Forgetting the Lost

by J. Martain

Most children are afraid of the dark. She knows better.Six-year-old Madeline Galloway knows she's unlikeable. Unlovable. Uncanny. But when she encounters a strange man she believes to be a fallen angel, her abilities might save her life.

Or ruin it.

Set in coastal North Carolina in the 1940s, this powerful novella can be read as a standalone, or as a prequel to the paranormal/sci-fi novel "Daughters of Men." Part Southern gothic, part supernatural suspense, this literary work has a bittersweet ending that will haunt you long after finishing.

101 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2023

About the author

Jennifer Martain is an author, consultant, and host of "The Creative If" podcast. She believes creative empathy is the key to solving any problem and loves to help other women hone their unique writing styles.

As J. Martain, she writes speculative fiction exploring family and soul connections—mixing genres with generous dollops of laughter, tears, and everyday strangeness. (And hurricanes, because she's native to coastal North Carolina and very familiar with them!)

She also released her first children's picture book in 2024.

Reviews

[Amie's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forgetting The Lost (Daughters) by J. Martain is a novella that will keep readers thinking about it long after the final page.

The best way I can think of to describe Forgetting The Lost (Daughters) is mixture of realism with bouts of the uncanny.

It would be easy to pick Lucy as a favorite character or six-year-old Madeline Galloway. But my favorite character is her brother Timothy. He is and isn't a huge part if the plot. It is easy to feel sorry for Madeline, but I also felt sorry for the life that Timmy was forced (by parental expectation) to lead. Those expectations placed on a child at a young age can alter the course of their lives - readers see this play out in the book.

This may be novella length, but there is a ton of story packed into these pages.

This book can be read as a standalone, or as a prequel to the soon-to-be-published Daughters of Men.

I rate Forgetting The Lost (Daughters) as 4 out of 5 Stars  ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book.

To learn more visit my blog at http://Amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great novella! I have enjoyed J. Martain's prior works, so I had high hopes & this story did not disappoint. It is quirky & intriguing with excellent characters plus a story that draws you in. It was a quick, fun read! I have read & also recommend Daughters of Men, which ties into this, but either can be read as a stand-alone book. 

I received a free copy & I am sharing my honest opinion!

[Lesley Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting as a young girl, we follow Madeline as she grows up during the late 30's in America, where family life revolved around strong religious ideas. She is a child who sees problems in others and calls them Lost. She meets a strange tall being who very few people see and being at an earlier more religious era see him as an angel or rather fallen angel, more like a guardian angel. He is always just moments away, she persuades him to help the ones she sees as lost. This novela is well written, flows well and has great characters, leading you to immerse yourself into this families life and the dynamics of this time, with the son seen as more important than the daughter and her trials around these ideals as she grows to adulthood.

A prequel to 'Daughters of Men', which I really enjoyed and thus delivered some further insights into that book. 

I look forward to reading more books in the 'Daughters of men' saga. 

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ludmila Husek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting deeply psychological sci-fi with metaphysical elements. I was hooked from the first page . The real life tragedy, prejudice and bigotry jit me hard and pulled me fast into The story, revealing the turmoil of the life of Lilith 'grandmother. What a story of the human struggle, sorrow, injustice and hope. Author does amazing job of creating compelling characters and drama. I found myself crying And cursing while reading way past my bedtime. I really enjoyed this beautiful written captivating story. I hope this is not the end and author decides to write more books in this series. I fell in love with her poetic writing and deep thinking. Don't miss on this credible excellent series.
Forgetting the lost. 2nd in the series

[Jessica L Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was jokingly warned by the author that it was dark, but I'm not sure that is the way I'd describe it. Poignant? Perhaps. Sad? Somewhat. Thought-proving? As a good read should be! I find myself in tears yet wanting to read it again to catch bits I was not clever enough to realize on the first read. I will be left thinking about this read, and what humanity could learn if we all could listen for the lost among us, for a long time.

[Courtnee Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

J. Martain's story, Forgetting the Lost, follows the narrative of a six-year-old girl starting in 1937 and through the 1940s. Madeline is a unique child, and no one seems to realize her full potential until she meets Lucy. With her help, Lucy finds "lost" children and puts to right certain wrongs in her neighborhood. Lucy is present for all the pivotal points in her young life, helping her deal with uncomfortable truths and heartbreaks, even when she doesn't appreciate his efforts. The deep-rooted views of the South are addressed without verbalizing them directly to paint a picture of the era and location appropriately, and the reader learns the people in her community despised or feared the narrator for her abilities. Martain closes the book with a twist and makes room for a sequel.

J. Martain knows how to weave a Southern gothic, supernatural story! Readers must piece information together based on the perspective of a six-year-old girl with abilities that are both a blessing and a curse, and many circumstances become clearer as Madeline's awareness grows. Heaven and hell are mentioned, and I felt as though the narrator had the two battling within her. Even though Madeline believes he's a fallen angel, Lucy neither confirms nor denies his true identity, deepening the mystery around his sudden appearance. Almost like an invisible friend, he guides her through more difficult moments in her life and influences others' behavior to make Madeline's situation a little more bearable. The story flows well, and you don't realize how much you've read until something in your environment startles you from its hold. Forgetting the Lost is a great selection for readers who enjoy supernatural Southern fiction with no bounds.

[Helga Lockheart]

In this intricately woven narrative, the author demonstrates a commendable mastery of pacing, skill-fully maintaining a gripping tempo throughout the storyline. The adept control of suspense is particularly noteworthy, as the tension steadily escalates, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final pages. The tone of the narrative, while undeniably unsteady, adds a layer of complexity that enhances the overall reading experience, contributing to the atmospheric intensity of the plot.

While the novel successfully engages the reader with its suspenseful elements, a more nuanced exploration of certain aspects could elevate the storytelling. Delving into additional details could provide a richer context, allowing for a deeper immersion into the intricacies of the plot and the characters' motivations.

Speaking of characters, the novel boasts a cast that resonates with authenticity and depth. Each character is meticulously crafted, contributing meaningfully to the narrative tapestry. Their complexities, flaws, and virtues create a compelling dynamic that adds layers to the overarching story. In summary, the novel's commendable pacing, suspenseful narrative, unsteady tone, and well-developed characters collectively contribute to a satisfying and immersive reading experience, though a touch more detail could further enrich the overall narrative tapestry.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bronte Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell in love with this authors writing after reading the shorter "My Alien Life" which is something of a precursor to this novella but doesn't need to be read first to enjoy this. I have to admit I felt like I was rather "lost" myself much of the time whilst reading this and was always second guessing what I thought was going on. After reading others' reviews here I suspect I was overcomplicating things but regardless of that I just absolutely love the way J Martain writes from the perspective of a child and how from the very first sentence I was completely immersed in Madeline's world. I'm from the UK so have no idea how accurate the world/information given is, but for me it conjures such a strong atmosphere of the time and place that I was "there" from the first word. I've given this a 4 stars rather than the 5 I gave My Alien Life simply because I did feel I was missing something regarding the meaning behind the storyline. That's because of my personal perspective I'm sure and the writers great talent for beautiful, natural, evocative prose is pure joy and deserves 5 stars all day. If you're new to J Martain's work, I'd suggest reading My Alien Life first. It's short and perfectly formed and would give you a taste of the mysterious world as "uncanny" Madeline experiences it.

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madeline is no ordinary six year old. First, she makes friends with her fallen angel, who can save her life. Not only does he keep her company when she falls asleep under the hedges outside, but he visits her when she feels vulnerable and needs someone to talk to.

Her friend, Lucy, finds "lost" children with Madeline's help and tries to fix things that go wrong around them. I would be interested to find out if Lucy was really a fallen angel or something more, it is never revealed in the text. I am interested in knowing if this storyline continues in the novel "Daughters of Men."

I have recommended this book to a friend and am waiting to find out if she liked it. I think it makes a good short story standalone read. I am interested in her take.

I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed the way J. Martain, wrote the book, reminded me a lot of an author that I enjoyed in the past Eli Wilde, this book is quite similar, fans of Eli Wilde will find a gem here, but not as dense in disturbing details, let me explain, Eli wilde books are very dark, with good writing, in here you have dark theme but since is not full on the details many things will pass around in the story without being shoved in our faces, and with good writing so its really a big plus.

I got very interested in reading the following book on the series, daughters of men, if you liked the book cruel from Eli Wilde I believe you will like this one very much.

Thank you Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.

[Katrina Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very atmospheric novella, this story really leans into the loneliness and otherness of the main character. She has a hard time dealing with things and spends a lot of time hiding, until a man, who she sees as an angel (or is he) comes to help her. She calls him Lucy, short for Lucifer, as she thinks he is one of the fallen angels, but he seems a very sympathetic and loving character. He helps the downtrodden and smites those who hurt the innocent. So there is a bit of question of if he really is evil or if the people who think he is are the actual bad people. Those people judge, hate and hurt their children and overall create a traumatic and hostile environment. Lucy, on the other hand, seems to give out love to those who need it. This was interesting, but definitely not my favorite. It was hard to follow sometimes and overall just a little odd.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Annalisa Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novella to savour, beautifully and poignantly written, with characters that pop from the page – especially Madeline and her brother Timothy. Told from the point of view of Madeline, aged six at the start of the story, some of the story remains ambiguous and the reader has to pay attention almost as much to what is not being said to grasp the true meaning.

J Martain’s prose weaves naturally and her description is delicious, drawing the reader into Madeline’s world while keeping Lucy, the stranger she thinks of as an angel, just slightly out of reach – much as he is for Madeline herself.

For a surreal, supernatural read, this novella is ideal.

[Adrianna Heaney-velu · Rating 2 out of 5]

“What I do know to be true is that people can be missing even when they’re right in front of you.”

“Forgetting the Lost (daughters)” by J. Martain is about six-year-old Madeline. Madeline knows she is unlovable and strange, but she meets a fallen angel and her life changes. It is a prequel to Daughters of Men or a standalone.

It’s a poetic book and I ended up liking Timothy a lot. It’s a good novella story but novella don’t usually vibe with me as much. Maybe I would have liked the story better if it wasn’t a novella. How the parents and teachers treat the children in the book is awful. I gave the book a 2 out of 5 stars.

[Susan Timmermeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgetting the Lost provides an intimate look into the life of Madeline, a character who appears in the authors first book, Daughters of Men. It's a character prequel, though it can be read as a standalone novella. It's a quick read, but the author does a masterful job of helping the reader build sympathy and understanding for the main character as she moves from a six year-old spitfire into a strong, resilient adult. It is beautifully written. I found myself, at times, wanting to be Madeline's friend. And at other times, thankful that I wasn't a part of her challenging life. It's a good read!

I received a free copy of the book in exchange for providing my honest feedback.

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in coastal North Carolina in the 1940s, this is a must-read for noir lovers. Basically, it is a prequel to the paranormal sci-fi novel Daughters of Men. This is an invitation into southern weird, and you cannot undo it even if you want to. I don't want to - in fact I plan to read it again in the next little while, as it touched something. I have no idea what. But I want to figure it out. J. Martain is an author I have added to my must-read lists. I can't wait.
REVIEWED on April 2, 2025, at Goodreads, AMazonSmile,

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgetting the Lost is a novella that can be read as a stand-alone or as a prequel to Daughters of Men by J. Martain.

This was definitely a thought-provoking read. I keep thinking about it even though I’ve finished another book since reading it. It was sad, mysterious, and haunting. It was a novella but so much happened in it. I will probably re-read it as we got more information as Madeline got older.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. Loved it. It was a page turner and the suspense was OMG. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn't imagine of put it down. It was addicted finding of mystery and twists and turns. Lucy and Timothy they were dealing with emotional feelings of pain and heartache. Will the family began to heal again. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Trina Jones

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great little novella that’s put together well with all the right features to form a fantastic set. Would recommend as it’s well done. Primarily around two chars and works so the them

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am torn on this book. I didn't love or hate it. It just didn't speak to me the way I wanted it to. I'll likely read it again later and see if I enjoy it more the second time around. You can read my full review here: https://thereadingwife.com/forgetting...

[Ruth McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read the first story in this series so I cannot rate this book as a story. I can only rate it based on the writing style itself.
This story follows a young girl who encounters who she believes might be an angel, but also suspects that he's not a good angel. This angel follows her thru most of her young years, watching over her and "taking care" of certain situations as he sees fit.
This young girl has the ability to "see" problems in other kids. Many of them she calls "missing" (even if they aren't physically missing).
I found that I was drawn into this story right away. I loved the writing style.... It was descriptive and flowed nicely. Each character was well fleshed out and I could mentally place myself in the story, seeing the places and people that populated the book.
Nicely done J. Martain. I'll be on to reading the first book very soon.
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my voluntary review.

[Elliana Rodger · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This was definitely interesting. I spent a majority of the time reading this unsure about what was happening. It was good though

[Emily Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madeline has a rough life but her unique abilities may make it better?