Forgotten

A novel that will push readers to question "what if". London Lane is a very interesting girl that has to relearn her life every single day. After a traumatic experience as a child; London remembers the future, but can not retain anything from the past. This is a very intriguing concept, and readers will find their selves questioning the possibility of such an experience. Would it truly be possible for someone to survive living with no past memories? For London memories are erased every single day at 4:33 am. The only way that this young girl can force herself to remain even remotely normal is when her dedication to notes that she will have to reread every single day. As the story progresses some latent memories resurface giving readers hope for the future of this character. The story is very entertaining and will grab readers from the start. The conclusion developments anticipate a sequel the story, and what the future for London Lane will offer.

Review courtesy of YA Ninjas

Forgotten is a heartbreaking novel, combining a great concept with compelling characters and a plot that twists in genuinely shocking ways. London is a very down-to-earth heroine, despite her fantastical abilities, and Patrick paints her with such sensitivity and spirit that it is impossible not to like her. Luke is equally loveable, as a caring, adorable and (of course) highly attractive love interest.

During the second half of the novel, I couldn't put Forgotten down, as London's memories starting fusing and changing, and Patrick unfurls her mysteries little by little. However, the premise of the novel - namely, London's memory - sometimes makes suspension of disbelief difficult. Why does she need to study for tests if she can remember the future? How can she remember the stuff she learnt in the past, if she forgets everything else? Although the novel eventually addresses some of these thoughts, it never quite makes its wonderful premise convincing. There is also something disappointing about a novel where the protagonist already knows how things will end. Although the novel begins when London finds herself unable to decode certain parts of her future memories and is left terrified about what that means, it ends not when these events actually occur, but when she has recognized what the future will be. Things will be resolved one day, and that felt highly unsatisfying to me as a reader.

Still, Forgotten is an excellent novel. It will draw you in, shock you, make you think, make you fall in love, and take you for an unforgettable ride.

Forgotten is a fresh twist on the amnesia tale done previously in movies such as 50 First Dates and Memento. Instead of only forgetting the past, London also remembers the future. When she meets Luke Henry, she starts 'remembering' some very disturbing events. Now she needs to learn more about her past before she loses her future, too.

Ms. Patrick has written a mind-bending, exhilarating, and unique novel that I just couldn't put down. I highly, highly recommend Forgotten to tween, teen, and adult readers! Ms. Patrick is an author to follow!!

The concept of this book, the topic of a fleeting memory got me hooked from the start. I loved the little notes she left herself for the morrow.
The romance was sweet yet, at times, heartbreaking.
It is a book that will let you think about it for a while, pondering what you would do if you were to lose so precious memories without any control whatsoever over it.
By the way, what she does after their big argument (and the following days) simply broke my heart. But everything fall back into place at the end, do not worry ;-)
In short, I really liked it.

More reviews (and some more inspired than this one ^^") on : [...]

London is like most teenagers struggling to fit in during high school, except she remembers the future instead of the past. Character development is limited, yet I did form some attachment and really wanted to keep reading. Largely realistic apart from her different memory, with a good dose of mystery. The ending fell a little flat, though I'm not sure what other ending I was looking for. Not too difficult to read. Would probably appeal to fans of Bella from Twilight.

Taken from my blog, Never Gonna Grow Up! Reviews:

I've been having a hard time writing this review. I enjoyed "Forgotten" by Cat Patrick while reading it, but as it came to an end, I found myself disengaging from the plot line. Ms. Patrick is a very talented writer and I hate to put a negative vibe out there because as I said, I did enjoy "Forgotten", but the plot line was very ambitious and I just feel like it was missing...something. I'm not quite sure what that something is though. I enjoyed the ride and would definitely recommend it despite this weird hang up of mine.

Everyday is a new day, but we always come into it knowing what happened the day before. For London Lane though, all she has is a note. For some reason, London remembers things from her future, but not from her past. It sure doesn't make high school life or friendships/relationships easy. Talk about awkward! To top it all off, London is plagued with nightmares and she can't determine who they are about or the "when" these nightmares come from. She decides it's time to dig into her past beyond the notes and journals she keeps for herself. To quote goodreads.com, "Part psychological drama, part romance, and part mystery, this thought-provoking novel will inspire readers to consider the what-if's in their own lives and recognize the power they have to control their destinies."

"Forgotten" is such an interesting read and as I mentioned before, an ambitious concept. I really enjoyed watching London unravel her past without being able to access the memories locked in her mind. Ms. Patrick's writing is splendid. She took on a lot with this novel and I think she handled it quite well. I fell in love with the characters and the romance between our heroine and Lucas. It's just SO sweet. I absolutely love friendship based romance and this one is delightful. The book started to lose me towards the end, partially because I wanted to stay focused on Cat and her life rather than on the conflict presented. It wasn't like Ms. Patrick's writing wasn't engaging (I cannot emphasize enough that this book is so well written!). I don't know why... I'm just a weirdo.

Seriously, this book is really interesting and a great read for anyone who enjoys a good psychological drama and/or romance. It is unlike any other book on the market right now so read it for a complete change of pace. I'm sure you'll love it!

I received a copy of "Forgotten" from publisher. It is published by Little, Brown for Young Readers and was released on June 7th of this year.

**spoiler alert** I wanted to love this book but in the end, it was just okay. Being unable to remember anything about your past right up to yesterday would be scary enough, but add in knowing the future and it would be terrifying. London writes herself little notes from the day before to 'remind' herself what happened before her memory resets every night but no note can be detailed enough to include everything a person should know. She has one friend, Jamie, who's mad at her through most of the book because she thinks London's interfering in her present happiness with her knowledge of the future. London also has her mother and new boy Luke, who London doesn't see in the future for some reason.
It's a really complex plot so sometimes I felt like I was missing some scenes because the pacing was so fast, especially toward the end of the book when everything started coming together. I wouldn't have minded if the book was longer if more about her brother that her mother hid from her, her father suddenly back in her life, Luke knowing her from summer camp long ago was explained. I enjoyed Luke, especially the small glimpse of his family, but he was really the only character I felt connected with. London's so private that it's hard to get to know her as a character, and that's a problem when she's the main character and we're in her head.

After reading Forgotten by Cat Patrick I came away feeling that it was original, unique, and absorbing. It is well-written and definitely held my attention. No doubt, young people will find this psychological drama a super cool, fun read.
There are a lot of twists and turns here which will keep the reader on their toes until the end. A well-deserved 4 stars for this young adult novel. Thank you to the publisher for my review copy.

It was short, easy to read, and engaging. I liked the backwards memory and 50 first dates theme. I liked it and would probably recommend to friends. I thought it was different and I liked how things were wrapped up in the end but not necessary spelled out.

It was short, easy to read, and engaging. I liked the backwards memory and 50 first dates theme. I liked it and would probably recommend to friends. I thought it was different and I liked how things were wrapped up in the end but not necessary spelled out.

London Lane goes to sleep every night and loses her memory of the day before. All she can remember are parts of her future. She relies on notes that she writes the day before to get her through the day. When a new boy comes into her life that she can't remember and a reoccurring dream she decides to learn about her past. London finds shocking news that changes everything. Forgotten is a good book because it keeps your interest. For example, the book says "He's not in my memory, which means he's not in my future." I would recommend this book because it has many things going on. For example, `"I've got enough going on, and now this. My best friend has gone off the deep end. My mom is lying to me, and apparently you've been lying, too." I think it will also be good for different people. Another quote from the book is, `"He's not going to leave his wife, and you'll just end up hurt."' If you like romance, drama, and loss you would like to read Forgotten.

Also appears on The Screaming Nitpicker.

I gave it my best shot. Just under halfway through the novel, I'm calling it quits on Forgotten because this book is stupid. For a moment, I tried to find a kinder way to put it, but why sugarcoat it and Be Nice? Forgotten is dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb.

The way London handles her disorder confuses me. Writing down what it to come the next day so she can prepare herself? That's a smart one. I'll give her that much. However, her past is just as important as her future and yet she neglects her past by barely recording it or not recording it at all. How is she going to grow and change if she doesn't bother to start recording her past more thoroughly until she gets a boyfriend? Does she not remember the saying, "Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it"?

Oh, wait. That wasn't nice to say, was it?

Concerning the aforementioned boyfriend, their relationship was one-hundred percent insta-love. That should say everything that needs to be said about why Luke and London's budding love made me want to go to sleep. I'm constantly tired in the first place partially thanks to anemia, but it got worse every time I tried to dig into Forgotten. I wish that was exaggeration, but it's not.

Forty-two percent of the way in, there was still no sign of a plot. Jamie started her relationship with the teacher, London met and forgot Luke multiple times, London tries to find out more about her dad, she and Luke go on a few dates... As if I were London, I've forgotten most of what happened in the novel because it's so forgettable. The novel is readable, but it's not interesting. I think this is a case of the author biting off much more than she could chew. This sort of idea required a meticulous author who could execute it perfectly and it does not appear Patrick is that author.

After a friend mentioned how the book comes together in the second half, I forced myself to skim through the second half just to give it another shot. I gave Forgotten far more fair shots than it deserved, let me tell you. Something about a dead grandma and brother, "I love yous" between Luke and London--yep, nothing interesting there. Quitting at the forty-two percent mark is only looking smarter the more I think about it.

So there you go. Another DNF. Forgotten was riddled with holes and as dull as dull can be and I can't really recommend it. A few of my friends loved it, but it definitely wasn't to my taste. Give it to a better author who can give London and co. better characterization, give London better ways to manage her life, develop a plot interesting enough to make me finish reading the novel, and not turn a great concept into a sleep aid. Then we'll talk about me giving this book a second try. Like I said at the beginning, this review is not concerned with Being Nice.

This story really captured my attention! I read it all in one evening. I just had to know what happened. Reminded me of 50 First Dates in some ways, but a much better story. Young Adult Fiction is my favorite for leisure reading, and this book is a winner!