences in Kate's life. Also, the camp setting itself is a lot of fun, perfectly encapsulating that time between young adulthood and adulthood, where Kate experiences new firsts and new beginnings.


Racing Savannah (and the two future novels in this series) take place a few years down the line, when Kate, Matt, Parker, and Will are older and even getting married. Whereas faith played a heavy role in Kate's period of self-discovery and romance, for Savannah it's about social class and family. She, her dad, and her step-mom don't have it easy when it comes to money, and Savannah can't even imagine being able to afford college at this point. Her goal is to find a job that pays better than minimum wage and will provide stability for herself. She gets the chance when her dad accepts a position as a horse trainer at the illustrious Cedar Hill Farms, known for their race horses. Savannah has a passion for horses that is unrivaled by anything else, and when she calms a frightened Thoroughbred in front of Jack, the owner's son, the Goodwin family decides to give her a chance at being a trainer. There is an instant connection between Jack and Savannah, but his family values privacy and he's not supposed to date the "help". Will his family and their social class difference be enough to keep them a part?

Although I missed the easy romance of Things I Can't Forget and its more complex exploration of growing up, I did enjoy Savannah as a character. She is strong-willed and independent, unwilling to let others bring her down. She's got some sass in her, too. She wants to prove to everyone that she can ride like the best of them, despite her gender. Over and over again she demonstrates that she has a special affinity with horses; that she's not afraid of them and that they easily learn to follow her lead and trust her as a rider. My husband's mom owns a non-profit ranch that pairs hurting children with abused horses as a form of therapy and healing, so I've seen the beauty of this type of relationship in real life. There is a true bond that certain people have with horses, and Savannah is one of them. I also admired her selflessness and her ability to know when enough is enough. She makes sacrifices for her family, including her paycheck, until she realizes that she needs to fulfill some of her own desires as well.

Jack, on the other hand, I have mixed feelings about. He's cocky, confident, and a flirt, and many times that brought about some truly swoony and fan-yourself-worthy moments between him and Savannah. Yet for all his masculinity, he's still very much a dutiful son, and this means staying away from what he wants. He has true feelings for Savannah, desires something serious with her, but doesn't want to disappoint his father. This leads to a very upsetting "proposal" on his part, and it took me a while to forgive him. I was not at all happy with him, although he does a pretty good job making up for things at the end. After adoring the progression of Matt and Kate's relationship - a natural shift from friends, to dating, to serious - this one was on the wrong side of start-and-stop.


Things I Can't Forget and Racing Savannah certainly won't be my last Miranda Kenneally books. I'm on the blog tour for Breathe, Annie, Breathe, which has Matt's brother (!!) as the love interest, so I'm thrilled to be reading it early. Although I don't think her writing is on par with these authors, if you enjoy Huntley Fitzpatrick and Kasie West romances, I highly recommend trying this series out!

[chev! · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[M · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF (at 50% I think)

But I just need to say that I'm so disappointed.
I've loved all the books of the series Hundred Oaks by Miranda Kenneally, but I really don't want to read further anymore.

Why? Let me tell you;
The main character Kate, she's a good girl. A good Christian girl - no offense to the religion itself, I know plenty people that are Christian whom I'm friends with, but Kate?
She was such a judgemental bitch.
I'm sorry, I don't like to call anyone - even if they're fictional - any bad names, but truly.
I can't stand people that are so extremely judgemental, and selfish, and aargh!

The only reason I made it this far, was Matt.
I think I would've fallen in love with him if I finished this book, but I'm not willing to torture myself.

I'm not throwing shade at the writer, please understand that, but I see this very black and white; if I don't like the main character, it's already pretty hard for me to go on, but if they're judgemental or shallow, or whatever, I quit, because it honestly doesn't just enrage me, it drives me crazy.

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh, this book. Although Kate at the end of the book turned out alright-ish, I still couldn't forgive her for being such a Judgey McJudgerson in the beginning.

And seriously, way, WAY too much religious influence and God talk for my tastes. It also still didn't confront what assholes her church is made up of.

This rating doesn't reflect on the author's writing, I'm still a fan of her books in general, it's just this one doesn't appeal to me and my beliefs. I am not the target audience. I hate being preached at while reading, just as much as I do in life, if not more. I consider books an escape, so I most definitely don't want to be told I'll spend eternity in hellfire and damnation when I'm trying to enjoy my favorite pastime, ya know?

Do with that what you will...

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ARC review will be posted at my blog, The Flyleaf Review closer to the book's publication.


* Things I Can't Forget is the 3rd book in the Hundred Oaks Series. It is a companion novel to both Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker.You don't have to read either of those books before starting Things I Can't Forget, but I think you will get much more out of it if you do:)*


Like I mentioned in the above disclaimer, Things I Can't Forget is a companion novel to author Miranda Kenneally's first two books. Old favorites like Jordan, Sam Henry, Parker and Will are found in this third installment. Our main character is Kate, a girl who attended both the same school and church as Parker Shelton. I loved both of Kenneally's earlier books but I have a special affinity for the character of Parker, a good girl who who has made a bad reputation for herself as she tried to deal with her mother's coming out as a lesbian. Parker struggled with a lot in her book, and her personal relationship with God was one of her struggles. That theme is echoed in Things I Can't Forget, as Kate, who is most definitely NOT a bad girl, finds herself in a similar situation after she agrees to help her best friend Emily who is in trouble.

I have always had a major soft spot in my heart for a bad girl protagonist (I've even praised them in a recent discussion post.) I loved the character of Parker, who really wasn't so bad, just mixed up and confused and making some terrible choices as she tried to come to terms with a lot of stuff in her life. So imagine my surprise when Kenneally introduces me to Kate, who is the VERY definition of a good, Christian girl, and I found myself really loving her just as much as my fave bad girl protags! Kate, who attends Parker's Fundamentalist church, is so very good you guys, inside and out. She reminds me of that line from Tom Petty's song Free Falling:

She's a good girl, loves her mama,
loves Jesus, and America too...
she's a good girl, crazy 'bout Elvis
loves horses, and her boyfriend too...

That is Kate.

Kate has a deep sense of faith, she is devout and firm in her beliefs. But when she agrees to help her best friend Emily, all of her beliefs are shaken, including what she thought to be true about herself. The Kate that we meet at the beginning of the story is ridden with guilt and feels lost and alone.

Inner turmoil aside, on the outset Kate seems pretty ideal. She's a good student, has a solid relationship with her parents, and loves God. But through the course of the book, Kate discovers that she has also hurt people by being judgemental and narrow minded. Yet, even with these flaws, flaws that we all have been guilty of at some point in our lives, Kate is still such a good person, you guys. When she discovers that she's hurt someone, it genuinely distresses her. And even though she is very religious and a bit preachy, something I generally don't care for in characters I read, I can't help but want to reach out and hug Kate as she struggles to find balance in her life. I can't help but want her to get that guy who seems perfect for her in every way. I can't help but want her to stop beating herself up over decisions she has made. I can't help but want her to have her happily ever after. She is a wonderfully well crafted character, full of depth and complexities. It is impossible not to root for her as you read this book.

So let's talk a little bit about the boy. I love Kenneally's heroines, but she is an incredible writer of romantic male leads as well. I loved Will, and I ADORE Sam Henry, but Matt, the male lead in Things I Can't Forget is pretty much perfect. Like Kate, he has a very good relationship with God. He has an awesome big, noisy, loving family. And being in college, and a member of a fraternity, he has a very close relationship with his brothers. He is unlike anyone that Kate has ever met, and when she starts to fall for him, even more questions arise in her. Kate has never had a real boyfriend, and longs for the closeness of that kind of relationship. But she feels very torn about her physical attraction to Matt. And Matt, to his credit, is just so awesome about ALL of it. He realizes right from the start that girls like Kate are actually pretty rare and he has no problem with taking things slowly. So you see, that makes Matt kind of a rare breed too:) Matt and Kate have a relaxed easy banter between the two of them, they talk like real people, you guys. In so many books I read the romance seems to get all caught up in game playing and posturing. But here, the romance just flows. It's easy, real, honest and true.

And the SWOON. I had heard from the author that Things I Can't Forget was going to be her raciest (and most controversial) book yet. Boys and girls, I am here to to tell you that she does not disappoint! My heart was tripping all over the place as I read and witnessed Matt and Kate falling in love. It is a bit racy, but nothing that an older YA and New Adult crowd can't handle. And heck, if you read this blog, you know my mantra is the racier the better:)

But just as impressive as the sweet and steamy romance is the beautiful friendship's that are written within. Kate and her BF Emily have had a falling out, and Kate, who is working as a camp counselor for the summer before college starts, is bereft without her close friend. She meets new faces at the camp, and some not so new, and I loved watching her character grow and develop as she made new friends. My favorite of all was the unexpected friendship between Kate and anther girl that is very different from her. I loved how Kenneally allowed a strained acquaintance slowly develop into a very meaningful friendship.

But perhaps the best relationship in Things I Cant Forget is the one Kate shares with God. Like I said earlier, Kate can be judgemental and preachy, but this book IS NOT preachy at all. I love how Kenneally tackles these important subjects in her books. I love how she is able to break it down in a way that's not overtly religious and "in your face." But at the same time, Kenneally isn't afraid to ask the tough questions. Sex before marriage and saving yourself, balancing personal relationships with others as well as with God, and not judging those whose beliefs and devotions are different are just some of socially relevant themes found within the pages.

And like Jordan with her journal, and Parker with her prayers, Kate's inner dialogue and introspection is relayed through the sketches she draws. I love how Kenneally has carried this theme through all of her books. And having my degree in art history, I LOVE that Kate is an artist and teaches art to the kids at camp. There is a scene where Kate discusses what art is and how it is reflective of the individual who creates it, that just made me smile. I can see Kate growing up to be a fabulous art educator one day:)

And lastly I have to talk about Kenneally's writing and her voice. I have come to love YA contemporary books more than anything else I read, and Kenneally's authentic dialogue and honest writing is a shining example of why. I may not be a teenager anymore, but Kenneally's writing captures the tone and the mood of what that period of my life felt like. And times may change, but there are still some universals. Problems and struggles that teens encounter now aren't that much different than the ones I encountered during my teen years. I can think of very few writer's who capture all those crazy, scary, joyful moments that a young adult faces better than Miranda Kenneally. I am so glad to have picked up that first book of hers, because each book that I read makes me respect her writing more and more. I'll read anything she puts out there.

In closing, if you loved Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker than go ahead and pre-order Things I Can't Forget now. I really think it is her finest book to date.

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Kate had always adhered to the teachings of her church, but does some real soul searching after realizing that her "truth isn't everybody else's truth."

Kate's whole belief system was being challenged. Friends, who she thought shared all the church teachings with her, were partaking in "sinful" things. It was difficult for her to reconcile what they were doing with her belief system, but then Kate was reunited with Matt.

Matt gave Kate her first kiss many years ago, and now he was grown-up-man Matt. Kate found that this Matt awakened a different side of her. She also became friends with Parker at camp. Kate had harshly judged Parker, and sort of abandoned her, when Parker was in need of friends. Both Parker and Matt played huge roles in Kate's journey, and I loved the different perspectives they brought to the table.

I found Kate's struggle realistic and appreciated the messiness of it all. This was Kate starting to see that the world was not black and white, but rather, shades of grey, and this was an honest exploration of her trying to find that balance between her religious and personal beliefs, while respecting other people's viewpoints.

Though this book was written several years ago and focuses primarily on Kate's religious beliefs, I could help but see how relevant it is today and how it can apply to belief systems in general. This idea, that we can have different "truths", but still co-exist is getting lost these days, and I was happy to get a gentle fictional reminder, that each side is entitled to their voice and their choice.

Lots of food for thought, wrapped up in a swoony romance with a nice helping of family, friendship, and summer camp fun.

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[Jess M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this review on my blog! --> Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally

I’ll tell you what I soon won’t forget...this book, that’s what!

Miranda’s books have always struck a chord with me. I’ve always been able to relate on some level, therefore making her books really memorable for me. But what she did to me with Things I Can’t Forget was beyond that. I hung on every word of this book like it my life depend it on it.

I’ve often found myself struggling with religious beliefs and my meaning in this life, whether there’s a heaven and if I’m headed there when I die or I’ll just seize to exist. My point is, all those things made it easy for me to empathize with Kate. Because even though we may not have struggled about the same things sometimes, I’ve struggled with something having to do with who I want to be. Kate’s a girl whose world is no longer as black and white as it used to be and it’s affecting her deeply. I felt sad for Kate a lot while reading this book. I even cried for/with her at certain moments in the story. I just felt for her.

One of the things I loved most about this book was the fact that it was about good people. Everyone was likable. Well, except maybe for the camp director. What a B! lol But anyway, for this book to be filled with so many good people and the story not be boring is, to me, a great accomplishment. Better yet, to have the love interest be unbelievable swoony and amazing, funny, and sexy is like the Holy Grail. It’s nice to not have a boy break the girl’s heart in a book every now and then, y’all! We don’t always want to read about bad boys, right?! Think of Wes from The Truth About Forever ...Matt is on that level. SA-WOON!

Another great part about this book was Matt and Kate’s families. They were loving and supportive and GOOD PEOPLE! I love reading about close families. They make me smile more than anything.

I loved how big a role Parker and Will (from the previous book, Stealing Parker ) played in Things I Can’t Forget . I felt better to see how well she was doing and I can’t think of a better person to help Kate with what she’s going through.

This is for sure my favorite Hundred Oaks book so far. I’ve loved every book more than the last and I hope that trend continues, but Things I Can’t Forget will definitely hold an irreplaceable spot in my heart. :)

{2015 Re-read} This narrator was FANTASTIC. Of course, I had to listen to the book on 1.5x speed (how I listen to all re-reads) because sometimes they read to slow for my liking, but even then, she was great. Kate still came across so confused by everything that was challenging her life-long beliefs, but even then I still had nothing but patience for her and her growth. I’ve never not liked her because I know she’s an open and good character that just needed time and guidance. And Matt. Oh, man, Matt is still the best kind of guy. I love good guys like him. I LOVE YOU, MATT!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interview & Giveaway on the blog!
http://somelikeitparanormall.blogspot...

Kate helped her best friend through something really difficult. It was something Kate didn't believe in so now she just can't move on. Her friend is trying to move on and Kate continues bringing up all the guilt so no one can move on. They get in a big fight. Kate has to work at a summer camp without her. Kate flashes back to the emotional event throughout the book. It weighs heavily on her mind.

Kate is very hard to relate to at first. She is trapped in her own little box and when people don't fit into it she gets angry or tells them off. Like when they arrive at camp and everyone sleeps in the same cabin the first night since they don't have kids yet, instead of joining in the sleepover, Kate freaks out and says everyone will get pregnant and she will sleep in her own cabin alone.

Then she runs into fellow camp counselor, Miniature Poodle Matt! Matt is so adorable. At first I was a little surprised at how well he took to Kate but they have a special history. They first kissed at the summer camp when they were little and it meant so much to Matt to find someone who accepted him. All these years later and they found each other again. Kate has so much guilt over her best friend that she is often pushing Matt away. She realizes now how when you really like someone it is hard to not want to do everything with them and go all the way.

Kate begins questioning her beliefs and I actually began crying for her. Even though I don't share her beliefs I can understand how it is so hard to stick to what you want/need/believe when everyone else is different and changing. She doesn't want to lose Matt but she just can't fully give up what she believes in. Matt is very patent and understanding. Kate does learn to open up and except others while still keeping her own beliefs.

I loved that Parker and Will were also camp counselors and such a huge part of the book. It was great to get to see their relationship develop even further and they become great friends for Kate. Kate is really judgmental to Parker at first but eventually they find common ground and help each other out. Jordan and Sam also make a small guest appearance. Like all Miranda Kennealy's books, it is a huge emotional journey to friendship, love, and finding yourself that is very relatable. I highly recommend all her books! If you're a bit weary of the religious aspects, like I was, I still recommend giving it a try or at least starting with Catching Jordan and working your way through! Such great reads!


---
"Why did y'all bring so much stuff?" yells Charles, a little boy. I can already tell he'll be a handful.
"Hey, hey," Matt says to Charles. "You never say things like that to a lady. The reason they have so much stuff is so they have all the outfits they need to look beautiful every day."
"Awww," says Isabella, a girl with blond curls. On the inside, I'm saying awww too.
---

*I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

[Bailey (IB Book Blogging) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miranda has once again proven herself to be among the stars of the contemporary YA genre with her newest book, THINGS I CAN'T FORGET. While CATCHING JORDAN will probably always be my favorite of hers, I think THINGS I CAN'T FORGET gave it a run for its money, especially in the guy department! The storyline is heartbreaking and yet seductive at the same time, making for one heck of a ride for the reader. There are many things I won't be able to forget about this book!

Kate is the epitome of a good girl in every single aspect. She never misses a day of church, doesn't act out in any way, and dresses modestly. I thought it would drive me crazy but Miranda somehow makes it work. Kate may seem perfect on the outside, but she has a lot of inner turmoil to deal with. One of these things she has to conquer is her guilt that she aided her best friend in getting an abortion. This is a very touchy subject among basically everyone in this society, but I think Miranda handles it very well. Another problem Kate has to work through is her relationship with God and what it means for her when she begins to have something very special blossom with Matt, the love interest. It isn't an easy journey for Kate in any way, but I was beaming for her by the end of the book!

Fans of Catching Jordan must know that I think that Matt rivals Sam Henry. He is extremely realistic, sweet, gorgeous, funny, and an all-around awesome guy who I wish was real! On top of that, he's a long distance runner training to run a marathon barefoot. Adorable and hot! Matt and Kate's relationship also happens to be one of the sweetest and spiciest romances I've had the pleasure of reading about in YA. One moment they are "innocently" flirting, the next they aren't able to keep their hands off each other. Make sure you have a fan nearby when opening THINGS I CAN'T FORGET. You're going to need it!

One thing I love the most about Miranda Kenneally's book is that she doesn't slack on the character or plot development. I came to adore some of the secondary characters like Ian and Eric, yet also felt extreme anger at Megan. Kate's friends and enemies were mine, too! And the plot. Oh, wow, the plot. Abortion and religion are very difficult subjects to tackle in any area, but they are handled beautifully in THINGS I CAN'T FORGET. It's not at all preachy or too much to handle. Kate has to acknowledge her role in both before she finds the person she is and the one she is meant to be. I don't think Kenneally could have executed it any better than she did by the end.

THINGS I CAN'T FORGET is most definitely one book that I will be re-reading over and over again in the future. Readers will be laughing and crying and laughing some more right alongside Kate and Matt on their journey of self-discovery.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book I’ve read by Miranda Kenneally, and I enjoyed it as much as I did Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker. Parents looking for a clean read to get for their teenage daughters, I highly recommend the Hundred Oaks series. Each book can be read as a stand-alone and every story deals with one or the other moral dilemma faced by teens today. Things I Can’t Forget specifically deals with teens having to make tough Christian-value based decisions in today’s world where issues such as sex before marriage, teenage pregnancy and abortion are receiving a more laissez faire approach by a lot of adults and teenagers alike. Though it sends out a strong message of one person’s truth not being the same as another’s, it isn’t preachy at all; the point rather being that no matter what your beliefs are, it’s okay to believe differently or stick to what you believe in, but at the same time being tolerant of what others view as acceptable, especially when it comes to matters of faith, forgiveness, falling in love, and friendships.

I loved the setting for this book, which for a change isn’t high school, but summer camp. Everything was well described and I felt right at home having fun with the kids and counselors, participating in the Critter Crawl, grilling steaks, swimming and playing Matt’s game of Bonzo Ball. Fun activities aside, I enjoyed this book for various reasons. Kate is a quite a complex character, and one I didn’t always like. I appreciated that she held firmly to her beliefs and didn’t want to give in to the same pressures her peers did. Sometimes I felt she was questioning herself too much and she was too judgmental. But this, I believe, is precisely what the author wanted me to think and to feel, so that Kate’s process of self-discovery and her ultimate transformation at the end would have a bigger impact on me as reader. I think the author dealt with the aforementioned topics of sex before marriage, teen pregnancy and abortion, with sensitivity and care, and also from the exact perspective a staunch Christian eighteen-year-old would.

As with the second book in this series, it was great catching up with characters from the first two books. Jordan, from Catching Jordan makes a brief appearance, but Parker from the second book, Stealing Parker, features as one of the camp counselors in this story and forms part of one of the major changes in Kate’s life. This is a great series and if I had a teenage daughter I wouldn’t hesitate to get her these books. Miranda Kenneally is rapidly establishing herself as a name that can be trusted when looking for good, clean, enjoyable books that has something heartfelt to share with the reader. I highly recommend adding this series to your must-read list!

[Jessica Buwalda · Rating 5 out of 5]

View more of my review and others at my blog: www.mynotsovacantshelf.blogspot.com

I love Miranda Kenneally’s writing. I hope that she writes for years to come! Although this book doesn’t have the sporty title like the two before it, and although it doesn’t really involve sports, doesn’t stop this book from rocking like the first two. This book is heavily focused on religion, mainly on Kate’s beliefs and where they fit into her life. At first I didn’t really like Kate, I thought she was judgemental and almost snobbish, and she was, but then you start to realize that’s the point because throughout the novel we see a change in Kate. Not necessarily in her beliefs, but she starts to realize that everyone is entitled to their own. And that is one of the main reasons I loved this book. It talks about religion, but, in my opinion, it talks about how it should be treated. This novel is different that the first two. Not really any sports, the boys are different, and Jordan Woods comes back and actually talks in this one. Not to mention Parker is actually a pretty key character here too! At first I was a little worried about where this book was going but within a couple of chapters I was a goner and knew that I loved it.

Good:

Kate—she isn’t trying to be rude or judgemental, she’s just trying to figure things out and making mistakes along the way

Matt—He puts his jeep doors back on and wears flip-flops just for her.

Bad:

The only thing I didn’t like is the fact that Megan was not really explained (she was kind of picking solely on her and someone should have told her to shove it!), and Brad. I felt like Brad’s story was unfinished.

Overall (Writing style, story line, and general):

Overall this book was awesome. I loved how each chapter was her sketching what she is re-telling us. This novel was easy to follow and I smiled, swooned, and worried at all the right times. There were some moments of laughter (especially traded between Matt and Kate), but not a lot because this book seems a little bit more serious than the other two. I liked the approach on Religion even though some may disagree with me, and I found that Miranda Kenneally was making a strong point of view through this novel. I also loved the connetion and flow from book to book. Catching Jordan was all about sports, Stealing Parker about Sports and Religion, and this one about Religion. Miranda Kenneally is someone I foresee being around for a long time in the writing world, and I’m itching to be able to read Racing Savannah in December!

ARC Copy was provided by publisher for review. This in no way affected my opinion.