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Forget Me Not
Five years ago, Helen lost her husband. Now she may lose her life.
Five years ago, Helen’s husband Paul went missing while skiing in the Swiss Alps. His body was never found, but he is presumed dead because no-one could have survived a night on that freezing mountainside.
It took Helen a long time to get over her loss, but now she has pulled her life back together – she is an acclaimed interior designer in a loving relationship with a new man.
Even better, Helen has just been offered her dream project, renovating a luxurious chalet in an idyllic location. There’s only one catch – it’s right next to the resort where Paul went missing.
She decides to take the job anyway, convincing herself that a visit to the scene of her great tragedy will actually be good for her, that it will give her a chance to lay old demons to rest.
But soon after she arrives, she makes an utterly shocking discovery and finds herself caught up in a nightmarish web of treachery and deceit where nothing is as it seems.
Only one thing is certain – the mountains want to claim another body…
Five years ago, Helen’s husband Paul went missing while skiing in the Swiss Alps. His body was never found, but he is presumed dead because no-one could have survived a night on that freezing mountainside.
It took Helen a long time to get over her loss, but now she has pulled her life back together – she is an acclaimed interior designer in a loving relationship with a new man.
Even better, Helen has just been offered her dream project, renovating a luxurious chalet in an idyllic location. There’s only one catch – it’s right next to the resort where Paul went missing.
She decides to take the job anyway, convincing herself that a visit to the scene of her great tragedy will actually be good for her, that it will give her a chance to lay old demons to rest.
But soon after she arrives, she makes an utterly shocking discovery and finds herself caught up in a nightmarish web of treachery and deceit where nothing is as it seems.
Only one thing is certain – the mountains want to claim another body…
262 pages, ebook
Published October 26, 2022
79 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Miranda Rijks
41 books921 followersMiranda Rijks is the author of 26 psychological thrillers, many of which have been Amazon bestsellers. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband and black Labrador.
Her fast-paced, twisty thrillers are inspired by scary things that have happened to her or places she has visited.
Miranda turned to writing after recovering from Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. She's so grateful that she's now a full-time author and living the dream!
Visit www.mirandarijks.com to get her FREE novella, The Cheat, and the chance to name characters in her books.
Her fast-paced, twisty thrillers are inspired by scary things that have happened to her or places she has visited.
Miranda turned to writing after recovering from Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. She's so grateful that she's now a full-time author and living the dream!
Visit www.mirandarijks.com to get her FREE novella, The Cheat, and the chance to name characters in her books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
October 17, 2022
My thanks to Inkubator books, Miranda Rjiks and Netgalley.
This book just wasn't good enough.
I loved the setting. Seeing the Swiss Alps would be a dream come true!
Luckily that setting was almost a character into itself!
The actual story was pretty good, but it was so predictable that I found myself rolling my eyes. "Heave chest and heavy sigh.."
Also, Helen and her penchant for commenting on how well everyone spoke English was cringeworthy! I was happy ☺ that she was from England and not the U.S! Usually it's the American's with foot in mouth disease!
All in all, a quick read.
This book just wasn't good enough.
I loved the setting. Seeing the Swiss Alps would be a dream come true!
Luckily that setting was almost a character into itself!
The actual story was pretty good, but it was so predictable that I found myself rolling my eyes. "Heave chest and heavy sigh.."
Also, Helen and her penchant for commenting on how well everyone spoke English was cringeworthy! I was happy ☺ that she was from England and not the U.S! Usually it's the American's with foot in mouth disease!
All in all, a quick read.
October 17, 2022
Forget Me Not has a slow start but gets progressively more gripping and twisty.
Helen has pulled her life together since her husband Paul went missing, presumed dead, five years ago from the Swiss Alps while they were on holiday.
Now Helen is an interior designer with a young daughter and a fiancé. When she receives a call asking if she wants to work on a large project with an even larger budget, Helen thinks it’s too good to be true. It turns out it is because the project is at a Swiss chalet in the same area where Paul disappeared.
But it’s too good of an opportunity to pass up, so Helen makes her way to the chalet. Of course, things do not go to plan, and Helen has to remain professional while everything goes sideways.
This compulsive thriller is a quick read and has dual timelines.
Initially, I wasn’t all that interested in the story because it felt like a ho-hum domestic thriller. But after the first twist, I was hooked. However, the twist hinges on a plot device that I could do without.
Most of the characters were unlikeable, which is fine, but they were also a bit flat. I read it solely to find out how Helen and her daughter would fare.
Another thing that started to grate was Helen’s constant assessment of everyone’s English proficiency. Literally everyone. It’s Europe; it’s not uncommon for people to speak more than one language and for one of those languages to be English. Yes, do not go into a foreign country expecting everyone to speak it, but also, maybe don’t comment on how impressed you are with their fluency right when you first meet them. Wow! You speak English so well! It rings just a bit condescending. Okay, rant over. I might be nitpicking.
On another note, the setting was the shining star of this book. I could practically feel the cold seeping in and could easily envision this idyllic mountainscape.
This was my first time reading a Miranda Rijks book, and I might try another by her in the future.
3.5 rounded down.
Thank you to Inkubator Books for providing me with an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
Helen has pulled her life together since her husband Paul went missing, presumed dead, five years ago from the Swiss Alps while they were on holiday.
Now Helen is an interior designer with a young daughter and a fiancé. When she receives a call asking if she wants to work on a large project with an even larger budget, Helen thinks it’s too good to be true. It turns out it is because the project is at a Swiss chalet in the same area where Paul disappeared.
But it’s too good of an opportunity to pass up, so Helen makes her way to the chalet. Of course, things do not go to plan, and Helen has to remain professional while everything goes sideways.
This compulsive thriller is a quick read and has dual timelines.
Initially, I wasn’t all that interested in the story because it felt like a ho-hum domestic thriller. But after the first twist, I was hooked. However, the twist hinges on a plot device that I could do without.
Most of the characters were unlikeable, which is fine, but they were also a bit flat. I read it solely to find out how Helen and her daughter would fare.
Another thing that started to grate was Helen’s constant assessment of everyone’s English proficiency. Literally everyone. It’s Europe; it’s not uncommon for people to speak more than one language and for one of those languages to be English. Yes, do not go into a foreign country expecting everyone to speak it, but also, maybe don’t comment on how impressed you are with their fluency right when you first meet them. Wow! You speak English so well! It rings just a bit condescending. Okay, rant over. I might be nitpicking.
On another note, the setting was the shining star of this book. I could practically feel the cold seeping in and could easily envision this idyllic mountainscape.
This was my first time reading a Miranda Rijks book, and I might try another by her in the future.
3.5 rounded down.
Thank you to Inkubator Books for providing me with an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
October 31, 2022
2.75⭐
Unlike the title, this book ended up being rather forgettable.
Since losing her husband Paul years ago Helen has tried her best to move on. He disappeared and was thought to have fallen to his death in a skiing accident. With no body found, she has waited years to have him declared dead.
Now Helen has to return to the same ski resort where Paul went missing all those years ago. Can she finally put the past behind her? Or is everything about to resurface.
I’ve listened to a few books by this author and enjoyed them all. This time I chose the digital version. Is that where I went wrong? Somehow I think it was more than that!🤦♀️
And the ending was beyond random. I have to say this was my least favorite from this author to date. But having enjoyed her previous works I will still be looking for more of her books. Maybe I’ll just stick to the audios.🫤
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books
Unlike the title, this book ended up being rather forgettable.
Since losing her husband Paul years ago Helen has tried her best to move on. He disappeared and was thought to have fallen to his death in a skiing accident. With no body found, she has waited years to have him declared dead.
Now Helen has to return to the same ski resort where Paul went missing all those years ago. Can she finally put the past behind her? Or is everything about to resurface.
I’ve listened to a few books by this author and enjoyed them all. This time I chose the digital version. Is that where I went wrong? Somehow I think it was more than that!🤦♀️
And the ending was beyond random. I have to say this was my least favorite from this author to date. But having enjoyed her previous works I will still be looking for more of her books. Maybe I’ll just stick to the audios.🫤
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books
November 5, 2022
There's something about the energy and the purity of Switzerland. Both of my grandparents were born there. That's what initially drew me to Forget Me Not. An amazing setting for a story and the promise of frigid suspense......until it started to thaw.
Helen and Paul have booked a vacation room at a ski lodge in the Swiss Alps. From the onset, we sense that Paul is adapting more readily to the slopes than Helen. Paul, an avid skier, takes the ski lift to the higher elevations. Helen has never had the opportunity to ski and is relegated to newbie lessons near the lodge.
A definite argument can be heard coming from their room. Paul heads off to the ski lift and Helen sulks. Hours pass and Paul has not returned. Helen searches the local bars. She then notifies the hotel desk and the police are called. Days later, Paul is officially declared missing.
Fast forward six years and Helen is now an interior designer. Well now, she's gone from mousy to magnificent. She's in a relationship with Andrew and has a young daughter. Helen has taken a design assignment in the same exact village where Paul went missing. Imagine that.
As Helen settles in, she notices a man in the distance who resembles Paul. It couldn't be possible. So the rest of the book has Helen leaving her daughter while she chases an illusive man. I'm feelin' the thaw drippin' at a faster rate.
This was my first novel by Miranda Rijks. It had all the foundational bones to be a really inticing novel, but it went far off the grid. The characters and their actions were so far-fetched. It became Never Never Land instead of the Swiss Alps. The chapters were filled with rigid details of food and movements while the finale was snapped shut so quickly. Important characters never made it to the wrap-up. It was like Rijks had a flight to catch. Abrupt and not very satisfying in the least.
Helen and Paul have booked a vacation room at a ski lodge in the Swiss Alps. From the onset, we sense that Paul is adapting more readily to the slopes than Helen. Paul, an avid skier, takes the ski lift to the higher elevations. Helen has never had the opportunity to ski and is relegated to newbie lessons near the lodge.
A definite argument can be heard coming from their room. Paul heads off to the ski lift and Helen sulks. Hours pass and Paul has not returned. Helen searches the local bars. She then notifies the hotel desk and the police are called. Days later, Paul is officially declared missing.
Fast forward six years and Helen is now an interior designer. Well now, she's gone from mousy to magnificent. She's in a relationship with Andrew and has a young daughter. Helen has taken a design assignment in the same exact village where Paul went missing. Imagine that.
As Helen settles in, she notices a man in the distance who resembles Paul. It couldn't be possible. So the rest of the book has Helen leaving her daughter while she chases an illusive man. I'm feelin' the thaw drippin' at a faster rate.
This was my first novel by Miranda Rijks. It had all the foundational bones to be a really inticing novel, but it went far off the grid. The characters and their actions were so far-fetched. It became Never Never Land instead of the Swiss Alps. The chapters were filled with rigid details of food and movements while the finale was snapped shut so quickly. Important characters never made it to the wrap-up. It was like Rijks had a flight to catch. Abrupt and not very satisfying in the least.
October 21, 2022
Six years ago, Helen lost her husband, Now, she may lose her life. Five years ago, Helen's husband Paul went missing when skiing in the Swiss Alps. His body was never found, but he is presumed dead because no one could have survived a night on the freezing mountains.
What I really like about reading a Miranda Rijks book is things are never quite what they seem at first. The chapters are told in the then and now format. Later on in the book, we also get chapters from another character. The pace is fast from the first page. This is a very twisted read. The story is so descriptively written that I could almost feel the chill from the pages. The story is set in Switzerland and England. This is another fantastic read by the author.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #InkubatorBooks and the author #MirandaRijks for my ARC of #ForgetmeNot in exchange for an honest review.
What I really like about reading a Miranda Rijks book is things are never quite what they seem at first. The chapters are told in the then and now format. Later on in the book, we also get chapters from another character. The pace is fast from the first page. This is a very twisted read. The story is so descriptively written that I could almost feel the chill from the pages. The story is set in Switzerland and England. This is another fantastic read by the author.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #InkubatorBooks and the author #MirandaRijks for my ARC of #ForgetmeNot in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2022
I loved this twisted dramatic mystery set in the beautiful Swiss Alps! This book hooked me from the very beginning and I loved the ending. I thank Inkubator Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
October 15, 2022
This thriller almost felt more like a drama than mystery at times, especially as you learn everything (almost) that’s happened. Helen’s husband is missing and presumed dead in the Alps while they’re vacationing and she is newly pregnant. Five years later she is offered a short term job there and while there she is sure she sees him, which sets off a chain of events. The story is told through two main POVs, one of which is much more likable than the other. I was unsatisfied with the end but enjoyed feeling immersed in the Swiss mountain setting.
I read a digital ARC of this book for review.
I read a digital ARC of this book for review.
July 25, 2023
Powerhouse Miranda Rijks returns following The Insomniac with her latest twisty psychological thriller —FORGET ME NOT. One woman gets caught up in a web of deceit, lies, and dark secrets in this deadly riveting cat-and-mouse game of suspense and murder.
Atmospheric and gripping with unexpected twists— a cracking mystery!
Set in the picturesque Canton of Valaris in Switzerland in ski season, the Prologue features a young woman (Noemie) skiing with her mom.
She appears a much more experience skier than her mum and advances way ahead. Then out of nowhere, another skier runs into her, leaving her for dead. The other skier never stops. A hit and run.
Told from POV Helen Now/Then and Paul Now/Then. Six years earlier and now.
Helen and Paul were married. They seemed happy; however, Paul began having an affair early in their marriage. He hid this from Helen. He was a chef and always used his work as an excuse.
Helen Sellers, an interior designer, is pretty much the family's breadwinner. She is a lovely person, and now she suspects she is pregnant. However, Paul acts strange and never wants to have a conversation. He is furious about the possibility of her being pregnant.
Then: They are on holiday in the Swiss Alps in Lanviere at a cheap hotel, and Paul tends to go off skiing without her. Their marriage is strained, and Helen does not know why unless he is afraid of being a dad and the responsibility.
Helen informs him she is indeed pregnant after the test. He storms out to go skiing and never returns. After an investigation, she is told no body was found and was in an area off-piste, which is very dangerous.
Before this, word had gotten out about the young girl who lost her life on the slopes (the one that someone ran into and did not stop). Since Paul was out skiing, Helen wondered if he was the guilty party.
NOW: Six years later, she is happy, has a daughter Emily and dating Andrew, a wonderful man who loves Emily as his daughter. They have purchased a home together and look forward to the date they can marry.
Unfortunately, they cannot get married until seven years are up due to the legal system having to wait since it has been six years since Paul went missing to declare him legally dead.
Helen is self-employed as a designer, and all is going well with their little family. Helen receives a request to design a swiss app chalet for a very wealthy client; however, located in the same area that holds nightmares for her. The same town where her husband went missing. She swore she would never return.
She talks it over with Andrew, and they decide it would be a good opportunity and her dream job, but they will be apart during this time.
She heads to the resort area of Carviez in Switzerland and meets the architect and client. She is staying in a run-down cabin/chalet they put her in that is not luxurious but comfortable. She sets out to get this job started and completed so she can return home. She also meets the older couple next door. (more mystery here)
The village is delightful, with extensive slopes, a skier's paradise. But the event that changed her life she cannot forget.
She is back and forth from home to the Alps, and things get complex on the job with many setbacks and problems. She also thinks she sees Paul at an event. Someone that walks and looks exactly like him. Is she seeing things, or could he be alive and living here?
Due to the design project having issues, she decides to bring her daughter, Emily, with her on the next trip and puts her in a daycare group, which she seems to enjoy. Andrew visits on the weekend.
Helen gets spooked when Emily starts talking about a nice strange man and then a teddy bear gift. Helen is afraid it is Paul. Then strange things start happening at the job site. Who is trying to sabotage her? She could have been killed and wound up getting her foot/leg injured.
She pulls her daughter out of daycare and hires a teen babysitter to stay at her place. Can she trust her? When Emily goes missing, Helen is afraid for her daughter, and who could be the kidnapper, Paul or someone else? Is there something more sinister going on?
What has Paul been doing all this time if he is indeed alive?
In a race against time, Helen must save her daughter and finds herself in the middle of a revenge plot (more than one). In a place, she feels unsafe, and now she must save her daughter and herself. She wants more than anything to escape this place and return to her safe life with Andrew and Emily.
WOW, you can count on Rijks to always create vivid settings and descriptions. The Swiss Alps are stunning and being a commercial international interior designer myself for many years working with many top resorts, hotels, and architects worldwide, plus I love skiing —so I was in heaven with FORGET ME NOT!
Pulse-pounding and utterly captivating, with an unpredictable plot and perfect pacing.
I always learn something from Miranda's books and enjoy her inspiration behind the book and her author's notes.
FORGET ME NOT is a unique and clever thriller that keeps you guessing until the end, and there is always a final jaw-dropping twist. You do not get to read too many books set in the Swiss Alps, so this was a rare treat! I read this one in one sitting, and quite challenging to put down.
This fast-paced, compulsive thriller features dual timelines and multiple POVs, and the setting is both atmospheric and idyllic. I disliked Orla and Paul and loved Helen and Andrew.
Highly recommend. I am slowly making my way through her backlist between all the new ARCS on my TBR list. Also, my October reading list keeps expanding, but when you discover a Miranda Rijks book is coming out at the last minute, you drop everything and add it.
Special thanks to #InkubatorBooks and #NetGalley for a gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 26, 2022
Oct 2022 Must-Read Books
Atmospheric and gripping with unexpected twists— a cracking mystery!
Set in the picturesque Canton of Valaris in Switzerland in ski season, the Prologue features a young woman (Noemie) skiing with her mom.
She appears a much more experience skier than her mum and advances way ahead. Then out of nowhere, another skier runs into her, leaving her for dead. The other skier never stops. A hit and run.
Told from POV Helen Now/Then and Paul Now/Then. Six years earlier and now.
Helen and Paul were married. They seemed happy; however, Paul began having an affair early in their marriage. He hid this from Helen. He was a chef and always used his work as an excuse.
Helen Sellers, an interior designer, is pretty much the family's breadwinner. She is a lovely person, and now she suspects she is pregnant. However, Paul acts strange and never wants to have a conversation. He is furious about the possibility of her being pregnant.
Then: They are on holiday in the Swiss Alps in Lanviere at a cheap hotel, and Paul tends to go off skiing without her. Their marriage is strained, and Helen does not know why unless he is afraid of being a dad and the responsibility.
Helen informs him she is indeed pregnant after the test. He storms out to go skiing and never returns. After an investigation, she is told no body was found and was in an area off-piste, which is very dangerous.
Before this, word had gotten out about the young girl who lost her life on the slopes (the one that someone ran into and did not stop). Since Paul was out skiing, Helen wondered if he was the guilty party.
NOW: Six years later, she is happy, has a daughter Emily and dating Andrew, a wonderful man who loves Emily as his daughter. They have purchased a home together and look forward to the date they can marry.
Unfortunately, they cannot get married until seven years are up due to the legal system having to wait since it has been six years since Paul went missing to declare him legally dead.
Helen is self-employed as a designer, and all is going well with their little family. Helen receives a request to design a swiss app chalet for a very wealthy client; however, located in the same area that holds nightmares for her. The same town where her husband went missing. She swore she would never return.
She talks it over with Andrew, and they decide it would be a good opportunity and her dream job, but they will be apart during this time.
She heads to the resort area of Carviez in Switzerland and meets the architect and client. She is staying in a run-down cabin/chalet they put her in that is not luxurious but comfortable. She sets out to get this job started and completed so she can return home. She also meets the older couple next door. (more mystery here)
The village is delightful, with extensive slopes, a skier's paradise. But the event that changed her life she cannot forget.
She is back and forth from home to the Alps, and things get complex on the job with many setbacks and problems. She also thinks she sees Paul at an event. Someone that walks and looks exactly like him. Is she seeing things, or could he be alive and living here?
Due to the design project having issues, she decides to bring her daughter, Emily, with her on the next trip and puts her in a daycare group, which she seems to enjoy. Andrew visits on the weekend.
Helen gets spooked when Emily starts talking about a nice strange man and then a teddy bear gift. Helen is afraid it is Paul. Then strange things start happening at the job site. Who is trying to sabotage her? She could have been killed and wound up getting her foot/leg injured.
She pulls her daughter out of daycare and hires a teen babysitter to stay at her place. Can she trust her? When Emily goes missing, Helen is afraid for her daughter, and who could be the kidnapper, Paul or someone else? Is there something more sinister going on?
What has Paul been doing all this time if he is indeed alive?
In a race against time, Helen must save her daughter and finds herself in the middle of a revenge plot (more than one). In a place, she feels unsafe, and now she must save her daughter and herself. She wants more than anything to escape this place and return to her safe life with Andrew and Emily.
WOW, you can count on Rijks to always create vivid settings and descriptions. The Swiss Alps are stunning and being a commercial international interior designer myself for many years working with many top resorts, hotels, and architects worldwide, plus I love skiing —so I was in heaven with FORGET ME NOT!
Pulse-pounding and utterly captivating, with an unpredictable plot and perfect pacing.
I always learn something from Miranda's books and enjoy her inspiration behind the book and her author's notes.
FORGET ME NOT is a unique and clever thriller that keeps you guessing until the end, and there is always a final jaw-dropping twist. You do not get to read too many books set in the Swiss Alps, so this was a rare treat! I read this one in one sitting, and quite challenging to put down.
This fast-paced, compulsive thriller features dual timelines and multiple POVs, and the setting is both atmospheric and idyllic. I disliked Orla and Paul and loved Helen and Andrew.
Highly recommend. I am slowly making my way through her backlist between all the new ARCS on my TBR list. Also, my October reading list keeps expanding, but when you discover a Miranda Rijks book is coming out at the last minute, you drop everything and add it.
Special thanks to #InkubatorBooks and #NetGalley for a gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 26, 2022
Oct 2022 Must-Read Books
October 4, 2022
From the ominous cover image, a mayen nestled in the Swiss Alps, to the final word, Rijks will have you engaged in the atmosphere of panic. You'll feel jumpy and get caught up in the rush as she builds up the tension that creates her signature thriller.
Set in Corviez, a small but upcoming resort, in Valais, Switzerland Rijks’ plot centers around the actions of a man stuck in a conundrum - a situation he should never have gotten himself into in the first palace.
The author explores the split-second decisions we make every minute of the day and shows us that we never fully appreciate the consequences of those decisions until it’s too late. She also examines the definition of love and questions if that’s all that’s needed for a successful marriage.
I loved the chapters from Helen Sellers’ point of view because she’s definitely the underdog in this novel and has the most to lose. With all her baggage, she brings complexity and emotion to the story and gives it character. Rikjs’ use of multiple points of view allows us to see inside the head of most of her characters, thus building more dramatic tension.
As is always the case, (1) I walk away with more knowledge and (2) am challenged. This time I was educated about the traditions of the canton of Valais; the Inalpe festival, Desalpe, and the combats de reines. I loved how the author leads us to question if we were facing the same circumstances, what would we do?
I enjoyed the captivating story which I raced through in a day and the sinister read full of twists which kept me off balance and piled on the pressure. Most appealing was the freshness; a new and unique setting, with an unpredictable plot and great, new characters with not often written about careers.
My only regret? That we were not having raclette for dinner.
I was gifted this advance copy by Inkubator books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Set in Corviez, a small but upcoming resort, in Valais, Switzerland Rijks’ plot centers around the actions of a man stuck in a conundrum - a situation he should never have gotten himself into in the first palace.
The author explores the split-second decisions we make every minute of the day and shows us that we never fully appreciate the consequences of those decisions until it’s too late. She also examines the definition of love and questions if that’s all that’s needed for a successful marriage.
I loved the chapters from Helen Sellers’ point of view because she’s definitely the underdog in this novel and has the most to lose. With all her baggage, she brings complexity and emotion to the story and gives it character. Rikjs’ use of multiple points of view allows us to see inside the head of most of her characters, thus building more dramatic tension.
As is always the case, (1) I walk away with more knowledge and (2) am challenged. This time I was educated about the traditions of the canton of Valais; the Inalpe festival, Desalpe, and the combats de reines. I loved how the author leads us to question if we were facing the same circumstances, what would we do?
I enjoyed the captivating story which I raced through in a day and the sinister read full of twists which kept me off balance and piled on the pressure. Most appealing was the freshness; a new and unique setting, with an unpredictable plot and great, new characters with not often written about careers.
My only regret? That we were not having raclette for dinner.
I was gifted this advance copy by Inkubator books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
October 4, 2022
5 years ago Helen goes on a skiing trip to Switzerland with her husband Paul. He comes up missing in treacherous conditions. Everyone assumes he’s dead. Present day Helen is moving on with her life and has a fiancé and 4 year old daughter. She is now an interior designer and gets a job decorating a Chalet in the Swiss Alps where her husband went missing. She keeps thinking she’s seeing her dead husband and strange things start happening.
This was a very suspenseful read with a surprise ending. It was hard to put down.
Thanks NetGalley and Inkubator Books for this ARC!
This was a very suspenseful read with a surprise ending. It was hard to put down.
Thanks NetGalley and Inkubator Books for this ARC!
November 22, 2022
Christmas 2022 Read #2
I love Rijks. But this was not up to her usual standards.
The setting was wonderful. Easily the best part of the whole story--snowy alps. The characters were weak, flat, and unlikable. The story was slow and predictable. I wanted to love this but it totally missed the mark for me.
I look forward to more from Rijks.
I love Rijks. But this was not up to her usual standards.
The setting was wonderful. Easily the best part of the whole story--snowy alps. The characters were weak, flat, and unlikable. The story was slow and predictable. I wanted to love this but it totally missed the mark for me.
I look forward to more from Rijks.
October 14, 2022
When Miranda Rijks puts out a new thriller you do whatever you can to get your hands on said book..
I am a long time fan of Rijks and have read everything published to date (I believe 17 in total) so I am sure that it goes without saying that I adore her work. Now, we all have a long list of books that we plan out to read in a specific order BUT when a Rijks book pops up, I lose all self control, completely deviate from the plan, and read the book.
Forget Me Not, the perfect title for the perfect book.
The pace was set, the progressive build up had me reeling and the twist was executed with perfection. The story is narrated from multiple points of view and dual time lines. I became instantly absorbed in what was going on that I lost touch with reality. Forget Me Not was one of the fastest books I have ever read as each time I flipped my page I became addicted to the words that glittered across my screen.
If you know anything about Rijks you dont need me to sell you on Forget Me Not, you already know its going to be good but if you haven't read a book by this incredible author, then what are you waiting for?
FIVE STARS!
I am a long time fan of Rijks and have read everything published to date (I believe 17 in total) so I am sure that it goes without saying that I adore her work. Now, we all have a long list of books that we plan out to read in a specific order BUT when a Rijks book pops up, I lose all self control, completely deviate from the plan, and read the book.
Forget Me Not, the perfect title for the perfect book.
The pace was set, the progressive build up had me reeling and the twist was executed with perfection. The story is narrated from multiple points of view and dual time lines. I became instantly absorbed in what was going on that I lost touch with reality. Forget Me Not was one of the fastest books I have ever read as each time I flipped my page I became addicted to the words that glittered across my screen.
If you know anything about Rijks you dont need me to sell you on Forget Me Not, you already know its going to be good but if you haven't read a book by this incredible author, then what are you waiting for?
FIVE STARS!
October 17, 2022
I really enjoy this author's books!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy. I enjoyed it tremendously!
It was an action packed, edge of my seat ride!
I highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy. I enjoyed it tremendously!
It was an action packed, edge of my seat ride!
I highly recommend!
November 6, 2022
A psychological thriller? Yes please!! This was an amazing book , had me absolutely hooked to it from the first sentence right until the end (even though I never wanted it to end!)
One of the many things I loved in this book was the descriptions that the author gave to the settings and to the characters , it gives in great depth and really puts you into the story so you are absorbed by it.
The main character of this book is Helen , she is a very believable character and I sympathised with her many times. Her husband went missing in the Swiss Alps and now 5years later , Helen has been offered a renovation job... but it is next to where her husband had gone missing. She uncovers a shocking discovery, she is thrown into a Web of lies and the mountain is ready to claim another.
The book is fast paced , the storyline is riveting, it keeps to the story rather than unnecessary tangents, it has lots in it that keeps you hooked on it and bringing you back too it. A really great thriller!
One of the many things I loved in this book was the descriptions that the author gave to the settings and to the characters , it gives in great depth and really puts you into the story so you are absorbed by it.
The main character of this book is Helen , she is a very believable character and I sympathised with her many times. Her husband went missing in the Swiss Alps and now 5years later , Helen has been offered a renovation job... but it is next to where her husband had gone missing. She uncovers a shocking discovery, she is thrown into a Web of lies and the mountain is ready to claim another.
The book is fast paced , the storyline is riveting, it keeps to the story rather than unnecessary tangents, it has lots in it that keeps you hooked on it and bringing you back too it. A really great thriller!
October 30, 2022
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ARC provided by Inkubator Books.
Six years ago, Helen lost her husband. Now she may lose her life. Five years ago, Helen’s husband Paul went missing while skiing in the Swiss Alps. His body was never found, but he is presumed dead because no one could have survived a night on that freezing mountainside.
It took Helen a long time to get over her loss, but now she has pulled her life back together – she is an acclaimed interior designer in a loving relationship with a new man. Even better, Helen has just been offered her dream project, renovating a luxurious chalet in an idyllic location. There is only one catch – it is right next to the resort where Paul went missing. She decides to take the job anyway, convincing herself that a visit to the scene of her great tragedy will actually be good for her, that it will give her a chance to lay old demons to rest. But soon after she arrives, she makes an utterly shocking discovery and finds herself caught up in a nightmarish web of treachery and deceit where nothing is as it seems. Only one thing is certain – the mountains want to claim another body.
This book was just not good enough for me. I loved the setting and was the shining star of the story, and visiting the Swiss Alps would be a dream come true. The story was pretty good, but it was just too predictable. The characters were also the weakest element of the story. I know that flaws make the character more human and more real, which makes them relatable; but it has a detrimental effect on me as a reader. I’m unable to emotionally connect with them. It was an overall quick and easy read. I enjoyed it but would’ve hoped for the twists to be done differently.
Six years ago, Helen lost her husband. Now she may lose her life. Five years ago, Helen’s husband Paul went missing while skiing in the Swiss Alps. His body was never found, but he is presumed dead because no one could have survived a night on that freezing mountainside.
It took Helen a long time to get over her loss, but now she has pulled her life back together – she is an acclaimed interior designer in a loving relationship with a new man. Even better, Helen has just been offered her dream project, renovating a luxurious chalet in an idyllic location. There is only one catch – it is right next to the resort where Paul went missing. She decides to take the job anyway, convincing herself that a visit to the scene of her great tragedy will actually be good for her, that it will give her a chance to lay old demons to rest. But soon after she arrives, she makes an utterly shocking discovery and finds herself caught up in a nightmarish web of treachery and deceit where nothing is as it seems. Only one thing is certain – the mountains want to claim another body.
This book was just not good enough for me. I loved the setting and was the shining star of the story, and visiting the Swiss Alps would be a dream come true. The story was pretty good, but it was just too predictable. The characters were also the weakest element of the story. I know that flaws make the character more human and more real, which makes them relatable; but it has a detrimental effect on me as a reader. I’m unable to emotionally connect with them. It was an overall quick and easy read. I enjoyed it but would’ve hoped for the twists to be done differently.
November 4, 2022
Forget me not is another thriller to add to my list of books that managed to tug on my heart strings.
The book was written with four different chapter styles but ultimately follows Helen as she has overcome an incredibly terrible ordeal while on a holiday in Switzerland with her husband. Now living her life with her daughter Emily and her new partner Andrew she has been given a job opportunity that shouldn’t missed. Her only reservation is that it is back in Switzerland.
As she makes friends with locals and has to continue spending more and more time in Switzerland to deal with deadlines she starts to see her presumed dead, husband Paul everywhere.
I found forget me not to be incredibly captivating and I found myself connecting to the main character Helen almost instantly. With a lot to deal with throughout the book I definitely lost myself trying to figure out what the hell was going on and was shocked when I found out the truth about her husband.
He became a character I instantly disliked, although that feeling somewhat changed towards the ending, when I found myself becoming slightly emotional.
This was an incredible read from the author who is fast becoming one of my favourites.
The book was written with four different chapter styles but ultimately follows Helen as she has overcome an incredibly terrible ordeal while on a holiday in Switzerland with her husband. Now living her life with her daughter Emily and her new partner Andrew she has been given a job opportunity that shouldn’t missed. Her only reservation is that it is back in Switzerland.
As she makes friends with locals and has to continue spending more and more time in Switzerland to deal with deadlines she starts to see her presumed dead, husband Paul everywhere.
I found forget me not to be incredibly captivating and I found myself connecting to the main character Helen almost instantly. With a lot to deal with throughout the book I definitely lost myself trying to figure out what the hell was going on and was shocked when I found out the truth about her husband.
He became a character I instantly disliked, although that feeling somewhat changed towards the ending, when I found myself becoming slightly emotional.
This was an incredible read from the author who is fast becoming one of my favourites.
October 11, 2022
This was a very slow paced read. It took a while for the build up and the twists didn’t really seem to mesh well together. It was an overall quick and easy read. I enjoyed it but would’ve hoped for the twists to be done differently.
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion
October 16, 2022
Miranda Rijks is one of those authors whose ARC I read on the day I get it, and as soon as the print copy becomes available, I order it and read it again before adding it to my library. She consistently writes layered, twisty thrillers that are all-consuming to the reader.
I loved that this book was mainly set in the Swiss Alps, a beautiful yet rugged landscape that claimed the life of Helen's husband Paul while they were on a ski trip. Because his body was never found, she clung to some hope, but after being assured that no one could survive the freezing, punishing night on the mountain, she accepted her loss. The marriage was unexpectedly rocky as Helen just found out she was pregnant, and Paul was not happy with the news.
Years have passed, and Helen is in a loving relationship and is a successful interior designer in England. She's just accepted her dream job remodeling a Swiss chalet, even though it's right next to the resort where Paul went missing. Putting her misgivings aside and telling herself the wonders this job will do for her resume, Helen moves forward. She anticipated limited time away from her home in England, but the job quickly becomes demanding. Determined to see the job through, she gets the shock of her life when she sees Paul in public one day. Maybe she's mistaken...but what if she's not?
The dual timelines and multiple points of view really enhance the story, and I can honestly say I didn't see the ending coming. When I'm reading thrillers, I rarely try to guess the twists as I'm usually too immersed in the story and am just enjoying the ride. You don't have to wait long to get your hands on this one as it publishes October 26, 2022.
I loved that this book was mainly set in the Swiss Alps, a beautiful yet rugged landscape that claimed the life of Helen's husband Paul while they were on a ski trip. Because his body was never found, she clung to some hope, but after being assured that no one could survive the freezing, punishing night on the mountain, she accepted her loss. The marriage was unexpectedly rocky as Helen just found out she was pregnant, and Paul was not happy with the news.
Years have passed, and Helen is in a loving relationship and is a successful interior designer in England. She's just accepted her dream job remodeling a Swiss chalet, even though it's right next to the resort where Paul went missing. Putting her misgivings aside and telling herself the wonders this job will do for her resume, Helen moves forward. She anticipated limited time away from her home in England, but the job quickly becomes demanding. Determined to see the job through, she gets the shock of her life when she sees Paul in public one day. Maybe she's mistaken...but what if she's not?
The dual timelines and multiple points of view really enhance the story, and I can honestly say I didn't see the ending coming. When I'm reading thrillers, I rarely try to guess the twists as I'm usually too immersed in the story and am just enjoying the ride. You don't have to wait long to get your hands on this one as it publishes October 26, 2022.
November 10, 2022
Six years ago Helen and her husband Paul went on a skiing holiday in Switzerland. One day Paul went skiing and never came back. It is presumed he had an accident or even killed himself. Helen was devastated. She just found out that she was pregnant but Paul did not seem happy about it. But she has moved on and works now as an interior designer and raises her daughter together with the new man in her life, Andrew. She never returned to Switzerland. So when she gets the offer to work on a chalet in the Swiss Alps, exactly in the same village where Paul went missing, she almost refuses to do it. But the job is too good and she could use the money. So she travels back and forth on occasions to work on the chalet. On one of those trips she thinks she sees her late husband in a crowd. But that can’t be, can it?
Until that point I thought this book was a nice read. Unfortunately as soon as Paul appears the story flattens. There are a lot of characters and none of them is properly developed. Helen comes across as anxious and insecure. Paul is the most spineless male character ever. The setting in the Alps is nice and a bit eerie, but the story develops slowly and without any major twists or surprises. The end is a bit weird and unsatisfying. It was an easy read but nothing special.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Until that point I thought this book was a nice read. Unfortunately as soon as Paul appears the story flattens. There are a lot of characters and none of them is properly developed. Helen comes across as anxious and insecure. Paul is the most spineless male character ever. The setting in the Alps is nice and a bit eerie, but the story develops slowly and without any major twists or surprises. The end is a bit weird and unsatisfying. It was an easy read but nothing special.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 3, 2022
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by the author and since I’ve seen my Booksta friends recommending her again and again, I had to read this book for myself .
And I’m glad I have. It’s interesting, with intriguing characters and a very unexpected ending and twist.
It’s been a while since I was so hooked up in a story and this one surprised me in the best possible way.
Wry grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley
And I’m glad I have. It’s interesting, with intriguing characters and a very unexpected ending and twist.
It’s been a while since I was so hooked up in a story and this one surprised me in the best possible way.
Wry grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley
December 31, 2022
I thought this book was really good. Being in the Swiss alps in the middles of winter I mean it would be enjoyable. I loved the story. It was very well written but there was a lot of characters. Besides that the book was great
October 9, 2022
3.5/5 ⭐️
Helen is an interior designer in the UK, taking on a huge new project in Switzerland—where her husband went missing years before. Once she starts the job, she starts to unravel what really happened all those years ago in that small town. Strange things are happening at work, and she even thinks she spots her ex-husband. This book follows Helen’s story, and how it wasn’t what she thought it was.
📚 Genre: Thriller
♥️ What i liked: I love skiing and snow, so the setting was perfect, I’d totally visit Switzerland now.
✂️ What i didn’t like: Helen, kept telling everyone that “they spoke such great English.” The author wrote it in SO many times, it was annoying — it’s condescending, not a compliment. 🤢
This was my first time reading a book by this author and I really enjoyed it. She did a great job of making you hate the bad guys and root for the underdog. I really liked Helen and was glad that she had moved on and found love and was able to launch her career after her husband went missing. I was glad she came out on top and she was hilarious at the end when she went back to the plaque.
I don’t want to give too much of the plot away because it is better revealed in the book. But, I thought the author’s timing in revealing the secret could have come later. It was revealed too early in my opinion and the overlap in stories made it lag a bit.
Overall good writing and i enjoyed it. Would read another book by this author!
**This book has not been published yet, but will be released on October 26. Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the advanced reader’s copy for review.**
#ForgetMeNot #NetGalley
Helen is an interior designer in the UK, taking on a huge new project in Switzerland—where her husband went missing years before. Once she starts the job, she starts to unravel what really happened all those years ago in that small town. Strange things are happening at work, and she even thinks she spots her ex-husband. This book follows Helen’s story, and how it wasn’t what she thought it was.
📚 Genre: Thriller
♥️ What i liked: I love skiing and snow, so the setting was perfect, I’d totally visit Switzerland now.
✂️ What i didn’t like: Helen, kept telling everyone that “they spoke such great English.” The author wrote it in SO many times, it was annoying — it’s condescending, not a compliment. 🤢
This was my first time reading a book by this author and I really enjoyed it. She did a great job of making you hate the bad guys and root for the underdog. I really liked Helen and was glad that she had moved on and found love and was able to launch her career after her husband went missing. I was glad she came out on top and she was hilarious at the end when she went back to the plaque.
I don’t want to give too much of the plot away because it is better revealed in the book. But, I thought the author’s timing in revealing the secret could have come later. It was revealed too early in my opinion and the overlap in stories made it lag a bit.
Overall good writing and i enjoyed it. Would read another book by this author!
**This book has not been published yet, but will be released on October 26. Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the advanced reader’s copy for review.**
#ForgetMeNot #NetGalley
October 27, 2022
When Helen told her husband Paul she was pregnant she didn’t get the reaction she thought she would and when he went missing and presumed dead a couple of days later it would take years to get her life back together. Her interior decorating business was taking off and when she got the chance to do a job in the same Mountain town in the Alps where her husband disappeared she was hesitant but it was too good to pass up. Besides it had been five years and she had a new love in her life Andy and he loved her and her daughter Emily. She’s enjoying being back in such a beautiful place and also enjoying the new job but when strange things start happening and she thinks she sees her dead husband at a local festival she starts to worry but when her daughter Emily says she had been talking to a man how long is beside herself with worry but her dad husband may be the least of her problems. This book was so good and OMG I never would’ve guessed in 1 million years where the author was taking the story this is why Miranda Ridkes it’s one of my favorite thriller authors. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I do all this authors books and highly recommend it it is truly a book the most discerning reader would love. There’s no scoffing or I rolling when reading this book A definite five star read. I received this book from book sprout and the author but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 19, 2022
Helen, an interior designer, has finally found happiness again after losing her husband Paul six years ago. Though his body was never discovered, it’s presumed he fell to his death while skiing in the Swiss Alps. When a job opportunity takes Helen back to the Alps, she is hesitant but can’t pass it up. She moves there for the duration of the project with her daughter and new fiancé Andrew. But soon after, strange things start happening that cause Helen to question the past six years. Nothing is as it seems and Helen and her daughter may be in danger.
Well, this was another fabulously twisty story by Miranda Rijks!! She is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me with her ability to craft these thrillers. The short chapters kept me reading quickly and the dual points of view gave a voice to the all the main characters involved. I love atmospheric books too and this one was rich in the beauty of The Swiss Alps in all its seasons. I also love when there is a twist I don’t see coming and this one provided several! Thank you to Netgalley, Inkubator Books and Miranda Rijks for the ARC!
“Forget Me Not” will be released October 26th!
This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly 🙂
Well, this was another fabulously twisty story by Miranda Rijks!! She is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me with her ability to craft these thrillers. The short chapters kept me reading quickly and the dual points of view gave a voice to the all the main characters involved. I love atmospheric books too and this one was rich in the beauty of The Swiss Alps in all its seasons. I also love when there is a twist I don’t see coming and this one provided several! Thank you to Netgalley, Inkubator Books and Miranda Rijks for the ARC!
“Forget Me Not” will be released October 26th!
This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly 🙂
November 4, 2022
This was aptly named - The Sweet Spot is a confection. I enjoyed this sweet rom-com involving a baker and a lawyer. Erin is a baker who specializes in erotic treats, like breast-shaped cupcakes for a woman celebrating her reconstruction, or a cake with an, ahem, unusual theme for a bridal shower. When she bakes a cake for a stripper to jump out of, she meets Nolan, the lawyer. He’s been put in charge of an office bachelor party and his stripper is nowhere to be seen. When Erin shows up to repair a problem, well, it’s the beginning of lots of fun. The set-ups are sure to tickle your funny bone, and the heat is just right. There’s drama on both sides when exes get involved. This was a fun, light-hearted read. The dialogue and situations will have you chuckling. The plot is somewhat predictable (including the dual POV that seems to be everywhere these days), but it works here and is enjoyable. I’m hoping the author follows up with another book with Alana, Nolan’s witty, interesting PA - she was hilarious!
Quote I liked:
Everything always looks worse before your first cup of coffee.
Thanks to NetGalley and Rosewood Books for the ARC.
Quote I liked:
Everything always looks worse before your first cup of coffee.
Thanks to NetGalley and Rosewood Books for the ARC.
November 1, 2022
What a cracker of a read. This thriller grabs you by the throat from the first page and doesn’t let go.
Set in the Swiss alps, it’s so evocatively written, there were times I could almost smell the meadows and the pine trees on a crisp, clear breeze.
The plot is clever without being contrived and leaves you trying – and most often failing – to predict what’s going to happen next.
The story starts when Helen loses her husband, apparently in a tragic skiing accident. But nothing is as it seems in this tense, chilling thriller. And when Helen is forced to return to the resort where she lost her husband, Paul, she’s forced to confront some dark truths and sinister secrets.
Forget Me Not will have you tearing through the pages faster than a downhill Alpine skier. Utterly compelling. Beautifully written. One not to be missed. Chapeau Ms Rijks!
Set in the Swiss alps, it’s so evocatively written, there were times I could almost smell the meadows and the pine trees on a crisp, clear breeze.
The plot is clever without being contrived and leaves you trying – and most often failing – to predict what’s going to happen next.
The story starts when Helen loses her husband, apparently in a tragic skiing accident. But nothing is as it seems in this tense, chilling thriller. And when Helen is forced to return to the resort where she lost her husband, Paul, she’s forced to confront some dark truths and sinister secrets.
Forget Me Not will have you tearing through the pages faster than a downhill Alpine skier. Utterly compelling. Beautifully written. One not to be missed. Chapeau Ms Rijks!
November 2, 2022
And she does it again. Miranda is another instant read author for me. If it has her name on it, I'll read it.
As with all of Mirandas other books this one pulls you in on page 1 and keeps you hooked. I just wanted to keep reading every chance I got.
This one is set in the beautiful Swiss Alps and you really can picture being there in the story. You can picture the chalets, the huts, the slopes and the mountains.
I'm working my way through all of Mirandas books and this new one is the perfect addition to her lineup.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As with all of Mirandas other books this one pulls you in on page 1 and keeps you hooked. I just wanted to keep reading every chance I got.
This one is set in the beautiful Swiss Alps and you really can picture being there in the story. You can picture the chalets, the huts, the slopes and the mountains.
I'm working my way through all of Mirandas books and this new one is the perfect addition to her lineup.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 7, 2022
Whew! Erin and Nolan were meant to be. Two goofy romantics who had bad luck in prior relationships. Those experiences impacted a lot of their unfortunate decisions, but thanks to their friends/family they were able to think more clearly. Absolutely loved Granny, Alana and even Jayden lol. We all need a good sounding board to keep us together and they did it in very unique ways. So happy that they got happiness in the end.
Overall a wonderful read. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review
Overall a wonderful read. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review
October 26, 2022
I I just love this author's mind it is so delightfully dark and you can really get drawn into it. This happened again and sent s delightful few hours reading this.
There were so many twists and turns as normal.
My only disappointment was jn one of the endings, it didn't feel right just too tidy. Don't want to expand due to spoilers.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There were so many twists and turns as normal.
My only disappointment was jn one of the endings, it didn't feel right just too tidy. Don't want to expand due to spoilers.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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