Forgetting August

Lost & Found #1

by J.L. Berg

She can forgive, but can she forget?

Some days, Everly still thinks she sees him. In the food court at the mall, or in a car speeding past as the light changes. It only lasts a second, but when it happens, she slips back to a time when she was ruled-and nearly ruined-by August Kincaid. And it doesn't matter that she's moved on, that she's about to marry another man. In those moments the only thing she can do to regain control is take a deep breath and remind herself that August can't hurt her-because he's in a coma. Except that he's not anymore.

August is awake. With no memories, he sets out to solve the mystery of his lost life. He unearths a photograph of a beautiful redhead named Everly and knows instinctively that she's the key. But when he finds her, the August she describes is more monster than man.

Tortured by the thought of having hurt her, August wants only to become the man Everly deserves. As the new August emerges, Everly glimpses the person she first fell in love with. But can she trust that this August is real? When the final secret of their shared past is revealed, one of them will make a choice that changes their future forever . . .

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Mystery, Drama

384 pages, ebook

First published December 1, 2015

About the author

J.L. Berg is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ready series, the Walls duet and the Lost & Found series. She is a California native living in the beautiful state of historic Virginia. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she's not writing, you will find her cuddled up, watching a movie with her family, obsessing over minions or devouring anything chocolate! J.L. Berg is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.

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Reviews

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 STARS

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J.L. Berg delivers a well written, mysterious, love triangle that had my full attention all the way through. Everly Adams is happily engaged to a wonderful sweet guy named Ryan when she gets a phone call that her abusive ex-boyfriend August Kincaid has awoken from his two year coma!

”No family or friends- I was either a loner or an asshole. I didn’t know which was worse.”



Everly’s POV is bit contradicting throughout the book. She does see a therapist who tries to help her sort through her attraction, hate and confusion all of which she must face since the call came that August wants to see her. Also, this once controlling wealthy man has no memories about himself but does feel a bond towards Everly.

”Don’t forget, Everly. Don’t ever forget the person he once was.”

August’s POV was well done and you can’t help but feel sorry for a guy who perhaps was a douche before but sure is just a lost and confused hottie now. With the assistance of Brick he finds new interests, talents and embraces the new person he is becoming.

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Everly and August’s interactions were so exciting and though Everly holds back it’s a no-brainer that her and Ryan are going to have troubles and she won’t be able to resist the pull that this at one time monster has over her.

”I want a fresh start. No more comparing me to the man I was. I understand you can’t forget, and I don’t want that. I just want the opportunity for you to know me and who I am now. I you to fall in love with the August that exists today.”

Just when you think the story is a straight forward love triangle you are hit with the mystery portion. I have one complaint and that was the heroine’s ability to jump back forth between guys as it suited her. The story ends with some big shocking reveals that are made and the author drops off till the sequel which is due to release April 5th, 2016.

[Aestas Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

::: FULL "DOUBLE" REVIEW NOW POSTED ::::

"Do you think it’s possible to be in love with a woman you don’t remember?"

NOTE: this review covers both books in this duet. — Wow! I just finished a mini reading marathon where I read both books in the “Lost & Found” duet back-to-back!!! It was so ADDICTIVE!! I couldn't put it down! If you read the blurb, you’ll notice that it’s quite a unique story — the hero wakes up from a coma with amnesia and doesn’t remember the heroine! But when he starts piecing his past together, he realizes that it’s so much uglier than he ever expected and he has to fight like hell to fix it and win back the love of this one girl who he can’t stop thinking about!!!

This was one of those stories that I just flew through without breaks! The more I read, the more questions I had!! And I couldn’t stop until I got to the very end!! It’s a romance duet (meaning a 2-book series) and the first book “Forgetting August” is already available, and the second book “Remembering Everly” will be out in March (I read an early copy).

First, I'll share the blurb from the first book because it was what made me want to read it:

She can forgive, but can she forget?

Some days, Everly still thinks she sees him. In the food court at the mall, or in a car speeding past as the light changes. It only lasts a second, but when it happens, she slips back to a time when she was ruled-and nearly ruined-by August Kincaid. And it doesn't matter that she's moved on, that she's about to marry another man. In those moments the only thing she can do to regain control is take a deep breath and remind herself that August can't hurt her-because he's in a coma. Except that he's not anymore.

August is awake. With no memories, he sets out to solve the mystery of his lost life. He unearths a photograph of a beautiful redhead named Everly and knows instinctively that she's the key. But when he finds her, the August she describes is more monster than man.

Tortured by the thought of having hurt her, August wants only to become the man Everly deserves. As the new August emerges, Everly glimpses the person she first fell in love with. But can she trust that thisAugust is real? When the final secret of their shared past is revealed, one of them will make a choice that changes their future forever...

Pretty intriguing, huh?

I was hooked from the first page of the Forgetting August. As you read, the story goes back and forth between August and Everly's hugely different perspectives as he awakens to a life he has absolutely no memories of and as she desperately tried to heal from the emotional ruin he'd left her in.

So many questions were running through my mind...
-- what put him in the coma in the first place?
-- what kind of man was he now?
-- would they get back together? should they even?
-- was it fair to Ryan that she consider going back to August?
-- would she be foolish to ever consider returning to a man who'd once put her through hell? or was there a chance he'd genuinely changed for the better?
-- was there more we didn't know about why he used to be the way he was?
-- was there even right or wrong answers? or were there just choices and consequences?

These types of questions were what kept me flying through the pages of these books. I really liked that even though Everly had clearly been through a lot, she was trying to be strong while still recognizing that she needed help and was regularly going to therapy. One way or the other, she was determined to never again allow herself to be claimed by any man. She belonged to no one other than herself.

No matter how much he loved me.
No matter how much I loved him in return.
I would never, ever belong to another man.
For as long as I lived.

I feel I should say that August never physically abused her in their past. It's not an excuse and things definitely got ugly, but you do get an explanation for how things deteriorated to that state. I'm only saying this because I know it can be a trigger for some readers so I wanted to put out that reassurance.

I have to say that I couldn't help but root for her and August to get back together. I think there are some people in life that you just have a connection to -- a connection so deep that nothing can erase it no matter what happens. In his purest form, without the influences that had changed him in his past life, August was actually a really wonderful guy.

That was what scared me most of all. That after everything, there was still a fraction of me somewhere deep down that missed him as much as the rest of me hated him.

A few of you are bound to be wondering about the love triangle aspect so I just wanted to say this without giving any spoilers -- as a reader, I'm not a fan of love triangles at all, but I was totally okay with both the situation in this book and the manner in which it was resolved. I don't want to say more because a huge part of the thrill is figuring things about along the way, but the titles of the books alone are big hints and you should just know that I was totally fine with everything given the specifics of this situation.

As you get closer to the end of the first book, the intensity builds and yes, you're left on a huuuuuuuge cliffhanger. Luckily, the next book does pick up right where the first one left off though. Thankfully, I had both books available to me at once because I deeeeeesperately needed to know what happened next.

At this point, beginning the second book, I'd began putting two and two together -- clearly things were not as they seemed and there was definitely a story behind the story so to speak... And in this book, the stakes were raised as the dangers of August's past collided with the present forcing him to make some heart-breaking decisions.

I think it's a sign of really good writing when you literally don't want to put the book down, and I read both of these books back-to-back in one fell swoop with barely time to breathe or blink.

“Do you every think of me — when I’m not around?” she asked softly…

Stepping in closer, so she could feel the breath of my words as they fell from my mouth, I whispered, “Every second, Everly. Every damn second.”

Overall, this was an addictive series that I really enjoyed! August and Everly's story had me madly turning pages as I desperately tried to find out how they'd ever be able to find their way back together.

In the interest of full honesty, I'm going to admit that the only reason I read these books right now was that I was in a unique position to have had both books available to me immediately. I had an early copy of the second book (it's currently available for pre-order, but not released) and the cliffhanger at the end of the first book is really huge. In reality, these two books are like two halves of the same story -- they complete each other. If you're a reader who doesn't like cliffhangers, my advice is to grab the first book but hang on to it until the second book goes live so that you can read them both together. Alternatively, if you're a reader who doesn't mind the thrilling suspense of a cliffhanger, then dive right in!

I loved how different this story was. I knew from the first time I read the blurb that this would be a series I'd want to read and now that I've finished it, I can say that I'm so glad I did!

“I don’t know how or why, but it’s only ever been you since the moment I woke up.”

_______________________________________

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[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Because life really didn't move on from a person such as August Kincaid.
No, you simply learned to adapt and above all, you survived.

When you read about a book a day, they all sort of begin to blend into each other. So when I stumble upon a book that's as unique as Forgetting August, it's a treat. This was unlike anything I've read in the past and I was immediately drawn into the story. It was just that good; the writing, the mystery, the angst, the romance, all of it wrapped together into one spellbinding unforgettable read.

Everly is happily engaged and planning a wedding to a wonderful man that loves her fiercely. But with one phone call and three little words, her carefully constructed world crumbles into chaos. He is awake.

August Kincaid awakes from a two year coma that no one expected him to wake up from with absolutely no recollection of who he is or who he was.

My former life was an endless tunnel of oblivion, where there was no beginning or end.

When a gorgeous redhead shows up at his hospital bed, he hopes that her clear knowledge of him may help him piece together the memories that he no longer has. But then only thing he sees in her eyes is pure unadulterated hate. Hate for the man that he once was, and hate for the man that clearly hurt this woman beyond repair.

August took everything from her once; her love and her heart, and then he shattered it. Everly wants nothing to do with the man, even if he doesn't remember who he is. She's happy in her life now, but his memory continues to haunt her and she just can't bring herself to look the other way. August is clearly struggling to put the pieces of his life back together, and if she can give him the missing puzzle pieces, she'll do that. But she will never give him a piece of her heart.

Maybe sometimes love isn't pure. Maybe sometimes it's toxic- so toxic it consumes a person until they would do anything to have it.
Like a drug.

The story is told entirely in the present with quick memory lapses into the past. It's not a past/present type thing. It's written in such a way that you feel like you're experiencing those flashes of memory right along Everly.

But the heart is a fickle thing. You can't help who you fall for and once upon a time August was her everything. Now in the midst of helping him regain his memory by taking him to places he loved and hoping to ignite at least a spark of something, the one thing is manages to do is re-ignite the flame in her heart for August that never quite burned out.

Could the heart remember what the mind couldn't?

Forgetting August is full of angst and emotion. It's wonderfully written that left me wondering how I haven't read anything by this author before. The mystery of the past and what ultimately led to August going into a coma is something that stretches for the entire book.

While I'm not usually one for love triangles, the one here simply worked for me. I think that had a lot to do with Everly and clearly seeing her struggle of moving on from her past and attempting to face her future. She loves her fiancé, but August was something else for her entirely.

Loving me destroyed you..."
"Loving you brought me back to life."

If I gave my heart over to a man who then turned into my worst nightmare...?
Who would be there to pick up the broken pieces?
No one, because there would be nothing left to find.

Forgetting August is sexy but without the need for super gratuitous sex scenes, if that makes sense. I absolutely loved this story and the characters. But most of all, I loved the mystery behind everything. I was just as desperate for those flashes of memory as August was. And when one of the biggest puzzle pieces get revealed, the author hits you with the mother of all cliffhangers that had me howling at the ceiling.

They say time heals all wounds. But can it forgive?

If you're looking for something different, this duet needs to be on your TBR. I usually avoid cliffhangers like a religion, but in the case here I'm glad I read it. Even as I die a little each day in my wait for the conclusion in Spring.

ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review

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[Allison ❤️Will Never Conquer Her TBR❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 "Second-chance-with-a-twist" Stars!





Forgetting August by JL Berg depicts a second chance love story in the event of tragedy and amnesia. August Kincaid wakes from a two-year coma to find nothing...no visitors, no family, no friends. Just the belongings that were on his body leaving him to put the pieces back together of his previous life. His power of attorney happens to be his live-in girlfriend but even she appeared to run for the hills in his 2-year slumber- leaving his attorney and an accountant to keep up his sprawling estate. How does someone obviously so rich and successful have nothing?


When Everly Adams gets the phone call she's been dreading the past two years, her peaceful life with fiancée Ryan comes to a screeching halt. "He's awake." Two words that cause her house of cards to come crashing down. August was the love of her life until money and greed turned him into a controlling, paranoid monster of a man. She escaped that prison of a mansion and now the hospital calls and wants her to visit him?


He was like a ghost- my own personal poltergeist.


Forgetting August is one of those trickle fed books that had me feverishly turning the pages to find out why August was attacked, what kind of man he was pre-mugging, and can this completely new man win back the love of his life- his Everly. Everly thought his whole "amnesia" story was one big ruse to get her back but she starts to see big changes in him- changes that show her the old August she fell in love with- not the newer August that chose money over love and happiness. Can she help him rebuild his last 31-years of life yet prevent the ugly side of that man from returning? And at what cost to her and her fiancée Ryan?





I enjoyed watching Everly teach August what life in San Fransisco was like when they first met. Taking him to all the touristy spots and basically reliving those early days. Having lived outside the San Fransisco area several years ago, I loved getting a tour of one of the best big cities in the U.S.- Fisherman's Wharf, cable cars, Ghiradelli chocolate, Haite Ashbury- Miss Berg knows her San Fran.


Everly and August can't help but feel the connection that was so strong before grow with time spent together. Revisiting their old hangouts was supposed to "provide closure" per their therapists yet it seems to be opening doors versus closing them...





Forgetting August had the potential to be uber angsty and I'm a bit disappointed it wasn't more so. I love the angsty push-and-pull of second-chance romances when clearly things ended on not-so-good terms. Can Everly trust that this new sweet, romantic August will stay--- or will old ghosts and memories creep into their new-found chance of love and happiness?


This book is not a standalone. It ends with a twist I didn't see coming and although it's not a complete cliffhanger, I'm feverishly anticipating the next installment in the Lost & Found series.




Advanced copy received by Forever Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Dali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking yet hopeful, dark and light, in spite of the angst it’s also full of love and sexiness. It’s a host of emotions exquisitely written in a memorably unorthodox romance.

Even though it’s been two years since the night August Kincaid slipped into a coma, Everly is still haunted by his ghost. Although she’s happily engaged to be married to another man, August is her constant shadow even in the dark recesses of the night causing her to flashback to when her life was solely controlled by him. So when August miraculously opens his eyes but has total amnesia, her simple life goes into an emotional tailspin.

“That was what scared me most of all. That after everything, there was still a fraction of me somewhere deep down that missed him as much as the rest of me hated him.”

Waking up to a void of memories and a handful of belongings that point to a sole person who isn’t there to support you is disconcerting enough. Finding out that the only person in the world you had a tie to loathes and fears you is utterly deplorable. But August has been given a second chance in life and he’s determined to be a man worthy of the woman his heart instantly recognizes even though his mind can’t remember.

“How could I forget a life with someone like her? It was as if I’d forgotten something as magnificent as the sun rising over the horizon.”

Against her fiancée and best friend’s advice, Everly stays close while August reinvents himself. As flashes of the doting man she originally fell in love with resurface, her feelings become more complex. Can she trust this new man? How will they deal when his past comes knocking back and the secret she’s kept from everyone finally comes to light?

“Do you every think of me — when I’m not around?” she asked softly…

Stepping in closer, so she could feel the breath of my words as they fell from my mouth, I whispered, “Every second, Everly. Every damn second.”

This is not the usual boy meets girl, they fall in love, encounter some bumps in the road and then live happily ever after story. This is a wonderfully unconventional contemporary romance that should be hailed just for that. However I can also add skillful storytelling, well developed characters and great writing.

This story had my rapt attention from start to finish, but perhaps unlike other stories where I read through them in a single breath, there were several times I had to pause my reading to absorb all the emotions and try to straighten out my thoughts. Nearing the end I also had to put the book down because I knew that if I kept reading it would end and I would have to say goodbye for now to these characters.

Told from both August and Everly’s points of view the huge gap between them it’s evident. Everly having all the good and ugly memories of them while August viscerally recognizes one truth, which is that the beautiful redhead is at the core of everything that matters in his life.

“I don’t know how or why, but it’s only ever been you since the moment I woke up.”

While August is struggling to piece his life back together we slowly get a picture of their past, small clues to some questions while also eliciting many others. For me they mostly had to do with the reasons behind August’s past unacceptable behavior, the fairness of having Ryan, Everly’s fiancée and an incredibly good man, be put in such a difficult position and most of all what happened to put August in a coma?

As characters go, I really admired Everly who having gone through a lot, is incredibly strong and resolute in being an independent woman while accepting that she needs help. And although August’s past actions where inexcusable (he never physically abused her, a question I had at the beginning of the book) at the root they came from a place of love and sense of protection towards Everly. The same place from which his new self is trying to be deserving of her.

“She’d branded me permanently. I may not have had specific memories of her when I awoke in that hospital room, but my soul and body had known her instantly.”

Even though I understand Ryan’s plight and adore him for genuinely loving Everly , and also knowing that there were dark times between Everly and August, I really want the later couple to find their happy. The love and bond between them is so strong it not only survived distance, time and complete amnesia, it’s almost its own entity with explosive chemistry. Without giving too much away I especially enjoyed the time Everly and August reconnected in the second part of this book.

"Move in with me. Please. Warm my bed, live in my arms, never leave."

Besides giving me a huge book hangover, this is also the kind of book that had me highlighting every other page with the love that border lined obsession and its mosaic of emotions. Remembering Everly, the next book in this duo can’t come fast enough for me.

Forgetting August is book #1 in the Lost and Found duology by J.L. Berg. It is told from both points of view and ends with a cliffhanger.

Amazon US -> http://amzn.to/1S2cjHH

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* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Inkslinger PR. The excerpts are from that copy. *

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[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 'I must be insane for liking this' Stars



So I can't really say much about this book without giving things away but the overall story is about August Kincaid who wakes up from a coma after two years. When he wakes up though he has no memory of his past and he sets out to find the man he used to be. His search leads him to Everly, but when he reaches out to her he finds out that there relationship did not end well and that she hates him. Not just hates him, but despises him and is afraid of him.

Everly wants to get August out of her mind and out of her life, but when she finds out that he doesn't remember what happened between them her views on their past start to change. She doesn't know if she should avoid him or help him and she definitely doesn't know what to do about her fiance who wants her to stay away from August.

Me while reading this:


I had so many questions when starting this book and then as I got into all I had were more questions and no answers. August's whole past was a blank and all Everly could remember were the bad parts of it. I knew there was so much more to August and what he had done and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time while reading.

I really liked the mystery of this story and trying to figure out all of the secrets that were swirling around. The emotions that were involved were crazy and all over the place. I'm still not even sure how I truly feel about August and Everly. Did I hate him for what he did, or feel bad since he couldn't even remember. As for Everly, did I admire her for dealing with such a past, or did I hate her for acting the way she did around him and for how she treated her fiance?

"Do you think it's possible to be in love with a woman you don't remember?"

I had some issues in the middle of the book when the story got a little slow and I started to get bored but other than that I couldn't stop reading. I hate that it ended on a cliffhanger and left me just waiting to find out what the hell is going on. I highly recommend this book for anyone that likes to kill their emotions and loves a good mystery.

ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Lana *Lifeinwordsandlyricscom* · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 62%

That's as much masochism as I can handle right now. I wanted to like the book, I even picked it out thinking that it was exactly what I needed after my latest trip to Exville. But noooooooo, it just made it worse.

And another thing, I'm in no way a proud member of grammar police, but my edition was ridiculously full of mistakes. It really threw me off. Everly didn't make it easy to like her either. The girl is nuts. Not cute and adorable nuts. Just nuts. I have mixed up feelings about August though. Past August is a damn psycho and present August I just feel sorry for. But not enough to continue reading.

Over and out

[1-Click Addict Support Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea where to begin with this incredibly emotional love story. The prologue captured my attention and refused to let it go, and what a ride it was. Emotionally, I felt drained and just wanted to scream my heart out because I could not believe this was it...I'm still trying to recuperate from this!!!

August Kincaid was fun, loving, sweet and carefree, yet over the years he changed to become manipulative and controlling… He was no longer the man Everly had fallen in love with, and she didn't understand why or what had happened.

August loved Everly with all his heart and he made her happy—that was all he cared about. But things started to change, and his want to take care and provide for her had him making decisions he thought were the best but, little did he know, were far from that.

The funny thing is that many of us try to make the best decisions possible when it comes to those we love, but fail to look in the mirror to see if those decisions are changing us for the better or worse. That is what happened to August with Everly! One thing led to another, and now that August has a "second" chance at making things right with Everly, she wants nothing to do with him. To be honest, I couldn't blame her—especially with the memories she keeps replaying in her mind.

I felt for August because he didn't remember a thing and all he wanted was to be the man Everly had fallen in love with years ago, and how I wished they could go back to that time. Their story had me hypnotized wishing, hoping and praying it would work out for them and I felt it was happening. But then, all hell breaks loose…

I will leave at that but one thing is for sure, this is not the end for them. It’s merely the beginning of their love story because no matter what life throws at you, true love ALWAYS prevails in the end!! ~ Kara, 5 Beautiful stars

~~~

August Kincaid wakes up after a two-year coma with no memory of his past. A past that includes Everly and the unforgivable hurt that he caused her. If only he could remember, he’d make amends, because this August wants to be a better man—he wants to be the man that Everly deserves. If only she’d let him.

Everly has tried to move on from her past with August. But she can’t forget nor can she reconcile the feelings she’s having for this “new” August. Feelings that she shouldn’t be having because he caused her so much pain and heartbreak in the past.

As they get to know each other again, Everly and August’s hearts are overruling their heads. But once the secret of their past is revealed, one of them needs to make a choice for their future—but is it the right one?

Wow. I really enjoyed the last half of this story—and the ending. Holy shit! But I did struggle a little to get into it—the back and forth decisions of Everly got a bit old, but once a decision was made, wow, I was all in!

The chemistry between Everly and August in undeniably hot. And I’m DYING to know what happens in Remembering Everly. ~ Missy, 4.5 stars

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has me at a loss of words. I have so many questions and I have no idea how I feel about this book or the characters. This book just completely messed with my mind. I was up most of last night not just finishing this book but trying to figure out how I felt about it. I really liked the plot. It was really interesting and different. August and Everly had such a weird relationship but I was so curious to see what would happen next.

There was a lot of unanswered questions which really bugged me and I wasn't really into the cliffhanger. It just left me feeling incomplete, like I didn't really finish the book.

If you're a fan of a good mystery and you want a book that may or may not destroy your life (maybe in a good way, maybe not), I definitely recommend Forgetting August by J.L. Berg. It's been a whole day since I finished this book and I still can't get it out of my head.

[Tanya (Girl Plus Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

The synopsis for Forgetting August was enough to make me pick this one up and for the most part it delivered what I wanted: some romance, some intrigue. I was already curious and full of questions from the start. What happened between August and Everly to make her go from loving him to hating him? What made August change? And why was he in a coma? Some answers I got, some I'm still waiting for.

Everly is engaged and planning her wedding (although not too enthusiastically, it seems) to kind, patient Paul when she gets the call she hoped she'd never receive: the man she once loved has awakened from a two year coma.

August wakes up with no memories of his former life. When Everly walks into his hospital room he has a visceral reaction but she is cold and obviously harboring deep-seated anger towards him. He just doesn't know why. After he is released from the hospital their paths continue to cross and he is certain Everly is the key to figuring out his life. But the more he learns, the more he realizes he doesn't want to be the man he once was. And Everly doesn't know what to make of the man who looks like the August she knew... but seems so different. Can she hate a man who doesn't even remember their past?

This was my first novel by J.L. Berg and I enjoyed the writing but I didn't connect to the characters as much as I would have liked. I feel like Everly's history with August was not explained well enough so I never truly understood the depth of her anger towards him. It always seemed out of proportion with what had been described. If I was going to feel Everly's anger and uncertainty I needed to have a better example of August as a villain. As it was, I was mostly sympathetic toward August and this strange new life he found himself in. Everly, in particular, was tough to get behind because the girl flip-flopped with her feelings so much that it was hard to keep up. (Love triangle alert!) It seriously got to the point where I was on Everly angst overload and wanted to tell her enough with the back and forth, I'm making the decision for you.

And then there's the cliffhanger. I wasn't too bothered by it since I'd been forewarned but I still seriously need some answers. I predict a lot more angst in the conclusion (coming in July) and I'm ready. As long as the angst comes with some answers!

Note: I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

This review was originally published at GIRL PLUS BOOKS.

[Lyndy Ann ♫ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Been reading this for THREE DAYS and I am only 39% in and starting to skim.

I cannot stand Everly she just ANNOYS me SO MUCH and I haven't got a clue how I feel about August.

I might try this again someday, give it a second chance.

I hate to DNF but there are too many books I want to read.

[The Hopeless Romantics Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: Surj 4.5 stars

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No!! No!! No!! That wasn't supposed to happen. "Forgetting August" was supposed to be a standalone with a HEA. That is what it was in my head anyway!!! There wasn't supposed to be the mother of all cliff hangers. My jaw wasn't supposed to drop. The rug was not supposed to be pulled from under me. My heart rate was not supposed to sky rocket to unhealthy levels!!!! I was not supposed to be left gob smacked, speechless, dumbstruck.... No... just No!!! It wasn't supposed to be that way. I feel like a child throwing a tantrum in a supermarket because... just because this was such a good book and I could feel that HEA within touching distance. I could smell it ... taste it. It was there calling out to me but then bam... poof ... it was gone within the blink of an eye. I couldn't have wished for a better story... I couldn't have wished for a more shocking ending. I absolutely loved August and Everly's story... it was absolutely brilliant.

Because life really didn't move on from a person such as August Kincaid. No, you simply learned to adapt and above all, you survived.

"Forgetting August" was a second chance romance but it wasn't as cut and dry as you would have thought. This couple had history.. some of it beautiful and heart warming, parts of it devastating and soul destroying and I couldn't wait to get to the bottom of it. The whole book was shrouded in so much mystery and suspense. When and why had it gone so wrong for the pair. What had turned such a touching, caring, loving man to become a paranoid, obsessive, controlling individual? The thing is, it wasn't so easy to figure out because August had been in a coma for two years and when he did wake, he had no recollection of his past... no recollection of Everly, no recollection of any of his wrong doings. I absolutely love how the author wrote this book because in real honestly, I should have hated August but instead I found myself drawn to him, liking him and eventually loving him. I flew his flag and willed for Everly to give him a chance and trust me, that's crazy when you find out the kind of man he had become all those years ago. The August from the present was such a stark contrast to the August pre coma but hey, I'm a sucker for a sob story... what can I say.

I would not let the echoes of my past pollute the possibilities of my future.

Everly's character really stole my heart. I could feel her internal struggle, the conflict she faced every single living, breathing moment of every single day. The choices she was facing were definitely not easy ones and she tried so desperately to do the right thing. The question was, who was it right for? She had moved on from the monster she had once known. She had built a new life. Created a new beginning and then within seconds, everything she'd build over those two years came crashing down around her. August was awake.

Life was finally moving forward and I finally had everything I'd been searching for. Until it slipped away, so fast I could do nothing but watch it crumble around me like sand.

This was such a gripping book and definitely not as straight forward as some second chance romances. There was no insta "let's get back together" (thank god). Instead, the process of the characters moving forward and rebuilding their lives was a slow one. August had to learn about himself from scratch and I loved some of those scenes... how did he like his coffee? Which flavour ice-cream did he prefer? What was his favourite movie?What did he do for a job? Yup, he really had to start right at the beginning. This new August was a man Everly didn't even recognise. Who was he? Could she trust him? Could a leopard really change his spots? could she risk it? I loved this journey of discovery the characters went on both as individuals but also together (but not together... which will make sense when you read the book.. lol). There were so many moments that had me excited. That had my heart doing all sorts of crazy but then of course there were those moments where things seemed to go south and my heart felt like it had a lead weight tied around it.

Maybe sometimes love isn't pure. Maybe sometimes it's toxic- so toxic it consumes a person until they will do anything to have it. Like a drug.

I loved "Finding August." The writing was brilliant and the story line completely unpredictable and unique. This is the first book by this author that I've read but of course it won't be my last. Roll on next summer. I need the next instalment.

I rated "Forgetting August" ❤️❤️❤️❤️.5

[Lacey (laceybooklovers) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

3.5 STARS

Could the heart remember what the mind couldn’t?

The second I read the blurb for Forgetting August, I knew I HAD to read it. It’s such a compelling, intriguing blurb, right!? I had so many questions going into Forgetting August, and while some of them are answered by the end, I’m still desperate to know the rest. I really enjoyed this book – while I didn’t quite love it like I wanted to, it’s a unique, intriguing read that I couldn’t put down. I had some problems with it, but overall, Forgetting August is suspenseful and gorgeously written, with a fascinating love story that I’m still not quite sure what to make of.

August Kincaid has woken up from a two-year coma with no recollection of who he is. He has no memories of his past… a past that Everly Adams can’t seem to escape from. She’s haunted by her memories of August – he was her first love, but over the years they were together, that love turned into something bitter and toxic. August went from sweet and loving to controlling and manipulative – and his coma was the one thing that gave Everly the freedom to get away from his emotional abuse.

Now, Everly is in love with and engaged to a kind-hearted man who is the total opposite of everything August was at the end of his and Everly’s relationship. But when she finds out that August is awake, her life is once again thrown into emotional turmoil. Can she reconcile the post-coma August who wants to make amends for the person he doesn’t remember being, with the past-August who very nearly ruined her life? And can she forgive a man who doesn’t remember what he did to her?

How my former self had neglected such a precious treasure, I’d never understand. But now that I had a second chance, I’d give everything to right my wrongs.
Even if I didn’t remember them.

I really felt for August and Everly. August is confused and utterly lost after he wakes from his coma, but the one thing he knows is that Everly was – and is – important to him. With Everly’s reluctant help, he navigates through his past, trying to piece together his missing past, and as they spend more time together, the love between them that never disappeared grows once again.

Love should be simple.
Life may be difficult, but loving someone…whether it’s right or wrong, that should be the easy part.
And loving August had always been as easy as breathing.

I was in as much emotional turmoil as Everly was as I read this book. Should Everly trust in August again, only for him to turn back into the controlling man she hated? Would she be able to survive it if he did? What would happen between her and her fiancé, Ryan? I completely understood Everly’s dilemma with August, but her back-and-forth with the two men got a little repetitive and I felt pretty bad for Ryan. I wouldn’t really consider this book one with a love triangle, since it’s pretty clear who Everly is meant to be with, so for those of you who don’t like love triangles, I’d still recommend this book.

I would’ve given Forgetting August 4 stars but… I guess it was a little less dramatic and angsty than I’d hoped. Other than the ‘OMG what’s going to happen next’ suspenseful feeling I had throughout the book, I didn’t really feel anything else. I liked Everly and August and sympathized with them, I didn’t really feel an emotional connection with them. Still, Forgetting August is an entertaining book with plenty of twists and turns that keep you hooked and wanting more. The writing is absolutely amazing – this is the first book I’ve read from J.L. Berg and I really need to read more! Right now, I’m so excited for the sequel, Remembering Everly, especially after that cliffhanger in Forgetting August. I desperately need all my questions answered and I NEED to know what happens with Everly, August, and Ryan!

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/1kL9QnI
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/1RMEV5m

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[Elaine]

Update: So, I thought one day I could read this (even if the H cheated on the h before he had amnesia), but fuck no I'm reading a sequel with him having sex with o/w while "fighting" for the h.


Before reading reviews:
Not reading this book yet because I know I will be in tears within a minute.



I mean I love J.L. Berg and her books like the Ready series and The Walls Duet series, but fuck, whenever I read her books I feel the need of reading the next ones right away.

So yeah, I will just wait for Remembering Everly because I'm just not ready for cliffhangers.

[Megan • Reading Books Like a Boss (book blog) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I chose to read completely based on the amnesia storyline. I've read a couple of books with a similar element and what I really liked in those books was seeing the couple fall in twice. In Forgetting August, I felt no chemistry or connection between the hero and heroine, which made it impossible for me to root for them.

This book is part mystery and part love story. What I liked was the book's concept. What would you do if the man you fell in love with becomes obsessed with his job, turns cold, mistreats you and then ends up on a coma? What if he wakes up two years later with no memory after you've moved on with someone else? The premise definitely drew me in.

Every and August were engaged prior to the "incident" (we don't really find out what happened until the end). Now Every is engaged to someone else but still feels a magnetic pull towards August, despite the fact that he mistreated her. It's almost like Everly's heart is betraying her brain that's telling her to run. Just a note, the mistreatment is nothing physical or anything like that.

Instead of getting wrapped up in the Everly and August's journey of sorting through their feelings, I felt rather apathetic towards them. I didn't care whether they ended up together because I felt no chemistry between them.

The story is told almost exclusively in the present, so the reader doesn't get to see August and Everly together in the past as a happy, healthy, and functioning couple. Instead, the reader's opinion of August is tainted from the beginning based on what Everly reveals through her internal monologue.  In order to root for them as a couple, we're left to see how they function in the present time, which as I mentioned lacked development. The little flashbacks scenes did nothing to solve this issue for me. Had the author given a more complete backstory, perhaps I would have felt more of a connection towards them and their relationship.

Some of the plot points in the last half of the book just didn't jive with me. Putting aside my issues with the lack of relationship development, the reader is supposed to believe that Everly's fiancé would calmly let her walk out and go back to August. What's more, he says he will wait for her—knowing full well she's already slept with him. Later on, when things with August inevitably go south Ryan takes Everly back no questions asked and says, "I knew you'd be back." I didn't find this believable or logical in the slightest. There was no discussion or hesitation or anything. He took her back and went back to dating each other. Sure, love can make you do illogical things, but it just seemed too convenient.

The last scene between Everly and August felt like it was ripped out of a daytime soap opera. I enjoy good drama but this was way over-the-top and overwritten. The ending of the book will definitely leave you scrambling for the next book. You're in luck because the next book releases very soon.

* I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


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[☮ mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fist things first: I REALLY hate love triangles ...



I think it's an immature way of telling a story about LOVE and it definitely cheapen the characters' feelings for each other ...

When you find yourself rooting for the hero / villain and wishing the moronic heroine meets her maker; it's probable the author has trouble with the process of characterization !

This book opens with the heroine getting laid with a guy who is now her "fiancé" because she abandoned the "hero" who is inconveniently in a coma ... What a great start to an emotional romance ?

I think not, to add insult to injury the book is only PART 1 of the story and ends with a MAJOR cliffhanger (authors unable to write complete stories are a common trend I guess.)



I mean why should we have a well-drawn, heart-warming and challenging romance when it's fashionable to spend twice the price for half a book ? The second part will not be released before March 2016 ( insert a good LOL )

thanks but no thanks should do as a review ...


cheers

[Carlene Inspired · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot wait until March for the book, I just can't!

Everly has done all she can in the last two years to forget August, to forget the terror, the confinement, and even the love. With her wedding planning to Ryan going full swing, the last thing Everly expected when she answered the phone was to find out he was awake. Two years, August is awake after two years in a coma, but he remembers nothing, his previous past is just the few items he had with him at the hospital. There's a photo, of a beautiful red-head, and he knows she holds the key to his past. After finding out the monster of a man he used to be, he knows he has to do everything in his power to be a new August, deserving of Everly's love. Everly doesn't know how to feel about August being away, part of her screams to stay hiding away in her happy life with Ryan, the other half wants to see who this new August could be. Having his life back may come at a price however and once the secrets come out, one of them has to make a choice about a future.

I just want to wrap Everly and August up in a bubble and not let the real world get near them. Their romance and chemistry is so strong, but the past is so darn haunting. I loved the characters of August and Everly, J.L. Berg did an excellent job of writing compelling characters with pasts that continue to effect their daily life. I love when a writer uses the past to make a character this way. They were so complex, with several layers defining who they were. I didn't expect to find myself rooting for them, especially with how amazing Ryan seemed to be as a man for Everly, I just was drawn to the second chance at romance with August. It was incredibly interesting to read the who he used to be, who he became, and how he was trying to find a new him without memories. It was a really unique take on the amnesia story line and once I started getting glimpses at the past, I was so intrigued.

The minor characters are just as complex as the main characters, I was really impressed with how much detail Berg gave about the friends, the coworkers, and those passing through day to day. It gave a lot of depth to the book and allowed me to envision each scene. The setting of San Francisco was perfect to, as a California native it was really easy to imagine the characters in the different areas of town. J.L. Berg has a beautiful art to her descriptions, something I appreciate, especially when I can physically see the dresses as Everly tries them on and see the curling, long hair on August when he awakes. There are some really well-written interactions between characters as well, from witty banter to really-hot smut scenes.

While this book does end in a cliffhanger, it doesn't make me want to run away and not finish the series, if anything, I want book two right now. There are a lot of questions presented through the first half of Forgetting August, several answered in the second half, and more questions presented right at the end as well. We don't know how our characters are right now, it's like being stuck on a roller coaster at the top waiting for it to go down. There is a lot of suspense to this book, far more than I expected. While we end with a huge reveal (I MEAN FREAKING HUGE), there are a lot of things that leave you questioning everything. On top of that, there are a lot of answers that could have a lot more detail, something I think we'll see in book two. It's definitely a dual POV book that both gives and takes from the readers.

I can tell you this, I had no clue what was coming and I still don't. I definitely adored the characters, the writing, and I am looking forward to book two. I really suggest this for all my New Adult readers; it's not cliche, it definitely bends the mold we've grown used to, and will totally take your attention away from anything else.

[Siobhan Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disturbing. Addictive. Mysterious and loaded with intrigue. Emotionally-charged. These are just some of my thoughts after reading this unforgettable book. Forgetting August sucked me in and refused to let go - not until I had read it from cover to cover in one go.

I had to take a few days after reading this to properly gather my thoughts into some type of sensical order. Seriously, I was blown away after reading it. This was a dark, sometimes hopeful story of addictive love which explored that fine line between love and hate, obsession, and authenticity.

Character and plot development were strong and artfully woven with subtle foreshadowing and plenty of little teasers. The writing was exemplary and the execution was flawless. I will most definitely be checking out more of this author's work.

Now, I'm not sure what it says about me, but I was totally rooting for August and Everly to get back together. I had a feeling that his previous actions - though morally reprehensible - had been done out of love and a fearful need to protect her. I imagine we are going to find out exactly what was driving his behavior in the next book. I have some unanswered questions like:

Who is Sarah's mystery BF?
What's the story with Trent?
Why wasn't August more curious over what happened that fateful night?

I guessed the twist quite early on, but it was still a fab revelation. The only thing I didn't like was how quickly it fell apart at the end and how neither of them questioned the other or their actions. I wanted to see more of a fight for their love.

I loved the chemistry between August and Everly and I totally bought into it. The period at the end of the book where they were in his house was a joy to read and it brought some balance to counter the darker stuff.

For me, this book was quite thought-provoking. I couldn't help thinking what it would be like to be in August's position. What would you do if you remembered nothing or no one from your life? What if you had a do-over, a second chance to be someone else? Who would you be? I was thinking this kind of stuff all day after reading it. I always think it's the sign of a great book where it stays with you for days, and even weeks, after you read it. This is that book for me.

The biggest issue I have now is where can I get my hands on the next book?!! I need it like I need air to breathe.

Some favorite quotes from the review copy I received:

"Move in with me. Please. Warm my bed, live in my arms, never leave."

"Everyone's life is complicated and confusing, Everly. It's what keeps us breathing and not falling over dead of boredom. It's the chaos that makes life worth it. Don't deny what you're feeling because it's not simple or easy. Deny something because it doesn't feel right, not because it's complicated."

"Loving someone was easy. Life was the chaotic mess in between."

Thanks to Inkslinger PR and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This review will be posted to my blog in due course: http://myyanabookobsession.com

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, how I wanted to love this book. I thought that the blurb sounded like an amazing idea for a book and I couldn't wait to dive into the story. Quite a few friends on Goodreads really enjoyed this one and I was excited to enjoy the ride. But that ride never really came for me.

I think that my first problem with the book was the characters. Or character, actually. My issue was with Everly. I understood the confusion and anger that consumed her life. I didn't really get how she could be so very angry and then the next second, totally forgiving. This anger had consumed her life for more than two years. That's a long time to just be able to smile and laugh with the man who perpetuated that anger. The author made it very clear that Everly was conflicted, which is understandable. It just seemed too easy for her to gloss over that sometimes. It made Everly not seem consistent.

But maybe that is what made the story amazing for some people ... that deep-rooted conflict within Everly ... the fight between good and evil and never really having a sure footing on either side. That back and forth was just a little much for me after a certain point. There is only so much that a person can take with the 'I love you/I don't love you' back and forth. It seemed almost cruel, what Everly was doing to the two men in her life. I grew tired of reading about her flip-flopping. I just wanted her to make a decision.

I can't think of another word or phrase for how the book as a whole made me feel except one phrase that sounds super shitty and condescending ... long winded. There were just a lot of parts that were dragged out and I think that it was at a disservice to the plot when it happened throughout the entire book. I found myself just skimming paragraphs because I just wanted to know what was going to happen next. After the first half of the book, I grew tired of reading what each character was thinking and feeling. Just spit it out and move on, people! When the suspense should have been at an all-time high within the plot, the story grew so lethargic that it just completely negates any suspenseful scene that you may be immersed in.

I wanted to love this one. Unfortunately, we just didn't mesh. I think that I may pass on this author in the future. If the story was slimmed down a bit and the weird love triangle was not quite as intense, it may have been a good fit with me. Others have enjoyed Forgetting August, so don't take my word for it. Give it a shot and let me know what you think!

* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *

Check out more of my reviews at Little Miss Bookmark!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind.Blown. 4.5 Stars!

This book. O.M.G. I thought that I pretty much had my review written in my head and mind made up about the rating and then BOOM! The last 5 pages pretty much slayed me. This book usually ticks off two boxes of what I don’t like about some books. Major cliffhanger? Check. Huge love triangle? Check. Did I end up LOVING both of those things about this book? Hell yes! Forgetting August totally messed with mind and I enjoyed every single moment of it. It was angsty and frustrating. And even had me rolling my eyes at some points, but it was all worth it. I’m seriously jonesing for the next book like a crack fiend. I need to know what happens next! Right now!

Forgetting August is a second chance romance with a major twist and is full of mystery and tons of angst. When we first meet August he is just waking up from being in a coma for the past two plus years and he has no memory of who he is and what his life is all about. He suffered a traumatic brain injury during a mugging and now has amnesia. While recovering in the hospital he comes across a picture in a box of his belongings of his ex- fiance.

Everly has started her life over after August’s accident and is actually engaged to another man, Ryan. She has healed and moved on, only to be pulled back into her dark past with one single phone call. Her bastard of an ex-fiance is awake and asking for her. She eventually gets up the courage to go and see him in the hospital and tells him what a horrible SOB he was to her. I was actually reminded a bit of one of my favorite Julia Roberts movies, Sleeping With Enemy; battered wife who has to make her escape and start her life over. August was horribly possessive, controlling, domineering alpha male and not in the typical way that so many of us swoon over in romance books. August’s world before going into a coma was all about wealth, material possessions, and impressing the rich and famous.

Now that August is awake, it seems like Everly is juggling both of the men in her life. While she wants to be with her current beau Ryan, she still seems to run to August at the drop of a hat. He is still ruling her past, present, and future.

If you’re a lover of contemporary romance, read this book. If you’re a lover of mysteries, read this book. If you’re a lover of twists and turns, read this book. Just go out and read this book. And then feel free to come back and tell me your thoughts and frustrations. Book 2, Remembering Everly is now high on my list of most anticipated reads of 2016.

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[Three Chicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Review by Jen Hagen

“You are mine, Everly,” he whispered. “Mine and mine alone. I own every part of you, every inch of your body…every breath of your lungs. You. Belong. To. Me.”

I’m all for the alpha male talking dirty, but this is just a little too possessive for my liking. August was a control freak – he would lock Everly in their bedroom! August wasn’t always this way. When Everly and August first met it was a sweet romance, but after time August’s wealth changed him and he became obsessed with money along with keeping Everly to himself. The one night changes it all. Augusut is no longer able to control Everly because an accident leaves him in a coma. It is now 2 years later and August is still in the coma and Everly has moved on.

Everly is engaged to Ryan. Ryan is a sweet geek. He isn’t alpha like August but he loves Everly in a much healthier way than August did. Ryan does not control Everly and makes no attempt to; in fact he is the complete opposite giving her space when she needs to sort things out. Ryan knows how Everly operates and he never once tries to change her. He knows that when she is forced with a decision she runs away from it, only to face it head on later once she has come to it on her terms.

But everything changes when August wakes up. August doesn’t remember anything from his past. I actually found myself feeling sorry for him. He is not the man he once was because he can’t remember who that was. This August is a new version and I like him. Turns out I’m not the only one allowing the man who was once a monster to weasel his way into my heart. Everly is finding herself once again drawn into August.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forget the past.”
“You shouldn’t,” I urged. “Never forget the man I became, Everly. I don’t ever want to become him again.”

Did you miss the part where I said Everly was engaged? How is this going to turn out?

He was sweet, gentle, and patient, and soon I began to see a new path – one that was so easy to imagine. Loving Ryan had been simple and safe. And perhaps that was the root of the problem. Maybe love wasn’t supposed to be safe.

It did bother me how quickly Everly was engulfed once again by August’s aura. She knew how toxic he was capable of being, but I suppose just like me she fell for his helplessness. The poor guy couldn’t even remember how to open a bottle of wine! Wouldn’t you feel sorry for him, too? But what happens when the past comes literally knocking on the door? Find out in book 2!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

* A review copy was provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review *

It truly pains me to rate this book at a 3 stars, but I just couldn't connect to it or the characters liked I had hoped I would.

I loved the premise of the book. The storyline was intriguing and captivating, but it had one element that I really don't like in my books....Love Triangle. To me this was the perfect story to explain why love triangles frustrate me so much. Most of that has to do with heroine Everly. Whenever I read a triangle it almost always seems like the heroine turns into this wishy washy person who can't make up her mind. That describes Everly to a T. This one really didn't work for me because for most of the story Everly has so much hate and anger towards August, that I didn't like that she didn't stick with that. She found a great match with Ryan, but as soon as August wakes up she then is all mixed up. I don't know, I guess it just made it hard for me to believe the connection between August and Everly.

As always the writing was flawless and JL Berg has this amazing way of telling a story. This story was told in Dual POV and in Everly's chapters we find out slowly what happened between August and Everly in the past. What Everly went through in the past with August was horrible....this story just proves that abuse comes in all kinds of forms. It doesn't always have to include physical abuse, there is emotional and verbal abuse as well. I will warn you that this story does end with a CLIFFHANGER and too many it will be a brutal one. I didn't find it that bad, but I think it was because I wasn't fully invested in the story by that point. It does make me curious as to what will happen in the next book and how things will work out for Everly and August. At this point I find it hard to believe that there is a HEA for Everly and August in the future.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something different than what is already out there. Like I said the storyline was great and I was really interested in finding out what would happen. Just because this wasn't a 5 star for me doesn't mean others won't love it. I believe I am already in the minority on this one. This book really is for someone who doesn't mind triangles or cliffhangers in their books.


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[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been on such a romance kick lately (I mean, when am I not?), especially damaged romances. When I read the synopsis for this one, I couldn't wait to see if this one was going to give me the emotional roller coaster ride I was looking for.

Everly sees him everywhere, but she knows it's impossible he would be anywhere near her. That part of her life is over and she is engaged to an amazing man who truly cares about her. But one phone call changes everything. August is awake. Everly never wants to think about him again, but when she discovers that August has no memory of his past, specifically of the man he had become near the end of their relationship, Everly finds herself drawn back into August's life. Is he really a changed man, though, or did the old August never really leave?

Wow, this book. When it first started off, I was so into it. I mean, from what we learned from Everly, August was a horrible man near the end of their relationship and it was for the better that she got out of the relationship. When we got to see August post-coma with no memory of who he was, it was heartbreaking watching him love Everly without even knowing her and not understanding the horrible person he used to be. I was so torn between wanting Everly to give August a second chance and for Everly to stay far away to punish August for the man he used to be. So heartbreaking!

While the beginning and middle were awesome, I was not a fan of how wishy-washy Everly was. She literally changed her mind about who she wanted to be with at least three times, and every time she changed her mind, the man had his arms wide open for her. Ugh. I got so tired of her decisions by the end! And that ending did not make me happy. At all. But I still want to read the next book just to see what happens next!

In the end, this book had some serious emotions but made me pretty frustrated by the end. Either way, I still enjoyed Everly's struggle over whether or not she could give her heart to August again. Even as the reader, I had no idea what I wanted her to do! If you want a book that pulls you in and makes you conflicted over what you want for the characters, you should pick up Forgetting August.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing heart bumping read with twists and turns that leave you speachless.

My body was his.It was made for him.I would always belong to August.

Everly was a woman trying to move on from her past from a monster of a man who had controlled her, possessed her, enslaved her in the comfort of her own home and now she was free, loving someone else with a wedding on the horizon. Could Everly move on from her past from August?

Maybe sometimes love isn't pure. Maybe sometimes it's toxic so toxic it consumes a person until they would do anything to have it.
like a drug.

August was in a deep coma and no one knew if he would ever wake up, Everly had moved on, no more a caged bird she was free trying to have no more thoughts of August battling to forget until the day she received a call that August was awake.

No memory of the person he was August had to learn again, who was he, no one visited him in two years while being in a coma, what sort of a man was he, just simple things were a mystery to him, did he like white coffee, black coffee? so many questions and only one person could answer them and that was the beautiful red haired girl in his pictures.

Could the heart remember what the mind couldn't

This book was such an emotional roller coaster journey that one minute has you feeling the angst coming from the pages, to swooning, to hoping, to then gasping at the shock of another twist and all the while it has you trying to piece the clues and puzzles together as you follow the plot.

We were like two halves of a puzzle interlocking seemlessly, she was my other half, I just had to convince her of that.

It was bittersweet journey and brilliant.

A cliffhanger ending that has you screaming Noooo!

"Think it's time for the bird to fly Everly"


Absolutely brilliant read.
Arc gratefully received for honest review Bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookboyfriends
FB & Goodreads group

[Bookphenomena (Micky) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this book called me in: the blurb, the cover. This was truly a book that didn't disappoint but it also took me in unexpected directions so that I didn't quite know what to expect next. When I had to put the book down, I thought about it, where it was going to go, what was going to happen.

August and Everly were once a very much in love couple. Years later August awakes from a coma and he has no one. Everly has a new life with another man and there is not one thing about the past she wishes to remember. All she feels towards August is anger. Remembering is everything to August because prior to waking up, everything is a blank.

"Life may be difficult, but loving someone........whether it's right or wrong, that should be the easy part."

The premise for this book was such a fantastic idea and the execution was memorable. The writing was seamless and I lost myself in the pages, living the intruigue, the mystery and love. These two characters both attract you but there's also something that niggles about them that you can't put your finger on. The last 15% of this book crushed me, shocked me and had me yearning for the next book. I am utterly impressed by JL Berg, especially considering this is my first book by her. It is added to my favourites of 2015 and I'm off to find her other books.

The publisher provided a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

[Christine Alibutud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets.

Secrets have a way of digging their way into your soul, into your mind until all you can think about is that one simple thing you omitted from a conversation or the tiny white lie you told to keep the peace.

Secrets.

Everyone has them.

Mothers, husbands, priests, even. We all walked around carrying them on our shoulders like lead weights, smiling and going about our lives as if nothing was amiss.

Yet on the inside—we were screaming.

All I just want to say is this:

AHHH! Just please give me the next book RIGHT. NOW.


I need to know what happens next! Like immensely.

For now, excuse me while I impatiently wait.


4 stars!

"Maybe sometimes love isn’t pure. Maybe sometimes it’s toxic—so toxic it consumes a person until they would do anything to have it.

Like a drug."

[Anne OK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew I would hate myself for not heeding the warning about the whopper cliffhanger that was awaiting me at the end of this book. I knew I should have waited closer to release date of the second book, Finding Everly, before starting this continuing saga. Waiting until the next installment is going to be excruciatingly painful and it’s my own fault. Because I was warned and I just couldn’t wait. Too much temptation and curiosity after reading reviews and the blurb. Plus I'm a fan of this author's writing. I loved every minute spent trapped in August and Everly’s web of mystery, deceit and desire. It was gripping and well-written with hooks and twists at every turn.

I’m not going to say anything further on this one. It’s better going in blind and experiencing each and every emotional minute without a hint of what you’ll find.

Looking forward to the cliffy rescue coming in July, 2016!

[♛ Garima ♛ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting read, quite page turner, full reviews to come :)

Full review

Solid 3.5/5

Before writing the review – let me grab a cup of coffee –



That’s strange start of the review isn’t it? Wait till you read this book….

At some point, I though Everly loved coffee more than anyone either August or Ryan. Girl stop talking about coffee all the time, we get it, you like it, no you love it, but please move on with the story,



I was like here is your coffee, now please move on….



Okay rant over but writer should grasp the concept of not repeating same thing over and over – it loses its charm you know.

I want to do this review with bit of real life example – or I thought of the same when I was reading this.

I had very bad day –

I was bit under the weather, had argument with my husband in morning and crappy day at office, so when my 3 year old started playing with food and dropped it on floor, I completely lost it and yelled at him.

Of course, he started crying immediately and my husband started pacifying him. But no matter what my husband tried, my boy didn’t quit crying and didn’t stop giving me pointed looks.



Finally I gave in but I was not ready to apologize for my yelling. Its parenting 101 - never take back what you said to your kids, it is against your integrity and kids can smell guilt like anything.

So, I smiled at him and said ‘I have new bottle of juice for you in my bag’. He stopped crying at once and smiled at me (showing all teeth) and repeated ‘Juice?’

It was the most beautiful site I've ever seen, he has tears all over his face and he was smiling. I wiped his nose and tears and as promised, I gave him small bottle of juice which he started drinking happily.

After a while, my husband asked me “Does he seriously like the juice that much or was that you?”

I smiled “It was definitely me. Because I yelled at him, he wanted ME to acknowledge it. Only the person who inflicts the pain has power to take it back.”



It is same with everyone. Think about anyone who has ever hurt you. No matter what others tell you, it won’t be that same if same person came and apologies to you or at least talk to you.

When someone hurts you, small part of you is broken and no matter how others try to fix it, that part is never fully healed. It is us, it is human nature. If you are going to say otherwise, I won’t believe you because we both know, it’s not true.

Same goes for Everly, no matter how much August hurt her, Ryan never would be able to heal it. In the entire novel, it is the theme. She will never be same again.

She got another opportunity when August suffered with amnesia but can she really forgive him?



These are complex emotions – love, forgiveness…and they don't come easily, not for 2nd time.

I really feel for Ryan though, it seems like unknowingly, Everly is creating another damaged soul, just like her.

This story is different because generally what happens is that, you have Hero/Heroine – predicated love triangle, and then some random difficultly, both MCs face it and head to their HEA but here story starts with HEA and then grow towards unhappiness….sneaky



And as always, I am irritated because the story is not over and have to read sequel to see HEA for everyone. *Sigh*
and also irritated because the story deserves 3.5 star but GR doesn't allow me to do that. *Sigh* *Sigh*

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 I need the next book now, stars!!

“Secrets. Secrets have a way of digging their way into your soul, into your mind until all you can think about is that one simple thing you omitted from a conversation or the tiny white lie you told to keep the peace. Secrets. Everyone had them.”

I am freaking out right now! That ending! What a great read! Forgetting August is the first book that I’ve read by J.L. Berg and I have to say, I can not wait to read more from this author!

Forgetting August had me hooked from the moment I read the prologue. I had to know more. I was intrigued by Everly and how she kept seeing the ghost of her ex everywhere; only to be further intrigued when I discovered that her ex has been in a coma for the last 2 years. I had so many questions: What happened? Why did Everly move on? Who exactly is August? My questions were soon answered as a miracle happened; August woke up from his coma. Only August has amnesia and has no recollection of the life he used to live. Everly is the key that August needs to unlock the mystery of his past, only August wasn’t prepared for the answers that he was about to get. As time goes on, a new August emerges, leaving Everly more confused than ever. Can she forget the man she knew in the past and learn to love the man that he is now? Has too much damage been done? When the pieces of August’s old life start to click together, what will happen when that last mystery clicks into place???

Talk about a crazy ride! This book took me on one heck of an emotional roller-coaster. My emotions are still all over the place. This story frustrated me, confused me, and intrigued me. It made laugh and feel sad and had my poor heart tugging in so many directions. I will warn you that there is a bit of a love triangle. Like I said, my heart was pulled in two different directions. On one hand, I wanted Everly to be with Ryan because he loves her, cares about her and totally supports her. On the other hand, I want her to forgive August for the past, because he’s no longer that man. The two of them obviously still care for one another and are not ready to move on; feelings are definitely unresolved. But, man, some hurt is hard to get past. At the end of the day, I don’t know who was the best choice and I’m so glad it wasn’t my decision to make, lol!!

Overall, I thought this was a really great read. This book was well-written and paced perfectly. I loved the romance, mystery, intrigue and all the secrets. My only complaint is that the story is over and I don’t have book 2 in my hands. Yes, there is a book 2, so that means that this story does end with a cliffy and man is it ever a good one! I am dying to get my hands on the next book. I’ve got to see how things will play out. I still have a lot of questions and am dying to know which August, August will choose to be. Fabulous read! I definitely recommend it.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

That prologue. It grabbed me. Consumed me. I know I would be completely invested in this story the moment I started.


“Do you think it’s possible to be in love with a woman you don’t remember?”


August Kincaid wakes up in a hospital and has no idea how he got there. He has totally lost his memory. Forced to discover himself after two years of being in a coma, the only thing his heart remembers is the woman he found a picture of in his wallet, Everly Adams. When he comes face to face with his past, she is angry. And August wishes he could remember what he did to destroy this woman’s heart. He’s not sure why, but he wants to do everything in his power to fix it.


“Why would the same heart who loved a man so fiercely keep me from him at the same time?”


Everly realizes that August truly doesn’t remember anything. His life before is a mystery. Including their relationship. But that doesn’t dull the pain caused by August’s actions. Someone can’t forget that kind of pain. But can she forgive? Everly faces an inner battle. In the two years in a coma, she has accepted the loss of him and moved on. But as time goes on her heart is remembering the person he was that made her fall. That perhaps, August lost himself a few years ago, and this is his true self. But how can she put herself out there again? She quickly learns that sometimes the greatest loves are worth the risk.


“Do you ever think of me- when I’m not around?”
“Every second, Everly. Every damn second.”


Although August cannot remember his love for Everly, you can easily FEEL it. It’s overwhelming. His mind doesn’t remember, but his heart beats for her. Fiercely. His connection to her is profound. While he doesn’t remember her, his spirit does. And so does his soul. While Everly does things to help August remember, not necessarily them, but himself, you understand how these two came to be. How they fell in love. And how truly resilient the human heart is when it comes to love.


“Loving me destroyed you.”
“Loving you brought me back to life.”

Forgetting August was such a heartfelt and passionate read. August and Everly are two lost people that are left to deal with an unfortunate after math. There are uncertainties and confusion when it comes to their relationship. But one thing you never doubted was their love. Despite the circumstances, their souls were always tethered and this was reflected in the beautiful writing of this book. The ending was such a twist. And I cannot say I saw it coming. But nothing is as it seems. I am so excited for what’s to come for the rest of their story.